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EX-10.2 3 c73226exv10w2.htm EXHIBIT 10.2 Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
EXHIBIT 10.2
CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL PORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT WERE OMITTED AND REPLACED WITH ***. A COMPLETE VERSION OF THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO AN APPLICATION REQUESTING CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER RULE 24B-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
Collaboration And License Agreement
This Collaboration and License Agreement (this Agreement) is made and entered into as of November 29, 2007 (the Effective Date) by and between Buck Institute for Age Research, a California non-profit public benefit corporation having a principal place of business at 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945 (Institute), and Neurobiological Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation having a principal place of business at 2000 Powell Street, Suite 800, Emeryville, California 94608 (NTI). Institute and NTI are sometimes referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties.
Recitals
Whereas, NTI is a biotechnology company engaged in the business of in-licensing and developing central nervous system-related drug candidates;
Whereas, Institute is a non-profit research institute focused on aging and age-related disease;
Whereas, Institute possesses certain patent rights related to fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF) and the potential use of FGF to treat certain human diseases;
Whereas, NTI desires to fund, and Institute agrees to collaborate with NTI to perform, research related to FGF in order to discover and develop pharmaceutical products that incorporate or are based on FGF to treat certain diseases in humans; and
Whereas, NTI desires to obtain, and Institute is willing to grant to NTI, an exclusive, worldwide license under Institutes FGF patent rights and technology resulting from the performance of the research funded by NTI hereunder to develop and commercialize pharmaceutical products that incorporate or are based on FGF on the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement.
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
Agreement
1. Definitions.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1.1 Affiliate means any entity that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediates, is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with NTI or Institute, as the case may be, as of or after the Effective Date. For purposes of this definition only, the term control means the possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity, whether by ownership of voting stock or partnership interest, by contract or otherwise, including direct or indirect ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interest in the entity in question; provided, however, that if local law requires a minimum percentage of local ownership, control will be established by direct or indirect beneficial ownership of one hundred percent (100%) of the maximum ownership percentage that may, under such local law, be owned by foreign interests.
1.2 Claims has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
1.3 Clinical Candidate shall mean a Product candidate for which NTI has initiated the preparation of an IND.
1.4 Commercially Reasonable Efforts means, as applied to a Party, those efforts and diligence (including with respect to the allocation of resources and personnel) consistent with the reasonable efforts and diligence that would be typically exerted by a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company in a similar circumstance in pursuing the research, development, and commercialization of products of similar nature and comparable market potential. With respect to NTI, NTI shall be deemed to be using Commercially Reasonable Efforts as long as it is expending not less than $* * * per year on Product development during the period from the end of the Research Program Term until the initiation of the first Phase II Clinical Trial of a Product and thereafter not less than $* * * per year on Product development until the completion of the first Phase III Clinical Trial of a Product.
1.5 Control or Controlled means the ability and the right of a Party to grant a license or sublicense as provided for herein to the other Party without either (a) creating an obligation of such Party to make any payments to any Third Party in consideration therefor, or (b) violating the terms of any agreement or other arrangement with any Third Party.
1.6 Damages means any and all costs, losses, claims, liabilities, fines, penalties, damages and expenses, court costs, and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, consultants, and expert witnesses incurred by a Party hereto (including any interest payments which may be imposed in connection therewith).
1.7 FDA means the United States Food and Drug Administration or any successor thereto having the administrative authority to regulate the investigation, development, and marketing of human pharmaceutical products in the United States.
1.8 First Commercial Sale means, with respect to a Product, the first sale of such Product by NTI or its Sublicensees to a Third Party following receipt of Marketing Authorization in the country or territory of sale; provided, however, that Product shipped by NTI or its Sublicensees to a Third Party prior to receipt of Marketing Authorization therefor in a particular country or territory where such Product is intended for sale shall be deemed for the purposes hereof a First Commercial Sale to the extent such Product is sold to a Third Party for sale in that country or territory after such Marketing Authorization is obtained.
* * * | Confidential Information, indicated by [***], has been omitted from this filing and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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1.9 FTE means the full-time equivalent effort, based on an employee working one thousand eight hundred eighty (1,880) hours per year, of one employee who participates directly in the research and development activities contemplated under this Agreement and who has appropriate scientific or technical expertise given his/her responsibilities under the Research Plan.
1.10 Good Laboratory Practices or GLP means the regulations set forth in 21 C.F.R. Part 58 and the requirements thereunder imposed by the FDA, and the equivalent thereof in jurisdictions outside the United States.
1.11 IND means an investigational new drug application and associated documents required to be filed with the FDA or a comparable government agency outside of the United States to obtain approval to commence human clinical trials of a Product.
1.12 Information means any data, results, and information of any type whatsoever, in any tangible or intangible form, including, without limitation, know-how, trade secrets, practices, techniques, methods, processes, inventions (patentable or otherwise), developments, specifications, formulations, formulae, materials or compositions of matter of any type or kind, technology, test data including pharmacological, biological, chemical, biochemical, toxicological, preclinical and clinical test data, analytical and quality control data, stability data, studies, and procedures.
1.13 Institutes Patent Rights means the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights.
1.14 Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights means (a) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/701,752, and any U.S. non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of or priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/701,752, including all continuations and divisions thereof; (b) International patent application serial number PCT/US2006/028680 and any U.S. non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of or priority to PCT/US2006/028680 including any continuations and divisionals thereof, (c) continuations-in-part applications filed at any time during the term of the Agreement, to the extent they claim subject matter specifically described in the patent applications in (a) and (b); (d) U.S. patents issuing from any of the patent applications set forth in (a), (b) and (c), including, without limitation, all extensions, registrations, confirmations, reissues, substitutions, revalidations, reexaminations, renewals, or any like filings thereof; and (e) all counterparts to any of the foregoing patents and patent applications set forth in (a), (b), (c) and (d) filed in or issued by any country or jurisdiction other than the United States.
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1.15 Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights means (a) U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/357,310, and any U.S. non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of or priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/357,310 (including U.S. patent application serial number 10/503,786), including all continuations and divisions thereof; (b) International patent application serial number PCT/US2003/004575 and any U.S. non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of or priority to PCT/US2003/004575 (including U.S. patent application serial number 10/503,786), and including any continuations and divisionals thereof, (c) continuations-in-part applications filed at any time during the term of the Agreement, to the extent they claim subject matter specifically described in the patent applications in (a) and (b); (d) U.S. patents issuing from any of the patent applications set forth in (a), (b) and (c), including, without limitation, all extensions, registrations, confirmations, reissues, substitutions, revalidations, reexaminations, renewals, or any like filings thereof; and (e) all counterparts to any of the foregoing patents and patent applications set forth in (a), (b), (c) and (d) filed in or issued by any country or jurisdiction other than the United States
1.16 Joint Program Inventions has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
1.17 Joint Research Committee or JRC has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
1.18 Marketing Authorization means the requisite governmental approval for the marketing and sale of a Product in a given country or territory.
1.19 NDA means a New Drug Application filed with the FDA or any equivalent filed with the regulatory authorities in any country or territory other than the United States to obtain approval for the marketing and sale of a Product in such country or territory, but excluding any pricing or reimbursement approvals.
1.20 Net Sales means the amount received by NTI or Sublicensees for the sale of Products, less the following: (a) customary trade and quantity discounts actually allowed and taken; (b) allowances actually given for returned Product; (c) freight and insurance, if separately identified on the invoice; and (e) value added tax, sales, use, or turnover taxes, excise taxes, and customs duties included in the invoiced price. In addition, Net Sales by NTI or Sublicensees hereunder are subject to the following:
(a) In the case of pharmacy incentive programs, hospital performance incentive program charge backs, disease management programs, similar programs, or discounts on bundles of products, all discounts and the like shall be allocated among products on the basis on which such discounts and the like were accrued, or if such basis cannot be determined, proportionately to the list prices of such products;
(b) In the case of any sale or other disposal of Product by NTI or Sublicensees to an affiliated party for resale, the Net Sales shall be calculated as above on the value charged or invoiced on the first arms length sale to a Third Party; and
(c) If NTI or Sublicensees make a sale or other disposal of Product to a customer in a particular country other than on normal commercial terms or as part of a package of products and services, the Net Sales of that Product shall be deemed to be the fair market value of such Product (i.e., the value that would have been derived had said Product been sold as a separate product to a similar customer in the country concerned on normal commercial terms).
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1.21 Patent means (a) issued and unexpired U.S. patents including, without limitation, any extension, registration, confirmation, reissue, substitution, revalidation, reexamination, renewal, or any like filing thereof, (b) pending patent applications, including without limitation any provisional, continuation, division, or continuation-in-part thereof, and (c) all counterparts to any of the foregoing issued by or filed in any country or jurisdiction other than the United States.
1.22 Phase II Clinical Trial means a human clinical trial conducted in any country that is intended to initially evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical product for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or indication under study, or that otherwise satisfies the requirements of 21 CFR 312.21(b) or its foreign equivalent.
1.23 Phase III Clinical Trial means a pivotal human clinical trial conducted in any country that satisfies the requirements of 21 CFR 312.21(c) or its foreign equivalent, which trial is designed to (a) establish that a pharmaceutical product is safe and efficacious for its intended use, (b) define warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions that are associated with the product in the dosage range to be prescribed; and (c) support Marketing Authorization of such product.
1.24 Principal Investigator has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.
1.25 Product means any product (including, without limitation, (i) a member of the FGF family (for example, FGF-2, FGF-4, etc.) or a fragment or derivative thereof, or (ii) a functional mimetic of a member of the FGF family), the manufacture, use, importation, offer for sale, or sale of which would constitute a misappropriation and/or infringement of Program Technology or Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights but for a license thereunder.
1.26 Program Inventions means Joint Program Inventions and Sole Program Inventions.
1.27 Program Know-How means Information, whether or not patentable, that is conceived, generated, discovered, or created by one or both Parties or their Affiliates, or by any Third Party working on behalf of one or both Parties or their Affiliates, at any time during the Research Program Term as a direct result of the performance of the activities under the Research Program. Program Know-How shall include Results and Program Inventions and shall exclude Program Patents.
1.28 Program Patents means all Patents owned or Controlled by either Party or both Parties that are directed to, and claim an invention that is, Program Know-How. For clarity, Program Patents only includes Patents owned or Controlled by either Party or both Parties after the Effective Date, and does not include Patents owned or Controlled by a Party as of the Effective Date.
1.29 Program Technology means the Program Know-How and Program Patents.
1.30 Research Program means the research and development program to be conducted by the Parties in accordance with the Research Plan under this Agreement to discover, research and/or develop Products for the prevention or treatment of disease in humans.
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1.31 Research Program Term has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
1.32 Research Plan means the plan for conducting the Research Program attached hereto as Exhibit B, as it may be amended or updated from time to time in accordance with Section 2.5.
1.33 Results means any research, preclinical, clinical, development, or testing results, data, and related Information generated, developed, created, or originated by or for Institute or NTI in connection with the Research Plan or Research Program.
1.34 Sole Program Inventions has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
1.35 Sublicensee means any person or entity, including Affiliates, to which a Party or such Partys sublicensee grants a sublicense under the intellectual property rights licensed to such Party under this Agreement (a) to perform any portion of such Partys activities under the Research Program in accordance with Section 2.11, (b) to research and/or develop a Product, or (c) to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale and/or import a Product (which, for the purposes hereof, will include the right to distribute, market, or promote a Product).
1.36 Third Party means any person or entity other than NTI, Institute, or an Affiliate or Sublicensee of either of them.
1.37 Valid Claim means either: (a) a claim of an issued and unexpired patent that has not been (i) canceled with prejudice, (ii) been declared invalid by an irreversible and unappealable decision of a court or other appropriate body of competent jurisdiction, (iii) admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through disclaimer or otherwise, or (iv) abandoned; or (b) a claim of a pending patent application filed and kept pending in good faith and that has not been (i) canceled with prejudice, (ii) withdrawn from consideration without the ability to resubmit or refile, (iii) finally determined to be unallowable by the applicable governmental authority (and from which no appeal is or can be taken), or (iv) abandoned.
2. Research Program.
2.1 Joint Research Committee.
(a) Membership. Within ten (10) days after the Effective Date, the Parties shall form a joint committee (the Joint Research Committee or JRC) that shall oversee and direct the collaborative research activities being conducted by the Parties under the Research Program. Each Party shall appoint three (3) representatives to be such Partys members of the JRC. Each Party shall select a co-chairperson of the JRC. A Party may change any of its appointments to the JRC at any time upon giving written notice to the other Party.
(b) Responsibilities. The JRC shall be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Research Program. The JRC has the following duties: (1) preparing updates, amendments, and revisions to the Research Plan; (2) overseeing and directing the conduct of the work under the Research Plan; (3) prioritizing activities under the Research Program; (4) reviewing the budget contained in the Research Plan, proposed expenditures, and actual expenditures in connection with the Research Program; and (5) reviewing results from activities conducted under the Research Program.
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The Parties may also mutually agree in writing that the JRC shall have additional specified responsibilities. All decisions of the JRC shall be by unanimous consent of its members. In the event that the JRC cannot reach a unanimous decision with respect to a particular matter, such matter shall be referred to a senior executive of each Party who shall promptly meet and endeavor to reach mutually acceptable resolution in a timely manner. In the event that such persons cannot resolve the issue, NTI shall have the right to resolve the issue in its reasonable discretion, except that such resolution shall not place any additional obligations on Institute. For the avoidance of doubt, the JRC shall not have the authority to amend or modify any term or condition of this Agreement or make any determinations regarding whether a Party has breached this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, once NTI has selected a Clinical Candidate, NTI shall be solely responsible for directing and overseeing further development.
2.2 JRC Meetings. The JRC shall meet, either in person or by videoconference, at least once per calendar quarter during the Research Program Term, and shall have its final meeting three (3) months after the expiration of the Research Program Term. At least every six (6) months, the agenda of the JRC meeting shall include the review of any inventions arising from the Parties conduct of the Research Program. The Parties also may conduct informal exchange of information as needed by electronic mail or videoconference to communicate regarding the Research Program. Attendance and participation in JRC meetings shall be at the respective expense of the participating Parties. The co-chairpersons of the JRC shall work together cooperatively to assure that an agenda is prepared and circulated to the JRC members at least ten (10) days before each JRC meeting, and shall assure that minutes are prepared for each JRC meeting and circulated to each Party. The Parties will alternate responsibility for the preparation of minutes of each committee meeting. The co-chairpersons will review and approve JRC minutes before they become effective. The first meeting of the JRC shall occur not later than thirty (30) days after the Effective Date. Each Party will use diligent efforts to cause all of its JRC representatives to attend all JRC meetings. Each Party also may allow a reasonable number of its other employees to attend specific JRC meetings as non-voting participants, if reasonably useful to the functioning of the JRC and the Research Program.
2.3 Principal Investigators. Each Party shall appoint a principal investigator reasonably acceptable to the other Party (each, a Principal Investigator) who shall serve as the primary point of communication and coordination between the Parties with respect to the Research Program and shall be responsible for such Partys internal day-to-day activities under the Research Program. Subject to the foregoing, each Party shall have the right to replace its Principal Investigator from time to time with another individual reasonably acceptable to the other Party by providing prior written notice to the other Party. The initial Principal Investigators are listed on Exhibit A. During the Research Program Term, the Principal Investigators shall meet to discuss the progress of the respective activities of each Party under the Research Program at least monthly in person, by phone, or by video conference. Each meeting of the JRC shall be considered a meeting of the Principal Investigators for purposes of the foregoing. Each Principal Investigator shall be responsible for: (a) monitoring progress against the Research Plan; (b) receiving and submitting requests for information, materials, and/or assistance between the Parties; (c) coordinating the preparation of, and providing, all proposed updates or amendments to the Research Plan to the JRC; and (d) performing such other activities as requested by the JRC.
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2.4 Undertaking and Scope of Research Program. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree to conduct the Research Program concerning the discovery, research, and pre-clinical development of Products on a collaborative basis during the Research Program Term. Each Party shall use diligent efforts to perform its responsibilities set forth in the Research Plan, including by using diligent efforts to meet the schedule and budget set forth therein. Each Party shall conduct all of its activities under the Research Plan in a good, scientific manner, and in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including, where applicable, GLP, to attempt to achieve the objectives under the Research Plan efficiently and expeditiously. Each Party shall ensure that all individuals performing work by or on behalf of such Party shall be reasonably qualified.
2.5 Research Plan. The specific research and development activities to be performed by each Party in connection with the Research Program, and the applicable timelines and budget (with respect to Institute) for such activities, shall be defined in a detailed Research Plan. Each Party agrees to conduct its activities under the Research Program in accordance with the Research Plan, as such plan may be modified or updated by the JRC. The initial Research Plan for the first year of the Research Program Term is attached hereto as Exhibit B. The JRC will review the Research Plan for each year on at least a semiannual basis during the course of the year to determine if any changes are necessary given the progress and results of the Research Program as of such date. The JRC shall be responsible for reviewing and approving changes to the Research Plan. If the Parties agree to extend the Research Program Term as contemplated in Section 2.6, the Parties shall work collaboratively in an effort to propose to the JRC, no later than ninety (90) days prior to the beginning of the extended Research Program Term, an updated Research Plan, including an updated budget, covering the additional year of the Research Program Term. Additionally, subject to the minimum funding requirements set forth in Section 5.1, each Party shall have the right to request changes to the Research Plan at any time. In the event that a Party desires a change to the Research Plan, it shall submit to the JRC a proposed Research Plan for approval. The JRC shall promptly review each such proposal and approve it, reject it, and/or propose modifications thereto. All updated and modified Research Plans shall become effective only to the extent approved in writing by the JRC. If any change or update is not approved, then the pre-existing Research Plan shall remain in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any extension of the Research Program Term in accordance with Section 2.6 shall remain contingent upon the approval in writing by the JRC of an updated Research Plan and budget covering the additional one (1) year extension period prior to the expiration of the then-current Research Program Term.
2.6 Research Program Term. The Research Program shall, unless earlier terminated as provided in this Section 2.6, be conducted for an initial period of one (1) year commencing on the Effective Date (such period, the Research Program Term). The Research Program Term may be extended twice, each for an additional one (1) year period, only upon a written extension signed by authorized representatives of each Party within at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration of the then-current Research Program Term; provided, however, that any such extension shall be contingent upon the approval in writing by the JRC in accordance with Section 2.5 of an updated Research Plan covering the additional one (1) year period prior to the expiration of the then-current Research Program Term.
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NTI may terminate the Research Program upon sixty (60) days written notice at any time during the Research Program Term if either (a) NTI has selected a Clinical Candidate and has generated substantially all of the data necessary to support the filing of an IND for such Clinical Candidate or (b) it reasonably determines that substantially all of the key objectives for the Research Program as set forth in the Research Plan cannot be substantially met. In addition, the JRC may terminate the Research Program at any time during the Research Program Term if it unanimously determines the Research Program is no longer scientifically useful or that all potential Products would not be commercially viable. In the event that either the Research Program Term is terminated as permitted herein or the Research Program Term, as it may be extended, expires prior to the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date and, in each case, a Clinical Candidate does not exist at the time of such termination or expiration, this Agreement shall automatically terminate.
2.7 Personnel. The scientific priorities and direction for the Research Program will be determined by the JRC. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, Institute shall dedicate two (2) FTEs to performing Institutes responsibilities under the Research Plan during the Research Program Term. NTI shall provide sufficient FTEs to conduct its obligations and activities under the Research Program.
2.8 Research Materials. Except pursuant to the licenses expressly granted to a Party pursuant to this Agreement, each Party shall use all materials and other Information provided by or on behalf of the other Party solely as necessary to perform its responsibilities under the Research Program. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party shall use all biological materials in a safe manner and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including National Institutes of Health guidelines. Each Party acknowledges that the other Party cannot and does not guarantee the safety, non-toxicity, fitness, or efficacy of any biological materials provided by the other Party, and each Party accepts any and all risk resulting from its use of biological materials provided to it by the other Party. All quantities of biological materials including, without limitation, all Products provided by a Party to the other are experimental in nature, are not for use in humans, AND ARE PROVIDED AS IS AND WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
2.9 Records. Each Party shall maintain complete and accurate records (including those records required by law or regulation) of all work conducted by or on behalf of such Party under the Research Program and all Information generated by or on behalf of such Party under the Research Program. Such records shall be complete and accurate, and shall fully and properly reflect all work done and results achieved in the performance of the Research Program in sufficient detail and in good scientific manner appropriate for patent and regulatory purposes.
2.10 Reports. During the conduct of the Research Program, each Party shall report to the JRC at each JRC meeting the results of its work under the Research Program. Each Party also will prepare and submit to the other Party and the JRC an annual written progress report summarizing the work performed by such Party under the Research Plan and the results thereof.
2.11 Use of Third Party Contractors. Each Party may contract its activities under the Research Program to consultants and contractors, but only if and to the extent approved by the JRC in writing. Each Party shall manage and coordinate the services of its approved consultants and contractors and shall bear full responsibility for the performance or non-performance of any duties delegated thereto, including without limitation compliance with the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.
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2.12 Disclaimer of Warranty. NEITHER PARTY PROVIDES ANY WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE RESEARCH PLAN, THE PROGRAM TECHNOLOGY, OR ANY PRODUCT OR DELIVERABLE PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THE RESEARCH PLAN, AND EACH PARTY HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
3. License Grants.
3.1 Research License. Each Party hereby grants to the other Party a non-exclusive license to practice the Patents and Information Controlled by such Party solely as necessary for such other Party to perform its responsibilities under the Research Program in accordance with the Research Plan during the Research Program Term. Without limiting any rights and licenses granted in any other portion of this Agreement, it is understood and agreed that this Section 3.1 does not grant to a Party any right or license under the other Partys Patents and Information to: (a) manufacture, distribute, sell, or otherwise provide any commercial products or services using or based upon any such Patents or Information; or (b) perform any activities outside the Research Plan or after the termination or expiration of the Research Program Term. Neither Party may grant sublicenses under the foregoing research licenses without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
3.2 License to NTI. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the retained rights specified in Section 3.3 below, Institute hereby grants to NTI an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license under all of Institutes right, title, and interest in, to, and under the Institutes Patent Rights and the Program Technology to make, have made, use, import, offer for sale, and sell Products. NTI shall have the right to grant sublicenses under the foregoing licenses subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2. If NTI grants any such sublicense, NTI shall promptly disclose to Institute the identity of the Sublicensee. NTI shall ensure that all sublicenses granted by NTI hereunder are consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. NTI may grant sublicenses through multiple tiers of Sublicensees consistent with this Agreement to its Affiliates and to Third Parties if NTI is responsible for the activities of such Sublicensees with respect to the Institute Patent Rights, Program Technology, and Products as if the activities were carried out by NTI, including the payment of royalties due to Institute hereunder, whether or not such amounts are paid to NTI by a Sublicensee. NTI must deliver to Institute a true and correct copy of each sublicense granted by NTI as permitted herein, and any modification or termination thereof, within thirty (30) days after execution, modification, or termination (which copy may only be redacted to delete information not relevant to determining whether such sublicense is consistent with the provisions of this Agreement).
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3.3 Retained Rights. For clarity, the license rights granted to NTI in Section 3.2 shall be subject to the retained rights of the Institute to: (a) perform the Research Program in accordance with the Research Plan during the Research Program Term; (b) use and practice the Institutes Patent Rights and Program Technology solely for educational and non-commercial research purposes; (c) exploit any rights under the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights except for the rights granted to NTI hereunder related to Products; and (d) publish the general scientific findings from research related to the Institute Patent Rights and Program Technology, subject to the provisions of Sections 10 and 11.3. In addition, because the Institute Patent Rights have been developed, at least in part, with funding from the United States Government, the licenses granted to NTI under this Agreement are subject to the United States Governments rights under the Bayh-Dole Act, as codified at 35 U.S.C. §§ 200-212 (the Act) and all regulations implementing the Act. Each Party retains exclusively all its rights in all its Patents, Information and other intellectual property rights, and grants the other Party no rights therein (implied or otherwise), other than the license rights expressly granted in this Agreement.
3.4 Mutual Covenant. Each Party covenants that it will not use or practice any of the other Partys intellectual property rights licensed under this Section 3 except for the purposes expressly permitted in the applicable license grant.
4. Diligence.
4.1 General Diligence Requirements. NTI covenants to Institute that it, either on its own or through its Affiliates or Sublicensees, shall, at its own expense, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to develop, seek Marketing Authorization for, and commercialize at least one Product worldwide. As between the Parties, NTI shall be responsible, at its expense, for all development and manufacturing activities, for the preparation, filing, and maintenance of NDAs for Products in each country worldwide, and commercializing Products. By January 31 of each calendar year for the term of this Agreement, NTI shall provide Institute a written report of its activities in this regard during the preceding calendar year, and a summary of any such activities for the upcoming year.
4.2 Specific Diligence Requirements. NTI shall, either on its own or through its Affiliates or Sublicensees, (a)* * * within * * * after the termination or expiration of the Research Program Term, (b) * * * within * * * after the termination or expiration of the Research Program Term, (c) * * * within * * * after the termination or expiration of the Research Program Term, and (d) * * * within * * * after the termination or expiration of the Research Program Term.
4.3 Failure. If NTI does not use Commercially Reasonable Efforts as provided for in Section 4.1, or if NTI does not fulfill any of its obligations under Section 4.2, then, at Institutes sole election, Institute shall have the right, upon written notice, to terminate in its entirety, or convert to non-exclusive, the license rights granted to NTI hereunder, effective upon receipt by NTI of such written notice; provided, however, that NTI shall not be considered to have failed to fulfill its obligations under Section 4.2 if the failure is caused in any way by the actions or omissions of Institute or any breach of this Agreement by Institute and NTI continues to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts.
* * * | Confidential Information, indicated by [***], has been omitted from this filing and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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5. Payment Obligations.
5.1 Research Program Funding. NTI shall commit six hundred thirty thousand U.S. Dollars ($630,000) for the first year of the Research Program Term to fund the Institutes performance of activities under the Research Plan. If the Research Program Term is extended for any additional years beyond the initial one (1) year period, NTI shall commit the amount specified in the budget contained in the updated Research Plan for such additional year, which amount shall in no event be less than six hundred thirty thousand U.S. Dollars ($630,000) provided that the results of the Research Program have substantially met the objectives established in writing by the JRC for the Research Program. NTI shall pay its funding amount under this Section 5.1 for each year of the Research Program Term in four (4) equal installments (e.g., for the first year of the Research Program, 4 equal installments of $157,500 U.S. Dollars) on a quarterly basis in advance during the Research Program Term, and Institute agrees to apply such funding solely to its activities under the Research Program. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NTI shall pay to Institute the first installment of its funding amount (i.e., $157,500 U.S. Dollars) for the first year of the Research Program Term within ten (10) days after the Effective Date. Provided that the Research Program Term has not terminated or expired, the next installment of NTIs funding amount shall be payable by NTI no later than three (3) months after the Effective Date, and all subsequent installments shall each be payable by NTI during the Research Program Term every three (3) months thereafter. All amounts paid by NTI hereunder are non-refundable and non-creditable.
5.2 Up-Front Payments. As partial consideration for the license and other rights granted to NTI under this Agreement, NTI shall make to Institute a non-refundable, non-creditable up-front payment in the amount of one hundred seventy-four thousand nine hundred ninety-nine U.S. Dollars ($174,999) (the Up-Front Payment), which payment shall be payable in three (3) installments of fifty-eight thousand three hundred thirty-three U.S. Dollars ($58,333) each. Such installment payments shall be made as follows: (a) the first payment shall be made within ten (10) days after the Effective Date; (b) the second on the first anniversary of the Effective Date; and (c) the third on the second anniversary of the Effective Date. For clarity, NTIs obligation to pay to Institute all three (3) installments of the Up-Front Payment under this Section 5.2 is not contingent upon the completion or success of the Research Program Term, or on the Research Program Term being extended beyond the initial one (1) year term, and, accordingly, such obligation shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason.
5.3 Milestone Payments. As partial consideration for the license and other rights granted to NTI hereunder, NTI shall pay milestone payments upon the first occurrence of the corresponding milestone events with respect to each Product as set forth in the table below. Such milestone payments shall be non-refundable and non-creditable, and in addition to any royalty or other payments due under this Agreement. NTI shall notify Institute in writing upon its achievement of each milestone event, and shall make each milestone payment payable hereunder no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the applicable milestone event is achieved. The milestone payments below shall only be payable one time with respect to each Product. If, for whatever reason, a particular milestone event for which a milestone payment is due is not achieved then, in such case, the milestone payment that Institute would have received upon the occurrence of such milestone event for the Product, had the particular milestone event been achieved, shall be paid on the occurrence of the next milestone event for which a milestone payment is due, which payment shall be paid in addition to, and not instead of, the milestone payment that is to be paid to Institute upon the occurrence of the next milestone event.
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Milestone Event | Milestone Payment | |||
* * * | US $* * * | |||
* * * | US $* * * | |||
* * * | US $* * * | |||
* * * | US $* * * | |||
* * * | US $* * * |
5.4 Royalties. NTI shall pay Institute non-refundable and non-creditable royalties on a Product-by-Product basis in an amount equal to * * * percent (* * *%) of the annual aggregate Net Sales of such Product in all countries where the manufacture, importation, use, offer for sale, or sale of such Product is covered by a Valid Claim within the Program Patents that the Institute has an ownership interest in or Institute Patent Rights. The foregoing royalty rate shall be reduced * * * percent (* * *%) in each country in which there is no Valid Claim within the Program Patents or Institute Patent Rights covering the composition, method of making, or method of using the applicable Product. No multiple royalties related to Net Sales shall be payable hereunder because the relevant Product or its manufacture, importation, use, offer for sale, or sale is covered by more than one Valid Claim within the Institute Patent Rights or Program Patents. NTI shall have the right to reduce the royalty rates payable to Institute to offset * * * percent (* * *%) of any royalties paid to third parties on a Product. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the royalty rates paid by NTI to Institute pursuant to this Section 5.4 be reduced to less than * * * percent (* * *%) of the Net Sales of Products as a result of the reductions and offsets permitted herein.
5.5 Length of Royalty Obligations. NTIs obligation to pay royalties to Institute under Section 5.4 shall commence on the date of the First Commercial Sale of the applicable Product in such country or territory and shall expire upon the later of (a) ten (10) years following the date of the First Commercial Sale of such Product in such country, and (b) the date on which the last Valid Claim within the Program Patents that Institute has an ownership interest in or Institute Patent Rights covering the composition, method of making, or method of using the applicable Product expires in such country or territory.
5.6 Royalty Payment Terms. Payments due under Section 5.4 shall be payable within forty-five (45) calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter with respect to Net Sales in such quarter. Each such payment shall be accompanied by a written report showing: (a) the calendar quarter for which such payment applies; (b) the amount received by NTI, its Affiliates or its Sublicensees for the sale of Products during such quarter; (c) the total deductions from the amount invoiced to arrive at Net Sales; and (d) the amount of royalties due under Section 5.4.
* * * | Confidential Information, indicated by [***], has been omitted from this filing and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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5.7 Payment Terms.
(a) All payments to be made under this Agreement shall be made in U.S. Dollars. With respect to sales of Products invoiced in a currency other than United States Dollars, all such amounts shall be expressed both in the currency in which the sale is invoiced and in the United States dollar equivalent. NTI further agrees in determining such amounts, that it will use the rate of exchange reported by Citibank in New York City as of the close of the last business day of the applicable calendar quarter for which royalties are due for the translation of foreign currency sales into United States dollars.
(b) Exchange Control. If at any time legal restrictions prevent the prompt remittance of part or all of the royalties payable by NTI with respect to any country or territory where a Product is sold, NTI shall have the right, at its option, to make such payments by depositing the amount thereof in local currency to Institutes account in a bank or other depository in such country. If the royalty rate specified in this Agreement should exceed the permissible rate established in any country, the royalty rate for sales in such country shall be adjusted to the highest legally permissible or government-approved rate.
(c) Withholding Taxes. Each Party shall pay any and all taxes levied on it or incurred by it on account of payments it receives under this Agreement. If laws or regulations require that taxes be withheld, the paying Party shall: (a) deduct these taxes from the remittable amount; (b) pay the taxes to the proper taxing authority; and (c) if requested, send proof of payment to the receiving Party within sixty (60) days following such payment.
(d) Late Payment. Any amounts not paid by NTI when due under this Agreement will be subject to interest from and including the date payment is due, up through and including the date upon which Institute has collected the funds in accordance herewith at a rate equal to the lesser of (i) the sum of two and one-half percent (2.5%) plus the prime rate of interest quoted in the Money Rates (or equivalent) section of the Wall Street Journal per annum, calculated daily, or (ii) the maximum interest rate allowed by law.
5.8 Audit Rights. NTI shall keep (and, as applicable, shall cause its Affiliates and require its Sublicensees to keep) complete and accurate books and records as are necessary to ascertain NTIs compliance with this Agreement, including such records as are necessary to verify royalty payments owed. Upon the written request of Institute and not more than once in each calendar year, NTI shall permit an independent certified public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing selected by Institute and reasonably acceptable to NTI), at the Institutes expense, to have access upon prior written notice during normal business hours to such of the records of NTI as may be reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy of the royalty reports hereunder for any year ending not more than thirty-six (36) months prior to the date of such request. The accounting firm shall disclose to Institute only whether the reports are correct and the specific details concerning any discrepancies. No other information shall be shared. The auditing Party shall treat all financial information subject to review under this Section 5.8 as confidential, and shall cause its accounting firm to retain all such financial information in confidence. All amounts due as shown by the audit shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the receipt of the final audit report. The expense of such audit shall be borne by Institute; provided, however, that if an error of more than five percent (5%) in favor of NTI or its Affiliates or Sublicensees is discovered, then such expenses shall be paid by NTI. NTI will use reasonable efforts to include in all sublicenses granted in accordance herewith, and any other agreements enabling a Third Party to be a seller of Products, an audit provision substantially similar to the foregoing requiring such seller to keep full and accurate books and records relating to the Products and granting Institute the right to audit the accuracy of the information reported by the sublicensee in connection therewith.
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6. Patents.
6.1 Ownership of Inventions. All Program Know-How that is conceived, generated, discovered, or created solely by employees or other Third Parties acting on behalf of a Party or its Affiliates (collectively, the Sole Program Inventions), together with all intellectual property rights appurtenant thereto, shall be solely owned by such Party. All Program Know-How that is conceived, generated, discovered, or created jointly by employees or other Third Parties acting on behalf of a Party or its Affiliates, together with employees or other Third Parties acting on behalf of the other Party or such other Partys Affiliates (the Joint Program Inventions), together with all intellectual property rights appurtenant thereto, shall be jointly owned by the Parties. Each Party shall own an undivided one-half interest in, to and under such Joint Program Inventions and intellectual property rights appurtenant thereto, and neither Party shall have any duty to account to or obtain the consent of the other Party in order to exploit or license such jointly owned inventions and intellectual property rights (but otherwise subject to the express provisions of this Agreement). Inventorship shall be determined in accordance with United States patent law. Each Party shall ensure, and hereby covenants, that all employees, agents, consultants, contractors, and other Third Parties acting on behalf of such Party or such Partys Affiliates in performing obligations under this Agreement shall be obligated under a binding written agreement to (i) assign to such Party all inventions conceived, generated, discovered, or created by such employee, agent, consultant, contractor, or other Third Party in the course of performing such Partys obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) preserve the proprietary and confidential nature of Confidential Information substantially to the extent provided for in Section 10.
6.2 Patent Prosecution and Maintenance
(a) Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and Program Patents
(i) NTI shall be responsible, using counsel reasonably acceptable to the Institute, for the preparation, filing, prosecution (including the prosecution of any interferences, reexaminations, reissues, and opposition proceedings) and maintenance of any and all Patents included in the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and the Program Patents. NTI shall consult with Institute as to the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of such Patents and shall furnish to Institute, or to counsel of Institutes choice, copies of documents relevant to any such preparation, filing, prosecution or maintenance for Institutes review and comment pursuant to Section 6.2(a)(iv). NTI may determine which countries in which to maintain Patents, provided however, that no Patent that Institute has an ownership interest in that has been filed will be abandoned without providing Institute reasonable notice and opportunity to maintain the Patent, and such Patent shall no longer be included in the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights or Program Patents licensed to NTI under this Agreement.
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NTI may determine in which countries to file Patents that would, if filed, be included in the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights; provided, however, that if NTI elects not to file any such Patent in a particular country, Institute shall be solely responsible for, and have complete discretion in controlling and making decisions with respect to, filing, prosecution, defense and maintenance of such Patent in such country, and such Patent shall not be included in the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights licensed to NTI under this Agreement. With regard to the previous sentence, the Institute agrees not to take any action, for example, in prosecuting or defending such Patents that may materially adversely affect the scope and/or enforceability of the Institute Patent Rights or Program Patents licensed to NTI under this Agreement
(ii) NTI agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain broad and strong patent protection in the best interest of Institute and NTI. NTI shall obtain Institutes approval before taking actions that may have a material adverse impact on the scope of any claims of any Patents within the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and the Program Patents that Institute has an ownership interest in; provided that such approval may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall be deemed given if Institute does not respond to a request for approval before NTI needs to take an action to meet applicable filing requirements.
(iii) Subject to Section 6.2(a)(iv), NTI shall bear all costs incurred during the term of this Agreement for the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of Patents included in the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and the Program Patent Rights. NTI shall reimburse the Institute for reasonable attorneys fees incurred by Institute solely related to Institutes reasonable review of NTIs preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and the Program Patents, provided, however, that NTI shall not reimburse Institute for any expenses Institute may incur related to disputes, differences of opinion as to strategy and other disagreements between Institute and NTI with respect to the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and the Program Patents (beyond expenses related to the initial identification of issues in the reasonable review referred to above). NTI agrees to reimburse Institute for such attorneys fees within 30 days of NTIs receipt of invoices from Institute.
(iv) Institute and NTI shall cooperate fully in the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and the Program Patents and of all Patents licensed to NTI hereunder, executing all papers and instruments or requiring members of Institute to execute such papers and instruments so as to enable NTI to apply for, to prosecute and to maintain Patents in Institutes name in any country. Each Party shall provide to the other prompt notice as to all matters which come to its attention and which may affect the preparation, filing, prosecution or maintenance of any such Patents. With respect to the drafting of patent applications, NTI shall provide draft patent applications to the Institute at least ten (10) days before filing or within one-third of the time span between disclosure of an invention to NTI and the date of intended filing, whichever is less. With respect to documents relating to the prosecution of patent applications, NTI shall promptly provide Institute with copies of patent office correspondence, and shall provide Institute with drafts of responses to patent office correspondence at least seven (7) days before transmission of such responses to the relevant patent office. Institute shall provide any comments on such applications or responses promptly and in sufficient time to allow NTI to meet applicable filing requirements. NTI shall attempt to incorporate any and all reasonable comments or suggestions made by Institute with respect to such filing and prosecution.
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(v) NTI may elect to surrender its interests in any Patents in the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights or the Program Patents that has an ownership interest in any country upon sixty (60) days written notice to Institute. Such notice shall not relieve NTI from responsibility to reimburse Institute for patent-related expenses incurred prior to the expiration of the sixty (60) day notice period. Upon the expiration of such sixty (60) day period, such Patents in such countries shall no longer be included in the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights or Program Patents, as applicable, licensed to NTI hereunder. In the event that NTI elects to surrender its interests in any Patents under this Section 6.2(a)(v), NTI shall provide Institute with reasonable cooperation and assistance in transitioning the prosecution and maintenance of such Patents to Institute including, without limitation, executing, acknowledging and delivering such further instruments and performing all such other acts that may be appropriate to enable Institute to assume sole responsibility and control of the prosecution and maintenance of such Patents.
(b) Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights
(i) Institute shall be responsible, using counsel reasonably acceptable to NTI, for the preparation, filing, prosecution (including the prosecution of any interferences, reexaminations, reissues, and opposition proceedings) and maintenance of any and all Patents included in the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights. Institute shall consult with NTI as to the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of such Patents and shall furnish to NTI, or to counsel of NTIs choice, copies of documents relevant to any such preparation, filing, prosecution or maintenance for NTIs review and comment pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(iv). Institute may determine which countries in which to maintain Patents, provided however, that no Patent that has been filed will be abandoned without providing NTI reasonable notice and opportunity to assume responsibility for the Patent. In the event that NTI, in its sole discretion, elects to assume responsibility for such Patent, the Institute shall assign such Patent to NTI and shall execute all papers, at NTIs reasonable expense, necessary to assign the Patent to NTI. In the event that Institute assigns such Patent to NTI, NTI agrees not to take any action, for example, in prosecuting or defending such Patent that may materially adversely affect the scope and/or enforceability of the Institute Patent Rights licensed to NTI under this Agreement.
(ii) Institute shall obtain NTIs approval before taking actions that may have a material adverse impact on the scope of any claims of any Patents within the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights; provided that such approval may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall be deemed given if NTI does not respond to a request for approval before Institute needs to take an action to meet applicable filing requirements.
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(iii) Subject to Section 6.2(b)(iv), NTI and Institute agree to share the fees on an equal basis and disbursements associated with the filing, prosecution of the maintenance of the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights incurred after the Effective Date of this Agreement. NTI agrees to reimburse Institute for such fees within 30 days of NTIs receipt of invoices from Institute. In the event that the Institute after the Effective Date grants another license under the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights to a Third Party, the Institute and NTI shall negotiate in good faith how the fees shall be allocated between Institute, NTI, and the Third Party licensee.
(iv) Institute and NTI shall cooperate fully in the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights. Each Party shall provide to the other prompt notice as to all matters which come to its attention and which may affect the preparation, filing, prosecution or maintenance of any such Patents. With respect to documents relating to the prosecution of patent applications, Institute shall promptly provide NTI with copies of patent office correspondence, and shall provide NTI with drafts of responses to patent office correspondence at least seven (7) days before transmission of such responses to the relevant patent office. NTI shall provide any comments on such responses promptly and in sufficient time to allow Institute to meet applicable filing requirements. Institute shall attempt to incorporate any and all reasonable comments or suggestions made by NTI with respect to such filing and prosecution.
(v) NTI may elect to surrender its interests in any Patents in the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights in any country upon sixty (60) days written notice to Institute. Such notice shall not relieve NTI from responsibility to reimburse Institute for patent-related expenses incurred prior to the expiration of the sixty (60) day notice period. Upon the expiration of such sixty (60) day period, such Patents in such countries shall no longer be included in the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights, licensed to NTI hereunder.
(c) The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement shall be deemed to be a Joint Research Agreement as defined by 35 U.S.C. §103(c), provided that neither Party shall be required by this reference to have any patent or patent application take advantage of or become subject to such §103(c) without such Partys prior consent.
7. INFRINGEMENT.
7.1 Infringement of Third Party Rights Relating to Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights and Program Patents. NTI shall notify Institute of any infringement or possible infringement of the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights or the Program Patents by a Third Party promptly after it becomes aware of such infringement. NTI will have the first right, but not the obligation, to institute, prosecute, and control any action or proceeding with respect to infringement of the Institutes Ellerby Patent Rights or Program Patents (an Enforcement Action), by counsel of its own choice. Institute shall have the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice. Institute shall provide reasonable assistance and cooperation to NTI at NTIs expense and may, at its sole discretion and expense and by counsel of its choice, join in such Enforcement Action. If NTI fails to institute an Enforcement Action within (a) ninety (90) days following written notice of alleged infringement, or (b) thirty (30) days before the time limit, if any, set forth in the appropriate laws and regulations for the filing of such actions, whichever comes first, Institute shall have the right,
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but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action or proceeding at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. In such event, NTI shall provide reasonable assistance and cooperation to Institute in connection with such Enforcement Action at its own expense. If Institute institutes an Enforcement Action, NTI shall have the right, at its own expense, to be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice. Any damages, settlement amounts, or other consideration resulting from any such action, after reimbursement of each Partys attorneys fees and court costs in connection with such action, shall belong to the Party that initiated the action; provided, however, that if NTI is the initiating Party, the remainder (after reimbursement of fees and costs of both Parties) will be deemed to be Net Sales subject to royalty obligations under Section 5.4.
7.2 Infringement of Third Party Rights Relating to Institutes Greenberg Patent Family. NTI and Institute shall notify the other Party of any infringement or possible infringement of the Institutes Greenberg Patent Family by a Third Party promptly after it becomes aware of such infringement. Upon receipt of such notice, the Parties shall promptly meet to discuss what actions, if any, should be taken to stop the infringement of the Institutes Greenberg Patent Rights.
7.3 Third Party Infringement Claims. NTI shall promptly inform Institute in the event of any claim, threat, or suit by a Third Party against NTI or its Affiliates or Sublicensees alleging that the manufacture, use, importation, offer for sale, or sale of Products infringes any Patents or other intellectual property rights of such Third Party. NTI shall have final control of the defense against such claim, threat, or suit and any settlement thereof; provided that NTI shall not settle such claim, threat, or suit in a manner that adversely affects Institutes interest in the Institute Patent Rights or Program Patents including, without limitation, the validity of the Patents within the Institute Patent Rights or Program Patents, without the prior written consent of Institute, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. NTI shall bear its own out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with such legal proceedings and the amount of settlements or damages awarded to a Third Party as a result of the suit for infringement by NTI of such Third Partys Patents or other intellectual property rights or settlement thereof.
8. Representations, Warranties, And Covenants.
8.1 Each Party hereby represents, warrants, and covenants to the other Party the following:
(a) It is a corporation duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation, and in each state where a failure to be in good standing would have a material adverse effect on the operations of such Party;
(b) It has sufficient legal and/or beneficial title under its intellectual property rights, or sufficient rights licensed from Third Parties, to grant the rights and licenses provided hereunder;
(c) All of its employees, officers, Third Party contractors and consultants performing any activities on behalf of a Party under this Agreement have executed agreements requiring assignment to the Party of all inventions made as a result of the performance of such activities and obligating the individual or entity to maintain as confidential all Confidential Information;
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(d) In performing its obligations and exercising its rights under this Agreement, it shall comply with the requirements of any and all applicable federal, state, local, foreign and other laws, regulations, rules and orders of any governmental body having jurisdiction over such Party or the activities of such Party;
(e) It has all necessary right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder, and, in so doing, will not violate any other agreement to which it is a party. It has taken all corporate action necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement;
(f) It has not entered, nor shall it enter, into any agreement or arrangement with a Third Party that is in conflict with the rights granted to the other Party under this Agreement; and
(g) It shall not take any action that would conflict with or prevent it from granting any rights it has granted or purported to grant hereunder, or adversely affect the rights such Party has granted to the other Party under this Agreement.
8.2 Disclaimer of Implied Warranties. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, INSTITUTE MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE INSTITUTE PATENT RIGHTS, THE PROGRAM TECHNOLOGY OR ANY OTHER MATTER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE, AND INSTITUTE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTIES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, VALIDITY OF ANY PATENT RIGHTS OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, WHETHER ISSUED OR PENDING.
9. Mutual Indemnification; Limitation of Liability.
9.1 Institutes Right to Indemnification. NTI shall indemnify, defend, and hold Institute and its trustees, directors, officers, employees and Affiliates harmless from and against any and all Damages incurred or suffered by each of them (excluding incidental or consequential Damages suffered or incurred by Institute directly (as opposed to incidental or consequential Damages suffered or incurred by Third Parties who are, in turn, seeking the same from Institute, which shall be covered by the indemnity set forth herein)) as a consequence of Third Party claims or actions (Claims) based on:
(a) a breach of any of NTIs representations, warranties, or obligations contained in this Agreement;
(b) the negligence, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct of NTI or its Affiliates or Sublicensees, or the employees or any Third Party acting on behalf of NTI or its Affiliates or Sublicensees; and
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(c) the research, development, manufacture, importation, sale and use of Products by or on behalf of NTI or its Affiliates, Sublicensees, or assignees including, without limitation, all product liability or other claims for injury or death arising from the sale or use of Products sold by or on behalf of NTI or its Affiliates, Sublicensees, or assignees after the Effective Date, regardless of the theory under which such claims are brought.
NTIs indemnification obligations under this Section 6.1 shall not apply to the extent that the applicable Claim arises out of or results from (i) a breach of any of Institutes representations, warranties, or obligations contained in this Agreement; or (ii) the recklessness or intentional misconduct of Institute or its Affiliates, or the employees or agents of Institute or its Affiliates.
9.2 By Institute. Institute shall indemnify, defend and hold NTI and its directors, officers, employees, and Affiliates harmless from and against any and all Damages incurred or suffered by each of them (excluding incidental or consequential Damages suffered or incurred by NTI directly (as opposed to incidental or consequential Damages suffered or incurred by Third Parties who are, in turn, seeking the same from NTI, which shall be covered by the indemnity set forth herein)) as a consequence of Claims based upon:
(a) a breach of any of Institutes representations, warranties, or obligations contained in this Agreement; or
(b) the recklessness or willful misconduct of Institute, its Affiliates, or the employees or agents of Institute or its Affiliates.
Institutes indemnification obligations under this Section 9.2 shall not apply to the extent that the applicable Claim arises out of or results from (i) a breach of any of NTIs representations, warranties, or obligations contained in this Agreement; or (ii) the negligence, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct of NTI or its Affiliates or Sublicensees, or the employees or any Third Party acting on behalf of NTI or its Affiliates or Sublicensees.
9.3 Process for Indemnification. For purposes of Section 9.1 and Section 9.2, the indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying Party of any suits, claims, actions, proceedings or demands by Third Parties that may give rise to any claim for which indemnification may be required under this Section 9; provided, however, that failure to give such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying Party of its obligation to provide indemnification hereunder except, if and to the extent that such failure materially and adversely affects the ability of the indemnifying Party to defend or mitigate the applicable suit, claim, action, proceeding or demand. The indemnifying Party shall be entitled to assume the defense and control of any such suit, claim, action proceeding or demand at its own cost and expense; provided, however, that the indemnified Party shall have the right to be represented by its own counsel at its own cost in such matters. Neither the indemnifying Party nor the indemnified Party shall settle or dispose of any such matter in any manner that would adversely affect the rights or interests of the other Party (including the obligation to indemnify hereunder) without the prior written consent of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Each Party shall cooperate with the other Party and its counsel in the course of the defense of any such suit, claim, action, proceeding or demand, such cooperation to include, without limitation, using reasonable efforts to provide or make available documents, information and witnesses.
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9.4 Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED WARRANTY PROVIDED HEREIN, THIS LIMITATION WILL APPLY EVEN IF THE OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. THE FOREGOING LIMITATION SHALL NOT APPLY, HOWEVER, TO A PARTYS INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 9 OR TO A BREACH OF A PARTYS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTION 10.
10. Confidentiality.
10.1 Confidentiality; Exceptions. In connection with this Agreement, the Parties may provide to each other Confidential Information, including but not limited to each Partys Information, invention disclosures, proprietary materials and/or technologies, economic information, business or research strategies, trade secrets and material embodiments thereof. As used herein, Confidential Information means any information of a confidential or proprietary nature disclosed by or on behalf of a Party to the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information of a disclosing Party shall not include:
(a) information which, at the time of disclosure to the receiving Party by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, was previously known to the receiving Party as demonstrated by contemporaneous written records;
(b) information which, at the time of disclosure to the receiving Party by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, is published or otherwise generally available to the public;
(c) information which, after disclosure to the receiving Party by or on behalf of the disclosing Party, is published or otherwise becomes generally available to the public through no breach of this Agreement by the receiving Party;
(d) information which is received by the receiving Party from a Third Party which did not directly or indirectly receive the information from the disclosing Party, and which Third Party has the legal right to disclose the same and which is not required to hold the same confidential; and
(e) information that is independently developed by the receiving Party without use of, application of or reference to the disclosing Partys Confidential Information.
10.2 Confidentiality Obligations. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of ten (10) years after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, the recipient of a disclosing Partys Confidential Information shall maintain such Confidential Information in confidence and shall disclose such Confidential Information only to its employees, agents, consultants, Third Party contractors, Affiliates, Sublicensees, attorneys, accountants and advisors who have a reasonable need to know such Confidential Information and who are bound by obligations of confidentiality and non-use no less restrictive then those set forth herein. The recipient of the disclosing Partys Confidential Information shall use such Confidential Information solely to exercise the receiving Partys rights and perform the receiving Partys obligations as set forth in this Agreement (including, without limitation, the right to use and disclose such Confidential Information in regulatory applications and filings), unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing. The recipient of the other Partys Confidential Information shall take the same degree of care that it uses to protect its own confidential and proprietary information of a similar nature and importance (but in any event no less than reasonable care).
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10.3 Permitted Disclosure. A receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information of the disclosing Party under the following circumstances, provided that the receiving Party has promptly provided prior written notice to the disclosing Party, and shall provide reasonable cooperation and assistance, to enable the disclosing Party to seek a protective order or otherwise prevent or limit disclosure and/or use of such Confidential Information of the disclosing Party: (a) as required, in connection with the order of a court or other governmental body; (b) as required by or in compliance with laws or regulations; (c) as required in the course of obtaining regulatory and necessary institutional approvals to clinically test, sell or market the Product or to perform research and development with respect to the Product as permitted under, and during the term of, this Agreement; and (d) as required to secure patent protection for a Program Invention consistent with Section 6.
10.4 Terms of this Agreement. Except to the extent otherwise required by law (including applicable securities laws and regulations), and without limiting any other provision of this Section 10.4, each Party agrees not to disclose the financial or other terms or conditions of this Agreement to any Third Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, except (a) in confidence to accountants, banks and financing sources and their advisors; (b) in confidence to consultants and advisors in connection with a merger or acquisition or proposed merger or acquisition, or the like, or (c) as permitted under Section 10.3(a) or (b).
11. Publicity; Publication Rights.
11.1 Initial Press Release. The Parties agree that the first public announcement of the execution of this Agreement shall be in the form of a press release to be mutually agreed by the Parties.
11.2 Public Announcements. With the exception of Section 11.1, neither NTI nor Institute shall make any public announcement concerning the existence of or the terms of this Agreement, without the prior written approval of the other Party with regard to the form, content and precise timing of such announcement, except such as may be required to be made by either Party in order to comply with applicable law, regulations, court order, or tax or securities filings. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by such other Party. Prior to any such public announcement, the Party wishing to make the announcement will submit a draft of the proposed announcement to the other Party in sufficient time to enable the other Party to consider and comment thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this Section 11 is intended to prohibit either Party from republishing or restating information relating to this Agreement that has already been approved by the other Party for use in a prior press release or public announcement.
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11.3 Institute Publication Rights. The Institute shall have the right to publish or otherwise publicly disclose those results of the Research Program generated by or on behalf of the Institute in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.3. The Institute shall provide NTI with a copy of any proposed publication or release at least forty-five (45) days in advance of the proposed publication or release date. NTI shall have thirty (30) days from the date of its receipt of a proposed publication or release in which to submit a written notice to Institute requesting that NTI Confidential Information contained in such publication or release be deleted or that the publication or release be delayed until such time as Institute has, at NTIs expense, filed patent applications directed to patentable subject matter contained therein in accordance with Section 6.2. Upon receiving any such written notice from NTI within such thirty (30) day period, the Institute shall take the action requested therein before publishing or otherwise releasing such publication or release. Subject to the foregoing, Institute shall have the final authority to determine the scope and content of any publications.
12. Term And Termination.
12.1 Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated by mutual agreement or in accordance with other provisions herein, shall continue in effect until the expiration of NTIs royalty obligations under this Agreement.
12.2 Termination. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement may be terminated as follows:
(a) NTI Voluntary Termination. NTI may terminate this Agreement at any time after the third anniversary of the Effective Date by giving ninety (90) days written notice to Institute of its intention to terminate.
(b) Termination for Lack of Diligence. If NTI does not use Commercially Reasonable Efforts as provided for in Section 4.1, or if NTI does not fulfill its obligations under Section 4.2, then, at Institutes sole election, Institute shall have the right, upon written notice, to terminate this Agreement in its entirety.
(c) Termination for Default. Each Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for default due to the other Partys uncured failure to comply in any material respect with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. At least thirty (30) days prior to any such termination for default, the Party seeking to so terminate shall give the other Party written notice of its intention to terminate this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.2(c), which notice shall set forth the default(s) which form the basis for such termination. If the defaulting Party fails to correct such default(s) within thirty (30) days after receipt of notification, the other Party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice.
(d) Termination or Expiration of Research Program Term. In the event that either the Research Program Term is terminated as permitted under Section 2.6 or the Research Program Term expires prior to the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date, this Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the date of termination or expiration of the Research Program Term; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not so terminate if, in accordance with Section 2.6, a Clinical Candidate exists as of the date of expiration or termination of the Research Program Term.
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12.3 Continuing Obligations. Except as otherwise provided above, termination of this Agreement for any reason shall not relieve the Parties of any obligation accruing prior thereto and shall be without prejudice to the rights and remedies of either Party with respect to any antecedent breach of the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no termination or expiration of this Agreement shall serve to terminate the rights and obligations of the Parties hereto under Sections 5.2, 5.8, 6.1, 6.3, 10, 12.3, 12.4, and 13, and such obligations shall survive any such termination or expiration.
12.4 Effects of Termination. If the Agreement is terminated for any reason other than for Institutes uncured material breach of the Agreement, NTI shall, as of the date of termination of this Agreement, be deemed to have granted to Institute an exclusive (even as to NTI), worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable license, with the right to grant and authorize the grant of sublicenses, under NTIs right, title and interest under the Program Technology to make, have made, use, import, offer for sale, and sell Products.
13. Miscellaneous.
13.1 Agency. Neither Party is, nor shall it be deemed to be, an employee, agent, co-venturer, partner or legal representative of the other Party for any purpose. Neither Party shall be entitled to enter into any contracts in the name of, or on behalf of, the other Party, nor shall either Party be entitled to pledge the credit of the other Party in any way or hold itself out as having the authority to do so.
13.2 Successors and Assigns; Assignment. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, NTI, Institute and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that neither NTI nor Institute may transfer or assign any of its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld following the conclusion of the Research Program), except that either Party may transfer or assign any of its rights and obligations hereunder to an Affiliate or a person that acquires all or substantially all of the assets of such Party to which this Agreement relates or pursuant to a merger or consolidation involving substantially all of the assets to which this Agreement relates, provided that such assignee or transferee promptly agrees in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party shall notify the other within thirty (30) days prior to any such transfer, assignment, merger, sale or consolidation. The Party receiving such notices shall keep such information strictly confidential. Unless affirmed in writing by the non-assigning Party, any purported assignment in contravention of this Section 13.2 shall be null and void and of no effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NTI may delegate any of its obligations or responsibilities hereunder to its Affiliates and such Affiliates shall enjoy the rights extended to NTI hereunder in connection therewith; provided that NTI continues to remain responsible for its obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement.
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13.3 Further Actions. Each Party agrees to execute, acknowledge and deliver such further instruments and to do all such other acts that may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of this Agreement.
13.4 Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be held responsible for any delay or failure in performance hereunder caused by strikes, embargoes, unexpected government requirements, civil or military authorities, acts of God, earthquake, or by the public enemy or other causes reasonably beyond such Partys control and without such Partys fault or negligence; provided that the affected Party notifies the unaffected Party as soon as reasonably possible, and resumes performance hereunder as soon as reasonably possible following cessation of such force majeure event. The Party giving such notice shall thereupon be excused from such of its obligations hereunder as it is thereby disabled from performing for so long as it is so disabled and the Party receiving notice shall be similarly excused from its respective obligations which it is thereby disabled from performing; provided, however, that the Party providing notice commences and continues reasonable and diligent actions to cure such force majeure cause. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 13.4 shall excuse or suspend the obligation to make any payment due hereunder in the manner and at the time provided.
13.5 Notices. Any notices which a party may be required or shall desire to give hereunder shall be in writing, specifically refer to this Agreement, and be addressed to the appropriate party at the address specified below or such other address as may be specified by such party in writing in accordance with this Section 13.5. Such notices shall be deemed to have been given for all purposes: (a) immediately, if delivered personally; (b) upon receipt if sent by reputable courier, such as FedEx, or if mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (c) on the date transmitted if sent via facsimile (with confirmation of receipt generated by the transmitting machine), provided that the sender calls and notifies the recipient prior to sending the facsimile.
13.6 Amendment. No amendment, modification or supplement of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid or effective unless made in writing and signed by a duly authorized officer of each Party.
13.7 Waiver. The failure of a Party to enforce any rights or provisions of the Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such rights or provisions, or a waiver by such Party to thereafter enforce such rights or provision or any other rights or provisions hereunder. No waiver hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving Party.
13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
13.9 Descriptive Headings. The article, section and paragraph headings contained herein are for the purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the contents of the articles, sections or paragraphs to which such headings apply.
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13.10 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of California, without regard to conflicts of laws principles or provisions that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.
13.11 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement. In the event of such invalidity, the Parties shall seek to agree on an alternative enforceable provision that preserves the original purpose of this Agreement.
13.12 Entire Agreement of the Parties. This Agreement and the Exhibits attached hereto, constitute and contain the complete, final and exclusive understanding and agreement of the Parties hereto and cancel and supersede any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, understandings and agreements, whether oral or written, between the Parties respecting the subject matter hereof, and no Party shall be liable or bound to any other Party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, except as specifically set forth herein or therein. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any Party, other than the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.
13.13 Compliance with Law. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to permit either Party to export, re-export or otherwise transfer any Information of the other Party transferred hereunder or the Product manufactured therefrom without complying with applicable laws.
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In Witness Whereof, the Parties hereto have, as of the Effective Date, duly executed this Agreement.
Buck Institute for Age Research | Neurobiological Technologies, Inc. | |||||||||
By: | /s/ James J. Kovach | By: | /s/ Paul E. Freiman | |||||||
Name: | James J. Kovach | Name: | Paul E. Freiman | |||||||
Title: | President and COO | Title: | President/CEO |
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EXHIBIT A
Principal Investigators
Lisa U. Carr, MD Neurobiological Technologies, Inc.
Lisa M. Ellerby, PhD Buck Institute
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EXHIBIT B
Research Plan
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* * * | Confidential Information, indicated by [***], has been omitted from this filing and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A total of nine pages has been omitted. |
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