Description of Securities
Exhibit 4.6
DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT
TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
The following is a description of our common stock and preferred stock as set forth in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K to which this Exhibit 4.6 is a part. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of our aforementioned certificate of incorporation and bylaws and by applicable law.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
The additional shares of our authorized stock available for issuance might be issued at times and under circumstances so as to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and on the equity ownership of the holders of our common stock. The ability of our board of directors to issue additional shares of stock could enhance the board’s ability to negotiate on behalf of the stockholders in a takeover situation but could also be used by the board to make a change-in-control more difficult, thereby denying stockholders the potential to sell their shares at a premium and entrenching current management. The following description is a summary of the material provisions of our capital stock. You should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws, both of which are on file with the SEC as exhibits to previous SEC filings, for additional information. The summary below is qualified by provisions of applicable law.
Common Stock
Voting. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which the holders are entitled to vote (or consent to).
Dividends. The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive, ratably, dividends only if, when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor and after provision is made for each class of capital stock having preference over the common stock (including the common stock).
Liquidation Rights. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share, ratably, in all assets remaining available for distribution after payment of all liabilities and after provision is made for each class of capital stock having preference over the common stock (including the common stock).
Conversion Rights. The holders of our common stock have no conversion rights.
Preemptive and Similar Rights. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive or similar rights.
Redemption/Put Rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully-paid and nonassessable.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is VStock Transfer, LLC.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (of which 1,600,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock) with such designations, rights, and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our board of directors. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock, or delaying or preventing a change in control of our company, all without further action by our stockholders.
Our board of directors has the authority, within the limitations and restrictions prescribed by law and without stockholder approval, to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preference and the number of shares constituting any series of the designation of such series, by delivering an appropriate certificate of amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to the Delaware Secretary of State pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock, impeding or delaying a possible takeover and adversely affecting the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.
If we offer a specific series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of the preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the certificate establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC. To the extent required, this description will include:
| ● | the title and stated value; |
| ● | the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference per share and the purchase price; |
| ● | the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s), or method(s) of calculation for such dividends; |
| ● | whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate; |
| ● | the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any; |
| ● | the provisions for a sinking fund, if any; |
| ● | the provisions for redemption, if applicable; |
| ● | any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market; |
| ● | whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price (or how it will be calculated) and conversion period; |
| ● | whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price (or how it will be calculated) and exchange period; |
| ● | voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; |
| ● | a discussion of any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock; |
| ● | the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Matinas; and |
| ● | any material limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Matinas. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar for Preferred Stock. The transfer agent and registrar for any series or class of preferred stock will be set forth in each applicable prospectus supplement.
Series A Preferred Stock
Our board of directors created out of the authorized and unissued shares of our preferred stock, a series of preferred stock comprised of 1,600,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. All shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been automatically converted pursuant to the terms of the certificate of designation.
Series B Preferred Stock
Our board of directors created out of the authorized and unissued shares of our preferred stock, a series of preferred stock comprised of 15,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Each share of Series B Preferred have a stated value of $1,000 per share.
Rank. The Series B Preferred rank
| ● | junior to our Series A Preferred Stock and any class or series of our capital stock hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms senior to the Series B Preferred; |
| ● | senior to all of our common stock; |
| ● | senior to any class or series of our capital stock hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms junior to the Series B Preferred; and |
| ● | on a parity with any class or series of our capital stock hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms on a parity with the Series B Preferred. |
in each case, as to distributions of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
Dividends. Holders of the Series B Preferred are entitled to receive dividends payable as follows: (i) a number of shares of common stock equal to 10% of the shares of common stock underlying the Series B Preferred then held by such holder on the 12 month anniversary of the COD Effective Date, (ii) a number of shares of common stock equal to 15% of the shares of common stock underlying the Series B Preferred then held by such holder on the 24-month anniversary of the COD Effective Date and (iii) a number of shares of common stock equal to 20% of the shares of common stock underlying the Series B Preferred then held by such holder on the 36-month anniversary of the COD Effective Date. In the event a purchaser in this offering no longer holds Series B Preferred as of the 12-month anniversary, the 24-month anniversary or the 36 month anniversary, such purchaser will not be entitled to receive any dividends on such anniversary date.
Optional Conversion. Each share of Series B Preferred is convertible into shares of our common stock at any time at the option of the holder at a conversion price $0.50 per share (subject to adjustment for reverse splits, stock combinations and similar changes as provided in the certificate of designation). Holders of Series B Preferred are prohibited from converting Series B Preferred into shares of our common stock if, as a result of such conversion, the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own more than 4.99% (or upon the election by a holder prior to the issuance of any shares of Series B Preferred, 9.99%) of the total number of shares of our common stock then issued and outstanding. Dividends will not accrue and will not be paid following optional conversion.
Automatic Conversion. Each share of our Series B Preferred shall automatically convert into 2,000 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per share upon the earlier of (i) the first FDA approval of one of our product candidates, (ii) the 36-month anniversary of the COD Effective Date or (iii) the consent to conversion by holders of at least 50.1% of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred. In the event the Series B Preferred automatically converts into common stock prior to the 36 month anniversary of the COD Effective Date, the holder on the date of such conversion shall also be entitled to receive those dividends which would have been payable after the conversion date, as if the shares of Series B Preferred had remained unconverted and outstanding through the 36 month anniversary of the COD Effective Date. Such dividend amount shall be payable as set forth above in shares of common stock upon such automatic conversion.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the proceeds and/or assets of our company remaining after giving effect to such transaction, and the payment of all of our debts and liabilities will be distributed first to the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock and thereafter to the holders of Series B Preferred and then to stockholders of common stock (including the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred on an “as converted” basis) on a pro rata basis.
Voting Rights. Except as provided in the Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred or as otherwise required by law, the holders of Series B Preferred will have no voting rights. However, we may not, without the consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred, alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series B Preferred, increase the number of authorized shares of Series B Preferred, or enter into any agreement with respect to the foregoing.
Redemption. We will be not obligated to redeem or repurchase any shares of Series B Preferred. Shares of Series B Preferred will not otherwise be entitled to any redemption rights or mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions.
Transfer Agent, Registrar and Dividend Disbursing Agent. The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for our Series B preferred stock is VStock Transfer, LLC.
Anti-takeover Effects of Delaware Law and of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
The following paragraphs summarize certain provisions of the DGCL and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that may have the effect of discouraging an acquisition of Matinas. The summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the DGCL and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws, copies of which are on file with the SEC. Please refer to “Additional Information” below for directions on obtaining these documents.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:
| ● | before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
| ● | upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
| ● | on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
In general, Section 203 defines business combination to include the following:
| ● | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; |
| ● | any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; |
| ● | subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
| ● | any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or |
| ● | the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation. |
In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging potential acquisition proposals or tender offers or delaying or preventing a change of control of our company. These provisions are as follows:
| ● | they provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, President or our Chairman of the board of directors, or at the request in writing by stockholders of record owning at least fifty (50%) percent of the issued and outstanding voting shares of common stock; |
| ● | they do not include a provision for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Under cumulative voting, a minority stockholder holding a sufficient number of shares may be able to ensure the election of one or more directors. The absence of cumulative voting may have the effect of limiting the ability of minority stockholders to effect changes in our board of directors; and |
| ● | they allow us to issue “blank check” preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval. |
Potential Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock
We have shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to facilitate corporate acquisitions or payment as a dividend on the capital stock.
The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of our management. In addition, the board of directors has the discretion to determine designations, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences of each series of preferred stock, all to the fullest extent permissible under the DGCL and subject to any limitations set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. The purpose of authorizing the board of directors to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences applicable to such preferred stock is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or could discourage a third-party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
