UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On December 5, 2022, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of 23andMe Holding Co. (the “Company”) approved the adoption of the 23andMe Holding Co. Change in Control Separation Plan (the “CIC Plan”), to be effective as of December 5, 2022. Pursuant to the CIC Plan, the Company’s “Officers” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) and certain key employees (each, a “Participant” and collectively, the “Participants”) designated by the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board, or, with respect to employees who are not Officers, the Chief Executive Officer, will be entitled to receive certain separation benefits if such Participant’s employment is terminated in connection with a Change in Control (as defined in the CIC Plan). Specifically, a Participant will be entitled to the Separation Benefits (as defined below) if (i) a Change in Control occurs and, (ii) within the period beginning 30 days before and ending 12 months after such Change in Control, such Participant’s employment is terminated either (a) by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without Cause (as defined in the CIC Plan) or (b) by such Participant for Good Reason (as defined in the CIC Plan) (the occurrence of (i) and (ii), a “Double-Trigger Event”).
Subject to a Participant’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company, a Participant will be entitled to the following separation benefits (collectively, the “Separation Benefits”) upon the occurrence of a Double-Trigger Event:
• | a lump sum cash payment equal to six months of the Participant’s annual base salary (either in effect on the date of termination or in effect on the date of the Change in Control, whichever is higher) plus one-half of the Participant’s target annual bonus under the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan for the year of termination; |
• | a lump sum cash payment equal to the cost of six months of COBRA continuation of the medical, dental, and vision coverage in effect for the Participant on the date of termination; and |
• | the acceleration of all of the Participant’s outstanding unvested equity awards granted under the 23andMe Holding Co. 2021 Incentive Equity Plan. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Separation Benefits will be reduced by any separation payments or benefits received by the Participant under any offer letter, employment agreement, or contract with the Company or its subsidiaries or any payments required by applicable law as a result of the termination of the Participant’s employment. The Separation Benefits may also be subject to adjustment if any Separation Benefits constitute an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Separation Benefits will not affect any other accrued or vested or earned but deferred compensation rights or other benefits which may be owed to a Participant following the termination, including, but not limited to, accrued vacation or sick pay amounts or benefits payable under any bonus or other compensation plan, stock purchase plan, life insurance plan, health plan, disability plan, or similar or successor plan.
The CIC Plan may be terminated or amended by the Board until a Change in Control has occurred. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the CIC Plan may not be amended or terminated.
As the CIC Plan provides that the Company’s Officers are Participants, each of Anne Wojcicki (the Company’s principal executive officer), Joseph Selsavage (the Company’s interim principal financial officer), Kathy Hibbs, Kenneth Hillan, and Paul Johnson (each a named executive officer of the Company) will be entitled to receive Separation Benefits under the CIC Plan in the event of a Double-Trigger Event.
The Separation Benefits provided for pursuant to the CIC Plan will supersede and replace any severance benefits provided for in the foregoing individuals’ respective offer letters, as applicable and as confirmed by acknowledgment letters.
The foregoing description of the CIC Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CIC Plan, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On December 5, 2022, the Board approved the adoption of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “New Bylaws”), which amend and restate the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated June 16, 2021 (the “Existing Bylaws”), in their entirety. The New Bylaws amend the Existing Bylaws to, among other things:
• | enhance certain procedural mechanics and disclosure requirements in connection with stockholder submissions of proposals regarding other business at annual meetings of stockholders (other than proposals made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act), including by requiring that proposing stockholders and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined in the New Bylaws) provide additional background information and disclosures and make certain representations; |
• | enhance certain procedural mechanics and disclosure requirements in connection with stockholder nominations of directors, including by (i) requiring that nominating stockholders, any Stockholder Associated Person, and director nominees provide additional background information and disclosures and make certain representations and (ii) specifying procedural requirements with which nominating stockholders desiring to utilize the “universal proxy rules” in Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act must comply; |
• | eliminate the requirement to make a stockholder list available for examination at stockholder meetings, as provided for by recent amendments to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; |
• | delete the provisions relating to the restrictions on Transfers of Lock-up Shares by Lock-up Holders, as the Lock-up Period (each as defined in the Existing Bylaws) lapsed on December 13, 2021; |
• | designate the United States federal district courts as the exclusive forum for the resolution of actions asserting claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and |
• | corrected an inconsistency between the Existing Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, which specifies that the affirmative vote threshold required for the Company’s stockholders to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the Existing Bylaws is at least two-thirds of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class (the “Affirmative Vote Threshold”), so that the Company’s New Bylaws will specify the same Affirmative Vote Threshold as the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. |
The New Bylaws also incorporate certain ministerial, non-substantive, and conforming changes.
The foregoing description of the New Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the New Bylaws, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description | |
3.1 | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of 23andMe Holding Co. | |
10.1 | 23andMe Holding Co. Change in Control Separation Plan | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
23ANDME HOLDING CO. | ||
By: | /s/ Kathy Hibbs | |
Name: | Kathy Hibbs | |
Title: | Chief Administrative Officer |
Dated: December 9, 2022
Exhibit 3.1
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
23ANDME HOLDING CO.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of 23andMe Holding Co. (the Corporation) within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporations registered agent in Delaware.
Section 1.2 Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 2.1 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting; provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 2.2 Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporations notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).
Section 2.3 Notices. Notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting,
shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporations notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.
Section 2.4 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporations Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the Certificate of Incorporation), or these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairperson of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
Section 2.5 Voting of Shares.
(a) List of Stockholders. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network; provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or
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(ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation.
(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3(c)); provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairperson of the meeting of stockholders, in such persons discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation until the meeting is called to order but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority.
(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholders authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such persons signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.
(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.
Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
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(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of preferred stock of the Corporation (Preferred Stock), voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.
(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.
Section 2.6 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairperson of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken or displayed during the time scheduled for the meeting on the electronic network used for the virtual meeting. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each
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stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 2.7 Advance Notice for Business.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporations notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.3 will be considered for election at such meeting.
(i) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. A stockholders notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after such anniversary date (or if there has been no prior annual meeting), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered by the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment, recess, continuation, rescheduling, or postponement of an annual meeting, or the announcement thereof, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).
(ii) To be in proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth the following information:
(1) as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting:
a. a brief description of the business intended to be brought before the annual meeting and the proposed text of any proposal relating to such business, including the complete text of any resolutions proposed for consideration at the annual meeting and, if such business includes a proposal to amend the Certificate of Incorporate or these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendment, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and any material interest in such business of any such person proposing to bring such business before the annual meeting; and
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b. all other information relating to such business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made by such person in connection with the solicitation of proxies in support of such proposed business; and
(2) as to the stockholder of record giving notice and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made:
a. the name and address of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporations stock ledger);
b. (i) the class or series and number of all shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) or of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (specifying the type of ownership), (ii) the name of each nominee holder of shares of all stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, the number of such shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder, and any pledge with respect to any such stock, (iii) whether and to the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, and (iv) whether and to the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement, or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, with respect to stock of the Corporation;
c. a complete and accurate description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) between or among such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any other person or persons or entity (naming each such person or entity) in connection with (i) the proposal of such business, including any material interest of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, and (ii) any understanding (whether written or oral) that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person may have reached with a stockholder of the Corporation (including the name of such stockholder) with respect to how such stockholder will vote such stockholders shares in the Corporation at any meeting of stockholders or take other action in support of any other business or other actions to be taken, by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person;
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d. any substantial direct or indirect interest (including any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Corporation securities where such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;
e. any direct or indirect interest of stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person in any contract or arrangement with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement);
f. a representation that (i) no such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has breached any contract or other agreement, arrangement or understanding with the Corporation except as disclosed to the Corporation pursuant hereto and (ii) that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has complied, and will comply, with all applicable requirements of state law and the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.7(a);
g. a complete and accurate description of any pending or, to such stockholders knowledge, threatened legal proceeding in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party or participant involving the Corporation, or to such stockholders knowledge, any current or former officer, director, affiliate or associate of the Corporation;
h. a representation that the stockholder giving notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting and an acknowledgment that, if such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) does not appear to present such business at such meeting, the Corporation need not present such business for a vote at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation;
i. a representation from such stockholder as to whether such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group that intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to a number of holders of the Corporations voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder to be sufficient to approve or adopt the business to be proposed, (B) to engage in a solicitation (within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 14a-1(l)) with respect to business, and if so, the name of each participant (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such solicitation; and
j. any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies by such person with respect to the proposed business to be brought by such person before the annual meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be set forth in a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) of the Exchange Act (regardless of whether such person or entity is actually required to file a Schedule 13D).
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(iii) A stockholder providing notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.7(a) shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and such update and supplement shall be delivered either in person or by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, and received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting. The update and supplement shall clearly identify the information that has changed since such stockholders prior submission, it being understood that no such update may cure any deficiencies or inaccuracies with respect to any such prior submission or extend the time period for the delivery of notice pursuant to this Section 2.7(a). If a stockholder fails to provide such written update within such period, the information as to which such written update relates may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 2.7(a). In addition, the stockholder shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation. If requested by the Corporation, any supplemental information required under this paragraph shall be provided within 10 (ten) days after it has been requested by the Corporation.
(iv) No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a); provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws the chairperson of an annual meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether any business was properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, and, if such proposed business is deemed not to have been properly made, to declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall be disregarded and declared to be out of order, notwithstanding that proxies with respect to such vote may have been received by the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) proposing any business to be conducted at the annual meeting does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders to propose such business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, and no vote shall be taken with respect to such proposed business, notwithstanding that proxies with respect to such vote may have been received by the Corporation.
(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.7(a). This Section 2.7(a) is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Stockholders other than any proposal made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Nothing contained in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision of law).
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(vi) For purposes of these Bylaws, a Stockholder Associated Person of any stockholder shall mean (a) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder or any beneficial owner described in the immediately following clause (ii), (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.3.
(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these Bylaws, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).
Section 2.8 Conduct of Meetings. The chairperson of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairperson of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or if the same person is serving as both the Chairperson of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the same person is serving as both the Chief Executive Officer and the President, such other officer as shall be appointed by the Board. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these Bylaws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairperson, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairperson of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairperson of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairperson of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
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Section 2.9 Consents in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.
Section 3.2 Number. The Board shall consist of not less than one nor more than fifteen members, the exact number of which shall initially be fixed at nine members and thereafter from time to time by the Board. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes of directors, and each class of directors will serve for such terms, as are set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.3 Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.
(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporations notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.3 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.3.
(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after such anniversary date (or if there has been no prior annual meeting), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received by the close of business on
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the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the adjournment, recess, continuation, rescheduling, or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described in this Section 3.3.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholders notice required by this Section 3.3 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.
(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must set forth the following information:
(i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director:
(1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person;
(2) the principal occupation or employment of such person;
(3) (a) the class or series and number of all shares of capital stock of the Corporation, if any, that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (specifying the type of ownership), (b) the name of each nominee holder of shares of all stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, the number of such shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder and any pledge with respect to any of such shares of stock, (c) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, and (d) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate the loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, with respect to stock of the Corporation;
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(ii) a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person, completed and executed by such person in the form required by the Corporation (which form such stockholder shall request in writing from the Secretary of the Corporation prior to submitting notice and which the secretary shall provide within ten (10) days after receiving such request);
(iii) a written representation and agreement completed by such person in the form required by the Corporation providing that such person (which form such stockholder shall request in writing from the Secretary of the Corporation prior to submitting notice and which the Secretary shall provide within ten (10) days after receiving such request): (a) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how a person, if elected as a director, will act or vote on any issue or question that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or that could limit or interfere with such persons ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such persons fiduciary duties under applicable law; (b) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director or a director nominee that has not been disclosed to the Corporation; (c) will, if elected as a director, comply with all applicable rules of any securities exchanges upon which the Corporations securities are listed, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, ethics, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading policies and all other guidelines and policies of the Corporation generally applicable to directors (which other guidelines and policies will be provided to such person within five (5) business days after the Secretary receives any written request therefor from such person), and all applicable fiduciary duties under state law; (d) intends to serve a full term as a director, if elected; (e) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true and correct and that do not and will not omit to state any fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; and (f) will tender his or her resignation as a director if the Board determines that such person failed to comply with the provisions of this Section 3.3 in all material respects, provides such person notice of any such determination and, if such non-compliance may be cured, such person fails to cure such non-compliance within ten business days after delivery of such notice to such person;
(iv) a description of any business or personal interests that could place such person in a potential conflict of interest with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries;
(v) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such persons written consent to being named in the Corporations proxy statement and form of proxy as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected);
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(vi) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among any stockholder giving the notice (including the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made), on the one hand, and each such proposed nominee and his or her respective affiliates and associates, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such any stockholder giving the notice (including the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made) were the registrant for purposes of such rule and the such proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and
(e) as to the stockholder giving the notice, and any Stockholder Associated Person, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made:
(i) the name and record address of the stockholder giving the notice and the name and address of any Stockholder Associated Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporations stock ledger);
(ii) (a) the class or series and number of all shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (specifying the type of ownership), (b) the name of each nominee holder of shares of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, the number of shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder and any pledge with respect to any of such stock, (c) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, with respect to stock of the Corporation and (d) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate the loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, respect to stock of the Corporation;
(iii) a complete and accurate description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings (whether written or oral) between or among such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, and any proposed nominee or any other person or persons or entity (naming each such person or entity) pursuant to which (a) the nomination(s) are being made by such stockholder, and any material interest of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, in such nomination, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, and (b) any understanding that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person may have reached with a stockholder of the Corporation (including the name of such stockholder) with respect to how such stockholder will vote such stockholders shares in the Corporation in support of any nomination;
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(iv) any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person in any contract or arrangement with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including any employment agreement or consulting agreement);
(v) a representation that (1) no such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has breached any contract or other agreement, arrangement or understanding with the Corporation except as disclosed to the Corporation pursuant hereto and (2) that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has complied, and will comply, with all applicable requirements of state law and Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 3.3;
(vi) a complete and accurate description of any pending or, to such stockholders knowledge, threatened legal proceeding in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party or participant involving the Corporation or, to such stockholders knowledge, any current or former officer, director, affiliate or associate of the Corporation;
(vii) a representation that the stockholder giving notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting of stockholders to nominate the persons named in such stockholders notice and an acknowledgment that, if such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) does not appear to nominate the persons named in the stockholders notice at such meeting, such nomination shall be disregarded and no vote shall be taken with respect to such nomination, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation;
(viii) a representation from such stockholder as to whether such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group that intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to a number of holders of the Corporations voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder to be sufficient to elect the person named in the stockholders notice, (2) to solicit proxies in support of the election of any nominee named in the stockholders notice in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, or (3) to engage in a solicitation (within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 14a-1(l)) with respect to the nomination, and if so, the name of each participant (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such solicitation; and
(ix) any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(f) A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at an annual meeting of stockholders or a special meeting of stockholders shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 3.3 shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting of stockholders or
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special meeting of stockholders, and such update and supplement shall be delivered either in person or by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, and received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of such annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting of stockholders. The update and supplement shall clearly identify the information that has changed since such stockholders prior submission. If a stockholder fails to provide such written update within such period, the information as to which such written update relates may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 3.3. For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not be deemed to extend or waive any applicable deadlines under these Bylaws, cure deficiencies in any notice of nomination or permit a change in the nominee(s) or nomination(s) proposed to be made at a meeting of the stockholders as identified in the notice of nomination. In addition, the stockholder shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation. If requested by the Corporation, any supplemental information required under this paragraph shall be provided within ten (10) days after it has been requested by the Corporation. In addition, the Board may require any proposed nominee to submit to interviews with the Board or any committee thereof, and such proposed nominee shall make himself or herself available for any such interviews within ten (10) days following any reasonable request therefor from the Board or any committee thereof.
(g) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.3, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 3.3 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.4 Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD MEETINGS
Section 4.1 Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.
Section 4.2 Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board and may be held pursuant to Section 9.5(b).
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Section 4.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairperson of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairperson of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.
Section 4.4 Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. At least 24 hours notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board shall be given to each director whether or not present at the time of adjournment, or at least three days notice by mail. Any business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting that may have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section 4.5 Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
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Section 4.6 Organization. The chairperson of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairperson of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the same person is serving as both the Chairperson of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, a chairperson elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Establishment. The Board may by resolution passed by a majority of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.
Section 5.2 Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it, but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to the stockholders for approval; or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation.
Section 5.3 Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.
Section 5.4 Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these Bylaws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws.
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ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 6.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary and such other officers (including without limitation, a Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.
(a) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairperson of the Board.
(b) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairperson of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.
(c) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.
(d) Secretary.
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(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.
(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporations transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.
(e) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.
(f) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officers hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).
(g) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.
Section 6.2 Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.
Section 6.3 Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.
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Section 6.4 Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES
Section 7.1 Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.
Section 7.2 Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.
Section 7.3 Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.
Section 7.4 Consideration and Payment for Shares.
(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation, including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.
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(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.
Section 7.5 Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.
(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.
(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.
Section 7.6 Transfer of Stock.
(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:
(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;
(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;
(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;
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(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.9; and
(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.
(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.
Section 7.7 Forum Selection. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 7.7. If any provision of this Section 7.7 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person, entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article VII, and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 7.7 shall be construed to be inconsistent with, or in contravention of, any forum selection provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 7.8 Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.
Section 7.9 Effect of the Corporations Restriction on Transfer.
(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.
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(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares prior to or within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares.
Section 7.10 Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, investigation, arbitration or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a proceeding) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or, while a director or officer of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an Indemnitee), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.1, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification (which are, for the avoidance of doubt, indemnified proceedings), the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was, or is, authorized by the Board.
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Section 8.2 Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, the Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay as incurred the expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (including by making payment directly to applicable third parties if requested by the Indemnitee); provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under the Corporations Certificate of Incorporation, this Article VIII, or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2, except for proceedings to enforce rights to advancement of expenses (which are, for the avoidance of doubt, indemnified expenses), the Corporation shall advance expenses to an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was, or is, authorized by the Board.
Section 8.3 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a final adjudication) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Section 8.4 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any Indemnitee by this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, the Corporations Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
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Section 8.5 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 8.6 Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.
Section 8.7 Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided, however, that amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least two-thirds (67%) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
Section 8.8 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to other enterprise shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to serving at the request of the Corporation shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.
Section 8.9 Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators.
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Section 8.10 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these Bylaws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.
Section 9.2 Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
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Section 9.3 Means of Giving Notice.
(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the directors address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the directors address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.
(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholders address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholders address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholders consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporations transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
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(c) Electronic Transmission. Electronic transmission means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.
(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholders consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholders address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholders then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230 (b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.
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Section 9.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 9.5 Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.
(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:
(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and
(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 9.6 Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporations capital stock) on the Corporations outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 9.7 Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.
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Section 9.8 Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairperson of the Board Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such persons supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.
Section 9.9 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.
Section 9.10 Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.
Section 9.11 Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.
Section 9.12 Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 9.13 Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.
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Section 9.14 Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 9.15 Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7). The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (67%) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws.
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Exhibit 10.1
23ANDME HOLDING CO.
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEPARATION PLAN
Introduction
The Board of Directors (the Board) of 23andMe Holding Co. (the Company) recognizes that the Company, as a publicly held company, may experience a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined), and that the possibility of a Change in Control may create uncertainty resulting in the loss or distraction of certain key employees of the Company to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.
The Board considers the avoidance of such loss and distraction to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board therefore requested that the Compensation Committee of the Board (the Committee) consider what steps should be taken to avoid such loss and distraction.
The Committee has recommended that the Board, in order to help assure the Company of the continued employment and dedication to duty of certain designated key employees for the benefit of the Company and its stockholders, adopt the 23andMe Holding Co. Change in Control Separation Plan (CIC Plan).
Therefore, in order to fulfill the above purposes and upon the recommendation of the Committee, the CIC Plan is hereby adopted by the Board.
ARTICLE I
ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
As of the Effective Date, the Company has established a plan known as the 23andMe Holding Co. Change in Control Separation Plan as set forth in this document.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
As used herein the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings:
Affiliate. Affiliate shall mean any entity that is controlled by or under common control with the Company.
Base Pay. Base Pay shall mean the Participants annual base salary in effect on the Date of Termination or, if higher, the Participants annual base salary in effect on the date of the Change in Control.
Board. The Board of Directors of the Company.
Cause. Cause means a finding by the Board that the Participant (i) has breached their employment or service contract with the Company, (ii) has engaged in disloyalty to the Company, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or proven dishonesty, (iii) has disclosed trade secrets or confidential information of the Company to persons not entitled to receive such information, or (iv) has breached any written non-competition, non-solicitation, invention assignment or confidentiality agreement between the Participant and the Company.
Change in Control. Change in Control shall mean:
(i) The acquisition during any 12-month period, other than from the Company, by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) (3) or 14(d) (2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) (other than the Company or an employee benefit plan of the Company) (a Person) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of a transaction in which the Company becomes a direct or indirect subsidiary of another Person and in which the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the transaction, will beneficially own, immediately after the transaction, shares of such other Person representing more than 50% of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of such other Person; provided, however, that for avoidance of doubt, the conversion by an existing holder of the Companys Class B common stock to Class A common stock which results in any other existing holder of the Companys B common stock having beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control;
(ii) The consummation of (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company with another Person where, immediately after the merger or consolidation, the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, in substantially the same proportion as ownership immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all stockholders of the surviving Person would be entitled in the election of directors, or where the members of the Board, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not, immediately after the merger or consolidation, constitute a majority of the board of directors of the surviving Person or (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(iii) A change in the composition of the Board over a period of 12 consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections, or threatened election contests, for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or nomination; or
(iv) The consummation of a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
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Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board.
Company. 23andMe Holding Co., a Delaware corporation, and any Successor. Where the context so requires, Company shall include any Affiliate of the Company.
Date of Termination. The date of a Participants termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries.
Effective Date. December 5, 2022.
Good Reason. Without the Participants express written consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following:
(i) The Participants job duties, responsibilities and authority are materially diminished from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(ii) The Company requires the Participant to be based at a location in excess of fifty (50) miles from the Participants principal job location or office immediately prior to the Change in Control, except for required travel on the Companys business to an extent substantially consistent with the Participants business travel obligations immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(iii) The Company does any of the following: (a) reduces the Participants Base Pay in a material respect; (b) materially reduces or eliminates the Participants opportunity to earn bonuses or incentive compensation as compared to such opportunity available to the Participant prior to the Change in Control; or (c) materially reduces the employee benefits provided to the Participant from the level in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control (excluding any reduction that is generally applicable to all or substantially all salaried Company employees); or
(iv) The Company fails to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any Successor to assume and agree to perform the Companys obligations to the Participant under this Plan, as contemplated in Article V herein;
provided, that none of the events or occurrences specified above shall be deemed to constitute Good Reason unless (x) the Participant provides written notice of the existence of such event or occurrence to the Company within ninety (90) days of such event or occurrence, (y) the Company fails to cure such event or occurrence within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice (Cure Period), and (z) the Participants resignation is effective at the end of the Cure Period.
Incentive Pay. Incentive Pay shall mean 100% of the Participants target annual bonus under the Companys Annual Incentive Plan.
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Officers. Officers shall mean the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the CEO) and the other individuals who are officers within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act.
Participants. All Participants under this Plan as determined under Article III.
Plan. The 23andMe Change in Control Separation Plan as set forth herein, and as it may be amended hereafter.
Release. A release and discharge of the Company, all of its Affiliates, and all affiliated persons and entities by the Participant from any and all claims, demands and causes of action, other than as to vested accrued benefits due to the Participant under an employee benefit plan of the Company, substantially in the form attached as Annex A, with such modifications as the Company deems appropriate for the Participants particular situation or as may be required by changes in applicable law.
Separation Benefits. The benefits provided in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Plan.
Subsidiary. Any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities, beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations or entities (other than the last corporation or entity in the unbroken chain) owns stock or other interests possessing 50% or more of the economic interest or the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other interests in one of the other corporations or entities in the chain.
Successor. Another corporation or unincorporated entity or group of corporations or unincorporated entities which acquires ownership, directly or indirectly, through merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
ARTICLE III
PARTICIPANTS
The Companys Officers shall be Participants. In addition, Annex B to this Plan provides a list of the other key employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries who have been designated by the Board or the Committee as Participants as of the Effective Date subject to the provisions of this Plan. The Board or the Committee (or, with respect to employees who are not Officers, the Companys CEO may from time to time designate other key employees as Participants; in such case, Annex B shall be deemed to be revised to reflect the addition of such Participants. The Board or the Committee (or the CEO for any individuals she has previously designated as Participants) shall also have the authority to remove employees from Annex B at any time prior to the 90-day period preceding a Change in Control. In any event, a Participant shall cease to be a Participant in the Plan when he ceases to be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary other than as the result of a termination that would entitle the Participant to Separation Benefits under Section 4.1.
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ARTICLE IV
SEPARATION BENEFITS
4.1 Right to Separation Benefits. A Participant shall be entitled to Separation Benefits as provided in Section 4.2 if a Change in Control occurs, and if within the period beginning ninety (90) days before and ending twelve (12) months after such Change in Control, the Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates either (a) by action of the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause or (b) by reason of the Participants resignation from such employment for Good Reason; provided, that the Participants entitlement to Separation Benefits shall be conditioned on the Participants timely executing, and not revoking, a Release. No action of the Company or a Subsidiary in terminating the employment of a Participant shall be considered as having been taken for Cause unless, at the time such action is taken, the Board provides written notice to the Participant, identifying the Cause with particularity.
4.2 Separation Benefits. If a Participants employment terminates in circumstances entitling him to Separation Benefits as provided in Section 4.1, the Participant shall be entitled to the following, provided that any amount provided for in this Plan shall be reduced by any separation payments or benefits received by the Participant under any offer letter, employment agreement or contract with the Company or any payments required by any applicable law as the result of Participants termination of employment:
(a) A lump sum cash payment equal to six months of Base Pay plus one-half of the Participants Incentive Pay for the year of termination. Payment shall be made within ten days after the Participants Date of Termination (or the end of the revocation period for the Release, if later, but in no event later than 60 days after the Participants Date of Termination).
(b) A lump sum cash payment equal to the cost of six months of COBRA continuation of the medical, dental and vision coverage in effect for the Participant on the Date of Termination.
(c) All then-outstanding equity awards previously granted to the Participant under the 23andMe Holding Co. Incentive Equity Plan (or any successor thereto) (Equity Plan) which are not vested as of the date of the Change in Control shall accelerate and become 100% vested as of such date. Any award agreement issued under the Equity Plan to a Participant as of the Effective Date shall be deemed to have been amended to provide for such accelerated vesting, and any award agreement issued under the Equity Plan to a Participant thereafter shall be deemed to incorporate this provision by reference (but in each case, only if the Participants employment terminates in circumstances entitling him to Separation Benefits as provided in Section 4.1).
4.3 Other Benefits Payable. The Separation Benefits described in Section 4.2 above and except as provided therein shall not affect any other accrued or vested or earned but deferred compensation, rights, or other benefits which may be owed to a Participant following termination, including but not limited to accrued vacation or sick pay amounts or benefits payable under any bonus or other compensation plans, stock purchase plan, life insurance plan, health plan, disability plan or similar or successor plan.
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4.4 Obligations Absolute. Upon a Change in Control, the Companys obligations to provide the Separation Benefits described in Section 4.2 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may have against any Participant, except as required by applicable law.
4.5 Certain Adjustments in Payments.
(a) The provisions of this Section 4.5 shall apply notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary. In the event that Section 280G of the Code is determined to be applicable to a Participant under the Plan and any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Participant, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise (a Payment), would constitute an excess parachute payment within the meaning of such section, then the aggregate present value of the Separation Benefits under Section 4.2 of this Plan shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Reduced Amount, but only if, by reason of such reduction, the net after tax benefit to the Participant exceeds the net after tax benefit if no such reduction had been made, taking into account all federal, state and other income taxes payable with respect to the Payments calculated at the maximum marginal tax rate for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to the Participant (based upon the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code at the time of termination of the Participants employment or the Change in Control), as well as the amount of excise taxes imposed with respect to any excess parachute payments by Section 4999 of the Code. The Reduced Amount shall be an amount expressed in present value which maximizes the aggregate present value of such Separation Benefits without causing any Payment to be subject to the limitation of deduction under section 280G of the Code. For purposes of this Section 4.5, present value shall be determined in accordance with section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
(b) All determinations to be made under this Section 4.5 shall be made by the nationally recognized independent public accounting firm used by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control (Accounting Firm), which Accounting Firm shall provide its determinations and any supporting calculations to the Company and the Participant within ten days of the Participants Date of Termination. Any such determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Participant. All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in performing the determinations referred to in this Section 4.5 shall be borne solely by the Company.
(c) In the event any reduction in Separation Benefits is required hereunder, such reduction shall be made first in the aggregate amount of the lump-sum cash payments under Sections 4.2(a)-(c), then in the number of shares under awards subject to accelerated vesting under Section 4.2(d) (allocated proportionally among restricted stock unit grants and stock option grants).
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(d) If it is established pursuant to a final determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) proceeding, which has been finally and conclusively resolved, that Payments have been made to, or provided for the benefit of, a Participant by the Company, which are in excess of the limitations provided in this Section 4.5 (hereinafter referred to as an Excess Payment), such Excess Payment shall be deemed for all purposes to be a loan to the Participant made on the date the Participant received the Excess Payment and the Participant shall repay the Excess Payment to the Company on demand, together with interest on the Excess Payment at the applicable federal rate (as defined in Section 1274(d) of the Code) from the date of the Participants receipt of such Excess Payment until the date of such repayment. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the determination, it is possible that Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an Underpayment), consistent with the calculations required to be made under this Section 4.5. In the event that it is determined (i) by the Accounting Firm, the Company (which shall include the position taken by the Company, or together with its consolidated group, on its federal income tax return) or the IRS or (ii) pursuant to a determination by a court, that an Underpayment has occurred, the Company shall pay an amount equal to such Underpayment to the Participant within 10 days of such determination together with interest on such amount at the applicable federal rate from the date such amount would have been paid to Executive until the date of payment. The Participant shall cooperate, to the extent his or her expenses are reimbursed by the Company, with any reasonable requests by the Company in connection with any contests or disputes with the IRS in connection with the determination of the Excess Payment.
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSOR TO COMPANY
The Plan shall bind any Successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise), in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be obligated under the Plan if no succession had taken place. In the case of any transaction in which a Successor would not by the foregoing provision or by operation of law be bound by the Plan, the Company shall require such Successor expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Companys obligations under the Plan, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
ARTICLE VI
DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
6.1 Duration. If a Change in Control has not occurred, the Plan may be terminated in accordance with Section 6.2. If a Change in Control occurs during the term of this Plan, the Plan shall continue in full force and effect and shall not terminate or expire until all Participants who become entitled to Separation Benefits hereunder shall have received such benefits in full.
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6.2 Amendment and Termination. The Plan may be terminated or amended in any respect by the Board, unless a Change in Control has occurred. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Plan shall no longer be subject to amendment, change, substitution, deletion, revocation or termination in any respect whatsoever. In addition, any amendment, change, substitution, deletion, revocation or termination of this Plan during the 90-day period prior to a Change in Control that reduces the benefits or impairs the rights of Participants hereunder shall be deemed null, void and of no effect upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, retroactive to the date such amendment, change, substitution, deletion, revocation or termination was purportedly effective.
6.3 Form of Amendment. The form of any amendment or termination of the Plan shall be a written instrument signed by a duly authorized officer or officers of the Company, certifying that the amendment or termination has been approved by the Board. An amendment of the Plan shall automatically effect a corresponding amendment to all Participants rights hereunder. A termination of the Plan shall automatically effect a termination of all Participants rights and benefits hereunder.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 Indemnification. If, following a Change in Control, a Participant institutes any legal action seeking to obtain or enforce, or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right or benefit provided by the Plan, the Company will pay for all legal fees and expenses incurred by such Participant in the course of such action.
7.2 Employment Status. Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any fund, trust or account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any Participant, or any person whosoever, the right to be retained in the service of the Company or any other Affiliate, and all Participants shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never been adopted.
7.3 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall not be funded. The Company may, but shall not be required to, set aside or designate an amount necessary to provide the Separation Benefits specified herein (including the establishment of trusts). No Participant shall have any right to, or interest in, any assets of the Company or any other Affiliate which may be applied by the Company or any other Affiliate to the payment of Separation Benefits.
7.4 Validity and Severability. If any provision of this Plan is finally held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable (whether in whole or in part), such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby; provided, that, if any of such provisions is finally held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable because it exceeds the maximum scope determined to be acceptable to permit such provision to be enforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be modified to the
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minimum extent necessary to modify such scope in order to make such provision enforceable hereunder. The Plan contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations and warranties between them, whether written or oral with respect to the subject matter thereof.
7.5 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the Delaware, other than the conflict of law provisions of such laws.
7.6 Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, or local or foreign taxes as shall be required.
7.7 Compliance with Code Section 409A. The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception or exclusion therefrom and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Severance payments shall be made under the short term deferral exception under Section 409A of the Code, to the maximum extent possible, and then under the separation pay exception under Section 409A of the Code or another applicable exception. If required by Section 409A of the Code, all payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a separation from service under Section 409A of the Code, each payment hereunder shall be treated as a separate payment, the right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments, and if the Participant is considered a specified employee for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the payment of any amounts hereunder shall be delayed as required by Section 409A of the Code.
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Exhibit 10.1
ANNEX A
FORM OF AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
1. Release. In consideration for the payments and benefits provided under the 23andMe Holding Co. Change in Control Separation Plan (the Plan), [Name of Participant] (Participant) hereby releases and forever discharges 23andMe Holding Co. and 23andMe Inc. (individually and collectively, 23andMe) and all of their respective parents, divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, related entities, and their predecessors, successors, and past and present officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, partners, attorneys, benefit plans, insurers, and representatives, (hereinafter Releasees) from any and all claims of whatever nature, whether known or unknown, which exist or may exist on Participants behalf against Releasees as of the date of this Agreement, including but not limited to any and all tort claims, contract claims, equitable claims, breach of fiduciary duty claims, ERISA claims, wrongful termination claims, public policy claims, retaliation claims, statutory claims, personal injury claims, emotional distress claims, invasion of privacy claims, defamation claims, fraud claims, quantum meruit claims, and any and all claims arising under any federal, state or other governmental statute, law, regulation or ordinance state, or other governmental statute, law, regulation, or ordinance, including but not limited to any legally waivable claims arising from any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or constitution dealing with either employment, employment benefits, or employment discrimination, harassment or retaliation including, but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, the California Business and Professions Code, the California Equal Pay Law, the California Whistleblower Protection Laws, the California Family Rights Act, the California Pregnancy Disability Leave Law, the California Civil Code, or the California Private Attorneys General Act, all as amended from time to time.
The only exceptions to this release and waiver are any claim(s) Participant may have for: (i) unemployment benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable law (to the extent available to Participant under applicable law); (ii) workers compensation insurance benefits pursuant to Division 4 of the California Labor Code or a comparable and applicable state law, under the terms of any workers compensation insurance policy or fund of the Company; (iii) any benefit entitlements vested as of Participants Date of Termination, pursuant to the written terms of any applicable benefit plan sponsored by 23andMe, including without limitation the Plan; (iv) claims for indemnification under California Labor Code Section 2802; (v) claims for enforcement of this Agreement; and (vi) any claims that, as a matter of applicable law, are not waivable.
Participant agrees and understands that, except as may be required by subpoena, court order, or other legal proceedings, Participant shall not, in any way, assist any individual or entity in commencing or prosecuting any lawsuit against the Releasees, or in any way cooperate or participate in any such action, including trial, pretrial preparation, or prelitigation fact-gathering connected with any and all matters. Absent legal compulsion, this Agreement bars Participant from testifying, providing documents or information, advising, counseling or providing any other form of assistance to any person or entity who wishes to make or who is making claims against the Releasees.
2. No Filing of Claims. Participant represents and warrants that Participant does not presently have on file any claims, charges, grievances, actions, appeals or complaints against Releasees in or with any administrative, state, federal or governmental entity, agency, board or court, or before any other tribunal or arbitrator(s), public or private, based upon any actions occurring prior to the date of this Agreement.
3. Waiver of Unknown Claims. It is further understood and agreed by the Parties that as a condition of this Agreement, Participant hereby expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims, rights or benefits that Participant may have under California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:
A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.
In connection with such waiver and relinquishment, Participant hereby acknowledges that Participants attorneys may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to, or different from, those which they now know or believe to exist, but that Participant expressly agrees to fully, finally and forever settle and release any and all claims, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, which exist or may exist on Participants behalf against Releasees at the time of execution of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any and all claims relating to or arising from Participants employment with 23andMe, or the cessation of that employment. The Parties further acknowledge, understand and agree that this representation and commitment is essential to each Party and that this Agreement would not have been entered into were it not for this representation and commitment.
4. Non-Admission of Liability. The Parties acknowledge that they each deny any wrongdoing whatsoever in connection with one another and that the settlement agreement made pursuant to this Agreement is made solely for the purpose of compromising disputed claims and avoiding the time, expense and uncertainty of litigation. It is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute or be treated as an admission of any wrongdoing or liability on the part of 23andMe, or Participant.
5. Time for Consideration; Revocation. Participant has up to twenty-one (21) days after Participants last date of employment with 23andMe to sign this Release. Furthermore, Participant has up to seven (7) days after Participant signs this Release to revoke it. If Participant wishes to revoke this Release after signing it, Participant may do so by delivering a letter of revocation to 23andMes Chief Legal Officer. If Participant does not revoke this Release, the eighth day after the date Participant signs it will be the Effective Date. Because of the seven-day revocation period, no part of this Release will become effective or enforceable until the Effective Date, and no payments or benefits will be made under the Plan prior to the Effective Date.
6. Acknowledgement of Wages Paid and Expenses Reimbursed and No Other Amounts Due. Participant acknowledges that, except as expressly provided for in this Agreement and the Plan, Participant has been paid any and all salary, bonuses, commissions, expenses or other amounts due from Releasees, and that no other amounts are due to Participant from Releasees.
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7. Medicare Status and Satisfaction of Any Medicare Reimbursement Obligations. Participant represents that Participant is not enrolled in the Medicare program, has not been enrolled in the Medicare program any anytime through the date of this Agreement, and has not received Medicare benefits for medical services or items related to, arising from, or in connection with the matters covered by this Agreement. Participant represents and warrants that the information provided to Releasees for confirmation of Participants Medicare status, including Participants name, gender, date of birth, and Social Security Number, is complete, accurate, and current as of the date of this Agreement. Participant represents and warrants that Participant has not received any medical services or items related to, arising from, or in connection with the matters released by this Agreement. Participant represents and warrants that no Medicaid payments have been made to or on behalf of Participant and that no liens, claims, demands, subrogated interests, or causes of action of any nature or character exist or have been asserted arising from or related to any matters released by this Agreement. Participant further agrees that Participant, and not Releasees, shall be responsible for satisfying all such liens, claims, demands, subrogated interests, or causes of action that may exist or have been asserted or that may in the future exist or be asserted. To the extent that Participants representations and warranties related to Participants Medicare status and receipt of medical services and items related to the Released Matters are inaccurate, not current, or misleading, Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Releasees from any and all claims, demands, liens, subrogated interests, and causes of action of any nature or character that have been or may in the future be asserted by Medicare and/or persons or entities acting on behalf of Medicare, or any other person or entity, arising from or related to this Agreement, the payments and benefits made under the Plan, any Conditional Payments as defined in the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b) and implementing regulations, made by Medicare, or any medical expenses or payments arising from or related to any matters released by this Agreement, including but not limited to: (a) all claims and demands for reimbursement of Conditional Payments or for damages or double damages based upon any failure to reimburse Medicare for Conditional Payments; (b) all claims and demands for penalties based upon any failure to report, late reporting, or other noncompliance with or violation of Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-173), which, in part, amended the Medicare Secondary Payer statute at 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(7) and (8) that is based in whole or in part upon late, inaccurate, or inadequate information provided to Releasees by Participant or Participants counsel or upon any failure of Participant or Participants counsel to provide information; and (c) all Medicaid liens. This indemnification obligation includes all damages, double damages, fines, penalties, attorneys fees, costs, interest, expenses, and judgments incurred by or on behalf of Releasees in connection with such claims, demands, subrogated interests, or causes of action.
8. Files, Documents, and Other Property: Participant agrees that Participant has returned to 23andMe all 23andMe property and materials, including, but not limited to (if applicable), personal computers, laptops, fax machines, scanners, copiers, cellular phones, company credit cards, and telephone charge cards, manuals, building keys and passes, courtesy parking passes, diskettes, intangible information stored on diskettes, software programs and data compiled with the use of those programs, software passwords or codes, tangible copies of trade secrets, and confidential information, and any and all other information or property previously or currently held or used by Participant that is or was related to Participants employment with 23andMe. Participant agrees that in the event that Participant discovers any other company property, files or documents in Participants possession, Participant will immediately return to 23andMe such materials.
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9. Reports to Government Entities. Nothing in this Release restricts or prohibits Participant from initiating communications directly with, responding to any inquiries from, providing testimony before, providing confidential information to, reporting possible violations of law or regulation to, or from filing a claim or assisting with an investigation directly with a self-regulatory authority or a government agency or entity, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General (collectively, the Regulators), or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation. However, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Participant is waiving Participants right to receive any individual monetary relief from 23andMe or any other Releasees resulting from such claims or conduct, regardless of whether Participant or another party has filed them, and in the event Participant obtains such monetary relief 23andMe and Releasees will be entitled to an offset for the payments made pursuant to this Agreement. This Agreement does not limit Participants right to receive an award from any Regulator that provides awards for providing information relating to a potential violation of law. Participant does not need the prior authorization of 23andMe to engage in conduct protected by this paragraph, and Participant does not need to notify 23andMe that Participant has engaged in such conduct. Please take notice that federal law provides criminal and civil immunity to federal and state claims for trade secret misappropriation to individuals who disclose a trade secret to their attorney, a court, or a government official in certain, confidential circumstances that are set forth at 18 U.S.C. §§ 1833(b)(1) and 1833(b)(2), related to the reporting or investigation of a suspected violation of the law, or in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of the law.
10. Inventions and Trade Secrets Agreement. Participant understands and agrees that Participant will remain bound by the Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement with 23andMe previously entered into by Participant.
11. Ownership of Claims. The Parties represent and warrant that they are the sole and lawful owner of all rights, title and interest in and to all released matters, claims and demands referred to herein. The Parties further represent and warrant that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any such matters, claims or demands that the Parties may have against one another.
12. California Law Applies. This Agreement, in all respects, shall be interpreted, enforced and governed by and under the laws of the State of California.
13. Successors and Assigns. It is expressly understood and agreed by the Parties that this Agreement and all of its terms shall be binding upon each Parties representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
14. Drafting. The Parties agree that this Agreement shall be construed without regard to the drafter of the same and shall be construed as though each party to this Agreement participated equally in the preparation and drafting of this Agreement.
15. Execution of Additional Documents. The Parties agree to execute such other, further, and different documents as reasonably may be required to effectuate this Agreement.
16. Consultation with Counsel. The Parties and each of them acknowledge that they have had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of their choice prior to execution and delivery of this Agreement, and that they have in fact done so.
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17. Headings. The headings in each paragraph herein are for convenience of reference only and shall be of no legal effect in the interpretation of the terms hereof.
18. Integration. This Agreement constitutes a single, integrated, written contract, expressing the entire agreement between the Parties. It supersedes all prior agreements between the Parties, with the exception of the terms of the Plan and the Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement signed by Participant. The Parties represent and warrant that they are not relying on any promises or representations that do not appear written herein. The Parties further understand and agree that this Agreement can be amended or modified only by a written agreement, signed by all of the Parties hereto.
19. Severability. If any provision in this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, it shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions and the court shall enforce the remaining provisions to the extent permitted by law.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed an original with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document.
21. Voluntary Agreement. Participant understands and agrees that Participant may be waiving significant legal rights by signing this Release and represents that Participant has entered into this Release voluntarily, after having an opportunity to consult with legal counsel, with a full understanding of and in agreement with all of its terms.
22. Authority to Enter Into Agreement. Each party represents and warrants that, as of the date of the execution of this Agreement, she, he or it has the right and authority to execute this Agreement, and she, he or it has not sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed, or otherwise disposed of any claims or demands relating to any right surrendered by virtue of this Agreement. Each party further represents and warrants that she, he or it has had the opportunity to consult and has consulted legal counsel in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement. Each of the Parties and her, his or its signatory represents that the signatory is either a party or a business representative or assignee of and is fully authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of, the party for whom he or she signs.
23. Enforceability. The parties agree that this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure §664.6.
24. Arbitration. The parties agree to arbitrate, in San Francisco through JAMS or the American Arbitration Association (AAA), any and all disputes or claims arising out of or related to the validity, enforceability, interpretation, performance or breach of this Agreement, whether sounding in tort, contract, statutory violation or otherwise, or involving the construction or application of any of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this Agreement. Any arbitration shall be subject to the JAMS or AAA employment arbitration rules. The JAMS rules may be found and reviewed at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration. The AAA rule may be found and reviewed at https://www.adr.org/Rules. Any arbitration may be initiated by a written demand to the other party. The arbitrators decision shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The parties further agree that this Agreement is intended to be strictly construed to provide for arbitration as the sole and exclusive means for resolution of all disputes hereunder to the fullest extent permitted by law. THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY ENTITLEMENT TO HAVE SUCH CONTROVERSIES DECIDED BY A COURT OR A JURY.
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25. PDF Signature. PDF signatures on this Agreement shall be treated as original signatures and a copy of a signature will be equally admissible in any legal proceeding as if an original.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the dates indicated below.
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. IT INCLUDES A
RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.
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DATED: |
[Participant] |
23andMe, Inc.
DATED: |
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By: |
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Its: |
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ANNEX B
List of Participants
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