Form of Lock-Up Agreement

EX-10.3 5 d737147dex103.htm EX-10.3 EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

[ ], 2024

Eliem Therapeutics, Inc.

PMB #117

2801 Centerville Road, 1st Floor

Wilmington, DE ###-###-####

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned signatory of this lock-up agreement (this “Lock-Up Agreement”) understands that Eliem Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), is entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of [ ], 2024 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) with Tango Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and Tenet Medicines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

As a condition and inducement to each of Parent and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees that, subject to the exceptions set forth herein, without the prior written consent of Parent and, prior to the Closing Date, the Company, the undersigned will not, during the period commencing upon the Closing and ending on the date that is 180 days after the Closing Date (the “Restricted Period”):

(1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Parent Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Parent Common Stock (including without limitation, (a) shares of Parent Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and (b) securities of Parent which may be issued upon exercise of an option to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock or a warrant to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock, or settlement of a restricted stock unit or restricted stock award and (c) Parent Common Stock or such other securities to be issued to the undersigned in connection with the Merger) that are currently or hereafter owned of record or beneficially by the undersigned, except as set forth below (collectively, the “Undersigned’s Shares”);

(2) enter into any swap, short sale, hedge or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Undersigned’s Shares regardless of whether any such transaction described in clause (1) above or this clause (2) is to be settled by delivery of shares of Parent Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise;


(3) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Parent Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Parent Common Stock (other than such rights set forth in the Merger Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement);

(4) except for any voting agreement entered into as of the date hereof by the undersigned with Parent and the Company, grant any proxies or powers of attorney with respect to any Parent Common Stock, deposit any Parent Common Stock into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or similar arrangement or commitment with respect to any Parent Common Stock; or

(5) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing (each of the foregoing restrictions, the “Lock-Up Restrictions”).

The undersigned agrees that the Lock-Up Restrictions preclude the undersigned from engaging in any hedging or other transaction with respect to any then-subject Parent Common Stock which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale or disposition of such Parent Common Stock even if such Parent Common Stock would be disposed of by someone other than the undersigned. Such prohibited hedging or other transactions would include without limitation any short sale or any purchase, sale or grant of any right (including without limitation any put or call option) with respect to such Parent Common Stock or with respect to any security that includes, relates to, or derives any significant part of its value from such Parent Common Stock.

The Lock-Up Restrictions contemplated by this Lock-Up Agreement shall not apply to:

(a) transfers of the Undersigned’s Shares:

(1) (A) to any person related to the undersigned (or to an ultimate beneficial owner of the undersigned) by blood or adoption who is an immediate family member of the undersigned, or by marriage or domestic partnership (a “Family Member”), or to a trust formed for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or any of the undersigned’s Family Members, (B) to the undersigned’s estate, following the death of the undersigned, by will, intestacy or other operation of Law, (C) as a bona fide gift to a charitable organization or a charitable contribution, (D) by operation of Law pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement or (E) to any partnership, corporation or limited liability company which is controlled by or under common control with the undersigned and/or by any such Family Member(s);

(2) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that is a direct or indirect affiliate (as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) of the undersigned, including any investment fund or other entity that controls or manages, is under common control or management with, or is controlled or managed by, the undersigned, (B) as a distribution or dividend to equity holders, current or former general or limited partners, members or managers (or to the estates of any of the foregoing), as applicable, of the undersigned (including upon the liquidation and dissolution of the undersigned pursuant to a plan of liquidation approved by the undersigned’s equity holders), (C) as a bona fide gift or a charitable contribution or otherwise to a trust or other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of an immediate family member of a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of the Undersigned’s Shares or (D) transfers or dispositions not involving a change in beneficial ownership; or


(3) if the undersigned is a trust, to any grantors or beneficiaries of the trust;

provided that, in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to this clause (a), such transfer is not for value (other than transfers pursuant to 1(A), 1(E) or 2(A)) and each donee, heir, beneficiary or other transferee or distributee shall sign and deliver to Parent a lock-up agreement in substantially the form of this Lock-Up Agreement with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock or such other securities that have been so transferred or distributed;

(b) the exercise of an option to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock (including a net or cashless exercise of an option to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock ), and any related transfer of shares of Parent Common Stock to Parent for the purpose of paying the exercise price of such options or for paying taxes (including estimated taxes) due as a result of the exercise of such options or for paying taxes (including estimated taxes) due as a result of the exercise of such options; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the underlying shares of Parent Common Stock shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement;

(c) transfers to Parent in connection with the net settlement of any restricted stock unit or other equity award that represents the right to receive in the future shares of Parent Common Stock, settled in shares of Parent Common Stock, to pay any tax withholding obligations; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the underlying shares of Parent Common Stock issued in connection with such exercise shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement;

(d) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Parent Common Stock; provided that such plan does not provide for any transfers of shares of Parent Common Stock during the Restricted Period;

(e) transfers or sales by the undersigned of shares of Parent Common Stock purchased by the undersigned in the PIPE Financing, on the open market or in a public offering by Parent, in each case following the date of the Merger Agreement;

(f) pursuant to a bona-fide third party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of Parent’s capital stock involving a change of control of Parent (including entering into any lock-up, voting or similar agreement pursuant to which the undersigned may agree to transfer, sell, tender or otherwise dispose of shares of Parent Common Stock (or any security convertible into or exercisable for Parent Common Stock), or vote any shares of Parent Common Stock in favor of any such transaction or taking any other action in connection with any such transaction), provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Undersigned’s Shares shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this Lock-Up Agreement; or

(g) pursuant to an order of a court or regulatory agency.


and provided, further, that, with respect to each of (b), (c), and (d) above, no filing by any party (including any donor, donee, transferor, transferee, distributor or distributee) under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be made voluntarily reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Parent Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Parent Common Stock in connection with such transfer or disposition during the Restricted Period (other than any exit filings) and if any filings under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or other public filing, report or announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Parent Common Stock in connection with such transfer or distribution, shall be legally required during the Restricted Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes therein, in reasonable detail, a description of the circumstances of the transfer and that the shares remain subject to this Lock-up Agreement.

For purposes of this Lock-Up Agreement, “change of control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of Parent’s voting securities if, after such transfer, Parent’s stockholders as of immediately prior to such transfer do not hold a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Parent (or the surviving entity).

Any attempted transfer in violation of this Lock-Up Agreement will be of no effect and null and void, regardless of whether the purported transferee has any actual or constructive knowledge of the transfer restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement and will not be recorded on the share register of Parent. In furtherance of the foregoing, the undersigned agrees that Parent and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Agreement. Parent may cause the legend set forth below, or a legend substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) or other documents, ledgers or instruments evidencing the undersigned’s ownership of Parent Common Stock:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AND MAY ONLY BE TRANSFERRED IN COMPLIANCE WITH A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Agreement and that upon request, the undersigned will execute any additional documents reasonably necessary to ensure the validity or enforcement of this Lock-Up Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.

The undersigned understands that if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Lock-Up Agreement. The undersigned understands that Parent and Company are proceeding with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in reliance upon this Lock-Up Agreement.


Any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon Parent and the Company will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by Law or equity, and the exercise by Parent and/or the Company of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The undersigned agrees that irreparable damage would occur to Parent and the Company in the event that any provision of this Lock-Up Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms (including failing to take such actions as are required of it hereunder to consummate this Agreement) or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that Parent and the Company shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Lock-Up Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which Parent and the Company are entitled at Law or in equity, and the undersigned waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of Parent or the Company with respect thereto. Each of the parties further agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief on the basis that any other party has an adequate remedy at law or that any award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or in equity.

In the event that any holder of Parent’s securities that are subject to a substantially similar agreement entered into by such holder, other than the undersigned, is permitted by Parent to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of shares of Parent Common Stock for value other than as permitted by this or a substantially similar agreement entered into by such holder (whether in one or multiple releases or waivers), the same percentage of shares of Parent Common Stock held by the undersigned on the date of such release or waiver as the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock held by such holder on the date of such release or waiver that are the subject of such release or waiver shall be immediately and fully released on the same terms from any remaining restrictions set forth herein (the “Pro-Rata Release”); provided, however, that such Pro-Rata Release shall not be applied unless and until permission has been granted by Parent to an equity holder or equity holders to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of all or a portion of such equity holders shares of Parent Common Stock in an aggregate amount in excess of 1% of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to a substantially similar agreement.

Upon the release of any of the Undersigned’s Shares from this Lock-Up Agreement, Parent will promptly cooperate with the undersigned to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Undersigned Shares without the restrictive legend above or the withdrawal of any stop transfer instructions by virtue of this Lock-Up Agreement.

This Lock-Up Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Lock-Up Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the state of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws. In any action or proceeding between any of the parties arising out of or relating to this Lock-Up Agreement, each of the parties: (i) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, to the extent such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined exclusively in accordance with foregoing clause (i) of this paragraph, (iii) waives any


objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in such courts, (iv) waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party and (v) irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to trial by jury. This Lock-Up Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties to this Lock-Up Agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

This Lock-Up Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. The exchange of a fully executed Lock-Up Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by Parent and the undersigned by facsimile or electronic transmission in ..pdf format shall be sufficient to bind such parties to the terms and conditions of this Lock-Up Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


The undersigned understands that this Lock-Up Agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned and the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

Very truly yours,    

 

[Entity Name]:
By:  

   

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]


Accepted and Agreed

by Eliem Therapeutics, Inc.:

By:  

   

  Name:
  Title:

Accepted and Agreed

by Tenet Medicines, Inc.:

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]