As filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2021.
Registration No. 333-258879
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
___________________
Incannex Healthcare Limited
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
___________________
Australia |
2834 |
Not Applicable |
||
(State or other jurisdiction of |
(Primary Standard Industrial |
(I.R.S. Employer |
Incannex Healthcare Limited
Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive
Docklands 3008, Victoria
Australia
+ 61 409 840 786
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
___________________
Vcorp Services, LLC
25 Robert Pitt Drive, Suite 204
Monsey, New York 10952
+1 888 528 2677
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
___________________
Copies to:
Andrew Reilly |
Jonathan Zimmerman |
___________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box: ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
Calculation of Registration Fee
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Proposed |
Amount of |
||||
Ordinary shares, no par value(1)(3) |
$ |
28,750,000 |
$ |
3,120 |
||
Underwriter’s warrants(2) |
$ |
2,156,250 |
$ |
236 |
||
Ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter’s warrants(4) |
|
— |
|
— |
||
Total |
$ |
30,906,250 |
$ |
3,356 |
____________
(1) All ordinary shares in the offering will be in the form of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, with each ADS representing 25 ordinary shares. ADSs issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby are being registered pursuant to a separate registration statement on Form F-6.
(2) We have calculated the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the ordinary shares underlying the underwriter’s warrants to purchase up to 7.5% of the amount of securities sold in this offering by assuming that (i) 2.5% of such warrants are exercisable at a price per share equal to 120% of the public offering price of the ADSs sold in this offering, (ii) 2.5% of such warrants are exercisable at a price per share equal to 135% of the public offering price of the ADSs sold in this offering, (iii) 2.5% of such warrants are exercisable at a price per share equal to 150% of the public offering price of the ADSs sold in this offering. All ordinary shares will be in the form of ADSs, with each ADS representing 25 ordinary shares. ADSs issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby are being registered pursuant to a separate registration statement on Form F-6.
(3) Includes ordinary shares (which may be in the form of ADSs) that the underwriter has an option to purchase. See “Underwriting.”
(4) No additional registration fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act.
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on an estimate of the proposed maximum offering price.
(6) The registrant previously paid $3,356 of the registration fee in connection with the filing of its initial registration statement on August 17, 2021.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated November 23, 2021
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
2,500,000 American Depositary Shares
representing 62,500,000 Ordinary Shares
$ per American Depositary Share
___________________
We are offering 2,500,000 American depositary shares, or ADSs, in the United States, representing 62,500,000 ordinary shares of Incannex Healthcare Limited (“Incannex” or the “Company”). Each ADS represents 25 ordinary shares, no par value, deposited with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary.
The offering is being underwritten on a firm commitment basis. We have granted the underwriter an option to buy up to an additional 375,000 ADSs to cover over-allotments. The underwriter may exercise this option at any time and from time to time during the 30-day period from the date of this prospectus.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs. We have applied to list the ADSs on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IXHL”.
Our ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the symbol “IHL.” On November 19, 2021, the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares on the Australian Securities Exchange was A$0.55 per ordinary share, equivalent to a price of US$10.00 per ADS, after giving effect to the Australian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate of A$1.00 to US$0.7274 (as published by the Reserve Bank of Australia as of November 19, 2021), and an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1 to 25. For the purposes of this preliminary prospectus, the estimated initial public offering price is US$10.00 per ADS.
The final offering price per ADS in U.S. dollars will be determined through negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriter and will be based, in part, on prevailing market prices of our ordinary shares on the Australian Securities Exchange, after taking into account market conditions and other factors. For a discussion of the other factors considered in determining the final offering price per ADS, see “Underwriting.”
No Exercise of |
Full Exercise of |
|||||||||||
Per Share |
Total |
Per Share |
Total |
|||||||||
Public offering price |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
||||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
||||||||
Proceeds to us, before expenses |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
____________
(1) In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain expenses. See “Underwriting” on page 116 of this prospectus for additional information.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” appearing on pages 10 of this prospectus and elsewhere in this prospectus and the accompanying base prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriter expects to deliver the ADSs to purchasers on or about , 2021 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.
___________________
Roth Capital Partners
The date of this prospectus is , 2021
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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Material United States Federal Income and Australian Tax Considerations |
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We are responsible for the information contained in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We and the underwriter have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We and the underwriter take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information others may give you. We are not, and the underwriter are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date.
For investors outside the United States: neither we nor any of the underwriter have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of this prospectus and any free writing prospectus outside the United States.
We are incorporated under the laws of Australia, and a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares are owned by non-U.S. residents. Under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, we are eligible for treatment as a “foreign private issuer.” As a foreign private issuer, we will not be required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as domestic registrants whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Our reporting and functional currency is the Australian dollar, and our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus are presented in Australian dollars. The consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus have been prepared under the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP.
i
All references in this prospectus to “$”, “US$” and “U.S. dollars” mean U.S. dollars and all references to “A$” mean Australian dollars, unless otherwise noted. Throughout this prospectus, all references to “ADSs” mean American depositary shares, each of which represents of our ordinary shares, no par value, and all references to “ADRs” mean the American depositary receipts that evidence the ADSs.
This prospectus contains translations of some Australian dollar amounts into U.S. dollars. Except as otherwise stated in this prospectus, all translations from Australian dollars to U.S. dollars are based on the exchange rate of A$1.00 to US$0.7518 (as published by the Reserve Bank of Australia as of June 30, 2021). No representation is made that the Australian dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at such rate.
“Incannex”, the Incannex logo and other trademarks or service marks of Incannex appearing in this prospectus are the property of Incannex or its subsidiaries. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are listed without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their right thereto. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
ii
This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in the ADSs. You should read this entire prospectus, and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, including “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, “Incannex,” the “Company,” “our company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Incannex Healthcare Limited and its consolidated subsidiary, taken as a whole.
Overview
Our legal name is Incannex Healthcare Limited (“Incannex”). We were incorporated in Australia in April 2001 under the name Mount Magnet South Limited. In November 2016, we changed name to Impression Healthcare Limited, and in June 2020, to Incannex Healthcare Limited. Incannex is listed on the ASX under the symbol “IHL”.
Since 2019, we have been conducting research and development for synthetic cannabinoid pharmaceutical products and psychedelic medicine therapies for treatment of a range of indications. Our mission is to create pharmaceutical drugs and therapies for patients that we believe have unmet medical needs. We aim to be recognized as a leading specialty drug development company at the forefront of innovation, committed to restoring health and transforming the lives of patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical products and treatments.
We are developing targeted fixed-dose combinations containing cannabinoids and approved generic drugs, and psychedelic agents, applying proprietary insights in an effort to create long term value for our patients and shareholders. We focus on clinical indications that we believe represent unmet or inadequately addressed medical needs and also represent compelling commercial opportunities. In particular, we are developing three unique pharmaceutical compositions to target five indications: obstructive sleep apnea (“OSA”), traumatic brain injury (“TBI”)/concussion, rheumatoid arthritis (“RA”), inflammatory bowel disease (“IBD”) and inflammatory lung conditions (“ARDS”, “COPD”, Asthma, Bronchitis). We are also developing a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (“GAD”) utilizing psilocybin combined with innovative psychotherapy methods. Each indication represents a major global market that currently has either no, or limited, existing registered pharmacotherapy (drug) treatments available to the public. To protect our investment in each of these development programs we have been implementing a strong patent filing strategy as we develop our drug candidates in conjunction with our medical and scientific advisory board. The novelty and inventiveness of our cannabinoid products and methods to treat the target indications has been confirmed in international search reports on our filed PCT applications.
We are pursuing FDA registration and marketing approval for each product and therapy under development. As each of our drug candidates is targeting regulatory approval from the FDA, the safety and efficacy must be demonstrated using robust data from in-human clinical trials. Clinical development is an iterative process of clinical trials of increasing size, initially focusing on safety with efficacy becoming an increasing goal as the program progresses. However, our strategy of combining cannabinoids with approved generic drugs allows us to rely on historic, or published data to address some of the key clinical development questions, which in turn permits us to omit or combine clinical studies that would usually be required for approval and registration. We aim to open investigational new drug (IND) applications for each of our development programs by the end of 2022. Clinical trials would then follow with the goal of FDA approval of the applicable drug candidate in the 3-5 years subsequent to the approval of the IND.
Developing drug products containing cannabinoids and psychedelics could result in a more burdensome regulatory process because cannabis, THC, and psychedelics are currently listed as schedule 1 controlled substances by the DEA. This means that they are considered to have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Cannabis, THC and psychedelics have not been legalized for either recreational or medical use in the majority of U.S. states, however, certain states allow the use of cannabis and THC for medical use, and others for medical and recreational use, while Oregon has gone as far as legalizing the recreational use of cannabis, THC and certain psychedelics, including psilocybin. However, FDA approved CBD products containing less than 0.1 % THC where the CBD is extracted from plant material are included in schedule V, which is reserved for drugs with the lowest chance of abuse. CBD manufactured synthetically, that is not extracted from plants, is not currently scheduled. Our CBD drug candidates all use synthetic CBD. Dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC approved by the FDA for treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as well as nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy is included in schedule 3. Our THC containing product
1
uses dronabinol and is expected to be considered a schedule III product. Psilocybin is a schedule I substance but there is substantial peer reviewed literature to support that there is a low chance for abuse. It is expected that once the FDA approves a psilocybin drug product, such as our drug candidate targeting GAD, this will trigger a rescheduling.
Each of our drug candidates is still in the development stage, as we have not initiated an FDA clinical trial as it relates to any drug candidate, nor have we submitted an IND to the FDA for any drug candidate. We must first submit an IND application for each drug candidate before we can initiate a clinical trial with the FDA. In Australia, proof of concept Phase 2 clinical trials are underway for OSA and GAD, Phase 1 pharmacokinetic and safety clinical trials are underway for RA, IBD and inflammatory lung diseases and in depth pre-clinical studies are underway for TBI. To date we have engaged researchers from Monash University, The Alfred Hospital and the University of Western Australia Centre for Sleep Science to conduct our Australian clinical trials. See “Business” section for more information.
Our current cash position is sufficient to complete the studies that have already commenced as well as the pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial for OSA. Future capital raises, including this offer of ADSs will be required to fund additional Phase 1, 2 and 3 studies as well as other development activities required by regulatory bodies, such as the FDA.
To achieve our commercial goals, we intend to advance our novel investigational drug candidates towards approval in the United States and elsewhere. We plan to take advantage of accelerated commercialization pathway options, such as breakthrough designation, accelerated approval, priority review, and/or fast track, to reduce the time and cost of development. However, we have not yet approached the FDA regarding accelerated approval pathways for our products and the FDA has not given any indications that our products will receive these designations. We intend to develop future clinical candidates that target unmet medical needs. We also will continue to maintain a strong intellectual property portfolio to protect our assets in key global markets, including the United States, Europe, Japan, and Israel.
Recent developments
Between July 1 and October 31, 2021, our directors exercised options to acquire 140,116,779 ordinary shares at an aggregate purchase price of A$16.1 million. As a result of these option exercises, the Company’s cash as of October 31, 2021 increased to A$25.3 million, which we believe will be sufficient to fund our current operations until at least 2023.
Corporate Information
Our registered office is located at Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia and our telephone number is +61 409 840 786. Our website address is www.incannex.com.au. The information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference. All information we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is available through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system, which may be accessed through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:
• exemption from the auditor attestation requirement of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, in the assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting; and
• to the extent that we no longer qualify as a foreign private issuer, (i) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and (ii) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, including golden parachute compensation.
We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. Accordingly, the information that we provide shareholders and holders of the ADSs may be different than you might obtain from other public companies. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest
2
to occur of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we qualify as a “large accelerated filer”; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; and (iv) the last day of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of this offering occurs.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We are also considered a “foreign private issuer” under U.S. securities laws. In our capacity as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our senior management, the members of our board of directors and our principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information.
We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We will remain a foreign private issuer until such time that 50% or more of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of the members of board of directors or our senior management are U.S. citizens or residents; (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.
Risk Factors Summary
Our business is subject to a number of risks of which you should be aware prior to making a decision to invest in our ADSs. You should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus and, in particular, should evaluate the specific factors set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” before deciding whether to invest in our ADSs. Among these important risks are, but not limited to, the following:
• We have a history of operating losses and may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
• We currently have no source of product revenue and may never become profitable.
• We will require additional financing and may be unable to raise sufficient capital, which could have a material impact on our research and development programs or commercialization of our drug candidates.
• We may find it difficult to enroll patients in our current and any future clinical trials, and patients could discontinue their participation in our current and any future clinical trials, which could delay or prevent our current and any future clinical trials of our drug candidates and make those trials more expensive to undertake.
• Positive results from preclinical studies of our drug candidates are not necessarily predictive of the results of our planned clinical trials of our drug candidates.
• Ongoing and future clinical trials of drug candidates may not show sufficient safety and efficacy to obtain requisite regulatory approvals for commercial sale.
Even if our drug candidates receive regulatory approval, they may still face development and regulatory difficulties that may delay or impair future sales of drug candidates.
• Because we rely on third party manufacturing and supply partners, our supply of research and development, preclinical and clinical development materials may become limited or interrupted or may not be of satisfactory quantity or quality.
• Future potential sales of our drug candidates may suffer if they are not accepted in the marketplace by physicians, patients and the medical community.
3
• Our drug candidates will be subject to controlled substance laws and regulations. Failure to receive necessary approvals may delay the launch of our drug candidates and failure to comply with these laws and regulations may adversely affect the results of our business operations.
• Intellectual property rights of third parties could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our drug candidates, such that we could be required to litigate with or obtain licenses from third parties in order to develop or market our drug candidates. Such litigation or licenses could be costly or not available on commercially reasonable terms.
• Our reliance on third parties requires us to share our trade secrets, which increases the possibility that a competitor will discover them or that our trade secrets will be misappropriated or disclosed.
• The trading price of the ADSs may be volatile, and purchasers of the ADSs could incur substantial losses.
• There has been no prior market for the ADSs and an active and liquid market for our securities may fail to develop, which could harm the market price of the ADSs.
• You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the ADSs you purchase in this offering.
• As long as we remain subject to the rules of the ASX and Nasdaq, we will be unable to access equity capital without shareholder approval if such equity capital sales would result in an equity issuance above regulatory thresholds and, consequently, we may be unable to obtain financing sufficient to sustain our business if we are unsuccessful in soliciting requisite shareholder approvals.
• Our ADS holders are not shareholders and do not have shareholder rights.
• Australian takeovers laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of large numbers of our shares.
• U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against our company, our directors or member of senior management and the experts named in this prospectus.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations, financial condition, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions.
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, other factors and assumptions, including the risks described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, regarding, among other things:
• our product development and business strategy, including the potential size of the markets for our drug candidates and future development and/or expansion of our drug candidates in our markets;
• our current and future research and development activities, including clinical testing and manufacturing and the costs and timing thereof;
• the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on business operations;
• sufficiency of our cash resources;
• our ability to commercialize drug candidates and generate product revenues;
4
• our ability to raise additional funding when needed;
• any statements concerning anticipated regulatory activities or licensing or collaborative arrangements, including our ability to obtain regulatory clearances;
• our research and development and other expenses;
• our operations and intellectual property risks;
• our ability to remain compliant with the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) and Nasdaq’s continuing listing standards;
• any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing; and
• other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under “Risk Factors.”
These risks are not exhaustive. Other sections of this prospectus may include additional factors that could harm our business and financial performance. New risk factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements.
You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this prospectus. While we believe that information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, that information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
5
ADSs offered by us |
2,500,000 ADSs. |
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Option to purchase additional ADSs |
The underwriter has an option for a period of 30 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to additional 375,000 ADSs. |
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Ordinary shares to be outstanding after this offering, including shares underlying ADSs |
1,130,911,224 shares (or 1,140,286,224 shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional ADSs in full). |
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American depositary shares |
Each ADS represents 25 ordinary shares. The ADSs are issued by the depositary. You will have the rights of an ADS holder as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and all owners and holders of ADSs issued thereunder. The depositary, through its custodian, will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. |
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You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for cancellation to receive the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. The depositary will charge you a fee for such a cancellation. |
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We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement for any reason without your consent. Any amendment that imposes or increases fees or charges or that materially prejudices any substantial existing right you have as an ADS holder will not become effective as to outstanding ADSs until 30 days after notice of the amendment is given to ADS holders. If an amendment becomes effective, you will be bound by the deposit agreement as amended if you continue to hold your ADSs. |
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To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the section titled “Description of American Depositary Shares.” We also encourage you to read the deposit agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. |
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Depositary |
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. |
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Use of proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the ADSs that we are selling in this offering will be approximately US$22.5 million (or approximately US$25.9 million if the underwriter’s option to purchase additional ADSs is exercised in full), based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $10.00 per ADS, after giving effect to the Australian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate of as of November 19, 2021, and an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
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We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, to further our clinical trials, for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” for additional information. |
6
Underwriter Warrants |
Upon the closing of this offering, we will issue warrants to the underwriter (the “Underwriter Warrants”) entitling it to purchase a number of ordinary shares, represented by ADSs, equal to 7.5% of the ADSs sold in this offering by us, in three tranches of 2.5% each: (i) the first tranche representing 2.5% of the ADSs sold in this offering having an exercise price equal to 120% of the public offering price of the ADSs in this offering, (ii) the second tranche representing 2.5% of the ADSs sold in this offering having an exercise price equal to 135% of the public offering price of the ADSs in this offering and (iii) the third tranche representing 2.5% of the ADSs sold in this offering having an exercise price equal to 150% of the public offering price of the ADSs in this offering. All ordinary shares will be in the form of ADSs, with each ADS representing 25 ordinary shares. The Underwriter Warrants will expire five (5) years after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Underwriting.” |
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Risk factors |
See “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of the risks you should carefully consider before investing in the ADSs. |
|
Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market symbol for the ADSs |
“IXHL” |
|
Australian Stock Exchange symbol for our ordinary shares |
“IHL” |
The number of ordinary shares (including ordinary shares underlying ADSs) that will be outstanding after this offering is based on 1,068,411,224 ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and excludes 338,617,279 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as of June 30, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of A$0.166 per ordinary share.
In addition, unless we specifically state otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes (i) no exercise by the underwriter of (a) its option to purchase up to 375,000 additional ADSs or (b) their warrants to purchase (x) up to 71,875 ADSs at an exercise price equal to 120% of the initial public offering price per ADS, (y) up to 71,875 ADSs at an exercise price equal to 135% of the initial public offering price per ADS and (z) up to 71,875 ADSs at an exercise price equal to 150% of the initial public offering price per ADS and (ii) no exercise of outstanding options to purchase ordinary shares.
7
Summary Consolidated Financial Data
The following tables summarize our consolidated financial and other data. The summary consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income data for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, and our summary consolidated statement of financial position for the year ended June 30, 2021, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB, as of and for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
You should read the consolidated financial and other data set forth below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, the information in “Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data” and the information in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data
Year ended June 30, |
||||||
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
(in A$, except share amounts) |
||||||
Revenue |
1,897,596 |
|
604,884 |
|
||
Product costs |
(911,969 |
) |
(450,345 |
) |
||
Research and development costs |
(4,749,514 |
) |
(2,110,639 |
) |
||
Loss after tax from continuing operations |
(11,372,799 |
) |
(3,929,284 |
) |
||
Total comprehensive loss |
(11,372,799 |
) |
(4,697,636 |
) |
||
Basic loss per share from continuing operations – basic and diluted (in A$ cents) |
(1.16 |
) |
(0.57 |
) |
||
Basic loss per share from continuing operations and discontinued operations – basic and diluted (in A$ cents) |
(1.16 |
) |
(0.69 |
) |
||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding – basic and diluted |
976,931,338 |
|
684,035,399 |
|
||
Dividends per share |
— |
|
— |
|
8
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data
June 30, 2021 |
||||||||||||
Actual |
As Adjusted(1) |
As Adjusted |
||||||||||
(in A$) |
(in A$) |
(in A$) |
(in US$) |
|||||||||
Cash |
9,123,617 |
|
25,252,899 |
|
55,117,935 |
|
41,437,663 |
|
||||
Net assets |
8,573,746 |
|
24,703,028 |
|
54,568,064 |
|
41,024,270 |
|
||||
Total assets |
9,328,795 |
|
25,458,077 |
|
55,323,113 |
|
41,591,916 |
|
||||
Total liabilities |
755,049 |
|
755,049 |
|
755,049 |
|
567,646 |
|
||||
Deficit |
(43,891,002 |
) |
(43,891,002 |
) |
(43,891,002 |
) |
(32,997,255 |
) |
||||
Share capital |
45,852,107 |
|
61,981,389 |
|
91,846,425 |
|
69,050,142 |
|
____________
(1) The “as adjusted” statement of financial position data gives effect to our receipt of A$16,129,282 from the exercise of options from July 1 through October 31, 2021.
(2) Each US$1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS would increase or decrease, respectively, the amount of cash, net assets, total assets and share capital by approximately A$3.1 million (or US$2.3 million), assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of ADSs we are offering. An increase or decrease of 1,000,000 in the number of ADSs we are offering would increase or decrease the amount of cash, net assets, total assets and share capital by approximately A$12.3 million (or US$9.3 million), assuming the assumed initial public offering price per ADS remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The as adjusted information is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
(3) The as adjusted proforma statement of financial position data give effect to our receipt of (i) net proceeds from the issuance and sale of ADSs at the assumed initial offering price of US$10.00 per ADS, after deducting underwriting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (ii) A$16,129,282 from the exercise of options from July 1 through October 31, 2021.
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Investing in the ADSs involves a high degree of risk. You should consider and read carefully all of the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as other information included in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occur, it could harm our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. In such event, the trading price of the ADSs could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a history of operating losses and may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
We have experienced significant recurring operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since inception. For example, for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we had total comprehensive losses of approximately A$11.4 million and approximately A$4.7 million, respectively, and we had negative cash flows from operating activities of approximately A$6.9 million and approximately A$3.9 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, we had accumulated losses of approximately A$43.9 million.
We are a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company and the success of our drug candidates is therefore uncertain. We focus on medicinal synthetic cannabinidiol pharmaceutical products and psychedelic medicine therapies.
We expect to continue to incur losses from operations for the foreseeable future and expect the costs of drug development to increase in the future as more patients are recruited to the clinical trials. In particular, we expect to continue to incur significant losses in the development of our clinical trials and drug candidates. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of our drug candidates, we may experience larger than expected future losses and may never become profitable.
Moreover, there is a substantial risk that we, or our development partners, may not be able to complete the development of our current drug candidates or develop other pharmaceutical products. It is possible that none of them will be successfully commercialized, which would prevent us from ever achieving profitability.
The increase in expenses may adversely impact our business if our sources of funding and revenue are insufficient.
We anticipate that as the costs related to the development of our clinical trials will increase, we will require additional funds to achieve our long-term goals of commercialization and further development of our drug candidates. In addition, we will require funds to pursue regulatory applications, defend intellectual property rights, contract manufacturing capacity, potentially develop marketing and sales capability and fund operating expenses. We intend to seek such additional funding through public or private financings and/or through licensing of our assets or other arrangements with corporate partners. However, such financing, licensing opportunities or other arrangements may not be available from any sources on acceptable terms, or at all. Any shortfall in funding could result in us having to curtail or cease our research and development activities, thereby harming our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development of our drug candidates, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses, or when, or if, we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Our expenses could significantly increase beyond current expectations if the applicable regulatory authorities require further studies in addition to those currently anticipated. In any case, even if our drug candidates are approved for commercial sale, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with the commercial launch of such drug candidates and there can be no guarantee that we will ever generate significant revenues.
We currently have no source of product revenue and may never become profitable.
Our drug candidates have not been approved for commercial sale, and we expect it to be several years before they are approved, if ever, and we are able to commence sales of our drug candidates. To date, we have not generated any revenue from the licensing or commercialization of our drug candidates and do not expect to receive revenue
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from them for a number of years, if ever. We will not be able to generate product revenue unless and until our current drug candidates or any future drug candidates, alone or with future partners, successfully completes clinical trials, receives regulatory approval and is successfully commercialized. Although we may seek to obtain revenue from collaboration or licensing agreements with third parties, we currently have no such agreements that could provide us with material, ongoing future revenue and we may never enter into any such agreements.
We will require additional financing and may be unable to raise sufficient capital, which could have a material impact on our research and development programs or commercialization of our drug candidates.
We have historically devoted most of our financial resources to research and development, including pre-clinical and clinical development activities. To date, we have financed a significant amount of our operations through equity financings. The amount of our future net losses will depend, in part, on the rate of our future expenditures and our ability to obtain funding through equity or debt financings or strategic collaborations. The amount of such future net losses, as well as the possibility of future profitability, will also depend on our success in developing and commercializing products that generate significant revenue. Our failure to become and remain profitable would depress the value of our ADSs and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business, maintain our research and development efforts, diversify our product offerings or even continue our operations.
We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially for the foreseeable future if, and as, we:
• continue our research and preclinical and clinical development of our drug candidates;
• expand the scope of our current proposed clinical studies for our drug candidates;
• initiate additional preclinical, clinical or other studies for our drug candidates;
• change or add additional manufacturers or suppliers;
• seek regulatory and marketing approvals for our drug candidates that successfully complete clinical studies;
• seek to identify and validate additional drug candidates;
• acquire or in-license other drug candidates and technologies;
• maintain, protect and expand our intellectual property portfolio;
• attract and retain skilled personnel;
• create additional infrastructure to support our operations as a publicly quoted company and our product development and planned future commercialization efforts;
• add an internal sales force; and
• experience any delays or encounter issues with any of the above.
Until our drug candidates become commercially available, we will need to obtain additional funding in connection with the further development of our drug candidates. Our ability to obtain additional financing will be subject to a number of factors, including market conditions, our operating performance and investor sentiment. As such, additional financing may not be available to us when needed, on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or any future commercialization efforts or obtain funds by entering agreements on unattractive terms.
Furthermore, any additional equity fundraising in the capital markets may be dilutive for shareholders and any debt-based funding may bind us to restrictive covenants and curb our operating activities and ability to pay potential future dividends even when profitable. We cannot guarantee that future financing will be available in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms, we will be prevented from pursuing research and development efforts. This could harm our business, operating results and financial condition and cause the price of our ADSs to fall.
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If we are unable to secure sufficient capital to fund our operations, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to third parties to develop and market drug candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves. For example, additional strategic collaborations could require us to share commercial rights to our drug candidates with third parties in ways that we do not intend currently or on terms that may not be favorable to us. Moreover, we may also have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or drug candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.
We may find it difficult to enroll patients in our current and any future clinical trials, and patients could discontinue their participation in our current and any future clinical trials, which could delay or prevent our current and any future clinical trials of our drug candidates and make those trials more expensive to undertake.
Identifying and qualifying patients to participate in current and any future clinical trials of our drug candidates is critical to our success. The timing of our clinical trials depends on the speed at which we can recruit patients to participate in testing our drug candidates. Patients may be unwilling to participate in any future clinical trials because of negative publicity from adverse events in the biotechnology industry. Patients may be unavailable for other reasons, including competitive clinical trials for similar patient populations, and the timeline for recruiting patients, conducting trials and obtaining regulatory approval of potential products may be delayed. If we have difficulty enrolling a sufficient number of patients to conduct any future clinical trials as planned, we may need to delay, limit or discontinue those clinical trials. Clinical trial delays could result in increased costs, slower product development, setbacks in testing the safety and effectiveness of our technology or discontinuation of the clinical trials altogether.
Any failure to implement our business strategy could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The development and commercialization of our drug candidates is subject to many risks, including:
• additional clinical or pre-clinical trials may be required beyond what we currently expect;
• regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from our preclinical studies and clinical studies or may require that we conduct additional studies;
• regulatory authorities may disagree with our proposed design of future clinical trials;
• regulatory authorities may delay approval of our drug candidates, thus preventing milestone payments from our collaboration partners;
• regulatory authorities may not accept data generated at our clinical study sites;
• we may be unable to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of our drug candidate in any jurisdiction;
• the prevalence and severity of any side effects of any drug candidate could delay or prevent commercialization, limit the indications for any approved drug candidate, require the establishment of a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or cause an approved drug candidate to be taken off the market;
• regulatory authorities may identify deficiencies in manufacturing processes;
• regulatory authorities may change their approval policies or adopt new regulations;
• the third party manufacturers we expect to depend on to supply or manufacture our drug candidates may not produce adequate supply;
• we, or our third party manufacturers, may not be able to source or produce current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) materials for the production of our drug candidates;
• we may not be able to manufacture our drug candidates at a cost or in quantities necessary to make commercially successful products;
• we may not be able to obtain adequate supply of our drug candidates for our clinical trials;
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• we may experience delays in the commencement of, enrolment of patients in and timing of our clinical trials;
• we may not be able to demonstrate that our drug candidates are safe and effective as a treatment for its indications to the satisfaction of regulatory authorities, and we may not be able to achieve and maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements applicable to our drug candidates;
• we may not be able to maintain a continued acceptable safety profile of our products following approval;
• we may be unable to establish or maintain collaborations, licensing or other arrangements;
• the market may not accept our drug candidates;
• we may be unable to establish and maintain an effective sales and marketing infrastructure, either through the creation of a commercial infrastructure or through strategic collaborations, and the effectiveness of our own or any future strategic collaborators’ marketing, sales and distribution strategy and operations will affect our profitability;
• we may experience competition from existing products or new products that may emerge;
• we and our licensors may be unable to successfully obtain, maintain, defend and enforce intellectual property rights important to protect our drug candidates; and
• we may not be able to obtain and maintain coverage and adequate reimbursement from third party payors.
If any of these risks materializes, we could experience significant delays or an inability to successfully develop and commercialize our drug candidates we or our partners may develop, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Positive results from preclinical studies of our drug candidates are not necessarily predictive of the results of our planned clinical trials of our drug candidates.
Positive results in preclinical proof of concept and animal studies of our drug candidates may not result in positive results in clinical trials in humans. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in clinical trials after achieving positive results in preclinical development or early stage clinical trials, and we cannot be certain that we will not face similar setbacks. These setbacks can be caused by, among other things, preclinical findings made while clinical trials were underway or safety or efficacy observations made in clinical trials, including adverse events. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that believed their drug candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials nonetheless failed to obtain FDA or other regulatory authority approval. If we fail to produce positive results in our clinical trials of our drug candidates, the development timeline and regulatory approval and commercialization prospects for our drug candidates, and, correspondingly, our business and financial prospects, would be negatively impacted.
Ongoing and future clinical trials of drug candidates may not show sufficient safety and efficacy to obtain requisite regulatory approvals for commercial sale.
Phase I and Phase II clinical trials are not primarily designed to test the efficacy of a drug candidate but rather to test safety and to understand the drug candidate’s side effects at various doses and schedules. Furthermore, success in preclinical and early clinical trials does not ensure that later large-scale trials will be successful nor does it predict final results. Acceptable results in early trials may not be repeated in later trials. Further, Phase III clinical trials may not show sufficient safety or efficacy to obtain regulatory approval for marketing. In addition, clinical results are frequently susceptible to varying interpretations that may delay, limit or prevent regulatory approvals. Negative or inconclusive results or adverse medical events during a clinical trial could require that the clinical trial be redone or terminated. The length of time necessary to complete clinical trials and to submit an application for marketing approval by applicable regulatory authorities may also vary significantly based on the type, complexity and novelty of the drug candidate involved, as well as other factors. If we suffer any significant delays, quality issues, setbacks or negative results in, or termination of, our clinical trials, we may be unable to continue the development of our drug candidates or generate revenue and our business may be severely harmed.
13
If we do not obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, we will be unable to commercialize our drug candidates.
The clinical development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of our drug candidates are subject to extensive regulation by regulatory authorities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and elsewhere. Despite the substantial time and expense invested in preparation and submission of a Biologic License Application or equivalents in other jurisdictions, regulatory approval is never guaranteed. The number, size and design of preclinical studies and clinical trials that will be required will vary depending on the product, the disease or condition for which the product is intended to be used and the regulations and guidance documents applicable to any particular product. Additionally, during the review process and prior to approval, the FDA and/or other regulatory bodies may require additional data, including with respect to whether our products have abuse potential, which may delay approval and any potential controlled substance scheduling processes. The FDA or other regulators can delay, limit or deny approval of a product for many reasons, including, but not limited to, the fact that regulators may not approve our or a third party manufacturer’s processes or facilities or that new laws may be enacted or regulators may change their approval policies or adopt new regulations requiring new or different evidence of safety and efficacy for the intended use of a product.
Successful results in clinical trials and in the subsequent application for marketing approval are not guaranteed. If we are unable to obtain regulatory approvals, we will not be able to generate revenue from our drug candidates. Even if we receive regulatory approval for any of our drug candidates, our profitability will depend on our ability to generate revenues from their sale or the licensing of our technology.
Even if our drug candidates receive regulatory approval, it may still face development and regulatory difficulties that may delay or impair future sales of drug candidates.
Even if we or our licensing partners receive regulatory approval to sell any drug candidates, the relevant regulatory authorities may, nevertheless, impose significant restrictions on the indicated uses, manufacturing, labelling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion and record keeping or impose ongoing requirements for post-approval studies. In addition, regulatory agencies subject a marketed product, its manufacturer and the manufacturer’s facilities to continual review and periodic inspections. Previously unknown problems with the drug candidate, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, may result in restrictions on the marketing of the product, and could include withdrawal of the product from the market. In addition, new statutory requirements may be enacted or additional regulations may be enacted that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our drug candidates.
We have limited manufacturing experience with our drug candidates.
We have no manufacturing capabilities and are dependent on third parties for cost effective manufacture and manufacturing process development of the company’s drug candidates. Problems with third party manufacturers or the manufacturing process, or the scaling up of manufacturing activities as such may delay clinical trials and commercialization of our drug candidates.
To the extent we rely significantly on contractors, we will be exposed to risks related to the business and operational conditions of our contractors.
We are a small company, with few internal staff and limited facilities. We are and will be required to rely on a variety of contractors to manufacture and transport our drug candidates, to perform clinical testing and to prepare regulatory dossiers. Adverse events that affect one or more of our contractors could adversely affect us, such as:
• a contractor is unable to retain key staff that have been working on our drug candidates;
• a contractor is unable to sustain operations due to financial or other business issues;
• a contractor loses their permits or licenses that may be required to manufacture our drug candidates; or
• errors, negligence or misconduct that occur within a contractor may adversely affect our business.
14
We depend on, and will continue to depend on, collaboration and strategic alliances with third partners. To the extent we are able to enter into collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances, we will be exposed to risks related to those collaborations and alliances.
An important element of our strategy for developing, manufacturing and commercializing our drug candidates is entering into partnerships and strategic alliances with other pharmaceutical companies or other industry participants.
Any partnerships or alliance we have or may have in the future may be terminated for reasons beyond our control or we may not be able to negotiate future alliances on acceptable terms, if at all. These arrangements may result in us receiving less revenue than if we sold our products directly, may place the development, sales and marketing of our products outside of our control, may require us to relinquish important rights or may otherwise be on unfavorable terms. Collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances will also subject us to a number of risks, including the risk that:
• we may not be able to control the amount and timing of resources that our strategic partner/collaborators may devote to the drug candidates;
• strategic partner/collaborators may experience financial difficulties;
• the failure to successfully collaborate with third parties may delay, prevent or otherwise impair the development or commercialization of our drug candidates or revenue expectations;
• products being developed by partners/collaborators may never reach commercial stage resulting in reduced or even no milestone or royalty payments;
• business combinations or significant changes in a collaborator’s business strategy may also adversely affect a collaborator’s willingness or ability to complete their obligations under any arrangement;
• a collaborator could independently move forward with a competing product developed either independently or in collaboration with others, including our competitors; and
• collaborative arrangements are often terminated or allowed to expire, which would delay the development and may increase the cost of developing drug candidates.
Because we rely on third party manufacturing and supply partners, our supply of research and development, preclinical and clinical development materials may become limited or interrupted or may not be of satisfactory quantity or quality.
We rely on third party supply and manufacturing partners to manufacture and supply the materials for our research and development and preclinical and clinical study supplies. We do not own manufacturing facilities or supply sources for such materials.
There can be no assurance that our supply of research and development, preclinical and clinical development biologics and other materials will not be limited, interrupted or restricted in certain geographic regions, be of satisfactory quality or continue to be available at acceptable prices. Replacement of a third party manufacturer could require significant effort, cost and expertise because there may be a limited number of qualified replacements.
The manufacturing process for a drug candidate is subject to FDA and foreign regulatory authority review. Suppliers and manufacturers must meet applicable manufacturing requirements and undergo rigorous facility and process validation tests required by regulatory authorities in order to comply with regulatory standards. In the event that any of our suppliers or manufacturers fails to comply with such requirements or to perform its obligations to us in relation to quality, timing or otherwise, or if our supply of components or other materials becomes limited or interrupted for other reasons, we may be forced to manufacture the materials ourselves or enter into an agreement with another third party, which would be costly and delay any future clinical trials.
Further, if any third-party provider fails to meet its obligations to manufacture our products, or fails to maintain or achieve satisfactory regulatory compliance, the development of such substances and the commercialization of any therapies, if approved, could be stopped, delayed or made commercially unviable, less profitable or may result in enforcement actions against us.
15
Our research and development efforts will be jeopardized if we are unable to retain key personnel and cultivate key academic and scientific collaborations.
Changes in our senior management may be disruptive to our business and may adversely affect our operations. For example, when we have changes in senior management positions, we may elect to adopt different business strategies or plans. Any new strategies or plans, if adopted, may not be successful and if any new strategies or plans do not produce the desired results, our business may suffer.
Moreover, competition among biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for qualified employees is intense and as such we may not be able to attract and retain personnel critical to our success. Our success depends on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management, clinical and scientific personnel, manufacturing personnel, sales and marketing personnel and on our ability to develop and maintain important relationships with clinicians, scientists and leading academic and health institutions. If we fail to identify, attract, retain and motivate these highly skilled personnel, we may be unable to continue our product development and commercialization activities.
In addition, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to rapid and significant technological change. Our drug candidates may be or become uncompetitive. To remain competitive, we must employ and retain suitably qualified staff that are continuously educated to keep pace with changing technology, but may not be in a position to do so.
We may encounter difficulties in managing our growth, which could negatively impact our operations.
As we advance our clinical development programs for drug candidates, seek regulatory approval in the United States and elsewhere and increase the number of ongoing product development programs, we anticipate that we will need to increase our product development, scientific and administrative headcount. We will also need to establish commercial capabilities in order to commercialize any drug candidates that may be approved. Such an evolution may impact our strategic focus and our deployment and allocation of resources.
Our ability to manage our operations and growth effectively depends upon the continual improvement of our procedures, reporting systems and operational, financial and management controls. We may not be able to implement administrative and operational improvements in an efficient or timely manner and may discover deficiencies in existing systems and controls. If we do not meet these challenges, we may be unable to execute our business strategies and may be forced to expend more resources than anticipated addressing these issues.
We may acquire additional technology and complementary businesses in the future. Acquisitions involve many risks, any of which could materially harm our business, including the diversion of management’s attention from core business concerns, failure to effectively exploit acquired technologies, failure to successfully integrate the acquired business or realize expected synergies or the loss of key employees from either our business or the acquired businesses.
In addition, in order to continue to meet our obligations as a public listed company in both Australia and the United States and to support our anticipated long-term growth, we will need to increase our general and administrative capabilities. Our management, personnel and systems may not be adequate to support this future growth.
If we are unable to successfully manage our growth and the increased complexity of our operations, our business, financial position, results of operations and prospects may be harmed.
Future potential sales of our drug candidates may suffer if they are not accepted in the marketplace by physicians, patients and the medical community.
There is a risk that our drug candidates may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients and the medical community, even if they are approved by the regulatory authorities. The degree of market acceptance of any of our approved drug candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including:
• timing of market introduction, number and clinical profile of competitive products;
• our ability to provide acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy and our ability to secure the support of key clinicians and physicians for our drug candidates;
16
• cost-effectiveness compared to existing and new treatments;
• availability of coverage, reimbursement and adequate payment from health maintenance organizations and other third party payers;
• prevalence and severity of adverse side effects; and
• other advantages over other treatment methods.
As controlled substances, the products may generate public controversy. Physicians, patients, payers or the medical community may be unwilling to accept, use or recommend our drug candidates which would adversely affect our potential revenues and future profitability. Adverse publicity or public perception regarding cannabis and psilocybin to our current or future investigational therapies using these substances may negatively influence the success of these therapies.
We face competition from entities that may develop drug candidates for our target disease indications, including companies developing novel treatments and technology platforms based on modalities and technology similar to ours.
The development and commercialization of drug candidates is highly competitive. Multinational pharmaceutical companies and specialized biotechnology companies could develop drug candidates and processes competitive with our drug candidates. Competitive therapeutic treatments include those that have already been approved and accepted by the medical community, patients and third party payers, and any new treatments that enter the market.
There may be a significant number of products that are currently under development, and may become commercially available in the future, for the treatment of conditions for which we are developing, and may in the future try to develop, drug candidates.
Multinational pharmaceutical companies and specialized biotechnology companies could have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and supply resources and experience than we have. If we successfully obtain approval for any drug candidate, we could face competition based on many different factors, including the safety and effectiveness of our drug candidates, the ease with which our drug candidates can be administered and the extent to which patients accept relatively new routes of administration, the timing and scope of regulatory approvals for these drug candidates, the availability and cost of manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities, price, reimbursement coverage and patent position.
Competing products could present superior treatment alternatives, including by being more effective, safer, less expensive or marketed and sold more effectively than any products we may develop. Competitive products may make any products we develop obsolete or non-competitive before we recover the expense of developing and commercializing our drug candidates. Such competitors could also recruit our employees, which could negatively impact our level of expertise and our ability to execute our business plan.
If healthcare insurers and other organizations do not pay for our drug candidates or impose limits on reimbursement, our future business may suffer.
Our drug candidates may be rejected by the market due to many factors, including cost. The continuing efforts of governments, insurance companies and other payers of healthcare costs to contain or reduce healthcare costs may affect our future revenues and profitability. In Australia and certain foreign markets, the pricing of pharmaceutical products is subject to government control. We expect initiatives for similar government control to continue in the United States and elsewhere. The adoption of any such legislative or regulatory proposals could harm our business and prospects.
Successful commercialization of our drug candidates will depend in part on the extent to which reimbursement for the cost of our products and related treatment will be available from government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. Our drug candidates may not be considered cost-effective and reimbursement may not be available to consumers or may not be sufficient to allow our products to be marketed on a competitive basis. Third-party payers are increasingly challenging the price of medical products and treatment.
17
If third party coverage is not available for our drug candidates the market acceptance of these drug candidates will be reduced. Cost-control initiatives could decrease the price we might establish for drug candidates, which could result in product revenues lower than anticipated. If the price for our drug candidates decreases or if governmental and other third-party payers do not provide adequate coverage and reimbursement levels our potential revenue and prospects for profitability will suffer.
We may be exposed to product liability claims which could harm our business.
The testing, marketing and sale of therapeutic products entails an inherent risk of product liability. We rely on a number of third-party researchers and contractors to produce, collect, and analyze data regarding the safety and efficacy of our drug candidates. We also have quality control and quality assurance in place to mitigate these risks, as well as professional liability and clinical trial insurance to cover financial damages in the event that human testing is done incorrectly or the data is analyzed incorrectly.
Notwithstanding our control procedures, we may face product liability exposure related to the testing of our drug candidates in human clinical trials. If any of our drug candidates are approved for sale, we may face exposure to claims by an even greater number of persons than were involved in the clinical trials once marketing, distribution and sales of our drug candidates begin. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
• decreased demand for our drug candidates;
• injury to our reputation;
• withdrawal of clinical trial participants;
• costs of related litigation;
• substantial monetary awards to patients and others;
• loss of revenues; and
• the inability to commercialize drug candidates.
With respect to product liability claims, we could face additional liability beyond insurance limits if testing mistakes were to endanger any human subjects. In addition, if a claim is made against us in conjunction with these research testing activities, the market price of our ADSs may be negatively affected.
The outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, could adversely impact our business, including our non-clinical studies and clinical trials.
Public health crises such as pandemics or similar outbreaks might adversely impact our business. In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), surfaced in Wuhan, China. Since then, COVID-19 has spread to most countries in the world.
As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, or similar pandemics, we have and may in the future experience disruptions that could severely impact our business, preclinical studies and clinical trials, including:
• delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trials;
• delays or difficulties in clinical site initiation, including difficulties in recruiting clinical site investigators and clinical site staff;
• delays or disruptions in non-clinical experiments and investigational new drug application-enabling good laboratory practice standard toxicology studies due to unforeseen circumstances at contract research organizations and vendors along their supply chain;
• increased rates of patients withdrawing from our clinical trials following enrollment as a result of contracting COVID-19, being forced to quarantine, or not wanting to attend hospital visits;
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• diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trials, including the diversion of hospitals serving as our clinical trial sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of our clinical trials;
• interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site data monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by national, state or local governments, employers and others or interruption of clinical trial subject visits and study procedures (particularly any procedures that may be deemed non-essential), which may impact the integrity of subject data and clinical study endpoints;
• interruption or delays in the operations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration or other foreign regulatory agencies, which may impact approval timelines;
• interruption of, or delays in receiving, supplies of our drug candidates from our contract manufacturing organizations due to staffing shortages, production slowdowns or stoppages and disruptions in our supply chain or distribution vendors’ ability to ship drug candidates; and
• limitations on employee resources that would otherwise be focused on the conduct of our non-clinical studies and clinical trials, including because of sickness of employees or their families, the desire of employees to avoid contact with large groups of people, an increased reliance on working from home or mass transit disruptions.
Product shipment delays could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The shipment, import and export of our drug candidates and the API used to manufacture them will require import and export licenses. In the United States, the FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the DEA; in Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, Health Canada; in Europe, the EMA and the European Commission; in Australia and New Zealand, the Australian Customs and Board Protection Service, the TGA, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Device Safety Authority and the New Zealand Customs Service; and in other countries, similar regulatory authorities, regulate the import and export of pharmaceutical products that contain controlled substances. Specifically, the import and export processes require the issuance of import and export licenses by the relevant controlled substance authority in both the importing and exporting country.
We may not be granted, or if granted, maintain, such licenses from the authorities in certain countries. Even if we obtain the relevant licenses, shipments of API and our drug candidates may be held up or lost in transit, which could cause significant delays and may lead to product batches being stored outside required temperature ranges. Inappropriate storage may damage the product shipment resulting in delays in clinical trials or, upon commercialization, a partial or total loss of revenue from one or more shipments of API or our drug candidates. A delay in a clinical trial or, upon commercialization, a partial or total loss of revenue from one or more shipments of API or our drug candidates could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our drug candidates will be subject to controlled substance laws and regulations. Failure to receive necessary approvals may delay the launch of our drug candidates and failure to comply with these laws and regulations may adversely affect the results of our business operations.
Our drug candidates contain controlled substances as defined in the Controlled Substance Act (“CSA”). Controlled substances that are pharmaceutical products are subject to a high degree of regulation under the CSA, which establishes, among other things, certain registration, manufacturing quotas, security, recordkeeping, reporting, import, export and other requirements administered by the DEA. The DEA classifies controlled substances into five schedules: Schedule I, II, III, IV or V substances. Schedule I substances by definition have a high potential for abuse, have not currently “accepted medical use” in the United States, lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and may not be prescribed, marketed or sold in the United States. Pharmaceutical products approved for use in the United States may be listed as Schedule II, III, IV or V, with Schedule II substances considered to present the highest potential for abuse or dependence and Schedule V substances the lowest relative risk of abuse among such substances. Schedule I and II drugs are subject to the strictest controls under the CSA, including manufacturing and procurement quotas, security requirements and criteria for importation. In addition, dispensing of Schedule II drugs is further restricted. For example, they may not be refilled without a new prescription.
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As a synthetic cannabinoids pharmaceutical product with psychedelic agents, our drug candidates are likely to be scheduled as Schedule II or III controlled substance. We will need to identify wholesale distributors with the appropriate DEA registrations and authority to distribute the products to pharmacies and other healthcare providers, and these distributors would need to obtain Schedule II or III distribution registrations. The failure to obtain, or delay in obtaining, or the loss of any of those registrations could result in increased costs to us. If any of our drug candidates is a Schedule II drug, pharmacies would have to maintain enhanced security with alarms and monitoring systems, and they must adhere to additional recordkeeping and inventory requirements. This may discourage some pharmacies from carrying the product. Furthermore, state and federal enforcement actions, regulatory requirements, and legislation intended to reduce prescription drug abuse, such as the requirement that physicians consult a state prescription drug monitoring program, may make physicians less willing to prescribe, and pharmacies to dispense, Schedule II products.
We intend to manufacture the commercial supply of our drug candidates outside of the United States. If any of our products are approved by the FDA and classified as a Schedule II or III substance, an importer can import for commercial purposes if it obtains from the DEA an importer registration and files an application with the DEA for an import permit for each import. The failure to identify an importer or obtain the necessary import authority could affect the availability of our drug candidates and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, an application for a Schedule II importer registration must be published in the Federal Register, and there is a waiting period for third party comments to be submitted. The failure to maintain the necessary registrations or comply with applicable laws could delay the commercialization of our drug candidates and could delay the completion of the clinical studies. Furthermore, failure to maintain compliance with the CSA, particularly non-compliance resulting in loss or diversion, could result in regulatory action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The DEA may seek civil penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations, or initiate proceedings to restrict, suspend or revoke those registrations. In certain circumstances, violations could lead to criminal proceedings. In addition, if the FDA, DEA, or any foreign regulatory authority determines that our drug candidates may have potential for abuse, it may require us to generate more clinical or other data than we currently anticipate to establish whether or to what extent the substance has an abuse potential, which could increase the cost and/or delay the launch of which could increase the cost and/or delay the launch of our drug candidates.
Individual states have also established controlled substance laws and regulations. Though state-controlled substance laws often mirror federal law, because the states are separate jurisdictions, they may separately schedule our drug candidates as well. While some states automatically schedule a drug based on federal action, other states schedule drugs through rulemaking or a legislative action. State scheduling may delay commercial sale of any product for which we obtain federal regulatory approval and adverse scheduling could have a material adverse effect on the commercial attractiveness of such product. We or our partners must also obtain separate state registrations, permits or licenses in order to be able to obtain, handle, and distribute controlled substances for clinical trials or commercial sale, and failure to meet applicable regulatory requirements could lead to enforcement and sanctions by the states in addition to those from the DEA or otherwise arising under federal law.
We intend to contract manufacturers in Australia to produce the drug product for our clinical trials and the API for our drug candidates. In addition, we may decide to develop, manufacture or commercialize our drug candidates in additional countries. As a result, we will also be subject to controlled substance laws and regulations from the TGA in Australia and from other regulatory agencies in other countries where we develop, manufacture or commercialize our drug candidates in the future. We plan to submit NDAs for our drug candidates to the FDA upon completion of all requisite clinical trials and may require additional DEA scheduling decisions at such time as well.
Changes in U.S. healthcare law and implementing regulations, as well as changes in healthcare policy, may impact our business in ways that we cannot currently predict and may harm our business and results of operations.
There have been, and likely will continue to be, several executive, legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval of drug candidates, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to profitably sell any drug candidates for which we obtain marketing approval. Among policy makers and payors in the United States there is significant interest in promoting changes in healthcare systems with the stated goals of containing healthcare costs, improving quality and/or expanding access and the pharmaceutical industry has been a particular focus of these efforts and has been significantly affected by major legislative initiatives.
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The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act, substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both the government and private insurers, and significantly impacts the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. The Affordable Care Act, among other things: (1) introduced a new average manufacturer price definition for drugs and biologics that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected and not generally dispensed through retail community pharmacies; (2) increased the minimum Medicaid rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and expanded rebate liability from fee-for-service Medicaid utilization to include the utilization of Medicaid managed care organizations as well; (3) established a branded prescription drug fee that pharmaceutical manufacturers of branded prescription drugs must pay to the federal government; (4) expanded the list of covered entities eligible to participate in the 340B drug pricing program by adding new entities eligible for the program; (5) established a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer 50% (increased to 70% pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, or BBA, effective as of January 2019) point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable branded drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D; (6) extended manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability to covered drugs dispensed to individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations; (7) expanded eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to offer Medicaid coverage to additional individuals, including individuals with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, thereby potentially increasing manufacturers’ Medicaid rebate liability; (8) created a licensure framework for follow-on biologic products; and (9) established a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at the CMS to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending.
There remain judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act, as well as efforts by the Trump administration to repeal or replace certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or the TCJA, was enacted, which included a provision that repealed, effective January 1, 2019, the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the Affordable Care Act on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate.” On December 14, 2018, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Northern District of Texas ruled that the individual mandate is a critical and inseverable feature of the Affordable Care Act, and therefore, because it was repealed as part of the TCJA, the remaining provisions of the Affordable Care Act are invalid as well. On December 18, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that the individual mandate was unconstitutional but remanded the case back to the District Court to determine whether the remaining provisions of the Affordable Care Act are invalid as well. On March 2, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the petitions for writs of certiorari to review the case, although it is unclear when a decision will be made or how the Supreme Court will rule. In addition, there may be other efforts to challenge, repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act. We are continuing to monitor any changes to the Affordable Care Act that, in turn, may potentially impact our business in the future.
Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the Affordable Care Act was enacted. These changes include aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011 and subsequent laws, which began in 2013 and will remain in effect through 2030, unless additional Congressional action is taken. In January 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. New laws may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, which may materially negatively affect customer demand and affordability for our drug candidates and, accordingly, the results of our financial operations. Also, there has been heightened governmental scrutiny recently over the manner in which pharmaceutical companies set prices for their marketed products, which have resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed federal legislation, as well as state efforts, designed to, among other things, bring more transparency to product pricing, reduce the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs, and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for drug products. At the state level, individual states in the United States are increasingly active in passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and,
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in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Legally mandated price controls on payment amounts by third-party payors or other restrictions on coverage or access could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. In addition, regional healthcare authorities and individual hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in their prescription drug and other healthcare programs. This could reduce the ultimate demand for our drug candidates that we successfully commercialize or put pressure on our product pricing.
In addition, proposed federal and state legislation may increase competition as it relates to cannabis derived products. Under the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, the U.S. Senate proposed legalizing the use of hemp-derived CBD in dietary supplements by amending the FDCA. The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act of 2021 (SB 1698) also permits hemp-derived CBD to be used in dietary supplements. States are considering the reimbursement of medical marijuana. For example, New Jersey lawmakers introduced legislation, which is still pending, that requires reimbursement for medical marijuana under certain circumstances, while New York lawmakers introduced pending legislation that classifies medical marijuana as a prescription drug that may be covered for workers’ compensation purposes. As the availability and reimbursement of cannabis-derived products potentially expand, the pharmaceutical industry may directly compete with state-regulated cannabis businesses for market share.
We expect that these and other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future, may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and lower reimbursement, and put additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for any approved product. It is possible that additional governmental action is taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action in the United States. If we or any third parties we may engage are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we or such third parties are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, our drug candidates may lose any regulatory approval that may have been obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property and our proprietary technology.
Our success is to a certain degree also dependent on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection or where applicable, to receive/maintain orphan drug designation/status and resulting marketing exclusivity for our drug candidates.
We may be materially adversely affected by our failure or inability to protect our intellectual property rights. Without the granting of these rights, the ability to pursue damages for infringement would be limited. Similarly, any know-how that is proprietary or particular to our technologies may be subject to risk of disclosure by employees or consultants despite having confidentiality agreements in place.
Any future success will depend in part on whether we can obtain and maintain patents to protect our own products and technologies; obtain licenses to the patented technologies of third parties; and operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties. Biotechnology patent matters can involve complex legal and scientific questions, and it is impossible to predict the outcome of biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent claims. Any of our future patent applications may not be approved, or we may not develop additional products or processes that are patentable. Some countries in which we may sell our drug candidate or license our intellectual property may fail to protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the protection that may be afforded in the United States or Australia. Some legal principles remain unresolved and there has not been a consistent policy regarding the breadth or interpretation of claims allowed in patents in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia or elsewhere. In addition, the specific content of patents and patent applications that are necessary to support and interpret patent claims is highly uncertain due to the complex nature of the relevant legal, scientific and factual issues. Changes in either patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union or elsewhere may diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection. Even if we are able to obtain patents, they may not issue in a form that will provide us with any meaningful protection, prevent competitors from competing with us or otherwise provide
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us with any competitive advantage. Our competitors may be able to circumvent our patents by developing similar or alternative technologies or products in a non-infringing manner. We may also fail to take the required actions or pay the necessary fees to maintain our patents.
Moreover, any of our pending applications may be subject to a third party pre-issuance submission of prior art to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, the European Patent Office, or EPO, the Intellectual Property Office, or IPO, in the United Kingdom, the Australian Patent and Trademark Office and/or any patents issuing thereon may become involved in opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review, post grant review, interference proceedings or other patent office proceedings or litigation, in the United States or elsewhere, challenging our patent rights. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope of, or invalidate, our patent rights, and allow third parties to commercialize our technology or products and compete directly with us, without payment to us. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications is threatened, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to exploit our intellectual property or develop or commercialize current or future drug candidates.
The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to the inventorship, scope, validity or enforceability, and our patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States, the European Union, Australia and elsewhere. Such challenges may result in loss of ownership or in patent claims being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable, in whole or in part, which could limit the duration of the patent protection of our technology and products. As a result, our patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing products similar or identical to ours.
In addition, other companies may attempt to circumvent any regulatory data protection or market exclusivity that we obtain under applicable legislation, which may require us to allocate significant resources to preventing such circumvention. Such developments could enable other companies to circumvent our intellectual property rights and use our clinical trial data to obtain marketing authorizations in the European Union, Australia and in other jurisdictions. Such developments may also require us to allocate significant resources to prevent other companies from circumventing or violating our intellectual property rights.
Intellectual property rights of third parties could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our drug candidates, such that we could be required to litigate with or obtain licenses from third parties in order to develop or market our drug candidates.
Our commercial success may depend upon our future ability and the ability of our potential collaborators to develop, manufacture, market and sell our drug candidates without infringing valid intellectual property rights of third parties.
If a third-party intellectual property right exists it may require the pursuit of litigation or administrative proceedings to nullify or invalidate the third party intellectual property right concerned, or entry into a license agreement with the intellectual property right holder, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
Third-party intellectual property right holders, including our competitors, may bring infringement claims against us. We may not be able to successfully settle or otherwise resolve such infringement claims. If we are unable to successfully settle future claims or otherwise resolve such claims on terms acceptable to us, we may be required to engage in or continue costly, unpredictable and time-consuming litigation and may be prevented from, or experience substantial delays in, marketing our drug candidate.
If we fail to settle or otherwise resolve any such dispute, in addition to being forced to pay damages, we or our potential collaborators may be prohibited from commercializing any drug candidates we may develop that are held to be infringing, for the duration of the patent term. We might, if possible, also be forced to redesign our formulations so that we no longer infringe such third-party intellectual property rights. Any of these events, even if we were ultimately to prevail, could require us to divert substantial financial and management resources that we would otherwise be able to devote to our business.
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Our reliance on third parties requires us to share our trade secrets, which increases the possibility that a competitor will discover them or that our trade secrets will be misappropriated or disclosed.
Because we collaborate with various organizations and academic institutions on the advancement of our technology and drug candidates, we may, at times, share trade secrets with them. We seek to protect our proprietary technology in part by entering into confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, material transfer agreements, collaborative research agreements, consulting agreements or other similar agreements with our collaborators, advisors, employees and consultants prior to beginning research or disclosing proprietary information. These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, such as trade secrets. Despite these contractual provisions, the need to share trade secrets and other confidential information increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by potential competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our proprietary position is based, in part, on our know-how and trade secrets, discovery by a third party of our trade secrets or other unauthorized use or disclosure would impair our intellectual property rights and protections in our drug candidates.
In addition, these agreements typically restrict the ability of our collaborators, advisors, employees and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our trade secrets. Our academic collaborators typically have rights to publish data, provided that we are notified in advance and may delay publication for a specified time in order to secure our intellectual property rights arising from the collaboration. In other cases, publication rights are controlled exclusively by us. In other cases, we may share these rights with other parties. Despite our efforts to protect our trade secrets, our competitors may discover our trade secrets, either through breach of these agreements, independent development or publication of information including our trade secrets in cases where we do not have proprietary or otherwise protected rights at the time of publication.
Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.
Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and various other governmental fees on patents and applications are required to be paid to the United State Patent and Trademark Office and other governmental patent agencies outside of the United States in several stages over the lifetime of the patents and applications. The USPTO and various corresponding governmental patent agencies outside of the United States require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process and after a patent has issued. There are situations in which non-compliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction.
We may become involved in lawsuits to protect and defend our patents or other intellectual property, which could be expensive, time consuming and unsuccessful.
Competitors may infringe our patents or other intellectual property and we may inadvertently infringe the patent or intellectual property of others. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file claims, and any related litigation and/or prosecution of such claims can be expensive and time consuming. Any claims we assert against perceived infringers could provoke these parties to assert counterclaims against us alleging that we infringe their intellectual property. In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent of ours is invalid in whole or in part, unenforceable, or construe the patent’s claims narrowly allowing the other party to commercialize competing products on the grounds that our patents do not cover such products.
Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant expenses and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce our resources available for development activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to adequately conduct such litigation or proceedings. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater financial resources. The effects of patent litigation or other proceedings could therefore have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.
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Confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees, advisors and consultants may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and protect other proprietary information.
We consider proprietary trade secrets and/or confidential know-how and unpatented know-how to be important to our business. We may rely on trade secrets and/or confidential know-how to protect our technology, especially where patent protection is believed by us to be of limited value. However, trade secrets and/or confidential know-how can be difficult to maintain as confidential.
To protect this type of information against disclosure or appropriation by competitors, our policy is to require our employees, advisors and consultants to enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with us. However, current or former employees, advisors and consultants may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors, and confidentiality and invention assignment agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Enforcing a claim that a third party obtained illegally and is using trade secrets and/or confidential know-how is expensive, time consuming and unpredictable. The enforceability of confidentiality and invention assignment agreements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Failure to obtain or maintain trade secrets and/or confidential know-how trade protection could adversely affect our competitive position. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and may even apply for patent protection in respect of the same. If successful in obtaining such patent protection, our competitors could limit our use of our trade secrets and/or confidential know-how.
Intellectual property rights do not address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.
The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations, and may not adequately protect our business, or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. The following examples are illustrative:
• Others may be able to make products that are similar to ours but that are not covered by our intellectual property rights.
• Others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or otherwise circumvent any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights.
• We or any of our collaboration partners might not have been the first to conceive and reduce to practice the inventions covered by the patents or patent applications that we own, license or will own or license.
• We or any of our collaboration partners might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of the patents or patent applications that we or they own or have obtained a license, or will own or will have obtained a license.
• It is possible that any pending patent applications that we have filed, or will file, will not lead to issued patents.
• Issued patents that we own may not provide us with any competitive advantage, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors.
• Our competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights, or in countries where research and development safe harbor laws exist, and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets.
• Ownership of our patents or patent applications may be challenged by third parties.
• The patents of third parties or pending or future applications of third parties, if issued, may have an adverse effect on our business.
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We may face difficulties with protecting our intellectual property in certain jurisdictions, which may diminish the value of our intellectual property rights in those jurisdictions.
The laws of some jurisdictions do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws in the United States and the European Union, and many companies have encountered significant difficulties in protecting and defending such rights in such jurisdictions. If we or our collaboration partners encounter difficulties in protecting, or are otherwise precluded from effectively protecting, the intellectual property rights important for our business in such jurisdictions, the value of these rights may be diminished and we may face additional competition from others in those jurisdictions.
Some countries in Europe and China have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be compelled to grant licenses to third parties. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent owner may have limited remedies, which could materially diminish the value of such patent. If we are, or any of our licensors is, forced to grant a license to third parties with respect to any patents relevant to our business, our competitive position or commercial advantage may be impaired and our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Changes in patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our drug candidates and any future drug candidates.
As is the case with other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property rights, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biopharmaceutical industry involves technological and legal complexity, and obtaining and enforcing biopharmaceutical patents is costly, time-consuming and inherently uncertain. The U.S. Supreme Court in recent years has issued rulings either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations or ruling that certain subject matter is not eligible for patent protection. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by Congress, the federal courts, the USPTO and equivalent bodies in non-U.S. jurisdictions, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce existing patents and patents we may obtain in the future.
Patent reform laws, such as the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the Leahy-Smith Act, as well as changes in how patent laws are interpreted, could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents. The Leahy-Smith Act made a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the filing and prosecution strategies associated with patent applications, including a change from a “first-to-invent” to a “first-inventor-to-file” patent system, and a change allowing third-party submission of prior art to the USPTO during patent prosecution and additional procedures to attack the validity of a patent by USPTO-administered post-grant proceedings, including post-grant review, inter partes review and derivation proceedings. The USPTO has developed regulations and procedures to govern administration of the Leahy-Smith Act, and many of the substantive changes to patent law associated with the Leahy-Smith Act and, in particular, the “first-inventor-to-file” provisions, became effective in 2013. The Leahy-Smith Act and its implementation may increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents, all of which could have harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Price controls may be imposed in non-U.S. markets, which may negatively affect our future profitability.
In some countries, particularly EU member states, Japan, Australia and Canada, the pricing of prescription drugs is subject to governmental control. In these countries, pricing negotiations with governmental authorities can take considerable time after receipt of marketing approval for a product. In addition, there can be considerable pressure by governments and other stakeholders on prices and reimbursement levels, including as part of cost containment measures. Political, economic and regulatory developments may further complicate pricing negotiations, and pricing negotiations may continue after reimbursement has been obtained. Reference pricing used by various EU member states and parallel distribution, or arbitrage between low-priced and
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high-priced member states, can further reduce prices. In some countries, we or our collaborators may be required to conduct a clinical trial or other studies that compare the cost-effectiveness of our drug candidates to other available therapies in order to obtain or maintain reimbursement or pricing approval. Publication of discounts by third-party payors or authorities may lead to further pressure on the prices or reimbursement levels within the country of publication and other countries. If reimbursement of our drug candidates is unavailable or limited in scope or amount, or if pricing is set at unsatisfactory levels, our business, revenues or profitability could be harmed.
Risks Relating to Ownership of the ADSs and this Offering
The trading price of the ADSs may be volatile, and purchasers of the ADSs could incur substantial losses.
The market price of our ordinary shares historically has been, and we expect our ordinary shares and ADSs will continue to be, subject to significant fluctuations over short periods of time. These fluctuations may be due to factors specific to us, to changes in analysts’ recommendations and earnings estimates, to arbitrage between our Australian-listed ordinary shares and our Nasdaq-listed ADSs, to changes in exchange rates, or to factors affecting the biopharmaceutical industry or the securities markets in general. Market fluctuations, as well as general political and economic conditions, such as a recession, interest rate or currency fluctuations, could adversely affect the market price of our securities.
We may experience a material decline in the market price of our shares, regardless of our operating performance. Therefore, a holder of our ADSs may not be able to sell those ADSs at or above the price paid by such holder for such ADSs. Price declines in our ADSs could result from a variety of factors, including many outside our control. These factors include:
• the results of pre-clinical testing and clinical trials by us and our competitors;
• unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects resulting from the clinical trials or the commercial use of our drug candidate;
• regulatory actions in respect of any of our drug candidates or the products of any of our competitors;
• announcements of the introduction of new products by us or our competitors;
• market conditions, including market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors;
• increases in our costs or decreases in our revenues due to unfavorable movements in foreign currency exchange rates;
• developments or litigation concerning patents, licenses and other intellectual property rights;
• litigation or public concern about the safety of our drug candidates;
• changes in recommendations or earnings estimates by securities analysts;
• actual and anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
• deviations in our operating results from the estimates of securities analysts;
• rumors relating to us or our competitors;
• additions or departures of key personnel;
• changes in third party reimbursement policies; and
• developments concerning current or future strategic alliances or acquisitions.
In addition, volatility and low market price of our ADSs may adversely impact investors’ interest in our securities. A decline in investors’ interest may prompt further volatility and decrease in market price.
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There has been no prior market for the ADSs and an active and liquid market for our securities may fail to develop, which could harm the market price of the ADSs.
While our ordinary shares have been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX, prior to this offering, there has been no public market on a U.S. national securities exchange for our ordinary shares or ADSs. Although we have applied for the listing of the ADSs on Nasdaq, an active trading market for the ADSs may never develop or be sustained following this offering. The initial offering price of the ADSs will be determined through negotiations between us and the underwriter and will be based, in part, on prevailing market prices of our ordinary shares on the ASX, after taking into account market conditions and other factors. This offering price may not be indicative of the market price of the ADSs after this offering. In the absence of an active trading market for the ADSs, investors may not be able to sell their ADSs at or above the offering price or at the time that they would like to sell.
If we are or become a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC” ), then that would subject our U.S. investors to adverse tax rules.
Holders of our ADSs who are U.S. taxpayers will be subject to particular income tax rules if we are a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC. These rules could result in a reduction in the after-tax return to a “U.S. Holder” of our ADSs and reduce the value of our ADSs. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of all of our assets for the taxable year produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, cash is considered to be an asset that produces passive income.
If we are classified as a PFIC in any year that a U.S. Holder owns ADSs, the U.S. Holder will generally continue to be treated as holding ADSs of a PFIC in all subsequent years, notwithstanding that we are not classified as a PFIC in a subsequent year. Dividends received by the U.S. Holder and gains realized from the sale of our ADSs would be taxed as ordinary income and subject to an interest charge. We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules and certain elections that may help to minimize adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences in their particular circumstances.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention and if we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, the accuracy and timeliness of our financial reporting may be adversely affected.
As a U.S. publicly-traded company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file certain reports with respect to our business and results of operations. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight are required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting annually and disclosure controls and procedures quarterly. If we identify material weaknesses in future periods or we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, our reported financial results could be restated, we could be subject to investigations or sanctions by regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources, and the market price of our ordinary shares could decline.
You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the ADSs you purchase in this offering.
The initial public offering price of the ADSs is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per ADS or per ordinary share immediately after this offering. If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of US$9.36 per ADS (or US$0.37 per ordinary share), or US$9.29 per ADS (or US$0.37 per
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ordinary share) if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per ADS or per ordinary share after giving effect to the sale of ADSs in this offering and the initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS. See “Dilution.”
Our issuance of additional ordinary shares in connection with financings, acquisitions, investments, or otherwise will dilute all other ADS holders.
We expect to issue additional ordinary shares in the future that will result in dilution to all other ADS holders. We may also raise capital through equity financings in the future. As part of our business strategy, we may acquire or make investments in complementary companies, products, or technologies and issue equity securities to pay for any such acquisition or investment. While we will be subject to the constraints of the ASX Listing Rules regarding the percentage of our capital that we are able to issue within a 12-month period (subject to applicable exceptions), any such issuances of additional ordinary shares may cause ADS holders to experience significant dilution of their ownership interests and the per ADS value of our ADSs to decline.
As long as we remain subject to the rules of the ASX and Nasdaq, we will be unable to access equity capital without shareholder approval if such equity capital sales would result in an equity issuance above regulatory thresholds and, consequently, we could be unable to obtain financing sufficient to sustain our business if we are unsuccessful in soliciting requisite shareholder approvals.
Our ability to access equity capital is currently limited by ASX Listing Rule 7.1, which provides that a company must not, subject to specified exceptions (including approval by shareholders), issue or agree to issue during any consecutive 12-month period any equity securities, or other securities with rights to conversion to equity, if the number of those securities in aggregate would exceed 15% of the number of ordinary securities on issue at the commencement of that 12-month period.
Our equity issuances will be limited by ASX Listing Rule 7.1 as long as we continue to be listed on the ASX and this constraint may prevent us from raising the full amount of equity capital needed for operations without prior shareholder approval.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.
We will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds that we receive from this offering as well as of our existing cash, and we may spend or invest these funds in a way with which our shareholders or holders of the ADSs disagree. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could harm our business and financial condition. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from the offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our investors.
Future sales of ordinary shares or ADSs by existing holders could depress the market price of the ordinary shares or ADSs.
Based on 1,068,411,224 ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, upon the closing of this offering, we will have outstanding a total of 1,130,911,224 ordinary shares (including ordinary shares represented by ADSs), assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional ADSs and no exercise of outstanding options warrants offered and sold in this offering. Each member of our senior management and board of directors and their affiliates are subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters that restrict their ability to transfer ordinary shares, options and other securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or exercisable for ordinary shares during the period ending on, and including, the 180th day after the date of this prospectus, subject to specified exceptions. Roth Capital Partners, LLC may, in its sole discretion, permit our shareholders who are subject to these lock-up agreements to sell securities prior to the expiration of the lock-up agreements. As of the date of this prospectus, the exercise of all outstanding options exercisable for ordinary shares would enable the subscription of new ordinary shares representing approximately 205,352,822 of the diluted share capital.
After the lock-up agreements pertaining to this offering expire, 175,876,390 additional ordinary shares will be eligible for sale in the public market, all of which ordinary shares are held by members of our senior management and board of directors and will be subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. In addition, the ordinary shares subject to subscription under outstanding options
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exercisable for ordinary shares will become eligible for sale in the public market in the future, subject to certain legal and contractual limitations. Sales of a large number of the ordinary shares in the public market could depress the market price of the ADSs. See “Shares and American Depository Shares Eligible for Future Sale” for a more detailed description of sales that may occur in the future. If these additional ordinary shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of the ordinary shares and ADSs could decline substantially, which could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the issuance of ordinary shares, ADSs or other securities in the future.
The dual listing of our ordinary shares and the ADSs following this offering may negatively impact the liquidity and value of the ADSs.
Following this offering and after the ADSs are listed on Nasdaq, our ordinary shares will continue to be listed on the ASX. We cannot predict the effect of this dual listing on the value of our ordinary shares and ADSs. However, the dual listing of our ordinary shares and ADSs may dilute the liquidity of these securities in one or both markets and may negatively impact the development of an active trading market for the ADSs in the United States. The price of the ADSs could also be negatively impacted by trading in our ordinary shares on the ASX.
We are subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations, and changes in foreign currency exchange rates could impact our results of operations.
Our ordinary shares are quoted in Australian dollars on the ASX and the ADSs will be quoted in U.S. dollars. In the past year, the Australian dollar has generally weakened against the U.S. dollar; however, this trend may not continue and may be reversed. As such, any significant change in the value of the Australian dollar may have a negative effect on the value of the ADSs in U.S. dollars. In addition, if the Australian dollar weakens against the U.S. dollar, then, if we decide to convert our Australian dollars into U.S. dollars for any business purpose, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into Australian dollars for our operations, appreciation of the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar would have a negative effect on the Australian dollar amount we would receive from the conversion. Consequently, appreciation or depreciation in the value of the Australian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. As a result of such foreign currency fluctuations, it could be more difficult to detect underlying trends in our business and results of operations.
Our ADS holders are not shareholders and do not have shareholder rights.
Deutsche Bank, as depositary, registers and delivers our American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. Our ADS holders will not be treated as shareholders and do not have the rights of shareholders. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying our ADSs. Holders of our ADSs will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary and our ADS holders, and the beneficial owners of ADSs, sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs. For a description of ADS holder rights, see “Description of American Depositary Shares” in this Registration Statement.
Our shareholders have shareholder rights. Australian law and our constitution govern shareholder rights. For a description of our shareholders’ rights, see “Memorandum and Articles of Association” in this Registration Statement. Shareholders are entitled to our notices of general meetings and to attend and vote at our general meetings of shareholders. At a general meeting, every shareholder present (in person or by proxy, attorney or representative) and entitled to vote has one vote on a show of hands. Every shareholder present (in person or by proxy, attorney or representative) and entitled to vote has one vote per fully paid ordinary share on a poll. This is subject to any other rights or restrictions which may be attached to any shares.
Our ADS holders do not have the same voting rights as our shareholders. ADS holders may exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, ADS holders vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of instructions, the depositary will try to vote in accordance with those instructions. Otherwise, ADS holders will not be able to vote unless they withdraw the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs.
If we ask for our ADS holders’ instructions, the depositary will notify our ADS holders of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials and form of notice to them. The depositary will try, as far as practical,
30
subject to Australian law and the provisions of the depositary agreement, to vote the shares as our ADS holders instruct. The depositary will not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote other than in accordance with the instructions of the ADS holders. We cannot assure our ADS holders that they will learn of ordinary shareholders’ meetings and receive the voting materials in time to instruct the depositary or withdraw the underlying ordinary shares. This means that there is a risk that our ADS holders may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing they can do if their shares are not voted as they requested.
Our ADS holders do not have the same rights to receive dividends or other distributions as our shareholders.
Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to a share, the directors may determine that a dividend will be payable on a share and fix the amount, the time for payment and the method for payment (although we have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future). Dividends may be paid on shares of one class but not another and at different rates for different classes. Dividends and other distributions payable to our shareholders with respect to our ordinary shares generally will be payable directly to them. Any dividends or distributions payable with respect to ordinary shares will be paid to the depositary, which has agreed to pay to our ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and expenses. Our ADS holders will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares their ADSs represent. In addition, there may be certain circumstances in which the depositary may not pay to our ADS holders amounts distributed by us as a dividend or distribution.
There are circumstances where it may be unlawful or impractical to make distributions to the holders of our ADSs.
The deposit agreement with the depositary generally requires the depositary to convert foreign currency it receives in respect of deposited securities into U.S. dollars and distribute the U.S. dollars to ADS holders, provided the depositary can do so on a reasonable basis. If it does not convert foreign currency, the depositary may distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. If a distribution is payable by us in Australian dollars, the depositary will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, our ADS holders may lose some of the value of the distribution. The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. This means that our ADS holders may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available.
ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could augur less favorable results to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our ordinary shares provides that holders and beneficial owners of ADSs irrevocably waive the right to a trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the deposit agreement or the ADSs against us or the depositary to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. If this jury trial waiver provision is prohibited by applicable law, an action could nevertheless proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a jury trial waiver under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by a federal court. However, we believe that a jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, by a court of the State of New York or a federal court, which have non-exclusive jurisdiction over matters arising under the deposit agreement, applying such law.
In determining whether to enforce a jury trial waiver provision, New York courts and federal courts will consider whether the visibility of the jury trial waiver provision within the agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party has knowingly waived any right to trial by jury. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. In addition, New York courts will not enforce a jury trial waiver provision in order to bar a viable setoff or counterclaim sounding in fraud or one which is based upon a creditor’s negligence in failing to liquidate collateral upon a guarantor’s demand, or in the case of an intentional tort claim (as opposed to a contract dispute), none of which we believe are applicable in the case of the deposit agreement or the ADSs. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs or by us or the Depositary of compliance with any provision of the federal securities laws. If you or any other holder or beneficial owner of ADSs brings a claim against us or the Depositary in connection with matters arising
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under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and/or the Depositary.
If a lawsuit is brought against us and/or the Depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may determine different results than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action, depending on, among other things, the nature of the claims, the judge or justice hearing such claims, and the venue of the hearing.
As the jury trial waiver relates to claims arising out of or relating to the ADSs or the deposit agreement, we believe that the waiver would likely continue to apply to purchasers of ADSs in secondary transactions. In addition, we believe that the waiver would likely continue to apply to ADS holders or beneficial owners who withdraw the ordinary shares from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising before the cancellation of the ADSs and the withdrawal of the ordinary shares, and the waiver would likely not apply to ADS holders or beneficial owners who subsequently withdraw the ordinary shares represented by ADSs from the ADS facility with respect to claims arising after the withdrawal. However, to our knowledge, there has been no case law on the applicability of the jury trial waiver to ADS holders or beneficial owners who withdraw the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs from the ADS facility. Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law, an action could proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or the ADSs serves as a waiver by any owner or holder of ADSs or by us or the Depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Risks Relating to Our Location in Australia
Australian takeovers laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of large numbers of our shares.
We are incorporated in Australia and are subject to the takeover laws of Australia. Amongst other things, we are subject to the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth of Australia). Subject to a range of exceptions, the Corporations Act prohibits the acquisition of a direct or indirect interest in our issued voting shares (including through the acquisition of ADSs) if the acquisition of that interest will lead to a person’s or someone else’s voting power in us increasing from 20% or below to more than 20% or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%. Exceptions to the general prohibition include circumstances where the person makes a formal takeover bid for us, if the person obtains shareholder approval for the acquisition or if the person acquires less than 3% of the voting power of us in any rolling six-month period. Australian takeovers laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of large numbers of our shares.
Holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs may have difficulty in effecting service of process in the United States or enforcing judgments obtained in the United States.
Holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs may have difficulties enforcing, in actions brought in courts in jurisdictions located outside the U.S., liabilities under U.S. securities laws. In particular, if such a holder sought to bring proceedings in Australia based on U.S. securities laws, the Australian court might consider:
• that it did not have jurisdiction; and/or
• that it was not an appropriate forum for such proceedings; and/or
• that, applying Australian conflict of laws rule, U.S. law (including U.S. securities laws) did not apply to the relationship between holders of our ordinary shares or ADSs and us or our directors and officers; and/or
• that the U.S. securities laws were of a public or penal nature and should not be enforced by the Australian court.
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Holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may also have difficulties enforcing in courts outside the U.S. judgments obtained in the U.S. courts against any of our directors and executive officers or us, including actions under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we may follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain Nasdaq requirements.
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. As an Australian company listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we may follow home country practice with regard to, among other things, the composition of the board of directors, director nomination process, compensation of officers and quorum at shareholders’ meetings. In addition, we may follow Australian law instead of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules that require that we obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events, such as for the establishment or amendment of certain equity based compensation plans, an issuance that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the shares or assets of another company. As a foreign private issuer that has elected to follow a home country practice instead of Nasdaq requirements. Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under Nasdaq’s corporate governance rules that are applicable to U.S. companies.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from a number of rules under the U.S. securities laws and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a U.S. company.
We are a foreign private issuer (as defined in the SEC’s rules) and, consequently, we are not subject to all of the disclosure requirements applicable to public companies organized within the United States. For example, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that regulate disclosure obligations and procedural requirements related to the solicitation of proxies under the Exchange Act. In addition, our senior management and directors are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. Moreover, while we currently make annual and semi-annual filings with respect to our listing on the ASX and expect to file financial reports on an annual and semi-annual basis, we will not be required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. public companies and will not be required to file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act. In addition, foreign private issuers are not required to file their annual report on Form 20-F until four months after the end of each fiscal year. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning our company than there would be if we were not a foreign private issuer.
Any loss of our foreign private issuer status in the future could result in significant additional cost.
While we currently qualify as a foreign private issuer, the determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. In the future, we would lose our foreign private issuer status if we to fail to meet the requirements necessary to maintain our foreign private issuer status as of the relevant determination date. For example, if 50% or more of our securities are held by U.S. residents and more than 50% of our senior management or directors are residents or citizens of the United States, we could lose our foreign private issuer status.
The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer could be significantly more than costs we incur as a foreign private issuer. If we were to cease to be a foreign private issuer, then we would be required to file periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC, which forms are more detailed and extensive in certain respects than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We would be required to prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP rather than IFRS. Such conversion of our financial statements to U.S. GAAP would involve significant time and cost. In addition, we may lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements on U.S. stock exchanges that are available to foreign private issuers such as the ones described above and exemptions from procedural requirements related to the solicitation of proxies.
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U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against our company, our directors or members of senior management and the experts named in this prospectus.
Certain members of our senior management and board of directors named in this prospectus are non-residents of the United States, and a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be impracticable to serve process on such persons in the United States or to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against them based on civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States. Even if you are successful in bringing such an action, there is doubt as to whether Australian courts would enforce certain civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws in original actions or judgments of U.S. courts based upon these civil liability provisions. In addition, awards of punitive damages in actions brought in the United States or elsewhere may be unenforceable in Australia or elsewhere outside the United States. An award for monetary damages under U.S. securities laws would be considered punitive if it does not seek to compensate the claimant for loss or damage suffered and is intended to punish the defendant. The enforceability of any judgment in Australia will depend on the particular facts of the case as well as the laws and treaties in effect at the time. The United States and Australia do not currently have a treaty or statute providing for recognition and enforcement of the judgments of the other country (other than arbitration awards) in civil and commercial matters.
As a result, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us, our management or our directors than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States. In addition, as a company incorporated in Australia, the provisions of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 regulate the circumstances in which shareholder derivative actions may be commenced which may be different, and in many ways less permissive, than for companies incorporated in the United States.
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This prospectus contains estimates and information concerning our industry and our business, including estimated market size and projected growth rates of the markets for our drug candidates. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market, medical and other information from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by third parties, industry, medical and general publications, government data and similar sources.
This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations. Although we are responsible for all of the disclosure contained in this prospectus and we believe the third-party market position, market opportunity and market size data included in this prospectus are reliable, we have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of this third-party data. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industry in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.
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We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of 2,500,000 ADSs in this offering will be approximately US$22.5 million (or approximately US$25.9 million if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional ADSs in full), based on the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
Each US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial offering price of US$10.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately US$2.3 million, assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, an increase (decrease) of 1,000,000 ADSs offered by us would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us by US$9.3 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.
We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, to further our clinical trials, for working capital and other general corporate purposes. However, due to the uncertainties inherent in the product development process, it is difficult to estimate with certainty the exact amounts of the net proceeds from this offering that may be used for the above purposes. Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering. The amounts and timing of our expenditures will depend upon numerous factors including the results of our research and development efforts, the timing and success of preclinical studies and any ongoing clinical trials or clinical trials we may commence in the future, the timing of regulatory submissions and the amount of cash obtained through future collaborations, if any.
We believe opportunities may exist from time to time to expand our current business through acquisitions or in-licensing of complementary companies, medicines or technologies. While we have no current agreements, commitments or understandings for any specific acquisitions or in-licensing at this time, we may use a portion of the net proceeds for these purposes.
As of June 30, 2021, we had cash of A$9,123,617 (or US$6,859,135). In addition, we received proceeds of A$16,129,282 million from the exercise of options between July 1 and October 31, 2021. As a result of these option exercises, the Company’s cash as of October 31, 2021 increased to A$25,252,899, which we believe will be sufficient to fund our current operations until at least 2023. Following the completion of this offering, we believe our cash, together with the net proceeds of this offering, will be sufficient to fund our current operations until at least 2026. In particular, we estimate that such funds, together with such existing cash, will be sufficient to enable us to advance our clinical trials to the point where all programs have completed pivotal Phase 2 trials or two programs have completed pivotal Phase 2 trials and one program completed a Phase 3 clinical trial. The specifics of which trials are progressed first will depend on clinical success. At this stage we anticipate that the OSA, RA and IBD will advance the quickest. Funds for additional Phase 3 trials will be raised through future capital raises. It is estimated that completion of all six clinical development programs will cost approximately A$200 million.
Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.
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We have never declared or paid any dividends on our ordinary shares. We intend to retain any earnings for use in our business and do not currently intend to pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares. Dividends, if any, on our outstanding ordinary shares will be declared by and subject to the discretion of our board of directors, and subject to Australian law.
Any dividend we declare will be paid to the holders of ADSs, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, less the fees and expenses payable under the deposit agreement. Any dividend we declare will be distributed by the depositary bank to the holders of the ADSs, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement. See “Description of American Depositary Shares — Dividends and Other Distributions.”
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The following table sets forth our cash and our capitalization as of June 30, 2021, on:
• an actual basis; and
• an as adjusted basis to give effect to the exercise of options from July 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021, resulting in the issuance of 140,116,779 ordinary shares and proceeds of A$16,129,282; and
• an as adjusted pro forma basis to give effect to the issuance and sale of 2,500,000 ADSs in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
You should read this information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, the information set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
As of June 30, 2021 |
||||||||||||
Actual |
As Adjusted(1) |
As Adjusted Pro Forma |
||||||||||
(in A$ or US$, except share data) |
(in A$) |
(in A$) |
(in US$) |
|||||||||
Total cash |
A$9,123,617 |
|
A$25,252,899 |
|
A$55,117,935 |
|
US$41,437,663 |
|
||||
Share capital: 1,068,411,224 ordinary shares, no par value, outstanding, actual; ordinary shares, no par value, outstanding, as adjusted |
A$45,852,107 |
|
A$61,981,389 |
|
91,846,425 |
|
69,050,142 |
|
||||
Deficit |
(43,891,002 |
) |
(43,891,002 |
) |
(43,891,002 |
) |
(32,997,255 |
) |
||||
Reserves |
6,612,641 |
|
6,612,641 |
|
6,612,641 |
|
4,971,384 |
|
||||
Total equity |
8,573,746 |
|
24,703,028 |
|
54,568,064 |
|
41,024,270 |
|
||||
Total capitalization |
A$8,573,746 |
|
A$24,703,028 |
|
A$54,568,064 |
|
41,024,270 |
|
____________
(1) The as adjusted statement of financial position data give effect to our receipt of A$16,129,282 from the exercise of options between July 1 and October 31, 2021.
(2) Each US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) each of cash, share capital, total equity and total capitalization by approximately A$3.1 million (or US$2.3 million), assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, an increase (decrease) of 1,000,000 ADSs offered by us would increase (decrease) each of cash, share capital, total equity and total capitalization by approximately A$12.3 million (or US$9.3 million), assuming the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The as adjusted pro forma information is illustrative only and will depend on the actual initial public offering price, number of ADSs offered and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
(3) The as adjusted proforma statement of financial position data give effect to our receipt of (i) net proceeds from the issuance and sale of ADSs at the assumed initial offering price of US$10.00 per ADS, after deducting underwriting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (ii) A$16,129,282 from the exercise of options from July 1 through October 31, 2021.
The outstanding ordinary share information in the table above is based on 1,068,411,224 ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, and excludes 338,617,279 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as of June 30, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of A$0.166 per ordinary share.
38
If you invest in the ADSs in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and the as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share or ADS immediately after this offering.
As of June 30, 2021, our historical net tangible book value was A$8,573,746 (or US$6,445,742), or A$0.20 (or US$0.15) per ADS. Historical net tangible book value per ADS represents our total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, converted to ADSs at an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25.
After giving effect to the receipt of the net proceeds from our sale of 2,500,000 ADSs in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2021, was A$38.4 million (or US$28.9 million), or A$0.85 (or US$0.64) per ADS, equivalent to A$0.034 (or US$0.026) per ordinary share, in each case based on an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of A$0.65 (or US$0.49) per ADS, equivalent to A$0.026 or (US$0.019) per ordinary share, to our existing shareholders and immediate dilution of A$12.45 (or US$9.36) per ADS, equivalent to A$0.52 (US$0.39) per ordinary share, to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering, in each case based on an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25.
The following table illustrates this dilution on a per ADS basis, assuming all ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, converted to ADSs at an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25:
Assumed initial public offering price per ADS |
US$10.00 |
|||
Historical net tangible book value per ADS as of June 30, 2021 |
US$0.15 |
|||
Increase in net tangible book value per ADS attributed to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering |
0.49 |
|
||
As adjusted net tangible book value per ADS after this offering |
0.64 |
|||
Dilution in net tangible book value per ADS to investors in this offering |
US$9.36 |
In addition, we have received A$16.1 million (US$12.1 million) from exercise of options in ordinary shares as of October 31, 2021. Giving further pro forma effect to this issuance, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ADS after this offering would be US$0.91 per ADS, the increase in the as adjusted net tangible book value to existing shareholders would be US$0.76 per ADS, and the dilution to new investors participating in this offering would be US$9.09 per ADS.
Each US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) the as adjusted net tangible book value per ADS after this offering by US$0.49 and dilution to investors in this offering by US$0.64 per ADS, assuming that the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions. An increase of 1,000,000 ADSs offered by us would increase the as adjusted net tangible book value by US$0.20 per ADS and the dilution to investors in this offering would decrease by US$0.20 per ADS, assuming the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions. A decrease of 1,000,000 ADSs offered by us would decrease the as adjusted net tangible book value by US$0.21 per ADS and the dilution to investors in this offering would increase by US$0.21 per ADS, assuming the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.
If the underwriter exercises its option to purchase 375,000 additional ADSs in full, the as adjusted net tangible book value after the offering would be US$0.71 per ADS, the increase in net tangible book value per ADS to existing shareholders would be US$0.56 per ADS and the dilution per ADS to new investors in this offering would be US$9.29 per ADS, in each case assuming an initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS and an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25.
39
The dilution information above is for illustration purposes only. Our as adjusted net tangible book value following the closing of this offering will depend on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2021:
• the total number of ordinary shares owned by existing shareholders and the equivalent number of ordinary shares underlying ADSs purchased by investors in this offering;
• the total consideration paid to us by our existing shareholders and by investors purchasing ADSs in this offering, assuming an initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS, after giving effect to the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering; and
• the average price per ordinary share paid by existing shareholders and the average price per ADS or equivalent number of ordinary shares.
Ordinary Shares |
Total Consideration |
Average |
Average |
|||||||||
Number |
Percent |
Amount |
Percent |
|||||||||
Existing shareholders |
42,736,449 |
94.68 |
US$34,536,621 |
58.01 |
US$0.0322 |
US$0.81 |
||||||
Purchasers of ADSs |
2,500,000 |
5.31 |
US$ 25,000,000 |
41.99 |
US$0.40 |
US$10.00 |
||||||
Total |
45,236,449 |
|
US$59,536,621 |
100 |
|
|
If the underwriter exercises its option to purchase 375,000 additional ADSs in full, our existing shareholders would own 96.70% and investors in this offering would own 6.30% of the total number of ordinary shares outstanding (including shares underlying ADSs) upon the closing of this offering.
Each US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$10.00 per ADS, after giving effect to the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25, would increase (decrease) the total consideration paid by investors in this offering by US$2.5 million, assuming that the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions. An increase of 1,000,000 ADSs or a decrease of 1,000,000 ADSs offered by us would increase or decrease the total consideration paid by new investors by US$10.0 million, or US$10.00 per ADS, assuming the assumed initial public offering price remains the same and before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions. The outstanding ordinary share information in the table above is based on 1,068,411,224 ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, and excludes 338,617,279 ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as of June 30, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of A$0.166 per ordinary share.
To the extent any outstanding options are exercised, there will be further dilution to investors purchasing in this offering.
40
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following tables contain selected portions of our consolidated financial and other data. The selected consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income data for the years ended June 30, 2021, and 2020 and consolidated statement of financial position data as of June 30, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB, as of and for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
You should read the consolidated financial and other data set forth below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the information in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data
Year Ended June 30, |
||||||
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
(in A$, except share amounts) |
||||||
Revenue |
1,897,596 |
|
604,884 |
|
||
Product costs |
(911,969 |
) |
(450,345 |
) |
||
Research and development costs |
(4,749,514 |
) |
(2,110,639 |
) |
||
Loss after tax from continuing operations |
(11,372,799 |
) |
(3,929,284 |
) |
||
Total comprehensive loss |
(11,372,799 |
) |
(4,697,636 |
) |
||
Loss per share from continuing |
(1.16 |
) |
(0.57 |
) |
||
Loss per share from continuing operations and discontinued operations – basic and diluted (in A$ cents) |
(1.16 |
) |
(0.69 |
) |
||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding – basic and diluted |
976,931,338 |
|
684,035,399 |
|
||
Dividends per share |
— |
|
— |
|
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As of |
As of |
|||||
(in A$) |
||||||
Cash |
9,123,617 |
|
3,603,390 |
|
||
Net assets |
8,573,746 |
|
3,164,428 |
|
||
Total assets |
9,328,795 |
|
4,236,079 |
|
||
Total liabilities |
755,049 |
|
1,071,651 |
|
||
Deficit |
(43,891,002 |
) |
(32,518,203 |
) |
||
Share capital |
45,852,107 |
|
34,192,043 |
|
41
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” should be read together the section titled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion includes both historical information and forward-looking information based upon current expectations that involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from management’s expectations as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We are a development stage enterprise at an early stage in the development of our drug candidate. We have incurred net losses since inception and expect to incur substantial and increasing losses for the next several years as we expand our research and development activities and move our drug candidate into later stages of development. The process of carrying out the development of our drug candidates to later stages of development may require significant additional research and development expenditures, including pre-clinical testing and clinical trials, as well as for obtaining regulatory approval. To date, we have funded our operations primarily through the sale of equity securities, proceeds from the exercise of options, grants and interest income
The financial statements for fiscal year 2021 and 2020 are presented without the consolidation of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Gameday International Pty Ltd, which was sold on June 30, 2020.
Operating Results
Results of Operations
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021 to June 30, 2020
The following tables set forth our results of operations in Australian dollars for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
Year ended June 30, |
||||||
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
A$ |
A$ |
|||||
Revenue |
1,897,596 |
|
604,884 |
|
||
Other income |
75,748 |
|
217,170 |
|
||
Product costs |
(911,969 |
) |
(450,345) |
|
||
Administration expense |
(99,094 |
) |
(457,673 |
) |
||
Advertising and promotion |
(4,345,874 |
) |
(406,225 |
) |
||
Research and development costs |
(4,749,514 |
) |
(2,110,639 |
) |
||
Compliance, legal and regulatory |
(1,227,244 |
) |
(235,163 |
) |
||
Share based payments |
(600,043 |
) |
(565,448 |
) |
||
Occupancy expenses |
(115,836 |
) |
(2,085 |
) |
||
Salaries and employee benefit expense |
(1,296,569 |
) |
(523,760 |
) |
||
Loss after tax from continuing operations |
(11,372,799 |
) |
(3,929,284 |
) |
||
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax |
— |
|
(768,352 |
) |
||
Total comprehensive loss |
(11,372,799 |
) |
(4,697,636 |
) |
Revenue
Revenue increased to A$1,897,596 in fiscal year 2021 from A$604,884 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to an increase of sales of cannabinoid oil products in fiscal 2021. In order to focus on the development of our drug candidates, we ceased selling cannabinoid products at the end of fiscal 2021 and, as a result, do not expect any future sales of such products.
42
Other Income
Other income decreased to A$75,748 in fiscal year 2021 from A$217,170 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the discontinuation of the dental business.
Product costs
Production costs doubled to A$911,969 in fiscal year 2021 from A$450,345 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to higher costs involved in the production of the cannabinoid oil products as a result of higher sales.
Administration expense
Administration expense decreased to A$99,094 in fiscal year 2021 from A$457,673 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to discontinuation of our dental business.
Advertising and promotion
Advertising and promotion expense increased to A$4,345,874 in fiscal year 2021 from A$406,225 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the costs of marketing of the cannabinoid oil products and the cost of investor relation activities.
Research and development costs
Research and development costs increased to A$4,749,514 in fiscal year 2021 from A$2,110,639 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to an increase in development costs related to our clinical trials, particularly with respect to IHL-675A, IHL-42X and IHL-216A.
Compliance, legal and regulatory
Compliance, legal and regulatory expense increased to A$1,227,244 in fiscal year 2021 from A$235,163 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the regulatory costs required to conduct clinical trials and costs related to the sale of our cannabinoid oil products, and the cost to secure intellectual property positions in relation to our drug candidates and the cost of dual listing.
Share based payments
Share-based payments expense increased to A$600,043 in fiscal year 2021 from A$565,448 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the costs associated with an increased number of share-based awards to employees.
Occupancy expenses
Occupancy expenses increased to A$115,836 in fiscal year 2021 from A$2,085 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the rental fees for our new Sydney office.
Salaries and employee benefit expense
Salaries and employee benefit expense more than doubled to A$1,296,569 in fiscal year 2021 from A$523,760 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to an increase in headcount.
Loss after tax from continuing operations
Loss after tax from continuing operations increased to A$11,372,799 in fiscal year 2021 from A$3,929,284 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to an increase in compliance, legal and regulatory expenses, expenses related to the development of our clinical trials and expenses associated with our salaries and employee benefits.
43
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception, our operations have mainly been financed through the issuance of equity securities. Additional funding has come through interest earned from cash on term deposit.
Equity Issuances
The following table summarizes our issuances of ordinary shares for cash, share-based payments and executive and employee compensation in the last two fiscal years.
Fiscal |
Number of |
Net |
||||
(in A$) |
||||||
Ordinary Shares (net of costs) |
2020 |
166,757,449 |
7,469,392 |
|||
Ordinary Shares (net of costs) |
2021 |
319,756,735 |
12,400,730 |
Capital Requirements
As of June 30, 2021, we had year-end cash of A$9,123,617. We anticipate that our current cash will be sufficient to fund our operations for more than 12 months from the date of this filing. However, our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary materially. If we are unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue one or more of our clinical trials or our operations.
We anticipate that we will require substantial additional funds in order to achieve our long-term goals and complete the research and development of our current drug candidates. We do not expect to generate significant revenue until we obtain regulatory approval to market and sell our drug candidate and sales of our drug candidate have commenced. We therefore expect to continue to incur substantial losses in the near future.
Our future capital requirements are difficult to forecast and will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:
• the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights;
• the scope, results and timing of preclinical studies and clinical trials;
• the costs and timing of regulatory approvals; and
• the costs of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities.
Cash Flows
Audited Financial Years
Comparison of cash flows for the Year ended June 30, 2021, with June 30, 2020
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:
Year ended June 30, |
||||||
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
A$ |
A$ |
|||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(6,909,780 |
) |
(3,907,334 |
) |
||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
29,277 |
|
13,000 |
|
||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
12,400,730 |
|
7,404,392 |
|
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities increased to A$6,909,780 in fiscal year 2021 from A$3,907,334 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the expansion of our clinical trials.
44
Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities increased to A$29,277 in fiscal year 2021 from A$13,000 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to asset sales associated with the discontinuance of our dental devices business.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities increased to A$12,400,730 in fiscal year 2021 from A$7,404,392 in fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the exercise of options that raised net cash equal to A$12,401,230 in 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed here below.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Judgement has been exercised in considering the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, or may have, on the consolidated entity based on known information. This consideration extends to the nature of the products and services offered, customers, supply chain, staffing and geographic regions in which the consolidated entity operates. Other than as addressed in specific notes, there does not currently appear to be either any significant impact upon the financial statements or any significant uncertainties with respect to events or conditions which may impact the consolidated entity unfavorably as at the reporting date or subsequently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Share-based payment transactions
The consolidated entity measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees and third parties by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using either the trinomial or Black-Scholes model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. The accounting estimates and assumptions relating to equity-settled share-based payments would have no impact on the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next annual reporting period but may impact profit or loss and equity. Refer to notes 13 and 19 of the notes to the financial statements for further information.
Trend Information
We are a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company and it is not possible for us to predict with any degree of accuracy the outcome of our research or commercialization efforts.
Our primary expenditure involves research and development costs. Increases or decreases in research and development expenditure are attributable to the level of clinical trial activity and the amount of expenditure on those trials.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During fiscal years 2021 and 2020, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.
45
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
As of June 30, 2021, our contractual obligations were as set forth below:
Payments Due by Period A$ |
||||||||||
Total |
Less than |
1 – 3 |
3 – 5 |
More than |
||||||
Lease obligations |
94,412 |
56,496 |
37,916 |
— |
— |
|||||
Other contractual obligations |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Contingent liabilities
We did not have any material contingent liabilities outstanding as of June 30, 2021.
Capital commitments
We did not have any material future capital expenditure outstanding as of June 30, 2021.
We have agreements with clinical sites and contract research organizations. We make payments to these sites and organizations based upon the number of patients enrolled and the period of follow-up in the trial.
46
Overview
Our legal name is Incannex Healthcare Limited (“Incannex”). We were incorporated in Australia in April 2001 under the name Mount Magnet South Limited. In November 2016, we changed our name to Impression Healthcare Limited, and in June 2020, to Incannex Healthcare Limited. Incannex is listed on the ASX under the symbol “IHL.”
Strategy
Our mission is to create premier ethical pharmaceutical drugs and therapies for patients with unmet medical needs, in all instances fulfilling regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and other relevant regulatory agencies (EMEA, TGA). We aim to be recognized as a leading specialty drug development company, committed to restoring health and transforming the lives of patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical products and treatments.
We develop targeted and scientifically validated fixed-dose combinations of synthetic cannabinoids and psychedelic agents, applying proprietary insights in an effort to create long term value for our patients and shareholders. We focus on clinical indications that we believe represent unmet or inadequately addressed medical needs and also represent compelling commercial opportunities. In particular, we are developing three unique pharmaceutical compositions to target five indications: obstructive sleep apnea (“OSA”), traumatic brain injury (“TBI”)/concussion, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory lung conditions (“ARDS”, “COPD”, Asthma, Bronchitis). We are also developing a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (“GAD”) utilising psilocybin combined with innovative psychotherapy methods. We are pursuing FDA registration and marketing approval for each product and therapy under development.
Additionally, we seek to secure patents on our drug candidates in conjunction with our medical and scientific staff, advisors and the investigators of our research studies that constitute our advisory board. Our advisory board is comprised of industry and academic experts familiar with our business, and we meet with the advisory board regularly. The current members of our advisory board are Dr. Sud Agarwal (our Chief Medical Officer and Director), Mark Bleakley (our Head of Programs), Rosemarie Walsh (our Clinical Research Manager), Terrance O’Brien (principal investigator of the IHL-42X from Alfred Hospital), Dr Jennifer Walsh (professor at University of Western Australia), Ron Jithoo (neurosurgeon and advisor for IHL-216), and Paul Liknaitsky (psychedelic principal investigator from Monash University). Our advisory board also comprises our collaborative partners, and in particular Monash University, The Alfred Hospital and the University of Western Australia Centre for Sleep Science.
To achieve our goals, we intend to:
• Advance our novel investigational drug candidates towards approval in the United States and elsewhere. We are pursuing FDA approval of all our drug candidates currently in development. All preclinical and clinical trials are structured to ensure that each program is FDA compliant. We will be pursuing a New Drug Application (“NDA”) with the FDA with respect to each of our drug candidates. If the NDA is approved, the product may be marketed in the United States. Once an NDA for one of our drug candidates is approved in the United States, we plan to pursue marketing approval of our drug candidates in other regions including the Europe Union, Japan, Australia and Israel.
• Take advantage of accelerated commercialization pathway options for our drug candidates. We and our regulatory consultants believe that each of our drug candidates will qualify for one or more FDA expedited review programs (breakthrough designation, accelerated approval, priority review and/or fast track), as there are a limited amount of pharmaceutical drug treatments approved in the U.S. to treat the indications that we are targeting with our drug candidates, and the pharmaceutical treatments that do exist provide limited treatment and are costly. These expedited review programs often result in accelerated and less-costly regulatory pathways to approval compared with traditional regulatory pathways. We have not yet approached the FDA about the suitability of our products for these accelerated approval pathways and such designations do not guarantee accelerated review by the FDA.
47
• Develop future drug candidates targeting unmet medical needs. We intend to only develop drug candidates that treat unmet medical conditions. As a result, we may have opportunities to accelerate commercialization of such products.
• Maintain a strong intellectual property portfolio. We have developed a global intellectual property strategy to support our commercial objectives. We are monitoring the results of our research and development programs to identify new intellectual property that aligns with those commercial objectives. We intend to take a global approach to our intellectual property strategy and we intend to pursue patent protection in key global markets, including the United States, Europe, Japan and Israel. We have pending patent applications relating to our drug candidates IHL-42X, IHL-216A and IHL-675A. This approach aligns with our regulatory strategy, including the proposed submission of Pre-Investigational New Drug Application (“pre-IND”) meeting requests to the FDA for our clinical programs.
Clinical Approach
We are pursuing FDA approval of all our drug candidates currently being developed. We will be working with the FDA to ensure each clinical program is structured to meet regulatory requirements. FDA approval will be sought following the completion of successful phase 3 studies. Once we receive FDA approval for our drug candidates, we will be able to commercialize our drug candidates in the United States and pursue regulatory approval for the drug to be made available in other jurisdictions, including the Europe, Japan, Australia and Israel. The graphic below represents our clinical development pipelines.
Market Opportunity
The combined annual global market size of the indications we are targeting is over US$110 billion, which is derived from the total addressable market for the treatment of OSA, TBI, concussions, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory lung conditions (ARDS, COPD, Asthma, Bronchitis) and GAD. Thus, there is significant economic potential to shareholders, as well as benefit to patients suffering from these medical conditions.
48
Our Drug Candidates
IHL-42X
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by a narrowing or obstruction of the upper airway in sleep, interfering with breathing and interrupting sleep. This relatively common and chronic disorder is underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. It is understood to contribute to a wide range of serious long-term outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairments such as memory loss, poor concentration and judgment, depression and death or injury due to traffic accidents resulting from excessive daytime sleepiness. The costs associated with OSA are substantial, relating to lost productivity, workplace and motor vehicle accidents.
A 2019 article published by the Lancet premised on literature-based analysis of 17 studies across 16 countries, estimated that OSA affects some 936 million adults worldwide. This alarming statistic is also thought to be increasing due to growing prevalence of obesity and an ageing global population. Many people with OSA develop high blood pressure (hypertension), which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The more severe the OSA, the greater the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
There are no registered drugs for OSA. Current treatment options include: continuous positive airway pressure (“CPAP”) in which an external device pneumatically splints the airway open to prevent disruptions in breathing; oral appliances to advance the mandible or to retain the tongue, putting the mouth in a position more conducive to breathing; surgery to remove physical obstructions to air flow; and implantable electronic stimulators to activate muscles at the base of the tongue, opening the airway in synchrony with respiration. However, all of these therapies are inadequate, expensive, and for implantable stimulators and surgery, invasive.
The standard treatment option is the mechanical CPAP device, however, we believe patient compliance to CPAP devices is low due to discomfort and claustrophobia resulting from pressurized air being pumped into the patient’s nose and/or mouth during sleep. Despite these discomforts, the global annual market for OSA detection and treatment using CPAP devices is over US$10 billion and growing. The estimated compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) for OSA detection and treatment using CPAP devices is 7.4%.
IHL-42X in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
IHL-42X is a fixed-dose combination of acetazolamide, a registered pharmaceutical, and dronabinol, a synthetic form of -Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); both agents have been shown to reduce the apnea hypopnea index (“AHI”). We believe that the activity of dronabinol on cannabinoid receptors causes dilation of the airway, and acetazolamide induces modest metabolic acidosis, signalling to the body that there is excess CO2 in the blood, thus increasing respiration. By exploiting two mechanisms that both reduce AHI in one pharmaceutical formulation, we believe that IHL-42X can have a therapeutic benefit at doses of each constituent drug that are safe and tolerable.
Australian Stage 2 Clinical Trial for IHL-42X for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (“OSA”)
We are currently conducting a proof-of-concept Phase 2 clinical trial in Australia to support our IND application with the FDA and to inform the clinical design of our future pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial, which will be conducted under the IND to assess the safety and efficacy of IHL-42X in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The IND for IHL-42X in treatment of OSA has not yet been submitted and although we have incorporated multiple facets into this study, including full monitoring by a CRO and CDISC data formatting, there is no guarantee that the FDA will accept data from the Australian trial and further testing may be required prior to opening the NDA.
We received approval from The Alfred Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee in September 2020 to proceed with the trial in Australia. In December 2020, we recruited the first patients to the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that assesses the therapeutic benefit of IHL-42X at three different doses. The primary endpoint of the trial is the change in AHI relative to baseline and the secondary endpoints are change in oxygen desaturation index (“ODI”), daytime somnolence measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, improvement in mood as measured by the POMS (Profile of Moods State), and well-being as measured by the Short Form 36 and the safety of the IHL-42X combination will be established through adverse event monitoring.
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The study is currently underway and well-advanced at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne Australia and the University of Western Australia Centre for Sleep Science in Perth. We have retained Novotech, a global contract research organization, to manage and to monitor the study. In July 2021, an interim analysis of the data from our ongoing phase 2b double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed and these results have been utilized to support a patent application regarding the methods for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, we plan to supply IHL-42X for sale in Australia under the Special Access Scheme, a system in Australia that allows certain health practitioners to access therapeutic goods, such as unregistered medicinal cannabinoid products, that are not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, after the completion of the pivotal Phase 2 study and prior to drug registration.
IHL-216A
IHL-216A for Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury and Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury are caused by a rapid acceleration/deceleration of the brain caused by a direct blow to the head or sudden impact to the body that jolts the skull. This causes the brain to compress against the skull. The impact of the brain against the skull causes both macro and micro scale damage to the brain which sets of a series of physiological events called secondary injury cascades. These secondary injury cascades are what cause many of the neurocognitive deficits seen in TBI patients.
Falls, vehicle collisions, violence, sports and combat injuries are the main activities leading to TBI and concussion. The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not show up immediately. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer. Common symptoms after a concussive traumatic brain injury are headache, loss of memory (amnesia) and confusion. The amnesia usually involves forgetting the event that caused the concussion. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, blurry vision and ringing in the ears.
Complications can occur immediately or soon after a traumatic brain injury. Severe injuries increase the risk of a greater number of and more-severe complications. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can result in prolonged or permanent changes in a person’s state of consciousness, awareness or responsiveness. Many people who have had a significant brain injury will experience changes in their cognitive ability, have executive functioning problems and or communication, emotional and behavioral problems. Some research suggests that repeated or severe traumatic brain injuries might increase the risk of degenerative brain diseases, but this risk cannot be predicted for an individual.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (“CTE”) is the term used to describe brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas. CTE is a diagnosis made only at autopsy by studying sections of the brain. CTE is a rare disorder that is not yet well understood. CTE is not related to the immediate consequences of a late-life episode of head trauma. CTE has a complex relationship with head traumas such as persistent post-concussive symptoms and second impact syndrome that occur earlier in life.
Experts are still trying to understand how repeated head traumas, including how many head injuries and the severity of those injuries, and other factors might contribute to the changes in the brain that result in CTE.
CTE has been found in the brains of football players, boxers and other athletes that play contact sports, along with military personnel who were exposed to explosive blasts. Some signs and symptoms of CTE are thought to include difficulties with thinking (cognition) and emotions, physical problems and other behaviors. Symptoms of CTE often manifest decades after head trauma occurs.
CTE cannot be made as a diagnosis during life except in those rare individuals with high-risk exposures. Researchers do not yet know the frequency of CTE in the population and do not understand the causes. There is no cure for CTE. Researchers are currently developing diagnostic biomarkers for CTE, but none have been validated yet.
The total global addressable market for TBI was estimated to be US$2.7 billion in 2019 and the anticipated CAGR for the market from 2020 to 2027 is 7.3%.
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IHL-216A Formulation development for clinical trials
IHL-216A is a fixed dose combination of isoflurane, a registered pharmaceutical, and CBD, intended for administration in the immediate period after primary blunt head injury to prevent development of brain injuries. Isoflurane is approved in the United States for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. CBD is approved for use in seizure disorders and has shown effects on neuroinflammatory responses to brain injury. Isoflurane is a registered pharmaceutical, and also has demonstrated neuroprotective activity (neuroprotective activity, or neuroprotection, is defined as reduced neuronal cell death or disruption) in animal studies of TBI and is thought to act by modulating glutamate release and calcium uptake as well as via effects on mitochondrial membrane depolarization and excitatory neurotransmission. Thus, we believe that IHL-216A may affect neuroexcitation, neuro-inflammation, cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen consumption resulting in overall neuroprotection. We are also assessing its ability to protect the brain against secondary injury mechanisms that cause neuronal cell death and raised intracranial pressure in the days and weeks following head trauma in sports, and all other applicable scenarios resulting in head trauma (falls, vehicle collisions, violence, combat, among other causes). Reducing secondary brain injury may improve positive outcomes for long term neurological sequelae, including CTE, a major health risk associated with contact sports.
The formulation of IHL-216A presents unique challenges. Because isoflurane is an inhaled volatile anesthetic, it cannot be used in a typical oral drug combination product. We intend to formulate IHL-216A as a combined inhalational product. Nebulized drug delivery involves using air pressure or ultrasonic vibrations to turn a liquid drug solution into an aerosol. We engaged Vectura, a UK based contract development and manufacturing organization, to develop the nebulised CBD formulation and device for delivery of the CBD to the isoflurane anaesthetic circuit. Development of the nebulized CBD formulation will be an iterative process starting with three steps of refinement based on properties of the solution, generated aerosol and dose delivery. Vectura specializes in the development of inhaled drugs and has an excellent track record of bringing products to market and have formulated pharmaceutical drugs for multinational pharmaceutical companies including Bayer, Sandoz and Novartis.
Appointing Vectura to develop the IHL-216A formulation in parallel with the animal study using the NFL model of concussion will ensure that we are readied with the specific formulation and delivery mechanism required for advancement of a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial once the Stage 2 in vivo study and formulation is finalized.
Due to the product’s potential therapeutic utility in contact sports, IHL216A is being designed to satisfy the World Anti-doping Authority (“WADA”) specifications for use by athletes at risk of TBI and CTE.
Stage 1 pre-clinical study for IHL-216A for TBI and CTE
In December 2020, we completed an animal study to formally assess the neuroprotective capability of IHL-216A. The study introduced rodents to head trauma in a highly controlled manner to inflict a reproducible injury. Various doses of IHL-216A or its active pharmaceutical ingredients were administered to eight cohorts of rodents soon after traumatic head injury. Behavioral tests were used to assess the neurocognitive and motor function over time. We also monitored secondary injury cascades, and performed micro-scale cellular analysis post-mortem to discern and compare neuronal damage across the cohorts.
As detailed below, we found that the IHL-216A components, CBD and isoflurane, act synergistically to reduce indicators of neuronal damage, neuroinflammation and behavioral deficits that are consequences of TBI, as IHL-216A had a greater effect than the predicted effect of CBD and isoflurane combined. The predicted result is determined by analyzing the results of isoflurane and CBD independently, and then based on those results predicting how well the drugs would do in combination; to the extent IHL-216A exceeds the predicted result, we can conclude that the drugs strengthen the effectiveness of one another and synergy exists. The study also found that IHL-216A reduced neuronal damage, neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits in a rodent model of TBI to a greater extent than either CBD or isoflurane applied on a standalone basis. These results have not been assessed for statistical significance.
Post-mortem analysis of rat brains also detected synergy between CBD and isoflurane. Brains were fixed and sectioned prior to Nissl staining to identify neuronal damage. Nissl staining is a microscopy technique to visualise Nissl bodies. Healthy neurons typically have more Nissl bodies than damaged ones. Neuronal damage is indicated by the ratio of Nissl bodies to neurons across different sections of the hippocampus with a lower Nissl/neuron ratio indicative of increased neuronal damage. Synergy between CBD and isoflurane was detected in hippocampal regions
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cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) and cornu ammonis 2 (CA2). These regions of the brain are known to be important in the formation and storage of memories. In the study, the improvement in Nissl/Neuron ratio observed for IHL-216A treated animals was increased by 53% for CA1 and 60% for CA2 relative to CBD alone, 28% for CA1 and 145% for CA2 relative to isoflurane alone, and by 20% for CA1 and 53% for CA2 relative to the predicted effect of CBD and isoflurane combined. These results demonstrated that less neuronal damage was observed in the rats treated with IHL-216A relative to the predicted value.
Figure 1. Synergistic activity of CBD and isoflurane (IHL-216A) in neuronal damage as assessed by Nissl staining. Rodents that had undergone TBI and treated with CBD and/or isoflurane or vehicle were assessed for neuronal damage by post-mortem analysis of fixed brain sections by Nissl staining. Nissl staining permits the quantitation of the ratio of Nissl bodies to total neurons, a lower ratio being indicative of increased neuronal damage. The Nissl/neuron ratio observed in hippocampal regions (A) CA1 and (B) CA2 contralateral to the site of injury in the group treated with IHL-216A was greater than that predicted based on the groups treated with each drug alone, which is indicative of synergy. Values are average of the respective treatment group. Group sizes: Uninjured n=6, vehicle n=6, CBD n=6, isoflurane n=5, IHL-216A n=6. Neuroinflammation Marker — Iba1.
A post-mortem analysis of the rat brains also determined that CBD and isoflurane were synergistic in reducing levels of the neuroinflammation marker Iba1 as detected using immunofluorescence. Iba1 is a protein expressed in microglia, a type of innate immune cell in the brain, that is an established marker of microglial activation and neuroinflammation. The levels of Iba1 in the brain are detected using immunofluorescence, which is a microscopy technique that employs antibodies specific to Iba1 which are detected using a fluorescent tag. Increased levels of Iba1 are indicative of increased neuroinflammation. In groups treated with IHL-216A, levels of the Iba1 neuroinflammation marker were reduced by 35% more relative to CBD alone and 123% more relative to isoflurane administered alone. IHL-216A also reduced the Iba1 neuroinflammation marker by 10% more than the predicted value of the combined CBD and isoflurane treatments.
Figure 2. Synergistic activity of CBD and isoflurane (IHL-216A) in reducing levels of the neuroinflammatory marker Iba1. Rodents that had undergone TBI and treated with CBD and/or isoflurane or vehicle were assessed for neuroinflammation through immunofluorescence analysis of the neuroinflammatory marker Iba1. Iba1 levels increase after TBI and a reduction in Iba1 is indicative of a reduction in neuroinflammation. Iba1 levels in brain sections ipsilateral to the site of injury in the group treated with IHL-216A were reduced more than
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would be predicted based on the reduction observed in groups treated with each drug alone, which is indicative of synergy. Values are average of the respective treatment group. Group sizes: Uninjured n=6, vehicle n=5, CBD n=6, isoflurane n=3, IHL-216A n=5.
Synergy between CBD and isoflurane was detected in the behavioral outcomes assessed using the Morris Water Maze. In the Morris Water Maze animals are trained to find a platform in a pool of water. After a number of training sessions, the platform is removed and the mice are monitored to determine whether they return to the location of the platform, which is a measure of spatial learning and memory. The number of animals treated with IHL-216A that returned to the location of the platform per group and the proportion of rats in the group that returned to the location of the platform was greater than that predicted based on the effect of CBD and isoflurane by 87 % and 24 % respectively. The improved performance of IHL-216A treated rats compared to the predicted effect demonstrated the synergistic effect of CBD and isoflurane.
Figure 3. Synergistic activity of CBD and isoflurane (IHL-216A) in the Morris Water Maze assessment. Rodents that had undergone TBI and treated with CBD and/or isoflurane or vehicle were assessed for spatial learning and memory using the Morris Water Maze. The observed performance with respect to both (A) relative instances of animal in platform location and (B) proportion of animals in that reached the platform location was better in the group treated with the CBD isoflurane combination (IHL-216A) than what was predicted based on the performance of the groups treated with each drug alone, which is indicative of synergy. Values are average of the respective treatment group. Group sizes: Uninjured n=6, vehicle n=6, CBD n=5, isoflurane n=6, IHL-216A n=6.
Stage 2 pre-clinical study for IHL-216A
We are currently undertaking a second and more-extensive animal study on the protective effect of IHL-216A in sports concussion with the Monash Trauma Group at the Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Australia.
The Monash Trauma Group consists of a team of leading scientists within their respective fields. Their research focuses on the effects, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, biomarkers, and treatments of trauma related conditions including TBI and concussion as well as other types of neurological diseases, including CTE.
The study is coordinated by Dr Stuart McDonald, an expert in fluid biomarker development for monitoring TBI, Associate Professor Richelle Mychasiuk, an expert in animal models of TBI and their clinical relevance, and Associate Professor Sandy Shultz, an expert in the pathological mechanisms, biomarkers and treatments of TBI and related conditions.
The model of TBI being used in this study was developed by Monash University in collaboration with the US National Football League (“NFL”). The results of the study will be used as a precursory data set to inform the pivotal clinical trials required for drug registration. Assessments in this study will include neurocognitive performance, levels of blood biomarkers associated with traumatic brain injury, and post mortem analysis of brain tissue using both MRI and immunohistochemistry.
IHL-675A
IHL-675A comprises a combination of hydroxychloroquine, a registered pharmaceutical, and CBD. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug that regulates the activity of the immune system, which may be overactive in some conditions. HCQ can modify the underlying disease process,
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rather than simply treating the symptoms. We have demonstrated that IHL-675A components, cannabidiol and hydroxychloroquine, act synergistically to inhibit production of key inflammatory cytokines in an in vitro study and in 4 distinct successful in vivo experiments using established models of inflammation. We are able to determine whether synergies exist in IHL-675A studies by comparing the predicted result of CBD and HCQ acting together to the actual IHL-675A results. The predicted result is determined by analyzing the results of HCQ and CBD independently in the study, and then based on those results predicting how well the drugs would do on a combined basis; to the extent IHL-675A exceeds the predicted result, we can conclude that the drugs strengthen the effectiveness of one another and synergies exist.
We have evaluated the results of these experiments and believe IHL-675A to be a multi-use candidate for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory lung conditions (ARDS, COPD, asthma, and bronchitis), rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Potentially, this could mean that IHL-675A is a better alternative to CBD based products for certain inflammatory diseases, subject to further examination.
We have completed a pre-IND meeting with the FDA to discuss the regulatory pathway for the development of IHL-675A for lung inflammation in the United States and plan to open INDs for each of the three indications. FDA agreed that marketing applications for IHL-675A should be 505(b)(2) applications due to the existence of certain safety and efficacy information on the active ingredients of IHL-675A originating from historical studies that we are entitled to use in a new drug application. In the context of the IHL-675A development program, this means that we do not have to perform many of the nonclinical toxicology studies that are required for approval of a new chemical entity because there is adequate toxicology data for both CBD and HCQ available in the literature or in regulatory submissions for the respective reference listed drugs. However, we still need to demonstrate IHL-675A is safe and effective in the target indication via a series of randomized, controlled clinical trials.
Lung Inflammation (COPD, Asthma, ARDS and Bronchitis)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production and wheezing. It is typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions.
Asthma is a condition in which inflammation causes the airways to narrow and swell and which may cause the patient to produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) during breathing and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. According to Allied Market Research, the Global COPD and asthma drug market is expected to reach US$50.4 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2016 to 2022.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (“ARDS”) occurs when fluid builds up in the air sacs (alveoli) located in the lungs. The fluid prevents oxygen from reaching the bloodstream. This deprives organs of the oxygen they need to function. ARDS typically occurs in people who are already critically ill or who have significant injuries. Severe shortness of breath (the main symptom of ARDS) usually develops within a few hours to a few days after the primary injury or infection. It is the one of the main causes of death resulting from COVID-19 and many people who develop ARDS do not survive. The risk of death increases with age and severity of illness. People who survive ARDS may experience lasting damage to their lungs.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes of the lungs. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic. While acute bronchitis is common, chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is a constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect joints, skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. As an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by attacks to body tissues by one’s immune system. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis causes a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. The total global addressable market for the pharmaceutical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is estimated at US$57 billion.
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HCQ is approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the form of hydroxychloroquine sulphate and marketed as Plaquenil. HCQ has risks of ocular toxicity and cardiac effects including cardiomyopathy and QT prolongation amongst long term users, as listed in the prescribing material.
Similarly, long term use of HCQ in rheumatoid arthritis patients was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, there is value in reducing the dose of HCQ in these arthritis patients. To understand the capacity for the combination of CBD with HCQ to permit reduction of the HCQ dose, in an animal study, low dose IHL-675A (1 mg/kg CBD + 2.5 mg/kg HCQ) was compared to a standard dose of HCQ (25 mg/kg HCQ). The 25 mg/kg HCQ dose in rats is equivalent to a 243 mg HCQ dose in a 60 kg human based on the FDA body surface area dose equivalence of 6/37.
In a rheumatoid arthritis animal disease model study, low dose IHL-675A reduced disease severity scores across multiple assessments including clinical score, paw volume, pannus score, total histology score and serum cytokine levels to a greater extent than the equivalent of a standard dose of HCQ. The reduction in disease severity scores in animals treated with low dose IHL-675A was 1.06-3.52 times that observed in animals treated with HCQ alone at the standard dose equivalent.
This indicates that the combination of CBD and HCQ in IHL-675A has the potential to permit a ten-fold reduction in HCQ dose, when combined with CBD, without sacrificing efficacy in treatment of arthritis.
We have broadened claims within initial patent filings to cover rheumatoid arthritis as an indication. We are continuously monitoring the results of our research and development program, with a view to identifying and protecting new IP that aligns with our commercial objectives.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (“IBD”) is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Significant types of IBD include:
• Ulcerative colitis. This condition involves inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the superficial lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
• Crohn’s disease. This type of IBD is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, which often can involve the deeper layers of the digestive tract.
Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are usually characterized by diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. IBD can be debilitating and sometimes leads to life-threatening complications.
The precise cause of inflammatory bowel disease remains unknown. Previously, diet and stress were suspected. However, currently medical practitioners acknowledge that these factors may aggravate, but are not the cause, of IBD. One possible cause is an immune system malfunction. When the immune system attempts to defeat an invading virus or bacterium, an abnormal immune response can cause the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract. The total global addressable market for IBD is estimated at US$20 billion in 2021 and the IBD global market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028.
Preclinical in vitro study of IHL-675A against inflammation
On November 5, 2020, we released the results of our first in vitro study to investigate the synergistic activity of IHL-675A to inhibit inflammation. To test the anti-inflammatory potential of IHL-675A, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (“PBMCs”) were stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (“LPS”). PBMCs were incubated with a range of concentrations of CBD and HCQ in combination or each drug alone and then stimulated with LPS to induce an inflammatory response. The inflammatory response was assessed by measuring cytokine levels in the culture medium after 24 hours. A reduction in cytokine levels in response to drug treatment is indicative of anti-inflammatory activity.
Cytokine levels were averaged across three replicates from two donors and normalized to maximum values to yield a relative inhibition value. A relative inhibition of 1 is complete inhibition of cytokine release whereas a value of 0 is no inhibition of cytokine release. Anti-inflammatory synergy was determined using the standard scientific “Excess over Bliss” (“EOB”) method where the predicted inhibition, as calculated using the formula Epred A+B=(EA+EB)-(EAEB), is subtracted from the observed inhibition to yield an EOB score. An EOB score of greater than zero indicates that the combination is synergistic. None of the below data has been analysed for statistical significance.
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The study demonstrated that CBD and HCQ act synergistically to inhibit production of the assessed inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1aα, and MIP-1α by PBMCs from the donors. The average EOB scores ranged from 0.32-0.57. The reduction in levels of the five cytokines (relative to vehicle treated PBMCs) observed in PBMCs treated with IHL-675A was 436% to 1320% greater relative to those treated with HCQ alone, 109% to 767% greater relative to those treated with CBD alone and 87% to 767% greater relative to the predicted combinatorial effect of CBD and HCQ. The results in Figures A, B, C, D and E presented below, display the optimal fixed dose IHL-675A combination assessed for each cytokine. The bars noted as Predicted CBD+HCQ represent what our expectation was based on the activity of each drug individually. The observed inhibition of cytokine release upon treatment with the CBD HCQ combination was greater than predicted based on the activity of each drug alone for each cytokine analyzed.
Figure 4. Inhibition of LPS-induced cytokine release from human PBMCs by CBD and HCQ. Data is presented is the average relative inhibition for the PBMC donors. Predicted inhibition by CBD+HCQ was calculated using the formula Epred A+B=(EA+EB)-(EAEB). Observed CBD+HCQ is the level of inhibition observed in the experiment. (A) IL-1b, (B) IL-1a, (C) IL-6, (D) MIP-1a, and (E) TNF-a. Error bars are standard error of the mean of the donors.
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Preclinical in vivo study of IHL-675A against inflammation
In November of 2020, we announced the results of an in vivo study assessing IHL-675A in a mouse model of sepsis. To determine whether CBD and HCQ synergize in vivo, mice from 11 groups of 10 mice, weighing 18-20g were injected with CBD and HCQ both alone and in combination. After one hour, the mice were injected with LPS to induce an inflammatory response. Each mouse in every cohort was assessed for each of the 5 inflammatory cytokines. Two hours after LPS injection, blood was collected from the mice by cardiac puncture. Sera were processed and analyzed for cytokine levels using a Luminex based assay. For synergy analysis, data was baseline subtracted using sham treated (no LPS injection) cytokine levels and then the values for each cytokine were normalized relative to maximum values across the groups. The normalized values were used to calculate the relative inhibition where a value of 1 is complete inhibition and a value of 0 is no inhibition. Synergy was calculated using the EOB method, or the difference between the observed and predicted inhibition between the combination of drug concentrations where the predicted inhibition is determined using the equation Epred A+B=(EA+EB)-(EAEB). An EOB score of greater than 0 is indicative of synergy.
The results of the in vivo study are presented in Figure 5, showing the optimal fixed dose IHL-675A combination assessed for each cytokine in 11 groups of 10 mice. The bars noted as ‘Predicted CBD + HCQ’ represent IHL’s expectation based on the activity of each drug alone. The observed results from the study significantly exceeded the predicted results across the inflammatory cytokines analyzed. CBD and HCQ synergize to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF- α, IL12(p70), and IFN-γ in a mouse model of LPS induced sepsis. The average EOB scores ranged from 0.15-0.30. Levels of the five inflammatory cytokines were reduced compared to animals treated with vehicle to a greater extent in animals treated with IHL-675A than in those treated with CBD alone. Reduction in cytokine levels compared to vehicle treated group in the group treated with IHL-675A was 26% to 81% greater relative to the predicted effect of the CBD HCQ combination across the five analyzed cytokines after 2 hours.
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Figure 5. Synergistic anti-inflammatory activity of CBD and HCQ in a mouse sepsis model. The anti-inflammatory activity of the combination of CBD and HCQ was greater than that predicted using the Excess over Bliss method. The CBD+HCQ combination was synergistic at inhibiting release of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL12(p70), and IFN-γ.
Preclinical in vivo study of IHL-675A against Pulmonary Inflammation (ARDS, COPD, Asthma and Bronchitis)
In February 2021, we announced the results of an in vivo study assessing IHL-675A anti-inflammatory capabilities regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchitis, and other inflammatory respiratory conditions. We also assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of our proprietary IHL-675A formulation on Pulmonary Neutrophilia, which is a primary underlying cause of COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and other inflammatory respiratory conditions. We reported encouraging results, as discussed below, which facilitate a substantial expansion of the potential uses for IHL-675A and represent new patient treatment opportunities.
A rodent model of pulmonary inflammation was used to assess the anti-inflammatory efficacy of IHL-675A in lungs. In this study, ten groups of six mice each were pre-treated with either CBD, HCQ or IHL-675A prior to intratracheal administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (“LPS”), which was then inhaled and acts as an inflammatory stimulus in the lungs. A sham group where LPS was not administered to the mice was also included as a control. The lungs were flushed with a saline solution 24 hours after LPS administration and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (‘BALF’) was analyzed for cytokine levels using a Luminex based assay. Cytokines are proteins that mediate the inflammatory response and a reduction in cytokine levels is indicative of reduced inflammation. A white blood cell (‘WBC’) count was also performed on the BALF. When inflammation occurs in the lungs, WBCs are recruited as part of the inflammatory response. A reduction in WBC count is also indicative of reduced inflammation.
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Cytokine levels were normalized to those detected in vehicle treated mice and then the relative inhibition was calculated. IHL-675A reduced levels of all assessed inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL1 and MCP-1 to a greater extent than either CBD or HCQ alone. WBC counts were normalized using the same method used for cytokines and IHL-675A reduced WBC counts to a greater extent than CBD or HCQ alone. These results indicate that IHL-675A has superior anti-inflammatory activity compared to CBD and HCQ in a mouse pulmonary inflammation model. Based on these results IHL-675A will be assessed for efficacy in the treatment of pulmonary inflammation in humans. These results have not been analysed for statistical significance.
Figure 6. Reduction in cytokine levels and white blood cell count in BALF resulting from treatment with by IHL-675A, CBD or HCQ in a mouse model of pulmonary inflammation. Mice were treated with CBD, HCQ or a combination of CBD and HCQ (IHL-675A) and then LPS was administered intratracheally. Twenty-four hours after LPS administration bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed for cytokine levels and white blood cell count. The reduction in cytokine levels by IHL-675A was greater than that for either drug alone. Drug concentrations were 1 mg/kg CBD and 25 mg/kg HCQ for (A) IL-1β, (B) IL-6, (C) MCP1 and (E) TNF-α, 10 mg/kg CBD and 2.5 mg/kg HCQ for CXCL-1 and WBC (white blood cell count).
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Preclinical study of IHL-675A in a model of Rheumatoid Arthritis
In March 2021, we announced the results of an in vivo study assessing IHL-675A’s anti-inflammatory capabilities in a rheumatoid arthritis model. Results indicate that a low dose of IHL-675A was 1.06 to 3.52 times more effective at reducing disease severity scores across multiple assessments including clinical score, paw volume, pannus score, total histology score and serum cytokine levels compared to a standard dose of HCQ only. HCQ is approved and widely used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the form of hydroxychloroquine sulfate, which is marketed as Plaquenil.
In this model of rheumatoid arthritis, female Lewis rats were challenged with porcine type-II collagen with Freund’s adjuvant on Day 1 (0.2 mg/0.2 mL/rat) by subcutaneous injection at the base of the tail to induce arthritis. A booster injection at 0.1 mg/0.1 mL/rat was injected on day 7. On day 16, rats were allocated into groups of six. There were ten groups of modelled rats and one sham injected group. CBD, HCQ or IHL-675A were injected intraperitoneally once per day from day 17 to 30 (total of 14 days). Drug doses were 1 and 10 mg/kg CBD and 2.5 and 25 mg/kg HCQ. The 10 mg/kg CBD and 25 mg/kg HCQ doses were selected as they are representative of standard doses in humans based on the FDA body surface area dose equivalence estimation for rats to humans of 6/37. For a 60 kg person, the 10 mg/kg CBD dose in rats is equivalent to 97 mg and the 25 mg/kg HCQ dose in rats is equivalent to 243 mg. The maintenance dose range recommended for rheumatoid arthritis in the Plaquenil prescribing information is 200-400 mg daily.
Disease severity was assessed by measuring hind paw volume with a plethysmometer and using a qualitative severity score system on days 1, 7 ,10, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. Post termination on day 30, blood was collected from all rats and analyzed for levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 using commercially available ELISA kits. These two cytokines were selected as they are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis. Both hind paws were harvested, weighed and formalin-fixed for histopathology. Histopathological evaluation consisted of an evaluation of cartilage and bone destruction by pannus formation (an abnormal layer of fibrovascular or granulated tissue) and mononuclear cell infiltration in synovial joint tissues. A total histology score, which is a sum of the pannus formation and mononuclear cell infiltration scores, was also calculated. For all assessments, the score was sham subtracted and then the reduction relative to the vehicle group was calculated.
In the in the rat model of arthritis, IHL-675A treated animals had a greater reduction (relative to vehicle treated animals) in clinical score and paw volume at days 24 and 30, pannus formation, total histology score, IL-1β and IL-6 than animals treated with HCQ alone or CBD alone (at equivalent doses). The reduction in disease assessments by IHL-675A was 1.07-8.72 times that observed for HCQ alone at an equivalent dose, which indicates that IHL-675A has a benefit in a rat model of arthritis greater than that of HCQ alone and demonstrates that IHL-675A has potential as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in humans.
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Figure 7. Comparison of IHL-675A to its component drugs CBD and HCQ in reduction of disease assessments in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. Groups of rats that had undergone collagen-induced arthritis modelling were treated with IHL-675A, CBD or HCQ at equivalent doses (1 mg/kg CBD, 2.5 mg/kg HCQ). The reduction in arthritis disease severity in IHL-675A treated rats was greater than for either CBD or HCQ treated rats with respect to (A) clinical score at day 24, (B) paw volume at day 24, (C) pannus formation, (D) total histology score, (E) serum IL-1b levels and (F) serum IL-6 levels.
Preclinical studies of IHL-675A in models of inflammatory bowel disease
In February 2021, we announced the results of an in vivo study assessing IHL-675A’s anti-inflammatory capabilities regarding inflammatory bowel disease. IHL-675A demonstrated a reduction in the Colitis index of 46%, while CBD only and HCQ only treatment achieved a reduction of 25% and 27% respectively, demonstrating that IHL-675A has superior anti-inflammatory activity compared to CBD only and HCQ only, which indicates that IHL-675A has the potential to be a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in humans.
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This study used eleven groups of six mice. Mice were treated with IHL-675A, CBD or HCQ for four consecutive days after administration of TNBS/ethanol to induce ulcerative colitis. A vehicle treated group and sham group were included in the study. Stool consistency was monitored over the course of the experiment. On Day 5 mice were sacrificed, blood collected for cytokine analysis and the colon removed for analysis.
Endpoint measurements include stool consistency score (an ordinal scale that measures stool consistency with a higher number indicative of looser stools) , colon weight, colon macroscopic damage score (an ordinal scale that combines adhesions, strictures, ulcers/inflammations and instances of wall thickening), colitis index (a composite scale from the histological examination of colon sections) and myeloperoxidase (an enzyme abundantly expressed in neutrophil granulocytes that contributes to inflammatory damage in IBD) levels in the colon tissue at day 5. The results from each of these endpoints were sham subtracted and the relative reduction was calculated. The data was not analysed for statistical significance.
Animals treated with IHL-675A displayed a greater reduction (relative to vehicle treated animals) in colitis index, macroscopic damage score, stool consistency score, colon to body weight ratio and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels than animals treated with either CBD or HCQ alone. These results indicate that IHL-675A has a benefit in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis greater than that of CBD or HCQ alone, which indicates that IHL-675A is a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in humans.
Figure 8. Reduction in colitis score assessments by CBD and HCQ (IHL-675A) in a mouse model of colitis. Colitis was induced in mice by intracolonic installation of TNBS/ethanol and then treated with CBD, HCQ or CBD and HCQ (IHL-675A). After 4 days, mice were sacrifice and the colons extracted for macro and microscopic analysis. The reduction in colitis severity was greater in mice treated with IHL-675A than for either CBD or HCQ alone for (A) colitis index, (B) macroscopic damage score, (C) relative colon weight, (D) stool consistency and (E) MPO levels. Drug dose in all assessments was 1 mg/kg CBD and 2.5 mg/kg HCQ.
Planned phase 1 clinical trial for IHL-675A
We have designed a Phase 1 clinical trial in Australia to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of IHL-675A in healthy volunteers, the results of which will form part of our FDA IND submissions across the indications of lung inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The aims of this study are to demonstrate that
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there are no, or minimal, additional risks/side effects associated with the combination of CBD and HCQ compared to each drug alone and that the uptake and metabolism (pharmacokinetics) of the two drugs do not interfere with one another. A total of 36 subjects will participate in the trial, evenly divided across three arms. The three arms of 12 subjects each will receive one of IHL-675A, Epidiolex (CBD), or Plaquenil (HCQ). The safety and pharmacokinetic assessments will be identical across the three arms.
CBD and HCQ both have both been used historically as treatments for our targeted indications when used independently. However, as with any pharmaceuticals there are risks involved. Part of the strategy in the design of IHL-675A is that the combination of CBD with HCQ permits a reduction in HCQ, which reduces the known risks associated with cumulative HCQ dose, without sacrificing efficacy. Results from the preclinical studies we have conducted to-date have led to the hypothesis that a lower cumulative dose of HCQ, when combined with CBD, will also reduce disease severity scores in IHL-675A’s target indications in humans. Nonetheless, there is always potential for two drugs to interact and exacerbate minor concerns that exist when used alone or lead to new safety concerns. Demonstrating that a combination drug containing CBD and HCQ has a similar safety profile to the component drugs is an important step in the development program and is a requirement set out by regulatory agencies. This clinical trial will be performed in a Phase 1 unit with around the clock monitoring in the event that an adverse event needs to be managed. Safety assessments will include cardiac monitoring via ECG and blood biomarkers, serum liver enzyme levels, blood cell counts and biochemistry, monitoring of vital signs and mental health questionnaires. Due to the substantial evidence of synergy between HCQ and CBD required to produce a superior outcome on inflammatory markers, dosages of HCQ and CBD may be significantly lower than for treatment with the individual drugs and this will be further evaluated in clinical trials.
The other component of this study is monitoring the pharmacokinetics of the two active pharmaceutical ingredients (“API”) of IHL-675A, CBD and HCQ, and comparing them to their respective reference listed drugs Epidiolex and Plaquenil. Study participants will be dosed with either IHL-675A, Epidiolex or Plaquenil with equivalent amounts of the respective API. Blood samples will be drawn at predetermined intervals over a 72-hour period and analyzed for levels of CBD and HCQ as well as their major metabolites. For each molecule the maximum concentration (“Cmax”), time to maximum concentration (“Tmax ”) and total exposure (“AUC”) will be determined. The pharmacokinetic parameters for IHL-675A, Epidolex and Plaquenil will be compared to determine whether the APIs in IHL-675A are bioequivalent to the reference listed drugs. Bioequivalence is an important component of the FDA 505(b)2 approval pathway that IHL is targeting with IHL-675A.
Results from this study will form a component of future regulatory applications for IHL-675A and will also inform the design of Phase 2 efficacy and safety studies across indications.
Psilocybin-assisted Psychotherapy for General Anxiety Disorder (Psi-GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by diffuse, excessive, uncontrollable anxiety that frequently occurs and is not restricted to any particular environmental circumstances. Symptoms are variable, including feelings of persistent and excessive worry, nervousness, restlessness, difficulty in concentrating fatigue, irregular sleeping patterns, muscle tension, irritability, and nausea.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a relatively common and serious psychiatric condition affecting around 4-6% of the population during their lifetime. GAD can severely affect quality of life and professional career prospects. An estimated 8 million people in Australia and the United States have moderate to severe GAD at any point in time, of which, 1 million people reside in Australia and 7 million people reside in the United States.
Existing treatments
International guidelines for GAD treatment recommend selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (“SSRIs”), serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (“SNRIs”), and pregabalin as first-line options, with benzodiazepines such as diazepam as second-line options. GAD is also treated with psychotherapy alone or in combination with pharmacotherapies. However, these treatments show limited efficacy, with less than half of patients achieving remission following these treatments and substantial treatment side-effects and cost. In particular,
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the side effects associated with long term use of these pharmacotherapies include emotional numbness, reduced positivity, weight gain, sexual disfunctions, and suicidal thoughts. Due to the limitations of existing treatments, we believe there is significant unmet need for new therapies to improve quality of life outcomes for patient diagnosed with GAD.
Psilocybin as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may provide rapid, significant, and lasting benefit in treating unipolar depression, depression and anxiety symptoms associated with a terminal illness, and substance misuse. Psilocybin is a psychoactive molecule that occurs naturally in several genera of mushrooms, which primarily acts on the serotonin receptor system, and can modulate states of consciousness, cognition, perception, and mood.
When combined with specialized forms of psychotherapeutic support, psilocybin does not lead to clinically significant adverse events and can reduce scores on mental health severity assessments. Through the 1950s and 1960s, tens of thousands of individuals participated in psychedelic research. While methodologically limited by modern standards, the findings from many of these studies showed substantial improvements in anxiety, depression and addiction levels, and quality of life.
Following decades of socio-political obstruction to psychedelic treatments, an increasing number of clinical psychedelic trials are now being conducted at highly esteemed institutions around the world, including Imperial College London, John Hopkins University, University of California, and now Monash University, Melbourne, in partnership with us.
Over the past decade, the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in anxiety, depression and addiction has been demonstrated in various academic-sponsored studies. In these studies, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, provided a rapid reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms on the day of administration with generally maintained treatment effects at follow-up assessments many months later. These studies have shown psilocybin to be generally well-tolerated, with low toxicity and no serious adverse events reported.
We believe that the following four studies detailed below support psilocybin-assisted therapy for treating anxiety using treatment dosages up to 30mg/70kg:
• New York University, Ross et al 2016 (n=29): Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial. Psilocybin produced immediate, substantial, and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression, as well as decreases in cancer-related demoralization and hopelessness, improved spiritual wellbeing, and increased quality of life.
• Imperial College London, Carhart-Harris et al 2018 (n=20): Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Good tolerability, effect sizes large and symptom improvements appeared rapidly after just two psilocybin treatment sessions and remained significant six months post-treatment in a treatment-resistant cohort.
• University of California, Los Angeles, Grob et al 2011 (n=12): Pilot study of psilocybin treatment for anxiety in patients with advanced-stage cancer. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory trait anxiety subscale demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety at one and three months after treatment. There were no clinically significant adverse events with psilocybin.
• John Hopkins University, Griffiths et al 2017 (n=51): Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized double-blind trial. Large and significant decreases in clinician-rated and self-rated measures of depression, anxiety or mood disturbance, and increase measures of quality of life, life meaning, death acceptance, and optimism.
Two psilocybin research programs for depression have received breakthrough designation from the FDA. A small number of other psilocybin treatment development programs are underway globally. Should the results from any of these research programs be positive, approval of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a prescription treatment could occur within the next five years.
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Our investigational psilocybin therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Our psilocybin therapy combines psilocybin with psychological therapy that has been specifically designed for patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder by a multidisciplinary team of experts lead by Principal Investigator Dr Paul Liknaitzky, along with Co-Investigators Professor Suresh Sundram and Professor Murat Yucel. The wider research team includes experts in psychedelic-assisted therapies, psychometric evaluation, qualitative research, therapist training, and risk management. We are in the process of coordinating two clinical trials as part of our clinical development program. On October 28, 2021, we conducted a pre-IND meeting with the FDA on the psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for GAD program, which was ultimately aimed at FDA approval of our psilocybin therapy administered to patients with GAD.
Planned Phase 2 exploratory clinical trial
Our planned Phase 2 Australian exploratory clinical trial was approved by the human research ethics committee (“HREC”) in late 2021. HREC approval allows for recruitment in Australia, which will commence in the first quarter of 2022. Dr Paul Liknaitzky has also successfully acquired regulatory permits for the import of psilocybin into Australia.
The study is a Phase 2 randomized triple-blind active-placebo-controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for GAD. It will include 72 participants that will experience two psilocybin or active-placebo dosing sessions and up to 11 non-drug, specialist psychotherapy sessions over a period of 10 weeks. Primary outcomes are safety, efficacy and tolerability, and secondary outcomes are quality of life, functional impairment, and comorbidities. Safety will be assessed by monitoring adverse events including but not limited to liver function tests and scores on the Ultra Brief Checklist of Suicidality. Efficacy will be assessed by comparing the change in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale from baseline between the placebo and treatment group. Tolerability will be assessed by comparing the proportion of participants who complete both dosing sessions in the placebo and treatment groups. Secondary endpoints will be assessed by monitoring disability, comorbidity, productivity and quality of life using patient reported outcome measures.
A preliminary analysis of patient data will be conducted by an independent data safety monitoring board after 30 patients have completed primary endpoint assessment. The preliminary analysis will allow the trial investigators to inform the second part of the trial, with an opportunity to adjust certain treatment design parameters to optimize patient outcomes, or terminate the trial based on predefined outcomes and adequate conditional power.
FDA development plan and pre-IND meeting
In October 2021, we conducted a pre-IND meeting with the FDA on the psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for GAD program. The pre-IND meeting package was prepared with the assistance of Camargo Pharmaceuticals LLC, who also attended the meeting with us. The FDA confirmed, in both writing and teleconference, that the therapeutic strategy for a psilocybin-assisted therapy for GAD is appropriate and conveyed interest in its development. FDA also provided guidance on Incannex’s proposed long-term development strategy with regards to what will be required for a successful NDA (FDA approval) and marketing authorization. Specific feedback from the FDA on our proposed clinical trial designs will shape a pivotal Phase 2b clinical trial, which will be the IND opening study following either interim or full results from the Australian Phase 2 trial.
Psilocybin therapy protocol
Our psilocybin therapy comprises administration of medication with psychotherapy by mental health professionals that have undergone our specialised therapist training program. Therapy is designed to optimize patient safety and therapeutic outcomes in GAD with specific support before, during and after psilocybin dosing sessions.
Each participant will receive two therapeutic doses of our investigational product, which will be composed of a specified dosage of psilocybin, with psychotherapy before, during and after each dose session. The psychotherapy comprises four distinct phases:
• Preliminary psychotherapy: conducted during the screening stage with key focus on clinical formulation, therapeutic alliance, psychedelic treatment psychoeducation and practical preparation for dosing.
• Preparation psychotherapy: conducted following full enrollment and prior to the first dosing session with a key focus on extending preliminary psychotherapy work, and covering more targeted and GAD-specific psychological and practical preparation for dosing.
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• After dosing support: conducted within a week following the preparation session with key focus on trust, suitable mindset, conducive physical setting, and participant-led support. Dosing support is the psychotherapy session.
• Integration psychotherapy: conducted following the dosing sessions, including the day directly following each dosing session, with key focus on sustaining benefits through specific mindful, emotion and somatic-focused therapy, meaning-centered support, and facilitating contextual changes that support outcomes.
Therapist recruitment in anticipation of the Phase 2 exploratory trial has commenced and therapist training is anticipated to commence in Q1 2022.
Monash University
In December 2020, we entered into a partnership agreement with Monash University (“Monash”) in Australia to conduct a psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy trial to treat GAD. Monash will sponsor our initial Phase 2 exploratory clinical trial, ensuring rigorous scientific independence and the highest standards in ethical and safe research. We are funding and supporting this investigator-initiated trial, and retain all intellectual property created by the trial. We are also investigating the commencement of other psychedelic medicine research projects that would offer an opportunity to address what we believe is an unmet need in patients diagnosed with other mental illnesses.
Monash is one of Australia’s leading universities and consistently ranks among the world’s top 100. Psychedelic treatment for our exploratory trials will be delivered within BrainPark, a state-of-the-art research platform at Monash’s Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and Biomedical Imaging Facility, that provides a highly conducive environment for psychedelic treatments in a research context. Both the School of Psychological Sciences within the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, and the Department of Psychiatry within the School of Clinical Sciences, have combined forces to conduct psychedelic research and the team comprises leading researchers and clinicians in relevant fields of psychiatry, psychotherapy, and mental health treatment development.
Clinical trial investigators
The Principal Investigator is Dr Paul Liknaitzky, with Co-Investigators Professor Murat Yucel and Professor Suresh Sundram.
Dr. Liknaitzky is Head of the Clinical Psychedelic Research Lab within the Turner Institute and the Dept of Psychiatry, Monash. He is a Chief Principal Investigator and Research Fellow at Monash University, and has Adjunct or Honorary appointments at St Vincent’s Hospital, Macquarie University, Deakin University, and the University of Melbourne. He earned an Honours in Neuroscience and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Melbourne. His work examines mechanisms of mental illness and treatment development primarily within mood, anxiety and addiction research. Liknaitzky is an Investigator across a number of Australia’s first clinical psychedelic trials. He has been invited to deliver numerous academic, professional, and public talks on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and has been interviewed on the topic for print media, radio, and podcasts. Liknaitzky leads Australia’s first clinical psychedelic lab, coordinates Australia’s first applied psychedelic therapist training program, and is establishing Australia’s largest psychedelic trial (Psi-GAD). His work is focused on developing a rigorous program of research in psychedelic medicine at Monash University that seeks to evaluate therapeutic effects, innovate on treatment design, mitigate known risks, explore potential drawbacks, and understand therapeutic mechanisms.
Professor Murat Yucel gained a PhD combined with specialist clinical training in Clinical Neuropsychology in 2001 at La Trobe University. He then worked across as numerous mental health research centres at the University of Melbourne and was promoted to professor in 2012. He now works within the Monash School of Psychological Sciences, where he heads the mental health and addiction research programs. He is a director of BrainPark — a world-first neuroscience research clinic designed to bring the latest neuroscience with diagnostic or therapeutic benefit to the community in an accessible way.
Professor Suresh Sundram is the Head, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University and Director of Research, Mental Health Program, Monash Health. He has been investigating the molecular pathology of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders using pharmacological, neurochemical and neuropathological approaches. These inter-related methods have been applied to parse components of the disorder such as treatment resistance and suicide to better understand their neurobiological substrates. He undertook his
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doctoral and post-doctoral studies at the Mental Health Research Institute in Melbourne before establishing his laboratory there and subsequently at the Florey Institute and concurrently establishing a clinical research laboratory undertaking clinical trial and biomarker research in psychotic disorders. He then transferred to and integrated his research program at Monash University and Monash Medical Centre.
Intellectual Property Strategy
We strategically protect our innovations with a harmonized IP strategy, combining patent protection with regulatory and market exclusivity. We are pursuing patent protection for aspects of our psilocybin therapy program. The patent position that will be available to us is unlikely to cover psilocybin alone as a clinical entity. However, we are pursuing a patent position in relation methods of treatment using psilocybin including combination therapies (e.g., formulations, actives plus psychotherapeutic modalities) and other therapeutic methods (e.g., specific dosage regimens).
Intellectual Property
We have implemented a patent filing strategy as we develop our products and therapies in conjunction with our medical advisory board. As of September 20, 2021, we own pending patent applications relating to our cannabinoid drug candidates IHL-42X, IHL-216A and IHL-675A and psilocybin assisted psychotherapy program. A summary of the number of patents, patent types and jurisdictions in listed in the table below. Once converted to the complete/PCT stage, the provisional patents will also be applicable to all PCT contracting states. International search reports and written opinions of the International Search Authority have confirmed that the key claims in our filed Patent Cooperation Treaty applications are novel and inventive and that the invention meets the requirements of industrial applicability. The preparation of the International Search Report (ISR) and International Search Opinion (ISO) for PCT applications is one of the main procedural steps of the international phase of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The purpose of conducting the searches at the international phase is to identify the relevant prior art and for the International Searching Authority to establish a preliminary opinion as to whether the claims are novel, involve an inventive step and are industrially applicable. While the ISR and the ISO are non-binding, in the sense that national patent offices are not obliged to accept any finding of the International Searching Authority, these reports often represented a useful guide in relation to the patentability of the subject matter claimed in the PCT application.
In the context of the PCT applications that cover the cannabinoid drug candidates, IHL-216A, IHL-675A and IHL-42X, the International Searching Authority is the Australian Patent Office. Accordingly, the opinion expressed in the ISR / ISO for each of these PCT applications is based on searches that have been conducted by Australian Patent Examiners.
Product/technology |
Number of |
Type of patent |
Applicable |
|||
IHL-42X/Compositions and methods for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) |
1 |
Complete/PCT |
All 153 PCT contracting states# |
|||
IHL-675A/Compositions and methods for the treatment of an inflammatory conditions |
2 |
Provisional |
Australia |
|||
IHL-675A/Compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory condition |
Complete/PCT |
All 153 PCT contracting states# |
||||
IHL-216A/Compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of traumatic brain injury (TBI) |
1 |
Complete/PCT |
All 153 PCT contracting states# |
|||
Psi-GAD/Methods for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) |
1 |
Provisional |
Australia |
____________
# Standard/utility patents derived from the PCT application are intended to be pursued in key jurisdictions including Australia, US, Europe, Japan and Israel.
The cannabinoid drug candidate, IHL-675A, is a combination of CBD and hydroxychloroquine, which is specifically defined by claim 16 of International (PCT) Application No. PCT/AU2021/050226. The International Searching Authority considers claim 16 to be both novel and inventive.
The cannabinoid drug candidate, IHL-42X, is a combination of THC and acetazolamide for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is specifically defined by claim 3 of International (PCT) Application No. PCT/AU2021/050734. The International Searching Authority considers claim 3 to be both novel and inventive.
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The cannabinoid drug candidate, IHL-216A, is a combination of CBD and isoflurane, which is specifically defined by claim 23 of International (PCT) Application No. PCT/AU2020/051056. The International Searching Authority considers claim 23 to be both novel and inventive.
The pending patent application that has been filed in relation to the psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy that is currently under development by us, is an Australian provisional patent application. This provisional application has not yet been examined.
In addition to pursing patent protection for all of our assets, we rely on unpatented trade secrets, know-how and other confidential information as well as proprietary technological innovation and expertise that are protected in part by confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees, advisors and consultants.
Patent matters in biotechnology are highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. The availability and breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents cannot be predicted. Statutory differences in patentable subject matter may limit the scope of protection we can obtain on some or all of our licensed inventions or prevent us from obtaining patent protection either of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Since patent applications are not published until at least 18 months from their first filing date and the publication of discoveries in the scientific literature often lags behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that we, or any of our licensors, were the first creator of inventions covered by pending patent applications, or that we or our licensors, were the first to file patent applications for such inventions. Additionally, the grant and enforceability of a patent is dependent on a number of factors that may vary between jurisdictions. These factors may include the novelty of the invention, the requirement that the invention not be obvious in the light of prior art (including prior use or publication of the invention), the utility of the invention and the extent to which the patent clearly describes the best method of working the invention. In short, this means that claims granted in various territories may vary and thereby influence commercial outcomes.
While we have applied for and will continue to file for protection as appropriate for our therapeutic products and technologies, we cannot be certain that any future patent applications we file, or licensed to us, will be granted, or that we will develop additional proprietary products or processes that are patentable or that we will be able to license any other patentable products or processes. We cannot be certain that others will not independently develop similar products or processes, duplicate any of the products or processes developed or being developed by the company or licensed to us, or design around the patents owned or licensed by us, or that any patents owned or licensed by us will provide us with competitive advantages.
Furthermore, we cannot be certain that patents held by third parties will not prevent the commercialization of products incorporating the technology developed by us or licensed to us, or that third parties will not challenge or seek to narrow, invalidate or circumvent any of the issued, pending or future patents owned or licensed by us.
Our commercial success will also depend, in part, on our ability to avoid infringement of patents issued to others. If a court determines that we were infringing any third-party patents, we could be required to pay damages, alter our products or processes, obtain licenses or cease certain activities. We cannot be certain that the licenses required under patents held by third parties would be made available on terms acceptable to us or at all. To the extent that we are unable to obtain such licenses, we could be foreclosed from the development, export, manufacture or commercialization of the product requiring such license or encounter delays in product introductions while we attempt to design around such patents, and any of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may have to resort to litigation to enforce any patents issued or licensed to us or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of effort by us. We may have to participate in opposition proceedings before the Australian Patent and Trademark Office or another foreign patent office, or in interference proceedings declared by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, to determine the priority of invention for patent applications filed by competitors. Any such litigation interference or opposition proceeding, regardless of outcome, could be expensive and time consuming, and adverse determinations in any such proceedings could prevent us from developing, manufacturing or commercializing our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As of June 30, 2021, the Company also owns trademark registrations in Australia, United States, Europe, China and Japan.
As of 20 September, 2021, we added 5 new patent applications to our portfolio: PCT/AU2020/051056, PCT/AU2021/050226, PCT/AU2021/050734, Australian Provisional Patent Application No. AU 2021902170, and Australian Provisional Patent Application No. AU 2021902426.
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Patent Portfolio
The following table presents our portfolio of patents and patent applications, including their status (as at 20 September, 2021) and title.
Patent Family |
Title |
Status |
Expires |
|||
PCT/AU2020/051056 |
Compositions for the treatment or prevention of traumatic brain injury |
Pending |
02/10/2040* |
|||
PCT/AU2021/050226 |
Methods and compositions for treating or preventing an inflammatory condition |
Pending |
15/03/2041* |
|||
PCT/AU2021/050734 |
Compositions and methods for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) |
Pending |
09/07/2041* |
|||
AU 2021902170 |
A composition and uses thereof |
Pending (Provisional) |
14/07/2042^* |
|||
AU 2021902426 |
A method of treatment |
Pending (Provisional) |
04/08/2042^* |
____________
* Expiry date may be subject to any patent term extensions or adjustments that may be available.
^ Estimated expiry date of complete application claiming priority from the pending provisional application
Operations Summary
Unregistered Cannabinoid Products
In February 2019, we launched a line of pharmaceutical grade cannabinoid oil products to treat conditions approved for treatment with cannabinoid under the Special Access Scheme. We sold our cannabinoid oil products under the Special Access Scheme. As of April 1, 2021, we ceased selling cannabinoid oil products to focus on the development of our drug candidates.
Material Contracts
Clinical Trial Research Agreement with Alfred Health, dated June 22, 2021
On June 22, 2021, we entered into a Clinical Trial Research Agreement with Alfred Health. Under the terms of the agreement, Alfred Health is to conduct and manage an open label extension on the examination of the combination of dronabinol and acetazolamide for treatment of OSA. The open label extension is to be conducted on a maximum of 12 study participants. Incannex will provide all the information required to conduct the study and will pay market-standard fees to Alfred Health as consideration for its role. The agreement may be terminated by either party for cause, for the reasons set forth in the agreement, and by Incannex at will upon written notice delivered to Alfred Health thirty days prior to the termination date.
Clinical Trial Research Agreement with Alfred Health, dated September 24, 2020
On September 24, 2020, we entered into a Clinical Trial Research Agreement with Alfred Health. Under the terms of the agreement, Alfred Health is to conduct and manage a dose finding crossover trial investigating the effect of dronabinol combined with acetazolamide on AHI in adults with OSA. The dose finding crossover trial is to be conducted on a maximum of 12 trial participants. Incannex will provide all the information required to conduct the study and will pay market-standard fees to Alfred Health as consideration for its role. The agreement may be terminated by either party for cause, for the reasons set forth in the agreement, and by Incannex at will upon written notice delivered to Alfred Health thirty days prior to the termination date.
Clinical Trial Research Agreement with University of Western Australia
On April 6, 2021, we entered into a Clinical Trial Research Agreement with University of Western Australia. Under the terms of the agreement, the University of Western Australia is to conduct and manage a dose finding crossover trial investigating the effect of dronabinol combined with acetazolamide on AHI in adults with OSA. The dose finding crossover trial is to be conducted on a maximum of 12 trial participants. Incannex will provide all the information required
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to conduct the study and will pay market-standard fees to the University of Western Australia as consideration for its role. The agreement may be terminated by either party for cause, for the reasons set forth in the agreement, and by Incannex at will upon written notice delivered to the University of Western Australia thirty days prior to the termination date.
Master Consultancy Agreement with Clinical Network Services (CNS) Pty Ltd
On June 29, 2020, we entered into a Master Consultancy Agreement with Clinical Network Services (CNS) Pty Ltd (“Clinical Network”). Under the terms of the agreement, Clinical Network is to act as Australian and New Zealand consultant to product development and management of clinical research programs. Incannex will pay market-standard fees to Clinical Network. The agreement may be terminated by either party for cause, for the reasons set forth in the agreement.
Research Services Agreement with Monash University, dated November 27, 2020
On November 27, 2020, we entered into a Research Services Agreement with Monash University. Under the terms of the agreement, Monash University is to conduct research services with respect to Psi-GAD. Research activities are to be conducted with respect to a phase 2A randomized double-blind active-placebo-controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of Psi-GAD. Incannex will provide all the information required to conduct the study and will pay market-standard fees to Monash University. The agreement may be terminated by either party for cause, for the reasons set forth in the agreement.
Research Services Agreement between Monash University, dated March 10, 2021
On March 10, 2021, we entered into a Research Services Agreement with Monash University. Under the terms of the agreement, Monash University is to conduct research services with respect to TBI. Research activities are to be conducted with respect to the neuroprotective effect of the combination of CBD and isoflurane in a rodent model of mild traumatic brain injury. Incannex will provide all the information required to conduct the study and will pay market-standard fees to Monash University. The agreement may be terminated by either party for cause, for the reasons set forth in the agreement.
Master Service Agreement between Avance Clinical Pty Limited
On July 12, 2021, we entered into a Master Service Agreement with Avance Clinical Pty Limited (“Avance”). Under the terms of the agreement, Avance will perform services to support Incannex’s clinical trials and studies, as requested by Incannex. the agreement has an initial term of five years. Each party may terminate the agreement by delivering a written notice three months prior to the expiration of the term of the contract.
Appendix No. 2 to the Master Consultancy Agreement with Novotech Australia Pty Limited
On February 2, 2021, we entered into Appendix No. 2 to the Master Consultancy Agreement with Novotech Australia Pty Limited (“Novotech”), an affiliate of Clinical Network. Under the terms of the agreement, Novotech is to conduct an open label extension on the examination of the combination of dronabinol and acetazolamide for treatment of OSA. The terms of this agreement are governed by the terms of the Master Consultancy Agreement entered into with Clinical Network.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our cash consist entirely of cash held in interest-bearing accounts with banks in Australia. Thus, our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of Australian interest rates. However, a sudden change in market interest rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our financial condition and/or results of operation.
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Competition
We are targeting indications that have no registered, limited or costly pharmacological solutions. Thus, competitor drugs for the indications we are assessing with our drug candidates either do not exist or are limited in efficacy or have unacceptable side effect profiles for certain cohorts of patients. The table below outlines existing drugs and therapies used to treat the illnesses we aim to treat with our drug candidates and their associated pitfalls for patients.
IHL Drug Candidate |
Indication |
Existing Products |
Existing Product Pitfalls |
|||
IHL-42X |
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea |
− CPAP device |
− Noisy mechanical device worn during sleep; − potential poor patient compliance due to discomfort. |
|||
IHL-216A |
Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion |
None |
N/A |
|||
IHL-675A |
Lung Inflammation |
− Corticosteroids − Ventilator |
− Corticosteroids reduce immune system activity; − ventilators are associated with a high rate of mortality. |
|||
IHL-675A |
Rheumatoid Arthritis |
− Corticosteroids − DMARDS − Biologic agents |
− High expense, significant side effect profiles; − lack of efficacy or tolerability in certain patient cohorts. |
|||
IHL-675A |
Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
− Corticosteroids − Immune system suppressors (ISSs) − Biologic agents |
− Corticosteroids can reduce immune system activity; − ISSs can damage the digestive tract lining; |
|||
PSI-GAD |
Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
− Antidepressants (SSRI/SNRI classes) |
− Non-curative, poor side effect profile; − some patients become treatment resistant. |
Regulatory Authorities
The ongoing research and development, clinical, regulatory, commercial and manufacturing activities of our drug candidates are subject to extensive regulation by numerous governmental authorities, including (i) in Australia, principally the Therapeutics Goods Administration, or TGA; (ii) in the United States, principally the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, as well as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA); and (iii) in Europe, principally the European Medicines Agency, or EMA and local competent authorities, ethics committees (ECs), institutional research boards (IRBs) and other regulatory authorities at federal, state or local levels. We, along with our third-party contractors, will be required to navigate the various preclinical, clinical and commercial approval and post-approval requirements of the governing regulatory agencies of the countries in which we wish to conduct studies or seek approval or licensure of our drug candidates.
United States
FDA process
In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA, and its implementing regulations. Regulations that govern the pharmaceutical quality, safety, efficacy, labeling, storage, record keeping, advertising and promotion of such products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, and their implementing regulations. In particular, controlled substances, like synthetic cannabidiol and THC, are regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA.
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The process of obtaining FDA approval and achieving and maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations requires the expenditure of substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with applicable FDA or other requirements may result in refusal to approve pending applications, a clinical hold, warning letters, civil or criminal penalties, recall or seizure of products, partial or total suspension of production or withdrawal of the product from the market. FDA approval is required before any new drug or biologic, including a new use of a previously approved drug, can be marketed in the United States. All applications for FDA approval must contain, among other things, information relating to safety and efficacy, pharmaceutical quality, packaging, labeling and quality control.
Government oversight of the pharmaceutical industry is usually classified into pre-approval and post-approval categories. Most of the therapeutically significant innovative products marketed today are the subject of New Drug Applications, or NDAs, or Biologics License Applications, or BLAs. Pre-approval activities are used to assure the product is safe and effective before marketing.
Drug Approval Process — FDA
None of our drug candidates may be marketed in the United States until the drug has received FDA approval. The steps required before a drug may be marketed in the United States generally include the following:
• completion of extensive pre-clinical laboratory tests, animal studies, and formulation studies in accordance with the FDA’s GLP and GMP regulations;
• submission to the FDA of an Investigational New Drug, or IND, application for human clinical testing, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin;
• receive approval from the DEA prior to commencement of any clinical trials in the United States that involve the use of Schedule I controlled substances.
• performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in accordance with GCP requirements to establish the safety and efficacy of the drug for each proposed indication;
• submission to the FDA of an NDA/BLA after completion of all pivotal clinical trials;
• satisfactory completion of an FDA pre-approval inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, and finished drug product are produced and tested to assess compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMPs; and
• FDA review and approval of the NDA/BLA and DEA scheduling (for a controlled substance) prior to any commercial marketing or sale of the drug in the United States.
The manufacturing and quality, as well as preclinical and clinical testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and we cannot guarantee approval of our drug candidates will be granted on a timely basis, if at all. Notably, the FDA may reach different conclusions than we have after analyzing the same data, or there may difference of opinion amongst members of FDA’s review team.
The FDA may inspect and audit domestic and foreign development facilities, planned production facilities, clinical trial sites and laboratory facilities. There is a pre-approval inspection after submission to market a new product, routine inspection of a regulated facility and a “for-cause” inspection to investigate a specific problem that has come to FDA’s attention. After the product is approved and marketed, the FDA uses different mechanisms for assuring that firms adhere to the terms and conditions of approval described in the application and that the product is manufactured in a consistent and controlled manner. This is done by periodic unannounced inspections of production and quality control facilities by FDA’s field investigators and analysts.
Preclinical tests include laboratory evaluation of toxicity in animals and in vitro (laboratory tests). The results of preclinical tests, together with manufacturing information and analytical data, are submitted as part of an IND application to the FDA. The IND application is based on the results of initial testing done on animals for pharmacology and toxicity, which is used to develop a plan for testing the drug on humans. Only after preclinical testing, FDA determines whether the drug should be tested in people.
Further, an independent institutional review board, or IRB, covering each medical center proposing to conduct clinical trials must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial before it commences at that center and it must monitor the study until completed. The FDA, the IRB or the sponsor may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds,
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including a finding that the subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Clinical testing also must satisfy extensive Good Clinical Practice, or GCP, regulations, which include requirements that all research subjects provide informed consent and that all clinical studies be conducted under the supervision of one or more qualified investigators.
Clinical trials (under an IND) involve administration of the investigational drug to human subjects under the supervision of qualified investigators. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol must be provided to the FDA as part of a separate submission to the IND. Further, an Institutional Review Board, or IRB, for each medical center proposing to conduct the clinical trial must review and approve the study protocol and informed consent information for study subjects for any clinical trial before it commences at that center, and the IRB must monitor the study until it is completed. There are also requirements governing reporting of ongoing clinical trials and clinical trial results to public registries. Study subjects must sign an informed consent form before participating in a clinical trial.
Progress reports detailing the results of the clinical studies must be submitted at least annually to the FDA and safety reports must be submitted to the FDA and the investigators for serious and unexpected adverse reactions in case of an open IND. For purposes of an NDA or BLA submission and approval, human clinical trials are typically conducted in the following sequential phases, which may overlap:
• Phase I: Trials are initially conducted in a limited population of healthy human (in oncology Phase I trials are often conducted in patients) subjects or patients to test the drug candidate for safety and dose tolerance. These studies are designed to test the safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism and distribution of the investigational product in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and, if possible, to gain early evidence on effectiveness.
• Phase II: The investigational product is administered to a limited patient population with a specified disease or condition to evaluate the preliminary efficacy, optimal dosages and dosing schedule and to identify possible adverse side effects and safety risks. Multiple Phase 2 clinical trials may be conducted to obtain information prior to beginning larger and more expensive Phase 3 clinical trials.
• Phase III: The investigational product is administered to an expanded patient population in adequate and well-controlled studies to further evaluate dosage, to provide statistically significant evidence of clinical efficacy and to further test for safety, generally at multiple geographically dispersed clinical trial sites. These clinical trials are intended to establish the overall risk/benefit relationship of the investigational product and to provide an adequate basis for product approval.
• Phase IV: In some cases, the FDA may condition approval of an NDA or BLA on the sponsor’s agreement to conduct additional clinical trials to further assess the drug candidate’s safety, purity and potency after NDA or BLA approval. Such post-approval trials are typically referred to as Phase IV clinical trials.
Concurrent with clinical studies, sponsors usually complete additional animal studies and must also develop additional information about the product and finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities in accordance with cGMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the drug candidate and, among other things, the manufacturer must develop and validate methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final product. Moreover, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested and stability studies must be conducted to assure product integrity and demonstrate that the drug candidate does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.
The results of product development, preclinical studies and clinical trials, along with the aforementioned manufacturing information, are submitted to the FDA as part of a BLA/NDA. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, the FDA agrees to specific goals for NDA/BLA review time. The testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources. The FDA will review the BLA/NDA and may deem it to be inadequate to support approval, and we cannot be sure that any approval will be granted on a timely basis, if at all. The FDA may also refer the application to the appropriate advisory committee, typically a panel of clinicians, for review, evaluation and a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of the advisory committee, but it typically follows such recommendations.
The FDA may deny approval of a BLA/NDA if the applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied, or it may require additional clinical data or additional pivotal Phase III clinical trials. Even if such data are submitted, the FDA may ultimately decide that the NDA/BLA does not satisfy the criteria for approval. Data from clinical trials are not always conclusive and the FDA may interpret data differently than the sponsor does. Once issued, product approval may
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be withdrawn by the FDA if ongoing regulatory requirements are not met or if safety problems occur after the product reaches the market. In addition, the FDA may require testing, including Phase IV clinical trials, and surveillance programs to monitor the effect of approved products that have been commercialized, and the FDA has the power to prevent or limit further marketing of a product based on the results of these post-marketing programs which may include pediatric assessment, and potentially studies required for an application for a new indication, new dosage form, a new dosing regimen, a new route of administration or a new active ingredient. Products may be marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. Further, if there are any modifications to the drug, including changes in indications, labeling or manufacturing processes or facilities, approval of a new or supplemental BLA may be required, which may involve conducting additional preclinical studies and clinical trials.
Expedited Review and Approval
The FDA has various programs, including fast track designation, priority review, accelerated approval, and breakthrough therapy designation, which are intended to expedite or simplify the process for reviewing drugs and/or provide for approval on the basis of surrogate endpoints. Even if a drug qualifies for one or more of these programs, the FDA may later decide that the drug no longer meets the conditions for qualification or that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened. In particular, if accelerated approval is granted for any particular drug candidate, the FDA can subsequently revoke the marketing authorization for such product if post-market clinical trial results are unsuccessful. Generally, drugs that may be eligible for these programs are those for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions, those with the potential to address unmet medical needs, and those that offer meaningful benefits over existing treatments.
Other U.S. Regulatory Requirements
After approval, products are subject to extensive continuing regulation by the FDA, which include company obligations to manufacture products in accordance with GMP, maintain and provide to the FDA updated safety and efficacy information, report adverse experiences with the product, keep certain records and submit periodic reports, obtain FDA approval of certain manufacturing or labelling changes and comply with FDA promotion and advertising requirements and restrictions. Failure to meet these obligations can result in various adverse consequences, both voluntary and FDA-imposed, including product recalls, withdrawal of approval, restrictions on marketing, and the imposition of civil fines and criminal penalties against the BLA holder — all of which may become public. In addition, later discovery of previously unknown safety or efficacy issues may result in restrictions on the product, manufacturer or application holder.
We, and any manufacturers of our drug candidates, are required to comply with applicable FDA manufacturing requirements contained in the FDA’s GMP regulations. GMP regulations require, among other things, quality control and quality assurance as well as the corresponding maintenance of records and documentation. The manufacturing facilities for our drug candidates must meet GMP requirements. We, and any third-party manufacturers, are also subject to periodic inspections of facilities by the FDA and other authorities, including procedures and operations used in the testing and manufacture of our drug candidates to assess our compliance with applicable regulations.
With respect to post-market product advertising and promotion, the FDA imposes a number of complex regulations on entities that advertise and promote pharmaceuticals, which include, among others, standards for direct-to-consumer advertising, promoting products for uses or in patient populations that are not described in the product’s approved labelling (known as “off-label use”), industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the Internet. Failure to comply with FDA requirements can have negative consequences, including adverse publicity, enforcement letters from the FDA, mandated corrective advertising or communications with doctors and civil or criminal penalties. Although physicians may prescribe legally available drugs for off-label uses, manufacturers may not market or promote such off-label uses.
Changes to some of the conditions established in an approved application, including changes in indications, labelling, or manufacturing processes or facilities, require submission and FDA approval of a new BLA or BLA supplement before the change can be implemented. A BLA supplement for a new indication typically requires clinical data similar to that in the original application, and the FDA uses the same procedures and actions in reviewing BLA supplements as it does in reviewing BLAs.
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Adverse event reporting and submission of periodic reports is required following FDA approval of a BLA. The FDA also may require post-marketing testing, known as Phase IV testing, risk mitigation strategies, and surveillance to monitor the effects of an approved product or place conditions on an approval that could restrict the distribution or use of the product.
Controlled Substances
The CSA and its implementing regulations establish a “closed system” of distribution for controlled substances. The CSA imposes registration, security, recordkeeping and reporting, storage, manufacturing, distribution, labeling, importation, exportation, disposal and other requirements under the oversight of the DEA. The DEA is the federal agency responsible for regulating controlled substances, and requires those individuals or entities that manufacture, import, export, distribute, research, or dispense controlled substances to comply with the regulatory requirements to prevent the diversion of controlled substances to illicit channels of commerce.
Facilities that research, manufacture, distribute, import or export any controlled substance must register annually with the DEA. The DEA registration is specific to the particular location, activity(ies) and controlled substances utilized. For example, separate registrations are required for importation and manufacturing activities, and each registration authorizes which schedules of controlled substances the registrant may handle. However, certain coincident activities are permitted without obtaining a separate DEA registration, such as distribution of controlled substances by the manufacturer that produces them.
The DEA categorizes controlled substances into one of five schedules — Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V — with varying qualifications for listing in each schedule. Scheduling determination by the DEA are dependent on approval of a substance or a specific formulation of a substance. Schedule I substances by definition have a high potential for abuse, have no currently “accepted medical use” in treatment in the United States and lack accepted safety for use under medical supervision. They may be used only in federally-approved research programs and may not be marketed or sold for dispensing to patients in the United States. Pharmaceutical products having a currently accepted medical use may be listed as Schedule II, III, IV or V substances, with Schedule II substances presenting the highest potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence, and Schedule V substances presenting the lowest relative potential for abuse and dependence. The regulatory requirements are more restrictive for Schedule II substances than Schedule III-V substances. For example, all Schedule II drug prescriptions must be signed by a physician, physically presented to a pharmacist in most situations, and cannot be refilled. Marijuana and THC are Schedule I controlled substances under the CSA. Products approved for medical use in the United States that contain marijuana, THC or marijuana/THC extracts, must be placed in Schedules II-V, since approval by the FDA satisfies the “acceptable medical use” requirement. While marijuana and THC are controlled substances, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 amended the CSA to exclude Cannabis meeting the statutory definition of hemp from the definition of marijuana. As a result, Cannabis that contains 0.3 percent or less of delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis is no longer considered a controlled substance. By extension, Cannabis-derived cannabidiol that satisfies the same limitation concerning delta-9 THC is also excluded from CSA regulatory controls. Because the definition of hemp does not expressly include synthetic equivalents of Cannabis or its derivatives, however, there is a lack of clarity about the CSA control status of pharmaceutically manufactured cannabidiol. Absent guidance to the contrary from the DEA, Cannabis and those products which contain Cannabis, that do not meet the definition of hemp remain in Schedule I of the CSA for purposes of development and research activities.
The DEA inspects all manufacturing facilities to review security, record keeping, reporting and compliance with other DEA regulatory requirements prior to issuing a controlled substance registration. The specific security requirements vary by the type of business activity and the schedule and quantity of controlled substances handled. The most stringent requirements apply to manufacturers of Schedule I and Schedule II substances. Required security measures commonly include background checks on employees and physical control of controlled substances through storage in approved vaults, safes and cages, and through use of alarm systems and surveillance cameras. An application for a manufacturing registration as a bulk manufacturer (not a dosage form manufacturer or a repacker/relabeler) for a Schedule I or II substance must be published in the Federal Register and is open for 30 days to permit interested persons to submit comments, objections, or requests for a hearing. A copy of the notice of the Federal Register publication is forwarded by the DEA to all those registered, or applicants for registration, as bulk manufacturers of that substance. Once registered, manufacturing facilities must maintain records documenting the manufacture, receipt and distribution of all controlled substances. Manufacturers must submit periodic reports to the DEA of the distribution of Schedule I and II controlled substances, Schedule III narcotic substances, and other designated substances. Registrants must also report any controlled substance thefts or significant losses and must adhere to certain requirements to dispose
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of controlled substances. As with applications for registration as a bulk manufacturer, an application for an importer registration for a Schedule I or II substance must also be published in the Federal Register, which remains open for 30 days for comments. Imports of Schedule I and II controlled substances for commercial purposes are generally restricted to substances not already available from a domestic supplier or where there is not adequate competition among domestic suppliers. In addition to an importer or exporter registration, importers and exporters must obtain a permit for every import or export of a Schedule I and II substance, Schedule III, IV and V narcotic, specially designated Schedule III non-narcotics, or Schedule IV or V narcotic controlled in Schedule I or II by the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and submit import or export declarations for Schedule III, IV and V non-narcotics.
For drugs manufactured in the United States, the DEA establishes annually an aggregate quota for the amount of substances within Schedules I and II that may be manufactured or produced in the United States based on the DEA’s estimate of the quantity needed to meet legitimate medical, scientific, research and industrial needs. This limited aggregate amount of Cannabis that the DEA allows to be produced in the United States each year is allocated among individual companies, which, in turn, must annually apply to the DEA for individual manufacturing and procurement quotas. The quotas apply equally to the manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and production of dosage forms. The DEA may adjust aggregate production quotas a few times per year, and individual manufacturing or procurement quotas from time to time during the year, although the DEA has substantial discretion in whether or not to make such adjustments for individual companies.
The states also maintain separate controlled substance laws and regulations, including licensing, recordkeeping, security, distribution, and dispensing requirements. State Authorities, including Boards of Pharmacy, regulate use of controlled substances in each state. Failure to maintain compliance with applicable requirements, particularly as manifested in the loss or diversion of controlled substances, can result in enforcement action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. The DEA may seek civil penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations, or initiate proceedings to revoke those registrations. In certain circumstances, violations could lead to criminal prosecution.
We will not be subject to the DEA approval to conduct our clinical trials for the foreseeable future because we have conducted and plan to continue to conduct clinical trials for each clinical drug program in Australia. We may also decide to develop, manufacture or commercialize our drug candidates in additional countries. As a result, we will be subject to controlled substance laws and regulations from the TGA in Australia, Health Canada’s Office of Controlled Substances in Canada, the Drugs & Firearms Unit (Home Office) of the National Drug Control System in the United Kingdom, and from other regulatory agencies in other countries where we develop, manufacture or commercialize each drug asset in the future.
Foreign Regulation
In addition to regulations in the United States, we are subject to a variety of foreign regulations governing clinical trials and commercial sales and distribution of our drug candidates. Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain approval of a product by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. The approval process varies from country to country and the time may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. The requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials vary greatly from country to country.
European Union and United Kingdom
In the European Economic Area, or EEA, which is comprised of the Member States of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, medicinal products can only be commercialized after obtaining a Marketing Authorization, or MA by the EMA. Under European Union regulatory systems, we must submit and obtain authorization for a clinical trial application in each member state in which we intend to conduct a clinical trial. When conducting clinical trials in the European Union, we must adhere to the provisions of the European Union Clinical Trials Directive (Directive 2001/20/EC) and the laws and regulations of the EU Member States implementing them. These provisions require, among other things, that the prior authorization of an Ethics Committee and the competent Member State authority is obtained before commencing the clinical trial. In April 2014, the European Union passed the Clinical Trials Regulation (Regulation 536/2014), which will replace the current Clinical Trials Directive. To ensure that the rules for clinical trials are identical throughout the European Union, the EU Clinical Trials Regulation was passed as
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a regulation that is directly applicable in all EU member states. All clinical trials performed in the European Union are required to be conducted in accordance with the Clinical Trials Directive until the Clinical Trials Regulation becomes applicable. According to the current plans of the EMA, the Clinical Trials Regulation is expected to become applicable.
After we have completed our clinical trials, we must obtain marketing authorization before we can market our product. We may submit applications for marketing authorizations under a centralized procedure. The centralized procedure provides for the grant of a single marketing authorization that is valid for all European Union member states.
The European Medicines Agency, or EMA, is a body of the European Union located in Amsterdam. The EMA is responsible for the scientific evaluation of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the European Union. The EMA is involved in the scientific evaluation of medicines that fall within the scope of the centralized procedure. Like the FDA there is a harmonization between regulators and the EMA may inspect and audit the development facilities, planned production facilities, clinical trial sites and laboratory facilities. Additionally, after the product is approved and marketed, the EMA uses different mechanisms for assuring that firms adhere to the terms and conditions of approval described in the application and that the product is manufactured in a consistent and controlled manner. This is done by periodic unannounced inspections of production and quality control facilities.
If any of our drug candidates receive marketing approval in the EEA, we expect they will benefit from 8 years of data protection and 10 years of market protection. The periods run in parallel so effectively 8 years of data protection plus 2 years of market protection is granted. This means that a biosimilar application referencing our safety and efficacy data held on file at the EMA cannot be filed until the end of the data protection period of 8 years, and the biosimilar cannot be placed on the market until after a further 2 years have elapsed (8 + 2). Furthermore, an additional 1 year of market protection is available (8 + 2 + 1) where we obtain approval of a second indication having a significant clinical benefit in the initial 8-year period.
Similarly, since the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) came into force in 2010, the United States provides 4 years of data exclusivity and 12 years of marketing exclusivity for a new biologic. The periods of exclusivity run in parallel, meaning that the FDA will not accept a biosimilar filing for 4 years and will not approve the biosimilar for a further 8 years (4 + 8).
Regulation and Procedures Governing Approval of Medicinal Products in the European Union
In order to market any product outside of the United States, a company must also comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of other countries and jurisdictions regarding quality, safety and efficacy and governing, among other things, clinical trials, marketing authorization, commercial sales and distribution of products. Whether or not it obtains FDA approval for a product, an applicant will need to obtain the necessary approvals by the comparable foreign regulatory authorities before it can initiate clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries or jurisdictions. Specifically, the process governing approval of medicinal products in the European Union generally follows the same lines as in the United States, although the approval of a medicinal product in the United States is no guarantee of approval of the same product in the European Union, either at all or within the same timescale as approval may be granted in the United States. It entails satisfactory completion of pharmaceutical development, non-clinical studies and adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the medicinal product for each proposed indication. It also requires the submission to relevant competent authorities for clinical trials authorization for a marketing authorization application, or MAA, and granting of a marketing authorization by these authorities before the product can be marketed and sold in the European Union or its member states (as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein). If we fail to comply with applicable requirements, we may be subject to, among other things, fines, suspension of clinical trials, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution.
Clinical Trial Approval
Pursuant to the currently applicable Clinical Trials Directive 2001/20/EC and the Directive 2005/28/EC on GCP, a system for the approval of clinical trials in the European Union has been implemented through national legislation of the member states. Under this system, an applicant must obtain approval from the national competent authority, or NCA, of a European Union member state in which the clinical trial is to be conducted or in multiple member states if the clinical trial is to be conducted in a number of member states. Furthermore, the applicant may only start a clinical trial at a specific study site after the independent ethics committee, or EC, has issued a favorable opinion in relation to the clinical trial. The clinical trial application must be accompanied by an investigational
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medicinal product dossier with supporting information prescribed by Directive 2001/20/EC and Directive 2005/28/EC and corresponding national laws of the member states and further detailed in applicable guidance documents. Under the current regime all suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions to the investigated drug that occur during the clinical trial have to be reported to the NCA and ECs of the member state where they occurred.
In April 2014, the European Union adopted a new Clinical Trials Regulation (EU) No 536/2014, which is set to replace the current Clinical Trials Directive 2001/20/EC. It will overhaul the current system of approvals for clinical trials in the European Union. Specifically, the new legislation, which will be directly applicable in all EU member states (meaning that no national implementing legislation in each European Union member state is required), aims at simplifying and streamlining the approval of clinical trials in the European Union. For instance, the new Clinical Trials Regulation provides for a streamlined application procedure via a single-entry point and strictly defined deadlines for the assessment of clinical trial applications. It is expected that the new Clinical Trials Regulation will come into effect following confirmation of full functionality of the Clinical Trials Information System, the centralized EU portal and database for clinical trials foreseen by the new Clinical Trials Regulation, through an independent audit, which is currently expected to occur in December 2021.
Marketing Authorization
To obtain a marketing authorization for a product in the European Economic Area (comprised of the EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), or EEA, an applicant must submit a MAA, either under a centralized procedure administered by the EMA or one of the procedures administered by competent authorities in the EEA member states (decentralized procedure, national procedure, or mutual recognition procedure). A marketing authorization may be granted only to an applicant established in the EEA.
The centralized procedure provides for the grant of a single marketing authorization by the European Commission that is valid throughout the EEA. Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, our investigational COMP360 psilocybin therapy, as a new active substance indicated for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression, will have the option to be filed through the centralized procedure. For those products for which the use of the centralized procedure is not mandatory, applicants may elect to use the centralized procedure where either the product contains a new active substance indicated for the treatment of diseases other than those on the mandatory list, or where the applicant can show that the product constitutes a significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovation, or for which a centralized process is in the interest of public health.
Under the centralized procedure, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human use, or the CHMP, which is the EMA’s committee that is responsible for human medicines, established at the EMA is responsible for conducting the assessment of whether a medicine meets the required quality, safety and efficacy requirements, and whether it has a positive risk/benefit/risk profile. Under the centralized procedure, the maximum timeframe for the evaluation of a MAA is 210 days from the receipt of a valid MAA, excluding clock stops when additional information or written or oral explanation is to be provided by the applicant in response to questions of the CHMP. Clock stops may extend the timeframe of evaluation of a MAA considerably beyond 210 days. Where the CHMP gives a positive opinion, it provides the opinion together with supporting documentation to the European Commission, who make the final decision to grant a marketing authorization. Accelerated evaluation may be granted by the CHMP in exceptional cases, when a medicinal product is of major interest from the point of view of public health and, in particular, from the viewpoint of therapeutic innovation. If the CHMP accepts such a request, the timeframe of 210 days for assessment will be reduced to 150 days (excluding clock stops), but it is possible that the CHMP may revert to the standard time limit for the centralized procedure if it determines that the application is no longer appropriate to conduct an accelerated assessment.
PRIME Scheme
EMA now offers a scheme that is intended to reinforce early dialogue with, and regulatory support from, EMA in order to stimulate innovation, optimize development and enable accelerated assessment of PRIority MEdicines, or PRIME. It is intended to build upon the scientific advice scheme and accelerated assessment procedure offered by EMA. The scheme is voluntary and eligibility criteria must be met for a medicine to qualify for PRIME.
The PRIME scheme is open to medicines under development and for which the applicant intends to apply for an initial marketing authorization application through the centralized procedure. Eligible products must target conditions for which where is an unmet medical need (there is no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention or
78
treatment in the European Union or, if there is, the new medicine will bring a major therapeutic advantage) and they must demonstrate the potential to address the unmet medical need by introducing new methods or therapy or improving existing ones. Applicants will typically be at the exploratory clinical trial phase of development and will have preliminary clinical evidence in patients to demonstrate the promising activity of the medicine and its potential to address to a significant extent an unmet medical need. In exceptional cases, applicants from the academic sector or SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) may submit an eligibility request at an earlier stage of development if compelling non-clinical data in a relevant model provide early evidence of promising activity, and first in man studies indicate adequate exposure for the desired pharmacotherapeutic effects and tolerability.
If a medicine is selected for the PRIME scheme, EMA:
• appoints a rapporteur from the CHMP or from the Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) to provide continuous support and to build up knowledge of the medicine in advance of the filing of a marketing authorization application;
• issues guidance on the applicant’s overall development plan and regulatory strategy;
• organizes a kick-off meeting with the rapporteur and experts from relevant EMA committees and working groups;
• provides a dedicated EMA contact person; and
• provides scientific advice at key development milestones, involving additional stakeholders, such as health technology assessment bodies and patients, as needed.
Medicines that are selected for the PRIME scheme are also expected to benefit from EMA’s accelerated assessment procedure at the time of application for marketing authorization. Where, during the course of development, a medicine no longer meets the eligibility criteria, support under the PRIME scheme may be withdrawn.
Pediatric Development
In the EEA, companies developing a new medicinal product must agree upon a Pediatric Investigation Plan, or PIP, with the EMA’s Pediatric Committee, or PDCO, and must conduct pediatric clinical trials in accordance with that PIP, unless a waiver applies, (e.g., because the relevant disease or condition occurs only in adults). The PIP sets out the timing and measures proposed to generate data to support a pediatric indication of the drug for which marketing authorization is being sought. The marketing authorization application for the product must include the results of pediatric clinical trials conducted in accordance with the PIP, unless a waiver applies, or a deferral has been granted by the PDCO of the obligation to implement some or all of the measures of the PIP until there are sufficient data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the product in adults, in which case the pediatric clinical trials must be completed at a later date. Products that are granted a marketing authorization with the results of the pediatric clinical trials conducted in accordance with the PIP are eligible for a six-month extension of the protection under a supplementary protection certificate (if any is in effect at the time of approval) even where the trial results are negative. In the case of orphan medicinal products, a two-year extension of the orphan market exclusivity may be available. This pediatric reward is subject to specific conditions and is not automatically available when data in compliance with the PIP are developed and submitted.
Regulatory Data Protection in the European Union
In the EEA, innovative medicinal products approved on the basis of a complete independent data package qualify for eight years of data exclusivity upon grant of a marketing authorization and an additional two years of market exclusivity pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 726/2004, as amended, and Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended. Data exclusivity prevents generic and biosimilar applicants from referencing the innovator’s preclinical and clinical trial data contained in the dossier of the reference product when applying for a marketing authorization for a period of eight years from the date on which the reference product was first authorized in the EEA. During the additional two-year period of market exclusivity, a generic or biosimilar marketing authorization application can be submitted, and the innovator’s data may be referenced, but no generic or biosimilar medicinal product can be marketed until the expiration of the market exclusivity period. The overall 10-year period will be extended to a maximum of 11 years if, during the first eight years of those 10 years, the marketing authorization holder obtains an authorization for one or more new therapeutic indications which, during the scientific evaluation prior to authorization, is held to bring
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a significant clinical benefit in comparison with existing therapies. Even if a compound is considered to be an innovative medicinal product so that the innovator gains the prescribed period of data exclusivity, another company may market another version of the product if such company obtained marketing authorization based on a MAA with a completely independent data package of pharmaceutical tests, preclinical tests and clinical trials.
Periods of Authorization and Renewals
A marketing authorization is valid for five years, in principle, and it may be renewed after five years on the basis of a re-evaluation of the risk benefit balance by the EMA or by the competent authority of the authorizing member state. To that end, the marketing authorization holder must provide the EMA or the competent authority with a consolidated version of the file in respect of quality, safety and efficacy, including all variations introduced since the marketing authorization was granted, at least nine months before the marketing authorization ceases to be valid. Once renewed, the marketing authorization is valid for an unlimited period, unless the European Commission or the competent authority decides, on justified grounds relating to pharmacovigilance, to proceed with one additional five-year renewal period. Any authorization that is not followed by the placement of the product on the EEA market (in the case of the centralized procedure) or on the market of the authorizing member state within three years after authorization ceases to be valid.
Controlled Drugs Classification
The position in the member states of the European Union is not harmonized. Member states have implemented the relevant UN Conventions (the Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs 1961 and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971) into their national legislation, which has led to differences in how controlled substances are regulated in different countries of the European Union. It is therefore important to determine at a national level whether a substance is controlled and to comply with the applicable legal requirements.
Regulatory Requirements After Marketing Authorization
Following approval, the holder of the marketing authorization is required to comply with a range of requirements applicable to the manufacturing, marketing, promotion and sale of the medicinal product.
These include compliance with the European Union’s stringent pharmacovigilance or safety reporting rules, pursuant to which post-authorization studies and additional monitoring obligations can be imposed. The holder of a marketing authorization must establish and maintain a pharmacovigilance system and appoint an individual qualified person for pharmacovigilance, who is responsible for oversight of that system. Key obligations include expedited reporting of suspected serious adverse reactions and submission of periodic safety update reports, or PSURs.
In addition, all new MAAs must include a risk management plan, or RMP, describing the risk management system that the company will put in place and documenting measures to prevent or minimize the risks associated with the product. The regulatory authorities may also impose specific obligations as a condition of the marketing authorization. Such risk-minimization measures or post-authorization obligations may include additional safety monitoring, more frequent submission of PSURs, or the conduct of additional clinical trials or post-authorization safety studies. RMPs and PSURs are routinely available to third parties requesting access, subject to limited redactions.
Furthermore, the manufacturing of authorized products, for which a separate manufacturer’s license is mandatory, must also be conducted in strict compliance with the EMA’s cGMP requirements and comparable requirements of other regulatory bodies in the European Union, which mandate the methods, facilities and controls used in manufacturing, processing and packing of products to assure their safety and identity.
Finally, the marketing and promotion of authorized products, including industry-sponsored continuing medical education and advertising directed toward the prescribers of products, are strictly regulated in the European Union under Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended. The advertising of prescription-only medicines to the general public is not permitted in the European Union, or in the UK under the Human Medicines Regulations 2021. Although general requirements for advertising and promotion of medicinal products are established under EU Directive 2001/83/EC as amended, the details are governed by regulations in each European Union member state (as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and can differ from one country to another.
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United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (UK) has left the European Union and will declare its independent processes to approve clinical research and marketing authorizations. Since the regulatory framework in the UK covering quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, clinical trials, marketing authorization, commercial sales and distribution of pharmaceutical products is derived from EU Directives and Regulations, Brexit could materially impact the future regulatory regime which applies to products and the approval of drug candidates in the UK, as UK legislation now has the potential to diverge from EU legislation. It remains to be seen how Brexit will impact regulatory requirements for drug candidates and products in the UK in the long-term. The MHRA has published detailed guidance for industry and organizations to follow from January 1, 2021, which will be updated as the UK’s regulatory position on medicinal products evolves over time. How precisely clinical research within the UK will be performed and how approval for drugs will be organized is subject to ongoing discussions
The UK will no longer be covered by centralized marketing authorizations (under the Northern Irish Protocol, centralized marketing authorizations will continue to be recognized in Northern Ireland). All medicinal products with a current centralized marketing authorization were automatically converted to Great Britain marketing authorizations on January 1, 2021. For a period of two years from January 1, 2021, the MHRA may rely on a decision taken by the European Commission on the approval of a new marketing authorization in the centralized procedure, in order to more quickly grant a new Great Britain marketing authorization. A separate application will, however, still be required.
Australia
In Australia, the relevant regulatory body responsible for the pharmaceutical industry is the Therapeutics Goods Administration, or TGA. As with the EMA and FDA there is a harmonization and collaboration between regulatory authorities. The TGA requires notification of all clinical trials via an electronic submission of a Clinical Trial Notification (CTN) prior to commencing the clinical trial.
Third-Party Payer Coverage and Reimbursement
Although our drug candidates have not been commercialized for any indication, if they are approved for marketing, commercial success of our drug candidates will depend, in part, upon the availability of coverage and reimbursement from third party payers at the federal, state and private levels.
In the United States and internationally, sales of any product that we market in the future, and our ability to generate revenues on such sales, are dependent, in significant part, on the availability of adequate coverage and reimbursement from third party payors, such as state and federal governments, managed care providers and private insurance plans.
Private insurers, such as health maintenance organizations and managed care providers, have implemented cost-cutting and reimbursement initiatives and likely will continue to do so in the future. These include establishing formularies that govern the drugs and biologics that will be offered and the out-of-pocket obligations of member patients for such products. We may need to conduct pharmacoeconomic studies to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of our drug candidates for formulary coverage and reimbursement. Even with such studies, our drug candidates may be considered less safe, less effective or less cost-effective than existing products, and third-party payors may not provide coverage and reimbursement for our drug candidates, in whole or in part. In addition, particularly in the United States and increasingly in other countries, we are required to provide discounts and pay rebates to state and federal governments and agencies in connection with purchases of our drug candidates that are reimbursed by such entities. It is possible that future legislation in the United States and other jurisdictions could be enacted to potentially impact reimbursement rates for the drug candidates we are developing and may develop in the future and could further impact the levels of discounts and rebates paid to federal and state government entities. Any legislation that impacts these areas could impact, in a significant way, our ability to generate revenues from sales of drug candidates that, if successfully developed, we bring to market. Political, economic and regulatory influences are subjecting the healthcare industry in the United States to fundamental changes. There have been, and we expect there will continue to be, legislative and regulatory proposals to change the healthcare system in ways that could significantly affect our future business.
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Similar political, economic and regulatory developments are occurring in the European Union and may affect the ability of pharmaceutical companies to profitably commercialize their products. In addition to continuing pressure on prices and cost containment measures, legislative developments at the European Union or member state level may result in significant additional requirements or obstacles. The delivery of healthcare in the European Union, including the establishment and operation of health services and the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, is almost exclusively a matter for national, rather than European Union, law and policy. National governments and health service providers have different priorities and approaches to the delivery of health care and the pricing and reimbursement of products in that context. In general, however, the healthcare budgetary constraints in most EU member states have resulted in restrictions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines by relevant health service providers. Coupled with ever-increasing EU and national regulatory burdens on those wishing to develop and market products, this could restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect the ability of pharmaceutical companies to commercialize their products. In international markets, reimbursement and healthcare payment systems vary significantly by country, and many countries have instituted price ceilings on specific products and therapies. In the future, there may continue to be additional proposals relating to the reform of the healthcare system in the United States and international healthcare systems. Future legislation, or regulatory actions implementing recent or future legislation may have a significant effect on our business. Our ability to successfully commercialize products depends in part on the extent to which reimbursement for the costs of our drug candidates and related treatments will be available in the United States and worldwide from government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other organizations. The adoption of certain proposals could limit the prices we are able to charge for our drug candidates, the amounts of reimbursement available for our drug candidates, and limit the acceptance and availability of our drug candidates. Therefore, substantial uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved health care products by third party payors.
Exchange Controls
Australia has largely abolished exchange controls on investment transactions. The Australian dollar is freely convertible into U.S. dollars. In addition, there are currently no specific rules or limitations regarding the export from Australia of profits, dividends, capital or similar funds belonging to foreign investors, except that certain payments to non-residents must be reported to the Australian Cash Transaction Reports Agency, which monitors such transaction, and amounts on account of potential Australian tax liabilities may be required to be withheld unless a relevant taxation treaty can be shown to apply.
The Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975
Under Australian law, in certain circumstances foreign persons are prohibited from acquiring more than a limited percentage of the shares in an Australian company without approval from the Australian Treasurer. These limitations are set forth in the Australian Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act, or the Takeovers Act.
Under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act, as currently in effect, any foreign person, together with associates, or parties acting in concert, is prohibited from acquiring 20% or more of the shares in any company having consolidated total assets of or that is valued at A$275 million or more (or A$1,192 million or more in case of U.S. investors). “Associates” is a broadly defined term under the Takeovers Act 1975 and includes the following, but not limited to:
• any relative of the person;
• any person with whom the person is acting or proposes to act in concert;
• any person with whom the person carries on a business in partnership;
• any entity of which the person is a ‘senior officer’ (such as a director or executive);
• if the person is an entity, any holding entity or any senior officer of the entity;
• any entity whose senior officers are accustomed or obliged to act in accordance with the directions, instructions or wishes of the person or if the person is an entity, its senior officers or vice versa;
• any corporation in which the person holds a ‘substantial interest’ (i.e., 20%) or any person holding a substantial interest in the person if a corporation;
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• a trustee of a trust in which the person holds a substantial interest or if the person is the trustee of a trust, a person who holds a substantial interest in the trust; and
• if the person is a foreign government, a separate government entity or a foreign government investor in relation to a foreign country, any other person that is a foreign government, a separate government entity or foreign government investor, in relation to that country.
The Australian Treasurer also has power in certain circumstances to make an order specifying that two or more persons are associates.
In addition, a foreign person may not acquire shares in a company having consolidated total asset of or that is valued at A$275 million or more (or A$1,192 million or more in case of U.S. investors) if, as a result of that acquisition, the total holdings of all foreign persons and their associates will exceed 40% in aggregate without the approval of the Australian Treasurer. If the necessary approvals are not obtained, the Treasurer may make an order requiring the acquirer to dispose of the shares it has acquired within a specified period of time. The same rule applies if the total holdings of all foreign persons and their associates already exceeds 40% and a foreign person (or its associate) acquires any further shares, including in the course of trading in the secondary market of the ADSs. At present, we do not have total assets of A$275 million or more. At this time, our total assets do not exceed any of the above thresholds and therefore no approval would be required from the Australian Treasurer. Nonetheless, if our total assets were to exceed the threshold in the future, we would be mindful of the number of ADS that can be made available, and monitor the 40% aggregate shareholding threshold for foreign persons (together with the associates) to ensure that it will not be exceeded subject to the Australian Treasurer’s approval.
Each foreign person seeking to acquire holdings in excess of the above caps (including their associates, as the case may be) would need to complete an application form setting out the proposal and relevant particulars of the acquisition/shareholding. The Australian Treasurer then has 30 days to consider the application and make a decision. However, the Australian Treasurer may extend the period by up to a further 90 days by publishing an interim order. The Australian Treasurer has issued a guideline titled Australia’s Foreign Investment Policy which provides an outline of the policy. As for the risk associated with seeking approval, the policy provides that the Treasurer will reject an application if it is contrary to the national interest.
If the level of foreign ownership exceeds 40% at any time, we would be considered a foreign person under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act. In such event, we would be required to obtain the approval of the Australian Treasurer for our company, together with our associates, to acquire (i) more than 15% of an Australian company or business having total assets of or that is valued at A$275 million (or A$1,192 if the investor is a non-government entity from a ‘partner agreement’ country) or more; or (ii) any direct or indirect ownership in Australian residential real estate and certain non-residential real estate.
The percentage of foreign ownership in our company may also be included determining the foreign ownership of any Australian company or business in which we may choose to invest. Since we have no current plans for any such acquisition and do not own any property, any such approvals required to be obtained by us as a foreign person under the Takeovers Act will not affect our current or future ownership or lease of property in Australia.
Our Constitution does not contain any additional limitations on a non-resident’s right to hold or vote our securities.
Australian law requires the transfer of shares in our company to be made in writing or electronically through the Clearing House Electronic Sub-register System.
Inflation and Seasonality
Management believes inflation has not had a material impact on our operations or financial condition. Management further believes that our operations are not currently subject to seasonal influences due to our current lack of marketed products. Moreover, the targets of our drug candidates, are not seasonal diseases. Accordingly, once we have marketed products, management does not expect that our business will be subject to seasonal influences.
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Manufacturing and Raw Materials
We have no manufacturing capabilities and are dependent on third parties for cost effective manufacture and manufacturing process development of our drug candidates. Problems with third party manufacturers or the manufacturing process as such may delay or jeopardize clinical trials and commercialization of our drug candidates.
History and Development
Our legal name is Incannex Healthcare Limited. We were incorporated in Australian in April 2001 under the name Mount Magnet South Limited. In November 2016, we changed name to Impression Healthcare Limited, and in June 2020, to Incannex Healthcare Limited. Incannex is listed on the ASX under the symbol “IHL.”
Since 2019, we have been conducting research and development for medicinal synthetic cannabidiol pharmaceutical products and psychedelic medicine therapies for treatment of a range of indications.
In June 2020, we discontinued the sale of mouthguards for sports activities to focus its resources on cannabinoid sales and development activities. As a result, on June 30, 2020, we sold our wholly-owned subsidiary Gameday International Pty Ltd. Sales of sports mouthguards had severely diminished due to the cancellation of sport seasons resulting from COVID- 19 restrictions. We did not expect any normal continuation of the sports season or recovery in mouthguard sales in the medium term that justifies continued financial commitment.
In January 2019, the Department of Health of Victoria granted us licenses to sell or supply cannabinoid substances, and in particular cannabis, cannabidiol (“CBD”), tetrahydrocannabinols (“THC”) and dronabinol.
Our registered office is located at Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia and our telephone number is +61 409 840 786. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Vcorp Agent Services, Inc., 25 Robert Pitt Drive, Suite 204, Monsey, NY 10952, Rockland County. Our address on the Internet is www.incannex.com.au. The information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of this Registration Statement. We have included our website address in this Registration Statement solely as an inactive textual reference. All information we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is available through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering
Organizational Structure
Below is a list of our significant subsidiaries, including our ownership percentage, its date of formation and its jurisdiction. These subsidiaries were established to allow us to conduct commercial and clinical operations in Europe and the United States and expand our operations in Australia.
Subsidiary |
Ownership |
Date of |
Jurisdiction |
|||
Incannex Pty Ltd |
100% |
November 30, 2018 |
Victoria, Australia |
|||
Psychennex Pty Ltd |
100% |
November 20, 2020 |
Victoria, Australia |
Property, Plants and Equipment
We own computer equipment, office furniture and laboratory equipment, which is primarily placed at our own offices and laboratories.
Office Location |
Lease expiry |
|
Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia |
April 2022 |
|
Suite 207, 11 Solent Circuit, Norwest 2153, NSW, Australia |
September 2021 |
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Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth our directors and senior management, their age and the positions they held as of June 30, 2021. There are no family relationships among any of the members of our board of directors and our senior management.
Name |
Age |
Position |
||
Joel Latham |
32 |
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director |
||
Troy Valentine(1) |
48 |
Chairman |
||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
46 |
Chief Medical Officer and Director |
||
Peter Widdows(2) |
55 |
Director |
||
Madhukar Bhalla |
63 |
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary |
____________
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Chair of Audit Committee.
Joel Latham. Joel Latham has been the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Incannex since July 2018. Mr. Latham is responsible for the Company’s commercial operations, strategic decision-making, and oversight of all clinical development assets for Incannex Healthcare. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Latham had been a key member of our senior leadership team acting as General Manager since 2016. During this time, he was instrumental in the marketing and procurement of multiple revenue-generating opportunities and partnerships, including with Pacific Smiles (ASX:PSQ), 1300 Smiles (ASX: ONT), the National Rugby League, the Australian Football League, ONE Fighting Championship, FIT Technologies and Cannvalate. During his time at the Company, Mr. Latham has been pivotal in the development and execution of Incannex’s drug development and regulatory strategy. Prior to joing Incannex in 2016, Mr. Latham had over 14 years’ experience, with major firms such as Mars Foods, Tabcorp and Philip Morris International in management and commercial operational roles.
Troy Valentine. Troy Valentine has been Chairman of the Board of Directors since December 2017. Mr. Valentine is a finance professional with managerial and Board experience spanning over 27 years. He commenced his career with Australian brokerage firm Hartley Poynton (now Euroz Hartley’s Limited) in 1994 before moving to Patersons Securities (now Canaccord Genuity) in 2000 and subsequently became an Associate Director. During his time at Patersons, he was responsible for managing both retail and institutional accounts. Mr. Valentine has significant corporate and capital raising experience, especially with start-ups and small to mid-cap size companies. He is currently a director of Australian boutique corporate advisory firm Alignment Capital Pty Ltd, which he co-founded in 2014.
Dr. Agarwal has been our Chief Medical Officer of Incannex since June 2019. He is responsible for the oversight over the Company’s cannabinoid clinical program and pipeline of proprietary products. Dr Agarwal is a specialist anaesthesiologist and physician researcher and passed his board exams and was made a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 2009. Dr. Sud Agarwal is a key opinion leader in the clinical use of medicinal cannabis and is regularly invited as a keynote to industry and pharmaceutical events, including the World Cannabis Conference (June 2019), the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Conference (March 2019), Prohibition Partners (September 2020) and the forthcoming International Cannabinoid Derived Pharmaceuticals Summit in Boston (September 2021). Since 2018, Dr. Agarwal also serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Cannvalate, an Australian private medicinal cannabis company that owns a 3% beneficial interest in Incannex.
Peter Widdows. Peter Widdows has been a Director since 2018. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with experience across various functions of business. He has extensive experience in Australian and international consumer goods markets and has worked as a senior executive in numerous geographies, including Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. In particular, Mr. Widdows served as the Regional Chief Executive Officer — Australasia and Greater China at the H. J. Heinz Company from 2008 to 2010 and as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director — Australia at the H. J. Heinz Company from 2002 to 2008 and as the General Manager Strategy & Planning at Starkist Foods Inc. in Cincinnati from 1998 to 2000. Since September 2018, Mr. Widdows has been Chairman of Sunny Queen Australia Ltd, Australia’s largest shell egg and egg-based meal producer and is also a Non-Executive Director of Youi Insurance Holdings Ltd, an Australian general insurance company.
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Madhukar Bhalla. Madhukar Bhalla has been Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Incannex since June 2021. Since July 2018, he has been acting as Company Secretary and Corporate Administrator at Classic Minerals Limited, an ASX-listed Australian company. Since July 2017, Mr Bhalla has been acting as Company Secretary of Appsolute Digital Ltd, a public unlisted Australian company. Between November 2017 and July 2018, Mr. Bhalla acted as Corporate Governance and HR Manager at Role Models and Leaders Australia and, from 2016 to 2018, he acted as the Company Secretary for FairStar Resources Limited.
Compensation
Remuneration Principles
Remuneration of all executive and non-executive directors and officers is determined by the board of directors.
We are committed to remunerating senior executives and executive directors in a manner that is market-competitive and consistent with “Best Practice” including the interests of shareholders. Remuneration packages are based on fixed and variable components, determined by the executives’ position, experience and performance, and may be satisfied via cash or equity.
Non-executive directors are remunerated out of the aggregate amount approved by shareholders and at a level that is consistent with industry standards. Non-executive directors do not receive performance-based bonuses and prior shareholder approval is required to participate in any issue of equity. No retirement benefits are payable other than statutory superannuation, if applicable.
Our remuneration policy is not directly based on our financial performance, rather on industry practice, given we operate in the biotechnology sector and our primary focus is research activities with a long-term objective of developing and commercializing the research and development results.
We envisage our performance in terms of earnings will remain negative while we continue in the research and development phase.
The purpose of a performance bonus is to reward individual performance in line with our objectives. Consequently, performance-based remuneration is paid to an individual where the individual’s performance clearly contributes to a successful outcome. This is regularly measured in respect of performance against key performance indicators.
We use a variety of key performance indicators to determine achievement, depending on the role of the executive being assessed. These include:
• successful contract negotiations;
• achievement of research project milestones within scheduled time and/or budget; and
• our share price reaching a targeted level on the ASX over a period of time.
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Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each individual who served as directors and executive officers in fiscal 2021.
June 30, 2021 |
Short-term Benefits |
Post Employment Benefits |
Long-term (share based payments) |
Total |
||||||||
Cash salary |
Cash |
Non |
Super- annuation A$ |
Performance Rights, Shares |
A$ |
|||||||
Directors |
||||||||||||
Joel Latham |
278,731 |
115,000 |
— |
24,627 |
217,712 |
636,070 |
||||||
Troy Valentine |
54,000 |
— |
127,500 |
5,130 |
— |
186,630 |
||||||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
48,000 |
— |
90,000 |
4,560 |
454,987 |
597,547 |
||||||
Peter Widdows |
48,000 |
— |
— |
4,560 |
— |
52,560 |
||||||
Other Key Management Personnel |
||||||||||||
Madhukar Bhalla |
60,000 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
||||||
428,731 |
115,000 |
217,500 |
38,877 |
672,699 |
1,472,807 |
Service Agreements
The following members of key personnel have service agreements as at June 30, 2021 as follows:
Joel Latham |
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer |
|
Agreement commenced: |
July 1, 2020 |
|
Details |
This employment agreement has no fixed term. Each party can terminate at will by giving three months’ notice. However, if the termination is for cause, no notice is required. |
|
Base salary including superannuation |
A$260,000 per year, including a vehicle allowance. |
|
Madhukar Bhalla |
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary |
|
Agreement commenced: |
June 28, 2021 |
|
Details |
This service agreement has no fixed term. This service agreement can be terminated by either party at will by giving 1-month notice. |
|
Base salary including superannuation |
A$60,000 per year for services as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. |
|
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
Chief Medical Officer |
|
Agreement commenced: |
July 23, 2019 |
|
Details |
This service agreement has a fixed term of one year and it automatically renews if the parties do not terminate it. Dr. Sud Agarwal can terminate with 90 days notice. Either party can terminate the contract without notice in the case of material breach or insolvency. |
|
Base salary including superannuation |
A$90,000 per year for services as Chief Medical Officer. |
Employee Share Option Plan and Performance Rights Plan
The Company does not currently have any Employee Share Option Plan or Performance Rights Plan. In the event that the directors determined that such plans were necessary, the Company would seek shareholder approval for any such plan prior to their use.
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Over the past three years, the Company has issued options or performance rights to directors or management as part of their remuneration or as performance incentives. No options or performance rights were granted to directors and officers during fiscal year 2021. All of these issues have been approved by shareholders prior to their issuance. Details of these issues are below:
Recipient |
Quantity |
Type |
Shareholder approval date |
|||
Joel Latham |
8,000,000 |
Performance Rights |
20 November 2018 |
|||
Troy Valentine |
2,500,000 |
Performance Rights |
20 November 2018 |
|||
Peter Widdows |
2,500,000 |
Performance Rights |
20 November 2018 |
|||
Madhukar Bhalla |
— |
— |
— |
|||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
32,303,593 |
Performance Rights |
26 June 2020 |
|||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
200,000,000 |
Options |
26 June 2020 |
|||
Joel Latham |
4,500,000 |
Options |
26 June 2020 |
Ordinary Share holdings
As at June 30, 2021, the numbers of shares held by our directors and officers were as follows.
2021 |
Balance at |
Received on |
Received |
Other |
Balance at |
||||||
Ordinary shares |
|
||||||||||
Joel Latham |
11,829,129 |
— |
2,000,000 |
4,119,285 |
(1) |
17,948,414 |
|||||
Troy Valentine |
20,234,248 |
— |
6,500,000 |
— |
|
26,734,248 |
|||||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
36,000,000 |
30,303,593 |
— |
— |
|
66,303,593 |
|||||
Peter Widdows |
12,615,790 |
— |
3,300,000 |
— |
|
15,915,790 |
|||||
Madhukar Bhalla |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
— |
|||||
Total ordinary shares |
80,679,167 |
30,303,593 |
11,800,000 |
4,119,285 |
|
126,902,045 |
____________
(1) Removal from voluntary escrow.
Options holdings
As at June 30, 2021, the numbers of options held by our directors and officers were as follows. Each options grants the right to receive one fully paid ordinary share in Incannex.
2021 |
Balance at |
Exercise price |
Expiration date |
Changes |
Balance at |
||||||
Options |
|
||||||||||
Joel Latham |
— |
$ |
0.05 |
June 30, 2025 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
|||||
Joel Latham |
— |
$ |
0.05 |
June 30, 2026 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
|||||
Joel Latham |
— |
$ |
0.05 |
June 30, 2027 |
750,000 |
750,000 |
|||||
Joel Latham |
— |
$ |
0.08 |
September 30, 2021 |
200,000 |
200,000 |
|||||
Troy Valentine |
$ |
0.08 |
September 30, 2021 |
7,116,950 |
7,116,950 |
||||||
Dr. Sud Agarwal(1) (2) |
200,000,000 |
|
A$ 0.20 |
September 30, 2021 |
— |
200,000,000 |
|||||
Peter Widdows(3) |
657,895 |
|
A$ 0.08 |
September 30, 2021 |
— |
657,895 |
|||||
Madhukar Bhalla |
— |
|
— |
— |
— |
— |
|||||
Total options |
204,895,395 |
|
9,566,950 |
214,462,345 |
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Performance rights
As at June 30, 2021, the numbers of performance rights held by our directors and officers were as follows. Each performance right grants the right to receive one fully paid ordinary share in the Company.
2021 |
Balance at |
Granted/(Expired) |
Converted to |
Balance at |
||||||
Performance rights |
|
|
||||||||
Joel Latham |
5,000,000 |
(5,000,000 |
) |
— |
|
— |
||||
Troy Valentine |
1,500,000 |
(1,500,000 |
) |
— |
|
— |
||||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
32,303,593 |
(2,000,000 |
) |
(30,303,593 |
) |
— |
||||
Peter Widdows |
1,500,000 |
(1,500,000 |
) |
— |
|
— |
||||
Madhukar Bhalla |
— |
— |
|
— |
|
— |
||||
Total performance rights |
40,303,593 |
(10,000,000 |
) |
(30,303,593 |
) |
— |
Board Practices
Introduction
Our Board of Directors is elected by and accountable to our shareholders. It currently consists of four directors, including three non-executive directors, of which one is the non-executive Chairman of our Board of Directors. The Chairman of our Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the Board of Directors and its functions.
Election of Directors
Directors are elected at our annual general meeting of shareholders. Under our Constitution, a director, other than a managing director, must not hold office for more than three years or beyond the third annual general meeting following his appointment (whichever is the longer period) without submitting himself for re-election. Our Board of Directors has the power to appoint any person to be a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director (provided that the total number of directors does not exceed the maximum allowed by law), and any director so appointed may hold office only until the next annual general meeting (“AGM”) when he or she shall be eligible for election.
The appointment and expiration dates of each director in office on June 30, 2021, is as follows:
Name |
Position |
Year first appointed |
Current term expires |
|||
Joel Latham |
Managing Director and CEO |
2018 |
—(1) |
|||
Troy Valentine |
Chairman |
2019 |
2022(2) |
|||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
Chief Medical Officer and Director |
2019 |
2021(2) |
|||
Peter Widdows |
Director |
2020 |
2023(2) |
____________
(1) According to our Constitution, a Managing Director’s appointment is not subject to expiration.
(2) Term expires on the date of the AGM for that year.
Corporate Governance
ASX Corporate Governance Principles
In Australia, there are no defined corporate governance structures and practices that must be observed by a company listed on the ASX, except that entities of a certain size are required to have audit and remuneration committees and, in some instances, trading policies for key management personnel. Instead, the ASX Corporate
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Governance Council has published the Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, which contains what are called the Recommendations which articulate eight core principles which are intended to provide a reference point for companies about their corporate governance structures and practices. Under ASX Listing Rule 4.10.3, companies are required to attach a copy of the Company’s corporate governance statement (which has been approved by the Board) and provide a statement in their annual report to shareholders disclosing the extent to which they have followed the Recommendations in the reporting period and where they have not followed all the Recommendations, identify the Recommendations that have not been followed, and the reasons for not following them and what (if any) alternative governance practices it adopted in lieu of the recommendations during that period. It is not mandatory to follow the Recommendations. As compliance with the Recommendations would entail excessive costs to us, and in light of our current size, we do not follow the Recommendations because the costs of doing so would outweigh the benefits.
Non-Executive and Independent Directors
Australian law does not require a company to appoint a certain number of independent directors to its board of directors or audit committee. However, under the Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, the ASX recommends, but does not require, that an ASX-listed company have a majority of independent directors on its board of directors. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Troy Valentine and Peter Widdows qualifies as an independent director under the requirements of the ASX.
Our Board of Directors does not have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. The Board of Directors does meet regularly and independent directors are expected to attend all such meetings.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Audit Committee. Nasdaq Marketplace Rules require us to establish an audit committee comprised of at least three members, each of whom is financially literate and satisfies the respective “independence” requirements of the SEC and Nasdaq and one of whom has accounting or related financial management expertise at senior levels within a company.
Our Audit Committee assists our Board of Directors in overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of our company and audits of our financial statements, including the integrity of our financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, our independent public accountants’ qualifications and independence, and independent public accountants, and such other duties as may be directed by our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee is also required to assess risk management.
Our Audit Committee currently consists of two board members, Peter Widdows and Troy Valentine. Each of Troy Valentine and Peter Widdows satisfies the “independence” requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. As permitted by Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, we will appoint a third independent board member to the audit committee within 1 year of listing on Nasdaq. The audit committee meets at least two times per year.
Corporate Governance Requirements under Nasdaq listing rules.
As we are incorporated in Australia, we are allowed to follow Australian “home country” corporate governance practices in lieu of the otherwise applicable Nasdaq corporate governance standards, as long as we disclose each requirement of Rule 5600 that we do not follow and describe the home country practice we follow in lieu of the relevant Nasdaq corporate governance standards. We intend to take all actions necessary to maintain compliance with applicable corporate governance requirements under the rules adopted by the SEC and listing standards of Nasdaq. We follow Australian corporate governance practices in lieu of the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules in respect of:
• Nasdaq requirement under Rule 5605(d) that a compensation committee be constituted — The ASX Listing Rules do not have an express requirement that each issuer listed on ASX have a compensation committee. We expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement to constitute a compensation committee under the Nasdaq listing rules and we seek to claim such exemption.
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• Nasdaq requirement under Rule 5605(e) that a nominations committee be constituted — The ASX Listing Rules do not have an express requirement that each issuer listed on ASX have a nominations committee. We expect to rely on an exemption from the requirement to constitute a nominations committee under the Nasdaq listing rules and we seek to claim such exemption.
• Nasdaq requirement under Rule 5620(c) that a quorum consist of holders of 33 1/3% of the outstanding ordinary shares — The ASX Listing Rules do not have an express requirement that each issuer listed on ASX have a quorum of any particular number of the outstanding ordinary shares, but instead allow a listed issuer to establish its own quorum requirements. Our quorum is currently two persons who are entitled to vote. We believe this quorum requirement is consistent with the requirements of the ASX and is appropriate and typical of generally accepted business practices in Australia.
• Nasdaq requirements under Rules 5605(b)(1) and (2) relating to director independence, including the requirements that a majority of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors and that independent directors must have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present — The Nasdaq and ASX definitions of what constitute an independent director are not identical and the requirements relating to the roles and obligations of independent directors are not identical. The ASX, unlike Nasdaq, permits an issuer to establish its own materiality threshold for determining whether a transaction between a director and an issuer affects the director’s status as independent and it does not require that a majority of the issuer’s board of directors be independent, as long as the issuer publicly discloses this fact. In addition, the ASX does not require that the independent directors have regularly scheduled meeting at which only independent directors are present. We believe that our Board composition is consistent with the requirements of the ASX and that it is appropriate and typical of generally accepted business practices in Australia.
• The requirement that our independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions under Nasdaq Listing Rules. The ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act do not require the independent directors of an Australian company to have such executive sessions.
• The Nasdaq requirements under Rules 5605(d) that compensation of an issuer’s officers must be determined, or recommended to the Board for determination, either by a majority of the independent directors, or a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors, and that director nominees must either be selected, or recommended for the Board’s selection, either by a majority of the independent directors, or a nominations committee comprised solely of independent directors. The Nasdaq compensation committee requirements are not identical to the ASX remuneration and nomination committee requirements. Issuers listed on the ASX are recommended under applicable listing standards to establish a remuneration committee consisting of a majority of independent directors and an independent chairperson, or publicly disclose that it has not done so. We do not have a compensation committee.
• The requirement prescribed by Nasdaq Listing Rules that issuers obtain shareholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with certain acquisitions, private placements of securities, or the establishment or amendment of certain share option, purchase or other compensation plans. Applicable Australian law and the ASX Listing Rules differ from Nasdaq requirements, with the ASX Listing Rules providing generally for prior shareholder approval in numerous circumstances, including (i) issuance of equity securities exceeding 15% (or 25% under certain circumstances) of our issued share capital in any 12-month period (but, in determining the 15% limit, securities issued under an exception to the rule or with shareholder approval are not counted), (ii) issuance of equity securities to related parties (as defined in the ASX Listing Rules) and (iii) issuances of securities to directors or their associates under an employee incentive plan.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Constitution provides that, we may indemnify a person who is, or has been, a director or an officer of our company, to the full extent permissible by law, out of our property against any liability incurred by such person as a director or an officer in defending proceedings, whether civil or criminal, and whatever their outcome.
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In addition, our Constitution provides that to the extent permitted by law, we may pay, or agree to pay, a premium in respect of a contract insuring a person who is or has been a director or an officer of our company or one of our subsidiaries against any liability:
• incurred by the person in his or her capacity as a director or an officer of our company or a subsidiary of our company, and
• for costs and expenses incurred by that person in defending proceedings relating to that person acting as a director or an officer of Incannex, whether civil or criminal, and whatever their outcome.
We maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy. We have established a policy for the indemnification of our directors and officers against certain liabilities incurred as a director or officer, including costs and expenses associated in successfully defending legal proceedings
Employees
As of June 30, 2021, we had 4 employees. Of these employees, 3 were employed in research and development and 1 in general management and administration. All the employees were located in Australia. As at the end of fiscal year 2020, we had 4 employees.
Each of our full-time employees has entered into an agreement with an unlimited term. We may only terminate the employment of any of our employees in accordance with the relevant employee’s contract of employment.
Our standard contract of employment for full time provides that we can terminate the employment of an employee without notice for serious misconduct or with between one to six months’ notice without cause (as set out in the relevant employee’s contract of employment).
Share Ownership
Ownership of Senior Management and Directors
The following table sets forth certain information as of October 31, 2021 regarding the ownership of our ordinary shares by each of our directors and senior management and by all of our directors and senior management as a group. The percentages shown are based on 1,201,675,681 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2021.
Name |
Number of Ordinary Shares |
Percentage of Ownership |
|||
Joel Latham |
18,148,414 |
1.51 |
% |
||
Troy Valentine(2) |
33,851,198 |
2.82 |
% |
||
Dr. Sud Agarwal(1) |
107,303,093 |
8.93 |
% |
||
Peter Widdows |
16,573,685 |
1.38 |
% |
||
Madhukar Bhalla |
— |
— |
|
||
All directors and executive officers as a group (5 persons) – |
175,876,390 |
14.64 |
% |
____________
(1) Dr. Sud Agarwal owns approximately 30% of the ordinary shares in Cannvalate, which owns 32,000,000 ordinary shares of Incannex. Dr. Sud Agarwal, as major shareholder and director of Cannvalate, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the ordinary shares in Incannex held by Cannvalate. Please see “Principal Shareholders” to see beneficial interest including Cannvalate’s interest in Incannex.
(2) Troy Valentine is a director, and owns a 50% equity interest in, Alignment Capital Pty Ltd, which owns 13,194,248 ordinary shares of Incannex. Troy Valentine is a director of Tranaj Nominees Pty Ltd, which owns 10,216,950 ordinary shares in Incannex. Troy Valentine is a director of Valplan Pty Ltd, which owns 3,000,000 ordinary shares in Incannex. Troy Valentine is a director and the sole shareholder of Cityside Pty Ltd, which owns 4,440,000 ordinary shares of Incannex. Troy Valentine is the beneficiary of the GFCR Investments Trust managed by Ekirtson Nominees Pty Ltd as trustee, which owns 2,875,000 ordinary shares in Incannex. Thus, Troy Valentine is deemed to beneficially own 33,726,198 ordinary shares in Incannex.
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Code of Conduct
We have adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees. Our Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.incannex.com.au. We post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the listing standards of Nasdaq concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Conduct. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of, this prospectus.
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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
The following is a description of our related party transactions since July 1, 2018 and we note that all of them were negotiated at arm’s length.
In fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company paid A$97,976, A$145,200 and A$115,864 in fees to Alignment Capital Pty Ltd (“Alignment”), an entity controlled by our Chairman Troy Valentine, as consideration for its services as lead manager.
In June 2019, the Company borrowed A$15,000 from Joel Latham, our Chief Executive Officer, and A$50,000 from Alignment to secure funds to continue the Company’s operations while in the process of completing a capital raising. These funds were advanced with no interest or security element. These amounts were fully repaid by June 30, 2019.
In March 2019, we entered into a distribution agreement with Cannvalate Pty Ltd, a company in which Dr. Sud Agarwal is a director and major shareholder. Under the terms of the agreement, we had the right to distribute cannabinoid oil products in Australia through Cannvalate’s network. This agreement was terminated on June 30, 2021.
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The following table presents the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares based on 1,201,675,681 ordinary shares outstanding at October 31, 2021 by each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our ordinary shares.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares that they beneficially own.
Applicable percentage ownership before the offering is based on 1,201,675,681 ordinary shares outstanding as of October 31, 2021. Applicable percentage ownership after the offering is based on ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering (after giving effect to the sale and issuance of ADSs representing 62,500,000 ordinary shares at an ADS-to-ordinary share ratio of 1-to-25), assuming no exercise by the underwriter of its option to purchase additional ADSs. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person or entity and the percentage ownership of such person or entity, we deemed to be outstanding all shares subject to options and warrants held by the person or entity that are currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2021. However, except as described above, we did not deem such shares outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person or entity.
Ordinary |
Ordinary |
|||||||||
Shareholder |
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
||||||
Dr. Sud Agarwal(1) |
107,303,093 |
14.64 |
% |
107,303,093 |
8.49 |
% |
____________
(1) Includes (i) 75,303,093 ordinary shares owned by Dr. Sud Agarwal and (ii) 32,000,000 ordinary shares owned by Cannvalate, in which Dr. Sud Agarwal owns approximately 30% and is Chairman and, as such, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the ordinary shares in Incannex held by Cannvalate.
As of June 30, 2021, there were 7,536 holders of record of our ordinary shares, of which three had registered addresses in the United States. These numbers are not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our shares nor are they representative of where such beneficial holders reside, as many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees.
To our knowledge, we are not directly or indirectly controlled by another corporation, by any foreign government or by any other natural or legal person severally or jointly. There are no agreements known to us, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of Incannex. All shareholders have the same voting rights.
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General
As of October 31, 2021, we had (i) 1,201,675,681 fully paid ordinary shares outstanding, and (ii) 205,352,822 options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of A$0.20.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
General
Our constituent document is a Constitution. The Constitution is subject to the terms of the Listing Rules of ASX Limited and the Corporations Act 2001. The Constitution may be amended or repealed and replaced by special resolution of shareholders, which is a resolution of which notice has been given and that has been passed by at least 75% of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution.
Purposes and Objects
As a public company we have all the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person. Our Constitution does not provide for or prescribe any specific objects or purposes.
The Powers of the Directors
Under the provision of our Constitution our directors may exercise all the powers of our company except any powers that the Corporations Act or the constitution attributes to Incannex.
Interested Directors
According to our constitution, if a Director discloses his or her in accordance with the Corporations Act, the director may (i) contract or make an arrangement with the Company, or a related body corporate of the Company or a body corporate in which the Company is interested, in any matter in any capacity, (ii) be counted in a quorum for a meeting of Directors considering the contract or arrangement, (iii) vote on whether the Company enters into the contract or arrangement, and on any matter that relates to the contract or arrangement, (iv) sign on behalf of the Company, or witness the affixing of the common seal of the Company to, any document in respect of the contract or arrangement, (v) retain the benefits under the contract or arrangement.
Unless a relevant exception applies, the Corporations Act requires our directors to provide disclosure of certain interests or conflicts of interests and prohibits directors from voting on matters in which they have a material personal interest and from being present at the meeting while the matter is being considered. In addition, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules require shareholder approval of any provision of related party benefits to our directors.
Directors’ compensation
Our non-executive directors are paid remuneration for their services as directors which is determined in a general meeting of shareholders. The aggregate, fixed sum for directors’ remuneration is to be divided among the directors in such proportion as the directors themselves agree and in accordance with our Constitution. Our executive directors are paid remuneration for their services as directors which is determined by all directors.
Fees payable to our non-executive directors must be by way of a fixed sum and not by way of a commission on or a percentage of profits or operating revenue. Remuneration paid to our executive directors must also not include a commission or percentage of operating revenue.
Pursuant to our Constitution, any director who performs services that in the opinion of our board of directors, are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director may be paid extra remuneration, which is determined by our board of directors.
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In addition to other remuneration provided in our Constitution, all of our directors are entitled to be paid by us for reasonable travel accommodation and other expenses incurred by the directors in attending general meetings, board meetings, committee meetings or otherwise in connection with our business.
In addition, in accordance with our Constitution, a director may be paid a retirement benefit as determined by our board of directors subject to the limits set out in the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules which broadly restrict our ability to pay our officers a termination benefit in the event of a change of control of the Company or our subsidiaries as well as impose requirements for shareholder approval to be obtained to pay certain retirement benefits to our officers.
Borrowing powers exercisable by Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution, the management and control of our business affairs are vested in our board of directors. Thus, our board of directors has the power to raise or borrow money, and charge any of our property or business or any uncalled capital, and may issue debentures or give any other security for any of our debts, liabilities or obligations or of any other person, in each case, in the manner and on terms it deems fit.
Retirement of Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution and the ASX Listing Rules, each director, other than the managing director, must not hold office for more than three years or beyond the third annual general meeting following his or her appointment (whichever is longer). Further, at least one director is required to retire by rotation at each annual general meeting (such director being the director who has been longest in office since their last election). Directors who retire by rotation are eligible for a re-election to the board of directors unless disqualified from acting as a director under the Corporations Act or our Constitution.
Rights Attached to Our Ordinary Shares
The concept of authorized share capital no longer exists in Australia and as a result, our authorized share capital is unlimited. All our outstanding ordinary shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The rights attached to our ordinary shares are as follows:
Dividend Rights.
The directors may declare that a dividend be paid to the members according to the shareholders’ pro rata shareholdings and the directors may fix the amount, the time for payment and the method of payment. No dividend is payable except in accordance with the Corporations Act as amended from time to time and no dividend carries interest as against the Company.
Voting Rights.
Holders of ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Such voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future.
The quorum required for an ordinary meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present in person, or by proxy, attorney or representative appointed pursuant to our Constitution. A meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum generally is adjourned to the same day in the following week at the same time and place. At the reconvened meeting, the required quorum consists of any two members present in person, or by proxy, attorney or representative appointed pursuant to our Constitution. The meeting is dissolved if a quorum is not present within 30 minutes from the time appointed for the meeting.
An ordinary resolution, such as a resolution for the declaration of dividends, requires approval by the holders of a majority of the voting rights represented at the meeting, in person, by proxy, or by written ballot and voting thereon. Under our Constitution, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules, certain matters must be passed by way of a special resolution. A special resolution must be passed by at least 75% of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution and who vote at the meeting in person. Matters which are not required to be passed by special resolution are required to be passed by ordinary resolution.
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Rights in Our Profits.
Our shareholders have the right to share in our profits distributed as a dividend and any other permitted distribution.
Rights in the Event of Liquidation.
In the event of our liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, our assets will be distributed to the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to the capital at the commencement of the liquidation paid up or which ought to have been paid up on the shares held by them respectively. This right may be affected by the grant of preferential dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights, such as the right in winding up to payment in cash of the amount then paid up on the share, and any arrears of dividend in respect of that share, in priority to any other class of shares.
Directors may make calls
Our Constitution provides that subject to the terms on which the shares have been issued directors may make calls on a shareholder for amounts unpaid on shares held by that shareholder, other than monies payable at fixed times under the conditions of allotment.
Changing Rights Attached to Shares
According to our Constitution, the rights attached to any class of shares, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the class, may be varied with either the written consent of the holders of not less than 75% of the issued shares of that class or the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the shares of that class.
Annual and Extraordinary Meetings
Our directors must convene an annual meeting of shareholders at least once every calendar year. Notice of at least 28 days prior to the date of the meeting is required. A general meeting may be convened by any director, or shareholders in compliance with the Corporations Act.
Limitations on the Rights to Own Securities in Our Company
Subject to certain limitations on the percentage of shares a person may hold in our company, neither our Constitution nor the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia restrict in any way the ownership or voting of shares in our company.
Changes in Our Capital
Pursuant to the Listing Rules, our directors may in their discretion issue securities to persons who are not related parties of our company, without the approval of shareholders, if such issue, when aggregated with securities issued by our company during the previous 12-month period would be an amount that would not exceed 15% of our issued capital at the commencement of the 12 month period. Other allotments of securities require approval by an ordinary resolution of shareholders.
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Description of American Depositary Shares
American Depositary Shares
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary, will register and deliver the ADSs. Each ADS will represent ownership of 25 ordinary shares, deposited with National Nominees Limited, as custodian for the depositary. Each ADS will also represent ownership of any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The depositary’s corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, USA. The principal executive office of the depositary is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, USA.
The Direct Registration System, or DRS, is a system administered by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto.
We will not treat ADS holders as our shareholders and accordingly, you, as an ADS holder, will not have shareholder rights. Australian law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. As a holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and the beneficial owners of ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs. See “— Jurisdiction and Arbitration.”
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of American Depositary Receipt. For directions on how to obtain copies of those documents, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Holding the ADSs
How will you hold your ADSs?
You may hold ADSs either (i) directly (a) by having an American Depositary Receipt, or ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (b) by holding ADSs in DRS, or (ii) indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are an ADS holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. ADSs will be issued through DRS, unless you specifically request certificated ADRs. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent as of the record date (which will be as close as practicable to the record date for our ordinary shares) set by the depositary with respect to the ADSs.
• Cash. The depositary will convert or cause to be converted any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the ordinary shares or any net proceeds from the sale of any ordinary shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms of the deposit agreement into U.S. dollars if it can do so on a practicable basis and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States and will distribute promptly the amount thus received. If the depositary shall determine in its judgment that such conversions or transfers are not practical or lawful or if any government approval or license is needed and cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold or cause the custodian to hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid and such funds will be held for the respective accounts of the ADS holders. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest for the respective accounts of the ADS holders.
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Before making a distribution, any taxes or other governmental charges, together with fees and expenses of the depositary, that must be paid, will be deducted. See “Taxation.” It will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round down fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
• Shares. For any ordinary shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution, either (1) the depositary will distribute additional ADSs representing such ordinary shares or (2) existing ADSs as of the applicable record date will represent rights and interests in the additional ordinary shares distributed, to the extent reasonably practicable and permissible under law, in either case, net of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will try to sell ordinary shares which would require it to deliver a fractional ADS and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed ordinary shares sufficient to pay its fees and expenses, and any taxes and governmental charges, in connection with that distribution.
• Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares the option to receive dividends in either cash or shares, the depositary, after consultation with us and having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such elective distribution by us, has discretion to determine to what extent such elective distribution will be made available to you as a holder of the ADSs. We must timely first instruct the depositary to make such elective distribution available to you and furnish it with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. The depositary could decide it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to you. In such case, the depositary shall, on the basis of the same determination as is made in respect of the ordinary shares for which no election is made, distribute either cash in the same way as it does in a cash distribution, or additional ADSs representing ordinary shares in the same way as it does in a share distribution. The depositary is not obligated to make available to you a method to receive the elective dividend in shares rather than in ADSs. There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares.
• Rights to Purchase Additional Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares any rights to subscribe for additional shares, the depositary shall having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such distribution by us, consult with us, and we must determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make these rights available to you. We must first instruct the depositary to make such rights available to you and furnish the depositary with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. If the depositary decides it is not legal or reasonably practicable to make the rights available but that it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell the rights, the depositary will endeavor to sell the rights and in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash.
The depositary will allow rights that are not distributed or sold to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them.
If the depositary makes rights available to you, it will establish procedures to distribute such rights and enable you to exercise the rights upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary shall not be obliged to make available to you a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for ordinary shares (rather than ADSs).
U.S. securities laws may restrict transfers and cancellation of the ADSs represented by shares purchased upon exercise of rights. For example, you may not be able to trade these ADSs freely in the United States. In this case, the depositary may deliver restricted depositary shares that have the same terms as the ADSs described in this section except for changes needed to put the necessary restrictions in place.
There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares or be able to exercise such rights.
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• Other Distributions. Subject to receipt of timely notice, as described in the deposit agreement, from us with the request to make any such distribution available to you, and provided the depositary has determined such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable and feasible and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary will distribute to you anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it may deem practicable, upon your payment of applicable fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges. If any of the conditions above are not met, the depositary will endeavor to sell, or cause to be sold, what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash; or, if it is unable to sell such property, the depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration, such that you may have no rights to or arising from such property.
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if we and/or the depositary determines that it is illegal or not practicable for us or the depositary to make them available to you.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares or evidence of rights to receive ordinary shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto.
Except for ordinary shares deposited by us in connection with this offering, no shares will be accepted for deposit prior to the date of this prospectus.
How do ADS holders cancel an American Depositary Share?
You may turn in your ADSs at the depositary’s corporate trust office or by providing appropriate instructions to your broker. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the ordinary shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to you or a person you designate at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its corporate trust office, to the extent permitted by law.
How do ADS holders interchange between Certificated ADSs and Uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send you a statement confirming that you are the owner of uncertificated ADSs. Alternatively, upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to you an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
Voting Rights
How do you vote?
You may instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying your ADSs at any meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our constitution, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities. Otherwise, you could exercise your right to vote directly if you withdraw the ordinary shares. However, you may not know about the meeting sufficiently enough in advance to withdraw the ordinary shares.
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If we ask for your instructions and upon timely notice from us by regular, ordinary mail delivery, or by electronic transmission, as described in the deposit agreement, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming meeting at which you are entitled to vote pursuant to any applicable law, the provisions of our constitution, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. The materials will include or reproduce (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies; (b) a statement that the ADS holders at the close of business on the ADS record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of our constitution, and the provisions of or governing the deposited securities, to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the ordinary shares or other deposited securities represented by such holder’s ADSs; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given to the depositary. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of ADSs representing an integral number of ordinary shares or other deposited securities. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them in writing on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to applicable law and the provisions of our constitution, to vote or to have its agents vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities (in person or by proxy) as you instruct.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. In addition, there can be no assurance that ADS holders and beneficial owners generally, or any holder or beneficial owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to vote or cause the custodian to vote on the same terms and conditions as the holders of our ordinary shares.
The depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no recourse if the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to deposited securities, if we request the depositary to act, we will give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted at least 28 Business Days in advance of the meeting date.
Compliance with Regulations
Information Requests
Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall (a) provide such information as we or the depositary may request pursuant to law, including, without limitation, relevant Australian law, any applicable law of the United States of America, our constitution, any resolutions of our Board of Directors adopted pursuant to such constitution, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ordinary shares, ADSs or ADRs are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or ADRs may be transferred, regarding the capacity in which they own or owned ADRs, the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such ADRs and the nature of such interest, and any other applicable matters, and (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Australia, our constitution, and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, ADRs or ordinary shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, ADRs or ordinary shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such ADS holder or beneficial owner held ordinary shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time such request is made.
Disclosure of Interests
Each ADS holder and beneficial owner shall comply with our requests pursuant to Australian law, the rules and requirements of the Nasdaq and any other stock exchange on which the ordinary shares are, or will be, registered, traded or listed or our constitution, which requests are made to provide information, inter alia, as to the capacity in which such ADS holder or beneficial owner owns ADS and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADS and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are ADS holders or beneficial owners at the time of such requests.
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Fees and Expenses
As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs):
Service |
Fees |
|
To any person to which ADSs are issued or to any person to which a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash) |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS issued |
|
Cancellation of ADSs, including the case of termination of the deposit agreement |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS cancelled |
|
Distribution of cash dividends |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held |
|
Distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held |
|
Distribution of ADSs pursuant to exercise of rights. |
Up to US$0.05 per ADS held |
|
Depositary services |
Up to US$0.04 per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary bank |
As an ADS holder, you will also be responsible for paying certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs) such as:
• Taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
• Fees for the transfer and registration of ordinary shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the ordinary shares in the Australian (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of ordinary shares).
• Expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars.
• Expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities.
• Taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities, including any applicable stamp duties, any stock transfer charges or withholding taxes (i.e., when ordinary shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit).
• Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of ordinary shares on deposit.
• Fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to ordinary shares, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs.
• Any applicable fees and penalties thereon.
The depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.
The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., share dividends, rights), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of
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ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.
In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.
The depositary may make payments to us or reimburse us for certain costs and expenses, by making available a portion of the ADS fees collected in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank agree from time to time.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable, or which become payable, on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register or transfer your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to you any net proceeds, or send to you any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes. You agree to indemnify us, the depositary, the custodian and each of our and their respective agents, directors, employees and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for you. Your obligations under this paragraph shall survive any transfer of ADRs, any surrender of ADRs and withdrawal of deposited securities or the termination of the deposit agreement.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we: |
Then: |
|
Change the nominal or par value of our ordinary shares |
The shares or other securities received by the depositary will become deposited securities. |
|
Reclassify, split up or consolidate any of the deposited securities |
Each ADS will automatically represent its equal share of the new deposited securities. |
|
Distribute securities on the ordinary shares that are not distributed to you, or recapitalize, reorganize, merge, liquidate, sell all or substantially all of our assets, or take any similar action |
The depositary may distribute some or all of the cash, shares or other securities it received. It may also deliver new ADSs or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities. |
Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of ADR without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, including expenses incurred in connection with foreign exchange control regulations and other charges specifically payable by ADS holders under the deposit agreement, or materially prejudices a substantial existing right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended. If any new laws are adopted which would require the deposit agreement to be amended in order to comply therewith, we and the depositary may amend the deposit agreement in accordance with such laws and such amendment may become effective before notice thereof is given to ADS holders.
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How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary will terminate the deposit agreement if we ask it to do so, in which case the depositary will give notice to you at least 90 days prior to termination. The depositary may also terminate the deposit agreement if the depositary has told us that it would like to resign, or if we have removed the depositary, and in either case we have not appointed a new depositary within 90 days. In either such case, the depositary must notify you at least 30 days before termination.
After termination, the depositary and its agents will do the following under the deposit agreement but nothing else: collect distributions on the deposited securities, sell rights and other property and deliver ordinary shares and other deposited securities upon cancellation of ADSs after payment of any fees, charges, taxes or other governmental charges. Six months or more after the date of termination, the depositary may sell any remaining deposited securities by public or private sale. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. It will not invest the money and has no liability for interest. After such sale, the depositary’s only obligations will be to account for the money and other cash. After termination, we shall be discharged from all obligations under the deposit agreement except for our obligations to the depositary thereunder.
Books of Depositary
The depositary will maintain ADS holder records at its depositary office. You may inspect such records at such office during regular business hours but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of business matters relating to the Company, the ADRs and the deposit agreement.
The depositary will maintain facilities in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York to record and process the issuance, cancellation, combination, split-up and transfer of ADRs.
These facilities may be closed at any time or from time to time when such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement or at our reasonable written request.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability
Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary and the Custodian; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary and the custodian. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. The depositary and the custodian:
• are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct;
• are not liable if any of us or our respective controlling persons or agents are prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the deposit agreement and any ADR, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States or any state thereof, the Commonwealth of Australia or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of our memorandum and articles of association or any provision of or governing any deposited securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure);
• are not liable by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the deposit agreement or in our memorandum and articles of association or provisions of or governing deposited securities;
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• are not liable for any action or inaction of the depositary, the custodian or us or their or our respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information;
• are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution on deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement;
• are not liable for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement, or otherwise;
• may rely upon any documents we believe in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party;
• disclaim any liability for any action or inaction or inaction of any of us or our respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, holders and beneficial owners (or authorized representatives) of ADSs, or any person believed in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information; and
• disclaim any liability for inability of any holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit made available to holders of deposited securities but not made available to holders of ADS.
The depositary and any of its agents also disclaim any liability (i) for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote or failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable or for allowing any rights to lapse in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, (ii) the failure or timeliness of any notice from us, the content of any information submitted to it by us for distribution to you or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, (iii) any investment risk associated with the acquisition of an interest in the deposited securities, the validity or worth of the deposited securities, the credit-worthiness of any third party, (iv) for any tax consequences that may result from ownership of ADSs, ordinary shares or deposited securities, or (v) for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or wilful misconduct while it acted as depositary.
In the deposit agreement, we agree to indemnify the depositary under certain circumstances.
Jurisdiction and Arbitration
The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs and we have agreed with the depositary that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any dispute arising from or in connection with the deposit agreement and that the depositary will have the right to refer any claim or dispute arising from the relationship created by the deposit agreement to arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration provisions of the deposit agreement do not preclude you from pursuing claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in federal or state courts.
Jury Trial Waiver
The deposit agreement provides that each party to the deposit agreement (including each holder, beneficial owner and holder of interests in the ADRs) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any lawsuit or proceeding against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable law.
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Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will issue, deliver or register a transfer of an ADS, split-up, subdivide or combine ADSs, make a distribution on an ADS, or permit withdrawal of ordinary shares, the depositary may require:
• payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any ordinary shares or other deposited securities and payment of the applicable fees, expenses and charges of the depositary;
• satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the deposit agreement; and
• compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of ADRs or ADSs or to the withdrawal or delivery of deposited securities and (B) such reasonable regulations and procedures as the depositary may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement and applicable laws, including presentation of transfer documents.
The depositary may refuse to issue and deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs generally when the register of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we determine that it is necessary or advisable to do so.
Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADSs
You have the right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares at any time except:
• when temporary delays arise because: (1) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (2) the transfer of ordinary shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders’ meeting; or (3) we are paying a dividend on our ordinary shares;
• when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges;
• when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of ordinary shares or other deposited securities, or other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time); or
• for any other reason if the depositary or we determine, in good faith, that it is necessary or advisable to prohibit withdrawals.
The depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the deposit agreement any ordinary shares or other deposited securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such ordinary shares.
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the DRS and Profile Modification System, or Profile, will apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an ADS holder, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register such transfer.
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Shares Eligible for Future Sale
Upon completion of this offering, we will have ADSs outstanding, representing ordinary shares, or approximately % of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming the underwriter does not exercise its option to purchase additional ADSs. All of the ADSs sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our “affiliates” without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the ADSs. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs, and while we have applied to have the ADSs listed on the Nasdaq we cannot assure you that a regular trading market will develop in the ADSs.
Lock-up Agreements
Our directors and officers have agreed, subject to some exceptions, not to transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. After the expiration of the 180-day period, the ordinary shares or ADSs held by our directors, executive officers and our existing shareholders may be sold subject to the restrictions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or by means of registered public offerings.
Rule 144
All of our ordinary shares outstanding prior to this offering are “restricted shares” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and may be sold publicly in the United States only if they are subject to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements. Under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who has beneficially owned our restricted shares for at least six months is generally entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain additional restrictions.
Our affiliates may sell within any three-month period a number of restricted shares that does not exceed the greater of the following:
• 1% of the then outstanding ordinary shares of the same class, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, which will equal approximately ordinary shares immediately after this offering, assuming the underwriter does not exercise its option to purchase additional ADSs; or
• the average weekly trading volume of our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs or otherwise on the Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.
Affiliates who sell restricted securities under Rule 144 may not solicit orders or arrange for the solicitation of orders, and they are also subject to notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.
Persons who are not our affiliates are only subject to one of these additional restrictions, the requirement of the availability of current public information about us, and this additional restriction does not apply if they have beneficially owned our restricted shares for more than one year.
Rule 701
In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory shares or option plan or other written agreement relating to compensation is eligible to resell such ordinary shares 90 days after we became a reporting company under the Exchange Act in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.
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Material United States Federal Income and Australian Tax Considerations
The following summary of the material Australian and U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. state, local and other tax laws other than U.S. federal income tax laws and certain Australian tax laws.
Holders of our ADSs should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States, Australian or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.
Australian Taxation
In this section we discuss the material Australian tax considerations that apply to non-Australian tax residents with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposal of the absolute beneficial ownership of ADSs, which are evidenced by ADSs. This discussion is based upon existing Australian tax law as of the date of this Registration Statement, which is subject to change, possibly retrospectively. This discussion does not address all aspects of Australian income tax law which may be important to particular investors in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as ADSs or shares held by investors subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations). In addition, this summary does not discuss any foreign or state tax considerations, other than stamp duty. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Australian and foreign income and other tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ADSs or shares.
Nature of ADSs for Australian Taxation Purposes
Holders of our ADSs are treated as the owners of the underlying ordinary shares for Australian income tax and capital gains tax purposes. Therefore, dividends paid on the underlying ordinary shares will be treated for Australian tax purposes as if they were paid directly to the owners of ADSs, and the disposal of ADSs will be treated for Australian tax purposes as the disposal of the underlying ordinary shares. In the following analysis we discuss the application of the Australian income tax and capital gains tax rules to non-Australian resident holders of ADSs.
Taxation of Dividends
Australia operates a dividend imputation system under which dividends may be declared to be “franked” to the extent they are paid out of company profits that have been subject to income tax. Fully franked dividends are not subject to dividend withholding tax. Dividends that are not franked or are partly franked and are paid to non-Australian resident shareholders are subject to dividend withholding tax, but only to the extent the dividends are not franked.
Dividends paid to a non-resident shareholder are subject to withholding tax (a) except to the extent they have been franked and (b) at 30%, unless the shareholder is a resident of a country with which Australia has a double taxation agreement.
In accordance with the provisions of the Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the United States, the maximum rate of Australian tax on any unfranked portion of a dividend to which a resident of the United States is beneficially entitled is 15%, where the U.S. resident holds less than 10% of the voting rights in our company, or 5% where the U.S. resident holds 10% or more of the voting rights in our company. Special rules apply to Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts that hold shares and receive dividends. The Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the United States does not apply to limit the tax rate on dividends where the ADSs are effectively connected to a permanent establishment or a fixed base carried on by the owner of the ADSs in Australia through which the shareholder carries on business or provides independent personal services, respectively.
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Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares — Capital Gains Tax
Australian capital gains derived by non-Australian residents in respect of the disposal of capital assets that are not taxable Australian property will be disregarded. Non-Australian resident shareholders will not be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the capital gain made on a disposal of our shares, unless they, together with associates, hold 10% or more of our issued capital, tested either at the time of disposal or over any continuous 12- month period in the 24 months prior to disposal, and the value of our shares at the time of disposal is principally attributable to Australian real property assets.
Australian capital gains tax applies to net capital gains at a taxpayer’s marginal tax rate but for certain shareholders a discount capital gain may apply if the shares have been held for 12 months or more. For individuals, this discount is 50%. Net capital gains are calculated after reduction for capital losses (including certain prior year capital losses), which may only be offset against capital gains.
Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares — Shareholders Holding Shares on Revenue Account
Some non-Australian resident shareholders may hold shares on revenue rather than on capital account, for example, share traders. These shareholders may have the gains made on the sale or other disposal of the shares included in their assessable income under the ordinary income provisions of the income tax law, if the gains are sourced in Australia.
Non-Australian resident shareholders assessable under these ordinary income provisions in respect of gains made on shares held on revenue account would be assessed for such gains at the Australian tax rates for non-Australian residents, which start at a marginal rate of 32.5% for non-Australian resident individuals. Some relief from the Australian income tax may be available to such non-Australian resident shareholders under the Double Taxation Convention between the United States and Australia, for example, because the shareholder does not have a permanent establishment in Australia.
To the extent an amount would be included in a non-Australian resident shareholder’s assessable income under both the capital gains tax provisions and the ordinary income provisions, the capital gain amount would generally be reduced, so that the shareholder would not be subject to double tax on any part of the income gain or capital gain.
Dual Residency
If a shareholder were a resident of both Australia and the United States under those countries’ domestic taxation laws, that shareholder may be subject to tax as an Australian resident. If, however, the shareholder is determined to be a U.S. resident for the purposes of the Double Taxation Convention between the United States and Australia, the Australian tax applicable would be limited by the Double Taxation Convention. Shareholders should obtain specialist taxation advice in these circumstances.
Stamp Duty
A transfer of shares of a company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange is not subject to Australian stamp duty.
Australian Death Duty
Australia does not have estate or death duties. No capital gains tax liability is realized upon the inheritance of a deceased person’s shares. The disposal of inherited shares by beneficiaries, may, however, give rise to a capital gains tax liability.
Goods and Services Tax
The issue or transfer of shares will not incur Australian goods and services tax.
U.S. Taxation
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences that generally apply to U.S. Holders (as defined below) who hold ADSs as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This summary is based on the Code, its legislative history, final,
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temporary and proposed United States Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, and the bilateral income tax convention between Australia and the United States (the “Treaty”), all as in effect on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, or changes in interpretation, either prospectively or retroactively. This discussion does not address all of the tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of ADSs and does not take into account U.S. Holders who may be subject to special rules, including: financial institutions, insurance companies, , tax-exempt organizations, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, grantor trusts, non-resident aliens of the United States or taxpayers whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons who hold the ADSs through partnerships or other pass-through entities, persons who acquired their ADSs through the exercise or cancellation of any employee share options or otherwise as compensation for their services, investors that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our shares, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, dual resident corporations, persons that generally mark their securities to market for United States federal income tax purposes, persons who are residents of Australia for Australian income tax purposes, and investors holding ADSs as part of a straddle or appreciated financial position or as part of a hedging or conversion transaction. This summary does not address the Medicare tax imposed on certain investment income, any state, local and foreign tax considerations or any U.S. federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax considerations relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ADSs. In addition, this discussion is based in part upon representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreements will be performed according to its terms.
If a partnership or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of its partners will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership should consult its tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to it and its partners of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ADSs.
For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of ADSs that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or a trust if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of the trust, and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
Distributions
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder of ADSs will be treated as owning the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs. Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distribution received by a U.S. Holder with respect to our ordinary shares or ADSs, including the amount of any Australian taxes withheld therefrom, will be included in gross income as a dividend to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs and thereafter will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of the ADSs. We have not maintained and do not plan to maintain calculations of earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. Holder may need to include the entire amount of any such distribution in income as a dividend. Dividends will not, however, be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” generally allowed to corporate shareholders with respect to dividends received from U.S. corporations.
The U.S. dollar value of any distribution on the ADSs made in Australian dollars generally should be calculated by reference to the spot exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Australian dollar in effect on the date the distribution is actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder regardless of whether the Australian dollars so received are in fact converted into U.S. dollars. A U.S. Holder who receives payment in Australian dollars and converts those Australian dollars into U.S. dollars at an exchange rate other than the rate in effect on such day may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss, which would generally be treated as ordinary income or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
Subject to complex limitations and certain holding period requirements, a U.S. Holder may elect to claim a credit for Australian tax withheld from distributions against its U.S. federal income tax liability. The limitations set out in the Code include computational rules under which foreign tax credits allowable with respect to specific
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classes of income cannot exceed the U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable with respect to each such class of income. Dividends generally will be treated as foreign-source passive category income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes or in the case of certain U.S. Holders as foreign source “general category” income. A U.S. Holder that does not elect to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit may instead claim a deduction for Australian tax withheld.
Subject to certain limitations, dividends received by a non-corporate U.S. Holder are subject to tax at a reduced maximum tax rate of 20 percent if the dividends are “qualified dividends”. Dividends are qualified dividends if: (a)(i) the issuer is entitled to benefits under the Treaty or (ii) the shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and (b) certain other requirements are met. We believe that we are entitled to benefits under the Treaty and that the ADSs currently are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, no assurance can be given that the ADSs will remain readily tradable. Further, the reduced rate does not apply to dividends if we are a PFIC in the year prior to or the year in which the dividend is paid.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and the issuer of the security underlying the ADS may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits for U.S. Holders of ADSs. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, described above, applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate holders. Accordingly, the analysis of the creditability of Australian taxes and the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate holders, each described above, could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and our Company.
Disposition of ADSs
If you sell or otherwise dispose of ADSs, you will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs. Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the ADSs for more than one year at the time of the sale or other disposition. In general, any gain that you recognize on the sale or other disposition of ADSs will be gain from U.S. sources for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation; losses will generally be allocated against U.S. source income. The deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations under the Code.
In the case of a cash-basis U.S. Holder who receives Australian dollars in connection with the sale or other disposition of ADSs, the amount realized will be calculated based on the U.S. dollar value of the Australian dollars received as determined by reference to the spot rate in effect on the settlement date of such exchange. A U.S. Holder who receives payment in Australian dollars and converts Australian dollars into U.S. dollars at a conversion rate other than the rate in effect on the settlement date may have foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
An accrual-basis U.S. Holder may elect the same treatment required of cash-basis taxpayers with respect to a sale or disposition of ADSs, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election may not be changed without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). In the event that an accrual-basis U.S. Holder does not elect to be treated as a cash-basis taxpayer (pursuant to the Treasury regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions), such U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of differences between the U.S. dollar value of the currency received prevailing on the trade date and the settlement date. Any such currency gain or loss would be treated as ordinary income or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. However, if foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars on the date received by the U.S. Holder, a cash-basis or electing accrual-basis U.S. Holder should not recognize any gain or loss on such conversion.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
There is a risk that we may be a passive foreign investment company(“PFIC”), for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our treatment as a PFIC could result in a reduction in the after-tax return to the U.S. Holders of our ADSs and may cause a reduction in the value of such securities.
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For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of all of our assets for the taxable year produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, cash is considered to be an asset which produces passive income. Passive income for these purposes generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, annuities and the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income. In making a PFIC determination, we will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the share capital. Based on the composition of our assets and income, we believe that we should not be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to fiscal year 2020. However, the determination of PFIC status is a factual determination that must be made annually at the close of each taxable year and, therefore, there can be no certainty as to our status in this regard until the close of the current or any future taxable year. Changes in the nature of our income or assets or a decrease in the trading price of our ADSs may cause us to be considered a PFIC in the current or any subsequent year. If we were a PFIC in any year during a U.S. Holder’s holding period for our ADSs, we would ordinarily continue to be treated as a PFIC for each subsequent year during which the U.S. Holder owned the ADSs.
Under the default PFIC “excess distribution” regime, if we are a PFIC in any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns ADSs, such U.S. Holder could be liable for additional taxes and interest charges upon (i) certain distributions by us (generally any distribution paid during a taxable year that is greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs), and (ii) any gain realized on a sale, exchange or other disposition, including a pledge, of the ADSs, whether or not we continue to be a PFIC for the year of the disposition. In these circumstances, the tax will generally be determined by allocating such distributions or gain ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs. The amount allocated to the current taxable year and any year prior to the first taxable year in which we are a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income (rather than capital gain) earned in the current taxable year. The amount allocated to other taxable years will be taxed at the highest applicable marginal rates for the year and an interest charge at the rate applicable to underpayments of tax will also be imposed on the amount of taxes allocated to such other taxable years.
An indirect shareholder may be taxed on a distribution paid to the direct owner of a PFIC and on a disposition of the share indirectly owned. Indirect shareholders are strongly urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
If we are a PFIC and subsequently cease to be a PFIC in a future year, a U.S. Holder may avoid the continued application of the tax treatment described above by electing to be treated as if it sold its ADSs on the last day of the last taxable year in which we were a PFIC. Any gain would generally be recognized and subject to tax under the excess distribution regime described above. Loss would not be recognized. A U.S. Holder’s basis in its ADSs would be increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized on the deemed sale. A U.S. Holder would be required to treat its holding period for its ADSs as beginning on the day following the last day of the last taxable year in which we were a PFIC.
If the ADSs are considered “marketable stock” and if a U.S. Holder properly elects to “mark-to-market” its ADSs in a timely fashion, the U.S. Holder would not be subject to tax under the excess distribution regime described above. Instead, the U.S. Holder would generally include in income any excess of the fair market value of the ADSs at the close of each tax year over the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs. If the fair market value of the ADSs had depreciated below the adjusted basis at the close of the tax year, the U.S. Holder would be entitled to deduct the excess of the adjusted basis of the ADSs over their fair market value at that time. However, such deductions generally would be limited to the net mark-to-market gains, if any, the U.S. Holder included in income with respect to such ADSs in prior years. Income recognized and deductions allowed under the mark-to-market provisions, as well as any gain or loss on the disposition of ADSs with respect to which the mark-to-market election is made, is treated as ordinary income or loss (except that loss is treated as capital loss to the extent the loss exceeds the net mark-to-market gains, if any, that a U.S. Holder included in income with respect to such ordinary shares in prior years). However, gain or loss from the disposition of ADSs (as to which a “mark-to-market” election was properly made) in a year in which we are no longer a PFIC, will be capital gain or loss. Our ordinary shares or ADSs will be “marketable” stock as long as they remain regularly traded on a national securities exchange, such as the Nasdaq, or a foreign securities exchange regulated by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located
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and which meets certain requirements, including that the rules of the exchange effectively promote active trading of listed stocks. If such stock is traded on such a qualified exchange or other market, such stock generally will be “regularly traded” for any calendar year during which such stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter, but no assurances can be given in this regard. Our ordinary shares are traded on the ASX, which may qualify as an eligible foreign securities exchange for this purpose. Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including shares in any of our subsidiaries that are treated as PFICs.
A U.S. Holder of ADSs should not be able to avoid the tax consequences described above by electing to treat us as a qualified electing fund. In general, a qualified electing fund is, with respect to a U.S. person, a PFIC if the U.S. person has elected to include its proportionate share of a company’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains in U.S. income on an annual basis. A qualified electing fund election can only be made with respect to us if we provide U.S. Holders with certain information on an annual basis and we do not intend to prepare the information that U.S. Holders would need to make the qualified electing fund election.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Payments in respect of ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and to U.S. backup withholding tax (at a rate of 24% under current law). Backup withholding will not apply, however, if a U.S. Holder (i) is a corporation, (ii) satisfies an applicable exemption, or (iii) furnishes correct taxpayer identification.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. tax liability, and a U.S. Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
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Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Australia. Certain of our directors are non-residents of the United States and substantially all of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible or practicable for you to:
• effect service of process within the United States upon our non-U.S. resident directors or on us;
• enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in the United States courts in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws;
• enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in courts of jurisdictions outside the United States in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; or
• bring an original action in an Australian court to enforce liabilities against our non-U.S. resident directors or us based solely upon U.S. securities laws.
You may also have difficulties enforcing in courts outside the United States judgments that are obtained in U.S. courts against any of our non-U.S. resident directors or us, including actions under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.
With that noted, there are no treaties between Australia and the United States that would affect the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments in Australia. We also note that investors may be able to bring an original action in an Australian court against us to enforce liabilities based in part upon U.S. federal securities laws. The disclosure in this section is not based on the opinion of counsel.
We have appointed Corporation Service Company as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us under the federal securities laws of the United States.
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We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriter listed in the table below. We refer to the underwriter listed in the table below as the “underwriter.” Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase from us, ADSs of the Company. Prior to this offering, there has been no public markets for the ADSs. We have applied to list the ADSs on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IXHL”.
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter named below, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase from us, the number of ADSs set forth opposite its name below:
Underwriter |
Number of ADSs |
|
Roth Capital Partners, LLC |
|
|
Total |
2,500,000 |
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriter to purchase the ADSs offered by this prospectus is subject to certain conditions. The underwriter is obligated to purchase all of the ADSs offered hereby if any of the ADSs are purchased.
We have granted the underwriter an option to buy up to an additional 375,000 ADSs from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if any. The underwriter may exercise this option at any time, in whole or in part, during the 30-day period after the date of this prospectus.
Discounts, Commissions and Expenses
The underwriter proposes to offer to the ADSs purchased pursuant to the underwriting agreement to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of US$ per ADS. After this offering, the public offering price and concession may be changed by the underwriter. No such change shall change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of the ADSs to be purchased by the underwriter, the underwriter will be deemed to have received compensation in the form of underwriting commissions and discounts. The underwriting commissions and discounts will be % of the gross proceeds of this offering, or US$ per ADS, based on the public offering price per ADS set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
We have also agreed to reimburse Roth Capital Partners at closing for expenses incurred by it in connection with the offering up to a maximum of US$300,000.
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriter by us in connection with this offering (assuming both the exercise and non-exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs we have granted to the underwriter):
Per ADS |
Total |
|||||||
Without |
With |
Without |
With |
|||||
Public offering price |
US$ |
US$ |
||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us |
US$ |
US$ |
Indemnification
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that the underwriter or such other indemnified parties may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
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Warrants
Upon the closing of this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters a warrant to purchase up to 7.5% of the number of ordinary shares, represented by ADSs, sold in this offering. The warrant will be issued in three tranches, each comprising up to 2.5% of the number of shares of common stock sold in the offering, with the tranches exercisable at an exercise price equal to 120%, 135% and 150% of the public offering price per ADS sold pursuant to this offering, respectively, subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments for share splits and similar transactions. The warrant will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing 180 days from the commencement of sales in this offering, and expiring five years from the commencement of sales in this offering. The warrant is also exercisable on a cashless basis. The warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1). Except as permitted by Rule 5110(e)(1), the underwriter (or permitted assignees under the Rule) will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate the warrants or the securities underlying the warrants, nor will any, of them engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the option or the underlying securities for a period of 180 days from the commencement of sales under this prospectus.
Lock-Up Agreements
We have agreed not to (i) offer, pledge, issue, sell, contract to sell, purchase, contract to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ADSs; (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of ADSs; or (iii) file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ADSs, without the prior written consent of Roth Capital Partners for a period of 180 days following the date of this prospectus (the “Lock-up Period”). This consent may be given at any time without public notice. These restrictions on future issuances are subject to exceptions for (i) the issuance of ADSs sold in this offering, (ii) the issuance of ordinary shares or ADSs upon the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion of outstanding preferred stock or other outstanding convertible securities, or (iii) the issuance of employee stock options not exercisable during the Lock-Up Period.
In addition, each of our directors and executive officers has entered into a lock-up agreement with the underwriter. Under the lock-up agreements, the directors and executive officers may not, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, contract to sell, or grant any option for the sale (including any short sale), grant any security interest in, pledge, hypothecate, hedge, establish an open “put equivalent position” (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act), or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any transaction which is designed to or could be expected to result in the disposition of, any ADSs or securities convertible into or exchangeable for ADSs, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing, without the prior written consent of Roth Capital Partners, for a period of 180 days from the closing date of this offering. This consent may be given at any time without public notice. These restrictions on future dispositions by our directors and executive officers are subject to exceptions for (a) transfers (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, provided that the donee or donees thereof agree to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth in the lock-up agreement, or (ii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions of the lock-up agreement, and provided further that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value; or (b) the acquisition or exercise of any stock option approved by shareholders or issued pursuant to any equity incentive plan of the Company, limited only to options or plans that are described in this prospectus and provided the lock-up agreement applies to any of the securities issued upon such exercise.
Electronic Distribution
This prospectus may be made available in electronic format on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriter or by its affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriter’s website or our website and any information contained in any other websites maintained by the underwriter or by us is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.
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Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
In connection with the offering the underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:
• Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
• Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriter of ADSs in excess of the number of ADSs the underwriter is obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of ADSs over-allotted by the underwriter is not greater than the number of ADSs that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of ADSs involved is greater than the number of ADSs in the over-allotment option. The underwriter may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing ADSs in the open market.
• Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the ADSs in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of ADSs to close out the short position, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of ADSs available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase ADSs through the over-allotment option. A naked short position occurs if the underwriter sells more ADSs than could be covered by the over-allotment option. This position can only be closed out by buying ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
• Penalty bids permit the underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the ADSs originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.
These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the ADSs or preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the ADSs. As a result, the price of the ADSs may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time
Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the ADSs. In addition, neither we nor the underwriter make any representation that the underwriter will engage in these transactions or that any transaction, if commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Offer restrictions outside the United States
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriter that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
Notice to Prospective Investors in European Union
This prospectus has not been, and will not be, registered with or approved by any securities regulator in the European Union. Accordingly, this document may not be made available, nor may the ADSs be offered for sale, in the European Union except in circumstances that do not require a prospectus under Article 1(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (the “Prospectus Regulation”).
118
In accordance with Article 1(4)(a) of the Prospectus Regulation, an offer of ADSs in the European Union is limited to persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation).
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
Neither this prospectus nor any other document relating to the offer has been delivered for approval to the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom and no prospectus (within the meaning of section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (“FSMA”)) has been published or is intended to be published in respect of the ADSs.
The ADSs may not be offered or sold in the United Kingdom by means of this prospectus or any other document, except in circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus under section 86(1) of the FSMA. This prospectus is issued on a confidential basis in the United Kingdom to “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation. This prospectus may not be distributed or reproduced, in whole or in part, nor may its contents be disclosed by recipients, to any other person in the United Kingdom.
Each person in the UK who initially acquires any ADSs or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the Company and the Underwriter that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
In the case of any ADSs being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the ADSs acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer to the public other than their offer or resale in the UK to qualified investors, in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and the expression “FSMA” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters are not acting for anyone other than the issuer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the issuer for providing the protections afforded to their clients nor for providing advice in relation to the offering.
This document is for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who qualify as investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, or, as amended, the Financial Promotion Order, (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d), or high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc., of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended, or the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated, all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”. This document is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The ADSs may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) and will not be listed or admitted to trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs or the offering constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to the FinSA. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the ADSs or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland. The ADSs will be offered only to investors who qualify as “professional clients”, as defined in the FinSA.
119
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The ADSs have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended (“FIEL”) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese person, except to Qualified Institutional Investors as defined in the FIEL in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the ADSs were not offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not be offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the ADSs, has not been circulated or distributed, nor will it be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA or (ii) to an “accredited investor” (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA.
120
Expenses Relating to the Offering
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable in connection with the sale of ADSs in the offering. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fee and the Nasdaq initial listing fee. Except as otherwise noted, all the expenses below will be paid by us.
Expense |
Amount |
|
SEC registration fee |
US$3,356 |
|
FINRA filing fee |
4,531 |
|
Nasdaq initial listing fee |
50,000 |
|
Legal fees and expenses |
600,000 |
|
Accounting fees and expenses |
100,000 |
|
Printing expenses |
20,000 |
|
Miscellaneous fees and expenses |
20,000 |
|
Total |
US$797,887 |
121
The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs and certain other matters of Australian law will be passed upon for us by Rimôn Law Pty Ltd. Certain matters as to U.S. federal law and New York state law will be passed upon for us by Rimôn Law Pty Ltd. Legal counsel to the underwriter in connection with this offering are Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, with respect to U.S. federal law.
The consolidated financial statements of Incannex Healthcare Limited as of June 30, 2021, and 2020 and for the years appearing in the prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”), independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon relating to the consolidated financial statements of the Company, appearing elsewhere in the prospectus, and are included in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of Withum are located at 1411 Broadway 9th floor, New York, NY 10018.
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the ADSs offered in this prospectus. A related registration statement on Form F-6 has been filed with the SEC to register the ADSs. This prospectus, which forms a part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information included in the Registration Statement. Certain information is omitted and you should refer to the Registration Statement and its exhibits for that information. With respect to references made in this prospectus to any contract or other document of Incannex, such references are not necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the Registration Statement for copies of the actual contract or document.
Upon the closing of this offering, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, periodic reports and other information, with the SEC.
We are allowed four months after the end of our fiscal year to file our annual report with the SEC, and we are not required to disclose certain detailed information regarding executive compensation that is required from U.S. domestic issuers. Also, as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing of proxy statements to shareholders, and the members of our board of directors, our senior management and our principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. You also can inspect our registration statement, as well as any other information we file with or furnish to the SEC, on this website. This reference to the SEC’s website is an inactive textual reference only and is not a hyperlink.
We expect to make our annual reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC available, free of charge, through our website at www.incannex.com.au as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.
122
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page |
||
Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 |
||
F-2 |
||
F-3 |
||
F-4 |
||
F-5 |
||
F-6 |
||
F-7 |
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
of Incannex Healthcare Limited:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Incannex Healthcare Limited (the “Company”) as of 30 June 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss), changes in equity and cash flows, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of 30 June 2021 and 2020, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
New York, New York
November 3, 2021
F-2
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
Notes |
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
||||||||
Revenue |
3 |
$ |
1,897,596 |
|
$ |
604,884 |
|
|||
Other income |
3 |
|
75,748 |
|
|
217,170 |
|
|||
Total revenue and other income |
|
1,973,344 |
|
|
822,054 |
|
||||
Product costs |
1 |
|
911,969 |
|
|
450,345 |
|
|||
Administration expense |
1 |
|
99,094 |
|
|
457,673 |
|
|||
Advertising and promotion |
1 |
|
4,345,874 |
|
|
406,225 |
|
|||
Research and development costs |
1 |
|
4,749,514 |
|
|
2,110,639 |
|
|||
Compliance, legal and regulatory |
1 |
|
1,227,244 |
|
|
235,163 |
|
|||
Share based payments |
12 |
|
600,043 |
|
|
565,448 |
|
|||
Occupancy expenses |
1 |
|
115,836 |
|
|
2,085 |
|
|||
Salaries and employee benefit expense |
1 |
|
1,296,569 |
|
|
523,760 |
|
|||
Total expenses |
|
13,346,143 |
|
|
4,751,338 |
|
||||
Loss before tax from continuing operations |
|
(11,372,799 |
) |
|
(3,929,284 |
) |
||||
Income tax benefit |
5 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|||
Loss after tax from continuing operations |
|
(11,372,799 |
) |
|
(3,929,284 |
) |
||||
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax |
6 |
|
— |
|
|
(768,352 |
) |
|||
Total comprehensive loss |
$ |
(11,372,799 |
) |
$ |
(4,697,636 |
) |
||||
Basic loss per share from continuing and discontinued operations (cents per share) |
7 |
|
(1.16 |
) |
|
(0.69 |
) |
|||
Basic loss per share from continuing operations (cents per share) |
7 |
|
(1.16 |
) |
|
(0.57 |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-3
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As of 30 June 2021 and 2020
Notes |
30 June |
30 June |
||||||||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Cash |
9 |
$ |
9,123,617 |
|
$ |
3,603,390 |
|
|||
Trade and other receivables |
10 |
|
169,088 |
|
|
413,268 |
|
|||
Other assets |
11 |
|
36,090 |
|
|
36,262 |
|
|||
Inventory |
13 |
|
— |
|
|
183,159 |
|
|||
Total current assets |
|
9,328,795 |
|
|
4,236,079 |
|
||||
Total assets |
|
9,328,795 |
|
|
4,236,079 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Trade and other payables |
14 |
|
755,049 |
|
|
955,006 |
|
|||
Other liabilities |
15 |
|
— |
|
|
116,645 |
|
|||
Total current liabilities |
|
755,049 |
|
|
1,071,651 |
|
||||
Total liabilities |
|
755,049 |
|
|
1,071,651 |
|
||||
Net assets |
$ |
8,573,746 |
|
$ |
3,164,428 |
|
||||
Equity attributable to owners of the parent |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Share capital |
16 |
$ |
45,852,107 |
|
$ |
34,192,043 |
|
|||
Reserves |
17 |
|
6,612,641 |
|
|
1,490,588 |
|
|||
Deficit |
|
(43,891,002 |
) |
|
(32,518,203 |
) |
||||
Net equity |
$ |
8,573,746 |
|
$ |
3,164,428 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-4
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
Share Capital |
|||||||||||||||||||
Notes |
Shares |
Amount |
Reserves |
Deficit |
Total |
||||||||||||||
Balance at 1 July 2019 |
581,897,040 |
$ |
26,951,744 |
|
$ |
451,643 |
$ |
(27,820,567 |
) |
$ |
(417,180 |
) |
|||||||
Options exercised |
12 |
34,427,321 |
|
1,077,093 |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
1,077,093 |
|
||||||
Options issued to advisors |
12,17 |
— |
|
— |
|
|
449,093 |
|
— |
|
|
449,093 |
|
||||||
Share based payments |
12,17 |
— |
|
— |
|
|
589,852 |
|
— |
|
|
589,852 |
|
||||||
Shares issued |
16 |
132,330,128 |
|
7,105,354 |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
7,105,354 |
|
||||||
Shares issue costs |
— |
|
(942,148 |
) |
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
(942,148 |
) |
|||||||
Comprehensive loss for the year |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
(4,697,636 |
) |
|
(4,697,636 |
) |
|||||||
Balance at 30 June 2020 |
748,654,489 |
$ |
34,192,043 |
|
$ |
1,490,588 |
$ |
(32,518,203 |
) |
$ |
3,164,428 |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance at 30 June 2020 |
748,654,489 |
$ |
34,192,043 |
|
$ |
1,490,588 |
$ |
(32,518,203 |
) |
$ |
3,164,428 |
|
|||||||
Options exercised |
12 |
286,500,523 |
|
12,498,706 |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
12,498,706 |
|
||||||
Options issued to advisors |
12,17 |
— |
|
— |
|
|
3,781,344 |
|
— |
|
|
3,781,344 |
|
||||||
Share based payments |
12,17 |
— |
|
— |
|
|
600,043 |
|
— |
|
|
600,043 |
|
||||||
Shares issued |
16 |
33,256,212 |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
||||||
Shares issue costs |
— |
|
(838,642 |
) |
|
740,666 |
|
— |
|
|
(97,976 |
) |
|||||||
Comprehensive loss for the year |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
(11,372,799 |
) |
|
(11,372,799 |
) |
|||||||
Balance at 30 June 2021 |
1,068,411,224 |
$ |
45,852,107 |
|
$ |
6,612,641 |
$ |
(43,891,002 |
) |
$ |
8,573,746 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
Notes |
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Receipts from customers |
$ |
1,974,010 |
|
$ |
1,172,084 |
|
||||
Receipts from other income |
|
82,807 |
|
|
217,170 |
|
||||
Payments to suppliers and employees |
|
(8,969,276 |
) |
|
(5,299,667 |
) |
||||
Interest received |
|
2,679 |
|
|
3,079 |
|
||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
9(i) |
|
(6,909,780 |
) |
|
(3,907,334 |
) |
|||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Proceeds from sale of Gameday subsidiary |
|
29,277 |
|
|
— |
|
||||
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment |
|
— |
|
|
13,000 |
|
||||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
29,277 |
|
|
13,000 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Proceeds from shares issued (net of costs) |
|
12,400,730 |
|
|
7,469,392 |
|
||||
Debt repaid |
|
— |
|
|
(65,000 |
) |
||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
12,400,730 |
|
|
7,404,392 |
|
||||
Net increase in cash |
$ |
5,520,227 |
|
$ |
3,510,058 |
|
||||
Cash at beginning of the year |
|
3,603,390 |
|
|
93,332 |
|
||||
Cash at end of the year |
9 |
$ |
9,123,617 |
|
$ |
3,603,390 |
|
The consolidated statement of cash flows above presents the total cash flows of the Company, inclusive of discontinued operations. The cash flows from discontinued operations for the years ended 30 June 2021 and 30 June 2020 are as follows:
• Cash flows used in operating activities: nil in 2021 and $636,857 in 2020;
• Cash flows from in investing activities: nil in 2021 and $13,000 in 2020;
• Cash flows used in financing activities: nil in 2021 and nil in 2020
Additional supplemental cash flow information (Note 9)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-6
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Nature of Operations
Incannex Healthcare Limited (the “Company”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”) is a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company that is developing unique medicinal cannabis pharmaceutical products and psychedelic medicine therapies. The Company’s common shares trade on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”). The Company’s registered office is at Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia.
For the fiscal year ended 30 June 2021, the Group incurred a total comprehensive loss after income tax of $11.4 million and had net cash outflows from operations of $6.9 million. The Group held total cash of $9.1 million as of 30 June 2021.
New or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted
The consolidated entity has adopted all of the new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) that are mandatory for the current reporting periods.
Any new or amended Accounting Standards or Interpretations that are not yet mandatory have not been early adopted.
Historical cost convention
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for, where applicable, the revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income and derivative financial instruments.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the consolidated entity’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed in note 2.
Comparatives
Where necessary, comparative information has been reclassified and repositioned for consistency with current year disclosures.
Statement of compliance
These consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on [*] October 2021.
The consolidated financial statements comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
F-7
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
Parent entity information
In accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, these consolidated financial statements present the results of the consolidated entity only. Supplementary information about the parent entity is disclosed in note 24.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of the Company as at 30 June 2021 and 2020 and the results of all subsidiaries for the years then ended. Incannex Healthcare Limited and its subsidiaries together are referred to in these consolidated financial statements as the ‘consolidated entity’. Details of all controlled entities are set out in Note 22.
Subsidiaries are all those entities over which the consolidated entity has control. The consolidated entity controls an entity when the consolidated entity is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the consolidated entity. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.
Intercompany transactions between entities in the consolidated entity are eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the consolidated entity.
Where the consolidated entity loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets including goodwill, liabilities and non-controlling interest in the subsidiary together with any cumulative translation differences recognised in equity. The consolidated entity recognises the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any investment retained together with any gain or loss in profit or loss.
Operating segments
Operating segments are presented using the ‘management approach’, where the information presented is on the same basis as the internal reports provided to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the allocation of resources to operating segments and assessing their performance.
Foreign currency translation
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency.
Foreign currency transactions
Foreign currency transactions are translated into Australian dollars using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at financial year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss.
Revenue recognition
The Company’s revenues were generated from the sale of pharmaceutical Medicinal Cannabis products through the Special Access Scheme in Australia. Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received, or receivable and it is shown net of tax and discounts. The Company also earned revenue from the sale of dentist products through e-commerce website, however, the Company discontinued this segment on 30 June 2020.
F-8
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
The Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of goods and services to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services by applying the following steps:
• Identify the contract with a client;
• Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
• Determine the transaction price;
• Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; and
• Recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
Revenue may be earned over time as the performance obligations are satisfied or at a point in time which is when the entity has earned a right to payment, the customer has possession of the asset and the related significant risks and rewards of ownership, and the customer has accepted the asset.
The Company’s arrangements with clients can include multiple performance obligations. When contracts involve various performance obligations, the Company evaluates whether each performance obligation is distinct and should be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting under IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
The Company determines the standalone selling price by considering its overall pricing objectives and market conditions. Significant pricing practices taken into consideration include discounting practices, the size and volume of our transactions, our marketing strategy, historical sales, and contract prices. The determination of standalone selling prices is made through consultation with and approval by management, taking into consideration our go-to-market strategy. As the Company’s go-to-market strategies evolve, the Company may modify its pricing practices in the future, which could result in changes in relative standalone selling prices.
The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers based on the categories that most closely depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. During the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized revenue from only one such category, being cannabinoid oils sales. As stated in Note 4 to these consolidated financial statements, the Company previously recognized revenue from oral and dental devices, although these operations have been discontinued. All sales are made within Australia and the Company has not disaggregated revenue based on geography.
The Company receives payment from its clients after invoicing within the normal 28-day commercial terms. If a client is specifically identified as a credit risk, recognition of revenue is stopped except to the extent of fees that have already been collected.
Other income
Other income is recognised when it is received or when the right to receive it is established. Other income primarily consists of grant income and interest income.
Income tax
The income tax expense or benefit for the period is the tax payable on that period’s taxable income based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences, unused tax losses and the adjustment recognised for prior reporting years, where applicable.
F-9
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences at the tax rates expected to be applied when the assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, based on those tax rates that are enacted or substantively enacted, except for:
• When the deferred income tax asset or liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting nor taxable profits; or
• When the taxable temporary difference is associated with interests in subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, and the timing of the reversal can be controlled, and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.
The carrying amount of recognised and unrecognised deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date. Deferred tax assets recognised are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that future taxable profits will be available for the carrying amount to be recovered. Previously unrecognised deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that there are future taxable profits available to recover the asset.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and deferred tax assets against deferred tax liabilities; and they relate to the same taxable authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend to settle simultaneously.
Discontinued operations
A discontinued operation is a component of the consolidated entity that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and that represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations, is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of such a line of business or area of operations, or is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale. The results of discontinued operations are presented separately on the face of the statement of comprehensive income.
Government grants
Income from government grants is recognised only when the Company has reasonable assurance that the grants will be received, and the conditions of the grants will be complied with. Income from Government grants is recognised on a systematic basis over the periods in which the Company recognises as expenses the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate. Government grants relate to Australian Federal Government’s COVID-19 support package of a “Cash Flow Boost” for eligible organisations, supporting small and medium sized organisations.
Current and non-current classification
Assets and liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position based on current and non-current classification.
An asset is classified as current when: it is either expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in the consolidated entity’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current.
F-10
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
A liability is classified as current when: it is either expected to be settled in the consolidated entity’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is due to be settled within 12 months after the reporting period; or there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other liabilities are classified as non-current.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current.
Cash
Cash and deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any allowance for expected credit losses. Trade receivables are due for settlement within 30 days.
The consolidated entity has applied the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on days overdue.
Other receivables are recognised at amortised cost, less any allowance for expected credit losses.
Inventory
Inventory raw materials, work in progress and finished goods are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value on a ‘first in first out’ basis. Cost comprises of direct materials and delivery costs, direct labour, import duties and other taxes, an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenditure based on normal operating capacity. Costs of purchased inventory are determined after deducting rebates and discounts received or receivable.
Stock in transit is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises of purchase and delivery costs, net of rebates and discounts received or receivable.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
Other financial assets
Other financial assets are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs are included as part of the initial measurement, except for financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Such assets are subsequently measured at either amortised cost or fair value depending on their classification. Classification is determined based on both the business model within which such assets are held and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset unless an accounting mismatch is being avoided.
Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows have expired or have been transferred and the consolidated entity has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. When there is no reasonable expectation of recovering part or all a financial asset, its carrying value is written off.
Impairment of financial assets
The consolidated entity recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets which are either measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income. The measurement of the loss
F-11
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
allowance depends upon the consolidated entity’s assessment at the end of each reporting period as to whether the financial instrument’s credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition, based on reasonable and supportable information that is available, without undue cost or effort to obtain.
Where there has not been a significant increase in exposure to credit risk since initial recognition, a 12-month expected credit loss allowance is estimated. This represents a portion of the asset’s lifetime expected credit losses that is attributable to a default event that is possible within the next 12 months. Where a financial asset has become credit impaired or where it is determined that credit risk has increased significantly, the loss allowance is based on the asset’s lifetime expected credit losses. The amount of expected credit loss recognised is measured on the basis of the probability weighted present value of anticipated cash shortfalls over the life of the instrument discounted at the original effective interest rate.
Impairment of non-financial assets
Non-financial assets are subject to impairment test whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of the non-financial asset exceeds its recoverable amount (i.e. the higher of value in use and fair value less costs to dispose), the asset is written down and impairment charge is recognized accordingly.
Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the asset’s cash-generating unit (i.e. the smallest group of assets to which the asset belongs that generates cash inflow that is largely independent of cash inflows from other assets).
An impairment loss allocated to an asset, is reversed only if there have been changes in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized.
Reversal of an impairment loss, as above, is limited to the lower of the carrying amount of the asset that would have been determined (net of depreciation or amortization) had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years and the asset’s recoverable amount. After an impairment of non-financial asset is recognized, the Company examines at each reporting date whether there are indications that the impairment which was recognized in the past no longer exists or should be reduced. The reversal of impairment loss of an asset is recognized in profit or loss.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. In connection with the discontinued operations (Note 6), the Company’s property, plant and equipment future value was deemed negligible and recorded a impairment expense for the carrying value during the financial year ended 30 June 2020. As such, value of property, plant and equipment was nil as of 30 June 2021 and 2020.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost of each item of property, plant, and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows:
Buildings |
40 years |
|
Leasehold improvements |
3 – 10 years |
|
Plant and equipment |
3 – 7 years |
The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.
Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful life of the assets, whichever is shorter.
F-12
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when there is no future economic benefit to the consolidated entity. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the disposal proceeds are taken to profit or loss.
Intangible assets
In connection with the discontinued operations (Note 6), the Company’s intangible assets future value was deemed negligible and recorded a impairment expense for the carrying value during the financial year ended 30 June 2020. As such, value of intangible assets was nil as of 30 June 2021 and 2020.
Research and development
Research costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Development costs are capitalised when it is probable that the project will be a success considering its commercial and technical feasibility; the consolidated entity is able to use or sell the asset; the consolidated entity has sufficient resources and intent to complete the development; and its costs can be measured reliably. Capitalised development costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over the period of their expected benefit, being their finite life of 10 years. The Company has no capitalised any development costs for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
Trade and other payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the consolidated entity prior to the end of the financial years and which are unpaid. Due to their short-term nature, they are measured at amortised cost and are not discounted. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.
Lease liabilities
A lease liability is recognised at the commencement date of a lease. The lease liability is initially recognised at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the term of the lease, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the consolidated entity’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments comprise of fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees, exercise price of a purchase option when the exercise of the option is reasonably certain to occur, and any anticipated termination penalties. The variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
Lease liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The carrying amounts are remeasured if there is a change in the following: future lease payments arising from a change in an index, or a rate used; residual guarantee; lease term; certainty of a purchase option and termination penalties. When a lease liability is remeasured, an adjustment is made to the corresponding right-of use asset, or to profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is fully written down.
No lease liabilities are recognized for leases where the lease term is 12 months or less at the commencement date and for leases where the underlying value is deemed to be of low value. The costs of any such leases are recorded within expenses as incurred.
Finance costs
Finance costs attributable to qualifying assets are capitalised as part of the asset. All other finance costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
F-13
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the consolidated entity has a present (legal or constructive) obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable the consolidated entity will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. If the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate specific to the liability. The increase in the provision resulting from the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.
Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and long service leave expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.
Other long-term employee benefits
The liability for annual leave and long service leave not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.
Share-based payments
Equity-settled compensation benefits are provided to employees.
Equity-settled transactions are awards of shares, performance rights or options over shares, that are provided to employees in exchange for the rendering of services.
The cost of equity-settled transactions are measured at fair value on grant date. Fair value is independently determined using either the trinomial or Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the exercise price, the term of the option, the impact of dilution, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk free interest rate for the term of the option, together with non-vesting conditions that do not determine whether the consolidated entity receives the services that entitle the employees to receive payment. Inputs into the trinomial and Black-Scholes option pricing models used to calculate fair value are classified as level three inputs under the fair value hierarchy of IFRS 13. No account is taken of any other vesting conditions.
The cost of equity-settled transactions are recognised as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity over the vesting period. The cumulative charge to profit or loss is calculated based on the grant date fair value of the award, the best estimate of the number of awards that are likely to vest and the expired portion of the vesting period. The amount recognised in profit or loss for the period is the cumulative amount calculated at each reporting date less amounts already recognised in previous periods.
Market conditions are taken into consideration in determining fair value. Therefore any awards subject to market conditions are considered to vest irrespective of whether or not that market condition has been met, provided all other conditions are satisfied.
F-14
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
If equity-settled awards are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognised as if the modification has not been made. An additional expense is recognised, over the remaining vesting period, for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based compensation benefit as at the date of modification.
If the non-vesting condition is within the control of the consolidated entity or employee, the failure to satisfy the condition is treated as a cancellation. If the condition is not within the control of the consolidated entity or employee and is not satisfied during the vesting period, any remaining expense for the award is recognised over the remaining vesting period, unless the award is forfeited.
If equity-settled awards are cancelled, it is treated as if it has vested on the date of cancellation, and any remaining expense is recognised immediately. If a new replacement award is substituted for the cancelled award, the cancelled and new award is treated as if they were a modification.
Fair value measurement
When an asset, liability or equity instrument, financial or non-financial, is measured at fair value for recognition or disclosure purposes, the fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or an equity instrument or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; and assumes that the transaction will take place either: in the principal market; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market.
Fair value is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset, liability or equity instrument, assuming they act in their economic best interests. For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement is based on its highest and best use. Valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, are used, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.
Assets, liabilities and equity instruments measured at fair value are classified into three levels, using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. For assets and liabilities measured at fair value after initial recognition, classifications are reviewed at each reporting date and transfers between levels are determined based on a reassessment of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:
• Level 1 — quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
• Level 2 — valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable; and
• Level 3 — valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.
For recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, external valuers may be used when internal expertise is either not available or when the valuation is deemed to be significant. External valuers are selected based on market knowledge and reputation. Where there is a significant change in fair value of an asset or liability from one period to another, an analysis is undertaken, which includes a verification of the major inputs applied in the latest valuation and a comparison, where applicable, with external sources of data.
Issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
F-15
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
Dividends
Dividends are recognized when declared during the financial years.
Loss per share
Basic loss per share
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the owners of Incannex Healthcare Limited, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial years, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the financial years. These values are set out in Note 7.
Diluted loss per share
Diluted loss per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential ordinary shares. These values are set out in Note 7.
Goods and Services Tax (‘GST’) and other similar taxes
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of the acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.
Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from the tax authority is included in other receivables in the statement of financial position.
Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the tax authority, are presented as operating cash flow.
Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority.
New Accounting Standards not yet adopted
International Financial Reporting Standards and Interpretations that have recently been issued or amended but are not yet mandatory, have not been early adopted by the consolidated entity for the annual reporting periods ended 30 June 2021 and 2020. The consolidated entity’s assessment of the impact of these new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations, most relevant to the consolidated entity, are set out below.
Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current
The amendment clarifies the requirements relating to determining if a liability should be presented as current or non-current in the statement of financial position. Under the new requirement, the assessment of whether a liability is presented as current or non-current is based on the contractual arrangements in place as at the reporting date and does not impact the amount or timing of recognition. The amendment applies retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of these amendments on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
F-16
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
1. Significant accounting policies (cont.)
Amendments to IAS 37: Onerous Contracts and the cost of Fulfilling a Contract
The amendment specifies that ‘cost of fulfilling’ a contract comprises the ‘costs that relate directly to the contract’. Costs that relate directly to a contract can either be incremental costs of fulfilling that contract or an allocation of other costs that relate directly to fulfilling contracts. The amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2022, with early application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of these amendments on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts has been issued, but is not yet mandatorily required to be adopted by the Company. The Company will be required to adopt IFRS 17 during the financial year ending 30 June 2024. The Directors do not expect the adoption of IFRS 17 to have a material impact on the financial position or performance of the Company once adopted.
2. Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Judgement has been exercised in considering the impacts that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had, or may have, on the consolidated entity based on known information. This consideration extends to the nature of the products and services offered, customers, supply chain, staffing and geographic regions in which the consolidated entity operates. There does not currently appear to be either any significant impact upon the consolidated financial statements or any significant uncertainties with respect to events or conditions which may impact the consolidated entity unfavourably as at the reporting date or subsequently as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Share-based payment transactions
The consolidated entity measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees and third parties by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using either the trinomial or Black-Scholes model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. The accounting estimates and assumptions relating to equity-settled share-based payments would have no impact on the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next annual reporting period but may impact profit or loss and equity. Refer to notes 12 and 17 for further information.
F-17
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
3. Revenue & expenses
Consolidated |
||||||
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|||||
(a) Revenue (point in time) |
|
|
||||
Cannabinoid oils sales |
$ |
1,897,596 |
$ |
604,884 |
||
$ |
1,897,596 |
$ |
604,884 |
|||
(b) Other income |
|
|
||||
Income from other arrangements(1) |
$ |
35,569 |
$ |
123,125 |
||
Government grants(2) |
|
37,500 |
|
89,500 |
||
Interest |
|
2,679 |
|
4,545 |
||
$ |
75,748 |
$ |
217,170 |
|||
(c) Expenses |
|
|
||||
Executive directors’ remuneration |
$ |
600,043 |
$ |
539,923 |
____________
(1) Income from other arrangements
Income from other arrangements for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2021 relates to sales of Gameday Mouthguards, for orders fulfilled from sales prior to the Company selling the Gameday segment (Note 6). In addition, the Company also recognized other income for settlement of sales refunds in December 2020. Management did not deem the amounts to be material and therefore are not included in the discontinued operations during the fiscal year ended 30 June 2021.
Income from other arrangements for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2020 was a result of a transaction entered into with AXIM Biotechnologies, in consideration of the terms of the full understanding 6,800,000 IHL shares were issued in full consideration of the intended transaction.
AXIM was not able to fulfil their part of the transaction, and the contract was terminated. In lieu of returning the shares, the Company received cash. As this revenue is not derived from any normal trading transactions, it has been accounted for as a separate line item in the accounts. The return of these shares and the subsequent income is a one off income item for IHL and has not resulted in a change in equity per the consolidated statement of financial position.
(2) Notes for Government grants
Other income from government grants relates to assistance provided by the Australian Government in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has reasonable assurance that it has complied with the conditions attaching to these grants. There were no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies attaching to these grants as at 30 June 2021 and 2020.
4. Segment Information
Identification of reportable operating segments
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer in order to allocate resources to the segment and to assess its performance.
The Group’s operating segments have been determined with reference to the monthly management accounts used by the Chief Executive Officer to make decisions regarding the Group’s operations and allocation of working capital. Due to the size and nature of the Group, the Board as a whole has been determined as the Chief Executive Officer.
Based on the quantitative thresholds included in IFRS 8, for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2020, the consolidated entity was organized into two operating segments based on differences in products and services
F-18
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
4. Segment Information (cont.)
provided (1) medicinal cannabis and (2) oral and dental devices. On 30 June 2020, the Company disposed of the oral and dental devices segment (refer note 6) to focus entirely on medicinal cannabis product sales and development. The consolidated entity was organized primarily into one operating segment for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2021, consisting of medicinal cannabis, with oral and dental devices recording other expenses related for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2021 in its respective operating segment.
The consolidated entity has only one geographical segment, namely Australia.
The revenues and results of these segments of the Group as a whole are set out in the condensed statement of comprehensive income and the assets and liabilities of the Group as a whole are set out in the condensed statement of financial position. A summary of revenue and expenses for the period and assets and liabilities at the end of the fiscal year for each segment is shown below.
Segment results
Oral and Dental |
Psychedelic |
Medicinal Cannabis |
Unallocated |
Consolidated |
||||||||||||||||
For the year ended 30 June |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
1,897,596 |
(1) |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
1,897,596 |
|
|||||
Interest income |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
6 |
|
|
2,673 |
|
|
2,679 |
|
|||||
Other income |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
73,069 |
|
|
73,069 |
|
|||||
Depreciation |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|||||
Amortisation |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|||||
Other expenses |
|
— |
|
|
(768,316 |
) |
|
(5,202,371 |
) |
|
(7,375,456 |
) |
|
(13,346,143 |
) |
|||||
Segment loss after income tax |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(768,316 |
) |
$ |
(3,304,769 |
) |
$ |
(7,299,714 |
) |
$ |
(11,372,799 |
) |
|||||
Segment assets |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
$ |
104,267 |
|
$ |
9,222,528 |
|
$ |
9,328,795 |
|
|||||
Segment liabilities |
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(86,522 |
) |
$ |
(668,527 |
) |
$ |
(755,049 |
) |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
For the year ended 30 June |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ |
718,656 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
604,884 |
(1) |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
1,323,540 |
|
|||||
Interest income |
|
8 |
|
|
— |
|
|
2 |
|
|
4,543 |
|
|
4,553 |
|
|||||
Other income |
|
140,816 |
|
|
— |
|
|
212,625 |
|
|
— |
|
|
353,441 |
|
|||||
Depreciation |
|
(14,854 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(14,854 |
) |
|||||
Amortisation |
|
(21,688 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(21,688 |
) |
|||||
Other expenses |
|
(1,591,290 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
(2,899,761 |
) |
|
(1,851,577 |
) |
|
(6,342,628 |
) |
|||||
Segment loss after income tax |
$ |
(768,352 |
) |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(2,082,250 |
) |
$ |
(1,847,034 |
) |
$ |
(4,697,636 |
) |
|||||
Segment assets |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
662,414 |
|
$ |
3,573,665 |
|
$ |
4,236,079 |
|
|||||
Segment liabilities |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(567,423 |
) |
$ |
(504,228 |
) |
$ |
(1,071,651 |
) |
____________
(1) Of the total revenue from medicinal cannabis in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2021 and 2020, 100% was through Cannvalate Pty Ltd’s distribution network.
F-19
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
5. Income tax
The prima facie income tax (expense)/benefit on pre-tax accounting (loss)/profit from operations reconciles to the income tax benefit in the consolidated financial statements as follows:
Consolidated |
||||||||
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|||||||
Accounting loss before tax |
$ |
(11,372,799 |
) |
$ |
(4,697,636 |
) |
||
Income tax benefit at the applicable tax rate of 26% (2020: 27.5%) |
$ |
2,956,928 |
|
$ |
1,291,850 |
|
||
Non-deductible expenses at the applicable tax rate of 26% (2020:27.5%) |
|
(1,192,112 |
) |
|
(155,498 |
) |
||
Deferred tax assets not recognised |
|
(1,764,816 |
) |
|
(1,136,352 |
) |
||
Income tax benefit |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset has |
|
|
|
|
||||
Unused tax losses at 26% (2020: 27.5%) |
$ |
5,425,637 |
|
$ |
3,872,022 |
|
||
Net unrecognised tax benefit |
$ |
5,425,637 |
|
$ |
3,872,022 |
|
The net unrecognised tax benefit has not been recognised as an asset in the consolidated financial statements because recovery of the asset is not considered probable in the context of IAS 12 Income Taxes.
The benefit will only be realised if:
a) the Company derives future assessable income of a nature and of an amount sufficient to enable the benefit to be realised.
b) the Company complies with the conditions for deductibility imposed by the law; and
c) no changes in tax legislation adversely affect the Company in realising the benefit.
6. Discontinued operations
Description
On 30 June 2020 the consolidated entity sold its 100% subsidiary — Gameday International Pty Ltd (“Gameday”), for consideration of $29,277 which was the carrying value of its assets at that date so no loss on sale was incurred. Gameday produced and sold the consolidated entity’s dental devices and had been a loss maker since 2016. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic it suffered further as a result of the shut-down of community sport which directly affected the sale of its main product being sporting mouthguards. The sale of Gameday will allow the consolidated entity to pursue and focus entirely on its medicinal cannabis activities.
F-20
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
6. Discontinued operations (cont.)
Financial performance information
Consolidated |
|||||||
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ |
— |
$ |
718,656 |
|
||
Interest income |
|
— |
|
8 |
|
||
Other income |
|
— |
|
140,816 |
|
||
Product costs |
|
— |
|
(589,570 |
) |
||
Administration expense |
|
— |
|
(38,985 |
) |
||
Advertising and promotion |
|
— |
|
(218,865 |
) |
||
Depreciation |
|
— |
|
(14,854 |
) |
||
Amortisation |
|
— |
|
(21,688 |
) |
||
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
|
— |
|
(13,654 |
) |
||
Impairment cost |
|
— |
|
(82,989 |
) |
||
Occupancy expenses |
|
— |
|
(81,493 |
) |
||
Salaries and employee benefit expense |
|
— |
|
(565,734 |
) |
||
Loss before income tax |
|
— |
|
(768,352 |
) |
||
Income tax benefit |
|
— |
|
— |
|
||
Loss after income tax from discontinued operations |
$ |
— |
$ |
(768,352 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|||||
Carrying amounts of assets and liabilities disposed |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|||||
Cash |
$ |
— |
$ |
17,970 |
|
||
Inventories |
|
— |
|
6,000 |
|
||
Other current assets |
|
— |
|
6,100 |
|
||
Trade and other payables |
|
— |
|
(793 |
) |
||
Total proceeds from sale |
$ |
— |
$ |
29,277 |
|
Impairment cost
During the process of the sale of Gameday, various assets of Gameday that were unwanted by the acquirer were assessed to determine their future value or ability to be sold. Specifically, these assets included specialist or customised plant and equipment, capitalised intangible assets, and the recovery of receivables.
For each of these assets it was determined that the future value was negligible and for each the contribution to the total impairment cost recorded during the fiscal year ended 30 June 2020 is set out below:
(i) Plant and equipment
Original |
Accumulated |
Book value prior |
||||||||
$ |
76,136 |
$ |
(32,221 |
) |
$ |
43,915(A) |
(ii) Intangible assets
Original |
Accumulated |
Book value prior |
||||||||
$ |
116,731 |
$ |
(89,042 |
) |
$ |
27,689(B) |
F-21
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
6. Discontinued operations (cont.)
(iii) Receivables
Original |
Recoverable |
Book value prior |
|||||||||
$ |
11,635 |
$ |
(250 |
) |
$ |
11,385 |
(C) |
||||
Impairment cost (A+B+C) |
|
|
|
$ |
82,989 |
|
7. Loss per share
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|||||||
Basic loss per share– continuing and discontinued operations – cents per share |
$ |
(1.16 |
) |
$ |
(0.69 |
) |
||
Basic loss per share– continuing operations – cents per share |
$ |
(1.16 |
) |
$ |
(0.57 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Basic loss per share |
|
|
|
|
||||
The loss and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic loss per share is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
||||
– Loss from continuing and discontinued operations ($) |
$ |
(11,372,799 |
) |
$ |
(4,697,636 |
) |
||
– Loss from continuing operations ($) |
$ |
(11,372,799 |
) |
$ |
(3,929,284 |
) |
||
– Weighted average number of ordinary shares (number) |
|
976,931,338 |
|
|
684,035,399 |
|
8. Dividends
The Company has not declared a dividend for the years ended 30 June 2020 or 2021.
9. Cash
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Cash at bank and on hand |
$ |
9,123,617 |
$ |
3,603,390 |
||
$ |
9,123,617 |
$ |
3,603,390 |
Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates.
F-22
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
9. Cash (cont.)
i. Reconciliation of loss for the years to net cash flows from operating activities:
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|||||||
Loss after income tax |
$ |
(11,372,799 |
) |
$ |
(4,697,636 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-cash based expenses(income): |
|
|
|
|
||||
Share based payments |
|
600,043 |
|
|
565,448 |
|
||
Depreciation and amortisation |
|
— |
|
|
36,542 |
|
||
Non-cash expense for investor relation services |
|
3,781,344 |
|
|
— |
|
||
Release of Gameday reserve of sales refund |
|
(15,484 |
) |
|
— |
|
||
Non-cash expense for annual leave |
|
91,354 |
|
|
97,221 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Changes in net assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Decrease/(increase) in receivables |
|
214,903 |
|
|
(315,484 |
) |
||
Decrease/(increase) in inventory |
|
183,159 |
|
|
(30,355 |
) |
||
Decrease in other current assets |
|
172 |
|
|
2,928 |
|
||
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other payables |
|
(291,311 |
) |
|
464,223 |
|
||
Decrease in other liabilities |
|
(101,161 |
) |
|
(30,221 |
) |
||
Cash flows used in operations |
$ |
(6,909,780 |
) |
$ |
(3,907,334 |
) |
ii. Non-cash financing activities
The Company has recorded non-cash transactions in the form of share based payments as disclosed in Note 12 to these consolidated financial statements. The total value of share-based payments recorded during the year ended 2021 is $600,043 (2020: $565,448).
The Company has recorded $740,666 of non-cash transactions during the year ended 30 June 2021 in the form of 30,164,690 unlisted options issued on 2 October 2020 as consideration for broker support related to the exercise of 262 million IHLOB options series. The amount is recorded as issuance costs. Subsequent to the year ended 30 June 2021, these options were exercised (Note 23).
The Company recorded other current liabilities of $244,403 as at 30 June 2019, relating to option issues awaiting shareholder approval. During the year ended 30 June 2020, this liability was settled via the issue of options upon which time the liability balance of $244,403 was transferred to equity.
10. Trade and other receivables (Current)
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Current |
|
|
||||
Trade receivables |
$ |
— |
$ |
225,125 |
||
Other receivables |
|
53,447 |
|
51,026 |
||
GST recoverable |
|
115,641 |
|
137,117 |
||
$ |
169,088 |
$ |
413,268 |
Opening receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities with customers:
There was no revenue recognised in the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020 from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous years.
F-23
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
10. Trade and other receivables (Current) (cont.)
Expected credit losses
The consolidated entity applies the IFRS 9 simplified model of recognising lifetime expected credit losses for all trade receivables as these items do not have a significant financing component.
In measuring the expected credit losses, the trade receivables have been assessed on a collective basis as they possess shared credit risk characteristics. They have been grouped based on the days past due and also according to the geographical location of customers.
11. Other assets (current)
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Prepayments |
$ |
29,784 |
$ |
11,083 |
||
Office rental bond |
|
— |
|
25,179 |
||
Prepayment clinical trial insurance |
$ |
6,306 |
$ |
— |
||
$ |
36,090 |
$ |
36,262 |
12. Share based payments
From time to time, the Company may issue equity securities (i.e. shares, options or performance rights) to its employees, directors or advisors to more closely align rewards for performance with the achievement of the Company’s growth and strategic objectives. Where the recipient is a director of the Company, shareholder approval must be sought under the ASX Listing Rules prior to the issue of any equity securities to any director.
Fair value of shares issued
The fair value of shares issued as compensation is determined using the closing price of shares on the grant date and expensed over the vesting period.
Options
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity for the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020:
Number of |
Weighted |
Weighted |
||||||
Outstanding as of 30 June 2019 |
262,960,728 |
|
$ |
0.040 |
1.255 |
|||
Granted |
412,169,705 |
|
$ |
0.139 |
||||
Exercised |
(34,427,321 |
) |
$ |
0.031 |
|
|||
Outstanding as of 30 June 2020 |
640,703,112 |
|
$ |
0.104 |
0.748 |
|||
Granted |
72,414,690 |
|
$ |
0.152 |
||||
Exercised |
(286,500,523 |
) |
$ |
0.044 |
||||
Expired or forfeited |
(88,000,000 |
) |
$ |
0.104 |
|
|||
Outstanding as of 30 June 2021 |
338,617,279 |
|
$ |
0.166 |
0.568 |
|||
Exercisable as of 30 June 2021 |
337,117,279 |
|
$ |
0.167 |
F-24
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
12. Share based payments (cont.)
The exercise price of options outstanding as of 30 June 2021 and 2020 ranged between $0.05 and $0.25. The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted was $0.10 and $0.22 for the year ended 30 June 2021.
As of 30 June 2021, there was $116,680 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately one year.
The following share options were issued to employees and consultants as share based payments during the year ended 30 June 2021:
Number |
Grant |
Expiry |
Exercise |
Total |
||||||||
Options granted to third parties |
|
|
||||||||||
Unlisted options |
10,000,000 |
20-Nov-2020 |
20-Nov-2023 |
$ |
0.15 |
$ |
647,348 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
10,000,000 |
20-Nov-2020 |
20-Nov-2023 |
$ |
0.25 |
$ |
527,766 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
10,000,000 |
25-Feb-2021 |
20-Nov-2023 |
$ |
0.20 |
$ |
1,352,588 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
10,000,000 |
25-Feb-2021 |
20-Nov-2023 |
$ |
0.25 |
$ |
1,253,140 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
30,164,690 |
02-Oct-2020 |
30-Sep-2021 |
$ |
0.08 |
$ |
740,665 |
|||||
Total options granted to |
70,164,690 |
|
$ |
4,521,507 |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Options granted to employees |
|
|
||||||||||
Unlisted options |
750,000 |
01-Jul-2020 |
30-Jun-2025 |
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
25,432 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
750,000 |
01-Jul-2020 |
30-Jun-2026 |
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
27,450 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
750,000 |
01-Jul-2020 |
30-Jun-2027 |
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
29,040 |
|||||
Total options granted to employees |
2,250,000 |
|
$ |
81,922 |
||||||||
Total options |
72,414,690 |
|
$ |
4,603,429 |
The following share options were issued to employees and consultants as share based payments during the year ended 30 June 2020:
Number |
Grant |
Expiry |
Exercise |
Total |
||||||||
Options granted to third parties |
|
|
||||||||||
Unlisted options |
10,000,000 |
8-Aug-2019 |
01-Jan-2020 |
$ |
0.02 |
$ |
85,251 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
10,000,000 |
8-Aug-2019 |
01-May-2020 |
$ |
0.03 |
$ |
51,531 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
12,000,000 |
8-Aug-2019 |
01-May-2020 |
$ |
0.04 |
$ |
34,966 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
14,000,000 |
19-Aug-2019 |
01-Dec-2020 |
$ |
0.06 |
$ |
30,297 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
16,000,000 |
19-Aug-2019 |
01-Dec-2020 |
$ |
0.08 |
$ |
18,248 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
18,000,000 |
19-Aug-2019 |
01-Dec-2020 |
$ |
0.10 |
$ |
11,606 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
20,000,000 |
19-Aug-2019 |
01-Dec-2020 |
$ |
0.12 |
$ |
7,700 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
20,000,000 |
19-Aug-2019 |
01-Dec-2020 |
$ |
0.14 |
$ |
4,804 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
89,919,705 |
Various(1) |
30-Sep-2021 |
$ |
0.08 |
$ |
449,067 |
|||||
Total options granted to third parties |
209,919,705 |
|
$ |
693,470 |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Options granted to employees |
|
|
||||||||||
Unlisted options |
750,000 |
26-Jun-2020 |
30-Jun-2025 |
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
24,817 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
750,000 |
26-Jun-2020 |
30-Jun-2026 |
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
26,424 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
750,000 |
26-Jun-2020 |
30-Jun-2027 |
$ |
0.05 |
$ |
27,754 |
|||||
Unlisted options |
200,000,000 |
26-Jun-2020 |
30-Sep-2021 |
$ |
0.20 |
$ |
306,299 |
|||||
Total options granted to employees |
202,250,000 |
|
$ |
385,294 |
||||||||
Total options |
412,169,705 |
|
$ |
1,078,764 |
F-25
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
12. Share based payments (cont.)
____________
(1) 22,368,422 options were issued to participants of the July 2019 equity capital raisings attaching to shares subscribed for under those raisings and 33,000,000 options were issued to brokers who supported those equity capital raisings. A further 34,551,283 options were issued to participants of the October 2019 capital raising attaching to shares subscribed for under that raising.
The fair values at grant date are independently determined using either a trinomial pricing or Black-Scholes option model that take into account any price to exercise, the term of the options or rights, the share price at grant date, the price volatility of the underlying share and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the options or rights. Inputs into the trinomial and Black-Scholes option pricing models used to calculate fair value are classified as level three inputs under the fair value hierarchy of IFRS 13.
The fair value of the equity-settled share options granted is estimated as at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted, as follows for the year ended 30 June 2021:
$0.08 Options |
$0.15 Options |
$0.25 Options |
$0.20 Options |
$0.25 Options |
|||||||||||
Number |
30,164,690 |
|
10,000,000 |
|
10,000,000 |
|
10,000,000 |
|
10,000,000 |
|
|||||
Dividend yield (%) |
— |
% |
— |
% |
— |
% |
— |
% |
— |
% |
|||||
Expected volatility (%) |
86 |
% |
100 |
% |
100 |
% |
101 |
% |
101 |
% |
|||||
Risk-free interest rate (%) |
0.17 |
% |
0.11 |
% |
0.11 |
% |
0.12 |
% |
0.12 |
% |
|||||
Expected life of option (years) |
1 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
2.7 |
|
2.7 |
|
|||||
Exercise price (cents) |
8 |
|
15 |
|
25 |
|
20 |
|
25 |
|
|||||
Grant date share price (cents) |
7.7 |
|
11.5 |
|
11.5 |
|
22 |
|
22 |
|
|||||
Vesting date |
2-Oct-2020 |
|
20-Nov-2020 |
|
20-Nov-2020 |
|
25-Feb-2021 |
|
25-Feb-2021 |
|
The fair value of the equity-settled share options granted is estimated as at the grant date using a Black-Scholes option model (for all $0.05 options) and a trinomial option model (for the $0.20 options) taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted, as follows for the year ended 30 June 2020:
$0.05 Options |
$0.05 Options |
$0.05 Options |
$0.20 Options |
|||||||||
Number |
750,000 |
|
750,000 |
|
750,000 |
|
2,000,000 |
|
||||
Dividend yield (%) |
— |
% |
— |
% |
— |
% |
— |
% |
||||
Expected volatility (%) |
92 |
% |
92 |
% |
92 |
% |
93 |
% |
||||
Risk-free interest rate (%) |
0.39 |
% |
0.48 |
% |
0.58 |
% |
0.25 |
% |
||||
Expected life of option (years) |
5 |
|
6 |
|
7 |
|
1.25 |
|
||||
Exercise price (cents) |
5.0 |
|
5.0 |
|
5 |
|
20 |
|
||||
Grant date share price (cents) |
4.8 |
|
4.8 |
|
4.8 |
|
4.8 |
|
||||
Vesting date |
30-Jun-2020 |
|
30-Jun-2021 |
|
30-Jun-2022 |
|
Refer (a) below |
|
F-26
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
12. Share based payments (cont.)
____________
The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome.
(a) The options vest upon the shares having a closing price of 20 cents per share or more for any 5 trading days at any time from the date of grant of the options until the expiry date of the options (30 September 2021).
Performance Rights
Movement in number of Performance Shares and Performance Rights for the years ended:
30 June 2021
Security Description |
Balance at |
Granted by |
Converted or |
Balance at |
|||||
Performance Rights(1) |
41,553,593 |
— |
(41,553,593 |
) |
— |
____________
(1) 30,303,593 performance rights converted into ordinary shares upon achievement of designated performance hurdles and 11,250,000 performance rights expired.
30 June 2020
Security Description |
Balance at |
Granted by |
Converted or |
Balance at |
|||||
Performance Rights(1) |
24,166,668 |
32,303,593 |
(14,916,668 |
) |
41,553,593 |
||||
Performance Shares(2) |
20,000,002 |
— |
(20,000,002 |
) |
— |
____________
(1) 32,303,593 performance rights were issued as remuneration for the Company’s Chief Medical Officer (Dr Sud Agarwal), after approval by shareholders on 26 June 2020. 11,916,668 performance rights converted into ordinary shares upon achievement of designated performance hurdles and 3,000,000 performance rights expired.
(2) Performance shares were issued to holders upon the Company’s relisting in November 2016. Performance hurdles attaching to these shares related to sales targets within the now discontinued devices business. These targets were not achieved and the performance shares lapsed on 30 June 2020.
The value-based performance rights have milestones which are market-based. In arriving at the fair value of these rights the probability of achieving these milestones (related to various levels of market capitalisation) has been estimated using a trinomial option model, with major inputs for 30 June 2020 being grant date share price. of $0.048; risk-free rate of 0.25%; and volatility of 95%, for a total value of $469,324. Of the performance rights $280,253 and $189,071 was expensed in the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The milestone performance rights are valued at the share price at grant date ($0.048) taking into account management’s estimate s of the likelihood of meeting the milestones.
13. Inventory
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Current |
|
|
||||
Medicinal cannabis products in-transit |
$ |
— |
$ |
183,159 |
||
Total inventory |
$ |
— |
$ |
183,159 |
F-27
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
14. Trade and other payables (current)
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Trade payables |
$ |
233,117 |
$ |
590,099 |
||
Accrued expenses |
|
381,717 |
|
316,046 |
||
Employee leave entitlements |
|
140,215 |
|
48,861 |
||
$ |
755,049 |
$ |
955,006 |
Employee leave entitlements Reconciliation:
Year Ended |
|||
Carrying value as at 1 July 2020 |
$ |
48,861 |
|
Leave accrued by employees during the year |
|
91,354 |
|
Balance at 30 June 2021 |
$ |
140,215 |
Year Ended |
|||
Carrying value as at 1 July 2019 |
$ |
36,899 |
|
Leave accrued by employees during the year |
|
11,962 |
|
Balance at 30 June 2020 |
$ |
48,861 |
15. Other current liabilities
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Provision for sales refunds(1) |
$ |
— |
$ |
116,645 |
||
$ |
— |
$ |
116,645 |
____________
(1) Under the terms of the sale agreement for the disposal of the devices business (refer to note 6) the Company is liable to pay to the buyer for any refunds related to devices sold that refunded after 30 June 2020. The Company recorded and estimated amount as of 30 June 2020. In the fiscal year ended 30 June 2021, the Company reached a settlement that they would no longer be liable for refunds given the historical lag associated with returns. After which, the Company recorded the remaining balance as other income.
Provision for sales refunds Reconciliation:
Year Ended |
||||
Carrying value as at 1 July 2020 |
$ |
116,645 |
|
|
Repayments made |
|
(101,161 |
) |
|
Settlement of liability recorded in other income |
|
(15,484 |
) |
|
Balance at 30 June 2021 |
$ |
— |
|
F-28
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
16. Issued capital
(a) Issued Capital
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Ordinary shares |
$ |
45,852,107 |
$ |
34,192,043 |
(b) Ordinary shares — movements during years
Year ended |
Year ended |
|||
At beginning of year |
748,654,489 |
581,897,040 |
||
Issues of new shares – placements |
— |
114,663,460 |
||
Issues of new shares – share based payments |
2,952,619 |
5,750,000 |
||
Conversion of performance rights |
30,303,593 |
11,916,668 |
||
Exercise of options |
286,500,523 |
34,427,321 |
||
At end of year |
1,068,411,224 |
748,654,489 |
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on winding up of the Company in proportion to the number of shares held. On a show of hands, every shareholder present at a meeting is entitled to one vote and upon a poll each share is entitled to one vote. Ordinary shares have no par value and the Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.
17. Reserves
Equity based premium reserve
Consolidated |
||||||
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|||||
Balance at start of year |
$ |
1,490,588 |
$ |
451,643 |
||
Options issued to advisors(1) |
|
4,522,010 |
|
449,093 |
||
Options issued to Cannvalate Pty Ltd(2) |
|
— |
|
244,403 |
||
Equity instruments issued to management and directors |
|
600,043 |
|
345,449 |
||
Balance at end of year |
$ |
6,612,641 |
$ |
1,490,588 |
____________
(1) During the year ended 30 June 2021, 40,000,000 options exercisable at $0.15, $0.20, and $.25 were issued to consultants for investor relation services. In addition, 30,164,690 options exercisable at $0.08 were issued as consideration for broker support of the exercise of the 262m listed IHLOB options series (see Note 12). During the year ended 30 June 2020, 33,000,000 options exercisable at $0.08 and expiring on 30 September 2021, were issued to brokers who supported the July 2019 capital raisings. These options have been valued using a Black-Scholes option model with inputs being grant date share price of $0.04 risk-free rate of 0.24% and volatility of 92%.
(2) On 9 August 2019, at a general meeting of shareholders, the issue of 120,000,000 options to Cannvalate Pty Ltd as remuneration for Cannvalate’s management of the Company’s clinical program was approved. This amount was initially recorded as a payable as at 30 June 2019 and transferred to the reserve in the year ended 30 June 2020. The options were valued using Black-Scholes option model with inputs being grant date share price of $0.02; risk-free rate of 1.07% and volatility of 59%.
The equity based premium reserve is used to record the value of equity issued to raise capital, and for share-based payments.
F-29
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
18. Remuneration of auditors
Consolidated |
||||||
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|||||
Audit or review of the financial reports of the Company |
|
|
||||
Amounts received & receivable by the auditor: |
|
|
||||
Audit services – HLB Mann Judd |
$ |
37,785 |
$ |
37,000 |
||
Audit services – Withum Smith & Brown (US auditor) |
|
287,975 |
|
— |
||
Total |
$ |
325,760 |
$ |
37,000 |
Withum Smith & Brown, PC were appointed auditors in the United States of America (“USA”) in preparation for listing the Company’s securities in the USA. During the year ended 30 June 2021 , the work carried out involved the audit of PCAOB standards and IFRS standards as issued by IASB compliant financial statements.
The above remuneration of auditors has been recorded within compliance, legal, and regulatory expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss.
19. Financial Instruments
The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise cash and short-term deposits and convertible notes.
The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Group’s operations. The Group has various other financial liabilities such as trade payables, which arise directly from its operations. It is, and has been throughout the years, the Group’s policy that no trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken. The main risks arising from the Group’s financial instruments are cash flow interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and credit risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarised below.
Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
(a) Interest rate risk
The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s short-term deposits with a floating interest rate.
The Group’s exposure to interest rate on financial assets and financial liabilities is detailed in the sensitivity analysis section of this note.
(b) Sensitivity analysis
During the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020, if interest rates had been 50 basis points higher or lower than the prevailing rates realised, with all other variables held constant, there would have been an immaterial change in post-tax result for the year. The impact on equity would have been the same.
(c) Net fair values
The net fair value of cash and non-interest bearing monetary financial assets and liabilities approximates their carrying value.
(d) Commodity price risk
The Group’s exposure to price risk is minimal.
F-30
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
19. Financial Instruments (cont.)
(e) Credit risk
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Group.
With respect to credit risk arising from the other financial assets of the Group, which comprise cash, available-for-sale financial assets and certain derivative instruments, the Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counter party, with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of these instruments.
Since the Group trades only with recognised third parties, there is no requirement for collateral.
(f) Liquidity risk
The Group’s objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of share issues and convertible notes.
The Group’s contractual liabilities at 30 June 2021 were as follows:
Description |
Less than |
1 to 3 |
3 months to |
1 to 5 |
Total |
||||||||||
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Payables & accruals |
$ |
614,834 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
614,834 |
|||||
$ |
614,834 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
614,834 |
The Group’s contractual liabilities at 30 June 2020 were as follows:
Description |
Less than |
1 to 3 |
3 months to |
1 to 5 |
Total |
||||||||||
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Payables & accruals |
$ |
906,145 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
906,145 |
|||||
$ |
906,145 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
906,145 |
(g) Capital Management
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it may continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. Due to the nature of the Group’s past activities, being a drug development business, it does not have ready access to credit facilities and therefore is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements, with the primary source of Group funding being equity raisings and unsecured convertible notes. Accordingly, the objective of the Group’s capital risk management is to balance the current working capital position against the requirements and corporate overheads. This is achieved by maintaining appropriate liquidity to meet anticipated operating requirements, with a view to initiating fund raisings as required.
F-31
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
20. Commitments and contingencies
Lease commitments
The Group holds two commercial leases for its office premises in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Both of these leases had terms of 12 months from the commencement date of the lease. Future minimum payments under these contracts as at 30 June are as follows:
Consolidated |
||||||
30 June |
30 June |
|||||
Within one year |
$ |
56,496 |
$ |
9,697 |
||
One to three years |
|
37,916 |
|
— |
||
Total minimum contract payments |
$ |
94,412 |
$ |
9,697 |
In transitioning to IFRS 16, these leases were not capitalised.
21. Key Management Personnel compensation and related party disclosure
The Key Management Personnel of Incannex Healthcare Limited during the years were:
Troy Valentine
Peter Widdows
Joel Latham
Sud Agarwal
Key management personnel compensation
Consolidated |
||||||
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
|||||
Short-term employee benefits |
$ |
761,231 |
$ |
638,201 |
||
Share based payments(1) |
|
672,699 |
|
565,448 |
||
Post-employment benefits |
|
38,877 |
|
29,985 |
||
Total KMP compensation |
$ |
1,472,807 |
$ |
1,233,634 |
____________
(1) The Company notes the amounts do not agree to the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2021. The Company notes there was a reversal of expense in the amount of $72,656 related to 88,000,000 share options issued to Cannvalate Pty Ltd due to the options being forfeited. These options had been issued during financial year ended June 30, 2020.
Transactions with related entities
Transactions between related parties are on commercial terms and conditions, no more favourable than those available to other parties unless otherwise stated.
During the year ended 30 June 2021, $97,976 (2020: $145,200) fees were paid to Alignment Capital Pty Ltd (“Alignment”), an entity in which Mr Valentine is a director. Alignment was engaged by the Company to act as lead manager in the various capital raisings conducted during the year.
F-32
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
21. Key Management Personnel compensation and related party disclosure (cont.)
Cannvalate Pty Ltd (Cannvalate) is an entity of which Dr Sud Agarwal is a significant shareholder, the CEO and a director. In March 2019, the Company entered into a distribution agreement with Cannvalate. As stated in Note 4, of the total revenue from medicinal cannabis in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2020, 100% was through Cannvalate’s distribution network. This agreement is no longer effective and was terminated in June 2021.
As stated in Note 19, On 9 August 2019, at a general meeting of shareholders, the issue of 120,000,000 options to Cannvalate as remuneration for Cannvalate’s management of the Company’s clinical program was approved. This amount was initially recorded as a payable as at 30 June 2019 and transferred to reserves in the year ended 30 June 2020.
There $229,889 of amounts payable to related parties as of 30 June 2021, which are included in trade and other payables on the consolidated statements of financial position.
22. Details of the controlled entity
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Incannex Healthcare Limited (‘IHL’) and its wholly owned subsidiary Incannex Pty Ltd (‘IXPL’). IXPL is incorporated in Australia and IHL owns 100% of the issued ordinary shares in IXPL (2020: 100%).
On 30 June 2020, the consolidated entity disposed entirely of its 100% subsidiary — Gameday International Pty Ltd, (‘Gameday’).
23. Subsequent events
On 21 July 2021, the Company issued 239,103 ordinary shares due to the exercise of unlisted options by option holders with an exercise price of $0.08 per share receiving $19,128 of proceeds.
On 16 August 2021, the Company issued an additional 2,739,662 ordinary shares due to the exercise of “IHLAH” share options at an exercise price of $0.08 per share for proceeds of $219,173.
On 18 August 2021 the Company announced its public filing of Form F-1 with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the US, in preparation for a proposed listing on the NASDAQ. An extraordinary General meeting was called on 17 September 2021 to put a resolution to shareholders to issue up to 180 million ordinary shares in relation to the proposed Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) in the US.
On 25 August 2021, the Company issued 9,201,186 ordinary shares due to the exercise of “IHLAH” share options at an exercise price of $0.08 per share on for proceeds of $736,095.
On 7 September 2021, the Company issued ordinary shares for total proceeds of $4,587,667 due to the exercise of “IHLAH” share options:
— 7,345,833 of ordinary shares at an exercise price of $0.08 per share
— 20,000,000 of ordinary shares at an exercise price of $0.20 per share
On 21 September 2021, the Company issued 61,311,557 ordinary shares due to the exercise of “IHLAH” share options at an exercise price of $0.08 per share on for proceeds of $4,904,925.
F-33
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended 30 June 2021 and 2020
23. Subsequent events (cont.)
On 4 October 2021, The Company issued ordinary shares for total proceeds of $5,114,109 due to the exercise of “IHLAH” share options:
— 11,427,616 of ordinary shares at a exercise price of $0.08 per share
— 20,999,500 of ordinary shares at an exercise price of $0.20 per share
On 7 October 2021, the Company issued 6,852,322 ordinary shares due to the exercise of “IHLAH” share options at an exercise price of $0.08 per share on for proceeds of $548,186.
No further significant events have occurred since the end of the fiscal year.
24. Parent entity disclosures
Incannex Healthcare Limited (ACN 096 635 246) is the parent entity which is registered and domiciled in Australia.
The registered address of the parent entity is Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia.
The individual financial statements for the parent entity show the following aggregate amounts. The information presented has been prepared using accounting policies as discussed in Note 1.
30 June |
30 June |
|||||||
Financial Position as at 30 June 2021 and 2020 |
|
|
|
|
||||
Current assets |
$ |
9,222,528 |
|
$ |
3,573,665 |
|
||
Non-Current assets(i) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
||
Total assets |
|
9,222,528 |
|
|
3,573,665 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Current liabilities |
|
(668,527 |
) |
|
(504,228 |
) |
||
Non-current liabilities |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
(668,527 |
) |
|
(504,228 |
) |
||
Net assets |
$ |
8,554,001 |
|
$ |
3,069,437 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Share capital |
$ |
45,852,107 |
|
$ |
34,192,043 |
|
||
Reserves |
|
6,612,641 |
|
|
1,490,588 |
|
||
Deficit |
|
(43,910,747 |
) |
|
(32,613,194 |
) |
||
Shareholders’ equity |
$ |
8,554,001 |
|
$ |
3,069,437 |
|
____________
(i) In the year ended 30 June 2020, the loan to the subsidiary company has been fully impaired.
Contingencies of the Parent Entity
There were no contingent liabilities involving the parent entity as at 30 June 2021 and 2020.
Guarantees of the Parent Entity
There were no guarantees involving the parent entity as at 30 June 2021 and 2020.
F-34
2,500,000 American Depositary Shares
Representing 62,500,000 Ordinary Shares
_____________________________________
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
, 2021
_____________________________________
Roth Capital Partners, LLC
Through and including , 2021 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Australian law. Australian law provides that a company or a related body corporate of the company may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent of any of the following liabilities incurred as an officer or director of the company:
• a liability owed to the company or a related body corporate of the company;
• a liability for a pecuniary penalty order made under section 1317G or a compensation order under section 961M, 1317H, 1317HA, 1317HB 1317HC or 1317HE of the Corporations Act;
• a liability that is owed to someone other than the company or a related body corporate of the company and did not arise out of conduct in good faith; or
• legal costs incurred in defending an action for a liability incurred as an officer or auditor of the company if the costs are incurred:
• in defending or resisting proceedings in which the person is found to have a liability for which they cannot be indemnified as set out above;
• in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the person is found guilty;
• in defending or resisting proceedings brought by the Australian Securities& Investments Commission or a liquidator for a court order if the grounds for making the order are found by the court to have been established (except costs incurred in responding to actions taken by the Australian Securities& Investments Commission or a liquidator as part of an investigation before commencing proceedings for a court order); or
• in connection with proceedings for relief to the person under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or the Corporations Act, in which the court denies the relief.
Constitution. Our Constitution provides that, except to the extent prohibited by the law and the Corporations Act and, to the extent that the officer is not otherwise indemnified by us pursuant to an indemnity, we indemnify every person who is or has been an officer of the company against any liability or claim (other than legal costs that are unreasonable) incurred by that person as an officer. This includes any liability or claim incurred by that person in their capacity as an officer of a subsidiary of the company where the company requested that person to accept that appointment.
SEC Position. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
ITEM 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
Since July 1, 2018, the following changes have been made to our ordinary share capital:
• the Registrant granted share options to purchase an aggregate of 968,279,897 ordinary shares with a weighted-average exercise price of US$ 0.0654 per share to employees, directors, officers and consultants, under Regulation S. Options to purchase an aggregate of 487,448,513 ordinary have been exercised for aggregate consideration of approximately US$21,010,459, under Regulation S;
II-1
• the Registrant granted performance rights equivalent to an aggregate of 81,303,593 ordinary shares to employees, directors, officers and consultants, under Regulation S. Performance rights equivalent to 36,250,001 ordinary shares have been exercised for no consideration, under Regulation S;
• on August 29, 2018, the Registrant issued 6,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.025 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on September 20, 2018, the Registrant issued 16,800,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.20 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on October 22, 2018, the Registrant issued 33,117,189 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.01 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on November 7, 2018, the Registrant issued 40,454,873 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.01 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on November 21, 2018, the Registrant issued 85,534,312 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.01 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on January 31, 2019, the Registrant issued 74,100,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.01 per share and 3,500,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.02 to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on April 26, 2019, the Registrant issued 9,269,086 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.01 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on July 8, 2019, the Registrant issued 31,983,470 ordinary shares and 2,000,000 ordinary shares, at a price of A$0.038 per share and A$0.02 to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on October 25, 2019, the Registrant issued 64,103,564 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.078 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on December 31, 2019, the Registrant issued 10,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.04 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on June 29, 2020, the Registrant issued 1,750,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.016 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on June 29, 2020, the Registrant issued 4,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.048 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
• on July 1, 2020, the Registrant issued 2,952,619 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.036 per share to institutional investors, under Regulation S;
None of the foregoing transactions involved any underwriter, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed on the share certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about us. The sales of these securities were made without any general solicitation or advertising.
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ITEM 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit |
Description |
|
1.1 |
||
3.1# |
||
4.1 |
||
4.2 |
Form of American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.1) |
|
4.3 |
||
5.1 |
||
10.1# |
Employment Agreement between Incannex Healthcare Limited and Joel Latham, dated July 1, 2020 |
|
10.2# |
||
10.3# |
Service Agreement between Incannex Healthcare Limited and Madhukar Bhalla, dated June 28, 2021 |
|
10.4#✓ |
||
10.5#✓ |
||
10.6#✓ |
||
10.7#✓ |
||
10.8#✓ |
||
10.9#✓ |
||
10.10#✓ |
||
10.11#✓ |
||
21.1# |
||
23.1 |
||
23.2 |
||
24.1# |
Power of Attorney (included in signature page to Registration Statement) |
____________
# previously filed
✓ Certain confidential information in this exhibit was omitted by means of marking such information with brackets (“[***]”) because the identified confidential information is not material and is the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential.
ITEM 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
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director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in Sydney, Australia on November 23, 2021.
Incannex Healthcare Limited |
||||
By: |
/s/ Joel Latham |
|||
Name: |
Joel Latham |
|||
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
/s/ Joel Latham |
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director |
November 23, 2021 |
||
Joel Latham |
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|||
* |
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary |
November 23, 2021 |
||
Madhukar Bhalla |
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|||
* |
Director |
November 23, 2021 |
||
Troy Valentine |
||||
* |
Director |
November 23, 2021 |
||
Dr. Sud Agarwal |
||||
* |
Director |
November 23, 2021 |
||
Peter Widdows |
*By: |
/s/ Joel Latham |
|||
Joel Latham |
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Signature of Authorized U.S. Representative of the Registrant
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Incannex Healthcare Limited, has signed this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on November 23, 2021.
By: |
/s/ Donald J. Puglisi |
|||
Name: |
Donald J. Puglisi |
|||
Title: |
Managing Director |
II-6
Exhibit 1.1
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[●] American Depositary Shares representing
[●] Ordinary Shares
________, 2021
Roth Capital Partners, LLC
888 San Clemente Drive, Suite 400
Newport Beach, CA 92660
c/o Roth Capital Partners, LLC
888 San Clemente Drive, Suite 400
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Incannex Healthcare Limited, an Australian corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell to Roth Capital Partners, LLC (the “Underwriter”) an aggregate of [●] American Depositary Shares (the “Firm ADSs”), representing 25 ordinary shares, with no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), of the Company. The Company also proposes to sell to the Underwriter, upon the terms and conditions set forth in Section 4 hereof, up to an additional [●] American Depositary Shares (the “Option ADSs”), representing 25 Ordinary Shares. The Firm ADSs and the Option ADSs are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ADSs.” The Ordinary Shares represented by the Firm ADSs are hereinafter referred to as the “Firm Shares,” the Ordinary Shares represented by the Option ADSs are hereinafter referred to as the “Option Shares” and the Firm Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Shares.” The Shares, the Underwriter Warrants (as defined below) and the Underwriter Warrant ADSs (as defined below) are collectively referred to as the “Securities.”
The ADSs are to be issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2021, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary (the “Depositary”), and holders from time to time of the American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) issued by the Depositary and evidencing the ADSs. The ADSs will initially represent the right to receive the Ordinary Shares deposited pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
The Company and the Underwriter hereby confirm their agreement as follows:
1. Registration Statement and Prospectus.
The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement covering the Shares represented by the ADSs on Form F-1 (File No. 333-258879) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Commission thereunder, and such amendments to such registration statement (including post effective amendments) as may have been required to the date of this Agreement. Such registration statement, as amended (including any post effective amendments), has been declared effective by the Commission. Such registration statement, including amendments thereto (including post effective amendments thereto) at the time of effectiveness thereof (the “Effective Time”), the exhibits and any schedules thereto at the Effective Time or thereafter during the period of effectiveness and the documents and information otherwise deemed to be a part thereof or included therein by the Securities Act or otherwise pursuant to the Rules and Regulations at the Effective Time or thereafter during the period of effectiveness, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” If the Company has filed or files an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term Registration Statement shall include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act is hereinafter called a “Preliminary Prospectus.” ”
The Company is filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act a final prospectus covering the Shares represented by the ADSs, which includes the information permitted to be omitted therefrom at the Effective Time by Rule 430A under the Securities Act. Such final prospectus, as so filed, is hereinafter called the “Final Prospectus.” The Final Prospectus and each Preliminary Prospectus is hereinafter called a “Prospectus.”
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company Regarding the Offering.
(a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriter, as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4(c) below) and as of each Option Closing Date (as defined in Section 4(d) below), as follows:
(i) No Material Misstatements or Omissions. At each time of effectiveness, at the date hereof, at the Closing Date, and at each Option Closing Date, if any, the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto complied or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not, does not, and will not, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Time of Sale Disclosure Package (as defined in Section 2(a)(v)(A)(1) below) as of [●] (Eastern time) (the “Applicable Time”) on the date hereof, at the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, if any, and the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date, at the time of filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, at the Closing Date and at each Option Closing Date, if any,, when considered together with the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, did not, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the two immediately preceding sentences shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or any Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, which written information is described in Section 7(g). The Registration Statement contains all exhibits and schedules required to be filed by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. No order preventing or suspending the effectiveness or use of the Registration Statement or any Prospectus is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.
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(ii) Marketing Materials. The Company has not distributed any prospectus or other offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the ADSs other than the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the roadshow or investor presentations delivered to and approved by the Underwriter for use in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities (the “Marketing Materials”).
(iii) Emerging Growth Company. The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”).
(iv) Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication and (ii) has not authorized anyone to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act (“Written Testing-the-Waters Communications”), other than those previously provided to the Underwriter and listed on Schedule IV hereto. “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) or Rule 163B of the Securities Act. Each Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, did not, as of the Applicable Time, and at all times through the completion of the public offer and sale of ADSs will not, include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
(v) Accurate Disclosure. (A) The Company has provided a copy to the Underwriter of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) used in the sale of the ADSs. The Company has filed all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses required to be so filed with the Commission, and no order preventing or suspending the effectiveness or use of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission. When taken together with the rest of the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, no Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times though the completion of the public offer and sale of ADSs, has, does or will include (1) any untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (2) information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus. The representations and warranties set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, which written information is described in Section 7(g). As used in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Agreement:
(1) “Time of Sale Disclosure Package” means the Prospectus most recently filed with the Commission before the time of this Agreement, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and the description of the transaction provided by the Underwriter included on Schedule II.
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(2) “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to the Shares represented by the ADSs that (A) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, or (B) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) or (d)(8) under the Securities Act, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act.
(B) At the time of filing of the Registration Statement and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or an “excluded issuer” as defined in Rule 164 under the Securities Act.
(C) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Schedule III satisfied, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the Prospectus Delivery Period, all other conditions as may be applicable to its use as set forth in Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act, including any legend, record-keeping or other requirements.
(vi) ADS Registration Statement Accurate Disclosure. A registration statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-[•]) in respect of the ADSs has been filed with the Commission. Such registration statement in the form heretofore delivered to the Underwriter has been declared effective by the Commission in such form. No other document with respect to such registration statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement has been issued and, to the Company’s knowledge, no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission (the various parts of such registration statement, including all exhibits thereto, each as amended at the time such part of the registration statement became effective, being hereinafter referred to as the “ADS Registration Statement”). The ADS Registration Statement when it became effective conformed, and any further amendments thereto will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not, as of the applicable effective date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
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(vii) Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Company, together with the related notes and schedules, included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and fairly present the financial condition of the Company as of the dates indicated and the results of operations and changes in cash flows for the periods therein specified in conformity with the Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS”) consistently applied throughout the periods involved. No other financial statements or schedules are required under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or the Rules and Regulations to be included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus.
(viii) Independent Accountants. To the Company’s knowledge, Withumsmith + Brown, PC, which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements and schedules included as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, is an independent public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations.
(ix) Accounting and Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined under Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and any subsidiaries is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities; and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
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(x) Forward-Looking Statements. The Company had a reasonable basis for, and made in good faith, each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act or Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus or the Marketing Materials.
(xi) Statistical and Marketing-Related Data. All statistical or market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, or included in the Marketing Materials, are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources, to the extent required.
(xii) Trading Market. The ADSs are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Nasdaq”). There is no action pending by the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, the Nasdaq to delist the ADSs from the Nasdaq, nor has the Company received any notification that the Nasdaq is contemplating terminating such listing. When issued, the ADSs will be listed on the Nasdaq. The Company has taken all actions it deems reasonably necessary or advisable to take on or prior to the date of this Agreement to assure that it will be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable corporate governance requirements set forth in the rules of the Nasdaq that are then in effect and will take all action it deems reasonably necessary or advisable to assure that it will be in compliance in all material respects with other applicable corporate governance requirements set forth in the Nasdaq rules not currently in effect upon and all times after the effectiveness of such requirements.
(xiii) Absence of Manipulation. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to or that has constituted or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the ADSs.
(xiv) Investment Company Act. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the net proceeds thereof, will not be an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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3. Representations and Warranties Regarding the Company.
(a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriter, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date and as of each Option Closing Date, as follows:
(i) Good Standing. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation or other entity in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization (to the extent the concept of “good standing” exists under the laws of such jurisdiction). Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has the power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to own its properties and conduct its business as currently being carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or other entity in good standing (to the extent the concept of “good standing” exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) in each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases real property or in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to so qualify would not have or be reasonably likely to result in a material adverse effect or a prospective material adverse effect upon the business, prospects, properties, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or in its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement (“Material Adverse Effect”).
(ii) Authorization. The Company has the power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Underwriter Warrants and to authorize, issue and sell the ADSs and the Underwriter Shares as contemplated by this Agreement and the Underwriter Warrants. This Agreement and the Underwriter Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company, and when executed and delivered by the Company, and will constitute the valid, legal and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its their respective terms, except as rights to indemnity hereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws and except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity.
(iii) Deposit Agreement. The Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized and, when executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Depositary, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforceability, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles, and upon issuance by the Depositary of ADRs evidencing ADSs and the deposit of Shares in respect thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, such ADRs will be duly and validly issued and the persons in whose names the ADRs are registered will be entitled to the rights specified therein and in the Deposit Agreement, and the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.
(iv) Contracts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement and the Underwriter Warrants and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby will not (A) result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any law, order, rule or regulation to which the Company or its subsidiaries are subject, or by which any property or asset of the Company or its subsidiaries is bound or affected, (B) conflict with, result in any violation or breach of, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) (a “Default Acceleration Event”) of, any agreement, lease, credit facility, debt, note, bond, mortgage, indenture or other instrument (the “Contracts”) or obligation or other understanding to which the Company or its subsidiaries are a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or its subsidiaries are bound or affected, except to the extent that such conflict, default, or Default Acceleration Event not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Company’s constitution.
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(v) No Violations of Governing Documents. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are in violation, breach or default under its constitution.
(vi) Consents. No consents, approvals, orders, authorizations or filings are required on the part of the Company in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the Underwriter Warrants and the issue of the Underwriter Warrant ADSs and the issuance and sale of the ADSs, except (A) the registration under the Securities Act of the ADSs, which has been effected, (B) the necessary filings and approvals from the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) and Nasdaq to list the Shares and the ADSs, as the case may be, (C) such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) in connection with the purchase and distribution of the ADSs by the Underwriter, (D) such consents and approvals as have been obtained and are in full force and effect (including shareholder approval required for the issuance of some of the Shares under ASX listing rules), and (E) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations and filings the failure of which to make or obtain is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(vii) Capitalization. The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent the concept of “nonassessable” exists under Australian law), and have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws, and conform to the description thereof in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus. All of the issued shares of capital stock of the subsidiaries of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. Except for the issuances of options or restricted stock in the ordinary course of business, since the respective dates as of which information is provided in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, the Company has not entered into or granted any convertible or exchangeable securities, options, warrants, agreements, contracts or other rights in existence to purchase or acquire from the Company any shares of the capital stock of the Company. The Shares, when issued and paid for as provided herein, will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent the concept of “nonassessable” exists under Australian law), will be issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws, and will be free of preemptive, registration or similar rights and will conform to the description of the capital stock of the Company contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriter Warrants, when issued, paid for and delivered upon due exercise of the Underwriter Warrants, as applicable, will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent the concept of “nonassessable” exists under Australian law),, will be issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws, and will be free of preemptive, registration or similar rights. The Underwriter Warrants, when issued, will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
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(viii) Taxes. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has (a) filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns (as hereinafter defined) required to be filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof or has duly obtained extensions of time for the filing thereof and (b) paid all taxes (as hereinafter defined) shown as due and payable on such returns that were filed and has paid all taxes imposed on or assessed against the Company or such respective subsidiary. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. No issues have been raised (and are currently pending) by any taxing authority in connection with any of the returns or taxes asserted as due from the Company or its subsidiaries, and no waivers of statutes of limitation with respect to the returns or collection of taxes have been given by or requested from the Company or its subsidiaries. The term “taxes” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.
(ix) Material Change. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, (a) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of business, (b) the Company has not declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock; (c) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or its subsidiaries (other than a change in the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares due to the issuance of shares upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, upon the conversion of outstanding shares of preferred stock or other convertible securities or the issuance of restricted stock awards or restricted stock units under the Company’s existing stock awards plan, or any new grants thereof in the ordinary course of business), (d) there has not been any material change in the Company’s long-term or short-term debt, and (e) there has not been the occurrence of any Material Adverse Effect.
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(x) Absence of Proceedings. There is not pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, any action, suit or proceeding to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject before or by any court or governmental agency, authority or body, or any arbitrator or mediator, which is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect
(xi) Permits. The Company and each of its subsidiaries holds, and is in compliance with, all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, consents, certificates and orders (“Permits”) of any governmental or self-regulatory agency, authority or body (including, without limitation, those administered by the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the “FDA”) or by any foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA) required for the conduct of its business, and all such Permits are in full force and effect, in each case except where the failure to hold, or comply with, any of them is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect or adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(xii) Good Title. The Company and each of its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all property (whether real or personal) described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus as being owned by them that are material to the business of the Company, in each case free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests, other encumbrances or defects, except those that are disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and those that are not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The property held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries is held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with only such exceptions with respect to any particular lease as do not interfere in any material respect with the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.
(xiii) Intellectual Property. The Company and each of its subsidiaries owns or possesses or has valid right to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“Intellectual Property”) necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus. To the knowledge of the Company, no action or use by the Company or any of its subsidiaries involves or gives rise to any infringement of, or license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property of others, except where such action, use, license or fee is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any such infringement or fee. To the Company’s knowledge, none of the technology employed by the Company or any subsidiary has been obtained or is being used by the Company or such subsidiary in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or such subsidiary or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of the officers, directors or employees of the Company or any subsidiary, or, to the Company’s knowledge, otherwise in violation of the rights of any persons.
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(xiv) Employment Matters. There is (A) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, nor to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against it or any of its subsidiaries, before the National Labor Relations Board, any state or local labor relation board or any foreign labor relations board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against it and (B) no labor disturbance by the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the Company’s knowledge, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or its subsidiaries, principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, that could reasonably be expected, singularly or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not aware that any key employee or significant group of employees of the Company or any subsidiary plans to terminate employment with the Company or any such subsidiaries.
(xv) Environmental Matters. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all foreign, federal, state and local rules, laws and regulations relating to the use, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or waste and protection of health and safety or the environment which are applicable to their businesses (“Environmental Laws”), except where the failure to comply has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no storage, generation, transportation, handling, treatment, disposal, discharge, emission, or other release of any kind of toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances by, due to, or caused by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other entity for whose acts or omissions the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may otherwise be liable) upon any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or upon any other property, in violation of any law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would, under any law, statute, ordinance, rule (including rule of common law), regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, give rise to any liability, except for any violation or liability which has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and there has been no disposal, discharge, emission or other release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has knowledge.
(xvi) SOX Compliance. The Company has taken all actions it deems reasonably necessary or advisable to take on or prior to the date of this Agreement to assure that, upon and at all times after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it will be in compliance in all material respects with provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof applicable to the Company as an Emerging Growth Company (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) that are then in effect and will take all action it deems reasonably necessary or advisable to assure that it will be in compliance in all material respects with other applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act not currently in effect upon it and at all times after the effectiveness of such provisions if such provisions are applicable to the Company as an Emerging Growth Company.
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(xvii) Certain Regulatory Matters. The clinical, pre-clinical and other studies and tests conducted by or on behalf of or sponsored by the Company or its subsidiaries that are described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus were and, if still pending, are being conducted in accordance in all material respects with all statutes, laws, rules and regulations, as applicable (including, without limitation, those administered by the FDA or by any foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA). The descriptions of the results of such studies and tests that are described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus are accurate and complete in all material respects and fairly present the published data derived from such studies and tests, and each of the Company and its subsidiaries has no knowledge of other studies or tests the results of which are materially inconsistent with or otherwise call into question the results described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notices or other correspondence from the FDA or any other foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA with respect to any ongoing clinical or pre-clinical studies or tests requiring the termination or suspension of such studies or tests. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company makes no representation or warranty that the results of any studies, tests or preclinical or clinical trials conducted by or on behalf of the Company will be sufficient to obtain governmental approval from the FDA or any foreign, state or local governmental body exercising comparable authority. The Company has established and administers a compliance program applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, to assist the Company, its subsidiaries and their directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries in complying with applicable regulatory guidelines (including, without limitation, those administered by the FDA and any other foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA). Except as would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has failed to file with the applicable regulatory authorities (excluding the FDA or any foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA) any filing, declaration, listing, registration, report or submission that is required to be so filed. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has failed to file with the FDA or any foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA, any filing, declaration, listing, registration, report or submission that is required to be so filed. All such filings were in material compliance with applicable laws when filed and no deficiencies have been asserted by any applicable regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the FDA or any foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA) with respect to any such filings, declarations, listings, registrations, reports or submissions.
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(xviii) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened. “Governmental Entity” shall be defined as any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency (whether foreign or domestic) having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, assets or operations.
(xix) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, or any director or officer of the Company or any subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee, representative, agent, affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(xx) OFAC. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or any director or officer of the Company or any subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee, representative, agent or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the ADSs contemplated hereby, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
(xxi) Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries carries, or is covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.
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(xxii) Books and Records. The minute books of the Company and each of its subsidiaries have been made available to the Underwriter and counsel for the Underwriter, and such books (i) contain a complete summary of all meetings and actions of the board of directors (including each board committee) and stockholders of the Company (or analogous governing bodies and interest holders, as applicable), and each of its subsidiaries since the time of its respective incorporation or organization through the date of the latest meeting and action, and (ii) accurately in all material respects reflect all transactions referred to in such minutes.
(xxiii) No Undisclosed Contracts. There is no Contract or document required by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or in the Final Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statements which is not so described or filed therein as required; and all descriptions of any such Contracts or documents contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and in the Final Prospectus are accurate and complete descriptions of such documents in all material respects. Other than as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, no such Contract has been suspended or terminated for convenience or default by the Company or any subsidiary party thereto or any of the other parties thereto, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice, and the Company has no knowledge, of any such pending or threatened suspension or termination, except for such pending or threatened suspensions or terminations that have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate.
(xxiv) No Undisclosed Relationships. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders (or analogous interest holders), customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the other hand, which is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus and which is not so described.
(xxv) Insider Transactions. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus. All transactions by the Company with office holders or control persons of the Company have been duly approved by the board of directors of the Company, or duly appointed committees or officers thereof, if and to the extent required under applicable law.
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(xxvi) No Registration Rights. No person or entity has the right to require registration of Ordinary Shares, ADSs or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within 180 days of the date hereof because of the filing or effectiveness of the Registration Statement or otherwise, except for persons and entities who have expressly waived such right in writing or who have been given timely and proper written notice and have failed to exercise such right within the time or times required under the terms and conditions of such right. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there are no persons with registration rights or similar rights to have any securities registered by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under the Securities Act.
(xxvii) Continued Business. No supplier, customer, distributor or sales agent of the Company or any subsidiary has notified the Company or any subsidiary that it intends to discontinue or decrease the rate of business done with the Company or any subsidiary, except where such discontinuation or decrease has not resulted in and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xxviii) No Finder’s Fee. There are no claims, payments, issuances, arrangements or understandings for services in the nature of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee with respect to the introduction of the Company to the Underwriter or the sale of the ADSs and the issuance of the Underwriter Warrant ADSs hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements, understandings, payments or issuances with respect to the Company that may affect the Underwriter’s compensation, as determined by FINRA.
(xxix) No Fees. Except as disclosed to the Underwriter in writing, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, investing fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who provided capital to the Company, (ii) any FINRA member, or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member within the 12-month period prior to the date on which the Registration Statement was filed with the Commission (“Filing Date”) or thereafter.
(xxx) Proceeds. None of the net proceeds of the offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or any affiliate or associate of any participating FINRA member, except as specifically authorized herein.
(xxxi) No FINRA Affiliations. To the Company’s knowledge, no (i) officer or director of the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) owner of 5% or more of any class of the Company’s securities or (iii) owner of any amount of the Company’s unregistered securities acquired within the 180-day period prior to the Filing Date, has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member. The Company will advise the Underwriter and counsel to the Underwriter if it becomes aware that any officer, director of the Company or its subsidiaries or any owner of 5% or more of any class of the Company’s securities is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the offering.
(xxxii) No Financial Advisor. Other than the Underwriter, no person has the right to act as an underwriter or as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
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(xxxiii) Certain Statements. The statements set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the captions “Material United States Federal Income and Australian Tax Considerations,” insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects, and under the caption “Description of Securities” and “Description of American Depositary Shares” insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of (i) the terms of the Company’s outstanding securities, (ii) the terms of the ADSs and the Underwriter’s Warrants, and (iii) the terms of the documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.
(xxxiv) Prior Sales of Securities. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, the Company has not sold or issued any Ordinary Shares during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A, Regulation D or Regulation S under the Securities Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, stock option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding preferred stock, options, rights or warrants or other outstanding convertible securities.
(xxxv) Foreign Private Issuer. The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
(xxxvi) Immunity. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution or otherwise) under the laws of Australia. The irrevocable and unconditional waiver and agreement of the Company contained in Section 16 not to plead or claim any such immunity in any legal action, suit or proceeding based on this Agreement is valid and binding under the laws of Australia.
(xxxvii) Choice of Law. The choice of the internal laws of the State of New York as the governing law of this Agreement is a valid choice of law under the laws of Australia and should be recognized by the courts of Australia. The Company has the corporate power to submit, and pursuant to Section 16 has, to the extent permitted by law, legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably submitted, to the jurisdiction of the Specified Courts (as defined in Section 16), and has the power to designate, appoint and empower, and pursuant to Section 17, has legally, validly and effectively designated, appointed and empowered an agent for service of process in any suit or proceeding based on or arising under this Agreement in any of the Specified Courts.
(b) Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Underwriter or to counsel for the Underwriter shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
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4. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Shares.
(a) On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Firm Shares ADSs, to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter agrees to purchase the Firm ADSs set forth opposite the name of the Underwriter in Schedule I hereto. The purchase price for each Firm Share shall be $ per share.
(b) The Company hereby grants to the Underwriter the option to purchase some or all of the Option Shares and, upon the basis of the warranties and representations and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriter shall have the right to purchase at the purchase price set forth in Section 4(a) all or any portion of the Option Shares as may be necessary to cover over-allotments made in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. This option may be exercised by the Underwriter at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the date hereof, by written notice to the Company (the “Option Notice”). The Option Notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised, and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered (such date and time being herein referred to as the “Option Closing Date”); provided, however, that the Option Closing Date shall not be earlier than the Closing Date (as defined below) nor later than the first business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised, unless the Company and the Underwriter otherwise agree. If the Underwriter elects to purchase less than all of the Option Shares, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriter the number of Option ADSs obtained by multiplying the number of Option ADSs specified in such notice by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Option ADSs set forth opposite the name of the Underwriter in Schedule I hereto under the caption “Number of Option ADSs to be Sold” and the denominator of which is the total number of Option ADSs.
(c) Payment of the purchase price for and delivery of the Option ADSs shall be made on an Option Closing Date in the same manner and at the same office as the payment for the Firm Shares as set forth in subparagraph (d) below.
(d) The Firm Shares will be delivered by the Company to the Underwriter, against payment of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of same day funds payable to the order of the Company at the offices of Roth Capital Partners, LLC, 888 San Clemente Drive, Suite 400, Newport Beach, CA 92660, or such other location as may be mutually acceptable, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time, on [ ], 2021, or at such other time and date as the Underwriter and the Company determine pursuant to Rule 15c6-1(a) under the Exchange Act, or, in the case of the Option Shares, at such date and time set forth in the Option Notice. The time and date of delivery of the Firm Shares, is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.” On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver the Firm Shares, which shall be registered in the name or names and shall be in such denominations as the Underwriter may request at least one (1) business day before the Closing Date, to the account of the Underwriter, which delivery shall with respect to the Firm Shares, be made through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC system.
(e) On the Closing Date, the Company shall issue to the Underwriter (and/or its designees), warrants (the “Underwriter Warrants”), in form and substance acceptable to the Underwriter, for the purchase of an aggregate of [●] ADSs, which shall be registered in the name or names and shall be in such denominations as the Underwriter may request at least one (1) business day before the Closing Date.
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5. Covenants.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriter as follows:
(i) The Company shall prepare the Final Prospectus in a form approved by the Underwriter and file such Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act not later than the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by the Rules and Regulations.
(ii) During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the Closing Date or such date as determined by the Underwriter the Final Prospectus is no longer required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an underwriter or dealer (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462 Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Underwriter for review and comment a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Underwriter reasonably objects.
(iii) From the date of this Agreement until the end of the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company shall promptly advise the Underwriter in writing (A) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission, (B) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (C) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective and (D) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending its use or the use of the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the ADSs or Ordinary Shares from any securities exchange upon which it is listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time during the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will use its reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rules 424(b), 430A or 430C as applicable, under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under Rule 424(b) or Rule 433 were received in a timely manner by the Commission (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or 164(b) of the Securities Act).
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(iv) (A) During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act, as now and hereafter amended, and by the Rules and Regulations, as from time to time in force, and by the Exchange Act, as now and hereafter amended, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the ADSs as contemplated by the provisions hereof, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus. If during the Prospectus Delivery Period any event occurs the result of which would cause the Final Prospectus (or if the Final Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package ) to include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then existing, not misleading, or if during such period it is necessary or appropriate in the opinion of the Company or its counsel or the Underwriter or counsel to the Underwriter to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Final Prospectus (or if the Final Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package ) to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriter, allow the Underwriter the opportunity to provide reasonable comments on such amendment, prospectus supplement or document, and will amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Final Prospectus (or if the Final Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package) or file such document (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.
(B) If at any time during the Prospectus Delivery Period there occurred or occurs an event or development the result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or any Prospectus or included or would include, when taken together with the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriter and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.
(v) The Company shall take or cause to be taken all necessary action to qualify the ADSs for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriter reasonably designates and to continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the ADSs, except that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified, to execute a general consent to service of process in any state or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise subject.
(vi) The Company will furnish to the Underwriter and counsel to the Underwriter copies of the Registration Statement, each Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements to such documents, in each case as soon as available and in such quantities as the Underwriter may from time to time reasonably request.
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(vii) The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 15 months following the calendar quarter in which the most recent effective date occurs, an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a 12-month period that shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations, provided that the Company will be deemed to have furnished such statements to its security holders to the extent such statements are filed on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System.
(viii) The Company, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, will pay or cause to be paid (A) all expenses (including transfer taxes allocated to the respective transferees) incurred in connection with the delivery to the Underwriter of the Securities (including all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Ordinary Shares representing ADSs and the registrar and transfer agent of the Underwriter Warrants (if other than the Company), and the cost of preparing and printing stock certificates and warrant certificates), (B) all expenses and fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel) in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, delivery, and shipping of the Registration Statement (including the financial statements therein and all amendments, schedules, and exhibits thereto), the Securities, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, (C) the reasonable filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriter incident to any required review and approval by FINRA, of the terms of the sale of the ADSs, (D) listing fees, if any, and (E) all other reasonable costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder that are not otherwise specifically provided for herein. The Company will reimburse the Underwriter for the Underwriter’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and disbursements of the Underwriter’s counsel, in connection with the purchase and sale of the ADSs contemplated hereby. If this Agreement is terminated by the Underwriter in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriter for all out-of-pocket disbursements (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and disbursements of Underwriter’s counsel) incurred by the Underwriter in connection with its investigation, preparing to market and marketing the ADSs in contemplation of performing its obligations hereunder. The expenses to be paid by the Company and reimbursed to the Underwriter under this Section 5(a)(viii) shall not exceed $300,000.
(ix) The Company intends to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the ADSs to be sold by it hereunder for the purposes set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds”.
(x) The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any action designed to or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or that has constituted, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the ADSs.
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(xi) The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Underwriter, and the Underwriter, represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the free writing prospectuses included in Schedule III. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company and the Underwriter is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied or will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record-keeping.
(xii) The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not, during the period ending one hundred eighty (180) days after the date hereof (“Lock-Up Period”), (i) offer, pledge, issue, sell, contract to sell, purchase, contract to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares, ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or ADSs; or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Ordinary Shares or ADSs, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Ordinary Shares or ADSs or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; or (iii) file or submit any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any ADSs or Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ADS or Ordinary Shares. The restrictions contained in the preceding sentence shall not apply to (1) the ADSs to be sold hereunder, (2) the issuance of Ordinary Shares or ADSs upon the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion of outstanding preferred stock or other outstanding convertible securities disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto), the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, and the Final Prospectus, or (3) the issuance of employee stock options not exercisable during the Lock-Up Period and the grant of restricted stock awards or restricted stock units, provided that in the event that the restricted stock award or restricted stock unit vests during the Lock-up Period and shares are granted to the applicable holder, such holder shall be subject to a Lock-Up Agreement (as defined below) for the duration of the Lock-Up Period.
(xiii) The Company hereby agrees, during a period of three years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, to furnish to the Underwriter copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to shareholders, and to deliver to the Underwriter as soon as reasonably practicable upon availability, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed; provided, that any information or documents available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System shall be considered furnished for purposes of this Section 5(a)(xiii).
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(xiv) The Company hereby agrees to engage and maintain, at its expense, a depositary for the ADSs.
(xv) The Company hereby agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain approval to list the ADSs and the Underwriter Warrant ADSs on the Nasdaq.
(xvi) Prior to the Closing Date or each Option Closing Date, as applicable, to deposit Shares with the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and otherwise to comply with the Deposit Agreement so that ADRs evidencing ADSs to be sold hereunder on such Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as applicable, will be executed (and, if applicable, countersigned) and issued by the Depositary against receipt of such Shares and delivered to the Underwriter at such Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as applicable.
(xvii) The Company hereby agrees not to take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or that has constituted or might reasonably be expected to constitute, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the ADSs.
(xviii) The Company will promptly notify the Underwriter if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (a) the end of the Prospectus Delivery Period and (b) the expiration of the lock-up period described in Section 5(xii) above.
6. Conditions of the Underwriter’s Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriter hereunder to purchase the Shares are subject to the accuracy, as of the date hereof and at all times through the Closing Date, and on each Option Closing Date (as if made on the Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as applicable), of and compliance with all representations, warranties and agreements of the Company contained herein, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and the following additional conditions:
(a) If filing of the Final Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, is required under the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations, the Company shall have filed the Final Prospectus (or such amendment or supplement) or such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus with the Commission in the manner and within the time period so required (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or 164(b) under the Securities Act); the Registration Statement shall remain effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof, any Rule 462 Registration Statement, or any amendment thereof, nor suspending or preventing the use of the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been issued; no proceedings for the issuance of such an order shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; any request of the Commission or the Underwriter for additional information (to be included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Underwriter.
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(b) The ADSs and the Underwriter Warrant ADSs shall be approved for listing on the Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance.
(c) FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.
(d) The Underwriter shall not have reasonably determined, and advised the Company, that the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, contains an untrue statement of fact whichUnderwriter is material, or omits to state a fact whichUnderwriter is material and is required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(e) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, there shall have been furnished to the Underwriter the U.S. law opinion and negative assurance letters of Rimon Law, P.C., counsel to the Company, each dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, and addressed to the Underwriter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
(f) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, there shall have been furnished to the Underwriter the Australian law opinion of Thomson Geer, Australian counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, and addressed to the Underwriter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriter.
(g) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, there shall have been furnished to the Underwriter the opinion and negative assurance letter of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, counsel to the Underwriter, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, and addressed to the Underwriter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Underwriter.
(h) The Underwriter shall have received a letter of Withumsmith + Brown, P.C., on the date hereof and on the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, addressed to the Underwriter, confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualifications of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, and confirming, as of the date of each such letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, as of a date not prior to the date hereof or more than five days prior to the date of such letter), the conclusions and findings of said firm with respect to the financial information and other matters required by the Underwriter.
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(i) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, there shall have been furnished to the Underwriter a certificate, dated the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriter, signed by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company, in their capacity as officers of the Company, to the effect that:
(i) The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality or by reference to any Material Adverse Effect are true and correct in all respects, and all other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, in all material respects, as if made at and as of the Closing Date and on the Option Closing Date, and the Company has complied in all material respects with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part required to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date or on the Option Closing Date, as applicable;
(ii) No stop order or other order (A) suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof or any amendment thereof, (B) suspending the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale, or (C) suspending or preventing the use of the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, has been issued, and no proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or, to their knowledge, is contemplated by the Commission or any state or regulatory body; and
(iii) There has been no occurrence of any event resulting or reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect during the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or on the Option Closing Date, as applicable.
(j) On or before the date hereof, the Underwriter shall have received duly executed lock-up agreement (each a “Lock-Up Agreement”) in the form set forth on Exhibit A hereto, by and between the Underwriter and each of the parties specified in Schedule V.
If the Underwriter, in its sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreement for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.
(k) The Depositary shall have furnished or cause to be furnished to the Underwriter at the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date certificates satisfactory to the representatives evidencing the deposit with it of the Shares being so deposited against issuance of ADRs evidencing the ADSs to be delivered by the Company at the Closing Date, and the execution, countersignature (if applicable), issuance and delivery of ADRs evidencing such ADSs pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
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(l) The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriter and its counsel such additional documents, certificates and evidence as the Underwriter or its counsel may have reasonably requested.
If any condition specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Underwriter by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the Closing Date or on the Option Closing Date, as applicable, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party, except that Section 5(a)(viii), Section 7 and Section 10 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company), insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, including the information deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness and at any subsequent time pursuant to Rules 430A and 430B of the Rules and Regulations, or arise out of or are based upon the omission from the Registration Statement, or alleged omission to state therein, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (ii) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or the Marketing Materials or in any other materials used in connection with the offering of the ADSs, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iii) in whole or in part, any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, or (iv) in whole or in part, any failure of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or under law, and will reimburse such party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with evaluating, investigating or defending against such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or any person controlling such Underwriter) in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the related Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, which written information is described in Section 7(g).
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(b) The Underwriter will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its directors and each officer of the Company who signs the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, which written information is described in Section 7(f), and will reimburse such party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with evaluating, investigating, and defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action. The obligation of the Underwriter to indemnify the Company (including any controlling person, director or officer thereof) shall be limited to the amount of the underwriting discount applicable to the ADSs to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder actually received by such Underwriter.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party except to the extent such indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced by such failure. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of the indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that if (i) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (ii) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party will not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party), or (iii) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ a single counsel to represent it in any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 7, in which event the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying party or parties and reimbursed to the indemnified party as incurred.
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The indemnifying party under this Section 7 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is a party or could be named and indemnity was or would be sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (a) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability for claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (b) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other from the offering and sale of the ADSs or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriter, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Final Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriter and the parties’ relevant intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriter agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this subsection (e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (e). The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any action or claim that is the subject of this subsection (e). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount of the underwriting discount applicable to the ADSs to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder actually received by such Underwriter. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have and the benefits of such obligations shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act; and the obligations of the Underwriter under this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability that the Underwriter may otherwise have and the benefits of such obligations shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to the Company and its officers, directors and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement, the Underwriter confirms, and the Company acknowledges, that there is no information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing to the Company by such Underwriter specifically for preparation of or inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, other than the statement set forth in the last paragraph on the cover page of the Prospectus, its marketing and legal names, and the statements set forth in [ ] of the “Underwriting” section of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, and the Final Prospectus.
8. Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. All representations, warranties, and agreements of the Company contained herein or in certificates delivered pursuant hereto, including, but not limited to, the agreements of the Underwriter and the Company contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriter or any controlling person thereof, or the Company or any of its officers, directors, or controlling persons, and shall survive delivery of, and payment for, the ADSs to and by the Underwriter hereunder.
9. Termination of this Agreement.
(a) The Underwriter shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving notice to the Company as hereinafter specified at any time at or prior to the Closing Date or any Option Closing Date (as to the Option ADSs to be purchased on such Option Closing Date only), if in the discretion of the Underwriter, (i) there has occurred any material adverse change in the securities markets or any event, act or occurrence that has materially disrupted, or in the opinion of the Underwriter, will in the future materially disrupt, the securities markets or there shall be such a material adverse change in general financial, political or economic conditions or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States is such as to make it, in the reasonable judgment of the Underwriter, inadvisable or impracticable to market the Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the ADSs (ii) trading in the Company’s ADSs or Ordinary Shares shall have been suspended by the Commission, Nasdaq or the Australian Securities Exchange, or trading in securities generally on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the NYSE or the NYSE MKT shall have been suspended, (iii) minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required, on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the NYSE or NYSE MKT, by such exchange or by order of the Commission or any other governmental authority having jurisdiction, (iv) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by Australian, federal or state authorities, (v) there shall have occurred any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities or act of terrorism involving Australia, the United States, any declaration by the United States or Australia of a national emergency or war, any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States, Australian or international political, financial or economic conditions or any other calamity or crisis such as to make it inadvisable or impracticable to market the Shares or enforce contracts for the sale of the ADSs, or (vi) the Company suffers any loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or (vii) in the judgment of the Underwriter, there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, any material adverse change in the assets, properties, condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of operations, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 5(a)(viii) and Section 7 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
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(b) If the Underwriter elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section, the Company shall be notified promptly by the Underwriter by telephone, confirmed by written notice.
10. Notices. Except as otherwise provided herein, all communications hereunder shall be in writing and, if to the Underwriter, shall be mailed, delivered or telecopied to Roth Capital Partners, LLC, 800 San Clemente Drive, Suite 400, Newport Beach, CA 92660, telecopy number: (949) 720-7227, Attention: Managing Director, with a copy to Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, 90 South Seventh Street, Unit 2200, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attention: Jonathan Zimmerman; and if to the Company, shall be mailed, delivered or telecopied to it at Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia, Attention: Chief Executive Officer, with a copy to Rimôn Law Pty Ltd, Level 10, 20 Martin Place, Sydney 2000, NSW, Australia, Attention: Andrew Reilly, or in each case to such other address as the person to be notified may have requested in writing. Any party to this Agreement may change such address for notices by sending to the parties to this Agreement written notice of a new address for such purpose.
11. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and the controlling persons, officers and directors referred to in Section 7. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give to any other person, firm or corporation any legal or equitable remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. The term “successors and assigns” as herein used shall not include any purchaser, as such purchaser, of any of the ADSs from the Underwriter.
12. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Underwriter has been retained solely to act as underwriter in connection with the sale of the ADSs and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and any Underwriter has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether the Underwriter has advised or is advising the Company on other matters; (b) the price and other terms of the ADSs set forth in this Agreement were established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Underwriter and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (c) it has been advised that the Underwriter and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that no Underwriter has any obligation to disclose such interest and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; (d) none of the activities of the Underwriter in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation, investment advice, or solicitation of any action by the Underwriter with respect to any entity or natural person; and (e) it has been advised that the Underwriter is acting, in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, solely for the benefit of such Underwriter, and not on behalf of the Company.
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13. Amendments and Waivers. No supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. The failure of a party to exercise any right or remedy shall not be deemed or constitute a waiver of such right or remedy in the future. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (regardless of whether similar), nor shall any such waiver be deemed or constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
14. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph, clause or provision.
15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
16. Submission to Jurisdiction. The Company irrevocably (a) submits to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Borough of Manhattan or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”) for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, any Prospectus and the Final Prospectus (each a “Proceeding”), (b) agrees that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court, (c) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any immunity from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process therein, (d) agrees not to commence any Proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claim that such Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum. THE COMPANY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS RESPECTIVE EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE TIME OF SALE DISCLOSURE PACKAGE, ANY PROSPECTUS AND THE FINAL PROSPECTUS.
17. Appointment of Agents for Service. The Company hereby irrevocably appoints Vcorp Services, LLC, with offices at 25 Robert Pitt Drive, Suite 204, Monsey, New York 10952, United States as its agent for service of process in any Related Proceeding and agrees that service of process in any such Related Proceeding may be made upon it at the office of such agent. The Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. The Company represents and warrants that such agent has agreed to act as the Company’s agent for service of process, and the Company agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect.
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18. Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder into any currency other than United States dollars, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Underwriter could purchase United States dollars with such other currency in The City of New York on the business day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Company with respect to any sum due from it to any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than United States dollars, not be discharged until the first business day following receipt by such Underwriter or controlling person of any sum in such other currency, and only to the extent that such Underwriter or controlling person may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase United States dollars with such other currency. If the United States dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder, the Company agrees as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Underwriter or controlling person against such loss. If the United States dollars so purchased are greater than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder, such Underwriter or controlling person agrees to pay to the Company an amount equal to the excess of the dollars so purchased over the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person hereunder.
19. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes. (a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. (b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
For purposes of this Section a “BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k). “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or electronic mail) in one or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original and all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement, if any, shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.
[Signature Page Follows]
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Please sign and return to the Company the enclosed duplicates of this letter whereupon this letter will become a binding agreement between the Company and the Underwriter in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours, | ||
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Joel Latham | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Confirmed as of the date first above-mentioned | ||
by the Underwriter. | ||
ROTH CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
SCHEDULE I
Name |
Number of Firm ADSs to be Purchased |
Number of Option ADSs to be Purchased | ||
Roth Capital Partners, LLC | [ ] | [ ] | ||
Total | [ ] | [ ] |
SCHEDULE II
Final Term Sheet
Issuer: | Incannex Healthcare Limited (the “Company”) |
Symbol: | IHL |
Securities: | [ ] American depositary shares (the “ADSs”) representing [ ] ordinary shares of the Company, with no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”), of the Company. |
Over-allotment option: | Up to an additional [●] ADSs at a price of $[●] per ADS |
Public offering price: | $[●] per ADS |
Underwriting discount: | $[●] per ADS |
Expected net proceeds: | Approximately $[●] million ($[●] if the overallotment option is exercised in full) (after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company). |
Trade date: | _________, 20[ ] |
Settlement date: | _________, 20[ ] |
Underwriter: | Roth Capital Partners, LLC |
SCHEDULE III
Free Writing Prospectus
1. [None.]
SCHEDULE IV
Written Testing-the-Waters Communications
1. [None.]
SCHEDULE V
List of officers, directors and executing lock-up agreements
[●]
EXHIBIT A
Form of Lock-Up Agreement
[●]
EXHIBIT B
Form of Press Release
Incannex Healthcare Limited.
[Date]
Incannex Healthcare Limited (the “Company”) announced today that Roth Capital Partners, LLC the Underwriter in the Company’s recent public sale of [ ] American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”), representing [ ] ordinary shares of the Company, with no par value (the “Ordinary Shares”) are [waiving][releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to the ADSs and Ordinary Shares held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver][release] will take effect on , 20 , and the shares may be sold on or after such date.
This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Exhibit 4.1
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
by and among
Incannex Healthcare Limited
as Issuer,
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
as Depositary,
AND
THE HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ISSUED HEREUNDER
Dated as of , 2021
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of , 2021, by and among (i) Incannex Healthcare Limited, a company incorporated in the Commonwealth of Australia, with its principal executive office at Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia (together with its successors, the “Company”), (ii) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., acting in its capacity as depositary, with its principal office at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, United States of America (the “Depositary”, which term shall include any successor depositary hereunder) and (iii) all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder (all such capitalized terms as hereinafter defined).
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish an ADR facility with the Depositary to provide for the deposit of the Shares and the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited;
WHEREAS, the Depositary is willing to act as the depositary for such ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Shares to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are accepted for trading on the NASDAQ; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (or an authorized committee thereof) has duly approved the establishment of an ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement on behalf of the Company, and the actions of the Company and the transactions contemplated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
All capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meanings set forth below, unless otherwise clearly indicated:
SECTION 1.1 “Affiliate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term by the Commission under Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act.
SECTION 1.2 “Agent” shall mean such entity or entities as the Depositary may appoint under Section 7.8 hereof, including the Custodian or any successor or addition thereto.
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SECTION 1.3 “American Depositary Share(s)” and “ADS(s)” shall mean the securities represented by the rights and interests in the Deposited Securities granted to the Holders and Beneficial Owners pursuant to this Deposit Agreement and evidenced by the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder. Each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive 25 Shares, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.2 hereof or a change in Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.9 hereof with respect to which additional American Depositary Receipts are not executed and delivered and thereafter each American Depositary Share shall represent the Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
SECTION 1.4 “Article” shall refer to an article of the American Depositary Receipts as set forth in the Form of Face of Receipt and Form of Reverse of Receipt in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto.
SECTION 1.5 “ADS Record Date” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.7 hereof.
SECTION 1.6 “Beneficial Owner” shall mean as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial interest in such ADS. A Beneficial Owner need not be the Holder of the ADR evidencing such ADSs. A Beneficial Owner may exercise any rights or receive any benefits hereunder solely through the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs in which such Beneficial Owner has an interest.
SECTION 1.7 “Business Day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not (a) a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and (b) a day on which the market(s) in which ADSs are traded are closed.
SECTION 1.8 “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.9 “Company” shall mean Incannex Healthcare Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, and its successors.
SECTION 1.10 “Constitution” shall mean the constituent document of Incannex Healthcare Limited.
SECTION 1.11 “Corporate Trust Office” when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the corporate trust office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its depositary receipts business shall be administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
SECTION 1.12 “Custodian” shall mean, as of the date hereof, National Nominees Limited, having its principal office at Level 12, 500 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia, as the custodian for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which may hereinafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5 hereof as a successor or an additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require. The term “Custodian” shall mean all custodians, collectively.
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SECTION 1.13 “Deliver”, “Deliverable” and “Delivery” shall mean, when used in respect of American Depositary Shares, Receipts, Deposited Securities and Shares, the physical delivery of the certificate representing such security, or the electronic delivery of such security by means of book-entry transfer, as appropriate, including, without limitation, through DRS/Profile. With respect to DRS/Profile ADRs, the terms “execute”, “issue”, “register”, “surrender”, “transfer” or “cancel” refer to applicable entries or movements to or within DRS/Profile.
SECTION 1.14 “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Deposit Agreement and all exhibits annexed hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended and supplemented in accordance with the terms hereof.
SECTION 1.15 “Depositary” shall mean Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, in its capacity as depositary under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, and any successor depositary hereunder.
SECTION 1.16 “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received or deemed to be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and held hereunder, subject, in the case of cash, to the provisions of Section 4.6.
SECTION 1.17 “Dollars” and “$” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States.
SECTION 1.18 “DRS/Profile” shall mean the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities pursuant to which ownership of ADSs is maintained on the books of the Depositary without the issuance of a physical certificate and transfer instructions may be given to allow for the automated transfer of ownership between the books of DTC and the Depositary. Ownership of ADSs held in DRS/Profile is evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto.
SECTION 1.19 “DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, the central book-entry clearinghouse and settlement system for securities traded in the United States, and any successor thereto.
SECTION 1.20 “DTC Participants” shall mean participants within DTC.
SECTION 1.21 “Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.22 “Foreign Currency” shall mean any currency other than Dollars.
SECTION 1.23 “Foreign Registrar” shall mean the entity, if any, that carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as registrar for the Shares and any other appointed agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares or, if no such agent is so appointed and acting, the Company.
SECTION 1.24 “Holder” shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary (or the Registrar, if any) maintained for such purpose. A Holder may or may not be a Beneficial Owner. A Holder shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of those Beneficial Owners of the ADRs registered in such Holder’s name.
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SECTION 1.25 “Indemnified Person” and “Indemnifying Person” shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 5.8 hereof.
SECTION 1.26 “Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.8 hereof.
SECTION 1.27 “Opinion of Counsel” shall mean a written opinion from legal counsel to the Company who is acceptable to the Depositary.
SECTION 1.28 “Receipt(s); “American Depositary Receipt(s)”; and “ADR(s)” shall mean the certificate(s) or statement(s) (including DRS/Profile statements) issued by the Depositary evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, as such Receipts may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. References to Receipts shall include physical certificated Receipts as well as ADSs issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 1.29 “Registrar” shall mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed by the Depositary to register ownership of Receipts and transfer of Receipts as herein provided, and shall include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary for such purposes. Registrars (other than the Depositary) may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary.
SECTION 1.30 “Restricted Securities” shall mean Shares which (i) have been acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or any of its Affiliates in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering and subject to resale limitations under the Securities Act or the rules issued thereunder, or (ii) are held by an officer or director (or persons performing similar functions) or other Affiliate of the Company or (iii) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or the Commonwealth of Australia, under a shareholders’ agreement, shareholders’ lock-up agreement or the Constitution or under the regulations of an applicable securities exchange unless, in each case, such Shares are being sold to persons other than an Affiliate of the Company in a transaction (x) covered by an effective resale registration statement or (y) exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (as hereafter defined) and the Shares are not, when held by such person, Restricted Securities.
SECTION 1.31 “Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.32 “Shares” shall mean ordinary shares in registered form of the Company, no par value, heretofore or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid. References to Shares shall include evidence of rights to receive Shares, whether or not stated in the particular instance; provided, however, that in no event shall Shares include evidence of rights to receive Shares with respect to which the full purchase price has not been paid or Shares as to which pre-emptive rights have theretofore not been validly waived or exercised; provided further, however, that, if there shall occur any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, exchange, conversion or any other event described in Section 4.9 hereof in respect of the Shares, the term “Shares” shall thereafter, to the extent permitted by law, represent the successor securities resulting from such change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, exchange, conversion or event.
SECTION 1.33 “United States” or “U.S.” shall mean the United States of America.
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ARTICLE II.
APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPT; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 2.1 Appointment of Depositary. The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as exclusive depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof).
SECTION 2.2 Form and Transferability of Receipts.
(a) Form. Receipts in certificated form shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. Receipts may be issued in denominations of any number of American Depositary Shares. No Receipt in certificated form shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been dated and signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and Delivered, in the case of Receipts in certificated form, and each Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, in either case as hereinafter provided, and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts in certificated form bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and Delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the form of Receipt to the contrary, to the extent available by the Depositary, ADSs shall be evidenced by Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless certificated Receipts are specifically requested by the Holder. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the form of Receipt, regardless of whether their Receipts are in certificated form or are issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile.
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(b) Legends. In addition to the foregoing, the Receipts may, and upon the written request of the Company shall, be endorsed with, or have incorporated in the text thereof, such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be (i) necessary to enable the Depositary and the Company to perform their respective obligations hereunder, (ii) required to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or market upon which ADSs may be traded, listed or quoted, or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, (iii) necessary to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular ADRs or ADSs are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the Deposited Securities or otherwise or (iv) required by any book-entry system in which the ADSs are held. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed, for all purposes, to have notice of, and to be bound by, the terms and conditions of the legends set forth, in the case of Holders, on the ADR registered in the name of the applicable Holders or, in the case of Beneficial Owners, on the ADR representing the ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owners.
(c) Title. Subject to the limitations contained herein and in the form of Receipt, title to a Receipt (and to the ADSs evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of certificated Receipts) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument under the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Holder thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt, unless such holder is the Holder thereof.
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SECTION 2.3 Deposits.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited by any person (including the Depositary in its individual capacity but subject, however, in the case of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, to Section 5.7 hereof) at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if any, are closed, by Delivery of the Shares to the Custodian. Except for Shares deposited by the Company in connection with the initial sale of ADSs under the registration statement on Form F-1, no deposit of Shares shall be accepted under this Deposit Agreement prior to such date. Every deposit of Shares shall be accompanied by the following: (A)(i) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in registered form, appropriate instruments of transfer or endorsement, in a form satisfactory to the Custodian, (ii) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in bearer form, such Shares or the certificates representing such Shares and (iii) in the case of Shares Delivered by book-entry transfer, confirmation of such book-entry transfer to the Custodian or that irrevocable instructions have been given to cause such Shares to be so transferred, (B) such certifications and payments (including, without limitation, the Depositary’s fees and related charges) and evidence of such payments (including, without limitation, stamping or otherwise marking such Shares by way of receipt) as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement or as may be deemed by them to be appropriate in the circumstances, (C) if the Depositary so requires, a written order directing the Depositary to execute and Deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited, (D) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary (which may include an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary provided at the cost of the person seeking to deposit Shares) that all conditions to such deposit have been met and all necessary approvals have been granted by, and there has been compliance with the rules and regulations of, any applicable governmental agency and (E) if the Depositary so requires, (i) an agreement, assignment or instrument satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian which provides for the prompt transfer by any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded to the Custodian of any distribution, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property in respect of any such deposited Shares or, in lieu thereof, such indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian and (ii) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to exercise voting rights in respect of the Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares so deposited are registered in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any nominee. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by confirmation or such additional evidence, if any is required by the Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Australia and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the Commonwealth of Australia, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulator of currency exchange. The Depositary may issue Receipts against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares or other Deposited Securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares or other Deposited Securities, or any Shares or other Deposited Securities the deposit of which would violate any provisions of the Constitution. The Depositary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with reasonable written instructions of the Company that the Depositary shall not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares specifically identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the securities laws in the United States and other jurisdictions, provided that the Company shall indemnify the Depositary and the Custodian for any claims and losses arising from not accepting the deposit of any Shares identified in the Company’s instructions.
(b) As soon as practicable after receipt of any permitted deposit hereunder and compliance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Custodian shall present the Shares so deposited, together with the appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer or endorsement, duly stamped, to the Foreign Registrar for transfer and registration of the Shares (as soon as transfer and registration can be accomplished and at the expense of the person for whom the deposit is made) in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or a nominee, in each case for the account of the Holders and Beneficial Owners, at such place or places as the Depositary or the Custodian shall determine.
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(c) In the event any Shares are deposited which entitle the holders thereof to receive a per-share distribution or other entitlement in an amount different from the Shares then on deposit, the Depositary is authorized to take any and all actions as may be necessary (including, without limitation, making the necessary notations on Receipts) to give effect to the issuance of such ADSs and to ensure that such ADSs are not fungible with other ADSs issued hereunder until such time as the entitlement of the Shares represented by such non-fungible ADSs equals that of the Shares represented by ADSs prior to such deposit. The Company agrees to give timely written notice to the Depositary if any Shares issued or to be issued contain rights different from those of any other Shares theretofore issued and shall assist the Depositary with the establishment of procedures enabling the identification of such non-fungible Shares upon Delivery to the Custodian.
SECTION 2.4 Execution and Delivery of Receipts. After the deposit of any Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, the Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are Deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex, SWIFT, facsimile or electronic transmission. After receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the payment of the fees, expenses, taxes and/or other charges owing hereunder), shall issue the ADSs representing the Shares so deposited to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the notice delivered to the Depositary and shall execute and Deliver a Receipt registered in the name or names requested by such person or persons evidencing in the aggregate the number of American Depositary Shares to which such person or persons are entitled.
SECTION 2.5 Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
(a) Transfer. The Depositary, or, if a Registrar (other than the Depositary) for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed in the case of a certificated Receipt or accompanied by, or in the case of Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, receipt by the Depositary of, proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York, of the United States , of the Commonwealth of Australia and of any other applicable jurisdiction. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt, the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and Deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered.
(b) Combination and Split Up. The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement shall, upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts and upon payment to the Depositary of the applicable fees and charges set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt, execute and Deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
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(c) Co-Transfer Agents. The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Holders or persons entitled to such Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity, in each case to the same extent as the Depositary. Such co-transfer agents may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary. Each co-transfer agent appointed under this Section 2.5 (other than the Depositary) shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement.
(d) Substitution of Receipts. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated Receipt with a Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, or vice versa, execute and Deliver a certificated Receipt or deliver a statement (including but not limited to a DRS/Profile statement), as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the relevant Receipt substituted.
SECTION 2.6 Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the fees and charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals of Deposited Securities and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt) and (ii) all fees, applicable taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Constitution, Section 7.11 hereof and any other provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of such American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares so surrendered. American Depositary Shares may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such American Depositary Shares (if held in certificated form) or by book-entry Delivery of such American Depositary Shares to the Depositary.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian or through a book-entry delivery of the Shares (in either case, subject to Sections 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 5.9, hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to the Constitution, and to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect) to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title of the Deposited Securities as may be legally required, as the case may be, to or for the account of such person.
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The Depositary may refuse to accept for surrender American Depositary Shares only in the circumstances described in Article (4) of the Receipt. Subject thereto, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of American Depositary Shares representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt.
At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receipt by the Depositary of such direction, the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons entitled thereto at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or cash distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.7 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc.
(a) Additional Requirements. As a condition precedent to the execution and Delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, subdivision, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the Delivery of any distribution thereon (whether in cash or shares) or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of the Receipt hereto, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter contemplated by Section 3.1 hereof and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and Delivery of Receipts or American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations and procedures as the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
(b) Additional Limitations. The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfers of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject, in all cases, to Section 7.11 hereof.
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(c) The Depositary shall not issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares or deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs.
SECTION 2.8 Lost Receipts, etc. To the extent the Depositary has issued Receipts in physical certificated form, in case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, unless the Depositary has notice that such ADR has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt (which, in the discretion of the Depositary may be issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless specifically requested otherwise) in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Holder thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and Delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond in form and amount acceptable to the Depositary and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.9 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts . All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled in accordance with its customary practices. Cancelled Receipts shall not be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
SECTION 2.10 Maintenance of Records. The Depositary agrees to maintain records of all Receipts surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 2.6, substitute Receipts Delivered under Section 2.8 and cancelled or destroyed Receipts under Section 2.9, in keeping with the procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in the United States.
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ARTICLE III.
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS
AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF RECEIPTS
SECTION 3.1 Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit shall provide, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required to provide, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties and to provide such other information and documentation as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations hereunder. The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof, or to the extent not limited by the terms of Section 7.11 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities, until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties are made, or such other documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositary’s and the Company’s satisfaction. The Depositary shall from time to time on the written request of the Company advise the Company of the availability of any such proofs, certificates or other information and shall, at the Company’s sole expense, provide or otherwise make available copies thereof to the Company upon written request therefor by the Company, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to provide, any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this Section 3.1 . Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any information for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or (ii) verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and to hold each of them harmless from, any Losses which any of them may incur or which may be made against any of them as a result of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner or as a result of any such failure to furnish any of the foregoing.
The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under Section 3.1 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts or withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 3.2 Liability for Taxes and Other Charges. If any present or future tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any ADR or any Deposited Securities or American Depositary Shares, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary and such Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed liable therefor. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner remaining fully liable for any deficiency. In addition to any other remedies available to it, the Depositary and the Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to Deliver ADRs, to register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Section 7.11 hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to, and shall, indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and each and every of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents (including, without limitation, Agents, in the case of the Depositary) and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes, additions to tax (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for or by such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner. The liability of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this Section 3.2 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
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SECTION 3.3 Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares. Each person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all pre-emptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim and are not, and the American Depositary Shares issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares, the issuance and cancellation of American Depositary Shares in respect thereof and the transfer of such American Depositary Shares. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
SECTION 3.4 Compliance with Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement, the Constitution and applicable law, each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to (a) provide such information as the Company or the Depositary may request pursuant to law (including, without limitation, relevant Australian law, any applicable law of the United States, the Constitution, any resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors adopted pursuant to the Constitution, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the Shares, ADSs or Receipts are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or Receipts may be transferred), (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Constitution and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such Holder and Beneficial Owner held Shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are Holders or Beneficial Owners at the time such request is made and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (c) comply with all applicable provisions of Australian law, the rules and requirements of any stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be registered, traded or listed and the Constitution regarding any such Holder or Beneficial Owner’s interest in Shares (including the aggregate of ADSs and Shares held by each such Holder or Beneficial Owner) and/or the disclosure of interests therein, whether or not the same may be enforceable against such Holder or Beneficial Owner. The Depositary agrees to use its reasonable efforts to forward upon the request of the Company, and at the Company’s expense, any such request from the Company to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
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ARTICLE IV.
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
SECTION 4.1 Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms hereof, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof) be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (on the terms described in Section 4.6 hereof) and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded down to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. Holders and Beneficial Owners understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates. The excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders of the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file with governmental agencies such reports as are necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts.
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SECTION 4.2 Distribution in Shares. If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof and shall, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in the aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the other terms of this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of Delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary may withhold any such distribution of Receipts if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company (including an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the expense of the Company) that such distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act or is exempt from registration under the provisions of the Securities Act. To the extent such distribution may be withheld, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such distribution in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of applicable taxes and/or governmental charges and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof.
SECTION 4.3 Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. Whenever the Company intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Company wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Holders of ADSs. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Holders of ADRs, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof (including, without limitation, any legal opinions of counsel in any applicable jurisdiction that the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may request, at the expense of the Company) and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (a) cash upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or (b) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares upon the terms described in Section 4.2. If the conditions are not satisfied and the Depositary has not determined that the distribution of such additional ADSs specified in (b) in the preceding sentence is permitted by law, the Depositary may, in its sole discretion, (c)dispose of all or a portion of such distribution in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of applicable (x) taxes and/or governmental charges and (y) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms described in Section 4.1 or (d)return such Shares to the Company (or refuse to accept such Shares) and require the Company to then take all steps necessary to comply with this Section 5.7 and other relevant provisions of this Agreement so as to satisfy any requirements to permit the distribution of such additional ADSs. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (on the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Subject to Section 5.9 hereof, if a Holder elects to receive the proposed dividend in cash, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or in ADSs, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.2 hereof. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
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SECTION 4.4 Distribution of Rights to Purchase Shares.
(a) Distribution to ADS Holders. Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. In the event any of the conditions set forth above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall proceed with the sale of the rights as contemplated in Section 4.4(b) below or, if timing or market conditions may not permit, or the Depositary has not determined that such sale is otherwise lawful or reasonably practicable, do nothing thereby allowing such rights to lapse. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges). Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs).
(b) Sale of Rights. If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, and if it so determines that it is lawful and reasonably practicable, endeavour to sell such rights in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Company shall assist the Depositary to the extent necessary to determine such legality and practicability. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.
(c) Lapse of Rights. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders upon the terms described in Section 4.4(a) hereof or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described in Section 4.4(b) hereof, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or exercise or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.4, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes at its expense the Depositary with opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.
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There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.
SECTION 4.5 Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares.
(a) Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of Deposited Securities property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution and shall indicate whether or not it wishes such distribution to be made to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such distribution be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable.
(b) Upon receipt of satisfactory documentation and the request of the Company to distribute property to Holders of ADSs and after making the requisite determinations set forth in (a) above, the Depositary may distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (ii) net of any taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
(c) If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders or requests the Depositary not to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary does not receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or (iii) the Depositary determines that all or a portion of such distribution is not reasonably practicable or feasible, the Depositary shall endeavor to sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the net proceeds, if any, of such sale received by the Depositary (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon the terms of Section 4.1 hereof. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration and Holders and Beneficial Owners shall have no rights thereto or arising therefrom.
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SECTION 4.6 Conversion of Foreign Currency. Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and in the judgment of the Depositary such Foreign Currency can at such time be converted on a practicable basis (by sale or in any other manner that it may determine in accordance with applicable law) into Dollars transferable to the United States and distributable to the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and shall distribute such Dollars (net of any fees, expenses, taxes and/or other governmental charges incurred in the process of such conversion) in accordance with the terms of the applicable sections of this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary shall have distributed warrants or other instruments that entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, the Depositary shall distribute such Dollars to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation, in either case without liability for interest thereon. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Holders on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise.
In converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion may be calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem necessary, practicable and at nominal cost and expense. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to file or cause to be filed, or to seek effectiveness of any such application or license.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment the conversion of any Foreign Currency and the transfer and distribution of proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary is not practical or lawful, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion, transfer and distribution is denied, or not obtainable at a reasonable cost, within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the Depositary shall, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable laws and regulations, either (i) distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary to the Holders entitled to receive such Foreign Currency or (ii) hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of the Holders entitled to receive the same.
Holders and Beneficial Owners are directed to refer to Section 7.9 hereof for certain disclosure related to conversion of Foreign Currency.
SECTION 4.7 Fixing of Record Date. Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights, or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the “ADS Record Date”), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares (if applicable), for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share or for any other reason. Subject to applicable law and the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.6 hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
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SECTION 4.8 Voting of Deposited Securities. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or such solicitation of consents or proxies. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 28 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Company’s expense, and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery (or by electronic mail or as otherwise may be agreed between the Company and the Depositary in writing from time to time) or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company’s Constitution and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given to the Depositary. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions of a Holder on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company’s Constitution and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.
In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, the Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in this Section 4.8.
There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Commonwealth of Australia, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 hereof, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.
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SECTION 4.9 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, amalgamation, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is otherwise a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence American Depositary Shares representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and receipt of an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the Company’s expense satisfactory to the Depositary (stating that such distributions are not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations), execute and deliver additional Receipts, as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts. In either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change, shall also be made. The Company agrees that it will, jointly with the Depositary, amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission to permit the issuance of such new form of Receipt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall, if the Company requests, subject to receipt of an Opinion of Counsel (furnished at the Company’s expense) satisfactory to the Depositary that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Holders and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or to any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
SECTION 4.10 Available Information. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov or at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A.
SECTION 4.11 Reports. The Depositary shall make available during normal business hours on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company agrees to provide to the Depositary, at the Company’s expense, all such documents that it provides to the Custodian. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company and in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof, also mail to Holders by regular, ordinary mail delivery or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary) copies of notices and reports when furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof.
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SECTION 4.12 List of Holders. Promptly upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.
SECTION 4.13 Taxation; Withholding. The Depositary will, and will instruct the Custodian to, forward to the Company or its agents such information from its records as the Company may request to enable the Company or its agents to file necessary tax reports with governmental authorities or agencies. The Depositary, the Custodian or the Company and its agents may, but shall not be obligated to, file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes on dividends and on other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Holders and Beneficial Owners. Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time, and in a timely manner to provide and/or file such proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents, as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper to fulfill the Depositary’s or the Custodian’s obligations under applicable law. In the event that any Holder or Beneficial Owner of American Depositary Shares is not legally permitted to fulfil its obligations under the preceding sentence, such Holder or Beneficial Owner shall promptly surrender its American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby in accordance with Section 2.6 hereof. The Holders and Beneficial Owners shall indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained by the Beneficial Owner or Holder or out of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder or Beneficial Owner. The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under this Section 4.13 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
The Company shall remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency any amounts required to be withheld by the Company and owing to such governmental authority or agency. Upon any such withholding, the Company shall remit to the Depositary information, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, about such taxes and/or governmental charges withheld or paid, and, if so requested, the tax receipt (or other proof of payment to the applicable governmental authority) therefor. The Depositary shall, to the extent required by U.S. law, report to Holders (i) any taxes withheld by it; (ii) any taxes withheld by the Custodian, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Custodian and (iii) any taxes withheld by the Company, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Company. The Depositary and the Custodian shall not be required to provide the Holders with any evidence of the remittance by the Company (or its agents) of any taxes withheld, or of the payment of taxes by the Company, except to the extent the evidence is provided by the Company to the Depositary. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder’s or Beneficial Owner’s income tax liability.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary shall withhold the amount required to be withheld and may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and/or charges and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes and/or charges to the Holders entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.
The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners with any information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership of the American Depositary Shares, including without limitation, tax consequences resulting from the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) being treated as a “Passive Foreign Investment Company” (as defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations issued thereunder) or otherwise.
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ARTICLE V.
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
SECTION 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar. Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary or if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office and facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers, combination and split-up of Receipts, the surrender of Receipts and the Delivery and withdrawal of Deposited Securities in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary or the Registrar as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositary’s or the Registrar’s knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time and from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges or automated quotation systems in the United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registration of Receipts and transfers, combinations and split-ups, and to countersign such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchanges or systems. Such Registrar or co-registrars may be removed and a substitute or substitutes appointed by the Depositary.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more securities exchanges, markets or automated quotation systems, (i) the Depositary shall be entitled to, and shall, take or refrain from taking such action(s) as it may deem necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of such securities exchange(s), market(s) or automated quotation system(s) applicable to it, notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement; and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide the Depositary such information and assistance as may be reasonably necessary for the Depositary to comply with such requirements, to the extent that the Company may lawfully do so.
Each Registrar and co-registrar appointed under this Section 5.1 shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of the Deposit Agreement.
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SECTION 5.2 Exoneration. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability to Holders, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of this Deposit Agreement and any Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or future law, rule, regulation, order or decree of the United States or any state thereof, the Commonwealth of Australia or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Constitution or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war, terrorism or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or in the Constitution or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents (including without limitation, the Agents) in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of American Depositary Shares or (v) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement or otherwise.
The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents (including without limitation, the Agents), the Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.3 Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or any Receipts to any Holder(s) or Beneficial Owner(s) or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 hereof, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement or the applicable ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their respective controlling persons, directors, officers, affiliates, employees or agents (including without limitation, the Agents), shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liabilities be furnished as often as may be required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary).
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The Depositary and its directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effects of any vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company, or for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary.
SECTION 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall, in the event no successor depositary has been appointed by the Company, be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof) and (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation.
The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in this Section 5.4. In the event that notice of the appointment of a successor depositary is not provided by the Company in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof if a successor depositary has not been appointed), and (ii) the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in Sections 5.8 and 5.9 hereof), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may assign or otherwise transfer all or any of its rights and benefits under this Deposit Agreement (including any cause of action arising in connection with it) to Deutsche Bank AG or any branch thereof or any entity which is a direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliate of Deutsche Bank AG.
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SECTION 5.5 The Custodian. The Custodian or its successors in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the direction of the Depositary for the Deposited Securities for which the Custodian acts as custodian and shall be responsible solely to it. If any Custodian resigns or is discharged from its duties hereunder with respect to any Deposited Securities and no other Custodian has previously been appointed hereunder, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a substitute custodian. The Depositary shall require such resigning or discharged Custodian to deliver the Deposited Securities held by it, together with all such records maintained by it as Custodian with respect to such Deposited Securities as the Depositary may request, to the Custodian designated by the Depositary. Whenever the Depositary determines, in its discretion, that it is appropriate to do so, it may appoint an additional entity to act as Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities, or discharge the Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities and appoint a substitute custodian, which shall thereafter be Custodian hereunder with respect to the Deposited Securities. After any such change, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Holders.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary, any Custodian then acting hereunder shall, unless otherwise instructed by the Depositary, continue to be the Custodian of the Deposited Securities without any further act or writing and shall be subject to the direction of the successor depositary. The successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority to act on the direction of such successor depositary.
SECTION 5.6 Notices and Reports. On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action by such holders other than at a meeting, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights in respect of Deposited Securities, the Company shall transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in English but otherwise in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Company shall also furnish to the Custodian and the Depositary a summary, in English, of any applicable provisions or proposed provisions of the Constitution that may be relevant or pertain to such notice of meeting or be the subject of a vote thereat.
The Company will also transmit to the Depositary (a) English language versions of the other notices, reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares or other Deposited Securities and (b) English language versions of the Company’s annual and other reports prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Commission. The Depositary shall arrange, at the request of the Company and at the Company’s expense, for the mailing of copies thereof to all Holders, or by any other means as agreed between the Company and the Depositary (at the Company’s expense) or make such notices, reports and other communications available for inspection by all Holders, provided, that, the Depositary shall have received evidence sufficiently satisfactory to it, including in the form of an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law or of any other applicable jurisdiction, furnished at the expense of the Company, as the Depositary reasonably requests, that the distribution of such notices, reports and any such other communications to Holders from time to time is valid and does not or will not infringe any local, U.S. or other applicable jurisdiction regulatory restrictions or requirements if so distributed and made available to Holders. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings. The Company has delivered to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the Constitution along with the provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities issued by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, in connection with the Shares, in each case, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof, and promptly upon any amendment thereto or change therein, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of such amendment thereto or change therein, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof. The Depositary may rely upon such copy for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary will make available, at the expense of the Company, a copy of any such notices, reports or communications issued by the Company and delivered to the Depositary for inspection by the Holders of the Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares representing such Shares governed by such provisions at the Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office, at the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer office.
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SECTION 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc. The Company agrees that in the event it or any of its Affiliates proposes (i) an issuance, sale or distribution of additional Shares, (ii) an offering of rights to subscribe for Shares or other Deposited Securities, (iii) an issuance of securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (iv) an issuance of rights to subscribe for securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (v) an elective dividend of cash or Shares, (vi) a redemption of Deposited Securities, (vii) a meeting of holders of Deposited Securities, or solicitation of consents or proxies, relating to any reclassification of securities, merger, subdivision, amalgamation or consolidation or transfer of assets, (viii) any reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of assets which affects the Deposited Securities or (ix) a distribution of property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares it will obtain U.S. legal advice and take all steps necessary to ensure that the application of the proposed transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act, or any other applicable laws (including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Exchange Act or the securities laws of the states of the United States). In support of the foregoing, the Company will furnish to the Depositary at its request, at the Company’s expense, (a) a written opinion of U.S. counsel (reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary) stating whether or not application of such transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners (1) requires a registration statement under the Securities Act to be in effect or (2) is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and/or (3) dealing with such other reasonable issues requested by the Depositary; (b) a written opinion of Australian counsel (reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary) stating that (1) making the transaction available to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of the Commonwealth of Australia and (2) all requisite regulatory and corporate consents and approvals have been obtained in the Commonwealth of Australia; and (c) as the Depositary may reasonably request, a written Opinion of Counsel in any other jurisdiction in which Holders or Beneficial Owners reside to the effect that making the transaction available to such Holders or Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of such jurisdiction as well as certificates of the Company as to such matters as the Depositary may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances. If the filing of a registration statement is required, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to proceed with the transaction unless it shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that such registration statement has been declared effective and that such distribution is in accordance with all applicable laws or regulations. If, being advised by counsel, the Company determines that a transaction is required to be registered under the Securities Act, the Company will either (i) register such transaction to the extent necessary, (ii) alter the terms of the transaction to avoid the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (iii) direct the Depositary to take specific measures, in each case as contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to prevent such transaction from violating the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates will at any time (i) deposit any Shares or other Deposited Securities, either upon original issuance or upon a sale of Shares or other Deposited Securities previously issued and reacquired by the Company or by any such Affiliate, or (ii) issue additional Shares, rights to subscribe for such Shares, securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or rights to subscribe for such securities or otherwise distribute any securities, unless such transaction and the securities issuable in such transaction are exempt from registration under the Securities Act or have been registered under the Securities Act (and such registration statement has been declared effective).
Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Deposit Agreement, nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any proposed transaction.
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SECTION 5.8 Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, any Custodian and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any losses, liabilities, taxes, costs, claims, judgments, proceedings, actions, demands and any charges or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel together with, in each case, value added tax and any similar tax charged or otherwise imposed in respect thereof) (collectively referred to as “Losses”) which the Depositary or any agent (including without limitation, the Agents) thereof may incur or which may be made against it as a result of or in connection with its appointment or the exercise of its powers and duties under this Agreement or that may arise (a) out of or in connection with any offer, issuance, sale, resale, transfer, deposit or withdrawal of Receipts, American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or other Deposited Securities, as the case may be, (b) out of or in connection with any offering documents in respect thereof or (c) out of or in connection with acts performed or omitted, including, but not limited to, any delivery by the Depositary on behalf of the Company of information regarding the Company in connection with this Deposit Agreement, the Receipts, the American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or any Deposited Securities, in any such case (i) by the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents (including without limitation, the Agents) and Affiliates, except to the extent any such Losses arise out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of any of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates.
Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an “Indemnified Person”) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the “Indemnifying Person”) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such Indemnified Person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such Indemnified Person’s rights to indemnification except to the extent the Indemnifying Person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the Indemnifying Person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be reasonable under the circumstances. No Indemnified Person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder without the consent of the Indemnifying Person, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any party hereto.
SECTION 5.9 Fees and Charges of Depositary. The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, and persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities shall be required to pay to the Depositary the Depositary’s fees and related charges identified as payable by them respectively as provided for under Article (9) of the Receipt. All fees and charges so payable may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and the Company, but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated in Section 6.1 hereof. The Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request.
The Depositary and the Company may reach separate agreement in relation to the payment of any additional remuneration to the Depositary in respect of any exceptional duties which the Depositary finds necessary or desirable and agreed by both parties in the performance of its obligations hereunder and in respect of the actual costs and expenses of the Depositary in respect of any notices required to be given to the Holders in accordance with Article (20) of the Receipt.
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In connection with any payment by the Company to the Depositary:
(i) | all fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses which are payable by the Company shall be paid or be procured to be paid by the Company (and any such amounts which are paid by the Depositary shall be reimbursed to the Depositary by the Company upon demand therefor); |
(ii) | such payment shall be subject to all necessary applicable exchange control and other consents and approvals having been obtained. The Company undertakes to use its reasonable endeavours to obtain all necessary approvals that are required to be obtained by it in this connection; and |
(iii) | the Depositary may request, in its sole but reasonable discretion after reasonable consultation with the Company, an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law, the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia or of any other relevant jurisdiction, to be furnished at the expense of the Company, if at any time it deems it necessary to seek such an Opinion of Counsel regarding the validity of any action to be taken or instructed to be taken under this Agreement. |
The Company agrees to promptly pay to the Depositary such other fees, charges and expenses and to reimburse the Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses as the Depositary and the Company may agree to in writing from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such charges may at any time and from time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the Depositary.
All payments by the Company to the Depositary under this Section 5.9 shall be paid without set-off or counterclaim, and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature, imposed by the Commonwealth of Australia or by any department, agency or other political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto.
The right of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary as described in Section 5.4 hereof, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.
SECTION 5.10 Restricted Securities Owners/Ownership Restrictions. From time to time or upon request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities and the Company shall update such list on a regular basis. The Depositary may rely on such list or update but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon. The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Company, holds Restricted Securities that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder and, to the extent practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall comply with any limitations on ownership of Shares under the Constitution or applicable Australian law as if they held the number of Shares their ADSs represent. The Company shall, in accordance with Article (24) of the Receipt, inform Holders and Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any other limitations on ownership of Shares that the Holders and Beneficial Owners may be subject to by reason of the number of ADSs held under the Constitution or applicable Australian law, as such restrictions may be in force from time to time.
The Company may, in its sole discretion, but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, including but not limited to, the removal or limitation of voting rights or the mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADRs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association; provided that any such measures are practicable and legal and can be undertaken without undue burden or expense, and provided further the Depositary’s agreement to the foregoing is conditional upon it being advised of any applicable changes in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Depositary shall have no liability for any actions taken in accordance with such instructions.
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ARTICLE VI.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1 Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 6.1 and applicable law, the Receipts outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the form of Receipt attached hereto and to be issued under the terms hereof may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary).The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the American Depositary Shares to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the American Depositary Shares or the Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such American Depositary Share or Shares, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended and supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations.
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SECTION 6.2 Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination, provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 hereof, the Depositary may terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, each Holder will, upon surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.6 hereof and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights or other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to Deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Section 2.6 hereof, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and American Depositary Shares, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary hereunder. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable ADSs are presented by their Holders to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Holders have each satisfied any and all of their obligations hereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, in connection with the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, independently and without the need for any action by the Company, make available to Holders of ADSs a means to withdraw the Deposited Securities represented by their ADSs and to direct the deposit of such Deposited Securities into an unsponsored American depositary shares program established by the Depositary, upon such terms and conditions as the Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, subject however, in each case, to satisfaction of the applicable registration requirements by the unsponsored American depositary shares program under the Securities Act, and to receipt by the Depositary of payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and reimbursement of the applicable expenses incurred by, the Depositary.
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ARTICLE VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1 Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be maintained with the Depositary and shall be open to inspection by any Holder during business hours.
SECTION 7.2 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and their successors) and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person, except to the extent specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties hereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among the parties. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the Depositary and its Affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) the Depositary and its Affiliates may be engaged at any time in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests and (iii) nothing contained in this Agreement shall (a) preclude the Depositary or any of its Affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (b) obligate the Depositary or any of its Affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships.
SECTION 7.3 Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.4 Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect. The Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares shall be parties to the Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of any Receipt by acceptance hereof or any beneficial interest therein. The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts under this Deposit Agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 7.5 Notices. Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or electronic transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to Incannex Healthcare Limited, Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive , Docklands 3008, Victoria, Australia, Attention: Chief Executive Officer or to any other address which the Company may specify in writing to the Depositary or at which it may be effectively given such notice in accordance with applicable law.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Company’s expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, confirmed by letter, addressed to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, USA, Attention: ADR Department, telephone: +1 212 250-9100, facsimile: + 1 212 797 0327 or to any other address which the Depositary may specify in writing to the Company.
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Any and all notices to be given to any Holder shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Company’s expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Holder shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed to some other address, at the address specified in such request. Notice to Holders shall be deemed to be notice to Beneficial Owners for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
Delivery of a notice sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or delivered to an air courier service. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission received by it from the other or from any Holder, notwithstanding that such cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid, as the case may be.
SECTION 7.6 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with, and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York without reference to the principles of choice of law thereof. Subject to the Depositary’s rights under the third paragraph of this Section 7.6, the Company and the Depositary agree that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceeding and to settle any dispute between them that may arise out of or in connection with this Deposit Agreement and, for such purposes, each irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto agree that any judgment and/or order from any such New York court can be enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Vcorp Services, LLC, (the “Process Agent”), now at 25 Robert Pitt Drive, Suite 204, Monsey, New York 10952, as its authorized agent to receive and accept for and on its behalf, and on behalf of its properties, assets and revenues, service by mail of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any suit, action or proceeding brought against the Company in any federal or state court as described in the preceding sentence or in the next paragraph of this Section 7.6. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to be available to act as such, the Company agrees to designate a new agent in the City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.6 reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy thereof upon the Process Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Process Agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such Process Agent shall fail to accept or acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 7.5 hereof. The Company agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon.
The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any actions, suits or proceedings brought in any court as provided in this Section 7.6, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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The Company, the Depositary and by holding an American Depositary Share (or interest therein) Holders and Beneficial Owners each agree that, notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to any claim or dispute or difference of whatever nature between or involving the parties hereto arising directly or indirectly from the relationship created by this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary, in its sole discretion, shall be entitled to refer such dispute or difference for final settlement by arbitration (“Arbitration”) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “Rules”) then in force. The arbitration shall be conducted by three arbitrators, one nominated by the Depositary, one nominated by the Company, and one nominated by the two party-appointed arbitrators within 30 calendar days of the confirmation of the nomination of the second arbitrator. If any arbitrator has not been nominated within the time limits specified herein and in the Rules, then such arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The seat and place of any reference to arbitration shall be New York City, New York, and the procedural law of such arbitration shall be New York law. The language to be used in the arbitration shall be English. The fees of the arbitrator and other costs incurred by the parties in connection with such Arbitration shall be paid by the party or parties that is (are) unsuccessful in such Arbitration. For the avoidance of doubt this paragraph does not preclude Holders and Beneficial Owners from pursuing claims under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act in federal courts.
Holders and Beneficial Owners understand, and holding an American Depositary Share or an interest therein, such Holders and Beneficial Owners each irrevocably agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against or involving the Company or the Depositary, arising out of or based upon the Deposit Agreement, the American Depositary Shares or Receipts, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or by virtue of ownership thereof, may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York, and by holding an American Depositary Share or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Holders and Beneficial Owners agree that the provisions of this paragraph shall survive such Holders’ and Beneficial Owners’ ownership of American Depositary Shares or interests therein.
EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR
AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN ANY ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination of this Deposit Agreement, in whole or in part.
SECTION 7.7 Assignment. Subject to the provisions and exceptions set forth in Section 5.4 hereof, this Deposit Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or the Depositary.
SECTION 7.8 Agents. The Depositary shall be entitled, in its sole but reasonable discretion, to appoint one or more agents (the “Agents”) of which it shall have control for the purpose, inter alia, of making distributions to the Holders or otherwise carrying out its obligations under this Agreement.
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SECTION 7.9 Affiliates etc. The Depositary reserves the right to utilize and retain a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of Shares, rights, securities, property or other entitlements hereunder and to engage in the conversion of Foreign Currency hereunder. It is anticipated that such division and/or Affiliate(s) will charge the Depositary a fee and/or commission in connection with each such transaction, and seek reimbursement of its costs and expenses related thereto. Such fees/commissions, costs and expenses, shall be deducted from amounts distributed hereunder and shall not be deemed to be fees of the Depositary under Article (9) of the Receipt or otherwise. Persons are advised that in converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars the Depositary may utilize Deutsche Bank AG or its affiliates (collectively, “DBAG”) to effect such conversion by seeking to enter into a foreign exchange (“FX”) transaction with DBAG. When converting currency, the Depositary is not acting as a fiduciary for the holders or beneficial owners of depositary receipts or any other person. Moreover, in executing FX transactions, DBAG will be acting in a principal capacity, and not as agent, fiduciary or broker, and may hold positions for its own account that are the same, similar, different or opposite to the positions of its customers, including the Depositary. When the Depositary seeks to execute an FX transaction to accomplish such conversion, customers should be aware that DBAG is a global dealer in FX for a full range of FX products and, as a result, the rate obtained in connection with any requested foreign currency conversion may be impacted by DBAG executing FX transactions for its own account or with another customer. In addition, in order to source liquidity for any FX transaction relating to any foreign currency conversion, DBAG may internally share economic terms relating to the relevant FX transaction with persons acting in a sales or trading capacity for DBAG or one of its agents. DBAG may charge fees and/or commissions to the Depositary or add a mark-up in connection with such conversions, which are reflected in the rate at which the foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars. The Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs.
SECTION 7.10 Exclusivity. The Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for the issuance or administration of depositary receipts evidencing any class of stock of the Company so long as Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is acting as Depositary hereunder.
SECTION 7.11 Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Instruction I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.
SECTION 7.12 Titles. All references in this Deposit Agreement to exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Deposit Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. The words “this Deposit Agreement”, “herein”, “hereof”, “hereby”, “hereunder”, and words of similar import refer to the Deposit Agreement as a whole as in effect between the Company, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter gender shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise requires. Titles to sections of this Deposit Agreement are included for convenience only and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Deposit Agreement. References herein to the laws of a jurisdiction shall include references to any and all of the laws, rules and regulations of such jurisdiction and any and all communities, provinces and states thereof. Words importing persons shall include individuals, firms, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint ventures, unincorporated organizations, receivers, trustees and/or other entities, and any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Incannex Healthcare Limited and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
Incannex Healthcare Limited | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT A
CUSIP________
ISIN________
American Depositary Shares (Each
American Depositary Share
representing 25
Fully Paid Ordinary Shares)
FORM OF FACE OF RECEIPT
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
for
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED ORDINARY SHARES
of
Incannex Healthcare Limited
(Incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia)
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as depositary (herein called the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that ________________ is the owner of ______________ American Depositary Shares (hereinafter “ADS”), representing deposited ordinary shares, no Par Value including evidence of rights to receive such ordinary shares (the “Shares”) of Incannex Healthcare Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia (the “Company”). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (hereinafter referred to), each ADS represents 25 Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is National Nominees Limited (the “Custodian”). The ratio of Depositary Shares to shares of stock is subject to subsequent amendment as provided in Article IV of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts (“Receipts”), all issued or to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of , 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become a party thereto and becomes bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time, received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, other securities, property and cash are herein called “Deposited Securities”). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary and the Custodian.
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Each owner and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and applicable ADR(s), and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s) (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof). The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts under the Deposit Agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Constitution (as in effect on the date of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. References herein to the laws of a jurisdiction shall include references to any and all of the laws, rules and regulations of such jurisdiction and any and all communities, provinces and states thereof. Words importing persons shall include individuals, firms, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint ventures, unincorporated organizations, receivers, trustees and/or other entities, and any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof. To the extent there is any inconsistency between the terms of this Receipt and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the terms of the Deposit Agreement shall prevail. Prospective and actual Holders and Beneficial Owners are encouraged to read the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the American Depositary Shares into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of American Depositary Shares held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such American Depositary Shares. The Receipt evidencing the American Depositary Shares held through DTC will be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. So long as the American Depositary Shares are held through DTC or unless otherwise required by law, ownership of beneficial interests in the Receipt registered in the name of DTC (or its nominee) will be shown on, and transfers of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by (i) DTC (or its nominee), or (ii) DTC Participants (or their nominees).
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(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the fees and charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals of Deposited Securities and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and Article (9) hereof) and (ii) all fees, taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Constitution, Section 7.11 of the Deposit Agreement, Article (22) hereof and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of the American Depositary Shares evidenced hereby is entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADS so surrendered. ADS may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such ADS (if held in registered form) or by book-entry delivery of such ADS to the Depositary.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian or through a book-entry delivery of the Shares (in either case subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, to the Constitution, and to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect), to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title for the Deposited Securities or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available) as the case may be to or for the account of such person. Subject to Article (4) hereof, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt so surrendered and remit the proceeds thereof (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for Delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receipt of such direction by the Depositary, the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons entitled thereto at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or cash distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
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(3) Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of Receipts. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed in the case of a certificated Receipt or accompanied by, or in the case of Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile Receipts, receipt by the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York, of the United States, of the Commonwealth of Australia and of any other applicable jurisdiction. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and expenses incurred by, and charges of, the Depositary, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt(s) (and if necessary, cause the Registrar to countersign such Receipt(s)) and deliver same to or upon the order of the person entitled to such Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and Delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, subdivision, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon (whether in cash or shares) or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and Delivery of Receipts and ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary or the Company consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Share are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (22) hereof.
The Depositary shall not issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares or deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs.
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(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with requests from the Company pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, the rules and requirements of the NASDAQ and any other stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be registered, traded or listed, the Constitution, which are made to provide information as to the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owner at the time of such request. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to forward any such requests to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
(6) Liability of Holder for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges. If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of the Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof remaining fully liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts, register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article (22) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received.
The liability of Holders and Beneficial Owners under the Deposit Agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
Holders understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which may exceed the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.
(7) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares (and the certificates therefor) are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares, have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired or been validly waived. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares and the issuance, cancellation and transfer of ADSs. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
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(8) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit shall provide, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required to provide, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes and/or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information as the Depositary deems necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof, or to the extent not limited by the terms of Article (22) hereof or the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties are made, or such other documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositary’s and the Company’s satisfaction. The Depositary shall from time to time on the written request of the Company advise the Company of the availability of any such proofs, certificates or other information and shall, at the Company’s sole expense, provide or otherwise make available copies thereof to the Company upon written request therefor by the Company, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this paragraph. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any information for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or (ii) verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, the Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and to hold each of them harmless from, any Losses which any of them may incur or which may be made against any of them as a result of or in connection with any inaccuracy in or omission from any such proof, certificate, representation, warranty, information or document furnished by or on behalf of such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner or as a result of any such failure to furnish any of the foregoing.
The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners under the Deposit Agreement shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
(9) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary reserves the right to charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange, if any, upon which the ADSs are listed:
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued or to any person to whom a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement to be determined by the Depositary;
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(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason including, inter alia, cash distributions made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) reduced, cancelled or surrendered (as the case may be);
(iii) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of cash dividends;
(iv) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds, including proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements;
(v) to any holder of ADSs (including, without limitation, Holders), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights; and
(vi) for the operation and maintenance costs in administering the ADSs an annual fee not in excess of U.S. $4.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof), such fee to be assessed against Holders of record as of the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, any person depositing Shares for deposit and any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities with the Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex, facsimile and electronic transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the depositor depositing or person withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses, fees and other charges incurred by the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs;
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(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities, including any fees of a central depository for securities in the local market, where applicable;
(vii) any additional fees, charges, costs or expenses that may be incurred by the Depositary or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary from time to time.
Any other fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary or the Custodian under the Deposit Agreement shall be for the account of the Company unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (20) hereof.
The Depositary may make payments to the Company and/or may share revenue with the Company derived from fees collected from Holders and Beneficial Owners, upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.
(10) Title to Receipts. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) is transferable by delivery of the Receipt, provided it has been properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, such Receipt being a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes. The Depositary shall have no obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the Holder of this Receipt registered on the books of the Depositary or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner’s representative is the Holder registered on the books of the Depositary.
(11) Validity of Receipt. This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose, unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, for the issuance and transfer of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
(12) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A. The Depositary shall make available during normal business hours on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositary’s or the Registrar’s knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (22) hereof.
Dated: | DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Depositary | |
By: | ||
By: |
The address of the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(13) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can, in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis, into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded down to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. Holders and Beneficial Owners understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates. The excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file with governmental agencies such reports as are necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of the applicable fees and charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
In the event that (x) the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, (y) if the Company, in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has either (a) furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), or (b) fails to timely deliver the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of taxes and/or governmental charges, and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
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Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, upon provision of all documentation required under the Deposit Agreement, (including, without limitation, any legal opinions the Depositary may request under the Deposit Agreement) determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish an ADS Record Date according to Article (14) hereof and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. If such elective distribution is not lawful or reasonably practicable or if the Depositary did not receive satisfactory documentation set forth in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the Commonwealth of Australia, in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case, upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Company shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any Holders only if the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date and establish procedures (x) to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges). Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, and if it so determines that it is lawful and reasonably practicable, endeavour to sell such rights in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public and/or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms hereof and in the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act and/or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes to the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactorily to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.
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There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.
Upon receipt of a notice regarding property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine, after consultation with the Company, whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes and/or governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the proceeds of such sale received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(14) Fixing of Record Date. Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the “ADS Record Date”), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares (if applicable), for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS or for any other reason. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
(15) Voting of Deposited Securities. Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or such solicitation of consents or proxies. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 28 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Company’s expense, and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery (or by electronic mail or as otherwise may be agreed between the Company and the Depositary in writing from time to time) or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company’s Constitution and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given to the Depositary. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions of a Holder on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Company’s Constitution and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.
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In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in this Article (15).
There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Commonwealth of Australia, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.
(16) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it otherwise is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall, if the Company shall so requests, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to this form of Receipt specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and/or a division or Affiliate(s) of the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
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(17) Exoneration. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability to Holders, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, the Commonwealth of Australia or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Constitution or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or in the Constitution or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement or otherwise. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to, and shall, indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and each and every of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents (including, without limitation, Agents) and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes, additions to tax (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for or by such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner. The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents (including without limitation, the Agents), any Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
(18) Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, Affiliates, employees and agents (including without limitation, the Agents) agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Without limitation to the foregoing, neither the Depositary nor the Company, nor any of their respective controlling person, its directors, officers, Affiliates, employees or agents (including, without limitation, Agents), shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of this Receipt, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liabilities be furnished as often as may be required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary). The Depositary and its agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company or for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents (including without limitation, the Agents) shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary.
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(19) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall, in the event no successor depositary has been appointed by the Company, be entitled to take the actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), or (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement if a successor depositary has not been appointed), or (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. The Company shall give notice to the Depositary of the appointment of a successor depositary not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation or by the Company of removal, each as provided in this Article (19) and the Deposit Agreement. In the event that a successor depositary is not appointed or no tice of the appointment of a successor depositary is not provided by the Company in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions as contemplated in Section 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may assign or otherwise transfer all or any of its rights and benefits under the Deposit Agreement (including any cause of action arising in connection with it) to Deutsche Bank AG or any branch thereof or any entity which is a direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliate of Deutsche Bank AG.
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(20) Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article (20), and applicable law, this Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges of the Depositary in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary). The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.
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(21) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, each Holder will, upon surrender of such Holder’s Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights or other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments) and except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable ADSs are presented by their Holders to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Holders have each satisfied any and all of their obligations hereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, in connection with the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, independently and without the need for any action by the Company, make available to Holders of ADSs a means to withdraw the Deposited Securities represented by their ADSs and to direct the deposit of such Deposited Securities into an unsponsored American depositary shares program established by the Depositary, upon such terms and conditions as the Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, subject however, in each case, to satisfaction of the applicable registration requirements by the unsponsored American depositary shares program under the Securities Act, and to receipt by the Depositary of payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and reimbursement of the applicable expenses incurred by, the Depositary.
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(22) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws; Regulatory Compliance. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.
(23) Certain Rights of the Depositary. The Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares.
(24) Ownership Restrictions. Owners and Beneficial Owners shall comply with any limitations on ownership of Shares under the Constitution or applicable Australian law as if they held the number of Shares their American Depositary Shares represent. The Company shall inform the Owners, Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any such ownership restrictions in place from time to time.
(25) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN ANY ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
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(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto ______________________________ whose taxpayer identification number is _______________________ and whose address including postal zip code is ____________________________, the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________________ attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: | Name: |
By: | ||
Title: | ||
NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever. | ||
If the endorsement be executed by an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, the person executing the endorsement must give his/her full title in such capacity and proper evidence of authority to act in such capacity, if not on file with the Depositary, must be forwarded with this Receipt. |
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
________________________
Exhibit 4.3
Form of Underwriter’s Warrant
Incannex Healthcare Limited
WARRANT TO PURCHASE Warrant Securities
Warrant No.: [●]
Number of ADSs: [●]
Date of Issuance: [●], 2021 (“Issuance Date”)
Incannex Healthcare Limited, an Australian corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies that, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Roth Capital Partners, LLC, the registered holder hereof or its permitted assigns (the “Holder”), is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, to purchase from the Company, at the Exercise Price (as defined below) then in effect, upon surrender of this Warrant to purchase American Depositary Shares, which represent [ ] Ordinary Shares (including any Warrants to Purchase American Depositary Shares issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, this “Warrant”), at any time or times on or after the Issuance Date (the “Exercisability Date”), but not after 11:59 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date (as defined below), [__]1 of American Depositary Shares (the “Warrant Securities”). Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms in this Warrant shall have the meanings set forth in Section 15. This Warrant is the Underwriter Warrant to Purchase Warrants Securities issued pursuant to (i) Section 4(e) of the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of [●], 2021, by and between the Company and Roth Capital Partners, LLC (the “Underwriting Agreement”) and (ii) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No.: 333-258879) (the “Registration Statement”).
1. | EXERCISE OF WARRANT. |
(a) Mechanics of Exercise. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder on any day on or after the Exercisability Date, in whole or in part (but not as to fractional shares), by delivery of a written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Notice”) of the Holder’s election to exercise this Warrant. No ink-original Exercise Notice shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Exercise Notice form be required. Within two (2) Trading Days of the delivery of such Exercise Notice, if the Holder is not electing a Cashless Exercise (as defined below) pursuant to Section 1(d) of this Warrant, the Holder shall pay to the Company an amount equal to the applicable Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Warrant Securities as to which this Warrant is being exercised (the “Aggregate Exercise Price”) in cash or wire transfer of immediately available funds (a “Cash Exercise”). The Holder shall not be required to surrender this Warrant in order to effect an exercise hereunder; provided, however, that in the event that this Warrant is exercised in full or for the remaining unexercised portion hereof, the Holder shall deliver this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within a reasonable time after such exercise, but in any event within five (5) Trading Days of the delivery of the Exercise Notice. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received the Exercise Notice and the Aggregate Exercise Price, if any (the date upon which the Company has received the Exercise Notice and such Aggregate Exercise Price, the “Exercise Date”), the Company shall transmit by facsimile or e-mail transmission an acknowledgment of confirmation of receipt of the Exercise Notice to the Holder and the Company’s depositary for the ADSs (the “Depositary”). The Company shall deliver any objection to the Exercise Notice on or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received the Exercise Notice. On or before the third (3rd) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received the Exercise Notice and any Aggregate Exercise Price prior to such Trading Day (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Company shall, (X) provided that the Depositary is participating in The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (the “FAST Program”) and so long as the certificates therefor are not required to bear a legend regarding restriction on transferability, upon the request of the Holder, credit such aggregate number of ADSs to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system, or (Y), if the Depositary is not participating in the FAST Program or if the certificates are required to bear a legend regarding restriction on transferability, issue and dispatch by overnight courier to the address specified in the Exercise Notice, a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of ADSs to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise. If this Warrant is submitted in connection with any exercise pursuant to this Section 1(a) and the number of Warrant Securities represented by this Warrant submitted for exercise is greater than the number of Warrant Securities being acquired upon an exercise, then the Company shall as soon as practicable and in no event later than five (5) Trading Days after any such submission of the original Warrant and at its own expense, issue a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 6(d) of this Warrant) representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Securities purchasable immediately prior to such exercise under this Warrant, less the number of Warrant Securities with respect to which this Warrant has been and/or is exercised. The Company shall pay any and all taxes and other expenses of the Company (including overnight delivery charges) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Warrant Securities upon exercise of this Warrant; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any Transfer (as defined below) involved in the registration of any certificates for Warrant Securities or Warrants in a name other than that of the Holder or an affiliate thereof. The Holder shall be responsible for all other tax liability that may arise as a result of holding or Transferring this Warrant or receiving Warrant Securities upon exercise hereof.
1 | NTD: Warrants will be for 7.5% of the ADSs offered in the offering, with three separate warrants, each representing 2.5% of the 7.5%, and each containing identical terms outside of the exercise price. |
(b) Exercise Price. For purposes of this Warrant, “Exercise Price” means $[●]1, subject to adjustment as provided herein.
(c) Company’s Failure to Timely Deliver Securities. If the Company shall fail for any reason or for no reason to issue to the Holder within seven (7) Business Days of the Exercise Date a certificate for the number of ADSs to which the Holder is entitled and register such ADSs on the Company’s share register or to credit the Holder’s balance account with DTC for such number of ADSs to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise of this Warrant, and if on or after such Trading Day the Holder purchases, or another Person purchases on the Holder’s behalf or for the Holder’s account (in an open market transaction or otherwise), ADSs to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of ADSs issuable upon such exercise that the Holder anticipated receiving from the Company (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall, within five (5) Business Days after the Holder’s written request and in the Holder’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the ADSs or the units comprised of an ADS and a warrant to purchase ADSs, as applicable, so purchased (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to deliver such certificate (and to issue such Warrant Securities) shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such Warrant Securities and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of ADSs, times (B) the Weighted Average Price (as reported by Bloomberg) on the date of the event giving rise to the Company’s obligation to deliver such ADSs.
(d) Cashless Exercise. The Holder may, in its sole discretion, exercise this Warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to the Company upon such exercise in payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the “Net Number” of ADSs determined according to the following formula (a “Cashless Exercise”):
Net Number = (A - B) (X)
(A)
For purposes of the foregoing formula:
A= the Weighted Average Price for the three (3) consecutive Trading Days ending on the date immediately preceding the date of the Exercise Notice.
B= the Exercise Price.
X= the total number of shares with respect to which this Warrant is then being exercised.
(e) Rule 144. For purposes of Rule 144(d) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof, assuming the Holder is not an affiliate of the Company, it is intended that the Warrant Securities issued in a Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have been acquired by the Holder, and the holding period for the Warrant Securities shall be deemed to have commenced, on the Issuance Date.
2 | Exercise price will be 120% of the offering price for first tranche of warrants; 135% of the offering price for second tranche of warrants; and 150% for third tranche of warrants. |
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(f) Disputes. In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price or the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Securities, the Company shall promptly issue to the Holder the number of Warrant Securities that are not disputed.
(g) Beneficial Ownership. The Holder shall not have the right to exercise this Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such Person (together with such Person’s affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs, outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of ADSs beneficially owned by such Person and its affiliates shall include the number of ADSs issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude ADSs which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by such Person and its affiliates and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such Person and its affiliates (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this paragraph, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), it being acknowledged that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. For purposes of this Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs, as reflected in the most recent of (1) the Company’s Form 20-F or other public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other notice by the Company setting forth the number of Ordinary Shares outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs, shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder and its affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs, was reported. By written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company, and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 1(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The Holder shall be responsible, at the Holder’s cost, for any filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission required to be made by the Holder on account of its ownership of this Warrant or the underlying Warrant Securities.
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2. | ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF WARRANT SECURITIES. |
The Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Securities shall be adjusted from time to time, as provided by ASX Listing Rules and as follows:
Adjustment upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. If the Company at any time on or after the Issuance Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, scheme, arrangement or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding ADSs into a greater number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced and the number of Warrant Securities will be proportionately increased. If the Company at any time on or after the Issuance Date combines (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, scheme, arrangement or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding ADSs into a smaller number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Securities will be proportionately decreased. Any adjustment under this Section 2(b) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.
3. | FUNDAMENTAL TRANSACTIONS. |
(a) | Fundamental Transactions. The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless the Successor Entity assumes in writing (unless the Company is the Successor Entity) all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(a), including an agreement to deliver to each Holder of the Warrants in exchange for such Warrants a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant, including, without limitation, an adjusted exercise price equal to the value for the ADSs reflected by the terms of such Fundamental Transaction, and exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock equivalent to the ADSs acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction. Upon the occurrence of any Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein. |
Upon consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall deliver to the Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon exercise of this Warrant at any time after the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the ADSs (or other securities, cash, assets or other property) issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of the common stock or common shares (or its equivalent) of the Successor Entity (including its Parent Entity) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such Fundamental Transaction had this Warrant been converted immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction, as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 3(a) shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant.
(b) Applicability to Successive Transactions. The provisions of this Section shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant.
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4. | NONCIRCUMVENTION. |
The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Constitution or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, take any action designed or intended to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, and will at all times in good faith comply with all the provisions of this Warrant.
5. | WARRANT HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER. |
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Holder, solely in such Person’s capacity as a holder of this Warrant, shall not be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of share capital of the Company for any purpose, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, solely in such Person’s capacity as the Holder of this Warrant, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, prior to the issuance to the Holder of the Warrant Securities which such Person is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant. In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on the Holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
6. | REISSUANCE OF WARRANTS. |
(a) Transfer of Warrant. If this Warrant is to be transferred, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company and, whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 6(d)), registered as the Holder may request, representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Securities being transferred by the Holder and, if less than the total number of Warrant Securities then underlying this Warrant is being transferred, a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 6(d)) to the Holder representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Securities not being transferred.
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(b) Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Warrant. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Holder to the Company in reasonable and customary form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 6(d)) representing the right to purchase the Warrant Securities then underlying this Warrant.
(c) Exchangeable for Multiple Warrants. This Warrant is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Warrant or Warrants (in accordance with Section 6(d)) representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Securities then underlying this Warrant, and each such new Warrant will represent the right to purchase such portion of such Warrant Securities as is designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender; provided, however, that no Warrants for fractional ADSs shall be given.
(d) Issuance of New Warrants. Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Warrant pursuant to the terms of this Warrant, such new Warrant (i) shall be of like tenor with this Warrant, (ii) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant, the right to purchase the Warrant Securities then underlying this Warrant (or in the case of a new Warrant being issued pursuant to Section 6(a) or Section 6(c), the Warrant Securities designated by the Holder which, when added to the number of ADSs underlying the other new Warrants issued in connection with such issuance, do not exceed the number of Warrant Securities then underlying this Warrant), (iii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant which is the same as the Issuance Date, and (iv) shall have the same rights and conditions as this Warrant.
7. | NOTICES. |
The Company shall provide Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Warrant. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Warrant, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in writing, will be mailed (a) if within the domestic United States, by first-class registered or certified airmail, or internationally recognized overnight express courier, postage prepaid, or by e-mail or (b) if delivered from outside the United States, by International Federal Express, facsimile or e-mail, and (c) will be deemed given (i) if delivered by first-class registered, three (3) Business Days after so mailed, (ii) if delivered by nationally recognized overnight carrier, one (1) Business Day after so mailed, (iii) if delivered by International Federal Express, two (2) Business Days after so mailed and (iv) if delivered by facsimile or e-mail, upon electronic confirmation of receipt, and will be delivered and addressed as follows:
(i) if to the Company, to:
Incannex Healthcare Limited
Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands 3008, VIC, Australia
Attn: Joel Latham
E-Mail: joel@incannex.com.au
with a copy to:
Rimôn Law Pty Ltd.
Level 10, 20 Martin Place
Sydney, NSW 2000
Attn: Andrew Reilly
E-Mail: Andrew.reilly@rimonlaw.com
(ii) if to the Holder, at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company.
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8. | AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. |
Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Warrant may be amended and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the Required Holders. Any such amendment shall apply to all Warrants and be binding upon all registered holders of such Warrants.
9. | GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. |
This Warrant shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without reference to the choice of law provisions thereof. The Company and, by accepting this Warrant, the Holder, each irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Warrant and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on each party hereto anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Warrant. The Company and, by accepting this Warrant, the Holder, each irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court. The Company and, by accepting this Warrant, the Holder, each irrevocably waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waive any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE HOLDER, HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO REQUEST A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS WARRANT AND REPRESENT THAT COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONSULTED SPECIFICALLY AS TO THIS WAIVER.
10. | CONSTRUCTION; HEADINGS. |
This Warrant shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Holder and shall not be construed against any person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Warrant are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Warrant.
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11. | DISPUTE RESOLUTION. |
In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price or the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Securities, the Company shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations via facsimile or e-mail within two (2) Business Days of receipt of the Exercise Notice giving rise to such dispute, as the case may be, to the Holder. If the Holder and the Company are unable to agree upon such determination or calculation of the Exercise Price or the Warrant Securities within three (3) Business Days of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation being submitted to the Holder, then the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days submit via facsimile or e-mail (a) the disputed determination of the Exercise Price to an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Company and approved by the Holder, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, or (b) the disputed arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Securities to the Company’s independent, outside accountant. The Company shall cause the investment bank or the accountant, as the case may be, to perform the determinations or calculations and notify the Company and the Holder of the results no later than ten (10) Business Days from the time it receives the disputed determinations or calculations. The prevailing party (which, for purposes of this Warrant, is the party whose determinations or calculations is closest to those of the investment bank or the accountant, as the case may be) in any dispute resolved pursuant to this Section 11 shall be entitled to the full amount of all reasonable expenses, including all costs and fees paid or incurred in good faith, in relation to the resolution of such dispute. Such investment bank’s or accountant’s determination or calculation, as the case may be, shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error.
12. | REMEDIES, OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BREACHES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. |
The remedies provided in this Warrant shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Warrant, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the right of the Holder to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Warrant.
13. | TRANSFER. |
Subject to applicable laws and the restrictions set forth in this Section 13, this Warrant and Warrant Securities may be transferred without the consent of the Company. The Holder agrees that, pursuant to the Lock-Up Period (as defined below) contained in Rule 5110(e)(1) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), it will not (a) sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate this Warrant (including any Warrant Securities issued or issuable hereunder) other than to a bona fide officer or partner of the Holder if such officer or partner remains subject to the restrictions of this Section 13 for the remainder of the Lock-Up Period, in each case in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(e), or (b) cause this Warrant or any Warrant Securities issued or issuable hereunder to be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of this Warrant or any Warrant Securities issued or issuable hereunder, except as provided for in FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2). As used herein, the term “Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Effective Date”) and ending on the one hundred eighty (180) day anniversary of the Effective Date. In addition, notwithstanding the other terms of this Warrant or any agreement between the Company and the Holder, the Holder agrees that, consistent with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8): (i) this Warrant may not be exercised more than five (5) years from the commencement of sales of the public offering contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement; (ii) the Holder shall not have any registration rights (including demand or piggyback rights) with respect to the Warrant or the Warrant Securities; (iii) this Warrant may not have anti-dilution terms that allow the Holder and related persons to receive more shares or to exercise at a lower price than originally agreed upon at the time of the public offering, when the public shareholders have not been proportionally affected by a stock split, stock dividend, or other similar event; and (iv) this Warrant may not have anti-dilution terms that allow the Holder and related persons to receive or accrue cash dividends prior to the exercise or conversion of this Warrant.
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14. | REPRESENTATIONS OF THE HOLDER. |
The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
(a) Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant by the Holder are being acquired for investment for the Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Holder has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Warrant Securities.
(b) Disclosure of Information. The Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to the Holder or to which the Holder has access.
(c) Investment Experience. The Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant involves substantial risk. The Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that the Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and the Warrant Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables the Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.
(d) Accredited Investor Status. The Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
(g) No Voting Rights. The Holder, as a Holder of this Warrant, understands that it does not have any voting rights in respect of this Warrant or the Warrant Securities and shall not have such rights until the exercise of this Warrant.
15. | CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Warrant, the following terms shall have the following meanings: |
(a) “Bloomberg” means Bloomberg Financial Markets.
(b) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
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(c) “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price, as the case may be, then the last bid price or the last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by Pink Sheets LLC (formerly the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price, as the case may be, of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.
(d) “Ordinary Shares” means (i) the ordinary shares of the Company with no par value, and (ii) any share capital into which such Ordinary Shares shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such Ordinary Shares.
(e) “Convertible Securities” means any stock or securities (other than Options) directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ADSs.
(f) “Eligible Market” means the Principal Market, The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., The NYSE MKT, The NASDAQ Global Market or The NASDAQ Global Select Market.
(g) “Expiration Date” means the third (3rd) anniversary of the Exercisability Date or, if such date falls on a day other than a Trading Day or on which trading does not take place on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded (a “Holiday”), the next date that is not a Holiday.
(h) “Fundamental Transaction” means that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Person (but excluding a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company), or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company to another Person, or (iii) allow another Person to make a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding ADSs (not including any ADSs held by the Person or Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the Persons making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), or (iv) consummate a stock purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding ADSs (not including any ADSs held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination), or (v) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs.
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(i) “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase Ordinary Shares, ADSs or Convertible Securities.
(j) “Parent Entity” of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person and whose common stock or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market, or, if there is more than one such Person or Parent Entity, the Person or Parent Entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.
(k) “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and a government or any department or agency thereof.
(l) “Principal Market” means The NASDAQ Capital Market.
(m) “Required Holders” means, as of any date, the holders of at least a majority of the Warrants outstanding as of such date.
(n) “Successor Entity” means the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction or the Person (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.
(o) “Trading Day” means any day on which the ADSs are traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the ADSs, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the ADSs are then traded; provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the ADSs are scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the ADSs are suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time).
(p) “Weighted Average Price” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg through its “Volume at Price” function or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by OTC Markets Group, Inc. If the Weighted Average Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Weighted Average Price of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 11 with the term “Weighted Average Price” being substituted for the term “Exercise Price.” All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to Purchase Ordinary Shares represented by American Depositary Shares to be duly executed as of the Issuance Date set out above.
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Joel Latham | |
Title: | Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer | |
By: | ||
Name: | Madhukar Bhalla | |
Title: | Company Secretary |
[Signature Page to Underwriter Warrant]
Exhibit A
EXERCISE NOTICE
TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER TO EXERCISE THIS
WARRANT TO PURCHASE Warrant Securities
INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LIMITED
The undersigned holder hereby exercises the right to purchase _________________ of the same securities issued to investors in the offering, which may consist of ADSs or units comprised of ADSs and warrants to purchase ADSs (“Warrant Securities”) of Incannex Healthcare Limited, an Australian corporation (the “Company”), evidenced by the attached Warrant to Purchase Warrant Securities (the “Warrant”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.
1. Form of Exercise Price. The Holder intends that payment of the Exercise Price shall be made as:
____________a “Cash Exercise” with respect to _________________ Warrant Securities; and/or
____________a “Cashless Exercise” with respect to _______________ ADSs.
2. Payment of Exercise Price. In the event that the holder has elected a Cash Exercise with respect to some or all of the Warrant Securities to be issued pursuant hereto, the holder shall pay the Aggregate Exercise Price in the sum of $___________________ to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.
3. Delivery of Warrant Securities. The Company shall deliver to the holder __________ Warrant Securities in accordance with the terms of the Warrant and, after delivery of such Warrant Securities, _____________ Warrant Securities remain subject to the Warrant.
4. Representations and Warranties. By its delivery of this Exercise Notice, the undersigned represents and warrants to the Company that in giving effect to the exercise evidenced hereby the Holder will not beneficially own in excess of the number of ADSs (determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) permitted to be owned under Section 1(e) of this Warrant to which this notice relates.
Date: _______________ __, ______
Name of Registered Holder
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: |
A-1
Exhibit 5.1
November 23, 2021
Incannex Healthcare Limited
Suite 15, Level 12, 401 Docklands Drive
Docklands
3008, Victoria
Australia
Re: | Registration Statement on Form F-1 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as Australian counsel to Incannex Healthcare Limited, an Australian corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its filing of a registration statement on Form F-1, No. 333-258879, and any amendment thereto (the “Registration Statement”), under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).
The Registration Statement relates to the proposed offer, issue and sale by the Company of up to 71,875,000 ordinary shares of the Company (the “Shares”) represented by 2,875,000 American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”) and warrants offered to the Underwriter (the “Warrants”), the Warrants entitling the holder to purchase up to 7.5% of ADSs sold.
For the purposes of this opinion, we have examined and relied upon copies of the following documents:
(a) | the Registration Statement; |
(b) | a draft of the prospectus (“Prospectus”) contained in the Registration Statement; |
(c) | the Company’s Constitution; and |
(d) | a search obtained from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as at November 23, 2021. |
We have also examined and relied upon a certificate, dated the date hereof, of the Company Secretary of the Company certifying the accuracy and completeness of the Constitution of the Company and resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company dated July 20, 2021. We have also examined such other documents and made such enquiries as to questions of law as we have deemed relevant and necessary in order to render the opinions set forth below.
In such examination, we have assumed (a) the genuineness of all signatures; (b) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals; (c) the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (certified or otherwise); (d) the authenticity of the originals of such copies; (e) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (f) that resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company that we have relied upon for the purposes of this opinion have not been, and will not be, varied or revoked after the date of this opinion and that the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company at which the resolutions were considered were properly convened, all Directors who attended and voted were entitled to do so, the resolutions were properly passed, and the Directors have performed their duties properly and all provisions relating to the declaration of Directors’ interests or the power of interested Directors were duly observed; (g) the accuracy of any searches obtained from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in relation to the Company; (h) each natural person signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so and to perform his or her obligations thereunder; and (i) each person signing in a representative capacity any document reviewed by us had authority to sign in such capacity.
Our opinion is subject to (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including all necessary post-effective amendments), becoming effective under the Securities Act (and on the assumption that it will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Securities thereunder); (ii) the Securities to be sold under the Registration Statement being duly authorized by the Board of Directors and the Company’s shareholders; (iii) the agreed upon consideration being received for the issue of the Securities; (iv) the issuance of the Warrants being duly authorized by the Board of Directors and the Company’s shareholders; (v) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities will be duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (vi) a definitive warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants will be duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vii) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Securities and the issuance of the Warrants being in conformity with the Company’s Constitution, the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”) and the listing rules of the Australian Securities Exchange, and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement, so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
(a) | the Company is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia in good standing (as such term is not defined under the Corporations Act, meaning solely that there are no current orders for the winding up of, or appointment of a receiver or liquidator for the Company or any notice of its proposed deregistration); |
(b) | the issue of the Securities has been duly authorized; |
(c) | when issued and paid for as contemplated by Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, the Shares represented by ADSs will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable (for the purpose of this opinion, the term “non-assessable”, when used to describe the liability of a person as the registered holder of ordinary shares has no clear meaning under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, so we have assumed those words to mean that holders of such ordinary shares, having fully paid all amounts due on such ordinary shares, are under no personal liability to contribute to the assets and liabilities of the Company in their capacities purely as holders of such ordinary shares); |
(d) | in the case of Warrants, assuming any warrant agreement entered into by the Company only provides for the terms of issuance of the Warrants, has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and any warrant agent, and that the Company complies with the terms of any such warrant agreement, the Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company; and |
(e) | upon the exercise of any Warrants and the Company receiving any additional consideration which is payable upon the exercise of the Warrants, the ordinary shares representing the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and we do not express any opinion as to the effect of any other laws, in particular as to whether an agreement or security which is governed by a law other than such laws is valid and binding. This opinion letter is limited to the matters stated herein; no opinion may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.
This opinion letter will be deemed to have been delivered as of the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement and will speak as of such date.
We hereby consent to the use of our opinion as herein set forth as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours, | |
/s/ Rimôn Law Pty Ltd | |
Rimôn Law Pty Ltd |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement on Form F-1, Amendment No. 3, of our report dated November 3, 2021, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Incannex Healthcare Limited, which is contained in that Prospectus. We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
New York, New York
November 23, 2021