Description of Securities

EX-4.2 2 atai-ex4_2.htm EX-4.2 EX-4.2

 

Exhibit 4.2

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

ATAI Life Sciences N.V. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our”) has the following class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common shares, par value €0.10 per share

 

ATAI

The Nasdaq Global Market

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

The following is a summary of relevant information concerning our share capital and our articles of association and applicable Dutch law. This summary does not constitute legal advice regarding those matters and should not be regarded as such. The following summary is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of our articles of association, as amended from time to time, and which have been publicly filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

General

We are a Dutch a public company (naamloze vennootschap). Our affairs are governed by the provisions of our articles of association and internal rules, regulations and policies, as amended and restated from time to time, and by the provisions of applicable Dutch law. As provided in our articles of association, subject to Dutch law, we have full capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity, do any act or enter into any transaction consistent with the objects specified in our articles of association, and, for such purposes, full rights, powers and privileges.

Share Capital

As of December 31, 2021, our authorized share capital amounted to €75,000,000, consisting of 750,000,000 shares, each with a nominal value of €0.10.

Common Shares

The following summarizes the main rights of holders of our common shares:

 

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each holder of common shares is entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders generally, including the appointment of managing directors and supervisory directors;

 

 

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there are no cumulative voting rights;

 

 

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the holders of our common shares are entitled to dividends and other distributions as may be declared from time to time by us out of funds legally available for that purpose, if any;

 

 

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upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of common shares will be entitled to share ratably in the distribution of all of our assets remaining available for distribution after satisfaction of all our liabilities;

 

 

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the holders of common shares have preemptive rights in case of share issuances or the grant or rights to subscribe for shares, except if such rights are limited or excluded by the corporate body authorized to do so and except in such cases as provided by Dutch law and our articles of association; and

 

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the Company may not make calls on shareholders in excess of the aggregate nominal value of the shares a shareholder has subscribed for.

 

Amendment of Articles of Association

The articles of association can only be amended by a general meeting of the shareholders proposed by the management board, with the approval of the supervisory board. A resolution of the general meeting of shareholders to amend the articles of association requires a majority of at least two thirds of the votes cast whereas that majority must represent more than half of the issued capital.

Shareholders’ Register

Pursuant to Dutch law and our articles of association, we must keep our shareholders’ register accurate and current. The board keeps our shareholders’ register and records names and addresses of all holders of shares, showing the date on which the shares were acquired, the date of the acknowledgement by or notification of us as well as the amount paid on each share. The register also includes the names and addresses of those with a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) on shares belonging to another or a pledge (pandrecht) in respect of such shares. Part of the Shareholders Register may be kept outside The Netherlands to comply with applicable local law or pursuant to stock exchange rules. Our common shares shall be in registered form (op naam).

Corporate Objectives

Pursuant to our articles of association, our main corporate objectives are:

 

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to build biotech companies globally by leveraging a decentralized, technology- and data-driven platform model to serve millions of people suffering with mental health disorders;

 

 

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to acquire and efficiently develop innovative treatments that address significant unmet medical needs and lead to paradigm shifts in the mental health space;

 

 

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to, either alone or jointly with others, acquire and dispose of affiliations or other interests in legal entities, companies and enterprises, and to collaborate with and to manage such legal entities, companies or enterprises;

 

 

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to acquire, manage, turn to account, encumber and dispose of any property—including intellectual property rights—and to invest capital;

 

 

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to supply or procure the supply of money loans, particularly—but not exclusively—to our subsidiaries, group companies and/or affiliates, as well as to draw or to procure the drawing of money loans;

 

 

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to enter into agreements whereby we commit ourselves as guarantor or severally liable co-debtor, or grant security or declare ourselves jointly or severally liable with or for others, particularly—but not exclusively—to the benefit of companies as referred to above;

 

 

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for purposes not related to the conduct of its business to make periodic payments for or towards pension funds or other objectives; and

 

 

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to do all such things as are incidental or may be conducive to the above objects or any of them.

Limitations on the Rights to Own Securities

Our common shares may be issued to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates of deceased individuals, partnerships and unincorporated associations of persons. Our articles of association contain no limitation on the rights to own our shares and no limitation on the rights of nonresidents of the Netherlands or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights.

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Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters

Under Dutch law, managing directors, supervisory directors and certain other officers may be held liable for damages in the event of improper or negligent performance of their duties. They may be held jointly and severally liable for damages to the company and to third parties for infringement of the articles of association or of certain provisions of Dutch law. In certain circumstances, they may also incur additional specific civil and criminal liabilities. Subject to certain exceptions, our articles of association provide for indemnification of our current and former managing directors and supervisory directors (and other current and former officers and employees as designated by our management board). No indemnification shall be given under our articles of association to an indemnified person:

 

(a)

if a competent court or arbitral tribunal has established, without having (or no longer having) the possibility for appeal, that the acts or omissions of such indemnified person that led to the financial losses, damages, expenses, suit, claim, action or legal proceedings as described above are of an unlawful nature (including acts or omissions which are considered to constitute malice, gross negligence, intentional recklessness and/or serious culpability attributable to such indemnified person);

 

 

(b)

to the extent that his or her financial losses, damages and expenses are covered under insurance and the relevant insurer has settled, or has provided reimbursement for, these financial losses, damages and expenses (or has irrevocably undertaken to do so);

 

 

(c)

in relation to proceedings brought by such indemnified person against the company, except for proceedings brought to enforce indemnification to which he is entitled pursuant to our articles of association, pursuant to an agreement between such indemnified person and the company which has been approved by the management board or pursuant to insurance taken out by the company for the benefit of such indemnified person; and

 

 

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for any financial losses, damages or expenses incurred in connection with a settlement of any proceedings effected without the company’s prior consent.

Under our articles of association, our management board may stipulate additional terms, conditions and restrictions in relation to the indemnification described above.

Shareholders’ Meetings

General meetings of shareholders may be held in Amsterdam, or in Rotterdam, the Hague, at Schiphol Airport in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, all in the Netherlands. The annual general meeting of shareholders must be held within six months of the end of each financial year. Additional extraordinary general meetings of shareholders may also be held, whenever considered appropriate by the management board or the supervisory board and shall be held within three months after our management board has considered it to be likely that our equity has decreased to an amount equal to or lower than half of its paid up and called up share capital, in order to discuss the measures to be taken if so required.

Pursuant to Dutch law, one or more shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law who jointly represent at least one-tenth of the issued share capital may request us to convene a general meeting, setting out in detail the matters to be discussed. If we have not taken the steps necessary to ensure that such meeting can be held within six weeks after the request, the requesting party/parties may, on their application, be authorized by the competent Dutch court in preliminary relief proceedings to convene a general meeting of shareholders. The court shall disallow the application if it does not appear that the applicants have previously requested our management board and our supervisory board to convene a general meeting and neither our management board nor our supervisory board has taken the necessary steps so that the general meeting could be held within six weeks after the request.

General meetings of shareholders must be convened by a notice published in a Dutch daily newspaper with national distribution or by a notice in an electronic communication system, which each shall include an agenda, the time and place of the meeting, the record date (if any), the procedure for participating in the general meeting by proxy, as well as other information as required by Dutch law. The notice must be given at least 15 calendar days prior to the day of the meeting. The agenda for the annual general meeting of shareholders shall include, among other things, the

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adoption of the annual accounts, appropriation of our profits and proposals relating to the composition of the management board and supervisory board, including the filling of any vacancies. In addition, the agenda shall include such items as have been included therein by the management board or the supervisory board. The agenda shall also include such items requested by one or more shareholders, or others with meeting rights under Dutch law, representing at least 3% of the issued share capital. Requests must be made in writing or by electronic means and received by us at least 60 days before the day of the meeting. No resolutions shall be adopted on items other than those that have been included in the agenda.

In accordance with the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (DCGC) and our articles of association, shareholders having the right to put an item on the agenda under the rules described above shall exercise such right only after consulting the management board in that respect. If one or more shareholders intend to request that an item be put on the agenda that may result in a change in the company’s strategy (for example, the removal of managing directors or supervisory directors), the management board must be given the opportunity to invoke a reasonable period to respond to such intention. Such period shall not exceed 180 days (or such other period as may be stipulated for such purpose by Dutch law and/or the DCGC from time to time). If invoked, the management board must use such response period for further deliberation and constructive consultation, in any event with the shareholders(s) concerned, and shall explore the alternatives. At the end of the response time, the management board shall report on this consultation and the exploration of alternatives to the general meeting of shareholders. This shall be supervised by our supervisory board. The response period may be invoked only once for any given general meeting of shareholders and shall not apply: (a) in respect of a matter for which a response period has been previously invoked or (b) if a shareholder holds at least 75% of the company’s issued share capital as a consequence of a successful public bid. The response period may also be invoked in response to shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law requesting that a general meeting of shareholders be convened, as described above.

Moreover, our management board, with the approval of our supervisory board, can invoke a cooling-off period of up to 250 days when shareholders, using their right to have items added to the agenda for a general meeting or their right to request a general meeting, propose an agenda item for our general meeting to dismiss, suspend or appoint one or more managing directors or supervisory directors (or to amend any provision in our articles of association dealing with those matters) or when a public offer for our company is made or announced without our support, provided, in each case, that our management board believes that such proposal or offer materially conflicts with the interests of our company and its business. During a cooling-off period, our general meeting cannot dismiss, suspend or appoint managing directors and supervisory directors (or amend the provisions in our articles of association dealing with those matters) except at the proposal of our management board. During a cooling-off period, our management board must gather all relevant information necessary for a careful decision-making process and at least consult with shareholders representing 3% or more of our issued share capital at the time the cooling-off period was invoked, as well as with our Dutch works council (if we or, under certain circumstances, any of our subsidiaries would have one). Formal statements expressed by these stakeholders during such consultations must be published on our website to the extent these stakeholders have approved that publication. Ultimately one week following the last day of the cooling-off period, our management board must publish a report in respect of its policy and conduct of affairs during the cooling-off period on our website. This report must remain available for inspection by shareholders and others with meeting rights under Dutch law at our office and must be tabled for discussion at the next general meeting. Shareholders representing at least 3% of our issued share capital may request the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, or the Enterprise Chamber (Ondernemingskamer), for early termination of the cooling-off period. The Enterprise Chamber must rule in favor of the request if the shareholders can demonstrate that:

 

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our management board, in light of the circumstances at hand when the cooling-off period was invoked, could not reasonably have concluded that the relevant proposal or hostile offer constituted a material conflict with the interests of our company and its business;

 

 

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our management board cannot reasonably believe that a continuation of the cooling-off period would contribute to careful policy-making; or

• other defensive measures, having the same purpose, nature and scope as the cooling-off period, have been activated during the cooling-off period and have not since been terminated or suspended within a reasonable period at the relevant shareholders’ request (i.e., no ‘stacking’ of defensive measures).

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The general meeting is presided over by the chairperson of the supervisory board or by the CEO or by the person designated thereto by the supervisory board, whether or not from its midst. If the chairperson and the CEO are absent and the supervisory board has not designated another person as aforesaid, the general meeting itself shall appoint its chairperson. Managing directors and supervisory directors may always attend a general meeting of shareholders. In these meetings, they have an advisory vote. The chairperson of the meeting may decide at his or her discretion to admit other persons to the meeting.

All shareholders and others with meeting rights under Dutch law are authorized to attend the general meeting of shareholders, to address the meeting and, in so far as they have such right, to vote pro rata to his or her shareholding. Shareholders may exercise these rights, if they are the holders of shares on the record date, if any, as required by Dutch law, which is currently the 28th day before the day of the general meeting of shareholders. Under our articles of association, shareholders and others with meeting rights under Dutch law must notify us in writing or by electronic means of their identity and intention to attend the general meeting of shareholders. This notice must be received by us ultimately on the seventh day prior to the general meeting, unless indicated otherwise when such meeting is convened.

Each common share confers the right on the holder to cast one vote at the general meeting of shareholders. Shareholders may vote by proxy. No votes may be cast at a general meeting of shareholders on shares held by us or our subsidiaries or on shares for which we or our subsidiaries hold depositary receipts. Nonetheless, the holders of a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) and the holders of a right of pledge (pandrecht) in respect of shares held by us or our subsidiaries in our share capital are not excluded from the right to vote on such shares, if the right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or the right of pledge (pandrecht) was granted prior to the time such shares were acquired by us or any of our subsidiaries. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may cast votes in respect of a share on which we or such subsidiary holds a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or a right of pledge (pandrecht). Shares which are not entitled to voting rights pursuant to the preceding sentences will not be taken into account for the purpose of determining the number of shareholders that vote and that are present or represented, or the amount of the share capital that is provided or that is represented at a general meeting of shareholders.

Decisions of the general meeting of shareholders are taken by an absolute majority of votes cast, except where Dutch law or our articles of association provide for a qualified majority or unanimity.

Managing Directors and Supervisory Directors

Appointment of Managing Directors and Supervisory Directors

Under our articles of association, the managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed by the general meeting of shareholders upon binding nomination by our supervisory board. Our articles of association provide that only managing directors that are resident in Germany may be appointed as CEO and that at least half of the managing directors should be German resident. However, the general meeting of shareholders may at all times overrule the binding nomination by a resolution adopted by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital. If the general meeting of shareholders overrules the binding nomination, the supervisory board shall make a new nomination. If the nomination is comprised of one candidate for a vacancy, a resolution concerning the nomination shall result in the appointment of the candidate, unless the nomination is overruled.

Our supervisory board has adopted a diversity policy for the composition of our management board and our supervisory board, as well as a profile for the composition of the supervisory board. The supervisory board shall make any nomination for the appointment of a managing director or supervisory director with due regard to the rules and principles set forth in such diversity policy and profile, as applicable.

At a general meeting of shareholders, a resolution to appoint a managing director or supervisory director can only be passed in respect of candidates whose names are stated for that purpose in the agenda of that general meeting of shareholders or in the explanatory notes thereto.

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Under Dutch law, when nominating a person for appointment or reappointment as a supervisory director, the nomination must be supported by reasons (if it concerns a reappointment, past performance must be taken into consideration) and the following information about such person must be provided: (i) age and profession; (ii) the aggregate nominal value of the shares held in the company’s capital; (iii) present and past positions, to the extent relevant for the performance of the tasks of a supervisory director and (iv) the name of each entity where such person already holds a position as supervisory director or non-executive director (in case of multiple entities within the same group, the name of the group shall suffice).

Duties and Liabilities of Managing Directors and Supervisory Directors

Under Dutch law, the management board is charged with the management of the company, subject to the restrictions contained in our articles of association, and the supervisory board is charged with the supervision of the policy of the management board and the general course of affairs of the company and of the business connected with it. Each managing director and supervisory director has a statutory duty to act in the corporate interest of the company and its business. Under Dutch law, the corporate interest extends to the interests of all corporate stakeholders, such as shareholders, creditors, employees, customers and suppliers. The duty to act in the corporate interest of the company also applies in the event of a proposed sale or break-up of the company, provided that the circumstances generally dictate how such duty is to be applied and how the respective interests of various groups of stakeholders should be weighed. Any resolution of the management board regarding a material change in our identity or character requires approval of the general meeting of shareholders.

Our board is entitled to represent our company. The power to represent our company also vests in the CEO individually, as well as in any other two managing directors acting jointly.

Dividends and Other Distributions

Dividends

We may only make distributions to our shareholders if our shareholders’ equity (eigen vermogen) exceeds the sum of the paid-up and called-up share capital plus any reserves required by Dutch law or by our articles of association. Under our articles of association, the management board may decide that all or part of the profits shown in our adopted annual accounts are carried to reserves. After reservation by the management board of any profit, the remaining profit will be at the disposal of the general meeting of shareholders at the proposal of our board for distribution, subject to restrictions of Dutch law and approval by our supervisory board.

We only make a distribution of dividends to our shareholders after the adoption of our annual accounts demonstrating that such distribution is legally permitted. The management board is permitted, subject to certain requirements, to declare interim dividends without the approval of the general meeting of shareholders, but only with the approval of the supervisory board.

Dividends and other distributions shall be made payable not later than the date determined by the management board. Claims to dividends and other distributions not made within five years from the date that such dividends or distributions became payable, will lapse and any such amounts will be considered to have been forfeited to us (verjaring).

We have not adopted a dividend policy with respect to future dividends. Subject the restrictions described above, any dividend policy (if we were to adopt one) will depend on many factors, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our management board and supervisory board.

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

Exchange Controls

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Under Dutch law, there are no exchange controls applicable to the transfer to persons outside of the Netherlands of dividends or other distributions with respect to, or of the proceeds from the sale of, shares of a Dutch company, subject to applicable restrictions under sanctions and measures, including those concerning export control, pursuant to EU regulations, the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977) or other legislation, applicable anti-boycott regulations, anti-money laundering regulations and similar rules.

Squeeze-Out Procedures

Pursuant to Section 2:92a of the Dutch Civil Code, a shareholder who holds at least 95% of our issued share capital for his own account, alone or together with group companies, may initiate proceedings against the other shareholders jointly for the transfer of their shares to such shareholder. The proceedings are held before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, or the Enterprise Chamber, (Ondernemingskamer), and can be instituted by means of a writ of summons served upon each of the other shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure (Wetboek van Burgerlijke Rechtsvordering). The Enterprise Chamber may grant the claim for squeeze-out in relation to the other shareholders and will determine the price to be paid for the shares, if necessary, after appointment of one or three experts who will offer an opinion to the Enterprise Chamber on the value to be paid for the shares of the other shareholders. Once the order to transfer becomes final before the Enterprise Chamber, the person acquiring the shares shall give written notice of the date and place of payment and the price to the holders of the shares to be acquired whose addresses are known to him. Unless the addresses of all of them are known to the acquiring person, such person is required to publish the same in a daily newspaper with a national circulation.

Dissolution and Liquidation

Under our articles of association, we may be dissolved by a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders, subject to a proposal of the management board approved by our supervisory board. In the event of a dissolution, the liquidation shall be effected by the management board, under supervision of our supervisory board, unless the general meeting decides otherwise. During liquidation, the provisions of our articles of association will remain in force as far as possible. To the extent that any assets remain after payment of all debts, those assets shall be distributed to the holders of common shares.

Dutch Corporate Governance Code

As a listed Dutch public company (naamloze vennootschap), we will be subject to the DCGC. The DCGC contains both principles and best practice provisions that regulate relations between the management board, the supervisory board and the general meeting of shareholders and matters in respect of financial reporting, auditors, disclosure, compliance and enforcement standards. The DCGC is based on a “comply or explain” principle. Accordingly, companies are required to disclose in their statutory annual reports, filed in the Netherlands, whether they comply with the provisions of the DCGC. If they do not comply with these provisions (for example, because of a conflicting Nasdaq requirement), the company is required to give the reasons for such non-compliance.

We will not comply with all principles and best practice provisions of the DCGC, including in order to follow market practice or governance practices in the United States.

 

Dutch Financial Reporting Supervision Act

On the basis of the Dutch Financial Reporting Supervision Act (Wet toezicht financiële verslaggeving), or the FRSA, the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiële Markten), or the AFM, supervises the application of financial reporting standards by Dutch companies whose securities are listed on a Dutch or foreign stock exchange.

Pursuant to the FRSA, the AFM has an independent right to (i) request an explanation from us regarding our application of the applicable financial reporting standards and (ii) recommend to us the making available of further explanations. If we do not comply with such a request or recommendation, the AFM may request that the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (Ondernemingskamer) order us to (a) make available further explanations as recommended by the AFM, (b) provide an explanation of the way we have applied the applicable

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financial reporting standards to our financial reports or (c) prepare our financial reports in accordance with the Enterprise Chamber’s orders.

Foreign Investment Legislation

Under existing laws of the Netherlands, there are no exchange controls applicable to the transfer to persons outside of the Netherlands of dividends or other distributions with respect to, or of the proceeds from the sale of, shares of a Dutch company, subject to applicable restrictions under sanctions and measures, including those concerning export control, pursuant to EU regulations, the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977) or other legislation, applicable anti-boycott regulations, anti-money laundering regulations and similar rules.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the common shares will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

 

Comparison of Dutch Corporate Law and U.S. Corporate Law

The following is a comparison between Dutch corporate law, which applies to us, and Delaware corporation law, the law under which many publicly listed corporations in the United States are incorporated. Although we believe this summary is materially accurate, the summary is subject to Dutch law, including Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code and the DCGC and Delaware corporation law, including the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL.

Corporate Governance

Duties of Managing and Supervisory Directors

The Netherlands. In the Netherlands, a listed company typically has a two-tier board structure with a management board (bestuur) comprised of the managing directors (executive directors) and a supervisory board (raad van commissarissen) comprised of the supervisory directors (non-executive directors). We have a two-tier board structure consisting of our management board and a separate supervisory board.

Under Dutch law, the management board is charged with the management of the company, subject to the restrictions contained in our articles of association, and the supervisory board is charged with the supervision of the policy of the management board and the general course of affairs of the company and of the business connected with it. The managing directors may divide their tasks among themselves in or pursuant to the internal rules applicable to the management board. Each managing director and supervisory director has a statutory duty to act in the corporate interest of the company and its business. Under Dutch law, the corporate interest extends to the interests of all corporate stakeholders, such as shareholders, creditors, employees, customers and suppliers. The duty to act in the corporate interest of the company also applies in the event of a proposed sale or break-up of the company, provided that the circumstances generally dictate how such duty is to be applied and how the respective interests of various groups of stakeholders should be weighed. Any resolution of the management board regarding a material change in our identity or character requires approval of the general meeting.

The approval of our supervisory board is required for resolutions of the management board, including concerning the following matters: the making of certain proposals to the general meeting (including the issue of shares or the granting of rights to subscribe for shares; the limitation or exclusion of pre-emption rights; the designation or granting of certain authorizations as referred to in our articles of association, the reduction of our issued share capital; the making of a distribution from the Company’s profits or reserves; the determination that all or part of a distribution, instead of being made in cash, shall be made in the form of shares or in the form of assets; the amendment of our articles of association; the entering into of a merger or demerger; the instruction of the management board to apply for the Company’s bankruptcy and our dissolution); the issue of shares or the granting of rights to subscribe for shares; the limitation or exclusion of pre-emption rights; the acquisition of shares by us in our own capital; the drawing up or amendment of our management board rules; the performance of legal acts relating to non-cash contributions on shares; material changes to the identity or the character of the company or its

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business; the charging of amounts to be paid up on shares against the company’s reserves; the making of an interim distribution the amendment of the articles of association, the entering into of a merger or demerger, the instruction to apply for the Company’s bankruptcy, the Company’s dissolution; and such other resolutions as the supervisory board shall have specified in a resolution to that effect and notified to the management board. The absence of the approval of the supervisory board shall result in the relevant resolution being null and void but shall not affect the powers of representation of the management board or of the managing directors.

Our management board is entitled to represent us. The power to represent us also vests in the chief executive officer individually, as well as in any other two managing directors acting jointly.

Delaware. The board of directors bears the ultimate responsibility for managing the business and affairs of a corporation. In discharging this function, directors of a Delaware corporation owe fiduciary duties of care and loyalty to the corporation and to its stockholders. Delaware courts have decided that the directors of a Delaware corporation are required to exercise informed business judgment in the performance of their duties. Informed business judgment means that the directors have informed themselves of all material information reasonably available to them. Delaware courts have also imposed a heightened standard of conduct upon directors of a Delaware corporation who take any action designed to defeat a threatened change in control of the corporation. In addition, under Delaware law, when the board of directors of a Delaware corporation approves the sale or break-up of a corporation, the board of directors may, in certain circumstances, have a duty to obtain the highest value reasonably available to the stockholders.

Director Terms

The Netherlands. The DCGC provides the following best practice recommendations on the terms for tenure of managing directors and supervisory directors:

 

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Managing directors should be appointed for a maximum period of four years, without limiting the number of consecutive terms managing directors may serve.

 

 

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Supervisory directors should be appointed for two consecutive periods of no more than four years. Thereafter, supervisory directors may be reappointed for a maximum of two consecutive periods of no more than two years, provided that the reasons for any reappointment after an eight-year term of office should be disclosed in the company’s annual report.

The general meeting shall at all times be entitled to suspend or dismiss a managing director or supervisory director. Under our articles of association, the general meeting may only adopt a resolution to suspend or dismiss such director by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided that such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital, unless the resolution is passed at the proposal of the supervisory board, in which case a simple majority of the votes cast is sufficient. In addition, the supervisory board may at any time suspend a managing director. A suspension by the supervisory board can at any time be lifted by the general meeting. If a managing director is suspended and the general meeting does not resolve to dismiss him or her within three months from the date of such suspension, the suspension shall lapse.

Delaware. The DGCL generally provides for a one-year term for directors, but permits directorships to be divided into up to three classes with up to three-year terms, with the years for each class expiring in different years, if permitted by the certificate of incorporation, an initial bylaw or a bylaw adopted by the stockholders. A director elected to serve a term on a “classified” board may not be removed by stockholders without cause. There is no limit in the number of terms a director may serve.

Director Vacancies

The Netherlands. Our supervisory board can temporarily fill vacancies in its midst caused by temporary absence or incapacity of supervisory directors without requiring a shareholder vote. If all of our supervisory directors are absent or incapacitated, our management shall be attributed to the person who most recently ceased to hold office as the chairperson of our supervisory board, provided that if such former chairperson is unwilling or unable to accept that position, the our management shall be attributed to the person who most recently ceased to hold office as our Chief

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Executive Officer. If such former Chief Executive Officer is also unwilling or unable to accept that position, our management shall be attributed to one or more persons whom the general meeting. The person(s) charged with our management in this manner may designate one or more persons to be charged with our management instead of, or together with, such person(s).

Under Dutch law, managing directors and supervisory directors of a company like ours are appointed and reappointed by the general meeting. Under our articles of association, managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed by the general meeting upon the binding nomination by our supervisory board. However, the general meeting may at all times overrule the binding nomination by a resolution adopted by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided that such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital. If the general meeting overrules the binding nomination, the supervisory board shall make a new nomination.

Our supervisory board has adopted a diversity policy for the composition of our management board and our supervisory board, as well as a profile for the composition of the supervisory board. The supervisory board shall make any nomination for the appointment of a managing director or supervisory director with due regard to the rules and principles set forth in such diversity policy and profile, as applicable.

Under Dutch law, when nominating a person for appointment or reappointment as a supervisory director, the nomination must be supported by reasons (if it concerns a reappointment, past performance must be taken into consideration) and the following information about such person must be provided: (i) age and profession; (ii) the aggregate nominal value of the shares held in the company’s capital; (iii) present and past positions, to the extent relevant for the performance of the tasks of a supervisory director; and (iv) the name of each entity where such person already holds a position as supervisory director or non-executive director (in case of multiple entities within the same group, the name of the group shall suffice).

Delaware. The DGCL provides that vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office (even though less than a quorum) unless (i) otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation or (ii) the certificate of incorporation directs that a particular class of stock is to elect such director, in which case any other directors elected by such class, or a sole remaining director elected by such class, will fill such vacancy.

Conflict-of-Interest Transactions

The Netherlands. Under Dutch law and our articles of association, our managing directors and supervisory directors shall not take part in any discussion or decision-making that involves a subject or transaction in relation to which he or she has a direct or indirect personal conflict of interest with us. Such a conflict of interest would generally arise if the managing director or supervisory director concerned is unable to serve our interests and business connected with it with the required level of integrity and objectivity due to the existence of the conflicting personal interest. Our articles of association provide that a managing director shall not participate in the deliberations and decision-making of the management board on a matter in relation to which he has a direct or indirect personal interest that conflicts with our interests and of the business connected with it. If, as a result thereof, no resolution can be passed by the management board, the resolution shall be passed by the supervisory board. Our articles of association further provide that a supervisory director shall not participate in the deliberations and decision-making of the supervisory board on a matter in relation to which he has a direct or indirect personal interest that conflicts with our interests and of business connected with it. If, as a result thereof, no resolution can be passed by the supervisory board, the resolution may nevertheless be passed by the supervisory board as if none of the supervisory directors has such conflict of interests.

The DCGC provides the following best practice recommendations in relation to conflicts of interests in respect of managing directors or supervisory directors:

 

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A managing director should report any potential conflict of interest in a transaction that is of material significance to the company and/or to such person to the chairperson of the supervisory board and to the other members of the management board without delay. The managing director should provide all relevant information in that regard, including the information relevant to the situation concerning his or her spouse, registered partner or other life companion, foster child and relatives by blood or marriage up to the second degree.

 

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A supervisory director should report any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest in a transaction that is of material significance to the company and/or to such person to the chairman of the supervisory board without delay and should provide all relevant information in that regard, including the relevant information pertaining to his or her spouse, registered partner or other life companion, foster child and relatives by blood or marriage up to the second degree. If the chairman of the supervisory board has a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest, he or she should report this to the vice-chairman of the supervisory board without delay.

 

 

 

 

 

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The supervisory board should decide, outside the presence of the managing director or supervisory director concerned, whether there is a conflict of interest.

 

 

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All transactions in which there are conflicts of interest with managing directors or supervisory directors should be agreed on terms that are customary in the market.

 

 

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Decisions to enter into transactions in which there are conflicts of interest with managing directors or supervisory directors that are of material significance to the company and/or to the relevant managing directors or supervisory directors should require the approval of the supervisory board. Such transactions should be published in the annual report, together with a description of the conflict of interest and a declaration that the relevant best practice provisions of the DCGC have been complied with.

Delaware. The DGCL generally permits transactions involving a Delaware corporation and an interested director of that corporation if:

 

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the material facts as to the director’s relationship or interest are disclosed and a majority of disinterested directors consent;

 

 

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the material facts are disclosed as to the director’s relationship or interest and a majority of shares entitled to vote thereon consent; or

 

 

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the transaction is fair to the corporation at the time it is authorized by the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors or the stockholders.

Proxy Voting by Directors

The Netherlands. An absent managing director may issue a proxy for a specific management board meeting but only to another managing director in writing or by electronic means. An absent supervisory director may issue a proxy for a specific supervisory board meeting but only to another supervisory director in writing or by electronic means.

Delaware. A director of a Delaware corporation may not issue a proxy representing the director’s voting rights as a director.

Shareholder Rights

Voting Rights

The Netherlands. In accordance with Dutch law and our articles of association, each issued common share confers the right to cast one vote at the general meeting. Each holder of shares may cast as many votes as it holds shares. No votes may be cast on shares that are held by us or our direct or indirect subsidiaries or on shares for which we or our subsidiaries hold depository receipts. Nonetheless, the holders of a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) and the holders of a right of pledge (pandrecht) in respect of shares held by us or our subsidiaries in our share capital are not excluded from the right to vote on such shares, if the right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or the right of

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pledge (pandrecht) was granted prior to the time such shares were acquired by us or any of our subsidiaries. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may cast votes in respect of a share on which we or such subsidiary holds a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or a right of pledge (pandrecht). Shares which are not entitled to voting rights pursuant to the preceding sentences will not be taken into account for the purpose of determining the number of shareholders that vote and that are present or represented, or the amount of the share capital that is provided or that is represented at a general meeting of shareholders.

 

In accordance with our articles of association, for each general meeting, the management board may determine that a record date will be applied in order to establish which shareholders are entitled to attend and vote at the general meeting. Such record date shall be the 28th day prior to the day of the general meeting. The record date and the manner in which shareholders can register and exercise their rights will be set out in the notice of the meeting which must be published in a Dutch daily newspaper with national distribution at least 15 calendar days prior to the meeting (and such notice may therefore be published after the record date for such meeting). Under our articles of association, shareholders and others with meeting rights under Dutch law must notify us in writing or by electronic means of their identity and intention to attend the general meeting. This notice must be received by us ultimately on the seventh day prior to the general meeting, unless indicated otherwise when such meeting is convened.

Delaware. Under the DGCL, each stockholder is entitled to one vote per share of stock, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. In addition, the certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting at all elections of directors of the corporation, or at elections held under specified circumstances. Either the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws may specify the number of shares and/or the amount of other securities that must be represented at a meeting in order to constitute a quorum, but in no event will a quorum consist of less than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.

Stockholders as of the record date for the meeting are entitled to vote at the meeting, and the board of directors may fix a record date that is no more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, and if no record date is set then the record date is the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived then the record date is the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The determination of the stockholders of record entitled to notice or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting, but the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Shareholder Proposals

The Netherlands. Pursuant to our articles of association, extraordinary general meetings will be held whenever required under Dutch law or whenever our management board or supervisory board deems such to be appropriate or necessary. Pursuant to Dutch law, one or more shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law representing at least one-tenth of the issued share capital may request us to convene a general meeting, setting out in detail the matters to be discussed. If we have not taken the steps necessary to ensure that such meeting can be held within six weeks after the request, the requesting party or parties may, on their application, be authorized by the competent Dutch court in preliminary relief proceedings to convene a general meeting. The court shall disallow the application of it does not appear that the requesting party or parties has/have previously requested our board to convene a general meeting of shareholders and or board has not taken the necessary steps so that the general meeting of shareholders could be held within six weeks after the request.

Also, the agenda for a general meeting shall include such items requested by one or more shareholders, and others with meeting rights under Dutch law, representing at least 3% of the issued share capital, except where the articles of association state a lower percentage. Our articles of association do not state such lower percentage. Requests must be made in writing or by electronic means and received by us at least 60 days before the day of the meeting.

In accordance with the DCGC and our articles of association, a shareholder shall exercise the right of putting an item on the agenda only after consulting the management board in that respect. If one or more shareholders intend to request that an item be put on the agenda that may result in a change in the company’s strategy (for example, the removal of managing directors or supervisory directors), the management board must be given the opportunity to invoke a reasonable period to respond to such intention. Such period shall not exceed 180 days (or such other period as may be stipulated for such purpose by Dutch law and/or the DCGC from time to time). If invoked, the

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management board must use such response period for further deliberation and constructive consultation, in any event with the shareholders(s) concerned, and shall explore the alternatives. At the end of the response time, the management board shall report on this consultation and the exploration of alternatives to the general meeting. This shall be supervised by our supervisory board. The response period may be invoked only once for any given general meeting and shall not apply: (a) in respect of a matter for which a response period has been previously invoked; or (b) if a shareholder holds at least 75% of the company’s issued share capital as a consequence of a successful public bid. The response period may also be invoked in response to shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law requesting that a general meeting be convened, as described above.

Delaware. Delaware law does not specifically grant stockholders the right to bring business before an annual or special meeting. However, if a Delaware corporation is subject to the SEC’s proxy rules, a stockholder who owns at least $2,000 in market value, or 1% of the corporation’s securities entitled to vote, may propose a matter for a vote at an annual or special meeting in accordance with those rules.

Action by Written Consent

The Netherlands. Under Dutch law, shareholders’ resolutions may be adopted in writing without holding a meeting of shareholders, provided that (i) the articles of association allow such action by written consent, (ii) the company has not issued bearer shares or, with its cooperation, depository receipts for shares in its capital, and (iii) the resolution is adopted unanimously by all shareholders that are entitled to vote. Although our articles of association allow for shareholders’ resolutions to be adopted in writing, the requirement of unanimity renders the adoption of shareholder resolutions without holding a meeting not feasible for us as a publicly traded company.

Delaware. Although permitted by Delaware law, publicly listed companies do not typically permit stockholders of a corporation to take action by written consent.

Appraisal Rights

The Netherlands. Subject to certain exceptions, Dutch law does not recognize the concept of appraisal or dissenters’ rights. However, Dutch law does provide for squeeze-out procedures as described under “Dividends and Other Distributions — Squeeze-Out Procedures.” Also, Dutch law provides for cash exit rights in certain situations for dissenting shareholders of a company organized under Dutch law entering into certain types of mergers. In those situations, a dissenting shareholder may file a claim with the Dutch company for compensation. Such compensation shall then be determined by one or more independent experts. The shares of such shareholder that are subject to such claim will cease to exist as of the moment of entry into effect of the merger.

Delaware. The DGCL provides for stockholder appraisal rights, or the right to demand payment in cash of the judicially determined fair value of the stockholder’s shares, in connection with certain mergers and consolidations.

Shareholder Suits

The Netherlands. In the event a third-party is liable to a Dutch company, only the company itself can bring a civil action against that party. The individual shareholders do not have the right to bring an action on behalf of the company. Only in the event that the cause for the liability of a third-party to the company also constitutes a tortious act directly against a shareholder does that shareholder have an individual right of action against such third-party in its own name. Dutch law provides for the possibility to initiate such actions collectively, in which a foundation or an association can act as a class representative and has standing to commence proceedings and claim damages if certain criteria are met. The court will first determine if those criteria are met. If so, the case will go forward as a class action on the merits after a period allowing class members to opt out from the case has lapsed. All members of the class who are residents of the Netherlands and who did not opt-out will be bound to the outcome of the case. Residents of other countries must actively opt in in order to be able to benefit from the class action. The defendant is not required to file defenses on the merits prior to the merits phase having commenced. It is possible for the parties to reach a settlement during the merits phase. Such a settlement can be approved by the court, which approval will then bind the members of the class, subject to a second opt-out. This new regime applies to claims brought after January 1, 2020 and which relate to certain events that occurred prior to that date. For other matters, the old Dutch

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class actions regime will apply. Under the old regime, no monetary damages can be sought. Also, a judgment rendered under the old regime will not bind individual class members. Even though Dutch law does not provide for derivative suits, directors and officers can still be subject to liability under U.S. securities laws.

Delaware. Under the DGCL, a stockholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the corporation to enforce the rights of the corporation. An individual also may commence a class action suit on behalf of himself and other similarly situated stockholders where the requirements for maintaining a class action under Delaware law have been met. A person may institute and maintain such a suit only if that person was a stockholder at the time of the transaction which is the subject of the suit. In addition, under Delaware case law, the plaintiff normally must be a stockholder at the time of the transaction that is the subject of the suit and throughout the duration of the derivative suit. Delaware law also requires that the derivative plaintiff make a demand on the directors of the corporation to assert the corporate claim before the suit may be prosecuted by the derivative plaintiff in court, unless such a demand would be futile.

Repurchase of Shares

The Netherlands. Under Dutch law, when issuing shares, a public company such as ours may not subscribe for newly issued shares in its own capital. Such company may, however, subject to certain restrictions of Dutch law and its articles of association, acquire shares in its own capital. A listed public company such as ours may acquire fully paid shares in its own capital at any time for no valuable consideration. Furthermore, subject to certain provisions of Dutch law and its articles of association, such company may repurchase fully paid shares in its own capital if (i) the company’s shareholders’ equity less the payment required to make the acquisition does not fall below the sum of paid-in and called-up share capital plus any reserves required by Dutch law or its articles of association and (ii) the aggregate nominal value of shares of the company which the company acquires, holds or on which the company holds a pledge (pandrecht) or which are held by a subsidiary of the company, would not exceed 50% of its then-current issued share capital. Such company may only acquire its own shares if its general meeting has granted the management board the authority to effect such acquisitions.

An acquisition of common shares for a consideration must be authorized by our general meeting. Such authorization may be granted for a maximum period of 18 months and must specify the number of common shares that may be acquired, the manner in which common shares may be acquired and the price limits within which common shares may be acquired. The actual acquisition may only be effected pursuant to a resolution of our management board, with the approval of our supervisory board. Our management board, subject to approval by our supervisory board, is authorized, for a period of 18 months after we converted into the legal form of an N.V. to cause the repurchase of common shares by us of up to 20% of our issued share capital, for a price per share not exceeding 110% of the average market price of our common shares on Nasdaq (such average market price being the average of the closing prices on each of the five consecutive trading days preceding the date the acquisition is agreed upon by us). These shares may be used to deliver shares underlying awards granted pursuant to our equity-based compensation plans.

No authorization of the general meeting is required if fully paid common shares are acquired by us with the intention of transferring such common shares to our employees under an applicable employee share purchase plan.

Delaware. Under the DGCL, a corporation may purchase or redeem its own shares unless the capital of the corporation is impaired or the purchase or redemption would cause an impairment of the capital of the corporation. A Delaware corporation may, however, purchase or redeem out of capital any of its preferred shares or, if no preferred shares are outstanding, any of its own shares if such shares will be retired upon acquisition and the capital of the corporation will be reduced in accordance with specified limitations.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The Netherlands. Under Dutch law, various protective measures are possible and permissible within the boundaries set by Dutch law and Dutch case law. In this respect, certain provisions of our articles of association may make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire control of us or effect a change in our management board and supervisory board. These provisions include:

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a provision that our managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed on the basis of a binding nomination prepared by our supervisory board which can only be overruled by a two-thirds majority of votes cast representing more than 50% of our issued share capital;

 

 

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a provision that our managing directors and supervisory directors may only be dismissed by the general meeting by a two-thirds majority of votes cast representing more than 50% of our issued share capital (unless the dismissal is proposed by the supervisory board in which case a simple majority of the votes would be sufficient);

 

 

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a provision allowing, among other matters, the former chairman of our supervisory board or our former CEO, as applicable, to manage our affairs if all of our managing directors and supervisory directors are removed from office and to appoint others to be charged with the management and supervision of our affairs, until new managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed by the general meeting on the basis of a binding nomination discussed above; and

 

 

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a requirement that certain matters, including an amendment of our articles of association, may only be brought to our shareholders for a vote upon a proposal by our management board.

In addition, Dutch law allows for staggered multi-year terms of our managing directors and supervisory directors, as a result of which only part of our managing directors and supervisory directors may be subject to appointment or re-appointment in any one year.

Delaware. In addition to other aspects of Delaware law governing fiduciary duties of directors during a potential takeover, the DGCL also contains a business combination statute that protects Delaware companies from hostile takeovers and from actions following the takeover by prohibiting some transactions once an acquirer has gained a significant holding in the corporation.

Section 203 of the DGCL Law prohibits “business combinations,” including mergers, sales and leases of assets, issuances of securities and similar transactions by a corporation or a subsidiary with an interested stockholder that beneficially owns 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock, within three years after the person becomes an interested stockholder, unless:

 

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the transaction that will cause the person to become an interested stockholder is approved by the board of directors of the target prior to the transactions;

 

 

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after the completion of the transaction in which the person becomes an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder holds at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation not including shares owned by persons who are directors and officers of interested stockholders and shares owned by specified employee benefit plans; or

 

 

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after the person becomes an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and holders of at least 66.67% of the outstanding voting stock, excluding shares held by the interested stockholder.

A Delaware corporation may elect not to be governed by Section 203 by a provision contained in the original certificate of incorporation of the corporation or an amendment to the original certificate of incorporation or to the bylaws of the company, which amendment must be approved by a majority of the shares entitled to vote and may not be further amended by the board of directors of the corporation. Such an amendment is not effective until 12 months following its adoption.

 

Inspection of Books and Records

The Netherlands. The management board and the supervisory board provide the general meeting, within a reasonable amount of time, all information that the shareholders require for the exercise of their powers, unless this would be contrary to an overriding interest of our company. If the management board or supervisory board invokes such an overriding interest, it must give reasons.

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Delaware. Under the DGCL, any stockholder may inspect for any proper purpose certain of the corporation’s books and records during the corporation’s usual hours of business.

Dismissal of Directors

The Netherlands. Under our articles of association, the general meeting shall at all times be entitled to dismiss a managing director or supervisory director. The general meeting may only adopt a resolution to suspend or dismiss a managing director or supervisory director by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided that such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital, unless the proposal was made by the supervisory board, in which latter case a simple majority is sufficient. The DCGC recommends that the general meeting can pass a resolution to dismiss a director by simple majority, representing no more than one-third of the issued share capital.

Delaware. Under the DGCL, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except (i) unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, in the case of a corporation whose board is classified, stockholders may effect such removal only for cause, or (ii) in the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there are classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which he or she is a part.

Issuance of Shares

The Netherlands. Under Dutch law, a company’s general meeting is the corporate body authorized to resolve on the issuance of shares and the granting of rights to subscribe for shares. The general meeting can delegate such authority to another corporate body of the company, such as the management board, for a period not exceeding five years; this authorization may only be extended from time to time for a maximum period of five years. Our management board, with the approval of our supervisory board, is authorized, for a period of five years after we converted into the legal form of an N.V., to issue shares or grant rights to subscribe for shares up to our authorized share capital from time to time. We may not subscribe for our own shares on issue.

Delaware. All creation of shares require the board of directors to adopt a resolution or resolutions, pursuant to authority expressly vested in the board of directors by the provisions of the company’s certificate of incorporation.

Preemptive Rights

The Netherlands. Under Dutch law, in the event of an issuance of common shares, each shareholder will have a pro rata preemptive right in proportion to the aggregate nominal value of the common shares held by such holder (with the exception of common shares to be issued to employees or common shares issued against a contribution other than in cash or pursuant to the exercise of a previously acquired right to subscribe for shares). Under our articles of association, the preemptive rights in respect of newly issued common shares may be restricted or excluded by a resolution of the general meeting. Another corporate body, such as the management board, may restrict or exclude the preemptive rights in respect of newly issued common shares if it has been designated as the authorized body to do so by the general meeting. Such designation can be granted for a period not exceeding five years. A resolution of the general meeting to restrict or exclude the preemptive rights or to designate another corporate body as the authorized body to do so requires a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast, if less than one-half of our issued share capital is represented at the meeting. Our management board, with the approval of our supervisory board, is authorized, for a period not exceeding five years after we converted into the legal form of an N.V. to limit or exclude preemptive rights in relation to an issuance of shares or a grant of rights to subscribe for shares that the management board is authorized to resolve upon (see “Issuance of Shares” above).

Delaware. Under the DGCL, stockholders have no preemptive rights to subscribe for additional issues of stock or to any security convertible into such stock unless, and to the extent that, such rights are expressly provided for in the certificate of incorporation.

Dividends

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The Netherlands. Dutch law provides that dividends (if it concerns a distribution of profits) may be distributed after adoption of the annual accounts by the general meeting from which it appears that such dividend distribution is allowed. Moreover, dividends may be distributed, whether as a distribution of profits or of freely distributable reserves, only to the extent the shareholders’ equity exceeds the amount of the paid-in and called-up issued share capital and the reserves that must be maintained under the law or the articles of association. Interim dividends may be declared as provided in the articles of association and may be distributed to the extent that the shareholders’ equity exceeds the amount of the paid-in and called-up issued share capital plus any reserves as described above as apparent from our interim financial statements prepared under Dutch law.

Under our articles of association, our management board, with the approval of our supervisory board, may decide that all or part of the profits are carried to reserves. After reservation of any profit, the remaining profit will be at the disposal of the general meeting for distribution, subject to restrictions of Dutch law and approval by our supervisory board. Our management board is permitted, subject to certain requirements, to declare interim dividends without the approval of the general meeting, but only with the approval of the supervisory board. Dividends and other distributions shall be made payable not later than the date determined by the management board. Claims to dividends and other distributions not made within five years from the date that such dividends or distributions became payable will lapse and any such amounts will be considered to have been forfeited to us (verjaring).

Delaware. Under the DGCL, a Delaware corporation may pay dividends out of its surplus (the excess of net assets over capital), or in case there is no surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year (provided that the amount of the capital of the corporation is not less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets). In determining the amount of surplus of a Delaware corporation, the assets of the corporation, including stock of subsidiaries owned by the corporation, must be valued at their fair market value as determined by the board of directors, without regard to their historical book value. Dividends may be paid in the form of common stock, property or cash.

Shareholder Vote on Certain Reorganizations

The Netherlands. Under Dutch law, the general meeting must approve resolutions of the management board relating to a significant change in the identity or the character of the company or the business of the company, which includes:

 

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a transfer of the business or virtually the entire business to a third party;

 

 

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the entry into or termination of a long-term cooperation of the company or a subsidiary with another legal entity or company or as a fully liable partner in a limited partnership or general partnership, if such cooperation or termination is of a far-reaching significance for the company; and

 

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the acquisition or divestment by the company or a subsidiary of a participating interest in the capital of a company having a value of at least one-third of the amount of its assets according to its balance sheet and explanatory notes or, if the company prepares a consolidated balance sheet, according to its consolidated balance sheet and explanatory notes in the last adopted annual accounts of the company.

Delaware. Under the DGCL, the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon generally is necessary to approve a merger or consolidation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation. The DGCL permits a corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a provision requiring for any corporate action the vote of a larger portion of the stock or of any class or series of stock than would otherwise be required.

Under the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of a surviving corporation to a merger is needed, however, unless required by the certificate of incorporation, if (i) the agreement of merger does not amend in any respect the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation, (ii) the shares of stock of the surviving corporation are not changed in the merger and (iii) the number of shares of common stock of the surviving corporation into which any other shares, securities or obligations to be issued in the merger may be converted does not exceed 20% of the surviving corporation’s common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger. In addition,

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stockholders may not be entitled to vote in certain mergers with other corporations that own 90% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of stock of such corporation, but the stockholders will be entitled to appraisal rights.

Remuneration of Managing Directors and Supervisory Directors

The Netherlands. Dutch law does not provide for limitations with respect to the aggregate annual compensation paid to our directors, provided that such compensation is consistent with our compensation policy. Changes to such compensation policy will require a vote of our general meeting by simple majority of the votes cast. The supervisory board determines the remuneration of individual managing directors with due observance of the compensation policy at the recommendation of our compensation committee. A proposal with respect to remuneration schemes in the form of shares or rights to shares in which managing directors may participate is subject to approval by our general meeting. Such a proposal must set out at least the maximum number of shares or rights to subscribe for shares to be granted to the managing directors and the criteria for granting or amendment. The compensation for our supervisory directors is set by the general meeting.

Delaware. Under the DGCL, the stockholders do not generally have the right to approve the compensation policy for directors or the senior management of the corporation, although certain aspects of the compensation policy may be subject to stockholder vote due to the provisions of U.S. federal securities and tax law.

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