Description of Securities
EX-4.5 2 ex4510k2022.htm EX-4.5 Document
Exhibit 4.5
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”) has one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock.
General
The following summary of the terms of our common stock is based upon our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, the applicable provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, of which this Exhibit 4.7 is a part, and are incorporated by reference herein. We encourage you to read our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, for more information.
We have authorized capital stock of up to (i) 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share and (ii) 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of March 15, 2023, there were 57,971,919 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which shares were held by 93 stockholders of record, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Common Stock
All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote, except matters that relate only to a series of preferred stock.
In general, stockholder action (except for certain bylaw amendments and certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote) is based on the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of common stock represented either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on such action. Directors are elected by majority vote, unless there is a contested election in which case the bylaws provide for plurality voting.
Dividends
Subject to limitations under Delaware law and preferences that may apply to any then-outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors in its discretion from funds legally available therefor.
Dividends, if any, will be contingent upon revenues and earnings, if any, and capital requirements and financial conditions. The payment of dividends, if any, will be within the discretion of the board of directors. We presently intend to retain all earnings, if any, and accordingly the board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends.
Liquidation
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share pro rata all assets remaining after payment in full of all liabilities and after providing for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock, subject to the liquidation preference of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Miscellaneous
Holders of common stock have no pre-emptive rights, no conversion rights and there are no redemption provisions applicable to the common stock.
Preferred Stock
Our preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, may be issued from time to time in one or more series pursuant to a resolution or resolutions providing for such issue duly adopted by the board of directors (authority to do so being hereby expressly vested in our board of directors). The issuance of preferred stock may delay, deter or prevent a change in control. The
description of preferred stock above is not complete. You should refer to any applicable certificate of designation for complete information.
Advanced Notice Requirement
Our bylaws contain advance notice requirements for business to be brought before an annual or special meeting of stockholders, including nominations of persons for election as directors. As a result, stockholders must satisfy specific timing and information requirements in order to have a proposal considered at or in order to nominate a person for election as a director at an annual or special meeting. Any proposal or nomination that fails to comply with these timing and information requirements may be disqualified.
No Cumulative Voting
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not include a provision for cumulative voting for directors.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
The authorized but unissued shares our common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Size of Board and Vacancies
Our amended and restated bylaws provide that the number of directors on the board of directors is fixed exclusively by the board of directors. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the board of directors resulting from death, resignation or other cause (including removal from office by a vote of the stockholders) may be filled only by (i) a majority vote of the directors based on the total number of designated directors, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director or (ii) the stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of our company authorized by law or by the charter to vote on such action at a duly called annual meeting or a duly called special meeting of stockholders (including the special election meeting discussed below). The directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and until their respective successors are elected, except in the case of the death, incapacity, resignation or removal of any director.
Amendments of Governance Documents
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting stock then outstanding is required to amend certain provisions relating to the number, term, election and removal of its directors, the filling of its board vacancies, stockholder notice procedures, the calling of special meetings of stockholders, stockholders ability to act by written consent, and the indemnification of directors.
Limitations on Liability, Indemnification of Officers and Directors and Insurance
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes provisions that require us to indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, our directors and officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer, or for serving at our request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that we must advance reasonable expenses to directors and officers, subject to receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Charter Documents
Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of our company. These provisions, which are summarized below, may have the effect of discouraging takeover bids. These provisions are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the company to first negotiate with the board of directors. The benefits of increased protection of the potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging a proposal to acquire the company because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Undesignated Preferred Stock
The authority of our board of directors to issue preferred stock could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of our company through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making it more difficult
or more costly to obtain control of the company. The board of directors may issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock.
Indemnification
We are also expressly authorized by the DGCL to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect the company, its directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. The indemnification and advancements provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, respectively, may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit our company and its stockholders. The indemnification provisions will not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a derivative or direct suit, our company pays the litigation costs of the directors and officers and the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification and advancements provisions.
We maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (i) to directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (ii) to us with respect to indemnification and advancements payments that it may make to such directors and officers.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors. These agreements require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to our company, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The limitation of liability provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the indemnification agreements may facilitate our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers.
Insofar as the above described indemnification provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling our company for liability arising under the Securities Act, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws
Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws:
•permit our board of directors to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate, including the right to approve an acquisition or other change of control;
•provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of our board of directors;
•provide that our board of directors will be classified into three classes of directors;
•provide that, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock to elect directors, directors may only be removed for cause, which removal may be effected, subject to any limitation imposed by law, by the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of our then-outstanding shares of the capital stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors;
•provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;
•require that any action to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and not be taken by written consent or electronic transmission;
•provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide advance notice in writing, and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;
•provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer or by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors; and
•not provide for cumulative voting rights, therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.
The amendment of any of these provisions would require approval by the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of our then-outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
The combination of these provisions will make it more difficult for our existing stockholders to replace our board of directors as well as for another party to obtain control of us by replacing our board of directors. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers, these provisions could also make it more difficult for existing stockholders or another party to effect a change in management. In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.
These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to reduce our vulnerability to hostile takeovers and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and may have the effect of delaying changes in our control or management. As a consequence, these provisions may also inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. We believe that the benefits of these provisions, including increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure our company, outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover proposals, because negotiation of takeover proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Choice of Forum
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws each provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These exclusive-forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Our stockholders cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Our amended and restated bylaws further provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, subject to and contingent upon a final adjudication in the State of Delaware of the enforceability of such exclusive forum provision. The Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware recently determined that a provision stating that U.S. federal district courts are the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act is not enforceable. However, this decision may be reviewed and ultimately overturned by the Delaware Supreme Court. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing forum selection provisions. These exclusive-forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and such persons.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not contain a similar provision providing that 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 rules and regulations thereunder because the provision is included in our amended and restated bylaws. If any court of competent jurisdiction were to find this exclusive-forum provision in our amended and restated bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable, including due to its absence from our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions. For example, if the Delaware Supreme Court does not ultimately overturn the Court of Chancery’s recent determination that such a provision is not enforceable, we may incur similar additional costs.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law
Our company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 generally prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which the person became an interested stockholder unless:
•prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
•upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
•at or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.
In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:
•any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
•any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of either the assets or outstanding stock of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
•subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;
•any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
•the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.
In general, Section 203 defines interested stockholder as an entity or person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
The provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in management.
It is possible that these provisions may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “APEN.” The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Nevada Agency and Transfer Company. Its address is 50 West Liberty Street, Suite 880, Reno, Nevada, 89501, and its telephone number is ###-###-####.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “APEN.”