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 19, 2025 (May 16, 2025)
Royalty Pharma
plc
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| England and Wales | 001-39329 | 98-1535773 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Identification No.) | |
|
110 East 59th Street New York, New York |
10022 | ||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 883-0200
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share | RPRX | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
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. ☐
Introductory Note
On May 16, Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd. (“RPH”), a subsidiary of Royalty Pharma plc (the “Company”), consummated the previously announced transaction pursuant to the Membership Interests Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 10, 2025 and as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Membership Interests Purchase Agreement, dated April 11, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among RPH, Royalty Pharma Manager, LLC (f/k/a Royalty Pharma, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (“RP LLC”), RP Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RP Management”), the sellers named therein (the “Sellers”) and the Company, pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, RPH acquired all of the equity interests of RP LLC from the Sellers (the “Transaction”). The Transaction is more fully described in Item 2.01 below.
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Joinder, Release and First Amendment to Loan Agreement and Loan Documents
Upon consummation of the Transaction, RP Management, RP LLC, RPH, Legorreta Investments, LLC (“Legorreta Investments”), Legorreta Investments II LLC (together with Legorreta Investments, the “Entity Guarantors” and, each, and “Entity Guarantor”), Pablo Legorreta (the “Individual Guarantor”) and Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank”) entered into that certain Joinder, Release and First Amendment to Loan Agreement and Loan Documents (the “Amendment”), pursuant to which, among other things, (i) RP Management was released as a borrower under that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2023 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Loan Agreement” and, as amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Loan Agreement”) and under that certain Continuing and Unconditional Guaranty, dated as of December 11, 2023 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Guaranty” and, as amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Guaranty”), (ii) RPH and RP LLC were each joined as a borrower under the Amended Loan Agreement and guarantor under the Amended Guaranty and (iii) the Entity Guarantors and the Individual Guarantor each confirmed their continuing obligations under the Amended Loan Agreement and the Amended Guaranty, respectively.
The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement
Concurrently with the consummation of the Transaction, certain recipients nominated by the Sellers and the parties to the existing Exchange Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2024, entered into that certain Amendment and Restatement Agreement to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2025 (the “A&R Exchange Agreement”), pursuant to which such recipients became parties to the Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement and are able to exchange the non-voting class E ordinary shares of RPH acquired by them in connection with the Purchase Agreement after any redesignation into class B ordinary shares of RPH, or other class B ordinary shares of RPH they may hold, on a one-for-one basis for the Company’s Class A ordinary shares.
The foregoing description of the A&R Exchange Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the A&R Exchange Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference. As a result of the Transaction and on the terms and pursuant to the conditions contained in the Purchase Agreement, on May 16, 2024, RPH acquired all of equity interests of RP LLC from the Sellers.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the aggregate consideration paid to, or at the direction of, the Sellers in the Transaction consisted of (i) $200,000,000 of cash, less the aggregate amount of management fee payments in respect of calendar year 2025 made to and actually received by RP Management and RP LLC and their respective subsidiaries from January 1, 2025 through May 16, 2025, subject to customary adjustments and (ii) 24,530,266 non-voting Class E ordinary shares of RPH (the “Share Consideration”). In addition, the Sellers subscribed for such number of Class B ordinary shares of the Company equal to the number of non-voting Class E ordinary shares of RPH they received as part of the Share Consideration, at a price of the nominal value of $0.000001 per Class B ordinary share. Furthermore, RPH assumed RP Management’s $380 million term loan facility and all outstanding indebtedness thereunder. The Share Consideration received by Pablo Legorreta is subject to vesting on a straight-line basis over five years and is subject to forfeiture if he (i) resigns or voluntarily ceases to have a business relationship with the Company group during that period, (ii) is terminated as a service provider of the Company group for cause, or (iii) breaches certain restrictive covenant obligations. The Share Consideration received by the management members of RP Management, other than Pablo Legorreta, are subject to vesting on a straight-line basis over ten years, beginning in 2024, and are subject to forfeiture if the executive’s employment terminates for any reason, subject to certain exceptions.
The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Purchase Agreement attached as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated January 10, 2025, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registration.
The information described above under Item 1.01 of this report is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
In connection with the Transaction, effective as of the closing of the Transaction, the Company’s subsidiary, Royalty Pharma, LLC, entered into offer letters (the “Executive Offer Letters”) with each of Pablo Legorreta, Terrance Coyne, Christopher Hite, George Lloyd and Marshall Urist (the “Named Executive Officers”).
The Executive Offer Letters provide for severance benefits in the form of continued payment of the Named Executive Officer’s base salary for one year in the event of the applicable Named Executive Officer’s termination without “cause” or resignation for “good reason” (each as defined in the applicable Executive Offer Letter), subject to the execution of a release of claims and continued compliance with restrictive covenant obligations. Each of the Named Executive Officers remain subject to their existing restrictive covenant obligations, including covenants with respect to confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation. Each of the Named Executive Offers are also eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans.
The foregoing description of the Executive Offer Letters does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Executive Offer Letters, a form of which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2025, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Royalty Pharma plc
In connection with the Transaction, the articles of association of the Company were amended and restated in their entirety by a special resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company at the Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12, 2025 and a written class consent of the holders of the Class B ordinary shares of the Company (the “Company A&R Articles of Association”). The Company A&R Articles of Association, which were adopted on May 12, 2025, provide additional rights to redesignate Class B ordinary shares of the Company into deferred shares of the Company when an equal number of Class E ordinary shares of RPH are also redesignated into deferred shares. In addition, the Company A&R Articles of Association include certain refinements to the process of calling a general meeting of shareholders or securing the consent of a class of shareholders.
The foregoing description of the Company A&R Articles of Association does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Company A&R Articles of Association, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd
Concurrently with the consummation of the Transaction, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the articles of association of RPH were amended and restated in their entirety by a special resolution of the shareholders of RPH and written class consents of each of the holder of the class C ordinary share of RPH and the holder of the class D ordinary share of RPH, and were adopted as of May 16, 2025 (the “RPH A&R Articles of Association”).
The foregoing description of the RPH A&R Articles of Association does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the RPH A&R Articles of Association, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.2 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Royalty Pharma plc | |
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd | |
| 10.1 | Joinder, Release and First Amendment to Loan Agreement and Loan Documents* | |
| 10.2 | Amended and Restated Exchange Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2025 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
*The schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of such schedules and exhibits, or any section thereof, to the SEC upon request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| ROYALTY PHARMA PLC | ||||||
| Date: May 19, 2025 | By: |
/s/ Terrance Coyne |
||||
| Terrance Coyne | ||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
Exhibit 3.1
COMPANY NUMBER: 12446913
COMPANIES ACT 2006
A PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
of
ROYALTY PHARMA PLC
(adopted by a special resolution passed on 12 May 2025)
CONTENTS
| Clause | Page |
| PRELIMINARY | 1 |
| SHARE CAPITAL AND LIMITED LIABILITY | 6 |
| AUTHORITY TO ALLOT SHARES AND DISAPPLICATION OF PRE-EMPTION RIGHTS | 13 |
| VARIATION OF RIGHTS | 14 |
| SHARES IN UNCERTIFICATED FORM | 15 |
| SHARE CERTIFICATES | 17 |
| LIEN | 18 |
| CALLS ON SHARES | 19 |
| FORFEITURE AND SURRENDER | 20 |
| TRANSFER OF SHARES | 22 |
| TRANSMISSION OF SHARES | 23 |
| ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL | 24 |
| PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES | 25 |
| GENERAL MEETINGS | 25 |
| NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS | 26 |
| PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS | 30 |
| PROPOSED SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTIONS | 34 |
| VOTES OF MEMBERS | 40 |
| NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS IN SHARES | 44 |
| PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES | 47 |
| NUMBER OF DIRECTORS | 52 |
| APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS | 52 |
| POWERS OF THE BOARD | 53 |
| BORROWING POWERS | 54 |
| CHANGE OF THE COMPANY’S NAME | 54 |
| DELEGATION OF POWERS OF THE BOARD | 54 |
| RESIGNATION, DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS | 55 |
| REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES OF DIRECTORS | 57 |
| EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | 57 |
| ALTERNATE DIRECTORS | 58 |
-i-
| DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS | 60 |
| GRATUITIES, PENSIONS AND INSURANCE | 64 |
| PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD | 65 |
| SECRETARY | 68 |
| MINUTES | 68 |
| THE SEAL | 69 |
| REGISTERS | 69 |
| DIVIDENDS | 70 |
| CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS AND RESERVES | 74 |
| RECORD DATES | 76 |
| ACCOUNTS | 77 |
| COMMUNICATIONS | 77 |
| DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS | 83 |
| UNTRACED MEMBERS | 84 |
| WINDING UP | 85 |
| INDEMNITY | 86 |
| DISPUTE RESOLUTION | 87 |
-ii-
COMPANY NUMBER: 12446913
COMPANIES ACT 2006
A PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
of
Royalty Pharma plc
(adopted by special resolution passed on 12 May 2025)
PRELIMINARY
Model Articles
1 This document comprises the Articles of Association of Royalty Pharma plc (the “Company”) and no regulations set out in any statute or statutory instrument concerning companies (including the Companies (Model Articles) Regulation 2008 (SI 2008/3229)) shall apply as Articles of Association of the Company.
Definitions
2 In these Articles, except where the subject or context otherwise requires:
A Shares means the voting class A ordinary shares of US$0.0001 each in the capital of the Company, identified in Article 6 and with the rights set out therein and in these Articles generally;
Act means the Companies Act 2006, including any modification or re-enactment of it for the time being in force;
address means in relation to electronic communications, any number or address (including, in the case of any Uncertificated Proxy Instruction permitted in accordance with these Articles, an identification number of a participant in the Relevant System concerned) used for the purposes of such communications; Business Day means any day except (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday, (iii) any day on which the principal office of the Company is not open for business, and (iv) any other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or in the United Kingdom are authorised or obligated by law or executive order to close;
Articles means these articles of association, as amended from time to time and “Article” shall be construed accordingly;
auditors means the auditors for the time being of the Company;
B Shares means the voting class B ordinary shares of US$0.000001 each in the capital of the Company, identified in Article 7 and with the rights set out therein and in these Articles generally;
Board means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time;
Certificated Share means a Share which is held in physical certificated form and references in these Articles to a Share being held in certificated form shall be construed accordingly;
clear days means, in relation to the sending of a notice, the period excluding the day on which a notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;
Company’s website means the website, operated or controlled by the Company, which contains information about the Company in accordance with the Statutes;
default shares has the meaning given in Article 125(a);
Deferred Shares means the deferred shares in the capital of the Company identified in Article 10 and with the rights set out therein and in these Articles generally;
Depositary means any depositary, custodian or nominee approved by the Board that holds legal title to Shares for the purposes of facilitating beneficial ownership of such Shares by another individual or individuals;
Derivative Instrument has the meaning given in Article 117(a)(ii)(B);
direction notice has the meaning given in Article 125;
director means a director of the Company for the time being, and includes any person occupying the position of director, by whatever name called;
dividend means dividend or bonus;
EEA State means a state within the European Economic Area;
electronic communication has the same meaning as provided in section 15 of the Electronic Communications Act;
Electronic Communications Act means the Electronic Communications Act 2000 (as amended from time to time);
electronic form means in a form specified by section 1168(3) of the Act and otherwise complying with the provisions of that section;
electronic general meeting has the meaning given in Article 90;
entitled by transmission means, in relation to a Share, entitled as a consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder or otherwise by operation of law;
Exchange has the meaning give in Article 19;
Exchange Act means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder;
Group Company has the meaning given in Article 208;
Group Company Interest has the meaning given in Article 208;
holder means, in relation to a Share, the member whose name is entered in the Register as the holder of that Share;
Interested Director has the meaning given in Article 207;
member means a member of the Company;
member default shares shall have the meaning given in Article 118;
Nasdaq means Nasdaq Global Select Market (or other similar national quotation system of the Nasdaq Stock Market);
Office means the registered office for the time being of the Company;
Operator means a person approved under the Regulations as operator of a Relevant System;
ordinary resolution has the meaning given in section 282 of the Act;
Other Interests has the meaning given in Article 117(a)(ii)(D);
paid means paid or credited as paid;
Preference Shares has the meaning given in Article 9;
public announcement means disclosure in a press release reported by Reuters, the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable news service of other method of public announcement as the Board may deem appropriate in the circumstances or, where applicable, in a document publicly filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; Relevant Class has the meaning given in Article 35;
R Shares means the redeemable ordinary shares of £1.00 each in the capital of the Company;
Register means the register of members of the Company;
Regulations means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755) (as amended and replaced from time to time and any subordinate legislation and rules made under them for the time being in force);
Relevant Share Capital has the meaning given in Article 136(a);
Relevant System means any computer based system, and procedures, permitted by the Regulations, which enables title in units of a security to be evidenced and transferred without a written instrument and which facilitate supplementary and incidental matters;
Retiring Directors has the meaning given in Article 169;
Rights has the meaning given in Article 17;
Rights Plan has the meaning given in Article 16;
seal means the common seal (if any) of the Company and includes any official seal (if any) kept by the Company by virtue of section 49 or 50 of the Act;
SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
secretary means the secretary of the Company and includes a joint, assistant, deputy or temporary secretary and any other person appointed to perform the duties of the secretary of the Company;
section 793 notice has the meaning given in Article 125;
Securities Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder;
Shareholder Associated Person has the meaning given in Article 117;
Shareholder Information means notices, documentation or information which the Company wishes or is required to communicate to members including, without limitation, annual reports and accounts, interim financial statements, summary financial statements, notices of meeting and proxy forms;
Shares means shares of any class in the capital of the Company and Share shall be construed accordingly;
Situational Conflict has the meaning given in Article 207;
special resolution has the meaning given to it in section 283 of the Act;
Statutes means the Act and every other statute (including any orders, regulations or other subordinate legislation made under them) for the time being in force concerning companies and affecting the Company (including, without limitation, the Regulations and the Electronic Communications Act);
Sterling or £ means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom; Uncertificated Proxy Instruction means a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction, and/or other instruction or notification, which is sent by means of the Relevant System concerned and received by such participant in that system acting on behalf of the Company as the directors may prescribe, in such form and subject to such terms and conditions as may from time to time be prescribed by the directors (subject always to the facilities and requirements of the Relevant System concerned);
Uncertificated Share means in relation to any Share or other security of the Company, that title to it is evidenced and may be transferred by means of a Relevant System;
United Kingdom means Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
US Dollars or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America;
Voting Agreement has the meaning given in Article 117(a)(ii)(C);
Voting Commitment has the meaning given in Article 117(A)(i);
Voting Shares means the A Shares and B Shares; and
website communication means the publication of a notice or other Shareholder Information on the Company’s website in accordance with Part 4 of Schedule 5 to the Act.
Construction
3 References to a document or information being sent, supplied or given to or by a person mean such document or information, or a copy of such document or information, being sent, supplied, given, delivered, issued or made available to or by, or served on or by, or deposited with or by that person by any method authorised by these Articles, and sending, supplying and giving shall be construed accordingly.
References to outstanding Shares in the Company shall not include Shares held by the Company in treasury.
References to electronic platforms include, without limitation, website addresses and conference call systems, and references to persons attending meetings by electronic means means attendance at electronic general meetings via the electronic platform(s) stated in the notice of such meeting.
References to writing mean the representation or reproduction of words, symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether in electronic form or otherwise, and written shall be construed accordingly.
Words denoting the singular number include the plural number and vice versa, words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine gender and vice versa, and words denoting persons include bodies corporate (wherever resident or domiciled) and unincorporated bodies of persons.
Words or expressions contained in these Articles which are not defined in Article 2 but are defined in the Statutes have the same meaning as in the Statutes (but excluding any modification of the Statutes not in force at the date these Articles took effect) unless inconsistent with the subject or context.
Subject to the preceding two paragraphs, references to any provision of any enactment or of any subordinate legislation (as defined by section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act 1978) include any modification or re-enactment of that provision for the time being in force.
Any words following the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition , phrase or term preceding those terms.
References to “other” and “otherwise” shall not be construed ejusdem generis where a wider construction is possible.
A reference in these Articles to a holder or holder(s) of any class of Shares, as the case may be, shall in each case, be deemed to exclude the Company in relation to any Shares in treasury.
Headings are inserted for convenience only and do not affect the construction of these Articles.
In these Articles, (a) powers of delegation shall not be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall be given to them; (b) the word Board in the context of the exercise of any power contained in these Articles includes any committee consisting of one or more directors, any director, any other officer of the Company and any local or divisional board, manager or agent of the Company to which or, as the case may be, to whom the power in question has been delegated; and (c) except where expressly provided by the terms of delegation, the delegation of a power shall not exclude the concurrent exercise of that power by any other body or person who is for the time being authorised to exercise it under these Articles or under another delegation of the power.
SHARE CAPITAL AND LIMITED LIABILITY
Limited Liability
4 The liability of the members is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the Shares held by them.
Share Capital
5 Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, the A Shares, the B Shares, the R Shares, the Deferred Shares and any class of Preferred Shares issued by the Company shall each constitute a separate class of Shares.
6 The A Shares shall carry the following rights:
| (a) | The A Shares are voting Shares and shall be issued with one (1) vote attached to each A Share for voting purposes in respect of all matters on which Voting Shares in the capital of the Company have voting rights and shall form a single class with the other Voting Shares in the capital of the Company for such purposes. |
| (b) | The A Shares shall have the right to receive pro rata (on a per share basis) and on a pari passu basis any dividends approved from time to time by the Board. |
| (c) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis) each A Share shall be paid an amount equal to a proportionate share of their respective interests in the assets of the |
Company remaining for distribution to the holders of the A Shares, subject to the provisions of Articles 7(c) and 10(c) below.
7 The B Shares shall carry the following rights:
| (a) | The B Shares are voting Shares and shall be issued with one (1) vote attached to each B Share for voting purposes in respect of all matters on which Voting Shares in the capital of the Company have voting rights and shall form a single class with the other Voting Shares in the capital of the Company for such purposes. |
| (b) | The B Shares shall confer no rights to participate in the profits of the Company and shall have no right to receive any dividends approved from time to time by the Board. |
| (c) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis), there shall be paid to the holders of B Shares, the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on such B Shares after first paying to the holders of the A Shares (i) the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on all A Shares held by them, together with (ii) the sum of US$10,000,000 on each A Share. |
| (d) | Each B Share will be re-designated as a Deferred Share by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 below. |
8 The R Shares shall carry the following rights:
| (a) | The R Shares are non-voting Shares. The holders of R Shares shall not be entitled in their capacity as holders of R Shares to receive notice of any general meeting of the Company or to attend, speak or vote at any such meeting. |
| (b) | The R Shares shall confer no rights to participate in the profits of the Company and shall have no right to receive any dividends approved from time to time by the Board. |
| (c) | The R Shares shall confer no right to participate in any return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis). |
| (d) | The R Shares may be immediately redeemed in cash by the Company at any time and from time to time on prior written notice from the Board to the holder of the R Shares. |
9 The Company may issue preference shares (Preference Shares), which Preference Shares shall be denominated in US Dollars with a nominal value to be determined by the Board. Preference Shares may be issued in one or more classes or series with or without voting rights attached to them, with the Board to determine the existence of such voting rights and, if any, the ranking of such voting rights in relation to the other Shares in the capital of the Company. The Board may determine any other terms and conditions of any class of Preference Shares, including with regards to their rights (i) to receive dividends (which may include, without limitation, the right to receive preferential or cumulative dividends), (ii) to distributions made by the Company on a winding up; and (iii) to be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of shares, at such prices or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments as may be determined by the Board. Preference Shares may be issued as redeemable shares, at the option of the Board.
10 The Deferred Shares shall carry the following rights:
| (a) | The Deferred Shares are non-voting Shares. The holders of Deferred Shares shall not be entitled in their capacity as holders of Deferred Shares to receive notice of any general meeting of the Company or to attend, speak or vote at any such meeting. |
| (b) | The Deferred Shares shall confer no rights to participate in the profits of the Company and shall have no right to receive any dividends approved from time to time by the Board. |
| (c) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis), but not otherwise, there shall be paid to the holders of Deferred Shares, the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on such Deferred Shares after first paying (A) to the holders of the A Shares (i) the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on all A Shares held by them, together with (ii) the sum of US$10,000,000 on each A Share, and (B) to the holders of the B Shares the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on all B Shares held by them. |
| (d) | No share certificates shall be issued in respect of the Deferred Shares. |
| (e) | The Deferred Shares shall not be transferable except with the written consent of the Board except that the Company may at any time (and from time to time), subject to the provisions of the Act, without obtaining the sanction of the holder or holders of the Deferred Shares: |
| (i) | appoint any person to execute on behalf of any holder of Deferred Shares a transfer of all of the Deferred Shares or any part thereof (and/or an agreement to transfer the same) to the Company or to such person as the Board may determine (whether or not an officer of the Company) and/or purchase the same in accordance with the provisions of the Act, in any case for not more than the aggregate amount of one (1) U.S. Dollar cent for all the Deferred Shares then being transferred; and |
| (ii) | cancel all or any of the Deferred Shares so acquired by the Company in accordance with the Act. |
| (f) | The Company may from time to time create, allot and issue further shares, with or without voting rights, whether ranking pari passu with or in priority to the Deferred Shares and any creation, allotment or issue of such further shares (whether or not ranking in any respect in priority to the Deferred Shares) shall be treated as being in accordance with the rights attaching to the Deferred Shares and shall not involve a variation of such rights for any purpose or require the consent of the holders of the Deferred Shares. No reduction in capital by the Company of the capital paid up on the Deferred Shares shall constitute a variation of such rights for any purpose and the Company shall be authorised at any time to reduce its capital (in accordance with the Act) without obtaining the consent of the holders of Deferred Shares. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Company is authorised to reduce (or purchase shares in) its capital of any class or classes and such reduction (or purchase) shall not involve a variation of rights attaching to the Deferred Shares for any purpose or require the consent of the |
holders of the Deferred Shares. No amendment to, or replacement of, the articles of association of the Company shall constitute a variation of rights attaching to the Deferred Shares for any purposes. To the extent that there is any conflict between the provisions of this Article 10(f) and any other provision of these Articles, the provisions of this Article 10(f) shall prevail.
Shares with special rights
11 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, and without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares or class of Shares, any Share may be issued with such preferred, deferred or other special rights or subject to such restrictions (whether in regard to dividends, return of capital, voting or otherwise) as the Company may by ordinary resolution determine or, subject to and in the absence of such determination, as the Board shall determine.
Redesignation of B Shares
12 The B Shares shall be redesignated in the following circumstances:
| (a) | conditional upon (i) receipt of a written notice from a holder of B Shares, received and completed in accordance with an agreement entered into between, amongst others, the holder of the relevant B Shares and the Company and (ii) transfer to the Company of class B ordinary shares, or depositary receipts representing such shares, in the capital of Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd. in consideration for the issuance of A Shares, the number of B Shares specified in such notification shall be redesignated as Deferred Shares upon issuance of such A Shares; and |
| (b) | conditional upon redesignation of any E shares in the capital of Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd into deferred shares in the capital of Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd, a corresponding number of B Shares held by or on behalf of the holder of such E shares (or depositary receipts representing such E shares) as are redesignated into deferred shares in the capital of Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd, shall be redesignated into Deferred Shares. |
Uncertificated Shares
13 Subject to the provisions of the Regulations, and without prejudice to any powers which the Company or the Board may have to issue, allot, dispose of, convert or otherwise deal with or make arrangements in relation to Shares and other securities in any form:
| (a) | the Board may permit the holding of Shares in any class in uncertificated form; |
| (b) | the Company may issue Shares in uncertificated form; |
| (c) | Shares may be converted from certificated form to uncertificated form and vice versa; and |
| (d) | title to Shares in any class may be transferred by means of a Relevant System. |
No separate class of Shares
14 Shares that fall within a certain class shall not form a separate class of Shares from other Shares in that class because any Share in that class is held in uncertificated form.
Exercise of Company’s entitlements in respect of Uncertificated Shares
15 Where the Company is entitled under any provision of the Statutes or these Articles to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, forfeit, re-allot, accept the surrender of, or otherwise enforce a lien over, a Share held in uncertificated form, the Company shall be entitled, subject to the provisions of the Statutes and these Articles and the facilities and requirements of the Relevant System:
| (a) | to require the holder of that Uncertificated Share by notice to change that Share into certificated form within the period specified in the notice and to hold that Share in certificated form so long as required by the Company; |
| (b) | to require the holder of that Uncertificated Share by notice to give any instructions necessary to transfer title to that Share by means of the Relevant System within the period specified in the notice; |
| (c) | to require the holder of that Uncertificated Share by notice to appoint any person to take any step, including without limitation the giving of any instructions by means of the Relevant System, necessary to transfer that Share within the period specified in the notice and such steps shall be as effective as if they had been taken by the registered holder of that Share; and |
| (d) | to take any action that the Board considers appropriate to achieve the sale, transfer, disposal, forfeiture, re-allotment or surrender of that Share, or otherwise to enforce a lien in respect of that Share. |
Rights Plan
16 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Board may exercise any power of the Company to establish a shareholder rights plan (a Rights Plan), including the execution of any document relating to the adoption and/or implementation (or both) of the Rights Plan. The Rights Plan may be in such form as the Board shall in its absolute discretion decide and may in particular (but without restriction or limitation) include such terms as are described in the Summary of Example Terms in the form appearing in the Appendix to these Articles.
17 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Board may exercise any power of the Company to grant rights to subscribe for Shares of the Company and/or to acquire Shares of the Company, in accordance with the Rights Plan (the Rights).
18 The purposes for which the Board shall be entitled to establish the Rights Plan and to grant Rights in accordance therewith, as provided in Articles 16 and 17, shall include (without limitation) the following where, in the opinion of the majority of the Board present at a duly convened meeting, acting in good faith and on such grounds as the Board shall consider reasonable, irrespective of whether such grounds would be considered reasonable by any other party with or without the benefit of hindsight, to do so would improve the likelihood that:
| (a) | any process which may result in an acquisition or change of Control of the Company is conducted in an orderly manner; |
| (b) | all members of the Company will be treated equally and fairly and in a similar manner; |
| (c) | an optimum price for A Shares would be received by or on behalf of all holders thereof; |
| (d) | the success of the Company would be promoted for the benefit of its members as a whole, having regard to the matters in section 172 of the Act; |
| (e) | the long term interests of the Company, its employees, its members and its business would be safeguarded; |
| (f) | the Company would not suffer serious economic harm; or |
| (g) | the Board would have additional time to gather relevant information or pursue appropriate strategies, |
or all or any of the above.
19 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Board may determine not to redeem the Rights and accordingly exercise any power of the Company to:
| (a) | allot Shares of the Company pursuant to the exercise of the Rights; or |
| (b) | exchange or cause to be exchanged all or part of the Rights, |
in each case other than the Rights of an Acquiring Person, for Shares (an Exchange) in each case in accordance with the Rights Plan. The purposes for which the Board shall be entitled not to redeem the Rights, and accordingly to exercise any power of the Company to allot Shares or effect an Exchange, shall include (without limitation) the following where, in the opinion of the majority of the Board members present at a duly convened meeting, acting in good faith and on such grounds as the Board shall consider reasonable, irrespective of whether such grounds would be considered reasonable by any other party with or without the benefit of hindsight, not to redeem the Rights and accordingly to exercise any power of the Company to effect an Exchange or to allot Shares, would improve the likelihood that:
| (i) | the use of abusive tactics by any person in connection with any potential acquisition or change of Control of the Company would be prevented; |
| (ii) | any potential acquisition or change of Control of the Company which would be unlikely to treat all members of the Company equally and fairly and in a similar manner would be prevented; |
| (iii) | any potential acquisition or change of Control of the Company at a price which would undervalue the Company or its Shares would be prevented; |
| (iv) | any potential acquisition or change of Control of the Company which would not be likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole, having regard to the matters in section 172 of the Act, would be prevented; |
| (v) | the long term interests of the Company and/or its members, its employees and its business would be safeguarded; or |
| (vi) | the Company would not suffer serious economic harm, |
or all or any of the above.
20 For the purposes of Articles 16 to 19:
| (a) | a person shall be treated as entitled to acquire anything which he is entitled to acquire at a future date, or will at a future date be entitled to acquire, irrespective of whether such future acquisition is contingent upon satisfaction of any conditions precedent; |
| (b) | there shall be attributed to any person (other than a Depositary) any rights or powers of a nominee of him, that is to say, any rights or powers which another person possesses on his behalf or may be required to exercise on his direction or behalf (including rights or powers of a nominee possessed or exercisable by the nominee on behalf of such person); |
| (c) | Acquiring Person means a person having Control of the Company; |
| (d) | beneficial ownership of any person or group of affiliated or associated persons shall have the meaning given to such term under the US federal securities laws, including the Exchange Act, and shall mean the notional securities underlying any derivatives contract held by the person or group in question (whether to be settled in cash, Shares or others); |
| (e) | Control means that a person, alone or with (I) a group of affiliated or associated persons, (II) anyone with whom he is acting in concert, or (III) both, exercises, or is able to exercise or is entitled to acquire, the direct or indirect power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the preceding words, if he, alone or with (x) a group of affiliated or associated persons, (y) anyone with whom he is acting in concert, or (z) both, possesses or is entitled to acquire: |
| (i) | beneficial ownership of fifteen (15) per cent. or more of the voting rights attributable to the capital of the Company which are exercisable at a general meeting of the Company; |
| (ii) | such percentage of the issued share capital of the Company as would, if the whole of the income or assets of the Company were in fact distributed among the members (without regard to any rights which he or any other person has as a loan creditor), entitle him to receive fifteen (15) per cent. or more of the income or assets so distributed; or |
| (iii) | such rights as would, in the event of the winding-up of the Company or in any other circumstances, entitle him to receive fifteen (15) per cent. or more of the assets of the Company which would then be available for distribution among the members; |
| (f) | group of affiliated or associated persons shall have the meaning given to such terms under the Exchange Act; and |
| (g) | person means, without limitation, any individual, firm, body corporate, unincorporated association, government, state or agency of state, association, joint venture or partnership, in each case whether or not having a separate legal personality provided that any reference to a person shall not include a person providing depositary or |
clearance services or a nominee of such person.
AUTHORITY TO ALLOT SHARES AND DISAPPLICATION OF PRE-EMPTION RIGHTS
Power to allot Shares
21 The Board has general and unconditional authority to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot Shares in the Company or to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into Shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the section 551 amount, for each prescribed 551 period.
Disapplication of pre-emption rights
22 The Board is empowered for each prescribed 561 period to allot equity securities for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by Article 21 as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that its power shall be limited to the allotment of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to the section 561 amount.
This Article 22 applies in relation to a sale of Shares which is an allotment of equity securities by virtue of section 560(3) of the Act as if in this Article 22 the words “pursuant to the authority conferred by Article 21” were omitted.
Offer or agreement to allot
23 The Company may make an offer or agreement which would or might require Shares to be allotted, or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into Shares to be granted, after an authority given pursuant to Article 21 or a power given pursuant to Article 22 has expired. The Board may allot Shares, or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into Shares, in pursuance of that offer or agreement as if the authority or power pursuant to which that offer or agreement was made had not expired.
Interpretation
24 In this Article 24 and Articles 21, 22 and 23:
prescribed 551 period means any period for which the authority conferred by Article 21 is given by ordinary or special resolution stating the section 551 amount (which may be the same as the prescribed 561 period);
prescribed 561 period means any period for which the power conferred by Article 22 is given by special resolution stating the section 561 amount (which may be the same as the prescribed 551 period);
section 551 amount means, for any prescribed 551 period, the amount stated as such in the relevant resolution; and
section 561 amount means, for any prescribed 561 period, the amount stated as such in the relevant special resolution.
25 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes relating to authority, pre-emption rights or otherwise and of any resolution of the Company in general meeting passed pursuant to those provisions, and, in the case of redeemable Shares, the provisions of Article 26, all Shares for the time being in the share capital of the Company (whether forming part of the original or any increased capital) and all (if any) Shares in the Company lawfully held by or on behalf of it shall be at the disposal of the Board which may reclassify, allot (with or without conferring a right of renunciation), grant options over, or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, on such terms and conditions and at such times as it thinks fit.
26 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, and without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares or class of Shares, Shares may be issued which are to be redeemed or are to be liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the holder. The Board may determine the terms, conditions and manner of redemption of Shares, provided that it does so before the Shares are allotted.
Commissions
27 The Company may exercise all powers of paying commissions or brokerage conferred or permitted by the Statutes. Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, any such commission or brokerage may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the allotment of fully or partly paid Shares or partly in one way and partly in the other and may be in respect of a conditional or an absolute subscription.
Trusts not recognised
28 Except as required by law, the Company shall recognise no person as holding any Share on any trust and (except as otherwise provided by these Articles or by law) the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognise any interest in any Share (or in any fractional part of a Share) except the holder’s absolute right to the entirety of the Share (or fractional part of the Share).
VARIATION OF RIGHTS
Method of varying rights
29 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, if at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes of Shares, all or any of the rights attached to any existing class may (unless otherwise provided by the terms of allotment of the Shares of that class) be varied or abrogated, whether or not the Company is being wound up:
| (a) | in such manner (if any) as may be provided by those rights; |
| (b) | with the written consent of the holders of three-quarters in nominal value of the issued Shares of the class (excluding any Shares of that class held as treasury shares), which consent shall be in hard copy form or in electronic form sent to such address (if any) for the time being specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose, or in the absence of such specification to the Office, and may consist of several documents, each executed or authenticated in such manner as the Board may approve by or on behalf of one or more holders, or a combination of both; or |
| (c) | with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the Shares of the class, |
but not otherwise.
30 Subject to Article 29, where there are two (2) or more classes of Shares, every decision by general meeting shall be subject to a separate vote by each class of shareholders whose class rights are affected thereby.
When rights are deemed to be varied
31 For the purposes of Article 29, if at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes of Shares, unless otherwise expressly provided by the rights attached to any Share or class of Shares, those rights shall be deemed to be varied, save in respect of the Deferred Shares, by:
| (a) | the reduction of the capital paid up on that Share or class of Shares otherwise than by a purchase or redemption by the Company of its own Shares; and |
| (b) | except as a result of the exercise by the Board of any power permitting the allotment of Class A Shares or Class B Shares, the allotment of another Share ranking in priority for payment of a dividend or in respect of capital or which confers on its holder voting rights more favourable than those conferred by that Share or class of Shares, |
but shall not be deemed to be varied by:
| (a) | the creation or issue of another Share ranking equally with, or subsequent to, that Share or class of Shares; |
| (b) | the purchase or redemption by the Company of its own Shares or the holding of such Shares as treasury shares in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes; |
| (c) | the sale of any Shares held as treasury shares in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes; |
| (d) | the Company permitting, in accordance with the Regulations, the holding of and transfer of title to Shares of that or any other class in uncertificated form by means of a Relevant System; or |
| (e) | the capitalisation of any sum standing to the credit of any reserve or fund of the Company to allot and issue Deferred Shares pursuant to any authority granted to the Board prior to the adoption of these Articles. |
32 Subject to the terms on which any Shares may be issued, the rights or privileges attached to any class of Shares shall be deemed not to be varied or abrogated by the creation or issue of any new Shares ranking pari passu in substantially all respects (save as to the date from which such new Shares shall rank for dividend) with or subsequent to any Shares already issued or by any purchase by the Company of its own Shares.
SHARES IN UNCERTIFICATED FORM
Power to use a Relevant System
33 The directors shall have power to implement such arrangements as they may, in their absolute discretion, deem fit in order for any class of Shares to be a participating security (subject always to the Regulations and the facilities and requirements of the Relevant System concerned). Where they do so, Articles 34 and 35 shall come into effect immediately prior to the time at which the Operator of the Relevant System concerned permits the class of Shares concerned to be a participating security.
Effect of the Regulations
34 In relation to any class of Shares which is, for the time being, a participating security, and for so long as such class remains a participating security, no provision of these Articles shall apply or have effect to the extent that it is in any respect inconsistent with:
| (a) | the holding of Shares of that class in uncertificated form; |
| (b) | the transfer of title to Shares of the class by means of a Relevant System; or |
| (c) | the Regulations, |
and, without prejudice to the generality of this Article 34, no provision of these Articles shall apply or have effect to the extent that it is in any respect inconsistent with the maintenance, keeping or entering by the Operator, so long as that is permitted or required by the Regulations, of an Operator register of securities in respect of Shares of that class in uncertificated form.
35 Without prejudice to the generality of Article 34 and notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles where any class of Shares is, for the time being, a participating security (such class being referred to in these Articles as the Relevant Class):
| (a) | Shares of the Relevant Class may be issued in uncertificated form in accordance with and subject as provided in the Regulations; |
| (b) | unless the Board otherwise determines, Shares of the Relevant Class held by the same holder or joint holder in certificated form and uncertificated form shall be treated as separate holdings; |
| (c) | Shares of the Relevant Class may be changed from uncertificated to certificated form, and from certificated to uncertificated form, in accordance with and subject as provided in the Regulations; |
| (d) | title to Shares of the Relevant Class which are recorded on the Register as being held in uncertificated form may be transferred by means of the Relevant System concerned and accordingly (and in particular) Article 61 shall not apply in respect of such Shares to the extent that those Articles require or contemplate the effecting of a transfer by an instrument in writing and the production of a certificate for the Share to be transferred; |
| (e) | the Company shall comply with the provisions of Regulations 25 and 26 in relation to the Relevant Class; |
| (f) | the provisions of these Articles with respect to meetings of or including holders of the Relevant Class, including notices of such meetings, shall have effect subject to the provisions of Regulation 41; and |
| (g) | Articles 38 to 42 shall not apply so as to require the Company to issue a certificate to any person holding Shares of the Relevant Class in uncertificated form. |
Disposal, forfeiture and surrender of Uncertificated Shares
36 If, under these Articles or the Statutes, the Company is entitled to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, forfeit, re-allot, accept the surrender of or otherwise enforce a lien over an Uncertificated Share then, subject to these Articles and the Statutes, such entitlement shall include the right of the Board to:
| (a) | require the holder of the Uncertificated Share by notice in writing to change that Share from uncertificated to certificated form within such period as may be specified in the notice and keep it as a Certificated Share for so long as the Board requires; |
| (b) | appoint any person to take such other steps, by instruction given by means of a Relevant System or otherwise, in the name of the holder of such Share as may be required to effect the transfer of such Share and such steps shall be effective as if they had been taken by the registered holder of that Share; and |
| (c) | take such other action that the Board considers appropriate to achieve the sale, transfer, disposal, forfeiture, re-allotment or surrender of that Share or otherwise enforce a lien in respect of that Share. |
Register of Uncertificated Securities
37 The Company shall be entitled to assume that the entries of any record of securities maintained by it in accordance with the Regulations and regularly reconciled with the relevant register of securities held by the Operator are a complete and accurate reproduction of the particulars entered into the register of securities held by the Operator and shall accordingly not be liable in respect of any act or thing done or omitted to be done by or on behalf of the Company in reliance upon such assumption, and, in particular, any provision of these Articles which requires or envisages that action will be taken in reliance on information contained in the Register shall be construed to permit that action to be taken in reliance on information contained in any relevant register of securities (as so maintained and reconciled).
SHARE CERTIFICATES
Members’ right to certificates
38 Subject to these Articles and the provisions of the Regulations, every member (except a person in respect of whom the Company is not by law required to complete and have ready for delivery a certificate), on becoming the holder of a Share shall be entitled, except as provided by the Statutes, without payment, to have issued to him within two months after allotment or lodgement of a transfer (unless the terms of the issue of Shares provide otherwise) to one certificate for all the Certificated Shares of each class held by him (and, on transferring a part of his holding of Certificated Shares of any class, to a certificate for the balance of his holding of Certificated Shares). Each member may elect to receive one or more additional certificates for any of his Certificated Shares if he pays a reasonable sum determined from time to time by the Board for every certificate after the first.
39 Every certificate shall:
| (a) | be executed by the Company in such manner as the Board, having regard to the Statutes, may approve; and |
| (b) | specify the number, class and distinguishing numbers (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and the nominal value of and the amount or respective amounts paid up on the Shares. |
40 The Board may by resolution decide, either generally or in particular case or cases, that any signatures on any certificates for Shares or any other form of security issued at any time by the Company need not be autographic but may be applied to the certificates by some mechanical means or may be printed on them or that the certificates need not be signed by any person.
41 The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for Certificated Shares held jointly by more than one person and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be a sufficient delivery to all of them and seniority shall be determined in accordance with Article 122. Shares of different classes may not be included in the same certificate.
Replacement Certificates
42 If a share certificate is defaced, worn out, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and payment of any exceptional out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in investigating evidence and preparing the requisite form of indemnity as the Board may determine but otherwise free of charge, and (in the case of defacement or wearing out) on delivery up of the old certificate to the Company.
LIEN
Company to have a lien on Shares
43 The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on every Share (not being a fully paid Share) for all monies payable to the Company (whether presently or not) in respect of that Share. The Board may at any time (generally or in a particular case) waive any lien or declare any Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article 43. The Company’s lien on a Share shall extend to any amount (including, without limitation, dividends) payable in respect of it.
Enforcement by sale
44 The Company may sell, in such manner as the Board determines, any Share on which the Company has a lien if a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable and is not paid within fourteen (14) clear days after notice in writing has been sent to the holder of the Share in question, or to the person entitled to it by transmission, demanding payment of the sum presently payable and stating that if the notice is not complied with the Share may be sold.
Giving effect to sale
45 To give effect to any such sale, the Board may, if the Share is a Certificated Share, authorise such person as it directs to execute an instrument of transfer in respect of the Share sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. If the Share is an Uncertificated Share, the Board may, to enable the Company to deal with the Share in accordance with the provisions of this Article 45, exercise any of the powers of the Company under Article 15 to effect the sale of the Share to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. The buyer shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money and his title to the Share shall not be affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings in relation to the sale.
Application of proceeds
46 The net proceeds of the sale, after payment of the costs, shall be applied in or towards payment or satisfaction of so much of the sum in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable. Any residue shall (if the Share sold is a Certificated Share, on surrender to the Company for cancellation of the certificate in respect of the Share sold and, whether the Share sold is a Certificated Share or an Uncertificated Share, subject to a like lien for any monies not presently payable as existed on the Share before the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the Share at the date of the sale.
CALLS ON SHARES
Power to make calls
47 Subject to the terms of allotment of any Shares, the Board may from time to time make calls on the members in respect of any monies unpaid on their Shares (whether in respect of nominal value or premium). Each member shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen (14) clear days’ notice specifying when and where payment is to be made) pay to the Company the amount called on his Shares as required by the notice. A call may be required to be paid by instalments. A call may, before receipt by the Company of an amount due under it, be revoked in whole or part and the time fixed for payment of a call may be postponed in whole or part as the Board may determine. A person on whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made on him even if the Shares in respect of which the call was made are subsequently transferred.
Time when call made
48 A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Board authorising the call was passed.
Liability of joint holders
49 The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of it.
Interest payable
50 If a call or any instalment of a call remains unpaid in whole or in part after it has become due and payable the person from whom it is due and payable shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is actually paid. Interest shall be paid at the rate fixed by the terms of allotment of the Share or in the notice of the call or, if no rate is fixed, the rate determined by the Board, not exceeding fifteen (15) per cent per annum, or, if higher, the appropriate rate (as defined in the Act), but the Board may in respect of any individual member waive payment of such interest wholly or in part. No dividend or other payment or distribution in respect of any such Share shall be paid or distributed and no other rights which would otherwise normally be exercisable in accordance with these Articles may be exercised by a holder of any such Share so long as any such sum or any interest or expenses payable in accordance with this Article 50 in relation thereto remains due.
Deemed calls
51 An amount payable in respect of a Share on allotment or at any fixed date, whether in respect of nominal value or premium or as an instalment of a call, shall be deemed to be a call duly made and notified and payable on the date so fixed or in accordance with the terms of the allotment. If it is not paid, the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.
Differentiation on calls
52 Subject to the terms of allotment, the Board may make arrangements on the issue of Shares for a difference between the allottees or holders in the amounts and times of payment of calls on their Shares.
Payment of calls in advance
53 The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive from any member all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid on any Share held by him. Such payment in advance of calls shall extinguish the liability on the Share in respect of which it is made to the extent of the payment. The Company may pay on all or any of the monies so advanced (until they would but for such advance become presently payable) interest at such rate agreed between the Board and the member not exceeding (unless the Company by ordinary resolution otherwise directs) fifteen (15) per cent per annum or, if higher, the appropriate rate (as defined in the Act).
FORFEITURE AND SURRENDER
Notice requiring payment of call
54 If a call or any instalment of a call remains unpaid in whole or in part after it has become due and payable, the Board may, at any time thereafter during such time as any part of such call or instalment remains unpaid, give the person from whom it is due not less than fourteen (14) clear days’ notice requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and any costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment. The notice shall name the place where payment is to be made and shall state that if the notice is not complied with the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.
Forfeiture for non-compliance
55 If that notice is not complied with, any Share in respect of which it was sent may, at any time before the payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Board to that effect. The forfeiture shall include all dividends or other monies payable in respect of the forfeited Share which have not been paid before the forfeiture. When a Share has been forfeited, notice of the forfeiture shall be sent to the person who was the holder of the Share before the forfeiture. An entry shall be made promptly in the Register opposite the entry of the Share showing that notice has been sent, that the Share has been forfeited and the date of forfeiture, which shall be deemed to occur at the time of the passing of the relevant Board resolution. No forfeiture shall be invalidated by the omission or neglect to send that notice or to make those entries.
Sale of forfeited Shares
56 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, a forfeited Share shall be deemed to be the property of the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Board determines, either to the person who was the holder before the forfeiture or to any other person. At any time before sale, re-allotment or other disposal, the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Board thinks fit. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited Certificated Share is to be transferred to any person, the Board may authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Share to that person. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited Share held in uncertificated form is to be transferred to any person, the Board may exercise any of the powers of the Company under Article 15. The Company may receive the consideration given for the Share on its disposal and may register the transferee as holder of the Share.
Liability following forfeiture
57 A person, any of whose Shares have been forfeited or surrendered, shall cease to be a member in respect of any Share which has been forfeited and shall, if the Share is held in certificated form, surrender the certificate for any forfeited Share to the Company for cancellation. The person shall remain liable to the Company for all monies which at the date of forfeiture were presently payable by him to the Company in respect of that Share with interest on that amount at the rate at which interest was payable on those monies before the forfeiture or, if no interest was so payable, at the rate determined by the Board, not exceeding fifteen (15) per cent per annum or, if higher, the appropriate rate (as defined in the Act), from the date of forfeiture until payment. The Board may waive payment wholly or in part or enforce payment without any allowance for the value of the Share at the time of forfeiture or for any consideration received on its disposal.
Surrender
58 The Board may accept the surrender of any Share which it is in a position to forfeit on such terms and conditions as may be agreed. Subject to those terms and conditions, a surrendered Share shall be treated as if it had been forfeited.
Extinction of rights
59 The forfeiture or surrender of a Share shall involve the extinction at the time of forfeiture or surrender of all interest in and all claims and demands against the Company in respect of the Share and all other rights and liabilities incidental to the Share as between the person whose Share is forfeited or surrendered and the Company, except only those rights and liabilities expressly saved by these Articles, or as are given or imposed in the case of past members by the Statutes.
Evidence of forfeiture or surrender
60 A statutory declaration by a director or the secretary that a Share has been duly forfeited or surrendered on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. The declaration shall (subject if necessary to the execution of an instrument of transfer, if necessary) constitute a good title to the Share. The person to whom the Share is disposed of shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, and his title to the Share shall not be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, surrender, sale, re-allotment or disposal of the Share.
TRANSFER OF SHARES
Method of transfer
61 Subject to these Articles:
| (a) | without prejudice to any power of the Company to register as a shareholder a person to whom the right to any Share has been transmitted by operation of law, each member may transfer all or any of its Shares which are in certificated form by instrument of transfer in writing in any usual form or in any form approved by the Board. Such instrument shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and (in the case of a Share which is not fully paid up) by or on behalf of the transferee. An instrument of transfer need not be under seal. |
| (b) | each member may transfer all or any of its Shares which are in uncertificated form by means of the Relevant System in such manner as is provided for in the Regulations. No provision of these Articles shall apply in respect of an Uncertificated Share to the extent that it requires or contemplates the effecting of a transfer by an instrument in writing or the production of a certificate for the Share to be transferred. |
Transfers of partly paid Certificated Shares
62 The Board may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register the transfer of a Certificated Share which is not fully paid, provided that the refusal does not prevent dealings in Shares in the Company from taking place on an open and proper basis.
Invalid transfers of Certificated Shares
63 The Board may in its absolute discretion also refuse to register the transfer of a Certificated Share:
| (a) | unless the instrument of transfer: |
| (i) | is lodged, duly stamped (if stampable), at the Office or at another place appointed by the Board, accompanied by the certificate for the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence (if any) as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer, or evidence of someone other than the transferor to make the transfer on the transferor’s behalf; |
| (ii) | is in respect of only one class of Shares; |
| (iii) | is in favour of not more than four (4) transferees; and |
| (iv) | where it is in favour of a person providing depositary or clearance services or a nominee of such person, is in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Board; or |
| (b) | if the transfer is with respect to a Share on which the Company has a lien and a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable and is not paid within fourteen (14) clear days after notice has been sent to the holder of the Share in accordance with Article 44; or |
| (c) | if it is a Certificated Share and is not presented for registration together with the share certificate and such evidence of title as the Company reasonably requires. |
Invalid transfers of Uncertificated Shares
64 The Board may also refuse to register a transfer of Uncertificated Shares in any circumstances that are allowed or required by the Regulations or the Relevant System.
Notice of refusal to register
65 If the Board refuses to register a transfer of a Certificated Share, it shall send the transferee notice of its refusal as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within two (2) months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged with the Company (in the case of a transfer of a Share in certificated form), or the instructions to the Relevant System were received, together with reasons for the refusal.
No fee payable on registration
66 No fee shall be charged for the registration of any instrument of transfer or other document relating to or affecting the title to a Share.
Retention of transfers
67 The Company shall be entitled to retain an instrument of transfer which is registered, but an instrument of transfer which the Board refuses to register (except in the case of fraud) shall be returned to the person lodging it when notice of the refusal is sent.
Written instrument of transfer
68 For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in these Articles shall require Shares to be transferred by a written instrument if the Statutes and the rules of Nasdaq provide otherwise and the directors shall be empowered to implement such arrangements as they consider fit in accordance with and subject to the Statutes and the rules of Nasdaq to regulate the transfer of title to Shares in the Company and for the approval or disapproval, as the case may be, by the Board or the Operator of any Relevant System of the registration of those transfers.
Renunciation of allotment
69 Nothing in these Articles shall preclude the Board from recognising a renunciation of the allotment of any Shares by the allottee in favour of some other person.
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
Transmission
70 If a member dies, the survivor or survivors where he was a joint holder, and his personal representatives where he was a sole holder or the only survivor of joint holders, shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his interest. Nothing in these Articles shall release the estate of a deceased member (whether a sole or joint holder) from any liability in respect of any Share held by him solely or jointly with other persons.
Elections permitted
71 A person becoming entitled by transmission to a Share may, on production of any evidence as to his entitlement reasonably required by the Board and subject to these Articles, elect either to be registered as the holder of the Share or to have another person nominated by him registered as the transferee. If he elects to become the holder, he shall send notice to the Company to that effect. If he elects to have another person registered and the Share is a Certificated Share, he shall execute an instrument of transfer of the Share to that person. If he elects to have himself or another person registered and the Share is an Uncertificated Share, he shall take any action the Board may require (including without limitation the execution of any document) to enable himself or that person to be registered as the holder of the Share. All the provisions of these Articles relating to the transfer of Shares apply to that notice or instrument of transfer as if it were an instrument of transfer executed by the member and the death or bankruptcy of the member or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred.
Elections required
72 The Board may at any time send a notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the Share. If the notice is not complied with within sixty (60) days, the Board may after the expiry of that period withhold payment of all dividends or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.
Right of persons entitled by transmission
73 A person becoming entitled by transmission to a Share shall, on production of any evidence as to his entitlement properly required by the Board and subject to the requirements of Article 71, have the same rights in relation to the Share as he would have had if he were the holder of the Share, subject to Article 269. That person may give a discharge for all dividends and other monies payable in respect of the Share, but he shall not, (except with the authority of the Board), before being registered as the holder of the Share, be entitled in respect of it to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any meeting of the Company or to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any separate meeting of the holders of any class of Shares.
ALTERATION OF SHARE CAPITAL
New Shares, consolidation and sub-division
74 Subject to the Statutes and the provisions of these Articles, and without prejudice to any special rights attached to any class of Shares, the Company may from time to time:
| (a) | increase its share capital by allotting new Shares; |
| (b) | consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of larger nominal amount than its existing Shares; |
| (c) | sub-divide its Shares, or any of them, into Shares of smaller nominal amount than its existing Shares; |
| (d) | redeem and/or cancel any of its Shares; |
| (e) | redenominate its share capital or any class of share capital; and |
| (f) | determine that, as between the Shares resulting from such a sub-division, any of them |
may have any preference or advantage as compared with the others,
and where any difficulty arises in regard to any consolidation, division or subdivision, the Board may settle such difficulty as they see fit and provided that all classes of Voting Shares must be redenominated, consolidated and divided and/or sub-divided on an equal per share basis as though a single class and, save as expressly contemplated by the rights of the A Shares and B Shares set out in these Articles, A Shares and B Shares must be redesignated on an equal per share basis.
75 All Shares created by increase of the Company’s share capital (unless otherwise provided by the terms of allotment of the Shares of that class), by consolidation, division or sub-division of its share capital or the conversion of stock into paid-up Shares shall be subject to all the provisions of these Articles, including without limitation provisions relating to payment of calls, lien, forfeiture, transfer and transmission.
Fractions
76 Whenever any fractions arise as a result of a consolidation, division or sub-division of Shares, a redesignation of Shares, a reduction of capital of the Company’s reserves or a distribution of shares in another company, pursuant to which any members would become entitled to fractions of a Share, the Board may on behalf of the members deal with the fractions as it thinks fit, and, in particular, without limitation, the Board may (on behalf of those members) sell Shares representing fractions to which any members would otherwise become entitled to any person (including, subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Company) and distribute the net proceeds of sale in due proportion among those members (except that any proceeds in respect of any holding less than a sum fixed by the Board may be retained for the benefit of the Company). Where the Shares to be sold are held in certificated form, the Board may, to enable the Company to deal with the Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Article 76, authorise a person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. Where the Shares to be sold are held in uncertificated form, the Board may do all acts and things it considers necessary or expedient to effect the transfer of the Shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer. The buyer shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase monies and his title to the Shares shall not be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings in relation to the sale.
PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES
77 On any purchase by the Company of its own Shares, neither the Company nor the Board shall be required to select the Shares to be purchased rateably or in any manner as between the holders of Shares of the same class or as between them and the holders of Shares of any other class or in accordance with the rights as to dividends or capital conferred by any class of Shares.
GENERAL MEETINGS
Annual general meetings
78 The Board shall convene and the Company shall hold general meetings and annual general meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Statutes. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Board may appoint.
79 A general meeting (other than an annual general meeting) may be called by shorter notice if it is so agreed by a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority who together hold not less than ninety-five (95) per cent. in nominal value of the Shares giving that right (excluding any Shares held as treasury shares).
Class meetings
80 Subject to these Articles and to any rights for the time being attached to any classes of Shares in the Company, all provisions of these Articles relating to general meetings of the Company shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to every separate general meeting of the holders of any class of Shares, except that:
| (a) | the necessary quorum at any such meeting shall be two (2) holders of the relevant class of shares present personally or by proxy, holding at least one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class, who shall be deemed to constitute a meeting; and |
| (b) | each holder of shares of the class shall have one (1) vote in respect of every share of the class held by him. |
For the purposes of this Article 80, where a person is present by proxy or proxies, he is treated only as holding the shares in respect of which those proxies are authorised to exercise voting rights.
Time and place of meetings
81 The Board shall determine whether a general meeting is to be held as a physical general meeting or an electronic general meeting. The Board may call general meetings whenever and at such times and places (including electronic platforms) as it shall determine. On the requisition of members pursuant to the provisions of the Statutes, the Board shall promptly convene a general meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Statutes.
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
Period of notice
82 An annual general meeting shall be called by not less than twenty-one (21) clear days’ notice in writing and no more than sixty (60) days’ notice in writing. Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, all other general meetings may be called by not less than fourteen (14) clear days’ notice in writing and no more than sixty (60) days’ notice in writing.
Recipients of notice
83 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, to the provisions of these Articles and to any special rights or restrictions imposed on any Shares, the notice shall be sent to every member as of the record date of such meeting and every director. The auditors are entitled to receive all notices of, and other communications relating to, any general meeting which any member is entitled to receive.
Contents of notice: general
84 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the notice shall specify:
| (a) | whether the meeting shall be a physical and/or electronic general meeting; |
| (b) | for physical meetings, the time, date and place of the meeting (including without limitation any satellite meeting place arranged for the purposes of Article 89, which shall be identified as such in the notice); and |
| (c) | for electronic general meetings, the time, date and electronic platform for the meeting, which electronic platform may vary from time to time and from meeting to meeting as the Board, in its sole discretion, sees fit, |
and the general nature of the business to be dealt with and shall state, with reasonable prominence, that a member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint one or more proxies, to attend, to speak and to vote instead of him and that a proxy need not be a member.
85 Where the Company has given an electronic address in any notice of meeting, any document or information relating to proceedings at the meeting may be sent by electronic means to that address, subject to any conditions or limitations specified in the relevant notice.
Contents of notice: additional requirements
86 In the case of an annual general meeting, the notice shall specify the meeting as such. In the case of a meeting to pass a special resolution, the notice shall include the text of the resolution and shall specify the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution.
General meeting record date
87 Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, and subject to the Act, the Company or the Board may for the purpose of determining which persons are entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company, or a separate general meeting of the holders of any class of Shares, and how many votes such persons may cast, specify in the notice of meeting a time, by which a person must be entered on the Register in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting provided that such time shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting and changes to the Register after the time specified by virtue of this Article 87 shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the meeting.
Notifying other arrangements for viewing and hearing proceedings
88 The notice shall include details of any arrangements made for the purpose of Article 92 (making clear that participation in those arrangements will not amount to attendance at the meeting to which the notice relates).
General meetings at more than one place
89 Without prejudice to Article 84, the Board may resolve to enable persons entitled to attend a general meeting or an adjourned general meeting to do so by simultaneous attendance and participation at a satellite meeting place anywhere in the world. The members present in person or by proxy at satellite meeting places shall be counted in the quorum for, and entitled to vote at, the general meeting in question, and that meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chairman of the general meeting is satisfied that adequate facilities are available throughout the general meeting to ensure that members attending at all the meeting places are able to:
| (a) | participate in the business for which the meeting has been convened; |
| (b) | hear and see all persons who speak (whether by the use of microphones, loudspeakers, audio-visual communications equipment or otherwise) in the principal meeting place and any satellite meeting place; and |
| (c) | be heard and seen by all other persons so present in the same way. |
The chairman of the general meeting shall be present at, and the meeting shall be deemed to take place at, the principal meeting place.
Electronic general meetings
90 Without prejudice to Article 84, the Board may resolve to enable persons entitled to attend a general meeting or an adjourned general meeting hosted on an electronic platform (such meeting being an electronic general meeting) to do so by simultaneous attendance by electronic means with no member necessarily in physical attendance at the electronic general meeting. The members or their proxies present shall be counted in the quorum for, and entitled to vote at, the electronic general meeting in question, and that meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chairman of the electronic general meeting is satisfied that adequate facilities are available throughout the electronic general meeting to ensure that members attending the electronic general meeting who are not present together at the same place may, by electronic means, attend and speak and vote at it.
Nothing in these Articles prevents a general meeting being held both physically and electronically.
Interruption or adjournment where facilities inadequate
91 If it appears to the chairman of the general meeting that:
| (a) | the facilities at the principal meeting place or any satellite meeting place; or |
| (b) | the electronic platform, facilities or security at the electronic general meeting, |
have become inadequate for the purposes referred to in Articles 89 or 90, then the chairman may, without the consent of the meeting, interrupt or adjourn the general meeting. All business conducted at that general meeting up to the time of that adjournment shall be valid. The provisions of Article 110 shall apply to that adjournment.
Other arrangements for viewing and hearing proceedings at physical general meetings
92 The Board may make arrangements for persons entitled to attend a general meeting or an adjourned general meeting to be able to view and hear the proceedings of the general meeting or adjourned general meeting and to speak at the meeting (whether by the use of microphones, loudspeakers, audio-visual communications equipment or otherwise) by attending at a venue anywhere in the world not being a satellite meeting place. If the general meeting is only held as a physical meeting and not also as an electronic meeting, those attending at any such venue shall not be regarded as present at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting and shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting at or from that venue. The inability for any reason of any member present in person or by proxy at such a venue to view or hear all or any of the proceedings of the physical general meeting or to speak at the meeting shall not in any way affect the validity of the proceedings of the meeting.
Controlling level of attendance at physical general meetings
93 For meetings held in accordance with Article 89, the Board may from time to time make any arrangements for controlling the level of attendance at any venue for which arrangements have been made pursuant to Article 89 or Article 91 (including without limitation the issue of tickets or the imposition of some other means of selection) which it, in its absolute discretion, considers appropriate, and may from time to time change those arrangements. If a member, pursuant to those arrangements, is not entitled to attend in person or by proxy at a particular venue, he shall be entitled to attend in person or by proxy at any other venue for which arrangements have been made pursuant to Article 89 or Article 91. The entitlement of any member to be present at such venue in person or by proxy shall be subject to any such arrangement then in force and stated by the notice of meeting or adjourned meeting to apply to the meeting.
Change in place/electronic platform and/or time of meeting
94 If, after the sending of notice of a general meeting but before the meeting is held, or after the adjournment of a general meeting but before the adjourned meeting is held, the Board decides that it is impracticable or unreasonable, for a reason beyond its control, to hold:
| (a) | the physical general meeting at the declared place (or any of the declared places, in the case of a meeting to which Article 89 or Article 91 applies); or |
| (b) | the electronic general meeting on the electronic platform specified in the notice, |
and/or, in either case, at the specified time, it may change the place (or any of the places, in the case of a meeting to which Article 89 or Article 91 applies) or electronic platform and/or postpone the time at which the meeting is to be held. If such a decision is made, the Board may then change the place (or any of the places, in the case of a meeting to which Article 89 or Article 91 applies) or electronic platform and/or postpone the time again if it decides that it is reasonable to do so. In either case:
| (i) | no new notice of the meeting need be sent, but the Board shall, if practicable, advertise the date, time and place of, or electronic platform for, the meeting by public announcement and in at least two newspapers with national circulation in the United Kingdom and shall make arrangements for notices of the change of place or electronic platform and/or postponement to appear at the original place or electronic platform and/or at the original time; and |
| (ii) | a proxy appointment in relation to the meeting may, if by means of a document in hard copy form, be delivered to the Office or to such other place as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 152(a)(i) or Article 152(b)(i)(A) or, if in electronic form, be received at the address (if any) specified by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 152(a)(ii) or Article 152(b)(i)(B), by the time specified by the Board (as the Board may determine, in compliance with the provisions of the Statutes), provided that the Board may specify, when determining the dates by which proxies are to be lodged, that no account shall be taken of any part of that day that is not a working day. |
Meaning of participate
95 For the purposes of Articles 89, 91, 92, 93 and 94, in relation to physical general meetings, the right of a member to participate in the business of any general meeting shall include without limitation the right to speak, vote on a poll, be represented by a proxy and have access to all documents which are required by the Statutes or these Articles to be made available at the meeting.
96 For the purposes of Articles 90, 91, 93 and 94, in relation to electronic general meetings, the right of a member to participate in the business of any general meeting shall include without limitation the right to speak, vote on a poll, be represented by a proxy and have access (including electronic access) to all documents which are required by the Statutes or these Articles to be made available at the meeting.
Accidental omission to send notice
97 The accidental omission to send a notice of a meeting or resolution, or to send any notification where required by the Statutes or these Articles in relation to the publication of a notice of meeting on a website, or to send a form of proxy where required by the Statutes or these Articles, to any person entitled to receive it, or the non-receipt for any reason of any such notice, resolution or notification or form of proxy by that person, whether or not the Company is aware of such omission or non-receipt, shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
98 The Board may postpone a general meeting if it deems it necessary to do so. Notice of such postponement shall be given in accordance with these Articles.
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
List of members for voting at general meetings
99 Subject to the requirements under the Act, at least ten (10) days before every general meeting, the secretary shall prepare a complete list of the members entitled to vote at the meeting. Such list shall:
| (a) | be arranged in alphabetical order; |
| (b) | show the address of each member entitled to vote at the meeting; and |
| (c) | show the number of Shares registered in the name of each member. |
100 The list of members prepared in accordance with Article 99 shall be available during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten (10) days before the general meeting for inspection by any member for any purpose relevant to the meeting. If the notice of the meeting does not specify the place where the members may inspect the list of members, the list of members shall be available for inspection (at the discretion of the Board) at either the Office or on a website. The list of members shall be available for inspection by any member who is present at the meeting, at the place(s) or electronic platform and for the duration, of the meeting.
Quorum
101 No business shall be dealt with at any general meeting unless a quorum is present, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the choice or appointment of a chairman in accordance with these Articles, which shall not be treated as part of the business of the meeting.
Except as otherwise provided by these Articles, the necessary quorum for a general meeting shall be at least two qualifying persons entitled to vote on the business to be dealt with, present in person or by proxy, who together represent at least one-third of the voting rights attached to the Voting Shares entitled to vote at the relevant meeting for all purposes, unless:
| (a) | each is a qualifying person only because he is authorised under the Statutes to act as a representative of a corporation in relation to the meeting, and they are representatives of the same corporation; or |
| (b) | each is a qualifying person only because he is appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting, and they are proxies of the same member. |
For the purposes of this Article 101 and Article 102 a “qualifying person” means (i) an individual who is a member of the Company, (ii) a person authorised under the Statutes to act as a representative of the corporation in relation to the meeting, or (iii) a person appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting.
102 If the Company has only one (1) member, one qualifying person present at the meeting and entitled to vote on the business to be dealt with shall be a quorum.
If quorum not present
103 If a quorum is not present within fifteen (15) minutes (or such longer time not exceeding thirty (30) minutes as the chairman of the meeting may decide) from the time appointed for the meeting, or if during a meeting such a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting, if convened on the requisition of members, shall be dissolved, and in any other case shall stand adjourned to such time and place or electronic platform (being not less than fourteen (14) days nor more than twenty-eight (28) days thereafter) as the chairman of the meeting may, subject to the provisions of the Statutes, determine. If a meeting is adjourned for lack of quorum, the quorum of the adjourned meeting will be two members present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. The adjourned meeting shall be dissolved if a quorum is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, provided that the Company must give at least 7 clear days’ notice of any adjourned meeting (that is, excluding the day of the adjourned meeting and the day on which notice is given) to the same persons to whom notice of the Company’s general meeting is required to be given and containing the same information which such notice is required to contain.
Chairman
104 The chairman, if any, of the Board or, in his absence, any deputy chairman of the Company shall preside as chairman of the meeting. If neither the chairman nor the deputy chairman is present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is not willing to act as chairman, the directors present shall elect one of their number to be chairman. If there is only one director present and willing to act, he shall be chairman. If no director is willing to act as chairman, or if no director is present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall choose a member present in person or a proxy of a member or a person authorised to act as a representative of a corporation in relation to the meeting to be chairman.
Persons entitled to speak
105 A director shall, notwithstanding that he is not a member, be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting and at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of Shares. Subject to the Statutes, the chairman may invite any person to attend and speak at general meetings of the Company whom the chairman considers to be equipped by knowledge or experience of the Company’s business to assist in the deliberations of the meeting. In addition, the chairman may invite any person who has been nominated by a member of the Company (provided that the chairman is satisfied that at such time as the chairman may determine, the member holds any Shares in the Company as such person’s nominee) to attend and, if the chairman considers it appropriate, to speak at general meetings.
Security at general meetings
106 The Board or the chairman of the meeting may make any arrangement and impose any requirement or restriction it or he considers appropriate to ensure the security of a general meeting including, without limitation, requirements for evidence of identity to be produced by those attending the meeting, the searching of their personal property and the restriction of items that may be taken into the meeting place. The Board or the chairman of the meeting are entitled in its or his absolute discretion to refuse entry to, or eject from any general meeting, a person who refuses to comply with these arrangements, requirements or restrictions.
Security at electronic general meetings
107 The Board or the chairman at any electronic general meeting may make any arrangement and impose any requirement or restriction as is:
| (a) | necessary to ensure the identification of those taking part and the security of the electronic communication; and |
| (b) | proportionate to those objectives. |
In this respect, the Company is able to authorise any voting application, system or facility for electronic general meetings as it sees fit.
Safety at general meetings
108 The Board or the chairman of the meeting may take such action, give such direction or put in place such arrangements as they or he consider appropriate to secure the safety of the people attending the meeting and to promote the orderly conduct of the business of the meeting as set out in the notice of the meeting. The chairman’s discretion on matters of procedure or arising incidentally from the business of the meeting shall be final, as shall be his determination as to whether any matter is of such a nature.
Adjournment powers
109 Without prejudice to any other power of adjournment which he may have under these Articles or at common law, the chairman:
| (a) | may adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place without giving any reason therefor and without notice other than announcement at the meeting; |
| (b) | shall, if so directed by a meeting at which a quorum is present, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place (which place may include electronic platforms); or |
| (c) | may adjourn the meeting to another time and place or electronic platform without such consent if it appears to him that: |
| (i) | it is likely to be impracticable to hold or continue that meeting because of the number of members wishing to attend who are not present; or |
| (ii) | the behaviour of anyone attending the meeting prevents or is likely to prevent the orderly continuation of the business of the meeting; or |
| (iii) | an adjournment is necessary to protect the safety of any person attending the meeting; or |
| (iv) | an adjournment is otherwise necessary so that the business of the meeting may be properly conducted, including where the chairman determines that proper conduct requires an adjournment to enable time for consideration of new information, and |
each of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above shall constitute a separate power to adjourn and no such paragraph shall limit or restrict the power contained in another such paragraph.
Adjournment procedures
110 No business shall be dealt with at an adjourned meeting other than business which might properly have been dealt with at the meeting had the adjournment not taken place. Any such adjournment may, subject to the provisions of the Statutes, be for such time and to such other place (or, in the case of a meeting held at a principal meeting place and a satellite meeting place, such other places) or electronic platform as the chairman may, in his absolute discretion determine, notwithstanding that by reason of such adjournment some members may be unable to be present at the adjourned meeting. Any such member may nevertheless appoint a proxy for the adjourned meeting either in accordance with Article 152 or by means of a document in hard copy form which, if delivered at the meeting which is adjourned to the chairman or the secretary or any director, shall be valid even though it is given at less notice than would otherwise be required by Article 152(a). Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and the provisions of Article 103, notice shall be sent at least seven (7) clear days before the date of the adjourned meeting specifying the time and place (or places, in the case of a meeting to which Article 89 or Article 91 applies) or electronic platform of the adjourned meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted.
Amendments to resolutions
111 A resolution duly proposed as a special resolution may be amended by ordinary resolution if:
| (a) | the chairman of the meeting proposes the amendment at the general meeting at which the resolution is proposed; and |
| (b) | the amendment does not go beyond what is necessary to correct a clear error in the resolution). |
112 A resolution duly proposed as an ordinary resolution may be amended by ordinary resolution if:
| (a) | at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the ordinary resolution is to be considered (which, if the Board so specifies, shall be calculated taking no account of any part of a day that is not a working day), notice of the terms of the amendment and the intention to move it has been delivered in hard copy form to the Office or to such other place as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose, or received in electronic form at such address (if any) for the time being specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose and such notice of amendment shall provide the information required under Article 117 relating to the proposing member or Shareholder Associated Person of such a member as if the notice was of a resolution proposed by such member in accordance with that Article; and |
| (b) | the proposed amendment does not, in the reasonable opinion of the chairman, materially alter the scope of the resolution, |
unless the chairman in his absolute discretion decides that the amendment may be considered and voted on.
113 If an amendment is proposed to any resolution under consideration but is in good faith ruled out of order by the chairman, the proceedings on the substantive resolution shall not be invalidated by any error in such ruling. With the consent of the chairman, an amendment may be withdrawn by its proposer before it is voted on.
Conduct of a poll
114 Subject to Article 115, a poll shall be taken in such manner as the chairman directs and he may, and shall if required by the meeting, appoint scrutineers (who need not be members) and fix a time and place or electronic platform for declaring the result of the poll. The result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.
115 A poll on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken immediately. A poll on any other question shall be taken at either the meeting or at such time and place as the chairman directs not being more than twenty-eight (28) days after the meeting.
Effectiveness of special resolutions
116 Where for any purpose an ordinary resolution of the Company is required, a special resolution shall also be effective.
PROPOSED SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTIONS
Information required in connection with proposed resolutions
117 Where a member or members, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, request the Company to (i) call a general meeting for the purposes of bringing a resolution before the meeting, or (ii) give notice of a resolution to be proposed at a general meeting, such request must, in each case and in addition to the requirements of the Statutes:
| (a) | set forth, as to the member making the request and any Shareholder Associated Person, if any, of such member on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made: |
| (i) | the name and address of such member, as they appear in the Register, and of such Shareholder Associated Persons, if any, |
| (ii) |
| (A) | the class or series and number of Shares of the Company which are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially by such member and by any Shareholder Associated Person, |
| (B) | any option, warrant, convertible security, share appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of Shares of the Company or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of the Company or any class or series of Shares or other securities of the Company, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of Shares of the Company or otherwise directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such member or by any of its Shareholder Associated Persons and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of any security or instrument of the Company, in each case, regardless of whether (x) such interest conveys any voting rights in such security to such member or Shareholder Associated Person, (y) such interest is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of such security or instrument or (z) such person may have entered into other transactions to hedge the economic effect of such interest (any such interest in this clause (ii)(B) (a Derivative Instrument), |
| (C) | the name of each person with whom such member or Shareholder Associated Person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) (1) for the purposes of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy given to such person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made generally by such person to all holders of Shares of the Company) or disposing of any Shares of the Company, (2) to cooperate in obtaining, changing or influencing the control of the Company (except independent financial, legal and other advisors acting in the ordinary course of their respective businesses), (3) with the effect or intent of increasing or decreasing the voting power of, or that contemplates any person voting together with, any such member or Shareholder Associated Person with respect to any Shares of the Company or any business proposed by the member or (4) otherwise in connection with any business proposed by a member and a description of each such agreement, arrangement or understanding (any agreement, arrangement or understanding described in this clause (C) being a Voting Agreement), |
| (D) | details of all other material interests of each such member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member in such request or any |
security of the Company (including, without limitation, any rights to dividends or performance-related fees based on any increase or decrease in the value of such security or Derivative Instruments or if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security) (collectively, Other Interests),
| (E) | a list of all transactions by such member and any Shareholder Associated Person of such member involving any securities of the Company or any Derivative Instruments, Voting Agreements or Other Interests within the six-month period prior to the date of the request, |
| (F) | any proportionate interest in shares of the Company or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, |
| (G) | any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of Shares of the Company or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such request, including without limitation any such interests held by the immediate family of such member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member sharing the same household (which information shall be supplemented by such member and any Shareholder Associated Person of such member not later than ten (10) days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date), |
| (H) | a description of all economic terms of all of the foregoing items, including all Derivative Instruments, Voting Agreements or Other Interests, and copies of all agreements and other documents (including, without limitation, master agreements, confirmations and all ancillary documents and the names and details of counterparties to, and brokers involved in, all such transactions) relating to each such item, including all Derivative Instruments, Voting Agreements or Other Interests, |
| (I) | a representation that the member is a holder of record of Shares of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business, and |
| (J) | a representation as to whether the member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member intends, or is part of a group that intends, to (1) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company's Shares required to approve or adopt the proposal or (2) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from shareholders in support of such proposal, and |
| (iii) | any other information relating to such member and any Shareholder Associated Person of such member 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, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
| (b) | if the request relates to any business that the member proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth: |
| (i) | a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, the text of the proposal (including the complete text of any resolution(s) proposed for consideration) and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Articles, the complete text of the proposed amendment and any material interest of such member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member in such business (including any anticipated benefit therefrom to the member or Shareholder Associated Person of such member), and |
| (ii) | a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (whether written or oral) between such member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the request by such member, |
| (c) | set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the member proposes to nominate for appointment or reappointment to the Board as a result of any such request: |
| (i) | all information relating to such 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 in a contested election (even if a contested election is not involved) pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), and |
| (ii) | a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such member or any Shareholder Associated Person of such member, and their respective affiliates and associates, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his respective affiliates and associates, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the U S Securities Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act if the member making the nomination and any Shareholder Associated Person of such member on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof, were the "registrant" for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and |
| (d) | with respect to each nominee for appointment or reappointment to the Board, the Company may require any proposed nominee for appointment to the Board to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company or that could |
be material to a reasonable member's understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee, and
| (e) | set forth, to the extent known by the member(s) giving the notice, the name and address of any other member supporting the nominee for election or re-election as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such request; and |
such business must otherwise be a proper matter for member action.
For purposes of this Article 117, a Shareholder Associated Person of any member shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such member, (ii) any beneficial owner of Shares owned of record or beneficially by such member, and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Shareholder Associated Person.
Subject to the provisions of these Articles, only such persons who are nominated by or at the direction of the Board or in compliance with the procedures set forth in this Article 117 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a general meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or pursuant to a member request that complies with the procedures set forth in this Article 117.
Except as otherwise provided by law or the Articles, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a member request was made in compliance with the procedures set forth in this Article 117 and, if any request is not in compliance with this Article 117, to declare that such defective request shall be disregarded.
To be eligible to be a nominee for appointment or reappointment as a director of the Company pursuant to a proposal made by a member or members pursuant to this Article 117, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of a request set forth in this Article 117) to the secretary at the Office a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the secretary upon written request) that such person:
(A) is not and will not become a party to:
| (i) | any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if appointed as a director of the Company, will act or vote on any issue or question (a Voting Commitment) that has not been disclosed to the Company, or |
| (ii) | any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person's ability to comply, if appointed as a director of the Company, with such person's fiduciary duties under applicable law; |
| (B) | is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein; and |
| (C) | in such person's individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if appointed as a director of the Company, and will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, securities ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company and any other policies and guidelines of the Company applicable to directors or adopted by the Board (such policies and guidelines to be made available to such person by the secretary on request). |
For the purpose of this Article 117, where a request(s) in respect of a general meeting are made by more than one member, references to a member in relation to notice and other information requirements shall apply to each member, respectively, as the context requires.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Article 117 to the contrary, this Article 117 shall not be applicable to, or in respect of, any member who is a person providing depositary or clearance services or a nominee of any such person, except that any reference to a member in the definition of Shareholder Associated Person shall include a person providing depositary or clearance services or a nominee of such person .
Members in default not entitled to vote
118 If a request made in accordance with Article 117 does not include the information specified in that Article (save with respect to any information required to be provided by a proposed director), or if a request made in accordance with Article 117 is not received in the time and manner indicated in Article 119, in respect of the Shares which the relevant member(s) hold (the member default shares), the relevant member(s) shall not be entitled to vote, either personally or by proxy at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of that class of Shares (or at an adjournment of any such meeting), the member default shares with respect to the matters detailed in the request made in accordance with Article 117.
Timing and manner of information
119 Without prejudice the rights of any member under the Act, a member who makes a request to which Article 117(a)(ii) relates (and where the general meeting to be convened is an annual general meeting) must deliver any such request in writing to the secretary at the Office not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) calendar day nor later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) calendar day prior to the date of the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual general meeting, provided, however, that if the date of an annual meeting is more than thirty (30) calendar days before or more than sixty (60) calendar days after the date of the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual general meeting, notice by the member must be so delivered in writing not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) calendar day prior to such annual general meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the ninetieth (90th) calendar day prior to such annual general meeting, and (ii) if the first public announcement of the date of such annual general meeting is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of the meeting, the tenth (10th) calendar day after the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual general meeting is first made by the Company. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual general meeting or the public announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a member’s notice as described in this Article 119.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Article 119 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no public announcement by the Company naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of directors made by the Company at least one hundred (100) calendar days prior to the date of the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual general meeting, a member’s notice required by this Article 119 shall also be considered as validly delivered in accordance with this Article 119, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the Office not later than 5:00 pm, local time, on the tenth (10th) calendar day after the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Company.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 117 or Article 118 or the foregoing provisions of this Article 119, a member shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Statutes and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in Article 117 or Article 118 and this Article 119 provided, however, that any references in the Articles to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements of these Articles applicable to member requests. Nothing in Article 117 or Article 118 or this Article 119 shall be deemed to affect any rights of members to request inclusion of proposals in, nor the right of the Company to omit proposals from, the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, subject in each case to compliance with the Exchange Act.
VOTES OF MEMBERS
Voting by poll
120 Any resolution put to the vote of a general meeting must be decided on a poll. This Article 120 may only be removed, amended or varied by resolution of the members passed unanimously at a general meeting of the Company.
Right to vote on a poll
121 Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any Shares, on a vote on a resolution on a poll every member present in person or by proxy shall have one (1) vote for every Share of which he is the holder or in respect of which his appointment of a proxy or corporate representative has been made.
Votes of joint holders
122 In the case of joint holders of a Share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders. For this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding.
Member under incapacity
123 A member in respect of whom an order has been made by a court or official having jurisdiction (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) in matters concerning mental disorder may vote by his receiver, curator bonis or other person authorised for that purpose appointed by that court or official. That receiver, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy.
The right to vote shall be exercisable only if evidence satisfactory to the Board of the authority of the person claiming to exercise the right to vote has been delivered to such place specified in accordance with these Articles for the delivery of proxy appointments, not later than the last time by which a proxy appointment must be received in order to be valid for use at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which that person proposes to vote and, in default, the right to vote shall not be exercisable.
Calls in arrears
124 No member shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to vote at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of any class of Shares, either in person or by proxy, in respect of any Share held by him unless all monies presently payable by him in respect of that Share have been paid.
Section 793 of the Companies Act: restrictions if in default
125 If at any time the Board is satisfied that any member, or any other person appearing to be interested in Shares held by such member, has been duly served with a notice under section 793 of the Act (a section 793 notice) and is in default for the prescribed period in supplying to the Company the information thereby required, or, in purported compliance with such a notice, has made a statement or given information which is false or inadequate in a material particular, then the Board may, in its absolute discretion at any time thereafter by notice (a direction notice) to such member direct that:
| (a) | in respect of the Shares in relation to which the default occurred (the default shares, which expression includes any Shares issued after the date of the section 793 notice in respect of those Shares) the member shall not be entitled to attend or vote either personally or by proxy at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of that class of Shares or on a poll or to exercise any other right conferred by membership in relation to any such meeting or poll; |
| (b) | in respect of the default shares: |
| (i) | no payment shall be made by way of dividend or distribution (or any other amount payable in respect of the default shares) and the Company shall not be required to pay interest in respect of any such amounts not paid; |
| (ii) | no transfer of any default share shall be registered unless: |
| (A) | the member is not himself in default as regards supplying the information requested and the transfer when presented for registration is accompanied by a certificate by the member in such form as the Board may in its absolute discretion require to the effect that after due and careful enquiry the member is satisfied that no person in default as regards supplying such information is interested in any of the Shares the subject of the transfer and that none of the Shares the subject of the transfer are default shares; or |
| (B) | the transfer is an approved transfer; and/or |
| (iii) | in respect of any Shares held in uncertificated form, such Shares be converted into certificated form (and the Board shall be entitled to direct the Operator of |
any Relevant System applicable to those Shares to effect that conversion immediately) and that member shall not after that be entitled to convert all or any Shares held by him into uncertificated form (except with the authority of the Board),
(and, for the purposes of ensuring this Article 125(b) can apply to all Shares held by the holder, the Company may, in accordance with the Regulations, issue a written notification to the Operator requiring the conversion into certificated form of any Shares held by the holder in uncertificated form).
Copy of notice to interested persons
126 The Company shall send the direction notice to each other person appearing to be interested in the default shares, but the failure or omission by the Company to do so shall not invalidate such notice.
When restrictions cease to have effect
127 Any direction notice shall cease to have effect not more than seven (7) days after the earlier of receipt by the Company of:
| (a) | a notice of an approved transfer, but only in relation to the Shares transferred; or |
| (b) | all the information required by the relevant section 793 notice, in a form satisfactory to the Board and with the Board being reasonably satisfied that such information is complete and accurate. |
Withdrawal notice
128 The Board may at any time withdraw a direction notice, in whole or in part, or suspend in whole or in part, the imposition of any restrictions contained in the direction notice for a given period by serving on the holder of the default shares a notice in writing to that effect (a withdrawal notice).
Cancellation of restrictions
129 Unless and until a withdrawal notice is duly served in relation thereto or a direction notice in relation thereto is deemed to have been withdrawn, suspended or varied or the Shares to which a direction notice relates are transferred by means of an approved transfer, the sanctions referred to in Article 125 shall continue to apply.
130 The Company may exercise any of its powers under Article 15 in respect of any default share that is held in uncertificated form.
Supplementary provisions
131 For the purposes of this Article 131 and Articles 125 to 130:
| (a) | a person shall be treated as interested in any Shares if the member holding such Shares has sent to the Company a notification under section 793 of the Act which names such person as being so interested or if the Company (after taking into account information obtained from the member and from any other relevant section 793 notification) knows |
or has reasonable cause to believe that the person in question is or may be interested in the Shares;
| (b) | “interested” shall be construed as it is for the purposes of section 793 of the Act; |
| (c) | the prescribed period is fourteen (14) days from the date of service of the section 793 notice; and |
| (d) | a transfer of Shares is an approved transfer if: |
| (i) | it is a transfer of Shares pursuant to an acceptance of a takeover offer (within the meaning of section 974 of the Act); or |
| (ii) | the Board is satisfied that the transfer is made pursuant to a bona fide sale of the whole of the beneficial ownership of the Shares the subject of the transfer to a party unconnected with the member and with any other person appearing to be interested in the Shares; or |
| (iii) | the transfer results from a sale made through Nasdaq or any other recognised investment exchange (as defined in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) or any other stock exchange outside the United Kingdom on which the Company’s Shares are normally traded. |
For the purposes of sub-paragraph (ii), any associate (as defined in Section 435 of the Insolvency Act 1986) shall be included amongst the persons who are connected with the member or any person appearing to be interested in such Shares.
Section 794 of the Act
132 Nothing contained in Articles 125 to 131 limits the power of the Company under section 794 of the Act.
Errors in voting
133 If any votes are counted which ought not to have been counted, or might have been rejected, the error shall not vitiate the result of the voting unless it is pointed out at the same meeting, or at any adjournment of the meeting, and, in the opinion of the chairman, it is of sufficient magnitude to vitiate the result of the voting.
Objections to voting
134 No objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter except at the meeting or adjourned meeting or poll at which the vote objected to is tendered. Every vote not disallowed at such meeting shall be valid and every vote not counted which ought to have been counted shall be disregarded. Any objection made in due time shall be referred to the chairman whose decision shall be final and conclusive.
Multiple votes
135 On a poll, a member, proxy or corporate representative entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS IN SHARES
Interpretation
136 For the purposes of Article 137 through Article 149:
| (a) | Relevant Share Capital means any class of the Company's issued share capital carrying rights to vote in all circumstances at general meetings of the Company; and for the avoidance of doubt (a) where the Company's share capital is divided into different classes of Shares, references to Relevant Share Capital are to each such class taken separately and (b) any adjustment to or restriction on the voting rights attached to Shares shall not affect the application of this Article 136 in relation to interests in those or any other Shares; and |
| (b) | interested shall be construed as it is for the purposes of section 793 of the Act. |
Additional obligations
137 The provisions of Article 136 through Article 149 are in addition to and separate from any other rights or obligations arising at law or otherwise.
Notification
138 A member other than a Depositary holding Relevant Share Capital shall notify the Company of his interests (if any) in Relevant Share Capital if:
| (a) | he has a notifiable interest immediately after the relevant time, but did not have such an interest immediately before that time; |
| (b) | he had a notifiable interest immediately before the relevant time, but does not have such an interest immediately after it; or |
| (c) | he had a notifiable interest immediately before the relevant time, and has such an interest immediately after it, but the percentage levels of his interest immediately before and immediately after that time are not the same. |
Timing of notification
139 A member other than a Depositary holding Relevant Share Capital shall, to the extent he is lawfully able to do so, notify the Company of the interests of any other person in the Relevant Share Capital of which he is the registered holder (or, to the extent he is not lawfully able to make such notification, shall use his reasonable endeavours to procure that such person makes notification of his interests to the Company) if:
| (a) | such person has a notifiable interest immediately after the relevant time, but did not have such an interest immediately before that time; |
| (b) | such person had a notifiable interest immediately before the relevant time, but does not have such an interest immediately after it; or |
| (c) | such person had a notifiable interest immediately before the relevant time, and has such an interest immediately after it, but the percentage levels of his interest immediately before and immediately after that time are not the same. |
Percentage level
140 The expression percentage level in Articles 138(c) and 139(c), means the percentage figure found by expressing the aggregate nominal value of all the Shares comprised in the Relevant Share Capital concerned in which the person has interests immediately before or (as the case may be) immediately after the relevant time as a percentage of the aggregate nominal value of that Relevant Share Capital and rounding that figure down, if it is not a whole number, to the next whole number. Where the aggregate nominal value of the Relevant Share Capital is greater immediately after the relevant time than it was immediately before, the percentage level of the person's interest immediately before (as well as immediately after) that time shall be determined by reference to the larger amount.
141 For the purposes of Articles 138, 139 and 140:
| (a) | relevant time means: |
| (i) | the time at which: |
| (A) | a person acquires an interest in shares comprised in Relevant Share Capital; or |
| (B) | a person ceases to be interested in Shares comprised in Relevant Share Capital; or |
| (C) | another change of circumstances affecting facts relevant to the application of this Article occurs, |
in each case provided that the person is aware of such acquisition, cessation or change in circumstances at the time it occurs; and
| (ii) | where a person is not so aware, the time at which: |
| (A) | that person becomes aware that he has acquired an interest in shares comprised in Relevant Share Capital; or |
| (B) | that person becomes aware that he has ceased to be interested in shares comprised in Relevant Share Capital; or |
| (C) | that person otherwise becomes aware of any facts relevant to the application of this Article (whether or not arising from a change of circumstances). |
| (b) | a person who is interested in Shares comprised in Relevant Share Capital has a notifiable interest at any time when the aggregate nominal value of the Shares in the Relevant Share Capital in which he has such interests is equal to or more than five (5) per cent of the aggregate nominal value of that Relevant Share Capital. |
Form of notification
142 Any notification required by to be made by a member under Article 138 and Article 139 must be made in writing to the Company within the period of ten (10) days next following the day on which that obligation arises. To the extent a member is not lawfully able to make a notification under Article 139, such member shall use its reasonable endeavours to procure that the relevant person notifies his interests to the Company within such ten (10) day period or within such longer period as the directors may allow.
Content of notification
143 The notification shall specify the share capital of the Company to which it relates, and must also:
| (a) | state the number of Shares comprised in that share capital in which the person making the notification knows he (or any other relevant person) had interests immediately after the time when the obligation arose; or |
| (b) | in a case where the person making the notification (or any other relevant person) no longer has a notifiable interest in shares comprised in that share capital, state that he (or that other person) no longer has that interest. |
144 A notification (other than one stating that a person no longer has a notifiable interest) shall include the following particulars, so far as known to the person making the notification at the date when it is made:
| (a) | the identity of each registered holder of Shares to which the notification relates and the number of such Shares held by each of them; and |
| (b) | the nature of the relevant interests in such Shares. |
145 A person other than a Depositary holding Relevant Share Capital who has an interest in shares comprised in Relevant Share Capital or knows or becomes aware that any other person has an interest in shares so comprised of which he is the registered holder, that interest being notifiable, shall notify (or, to the extent he is not lawfully able to make such notification, shall use his reasonable endeavours to procure that such other person shall notify) the Company in writing:
| (a) | of any particulars in relation to those Shares which are specified in Article 144; and |
| (b) | of any change in those particulars |
of which in either case he becomes aware at any time after any interest notification date and before the first occasion following that date on which he comes under any further obligation of disclosure with respect to his interest in shares comprised in that share capital. A notification required under this Article 145 shall be made within the period of ten (10) days next following the day on which it arises. The reference to an interest notification date, in relation to a person's interest in shares comprised in the Company's Relevant Share Capital, is to either (i) the date of any notification made or procured by him with respect to his or any other person's interest under this Article 145 or (ii) where he has failed to make, or procure the making of, a notification, the date on which the period allowed for making it came to an end.
Duration of interest
146 A person who at any time has a notifiable interest in shares is to be regarded under Article 145 as continuing to have a notifiable interest in them unless and until the registered holder of the Shares in question comes under an obligation to make or use his reasonable endeavours to procure a notification stating that he (or any other relevant person) no longer has such an interest in those Shares.
Agency
147 Where a person authorises another (the agent) to acquire or dispose of, on his behalf, interests in Shares comprised in the Relevant Share Capital, he shall secure that the agent notifies him immediately of acquisitions or disposals effected by the agent which will or may give rise to any obligation of disclosure imposed on him by this Article 147 with respect to his interest in that share capital.
Consequences of notifiable interest
148 If it shall come to the notice of the Board that any member has not, within the requisite period, made or, as the case may be, procured the making of any notification required by Article 138, Article 139 or Article 145, the Company may (in the absolute discretion of the Board) at any time thereafter give notice to such member and such notice shall have the same contents and effect, and be subject to the same provisions of these Articles as if it were a direction notice given under Article 125, provided that the provisions of Article 125(b)(ii) shall not apply to any Shares subject to such a direction notice.
Deemed interest in Shares
149 For the purposes of this Article 149, Article 138, Article 139 or Article 145, a person shall be treated as appearing to be interested in any Shares if the member holding such shares has given to the Company a notification whether following service of a notice in accordance with the Act or otherwise which either:
| (a) | names such person as being so interested; or |
| (b) | (after taking into account any such notification and any other relevant information in the possession of the Company) the Company knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the person in question is or may be interested in the Shares. |
PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES
Appointment of proxy
150 A member is entitled to appoint another person, who need not be a member, as his proxy to exercise all or any of his rights to attend and to speak and vote at a meeting of the Company in respect of the Voting Shares to which the proxy appointment relates. The proxy appointment shall, unless it provides to the contrary, be valid for any adjournment of the meeting as a well as for the meeting to which it relates.
151 The appointment of a proxy (whether made by instrument in writing, in electronic form or by website communication) shall be in any usual form as contemplated by these Articles or as the Board may otherwise approve. Invitations to appoint a proxy shall be sent or made available by the Company to all persons entitled to notice of and to attend and vote at any meeting, and shall provide for voting both for and against all resolutions to be proposed at that meeting other than resolutions relating to the procedure of the meeting.
The accidental omission to send or make available an invitation to appoint a proxy or the non-receipt thereof by any member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
152 The appointment of a proxy shall be:
| (a) | in the case of a proxy relating to Shares held in the name of a Depositary, in a form or manner of communication approved by the Board, which may include, without limitation, a voter instruction form to be provided to the Company by certain third parties on behalf of the Depositary. Subject thereto, the appointment of a proxy may be: |
| (i) | in hard copy form; or |
| (ii) | in electronic form, to the electronic address provided by the Company for this purpose; or |
| (b) | in the case of a proxy relating to Shares to which Article 152(a) does not apply: |
| (i) | in any usual form or in any other form or manner of communication which the Board may approve. Subject thereto, the appointment of a proxy may be: |
| (A) | in hard copy form; or |
| (B) | in electronic form, to the electronic address provided by the Company for this purpose. |
Execution of proxy
153 The appointment of a proxy, whether made in hard copy form or in electronic form, shall be executed in such manner as may be approved by or on behalf of the Company from time to time. Subject thereto, the appointment of a proxy shall be executed by the appointor or any person duly authorised by the appointor or, if the appointor is a corporation, executed by a duly authorised person or under its common seal or in any other manner authorised by its constitution.
Distribution of proxies
154 The Board may, if it thinks fit, but subject to the provisions of the Statutes, at the Company’s expense (with or without provision for their return prepaid) send hard copy forms of proxy for use at the meeting, or at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of Shares, and issue invitations in electronic form to appoint a proxy in relation to the meeting in such form as may be approved by the Board. If, for the purposes of any meeting appointments of proxy or invitations to appoint as proxy a person or one of a number of persons specified in the invitations are issued at the Company’s expense, they shall be issued to all (and not some only) of the members entitled to be sent a notice of the meeting and to vote at it. The accidental omission, or the failure due to circumstances beyond the Company’s control, to send or make available, such an appointment of proxy or give such an invitation to, or the non-receipt thereof by, any member entitled to attend and vote at a meeting shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting. The appointment of a proxy shall not preclude a member from attending and voting in person at the meeting or poll concerned. A member may appoint more than one proxy to attend on the same occasion, provided that each such proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different Share or Shares held by that member.
References in these Articles to an appointment of a proxy include references to an appointment of multiple proxies.
Delivery/receipt of proxy appointment
155 Without prejudice to Article 94(b)(ii) or to the third sentence of Article 110, the appointment of a proxy shall:
| (a) | if in hard copy form, be delivered by hand or by post to such place(s) as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose: |
| (i) | in the notice convening the meeting; or |
| (ii) | in any form of proxy sent by or on behalf of the Company in relation to the meeting, by the time specified by the Board (as the Board may determine, in compliance with the provisions of the Act) in any such notice or form of proxy. |
| (b) | if in electronic form, be received at any address to which the appointment of a proxy may be sent by electronic means pursuant to a provision of the Statutes or to any other address specified by or on behalf of the Company for the purpose of receiving the appointment of a proxy in electronic form: |
| (i) | in the notice convening the meeting; or |
| (ii) | in any form of proxy sent by or on behalf of the Company in relation to the meeting; or |
| (iii) | in any invitation to appoint a proxy issued by the Company in relation to the meeting; or |
| (iv) | on a website that is maintained by or on behalf of the Company and identifies the Company, |
by the time specified by the Board (as the Board may determine, in compliance with the provisions of the Statutes) in any such method of notification.
The Board may specify, when determining the dates by which proxies are to be lodged, that no account need be taken of any part of a day that is not a working day.
156 Any means of appointing a proxy which is authorised by or under this Article 156 shall be subject to any terms, limitations, conditions or restrictions that the Board may from time to time prescribe. Without limiting the foregoing, in relation to any Shares which are held in uncertificated form, the Board may from time to time permit appointments of a proxy to be made by means of an electronic communication in the form of an Uncertificated Proxy Instruction, and received by such participant in the Relevant System concerned acting on behalf of the Company as the Board may prescribe, in such form and subject to such terms and conditions as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board (subject always to the facilities and requirements of the Relevant System concerned), and may in a similar manner permit supplements to, or amendments or revocations of, any such Uncertificated Proxy Instruction to be made by like means. The Board may in addition prescribe the method of determining the time at which any such properly authenticated dematerialised instruction (and/or other instruction or notification) is to be treated as received by the Company or such participant.
The Board may treat any such Uncertificated Proxy Instruction which purports to be or is expressed to be sent on behalf of a holder of a Share as sufficient evidence of the authority of the person sending that instruction to send it on behalf of that holder.
Authentication of proxy appointment not made by holder
157 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, where the appointment of a proxy is expressed to have been or purports to have been made, sent or supplied by a person on behalf of the holder of a Share:
| (a) | the Company may treat the appointment as sufficient evidence of the authority of that person to make, send or supply the appointment on behalf of that holder; |
| (b) | that holder shall, if requested by or on behalf of the Company at any time, send or procure the sending of reasonable evidence of the authority under which the appointment has been made, sent or supplied (which may include, without limitation, a copy of such authority certified notarially or in some other way approved by the Board), to such address and by such time as may be specified in the request and, if the request is not complied with in any respect, the appointment may be treated as invalid; and |
| (c) | whether or not a request under this Article 157 has been made or complied with, the Board may determine that it has insufficient evidence of an authority of that person to make, send or supply the appointment on behalf of that holder and may treat the appointment as invalid. |
Validity of proxy appointment
158 Subject to Article 156, a proxy appointment which is not delivered or received in accordance with Article 155 shall be invalid. When two (2) or more valid proxy appointments are delivered or received in respect of the same Share for use at the same meeting, the one that was last delivered or received shall be treated as replacing or revoking the others as regards that Share, provided that if the Company determines that it has insufficient evidence to decide whether or not a proxy appointment is in respect of the same Share, it shall be entitled to determine which proxy appointment (if any) is to be treated as valid. Subject to the Statutes, the Company may determine at its discretion when a proxy appointment shall be treated as delivered or received for the purposes of these Articles.
Rights of proxy
159 A proxy appointment shall be deemed to entitle the proxy to exercise all or any of the appointing member’s rights to attend and to speak and vote at a meeting of the Company in respect of the Shares to which the proxy appointment relates. The proxy appointment shall, unless it provides to the contrary, be valid for any adjournment of the meeting as well as for the meeting to which it relates.
Checking proxy votes
160 The Company shall not be required to check that a proxy or corporate representative votes in accordance with any instructions given by the member by whom he is appointed. Any failure to vote as instructed shall not invalidate the proceedings on the resolution.
Corporate representatives
161 Any corporation which is a member of the Company (in this Article 161 the grantor) may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person or persons as it thinks fit to act as its representative or representatives at any meeting of the Company or at any separate meeting of the holders of any class of Shares. A director, the secretary or other person authorised for the purpose by the secretary may require all or any of such persons to produce a certified copy of the resolution of authorisation before permitting him to exercise his powers. Such person is entitled to exercise (on behalf of the grantor) the same powers as the grantor could exercise if it were an individual member of the Company. Where a grantor authorises more than one (1) person to exercise a power and more than one (1) authorised person purports in respect of the same Shares:
| (a) | to exercise the power in the same way as each other, the power is treated as exercised in that way; and |
| (b) | not to exercise the power in the same way as each other, the power is treated as not exercised. |
Revocation of authority
162 The termination of the authority of a person to act as a proxy or duly authorized representative of a corporation does not affect:
| (a) | whether he counts in deciding whether there is a quorum at a meeting; |
| (b) | the validity of anything he does as chairman of a meeting; |
| (c) | the validity of a poll demanded by him at a meeting; or |
| (d) | the validity of a vote given by that person, |
unless notice of the termination was either delivered or received as mentioned in the following sentence at least twenty-four (24) hours before the start of the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting) the time appointed for taking the poll. Such notice of termination shall be either by means of a document in hard copy form delivered to such place(s) as may be specified by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 155(a) or in electronic form received at the address specified (if any) by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with Article 155(b), regardless of whether any relevant proxy appointment was effected in hard copy form or in electronic form.
Duration of general authority
163 A proxy given in the form of a power of attorney or similar authorisation granting power to a person to vote on behalf of a member at forthcoming meetings in general shall not be treated as valid for a period of more than twelve months, unless a contrary intention is stated in it.
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
Minimum number of directors
164 The number of directors (other than any alternate directors) shall be at least two (2) and shall be subject to any maximum number fixed from time to time by a resolution of the majority of the Board.
Fewer than the minimum directors
165 If the number of directors is reduced below the minimum number fixed in accordance with these Articles, the directors for the time being may act for the purpose of filling vacancies in their number or of calling a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose. If there are no directors willing to act, then any two members may summon a general meeting (or instruct the secretary to do so) for the purpose of appointing directors.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
Number of directors to retire
166 At each annual general meeting of the Company, every director at the date of the notice convening the meeting shall retire from office. A retiring director may offer himself for re-appointment by the members and a director that is so re-appointed will be treated as continuing in office without a break.
167 A director who retires at an annual general meeting shall (unless he is removed from office or his office is vacated in accordance with these Articles) retain office until the close of the meeting at which he retires or (if earlier) when a resolution is passed at that meeting not to fill the vacancy or to elect another person in his place or the resolution to re-appoint him is put to the meeting and lost.
Eligibility for election
168 No person shall be appointed a director at any general meeting unless:
| (a) | he is a director retiring at the meeting; |
| (b) | he is recommended by the Board; or |
| (c) | notice in respect of that person is given by a member qualified to vote at the meeting has been received by the Company in accordance with Article 117 and Article 119 (and, if applicable, section 338 of the Act) of the intention to propose that person for appointment stating the particulars which would, if he were so appointed, be required to be included in the Company’s register of directors, together with notice by that person of his willingness to be appointed. |
Provisions if insufficient directors appointed
169 If:
| (a) | any resolution or resolutions for the appointment or re-appointment of the persons eligible for appointment or re-appointment as directors are put to the annual general |
meeting and are not approved; and
| (b) | at the end of that meeting the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under Article 164, |
all retiring directors who stood for re-appointment at that meeting (for the purposes of Articles 169 and 170, Retiring Directors) shall be deemed to have been re-appointed as directors and shall remain in office, but the Retiring Directors may only:
| (c) | act for the purpose of filling vacancies and convening general meetings of the Company; and |
| (d) | perform such duties as are appropriate to maintain the Company as a going concern and to comply with the Company’s legal and regulatory obligations, |
but not for any other reasons.
170 The Retiring Directors shall convene a general meeting as soon as reasonably practicable following the annual general meeting referred to in Article 169, and they shall retire from office at that meeting. If at the end of any meeting convened under this Article 170 the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under Article 164, the provisions of Articles 169 and 170 shall also apply to that meeting.
Separate resolutions on appointment
171 Except as otherwise authorised by the Statutes, a motion for the appointment of two or more persons as directors by a single resolution shall not be made unless a resolution that it should be so made has first been agreed to by the meeting without any vote being given against it.
Filling vacancies and additional appointments
172 Subject to the provisions of these Articles, the Company may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director. The appointment of a person to fill a vacancy or as an additional director shall take effect from the end of the relevant meeting.
173 The Board may appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director, either to fill a casual vacancy or as an additional director. Any director so appointed shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting, and shall then be eligible for election, or until his earlier resignation or removal in accordance with these Articles.
No share qualification
174 A director shall not be required to hold any Shares by way of qualification.
POWERS OF THE BOARD
Business to be managed by the Board
175 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and these Articles and any directions given by special resolution, to take, or refrain from taking, specified action, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Board, which may exercise all the powers of the Company, whether relating to the management of the business or not, including, without limitation, the power to dispose of all or any part of the undertaking of the Company.
176 No alteration of these Articles and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. The powers given by this Article 176 shall not be limited by any special power given to the Board by these Articles. A meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers exercisable by the Board.
Exercise by the Company of voting rights
177 The Board may exercise the voting power conferred by the shares in any body corporate held or owned by the Company in such manner in all respects as it thinks fit (including without limitation the exercise of that power in favour of any resolution appointing its members or any of them directors of such body corporate, or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the directors of such body corporate).
BORROWING POWERS
178 Subject as provided in these Articles, the Board may exercise all of the powers of the Company to borrow money, to indemnify and guarantee, to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or parts thereof, and, subject to the Statutes, to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security, for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
CHANGE OF THE COMPANY’S NAME
179 The Company’s name may be changed by resolution of the Board.
DELEGATION OF POWERS OF THE BOARD
Committees of the Board
180 The Board may delegate any of its powers:
| (a) | to any committee consisting of one (1) or more directors and (if thought fit) one (1) or more other persons, to such an extent and on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board thinks fit; and |
| (b) | to such person(s) by such means, to such an extent and on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board thinks fit, including to any director holding any executive office such of its powers as the Board considers desirable to be exercised by him. |
Any such delegation shall, in the absence of express provision to the contrary in the terms of delegation, be deemed to include authority to sub-delegate to one or more directors (whether or not acting as a committee) or to any other person all or any of the powers delegated and may be made subject to such conditions as the Board may specify, and may be revoked or altered.
Subject to any conditions imposed by the Board, the proceedings of a committee with two (2) or more members shall be governed by these Articles regulating the proceedings of directors so far as they are capable of applying, provided that the quorum at any such meeting shall be a majority of the members of such committee then in office unless the committee shall consist of one or two members, in which case one member shall constitute a quorum.
Local boards
181 The Board may establish local or divisional boards or agencies for managing any of the affairs of the Company, either in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, and may appoint any persons to be members of the local or divisional boards, or any managers or agents, and may fix their remuneration. The Board may delegate to any local or divisional board, manager or agent any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in or exercisable by the Board, with power to sub-delegate, and may authorise the members of any local or divisional board, or any of them, to fill any vacancies and to act notwithstanding vacancies. Any appointment or delegation made pursuant to this Article 181 may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Board may decide. The Board may remove any person so appointed and may revoke or vary the delegation but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of the revocation or variation shall be affected by it.
Agents
182 The Board may, by power of attorney or otherwise, appoint any person to be the agent of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Board) and for such period and on such conditions as the Board determines, including without limitation authority for the agent to delegate all or any of his powers, authorities and discretions, and may revoke or vary such delegation.
Offices including the title “director”
183 The Board may appoint any person to any office or employment having a designation or title including the word “director” or attach to any existing office or employment with the Company such a designation or title and may terminate any such appointment or the use of any such designation or title. The inclusion of the word “director” in the designation or title of any such office or employment shall not imply that the holder is a director of the Company, and the holder shall not thereby be empowered in any respect to act as, or be deemed to be, a director of the Company for any of the purposes of these Articles.
RESIGNATION, DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Resignation
184 A director may resign his office either by notice in writing submitted to the Board or, if he shall in writing offer to resign, if the other directors resolve to accept such offer.
185 Without prejudice to the provisions for retirement (by rotation or otherwise) contained in these Articles, a person shall cease to be a director as soon as:
| (a) | that person’s period of appointment expires, if he has been appointed for a fixed period; |
| (b) | that person ceases to be a director by virtue of any provision of the Statutes or is prohibited from being a director by law or, if applicable, any provisions of the rules of Nasdaq; |
| (c) | that person is deemed unfit or has otherwise been requested to be removed from office by any regulatory authority in any applicable jurisdiction; |
| (d) | a bankruptcy order is made against that person or an application is made for an interim court order under s.253 of the Insolvency Act 1986 in connection with a voluntary arrangement under that statute or any similar legislation in any applicable jurisdiction; |
| (e) | an arrangement or composition is made with that person’s creditors generally in satisfaction of that person’s debts; |
| (f) | a registered medical practitioner who is treating that person gives a written opinion to the Company stating that that person has become mentally or physically incapable of acting as a director and may remain so for more than three months; |
| (g) | that person has become a patient for the purposes of any statute relating to mental health or any court claiming jurisdiction on the ground of mental health or disorder (however stated) makes an order for his detention or for the appointment of a guardian, receiver or other person (howsoever designated) to exercise powers with respect to his property or affairs and in any such case the directors resolve that he should cease to be a director; |
| (h) | notification is received by the Company from the director that the director is resigning from office, and such resignation has taken effect in accordance with its terms; |
| (i) | in the case of a director who holds any executive office, that person’s appointment as such is terminated or expires and the directors resolve that he should cease to be a director; |
| (j) | that person is absent for more than six consecutive months without permission of the directors from meetings of the directors held during that period and the directors resolve that that person should cease to be a director; |
| (k) | that person receives notice approved by not less than two thirds of the other directors stating that that person should cease to be a director. In calculating the number of directors who are required to give such notice to the director, (i) an alternate director appointed by him acting in his capacity as such shall be excluded, and (ii) a director and any alternate director appointed by him and acting in his capacity as such shall constitute a single director for this purpose, so that notice by either shall be sufficient; or |
| (l) | that person dies. |
Power of the Company to remove director
186 The Company may, without prejudice to the provisions of the Statutes, by ordinary resolution remove any director from office (notwithstanding any provision of these Articles or of any agreement between the Company and such director, but without prejudice to any claim he may have for damages for breach of any such agreement). The Company may, by ordinary resolution, appoint another person in place of a director removed from office in accordance with this Article 186.
REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES OF DIRECTORS
Arrangements with executive directors
187 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and these Articles (as and to the extent applicable), the salary or remuneration of any director appointed to hold any employment or executive office in accordance with these Articles may be either a fixed sum of money, or may altogether or in part be governed by business done or profits made or otherwise determined by the Board, and may be in addition to or instead of any fee payable to him for serving as a director under these Articles.
Arrangements with non-executive directors
188 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Board may enter into, vary and terminate an agreement or arrangement with any director who does not hold executive office for the provision of his services to the Company. Any such agreement or arrangement may be made on such terms as the Board determines, provided that the terms of any such agreement or arrangement would not result in non-compliance with any listing requirements of Nasdaq.
Ordinary remuneration
189 Each non-executive director shall be paid a fee for their services (which shall be deemed to accrue from day to day) at such rate as may from time to time be determined by the Board, provided that the agreement or payment of any such fee would not result in non-compliance with any listing requirements of Nasdaq.
Additional remuneration for special services
190 Any director who does not hold executive office with the Company and who performs special services which in the opinion of the Board are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director, may be paid such extra remuneration by way of additional fee, salary, commission or otherwise as the Board may determine, provided the payment of any such extra remuneration would not result in non-compliance with any listing requirements of Nasdaq.
Other remuneration
191 Unless the Board decides otherwise, a director is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration which he received as a director or other officer or employee of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings or of any other body corporate in which the Company is interested.
Expenses
192 The directors may be paid all reasonable travelling, hotel, and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of the Board or committees of the Board, general meetings or separate meetings of the holders of any class of Shares or of debentures of the Company or otherwise in connection with the discharge of their duties as a director.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Appointment to executive office
193 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Board may appoint one or more of its body or any other employee of the Company to be the holder of any executive office (including, without limitation, to hold office as president, chief executive officer, vice president, executive vice president, senior vice president and/or treasurer, but excluding that of auditor) in the Company and may enter into an agreement or arrangement with any such director or employee for his employment by the Company or for the provision by him of any services outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director or employee. Any such appointment, agreement or arrangement may be made on such terms, including without limitation terms as to remuneration, as the Board determines, provided that the terms of any such agreement or arrangement would not result in non-compliance with any listing requirements of Nasdaq. The Board may revoke or vary any such appointment but without prejudice to any rights or claims which the person whose appointment is revoked or varied may have against the Company because of the revocation or variation.
Termination of appointment to executive office
194 Any appointment of a director to an executive office shall terminate if he ceases to be a director but without prejudice to any rights or claims which he may have against the Company by reason of such cessation. A director appointed to an executive office shall not be exempt from retirement by rotation, and if he ceases for any reason to hold the executive office by virtue of which he is termed an executive director, he shall offer to resign as a director in accordance with Article 184 and he shall cease to be a director if the other directors resolve to accept such offer.
Emoluments to be determined by the Board
195 The emoluments of any director or employee holding executive office for his services as such shall be determined by the Board, provided that the terms of any such agreement or arrangement would not result in non-compliance with any listing requirements of Nasdaq and may be of any description, including without limitation admission to, or continuance of, membership of any scheme (including any share acquisition scheme) or fund instituted or established or financed or contributed to by the Company for the provision of pensions, life assurance or other benefits for employees or their dependants, or the payment of a pension or other benefits to him or his dependants on or after retirement or death, apart from membership of any such scheme or fund.
ALTERNATE DIRECTORS
Power to appoint alternates
196 Any director (other than an alternate director) may appoint another director, or any other person approved by the Board and willing to act, and permitted by law to do so, to be an alternate director and may at any time terminate that appointment by notice in writing. Subject to the foregoing, a director may appoint more than one (1) alternate and a person may act as an alternate for more than one (1) director. An alternate director shall not be required to hold any Shares in the Company and shall not be counted in determining any maximum number of directors permitted by these Articles.
Method of appointment or removal
197 Any appointment or removal of an alternate director shall be by notice to the Company signed by the director making or revoking the appointment or in any other manner approved by the Board and shall take effect in accordance with the terms of the notice (subject to any approval required by Article 196) on receipt of such notice by the Company which shall be in hard copy form or in electronic form sent to such address (if any) specified by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose. A notice of appointment must contain a statement signed by the proposed alternate that he is willing to act as the alternate of the director giving the notice.
Alternates entitled to receive notice
198 An alternate director shall (subject to his giving to the Company a postal address and, if applicable, an address in relation to which electronic communications may be received by him) be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of the Board and of all meetings of committees of the Board of which his appointer is a member, to attend and vote at any such meeting at which the director appointing him is not personally present but at which his appointer would be entitled to vote, and generally to perform all the functions of his appointer in his absence (except as regards powers to appoint an alternate) as a director in his absence.
Alternates representing more than one director
199 A director or any other person may act as an alternate director to represent more than one director, and an alternate director shall be entitled at meetings of the Board or any committee of the Board to one (1) vote for every director whom he represents (and who is present) in addition to his own vote (if any) as a director, but he shall count as only one (1) director for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
Termination of appointment
200 An alternate director shall automatically cease to be an alternate director:
| (a) | if his appointer ceases to be a director or dies, but if a director retires by rotation or otherwise vacates office and is elected or deemed to have been elected at the meeting at which he retires, any appointment of an alternate director made by him which was in force immediately prior to his retirement shall continue after his election; or |
| (b) | on the happening of any event which, if he were a director, would cause him to vacate office as a director or, if it occurred in relation to his appointer, would result in termination of his appointer’s appointment as a director; or |
| (c) | if he resigns his office by notice to the Company. |
Alternate not an agent
201 Save as otherwise provided in these Articles, an alternate director:
| (a) | shall be deemed for all purposes to be a director; |
| (b) | shall alone be responsible for his own acts and defaults; |
| (c) | shall, in addition to any restrictions which may apply to him personally, be subject to the same restrictions applicable to his appointer; |
| (d) | shall not be deemed to be the agent of the director appointing him, |
and accordingly, except where the context otherwise requires, a reference to a director shall be deemed to include a reference to an alternate director.
Expenses and remuneration of alternates
202 An alternate director may be repaid by the Company such expenses as might properly have been repaid to him if he had been a director but shall not (unless the Company by ordinary resolution otherwise determines), in respect of his office as alternate director, be entitled to receive any remuneration or fee from the Company in respect of his services as an alternate director except such part (if any) of the remuneration otherwise payable to his appointer as such appointer may by notice to the Company from time to time direct. An alternate director shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company, and receive the benefits of any insurance or agreement for the Company to incur directly costs in respect of any proceedings or investigation, to the same extent as if he were a director.
DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS
Interested director not to be counted for quorum or voting purposes
203 Subject to Article 205, if a proposed decision of the directors is concerned with an actual or proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company in which a director is interested, that director is not to be counted as participating in the decision-making process for quorum or voting purposes.
Interpretation
204 For the purposes of these Articles (i) a conflict of interest includes (x) a conflict of interest and duty and (y) a conflict of duties and (ii) interest includes both direct and indirect interests.
When interested director may be counted for quorum or voting purposes
205 If:
| (a) | the Company by ordinary resolution disapplies the provision of these Articles which would otherwise prevent a director from being counted as participating in the decision-making process; |
| (b) | the director’s interest cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest; |
| (c) | the board of directors authorises the director's conflict of interest; or |
| (d) | the director’s conflict of interest arises from a “permitted cause”, |
a director who is interested in an actual or proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company is to be counted as participating in the decision-making process for quorum and voting purposes.
Permitted causes
206 For the purposes of Article 205, the following are permitted causes:
| (a) | the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent to, or an obligation incurred by, a director at the request of, or for the benefit of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; |
| (b) | the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by a director for which he has assumed responsibility (in whole or in part and whether alone or jointly with others) under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security; |
| (c) | the giving to a director of any other indemnity which is on substantially the same terms as indemnities given or to be given to all of the other directors and/or to the funding by the Company of his expenditure on defending proceedings or the doing by the Company of anything to enable him to avoid incurring such expenditure where all other directors have been given or are to be given substantially the same arrangements; |
| (d) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning an offer of shares, debentures or other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for subscription, purchase or exchange, in which offer the director is or may be entitled to participate as holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which he is to participate; |
| (e) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning any other undertaking in which a director or any person connected with him is interested, directly or indirectly, and whether as an officer, shareholder, member, partner, creditor or otherwise if he and any persons connected with him do not to his knowledge hold an interest (as that term is used in sections 820 to 825 of the Act) representing one (1) per cent. or more of either any class of the equity share capital of such undertaking (or any other undertaking through which his interest is derived) or of the voting rights available to shareholders, members, partners or equivalent of the relevant undertaking (or any interest being deemed for the purpose of this Article 206 to be likely to give rise to a conflict with the interests of the Company in all circumstances); |
| (f) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal for the benefit of employees and directors and/or former employees and directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and/or members of their families (including a spouse or civil partner or a former spouse or former civil partner) or any person who is or was dependent on such persons, including but without being limited to a retirement benefits scheme and an employees’ share scheme, which does not accord to any director any privilege or advantage not generally accorded to the employees and/or former employees to whom such arrangement relates; and |
| (g) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning any insurance against any liability which the Company is empowered to purchase or maintain for, or for the benefit of, any directors or for persons who include directors. |
Situational Conflicts
207 The directors may, in accordance with the requirements set out in these Articles, authorise any matter or situation proposed to them by any director, which would, if not authorised, involve a director (an “Interested Director”) breaching his duty under section 175 of the Act to avoid conflicts of interest (a “Situational Conflict”) and the continued performance by the relevant director of his duties as a director, on such terms and subject to such conditions as they think fit from time to time.
208 Subject to compliance by him with his duties as a director under Part 10 of the Act (other than the duty in section 175(1) of the Act which is the subject of this Article 208, a director may be an officer of, employed by, or hold shares or other securities (whether directly or indirectly) in, or otherwise be interested in, directly or indirectly, the Company or a subsidiary of the Company (in each case, a “Group Company Interest” and references to a “Group Company” shall be construed accordingly) and notwithstanding his office or the existence of an actual or potential conflict between any Group Company Interest and the interests of the Company which would fall within the ambit of that section 175(1), the relevant director:
| (a) | shall be entitled to attend any meeting or part of a meeting of the directors at which any matter which may be relevant to the Group Company Interest may be discussed, and to vote on any resolution of the directors relating to such matter, and any board papers relating to such matter shall be provided to the relevant director at the same time as the other directors (save that a director may not vote on any resolution in respect of matters relating to his employment with the Company or other Group Company); |
| (b) | shall not be obliged to account to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him in consequence of any Group Company Interest; and |
| (c) | will not be obliged to disclose to the Company or use for the benefit of the Company any confidential information received by him by virtue of his Group Company Interest and otherwise than by virtue of his position as a director, if to do so would breach any duty of confidentiality to any other Group Company or third party. |
209 No contract entered into shall be liable to be avoided by virtue of:
| (a) | any director having an interest of the type referred to in Article 206 where the relevant situation has been approved as provided by that Article; or |
| (b) | any director having a Group Company Interest which falls within Article 207 or which is authorised pursuant to Article 208. |
210 Any authorisation under Article 207 will be effective only if:
| (a) | the proposal to be authorised is made by a director in writing and delivered to the other directors or made orally at a meeting of the board, in each case setting out particulars of the Situational Conflict; |
| (b) | any requirements as to the quorum for consideration of the relevant matter is met without counting the Interested Director or any other Interested Director; and |
| (c) | the matter was agreed to without the Interested Director voting or would have been agreed to if the Interested Director’s vote had not been counted. |
211 Any authorisation of a Situational Conflict under these Articles may (whether at the time of giving the authorisation or subsequently):
| (a) | extend to any actual or potential conflict of interest which may reasonably be expected to arise out of the matter or situation so authorised; |
| (b) | provide that the Interested Director be excluded from the receipt of documents and information and the participation in discussions (whether at meetings of the directors or otherwise) related to the Situational Conflict; |
| (c) | provide that the Interested Director shall or shall not be an eligible director in respect of any future decision of the directors in relation to any resolution related to the Situational Conflict; |
| (d) | impose upon the Interested Director such other terms for the purposes of dealing with the Situational Conflict as the directors think fit; |
| (e) | provide that, where the Interested Director obtains, or has obtained (through his involvement in the Situational Conflict and otherwise than through his position as a director of the Company), information that is confidential to a third party, he will not be obliged to disclose that information to the Company, or to use it in relation to the Company’s affairs where to do so would amount to a breach of that confidence; and |
| (f) | permit the Interested Director to absent himself from the discussion of matters relating to the Situational Conflict at any meeting of the directors and be excused from reviewing papers prepared by, or for, the directors to the extent to which they relate to such matters. |
212 Where the directors authorise a Situational Conflict, the Interested Director will be obliged to conduct himself in accordance with any terms and conditions imposed by the directors in relation to the Situational Conflict.
213 The directors may revoke or vary such authorisation in respect of any Situational Conflict at any time, but this will not affect anything done by the Interested Director, prior to such revocation or variation, in accordance with the terms of such authorisation.
214 A director is not required, by reason of being a director (or because of the fiduciary relationship established by reason of being a director), to account to the Company for any remuneration, profit or other benefit which he derives from or in connection with a relationship involving a Situational Conflict which has been authorised by the directors or by the Company in general meeting (subject in each case to any terms, limits or conditions attaching to that authorisation) and no contract shall be liable to be avoided on such grounds.
215 The provisions of Articles 207 to 214 shall not apply to a direct or indirect conflict of interest of a director which arises in relation to an existing or proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company to which the provisions of Articles 203 to 206 and 219 to 220 shall apply.
216 For the purposes of these Articles, references to proposed decisions and decision-making processes include any directors’ meeting or part of a directors’ meeting.
217 Subject to Article 218, if a question arises at a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors as to the right of a director to participate in the meeting (or part of the meeting) for voting or quorum purposes, the question may, before the conclusion of the meeting, be referred to the Chairman whose ruling in relation to any director other than the Chairman is to be final and conclusive.
218 If any question as to the right to participate in the meeting (or part of the meeting) should arise in respect of the Chairman, the question is to be decided by a decision of the directors at that meeting, for which purpose the Chairman is not to be counted as participating in the meeting (or that part of the meeting) for voting or quorum purposes.
Transactional conflicts
219 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and provided that he has disclosed to the Board the nature and extent of his interest (unless the circumstances referred to in section 177(5) or section 177(6) of the Act apply, in which case no such disclosure is required) a director notwithstanding his office:
| (a) | may be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise (directly or indirectly) interested; |
| (b) | may (or any firm of which he is a member) act in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as auditor) or any other body in which the Company is interested and the relevant director or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a director; and |
| (c) | may be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to a transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any undertaking: |
| (i) | in which the Company is (directly or indirectly) interested as shareholder or otherwise; or |
| (ii) | with which he has such a relationship at the request or direction of the Company. |
220 For the purposes of Article 219:
| (a) | a general notice given to the directors that a director is to be regarded as having an interest of the nature and extent specified in the notice in any transaction or arrangement in which a specified person or class of persons is interested shall be deemed to be a disclosure that the director has an interest in any such transaction of the nature and extent so specified; |
| (b) | an interest of which a director has no knowledge and of which it is unreasonable to expect such director to have knowledge shall not be treated as an interest of such director; and |
| (c) | a director shall be deemed to have disclosed the nature and extent of an interest which consists of him being a director, officer or employee of any undertaking in which the Company is interested. |
GRATUITIES, PENSIONS AND INSURANCE
Gratuities and pensions
221 The Board may (by establishment of, or maintenance of, schemes or otherwise) provide benefits, whether by the payment of gratuities or pensions or by insurance or otherwise, for any past or present director or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings or any body corporate associated with, or any business acquired by, any of them, and for any member of his family (including a spouse, a civil partner, a former spouse and a former civil partner) or any person who is or was dependent on him, and may (as well before as after he ceases to hold such office or employment) contribute to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such benefit.
Insurance
222 Subject to the provisions of the Act, and without prejudice to the provisions of Articles 297 to 300, the Board may exercise all the powers of the Company to purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any person who is or was:
| (a) | a director, officer or employee of the Company, or any body which is or was the holding company or subsidiary undertaking of the Company, or in which the Company or such holding company or subsidiary undertaking has or had any interest (whether direct or indirect) or with which the Company or such holding company or subsidiary undertaking is or was in any way allied or associated; or |
| (b) | a trustee of any pension fund in which employees of the Company or any other body referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article 222 are or have been interested, |
including, without limitation, insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution or discharge of their duties or in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers or otherwise in relation to their duties, powers or offices in relation to the relevant body or fund.
Directors not liable to account
223 No director or former director shall be accountable to the Company or the members liable to account for any benefit provided pursuant to these Articles. The receipt of any such benefit shall not disqualify any person from being or becoming a director of the Company.
Section 247 of the Act
224 The Board may make provision for the benefit of any persons employed or formerly employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than a director or former director or shadow director in connection with the cessation or the transfer of the whole or part of the undertaking of the Company or any subsidiary. Any such provision shall be made by a resolution of the Board in accordance with section 247 of the Act.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD
Regulation of proceedings
225 Subject to the provisions of these Articles, the Board may regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit. A director may, and the secretary at the request of a director shall, call a meeting of the Board by giving at least five (5) days’ notice of the meeting to each director, which notice may be waived or shortened with the consent of each director.
Notice of a Board meeting shall be deemed to be given to a director if it is given to him personally or by word of mouth or sent in hard copy form to him at his last known address or such other address (if any) as may for the time being be specified by him or on his behalf to the Company for that purpose, or sent in electronic form to such address (if any) for the time being specified by him or on his behalf to the Company for that purpose Any director may waive notice of a meeting and any such waiver may be retrospective. Any notice pursuant to this Article 225 need not be in writing if the Board so determines and any such determination may be retrospective.
Decision making
226 Questions arising at any Board meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the directors present at such meeting. A director who is an alternate director who is appointed by two (2) or more directors shall be entitled to a separate vote on behalf of each appointer in the appointer’s absence.
Quorum
227 No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the Board unless a quorum is present. The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Board and unless so fixed at any other number shall be two (2) persons, each being a director. A person who is not himself a director shall, if his appointer is not present but is entitled to be counted in the quorum, be counted in the quorum. A duly convened meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all or any of the authorities, powers and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board.
228 Any director who ceases to be a director at a Board meeting may continue to be present and to act as a director and be counted in the quorum until the termination of the Board meeting if no director objects.
229 A director shall not be counted in the quorum present in relation to a matter or resolution on which he is not entitled to vote (or when his vote cannot be counted) but shall be counted in the quorum present in relation to all other matters or resolutions considered or voted on at the meeting.
Power of directors if number falls below minimum
230 The continuing directors or a sole continuing director may act notwithstanding any vacancies in their number, but if the number of directors is less than the number fixed as the quorum the continuing directors or director may act only for the purpose of filling vacancies or of calling a general meeting.
Chairman and deputy chairman
231 The Board may appoint one of their number to be the chairman, and one of their number to be the deputy chairman, of the Board and may at any time remove either of them from such office. Unless he is unwilling to do so, the director appointed as chairman, or in his stead the director appointed as deputy chairman, shall preside at every meeting of the Board at which he is present. If there is no director holding either of those offices, or if neither the chairman nor the deputy chairman is willing to preside or neither of them is present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, the directors present may appoint one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
Validity of acts of the Board
232 All acts done by a meeting of the Board, or of a committee of the Board, or by a person acting as a director or alternate director, shall, as regards all persons dealing in good faith with the Company, notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was a defect in the appointment of any director or any member of the committee or alternate director or that any of them were disqualified from holding office, or had vacated office, or were not entitled to vote, or that the meeting was not quorate (provided that the directors present at the inquorate meeting believed, in good faith, that the meeting was quorate and made all such enquiries as were reasonable in the circumstances to establish that the meeting was quorate) be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a director or, as the case may be, an alternate director and had been entitled to vote and that the meeting was quorate.
Resolution in writing
233 A resolution in writing agreed to by all the directors entitled to vote at a meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board but excluding any director whose vote is not to be counted in respect of the matter in question (not being less than the number of directors required to form a quorum of the Board or committee of the Board) shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Board or (as the case may be) a committee of the Board duly convened and held. For this purpose:
| (a) | a director signifies his agreement to a proposed written resolution when the Company receives from him a document indicating his agreement to the resolution authenticated in the manner permitted by the Statutes for a document in the relevant form; |
| (b) | the director may send the document in hard copy form or in electronic form to such address (if any) for the time being specified by the Company for that purpose; |
| (c) | if an alternate director signifies his agreement to the proposed written resolution, his appointer need not also signify his agreement; and |
| (d) | if a director signifies his agreement to the proposed written resolution, an alternate director appointed by him need not also signify his agreement in that capacity. |
Meetings by conference communications
234 Without prejudice to the first sentence of Article 225, a person entitled to be present at a meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board shall be deemed to be present for all purposes if he is able (directly or by electronic communication) to speak to and be heard by all those present or deemed to be present simultaneously. A director so deemed to be present shall be entitled to vote and be counted in a quorum accordingly. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where it is convened to be held or (if no director is present in that place) where the largest group of those participating is assembled, or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting is. The word meeting in these Articles shall be construed accordingly.
Suspending restrictions on voting
235 The Company may by ordinary resolution suspend or relax to any extent, either generally or in respect of any particular matter, any provision of these Articles prohibiting a director from voting at a meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board or ratify any transaction not duly authorised by reason of contravention of such provision.
Division of proposals
236 Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including without limitation fixing or varying the terms of appointment) of two or more directors to offices or employments with the Company or any body corporate in which the Company is interested, the proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each director separately. In such cases each of the directors concerned shall be entitled to vote in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment.
Decision of chairman final and conclusive
237 If a question arises at a meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board as to the entitlement of a director to vote, the question may, before the conclusion of the meeting, be referred to the chairman of the meeting and his ruling in relation to any director other than himself shall be final and conclusive except in a case where the nature or extent of the interests of the director concerned have not been fairly disclosed. If any such question arises in respect of the chairman of the meeting, it shall be decided by resolution of the Board (on which the chairman shall not vote) and such resolution will be final and conclusive except in a case where the nature and extent of the interests of the chairman have not been fairly disclosed.
SECRETARY
238 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the secretary shall be appointed by the Board for such term, at such remuneration and on such conditions as it may think fit. Any secretary so appointed may be removed by the Board, but without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company.
MINUTES
Minutes required to be kept
239 The Board shall cause minutes to be recorded for the purpose of:
| (a) | all appointments of officers made by the Board; |
| (b) | all proceedings at meetings of the Company, the holders of any class of Shares, the Board and committees of the Board, including the names of the directors present at each such meeting; and |
| (c) | all resolutions of the Company. |
Conclusiveness of minutes
240 Any such minutes, if purporting to be authenticated by the chairman of the meeting to which they relate or of the next meeting at which they are read, shall be sufficient evidence of the proceedings at the meeting without any further proof of the facts stated in them.
THE SEAL
Authority for execution of a deed
241 The seal shall only be used by the authority of a resolution of the Board. The Board may determine who shall sign any document executed under the seal. If they do not, it shall be signed by at least one authorised person in the presence of a witness who attests the signature. Any document may be executed under the seal by impressing the seal by mechanical means or by printing the seal or a facsimile of it on the document or by applying the seal or a facsimile of it by any other means to the document. A document executed, with the authority of a resolution of the Board, in any manner permitted by section 44(2) of the Act and expressed (in whatever form of words) to be executed by the Company has the same effect as if executed under the seal.
Certificates for Shares and debentures
242 The Board may by resolution determine either generally or in any particular case that any certificate for Shares or debentures or representing any other form of security may have any signature affixed to it by some mechanical or electronic means, or printed on it or, in the case of a certificate executed under the seal, need not bear any signature.
REGISTERS
Overseas and local registers
243 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and the Regulations, the Company may keep an overseas or local or other register in any place, and the Board may make, amend and revoke any regulations it thinks fit about the keeping of that register.
Authentication and certification of copies and extracts
244 Any director or the secretary or any other person appointed by the Board for the purpose shall have power to authenticate and certify as true copies of and extracts from:
| (a) | any document comprising or affecting the constitution of the Company, whether in hard copy form or electronic form; |
| (b) | any resolution passed by the Company, the holders of any class of Shares, the Board or any committee of the Board, whether in hard copy form or electronic form; and |
| (c) | any book, record and document relating to the business of the Company, whether in hard copy form or electronic form (including without limitation the accounts). |
If certified in this way, a document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or the minutes or an extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Company, the holders of any class of Shares, the Board or a committee of the Board, whether in hard copy form or electronic form, shall be conclusive evidence in favour of all persons dealing with the Company in reliance on it or them that the resolution was duly passed or that the minutes are, or the extract from the minutes is, a true and accurate record of proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.
DIVIDENDS
Declaration of dividends
245 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Company may by ordinary resolution declare that out of the profits available for distribution there be paid dividends to the holders of A Shares in accordance with the provisions of these Articles, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Board.
Interim dividends
246 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, the Board may pay interim dividends if it appears to the Board that they are justified by the profits of the Company available for distribution and the position of the Company. If the share capital is divided into different classes, the Board may:
| (a) | pay interim dividends on Shares which confer deferred or non-preferred rights with regard to dividends as well as on Shares which confer preferential rights with regard to dividends, but no interim dividend shall be paid on Shares carrying deferred or non-preferred rights if, at the time of payment, any preferential dividend is in arrear; and |
| (b) | pay at intervals settled by it any dividend payable at a fixed rate if it appears to the Board that the profits available for distribution justify the payment. |
If the Board acts in good faith it shall not incur any liability to the holders of Shares conferring preferred rights for any loss they may suffer by the lawful payment of an interim dividend on any Shares having deferred or non-preferred rights. Where any distribution is satisfied wholly or partly by the distribution of assets, where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the directors may settle the same as they think fit and in particular (but without limitation) may issue fractional certificates (or ignore fractions) and fix the value for distribution of any assets and may determine that cash shall be paid to any member on the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of members and may vest any assets in trustees.
Declaration and payment in different currencies
247 Dividends may be declared and paid in any currency or currencies that the Board shall determine. The Board may also determine the exchange rate and the relevant date for determining the value of the dividend in any currency.
248 Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to Shares:
| (a) | all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the Shares on which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid on a Share in advance of the date on which a call is payable shall be treated for the purpose of this Article 248 as paid on the Share; and |
| (b) | all dividends shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts paid up on the Shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid, but, if any Share is allotted or issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a particular date, that Share shall rank for dividend accordingly. |
For the purpose of this Article 248, an amount paid up on a Share in advance of a call shall be treated, in relation to any dividend declared after the payment but before the call, as not paid up on the Share.
Dividend in specie
249 A general meeting declaring a dividend may, on the recommendation of the Board, by ordinary resolution direct that it shall be satisfied wholly or partly by the distribution of assets, including without limitation paid up Shares or debentures of another body corporate. If the Shares in respect of which any such proposed non-cash distribution is paid are Uncertificated Shares, any Shares in the Company which are issued as non-cash consideration in respect of them must be uncertificated. The Board may make any arrangements it thinks fit to settle any difficulty arising in connection with the distribution, including without limitation (a) the fixing of the value for distribution of any assets, (b) the payment of cash to any member on the basis of that value in order to adjust the rights of members, and (c) the vesting of any asset in a trustee.
Permitted deductions and retentions
250 The Board may deduct from any dividend or other monies payable to any member in respect of a Share any monies presently payable by him to the Company in respect of that Share. Where a person is entitled by transmission to a Share, the Board may retain any dividend payable in respect of that Share until that person (or that person’s transferee) becomes the holder of that Share.
Methods of payment to holders and others entitled
251 Any dividend or other monies payable in respect of a Share may be paid (whether in Dollars or another currency) by such method or combination of methods as the Board, in its absolute discretion, may decide and subject in the case of joint holders of a Share to the provisions of Article 252. Different methods of payment may apply to different holders or groups of holders. Without limiting any other method of payment that the Board may decide, the Board may decide that payment shall be made wholly or partly:
| (a) | in cash; or |
| (b) | by cheque or warrant made payable to or to the order of the holder or person entitled to payment; or |
| (c) | by any direct debit, bank or other funds transfer system to the holder or person entitled to payment or, if practicable, to a person designated by notice to the Company by the holder or person entitled to payment; |
| (d) | if any Share is in uncertificated form, where the Company is authorised to do so by or on behalf of the holder or joint holders in such manner as the Company shall from time to time consider sufficient, the Company may also pay any such dividend, interest or other monies by means of the Relevant System concerned (subject always to the facilities and requirements of the Relevant System); or |
| (e) | by any other method approved by the Board and agreed (in such form as the Company thinks appropriate) by the holder or person entitled to payment. |
Without prejudice to paragraph (d) of the foregoing, in respect of any Shares in uncertificated form, such payment may include sending by the Company or any person on its behalf of an instruction to the Operator of the Relevant System to credit the cash memorandum account of the holder or joint holders or, if permitted by the Company, of such person as the holder or joint holders may direct in writing.
Joint entitlement
252 If two (2) or more persons are registered as joint holders of any Share, or are entitled by transmission jointly to a Share, the Company may (without prejudice to Article 254):
| (a) | pay any dividend or other monies payable in respect of the Share to any one of them and any one of them may give effectual receipt for that payment; and |
| (b) | for the purpose of Article 251, rely in relation to the Share on the written direction, designation or agreement of, or notice to the Company by, any one of them. |
Payment by post
253 A cheque or warrant or any similar financial instrument may be sent by post:
| (a) | where a Share is held by a sole holder, to the registered address of the holder of the Share; or |
| (b) | if two or more persons are the holders, to the registered address of the person who is first named in the Register; or |
| (c) | without prejudice to Article 251, if a person is entitled by transmission to the Share, as if it were a notice to be sent under Article 274; or |
| (d) | in any case, to such person and to such address as the person entitled to payment may direct by notice to the Company. |
Discharge to Company and risk
254 Payment of a cheque or warrant or similar financial instrument by the bank on which it was drawn or the transfer of funds by the bank instructed to make the transfer, or payment by electronic means or by any other means approved by the Board to an account (of a type approved by the Board) or, in respect of an Uncertificated Share, the making of payment in accordance with the facilities and requirements of the Relevant System shall be a good discharge to the Company. Every cheque or warrant or similar financial instrument sent or transfer of funds or payment made by the relevant bank or system in accordance with these Articles shall be at the risk of the holder or person entitled. The Company shall have no responsibility for any sums lost or delayed in the course of payment by any method used by the Company in accordance with Article 251.
Interest not payable
255 No dividend or other monies payable in respect of a Share shall bear interest against the Company unless otherwise provided by the rights attached to the Share.
Treatment of unclaimed dividends
256 Any dividend which has remained unclaimed for twelve (12) years from the date when it became due for payment shall, if the Board so resolves, be forfeited and cease to remain owing by the Company. The payment of any unclaimed dividend or other monies payable in respect of a Share may (but need not) be paid by the Company into an account separate from the Company’s own account. Such payment shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect of it. The Company shall be entitled to cease sending dividend warrants, cheques and similar financial instruments by post or otherwise to a member if those instruments have been returned undelivered, or left uncashed by that member, on at least two (2) consecutive occasions, or, following one (1) such occasion, reasonable enquiries have failed to establish the member’s new address. The entitlement conferred on the Company by this Article 256 in respect of any member shall cease if the member claims a dividend or cashes a dividend warrant, cheque or similar financial instrument.
Scrip dividends
257 The Board may offer any holder of A Shares the right to elect to receive A Shares, credited as fully paid, instead of cash in respect of the whole (or some part, to be determined by the Board) of all or any dividend subject to the following terms and conditions:
| (a) | each holder of A Shares shall be entitled to that number of new A Shares as are together as nearly as possible equal in value to (but not greater than) the cash amount (disregarding any tax credit) of the dividend that such holder would have received by way of dividend but elects to forego (each a “new A Share”). For this purpose, the value of each new A Share shall be: |
| (i) | equal to the average quotation for the A Shares, that is, the average of the closing prices for A Shares on Nasdaq or, if a Nasdaq quote is not available, such other exchange or quotation service on which the Company's A Shares are listed or quoted as derived from such source as the Board may deem appropriate, on the day on which such A Shares are first quoted ex the relevant dividend and the four subsequent Business Days; or |
| (ii) | calculated in any other manner the Board considers fit, |
but shall never be less than the par value of the new A Share. A certificate or report by the auditors as to the value of a new A Share in respect of any dividend shall be conclusive evidence of that value;
| (b) | each holder of A Shares shall only be entitled to new A Shares; |
| (c) | on or as soon as possible after announcing that any divided is to be declared or recommended, the Board, if it intends to offer an election in respect of that dividend, shall also announce that intention. If, after determining the basis of allotment, the Board decides to proceed with the offer, it shall notify the holders of A Shares of the terms and conditions of the right of election offered to them, specifying the procedure to be followed and place at which, and the latest time by which, elections or notices amending or terminating existing elections must be delivered in order to be effective; |
| (d) | the Board shall not proceed with any election unless the Board has sufficient authority to allot new A Shares and sufficient reserves or funds that may be appropriated to give effect to it after the basis of allotment is determined; |
| (e) | the Board may exclude from any offer any holders of Shares where the Board believes the making of the offer to them would or might involve the contravention of the laws of any territory or that for any other reason the offer should not be made to them; |
| (f) | the dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been offered) shall not be payable in cash on A Shares in respect of which an election has been made (the “elected A Shares”) and instead such number of new A Shares shall be allotted to each holder of elected A Shares as is arrived at on the basis stated in paragraph (a) of this Article 257. For that purpose the Board shall appropriate out of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund (including without limitation the profit and loss account), whether or not it is available for distribution, a sum equal to the aggregate nominal amount of the new A Shares to be allotted and apply it in paying up in full the appropriate number of new A Shares for allotment and distribution to each holder of elected A Shares as is arrived at on the basis stated in paragraph (a) of this Article 257; |
| (g) | the new A Shares when allotted shall rank pari passu in all respects with the fully paid A Shares then in issue except that they shall not be entitled to participate in the relevant dividend in lieu of which they were allotted; |
| (h) | no fraction of an A Share shall be allotted. The Board may make such provisions as it thinks fit for any fractional entitlements including without limitation payment in cash to holders in respect of their fractional entitlements, provision for the accrual, retention or accumulation of all or part of the benefit of fractional entitlements to or by the Company or to or by or on behalf of any holder or the application of any accrual, retention or accumulation to the allotment of fully paid A Shares to any holder; |
| (i) | the Board may do all acts and things it considers necessary or expedient to give effect to the allotment and issue of any share pursuant to this Article 257 or otherwise in connection with any offer made pursuant to this Article 257 and may authorise any person, acting on behalf of the holders concerned, to enter into an agreement with the Company providing for such allotment or issue and incidental matters. Any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all concerned; and |
| (j) | the Board may, at its discretion, amend, suspend or terminate any offer pursuant to the above. |
CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS AND RESERVES
Power to capitalise
258 Without prejudice to any authority granted to the Board prior to the adoption of these Articles, the Board may with the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company:
| (a) | subject to the provisions of this Article 258, resolve to capitalise any undistributed profits of the Company not required for paying any preferential dividend (whether or not they are available for distribution) or any sum standing to the credit of any reserve or other fund of the Company, including without limitation the Company’s share premium account and capital redemption reserve, if any; |
| (b) | appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the members or any class of members on the record date specified in the relevant resolution who would have been entitled to it if it were distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportion to the nominal amount of the Shares (whether or not fully paid up) held by them respectively which would entitle them to participate in a distribution of that sum if the Shares were fully paid and the sum was then distributed by way of dividend; |
| (c) | apply that sum on their behalf either in or towards paying up the amounts, if any, for the time being unpaid on any Shares held by them respectively, or in paying up in full unissued Shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company of a nominal amount equal to that sum but the share premium account, the capital redemption reserve, and any profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this Article 258, only be applied in paying up Shares to be allotted to members credited as fully paid; |
| (d) | allot the Shares, debentures or other obligations credited as fully paid to those members, or as they may direct, in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other; |
| (e) | resolve that any Shares so allotted to any member in respect of any holding by him of any partly paid Shares shall, so long as such Shares remain partly paid, rank for dividend only to the extent that the latter Shares rank for dividend; |
| (f) | where Shares or debentures become, or would otherwise become, distributable under this Article 258 in fractions, make such provision as they think fit for any fractional entitlements including without limitation authorising their sale and transfer to any person, resolving that the distribution be made as nearly as practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so, ignoring fractions altogether or resolving that cash payments be made to any members in order to adjust the rights of all parties; |
| (g) | authorise any person to enter into an agreement with the Company on behalf of all the members concerned providing for either: |
| (i) | the allotment to the members respectively, credited as fully paid, of any Shares, debentures or other obligations to which they are entitled on the capitalisation; or |
| (ii) | the payment up by the Company on behalf of the members of the amounts, or any part of the amounts, remaining unpaid on their existing Shares by the application of their respective proportions of the sum resolved to be capitalised, |
and any agreement made under that authority shall be binding on all such members; and
| (h) | generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the ordinary resolution, |
provided always that any allotment of Shares pursuant to this Article 258 must be made on an equal per share basis so that the same number of A Shares and B Shares are allotted.
Capitalisation of reserves: Rights Plan
259 Notwithstanding Article 258, where:
| (a) | the Board has established a Rights Plan and has granted Rights in accordance therewith as provided in Articles 16 and 17 above, and |
| (b) | the Board has exercised any discretion which may be conferred upon it by any Rights Plan so established to exchange or cause to be exchanged all or part of the Rights (other than Rights held by or on behalf of an Acquiring Person, which would have become void) for Shares, |
for the purposes of giving effect to any such exchange as is referred to in Article 259(b), the Board may (without the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company):
| (c) | resolve to capitalise any undistributed profits of the Company not required for paying any preferential dividend (whether or not they are available for distribution) or any sum standing to the credit of any reserve or other fund of the Company, including without limitation the Company’s share premium account and capital redemption reserve, whether or not available for distribution, being an amount equal to the nominal amount of the Shares which are to be exchanged for the Rights (other than Rights held by or on behalf of or for the benefit of an Acquiring Person); and |
| (d) | apply that sum in paying up in full Shares and allot such Shares, credited as fully paid, to the holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person) and/or to a Depositary (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to a nominee of a Depositary) in exchange for the Rights (other than Rights held by or on behalf of or for the benefit of an Acquiring Person). |
260 The provisions of Articles 258(f), 258(g) and 258(h) shall apply (mutatis mutandis) to any resolution of the Board pursuant to Article 259(b) as they apply to any resolution of the board pursuant to Article 258.
261 For the purposes of Article 259 above Acquiring Person shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Article 20(c).
Reservation of profit
262 The Board may, before recommending any dividend (whether preferential or otherwise), set aside out of the profits of the Company such sum as it deems fit as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly applied, and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Board may deem fit, and so that it shall not be necessary to keep any investments constituting the reserve or reserves separate or distinct from any other investments of the Company. The Board may also, without placing the same to reserve, carry forward any profits which it may deem prudent not to distribute.
RECORD DATES
263 Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, and subject to the Act, the Company or the Board may fix any date as the record date for any dividend, distribution, allotment or issue, which may be on or at any time before or after any date on which the dividend, distribution, allotment or issue is declared, paid or made.
ACCOUNTS
Rights to inspect records
264 No member shall (as such) have any right to inspect any accounting records or other book or document of the Company except as conferred by statute or authorised by the Board or by ordinary resolution of the Company or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
Sending of annual accounts
265 Subject to the Statutes, a copy of the Company’s annual accounts and reports for that financial year shall, at least twenty-one (21) clear days before the date of the meeting at which copies of those documents are to be laid in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes, be sent (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include where given in electronic form or by website communication) to every member and to every holder of the Company’s debentures, and to every person who is entitled to receive notice of meetings from the Company under the provisions of the Statutes or of these Articles or, in the case of joint holders of any Share or debenture, to one of the joint holders. A copy need not be sent to a person for whom the Company does not have a current address.
Summary financial statements
266 Subject to the Statutes, the requirements of Article 265 shall be deemed satisfied in relation to any person by sending to the person, instead of such copies, a summary financial statement derived from the Company’s annual accounts and the directors’ report, which shall be in the form and containing the information prescribed by the Statutes and any regulations made under the Statutes.
COMMUNICATIONS
When notice required to be in writing
267 Any notice to be sent to or by any person pursuant to these Articles (other than a notice calling a meeting of the Board) shall be in writing (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include where given in electronic form or by website communication).
Methods of Company sending notice
268 Subject to Article 267 and unless otherwise provided by these Articles, the Company shall send or supply any Shareholder Information that is required or authorised to be sent or supplied to a member or any other person by the Company by a provision of the Statutes or pursuant to these Articles or to any other rules or regulations to which the Company may be subject in such form and by such means as it may in its absolute discretion determine (including, without limitation, by making the document or information available on a website) provided that the provisions of the Statutes which apply to sending or supplying a document or information required or authorised to be sent or supplied by the Statutes shall, the necessary changes having been made, also apply to sending or supplying any document or information required or authorised to be sent by these Articles or any other rules or regulations to which the Company may be subject.
Method of member sending Shareholder Information
269 Subject to Article 268 and unless otherwise provided by these Articles, a member or a person entitled by transmission to a Share shall send any Shareholder Information pursuant to these Articles to the Company in such form and by such means as it may in its absolute discretion determine provided that:
| (a) | the determined form and means are permitted by the Statutes for the purpose of sending or supplying a document or information of that type to a company pursuant to a provision of the Statutes; and |
| (b) | unless the Board otherwise permits, any applicable condition or limitation specified in the Statutes, including without limitation as to the address to which the document or information may be sent, is satisfied. |
Unless otherwise provided by these Articles or required by the Board, such Shareholder Information shall be authenticated in the manner specified by the Statutes for authentication of a document or information sent in the relevant form.
Notice to joint holders
270 In the case of joint holders of a Share:
| (a) | any Shareholder Information shall be given, sent or supplied to the joint holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding and any Shareholder Information so sent shall be deemed for all purposes sent to all the joint holders; and |
| (b) | the agreement of a joint holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the joint holding that any Shareholder Information may be given, sent or supplied in electronic form or by being made available on a website shall be binding on all the joint holders. |
Registered address outside the United Kingdom, the EEA or the United States
271 Other than in respect of a Depositary, to which this Article 271 shall not apply, a member whose registered address is not within the United Kingdom, an EEA State or the United States of America and who sends to the Company an address within the United Kingdom, an EEA State or the United States of America at which a document or information may be sent to him shall be entitled to have the document or information sent to him at that address (provided that, in the case of a document or information sent by electronic means, including without limitation any notification required by the Statutes that the document or information is available on a website, the Company so agrees, which agreement the Company shall be entitled to withhold in its absolute discretion including, without limitation, in circumstances in which the Company considers that the sending of the document or information to such address using electronic means would or might infringe the laws of any other jurisdiction) but otherwise:
| (a) | no such member shall be entitled to receive any document or information from the Company; and |
| (b) | without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any notice of a general meeting of the Company which is in fact sent or purports to be sent to such member shall be ignored for the purpose of determining the validity of the proceedings at such general meeting. |
Deemed receipt of notice
272 A member present, either in person or by proxy, at any meeting of the Company or of the holders of any class of Shares shall be deemed to have been sent notice of the meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which it was called.
Terms and conditions for electronic communications
273 The Board may from time to time issue, endorse or adopt terms and conditions relating to the use of electronic means for the sending of notices, other documents and proxy appointments by the Company to members or persons entitled by transmission and by members or persons entitled by transmission to the Company.
Notice to persons entitled by transmission
274 Shareholder Information may be sent or supplied by the Company to the person or persons entitled by transmission to a Share by sending it in any manner the Company may choose authorised by these Articles for the sending of a document or information to a member, addressed to them by name, or by the title of representative of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt or by any similar description at the address (if any) as may be supplied for that purpose by or on behalf of the person or persons claiming to be so entitled. Until such an address has been supplied, Shareholder Information may be sent in any manner in which it might have been sent if the death or bankruptcy or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred.
Transferees bound by prior notice
275 Every person who becomes entitled to a Share shall be bound by any notice in respect of that Share which, before his name is entered in the Register, has been sent to a person from whom he derives his title, provided that no person who becomes entitled by transmission to a Share shall be bound by any direction notice sent under Article 125 to a person from whom he derives title.
Proof of sending/when notices are deemed sent by post
276 Proof that Shareholder Information was properly addressed, prepaid and posted shall be conclusive evidence that the document or information was sent or supplied. Shareholder Information sent by the Company to a member by post shall be deemed to have been received:
| (a) | if sent by first class post or special delivery post from an address in the United Kingdom to another address in the United Kingdom, or by a postal service similar to first class post or special delivery post from an address in another country to another address in that other country, on the day following that on which the notice, document or information was posted; or |
| (b) | if sent by airmail from an address in the United Kingdom to an address outside the United Kingdom, or from an address in another country to an address outside that country (including without limitation an address in the United Kingdom), on the third day following that on which the notice, document or other information was posted; or |
| (c) | in any other case, on the second day following that on which the notice, document or information was posted. |
Notices sent in electronic form
277 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, any notice or other Shareholder Information (excluding a share certificate) will be validly supplied if sent by the Company to any member or person nominated by a member to receive Shareholder Information in electronic form if that person has agreed (generally or specifically) (or, if the member is a company and is deemed by the Statutes to have agreed) that the communication may be sent in that form and:
| (a) | the notice or other Shareholder Information is sent in electronic form to such address (or to one of the addresses if more than one) as may for the time being be notified by the member to the Company (generally or specifically) for that purpose or, if the intended recipient is a company, to such address as may be deemed by a provision of the Statutes to have been so satisfied; |
| (b) | the notice or other Shareholder Information is sent in electronic form; and |
| (c) | in each case that person has not revoked the agreement. |
Notices made available by website
278 Subject to the provisions of the Statutes, any notice or Shareholder Information (excluding a share certificate) will be validly supplied if it is made available by means of a website communication where that person has agreed, or is deemed by the Statutes to have agreed (generally or specifically) that the communication may be supplied to him in that manner and:
| (a) | that person has not revoked the agreement; |
| (b) | that person is notified in a manner for the time being agreed for the purpose between that person and the Company of (i) the publication of the notice or other Shareholder Information on a website, (ii) the address of that website, and (iii) the place on that website where the notice of other Shareholder Information may be accessed and how it may be accessed; |
| (c) | the notice or other Shareholder Information continues to be published on the website throughout the period specified in the Act, provided that if the notice or other Shareholder Information is published on that website for a part but not all of such period, the notice or other Shareholder Information will be treated as published throughout that period if the failure to publish the notice or other Shareholder Information throughout that period is wholly attributable to circumstances that it would not be reasonable to have expected the Company to prevent or avoid. |
When notices deemed received by hand
279 Shareholder Information sent by the Company to a member by hand shall be deemed to have been received by the member when it is handed to the member or left at his registered address.
Proof of sending/when notices are deemed sent by electronic means
280 Proof that a document or information sent or supplied by electronic means was properly addressed shall be conclusive evidence that the document or information was sent or supplied.
A document or information sent or supplied by the Company to a member in electronic form shall be deemed to have been received by the member on the day following that on which the document or information was sent to the member. Such a document or information shall be deemed received by the member on that day notwithstanding that the Company becomes aware that the member has failed to receive the relevant document or information for any reason and notwithstanding that the Company subsequently sends a hard copy of such document or information by post to the member.
When notices deemed sent by website
281 A notice, document or information sent or supplied by the Company to a member by means of a website shall be deemed to have been received by the member:
| (a) | when the notice, document or information was first made available on the website; or |
| (b) | if later, when the member is deemed by Article 277, 279 or 280 to have received notice of the fact that the notice, document or information was available on the website. Such a notice, document or information shall be deemed received by the member on that day notwithstanding that the Company becomes aware that the member has failed to receive the relevant document or information for any reason and notwithstanding that the Company subsequently sends a hard copy of such notice, document or information by post to the member. |
282 Where in accordance with these Articles a member is entitled or required to give or send to the Company a notice in writing, the Company may, if it in its absolute discretion so decides (and shall, if it is registered to do so or is deemed to have so agreed by any provision of the Statutes), permit such notices to be sent to the Company by such means of electronic communication as may from time to time be specified (or be deemed by the Statutes to be agreed) by the Company, so as to be received at such address as may for the time being be specified (or deemed by the Statutes to be specified) by the Company (generally or specifically) for the purpose. Any means of so giving or sending such notices by electronic communications shall be subject to any terms, limitations, conditions or restrictions that the Board may from time to time prescribe.
When notices deemed sent by advertisement
283 A notice, document or other information sent or supplied by the Company to a member by means of public advertisement shall be deemed to have been received on the day on which the advertisement appears.
When notices deemed sent by Depositary
284 A notice, document or other information sent or supplied by the Company to a member by means of a Relevant System shall be deemed to have been received twenty-four (24) hours after the Company, or person acting on the Company’s behalf, sends the instructions to the Relevant System relating to the notice, document or other information.
No entitlement to receive notice if the Company has no current address
285 A member shall not be entitled to receive any notice, document or information that is required or authorised to be sent or supplied to him by the Company by a provision of the Statutes or pursuant to these Articles or to any other rules or regulations to which the Company may be subject if documents or information sent or supplied to that member by post in accordance with these Articles have been returned undelivered to the Company:
| (a) | on at least two (2) consecutive occasions; or |
| (b) | on one occasion and reasonable enquiries have failed to establish the member’s address. |
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any notice of a general meeting of the Company which is in fact sent or purports to be sent to such member shall be ignored for the purpose of determining the validity of the proceedings at such general meeting.
A member to whom this Article 285 applies shall become entitled to receive such documents or information when he has given the Company an address to which they may be sent or supplied or shall have informed the Company in such manner as may be specified to the Company of an electronic address to which they may be sent or supplied.
Notice during disruption of services
286 Subject to the Statutes, if at any time the Company is unable effectively to convene a general meeting by notices sent through the post as a result of the suspension or curtailment of postal services, notice of general meetings may be sufficiently given by advertisement. Any notice given by advertisement for the purposes of this Article 286 shall be advertised in at least one newspaper having national circulation in the United Kingdom. If advertised in more than one (1) newspaper, the advertisements shall appear on the same date. Such notice shall be deemed to have been sent to all persons who are entitled to have notice of meetings sent to them on the day when the advertisement appears. In any such case, the Company shall send confirmatory copies of the notice by post, if at least seven (7) days before the meeting the posting of notices to addresses again becomes practicable.
Execution of documents
287 Where a document is required under these Articles to be signed by a member or any other person, if the document is in electronic form, then in order to be valid the document must either:
| (a) | incorporate the electronic signature or personal identification details (which may be details previously allocated by the Company) of that member or other person in such form as the Board may approve; or |
| (b) | be accompanied by such other evidence as the Board may require in order to be satisfied that the document is genuine. |
The Company may designate mechanisms for validating any such document and a document not validated by the user of any such mechanisms shall be deemed as having not been received by the Company. In the case of any document or information relating to a meeting, an instrument or proxy or invitation to appoint a proxy, any validation requirement shall be specified in the relevant notice of meeting in accordance with Articles 85 and 87.
DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
Power of Company to destroy documents
288 The Company shall be entitled to destroy:
| (a) | all instruments of transfer of Shares in the Company which have been registered, and all other documents on the basis of which any entry is made in the Register, at any time after the expiration of six (6) years from the date of registration; |
| (b) | all dividend mandates, variations or cancellations of dividend mandates, and notifications of change of address at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of recording; |
| (c) | all share certificates which have been cancelled at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of the cancellation; |
| (d) | all paid dividend warrants and cheques at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of actual payment; |
| (e) | all proxy appointments which have been used for the purpose of a poll at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of use; |
| (f) | all proxy appointments which have not been used for the purpose of a poll at any time after one (1) month from the end of the meeting to which the proxy appointment relates and at which no poll was demanded, and |
| (g) | any other document on the basis of which an entry in the Register is made, after six (6) years from the date on which it is made, |
provided that the Company may destroy any such type of document at a date earlier than that authorised by this Article 288 if a copy of such document is made and retained (whether electronically, by microfilm, by digital imaging or by other similar means) until the expiration of the period applicable to the destruction of the original of such document.
Presumption in relation to destroyed documents
289 It shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that:
| (a) | every entry in the Register purporting to have been made on the basis of an instrument of transfer or other document destroyed in accordance with Article 288 was duly and properly made; |
| (b) | every instrument of transfer destroyed in accordance with Article 288 was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered; |
| (c) | every share certificate destroyed in accordance with Article 288 was a valid and effective certificate duly and properly cancelled; and |
| (d) | every other document destroyed in accordance with Article 288 was a valid and effective document in accordance with its recorded particulars in the books or records of the Company, |
but
| (e) | the provisions of this Article 289 and Article 288 apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without notice of any claim (regardless of the parties) to which the document might be relevant; |
| (f) | nothing in this Article 289 or Article 288 shall be construed as imposing on the Company any liability in respect of the destruction of any document earlier than the time specified in Article 288 or in any other circumstances which would not attach to the Company in the absence of this Article 289 or Article 288; and |
| (g) | any reference in this Article 289 or Article 288 to the destruction of any document includes a reference to its disposal in any manner. |
290 References in Articles 288 or 289 to instruments of transfer shall include, in relation to Uncertificated Shares, instructions and/or notifications made in accordance with the Relevant System relating to the transfer of such Shares.
UNTRACED MEMBERS
Power to dispose of Shares of untraced shareholders
291 The Company shall be entitled to sell, at the best price reasonably obtainable, the Shares of a member or the Shares to which a person is entitled by transmission if:
| (a) | during the period of twelve (12) years before the date of the publication of the advertisements referred to in paragraph (b) of this Article 291 (or, if published on different dates, the first date) (the relevant period) at least three dividends in respect of the Shares in question have been declared and all dividend warrants, cheques or other methods of payment for amounts payable which have been sent in the manner authorised by these Articles in respect of the Shares in question have remained uncashed; |
| (b) | the Company shall as soon as practicable after expiry of the relevant period have inserted advertisements both in a national daily newspaper and in a newspaper circulating in the area of the last known address of such member or other person giving notice of its intention to sell the Shares; and |
| (c) | during the relevant period and the period of three (3) months following the publication of the advertisements referred to in paragraph (b) of this Article 291 (or, if published on different dates, the first date) the Company has received no indication either of the whereabouts or of the existence of such member or person. |
The Company shall also be entitled to sell any additional Shares issued during the relevant period (or the right to any Share so issued) if the criteria in this Article 291 are satisfied in relation to the additional Shares (but as if the words “during the period of twelve (12) years” were omitted from paragraph (a) and the words “after expiry of the relevant period” were omitted from paragraph (b)).
Transfer on sale
292 To give effect to any sale pursuant to Article 291, the Board may (a) if the Shares are in certificated form, authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer, or (b) where the Shares are held in uncertificated form, in accordance with the Regulations, do all acts and things it considers necessary and expedient to effect the transfer of the Shares to, or in accordance with the directions of, the buyer (including issuing a written notification to the Operator requiring the conversion of the Shares into certificated form).
Effectiveness of transfer
293 An instrument of transfer executed by that person in accordance with Article 292 shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the Shares. An exercise by the Company of its powers in accordance with Article 291(b) shall be as effective as if exercised by the registered holder of or person entitled by transmission to the Shares. The transferee shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, and his title to the Shares shall not be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings in reference to the sale.
Proceeds of sale
294 The net proceeds of sale shall belong to the Company which shall be obliged to account to the former member or other person previously entitled for an amount equal to the proceeds. The Company shall enter the name of such former member or other person in the books of the Company as a creditor for that amount. In relation to the debt, no trust is created and no interest is payable. The Company shall not be required to account for any money earned on the net proceeds of sale, which may be used in the Company’s business or invested in such a way as the Board from time to time thinks fit.
WINDING UP
Liquidator may distribute in specie
295 If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company and any other sanction required by the Insolvency Act 1986:
| (a) | divide among the members in specie the whole or any part of the assets, whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not, of the Company and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the members or different classes of members; |
| (b) | vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees for the benefit of the members; and |
| (c) | determine the scope and terms of those trusts, |
but no member shall be compelled to accept any asset on which there is a liability.
Disposal of assets by liquidator
296 The power of sale of a liquidator shall include a power to sell wholly or partially Shares or debentures or other obligations of another body corporate, either then already constituted, or about to be constituted, for the purpose of carrying out the sale.
INDEMNITY
Third party indemnity
297 Subject to the provisions of, and so far as permitted by and consistent with, the Act but without prejudice to any indemnity to which he may otherwise be entitled, the Company shall indemnify, out of the assets of the Company, any director or other officer of the Company or of any associated company(other than any person (whether an officer or not) engaged by the Company as an auditor) against all losses, liabilities and expenditures which he may sustain or incur in the execution and discharge of the duties of his office or otherwise in relation thereto, provided that this Article 297 shall only have effect insofar as its provisions are not void under sections 232 or 234 of the Act.
Pension scheme indemnity
298 The Company may also indemnify, out of the assets of the Company, any director or other officer of either the Company or any associated company where the Company or such associated company acts as trustee of a pension scheme, against liability incurred by him in connection with the relevant company’s activities as trustee of such scheme, provided that this Article 298 shall only have effect insofar as its provisions are not void under sections 232 or 234 of the Act.
Defending proceedings
299 Subject to section 205 of the Act, the Company may provide a director or other officer of either the Company or an associated company with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending (or seeking relief in respect of) any civil or criminal proceedings brought or threatened against him in connection with any alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him in relation to the Company or an associated company, and the Company shall be permitted to take or omit to take any action or enter into any arrangement which would otherwise be prohibited under sections 197 to 203 of the Act to enable a director to avoid incurring such expenditure.
300 The Company may also provide a director with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending himself in an investigation by a regulatory authority or against action proposed to be taken by a regulatory authority in connection with any alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him in relation to the Company or any associated company and the Company shall be permitted to take or omit to take any action or enter into any arrangement which would otherwise be prohibited under section 197 of the Act to enable a director to avoid incurring such expenditure.
Interpretation
301 For the purpose of Articles 297, 298, 299 and 300 the expression associated company shall mean a company which is either a subsidiary or a holding company of the Company or a subsidiary of such holding company, as such terms are defined in the Act.
Alternatives
302 Where any person becomes involved in a situation of any nature in connection with which the Company shall indemnify, may indemnify, may provide funds or may take or omit to take any action or enter into any arrangement which would enable a director or officer to avoid incurring expenditure, in each case in accordance with any of Articles 297 to 301 above (the "Alternatives"), the Company may undertake to pay to any third party (as a direct and primary obligation of the Company to that third party) any expenses or costs in connection therewith to which any of the Alternatives could apply.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Exclusive jurisdiction
303 Save in respect of any cause of action arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any and all disputes brought by a member in that member's capacity as such, or as a purported derivative claim in respect of a cause of action vested in the Company or seeking relief on behalf of the Company, against the Company or the Board or any of the directors or officers individually (or against any combination of the foregoing persons), arising out of or in connection with these Articles or any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with these Articles.
304 Unless the Company by ordinary resolution consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum in the United States, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
Duties of directors
305 In no situation shall any director or officer owe any duty of any nature whatsoever to any member (in that member's capacity as such).
Remedies
306 Damages alone may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of Articles 303, 304 or 305, so that, in the event of a breach or anticipated breach, the remedies of injunction and an order for specific performance would in appropriate circumstances each be available.
Governing law
307 The governing law of the Articles is the substantive law of England and these Articles shall be interpreted in accordance with English law.
Interpretation
308 For the purposes of Articles 303 to 306:
| (a) | a dispute shall mean any dispute, controversy or claim, |
| (b) | references to Company shall be read so as to include each and any of the Company's subsidiary undertakings from time to time, and |
| (c) | director and officer shall be read so as to include each and any director and officer of the Company from time to time in his capacity as such or as an employee of the Company and shall include any former director or officer of the Company. |
APPENDIX
SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE TERMS
RIGHTS TO PURCHASE SHARES OF ROYALTY PHARMA PLC
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and every other enactment from time to time in force concerning companies (including any orders, regulations or other subordinate legislation made under the Companies Act 2006 or any such other enactment), so far as they apply to or affect Royalty Pharma plc (the “Company”), the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) may exercise any power of the Company to establish a shareholders rights plan (the “Rights Plan”). The Rights Plan may be in such form as the Board shall in its absolute discretion decide and may in particular (but without restriction or limitation) include such terms as are described in this Summary of Example Terms.
Pursuant to the Rights Plan, the Board would declare and issue one share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding voting share in the capital of the Company (each a “Voting Share”). Each Right would entitle the registered holder, upon payment to the Company of the price per Right specified in the Rights Plan, to have delivered to such holder one Voting Share of the same class as the Voting Shares in respect of which the Right was issued or one share of any other class or series as specified in the Rights Plan (a “Share”), subject to adjustment.
Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons or persons acting in concert (a “group”) has acquired beneficial ownership of fifteen (15) per cent. or more of the outstanding Voting Shares (such person or group, an “Acquiring Person”) and (ii) 10 days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board prior to such time as any person or group were to become an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a takeover offer by a person or group the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership of fifteen (15) per cent. or more of the outstanding Voting Shares being acquired by that person or group (the earlier of such dates being called the “Distribution Date”), each Right would be associated with an individual Voting Share and the Rights would be transferred with and only with the Voting Shares.
After the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“Right Certificates”) would be mailed to (or credited to the account of) holders of record of the Shares as of the close of business on the Distribution Date. Such separate Right Certificates alone would then evidence the Rights and the Rights would then be separately transferable.
The Rights would not be exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights would expire on a date to be specified in the Rights Plan, unless the Rights were earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company.
After the Distribution Date, each holder of a Right, other than Rights held by or on behalf of any Acquiring Person (which would thereupon become void), would thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right that number of Voting Shares having a market value of two times the exercise price for the Right.
If, after a person or group were to become an Acquiring Person, the Company were to be acquired by a third party (including an Acquiring Person) including, without limitation, by way of merger, amalgamation or other business combination transaction, or by acquisition of 50 per cent.
or more of the Company’s assets, cash flow or earning power, proper provisions would be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights held by or on behalf of an Acquiring Person, which would have become void) would thereafter have the right to receive upon the exercise of a Right that number of shares of such third party (including an Acquiring Person) or its parent that at the time of such acquisition would have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
At any time after any person or group were to become an Acquiring Person and prior to the earlier of one of the events described in the previous paragraph or acquisition by such Acquiring Person of an interest in 50 per cent. or more of the outstanding Voting Shares, the Board would have the authority to exchange or cause to be exchanged the Rights (other than Rights held by or on behalf of such Acquiring Person, which would have become void), in whole or in part, for Shares at an exchange ratio of one Share per Right, subject to the receipt of any consideration required by applicable law to be received by the Company in respect of the same.
At any time until 10 days following the first public announcement that any person or group has become an Acquiring Person, the Board would have the authority to redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price per Right to be specified in the Rights Plan (the “Redemption Price”).
So long as the Rights are redeemable, the Board would have the authority, except with respect to the Redemption Price, to amend the Rights Plan in any manner, subject to applicable law and any restrictions set forth in the Articles of Association of the Company. After any person or group became an Acquiring Person, the Board would have the authority, except with respect to the Redemption Price, to amend the Rights Plan in any manner that would not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (other than Rights held by or on behalf of any Acquiring Person, which would have become void) or shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Plan (other than the time period within which redemption can occur).
Before the exercise of a Right, a Right would not entitle the holder thereof to any rights as a shareholder of the Company including, without limitation, the right to vote or receive dividends in respect of such Right.
Exhibit 3.2
THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD
(Adopted by special resolution passed on 15 May 2025 and effective as from the Effective Date)
Table of Contents
| PART 1 | 4 |
| INTERPRETATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY | 4 |
| 1. Exclusion of other Regulations and defined terms | 4 |
| 2. Liability of members | 10 |
| PART 2 DIRECTORS | 11 |
| 3. Directors’ general authority | 11 |
| 3A. Parent Board Reserved Matters | 11 |
| 4. Shareholders’ reserve power | 11 |
| 5. Directors may delegate | 11 |
| 6. Committees | 11 |
| DECISION-MAKING BY DIRECTORS | 12 |
| 7. Directors to take decisions collectively | 12 |
| 8. Unanimous decisions | 12 |
| 9. Calling a Directors’ meeting | 12 |
| 10. Participation in Directors’ meetings | 13 |
| 11. Quorum for Directors’ meetings | 13 |
| 12. Chairing of Directors’ meetings | 13 |
| 13. Casting vote | 13 |
| 14. Conflicts of interest | 14 |
| 15. Records of decisions to be kept | 18 |
| 16. Directors’ discretion to make further rules | 18 |
| APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS | 18 |
| 17. Methods of appointing Directors | 18 |
| 18. Termination of Director’s appointment | 18 |
| 19. Directors’ remuneration | 19 |
| 20. Directors’ expenses | 20 |
| PART 3 SHARES AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 21 |
| 21. Classes of Shares | 21 |
| 22. A Shares | 21 |
| 23. B Shares | 21 |
| 24. C Share | 21 |
| 25. C Share EPA Advances | 22 |
| 25.A D Share | 23 |
| 25.B E Share | 23 |
| 25.C Deferred Shares | 24 |
| 26. Variation of class rights | 24 |
| 27. All Shares to be fully paid up | 25 |
| 28. Powers to issue and redesignate different classes of Share | 25 |
| 29. Company not bound by less than absolute interests | 25 |
| 30. Share certificates | 25 |
| 31. Replacement Share certificates | 26 |
| 32. Share transfers | 26 |
| 33. Transmission of Shares | 27 |
| 34. Exercise of Transmittees’ rights | 27 |
| 35. Transmittees bound by prior notices | 27 |
| DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS | 27 |
| 36. Procedure for declaring dividends | 27 |
| 37. Payment of dividends and other distributions | 28 |
| 38. No interest on distributions | 29 |
| 39. Unclaimed distributions | 29 |
| 40. Non-cash distributions | 29 |
| 41. Waiver of distributions | 30 |
| CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS | 30 |
| 42. Authority to capitalise and appropriation of capitalised sums | 30 |
| PART 4 DECISION-MAKING BY SHAREHOLDERS | 32 |
| ORGANISATION OF GENERAL MEETINGS | 32 |
| 43. Attendance and speaking at general meetings | 32 |
| 44. Quorum for general meetings | 32 |
| 45. Chairing general meetings | 32 |
| 46. Attendance and speaking by Directors and non-Shareholders | 33 |
| 47. Adjournment | 33 |
| VOTING AT GENERAL MEETINGS | 34 |
| 48. Voting: general | 34 |
| 49. Errors and disputes | 34 |
| 50. Poll votes | 34 |
| 51. Content of proxy notices | 35 |
| 52. Delivery of proxy notices | 35 |
| 53. Amendments to resolutions | 36 |
| PART 5 ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS | 37 |
| 54. Means of communication to be used | 37 |
| 55. Company seals | 37 |
| 56. No right to inspect accounts and other records | 38 |
| 57. Provision for employees on cessation of business | 38 |
| DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE | 38 |
| 58. Indemnity | 38 |
| 59. Insurance | 38 |
| U.S. TAX MATTERS | 39 |
| 60. U.S. Entity Classification | 39 |
| ANNEX A EPAs | 40 |
| ANNEX B U.S. TAX ANNEX | 48 |
| ANNEX C PARENT BOARD RESERVED MATTERS | 56 |
PART 1
INTERPRETATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
| 1. | Exclusion of other Regulations and defined terms |
| (1) | No regulations or model articles contained in any statute or subordinate legislation including, without prejudice to such generality, the regulations contained in Table A to the Companies Act 1985 and the Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008, shall apply as the articles of association of the Company. |
| (2) | In these Articles, unless the context requires otherwise: |
“A Share” means (i) a voting class A ordinary share of US$0.0001 in the capital of the Company from time to time, (ii) any B Shares acquired by the Parent, and (iii) any other shares in the capital of the Company which are designated or redesignated as A Shares, whether with the same or a different nominal value;
“Act” means the Companies Act 2006, including any modification or re-enactment of it for the time being in force;
“Applicable Individual” means any individual who is or may become beneficially entitled to EPAs;
“Articles” means these articles of association, as amended from time to time, and “Article” shall be construed accordingly;
“Associated Company” means in respect of any body corporate: (a) its Subsidiaries; (b) any body corporate of which it is a Subsidiary; and (c) any body corporate that is also a Subsidiary of the same body corporate referenced in sub-paragraph (b) above;
“Assumed Income Tax Rate” means the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate (including tax rates under Section 1411 of the Code) for a Fiscal Year (as defined in Annex B) prescribed for an individual residing in New York City, New York, taking into account: (a) the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, if any, and (b) the character of the applicable income (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt); provided, however, that EPA Vehicle shall be permitted to reasonably adjust the calculation of the Assumed Income Tax Rate in an equitable manner after taking into account the status of EPA Vehicle and its direct and/or indirect partners, members, shareholders, or other beneficial owners of the C Share as U.S. taxpaying individuals or entities, as applicable, in each case in its good faith discretion;
“B Depositary Receipts” means the depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to the B DR Holders in respect of the B Shares;
“B DR Holders” means the holders of the B Depositary Receipts representing the B Shares, to the extent in issue from time to time; “B Share” means (i) a non-voting class B ordinary share of US$0.0001 in the capital of the Company from time to time, and (ii) any other shares in the capital of the Company which are designated as B Shares (other than any B Shares acquired by the Parent), whether with the same or a different nominal value;
“bankruptcy” means any individual insolvency procedure under the Second Group of Parts (Insolvency of Individuals; Bankruptcy) of the Insolvency Act 1986 and includes individual insolvency proceedings in a jurisdiction other than England and Wales which have a similar effect;
“C Share” means the non-voting class C ordinary share of US$1.00 in the capital of the Company;
“Cause” will exist where:
| (i) | an Applicable Individual has committed a material breach of the governing documents of the Company, any of its Associated Companies or the limited partnership agreement of a Continuing Investors Partnership; |
| (ii) | an Applicable Individual has committed willful misconduct in connection with the performance of his or her duties under the terms of the governing documents of the Company, any of its Associated Companies or the limited partnership agreement of a Continuing Investors Partnership; |
| (iii) | there is a determination by any court with proper jurisdiction that an Applicable Individual has committed an intentional felony or engaged in any fraudulent conduct; |
| (iv) | an Applicable Individual’s willful and continued failure substantially to perform his or her material duties (other than as a result of death or disability) after a demand for such substantial performance is delivered to such Applicable Individual identifying the manner in which the Parent Board believes such Applicable Individual has not substantially performed his or her material duties and such failure is not cured (if curable) within five (5) business days following such demand; provided, however, that Cause shall not be deemed to exist pursuant to this subsection (iv) if the Applicable Individual has resigned employment with all members of the Group within 10 business days of such demand for performance; |
| (v) | an Applicable Individual’s material breach of any noncompetition covenant by and between such Applicable Individual and any member of the Group; |
| (vi) | an Applicable Individual’s material breach of any nonsolicitation of employees covenant by and between such Applicable Individual and any member of the Group; provided, that Cause shall not be deemed to exist pursuant to this subsection (vi) unless and until (A) the solicited employee or employees commence employment for the Applicable Individual or the Applicable Individual’s employer, as the case may be, and (B) if such solicited employee or employees commence employment for the Applicable Individual or the Applicable Individual’s employer, as the case may be, the Applicable Individual or the Applicable Individual’s employer, as the case may be, has not terminated such solicited employee’s or employees’ employment within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the Parent Board; or |
| (vii) | there is a declaration of bankruptcy by an Applicable Individual that has resulted in a material adverse effect on such Applicable Individual’s ability to perform his or her duties; provided that Cause shall not be deemed to exist pursuant to this subsection (vii) if the Applicable Individual has resigned employment with all members of the Group. |
provided that, in the case of sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above, such breach or misconduct has had a material adverse effect on the business, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Group and its affiliates (taken as a whole), and further provided that the occurrence of any underlying Cause Event has been notified in writing to the Company and the Parent in accordance with Article 24(4);
“Cause Event” has the meaning given in Article 24(4);
“Chairman” has the meaning given in Article 12(2);
“Chairman of the Meeting” has the meaning given in Article 45(3);
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
“Companies Acts” means the Companies Acts (as defined in section 2 of the Act), in so far as they apply to the Company;
“Company” means Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd;
“Continuing Investors Partnership” means each of RPI US Partners 2019, LP and RPI International Holdings 2019, LP and, to the extent applicable in the relevant circumstances, RPI International Partners 2019, LP;
“Cure” has the meaning given in Article 24(8);
“Cure Period” has the meaning give in Article 24(8);
“Date of Adoption of the IPO Articles” means 16 June 2020;
“D Share” means (i) a non-voting class D redeemable share of US$1.00 in the capital of the Company from time to time, and (ii) any other shares in the capital of the Company which are designated or redesignated as D Shares, whether with the same or a different nominal value;
“Deferred Share” means (i) a non-voting deferred share of US$0.0001 in the capital of the Company from time to time, and (ii) any other shares in the capital of the Company which are designated or redesignated as Deferred Shares, whether with the same or a different nominal value;
“Depositary” means any depositary, custodian or nominee approved by the Company’s board of Directors that holds legal title to the B Shares or E Shares in the capital of the Company for the purposes of facilitating beneficial ownership of such Shares by the B DR Holders or the E DR Holders (as applicable);
“Director” means a director of the Company for the time being, and includes any person occupying the position of director, by whatever name called;
“Distribution Recipient” has the meaning given in Article 37(2);
“document” includes, unless otherwise specified, any document sent or supplied in electronic form;
“E Depositary Receipts” means the depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to the E DR Holders in respect of the E Shares;
“E DR Holders” means the holders of the E Depositary Receipts representing the E Shares, to the extent in issue from time to time; “E Share” means (i) a non-voting class E ordinary share of US$0.0001 in the capital of the Company from time to time; and (ii) any other shares in the capital of the Company which are designated or re-designated as E Shares, whether with the same of a different nominal value;
“Effective Date” means the effective date of adoption of these Articles;
“electronic form” means in a form specified by section 1168(3) of the Act and otherwise complying with the provisions of that section;
“EPA Advance” has the meaning given in Article 25(1);
“EPA Advance Amount” has the meaning given in Article 25(2);
“EPA B Depositary Receipts” means the depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to EPA Holdings in respect of the EPA B Shares;
“EPA B Share” means a B Share issued upon the satisfaction of any EPAs in accordance with Annex A of these Articles;
“EPA Holdings” means RPI EPA Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership;
“EPA Holdings II” means RPI EPA Holdings II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership;
“EPA Holdings Entities” means EPA Holdings, EPA Holdings II and any other entity which receives EPAs, directly or indirectly, from EPA Vehicle;
“EPA Portfolio” means the EPA Portfolio 1 and each New Portfolio of New Portfolio Investments created after the Date of Adoption of the IPO Articles;
“EPA Portfolio 1” means the Portfolio Investments made during the period commencing on the Exchange Date and ending on December 31, 2021;
“EPA Vehicle” means RPI EPA Vehicle, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;
“EPAs” means any payment to EPA Vehicle, determined on a Portfolio-by-Portfolio basis, in an amount that is determined in accordance with Annex A to these Articles;
“Exchange Agreement” means the exchange agreement entered into on 16 June 2020, as amended, between, inter alia, each Continuing Investors Partnership, the Company, the Parent, RPI US Feeder 2019, LP, RPI International Feeder 2019, LP, EPA Vehicle and each of the Direct Holders (as defined therein), and as the same may be amended further from time to time;
“Exchange Date” means 11 February 2020;
“fully paid” in relation to a Share, means that the nominal value and any premium to be paid to the Company in respect of that Share have been paid to the Company;
“Group” means (i) the Company and its Associated Companies for the time being, and (ii) for the purposes of Annex A and the definitions of New Portfolio Investments and Portfolio Investments, the Continuing Investors Partnerships, and references to a “member of the Group” shall be construed accordingly; “Group Company” has the meaning given in Article 14(8);
“Group Company Interest” has the meaning given in Article 14(8);
“hard copy form” has the meaning given in section 1168 of the Act;
“holder” means, in relation to a Share, the member whose name is entered in the Register of Members as the holder of that Share;
“instrument” means a document in hard copy form;
“Interested Director” has the meaning given in Article 14(7);
“Management Agreement” means the Management Agreement between the Manager and the Company, as in effect from time to time;
“Manager” means Royalty Pharma Manager, LLC, in its capacity as manager to the Company, or any successor entity appointed by the Company to act as manager for the Company from time to time, including Royalty Pharma Sub-Manager, LLC;
“Mr. Legorreta” means Mr. Pablo Legorreta, the chief executive officer and chairman of the Parent as at the date of adoption of these Articles;
“New Portfolio” means one or more groupings of New Portfolio Investments that are designated as a separate Portfolio on or after the Exchange Date. The initial New Portfolio was the EPA Portfolio 1 which consisted of New Portfolio Investments made until 31 December 2021. Each New Portfolio that is established after the EPA Portfolio 1 shall consist of New Portfolio Investments made during each two (2) year period thereafter. EPA Holdings shall assign such naming designations to each New Portfolio as it shall deem convenient, but each such Portfolio, however named, shall be deemed a New Portfolio;
“New Portfolio Investments” means all Portfolio Investments acquired by a member of the Group, directly or indirectly, after the Exchange Date;
“Ordinary Resolution” has the meaning given in section 282 of the Act;
“paid” means paid or credited as paid;
“Parent” means Royalty Pharma plc, the holder of all of the A Shares;
“Parent A Shares” means the class A ordinary shares of US$0.0001 each in the capital of the Parent from time to time;
“Parent B Shares” means the class B ordinary shares of US$0.0001 each in the capital of the Parent from time to time;
“Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent, as constituted from time to time;
“Parent Board Reserved Matters” means the matters specified in Annex C to these Articles which shall, in addition to any statutory approval requirements, require the prior consent of the Parent Board;
“participate”, in relation to a Directors’ meeting, has the meaning given in Article 10; “Portfolio” means each New Portfolio and the Pre-Exchange Portfolio;
“Portfolio Investments” has the meaning provided in Annex A;
“Pre-Exchange Portfolio” means a portfolio of all Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments;
“Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investment” means each Portfolio Investment held by the Continuing Investors Partnerships on the Exchange Date;
“proxy notice” has the meaning given in Article 51;
“Re-Designation Notice” means a written notice served by a beneficial holder of E Shares on the Company in accordance with Article 25.B(3)(i), pursuant to which the relevant holder requests the Company to re-designate a number of E Shares which (as at the date of the Re-Designation Notice) have met their vesting criteria, into B Shares;
“Register of Members” means the Company’s register of members;
“Shareholder” means a person who is the holder of a Share;
“Shares” means shares in the Company, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the A Shares, the B Shares, the C Share, the D Share, the E Shares and the Deferred Shares;
“Situational Conflict” has the meaning given in Article 14(7);
“Special Resolution” has the meaning given in section 283 of the Act;
“Statutes” means the Act and every other statute (including any orders, regulations or other subordinate legislation made under them) for the time being in force concerning companies and affecting the Company;
“Subsidiary” has the meaning given in section 1159 of the Act;
“Transmittee” means a person entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of a Shareholder or otherwise by operation of law; and
“writing” means the representation or reproduction of words, symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise and “written” shall be construed accordingly.
| (3) | Words denoting the singular number include the plural number and vice versa, words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine gender and vice versa, and words denoting persons include bodies corporate (wherever resident or domiciled) and unincorporated bodies of persons. |
| (4) | Words or expressions contained in these Articles which are not defined in this Article 1 but are defined in the Act have the same meaning as in the Act (but excluding any modification of the Act not in force at the date these Articles took effect) unless inconsistent with the subject or context. |
| (5) | Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) above, references to any provision of any enactment or of any subordinate legislation (as defined in section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act 1978) include any modification or re-enactment of that provision for the time being in force. |
| (6) | Any words following the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition, phrase or term preceding those terms. |
| (7) | References to “other” and “otherwise” shall not be construed ejusdem generis where a wider construction is possible. |
| (8) | A reference in these Articles to a holder or holder(s) of any class of Shares, as the case may be, shall, in each case, be deemed to exclude any member holding Shares in treasury. |
| (9) | Headings are inserted for convenience only and do not affect the construction of these Articles. |
| (10) | In these Articles, (a) powers of delegation shall not be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall be given to them; (b) the word “board” in the context of the exercise of any power contained in these Articles includes any committee consisting of one or more Directors, any Director, any other officer of the Company and any local or divisional board, manager or agent of the Company to which or, as the case may be, to whom the power in question has been delegated; and (c) except where expressly provided by the terms of delegation, the delegation of a power shall not exclude the concurrent exercise of that power by any other body or person who is for the time being authorised to exercise it under these Articles or under another delegation of that power. |
| 2. | Liability of members |
The liability of
the members is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the Shares held by them.
PART 2
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS’ POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
| 3. | Directors’ general authority |
Subject to the provisions of Article 3A below and the other terms of these Articles, the Directors are responsible for the management of the Company’s business, for which purpose they may exercise all the powers of the Company.
| 3A. | Parent Board Reserved Matters |
The Directors and the Shareholders shall not, and shall procure that each member of the Group shall not, take any action or decision in relation to any of the Parent Board Reserved Matters without first obtaining written consent from the Parent Board (acting by way of a majority decision).
| 4. | Shareholders’ reserve power |
| (1) | The Shareholders may, by Special Resolution, direct the Directors to take, or refrain from taking, specified action. |
| (2) | No such Special Resolution invalidates anything which the Directors have done before the passing of the resolution. |
| 5. | Directors may delegate |
| (1) | Subject to the Articles, the Directors may delegate any of the powers which are conferred on them under the Articles: |
| (a) | to such person or committee; |
| (b) | by such means (including by power of attorney); |
| (c) | to such an extent; |
| (d) | in relation to such matters or territories; and |
| (e) | on such terms and conditions; |
as they think fit.
| (2) | If the Directors so specify, any such delegation may authorise further delegation of the Directors’ powers by any person to whom they are delegated. |
| (3) | The Directors may revoke any delegation in whole or part, or alter its terms and conditions. |
| 6. | Committees |
| (1) | Committees to which the Directors delegate any of their powers must follow procedures which are based as far as they are applicable on those provisions of the Articles which govern the taking of decisions by Directors. |
| (2) | The Directors may make rules of procedure for all or any committees, which prevail over rules derived from the Articles if they are not consistent with them. |
DECISION-MAKING BY DIRECTORS
| 7. | Directors to take decisions collectively |
| (1) | The general rule about decision-making by Directors is that any decision of the Directors must be either a majority decision at a meeting or a decision taken in accordance with Article 8. |
| (2) | If: |
| (a) | the Company only has one Director, and |
| (b) | no provision of the Articles requires it to have more than one Director, |
the general rule does not apply, and the Director may take decisions without regard to any of the provisions of the Articles relating to Directors’ decision-making.
| 8. | Unanimous decisions |
| (1) | A decision of the Directors is taken in accordance with this Article when (other than at a meeting of Directors) all eligible Directors indicate to each other by any means that they share a common view on a matter. |
| (2) | Such a decision may take the form of a resolution in writing, copies of which have been signed by each eligible Director or to which each eligible Director has otherwise indicated agreement in writing. |
| (3) | References in this Article to eligible Directors are to Directors who would have been entitled to vote on the matter had it been proposed as a resolution at a Directors’ meeting. |
| (4) | A decision may not be taken in accordance with this Article if the eligible Directors would not have formed a quorum at such a meeting. |
| 9. | Calling a Directors’ meeting |
| (1) | Any Director may call a Directors’ meeting by giving notice of the meeting to the Directors or by authorising the company secretary (if any) to give such notice. |
| (2) | Notice of any Directors’ meeting must indicate: |
| (a) | its proposed date and time; |
| (b) | where it is to take place; and |
| (c) | if it is anticipated that Directors participating in the meeting will not be in the same place, how it is proposed that they should communicate with each other during the meeting. |
| (3) | Notice of a Directors’ meeting must be given to each Director, but need not be in writing. |
| (4) | Notice of a Directors’ meeting need not be given to Directors who waive their entitlement to notice of that meeting, by giving notice to that effect to the Company not more than seven days after the date on which the meeting is held. Where such notice is given after the meeting has been held, that does not affect the validity of the meeting, or of any business conducted at it. |
| 10. | Participation in Directors’ meetings |
| (1) | Subject to the Articles, Directors “participate” in a Directors’ meeting, or part of a Directors’ meeting, when: |
| (a) | the meeting has been called and takes place in accordance with the Articles, and |
| (b) | they can each communicate to the others any information or opinions they have on any particular item of the business of the meeting. |
| (2) | In determining whether Directors are participating in a Directors’ meeting, it is irrelevant where any Director is or how they communicate with each other. |
| (3) | If all the Directors participating in a meeting are not in the same place, they may decide that the meeting is to be treated as taking place wherever any of them is. |
| 11. | Quorum for Directors’ meetings |
| (1) | At a Directors’ meeting, unless a quorum is participating, no proposal is to be voted on, except a proposal to call another meeting. |
| (2) | The quorum for Directors’ meetings may be fixed from time to time by a decision of the Directors, but it must never be less than two, and unless otherwise fixed it is two. |
| (3) | If the total number of Directors for the time being is less than the quorum required, the Directors must not take any decision other than a decision: |
| (a) | to appoint further Directors, or |
| (b) | to call a general meeting so as to enable the Shareholders to appoint further Directors. |
| 12. | Chairing of Directors’ meetings |
| (1) | The Directors may appoint a Director to chair their meetings. |
| (2) | The person so appointed for the time being is known as the “Chairman”. |
| (3) | The Directors may terminate the Chairman’s appointment at any time. |
| (4) | If the Chairman is not participating in a Directors’ meeting within ten minutes of the time at which it was scheduled to start, the participating Directors must appoint one of themselves to chair it. |
| 13. | Casting vote |
| (1) | If the numbers of votes for and against a proposal are equal, the Chairman or other Director chairing the meeting has a casting vote. |
| (2) | But this does not apply if, in accordance with the Articles, the Chairman or other Director is not to be counted as participating in the decision-making process for quorum or voting purposes. |
| 14. | Conflicts of interest |
| (1) | Subject to Article 14(3), if a proposed decision of the Directors is concerned with an actual or proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company in which a Director is interested, that Director is not to be counted as participating in the decision-making process for quorum or voting purposes. |
| (2) | For the purposes of these Articles (i) a conflict of interest includes (x) a conflict of interest and duty, and (y) a conflict of duties, and (ii) interest includes both direct and indirect interests. |
| (3) | If: |
| (a) | the Company by Ordinary Resolution disapplies the provision of the Articles which would otherwise prevent a Director from being counted as participating in the decision-making process; |
| (b) | the Director’s interest cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest; |
| (c) | the board of Directors authorises the Director's conflict of interest; or |
| (d) | the Director’s conflict of interest arises from a “permitted cause”, |
a Director who is interested in an actual or proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company is to be counted as participating in the decision-making process for quorum and voting purposes.
| (4) | For the purposes of this Article, the following are permitted causes: |
| (a) | the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent to, or an obligation incurred by, a Director at the request of, or for the benefit of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; |
| (b) | the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by a Director for which he has assumed responsibility (in whole or in part and whether alone or jointly with others) under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security; |
| (c) | the giving to a Director of any other indemnity which is on substantially the same terms as indemnities given or to be given to all of the other Directors and/or to the funding by the Company of his expenditure on defending proceedings or the doing by the Company of anything to enable him to avoid incurring such expenditure where all other Directors have been given or are to be given substantially the same arrangements; |
| (d) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning an offer of shares, debentures or other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for subscription, purchase or exchange, in which offer the Director is or may be entitled to participate as holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which he is to participate; |
| (e) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning any other undertaking in which a Director or any person connected with him is interested, directly or indirectly, and whether as an officer, shareholder, member, partner, creditor or otherwise if he and any persons connected with him do not to his knowledge hold an interest (as that term is used in sections 820 to 825 of the Act) representing one per cent. or more of either any class of the equity share capital of such undertaking (or any other undertaking through which his interest is derived) or of the voting rights available to shareholders, members, partners or equivalent of the relevant undertaking (or any interest being deemed for the purpose of this Article 14(4) to be likely to give rise to a conflict with the interests of the Company in all circumstances); |
| (f) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal for the benefit of employees and directors and/or former employees and directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and/or members of their families (including a spouse or civil partner or a former spouse or former civil partner) or any person who is or was dependent on such persons, including but without being limited to a retirement benefits scheme and an employees’ share scheme, which does not accord to any Director any privilege or advantage not generally accorded to the employees and/or former employees to whom such arrangement relates; and |
| (g) | a contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning any insurance against any liability which the Company is empowered to purchase or maintain for, or for the benefit of, any Directors or for persons who include Directors. |
| (5) | Subject to the provisions of the Statutes and provided that he has disclosed to the board of Directors the nature and extent of his interest (unless the circumstances referred to in section 177(5) or section 177(6) of the Act apply, in which case no such disclosure is required) a Director notwithstanding his office: |
| (a) | may be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise (directly or indirectly) interested; |
| (b) | may (or any firm of which he is the member) act in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as auditor) or any other body in which the Company is interested and the relevant Director or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director; and |
| (c) | may be a Director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to a transaction or arrangement with or otherwise interested in, any undertaking: |
| (i) | in which the Company is (directly or indirectly) interested as shareholder or otherwise; or |
| (ii) | with which he has such a relationship at the request or direction of the Company. |
| (6) | For the purposes of Article 14(5): |
| (a) | a general notice given to the Directors that a Director is to be regarded as having an interest of the nature and extent specified in the notice in any transaction or arrangement in which a specified person or class of persons is interested shall be deemed to be a disclosure that the Director has an interest in any such transaction of the nature and extent so specified; |
| (b) | an interest of which a Director has no knowledge and of which it is unreasonable to expect such Director to have knowledge shall not be treated as an interest of such Director; and |
| (c) | a Director shall be deemed to have disclosed the nature and extent of an interest which consists of him being a director, officer or employee of any undertaking in which the Company is interested. |
| (7) | The Directors may, in accordance with the requirements set out in this Article 14, authorise any matter or situation proposed to them by any Director, which would, if not authorised, involve a Director (an “Interested Director”) breaching his duty under section 175 of the Act to avoid conflicts of interest (a “Situational Conflict”) and the continued performance by the relevant Director of his duties as a Director, on such terms and subject to such conditions as they think fit from time to time. |
| (8) | Subject to compliance by him with his duties as a Director under Part 10 of the Act (other than the duty in section 175(1) of the Act which is the subject of this Article 14(8)), a Director may be an officer of, employed by, or hold shares or other securities (whether directly or indirectly) in, or otherwise be interested in, directly or indirectly, the Company, the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company or the Parent (in each case, a “Group Company Interest” and references to a “Group Company” shall be construed accordingly) and notwithstanding his office or the existence of an actual or potential conflict between any Group Company Interest and the interests of the Company which would fall within the ambit of that section 175(1), the relevant Director: |
| (a) | shall be entitled to attend any meeting or part of a meeting of the Directors at which any matter which may be relevant to the Group Company Interest may be discussed, and to vote on any resolution of the Directors relating to such matter, and any board papers relating to such matter shall be provided to the relevant Director at the same time as the other Directors (save that a Director may not vote on any resolution in respect of matters relating to his employment with the Company or other Group Company); |
| (b) | shall not be obliged to account to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him in consequence of any Group Company Interest; and |
| (c) | will not be obliged to disclose to the Company or use for the benefit of the Company any confidential information received by him by virtue of his Group Company Interest and otherwise than by virtue of his position as a director, if to do so would breach any duty of confidentiality to any other Group Company or third party. |
| (9) | Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 14(8), the Parent may from time to time, at any time, by notice in writing to the Company, authorise, on such terms as the Parent shall think fit and shall specify in the notice, any Group Company Interest or any Situational Conflict notified under Article 14(7), whether or not the matter has already been considered under, or deemed to fall within, Article 14(7) or 14(8), as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, the holders at the relevant time of Shares that are not A Shares shall not be required to give their consent for the authorisation pursuant to this Article 14(9) to be valid. |
| (10) | No contract entered into shall be liable to be avoided by virtue of: |
| (a) | any director having an interest of the type referred to in Article 14(7) where the relevant situation has been approved as provided by that Article; or |
| (b) | any director having a Group Company Interest which falls within Article 14(8) or which is authorised pursuant to Article 14(9). |
| (11) | Any authorisation under Article 14(8) will be effective only if: |
| (a) | the proposal to be authorised is made by a Director in writing and delivered to the other Directors or made orally at a meeting of the board, in each case setting out particulars of the Situational Conflict; |
| (b) | any requirement as to the quorum for consideration of the relevant matter is met without counting the Interested Director or any other Interested Director; and |
| (c) | the matter was agreed to without the Interested Director voting or would have been agreed to if the Interested Director’s vote had not been counted. |
| (12) | Any authorisation of a Situational Conflict under this Article 14 may (whether at the time of giving the authorisation or subsequently): |
| (a) | extend to any actual or potential conflict of interest which may reasonably be expected to arise out of the matter or situation so authorised; |
| (b) | provide that the Interested Director be excluded from the receipt of documents and information and the participation in discussions (whether at meetings of the Directors or otherwise) related to the Situational Conflict; |
| (c) | provide that the Interested Director shall or shall not be an eligible Director in respect of any future decision of the Directors in relation to any resolution related to the Situational Conflict; |
| (d) | impose upon the Interested Director such other terms for the purposes of dealing with the Situational Conflict as the Directors think fit; |
| (e) | provide that, where the Interested Director obtains, or has obtained (through his involvement in the Situational Conflict and otherwise than through his position as a Director of the Company), information that is confidential to a third party, he will not be obliged to disclose that information to the Company, or to use it in relation to the Company’s affairs where to do so would amount to a breach of that confidence; and |
| (f) | permit the Interested Director to absent himself from the discussion of matters relating to the Situational Conflict at any meeting of the Directors and be excused from reviewing papers prepared by, or for, the Directors to the extent to which they relate to such matters. |
| (13) | Where the Directors authorise a Situational Conflict, the Interested Director will be obliged to conduct himself in accordance with any terms and conditions imposed by the Directors in relation to the Situational Conflict. |
| (14) | The Directors may revoke or vary such authorisation in respect of any Situational Conflict at any time, but this will not affect anything done by the Interested Director, prior to such revocation or variation, in accordance with the terms of such authorisation. |
| (15) | A Director is not required, by reason of being a Director (or because of the fiduciary relationship established by reason of being a Director), to account to the Company for any remuneration, profit or other benefit which he derives from or in connection with a relationship involving a Situational Conflict which has been authorised by the Directors or by the Company in general meeting (subject in each case to any terms, limits or conditions attaching to that authorisation) and no contract shall be liable to be avoided on such grounds. |
| (16) | The provisions of Articles 14(8) to 14(15) shall not apply to a direct or indirect conflict of interest of a Director which arises in relation to an existing or proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company to which the provisions of Articles 14(1) to 14(6) shall apply. |
| (17) | For the purposes of this Article, references to proposed decisions and decision-making processes include any Directors’ meeting or part of a Directors’ meeting. |
| (18) | Subject to Article 14(19), if a question arises at a meeting of Directors or of a committee of Directors as to the right of a Director to participate in the meeting (or part of the meeting) for voting or quorum purposes, the question may, before the conclusion of the meeting, be referred to the Chairman whose ruling in relation to any Director other than the Chairman is to be final and conclusive. |
| (19) | If any question as to the right to participate in the meeting (or part of the meeting) should arise in respect of the Chairman, the question is to be decided by a decision of the Directors at that meeting, for which purpose the Chairman is not to be counted as participating in the meeting (or that part of the meeting) for voting or quorum purposes. |
| 15. | Records of decisions to be kept |
The Directors must ensure that the Company keeps a record, in writing, for at least ten years from the date of the decision recorded, of every unanimous or majority decision taken by the Directors.
| 16. | Directors’ discretion to make further rules |
Subject to the Articles, the Directors may make any rule which they think fit about how they take decisions, and about how such rules are to be recorded or communicated to Directors.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
| 17. | Methods of appointing Directors |
| (1) | Any person who is willing to act as a Director, and is permitted by law to do so, may be appointed to be a Director: |
| (a) | by Ordinary Resolution, or |
| (b) | by a decision of the Directors. |
| (2) | In any case where, as a result of death, the Company has no Shareholders and no Directors, the personal representatives of the last Shareholder to have died have the right, by notice in writing, to appoint a person to be a Director. |
| (3) | For the purposes of Article 17(2), where two or more Shareholders die in circumstances rendering it uncertain who was the last to die, a younger Shareholder is deemed to have survived an older Shareholder. |
| 18. | Termination of Director’s appointment |
A person ceases to be a Director as soon as:
| (a) | the period expires, if he has been appointed for a fixed period; |
| (b) | that person ceases to be a Director by virtue of any provision of the Act or is prohibited from being a Director by law; |
| (c) | he is deemed unfit or has otherwise been requested to be removed from office by any regulatory authority in any applicable jurisdiction; |
| (d) | a bankruptcy order is made against that person or an application is made for an interim court order under s.253 of the Insolvency Act 1986 in connection with a voluntary arrangement under that statute or any similar legislation in any applicable jurisdiction; |
| (e) | an arrangement or composition is made with that person’s creditors generally in satisfaction of that person’s debts; |
| (f) | a registered medical practitioner who is treating that person gives a written opinion to the Company stating that that person has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a Director and may remain so for more than three months; |
| (g) | he has become a patient for the purpose of any statute relating to mental health or any court claiming jurisdiction on the ground of mental health or disorder (however stated) makes an order for his detention or for the appointment of a guardian, receiver or other person (howsoever designated) to exercise powers with respect to his property or affairs and in any such case the Directors resolve that he should cease to be a Director; |
| (h) | notification is received by the Company from the Director that the Director is resigning from office, and such resignation has taken effect in accordance with its terms; |
| (i) | in the case of a Director who holds any executive office, his appointment as such is terminated or expires, and the Directors resolve that he should cease to be a Director; |
| (j) | he is absent for more than six consecutive months without permission of the Directors from meetings of the Directors held during that period and the Directors resolve that he should cease to be a Director; or |
| (k) | that person dies. |
| 19. | Directors’ remuneration |
| (1) | Directors may undertake any services for the Company that the Directors decide. |
| (2) | Directors are entitled to such remuneration as the Directors determine: |
| (a) | for their services to the Company as Directors, and |
| (b) | for any other service which they undertake for the Company. |
| (3) | Subject to the Articles, a Director’s remuneration may: |
| (a) | take any form, and |
| (b) | include any arrangements in connection with the payment of a pension, allowance or gratuity, or any death, sickness or disability benefits, to or in respect of that Director. |
| (4) | Unless the Directors decide otherwise, Directors’ remuneration accrues from day to day. |
| (5) | Unless the Directors decide otherwise, Directors are not accountable to the Company for any remuneration which they receive as Directors or other officers or employees of the Company’s Subsidiaries or of any other body corporate in which the Company is interested. |
| 20. | Directors’ expenses |
The Company may pay any reasonable expenses which the Directors properly incur in connection with their attendance at:
| (a) | meetings of Directors or committees of Directors, |
| (b) | general meetings, or |
| (c) | separate meetings of the holders of any class of Shares or of debentures of the Company, |
or otherwise in connection with the exercise of their powers and the discharge of their responsibilities in relation to the Company.
PART 3
SHARES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
SHARES
| 21. | Classes of Shares |
The A Shares, the B Shares, the C Share, the D Share, the E Shares and the Deferred Shares shall each constitute a separate class of Shares.
| 22. | A Shares |
| (1) | The A Shares are voting shares and shall be issued with one (1) vote attached to each A Share. |
| (2) | The holders of A Shares shall have the right to receive pro rata (on a per share basis) and on a pari passu basis with each B Share and E Share, any dividends approved from time to time by the Company’s board of Directors irrespective of the nominal value of the A Shares, B Shares and E Shares, and irrespective of the amount paid up on any A Share or B Share or E Share, save as otherwise provided in these Articles. |
| (3) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis) each A Share shall be paid pro rata (on a per share basis) and on a pari passu basis with each B Share and E Share an amount equal to, after payment or provision for the debts and liabilities of the Company and subject to the provisions of Article 24(11) below, a proportionate share of their respective interests in the assets of the Company remaining for distribution to shareholders. Each A Share, each B Share and each E Share shall rank pari passu on any other return of capital, save as otherwise provided in these Articles. |
| 23. | B Shares |
| (1) | The B Shares are non-voting shares. |
| (2) | The holders of B Shares shall have the right to receive pro rata (on a per share basis) and on a pari passu basis with each A Share and E Share, any dividends approved from time to time by the Company’s board of Directors irrespective of the nominal value of the A Shares, B Shares and E Shares and irrespective of the amount paid up on any A Share or B Share or E Share, save as otherwise provided in these Articles. |
| (3) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis) each B Share shall be paid pro rata (on a per share basis) and on a pari passu basis with each A Share and E Share an amount equal to, after payment or provision for the debts and liabilities of the Company and subject to the provisions of Article 24(11) below, a proportionate share of their respective interests in the assets of the Company remaining for distribution to shareholders. Each A Share, each B Share and each E Share shall rank pari passu on any other return of capital, save as otherwise provided in these Articles. |
| (4) | Upon the Parent being recorded as the holder of any B Shares from time to time, each such B Share shall be automatically redesignated as an A Share. |
| 24. | C Share |
| (1) | The C Share is a non-voting share. |
| (2) | Without prejudice to the right to receive EPAs pursuant to Article 24(3) below or any EPA Advances pursuant to Article 25 below, the C Share shall have no right to receive any dividends approved from time to time by the Company’s board of Directors. |
| (3) | The holder of the C Share shall be entitled, subject to applicable law, to receive EPAs in the amount and manner determined in accordance with Annex A to these Articles. |
| (4) | Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph (3) above, a “Cause Event” shall be deemed to occur if there is (i) a determination of Cause by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, or (ii) an admission of Cause by an Applicable Individual. |
| (5) | [Reserved] |
| (6) | [Reserved] |
| (7) | [Reserved]. |
| (8) | [Reserved] |
| (9) | In the event of a termination of an Applicable Individual that is a Cause Event then such Applicable Individual shall no longer be entitled to receive any EPAs in respect of any Portfolio Investments that were made during the two year period prior to the occurrence of the relevant Cause Event. For clarity, the Company shall not pay to EPA Vehicle the EPAs to which the Applicable Individual was beneficially entitled and which were forfeited due to the Cause Event and the Company shall instead retain such forfeited EPAs. For clarity, an Applicable Individual’s right to receive EPAs in respect of Portfolio Investments made two years or more prior to such Cause Event shall continue following termination of such Applicable Individual for Cause. |
| (10) | [Reserved] |
| (11) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis) there shall be paid to the holder of the C Share the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid upon the C Share after first paying to the holders of the A Shares and B Shares (i) the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on all A Shares and B Shares held by them, respectively, together with (ii) the sum of US$10,000,000 on each A Share and B Share. |
| 25. | C Share EPA Advances |
| (1) | In addition to the entitlement to EPAs contemplated in Article 24(2) above, the holder of the C Share shall also, subject to Article 25(2) below, receive a quarterly cash prepayment of any future EPAs to which it may be entitled in accordance with the provisions of Annex A to these Articles (an “EPA Advance”). |
| (2) | EPA Vehicle shall be entitled to an EPA Advance to the extent necessary and to the extent permitted by applicable law to allow EPA Vehicle or its beneficial owners to pay when due any income tax imposed on it (or its underlying investors) as a result of holding a direct or indirect interest in the C Share, in an amount calculated by the Company in good faith by reference to the Assumed Income Tax Rate, provided that the amount of the EPA Advance shall be restricted to the amount of any such specified tax liability (the “EPA Advance Amount”). In computing the EPA Advance Amount in respect of any Fiscal Quarter (as defined in Annex A), EPA Vehicle shall, if necessary, estimate in good faith its share of the Company’s Profits and Losses (as defined in Annex B) for such Fiscal Quarter. The Company shall notify EPA Vehicle in writing of each EPA Advance Amount as soon as practicable after calculating it in accordance with this Article 25(2). |
| (3) | If an EPA Advance Amount is paid to EPA Vehicle with respect to an EPA Portfolio, such payment shall be made to EPA Vehicle in cash, and such EPA Advance Amount shall be taken into account and reduce future EPAs in respect of such EPA Portfolio, in the manner contemplated by Annex A to these Articles. |
| 25.A | D Share |
| (1) | The D Share is a non-voting share. |
| (2) | The D Share may be redeemed at any time at the option of the Company upon the payment of its nominal value to its holder. |
| (3) | The Company’s board of Directors may from time to time approve a dividend to be paid solely to the holder of the D Share in circumstances where the Parent, as the holder of the D Share, has (i) requested that the Company consider paying such dividend and (ii) confirmed to the Company that the proceeds of that dividend will be used by it solely to fund purchases of Parent A Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, the holders of the A Shares, the B Shares and the E Shares shall have no right to receive any portion of any such dividend. |
| (4) | Subject to Article 25.A(3) above, the D Share shall have no right to receive any dividends approved from time to time by the Company’s board of Directors. |
| (5) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis) there shall be paid to the holder of the D Share the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on the D Share after first paying to the holders of the A Shares, the B Shares, the C Share and the E Shares, the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on all such Shares held by them, respectively. |
| (6) | No share certificate shall be issued in respect of the D Share. |
| 25.B | E Shares |
| (1) | The E Shares are non-voting shares. |
| (2) | The holders of E Shares shall have the right to receive pro rata (on a per share basis) and on a pari passu basis with each A Share and B Share, any dividends approved from time to time by the Company’s board of Directors irrespective of the nominal value of the A Shares, B Shares and E Shares and irrespective of the amount paid up on any A Share, B Share or E Share, save as otherwise provided in these Articles. |
| (3) | The Company’s board of Directors shall from time to time, (i) following receipt of a Re-Designation Notice, re-designate such number of E Shares into such number of B Shares as are specified in the Re-Designation Notice to the extent such shares have met their vesting criteria as at the date of the Re-Designation Notice, and/or (ii) re-designate a number of E Shares into Deferred Shares provided that such E Shares have not met their vesting criteria or are otherwise incapable of vesting. |
| (4) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis) each E Share shall be paid pro rata (on a per share basis) and on a pari passu basis with each A Share and B Share an amount equal to, after payment or provision for the debts and liabilities of the Company and subject to the provisions of Article 24(11) above, a proportionate share of their respective interests in the assets of the Company remaining for distribution to shareholders. Each A Share, each B Share and each E Share shall rank pari passu on any other return of capital, save as otherwise provided in these Articles. |
| 25.C | Deferred Shares |
| (1) | The Deferred Shares are non-voting shares. |
| (2) | The Deferred Shares shall have no right to receive any dividends approved from time to time. |
| (3) | On a return of capital on a winding-up (excluding any reorganisation of the Company’s assets and liabilities on an intra-group and solvent basis), but not otherwise, there shall be paid to the holders of the Deferred Shares the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on such Deferred Shares after first paying to the holders of the A Shares, the B Shares, the C Share and the D Share the nominal capital paid up or credited as paid up on all such Shares held by them, respectively. |
| (4) | No share certificates shall be issued in respect of the Deferred Shares. |
| 26. | Variation of class rights |
| (1) | Each of the following shall be deemed to constitute a variation of the rights attached to each class of Shares (save in respect of the Deferred Shares): |
| (a) | any amendment to the rights attaching to any class of Shares under these Articles which would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of that class of Shares in a manner which would adversely affect the holders of that class of Shares; |
| (b) | the issuance of any Shares (other than A Shares, B Shares or E Shares) ranking in priority to any existing class of Shares; |
| (c) | any material amendment to the terms of Annex A of these Articles; and |
| (d) | any reduction, subdivision, consolidation or redenomination of its Shares or other alteration in the share capital of the Company or any of the rights attaching to any share capital, save in respect of (i) any reduction of capital undertaken by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, (ii) any reduction of capital undertaken by the Company for the purposes of creating distributable reserves, (iii) in respect of those unaffected classes of shares, any reduction of capital that does not affect particular classes of Shares, or (iv) any subdivision or consolidation of the Company’s share capital to reflect any equivalent subdivision or consolidation (as applicable) of Parent’s share capital, |
provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any redesignation of Shares in accordance with these Articles shall not constitute a variation of the rights attached to any class of Shares for the purposes of these Articles.
| (2) | Subject to the provisions of the Act, if any action is proposed to be undertaken by the Company which would constitute a variation of the rights attached to a class of Shares in accordance with Article 26(1) above, no such action can be undertaken by the Company without the approval by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the relevant class of Shares affected by the amendment, voting as a single class or by way of written resolution of holders of the relevant class of Shares representing a majority in number of such Shares in issue. |
| (3) | For the purposes of Article 26(2) and notwithstanding that the B Shares, the C Share, the D Share and the E Shares are otherwise non-voting Shares, if either the B Shares, the C Share, the D Share and/or the E Shares constitute the relevant class of affected Shares, then such class of Shares shall be granted voting rights, with one vote attaching to each Share, solely for the limited purpose of voting in the manner contemplated by Article 26(2) above. |
| (4) | Subject to the terms on which any Shares may be issued by the Company, the rights or privileges attached to any class of shares in the capital of the Company shall be deemed not to be varied or abrogated by: |
| (i) | the creation or issue of any new shares ranking pari passu in substantially all respects with any other Shares issued in that class (including for these purposes, any issuance of EPA B Shares); or |
| (ii) | the issue of any Share. |
| 27. | All Shares to be fully paid up |
| (1) | No Share is to be issued for less than the aggregate of its nominal value and any premium to be paid to the Company in consideration for its issue. |
| (2) | This does not apply to Shares taken on the formation of the Company by the subscribers to the Company’s memorandum. |
| 28. | Powers to issue and redesignate different classes of Share |
| (1) | Subject to these Articles, but without prejudice to the rights attached to any existing Share, the Company may issue Shares with such rights or restrictions as may be determined by Ordinary Resolution, including for the avoidance of doubt the EPA B Shares. |
| (2) | The Company may issue Shares which are to be redeemed, or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the holder, and the Directors may determine the terms, conditions and manner of redemption of any such Shares. |
| (3) | Subject to these Articles, but without prejudice to the rights attached to any existing Share, the Company’s board of Directors may redesignate Shares from one class of Shares in the capital of the Company to another class of Shares (other than Deferred Shares) in the capital of the Company, in such manner as the board of Directors may determine. The board of Directors may redesignate such number of A Shares to Deferred Shares following a repurchase by the Parent of Parent A Shares as the Board may elect acting in its sole discretion. |
| 29. | Company not bound by less than absolute interests |
Except as required by law, no person is to be recognised by the Company as holding any Share upon any trust, and except as otherwise required by law or the Articles, the Company is not in any way to be bound by or recognise any interest in a Share other than the holder’s absolute ownership of it and all the rights attaching to it.
| 30. | Share certificates |
| (1) | Subject to Articles 25.A(6) and 25.C(4) above, the Company shall, upon request in writing from any Shareholder, issue each Shareholder, free of charge, with one or more certificates in respect of the Shares which that Shareholder holds. |
| (2) | Every certificate must specify: |
| (a) | in respect of how many Shares, of what class, it is issued; |
| (b) | the nominal value of those Shares; |
| (c) | that the Shares are fully paid; and |
| (d) | any distinguishing numbers assigned to them. |
| (3) | No certificate may be issued in respect of Shares of more than one class. |
| (4) | If more than one person holds a Share, only one certificate may be issued in respect of it. |
| (5) | Certificates must: |
| (a) | have affixed to them the Company’s common seal, or |
| (b) | be otherwise executed in accordance with the Companies Acts. |
| 31. | Replacement Share certificates |
| (1) | If a certificate issued in respect of a Shareholder’s Shares is: |
| (a) | damaged or defaced, or |
| (b) | said to be lost, stolen or destroyed, |
that Shareholder is entitled to be issued with a replacement certificate in respect of the same Shares.
| (2) | A Shareholder exercising the right to be issued with such a replacement certificate: |
| (a) | may at the same time exercise the right to be issued with a single certificate or separate certificates; |
| (b) | must return the certificate which is to be replaced to the Company if it is damaged or defaced; and |
| (c) | must comply with such conditions as to evidence, indemnity and the payment of a reasonable fee as the Directors decide. |
| 32. | Share transfers |
| (1) | Save as otherwise contemplated by this Article 32, the Shares are freely transferable. |
| (2) | Shares may be transferred by means of an instrument of transfer in any usual form or any other form approved by the Directors, which is executed by or on behalf of the transferor. |
| (3) | No fee may be charged for registering any instrument of transfer or other document relating to or affecting the title to any Share. |
| (4) | The Company may retain any instrument of transfer which is registered. |
| (5) | The transferor remains the holder of a Share until the transferee’s name is entered in the Register of Members as holder of it. |
| (6) | The Directors may refuse to register the transfer of a Share, and if they do so, the instrument of transfer must be returned to the transferee with the notice of refusal unless they suspect that the proposed transfer may be fraudulent. |
| (7) | Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the D Share and the Deferred Shares are not transferable. |
| (8) | Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the E Shares are only transferable if, as part of such transfer, the same number of (i) E Shares and (ii) Parent B Shares, or any depositary receipts or other securities representing either of the same, as applicable, are transferred to the same transferee as part of one single transaction. |
| 33. | Transmission of Shares |
| (1) | If title to a Share passes to a Transmittee, the Company may only recognise the Transmittee as having any title to that Share. |
| (2) | A Transmittee who produces such evidence of entitlement to Shares as the Directors may properly require: |
| (a) | may, subject to the Articles, choose either to become the holder of those Shares or to have them transferred to another person, and |
| (b) | subject to the Articles, and pending any transfer of the Shares to another person, has the same rights as the holder had. |
| (3) | Transmittees do not have the right to attend or vote at a general meeting, or agree to a proposed written resolution, in respect of Shares to which they are entitled, by reason of the holder’s death or bankruptcy or otherwise, unless they become the holders of those Shares. |
| 34. | Exercise of Transmittees’ rights |
| (1) | Transmittees who wish to become the holders of Shares to which they have become entitled must notify the Company in writing of that wish. |
| (2) | If the Transmittee wishes to have a Share transferred to another person, the Transmittee must execute an instrument of transfer in respect of it. |
| (3) | Any transfer made or executed under this Article is to be treated as if it were made or executed by the person from whom the Transmittee has derived rights in respect of the Share, and as if the event which gave rise to the transmission had not occurred. |
| 35. | Transmittees bound by prior notices |
If a notice is given to a Shareholder in respect of Shares and a Transmittee is entitled to those Shares, the Transmittee is bound by the notice if it was given to the Shareholder before the Transmittee’s name has been entered in the Register of Members.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
| 36. | Procedure for declaring dividends |
| (1) | The Company may by Ordinary Resolution declare dividends, and the Directors may decide to pay interim dividends. |
| (2) | A dividend must not be declared unless the Directors have made a recommendation as to its amount. Such a dividend must not exceed the amount recommended by the Directors. |
| (3) | No dividend may be declared or paid unless it is in accordance with Shareholders’ respective rights. |
| (4) | Unless the Shareholders’ resolution to declare or Directors’ decision to pay a dividend, or the terms on which Shares are issued, specify otherwise, it must be paid by reference to each Shareholder’s holding of Shares on the date of the resolution or decision to declare or pay it. |
| (5) | If the Company’s Share capital is divided into different classes, no interim dividend may be paid on Shares carrying deferred or non-preferred rights if, at the time of payment, any preferential dividend is in arrears. |
| (6) | The Directors may pay at intervals any dividend payable at a fixed rate if it appears to them that the profits available for distribution justify the payment. |
| (7) | If the Directors act in good faith, they do not incur any liability to the holders of Shares conferring preferred rights for any loss they may suffer by the lawful payment of an interim dividend on Shares with deferred or non-preferred rights. |
| (8) | Subject to applicable law, but notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 36, no further approval from Shareholders will be required in connection with (i) the payment of EPAs in accordance with the provisions of Annex A to these Articles, or (ii) the payment of any EPA Advance in accordance with the provisions of Article 25 of these Articles. |
| (9) | If the Company’s board of Directors approves a dividend to be paid solely to the holder of the D Share as contemplated in Article 25.A(3) above, such approval shall create a debt due from the Company to such holder in the amount of the dividend so approved. |
| 37. | Payment of dividends and other distributions |
| (1) | Where a dividend or other sum which is a distribution is payable in respect of a Share, it must be paid by one or more of the following means: |
| (a) | transfer to a bank or building society account specified by the Distribution Recipient either in writing or as the Directors may otherwise decide; |
| (b) | sending a cheque made payable to the Distribution Recipient by post to the Distribution Recipient at the Distribution Recipient’s registered address (if the Distribution Recipient is a holder of the Share), or (in any other case) to an address specified by the Distribution Recipient either in writing or as the Directors may otherwise decide; |
| (c) | sending a cheque made payable to such person by post to such person at such address as the Distribution Recipient has specified either in writing or as the Directors may otherwise decide; or |
| (d) | any other means of payment as the Directors agree with the Distribution Recipient either in writing or by such other means as the Directors decide. |
| (2) | In the Articles, the “Distribution Recipient” means, in respect of a Share in respect of which a dividend or other sum is payable: |
| (a) | the holder of the Share; or |
| (b) | if the Share has two or more joint holders, whichever of them is named first in the Register of Members; or |
| (c) | if the holder is no longer entitled to the Share by reason of death or bankruptcy, or otherwise by operation of law, the Transmittee. |
| 38. | No interest on distributions |
The Company may not pay interest on any dividend or other sum payable in respect of a Share unless otherwise provided by:
| (a) | the terms on which the Share was issued, or |
| (b) | the provisions of another agreement between the holder of that Share and the Company. |
| 39. | Unclaimed distributions |
| (1) | All dividends or other sums which are: |
| (a) | payable in respect of Shares, and |
| (b) | unclaimed after having been declared or become payable, |
may be invested or otherwise made use of by the Directors for the benefit of the Company until claimed.
| (2) | The payment of any such dividend or other sum into a separate account does not make the Company a trustee in respect of it. |
| (3) | If: |
| (a) | twelve years have passed from the date on which a dividend or other sum became due for payment, and |
| (b) | the Distribution Recipient has not claimed it, |
the Distribution Recipient is no longer entitled to that dividend or other sum and it ceases to remain owing by the Company.
| 40. | Non-cash distributions |
| (1) | Subject to the terms of issue of the Share in question, the Company may, by Ordinary Resolution on the recommendation of the Directors, decide to pay all or part of a dividend or other distribution payable in respect of a Share by transferring non-cash assets of equivalent value (including, without limitation, shares or other securities in any company). |
| (2) | For the purposes of paying a non-cash distribution, the Directors may make whatever arrangements they think fit, including, where any difficulty arises regarding the distribution: |
| (a) | fixing the value of any assets; |
| (b) | paying cash to any Distribution Recipient on the basis of that value in order to adjust the rights of recipients; and |
| (c) | vesting any assets in trustees. |
| 41. | Waiver of distributions |
Distribution Recipients may waive their entitlement to the whole or part of a dividend or other distribution payable in respect of a Share by giving the Company notice in writing to that effect, but if:
| (a) | the Share has more than one holder, or |
| (b) | more than one person is entitled to the Share, whether by reason of the death or bankruptcy of one or more joint holders, or otherwise, |
the notice is not effective unless it is expressed to be given, and signed, by all the holders or persons otherwise entitled to the Share.
CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS
| 42. | Authority to capitalise and appropriation of capitalised sums |
| (1) | Subject to Article 42.A, the Directors may: |
| (a) | resolve to capitalise any profits of the Company (whether or not they are available for distribution) which are not required for paying a preferential dividend, or any sum standing to the credit of any reserve or fund of the Company (including, without limitation, the Company’s share premium account, merger reserve or capital redemption reserve, if any); and |
| (b) | appropriate any sum which they so resolve to capitalise (a “capitalised sum”) to the persons who would have been entitled to it if it had been distributed by way of dividend or to their designee (the “persons entitled”) and in the same proportions. |
| (2) | Capitalised sums must be applied: |
| (a) | on behalf of the persons entitled, and |
| (b) | in the same proportions as a dividend would have been distributed to them. |
| (3) | Any capitalised sum may be applied in paying up new Shares of a nominal amount equal to the capitalised sum which are then allotted credited as fully paid to the persons entitled or as they may direct. |
| (4) | A capitalised sum which was appropriated from profits available for distribution may be applied: |
| (a) | in or towards paying up any amounts unpaid on existing Shares held by the persons entitled; or |
| (b) | in paying up new debentures of the Company which are then allotted credited as fully paid to the persons entitled or as they may direct. |
| (5) | Subject to the Articles the Directors may: |
| (a) | apply capitalised sums in accordance with Articles 42(3) and (4) partly in one way and partly in another; |
| (b) | make such arrangements as they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising on the distribution of a capitalised sum and in particular to deal with Shares or debentures becoming distributable in fractions under this Article (including the issuing of fractional certificates, disregarding fractions or the making of cash payments) provided that Shares or debentures representing the fractions may not be sold to a person who is not a holder of Shares; and |
| (c) | authorise any person to enter into an agreement with the Company on behalf of all the persons entitled which is binding on them in respect of the allotment of Shares and debentures to them under this Article. |
| (6) | In exercising its authority under this Article 42, the Directors may only resolve to capitalise any profits of the Company (whether or not they are available for distribution) which are not required for paying a preferential dividend, or any sum standing to the credit of any reserve or fund of the Company (including, without limitation, the Company’s share premium account, merger reserve or capital redemption reserve, if any) and to issue and allot new Shares as otherwise contemplated by this Article 42 to holders of A Shares, B Shares and E Shares on an equal per share basis. |
| 42.A | The Directors shall capitalise any profits of the Company (whether or not they are available for distribution) which are not required for paying a preferential dividend, or any sum standing to the credit of any reserve or fund of the Company (including, without limitation, the Company’s share premium account, merger reserve or capital redemption reserve, if any) and issue and allot EPA B Shares, or other securities, to EPA Vehicle in satisfaction of its entitlement to receive EPAs. |
PART 4
DECISION-MAKING BY SHAREHOLDERS
ORGANISATION OF GENERAL MEETINGS
| 43. | Attendance and speaking at general meetings |
| (1) | A person is able to exercise the right to speak at a general meeting when that person is in a position to communicate to all those attending the meeting, during the meeting, any information or opinions which that person has on the business of the meeting. |
| (2) | A person is able to exercise the right to vote at a general meeting when: |
| (a) | that person is able to vote, during the meeting, on resolutions put to the vote at the meeting, and |
| (b) | that person’s vote can be taken into account in determining whether or not such resolutions are passed at the same time as the votes of all the other persons attending the meeting. |
| (3) | The Directors may make whatever arrangements they consider appropriate to enable those attending a general meeting to exercise their rights to speak or vote at it. |
| (4) | In determining attendance at a general meeting, it is immaterial whether any two or more shareholders attending it are in the same place as each other. |
| (5) | Two or more persons who are not in the same place as each other attend a general meeting if their circumstances are such that if they have (or were to have) rights to speak and vote at that meeting, they are (or would be) able to exercise them. |
| 44. | Quorum for general meetings |
| (1) | No business other than the appointment of the Chairman of the Meeting is to be transacted at a general meeting if the persons attending it do not constitute a quorum. |
| (2) | Save as otherwise provided in these Articles, two persons present and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes. |
| (3) | Where the Company only has one Shareholder, one person present and entitled to vote shall be a quorum for all purposes. |
| 45. | Chairing general meetings |
| (1) | If the Directors have appointed a Chairman, the Chairman shall chair general meetings if present and willing to do so. |
| (2) | If the Directors have not appointed a Chairman, or if the Chairman is unwilling to chair the meeting or is not present within ten minutes of the time at which a meeting was due to start: |
| (a) | the Directors present, or |
| (b) | (if no Directors are present), the meeting, |
must appoint a Director or Shareholder to chair the meeting, and the appointment of the Chairman of the Meeting must be the first business of the meeting.
| (3) | The person chairing a meeting in accordance with this Article is referred to as the “Chairman of the Meeting”. |
| 46. | Attendance and speaking by Directors and non-Shareholders |
| (1) | Directors may attend and speak at general meetings, whether or not they are Shareholders. |
| (2) | The Chairman of the Meeting may permit other persons who are not: |
| (a) | Shareholders of the Company, or |
| (b) | otherwise entitled to exercise the rights of Shareholders in relation to general meetings, |
to attend and speak at a general meeting.
| 47. | Adjournment |
| (1) | If the persons attending a general meeting within half an hour of the time at which the meeting was due to start do not constitute a quorum, or if during a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the Chairman of the Meeting must adjourn it. |
| (2) | The Chairman of the Meeting may adjourn a general meeting at which a quorum is present if: |
| (a) | the meeting consents to an adjournment, or |
| (b) | it appears to the Chairman of the Meeting that an adjournment is necessary to protect the safety of any person attending the meeting or ensure that the business of the meeting is conducted in an orderly manner. |
| (3) | The Chairman of the Meeting must adjourn a general meeting if directed to do so by the meeting. |
| (4) | When adjourning a general meeting, the Chairman of the Meeting must: |
| (a) | either specify the time and place to which it is adjourned or state that it is to continue at a time and place to be fixed by the Directors, and |
| (b) | have regard to any directions as to the time and place of any adjournment which have been given by the meeting. |
| (5) | If the continuation of an adjourned meeting is to take place more than 14 days after it was adjourned, the Company must give at least seven clear days’ notice of it (that is, excluding the day of the adjourned meeting and the day on which the notice is given): |
| (a) | to the same persons to whom notice of the Company’s general meetings is required to be given, and |
| (b) | containing the same information which such notice is required to contain. |
| (6) | No business may be transacted at an adjourned general meeting which could not properly have been transacted at the meeting if the adjournment had not taken place. |
VOTING AT GENERAL MEETINGS
| 48. | Voting: general |
A resolution put to the vote of a general meeting must be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is duly demanded in accordance with the Articles.
| 49. | Errors and disputes |
| (1) | No objection may be raised to the qualification of any person voting at a general meeting except at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is tendered, and every vote not disallowed at the meeting is valid. |
| (2) | Any such objection must be referred to the Chairman of the Meeting, whose decision is final. |
| 50. | Poll votes |
| (1) | A poll on a resolution may be demanded: |
| (a) | in advance of the general meeting where it is to be put to the vote, or |
| (b) | at a general meeting, either before a show of hands on that resolution or immediately after the result of a show of hands on that resolution is declared. |
| (2) | A poll may be demanded by: |
| (a) | the Chairman of the Meeting; |
| (b) | the Directors; |
| (c) | two or more persons having the right to vote on the resolution; or |
| (d) | a person or persons representing not less than one tenth of the total voting rights of all the Shareholders having the right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attached to any Shares in the Company held as treasury shares). |
| (3) | A demand for a poll may be withdrawn if: |
| (a) | the poll has not yet been taken, and |
| (b) | the Chairman of the Meeting consents to the withdrawal. |
A demand so withdrawn validates the result of a show of hands declared before the demand was made. If a poll is demanded before the declaration of the result of a show of hands and the demand is duly withdrawn, the meeting will continue as if the demand had not been made.
| (4) | Polls must be taken immediately and in such manner as the Chairman of the Meeting directs. |
| 51. | Content of proxy notices |
| (1) | Proxies may only validly be appointed by a notice in writing (a “proxy notice”) which: |
| (a) | states the name and address of the Shareholder appointing the proxy; |
| (b) | identifies the person appointed to be that Shareholder’s proxy and the general meeting in relation to which that person is appointed; |
| (c) | is signed by or on behalf of the Shareholder appointing the proxy, or is authenticated in such manner as the Directors may determine; and |
| (d) | is delivered to the Company in accordance with the Articles and any instructions contained in the notice of the general meeting to which they relate. |
| (2) | The Company may require proxy notices to be delivered in a particular form, and may specify different forms for different purposes. |
| (3) | Proxy notices may specify how the proxy appointed under them is to vote (or that the proxy is to abstain from voting) on one or more resolutions and the proxy is obliged to vote or abstain from voting in accordance with the specified instructions. However, the Company is not obliged to check whether a proxy votes or abstains from voting as he has been instructed and shall incur no liability for failing to do so. Failure by a proxy to vote or abstain from voting as instructed at a meeting shall not invalidate proceedings at that meeting. |
| (4) | Unless a proxy notice indicates otherwise, it must be treated as: |
| (a) | allowing the person appointed under it as a proxy discretion as to how to vote on any ancillary or procedural resolutions put to the meeting, and |
| (b) | appointing that person as a proxy in relation to any adjournment of the general meeting to which it relates as well as the meeting itself. |
| 52. | Delivery of proxy notices |
| (1) | A person who is entitled to attend, speak or vote (either on a show of hands or on a poll) at a general meeting remains so entitled in respect of that meeting or any adjournment of it, even though a valid proxy notice has been delivered to the Company by or on behalf of that person. |
| (2) | An appointment under a proxy notice may be revoked by delivering to the Company a notice in writing given by or on behalf of the person by whom or on whose behalf the proxy notice was given. |
| (3) | A notice revoking a proxy appointment only takes effect if it is delivered before the start of the meeting or adjourned meeting to which it relates. |
| (4) | If a proxy notice is not executed by the person appointing the proxy, it must be accompanied by written evidence of the authority of the person who executed it to execute it on the appointor’s behalf. |
| 53. | Amendments to resolutions |
| (1) | An Ordinary Resolution to be proposed at a general meeting may be amended by Ordinary Resolution if: |
| (a) | notice of the proposed amendment is given to the Company in writing by a person entitled to vote at the general meeting at which it is to be proposed not less than 48 hours before the meeting is to take place (or such later time as the Chairman of the Meeting may determine), and |
| (b) | the proposed amendment does not, in the reasonable opinion of the Chairman of the Meeting, materially alter the scope of the resolution. |
| (2) | A Special Resolution to be proposed at a general meeting may be amended by Ordinary Resolution, if: |
| (a) | the Chairman of the Meeting proposes the amendment at the general meeting at which the resolution is to be proposed, and |
| (b) | the amendment does not go beyond what is necessary to correct a grammatical or other non-substantive error in the resolution. |
| (3) | If the Chairman of the Meeting, acting in good faith, wrongly decides that an amendment to a resolution is out of order, the Chairman’s error does not invalidate the vote on that resolution. |
PART 5
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
| 54. | Means of communication to be used |
| (1) | Subject to the Articles, anything sent or supplied by or to the Company under the Articles may be sent or supplied in any way in which the Act provides for documents or information which are authorised or required by any provision of the Act to be sent or supplied by or to the Company. |
| (2) | Any notice, document or other information shall be deemed served on or delivered to the intended recipient: |
| (a) | if properly addressed and sent by prepaid United Kingdom first class post to an address in the United Kingdom, 48 hours after it was posted (or five business days after posting either to an address outside the United Kingdom or from outside the United Kingdom to an address within the United Kingdom if (in each case) sent by reputable international overnight courier addressed to the intended recipient, provided that delivery in at least five business days was guaranteed at the time of sending and the sending party receives a confirmation of delivery from the courier service provider); |
| (b) | if properly addressed and delivered by hand, when it was given or left at the appropriate address; |
| (c) | if properly addressed and sent or supplied by electronic means, one hour after the document or information was sent or supplied; and |
| (d) | if sent or supplied by means of a website, when the material is first made available on the website or (if later) when the recipient receives (or is deemed to have received) notice of the fact that the material is available on the website. |
For the purposes of this Article 54, no account shall be taken of any part of a day that is not a business day.
| (3) | In proving that any notice, document or other information was properly addressed, it shall be sufficient to show that the notice, document or other information was delivered to an address permitted for this purpose by the Act. |
| (4) | Subject to the Articles, any notice or document to be sent or supplied to a Director in connection with the taking of decisions by Directors may also be sent or supplied by the means by which that Director has asked to be sent or supplied with such notices or documents for the time being. |
| (5) | A Director may agree with the Company that notices or documents sent to that Director in a particular way are to be deemed to have been received within a specified time of their being sent, and for the specified time to be less than 48 hours. |
| 55. | Company seals |
| (1) | Any common seal may only be used by the authority of the Directors. |
| (2) | The Directors may decide by what means and in what form any common seal is to be used. |
| (3) | Unless otherwise decided by the Directors, if the Company has a common seal and it is affixed to a document, the document must also be signed by at least one authorised person in the presence of a witness who attests the signature. |
| (4) | For the purposes of this Article, an authorised person is: |
| (a) | any Director of the Company; |
| (b) | the company secretary (if any); or |
| (c) | any person authorised by the Directors for the purpose of signing documents to which the common seal is applied. |
| 56. | No right to inspect accounts and other records |
Except as provided by law or authorised by the Directors or an Ordinary Resolution of the Company, no person is entitled to inspect any of the Company’s accounting or other records or documents merely by virtue of being a Shareholder.
| 57. | Provision for employees on cessation of business |
The Directors may decide to make provision for the benefit of persons employed or formerly employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Director or former Director or shadow Director) in connection with the cessation or transfer to any person of the whole or part of the undertaking of the Company or that Subsidiary.
DIRECTORS’ INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE
| 58. | Indemnity |
| (1) | Subject to Article 58(2), any Director of the Company or an Associated Company may be indemnified out of the Company’s assets against: |
| (a) | any liability incurred by that Director in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the Company or an Associated Company; |
| (b) | any liability incurred by that Director in connection with the activities of the Company or an Associated Company in its capacity as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme (as defined in section 235(6) of the Act); and |
| (c) | any other liability incurred by that Director as an officer of the Company or an Associated Company. |
| (2) | This Article does not authorise any indemnity which would be prohibited or rendered void by any provision of the Companies Acts or by any other provision of law. |
| 59. | Insurance |
The Directors may decide to purchase and maintain insurance, at the expense of the Company, for the benefit of any Director in respect of any loss or liability which has been or may be incurred by a Director in connection with that Director’s duties or powers in relation to the Company, any Associated Company or any pension fund or employees’ share scheme of the Company or Associated Company.
U.S. TAX MATTERS
| 60. | U.S. Entity Classification |
| (1) | The Company shall elect, pursuant to section 301.7701-3 of the United States Treasury Regulations, to be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a consequence of such election: |
| (a) | Annex B to these Articles contains certain provisions applicable to such classification, including, but not limited to, provisions concerning the allocation of income, gain and loss and deduction and the establishment of capital accounts; and |
| (b) | the Shareholders will be treated as “partners” in a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
ANNEX A
EPAs
Part 1 - General
| 1. | Subject to the satisfaction of the Conditions, EPA Vehicle shall be entitled to EPAs in respect of the C Share in an amount determined in accordance with the terms set forth in this Annex A. |
Part 2 – Determination of amount of EPAs
| 2. | The amount of the EPA payable to EPA Vehicle in respect of each EPA Portfolio from time to time shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Part 2 of Annex A. |
| 3. | Subject to the satisfaction of each of the three Conditions and any requirements of applicable law, at the end of each Fiscal Quarter (each, a “Quarterly Determination Date”) EPA Vehicle will be entitled to an amount (the “EPA”), which shall be determined for each EPA Portfolio equal to 20% of the Net Economic Profit for such EPA Portfolio for the Measuring Period ending on the Quarterly Determination Date (the “EPA Amount”). |
| 4. | The payment of any EPA to EPA Vehicle in accordance with this Annex A will be subject to each of the following three conditions: |
| (1) | Condition One: Cumulative Net Economic Profit for such EPA Portfolio as of the Quarterly Determination Date is positive. |
| (2) | Condition Two: The aggregate Projected Cash Receipts for all Portfolio Investments in such EPA Portfolio for all periods commencing after such Quarterly Determination Date are equal to or greater than one hundred and thirty-five per cent (135%) of the Projected Total Expenses for all Portfolio Investments (other than Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments) in such EPA Portfolio through the respective Termination Dates of such Portfolio Investments. |
| (3) | Condition Three: The Projected Cash Receipts for all EPA Portfolios for all periods commencing after such Quarterly Determination Date are equal to or greater than one hundred and thirty-five per cent (135%) of the Projected Total Expenses for all EPA Portfolios through the respective Termination Dates of such EPA Portfolios. |
| 5. | The Company shall determine the EPA Amount for each EPA Portfolio (if any) in accordance with paragraph 4 above as soon as reasonably practicable following the relevant Quarterly Determination Date. |
| 6. | For the avoidance of doubt, EPA Vehicle (i) shall not be entitled to an EPA in respect of any Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investment, and (ii) shall be entitled to an EPA in respect of any Portfolio Investments that were made by the Continuing Investors Partnerships from the Exchange Date until the closing date of the initial public offering of the Parent A Shares. |
| 7. | The calculation of EPAs made during each Fiscal Year shall be verified by an annual audit of the Company’s books of account by an accounting firm selected by EPA Holdings who is acceptable, acting reasonably, to the board of Directors of the Company. To the extent such audit determines that there has been a net over- or under-calculation of EPAs during such Fiscal Year then, subject to applicable law, the Company shall (i) in the case of an under-calculation, distribute an additional amount to EPA Vehicle equal to such net under-calculation, and (ii) in the case of an over-calculation in respect of a EPA Portfolio, such over-allocation shall be deducted from future entitlements to any EPAs in respect of such EPA Portfolio, and to the extent that such over-allocation is outstanding as of the final determination of an EPA in respect of such EPA Portfolio, then EPA Vehicle shall pay to the Company any remaining over-allocation amount. |
| 8. | As used herein, the terms Portfolio Investment, New Portfolio Investment, Royalty Investment, Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investment and Security Investment will each include the Company’s proportionate interest in investment assets acquired by entities (including trusts) in which a member of the Group has a direct or indirect ownership interest. |
| 9. | If EPA Holdings determines in good faith that the terms, calculation and allocation procedures set forth in this Annex A do not appropriately reflect the intention to provide EPA Vehicle with EPAs that reflect 20% of the Net Economic Profit of each EPA Portfolio, EPA Vehicle may direct the Company to amend the calculation and allocation procedures set forth herein in order to ensure to the extent possible that EPAs do reflect 20% of the Net Economic Profit of each EPA Portfolio. Any such amendments proposed by EPA Vehicle shall be subject to the approval of the Parent Board acting reasonably. |
Part 3 – Satisfaction and distribution of EPAs
| 10. | Following the determination of the EPA Amount for each EPA Portfolio in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 9 above, the Company shall, subject to applicable law, satisfy the payment of the relevant EPA Amount for each EPA Portfolio by way of a bonus issue of B Shares (the “EPA B Shares”) in respect of the Class C Share in the manner contemplated by paragraphs 11 and 12 below. Any EPA B Shares issued pursuant to this paragraph 10 shall be treated as an advance against the final year end entitlements as verified under paragraph 7 above, and shall reduce the amount of future distributions that EPA Vehicle would otherwise receive pursuant to paragraphs 3 and 4 above. |
| 11. | Any EPA B Shares to be issued in satisfaction of an EPA will be issued to the Depositary, as nominee for EPA Vehicle, which shall issue EPA B Depositary Receipts to EPA Vehicle (in its capacity as a B DR Holder). |
| 12. | The number of EPA B Shares to be issued to the Depositary in respect of each EPA Portfolio will be calculated by reference to the following formula: |
A = (B-C-D)/E
Where:
A is the number of EPA B Shares to be issued, provided that any fractions of EPA B Shares arising shall be disregarded;
B is the EPA Amount for the relevant EPA Portfolio (expressed in US Dollars);
C is the amount (expressed in US Dollars) of any EPA Advance Amounts paid by the Company to EPA Vehicle in respect of that EPA Portfolio since the last date on which the relevant EPA Portfolio was entitled to be paid an EPA;
D is the amount (expressed in US Dollars) of any prior outstanding over-allocation under paragraph 7;
E is the 10 day trailing volume-weighted average price for the Parent A Shares (expressed in US Dollars) ending 2 days prior to the proposed date of issuance of the EPA B Shares.
Part 4 - Definitions
| 13. | For the purposes of this Annex A, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: |
“Acquisition Cost” means, with respect to any Portfolio Investment, the original purchase price and capitalised acquisition costs, such as expenses incurred in sourcing, developing, negotiating, structuring, acquiring and holding of such Portfolio Investment plus any amounts paid in respect of such Portfolio Investment after the date of acquisition, such as instalment, milestone or other progress or hurdle payments and any other capitalised costs specifically applicable to the Portfolio Investment. The total Acquisition Cost of all Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments were deemed to be equal to their net present value as of the Exchange Date (calculated using the 50% PTRS methodology, which was determined in accordance with the Manager’s valuation policies in effect as of the Exchange Date). As of the closing date of the initial public offering of the Parent A Shares, the total Acquisition Cost of all Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments shall be adjusted to be equal to their value as of such date (calculated based on the pre-money equity value of the Parent as of such date (“price-to-public”) plus any funded indebtedness. Such amount shall not exceed the net present value of such Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments using the 100% PTRS methodology, calculated in accordance with the Manager’s valuation policies in effect as of the Exchange Date). In the event that any Portfolio Investments were made between the Exchange Date and the date of the completion of the initial public offering of the Parent A Shares, the portion of the pre-money equity value of the Parent as of the date of the completion of such initial public offering that is allocated to such Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments shall be based on the relative value of such Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments as compared to the value of all Portfolio Investments as of the date of the completion of such initial public offering.
“Acquisition Cost Percentage” means for each Portfolio Investment, a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of (i) the Unrecovered Acquisition Cost of such Portfolio Investment as of the Last Completed Quarter, if any, plus (ii) the Cumulative Net Economic Loss for such Portfolio Investment as of the Last Completed Quarter, if any, and the denominator of which is the sum of (i) the Unrecovered Acquisition Cost of all Portfolio Investments as of the Last Completed Quarter, if any, plus (ii) the Cumulative Net Economic Loss for all Portfolio Investments as of the Last Completed Quarter, if any.
“Agreed-Upon Analyst” means any nationally recognised investment bank selected by EPA Holdings which prepares reports containing royalty revenue estimates in respect of one or more of the Royalty Investments, including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase & Co., UBS, TD Cowen, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo, Deutsche Bank, Bernstein, Truist, Raymond James, B. Riley, Piper Sandler, Leerink Partners, Mizuho, Stifel, Jefferies and Guggenheim.
“Agreed Value” means the agreed value of any Portfolio Investment, as determined pursuant to the policies and procedures established by EPA Holdings and subject to approval by the Parent Board.
“Amortisation Completion Date” means, with respect to any Royalty Investment, the Quarterly Determination Date that is at least four full Fiscal Quarters before the first date on which the Royalty Investment is expected to stop or substantially reduce cash flowing, as determined by EPA Holdings, as a result of the expiration of the license or patent relating to such Royalty Investment, or otherwise.
“Analyst Consensus” means the consensus product sales estimates for Royalty Investments from the most recent research report, if any, of each Agreed-Upon Analyst through the Termination Date. Where three or more Agreed-Upon Analysts publish research reports containing product sales estimates for a Royalty Investment, then the Analyst Consensus shall use the median growth rate of the Agreed-Upon Analysts to forecast product sales. For Royalty Investments where there are less than three Agreed-Upon Analysts who forecast product sales, EPA Holdings shall use its discretion to forecast product sales. EPA Holdings shall have the right to adjust the Analyst Consensus for any Royalty Investment to the extent EPA Holdings determines that, based upon EPA Holdings’ own estimates and its reasonable good faith discretion, such Analyst Consensus over- or under-estimates royalty revenue for such Royalty Investment.
“Cash Receipts” means with respect to each Portfolio Investment, all cash proceeds received, directly or indirectly, by a member of the Group in respect of such Portfolio Investment during the applicable period.
“Conditions” means the conditions to the payment of any EPAs, as set out in paragraph 4 of this Annex A.
“Continuing Investors Partnership” means each of RPI US Partners 2019, LP and RPI International Holdings 2019, LP.
“Cumulative Net Economic Profit (Loss) means, for each Portfolio Investment, as of any date, an amount (positive or negative) equal to the difference between (a) the aggregate Cash Receipts for such Portfolio Investment for all Measuring Periods from the Date of Acquisition until such date, minus (b) the Total Expenses allocated to such Portfolio Investment for all Measuring Periods from the Date of Acquisition until such date. A Portfolio is deemed to have positive Cumulative Net Economic Profit if, as of any Quarterly Determination Date, the sum of Cumulative Net Economic Profit (Loss) for all New Portfolio Investments in such Portfolio is positive.
“Date of Acquisition” means: (i) with respect to each New Portfolio Investment, the date such New Portfolio Investment is acquired, and (ii) with respect to Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments, the closing date of the initial public offering of the Parent A Shares.
“EPA” has the meaning provided in paragraph 3 of this Annex A.
“EPA Amount” has the meaning provided in paragraph 3 of this Annex A.
“EPA B Shares” has the meaning provided in paragraph 10 of this Annex A.
“EPA Portfolio” means the EPA Portfolio 1 and each New Portfolio of New Portfolio Investments created after the Date of Adoption of the IPO Articles;
“EPA Portfolio 1” means the Portfolio Investments made during the period commencing on the Exchange Date and ending on December 31, 2021.
“Exchange Date” means 11 February 2020;
“Exchange Offer” means the exchange offer pursuant to which limited partners in a limited partnership managed by the Manager transferred their interests to a Continuing Investors Partnership on the Exchange Date.
“Excluded Expenses” means (i) Interest Expense and (ii) Recovery of Acquisition Cost (including capitalized costs included in Acquisition Costs).
“Fiscal Quarter” means the calendar quarter or, in the case of the first fiscal quarter of the Company, the period commencing on the date of commencement of operations of the Company and ending on the last day of the next following calendar quarter and in the case of the last Fiscal Quarter of the Company ending on the date on which the winding up of the Company is completed, as the case may be.
“Fiscal Year” means the calendar year, or in the case of the last Fiscal Year, the period commencing on the first date of the relevant calendar year and ending on the date on which the dissolution of the Company is completed.
“Group” means (i) the Company and its Associated Companies for the time being, and (ii) for the purposes of this Annex A, the Continuing Investors Partnerships, and references to a “member of the Group” shall be construed accordingly.
“Interest Expense” means with respect to each Portfolio Investment, for any Measuring Period, the portion of the interest expense attributable to the Total Indebtedness that is allocable to such Portfolio Investment. A Portfolio Investment’s allocable portion of interest expense shall be determined by multiplying the aggregate amount of interest expense for all Portfolio Investments during the Last Completed Quarter by such Portfolio Investment’s Acquisition Cost Percentage.
“Last Completed Quarter” means, for any Measuring Period, the last day of the last full calendar quarter completed immediately prior to the end of such Measuring Period.
“Liquid Investments” means short-term investments consisting of (a) United States government and agency obligations maturing within one (1) year, (b) commercial paper on corporate debt rated not lower than A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or P-1 by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. with maturities of not more than one (1) year and one (1) day, (c) interest-bearing deposits in United States banks and United States branches of French, Japanese, English, Swiss, Irish, German, Cayman Islands, Dutch or Canadian banks, or in Investors Bank & Trust, in any case having one of the ratings referred to above, or the equivalent thereof from an internationally recognised financial information and rating service other than Standard & Poor’s Corporation or Moody’s Investor Services, Inc., maturing within 180 days, and (d) money market mutual funds or prime funds with assets of not less than $250 million ($250,000,000) and all or substantially all of which assets are reasonably believed by EPA Holdings to consist of items described in one or more of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c).
“Measuring Period” means
| (a) | for each New Portfolio, the period starting on the latest of (i) the Exchange Date; (ii) the Date of Acquisition of the first New Portfolio Investment of such New Portfolio; and (iii) the day following the last preceding Measuring Period in respect of which EPA Vehicle received an EPA in respect of such New Portfolio and ending on the current Quarterly Determination Date; and |
| (b) | for the Pre-Exchange Portfolio, the period starting on the latest of (i) the Exchange Date; and (ii) the day following the last preceding Measuring Period in respect of which EPA Vehicle received an EPA in respect of such Pre-Exchange Portfolio and ending on the current Quarterly Determination Date. |
“Net Economic Profit” means, with respect to each Portfolio, for any Measuring Period, the excess (if any) of: (a) the aggregate Cash Receipts for all New Portfolio Investments in such Portfolio during such Measuring Period minus (b) the Total Expenses for such Portfolio allocable thereto in accordance with this Annex A during such Measuring Period.
“New Portfolio” means one or more groupings of New Portfolio Investments that are designated as a separate Portfolio on or after the Exchange Date. The initial New Portfolio was the EPA Portfolio 1 which consisted of New Portfolio Investments made until 31 December 2021. Each New Portfolio that is established after the EPA Portfolio 1 shall consist of New Portfolio Investments made during each two (2) year period thereafter. EPA Holdings shall assign such naming designations to each New Portfolio as it shall deem convenient, but each such Portfolio, however named, shall be deemed a New Portfolio for the purposes of this Annex A.
“New Portfolio Investment” means all Portfolio Investments acquired by a member of the Group, directly or indirectly, after the Exchange Date.
“Operating and Personnel Payments” means all categories of cash expenses borne by the Manager prior to the Effective Date including employee compensation and benefits and office lease expenses. Transaction expenses associated with the negotiation and completion of the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired the Manager and related documents incurred by the Parent, the Company and their respective subsidiaries shall not reduce the EPAs earned on Portfolio Investments.
“Operating Expense” means, with respect to any Portfolio Investment for any Measuring Period, the sum of (a) any costs which are specifically allocable to such Portfolio Investment, plus (b) such Portfolio Investment’s allocable portion of all expenses (including Operating and Personnel Payments but excluding Excluded Expenses) not allocable pursuant to clause (a) hereof which are payable by (1) a member of the Group and any (2) any entity in which the Group has a direct or indirect minority interest (adjusted to reflect only the Group’s allocable portion). A Portfolio Investment’s allocable portion of the expenses specified in clause (b) above shall be equal to the product of (i) such clause (b) expenses multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is (w) in the case of a Royalty Investment, the Cash Receipts derived from such Royalty Investment or (x) in the case of a Security Investment, an amount equal to the quotient of the Security Investment Value of such Security Investment divided by 26, and the denominator of which is (y) the sum of Cash Receipts derived from all Royalty Investments plus (z) an amount equal to the quotient of the Security Investment Value of all Security Investments divided by 26. For the sake of clarity, transaction expenses associated with the negotiation and completion of the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired the Manager and related documents incurred by the Parent, the Company and their respective subsidiaries shall not be treated as Operating Expenses and shall not reduce the EPAs earned on Portfolio Investments.
“Parent” means Royalty Pharma plc.
“Parent A Shares” means the class A ordinary shares of US$0.0001 each in the capital of the Parent from time to time.
“Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent, as constituted from time to time.
“Portfolio” means each New Portfolio and the Pre-Exchange Portfolio.
“Portfolio Investment” means all Royalty Investments and Security Investments held, directly or indirectly, by a member of the Group. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) this term will include Portfolio Investments made after the Exchange Date, as well as Portfolio Investments transferred to the Continuing Investors Partnerships in connection with the Exchange Offer, (ii) this term will include the Group’s proportionate interest in investment assets held through trusts or other entities in which a member of the Group has a direct or indirect ownership interest, and (iii) this term will not include Liquid Investments. EPA Holdings shall have discretion in its good faith judgment to re-classify a Security Investment as a Royalty Investment to the extent that subsequent to the Date of Acquisition a product, process, device or enabling and delivery technology underlying such Security Investment is approved.
“Pre-Exchange Portfolio” means a portfolio of all Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investments.
“Pre-Exchange Portfolio Investment” means each Portfolio Investment held by the Continuing Investors Partnerships on the Exchange Date.
“Projected Cash Receipts” means, as of any Quarterly Determination Date, (a) for any Royalty Investment, the aggregate Cash Receipts projected to be received by any member of the Group (or the Group’s proportionate share of any such Cash Receipts received by a trust or other entity in which a member of the Group has a direct or indirect ownership interest) and (b) for any Security Investment, an amount equal to the Agreed Value of such Security Investment. Projected Cash Receipts for Royalty Investments shall be calculated by EPA Holdings based on the Analyst Consensus of product sales forecasts for the period beginning on the day following such Quarterly Determination Date and ending upon the Termination Date for such Portfolio Investment.
“Projected Total Expenses” means, as of any Quarterly Determination Date for any Portfolio Investment, the aggregate Total Expenses which are projected to be allocated to such Portfolio Investment. Projected Total Expenses will be measured over a period beginning on the day following such Quarterly Determination Date and ending upon the Termination Date for such Portfolio Investment.
“Quarterly Determination Date” has the meaning provided in paragraph 3 of this Annex A.
“Recovery of Acquisition Cost” means:
| (a) | for any Royalty Investment, for any Measuring Period, an amount equal to the portion of Acquisition Cost scheduled to be amortised for such Royalty Investment during such Measuring Period, calculated utilising a quarterly straight line amortisation schedule. Amortisation shall begin as of the Date of Acquisition of a Royalty Investment (or, if later, the date on which the applicable Royalty Investment first generates Cash Receipts (or in the case of Projected Cash Receipts the date the applicable Royalty Investment is expected to generate Cash Receipts) for the Group) and shall end as of the Amortisation Completion Date. EPA Holdings may accelerate the applicable schedule of amortisation for a Royalty Investment if it deems it appropriate to do so, including due to a decline in Projected Cash Receipts for such Royalty Investment; and |
| (b) | for any Security Investment, for any Measuring Period, an amount equal to the Unrecovered Acquisition Cost for such Security Investment. |
“Royalties” means intellectual property (including patents) or other contractual rights to income derived from the sales of, or revenues generated by, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical and/or healthcare products, processes, devices or enabling and delivery technologies that are protected by patents, trademarks or copyrights, governmental or other regulations or otherwise by contract.
“Royalty Investment” means (i) Royalties; (ii) ownership interests in any entities formed for the purpose of holding Royalties or substantially all of the assets which consist of Royalties; (iii) any securities, investments or contracts that may provide a hedge for Royalties; (iv) fixed payment arrangements that have economic characteristics similar to Royalties or debt, including bonds, preferred stock and the debt component of any convertible or other hybrid security; and (v) other assets or investments considered by EPA Holdings to be relevant to the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, this term will include the Group’s proportionate interest in Royalty Investments acquired or held by trusts or other entities in which a member of the Group has a direct or indirect ownership interest.
“Security Investment” means (i) equity securities (including controlling and non-controlling interests, warrants, options and the equity component of any convertible or other hybrid security) that have economic characteristics similar to common stock of entities in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical or healthcare industry or operating assets thereof (other than Royalties); (ii) any securities, investments or contracts that may provide a hedge for the investments referred to in clause (i); and (iii) other assets and investments determined by EPA Holdings to be related to the investments referred to in clauses (i) and (ii). For the avoidance of doubt, this term will include Security Investments made after the Exchange Date as well as any Security Investments transferred to the Continuing Investors Partnerships in connection with the Exchange Offer.
“Security Investment Value” means the value of each Security Investment held in such Portfolio as of such Measurement Date, determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Termination Date” means for each Royalty Investment, the date on which the Royalty Investment is expected to stop cash-flowing as a result of the expiration of the license or patent relating to the Royalty Investment, or otherwise, as determined by EPA Holdings in its reasonable discretion. For each Security Investment, the date which is five (5) years following the Date of Acquisition for such Security Investment, provided, however that EPA Holdings may, in its reasonable good faith discretion, adjust the expected Termination Date for any Security Investment to the extent EPA Holdings projects in its reasonable good faith judgment that such Security Investment may be realised earlier or later than five (5) years following the Date of Acquisition.
“Total Expenses” means, with respect to any Portfolio Investment, the sum of (a) Operating Expense, (b) Recovery of Acquisition Cost, plus (c) Interest Expense allocable to such Portfolio Investment in accordance with this Annex A.
“Total Indebtedness” means (i) all financial indebtedness incurred by a member of the Group or (ii) allocable to a member of the Group in respect of financial indebtedness incurred by trusts or other entities holding Portfolio Investments.
“Unrecovered Acquisition Cost” means, for each Portfolio Investment, as of any date, the excess (if any) of (i) the Acquisition Cost of such Portfolio Investment over (ii) an amount equal to (A) in the case of a Royalty Investment, the cumulative amount of Recovery of Acquisition Costs for such Portfolio Investment for all periods prior to such date, and (B) in the case of a Security Investment, the total amount of Cash Receipts in respect of such Security Investment that have been received as of such date.
ANNEX B
U.S. TAX ANNEX
Part 1 – Capital Accounts
| 1. | A separate capital account (the “Capital Account”) shall be established and maintained in the books of account of the Company for each Shareholder. |
| 2. | The initial balance of each Shareholder’s Capital Account shall equal the amount of such Shareholder’s initial aggregate capital contributions to the Company. |
| 3. | The balance in each Shareholder’s Capital Account shall be adjusted by: |
| (a) | increasing such balance by (i) the amount of cash and the fair value of any property (as of the date of the contribution thereof and net of any liabilities encumbering such property) contributed by such Shareholder to the Company, and (ii) such Shareholder’s allocable share of Profits and other items of income or gain allocated to such Shareholder in accordance with Part 2 (Allocations of Profits and Losses) and Part 3 (Special Allocation Provisions) of this Annex B; and |
| (b) | decreasing such balance by (i) the amount of cash and the fair value of any Company property distributed to such Shareholder pursuant to these Articles (net of any liabilities secured by such property), and (ii) such Shareholder’s allocable share of Losses and other items of loss, deduction, or expense allocated to such Shareholder in accordance with Part 2 (Allocations of Profits and Losses) and Part 3 (Special Allocation Provisions) of this Annex B. |
| 4. | No Shareholder shall be required to make up a negative balance in its Capital Account. |
Part 2 – Allocations of Profits and Losses
| 5. | Except as otherwise provided in this Annex B, Profits and Losses and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit (determined in accordance with U.S. tax principles as applied to the maintenance of capital accounts) of the Company for each Fiscal Year shall be allocated so as to cause the Capital Account of each Shareholder, after giving effect to the allocations set forth in Part 3 (Special Allocation Provisions) of this Annex B, to equal at the end of each Fiscal Year (after all allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit) that which such Shareholder would be entitled to receive if the Company sold all of its assets for their Carrying Value at the end of such year and distributed to the Shareholders the proceeds of such sale in accordance with paragraph 5(a) (Hypothetical Distributions) of this Annex B. |
| (a) | Hypothetical Distributions. Subject to EPA Vehicle’s right to receive EPA Amounts (as defined in Part 2 of Annex A), any distributions shall be made to the Shareholders pro rata in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of paragraph 6, EPA Vehicle will be entitled to receive the EPA Amount in cash rather than in EPA B Shares. |
Part 3 – Special Allocation Provisions
| 6. | Notwithstanding any other provision in this Annex B: |
| (a) | Minimum Gain Chargeback. If there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain or Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulations sections 1.704-2(d) and 1.704-2(i)) during any Company taxable year, the Shareholders shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to their respective shares of such net decrease during such year, determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5). The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations section 1.704-2(f). This paragraph is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in such Treasury Regulations sections and shall be interpreted consistently therewith; including that no chargeback shall be required to the extent of the exceptions provided in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f) and 1.704-2(i)(4). |
| (b) | Qualified Income Offset. If any Shareholder unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in Treasury Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Company income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Shareholder as promptly as possible in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the deficit balance in his Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Shareholder is obligated to restore, if any, pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, and (ii) the amount such Shareholder is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); provided, that an allocation pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Shareholder would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Annex B have been tentatively made as if this paragraph (b) were not in this Annex B. |
| (c) | Gross Income Allocation. If any Shareholder has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Shareholder is obligated to restore, if any, pursuant to any provision of this Annex B, and (ii) the amount such Shareholder is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Shareholder shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall be made only if and to the extent that a Shareholder would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Annex B have been tentatively made as if paragraph (b) (Qualified Income Offset) and this paragraph (c) were not in this Annex B. |
| (d) | Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Shareholders in proportion to their Percentage Interests in the Company. |
| (e) | Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall be specially allocated to the Shareholder who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the liability to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations section 1.704-2(j). |
| (f) | Positive Basis Allocations. If the Company realizes net gains or items of gross income from the sale of Company assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any Fiscal Year in which one or more Positive Basis Partners withdraws from the Company, the Company’s board of Directors may elect: (i) to allocate such net gains or items of gross income among such Positive Basis Partners, pro rata in proportion to the respective Positive Basis of each such Positive Basis Partner, until either the full amount of such net gains or items of gross income shall have been so allocated or the Positive Basis of each such Positive Basis Partner shall have been eliminated; and (ii) to allocate any net gains or items of gross income not so allocated to Positive Basis Partners to the other Shareholders in such manner as shall reflect equitably the amounts credited to such Shareholders’ Capital Accounts pursuant to Part 1 (Capital Accounts). |
| (g) | Other Allocation Provisions. The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Annex B relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such regulations. The board of Directors shall be entitled to ignore or supplement the terms and provisions of this Annex B at any time if necessary, in the opinion of tax counsel to the Company, in order to comply with such regulations, so long as any such action does not materially change the relative economic interests of the Shareholders. |
| (h) | Other Profits Allocations. The Company will, from time to time, make allocations of certain Profits and Losses to the extent the Company determines that such allocations are necessary to effect appropriate allocations of such items to direct or indirect owners allocated through the Company (including in respect of the ICAI) but only if such allocations do not adversely affect the economic return of the Parent or the B DR Holders. In the determination of the Company after giving effect to the profits interest allocations in the previous sentence, the Capital Accounts of the Shareholders will be adjusted to reflect the appropriate amounts transferred between the Shareholders based on exchanges pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and in connection with the initial public offering of the Parent A Shares. For these purposes, the parties to these Articles agree that the aforementioned amounts transferred will be deemed effectuated for US federal income tax purposes by a contribution of the Company’s Shares by the Shareholders (or the beneficial owners thereof) to Parent in a mechanic similar to that of the Exchange Agreement. |
Part 4 – Allocation for Income Tax Purposes
| 7. | For income tax purposes only, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company shall be allocated among the Shareholders in the same manner as the corresponding items of Profits and Losses and specially allocated items are allocated for Capital Account purposes; provided, that in the case of any Company asset the Carrying Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall be allocated solely for income tax purposes in accordance with the principles of Sections 704(b) and (c) of the Code (in any manner determined by the Company’s board of Directors) so as to take account of the difference between Carrying Value and adjusted basis of such asset. |
| (a) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s board of Directors may make such allocations as it deems reasonably necessary to give economic effect to the provisions of these Articles and this Annex B, taking into account such facts and circumstances as it deems reasonably necessary for this purpose. All matters concerning allocations for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes, including accounting procedures, not expressly provided for by the terms of these Articles and this Annex B shall be determined by the Company’s board of Directors. To the extent there is an adjustment by a taxing authority to any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit of the Company (or an adjustment to any Shareholder’s distributive share thereof), the Company’s board of Directors may reallocate the adjusted items among each Shareholders or former Shareholder (as determined by the Company’s board of Directors) in accordance with the final resolution of such audit adjustment. |
Part 5 – Tax Treatment of C Share and EPA B Shares
| 8. | The Company and each Shareholder agree to treat the C Share as a separate “Profits Interest” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343. In accordance with Rev. Proc. 2001-43, 2001-2 C.B. 191, the Company shall treat EPA Vehicle as the owner of such Profits Interest from the date such Profits Interest is granted, and shall file its IRS form 1065, and issue appropriate Schedule K-1s to EPA Vehicle. Except as required pursuant to a “Determination” as defined in Code Section 1313(a), none of the Company nor any Shareholder shall claim a deduction (as wages, compensation or otherwise) for the fair market value of such Profits Interest issued to EPA Vehicle in respect of the Company, either at the time of grant of the Profits Interest, or at the time the Profits Interest becomes substantially vested. The undertakings contained in this paragraph 9 shall be construed in accordance with Section 4 of Rev. Proc. 2001-43. The provisions of this paragraph 9 shall apply regardless of whether or not the holder of a Profits Interest files an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. This paragraph 9 shall only apply to the C Share while Rev. Proc. 93-27, 1993-2 C.B. 343 and Rev. Proc. 2001-43, 2001-2 C.B. 191, remain in effect. |
| 9. | The Shareholders agree that, in the event the Safe Harbor Regulation is finalized, the Company shall be authorized and directed to make the Safe Harbor Election, and the Company (to the extent permitted by applicable law) and each Shareholder agrees to comply with all requirements of the Safe Harbor with respect to all interests in the Company transferred in connection with the performance of services while the Safe Harbor Election remains effective. The Company’s board of Directors shall be authorized to (and shall) prepare, execute, and file the Safe Harbor Election. The Company’s board of Directors shall cause the Company to make any allocations of items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or expense (including forfeiture allocations) necessary or appropriate to effectuate and maintain the Safe Harbor Election. |
| 10. | At each subsequent issuance of EPA B Shares pursuant to Part 3 of Annex A, EPA Vehicle will be deemed, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to (i) receive a distribution in an amount equal to the EPA Amount for the relevant EPA Portfolio, net of any EPA Advance Amount also received in respect of that EPA Portfolio (such amount, the “Performance Amount,” which shall, in accordance with paragraph 10 of Annex A, be treated as an advance against, and shall reduce, the amount of future distributions that EPA Vehicle would otherwise receive pursuant to Annex A), and (ii) fund to the Company an amount equal to the Performance Amount in exchange for the issuance of the EPA B Shares, so that EPA Vehicle will hold a pro rata share (based on EPA Vehicle’s Percentage Interest in the Company after giving effect to such issuance) of all issued and outstanding B Shares at such date. For the avoidance of doubt, EPA Vehicle shall not be required to make any cash payment under this paragraph. |
Part 6 – Other U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
| 11. | For purposes of determining the net investment income or losses and net realized securities gains or losses, or any other such items allocable to any period, net investment income or losses and net realized securities gains or losses, and any such other items shall be determined on a daily, monthly, or other basis, as determined by the Company’s board of Directors using any permissible method under Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. |
| 12. | The Company may adopt any accounting method for U.S. federal income tax purposes which the Company’s board of Directors determine in their sole discretion is in the best interests of the Company. |
| 13. | As soon as reasonably practicable after the close of the Company’s Fiscal Year, the Company’s board of Directors shall prepare and send, or cause to be prepared and sent, to each person who was a Shareholder at any time during such Fiscal Year copies of such information as may be required for income tax reporting purposes for such person, and such other information as a Shareholder may reasonably request. |
| 14. | The Company’s board of Directors may in their sole discretion cause the Company to make all elections not otherwise expressly provided for in these Articles and this Annex B required or permitted to be made by the Company under the Code and any U.S. state or local or non-U.S. tax laws (including, but not limited to, making an election under Section 754 of the Code). |
| 15. | Each Shareholder agrees not to treat, on any U.S. federal, state, local and/or non-U.S. income tax return or in any claim for a refund, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit in a manner inconsistent with the treatment of such item by the Company or which would result in inconsistent treatment. |
| 16. | To the extent the Company is required by law to withhold or to make tax payments on behalf of or with respect to any Shareholder (e.g., withholding under FATCA or the amount of any taxes assessed or collected under any BBA provision) (“Tax Withholding Advances”), the Company may withhold such amounts and make such tax payments as so required. All Tax Withholding Advances made on behalf of a Shareholder shall be repaid by reducing the amount of the current or next succeeding distribution or distributions which would otherwise have been made to such Shareholder or, if such distributions are not sufficient for that purpose, by so reducing the proceeds of liquidation of the Company otherwise payable to such Shareholder. For all other purposes of these Articles and this Annex B, such Shareholder shall be treated as having received all distributions (whether before or upon liquidation of the Company) unreduced by the amount of such Tax Withholding Advance. To the fullest extent permitted by law, but only from amounts distributable in the future to such Shareholder, each Shareholder hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the other Shareholder from and against any liability (including, without limitation, any liability for taxes, penalties, additions to tax or interest) with respect to income attributable to or distributions or other payments to such Shareholder. “FATCA” means the legislation known as the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, and any regulations (whether proposed, temporary or final), including any subsequent amendments and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder (or which may be promulgated in the future), any intergovernmental agreements and related statutes, regulations or rules and other guidance thereunder, any governmental authority pursuant to the foregoing, and any agreement entered into with respect thereto. |
| 17. | The Company’s board of Directors shall have the exclusive authority to appoint and designate the “partnership representative” within the meaning of Section 6223 of the Code, and any equivalent or similar role under state, local, or non-U.S. law (the “Partnership Representative”), of the Company and any of its subsidiaries that are treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each, a “Reviewed Entity”), in each case subject to approval by the Parent Board. If the Partnership Representative is an entity, the Company’s board of Directors shall (subject to approval by the Parent Board) have the exclusive authority to appoint and designate the individual through whom such Partnership Representative will act for all BBA purposes (the “Designated Individual”). All references to the Partnership Representative herein shall include the Designated Individual, unless the context requires otherwise. The Partnership Representative shall be permitted to take any and all actions under any BBA provision and to act as the Partnership Representative, and shall have any powers necessary to perform fully in such capacity, in each case following the direction of the Company’s board of Directors. The Partnership Representative shall be reimbursed by the Company for all costs and expenses incurred by it in its capacity as such, and shall be indemnified by the Company with respect to any action brought against it, in its capacity as the Partnership Representative, except in the case of the Partnership Representative’s own fraud, bad faith, wilful misconduct, gross negligence (as such concept is interpreted under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States), or material breach of this Agreement. |
| (a) | The Shareholders agree that any and all actions taken by the Partnership Representative shall be binding on any Reviewed Entity and all of the Shareholders, and the Shareholders shall reasonably cooperate with any Reviewed Entity and the Partnership Representative in connection with any elections made by the Partnership Representative or as determined to be reasonably necessary by the Partnership Representative under any BBA provision. All expenses in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to the determination of Reviewed Entity items at the Reviewed Entity level, or expenses otherwise incurred by the Partnership Representative, shall be borne by the Company. The cost of any resulting audits or adjustments of a Shareholder’s tax return will be borne solely by the affected Shareholder. The Company’s board of Directors shall cause the Partnership Representative, when acting in its capacity as such, to use its commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders taken as a whole) to either (i) make an election under Section 6226 of the Code on behalf of the Reviewed Entity with respect to any imputed underpayment imposed on the Reviewed Entity, or (ii) take such other actions to take into account the status of the Shareholders as described in Sections 6225 and 6232 of the Code, in each case following the direction of the Company’s board of Directors. To the extent that: (i) the Partnership Representative is successful in having the amount of any imputed underpayment reduced by reason of Section 6225(c) of the Code, and (ii) the amount of any such reduction is attributable to a particular Shareholder’s status, the Company’s board of Directors agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to allocate the benefit of such reduction to such Shareholder. |
| (b) | To the fullest extent permitted by law, any transferring Shareholder agrees to (a) reasonably cooperate with the Company (or the Partnership Representative, as applicable), and (b) remain liable to file income tax returns and to pay or bear income taxes, including any interest and penalties, under any BBA provision, in each case with respect to any pre-transfer taxable years (or any portion thereof). |
| (c) | Except as required otherwise by applicable law, each Shareholder further agrees that such Shareholder will not independently act with respect to tax audits or tax litigation affecting the Company, unless previously authorized to do so in writing in the sole discretion of the Company’s board of Directors. |
| (d) | The obligations and covenants of the Shareholders set forth in paragraph 16 hereof shall survive the transfer or withdrawal by any Shareholder of the whole or any portion of its interests in the Company, the death or legal disability of any Shareholder, and the dissolution or termination of the Company. |
Part 7 – Definitions
| 18. | For purposes of this Annex B, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: |
“Agreed Value” means the agreed value of any Portfolio Investment, as determined pursuant to the policies and procedures established by EPA Holdings and subject to approval by the Parent Board.
“BBA” means Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code (Sections 6221 through 6241 of the Code), as enacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-74, as amended from time to time, and the regulations thereunder (whether proposed, temporary or final), including any subsequent amendments, successor provisions or other guidance thereunder, and any equivalent provisions for state, local or non-U.S. tax purposes.
“Capital Account” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of this Annex B.
“Carrying Value” shall mean, with respect to any Company asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that the Carrying Values of all Company assets may be adjusted to equal their respective Agreed Values (as determined by the Company’s board of Directors), in accordance with the rules set forth in Treasury Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), except as otherwise provided herein, immediately prior to: (a) the date of the acquisition of any additional interest in the Company by any Shareholder in exchange for more than a de minimis capital contribution; (b) the date of the distribution of more than a de minimis amount of Company property (other than a pro rata distribution) to a Shareholder; or (c) the date of the grant of more than a de minimis interest in the Company as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by one acting in a partner capacity; provided, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (a), (b), and (c) above shall be made only if the Company’s board of Directors determines in its sole discretion that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Shareholders. The Carrying Value of any Company asset distributed to any Shareholder shall be adjusted immediately prior to such distribution to equal its Agreed Value. In the case of any asset that has a Carrying Value that differs from its adjusted tax basis, Carrying Value shall be adjusted by the amount of depreciation calculated for purposes of the definition of “Profits and Losses” rather than the amount of depreciation determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
“Designated Individual” has the meaning provided in paragraph 17 of this Annex B.
“FATCA” has the meaning provided in paragraph 16 of this Annex B.
“Fiscal Year” means the calendar year, or in the case of the last Fiscal Year, the period commencing on the first date of the relevant calendar year and ending on the date on which the dissolution of the Company is completed.
“ICAI” means the ICAI Restricted Interests and the ICAI Transferred Interests, each as defined in the limited partnership agreements of the Continuing Investors Partnerships.
“Nonrecourse Deductions” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations section 1.704-2(b).
“Parent” means Royalty Pharma plc.
“Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent, as constituted from time to time.
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations section 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” shall mean an amount with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such Partner Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a nonrecourse liability (as defined in Treasury Regulations section 1.752-1(a)(2)) determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations section 1.704-2(i)(3).
“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations section 1.704-2(i)(2).
“Partnership Minimum Gain” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations section 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).
“Partnership Representative” has the meaning provided in paragraph 17 of this Annex B.
“Percentage Interest” of a Shareholder shall mean the percentage established from time to time for each Shareholder on the Company’s books equal to the ratio of the number of such Shareholders’ A Shares and/or B Shares, as applicable, to the total number of A Shares and B Shares of the Company outstanding.
“Performance Amount” has the meaning provided in paragraph 10 of this Annex B.
“Positive Basis” means, with respect to any Shareholder and as of any time of calculation, the excess of the amount which such Shareholder is entitled to receive upon withdrawal from or liquidation of the Company over such Shareholder’s “adjusted tax basis” in its Company interest at such time (determined without regard to any adjustments made to such adjusted tax basis by reason of any transfer or assignment of such interest, including by reason of death).
“Positive Basis Partner” shall mean any Shareholder who withdraws from the Company and who has Positive Basis as of the effective date of such withdrawal, but such Shareholder shall cease to be a Positive Basis Partner at such time as it shall have received allocations pursuant to paragraph 6(g) (Positive Basis Allocations) equal to such Partner’s Positive Basis as of the effective date of the withdrawal.
“Profits” and “Losses” shall mean, for each Fiscal Year or other period, the taxable income or loss of the Company, or particular items thereof, determined in accordance with the accounting method used by the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the following adjustments: (a) all items of income, gain, loss or deduction allocated other than pursuant to Part 2 (Allocations of Profits and Losses) shall not be taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss; (b) any income of the Company that is exempt from U.S. federal income taxation and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss; (c) if the Carrying Value of any asset differs from its adjusted tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any gain or loss resulting from a disposition of such asset shall be calculated with reference to such Carrying Value; (d) upon an adjustment to the Carrying Value of any asset (other than an adjustment in respect of depreciation), pursuant to the definition of Carrying Value, the amount of the adjustment shall be included as gain or loss in computing such taxable income or loss; (e) if the Carrying Value of any asset differs from its adjusted tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of depreciation, amortization or cost recovery deductions with respect to such asset shall for purposes of determining Profits and Losses be an amount which bears the same ratio to such Carrying Value as the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions bears to such adjusted tax basis; provided, that if the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction is zero, the Company’s board of Directors may use any reasonable method for purposes of determining depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions in calculating Profits and Losses; and (f) except for items in (a) above, any expenditures of the Company not deductible in computing taxable income or loss, not properly capitalizable and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses pursuant to this definition shall be treated as deductible items.
“Profits Interests” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 9 of this Annex B.
“Reviewed Entity” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 17 of this Annex B.
“Safe Harbor” the election described in the Safe Harbor Regulation, pursuant to which a partnership and all of its partners may elect to treat the fair market value of a partnership interest that is transferred in connection with the performance of services as being equal to the liquidation value of that interest.
“Safe Harbor Election” means the election by a partnership and its partners to apply the Safe Harbor, as described in the Safe Harbor Regulation and IRS Notice 2005-43, issued on May 20, 2005.
“Safe Harbor Regulation” means Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.83-3(l) issued on May 24, 2005.
“Shareholder” means each holder of A Shares, B Shares and/or the C Share, provided that where the B Shares are held by the Depositary the holders of the B Depositary Receipts or the EPA B Depositary Receipts, as applicable, to the extent known to the Company shall be treated as Shareholders in place of the Depositary.
“Treasury Regulations” shall mean the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.
ANNEX C
PARENT BOARD RESERVED MATTERS
| 1. | The declaration and payment of any dividends and the amount of any such dividends (other than a dividend in respect of the D Share); |
| 2. | The approval of the annual accounts of the Company; |
| 3. | Any changes to the composition of the board of Directors of the Company or any of its committees; |
| 4. | Any amendment to the terms of the EPAs contemplated in paragraph 9 of Annex A of these Articles. |
| 5. | Any decision under paragraph 17 of Annex B to propose, consent to or otherwise enter into any agreement with the IRS (including waivers or extension of statutes of limitations and settlement agreements) that would result in a material tax liability for the Parent. |
| 6. | Any decision under paragraph 17 of Annex B to refrain from electing the alternative procedure under Code Section 6226 on behalf of a Reviewed Entity for any tax year of the Reviewed Entity that ends prior to or within the taxable year of the Parent in which the public offering of the Parent occurs. |
Exhibit 10.1
JOINDER, RELEASE AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO
LOAN AGREEMENT AND LOAN DOCUMENTS
THIS JOINDER, RELEASE AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT AND LOAN DOCUMENTS (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of May 16, 2025, by and among RP MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Released Borrower”), ROYALTY PHARMA MANAGER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “RP LLC Borrower”), ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “RPH Borrower” and together with the RP LLC Borrower, each a “New Borrower” and collectively, the “New Borrowers”), LEGORRETA INVESTMENTS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Legorreta Investments”), LEGORRETA INVESTMENTS II LLC (“Legorreta Investments II” and together with Legorreta Investments, each an “Entity Guarantor” and collectively, the “Entity Guarantors”; the Entity Guarantors, together with the Released Borrower and the New Borrowers, each an “Amendment Entity” and collectively, the “Amendment Entities”), PABLO LEGORRETA (the “Individual Guarantor” and together with the Entity Guarantors, each a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (the “Bank”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Released Borrower and the Bank entered into that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2023 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which the Bank provided a term loan to the Released Borrower in the maximum principal amount of Three Hundred Eighty Million Dollars ($380,000,000) (the “Term Loan”);
WHEREAS, the Entity Guarantors, Individual Guarantor and the Lender entered into that certain Unconditional Guaranty, dated as of December 11, 2023 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Guaranty Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Released Borrower and the New Borrowers have requested that the Lender, and the Lender has agreed to, amend the Existing Loan Agreement to (a) join the New Borrowers as borrowers, (b) release the Released Borrower from all obligations and liabilities under the Loan Agreement, and (c) make other amendments and modifications thereto, all as more particularly set forth in this Amendment; and
WHEREAS, the Entity Guarantors, and Individual Guarantor have requested that the Lender, and the Lender has agreed to, amend the Existing Guaranty Agreement as provided for herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Existing Loan Agreement, as amended by this Amendment (the “Loan Agreement”).
| 2. | Joinder of New Borrowers. |
| a. | From and after the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined herein), without any further documentation on the part of the Bank, the Released Borrower, any New Borrower or any Guarantor, each New Borrower hereby absolutely and unconditionally (i) joins and becomes a party to the Loan Agreement as a “Borrower” thereunder and each other Loan Document, (ii) assumes, as a joint and several obligor thereunder, all of the obligations, liabilities and indemnities of a Borrower under and pursuant to the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document and (iii) covenants and agrees to be jointly and severally bound by and adhere to all of the terms, covenants, waivers, releases, agreements and conditions of or respecting a Borrower with respect to the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document and hereby ratifies, as of the First Amendment Effective Date, and agrees to be bound by, all of the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document with respect to such New Borrower. Each New Borrower acknowledges and confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, each other Loan Document, and all schedules, exhibits and other attachments thereto. |
| b. | From and after the First Amendment Effective Date, any reference to the term “Borrower” in the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document shall include each New Borrower. The parties hereto confirm and agree that immediately upon the New Borrowers becoming Borrowers, the term “Obligations,” as used in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall include all obligations of the New Borrowers under the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document. |
3. Release of Released Borrower. Effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the Bank hereby forever fully unconditionally and irrevocably releases and fully discharges the Released Borrower from all obligations, responsibilities, duties and liabilities in connection with the Term Loan, the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document.
4. Termination of Security Agreement. Effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the parties hereto agree that the Security Agreement (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement) is hereby terminated and of no further force or effect, and the Bank hereby terminates, releases, cancels, relinquishes, quitclaims and discharges its security interest in and lien of every type at any time granted to or held by the Bank as Collateral (as defined in the Existing Loan Agreement). Bank hereby (a) authorizes the Released Borrower to prepare and file such UCC Termination Statements to terminate all UCC Financing Statements in Bank’s favor with respect to the Released Borrower or other documents necessary to evidence the release of Bank’s liens and security interests in any assets of the Released Borrower and (b) agrees that it will sign and deliver to the Released Borrower, at the Released Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any other documents, and take such other actions as the Released Borrower shall reasonably request to terminate all of Bank’s liens and security interests in any assets of the Released Borrower.
5. Amendments. Effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in reliance on the representations and warranties set forth herein:
a. the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended to delete the bold, stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: ) and to add the bold, double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: underlined text) as set forth in the pages of the Loan Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto;
b. the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended to amend and restate Schedule I to the Loan Agreement in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto; and
c. the Existing Guaranty Agreement is hereby amended to delete the bold, stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: ) and to add the bold, double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: underlined text) as set forth in the pages of the Guaranty Agreement attached as Exhibit C hereto.
6. Confirmation of Guaranty. Each Guarantor (a) acknowledges and consents to this Amendment and all changes to the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document as set forth in this Amendment, (b) agrees that the Loan Agreement as modified hereby is the Loan Agreement under and for all purposes of the Guaranty and the other Loan Documents, (c) acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the First Amendment Effective Date, the Indebtedness of the New Borrowers under the Loan Agreement shall constitute the Indebtedness under the Guaranty, (d) confirms that its obligations under the Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect, and it shall be fully liable for the observance of all such obligations, and (e) confirms and ratifies each other Loan Document it has previously executed in connection with the Loan Agreement.
7. Representations and Warranties of Amendment Entities. In order to induce the Bank to agree to the amendments set forth herein, each Amendment Entity represents and warrants to the Bank that, as of the First Amendment Effective Date:
| a. | each Amendment Entity has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment and any agreement or certificate required to be delivered hereunder (collectively, the “Amendment Documents”); the execution, delivery and performance by each Amendment Entity of the Amendment Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by such Amendment Entity by all necessary action; the execution, delivery and performance by each Amendment Entity of the Amendment Documents to which it is a party requires no action by or in respect of, or filing with any official or governmental body (except with respect to (x) actions duly taken and filings duly made that are, in each case, in full force and effect and (y) those actions and filings, the failure of which to take or make would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change), does not contravene of constitute a default under (i) such Amendment Entity’s Organizational Documents, (ii) any applicable law or regulation or order of any governmental authority, or (iii) any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon it or its assets (except, with respect to any contravention or default referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) above, to the extent that such contravention or default would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect); |
| b. | each of the Amendment Documents constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Amendment Entity which is a party thereto enforceable in accordance with its terms, except that such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law); |
| c. | all representations and warranties of such Amendment Entity made in the Loan Agreement and all other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as if such representations and warranties were made on and as of the date hereof (other than any representation and warranty that includes a materiality qualifier, which is true and correct in all respects), except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (other than any representation and warranty that includes a materiality qualifier, which is true and correct in all respects); and |
| d. | after giving effect to this Amendment, no default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Amendment. |
8. Additional Representation and Warranty of Released Borrower. In order to induce the Bank to agree to the amendments set forth herein, the Original Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that, as of the First Amendment Effective Date and after giving effect to this Amendment, the annual cash flow with respect to the Original Borrower’s assets is estimated to be approximately $4,000,000.00 for the fiscal year ending 2025 (it being understood that such estimate is not to be viewed as fact and is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies and actual results during the period may differ significantly from the estimated results, and that no assurance can be given that such results will be realized).
9. Representations and Warranties of Individual Guarantor. In order to induce the Bank to agree to the amendments set forth herein, the Individual Guarantor represents and warrants to the Bank that, as of the First Amendment Effective Date:
| a. | the execution, delivery and performance of the Amendment Documents by the Individual Guarantor and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not, and will not, contravene or conflict with any material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties of the Individual Guarantor, except as have been disclosed in writing to Bank; |
| b. | this Amendment and each other Amendment Document to which the Individual Guarantor is a party is a legal and binding obligation of Individual Guarantor and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and by general |
equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law); and
| c. | all representations and warranties of the Individual Guarantor made in the Guaranty and all other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as if such representations and warranties were made on and as of the date hereof (other than any representation and warranty that includes a materiality qualifier, which is true and correct in all respects), except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (other than any representation and warranty that includes a materiality qualifier, which is true and correct in all respects). |
10. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective as of the first date (the “First Amendment Effective Date”) on which each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
| a. | the Bank shall have received an executed copy of this Amendment from each party hereto, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Bank; |
| b. | the Bank shall have received such other documents, agreements, instruments and other items set forth in Exhibit D hereto, in each case, executed by each of the parties thereto and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Bank; |
| c. | the representations and warranties of the Released Borrower herein, and the representations and warranties of each New Borrower, each Entity Guarantor, the Individual Guarantor, and any other Obligor contained in Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Amendment and in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the First Amendment Effective Date (other than any representation and warranty that includes a materiality qualifier, which shall be true and correct in all respects), except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (other than any representation and warranty that includes a materiality qualifier, which shall be true and correct in all respects); |
| d. | the New Borrowers shall have paid or caused to be paid to the Bank an amendment fee in the aggregate amount of $100,000.00 (the “Amendment Fee”). The Amendment Fee shall be fully earned and due and payable in cash on the First Amendment Effective Date. The New Borrowers hereby agree that once paid, the Amendment Fee shall not be refundable under any circumstances and shall not be subject to reduction by way of set off or counterclaim; |
| e. | the Bank shall have received payment of all reasonable fees and expenses of the Bank incurred in connection with this Amendment, including reasonable counsel’s fees; and |
| f. | the Bank shall have received such other documents and agreements, including lien searches, as are reasonably requested by the Bank. |
11. References. Each reference throughout the Loan Documents to a Loan Document shall be to such Loan Document, as amended hereby, and as same may be further modified, amended, consolidated, increased, renewed, supplemented and/or extended from time to time.
12. Covenant to Pay. Each New Borrower covenants and agrees to pay the principal sums and to pay interest thereon as set forth in the Loan Documents, as the same have been amended by this Amendment, and to comply with all of the terms, covenants and provisions contained therein, as the same has been amended by this Amendment, and in each of the other Loan Documents executed or delivered (previously, concurrently or hereafter) in connection with the Loan Agreement.
13. Reaffirmation. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the provisions of the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document are reaffirmed in their entirety and shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
14. Conflict With Other Documents. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Amendment and the provisions of the Loan Agreement and/or any Loan Document, the provisions of this Amendment shall govern and control to the extent of such conflict.
15. Governing Law; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Amendment shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York as provided in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents; each Amendment Entity and the Individual Guarantor further agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of New York as provided therein. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL ARISING BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT, THE LOAN AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IS AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AMENDMENT AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION AND (C) CERTIFIES THAT THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY MADE.
16. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto, but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute a single amendment binding upon all of the parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Amendment by telecopy or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment; provided, each Borrower shall provide to the Bank a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment promptly following execution thereof.
17. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors, legal representatives, heirs and assigns of the parties hereto.
18. No Modification. This Amendment may not be amended, modified or otherwise changed without the mutual agreement in writing of the parties hereto.
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Each party hereto has executed this Amendment as of the date stated at the top of the first page, intending to create an instrument executed under seal.
| RELEASED BORROWER: | ||
| RP MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Managing Member | |
| NEW BORROWERS: | ||
| ROYALTY PHARMA MANAGER, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| Address for notices: | ||
| Royalty Pharma Manager, LLC | |
| 110 East 59th Street, 33rd Floor | |
| New York, NY 10022 |
| ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD | ||
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Director | |
| Address for notices: | ||
| Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd | |
| The Pavilions | |
| Bridgwater Road | |
| Bristol BS13 8AE | |
| United Kingdom |
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[Signature Page to Joinder, Release and First Amendment
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| ENTITY GUARANTORS: | ||
| LEGORRETA INVESTMENTS II LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | General Manager | |
| LEGORRETA INVESTMENTS, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | General Manager | |
| INDIVIDUAL GUARANTOR: | |
| /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| PABLO LEGORRETA, individually |
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| BANK: | ||
| BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. | ||
| By: | /s/ Bobby Lawrence | |
| Name: | Bobby Lawrence | |
| Title: | SVP | |
[Signature Page to Joinder, Release and First Amendment
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EXHIBIT A
(see attached)
AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, amends that certain Loan Agreement dated as of December 11, 2023 (the “Existing Loan Agreement”), between BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (the “Bank”), and RP MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Original Borrower”), and is, as of the First Amendment Effective Date, among the Bank, ROYALTY PHARMA MANAGER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “RP LLC Borrower”), and ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “RPH Borrower” and collectively with the RP LLC Borrower, each a “New Borrower” and collectively, the “New Borrowers”). As used herein, “Borrower” means one or both New Borrowers, as the context may require.
| 1. | Term Loan |
| 1.1 | Term Loan. |
| (a) | On December 11, 2023, the Bank provided a term loan (the “Term Loan”) to the Original Borrower. The original principal amount of the Term Loan was THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY MILLION Dollars ($380,000,000). |
| (b) | On December 11, 2023, Legorreta Investments II LLC (“LI II”), Legorreta Investments, LLC (“LI I” and together with LI II, the “Entity Guarantors”), and Pablo Legorreta (the “Individual Guarantor”; the Individual Guarantor and Entity Guarantor are collectively referred to herein as the “Guarantor”) executed that certain Continuing and Unconditional Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) in favor of the Bank. |
| (c) | On May 16, 2025 (the “First Amendment Effective Date”), the Bank, the Original Borrower, each New Borrower, each Entity Guarantor and the Individual Guarantor entered into that certain Joinder, Release and First Amendment to Loan Agreement and Loan Documents (the “First Amendment”), pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the Original Borrower was released from this Agreement, (ii) each of the RP LLC Borrower and the RPH Borrower joined to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as the Borrower, and (iii) certain other amendments were made to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. |
| 1.2 | Repayment Terms. |
| (a) | The New Borrowers, jointly and severally, will pay interest on the Term Loan in arrears on the first banking day after January 1, 2024 and then on first banking day of each calendar quarter thereafter (each a “Payment Date”) until payment in full of any principal outstanding under the Term Loan, which shall be on the Maturity Date. |
| (b) | The New Borrowers, jointly and severally, will repay in full all principal, interest or other charges outstanding under the Term Loan on July 31, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). |
| (c) | The Borrower may prepay the Term Loan in full or in part at any time, together with accrued but unpaid interest in the amount prepaid. The prepayment will be applied to the most remote payment of principal due under this Agreement. |
| 1.3 | Interest Rate. |
| (a) | The interest rate is a rate per year equal to either (i) Daily SOFR plus 1.6 percentage point(s), or (ii) Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) plus 1.6 percentage point(s), as elected by the Borrower from time to time. The Borrower may elect to convert any portion of the Term Loan from Daily SOFR to Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) or, if so converted, from Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) to Daily SOFR, upon two (2) banking days prior written notice to the Bank specifying the principal amount of the Term Loan the Borrower has elected to convert. Any conversion of any portion of the Term Loan from Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) shall only be effective on the last day of the interest period thereof. The Borrower may have multiple portions of the Term Loan bearing interest as Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically). If the Borrower fails to convert any portion of the Term Loan bearing interest at Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) at the end of the applicable interest period, such portion of the Term Loan shall continue to bear interest at Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) for another one-month period, set as described in subsection (c) hereof. The interest rate for Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) will be adjusted on the date that is two (2) banking days following the Borrower’s notice of election of Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically (the “Adjustment Date”) and remain fixed until the next Adjustment Date, which shall be the same date in the next calendar month. If the Adjustment Date in any particular month would otherwise fall on a day that is not a banking day then, at the Bank’s option, the Adjustment Date for that particular month will be the first banking day immediately following thereafter. |
| (b) | Daily SOFR is a fluctuating rate of interest which can change on each banking day. “Daily SOFR” means the rate per annum equal to SOFR determined for any day pursuant to the definition thereof plus the SOFR Adjustment. Any change in Daily SOFR shall be effective from and including the date of such change without further notice. At any time Daily SOFR is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph only: |
| (i) | “SOFR” means, for each day any Daily SOFR Portion is outstanding, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate published on such date by the SOFR Administrator on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website (or any successor source); provided however that if such determination date is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, then SOFR means such rate that applied on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto. |
| (ii) | “SOFR Adjustment” means with respect to Daily SOFR, 0.1% per annum. |
| (iii) | “SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of SOFR, or any successor administrator of SOFR designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or other person acting as the SOFR Administrator at such time. |
| (iv) | “U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any banking day, except any banking day on which any of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the New York Stock Exchange or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is not open for business because such day is a legal holiday under the federal laws of the United States or the laws of the State of New York, as applicable. |
| (c) | “Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically)” is a rate of interest equal to the rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR Screen Rate as determined for each Adjustment Date two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the Adjustment Date (for delivery on the first day of such interest period) with a term of one month; provided that if such rate is not published on such determination date then the rate will be the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first banking day immediately prior thereto, in each case, plus the SOFR Adjustment for such interest period. If at any time Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph only: |
| (i) | “CME” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited. |
| (ii) | “SOFR” means the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator). |
| (iii) | “SOFR Adjustment” with respect to Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically) means 0.1% for the applicable interest period. |
| (iv) | “Term SOFR Screen Rate” means the forward-looking SOFR term rate administered by CME (or any successor administrator satisfactory to the Bank) and published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Bank from time to time). |
| (v) | “U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any banking day, except any banking day on which any of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the New York Stock Exchange or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is not open for business because such day is a legal holiday under the federal laws of the United States or the laws of the State of New York, as applicable. |
| (d) | Each prepayment of an amount bearing interest at Term SOFR (Adjusted Periodically), whether voluntary, by reason of acceleration or otherwise, will be accompanied by the amount of accrued interest on the amount prepaid, and a prepayment fee as described in subsection (e) below. A “prepayment” is a payment of an amount on a date other than an Adjustment Date. |
| (e) | The prepayment fee shall be in an amount sufficient to compensate the Bank for any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of the prepayment, including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain the amount prepaid or from fees payable to terminate the |
deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by the Bank in connection with the foregoing.
| 2. | fees and expenses |
| 2.1 | Fees. |
| (a) | Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay a fee of 0.05% of the then outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan on the date of this Agreement and each annual anniversary of this Agreement; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing fee shall not be payable on the annual anniversary date of this Agreement that occurs in the same calendar year as the Maturity Date. |
| (b) | Late Fee. To the extent permitted by law, the Borrower agrees to pay a late fee in an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of any payment that is more than fifteen (15) days late. The imposition and payment of a late fee shall not constitute a waiver of the Bank’s rights with respect to the default. |
| 2.2 | Expenses. |
The New Borrowers agree, jointly and severally, to, promptly following the Bank’s demand therefor, repay the Bank for expenses that include, but are not limited to, filing, recording and search fees, appraisal fees, title report fees, and documentation fees.
| 2.3 | Reimbursement Costs. |
| (a) | The New Borrowers, jointly and severally, agree to reimburse the Bank for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees) it incurs in the preparation of this Agreement and any agreement or instrument required by this Agreement. |
| (b) | The New Borrowers, jointly and severally, agree to reimburse the Bank for the cost of periodic field examinations of the Borrower’s books and records , at such intervals as the Bank may reasonably require, provided that, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the New Borrowers shall not be required to reimburse the Bank for the cost of any such examinations which are conducted more frequently than once in any fiscal year. The actions described in this paragraph may be performed by employees of the Bank or by independent appraisers. |
| 3. | JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY OF THE BORROWERS |
| 3.1 | Joint and Several Liability. |
| (a) | Each New Borrower hereby accepts joint and several liability hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration for the financial accommodations to be provided by the Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the New Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of the other New Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the |
Obligations. Each of New Borrowers, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other New Borrower with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including, without limitation, any Obligations arising under this Section 3.1), it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Obligations shall be joint and several obligations of each of the New Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them. If and to the extent that any of the New Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other New Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Obligations of each of the New Borrowers under the provisions of this Section 3.1 constitute the absolute and unconditional, full recourse Obligations of each of the New Borrowers, enforceable against each such Person to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other circumstances whatsoever.
| (b) | The provisions of this Section 3.1 are made for the benefit of the Bank and its successors and assigns, and may be enforced by them from time to time against any or all of the New Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of the Bank or such successors or assigns first to marshal any of its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights against any of the other New Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies available to it or them against any of the other New Borrowers or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 3.1 shall remain in effect until payment in full of the Obligations. |
| (c) | Each of the New Borrowers hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of its rights of contribution or subrogation against the other New Borrowers with respect to any liability incurred by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, any payment made by it to the Bank with respect to any of the Obligations, until payment in full of the Obligations. Any claim which any New Borrower may have against any other New Borrower with respect to any payments to the Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Documents are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or thereunder, to payment in full of the Obligations. |
| 4. | disbursements, payments and costs |
| 4.1 | Disbursements and Payments. |
| (a) | Each payment by the Borrower will be made in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Payments will be made by debit to a deposit account, if direct debit is provided for in this Agreement or is otherwise authorized by the Borrower. For payments not made by direct debit, payments will be made by mail to the address of the Bank shown on the Borrower’s statement, or by such other method as may be permitted by the Bank. |
| (b) | For any payment under this Agreement made by debit to a deposit account, the Borrower will maintain sufficient immediately available funds in the deposit account to cover each debit. If there are insufficient immediately available funds in the deposit account on the date the Bank enters any such debit authorized by this Agreement, the Bank may reverse the debit. |
| (c) | The Term Loan by the Bank and each payment by the Borrower will be evidenced by records kept by the Bank. In addition, the Bank may, at its discretion, require the Borrower to sign one or more promissory notes. |
| (d) | Interest will continue to accrue based on the actual amount of principal outstanding without compounding. The Bank will not pay the Borrower interest on any overpayment. |
| 4.2 | Borrower’s Instructions. |
| (a) | The Bank may honor instructions for advances or repayments and any other instructions under this Agreement given by the Borrower (if an individual), or by any one of the individuals the Bank reasonably believes is authorized to sign loan agreements on behalf of either Borrower, or any other individual designated by any one of such authorized signers (each an “Authorized Individual”). The Bank may honor any such instructions made by any one of the Authorized Individuals, whether such instructions are given in writing or by telephone, telefax or Internet and intranet websites designated by the Bank with respect to separate products or services offered by the Bank. |
| (b) | Except as specified elsewhere in this Agreement or as otherwise agreed between the Bank and the Borrower, the proceeds of the Term Loan will be deposited in and repayments will be withdrawn from the Designated Account (defined below), or such other of the Borrower’s accounts with the Bank as designated in writing by the Borrower. |
| (c) | The New Borrowers, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold the Bank harmless from all liability, loss, and costs in connection with any act resulting from instructions the Bank reasonably believes are made by any Authorized Individual, whether such instructions are given in writing or by telephone, telefax or electronic communications (including e-mail, Internet and intranet websites). This paragraph will survive this Agreement’s termination, and will benefit the Bank and its officers, employees, and agents. |
| 4.3 | Direct Debit. |
Borrower agrees that on the due date of any amount due under this Agreement, the Bank will debit the amount due from deposit account number 4451414584 owned by RPH Borrower, or such other of either Borrower’s accounts with the Bank as designated in writing by such Borrower (the “Designated Account”). Should there be insufficient funds in the Designated Account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such deficiency shall be immediately due and payable by the Borrower.
| 4.4 | Banking Days. |
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, a banking day is a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close, or are in fact closed, in the state where the Bank’s lending office is located, and, if such day relates to amounts bearing interest at a Reference Rate, in New York City. All payments and disbursements which would be due or which are received on a day which is not a banking day will be due or applied, as applicable, on the next banking day.
| 4.5 | Interest Calculation. |
Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, all interest and fees, if any, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed. This results in more interest or a higher fee than if a 365-day year is used. Installments of principal which are not paid when due under this Agreement shall continue to bear interest until paid.
| 4.6 | Default Rate. |
Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default or after the Maturity Date or after judgment has been rendered on any obligation under this Agreement, all amounts outstanding and then due and payable under this Agreement (whether by acceleration or otherwise), including any unpaid interest, fees, or costs, will at the option of the Bank bear interest at a rate which is 4.0 percentage point(s) higher than the rate of interest otherwise provided under this Agreement. This may result in compounding of interest. This will not constitute a waiver of any default.
| 4.7 | Taxes. |
If any payments to the Bank under this Agreement are made from outside the United States, the Borrower will not deduct any foreign taxes from any payments it makes to the Bank. If any such taxes are imposed on any payments made by the Borrower (including payments under this paragraph), the Borrower will pay the taxes and will also pay to the Bank, at the time interest is paid, any additional amount which the Bank specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax yield the Bank would have received if such taxes had not been imposed, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to pay such taxes and additional amounts if the Bank has failed to deliver to the Borrower any tax forms or additional documentation (without incurring any material expense or requiring the Bank to take any material action) that would have entitled it to eliminate or reduce such taxes or additional amounts. The Borrower will confirm that it has paid the taxes by giving the Bank official tax receipts (or notarized copies) within thirty (30) days after the due date.
| 4.8 | Additional Costs. |
The New Borrowers will, jointly and severally, pay the Bank, on demand, for the Bank’s costs or losses arising from any Change in Law which are reasonably allocated to this Agreement or any credit outstanding under this Agreement. The allocation will be made as determined by the Bank, using any reasonable method. The costs include, without limitation, the following:
| (a) | any future reserve or deposit requirements (excluding any reserve requirement already reflected in the calculation of the interest rate in this Agreement); and |
| (b) | any future capital requirements relating to the Bank’s assets and commitments for credit. |
“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of the adoption or taking effect of any new or changed law, rule, regulation or treaty, or the issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any governmental authority; provided that (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives issued in connection with that Act, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued, and provided, further, that the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay such costs or losses which were incurred by the Bank more than 180 days prior to the date of such request.
| 4.9 | Successor Rate. |
If at any time an interest rate index provided for in this Agreement (a “Reference Rate”) is not available at such time for any reason or the Bank makes the determination to incorporate or adopt a new interest rate index to replace such Reference Rate in credit agreements, then the Bank may replace such Reference Rate with an alternate interest rate index and adjustment, if applicable, as reasonably selected by the Bank, giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing conventions for such interest rate index and adjustment (any such successor interest rate index, as adjusted, the “Successor Rate”). In connection with the implementation of any Successor Rate, the Bank will have the right, from time to time, in good faith to make any conforming, technical, administrative or operational changes to this Agreement as may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and administration thereof and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other loan document, any amendments to this Agreement implementing such conforming changes will become effective upon notice to the Borrower without any further action or consent of the other parties hereto. If at any time any Successor Rate is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
| 5. | conditions |
This agreement will become effective upon, and the obligation of the Bank to make the Term Loan hereunder is subject to, the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
| 5.1 | Authorizations. |
Evidence that the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and/or, if applicable, such Obligor of this Agreement and any instrument or agreement required under this Agreement (the “Loan Documents”) have been duly authorized.
| 5.2 | Governing Documents. |
A copy of the Borrower’s or, if applicable, such Obligor’s organizational and governing documents (“Organizational Documents”).
| 5.3 | KYC Information. |
| (a) | Upon the request of the Bank, the Borrower shall have provided to the Bank, and the Bank shall be reasonably satisfied with, the documentation and other information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act. |
| (b) | If the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230 (the “Beneficial Ownership Regulation”), it shall have provided a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation (the “Beneficial Ownership Certification”) to the Bank if so requested. |
| 5.4 | Guaranties. |
Signed original guaranties (collectively, the “Guaranty”) by the Individual Guarantor and each Entity Guarantor (the Individual Guarantor and Entity Guarantor are collectively referred to herein as the “Guarantor”).
| 5.5 | [Reserved]. |
| 5.6 | [Reserved]. |
| 5.7 | Payment of Fees. |
Payment of all fees and other amounts due and owing to the Bank as of the date of this Agreement (provided such fees and other amounts have been invoiced by the Bank at least two (2) banking days prior to such date), including without limitation payment of all accrued and unpaid expenses incurred by the Bank as required by the paragraph entitled “Reimbursement Costs.”
| 5.8 | Good Standing. |
Certificates of good standing for the Borrower and each Entity Guarantor from its state of formation and from any other state in which the Borrower or either Entity Guarantor is required to qualify to conduct its business.
| 5.9 | Opinions. |
A legal opinion from counsel acceptable to the Bank, which opinion shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Bank.
| 5.10 | Representations and Warranties. |
All of the representations and warranties of Borrower or any other Obligor herein or in any other Loan Document (as hereinafter defined) are and will be true and correct in all material respects both immediately before and after giving effect to the Term Loan.
| 5.11 | Representations and Warranties. |
No event which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would be, a default under this Agreement exists as of such date.
| 5.12 | Deposit Accounts. |
Borrower shall maintain its primary operating deposit accounts with Bank.
| 5.13 | Insurance. |
Evidence of insurance coverage, as required in the “Covenants” section of this Agreement.
| 5.14 | [Reserved]. |
| 6. | representations and warranties |
To induce the Bank to enter into this Agreement and to make the Term Loan, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Bank that:
| 6.1 | Formation. |
Each Borrower is duly formed and existing under the laws of the state or other jurisdiction where organized. The Individual Guarantor owns not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Class A membership interests in each Entity Guarantor and is the general manager of each Entity Guarantor. The Individual Guarantor is the settlor and either the sole trustee or one of the trustees of the (i) GST-Exempt Family Trust under the Legorreta 2012 Family Trust Agreement dated December 19, 2012, (ii) GST-Exempt Family Trust under the Legorreta 2020 Family Trust Agreement dated June 5, 2020 and (iii) Legorreta 2023 SR Trust dated May 3, 2023 (collectively, the “Guarantor Trusts”). Other than the (i) Entity Guarantors, (ii) Guarantor Trusts, (iii) the Legorreta Children 2002 Trust dated May 20, 2002, (iv) investment retirement accounts established for the benefit of the Individual Guarantor (“Guarantor IRAs”), (v) RPM I, LLC, and (vi) PL RPH AIV, LLC, and (vii) PL RPH Holdings, LLC, there is no other (x) entity (which, for the avoidance of doubt, excludes any estate planning vehicle) Affiliated with the Individual Guarantor or (y) trust settled by the Individual Guarantor that owns LP Interests, Class A ordinary shares of Pubco, Class B ordinary shares of Pubco, Class B ordinary shares of the RPH Borrower, Class E ordinary shares of the RPH Borrower, and Class B ordinary shares of Pubco (collectively, “RP Assets”) (the entities or trusts of a type referred to in clauses (x) and (y), now existing or subsequently formed (including any newly formed entity in which the Individual Guarantor and/or Entity Guarantors are the direct or indirect sole beneficial owners), together with the Guarantor IRAs, each, an “Individual Guarantor Entity”).
For purposes of this Agreement,
| (i) | “Affiliated” means, with respect to the Individual Guarantor, any entity (which, for the avoidance of doubt, excludes any estate planning vehicle) in which the Individual Guarantor, directly or indirectly, owns greater than 50% of the equity interests which provide voting rights in such entity. For the avoidance of doubt, none of RP MIP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, RP MIP (Cayman), LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any other vehicle formed to receive any portion of the Aggregate Stock Consideration or Buyer Parent B Shares (in each case, other than the Individual Guarantor) payable to the current members of RP |
MIP Holdings, LLC pursuant to the Membership Interests Purchase Agreement, RPI EPA Vehicle, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Royalty Pharma Investments 2024 ICAV, a Irish collective asset management vehicle, RPI EPA Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, RPI EPA Holdings II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, RPI International Holdings 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, RPI International Partners 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, Pubco, the Partnership, the RPH Borrower, RP Management Equity Incentive Plan Trust nor any direct or indirect subsidiary of any of the foregoing entities shall be deemed to be Affiliated with the Individual Guarantor.
| (ii) | “Aggregate Stock Consideration” has the meaning given to such term in the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement. |
| (iii) | “Buyer Parent B Shares” has the meaning given to such term in the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement. |
| (iv) | “LP Interests” means limited partnership interests in the Partnership. |
| (v) | “Membership Interest Purchase Agreement” means that certain Membership Interest Purchase agreement, dated as of January 10, 2025, by and among Royalty Pharma Manager, LLC (f/k/a Royalty Pharma, LLC), the Original Borrower, the Individual Guarantor, RPM I, LLC, RP MIP Holdings, LLC, and the RPH Borrower, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated April 11, 2025. |
| (vi) | “Partnership” means RPI US Partners 2019 LP, a Delaware limited partnership. |
| (vii) | “Pubco” means Royalty Pharma PLC, a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales. |
| 6.2 | Authorization. |
The execution, delivery and performance by each Borrower of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, are within such Borrower’s powers, have been duly authorized, and do not violate any of its Organizational Documents.
| 6.3 | Beneficial Ownership Certification. |
The information included in each Beneficial Ownership Certification most recently provided to the Bank, if applicable, is true and correct in all respects.
| 6.4 | Government Sanctions. |
| (a) | Each Borrower represents that no Obligor, nor any affiliated entities of any Obligor, including in the case of any Obligor that is not a natural person, subsidiaries nor, to the |
knowledge of any Borrower, any owner, trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of any Borrower or any other Obligor is an individual or entity (“Person”) currently the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Government, including, without limitation, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is any Borrower or any other Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions.
| (b) | Each Borrower represents and covenants that it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the credit provided under this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. |
| 6.5 | Enforceable Agreement. |
This Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement of each Borrower, enforceable against each Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Debtor Relief Laws and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. As used herein, “Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the United Kingdom Insolvency Act of 1986 and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization or similar debtor relief laws of the United States, the United Kingdom or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
| 6.6 | Good Standing. |
In each jurisdiction in which the RP LLC Borrower or either Entity Guarantor does business, it is properly licensed, in good standing, and, where required, in compliance with fictitious name statutes, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties of the Borrower or either Entity Guarantor. The RPH Borrower has all requisite power and authority to carry out its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required. As used herein, “Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or financial condition of Pubco and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Obligors to perform their payment obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any and all other Loan Documents, or the rights and remedies of the Bank thereunder.
| 6.7 | No Conflicts. |
The execution, delivery and performance by each Borrower of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby does not (a) violate (i) any applicable law or regulation or order of any governmental authority or (ii) the Organizational Documents of any Borrower or (b) violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Borrower or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment be made by any Borrower, except, with respect to any violation or default referred to in clause (a)(i) or (b) above, to the extent that such violation or default would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
| 6.8 | Financial Information. |
All financial and other information that has been or will be supplied to the Bank is sufficiently complete to give the Bank accurate knowledge of each Borrower’s and Guarantor’s financial condition, including all material contingent liabilities. Since the date of the most recent financial statement provided to the Bank, there has been (a) no material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties of the RP LLC Borrower or any Guarantor or (b) no material adverse change in the financial condition or results of operations of the RPH Borrower and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
| 6.9 | Lawsuits. |
There is no lawsuit, tax claim or other dispute pending or, to any Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against any Borrower or any Guarantor which would materially impair any Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s financial condition or ability to repay the Term Loan, except as have been disclosed in writing to the Bank.
| 6.10 | [Reserved] |
| 6.11 | [Reserved] |
| 6.12 | Permits, Franchises. |
The RP LLC Borrower and each Entity Guarantor possesses all material permits, memberships, franchises, contracts and licenses required and all trademark rights, trade name rights, patent rights, copyrights, and fictitious name rights, in each case as are necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is now engaged.
| 6.13 | Other Obligations. |
The RP LLC Borrower is not in default on any obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties of the RP LLC Borrower, except as have been disclosed in writing to the Bank.
6.14 Tax Matters.
The RP LLC Borrower has no knowledge of any pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax for any year and all federal and state income and other material taxes due have been paid, except those being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or as have otherwise been disclosed in writing to the Bank.
The RPH Borrower has filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes (including any Taxes in the capacity of a withholding agent) required to be paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the RPH Borrower has set aside on its books reserves to the extent required by GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, “Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any governmental authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
| 6.15 | No Event of Default. |
There is no event which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would be, an Event of Default under this Agreement.
| 6.16 | No Plan Assets. |
Each Borrower (except the RPH Borrower with respect to clauses (2) and (4)) represents that, as of the date hereof and throughout the term of this Agreement, no Borrower or Obligor, if any, is (1) an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), (2) a plan or account subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”); (3) an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” of any such plans or accounts for purposes of ERISA or the Code; or (4) a “governmental plan” within the meaning of ERISA.
| 6.17 | Location of Borrower. |
The place of business of each New Borrower (or, if such New Borrower has more than one place of business, its chief executive office) is located at the address set forth on the signature page to the First Amendment.
| 6.18 | Insurance. |
The RP LLC Borrower has obtained, and maintained in effect, the insurance coverage required in the “Covenants” section of this Agreement.
| 7. | covenants |
Each Borrower agrees that until the Bank is repaid in full:
| 7.1 | Use of Proceeds. |
| (a) | To use the proceeds of the Term Loan only for distributions permitted hereunder or general non-purpose investments. |
| (b) | The proceeds of the Term Loan may not be used directly or indirectly to purchase or carry any “margin stock” as that term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of |
the Federal Reserve System, or extend credit to or invest in other parties for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such “margin stock”.
| (c) | No proceeds of the Term Loan will be used to purchase any debt or securities issued by an affiliate of the Bank, or to repay indebtedness owing to an affiliate of the Bank. |
| 7.2 | Financial Information. |
To provide the following financial information and statements in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Bank, as reasonably requested by the Bank from time to time (it being understood that any filings and other materials required to be delivered pursuant to the below shall be deemed delivered for purposes of this Agreement when posted to the website of Pubco or the website of the SEC);
| (a) | Within ninety (90) days of the calendar year end, the annual financial statements of the Individual Guarantor. These financial statements may be prepared by the party covered by the financial statements. The Individual Guarantor shall, at the time of delivery of the foregoing financial statements, deliver to the Bank, bank and/or brokerage statements for account of the Individual Guarantor that are not held at the Bank; |
| (b) | Within ninety (90) days of the fiscal year end, the annual financial statements of each Entity Guarantor. These financial statements may be prepared by the entity covered by the financial statements; |
| (c) | To the extent required to be delivered under the Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined herein), and as soon as available, but in any event not later than five (5) banking days after the date such deliveries are required by the Securities Exchange Commission (after giving effect to any extension (such extension not to exceed 20 banking days) of such due date that has been requested and obtained by the RPH Borrower) after the end of each fiscal year of Pubco, the audited consolidated balance sheet of Pubco and its consolidated subsidiaries and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by an independent public accountant of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of the operations of the Pubco and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; |
| (d) | To the extent required to be delivered under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and as soon as available, but in any event not later than five (5) banking days after the date such deliveries are required by the Securities Exchange Commission (after giving effect to any extension (such extension not to exceed 20 banking days) of such due date that has been requested and obtained by the RPH Borrower) after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Pubco, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Pubco and its consolidated subsidiaries and the related statements of operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, |
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by an authorized financial officer of the Pubco as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations of the Pubco and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
| (e) | Within thirty (30) days of filing, and in any event not later than November 30 of each year during the term hereof, copies of the federal income tax return(s) of the Individual Guarantor, including copies of any K-1s and all other schedules, in the form filed with the Internal Revenue Service (as well as any subsequent amendments or supplements); and if requested by the Bank, authentications of such documents (whether in the form of signed copies or otherwise) satisfactory to the Bank or copies of any extensions of the filing date; |
| (f) | The personal financial statements required above shall include a properly completed signed and dated personal financial statement on the Bank’s form with all questions fully answered and all schedules completed in their entirety, including all requested income/expense information, contingent liabilities disclosure; provided that, if the Individual Guarantor or other party uses his/her own automated financial statement, they may supplement the statement with supporting schedules, certifications or other details so that all information requested on the Bank’s financial statement form is provided in lieu of using such form. |
| (g) | Within ninety (90) days of the end of each calendar year, a compliance certificate of the Guarantor, signed by the Individual Guarantor and an authorized financial officer of each Entity Guarantor and setting forth (i) reasonably detailed calculations to establish compliance with the Net Worth covenant at the end of the period covered by the financial statements most recently submitted to the Bank pursuant to Sections 7.2(a) and 7.2(b) hereof and (ii) whether there existed as of the date of such financial statements and whether there exists as of the date of the certificate, any Event of Default under this Agreement applicable to the Guarantor submitting the information and, if any such default exists, specifying the nature thereof and the action the Guarantor is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto. |
Upon reasonable prior notice to the RP LLC Borrower and at reasonable intervals the Bank reserves the right, to request additional financial information of the RP LLC Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing is required to be delivered by the RPH Borrower if not required to be delivered under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
| 7.3 | Maintenance of Assets. |
With respect to Borrower, not to sell, assign, lease, transfer (including transfers to any trusts), encumber or otherwise dispose of (each, a “Transfer”) its assets, other than (i) the payment of cash or in-kind dividends or distributions so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (including, for the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this clause (i), the Transfer to the Individual Guarantor of certain promissory notes issued by certain employees of the Borrower to the Borrower (the “Employee Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount (plus accrued interest) of approximately $15,346,468.96 as of September 30, 2023), (ii) dispositions made in the ordinary course of business, (iii) dispositions for fair market value, (iv) with respect to the RPH Borrower, dispositions and investments expressly permitted under the Revolving Credit Agreement, (v) other dispositions not in excess of $5,000,000 (it being understood that the foregoing shall not restrict the ability of Borrower to make withdrawals from and otherwise access funds in its bank accounts), and (vi) investments permitted to be made by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.19.
| 7.4 | Other Debts. |
Not to have outstanding, or incur, together with the Guarantor, any direct or contingent indebtedness for borrowed money, or become liable for the indebtedness for borrowed money of others, except for Permitted Indebtedness, as defined herein. “Permitted Indebtedness” means indebtedness (i) incurred hereunder, (ii) existing as of the date hereof and disclosed to the Bank as set forth on Schedule I, any contemplated upsizes thereof as set forth on Schedule I, and any refinancings thereof (each, a “Permitted Refinancing”), (iii) with respect to the Individual Guarantor, the Entity Guarantors and/or any other Individual Guarantor Entity, such Indebtedness as permitted pursuant to the Guaranty, (iv) in favor of the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank, (v) with respect to the Borrower, guarantees provided in the ordinary course of business, (vi) with respect to the Borrower, other indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000, (viii) between any of the Individual Guarantor, the Entity Guarantors and/or any other Individual Guarantor Entity, on the one hand, and any of the Individual Guarantor, the Entity Guarantors and/or any other Individual Guarantor Entity, on the other hand, for bona fide estate or tax planning purposes, (ix) with respect to the RPH Borrower, indebtedness existing under that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time through the date hereof, or as hereafter amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified with the consent of the Bank (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), among Pubco, the RPH Borrower, each lender and issuing bank from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent thereunder, the co-syndication agents party thereto and the co-documentation agents party thereto, (x) with respect to the RPH Borrower, any indebtedness expressly permitted under Section 6.01 of the Revolving Credit Agreement, (xi) the guaranty by the RP LLC Borrower of the Revolving Credit Agreement and each applicable series of RPH Borrower’s senior unsecured notes, and (xii) incurred with the Bank’s prior written consent;
| 7.5 | Notices to Bank. |
To notify the Bank in writing:
| (a) | Promptly of any pending lawsuit over ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND Dollars ($100,000) against the RP LLC Borrower or any Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower) that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties of the RP LLC Borrower or any Obligor. |
| (b) | Promptly of any substantial dispute between any governmental authority and the RP LLC Borrower or any Obligor that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), |
operations or properties of the RP LLC Borrower or any Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower).
| (c) | Promptly, but in any event within five (5) banking days, of any Event of Default under this Agreement, or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default. |
| (d) | Promptly, but in any event within five (5) banking days, of the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or governmental authority against or affecting Pubco or any subsidiary thereof that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. |
| (e) | Promptly of any material adverse change in the RP LLC Borrower’s or any Obligor’s (other than the RPH Borrower’s) business condition (financial or otherwise), operations, properties or prospects, or ability to repay the credit. |
| (f) | Promptly of any change in any Borrower’s or any Obligor’s name, legal structure, principal residence (for an individual), state of registration (for a registered entity), place of business, or chief executive office if the Borrower or any Obligor has more than one place of business. |
| (g) | Promptly of any actual contingent liabilities of the RP LLC Borrower or any Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower) for the payment of money in excess of $1,000,000, including any Permitted Indebtedness. |
| (h) | Promptly of any proposed amendment to the RP LLC Borrower’s Organizational Documents; a copy of any such proposed amendment shall be provided to the Bank prior to the execution thereof by RP LLC Borrower. |
For purposes of this Agreement, “Obligor” shall mean any Borrower, any guarantor, any party pledging collateral to the Bank, or, if any Borrower is comprised of the trustees of a trust, any trustor.
| 7.6 | Other Liens. |
Not to create, assume, or allow any security interest or lien (including judicial liens) on any property any Borrower or any Guarantor now or later owns without the Bank's written consent. This does not prohibit:
| (a) | Liens and security interests in favor of the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank; |
| (b) | Liens for taxes not yet due; |
| (c) | Liens and security interests (i) existing as of the date hereof and disclosed to the Bank in writing as set forth on Schedule I, (ii) created in any Permitted Refinancing, and (iii) created pursuant to the 2023 MS Facility (as defined in the Guaranty) or any upsize thereof as contemplated by Section 21(d) of the Guaranty; |
| (d) | (i) Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’ or other like liens, securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in good faith and (ii) Liens that are customary contractual rights of set-off; |
| (e) | (i) Liens made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations and (ii) Liens securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance; |
| (f) | Liens securing judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default; |
| (g) | Liens of (x) the Borrower not securing indebtedness for borrowed money on account of amounts not exceeding $5,000,000 and (y) the Guarantors not securing indebtedness for borrowed money on account of amounts not exceeding $10,000,000; |
| (i) | Liens and security interests securing Permitted Indebtedness allowed under clause (iii), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix) or (x) of such term; or |
| (j) | Liens and security interests not prohibited by the Revolving Credit Agreement as in effect on the First Amendment Effective Date. |
| 7.7 | Compliance with Laws. |
To comply with the laws (including any fictitious or trade name statute), regulations, and orders of any government body with authority over any Borrower’s business, except (a) with respect to the RP LLC Borrower, where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties of the RP LLC Borrower or (b) with respect to the RPH Borrower, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Bank’s obligation to make the Term Loan to the Borrower hereunder shall be subject to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and the Borrower shall fully cooperate with the Bank in complying with all such applicable laws and regulations.
| 7.8 | Ownership. |
| (a) | The RPH Borrower shall maintain ownership of at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests of the RP LLC Borrower. “Equity Interests” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such person, including any preferred stock. |
| (b) | The Individual Guarantor shall maintain ownership of at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Class A membership interests in each Entity Guarantor. |
| 7.9 | Books and Records. |
To maintain adequate books and records.
| 7.10 | Audits. |
To allow the Bank and its agents to inspect each Borrower’s properties and examine, audit, and make copies of books and records upon reasonable prior notice, during normal business hours and at reasonable intervals provided that, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such visits and inspections can occur no more frequently than once per year. Each New Borrower, on a joint and several basis, shall be required to reimburse the Bank for the cost of any such examinations or appraisals which are conducted not more frequently than one in any fiscal year. If any of the Borrower’s properties, books or records are in the possession of a third party, the Borrower authorizes that third party to permit the Bank or its agents to have access to perform inspections or audits and to respond to the Bank’s requests for information concerning such properties, books and records.
7.11 Financial Covenants. All capitalized terms in this Section 7.11 that are not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
(a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Borrower will cause Holdings to not permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of Holdings (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2025) to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00; provided that upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a QMA Notice and subject to the limitations set forth in the definition of Qualifying Material Acquisition, such ratio shall be increased by 0.50 to 1.00 for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately after the applicable Consummation Date; provided, further, that (x) if the Consummation Date is the last day of a fiscal quarter, subject to clause (y), the increased ratio set forth above shall apply as of such date and the three consecutive immediately following fiscal quarters and (y) if the applicable QMA Notice Date occurs after the date on which the financial statements for the fiscal quarter (or, if applicable, fiscal year) ended immediately after (or, if applicable, on) the applicable Consummation Date are due pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) or (b) of the Revolving Credit Agreement, such increased ratio shall only apply for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately after such initial fiscal quarter ended immediately after (or, if applicable, on) the applicable Consummation Date; provided, further, that (i) such increase in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be limited to three uses (plus one additional time following an extension of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date pursuant to an Extended Revolving Commitment) and (ii) there must be at least two consecutive fiscal quarters not subject to such increase in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio between such uses.
(b) Consolidated Coverage Ratio. Borrower will cause Holdings to not permit the Consolidated Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of Holdings (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2025) to be less than 2.50 to 1.00.
(c) Consolidated Portfolio Cash Flow Ratio.
Borrower will cause Holdings to not permit the Consolidated Portfolio Cash Flow Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of Holdings (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025) to be greater than 5.00 to 1.00; provided that upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a QMA Notice and subject to the limitations set forth in the definition of Qualifying Material Acquisition, such ratio shall be increased by 0.50 to 1.00 for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately after the applicable Consummation Date; provided, further, that (x) if the Consummation Date is the last day of a fiscal quarter, subject to clause (y), the increased ratio set forth above shall apply as of such date and the three consecutive immediately following fiscal quarters and (y) if the applicable QMA Notice Date occurs after the date on which the financial statements for the fiscal quarter (or, if applicable, fiscal year) ended immediately after (or, if applicable, on) the applicable Consummation Date are due pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) or (b) of the Revolving Credit Agreement, such increased ratio shall only apply for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately after such initial fiscal quarter ended immediately after (or, if applicable, on) the applicable Consummation Date; provided, further, that (i) such increase in the Consolidated Portfolio Cash Flow Ratio shall be limited to three uses (plus one additional time following an extension of the Revolving Credit Maturity Date pursuant to an Extended Revolving Commitment) and (ii) there must be at least two consecutive fiscal quarters not subject to such increase in the Consolidated Portfolio Cash Flow Ratio between such uses.
| 7.12 | Cooperation. |
To take any action reasonably requested by the Bank to carry out the intent of this Agreement.
| 7.13 | Patriot Act; Beneficial Ownership Regulation. |
Promptly following any request therefor, to provide information and documentation reasonably requested by the Bank for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
| 7.14 | [Reserved]. |
| 7.15 | [Reserved]. |
| 7.16 | [Reserved.] |
| 7.17 | Insurance. |
(a) General Business Insurance. Solely with respect to the RP LLC Borrower, to maintain insurance reasonably satisfactory to the Bank that is usual and customary for companies engaged in the same or similar business as Borrower.
(b) Evidence of Insurance. Solely with respect to the RP LLC Borrower, upon the request of the Bank, to deliver to the Bank a copy of each insurance policy, or, if permitted by the Bank, a certificate of insurance listing all insurance in force.
| 7.18 | [Reserved.] |
| 7.19 | Investments. |
Not to have any existing, or make any new, investments in any individual or entity, or make any capital contributions or other transfers of assets to any individual or entity, except for:
(a) (i) Employee Notes with an aggregate principal amount (plus accrued interest) of approximately $15,991,480.70 as of September 30, 2023 and (ii) other existing investments disclosed to the Bank in writing prior to the date of this Agreement;
(b) Investments (including capital contributions, making of loans, or extensions of credit) in existing or newly formed subsidiaries of the Borrower which engage in the Borrower’s existing line of business, including for the avoidance of doubt, investments in Royalty Pharma Sub-Manager, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;
(c) Transfers or contributions of RP Assets to the RP Management Equity Incentive Plan Trust and for the avoidance of doubt, transfers permitted by Section 7.3;
(d) Investments in any of the following:
(i) certificates of deposit;
(ii) U.S. treasury bills and other obligations of the federal government;
(iii) RP Assets; and
(iii) readily marketable securities (including commercial paper, but excluding restricted stock and stock subject to the provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission); or
(e) with respect to the RPH Borrower and its subsidiaries (other than the RP LLC Borrower), other investments expressly permitted under Section 6.05 of the Revolving Credit Agreement.
| 7.20 | Additional Negative Covenants. |
Not to, without the Bank’s written consent:
(a) Consummate any consolidation, merger, or other combination;
(b) Acquire or purchase a business or its assets;
(c) Engage in any business activities substantially different from the Borrower’s present business; or
(d) Liquidate or dissolve any Obligor’s business;
except, in each case, to the extent expressly permitted under Section 6.03 of the Revolving Credit Agreement.
| 8. | default and remedies |
If any of the following events of default (each, an “Event of Default”) occurs, the Bank may do one or more of the following: declare the Borrower in default and require the Borrower to repay its entire debt immediately. In addition, if any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies available under any instruments and agreements required by or executed in connection with this Agreement, as well as all rights and remedies available at law or in equity.
If an Event of Default occurs under the paragraph entitled “Bankruptcy,” below, with respect to any Borrower or any Obligor, then, without further notice, the entire debt outstanding under this Agreement will automatically be due immediately.
| 8.1 | Failure to Pay. |
The Borrower fails to make (i) a payment of principal under this Agreement when due or (ii) a payment of interest, fees, expenses or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder within five (5) banking days following due date thereof.
| 8.2 | Other Bank Agreements. |
(i) Any default occurs under any other document executed or delivered in connection with this Agreement, including without limitation, any note, guaranty, or subordination agreement, and such default continues unremedied for a period of five (5) banking days following the Bank’s notice thereof to the Borrower; (ii) any default occurs under any Swap Obligation which any Borrower enters into with the Bank (including without limitation any Master Agreement or confirmation related thereto, subject to any applicable cure period for the Borrower as specified therein); (iii) any Obligor purports to revoke or disavow any guaranty agreement provided in connection with this Agreement; (iv) any representation or warranty made by any Obligor is false when made or deemed to be made; or (v) any default occurs under any other agreement any Borrower (or any Obligor) or any of any Borrower's related entities or affiliates has with the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank. “Obligations” means all obligations, now or hereafter existing, of any Borrower or any Obligor to the Bank under this Agreement and under any other Loan Document, and all Swap Obligations. “Swap Obligation” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
| 8.3 | Cross-default. |
(i) Any default occurs under any agreement in connection with any credit the RP LLC Borrower (or any Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower)) has obtained from anyone else or which the RP LLC Borrower (or any Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower)) has guaranteed in the amount of ONE MILLION Dollars ($1,000,000) or more in the aggregate if the default is not cured within ten (10) banking days and the effect of which is to cause, or to permit the RP LLC Borrower’s (or any Obligor’s (other than the RPH Borrower’s)) counterparties thereunder to cause, the acceleration of the RP LLC Borrower’s (or any Obligor’s (other than the RPH Borrower’s)) obligations thereunder; or (ii) any default occurs under any agreement in connection with any credit the RPH Borrower has obtained from anyone else or which the RPH Borrower has guaranteed in the amount of ONE HUNDRED MILLION Dollars ($100,000,000) or more in the aggregate if the default is not cured within ten (10) banking days and the effect of which is to cause, or to permit the RPH Borrower’s counterparties to cause, the acceleration of the RPH Borrower’s obligations thereunder.
| 8.4 | False Information. |
Any representation or warranty made by any Borrower or any Obligor in this Agreement, any Loan Document or any other agreement, document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, shall prove to have been incorrect or false in any material respect as of the date made or deemed made.
| 8.5 | Bankruptcy. |
Any Borrower or any Obligor files a bankruptcy petition, a bankruptcy petition is filed against any of the foregoing parties, or any Borrower or any Obligor makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, which continues undismissed or undischarged for a period of forty-five (45) days after the filing; provided, however, that such cure opportunity will be terminated upon the entry of an order for relief in any bankruptcy case arising from such a petition.
| 8.6 | Receivers. |
A receiver or similar official is appointed for a substantial portion of any Borrower’s or any Obligor’s business, or the business is terminated, or, if any Borrower or any Obligor is anything other than a natural person, such Borrower or such Obligor is liquidated or dissolved.
| 8.7 | [Reserved]. |
| 8.8 | Judgments. |
(i) Any final judgments or arbitration awards for the payment of money are entered against the RP LLC Borrower or any Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower), or the RP LLC Borrower or any Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower) enters into any settlement agreements with respect to any litigation or arbitration, in an aggregate amount of ONE MILLION Dollars ($1,000,000) or more in excess of any insurance coverage, that is not paid by the RP LLC Borrower or applicable Obligor (other than the RPH Borrower), as the case may be, within thirty (30) days of the entry thereof; or (ii) any final judgments or arbitration awards for the payment of money are entered against the RPH Borrower, or the RPH Borrower enters into any settlement agreements with respect to any litigation or arbitration, in an aggregate amount of ONE HUNDRED MILLION Dollars ($100,000,000) or more in excess of any insurance coverage, that is not paid by the RPH Borrower within thirty (30) days of the entry thereof
| 8.9 | Material Adverse Change. |
A material adverse change occurs, or is reasonably likely to occur, in any Borrower’s (or any Obligor’s) business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties, or ability to repay the credit.
| 8.10 | Government Action. |
Any government authority takes action that the Bank believes materially adversely affects any Borrower’s or any Obligor’s financial condition or ability to repay the Term Loan.
| 8.11 | Default under Related Documents. |
Any default occurs under any guaranty, subordination agreement, any Loan Document or other document required by or delivered in connection with this Agreement and such default continues unremedied for a period of five (5) banking days following the Bank’s notice thereof to the Borrower or any such document is no longer in effect, or any Obligor purports to revoke or disavow the guaranty; or any representation or warranty made by any Obligor is false in any material respect when made or deemed to be made.
| 8.12 | Change in Ownership. |
If at any time (a) the RPH Borrower ceases to maintain ownership of at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests of the RP LLC Borrower or (b) the Individual Guarantor ceases to serve as general manager, as described in the operating agreement of the applicable Entity Guarantor, of either Entity Guarantor (other than in each case, due to circumstances covered under Section 8.15 hereof).
| 8.13 | [Reserved]. |
| 8.14 | [Reserved]. |
| 8.15 | Death. |
The Individual Guarantor dies or becomes legally incompetent and, within sixty (60) days thereafter, a validly appointed representative of the estate fails to submit a present plan of repayment that is satisfactory to the Bank in its sole discretion.
| 9. | enforcing this agreement; miscellaneous |
| 9.1 | GAAP. |
Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, all financial information provided to the Bank and all financial covenants will be made under generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied (“GAAP”).
| 9.2 | Governing Law; Venue and Jurisdiction. |
This Agreement is governed by and shall be interpreted according to federal law and the laws of New York. If state or local law and federal law are inconsistent, or if state or local law is preempted by federal law, federal law governs.
If the Bank has greater rights or remedies under federal law, whether as a national bank or otherwise, this paragraph shall not be deemed to deprive the Bank of such rights and remedies as may be available under federal law. Each Borrower agrees that any action or suit against the Bank arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be filed in federal court or state court located in the State of New York. Each Borrower agrees that the Bank shall not be deemed to have waived its rights to enforce this section by filing an action or suit against any Borrower or any Obligor in a venue outside of the State of New York. If the Bank does commence an action or suit arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each Borrower agrees that the case may be filed in federal court or state court in the State of New York. The Bank reserves the right to commence an action or suit in any other jurisdiction where any Borrower or any other Obligor has any presence or is located. Each Borrower consents to personal jurisdiction and venue and the convenience of any such forum. The provisions of this section are material inducements to the Bank’s acceptance of this Agreement.
| 9.3 | Successors and Assigns. |
This Agreement is binding on each Borrower’s and the Bank’s successors and permitted assignees. Each Borrower agrees that it may not assign this Agreement without the Bank’s prior consent. The Bank may sell participations in or assign all or part of the Term Loan, and may exchange information about the Borrower (including, without limitation, any information regarding any hazardous substances) with actual or potential participants or assignees; provided that such actual or potential participants or assignees shall agree to treat all financial information exchanged as confidential; provided, further, that, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Bank may not assign this Agreement or any of its Obligations hereunder without the Borrower’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, and such consent not to be required for any sale or assignment to an affiliate of the Bank or for any pledge to the Federal Reserve Bank). If a participation is sold or all or any part of the Term Loan is assigned, the purchaser will have the right of set-off against the Borrower.
| 9.4 | Waiver of Jury Trial. |
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION AND (C) CERTIFIES THAT THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY MADE.
| 9.5 | Waiver of Class Actions. |
The terms “Claim” or “Claims” refer to any disputes, controversies, claims, counterclaims, allegations of liability, theories of damage, or defenses between Bank of America, N.A., its subsidiaries and affiliates, on the one hand, and the other parties to this Agreement, on the other hand (all of the foregoing each being referred to as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”). Whether in state court, federal court, or any other venue, jurisdiction, or before any tribunal, the Parties agree that all aspects of litigation and trial of any Claim will take place without resort to any form of class or representative action. Thus the Parties may only bring Claims against each other in an individual capacity and waive any right they may have to do so as a class representative or a class member in a class or representative action. THIS CLASS ACTION WAIVER PRECLUDES ANY PARTY FROM PARTICIPATING IN OR BEING REPRESENTED IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION REGARDING A CLAIM.
| 9.6 | Severability; Waivers. |
If any part of this Agreement is not enforceable, the rest of the Agreement may be enforced. The Bank retains all rights. If the Bank waives a default, it may enforce a later default. Any consent or waiver under this Agreement must be in writing.
| 9.7 | Expenses; Attorneys’ Fees. |
The New Borrowers, jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Bank for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and attorneys’ fees incurred by the Bank in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement, any Loan Document and any other documents executed in connection with this Agreement, and in connection with any amendment, waiver, “workout” or restructuring under this Agreement. In the event of a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding, the prevailing party is entitled to recover out-of-pocket costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the lawsuit or arbitration proceeding, as determined by the court or arbitrator. In the event that any case is commenced by or against any Borrower or any Obligor under the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code) or any similar or successor statute, the Bank is entitled to recover out-of-pocket costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the Bank related to the preservation, protection, or enforcement of any rights of the Bank in such a case.
| 9.8 | Individual Liability. |
If any New Borrower is a natural person, the Bank may proceed against such New Borrower’s business and non-business property in enforcing this and other agreements relating to the Term Loan. If any New Borrower is a partnership, the Bank may proceed against the business and non-business property of each general partner of such New Borrower in enforcing this and other agreements relating to the Term Loan.
| 9.9 | Set-Off. |
| (a) | In addition to any rights and remedies of the Bank provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default under this Agreement, the Bank is authorized, at any time, to set off and apply any and all Deposits (as herein defined) of any Borrower or any Obligor held by the Bank or its affiliates against any and all Obligations |
then due and owing to the Bank. The set-off may be made irrespective of whether or not the Bank shall have made demand under this Agreement or any guaranty, and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of the applicable Deposits and without regard for the availability or adequacy of other collateral. Any Deposits may be converted, sold or otherwise liquidated at prevailing market prices in order to effect such set-off.
| (b) | The set-off may be made without prior notice to the Borrower or any other party, any such notice being waived by the Borrower (on its own behalf and on behalf of each Obligor) to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Bank agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such set-off and application; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. |
| (c) | For the purposes of this paragraph, “Deposits” means any deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, individual or joint) as well as any money, instruments, securities, credits, claims, demands, income or other property, rights or interests owned by any Borrower or any Obligor which come into the possession or custody or under the control of the Bank or its affiliates. |
| 9.10 | One Agreement. |
This Agreement and any other agreements required by this Agreement, collectively:
| (a) | represent the sum of the understandings and agreements between the Bank and the Borrower concerning this credit; |
| (b) | replace any prior oral or written agreements between the Bank and the Borrower concerning this credit; and |
| (c) | are intended by the Bank and the Borrower as the final, complete and exclusive statement of the terms agreed to by them. |
In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any other agreements required by this Agreement, this Agreement will prevail. Any reference in any related document to a “promissory note” or a “note” executed by the Borrower and dated as of the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, renewed, or restated.
| 9.11 | Indemnification. |
The New Borrowers, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold the Bank harmless from any loss, liability, damages, judgments, and costs of any kind relating to or arising directly or indirectly out of (a) this Agreement, any Loan Document or any document required hereunder, (b) any credit extended by the Bank to the Borrower hereunder, and (c) any litigation or proceeding related to or arising out of this Agreement, any Loan Document, any such document, or any such credit, except, in each case, to the extent arising from the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Bank or any of the other Indemnified Persons (as defined below). This indemnity includes but is not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees. This indemnity extends to the Bank, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates and all of their directors, officers, employees, agents, successors, attorneys, and assigns (collectively, “Indemnified Persons”).
This indemnity will survive repayment of the Borrower’s Obligations to the Bank. All sums due to the Bank hereunder shall be Obligations of the Borrower, due and payable immediately without demand.
| 9.12 | Notices. |
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or in another agreement between the Bank and the Borrower, all notices required under this Agreement shall be personally delivered or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier, to the addresses on the signature page of this Agreement (or, with respect to the New Borrowers, on the signature page to the First Amendment), or sent by facsimile to the fax numbers listed on such signature page, or to such other addresses as the Bank and the Borrower may specify from time to time in writing. Notices and other communications shall be effective (i) if mailed, upon the earlier of receipt or five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid, (ii) if telecopied, when transmitted, or (iii) if hand-delivered, by courier or otherwise (including telegram, lettergram or mailgram), when delivered.
| 9.13 | Headings. |
Article and paragraph headings are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation or meaning of any provisions of this Agreement.
| 9.14 | Counterparts. |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement (or of any agreement or document required by this Agreement and any amendment to this Agreement) by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement; provided, however, that the telecopy or other electronic image shall be promptly followed by an original if required by the Bank.
| 9.15 | Borrower Information; Reporting to Credit Bureaus. |
The Borrower authorizes the Bank at any time to verify or check any information given by the Borrower to the Bank, check the Borrower’s credit references, verify employment, and obtain credit reports. The Borrower agrees that the Bank shall have the right at all times to disclose and report to credit reporting agencies and credit rating agencies such information pertaining to the Borrower and/or all Obligors as is consistent with the Bank’s policies and practices from time to time in effect.
Bank agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its affiliates and to its and its affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or participant in, or any prospective assignee of or participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its Obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Bank, or any of its affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.
For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any affiliate of Borrower relating to the Borrower or any affiliate or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any affiliate. Any person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such person would accord to its own confidential information.
Bank acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or an affiliate, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable law, including United States federal and state securities Laws.
| 9.16 | Limitation of Interest and Other Charges. |
If, at any time, the rate of interest, together with all amounts which constitute interest and which are reserved, charged or taken by the Bank as compensation for fees, services or expenses incidental to the making, negotiating or collection of the Term Loan evidenced hereby, shall be deemed by any competent court of law, governmental agency or tribunal to exceed the maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged by the Bank to the Borrower under applicable law, then, during such time as such rate of interest would be deemed excessive, that portion of each sum paid attributable to that portion of such interest rate that exceeds the maximum rate of interest so permitted shall be deemed a voluntary prepayment of principal. As used herein, the term “applicable law” shall mean the law in effect as of the date hereof; provided, however, that in the event there is a change in the law which results in a higher permissible rate of interest, then this Agreement shall be governed by such new law as of its effective date.
| 9.17 | Amendment and Restatement. |
Notwithstanding that this Agreement is amending and restating the Existing Loan Agreement, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to cause a novation of any transfers, conveyances or transactions which were effected under the Existing Loan Agreement or of any Obligations.
| 9.18 | Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. |
To the extent that this Agreement and any other Loan Document executed in connection with this Agreement provides support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Obligation or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the Governing Law State and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
(a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) As used in this paragraph, the following terms have the following meanings:
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
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Signature page follows.]
Exhibit 10.2
DATED: MAY 2025
AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT
between
ROYALTY PHARMA PLC
AND
ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD
AND
RPI US PARTNERS 2019, LP
AND
RPI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS 2019, LP
AND
RPI INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 2019, LP
AND
RPI US FEEDER 2019, LP
AND
RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019, LP
AND
RPI EPA VEHICLE, LLC
AND
THE INTERNALIZATION SHAREHOLDERS
AND
PL RPH AIV, LLC
in relation to an Exchange Agreement dated 16 June 2020, as amended and restated on 29 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 THIS AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT is entered into as a deed on 16 May 2025 (the “Deed”)
| (1) | ROYALTY PHARMA PLC, a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 12446913 and with its registered office at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS13 8AE (“Parent”); |
| (2) | ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 12453789 and with its registered office at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS13 8AE (“Holdings”); |
| (3) | RPI US PARTNERS 2019, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Continuing US Investors Partnership”); |
| (4) | RPI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “Continuing International Investors Partnership”); |
| (5) | RPI INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“RPI International Partners” and together with Continuing International Investors Partnership and Continuing US Investors Partnership, the “Continuing Investors Partnerships”); |
| (6) | RPI US FEEDER 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Cayman Sub”); |
| (7) | RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Delaware Sub”); and |
| (8) | RPI EPA VEHICLE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EPA Vehicle”); |
| (9) | PL RPH HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“PL RPH”); |
| (10) | RP MIP (CAYMAN), LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“RP MIP SPV”, and, together with PL RPH, the “Internalization Shareholders”); and |
| (11) | PL RPH AIV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “AIV”), |
(together, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”).
WHEREAS:
| (A) | The Parties (other than the Internalization Shareholders and the AIV) are parties to an exchange agreement dated 16 June 2020, as amended and restated on 29 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 (the “Original Exchange Agreement”). |
| (B) | On or around the date of this Agreement, in accordance with the terms of a purchase agreement entered into on 10 January 2025 between, among others, Holdings and the Sellers (as defined therein), as amended, Holdings issued certain Holdings E Shares for the benefit of the Sellers, or their nominees, which are, or will be, held indirectly by the Internalization Shareholders (and directly by the Depositary, which will issue, or has issued, corresponding Holdings E DRs to the Internalization Shareholders) (the “Internalization Share Issuance”). |
| (C) | Except as set out in this Recital and in Recital (D) below, the Holdings E Shares to be issued as a result of the Internalization Share Issuance have the same rights under the Holdings Articles as the Holdings B Shares. However, the holders of the Holdings E Shares are not, and will not be, able to exercise an Exchange Right in respect of any Holdings E Shares in the manner contemplated by the Original Exchange Agreement. |
| (D) | The Holdings E Shares will be subject to vesting conditions, and, upon satisfaction of the relevant vesting conditions and due delivery of a Re-Designation Notice (as defined in the Holdings Articles), the Holdings Articles require that a specified number of Holdings E Shares will be re-designated by Holdings as Holdings B Shares (with the Holdings E DRs similarly re-designated as Holdings B DRs). If an Internalization Shareholder fails to meet the relevant vesting conditions, then the Holdings Articles provide that the relevant number of Holdings E Shares will be re-designated as Deferred Shares, in which case the corresponding Holdings E DRs will be cancelled. |
| (E) | On or around the date of this Agreement, a Continuing Investor elected to redeem certain LP Interests in exchange for an in specie distribution in the form of Holdings B DRs and Parent B Shares which, as at the date of this Agreement, are held on the Continuing Investor’s behalf by the AIV (the “AIV DR Transfer”), with the underlying Holdings B Shares remaining held directly by the Depositary. |
| (F) | In connection with the implementation of the Internalization Share Issuance, any subsequent re-designation of Holdings E Shares into Holdings B Shares following the satisfaction of any applicable vesting conditions, and the implementation of the AIV DR Transfer, the Parties have agreed to amend and restate the Original Exchange Agreement on the terms set out in this Deed, including adding the Internalization Shareholders and the AIV as parties to the Restated Exchange Agreement. |
THIS DEED WITNESSES as follows:
| 1. | Interpretation |
| 1.1 | Terms defined in the Original Exchange Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this Deed, unless defined below. In addition, the definitions below apply in this Deed. |
“AIV DR Transfer” has the meaning given in Recital (E);
“Deferred Shares” means the deferred shares in the capital of Holdings; “Internalization Share Issuance” has the meaning given in Recital (B);
“Holdings E DRs” means the depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to the Internalization Shareholders in respect of the Holdings E Shares;
“Holdings E Shares” means the non-voting class E ordinary shares in the capital of Holdings issued pursuant to the Internalization Share Issuance;
“Original Exchange Agreement” has the meaning given in Recital (A);
“Parent B Shares” means the voting class B shares of US$0.000001 each in the capital of Parent as at the date hereof; and
“Restated Exchange Agreement” means the Original Exchange Agreement, as amended and restated by this Deed in the form set out in Schedule 1.
| 1.2 | The rules of interpretation set out in the Original Exchange Agreement shall apply to this Deed as if set out in this Deed, save that references in the Original Exchange Agreement to “this Agreement” shall be construed as references to this Deed. |
| 1.3 | In this Deed: |
| (a) | any reference to a “clause” or “Schedule” is, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a clause or Schedule of this Deed; and |
| (b) | clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only. |
| 1.4 | The Schedules form part of this Deed and shall have effect as set out in full in the body of this Deed. Any reference to this Deed includes the Schedules. |
| 2. | Restatement of the Original Exchange Agreement |
With effect from the date of this Deed, the Original Exchange Agreement shall be amended and restated in the form set out in Schedule 1 so that the rights and obligations of the parties to the Restated Exchange Agreement shall, on and from such date, be governed by and construed in accordance with the provisions of the Restated Exchange Agreement.
| 3. | Miscellaneous and counterparts |
| 3.1 | The provisions of clauses 9 to 14 and clause 18 of the Original Exchange Agreement shall apply to this Deed as if set out herein in full and so that references in those provisions to “this Agreement” shall be construed as references to this Deed and references to “party” or “parties” shall be construed as references to a Party or Parties to this Deed. |
| 3.2 | This Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall constitute a duplicate original, but all of the counterparts shall together constitute one agreement. |
| 3.3 | Transmission of an executed counterpart of this Deed (but for the avoidance of doubt not just a signature page) by e-mail (in PDF, JPEG or other agreed format) shall take effect as delivery of an executed counterpart of this Deed. If either method of delivery is adopted, without prejudice to the validity of the Deed thus made, each Party shall provide the other Parties with the original of such counterpart as soon as reasonably possible thereafter. |
| 3.4 | No counterpart shall be effective until each Party has executed and delivered at least one counterpart. |
| 4. | Third party rights |
| 4.1 | A person who is not a Party to this Deed shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of the terms of this Deed. |
| 4.2 | The rights of the Parties to terminate, rescind or agree any variation, waiver or settlement under this Deed are not subject to the consent of any other person. |
| 5. | Governing law |
This Deed and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
| 6. | Jurisdiction |
Each Party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with this Deed or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims).
This Deed has been entered into and delivered on the date stated at the beginning of it.
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
by ROYALTY PHARMA PLC
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Director |
IN THE PRESENCE OF:
| /s/ Jacqueline Ostendorf | |
| Witness’s signature: | |
| Witness’s name: Jacqueline Ostendorf | |
|
Witness’s address: 110 E. 59th Street Suite 3300 New York, NY 10022 |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
by ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD
| By: | /s/ George W. Lloyd | |
| Name: | George W. Lloyd | |
| Title: | Director |
IN THE PRESENCE OF:
| /s/ Jacqueline Ostendorf | |
| Witness’s signature: | |
| Witness’s name: Jacqueline Ostendorf | |
|
Witness’s address: 110 E. 59th Street Suite 3300 New York, NY 10022 |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
RPI US PARTNERS 2019, LP
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS, LP, its general partner
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS HOLDCO 2019, LLC, its general partner
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Managing Member |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
RPI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS 2019, LP
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS, LP, its general partner
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS HOLDCO 2019, LLC, its general partner
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Managing Member |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
RPI INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 2019, LP
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS, LP, its general partner
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS HOLDCO 2019, LLC, its general partner
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Managing Member |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
RPI US FEEDER 2019, LP
By: RPI US FEEDER 2019 GP LIMITED, its general partner
| By: | /s/ George W. Lloyd | |
| Name: | George W. Lloyd | |
| Title: | Director |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019, LP
By: RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019 GP LIMITED, its general partner
| By: | /s/ George W. Lloyd | |
| Name: | George W. Lloyd | |
| Title: | Director |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
RPI EPA VEHICLE, LLC
| By: | /s/ George W. Lloyd | |
| Name: | George W. Lloyd | |
| Title: | Director |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
PL RPH HOLDINGS, LLC
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Managing Member |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RP MIP (CAYMAN), LP
By: RP MIP (CAYMAN) GP LIMITED, its general partner
| By: | /s/ George W. Lloyd | |
| Name: | George W. Lloyd | |
| Title: | Director |
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
PL RPH AIV, LLC
By: RPI EPA Holdings, LP, its manager
By:RPI EPA Holdings HoldCo 2019, LLC, its general partner
| By: | /s/ Pablo Legorreta | |
| Name: | Pablo Legorreta | |
| Title: | Managing Member |
Schedule 1
Form of Restated Exchange Agreement
|
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
|
|
ROYALTY PHARMA PLC
AND
ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD
AND
RPI US PARTNERS 2019, LP
AND
RPI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS 2019, LP
AND
RPI INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 2019, LP
AND
RPI US FEEDER 2019, LP
AND
RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019, LP
AND
RPI EPA VEHICLE, LLC
AND
THE INTERNALIZATION SHAREHOLDERS
AND
PL RPH AIV, LLC
|
|
Eighth Floor
|
CONTENTS
| CLAUSE | PAGE | |
| 1 | Interpretation | 2 |
| 2 | Investor Exchange | 7 |
| 3 | EPA Exchange | 10 |
| 4 | Direct Shareholder Exchange | 11 |
| 5 | Adjustments to Exchange Rate | 13 |
| 6 | Transfer Restrictions | 14 |
| 7 | Restrictions on Exchanges | 14 |
| 8 | Share Capital | 14 |
| 9 | Assignment and Other Dealings | 15 |
| 10 | Entire Agreement; Effective Date | 16 |
| 11 | Variation and Waiver | 16 |
| 12 | Costs and Expenses | 16 |
| 13 | Notices | 17 |
| 14 | Severance | 20 |
| 15 | Third Party Rights | 20 |
| 16 | Further Assurances | 20 |
| 17 | Counterparts | 20 |
| 18 | Governing Law and Jurisdiction | 20 |
| 19 | Tax Treatment | 20 |
THIS EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as a deed and is made on 16 June 2020, as amended and restated on (i) 29 December 2023 (the “First Amendment and Restatement Date”), (ii) 31 December 2024 (the “Second Amendment and Restatement Date”), and (iii) as further amended and restated on 16 May 2025 (the “Third Amendment and Restatement Date”).
BETWEEN:
| (1) | ROYALTY PHARMA PLC, a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 12446913 and with its registered office at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS13 8AE (“Parent”); |
| (2) | ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 12453789 and with its registered office at The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS13 8AE (“Holdings”); |
| (3) | RPI US PARTNERS 2019, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Continuing US Investors Partnership”); |
| (4) | RPI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “Continuing International Investors Partnership”); |
| (5) | RPI INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“RPI International Partners” and together with Continuing International Investors Partnership and Continuing US Investors Partnership, the “Continuing Investors Partnerships”); |
| (6) | RPI US FEEDER 2019, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Cayman Sub”); |
| (7) | RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Delaware Sub”, and together with Cayman Sub, the “NewCo Subs”); |
| (8) | RPI EPA VEHICLE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“EPA Vehicle”); |
| (9) | PL RPH HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“PL RPH”); |
| (10) | RP MIP (CAYMAN), LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“RP MIP SPV”, and, together with PL RPH, the “Internalization Shareholders”); and |
| (11) | PL RPH AIV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “AIV”). |
RECITALS:
| (A) | In connection with the initial public offering of Parent A Shares (the “IPO”), the Parent consummated the transactions described in Recitals (B) and (C) below and in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 originally filed with the Commission on 22 May 2020, as amended (Registration No. 333-238632). |
| (B) | In connection with the IPO (i) the Continuing Investors Partnerships hold Parent B Shares directly or indirectly, and (ii) Holdings issued Holdings B Shares which were held indirectly by the Continuing Investors Partnerships (and directly by the Depositary, |
who issued Holdings B DRs to RPI International Partners and the Continuing US Investors Partnership).
| (C) | In connection with the IPO, Holdings also issued the Holdings C Share to RPI EPA Holdings, LP (“EPA Holdings”), which, through a transfer of the Holdings C Share made in connection with a restructuring consummated on or about the Second Amendment and Restatement Date, is now held by EPA Vehicle, and entitles EPA Vehicle to bonus issuances of EPA B Shares by Holdings (to be issued to the Depositary, who will issue EPA B DRs to EPA Vehicle) from time to time, in accordance with the terms of the Holdings Articles. |
| (D) | On or around the Third Amendment and Restatement Date, in accordance with the terms of a purchase agreement entered into on 10 January 2025 between, among others, Holdings and the Sellers (as defined therein), as amended, Holdings issued certain Holdings E Shares for the benefit of the Sellers, or their nominees, which are held indirectly by the Internalization Shareholders (and directly by the Depositary, which issued corresponding Holdings E DRs to the Internalization Shareholders) (the “Internalization Share Issuance”). |
| (E) | Except as set out in this Recital and in Recital (F) below, the Holdings E Shares issued as a result of the Internalization Share Issuance have the same rights under the Holdings Articles as the Holdings B Shares. However, the holders of the Holdings E Shares are not, and will not be, able to exercise an Exchange Right in respect of any Holdings E Shares in the manner contemplated by this Agreement. |
| (F) | The Holdings E Shares will be subject to vesting conditions, and, upon satisfaction of the relevant vesting conditions and due delivery of a Re-Designation Notice (as defined in the Holdings Articles), the Holdings Articles require that a specified number of Holdings E Shares will be re-designated by Holdings as Holdings B Shares (with the Holdings E DRs similarly re-designated as Holdings B DRs). If an Internalization Shareholder fails to meet the relevant vesting conditions, then the Holdings Articles provide that the relevant number of Holdings E Shares will be re-designated as Deferred Shares, in which case the corresponding Holdings E DRs will be cancelled. |
| (G) | On or around the Third Amendment and Restatement Date, a Continuing Investor elected to redeem certain LP Interests in exchange for an in specie distribution in the form of Holdings B DRs and Parent B Shares which at the date of this Agreement are held on the Continuing Investor’s behalf by the AIV (the “AIV DR Transfer”), with the underlying Holdings B Shares remaining held directly by the Depositary. |
| (H) | The parties to this Exchange Agreement wish to provide for the exchange of (i) Holdings B DRs for Parent A Shares, (ii) Direct B DRs for Parent A Shares, and (iii) EPA B DRs for Parent A Shares, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. |
| (I) | Parent shall not have any obligation to acquire any Holdings B DRs, Direct B DRs or EPA B DRs pursuant to the terms of this Agreement unless a Continuing Investors Partnership, a Direct Holder or EPA Vehicle has properly exercised an Exchange Right with respect to such Holdings B DRs, Direct B DRs or EPA B DRs in accordance with the terms of and subject to the conditions of this Agreement. |
| (J) | The Parties intend that any Exchange consummated hereunder be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to the extent permitted by law, as a taxable sale of Holdings B Shares, including for these purposes the EPA B Shares. |
| (K) | The Parties have agreed that (i) the Continuing US Investors Partnership may hold any of its interests in Holdings B DRs, indirectly through the Cayman Sub, and (ii) the Continuing International Investors Partnership and/or RPI International Partners (as the case may be) may hold any of its interests in Holdings B DRs indirectly through the Delaware Sub, in each case until such Holdings B DRs become the subject of an Investor Exchange in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. |
| (L) | The Parties acknowledge that, on or around the First Amendment and Restatement Date, (i) the Continuing US Investors Partnership transferred its legal and beneficial title in 100% of the Holdings B DRs it held immediately prior to such transfer to the Cayman Sub, and (ii) RPI International Partners transferred its legal and beneficial title in 100% of the Holdings B DRs it held immediately prior to such transfer to the Delaware Sub (together, the “NewCo Sub DR Transfers”). |
| (M) | The Parties further acknowledge that as at the date of this Agreement (i) the NewCo Subs, the Internalization Shareholders and the AIV are the sole holders (other than the Parent) of Holdings B DRs and Direct B DRs, (ii) such Holdings B DRs and Direct B DRs represent the entire issued B share capital of the Company, and that (iii) none of the holders of any Holdings B DRs or Direct B DRs will transfer any such Holdings B DRs or Direct B DRs to any person unless, if such person is not already a party to this Agreement, such person enters into a Deed of Adherence no later than the date of such transfer. |
| (N) | The Parties also acknowledge that EPA Vehicle is the sole holder of the class C ordinary share of £1.00 in the capital of the Company and is the sole entity directly interested in the receipt of any EPA B DRs in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Holdings Articles. |
| (O) | In consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings contained herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties have entered into this Agreement on the terms set out herein. |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
| 1.1 | The following definitions shall apply in this Agreement: |
“Act” means the Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time;
“Adjustment Event” has the meaning provided in clause 5.1;
“AIV DR Transfer” has the meaning provided in Recital (G);
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England when banks in London and New York are open for business;
“Cede” means Cede & Co., nominee for DTC; “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto;
“Continuing Investor” means an investor who holds an LP Interest;
“Deed of Adherence” means a deed of adherence agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement in such form as may be approved by the Holdings Board from time to time;
“Deferred Shares” means deferred shares in the capital of Holdings;
“Depositary” means any depositary, custodian or nominee approved by the Parent Board or the Holdings Board (as applicable) that holds or will hold legal title to the Parent A Shares or Holdings B Shares (as applicable) for the purposes of facilitating beneficial ownership of such Parent A Shares or Holdings B Shares (as applicable) by the Continuing Investors Partnerships, the NewCo Subs, the Direct Holders, EPA Vehicle, any Continuing Investors or EPA Investors (as applicable);
“Direct B DRs” means the depositary receipts representing Holdings B Shares (i) issued or to be issued by the Depositary to the Internalization Shareholders, or (ii) held from time to time by the AIV, or (iii) held by any other person who adheres to this Agreement in the capacity as a Direct Holder, in each case, as the context requires;
“Direct Holder” means PL, RP MIP SPV or the AIV, as the context requires, or any other party who on or after the date of this Agreement acquires an interest in any Holdings B DRs or Holdings E DRs and has entered into a Deed of Adherence no later than the date of such transfer;
“Direct Holder Exchange” means an exchange of Direct B DRs for Parent A Shares pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
“Direct Holder Exchange Closing Date” has the meaning provided in clause 4.4;
“Direct Investor Exchange Notice” means a written notice from a Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV) to Parent and Holdings, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 4;
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company;
“Encumbrance” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, option, restriction, equity, right of first refusal, right of pre-emption, third party right or interest, other encumbrance or security interest of any kind, or other type of deed or arrangements having similar effect;
“EPAs” has the meaning provided to such term in the Holdings Articles.
“EPA B DRs” means the depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to EPA Vehicle in respect of the EPA B Shares; “EPA B Interests” means the EPA B DRs (together with the corresponding interest in EPA B Shares);
“EPA B Shares” means the Holdings B Shares issued to the Depositary who will issue EPA B DRs to EPA Vehicle in respect of equity performance awards awarded in accordance with the terms of the Holdings Articles and the terms of the Holdings C Share;
“EPA Distribution Notice” means a written notice from an EPA Investor to EPA Vehicle, in a form satisfactory to EPA Vehicle and substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 3;
“EPA Exchange” means an exchange of EPA B Interests for Parent A Shares pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
“EPA Exchange Closing Date” has the meaning provided in clause 3.4;
“EPA Holdings” has the meaning provided in Recital (C);
“EPA Investor” means any person who is a beneficial owner of EPA Vehicle (through certain intermediate persons) and is entitled to receive distributions or transfers of Parent A DRs or Parent A Shares from EPA Vehicle following the completion of an EPA Exchange;
“Exchange” means any of an EPA Exchange, a Direct Holder Exchange or an Investor Exchange, as the case may be;
“Exchange Election Notice” means a written notice from a Continuing Investor to a Continuing Investors Partnership, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 1;
“Exchange Notice” means a written notice from (i) the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership, (ii) a Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV), (iii) RP MIP SPV, or (iv) EPA Vehicle, as applicable, to each of Holdings and Parent, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 2 (in the case of (i), (iii) and (iv)) or Schedule 4 (in the case of (ii));
“Exchange Rate” means the number of Parent A Shares receivable (i) for each Holdings B DR in an Investor Exchange pursuant to clause 2 of this Agreement, (ii) for each EPA B DR in an EPA Exchange pursuant to clause 3 of this Agreement, or (iii) for each Direct B DR in a Direct Holder Exchange pursuant to clause 4 of this Agreement. The initial Exchange Rate will be 1:1 and will be subject to further adjustments from time to time in accordance with clause 5 of this Agreement;
“Exchange Right” means the right of (i) the Continuing US Investors Partnership or RPI International Partners to implement an Investor Exchange, (ii) EPA Vehicle to implement an EPA Exchange, or (iii) a Direct Holder to implement a Direct Holder Exchange, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
“Governmental Entity” means any court, administrative agency, regulatory or self-regulatory body, commission or other governmental authority, quasi-governmental organization, board, bureau, or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, and any sub-division, department or branch of any of the foregoing, or any private body exercising any tax, regulatory or governmental or quasi-governmental authority or any securities exchange;
“Governmental Order” means any writ, judgment, injunction, order, decree, stipulation, determination or award of any nature entered by or with any Governmental Entity with competent jurisdiction;
“Holdings Articles” means the articles of association of Holdings in effect from time to time;
“Holdings B DRs” means the depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to: (i) the Continuing US Investors Partnership and RPI International Partners in respect of the Holdings Original B Shares, certain of which depositary receipts were transferred (a) on or about the First Amendment and Restatement Date to the applicable NewCo Subs (pursuant to the NewCo Sub DR Transfers), and (b) prior to the Third Amendment Date to the AIV (pursuant to the AIV DR Transfer); or (ii) to the Internalization Shareholders, following a re-designation of Holdings E Shares into Holdings B Shares in accordance with the Holdings Articles;
“Holdings B Interests” means the full beneficial ownership of and full entitlement to the Holdings B DRs (i) transferred or distributed (or to be transferred or distributed) by a NewCo Sub to a Continuing Investors Partnership pursuant to clause 2.5(a) of this Agreement and/or (as the context requires) (ii) distributed (or to be distributed) by a Continuing Investors Partnership to a Continuing Investor pursuant to an Exchange Election Notice (in the case of each of the preceding sub-clauses (i) and (ii), together with the corresponding interest in Holdings B Shares);
“Holdings B Shares” means non-voting class B ordinary shares in the capital of Holdings;
“Holdings Board” means the board of directors of Holdings, as constituted from time to time;
“Holdings C Share” means the non-voting class C ordinary share of US$1 in the capital of Holdings as at the date hereof;
“Holdings E DRs” means the depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to the Internalization Shareholders in respect of the Holdings E Shares;
“Holdings E Shares” means the non-voting class E ordinary shares in the capital of Holdings issued pursuant to the Internalization Share Issuance;
“Holdings Original B Shares” means the Holdings B Shares in issue at the date of the IPO;
“Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice” means a written notice from a MIP Participant to Parent, RP MIP, RP MIP SPV and Holdings substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule 5;
“Internalization Share Issuance” has the meaning provided in Recital (D); “Investor Exchange” means an exchange of Holdings B Interests for Parent A Shares pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
“Investor Exchange Closing Date” has the meaning provided in clause 2.4;
“IPO” has the meaning provided in Recital (A);
“LP Interest” means a limited partnership interest in the Continuing US Investors Partnership or the Continuing International Investors Partnership;
“MIP Participant” means any person who is a member in RP MIP and is entitled to a beneficial interest in any Holdings B Shares or Holdings E Shares held by RP MIP SPV;
“NewCo Sub” means the Cayman Sub or the Delaware Sub, as the context requires and “NewCo Subs” means both of them;
“NewCo Sub DR Transfers” has the meaning provided in Recital (L);
“Parent A DRs” means depositary receipts issued by a Depositary to, or for the benefit of, a Continuing Investor, a Direct Holder or EPA Vehicle in respect of Parent A Shares;
“Parent A Shares” means the voting ordinary class A shares of US$0.0001 each in the capital of Parent as at the date hereof;
“Parent Articles” means the articles of association of Parent in effect from time to time;
“Parent B Shares” means the voting class B shares of US$0.000001 each in the capital of Parent as at the date hereof;
“Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent, as constituted from time to time;
“Parent Deferred Shares” means the deferred shares in the capital of Parent;
“Parent Restricted A Shares” has the meaning provided in clause 6.1;
“RP MIP” means RP MIP Holdings, LLC; and
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Clause and Schedule headings shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
| 1.2 | References to clauses and Schedules are to clauses of and Schedules to this Agreement and references to paragraphs are to paragraphs of the relevant Schedule. |
| 1.3 | The Schedules form part of this Agreement and shall have effect as if set out in full in the body of this Agreement. Any reference to this Agreement includes the Schedules. |
| 1.4 | A reference to this Agreement or to any other Agreement or document referred to in this Agreement is a reference to this Agreement or such other agreement or document as varied, superseded or novated (in each case, other than in breach of the provisions of |
this Agreement or the provisions of the agreement or document in question, as appropriate) from time to time.
| 1.5 | Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular shall include the plural and in the plural shall include the singular. |
| 1.6 | Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to one gender shall include a reference to the other genders. |
| 1.7 | A “person” includes a natural person, corporate or unincorporated body (whether or not having a separate legal personality). |
| 1.8 | A reference to a party means an original party to this Agreement, together with their permitted assigns. |
| 1.9 | A reference to a company shall include any company, corporation or other body corporate, wherever and however incorporated or established. |
| 1.10 | A reference to a holding company or a subsidiary means a holding company or a subsidiary (as the case may be) as defined in section 1159 of the Act and for the purposes only of the membership requirement contained in sections 1159(1)(b) and (c), a company shall be treated as a member of another company even if its shares in that other company are registered in the name of: |
| (a) | another person (or its nominee), by way of security or in connection with the taking of security; or |
| (b) | its nominee. |
| 1.11 | A reference to “writing” or “written” includes emails. |
| 1.12 | Any words following the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or “for example” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words, description, definition, phrase or term preceding those terms. |
| 1.13 | Where the context permits, other and otherwise are illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding them. |
| 1.14 | A reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time, provided that, as between the parties, no such amendment, extension or re-enactment made after the date of this Agreement shall apply for the purposes of this Agreement to the extent that it would impose any new or extended obligation, liability or restriction on, or otherwise adversely affect the rights of, any party. |
| 1.15 | A reference to a statute or statutory provision shall include all subordinate legislation made from time to time under that statute or statutory provision. |
| 1.16 | Any obligation on a party not to do something includes an obligation not to allow that thing to be done. |
| 1.17 | A reference to a time of day is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to London time. |
| 2.1 | Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this clause 2, each Continuing Investors Partnership, upon receipt of an Exchange Election Notice executed by, or on behalf of, a Continuing Investor in a form satisfactory to it, will, as soon as practicable thereafter and in any event within five Business Days of receipt of the Exchange Election Notice, deliver an Exchange Notice and a copy of such Exchange Election Notice to the Parent and Holdings specifying the number of Holdings B Interests which are to be exchanged for Parent A Shares in accordance with the provisions of this clause 2. |
| 2.2 | No Investor Exchange shall be permitted (and, if attempted, shall be void ab initio) if, in the good faith determination of Holdings, such Investor Exchange would pose a material risk that Holdings would be a “publicly traded partnership” as defined in Section 7704 of the Code, provided that an Investor Exchange will not be prohibited on this basis for so long as Holdings continues to satisfy the “private placements” safe harbor pursuant to Section 1.7704-1 of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 7704 of the Code. |
| 2.3 | Each Investor Exchange pursuant to this clause 2 shall be at the Exchange Rate in effect at the applicable closing date of such Investor Exchange. |
| 2.4 | If an Exchange Notice has been delivered pursuant to this clause 2, then subject to clauses 2.6 to 2.10, the closing of such Investor Exchange shall occur within three Business Days of delivery of such Exchange Notice or such later date as may be agreed between the Continuing Investors Partnership delivering the relevant Exchange Notice, Holdings and the Parent (the “Investor Exchange Closing Date”). |
| 2.5 | On or before the Investor Exchange Closing Date, the parties shall take the following actions in order to implement an Investor Exchange: |
| (a) | procure that all steps are taken as necessary to arrange for the relevant number of Holdings B Interests to be transferred or distributed by the applicable NewCo Sub to the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership; |
| (b) | the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership will take the actions which such Continuing Investors Partnership has been authorized or instructed to take under the applicable Exchange Election Notice; |
| (c) | in consideration for the transfer to Parent of the relevant Holdings B Interests, Parent will issue new Parent A Shares (as determined by reference to the applicable Exchange Rate) to GTU Ops Inc., as nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the relevant Continuing Investor and instruct the Depositary to issue corresponding new Parent A DRs to, or for the benefit of, the Continuing Investor in consideration for the transfer to Parent of the relevant Holdings B Interests; |
| (d) | subject to clauses 2.6 and 2.7 below, as and to the extent applicable, Parent or the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership will instruct the Depositary to (i) cancel such Parent A DRs, (ii) procure the transfer by its nominee of the underlying Parent A Shares to Cede, as nominee for DTC, and (iii) instruct DTC |
to credit the account of the applicable DTC participant, for the benefit of the Continuing Investor, with the relevant number of Parent A Shares; and
| (e) | Parent will automatically re-designate into Parent Deferred Shares, in accordance with the provisions of the Parent Articles, a number of Parent B Shares registered in the name of, or held indirectly by or for, the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership equivalent to the number of Parent A Shares issued. |
| 2.6 | If an Exchange Election Notice has been served in respect of Parent A Shares that are Parent Restricted A Shares, then until such time as the Parent A Shares cease to be Parent Restricted A Shares, the relevant Parent A Shares will continue to be held in the name of the nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the relevant Continuing Investor in accordance with the provisions of clause 2.5(c) above, with the Continuing Investor holding Parent A DRs, or Parent A DRs being held on their behalf by one or more nominees. |
| 2.7 | Subject to clause 2.6 above, if an Exchange Election Notice has been served by or on behalf of a Continuing Investor in circumstances where the DTC participant account details, and associated contact information, are not specified in the Exchange Election Notice, then until such time as the relevant Continuing Investor provides such outstanding information by notice in writing to each of Holdings, Parent and the Depositary, the relevant Parent A Shares to which the Continuing Investor is entitled will continue to be held in the name of the nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the relevant Continuing Investor in accordance with the provisions of clause 2.5(c) above, with the Continuing Investor holding Parent A DRs, or Parent A DRs being held on their behalf by one or more nominees. |
| 2.8 | The obligation of any of the parties to consummate an Investor Exchange in accordance with this clause 2 shall be subject to the condition that there shall be no Governmental Order that is then in effect that restrains or prohibits the Investor Exchange. |
| 2.9 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligation of the Parent and Holdings to consummate an Investor Exchange in accordance with this clause 2 shall be subject to the good faith determination by Parent that such Investor Exchange would not be prohibited by applicable law or regulation and would not violate any contract, commitment, agreement, instrument, arrangement, understanding, obligation or undertaking to which the Parent or Holdings is subject. |
| 2.10 | If, for any reason, Parent determines in its sole and absolute discretion that the mechanics for implementing an Investor Exchange pursuant to clause 2.5 are not practicable, breach any applicable law or regulation or result in or may result in any adverse effect or require any onerous action (including for the avoidance of doubt, the preparation of any valuation report under section 593 of the Act) then each of the parties agrees to enter into, authorize and approve (including through the provision of any necessary shareholder approvals) such alternative transaction structure as Parent may propose in order to issue the same number of Parent A Shares as would otherwise have been issued through an Investor Exchange, including, without limitation: |
| (a) | by delaying an Investor Exchange in order to comply with any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, the production by Parent of a valuation report under section 593 of the Act); |
| (b) | by cancelling the Holdings B Shares which are the subject of the relevant Investor Exchange, together with any associated capital reduction of Holdings; or |
| (c) | by transferring Holdings B Shares which are the subject of the relevant Investor Exchange rather than transferring Holdings B DRs contemplated by the Exchange Election Notice representing such Holdings B Shares. |
| 3.1 | Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this clause 3, EPA Vehicle will, upon issuance of any EPA B Shares, as soon as practicable thereafter and in any event within five Business Days of issuance of such EPA B Shares deliver an Exchange Notice to the Parent and Holdings specifying the number of EPA B Interests that are to be exchanged for Parent A Shares in accordance with the provisions of this clause 3. |
| 3.2 | No EPA Exchange shall be permitted (and, if attempted, shall be void ab initio) if, in the good faith determination of Holdings, such EPA Exchange would pose a material risk that Holdings would be a “publicly traded partnership” as defined in Section 7704 of the Code, provided that an EPA Exchange will not be prohibited on this basis for so long as Holdings continues to satisfy the “private placements” safe harbor pursuant to Section 1.7704-1 of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 7704 of the Code. |
| 3.3 | Each EPA Exchange pursuant to this clause 3 shall be at the Exchange Rate in effect at the applicable closing date of such EPA Exchange. |
| 3.4 | If an Exchange Notice has been delivered pursuant to this clause 3, then subject to clauses 3.6 to 3.9 below, the closing of such EPA Exchange shall occur within three Business Days of issuance of such Exchange Notice or such later date as may be agreed between EPA Vehicle, Holdings and the Parent (the “EPA Exchange Closing Date”). |
| 3.5 | On or before the EPA Exchange Closing Date, the parties shall take the following actions in order to implement an EPA Exchange: |
| (a) | EPA Vehicle will take all actions which are necessary to implement the EPA Exchange in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; |
| (b) | in consideration for the transfer to Parent of the relevant EPA B Interests, Parent will issue new Parent A Shares (as determined by reference to the applicable Exchange Rate) to GTU Ops Inc., as nominee for the Depositary on behalf of EPA Vehicle and instruct the Depositary to issue corresponding new Parent A DRs to: (i) EPA Vehicle or its designee; or (ii) to the applicable EPA Investor or their designee where EPA Vehicle confirms that such EPA Investor has duly delivered it an EPA Distribution Notice; |
| (c) | subject to clause 3.6 below, Parent or EPA Vehicle will instruct the Depositary to (i) cancel such Parent A DRs, (ii) procure the transfer by its nominee of the |
underlying Parent A Shares to Cede, as nominee for DTC, and (iii) instruct DTC to credit the accounts of the applicable DTC participant for the benefit of either (A) EPA Vehicle or its designee, or (B) subject to prior receipt by EPA Vehicle of an EPA Distribution Notice in respect of the relevant Parent A DRs, the relevant EPA Investor or their designee with the relevant number of Parent A Shares.
| 3.6 | If an Exchange Notice has been served in respect of Parent A Shares that are Parent Restricted A Shares, then until such time as the Parent A Shares cease to be Parent Restricted A Shares, the relevant Parent A Shares will continue to be held in the name of the nominee for the Depositary on behalf of EPA Vehicle, the relevant EPA Investor or their designee (as applicable) in accordance with the provisions of clause 3.5(b) above, with EPA Vehicle, the relevant EPA Investor or their designee (as applicable) holding Parent A DRs or Parent A DRs being held on behalf of EPA Vehicle, the relevant EPA Investor or their designee (as applicable) by one or more nominees. |
| 3.7 | The obligation of any of the parties to consummate an EPA Exchange in accordance with this clause 3 shall be subject to the condition that there shall be no Governmental Order that is then in effect that restrains or prohibits the EPA Exchange. |
| 3.8 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligation of the Parent and Holdings to consummate an EPA Exchange in accordance with this clause 3 shall be subject to the good faith determination by Parent that such EPA Exchange would not be prohibited by applicable law or regulation and would not violate any contract, commitment, agreement, instrument, arrangement, understanding, obligation or undertaking to which the Parent or Holdings is subject. |
| 3.9 | If, for any reason, Parent determines in its sole discretion that the mechanics for implementing an EPA Exchange pursuant to clause 3.5 are not practicable, breach any applicable law or regulation or result in or may result in any adverse effect or require any onerous action (including for the avoidance of doubt, the preparation of any valuation report under section 593 of the Act) then each of the parties agrees to enter into, authorize and approve (including through the provision of any necessary shareholder approvals) such alternative transaction structure as Parent may propose in order to issue the number of Parent A Shares as would otherwise have been issued through an EPA Exchange, including, without limitation: |
| (a) | by delaying an EPA Exchange in order to comply with any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, the production by Parent of a valuation report under section 593 of the Act); |
| (b) | by cancelling the EPA B Shares which are the subject of the relevant EPA Exchange, together with any associated capital reduction of Holdings; and |
| (c) | by transferring EPA B Shares which are the subject of the relevant EPA Exchange rather than transferring EPA B DRs representing such EPA B Shares. |
| 4.1 | Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this clause 4: |
| (a) | a Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV) may, in respect of its Direct B DRs, at any time deliver a Direct Investor Exchange Notice to the Parent and Holdings; or |
| (b) | RP MIP SPV will, upon receipt of an Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice executed by, or on behalf of, a MIP Participant in a form satisfactory to it, as soon as practicable thereafter and in any event within five Business Days of receipt of the Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice, deliver a corresponding Exchange Notice and a copy of the Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice to the Parent and Holdings, |
in each case specifying the number of Direct B DRs which are to be exchanged for Parent A Shares in accordance with the provisions of this clause 4, together with the additional information set out therein.
| 4.2 | No Direct Holder Exchange shall be permitted (and, if attempted, shall be void ab initio) if, in the good faith determination of Holdings, such Direct Holder Exchange would pose a material risk that Holdings would be a “publicly traded partnership” as defined in Section 7704 of the Code, provided that a Direct Holder Exchange will not be prohibited on this basis for so long as Holdings continues to satisfy the “private placements” safe harbor pursuant to Section 1.7704-1 of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 7704 of the Code. |
| 4.3 | Each Direct Holder Exchange pursuant to this clause 4 shall be at the Exchange Rate in effect at the applicable closing date of such Direct Holder Exchange. |
| 4.4 | If an Exchange Notice has been delivered pursuant to this clause 4, then subject to clauses 4.6 to 4.8 below, the closing of such Direct Holder Exchange shall occur within three Business Days of issuance of such Exchange Notice or such later date as may be agreed between a Direct Holder, Holdings and the Parent (the “Direct Holder Exchange Closing Date”). |
| 4.5 | On or before the Direct Holder Exchange Closing Date, the parties shall take the following actions in order to implement a Direct Holder Exchange: |
| (a) | the relevant Direct Holder shall take all actions which are necessary to implement the Direct Holder Exchange in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; |
| (b) | in consideration for the transfer to Parent of the relevant Direct B DRs, Parent will issue new Parent A Shares (as determined by reference to the applicable Exchange Rate) to GTU Ops Inc., as nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the relevant Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV) or MIP Participant (as applicable) and instruct the Depositary to issue corresponding new Parent A DRs to, or for the benefit of, such Direct Holder or MIP Participant (as applicable) in consideration for the transfer to Parent of the relevant Direct B DRs, provided that RP MIP SPV will, following receipt of an Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice, subsequently procure, as and to the extent required to do so, the distribution or transfer of such Parent A DRs to the relevant MIP Participant or its designee; |
| (c) | subject to clause 4.6 below, Parent or the Direct Holder will instruct the Depositary to (i) cancel such Parent A DRs, (ii) procure the transfer by its nominee of the underlying Parent A Shares to Cede, as nominee for DTC, and (iii) instruct DTC to credit the accounts of the applicable DTC participant for the benefit of the relevant Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV) or MIP Participant, as applicable, with the relevant number of Parent A Shares; and |
| (d) | Parent will automatically re-designate into Parent Deferred Shares, in accordance with the provisions of the Parent Articles, a number of Parent B Shares registered in the name of, or indirectly held by or for, the relevant Direct Holder equivalent to the number of Parent A Shares issued. |
| 4.6 | If a Direct Investor Exchange Notice or an Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice has been served in respect of Parent A Shares that are Parent Restricted A Shares then until such time as the Parent A Shares cease to be Parent Restricted A Shares, the relevant Parent A Shares will continue to be held in the name of the nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the relevant Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV) or MIP Participant, as applicable, in accordance with the provisions of clause 4.5(b) above, with the Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV) or MIP Participant, as applicable, holding Parent A DRs, or Parent A DRs being held on their behalf by one or more nominees. |
| 4.7 | The obligation of any of the parties to consummate a Direct Holder Exchange in accordance with this clause 4 shall be subject to the condition that there shall be no Governmental Order that is then in effect that restrains or prohibits the Direct Holder Exchange. |
| 4.8 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligation of the Parent and Holdings to consummate a Direct Holder Exchange in accordance with this clause 4 shall be subject to the good faith determination by Parent that such Direct Holder Exchange would not be prohibited by applicable law or regulation and would not violate any contract, commitment, agreement, instrument, arrangement, understanding, obligation or undertaking to which the Parent or Holdings is subject. |
| 4.9 | If, for any reason, Parent determines in its sole and absolute discretion that the mechanics for implementing a Direct Holder Exchange pursuant to clause 4.5 are not practicable, breach any applicable law or regulation or result in or may result in any adverse effect or require any onerous action (including for the avoidance of doubt, the preparation of any valuation report under section 593 of the Act) then each of the parties agrees to enter into, authorize and approve (including through the provision of any necessary shareholder approvals) such alternative transaction structure as Parent may propose in order to issue the same number of Parent A Shares as would otherwise have been issued through a Direct Holder Exchange, including, without limitation: |
| (a) | by delaying a Direct Holder Exchange in order to comply with any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, the production by Parent of a valuation report under section 593 of the Act); |
| (b) | by cancelling the Holdings B Shares which are the subject of the relevant Direct Holder Exchange, together with any associated capital reduction of Holdings; or |
| (c) | by transferring Holdings B Shares which are the subject of the relevant Direct Holder Exchange rather than transferring Direct B DRs representing such Holdings B Shares. |
| 5.1 | The Exchange Rate as of the date of this Agreement shall be 1:1. The Exchange Rate shall be adjusted accordingly if there is (i) any subdivision of the Holdings B Shares into a greater number of Holdings B Shares or consolidation of the Holdings B Shares into a smaller number of Holdings B Shares (in each case howsoever effected, including by way of share split, reverse share split, share distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or any similar event, in each case that is not accompanied by an identical adjustment of the Parent A Shares, or (ii) any sub-division of the Parent A Shares into a greater number of Parent A Shares or consolidation of the Parent A Shares into a smaller number of Parent A Shares (in each case howsoever effected, including by way of share split, reverse share split, share distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or any similar event, in each case that is not accompanied by an identical adjustment of the Holdings B Shares, in either case, an “Adjustment Event”. |
For example, and purely for illustrative purposes, if an Adjustment Event occurs pursuant to which each Holdings B Share is sub-divided from one share of US$0.01 each into ten shares of US$0.001 each, then the Exchange Rate should be adjusted so that, immediately following such Adjustment Event, the Exchange Rate would be 10:1, i.e. ten Holdings B Shares would be exchanged for one Parent A Share.
| 5.2 | If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Parent A Shares are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Exchange, Parent shall procure that the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership, Direct Holder or EPA Vehicle (as the case may be) shall receive an amount of such security, securities or other property that such person would have received if such Exchange had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalisation or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision into a greater number of securities or other property or consolidation into a smaller number of securities or other property (in each case howsoever effected, including by way of share split, reverse share split, share distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or any similar event that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. |
| 5.3 | For the avoidance of doubt if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Parent A Shares are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, Parent shall procure that this clause 5 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property. |
| 6.1 | Each Continuing Investors Partnership understands and agrees, each Direct Holder understands and agrees, and EPA Vehicle understands and agrees, that: |
| (a) | the Parent A Shares to be issued following completion of an Exchange (any such Parent A Shares, being referred to herein as “Parent Restricted A Shares”) may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement; |
| (b) | unless exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Parent Restricted A Shares are restricted securities under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and |
| (c) | it shall not transfer (or solicit any offers in respect of any transfer of any Parent Restricted A Shares), except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. |
| 6.2 | Any attempt to transfer any Parent Restricted A Shares otherwise than in compliance with this Agreement shall be void ab initio, and Parent shall not, and shall cause any transfer agent not to, give any effect in Parent’s share register to such an attempted transfer. |
| 6.3 | As noted in Recital (M), as at the date of this Agreement the NewCo Subs, the Internalization Shareholders and the AIV hereby confirms that they are (i) the sole holders (other than the Parent) of Holdings B DRs and Direct B DRs, and that (ii) such Holdings B DRs and Direct B DRs represent the entire issued B share capital of the Company. Each of the NewCo Subs, the Internalization Shareholders and the AIV hereby agree that they will not transfer any such Holdings B DRs or Direct B DRs to any person unless, if such person is not already a party to this Agreement, such person enters into a Deed of Adherence no later than the proposed date of completion of such transfer. |
| 7.1 | If Parent is dissolved, liquidated or wound up for any reason, any Exchange Right shall expire upon final distribution of the assets of the Parent pursuant to the operation of such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up process. |
| 7.2 | Save for the transfer restrictions set out in clause 6, the provisions of clause 7.1 above and any other applicable provisions of this Agreement, the Exchange Right granted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall not have any restrictions on exercise. |
| 8.1 | Parent shall ensure to the fullest extent possible in accordance with applicable law that at all times it is able to issue in compliance with its constitution and applicable law the maximum number of Parent A Shares required by applicable law for the purposes of issuing Parent A Shares upon the exchange of (i) Holdings B DRs and Holdings B Shares, (ii) Direct B DRs and Holdings B Shares, or (iii) EPA B DRs and EPA B Shares, in each case, for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
| 8.2 | If any Parent A Shares require registration with or approval of any Governmental Entity under any federal, state or national law before such Parent A Shares may be issued following an Exchange, Parent shall use reasonable efforts to cause such Parent A Shares to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be. |
| 8.3 | Parent shall list and register (where required) and use its reasonable efforts to maintain the listing and registration (if applicable) of the Parent A Shares required to be delivered upon completion of any Exchange prior to such delivery in accordance with the requirements of the securities exchange upon which the Parent A Shares are listed at the time of such Exchange (it being understood that any such Parent A Shares may be subject to transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws). |
| 8.4 | Subject to compliance by the Continuing Investors Partnerships, the Direct Holders and EPA Vehicle with the relevant terms of this Agreement applicable to each of them, Parent hereby covenants to the Continuing Investors Partnerships, the Direct Holders and EPA Vehicle that all Parent A Shares issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued and fully paid. |
| 8.5 | This Agreement shall apply to (i) the Holdings B DRs and Holdings B Shares held directly or indirectly (including via a NewCo Sub) by the Continuing Investors Partnerships as of the date hereof, (ii) any Holdings B DRs or Holdings B Shares acquired directly or indirectly (including via a NewCo Sub) by the Continuing Investors Partnerships after the date hereof, (iii) the Direct B DRs and Holdings B Shares held directly or indirectly by the Direct Holders as of the date hereof, (iv) any Direct B DRs or Holdings B Shares acquired directly or indirectly by the Direct Holders after the date hereof, and (v) any EPA B DRs or EPA B Shares acquired by EPA Vehicle after the date hereof. This Agreement shall apply to, mutatis mutandis, and all references to Holdings B DRs, Holdings B Shares, Direct B DRs, EPA B DRs or EPA B Shares shall be deemed to include, any security, securities or other property of Parent or Holdings that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of Holdings B DRs, Holdings B Shares, Direct B DRs, EPA B DRs or EPA B Shares, as the case may be, by reason of any distribution, dividend, subdivision or consolidation (howsoever effected, including by way of share split, reverse share split, share distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, exchange (other than an Exchange) or other transaction). |
| 8.6 | Save to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement (and to the extent within their power), Parent and Holdings shall use all reasonable efforts to remove any impediment that in the good faith judgment of Parent and Holdings would cause any Exchange to be prohibited by applicable law or regulation or that would case an Exchange to violate any contract, commitment, agreement, instrument, arrangement, understanding, obligation or undertaking to which the Parent or Holdings is subject. |
Save where expressly contemplated by this Agreement, no party shall assign, transfer, mortgage, charge, subcontract, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with any or all of his rights and obligations under this Agreement (or any other document referred to in it) without the prior written consent of each of the other parties to this Agreement.
| 10.1 | This Agreement, together with the Parent Articles, the Holdings Articles and any Exchange Notice served in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and extinguishes all previous discussions, correspondence, negotiations, drafts, agreements, promises, assurances, warranties, representations, arrangements and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to its subject matter. |
| 10.2 | Each party acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement, it does not rely on, and shall have no remedies in respect of, any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether made innocently or negligently) that is not set out in this Agreement or any Exchange Notice served in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
| 10.3 | Nothing in this clause 10 shall limit or exclude any liability for fraud. |
| 11.1 | No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the parties to this Agreement. |
| 11.2 | A waiver of any right or remedy under this Agreement or by law is only effective if it is given in writing and is signed by the party waiving such right or remedy. Any such waiver shall apply only to the circumstances for which it is given and shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach or default. |
| 11.3 | A failure or delay by any party to exercise any right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law, whether by conduct or otherwise, shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict any further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. |
| 11.4 | No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law shall prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. |
| 11.5 | A person that waives a right or remedy provided under this Agreement or by law in relation to one person, or takes or fails to take any action against that person, does not affect its rights or remedies in relation to any other person. |
| 12.1 | Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, each party shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement (and any documents referred to in it), provided that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law Parent shall bear any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of any Exchange. |
| 12.2 | Parent shall promptly co-operate in all filings required to be made under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended in connection with any Exchange (but Parent shall not be obliged to bear and shall be reimbursed by the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership, the Direct Holders or EPA Vehicle (as the |
case may be) for the expenses of any such filing or of any information request from any Governmental Entity relating thereto).
| 13.1 | A notice given to a party under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by pre-paid first-class post, recorded delivery or special delivery in each case to that party’s address, or sent by email to that party’s email address, in each case as specified in clause 13.2 (or to such other address or email address as that party may notify to the other party in accordance with this Agreement). |
| 13.2 | The addresses and email addresses for service of notices are: |
| (a) | In the case of Parent: |
| (i) | address: Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022; |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (b) | In the case of Holdings: |
| (i) | address: Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd. c/o Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022; |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (c) | In the case of the Continuing US Investors Partnership: |
| (i) | address: RPI US Partners 2019, LP c/o Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022; |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (d) | In the case of the Continuing International Investors Partnership: |
| (i) | address: RPI International Holdings 2019, LP c/o Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022 |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (e) | In the case of RPI International Partners: |
| (i) | address: RPI International Partners 2019, LP c/o Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022; |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (f) | In the case of the Cayman Sub: |
| (i) | address: RPI US Feeder 2019, LP c/o Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022; |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (g) | In the case of the Delaware Sub: |
| (i) | address: RPI International Feeder 2019, LP c/o Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022 |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (h) | In the case of EPA Vehicle: |
| (i) | address: RPI EPA Vehicle, LLC c/o Royalty Pharma plc 110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300 New York, New York 10022; |
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: Legal Department. |
| (i) | In the case of PL RPH: |
| (i) | address: |
PL RPH Holdings, LLC
c/o Royalty Pharma plc
110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300
New York, New York 10022;
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: PL RPH HOLDINGS, LLC. |
| (j) | In the case of RP MIP SPV: |
| (i) | address: |
RP MIP (Cayman), LP
c/o Royalty Pharma plc
110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300
New York, New York 10022;
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: RP MIP (CAYMAN), LP. |
| (k) | In the case of the AIV: |
| (i) | address: |
PL RPH AIV, LLC
c/o Royalty Pharma plc
110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300
New York, New York 10022;
| (ii) | email address: transfers@royaltypharma.com; and |
| (iii) | attention: PL RPH AIV, LLC. |
| 13.3 | A party may change its details for service of notices as specified in clause 13.2 by giving notice to the other parties. Any change notified pursuant to this clause 13 shall take |
effect at 9.00 am on the later of the date (if any) specified in the notice as the effective date for the change or five Business Days after deemed receipt of the notice.
| 13.4 | Delivery of a notice is deemed to have taken place (provided that all other requirements in this clause 13 have been satisfied) if delivered by hand, at the time the notice is left at the address, or if sent by email, at the time of transmission, provided that the subject line of the email identifies that it is a notice being given under this Agreement, or if sent by pre-paid first class post, recorded delivery or special delivery on the second Business Day after posting unless, in each case, such deemed receipt would occur outside business hours (meaning 9.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday on a day that is not a public holiday in the place of deemed receipt), in which case deemed receipt will occur at 9.00 am on the day when business next starts in the place of deemed receipt (and, for the purposes of this clause 13, all references to time are to local time in the place of deemed receipt). |
| 13.5 | In providing service in accordance with clause 13.4 above, it shall be sufficient to prove (i) that personal delivery was made, (ii) that the envelope containing such notice was properly addressed and delivered into the custody of the postal authority as a prepaid first class recorded delivery or airmail letter (as appropriate), (iii) that the envelope containing such notice was properly addressed and delivered into the custody of the courier service provider, or (iv) that the email was sent to the correct email address of the recipient. |
| 13.6 | This clause 13 does not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action. |
If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision under this clause 14 shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this Agreement.
| 15.1 | A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall not have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement. |
| 15.2 | The rights of the parties to terminate, rescind or agree any variation, waiver or settlement under this Agreement are not subject to the consent of any other person. |
Each party to this Agreement shall execute, deliver, acknowledge and file such other documents as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any other party hereto to give effect to and carry out the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall constitute a duplicate original, but all the counterparts shall together constitute the one agreement.
| 18.1 | This Agreement and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales. |
| 18.2 | Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with this Agreement or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims). |
The parties to this Agreement intend that this Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings pursuant to Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Except as otherwise required by applicable law: (a) the parties shall report each Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of Holdings B Shares by a Continuing Investor, a Direct Holder (other than RP MIP SPV), a MIP Participant or an EPA Investor (as applicable) to Parent; and (b) no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority (unless a final “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code requires a different tax treatment).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed and delivered as a Deed on the date first stated above.
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
ROYALTY PHARMA PLC
|
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
IN THE PRESENCE OF:
_______________________________
Witness’s signature:
Witness’s name:
Witness’s address:
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
ROYALTY PHARMA HOLDINGS LTD
|
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
IN THE PRESENCE OF:
_______________________________
Witness’s signature:
Witness’s name:
Witness’s address:
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RPI US PARTNERS 2019, LP
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS, LP, its general partner
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS HOLDCO 2019, LLC, its general partner
|
By: __________________________
Name: Pablo Legorreta
Title: Managing Member
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RPI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS 2019, LP
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS, LP, its general partner
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS HOLDCO 2019, LLC, its general partner
|
By: __________________________
Name: Pablo Legorreta
Title: Managing Member
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RPI INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 2019, LP
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS, LP, its general partner
By: RPI EPA HOLDINGS HOLDCO 2019, LLC, its general partner
|
By: __________________________
Name: Pablo Legorreta
Title: Managing Member
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RPI US FEEDER 2019, LP
By: RPI US FEEDER 2019 GP LIMITED, its general partner
|
By: __________________________
Name: George Lloyd
Title: Director
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019, LP
By: RPI INTERNATIONAL FEEDER 2019 GP LIMITED, its general partner
|
By: __________________________
Name: George Lloyd
Title: Director
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RPI EPA VEHICLE, LLC
|
By: __________________________
Name: George Lloyd
Title: Manager
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
For and on behalf of
PL RPH HOLDINGS, LLC
|
By:_______________________
Name: Pablo Legorreta
Title: Managing Member
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
RP MIP (CAYMAN), LP
By: RP MIP (CAYMAN) GP LIMITED, its general partner
|
By: __________________________
Name: George Lloyd
Title: Director
|
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED
for and on behalf of
PL RPH AIV, LLC
By: RPI EPA Holdings, LP, its manager
By: RPI EPA Holdings HoldCo 2019, LLC, its general partner
|
By: __________________________
Name: Pablo Legorreta
Title: Managing Member
SCHEDULE 1
EXCHANGE ELECTION NOTICE
[_] The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exchange the number of its limited partnership interests (“LP Interests”) indicated below in either RPI International Holdings 2019, LP, or RPI US Partners 2019, LP for Holdings B Interests and, subject to the terms of that certain Exchange Agreement dated 16 June 2020, as further amended by amendment and restatement agreements dated 29 December 2023, 31 December 2024 and 16 May 2025 (the “Exchange Agreement”), to immediately exchange such Holdings B Interests for Class A ordinary shares (the “Parent A Shares”) of Royalty Pharma plc (“Parent”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Exchange Agreement.
| Number of RPI International Holdings 2019, LP | ||
| LP Interests to be exchanged | ||
| Number of RPI US Partners 2019, LP | ||
| LP Interests to be exchanged | ||
[The DTC Participant Account into which the undersigned’s interests in Parent A Shares are to be received following completion of the Investor Exchange contemplated by this Exchange Election Notice (together with the undersigned’s contact information) is as follows:
| DTC Participant Account Number | ||
| Contact Information | ||
| ] | 1 |
By executing this Exchange Election Notice, the undersigned (i) confirms that the undersigned has received a copy of and has reviewed the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement and irrevocably elects to exchange the number of its LP Interests indicated above for commensurate Holdings B Interests as satisfaction in full of all obligations of the relevant Continuing Investors Partnerships in respect of such LP Interests; and (ii) irrevocably elects to exchange all Holdings B Interests received in respect of such LP Interests for Parent A Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement. Any Parent A Shares to be issued in accordance with the terms of this Exchange Election Notice will be issued to GTU Ops Inc., as nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the relevant Continuing Investor.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants and agrees that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Exchange Election Notice and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Exchange Election Notice constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned; (iii) this Exchange Election Notice has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned; (iv) the undersigned has valid title to the LP Interests free and clear of any Encumbrance; (v) the LP Interests will be transferred to the applicable Continuing Investors Partnership free and clear of any Encumbrance, other than transfer restrictions imposed by or under applicable securities laws or the Exchange
1 To be included if the underlying Continuing Investor can exchange their Holdings B DRs for Parent A Shares on an unrestricted basis and hold directly through DTC.
Agreement; (vi) the Holdings B Interests will be transferred to the Parent free and clear of any Encumbrance, other than transfer restrictions imposed by or under applicable securities laws or the Exchange Agreement; and (vii) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the undersigned or the LP Interests or the Holdings B Interests is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the redemption of the LP Interests or transfer of such Holdings B Interests to the Parent.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, by providing this Exchange Election Notice, the undersigned (a) makes all of the representations and gives all of the warranties set out herein to each of the Parent and the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership, (b) makes all of the representations and gives all of the warranties which it has previously provided to the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership in connection with its subscription for the LP Interests to the Parent in connection with the Investor Exchange, which are deemed repeated to the Parent hereby, (c) confirms that such representations and warranties remain correct, (d) permits any documentation and supporting information containing such representations and warranties or referred to in, or supplied in connection with, the same to be provided to the Parent, (e) agrees to notify the Parent as soon as reasonably practicable following becoming aware that any such representations and warranties are, or may be, incorrect, and (f) authorizes the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership or Parent to take all such actions, do all such things and, on behalf of the Continuing Investor, approve, execute or sign and deliver all documents, consents, forms of agreements, as are contemplated pursuant to the terms of this Exchange Election Notice and the Exchange Agreement or, in the absolute discretion of the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership, are reasonably necessary or desirable in order to implement the Investor Exchange, including, among other matters: (i) providing instructions to the Depositary and/or DTC (via the Depositary or otherwise) on behalf of the relevant Continuing Investor, (ii) if applicable, directing the Depositary to register the Continuing Investor as holder of the Holdings B DRs prior to completion of the Investor Exchange, (iii) directing the Depositary to register Parent as holder of the Holdings B DRs following completion of the Investor Exchange, and (iv) providing or obtaining any shareholder approvals required or desirable to implement the Investor Exchange, including through any alternative procedure contemplated by clause 2.10 of the Exchange Agreement.
On or prior to the Investor Exchange Closing Date (to the extent necessary to implement the Investor Exchange on the Investor Exchange Closing Date): (a) each Continuing Investors Partnership is authorized to redeem such LP Interests in the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership as is set out above and (b) subject to clause 2.10 of the Exchange Agreement, in consideration for the redemption contemplated in the preceding clause (a), the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership will be authorized by the undersigned to distribute and, if applicable, subsequently, to instruct, or to procure that the relevant NewCo Sub instructs, the Depositary to transfer the number of Holdings B DRs corresponding to the number of LP Interests specified herein, in accordance with the instructions set out herein, on behalf of the undersigned to Parent and the undersigned so instructs the relevant NewCo Sub to so instruct the Depositary.
If the Investor Exchange is implemented in accordance with the terms of Section 12.4.3 of the limited partnership agreement of the Continuing US Investors Partnership, the undersigned authorizes the Continuing US Investors Partnership to take all such actions, do all such things and, on behalf of the Continuing Investor, approve, execute or sign and deliver all documents, consents, forms of agreements, as are, in the absolute discretion of the Continuing US Investors Partnership, reasonably necessary or desirable in relation to the treatment of 8% of the Continuing Investor’s LP Interests held as at the date of this Agreement (the “Restricted LP Interests”) taking account of the arrangements contemplated by the limited partnership agreement of the Continuing US Investors Partnership or otherwise, including, without limitation, the treatment of the Restricted LP Interests in accordance with the special limited partnership interest issued to the general partner of the Continuing US Investors Partnership pursuant to the terms of Annex C of the limited partnership agreement of the Continuing US Investors Partnership.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
| (a) | the Parent Restricted A Shares to be issued following completion of an Exchange may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement; |
| (b) | unless exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Parent Restricted A Shares are restricted securities under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and |
| (c) | it shall not transfer (or solicit any offers in respect of any transfer of any Parent Restricted A Shares) except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement. |
The parties hereto intend that this Exchange Election Notice shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings pursuant to Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Except as otherwise required by applicable law: (a) the parties shall treat and report each Exchange consummated hereunder as a distribution of the beneficial interests in the applicable Holdings B Shares to the undersigned Continuing Investor followed by a taxable sale of Holdings B Shares by a Continuing Investor to Parent; and (b) no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority (unless a final “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code requires a different tax treatment).
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints each officer of RPI EPA Holdings, LP as the attorney-in-fact and agent of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary or desirable, in the absolute discretion of RPI EPA Holdings, LP, to implement the Investor Exchange which is the subject of this Exchange Election Notice or anything otherwise contemplated by this Exchange Election Notice.
The undersigned hereby agrees that each of the Parent and the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership shall have the right to enforce against the undersigned any of the representations made or warranties given by the undersigned in favour of the Parent and the relevant Continuing Investors Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Exchange Election Notice.
This Exchange Election Notice should be executed and mailed, delivered or e-mailed to RPI EPA Holdings, LP, at the following address or email address:
By Regular, Registered or Certified Mail; Hand or Overnight Delivery:
[RPI International Holdings 2019, LP]/[RPI US Partners 2019, LP]2
c/o RPI EPA Holdings, LP
110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300
New York, NY 10022
(212) 883-2288
|
By E-mail Transmission: transfers@royaltypharma.com Subject Line: Exchange Election
|
Notwithstanding the place where this Exchange Election Notice has been executed by the undersigned, it is expressly agreed that all of the terms and provisions hereof shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be entirely performed in such state.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of any proceedings arising out of the terms and conditions of this Exchange Election Notice, the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County and of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) waive any defense based on doctrines of venue or forum non conveniens, or similar rules and doctrines, and (iii) agree that all claims in respect of such a proceeding must be heard and determined exclusively in the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Process in any such proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Exchange Election Notice this ___ day of __________________. 20[•].
| LIMITED PARTNER: | ||
| (write name of Limited Partner) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Acknowledgement by Continuing Investors Partnership
2 Delete as applicable
[RPI International Holdings 2019, LP]/[RPI US Partners 2019, LP]3 acknowledges receipt of this Exchange Election Notice and further acknowledges that, immediately following the redemption of the LP Interests in accordance with the terms of this Exchange Election Notice, the full beneficial ownership of and the full entitlement to the Holdings B DRs the subject of this Exchange Election Notice will pass to the relevant Continuing Investor, and accordingly [RPI International Holdings 2019, LP]/[RPI US Partners 2019, LP]4 will no longer (whether directly or through a NewCo Sub) hold such Holdings B DRs as its property but on behalf of, and to the order of, the relevant Continuing Investor.
Signed for and on behalf of [RPI International Holdings 2019, LP]/[RPI US Partners 2019, LP]5
________________________
By: RPI EPA Holdings, LP
in its capacity as general partner of [On letterhead of relevant Continuing Investors Partnership, RP MIP SPV or EPA Vehicle]
[RPI International Holdings 2019, LP]/[RPI US Partners 2019, LP]6
By: RPI EPA Holdings Holdco 2019, LLC, its general partner
3 Delete as applicable
4 Delete as applicable
5 Delete as applicable
6 Delete as applicable
SCHEDULE 2
EXCHANGE NOTICE
Royalty Pharma plc
The Pavilions,
Bridgwater Road,
Bristol,
England,
BS13 8AE
Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd
The Pavilions,
Bridgwater Road,
Bristol,
England,
BS13 8AE
[DATE]
Exchange Notice
We refer to the Exchange Agreement entered into on 16 June 2020 between Royalty Pharma plc, Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd, RPI US Partners 2019, LP, RPI International Holdings 2019, LP, RPI International Partners 2019, LP, RPI US Feeder 2019, LP, RPI International Feeder 2019, LP, RPI EPA Vehicle, LLC, PL RPH Holdings, LLC, RP MIP (Cayman), LP and PL RPH AIV, LLC, as further amended by amendment and restatement agreements dated 29 December 2023, 31 December 2024 and 16 May 2025 (the “Exchange Agreement”).
The undersigned is a party to the Exchange Agreement. Terms defined in the Exchange Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this notice.
[This notice constitutes an Exchange Notice for the purposes of clause 2.1 of the Exchange Agreement and we hereby confirm that we have received a validly completed and executed Exchange Election Notice from a Continuing Investor specifying that such Continuing Investor wishes to exchange the number of LP Interests specified in the attached Exchange Election Notice for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement and we hereby confirm, on behalf of ourselves and on behalf of the relevant NewCo Sub that is the holder of such Holdings B DRs, that [●] Holdings B DRs should be exchanged for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
This notice constitutes the form of written notice required for the purposes of article 12(a) of the Parent’s articles of association to implement the transactions contemplated therein, including the re-designation of Parent B Shares into Parent Deferred Shares, and for all such purposes shall be treated on the basis that it has been signed by the holder of such underlying Parent B Shares.
Simultaneously with the issuance of the relevant Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of clause 2 of the Exchange Agreement, an equivalent number of Parent B Shares registered in the name of, or held indirectly by or for, the undersigned should be re-designated into Parent Deferred Shares.]7
[This notice constitutes an Exchange Notice for the purposes of clause 3.1 of the Exchange Agreement and we hereby confirm that we have been issued with [●] EPA B DRs by the Depositary which are to be exchanged for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.]8
[This notice constitutes an Exchange Notice for the purposes of clause 4.1 of the Exchange Agreement and we hereby confirm that we have received a validly completed and executed Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice from a MIP Participant specifying that such MIP Participant wishes to exchange the number of Direct B DRs specified in the attached Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement and we hereby confirm, as the holder of such Holdings B DRs, that [●] Holdings B DRs should be exchanged for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
This notice constitutes the form of written notice required for the purposes of article 12(a) of the Parent’s articles of association to implement the transactions contemplated therein, including the re-designation of Parent B Shares into Parent Deferred Shares, and for all such purposes shall be treated on the basis that it has been signed by the holder of such underlying Parent B Shares.
Simultaneously with the issuance of the relevant Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of clause 4 of the Exchange Agreement, an equivalent number of Parent B Shares registered in the name of, or held indirectly by or for, the undersigned should be re-designated into Parent Deferred Shares.]9
Yours sincerely
______________________
[Name of relevant Continuing Investors Partnership]/[EPA
Vehicle]/[RP MIP SPV]
7 Delete in the context of an EPA Exchange or a Direct Holder Exchange by RP MIP SPV.
8 Delete in the context of an Investor Exchange or a Direct Holder Exchange by RP MIP SPV.
9 Delete in the context of an Investor Exchange or an EPA Exchange.
SCHEDULE 3
EPA DISTRIBUTION NOTICE
The undersigned acknowledges that Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd (“Holdings”) has issued EPAs to RPI EPA Vehicle, LLC (“EPA Vehicle”) in accordance with the terms of the Holdings Articles. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Exchange Agreement dated 16 June, 2020, as further amended by amendment and restatement agreements dated 29 December 2023, 31 December 2024 and 16 May 2025 (the “Exchange Agreement”).
The DTC Participant Account into which the undersigned’s interests in Parent A Shares are to be received following completion of an applicable EPA Exchange (together with the undersigned’s contact information) is as follows:
| DTC Participant Account Number | ||
| Contact Information | ||
The undersigned further acknowledges that, pursuant to the terms of clause 3.1 of the Exchange Agreement, following the issuance of EPA B Shares to the Depositary who issued EPA B DRs to EPA Vehicle in satisfaction of EPAs, EPA Vehicle shall serve notice on each of Parent and Holdings to exchange its EPA B Interests for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants and agrees that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this EPA Distribution Notice and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this EPA Distribution Notice constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned; and (iii) this EPA Distribution Notice has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned.
By providing this EPA Distribution Notice, the undersigned (a) makes all of the representations and gives all of the warranties set out herein to each of the Parent and EPA Vehicle, and (b) authorizes EPA Vehicle, any person directly or indirectly owning interests in EPA Vehicle, acting at the request of EPA Vehicle, or Parent to take all such actions, do all such things and on behalf of the undersigned approve, execute or sign and deliver all documents, consents, forms or agreements as, in the absolute discretion of EPA Vehicle or Parent, are reasonably necessary or desirable in order to procure the distribution or transfer of Parent A DRs or Parent A Shares to the undersigned at any time following completion of an EPA Exchange, including, among other matters, providing instructions to the Depositary and/or DTC (via the Depositary or otherwise) on behalf of the undersigned. Any Parent A Shares to be issued in accordance with the terms of this EPA Distribution Notice will be issued to GTU Ops Inc., as nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the undersigned.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
| (a) | the Parent Restricted A Shares to be issued following completion of an EPA Exchange may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act, any |
other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement;
| (b) | unless exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Parent Restricted A Shares are restricted securities under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and |
| (c) | it shall not transfer (or solicit any offers in respect of any transfer of any Parent Restricted A Shares) except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement. |
The parties hereto intend that this EPA Distribution Notice shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings pursuant to Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Except as otherwise required by applicable law: (a) the parties shall treat and report each Exchange consummated hereunder as a distribution of the beneficial interests in the applicable Holdings B Shares to the undersigned EPA Investor followed by a taxable sale of Holdings B Shares by the undersigned EPA Investor to Parent; and (b) no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority (unless a final “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code requires a different tax treatment).
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints each officer of EPA Vehicle as the attorney-in-fact and agent of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to procure the distribution or transfer of Parent A DRs or Parent A Shares to the undersigned at any time following completion of an EPA Exchange.
The undersigned hereby agrees that each of the Parent and EPA Vehicle shall have the right to enforce against the undersigned any of the representations made or warranties given by the undersigned in favour of the Parent and EPA Vehicle pursuant to the terms of this EPA Distribution Notice.
This EPA Distribution Notice should be executed and mailed, delivered or e-mailed to EPA Vehicle, at the following address or email address:
By Regular, Registered or Certified Mail; Hand or Overnight Delivery:
RPI EPA Vehicle, LLC
110 East 59th Street, Suite 3300
New York, NY 10022
(212) 883-2288
|
By E-mail Transmission: transfers@royaltypharma.com Subject Line: Exchange Election
|
Notwithstanding the place where this EPA Distribution Notice has been executed by an EPA Investor, it is expressly agreed that all of the terms and provisions hereof shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be entirely performed in such state.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of any proceedings arising out of the terms and conditions of this EPA Distribution Notice, the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County and of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) waive any defense based on doctrines of venue or forum non conveniens, or similar rules and doctrines, and (iii) agree that all claims in respect of such a proceeding must be heard and determined exclusively in the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Process in any such proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this EPA Distribution Notice this ___ day of __________________. 20[•].
| EPA INVESTOR: | ||
| (write name of EPA Investor) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
SCHEDULE 4
DIRECT INVESTOR EXCHANGE NOTICE
The undersigned holds Holdings B DRs in Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd (“Holdings”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Exchange Agreement dated 16 June, 2020, as further amended by amendment and restatement agreements dated 29 December 2023, 31 December 2024 and 16 May 2025 (the “Exchange Agreement”). The undersigned is a party to the Exchange Agreement.
[The DTC Participant Account into which the undersigned’s interests in Parent A Shares are to be received following completion of an applicable Direct Holder Exchange (together with the undersigned’s contact information) is as follows:
| DTC Participant Account Number | ||
| Contact Information | ||
| ] | 10 |
The undersigned further acknowledges that, pursuant to the terms of clause 4.1 of the Exchange Agreement, it is submitting this Direct Investor Exchange Notice to Parent and Holdings in order to exchange [●] Direct B DRs for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
The undersigned further acknowledges that this notice constitutes the form of written notice required for the purposes of article 12(a) of the Parent’s articles of association to implement the transactions contemplated therein, including the re-designation of Parent B Shares into Parent Deferred Shares, and for all such purposes shall be treated on the basis that the undersigned is the holder of such underlying Parent B Shares.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants and agrees that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Direct Investor Exchange Notice and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Direct Investor Exchange Notice constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned; and (iii) this Direct Investor Exchange Notice has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned.
By providing this Direct Investor Exchange Notice, the undersigned (a) makes all of the representations and gives all of the warranties set out herein to the Parent, and (b) authorizes Parent to take all such actions, do all such things and on behalf of the undersigned approve, execute or sign and deliver all documents, consents, forms or agreements as, in the absolute discretion of Parent, are reasonably necessary or desirable in order to procure the distribution or transfer of Parent A DRs or Parent A Shares to the undersigned at any time following completion of an applicable Direct Holder Exchange, including, among other matters, providing instructions to the Depositary and/or DTC (via the Depositary or otherwise) on behalf of the undersigned. Any Parent A Shares to be issued in accordance with the terms of this Direct Investor Exchange Notice will be issued to GTU Ops Inc., as nominee for the
10 To be included if the Direct Holder can exchange their Holdings B DRs for Parent A Shares on an unrestricted basis and hold directly in DTC.
Depositary on behalf of the relevant Direct Holder.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
| (a) | any Parent Restricted A Shares to be issued following completion of a Direct Holder Exchange may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement; |
| (b) | unless exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Parent Restricted A Shares are restricted securities under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and |
| (c) | it shall not transfer (or solicit any offers in respect of any transfer of any Parent Restricted A Shares) except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement. |
The parties hereto intend that this Direct Investor Exchange Notice shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings pursuant to Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Except as otherwise required by applicable law: (a) the parties shall report each Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of Holdings B Shares by the Direct Holder to Parent; and (b) no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority (unless a final “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code requires a different tax treatment).
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints each officer of Parent as the attorney-in-fact and agent of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to procure the distribution or transfer of Parent A DRs or Parent A Shares to the undersigned at any time following completion of a Direct Holder Exchange.
The undersigned hereby agrees that the Parent shall have the right to enforce against the undersigned any of the representations made or warranties given by the undersigned in favour of the Parent pursuant to the terms of this Direct Investor Exchange Notice.
This Direct Investor Exchange Notice should be executed and mailed, delivered or e-mailed to Parent (with a copy to be sent to Holdings in accordance with the notice provisions set out in the Exchange Agreement) at the following address or email address:
By Regular, Registered or Certified Mail; Hand or Overnight Delivery:
Royalty Pharma plc
Bridgwater Road
Bristol, England, BS13 8AE
|
By E-mail Transmission: transfers@royaltypharma.com |
|
Subject Line: Exchange Election |
Notwithstanding the place where this Direct Investor Exchange Notice has been executed by a Direct Holder, it is expressly agreed that all of the terms and provisions hereof shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be entirely performed in such state.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of any proceedings arising out of the terms and conditions of this Direct Investor Exchange Notice, the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County and of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) waive any defense based on doctrines of venue or forum non conveniens, or similar rules and doctrines, and (iii) agree that all claims in respect of such a proceeding must be heard and determined exclusively in the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Process in any such proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Direct Investor Exchange Notice this ___ day of __________________. 20[•].
| DIRECT HOLDER: | ||
| (write name of Direct Holder) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
SCHEDULE 5
INDIRECT INVESTOR EXCHANGE ELECTION NOTICE
The undersigned is a MIP Participant and holds a beneficial interest in RP MIP, which indirectly holds, through its interest in RP MIP SPV, Holdings B DRs in Royalty Pharma Holdings Ltd (“Holdings”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Exchange Agreement dated 16 June, 2020, as further amended by amendment and restatement agreements dated 29 December 2023, 31 December 2024 and 16 May 2025 (the “Exchange Agreement”).
[The DTC Participant Account into which the undersigned’s interests in Parent A Shares are to be received following completion of an applicable Direct Holder Exchange (together with the undersigned’s contact information) is as follows:
| DTC Participant Account Number | ||
| Contact Information | ||
| ] | 11 |
The undersigned further acknowledges that, pursuant to the terms of clause 4.1 of the Exchange Agreement, it is submitting this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice to RP MIP and RP MIP SPV in order for RP MIP SPV to exchange [●] Direct B DRs for Parent A Shares in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants and agrees that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned; and (iii) this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned.
By providing this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice, the undersigned (a) makes all of the representations and gives all of the warranties set out herein to the Parent, RP MIP and RP MIP SPV, and (b) authorizes RP MIP, RP MIP SPV or Parent to take all such actions, do all such things and on behalf of the undersigned approve, execute or sign and deliver all documents, consents, forms or agreements as, in the absolute discretion of Parent, RP MIP or RP MIP SPV, are reasonably necessary or desirable in order to procure the distribution or transfer of Parent A DRs or Parent A Shares to the undersigned at any time following completion of this Direct Holder Exchange, including, among other matters, providing instructions to the Depositary and/or DTC (via the Depositary or otherwise) on behalf of the undersigned. Any Parent A Shares to be issued in accordance with the terms of this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice will be issued to GTU Ops Inc., as nominee for the Depositary on behalf of the relevant MIP Participant.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that:
11 To be included if the Direct Holder can exchange their Holdings B DRs for Parent A Shares on an unrestricted basis and hold directly through DTC.
| (a) | any Parent Restricted A Shares to be issued following completion of a Direct Holder Exchange may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement; |
| (b) | unless exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Parent Restricted A Shares are restricted securities under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and |
| (c) | it shall not transfer (or solicit any offers in respect of any transfer of any Parent Restricted A Shares) except in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, and the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement. |
The parties hereto intend that this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of Holdings pursuant to Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. Except as otherwise required by applicable law: (a) the parties shall treat and report each Exchange consummated hereunder as a distribution of the beneficial interests in the applicable Holdings B Shares to the undersigned MIP Participant followed by a taxable sale of Holdings B Shares by the undersigned MIP Participant to Parent; and (b) no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority (unless a final “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code requires a different tax treatment).
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints each officer of Parent as the attorney-in-fact and agent of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to procure the distribution or transfer of Parent A DRs or Parent A Shares to the undersigned at any time following completion of a Direct Holder Exchange.
The undersigned hereby agrees that the Parent shall have the right to enforce against the undersigned any of the representations made or warranties given by the undersigned in favour of the Parent pursuant to the terms of this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice.
This Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice should be executed and mailed, delivered or e-mailed to RP MIP and RP MIP SPV, at the following address or email address:
By Regular, Registered or Certified Mail; Hand or Overnight Delivery:
RP MIP Holdings LLC
110 East 59th Street, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10022
|
By E-mail Transmission: transfers@royaltypharma.com Subject Line: Exchange Election |
Notwithstanding the place where this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice has been executed by a MIP Participant, it is expressly agreed that all of the terms and provisions hereof shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be entirely performed in such state.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of any proceedings arising out of the terms and conditions of this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice, the parties hereto irrevocably (i) consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County and of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) waive any defense based on doctrines of venue or forum non conveniens, or similar rules and doctrines, and (iii) agree that all claims in respect of such a proceeding must be heard and determined exclusively in the Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Process in any such proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Indirect Investor Exchange Election Notice this ___ day of __________________. 20[•].
| MIP PARTICIPANT: | ||
| (write name of MIP Participant) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||