Patent And Technology License Agreement dated June 29, 2017 by and between The Board of Regents of The University Of Texas System on behalf of The University Of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Moleculin Biotech, Inc

Contract Categories: Intellectual Property - License Agreements
EX-10.30 3 ex_350306.htm EXHIBIT 10.30 ex_350306.htm

Exhibit 10.30

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both not material and is the type that the issuer treats as private or confidential. Information that was omitted has been noted in this document with a placeholder identified by the mark [***].

 

PATENT AND TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This AGREEMENT (“AGREEMENT”) is made on this 29th day of June, 2017, by and between THE BOARD OF REGENTS (“BOARD”) of THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM (“SYSTEM”), an agency of the State of Texas, whose address is 201 West 7th Street, Austin, Texas 78701, on behalf of THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER (“MD ANDERSON”), a member institution of SYSTEM, and Moleculin Biotech, Inc. a Delaware corporation having a principal place of business located at 2575 West Bellfort, Suite 333, Houston, Texas 77054 (“LICENSEE”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.         BOARD owns certain PATENT RIGHTS and TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS related to LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER developed at MD ANDERSON in cooperation with LICENSEE.

 

B.         BOARD, through MD ANDERSON, desires to have the LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER developed in the LICENSED FIELD and used for the benefit of LICENSEE, BOARD, SYSTEM, MD ANDERSON, the inventor(s), and the public as outlined in BOARD’s Intellectual Property Policy.

 

C.         LICENSEE wishes to obtain a license from BOARD to practice LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

I. EFFECTIVE DATE

 

 

1.1

This AGREEMENT is effective as of the date written above (“EFFECTIVE DATE”) which is the date fully executed by all parties.

 

II. DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this AGREEMENT, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

 

2.1

AFFILIATE means any business entity more than [***] percent ([***]%) owned by LICENSEE, any business entity which owns more than [***] percent ([***]%) of LICENSEE, or any business entity that is more than [***] percent ([***]%) owned by a business entity that owns more than [***] percent ([***]%) of LICENSEE.

 

 

2.2

ASSIGNMENT means a writing wherein a third-party assumes in writing (a copy of which writing will be promptly provided to MD ANDERSON) all of LICENSEE’s or AFFILIATE’s interests, rights, duties, and obligations under the AGREEMENT and agrees to comply with all terms and conditions of the AGREEMENT as if the assignee were the original party to the AGREEMENT.

 

 

2.3

EXCLUDED AMOUNTS means (1) any payment received by or on behalf of LICENSEE from a SUBLICENSEE for the supply of goods and/or services (including LICENSED PRODUCTS) to such SUBLICENSEE, provided that the SUBLICENSEE is not the end user of such goods or services, and provided further that MD ANDERSON has been paid the ROYALTY RATE for NET SALES upon SALE of the LICENSED PRODUCTS to the end user; and (2) payment received by LICENSEE from a SUBLICENSEE for providing LICENSED PRODUCTS to said SUBLICENSEE for use in a clinical study or other research necessary or useful to obtain REGULATORY APPROVAL of a LICENSED PRODUCTS, provided that such payment does not exceed LICENSEE’s actual cost for providing such LICENSED PRODUCTS to said SUBLICENSEE.

 

 

 

 

2.4

LICENSED FIELD means all fields of use.

 

 

2.5

LICENSED PRODUCTS means any product or service sold by LICENSEE, an AFFILIATE, or a SUBLICENSEE comprising LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER pursuant to this AGREEMENT and which is covered by a VALID CLAIM.

 

 

2.6

LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER means inventions and discoveries covered by PATENT RIGHTS or TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS within LICENSED FIELD.

 

 

2.7

LICENSED TERRITORY means worldwide.

 

 

2.8

NEW DRUG APPLICATION means application submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for approval to market a new drug, as more specifically defined by 21 C F R §314 et seq., or any future revisions or substitutes thereof, or an equivalent foreign filing in any jurisdiction other than the United States.

 

 

2.9

NET SALES [***].

 

 

 

2.10

PATENT EXPENSES all expenses incurred in searching, preparing, filing, prosecuting, defending in any post-issuance administrative proceeding, and maintaining Patent Rights.

 

 

2.11

PATENT RIGHTS means BOARD’s rights (a) the patents and patent applications resulting from the IDR(s) listed in Exhibit I; (b) all patent applications that claim priority to any patent or patent application of identified in (a), provided that the claims of such non-provisional applications are entitled to claim priority to such applications; (c) all divisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part of the non-provisional patent applications identified in (a) and (b), above provided that the claims of such continuations-in-part are entitled to claim priority to at least one of the patent applications identified in (a) or (b), above; (d) all reissues, reexaminations, extensions, and foreign counterparts of any of the patents or patent applications identified in (a), (b) or (c), above; and (e) any patents that issue with respect to any of the patent applications listed in (a), (b), (c) or (d), above.

 

 

2.12

PHASE III STUDY means a human clinical trial using a Licensed Product on a sufficient number of subjects that is designed to establish that a pharmaceutical product is safe and efficacious for its intended use, and to determine warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions that are associated with such pharmaceutical product in the dosage range to be prescribed, which trial is intended to support Regulatory Approval of a Licensed Product alone or in combination with an ATAC, as described in 21 C.F.R. 312.21(c) for the United States, or a similar clinical study prescribed by the Regulatory Authorities in a foreign country.

 

 

2.13

REGULATORY APPROVAL means the approval by the Regulatory Authority needed for a particular national jurisdiction to market, Sell and use a Licensed Product in that national jurisdiction.

 

 

2.14

REGULATORY AUTHORITY means the governmental authority responsible for granting any necessary licenses or approvals for the marketing, Sale and use of a Licensed Product in a particular national jurisdiction, including without limitation, the FDA, European Medicines Agency or Koseisho (i.e. the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare).

 

 

 

 

2.15

ROYALTY PERIOD means, for a given LICENSED PRODUCT in a given jurisdiction, a period that commences with the first SALE of such LICENSED PRODUCT after receipt of REGULATORY APPROVAL in such jurisdiction and continues, on a jurisdiction-to­jurisdiction and LICENSED PRODUCT-by-LICENSED PRODUCT basis, until such time as no VALID CLAIM is infringed by the use, composition, sale, manufacture, or importation of such LICENSED PRODUCT in such jurisdiction of SALE.

 

 

2.16

ROYALTY RATE means the rate set forth in Section 4.1(d).

 

 

2.17

SELL, SALE or SOLD means the transfer or disposition of a LICENSED PRODUCT for value to a party other than LICENSEE, an AFFILIATE, or a SUBLICENSEE.

 

 

2.18

SUBLICENSE CONSIDERATION means any and all consideration, other than royalties for NET SALES (provided that MD ANDERSON has been paid the ROYALTY RATE for such NET SALES), debt, research and development funds, and EXCLUDED AMOUNTS, as defined below, received by LICENSEE from any SUBLICENSEE as consideration for the sublicense, including, but not limited to, up-front, marketing, distribution, franchise, and option payments, license and documentation fees, and bonus and milestone payments.. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if LICENSEE receives a bona fide milestone payment from a SUBLICENSEE for achieving a MILESTONE, then for purposes of calculating SUBLICENSE CONSIDERATION, LICENSEE may deduct the amount actually paid to MD ANDERSON by LICENSEE for achieving such milestone from the amount received by LICENSEE from the SUBLICENSEE for achieving the milestone. In addition, if LICENSEE receives a payment from a SUBLICENSEE as a bona fide reimbursement for PATENT EXPENSES for PATENT RIGHTS, then for purposes of calculating SUBLICENSE CONSIDERATION, LICENSEE may deduct the amount actually paid to MD ANDERSON by LICENSEE as reimbursement for PATENT EXPENSES from the amounts received by LICENSEE from the SUBLICENSEE as reimbursement of PATENT EXPENSES. For purposes of clarification, consideration received by LICENSEE from a SUBLICENSEE for equity securities of LICENSEE shall not be considered SUBLICENSE CONSIDERATION, except that premiums paid by a SUBLICENSEE for equity securities of LICENSEE over the fair market value of such securities shall be considered SUBLICENSE CONSIDERATION.

 

 

2.19

SUBLICENSEE means any third party to whom LICENSEE or an AFFILIATE (or other entity granted any rights by LICENSEE under this AGREEMENT) has granted any of the rights granted to LICENSEE under this AGREEMENT, provided that the third party is not the end user of LICENSED PRODUCTS covered by such granted rights. As used herein, SUBLICENSEE shall also mean a third party to whom LICENSEE, an AFFILIATE, or a SUBLICENSEE has granted the exclusive right to distribute LICENSED PRODUCTS supplied by such LICENSEE, AFFILIATE, or SUBLICENSEE, provided that such third party is responsible for significant marketing and/or promotion of, LICENSED PRODUCTS within its exclusive territory. For clarity, an AFFILIATE of LICENSEE cannot be a SUBLICENSEE.

 

 

2.20

TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS means [***].

 

 

2.21

VALID CLAIM means a claim of (a) an issued and unexpired patent included within the PATENT RIGHTS unless the claim has been held unenforceable or invalid by the final, un­reversed, and un-appealable decision of a court or other governmental body of competent jurisdiction, has been irretrievably abandoned or disclaimed, or has otherwise been finally admitted or finally determined by the relevant governmental authority to be invalid, un-patentable or unenforceable, whether through reissue, reexamination, disclaimer or otherwise, or (b) a pending patent application within the PATENT RIGHTS to the extent the claim continues to be prosecuted in good faith, provided that such patent application has not been pending for more than seven (7) years from the filing date of such application.

 

 

 

III. LICENSE

 

 

3.1

BOARD, through MD ANDERSON, hereby grants to LICENSEE a royalty-bearing, exclusive license under LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER to manufacture, have manufactured, use, import, offer to sell and/or sell LICENSED PRODUCTS within LICENSED TERRITORY for use within LICENSED FIELD. This grant is subject to Sections 13.2, 14.2 and 14.3 hereinbelow, the payment by LICENSEE to MD ANDERSON of all consideration as provided herein, and is further subject to the following rights retained by BOARD and MD ANDERSON to:

 

 

(a)

Publish the general scientific findings from research conducted by MD ANDERSON related to LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER, subject to the terms of ARTICLE XI­Confidential Information and Publication; and

 

 

(b)

Use LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER for non-commercial research, teaching, patient care, and other academically-related purposes; and

 

 

(c)

Transfer LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER to academic or research institutions for non-commercial research use.

 

For purposes of clarification, and not by way of limitation, the rights retained by the BOARD and MD ANDERSON pursuant to this Section 3.1 do not include the right to engage in research sponsored by a commercial, for-profit entity or to conduct clinical trials sponsored by a commercial, for-profit entity.

 

 

3.2

LICENSEE may extend the license granted herein to any AFFILIATE provided that the AFFILIATE consents in writing to be bound by the applicable provisions of this AGREEMENT to the same extent as LICENSEE. LICENSEE agrees to deliver a copy of such contract to MD ANDERSON within thirty (30) calendar days following execution thereof, which copy may be redacted except to the extent necessary to verify compliance with this Section 3.2.

 

 

3.3

LICENSEE may grant sublicenses under LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER consistent with the terms of this AGREEMENT provided that LICENSEE is responsible for its SUBLICENSEES relevant to this AGREEMENT, and for diligently collecting all amounts due LICENSEE from SUBLICENSEES. If a SUBLICENSEE pursuant hereto becomes bankrupt, insolvent or is placed in the hands of a receiver or trustee, LICENSEE, to the extent allowed under applicable law and in a timely manner, agrees to use its best reasonable efforts to collect all consideration owed to LICENSEE and to have the sublicense agreement confirmed or rejected by a court of proper jurisdiction.

 

 

3.4

LICENSEE must deliver to MD ANDERSON a true and correct copy of each sublicense granted by LICENSEE to a SUBLICENSEE, and any modification or termination thereof, within thirty (30) calendar days after execution, modification, or termination, which copy may be redacted except to the extent necessary to verify compliance with the applicable terms of this AGREEMENT.

 

 

3.5

If this AGREEMENT is terminated pursuant to ARTICLE XIII-Term and Termination, BOARD and MD ANDERSON agree to accept as successors to LICENSEE, existing SUBLICENSEES in good standing at the date of termination provided that each such SUBLICENSEE consents in writing to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this AGREEMENT.

 

 

 

IV. CONSIDERATION, PAYMENTS AND REPORTS

 

 

4.1

In consideration of rights granted by BOARD to LICENSEE under this AGREEMENT, LICENSEE agrees to pay MD ANDERSON the following:

 

 

(a)

all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by MD ANDERSON in filing, prosecuting, defending in a patent office, and maintaining PATENT RIGHTS, and all such future expenses incurred by MD ANDERSON, for so long as, and in such countries as this AGREEMENT remains in effect. MD ANDERSON will invoice LICENSEE within thirty (30) calendar days of the EFFECTIVE DATE for the expenses incurred as of that time and on a quarterly basis thereafter. The invoice amounts will be due and payable by LICENSEE within thirty (30) calendar days of invoice; and

 

 

(b)

A nonrefundable license documentation fee (“LICENSE DOCUMENTATION FEE”) in the amount of $[***]. The LICENSE DOCUMENTATION FEE will not reduce the amount of any other payment provided for in this ARTICLE IV, and is due and payable within thirty (30) calendar days after the AGREEMENT has been fully executed by all parties and LICENSEE has received an invoice for the amount from MD ANDERSON. This license documentation fee is not subject to the thirty (30) day cure period set forth in Section 13.3(b); and

 

 

(c)

A nonrefundable annual maintenance fee (“ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE”) in the amount of $[***] due and payable (without invoice) within thirty (30) calendar days of each anniversary of the EFFECTIVE DATE until the first SALE and upon receipt by Licensee of an invoice from MD ANDERSON. The ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE will not reduce the amount of any other payment provided for in this ARTICLE IV; and

 

 

(d)

Subject to Section 4.2, a running royalty equal to [***]percent ([***]%) (“ROYALTY RATE”) of NET SALES of LICENSED PRODUCTS covered by a VALID CLAIM in the country of SALE during the applicable ROYALTY PERIOD, provided that, Licensee shall make no SALE prior to REGULATORY APPROVAL unless LICENSEE pays the royalty due hereunder to MD ANDERSON on account of any NET SALES arising from such SALE. For clarity, LICENSEE will not be obligated to pay any royalty for NET SALES of a particular LICENSED PRODUCT in a particular country after the expiration of the ROYALTY PERIOD for such LICENSED PRODUCT in such country; and

 

 

(e)

Licensee will pay milestone fees within thirty (30) days of achieving the following Milestone Events:

 

Milestone Events

Milestone Fees

[***]

$[***]

[***]

$[***]

[***]

$[***]

 

Each of the foregoing milestone fees shall be made by LICENSEE to MD ANDERSON (without invoice) within thirty (30) calendar days of achieving the Milestone Event and shall not reduce the amount of any other payment provided for in this ARTICLE IV. For clarity, each of the foregoing milestone payments shall be paid only once regardless of the number of LICENSED PRODUCTS that achieve such milestone; and

 

 

(f)

[***] percent ([***]%) of all SUBLICENSE CONSIDERATION, received by LICENSEE from any SUBLICENSEE pursuant to Section 3.3 hereinabove.

 

 

4.2

In the event that a LICENSED PRODUCT is sold in combination with one or more other functional components for which no royalty would be due hereunder if sold separately (“COMBINATION PRODUCT(S)”), then the running royalty due for NET SALES of the Combination Product will be calculated by multiplying the ROYALTY RATE by the total NET SALES received for the COMBINATION PRODUCT, and then multiplying the resulting product by the fraction, A/(A+B), where A is the average sale price of the LICENSED PRODUCT when sold by the LICENSEE separately, and B is the average sale price of all other functional component(s) included in the COMBINATION PRODUCT when sold by the LICENSEE separately. In the event either the component that is a LICENSED PRODUCT or the other functional component(s) included in the COMBINATION PRODUCT are not sold separately, then the running royalty due for NET SALES of the LICENSED PRODUCT sold as part of a COMBINATION PRODUCT will be calculated by multiplying the ROYALTY RATE by the NET SALES received for the COMBINATION PRODUCT, and then multiplying the resulting product by the fraction, F/(F+G) where F is the fair market value of the component that is a LICENSED PRODUCT, and G is the fair market value for each of the other functional component(s) included in the COMBINATION PRODUCT, such fair market values to be mutually agreed in good faith by LICENSEE and MD ANDERSON prior to sales of such COMBINATION PRODUCTS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the running royalty payment due to MD ANDERSON during the applicable ROYALTY PERIOD for the sale of a COMBINATION PRODUCT that is covered by a VALID CLAIM in the country of sale be less than [***] percent ([***]%) of the NET SALES of such COMBINATION PRODUCT in such country.

 

 

 

 

4.3

Unless otherwise provided, all such payments are payable within sixty (60) calendar days after March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year during the term of this AGREEMENT, at which time LICENSEE will also deliver to MD ANDERSON a true and accurate report, giving such particulars of the business conducted by LICENSEE, its AFFILIATES and its SUBLICENSEES, if any exist, during the preceding three (3) calendar months under this AGREEMENT as necessary for MD ANDERSON to account for LICENSEE’s payments hereunder. This report will include pertinent data, including, but not limited to:

 

(a)

the accounting methodologies used to account for and calculate the items included in the report and any differences in such accounting methodologies used by LICENSEE since the previous report; and

 

 

(b)

a list of each type of LICENSED PRODUCT available for sale during the three (3) preceding calendar months; and

 

 

(c)

the total quantities of each type of LICENSED PRODUCT sold during such period; and

 

 

(d)

the total SALES; and

 

 

(e)

the calculation of NET SALES; and

 

 

(f)

the royalties so computed and due MD ANDERSON; and

 

 

(g)

all consideration received from each SUBLICENSEE and payments due MD ANDERSON; and

 

 

(h)

all other amounts due MD ANDERSON herein.

 

Simultaneously with the delivery of each such report, LICENSEE agrees to pay MD ANDERSON the amount due, if any, for the period of such report. These reports are required even if no payments are due.

 

 

4.4

During the term of this AGREEMENT and for one (1) year thereafter, LICENSEE agrees to keep complete and accurate records of its, its AFFILIATES’ and SUBLICENSEES’ SALES and NET SALES in sufficient detail to enable the royalties and other payments due hereunder to be determined. LICENSEE agrees to permit an independent auditor engaged by MD ANDERSON and reasonably acceptable to LICENSEE, at MD ANDERSON’s expense, to periodically (but no more than once per calendar year and solely with respect to records not previously examined, unless in the independent auditor’s reasonable opinion review of such previously examined records is necessary to properly conduct the current examination) examine LICENSEE’s books, ledgers, and records during regular business hours, with reasonable prior notice, for the purpose of and to the extent necessary to verify any report required under this AGREEMENT. If any amounts due MD ANDERSON are determined to have been underpaid in an amount equal to or greater than [***]percent ([***]%) of the total amount due during the period so examined, then LICENSEE will pay the reasonable cost of the examination plus accrued interest at the lower of (a) the then-current prime interest rate plus [***]% or (b) the highest allowable rate.

 

 

4.5

Within thirty (30) calendar days following each anniversary of the EFFECTIVE DATE, LICENSEE will deliver to MD ANDERSON a written progress report as to LICENSEE’s (and any AFFILIATE’S and SUBLICENSEE’S) efforts and accomplishments during the preceding year in diligently commercializing LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER in the LICENSED TERRITORY and LICENSEE’S, AFFILIATES’ and SUBLICENSEES’ commercialization plans for the upcoming year.

 

 

4.6

All amounts payable hereunder by LICENSEE will be paid in United States funds without deductions for taxes, assessments, fees, or charges of any kind. Checks are to be made payable to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and sent by United States mail to [***], or by wire transfer to:

 

[***].

 

 

4.7

No payments due or royalties owed under this AGREEMENT will be reduced as the result of co-ownership of LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER by BOARD and another party, including, but not limited to, LICENSEE.

 

 

 

V. SPONSORED RESEARCH

 

 

5.1

If LICENSEE desires to sponsor research for or related to the LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER, LICENSEE will notify MD ANDERSON and the PARTIES will negotiate in good faith the terms for such sponsored research.

 

VI. PATENTS AND INVENTIONS

 

 

6.1

LICENSEE shall be responsible for preparing, filing, prosecuting and maintaining the patent applications and patents included within the PATENT RIGHTS and for paying all associated costs using patent counsel reasonably acceptable to MD ANDERSON. LICENSEE will directly notify and provide copies to MD ANDERSON and its selected outside patent counsel, at no cost to LICENSEE, of any official communications from United States and foreign patent offices relating to said prosecution within thirty (30) days of receipt as well as copies of communications to the various patent offices so that MD ANDERSON may be informed and apprised of the continuing prosecution of the patent applications and patents included within the PATENT RIGHTS. LICENSEE shall give MD ANDERSON at least 10 business days (to the extent practicable) to review and comment on any material communications to the various patent offices with respect to the patent applications and patents included within the PATENT RIGHTS. Additionally, LICENSEE shall direct their counsel to consult with MD ANDERSON’s outside patent counsel on patent strategy related to the PATENT RIGHTS.

 

 

6.2

LICENSEE agrees to file and prosecute a U.S. or PCT patent application for inventions and discoveries described in the IDR(s) listed in Exhibit I within one (1) year of the EFFECTIVE DATE (“FILING PERIOD”).

 

 

6.3

LICENSEE shall keep MD ANDERSON informed as to their plans to file and MD ANDERSON will have reasonable opportunities to comment on decisions affecting filing, prosecution and maintenance of the patent applications and patents included within the PATENT RIGHTS, including, without limitation reasonable opportunity to review the abandonment of any patent applications and patents or change of inventors on patent applications and patents included within the PATENT RIGHTS, and LICENSEE will use reasonable efforts to incorporate MD ANDERSON’s reasonable suggestions regarding said prosecution. Additionally, LICENSEE will use reasonable efforts to amend any patent application to include claims reasonably requested by MD ANDERSON to protect LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER. No case will be abandoned without giving MD ANDERSON at least thirty (30) days’ notice and opportunity to pursue the application. If LICENSEE notifies MD ANDERSON that it does not intend to file in any national jurisdiction, pay the cost of any application or of LICENSEE’s plans to abandon an application or patent within PATENT RIGHTS, then MD ANDERSON may file or pursue such application in that national jurisdiction, if applicable, at its own expense and LICENSEE will have no further rights to such application or patent under this Agreement.

 

 

6.4

If MD ANDERSON reasonably demonstrates that it is not being reasonably informed or apprised of the continuing prosecution of patent applications and patents included within the PATENT RIGHTS or that it is not being provided with reasonable opportunities to comment as indicated in the above paragraph and LICENSEE does not resume such activities within thirty (30) days after MD ANDERSON’s notice, MD ANDERSON shall be entitled to engage, at LICENSEE’s reasonable expense, independent patent counsel to review and evaluate patent prosecution and filing of patents and patent applications included in PATENT RIGHTS. Henceforth MD ANDERSON and LICENSEE shall share responsibility for patent prosecution of patents and patent applications included in PATENT RIGHTS, with LICENSEE reimbursing MD ANDERSON in full for any reasonable patent expenses incurred by MD ANDERSON.

 

 

6.5

The Parties agree that they share a common legal interest to get valid enforceable patents and that MD ANDERSON and LICENSEE will keep all privileged information received from the other party pursuant to this Article VI confidential, except to the extent required by law.

 

 

 

VII. INFRINGEMENT BY THIRD PARTIES

 

 

7.1

LICENSEE, at its expense, shall have the first right (but no obligation) to enforce all PATENT RIGHTS against infringement by third parties and is entitled to retain recovery from such enforcement. After reimbursement of LICENSEE’s reasonable legal costs and expenses related to an infringement recovery, LICENSEE shall pay MD ANDERSON [***] percent ([***]%) of any monetary recovery (whether by judgment or settlement, including recovery for lost profits, reasonable royalties, and/or enhanced or punitive damages).

 

 

7.2

If it is necessary to name Board or MD Anderson as a party in such action to enforce PATENT RIGHTS against an infringer, then LICENSEE must first obtain BOARD’S and MD ANDERSON’S prior written permission, which permission shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that BOARD and MD ANDERSON shall have reasonable prior input on choice of counsel on any matter where such counsel represents BOARD or MD ANDERSON, and LICENSEE and such counsel agree to follow all required procedures of the Texas Attorney General regarding retention of outside counsel for state entities.

 

 

7.3

MD ANDERSON shall promptly notify LICENSEE if MD ANDERSON’S Office of Technology Commercialization becomes aware of any infringement or potential infringement of any PATENT RIGHTS. If LICENSEE does not first exercise its right under Section 7.1 within twelve (12) months of knowledge of infringement, then, BOARD or MD ANDERSON may, at its sole discretion, enforce any patent licensed hereunder on behalf of itself and LICENSEE, with MD ANDERSON retaining all recoveries from such enforcement. If Board and/or MD Anderson pursues such infringement action, Board and/or MD Anderson may, as part of the resolution thereat: grant non-exclusive license rights to the alleged infringer, notwithstanding Licensee’s exclusive license rights.

 

 

7.4

In any suit or dispute involving an infringer, the parties agree to cooperate fully with each other. At the request and expense of the party bringing suit, the other party will permit access during regular business hours, to all relevant personnel, records, papers, information, samples, specimens, and the like in its possession.

 

VIII. PATENT MARKING

 

 

8.1

LICENSEE agrees that all packaging containing individual LICENSED PRODUCT(S), documentation therefor, and, when possible, actual LICENSED PRODUCT(S) sold by LICENSEE, AFFILIATES, and/or SUBLICENSEES will be appropriately marked with the number of any applicable patent(s) licensed hereunder in accordance with each country’s patent laws, including Title 35, United States Code, to the extent such marking is necessary or required to fully preserve PATENT RIGHTS in each such country.

 

IX. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

 

 

9.1

LICENSEE AGREES TO HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY BOARD, SYSTEM, MD ANDERSON, THEIR REGENTS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, STUDENTS AND AGENTS FROM AND AGAINST ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION WHATSOEVER BROUGHT BY THIRD PARTIES, COSTS OF SUIT AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE COSTS ARISING ON ACCOUNT OF ANY INJURY OR DEATH OF PERSONS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY (COLLECTIVELY, “LIABILITIES”‘) IN EACH CASE THAT ARE CAUSED BY, OR ARISING OUT OF, OR RESULTING FROM, THE EXERCISE OR PRACTICE OF THE RIGHTS GRANTED HEREUNDER BY LICENSEE, ITS OFFICERS, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH LIABILITIES ARISE FROM (i) THE NEGLIGENT FAILURE OF MD ANDERSON TO SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLY WITH ANY APPLICABLE GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OR (ii) THE NEGLIGENT OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT BY A REGENT, OFFICER, AGENT OR EMPLOYEE OF MD ANDERSON.

 

 

9.2

IN NO EVENT SHALL BOARD, SYSTEM OR MD ANDERSON BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR EXPECTED SAVINGS OR OTHER ECONOMIC LOSSES, OR FOR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY) ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS SUBJECT MATTER, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER BOARD, SYSTEM OR MD ANDERSON KNOWS OR SHOULD KNOW OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

 

9.3

OTHER THAN FOR CLAIMS AGAINST LICENSEE FOR INDEMNIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 9.1 OR FOR THE MISAPPROPRIATION OR INFRINGEMENT OF MD ANDERSON’S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, LICENSEE SHALL WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO MD ANDERSON FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR EXPECTED SAVINGS OR OTHER ECONOMIC LOSSES, OR FOR INJURY TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY) ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS SUBJECT MATTER, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER LICENSEE KNOWS OR SHOULD KNOW OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

 

 

 

9.4

Beginning at the time when any LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER is being distributed or sold (including for the purpose of obtaining regulatory approvals) by LICENSEE, an AFFILIATE, or by a SUBLICENSEE, LICENSEE shall, at its sole cost and expense, procure and maintain commercial general liability insurance in amounts not less than $[***] per incident and $[***] annual aggregate, and LICENSEE shall use reasonable efforts to have the BOARD, SYSTEM, MD ANDERSON, their Regents, officers, employees, students and agents named as additional insureds. Such commercial general liability insurance shall provide: (i) product liability coverage; (ii) broad form contractual liability coverage for LICENSEE’s indemnification under this AGREEMENT; and (iii) coverage for litigation costs. The minimum amounts of insurance coverage required herein shall not be construed to create a limit of LICENSEE’s liability with respect to its indemnification under this AGREEMENT.

 

 

9.5

LICENSEE shall provide MD ANDERSON with written evidence of such insurance within thirty (30) calendar days of its procurement. Additionally, LICENSEE shall provide MD ANDERSON with written notice of at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the cancellation, non-renewal or material change in such insurance.

 

 

9.6

LICENSEE shall maintain such commercial general liability insurance beyond the expiration or termination of this AGREEMENT during: (i) the period that any LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER developed pursuant to this AGREEMENT is being commercially distributed or sold by LICENSEE, an AFFILIATE or by a sublicensee or agent of LICENSEE; and (ii) the five (5) year period immediately after such period.

 

X. USE OF BOARD AND MD ANDERSONS NAME

 

 

10.1

LICENSEE will not use the name of (or the name of any employee of) MD ANDERSON, SYSTEM or BOARD in any advertising, promotional or sales literature, on its Web site, or for the purpose of raising capital without the advance express written consent of BOARD secured through:

 

The University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
[***]

 

Notwithstanding the above, LICENSEE may use the name of (or name of employee of) MD ANDERSON, SYSTEM or BOARD in routine business correspondence or as needed in appropriate regulatory submissions or required by applicable law or court order without express written consent.

 

XI. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND PUBLICATION

 

 

11.1

MD ANDERSON and LICENSEE each agree that all information contained in documents marked “confidential” and forwarded to one by the other (i) are to be received in strict confidence, (ii) are to be used only for the purposes of this AGREEMENT, and (iii) will not be disclosed by the recipient party (except as required by law or court order), nor by the recipient party’s agents or employees without the prior written consent of the disclosing party, except to the extent that the recipient party can establish by competent written proof that such information:

 

(a)

was in the public domain at the time of disclosure; or

 

 

(b)

later became part of the public domain through no act or omission of the recipient party, its employees, agents, successors or assigns; or

 

 

(c)

was lawfully disclosed to the recipient party by a third party having the right to disclose it; or

 

 

(d)

was already known by the recipient party at the time of disclosure; or

 

 

(e)

was independently developed by the recipient party without use of the disclosing party’s confidential information; or

 

 

(f)

is required by law or regulation to be disclosed; provided that such recipient party gives the disclosing party reasonable prior notice of such disclosure requirement and affords the disclosing party an opportunity to obtain a protective order or other appropriate relief.

 

 

 

 

11.2

Each party’s obligation of confidence hereunder will be fulfilled by using at least the same degree of care with the disclosing party’s confidential information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but always at least a reasonable degree of care. This obligation will exist while this AGREEMENT is in force and for a period of three (3) years thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, LICENSEE may disclose the MD Anderson’s Confidential Information only to its AFFILIATES, investors, and to existing or potential SUBLICENSEES or acquirers or merger partners (“Representatives”) who have been informed of this Agreement, who need to know such Confidential Information to assist the LICENSEE as reasonably needed to conduct the development or commercialization of LICENSED PRODUCTS, provided that such Representatives are subject to obligations of confidentiality and non-use at least as strict as Licensee’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

11.3

MD ANDERSON reserves the right to publish the general scientific findings from research conducted by MD ANDERSON related to LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER, with due regard to the protection of LICENSEE’s confidential information. MD ANDERSON will submit the manuscript of any proposed publication to LICENSEE at least thirty (30) calendar days before publication, and LICENSEE shall have the right to review and comment upon the publication in order to protect LICENSEE’s confidential information. Upon LICENSEE’s request, MD ANDERSON shall remove LICENSEE’s confidential information from the publication and publication may be delayed up to sixty (60) additional calendar days to enable LICENSEE to secure adequate intellectual property protection of LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER that would otherwise be affected by the publication.

 

XII. ASSIGNMENT

 

 

12.1

In case of the sale of all of LICENSEE’s assets to a third party, or in connection with any transaction other than sale of all of LICENSEE’s assets to a third party, this AGREEMENT may be assigned subject to the payment to MD ANDERSON of an $[***] fee for permitting such ASSIGNMENT (“ASSIGNMENT FEE”) prior to the ASSIGNMENT. This fee shall be in addition to and shall not replace the LICENSE DOCUMENTATION FEE above. No ASSIGNMENT FEE shall be due if the ASSIGNMENT is to an AFFILIATE, provided that LICENSEE or the AFFILIATE pays the ASSIGNMENT FEE in the event AFFILIATE thereafter makes an ASSIGNMENT of the AGREEMENT to a third party.

 

XIII. TERM AND TERMINATION

 

 

13.1

Subject to Sections 13.3 and 13.4 hereinbelow, the term of this AGREEMENT is from the EFFECTIVE DATE until the later of (a) expiration of the last to expire patents issued from the PATENT RIGHTS, or (b) twenty (20) years from the EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

 

13.2

Anytime after four (4) years from the EFFECTIVE DATE, BOARD or MD ANDERSON may remove from the LICENSED TERRITORY any national political jurisdiction if LICENSEE, within ninety (90) days after receiving written notice from MD ANDERSON of the intended removal, fails provide written evidence satisfactory to MD ANDERSON that LICENSEE, an AFFILIATE, or a SUBLICENENSEE has commercialized or is using commercially reasonable efforts actively and effectively attempting to commercialize a licensed invention in such jurisdiction(s). The following definitions apply to this section: (a) “commercialized” means having SALES in such jurisdiction; and (b) “commercially reasonable effort actively and effectively attempting to commercialize” means efforts consistent with those of a similarly situated biotechnology company in its having an effective, ongoing and active research, development, manufacturing, marketing or sales program as appropriate, directed toward obtaining regulatory approval, and/or production and/or SALES, in any jurisdiction, and providing plans to MD ANDERSON to commercialize licensed inventions in the jurisdiction(s) that MD ANDERSON intends to remove, for a pharmaceutical product at a similar stage of development or commercialization with similar market potential.

 

 

13.3

Subject to any rights herein which survive termination, this AGREEMENT will earlier terminate in its entirety:

 

 

(a)

upon thirty (30) calendar days written notice if LICENSEE becomes bankrupt and/or if the business of LICENSEE shall be placed in the hands of a receiver, assignee, or trustee, whether by voluntary act of LICENSEE or otherwise; or

 

 

(b)

upon thirty (30) calendar days written notice from MD ANDERSON, if LICENSEE materially breaches or defaults on the payment or report obligations of ARTICLE IV ( excluding the license documentation fee specified in Section 4.1(b), for which no cure period applies), or use of name obligations of ARTICLE X, unless, before the end of such thirty (30)-calendar day notice period, LICENSEE has cured the material default or breach to MD ANDERSON’s reasonable satisfaction, and so notifies MD ANDERSON, stating the manner of the cure; or

 

 

(c)

upon ninety (90) calendar days written notice from MD ANDERSON if LICENSEE materially breaches or defaults on any other obligation under this AGREEMENT, unless, before the end of such ninety (90) calendar-day notice period, LICENSEE has cured the material default or breach to MD ANDERSON’s reasonable satisfaction and so notifies MD ANDERSON, stating the manner of the cure; or

 

 

 

 

(d)

at any time by mutual written agreement between LICENSEE and MD ANDERSON upon one hundred eighty (180) calendar days written notice to all parties and subject to any terms herein which survive termination; or

 

 

(e)

upon thirty (30) calendar days written notice from MD ANDERSON if Section 13.2 or 15.9 is invoked; or

 

 

(f)

if LICENSEE has defaulted or been late on its payment obligations pursuant to the terms of this AGREEMENT on any two (2) occasions in a twelve (12) month period; or

 

 

(g)

immediately upon written notice from MD Anderson, in the event LICENSEE fails to file within the FILING PERIOD a patent application as required by Section 6.2; or

 

 

(h)

immediately, upon written notice from MD ANDERSON, if LICENSEE fails to timely pay the LICENSE DOCUMENTATION FEE specified in Section 4.1(b); or

 

 

(i)

for any reason upon thirty (30) calendar days written notice from LICENSEE to MD ANDERSON, provided that LICENSEE is not in material breach of any of its obligations under this AGREEMENT.

 

 

13.4

Upon termination of this AGREEMENT:

 

 

(a)

nothing herein will be construed to release either party of any obligation maturing prior to the effective date of the termination; and

 

 

(b)

both parties covenant and agree to be bound by the provisions of ARTICLES IX (Indemnification and Insurance), X (Use of Board and MD ANDERSON’s Name) and XI (Confidential Information and Publication) of this AGREEMENT. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of confidentiality according to Article XI shall survive early termination of this Agreement under Section 13.3 for a period of five (5) years and shall immediately expire upon expiration of this Agreement under Section 13.1.

 

XIV. WARRANTY: SUPERIOR-RIGHTS

 

 

14.1

BOARD represents and warrants its belief that (a) it is the co-owner (together with LICENSEE) of the entire right, title, and interest in and to LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER, (b) it has the right to grant licenses thereunder, and (c) it has not knowingly granted licenses thereunder to any other entity that would restrict rights granted hereunder except as stated herein.

 

 

14.2

LICENSEE understands that in the event that the LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER was developed under a funding agreement with the Government of the United States of America (“Government”),the Government may have certain rights relative thereto. This AGREEMENT is explicitly made subject to the Government’s rights under any such agreement and any applicable law or regulation. To the extent that there is a conflict between any such agreement, applicable law or regulation and this AGREEMENT, the terms of such Government agreement, applicable law or regulation shall prevail.

 

 

14.3

LICENSEE UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT BOARD AND MD ANDERSON, BY THIS AGREEMENT, MAKE NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE OPERABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY USE, SAFETY, EFFICACY, APPROVABILITY BY REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, TIME AND COST OF DEVELOPMENT, PATENTABILITY, AND/OR BREADTH OF THE LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER. BOARD AND MD ANDERSON, BY THIS AGREEMENT, ALSO MAKE NO REPRESENTATION AS TO WHETHER ANY PATENT COVERED BY PATENT RIGHTS IS VALID OR AS TO WHETHER THERE ARE ANY PATENTS NOW HELD, OR WHICH WILL BE HELD, BY OTHERS OR BY BOARD OR MD ANDERSON IN THE LICENSED FIELD, NOR DO BOARD AND MD ANDERSON MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION THAT THE INVENTIONS CONTAINED IN PATENT RIGHTS DO NOT INFRINGE ANY OTHER PATENTS NOW HELD OR THAT WILL BE HELD BY OTHERS OR BY BOARD.

 

 

14.4

LICENSEE, by execution hereof, acknowledges, covenants and agrees that LICENSEE has not been induced in any way by BOARD, SYSTEM, MD ANDERSON or employees thereof to enter into this AGREEMENT, and further warrants and represents that (a) LICENSEE is entering into this AGREEMENT voluntarily; (b) LICENSEE has conducted sufficient due diligence with respect to all items and issues pertaining to this AGREEMENT; and (c) LICENSEE has adequate knowledge and expertise, or has used knowledgeable and expert consultants, to adequately conduct such due diligence, and agrees to accept all risks inherent herein.

 

 

 

XV. GENERAL

 

 

15.1

This AGREEMENT constitutes the entire and only agreement between the parties for LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER and all other prior negotiations, representations, agreements and understandings with respect thereto are superseded hereby. No agreements altering or supplementing the terms hereof will be made except by a written document signed by both parties.

 

 

15.2

Any notice required by this AGREEMENT must be given by prepaid, first class, certified mail, return receipt requested, and addressed in the case of MD ANDERSON to:

 

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Office of Technology Commercialization

[***]

 

or in the case of LICENSEE to:

 

Moleculin Biotech, Inc.
2575 West Bellfort, Suite 333
Houston, Texas 77054
ATTENTION: Walter Klemp (Chairman, Acting CEO)

 

or other addresses as may be given from time to time under the terms of this notice provision.

 

 

15.3

LICENSEE must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations in connection with its activities pursuant to this AGREEMENT. LICENSEE acknowledges that the LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER is subject to U. S. export control jurisdiction. LICENSEE agrees to comply with all applicable international and national laws that apply to the LICENSED SUBJECT MATTER, including U.S. Export Administration Regulations, as well as end-user, end-use, and destination restrictions applied by the United States.

 

 

15.4

This AGREEMENT will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the United States of America and of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. The Texas State Courts of Harris County, Texas (or, if there is exclusive federal jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas) shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue over any dispute arising out of this AGREEMENT, and LICENSEE consents to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts and hereby explicitly waives the rights to any other venue to which it might be entitled by cause of action, domicile or otherwise. Nothing in this AGREEMENT shall be deemed as a waiver by BOARD, SYSTEM or MD ANDERSON of its sovereign immunity.

 

 

15.5

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that Chapter 2260, Texas Government Code, as it may be amended from time to time (“Chapter 2260”), is applicable to this AGREEMENT, LICENSEE acknowledges and agrees that the dispute resolution process provided for in Chapter 2260 shall be LICENSEE’s sole and exclusive process for seeking a remedy for any and all alleged breaches of the AGREEMENT by BOARD and/or MD ANDERSON or the State of Texas.

 

 

15.6

Any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this AGREEMENT, its construction or its actual or alleged breach will be decided by mediation. This mediation will constitute a compromise negotiation for purposes of Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Texas Rules of Evidence and an alternative dispute resolution procedure subject to Section 154.073 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. If, after, the dispute is not resolved, the applicable Institutions are free to exercise all other legal and equitable rights.

 

 

15.7

Failure of BOARD or MD ANDERSON or LICENSEE to enforce a right under this AGREEMENT will not act as a waiver of right or the ability to later assert that right relative to the particular situation involved.

 

 

15.8

Headings included herein are for convenience only and will not be used to construe this AGREEMENT.

 

 

15.9

If any part of this AGREEMENT is for any reason found to be unenforceable, all other parts nevertheless will remain enforceable.

 

 

15.10

In the event that LICENSEE brings an action before any court, agency or tribunal seeking to invalidate or otherwise challenge the enforceability of or BOARD’s ownership of any patent included in the PATENT RIGHTS, then MD ANDERSON may immediately terminate this AGREEMENT upon written notice to LICENSEE. Any dispute regarding the validity, enforceability or ownership of any patent included in the PATENT RIGHTS shall be litigated in the courts located in Houston, Texas, and LICENSEE agrees not to challenge personal jurisdiction in that forum. To the extent that LICENSEE unsuccessfully challenges the validity or enforceability of any patent included in the PATENT RIGHTS, LICENSEE agrees to reimburse MD ANDERSON and BOARD for all costs and fees (including attorney’s fees) paid by MD ANDERSON and BOARD in defending against such challenge. LICENSEE understands and agrees that, in the event LICENSEE successfully challenges the validity or enforceability of any patent included in the PATENT RIGHTS, all payments or other consideration made or otherwise provided by LICENSEE to MD ANDERSON prior to a final, non-appealable adjudication of invalidity and/or unenforceability shall be non-refundable. The obligations of this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this AGREEMENT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly authorized representatives to execute this AGREEMENT.

 

 

BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, on behalf of

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M. D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

By /s/ [***]         

[***]Executive VP, Administration

The University of Texas

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Date: 6/29/17         

MOLECULIN BIOTECH, INC.

By /s/ Walter Klemp         

Printed Name: Walter Klemp         

Title: CEO         

Date: June 26, 2017         

 

 

 

Approved as to Content:

 

By         /s/ [***]         
         [***]
         Vice President, Strategic Industry Ventures
         M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

 

Date: 6-26-17         

 

EXHIBIT I

 

[***]