EVFM Evofem Biosciences Inc (QB)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 11, 2023

 

EVOFEM BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		001-36754		20-8527075
(State or other jurisdiction		(Commission		(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)		File Number)		Identification No.)

 

7770 Regents Road, Suite 113-618

San Diego, California 92122

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(858) 550-1900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

None

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d -2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e -4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share		EVFM		OTCQB

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging Growth Company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

Item 3.03.

Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The disclosure set forth in Item 5.03 below is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On July 11, 2023, the board of directors the (“Board”) of Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”), adopted and approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Second Amended and Restated Bylaws”) in order to change, among other things:

 

	●	Section 2, removing requirement for Board Consent to reschedule annual meeting
	●	Section 3, so the proportion of shares present required to constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, from a majority to one-third of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote, as permitted under § 216 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

The foregoing description of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Second Amend and Restated Bylaws, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.01.

Changes in Registrant’s Certifying accountant.

 

(a)	Dismissal of Previous Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) of the Company has conducted a competitive process to select a firm to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The Audit Committee invited several firms to participate in this process.

 

As a result, the Audit Committee recommended, and the Board approved the dismissal of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, on July 11, 2023.

 

The reports of Deloitte on the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, except that, the reports included an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and through the subsequent interim period through July 11, 2023, the Company has no disagreements within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Regulation S-K”) and related instructions thereto, with Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreement, if not resolved to Deloitte’s satisfaction, would have caused Deloitte to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports on the Company’s financial statements.

 

There were no reportable events within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, and related instructions thereto, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and through the subsequent interim period through July 11, 2023, except that, as previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 10-K”) and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023, the Company reported material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting during such period. As disclosed in the 2022 10-K, in connection with the Company’s evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), the Company concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2022. The material weaknesses primarily related to limited finance and accounting staffing levels that are not commensurate with the Company’s complexity and its financial accounting and reporting requirements. The Audit Committee has discussed the material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting with Deloitte, and has authorized Deloitte to respond fully to the inquiries of BPM LLP concerning such material weaknesses.

 

In accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Company has requested that Deloitte furnish it a letter addressed to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements above, and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. Deloitte furnished the requested letter, and a copy is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

(b)	Engagement of New Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

On July 11, 2023, the Company appointed BPM LLP (“BPM”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm effective as of July 11, 2023. The Audit Committee’s selection of BPM is subject to the ratification of the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting (the “Annual General Meeting”).

 

The Audit Committee of the Board recommends, and the Board approved the appointment of BPM.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and the interim period from January 1, 2023 through July 11, 2023, neither the Company, nor anyone acting on its behalf, consulted with BPM regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that may be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and BPM did not provide either a written report or oral advice to the Company that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) or a reportable event (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.		Description
3.1		Amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Evofem Biosciences, Inc. adopted July 11, 2023.
16.1		Deloitte & Touche LLP letter, dated July 17, 2023.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

	EVOFEM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Dated: July 17, 2023	By:	/s/ Saundra Pelletier
		Sandra Pelletier
		Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

EVOFEM BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(a Delaware Corporation)

 

ARTICLE I

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders of Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (the Corporation) for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held each fiscal year at such date and time, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

SECTION2. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of all meetings of the stockholders, stating the place, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the place at which the list of stockholders may be examined, and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is to be held, shall be mailed or otherwise delivered (including pursuant to electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, except to the extent prohibited by Section232(e) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10)nor more than sixty (60)days prior to the date of the meeting and shall otherwise comply with applicable law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by law. If notice is given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the times provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by law. Meetings may be held without notice if all stockholders entitled to vote are present, or if notice is waived by those not present in accordance with these Bylaws. Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and (unless the Corporations Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation otherwise provides) any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled, upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.

 

SECTION3. Quorum and Adjournment. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Corporations Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of stockholders shall consist of the holders of record of one-third of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, present in person or by proxy, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The Chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is such a quorum. No notice of the time and place of adjourned meetings need be given except as required by law. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

 

SECTION4. Organization.

 

(a) Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman, or if none or in the Chairmans absence the Presiding Director, or if none or in the Presiding Directors absence, the Vice-Chairman, or if none or in the Vice-Chairmans absence the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officers absence a Vice-President, or, if none of the foregoing is present, by a chairman to be chosen by the stockholders entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, or in the Secretarys absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the presiding officer of the meeting shall appoint any person present to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

 

(b) The Chairman shall call the meeting to order, establish the agenda, and conduct the business of the meeting in accordance therewith or, at the Chairmans discretion, the business of the meeting may be conducted otherwise in accordance with the wishes of the stockholders in attendance. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.

 

(c) The Chairman shall also conduct the meeting in an orderly manner, rule on the precedence of, and procedure on, motions and other procedural matters, and exercise discretion with respect to such procedural matters with fairness and good faith toward all those entitled to take part. Without limiting the foregoing, the Chairman may (a)restrict attendance at any time to bona fide stockholders of record and their proxies and other persons in attendance at the invitation of the presiding officer or Board of Directors, (b)restrict use of audio or video recording devices at the meeting, and (c)impose reasonable limits on the amount of time taken up at the meeting on discussion in general or on remarks by any one stockholder. Should any person in attendance become unruly or obstruct the meeting proceedings, the Chairman shall have the power to have such person removed from the meeting. Notwithstanding anything in the Bylaws to the contrary, No business shall be conducted at a meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section4 and Section7 of this Article I. The Chairman, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Section4 and Section7 of this Article I and if he should so determine that any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with such sections, he shall so declare to the meeting that such defective nomination or proposal shall be disregarded.

 

SECTION5. Voting; Proxies; Required Vote.

 

(a) At each meeting of stockholders, every stockholder shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy appointed by instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder or by such stockholders duly authorized attorney in fact (but No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period), and, unless the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise, shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote registered in the name of such stockholder on the books of the Corporation on the applicable record date fixed pursuant to these Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, which shall be governed by Section8 of this ArticleI, the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast affirmatively or negatively on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders.

 

(b) When specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast affirmatively or negatively of such class or classes at the meeting shall be the act of such class, unless otherwise provided in the Corporations Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

SECTION6. Inspectors. The Board of Directors, in advance of any meeting, may, but need not, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If an inspector or inspectors are not so appointed, the person presiding at the meeting may, but need not, appoint one or more inspectors. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding thereat. Each inspector, if any, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares of stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of the person presiding at the meeting, the inspector or inspectors, if any, shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by such inspector or inspectors and execute a certificate of any fact found by such inspector or inspectors.

 

SECTION7. Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Other Business.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

(1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A)pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (B)by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C)by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i)was a stockholder of record of the Corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section7 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii)is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii)complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section7 as to such business or nomination. Clause(C) of the preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business (other than matters properly brought under Rule14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and included in the Corporations notice of meeting) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(2) Without qualification or limitation, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C)of paragraph(a)(1) of this Section7, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and any such proposed business, other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors, must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th)day nor later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th)day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30)days before or more than seventy (70)days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th)day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th)day prior to such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the tenth (10th)day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation). In No event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.

 

 

(3) To be in proper form, a stockholders notice delivered pursuant to this Section7 must set forth: (A)as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (i)all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in contested election, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, (ii)such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected and (iii)a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the registrant for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; (B)if the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; and (C)as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i)the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner, if any, (ii)(a)the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (b)any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a Derivative Instrument) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation, (c)any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation, (d)any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of this Bylaw a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security), (e)any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (f)any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (g)any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such stockholders immediate family sharing the same household, (iii)a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal between or among such stockholder and such beneficial owner, any of their respective affiliates or associates, and any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing, (iv)a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (v)a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (a)to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee or (b)otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination, and (vi)any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In addition, the stockholders notice with respect to the election of directors must include, with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section9 of this Article I. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholders understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the information required by clauses (a)(3)(C)(ii) and (a)(3)(C)(iii) of this Section7 shall be updated by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such information as of the record date.

 

(4) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)(2) of this Section7 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting is increased and there is No public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred (100)days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, a stockholders notice required by this Section7 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th)day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

 

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (1)by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (2)provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i)is a stockholder of record of the Corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section7 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and at the time of the special meeting, (ii)is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election, and (iii)complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section7 as to such nomination. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporations notice of meeting, if the stockholders notice required by paragraph (a)(3) hereof with respect to any nomination (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by this Bylaw) shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th)day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th)day prior to such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such special meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such special meeting, the tenth (10th)day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In No event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.

 

(c) General.

 

(1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section7 or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such other business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section7. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the person presiding at the meeting of stockholders shall have the power and duty (A)to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section7 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholders nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholders representation as required by clause (a)(3)(C)(v) of this Section7) and (B)if any proposed nomination or other business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section7, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed other business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section7, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or other business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section7, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

(2) For purposes of this Section7, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section7, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section7; provided however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section7 (including clause (a)(1)(C) and paragraph (b)hereof), and compliance with clause (a)(1)(C) and paragraph (b)of this Section7 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business, as applicable (other than matters brought properly under and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, as may be amended from time to time). Nothing in this Section7 shall be deemed to affect any rights (A)of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act or (B)of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock of the Corporation as to dividends or upon liquidation (Preferred Stock) to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

 

SECTION8. Required Vote for Directors. At any meeting of stockholders for the election of one or more directors at which a quorum is present, the election shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election.

 

SECTION9. Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement. To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Article I, Section7 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (a)is not and will not become a party to (1)any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a Voting Commitment) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (2)any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such persons ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such persons fiduciary duties under applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, (b)is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (c)in such persons individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

 

SECTION10. Removal of Director. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, the stockholders holding a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, acting at a duly called annual meeting or a duly called special meeting of the stockholders, at which there is a proper quorum and where notice has been provided in accordance with Section7 of this Article I, may remove a director or directors of the Corporation only with cause. Vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from such removal shall be filled in accordance with Section12 of Article II.

 

ARTICLE II

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION1. General Powers. The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

SECTION2. Qualification; Number; Term; Remuneration.

 

(a) Each director shall be at least 18 years of age. A director need not be a stockholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the State of Delaware. The total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were No vacancies (the Whole Board) shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by action of the Board of Directors, one of whom may be selected by the Board of Directors to be its Chairman.

 

 

(b) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. To the extent practicable, the Board of Directors shall assign an equal number of directors to Class I, Class II and Class III. At the first annual meeting of stockholders after the filing of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the terms of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. At the second annual meeting of stockholders, the terms of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. At the third annual meeting of stockholders, the terms of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such meeting shall be elected for a full term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this clause (b), each director shall serve until such directors successor is duly elected and qualified or until such directors death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

(c) Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and Directors who are not employees of the Corporation may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for committee service.

 

SECTION3. Quorum and Manner of Voting. Except as otherwise provided by law or in these Bylaws, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn a meeting from time to time to another time and place without notice. The vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. The directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

 

SECTION4. Places of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware, as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as may be specified in the notice of meeting.

 

SECTION5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors shall from time to time by resolution determine. Notice need not be given of regular meetings of the Board of Directors held at times and places fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, Presiding Director, Chief Executive Officer or by a majority of the directors then in office.

 

SECTION7. Notice of Meetings. A notice of the place, date and time and the purpose or purposes of each special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director by mail, personal delivery, electronic transmission or telephone at least two (2)days before the day of the meeting. Notice shall be deemed to be given at the time of mailing, but the said two (2)days notice need not be given to any director who consents in writing, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him.

 

SECTION8. Chairman of the Board. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or in Section9 of this ArticleII, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.

 

 

SECTION9. Presiding Director. If at any time the Chairman of the Board shall be an executive officer or former executive officer of the Corporation or for any reason shall not be an independent director, a Presiding Director shall be selected by the independent directors from among the directors who are not executive officers or former executive officers of the Corporation and are otherwise independent. If the Chairman of the Board of Directors is not present, the Presiding Director shall chair meetings of the Board of Directors. The Presiding Director shall chair any meeting of the independent Directors and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Presiding Director by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION10. Organization. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the Chairman, or if none or in the Chairman’s absence or inability to act the Presiding Director, or if none or in the Presiding Directors absence or inability to act, the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officers absence or inability to act any Vice-President who is a member of the Board of Directors, or if none, or in such Vice-Presidents absence or inability to act a chairman chosen by the directors, shall preside. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors when present, and, in the Secretary’s absence, the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as secretary.

 

SECTION11. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary, unless otherwise specified in the resignation.

 

SECTION12. Vacancies. Subject to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors will be filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, provided that a majority of the Whole Board of Directors, or a quorum, is present and any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled generally by the majority vote of the remaining directors in office, even if less than a quorum is present.

 

SECTION13. Conference Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

SECTION14. Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all the directors consent thereto in writing (which may be provided by electronic transmission), and such writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COMMITTEES

 

SECTION1. Appointment. From time to time the Board of Directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board may appoint any committee or committees for any purpose or purposes, to the extent lawful, which shall have powers as shall be determined and specified by the Board of Directors in the resolution of appointment. The Board shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that No such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board.

 

 

SECTION2. Procedures, Quorum and Manner of Acting. Each committee shall fix its own rules of procedure, and shall meet where and as provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the presence of a majority of the then appointed members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that committee, and in every case where a quorum is present the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee present shall be the act of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings, and actions taken by a committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION3. Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of any committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all the members of the committee consent thereto in writing (which may be provided by electronic transmission), and such writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the committee.

 

SECTION4. Term; Termination. In the event any person shall cease to be a director of the Corporation, such person shall simultaneously therewith cease to be a member of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

SECTION1. Election and Qualifications. The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Corporation, which shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer (or other senior officer performing and a Secretary, and may include, by election or appointment, one or more Vice-Presidents (any one or more of whom may be given an additional designation of rank or function), a Treasurer and such other officers as the Board may from time to time deem proper. Each officer shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by these Bylaws and as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

 

SECTION2. Term of Office and Remuneration. The term of office of all officers shall be one year and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified, but any officer may be removed from office, either with or without cause, at any time by the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in any office arising from any cause may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors. The remuneration of all officers of the Corporation may be fixed by the Board of Directors or in such manner as the Board of Directors shall provide.

 

SECTION3. Resignation; Removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary, unless otherwise specified in the resignation. Any officer shall be subject to removal, with or without cause, at any time by vote of a majority of the Whole Board.

 

SECTION4. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such duties as customarily pertain to that office. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general management and supervision of the property, business and affairs of the Corporation and over its other officers; may appoint and remove assistant officers and other agents and employees, other than officers referred to in Section1 of this ArticleIV; and may execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation powers of attorney, contracts, bonds and other obligations and instruments.

 

SECTION5. President. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and such supervisory powers as may be given by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, if such titles be held by other officers, the President shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the Corporation. Unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The President shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. The President shall have power to sign stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation, other than the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

SECTION6. Vice-President. A Vice-President may execute and deliver in the name of the Corporation contracts and other obligations and instruments pertaining to the regular course of the duties of said office, and shall have such other authority as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall in general have all duties incident to the position of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION8. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as may from time to time be assigned to the Chief Financial Officer by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. Unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer shall be the Treasurer of the Corporation.

 

SECTION9. Secretary. The Secretary shall in general have all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION10. Assistant Officers. Any assistant officer shall have such powers and duties of the officer such assistant officer assists as such officer or the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE V

 

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

SECTION1. Location. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept at such place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors or the respective officers in charge thereof may from time to time determine. The record books containing the names and addresses of all stockholders, the number and class of shares of stock held by each and the dates when they respectively became the owners of record thereof shall be kept by the Secretary and by such officer or agent as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION2. Addresses of Stockholders. Notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be delivered (a)personally or mailed to each stockholder at the stockholders address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, or (b)any other method permitted by applicable law and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission as they presently exist or may hereafter be amended.

 

SECTION3. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60)nor less than ten (10)days before the date of such meeting. If No record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

 

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which date shall not be more than ten (10)days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If No record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when No prior action by the Board of Directors is required, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in this State, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporations registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If No record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by this chapter, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60)days prior to such action. If No record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

STOCK

 

SECTION1. Stock; Signatures. Shares of the Corporations stock may be evidenced by certificates for shares of stock or may be issued in uncertificated form in accordance with applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution or the issuance of shares in uncertificated form shall not affect shares already represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of shares of stock in the Corporation that is represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation and registered in certificated form. Stock certificates shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer or Vice-President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any and all signatures on any such certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The name of the holder of record of the shares represented by certificated or uncertificated shares, with the number of such shares and the date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation.

 

SECTION2. Transfers of Stock. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made on the books of the Corporation after receipt of a request with proper evidence of succession, assignation, or authority to transfer by the record holder of such stock, or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and in the case of stock represented by a certificate, upon surrender of the certificate. Subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary or appropriate concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation, and to appoint and remove transfer agents and registrars of transfers.

 

SECTION3. Fractional Shares. The Corporation may, but shall not be required to, issue certificates for fractions of a share where necessary to effect authorized transactions, or the Corporation may pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or it may issue scrip in registered or bearer form over the manual or facsimile signature of an officer of the Corporation or of its agent, exchangeable as therein provided for full shares, but such scrip shall not entitle the holder to any rights of a stockholder except as therein provided.

 

 

SECTION4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in place of any certificate, theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may require the owner of any lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

DIVIDENDS

 

Subject always to the provisions of law and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have full power to determine whether any, and, if any, what part of any, funds legally available for the payment of dividends shall be declared as dividends and paid to stockholders; the division of the whole or any part of such funds of the Corporation shall rest wholly within the lawful discretion of the Board of Directors, and it shall not be required at any time, against such discretion, to divide or pay any part of such funds among or to the stockholders as dividends or otherwise; and before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, thinks proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

RATIFICATION

 

Any transaction, questioned in any law suit on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of director, officer or stockholder, non disclosure, miscomputation, or the application of improper principles or practices of accounting, may be ratified before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned transaction had been originally duly authorized. Such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

CORPORATE SEAL

 

The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation, and shall be in such form and contain such other words and/or figures as the Board of Directors shall determine. The corporate seal may be used by printing, engraving, lithographing, stamping or otherwise making, placing or affixing, or causing to be printed, engraved, lithographed, stamped or otherwise made, placed or affixed, upon any paper or document, by any process whatsoever, an impression, facsimile or other reproduction of said corporate seal.

 

 

ARTICLE X

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed, and shall be subject to change, by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever notice is required to be given by these Bylaws or by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by law, the person or persons entitled to said notice may consent in writing, whether before or after the time stated therein, to waive such notice requirement. Notice shall also be deemed waived by any person who attends a meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

BANK ACCOUNTS, DRAFTS, CONTRACTS, ETC.

 

SECTION1. Bank Accounts and Drafts. In addition to such bank accounts as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, the primary financial officer or any person designated by said primary financial officer, whether or not an employee of the Corporation, may authorize such bank accounts to be opened or maintained in the name and on behalf of the Corporation as he may deem necessary or appropriate, payments from such bank accounts to be made upon and according to the check of the Corporation in accordance with the written instructions of said primary financial officer, or other person so designated by the Treasurer.

 

SECTION2. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any person or persons, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to enter into or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other obligations or instruments, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

SECTION3. Proxies; Powers of Attorney; Other Instruments. The Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or any other person designated by either of them shall have the power and authority to execute and deliver proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments on behalf of the Corporation in connection with the rights and powers incident to the ownership of stock by the Corporation. The Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or any other person authorized by proxy or power of attorney executed and delivered by either of them on behalf of the Corporation may attend and vote at any meeting of stockholders of any company in which the Corporation may hold stock, and may exercise on behalf of the Corporation any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock at any such meeting, or otherwise as specified in the proxy or power of attorney so authorizing any such person. The Board of Directors, from time to time, may confer like powers upon any other person.

 

SECTION4. Financial Reports. The Board of Directors may appoint the primary financial officer or other fiscal officer or any other officer to cause to be prepared and furnished to stockholders entitled thereto any special financial notice and/or financial statement, as the case may be, which may be required by any provision of law.

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), any person (a Covered Person) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in nature (a proceeding), by reason of the fact that such Covered Person, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was, at any time during which these Bylaws are in effect (whether or not such Covered Person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification or payment of expenses pursuant hereto is sought or at the time any proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought), a director or officer of the Corporation, or has or had agreed to become a director of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust, nonprofit entity or other enterprise, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered (including, without limitation, any judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) and expenses (including attorneys fees), actually and reasonably incurred by such Covered Person in connection with such proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by law, and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators, and the Corporation may enter into agreements with any such person for the purpose of providing for such indemnification. Except as provided in Section3 of this Article XIII, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article XIII shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within sixty (60)days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time (and subject to filing a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section2 of this Article XIII); provided, however, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is No further right of appeal that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation for such expenses under this Article XIII or otherwise. The rights conferred upon Covered Persons in this Article XIII shall be contract rights that vest at the time of such persons service to or at the request of the Corporation and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators.

 

SECTION 2. To obtain indemnification under this Article XIII, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this Section2 of Article XIII, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimants entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (a)if requested by the claimant, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined), or (b)if No request is made by the claimant for a determination by Independent Counsel, (1)by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), or (2)if a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, such quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (3)if a quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel at the request of the claimant, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors unless there shall have occurred within two (2)years prior to the date of the commencement of the action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a Change in Control as defined in the Corporations then current equity incentive plan approved by the Corporations stockholders, in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the claimant unless the claimant shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within sixty (60)days after such determination.

 

 

SECTION 3. If a claim for indemnification under Section1 of this Article XIII is not paid in full within sixty (60)days after a written claim pursuant to Section2 of this Article XIII has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

SECTION 4. The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred on any Covered Person by this Article XIII (a)shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise and (b)cannot be terminated by the Corporation, the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation with respect to a Covered Persons service occurring prior to the date of such termination. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporations obligation to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person has collected as indemnification from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, nonprofit entity, or other enterprise; and, in the event the Corporation has fully paid such expenses, the Covered Person shall return to the Corporation any amounts subsequently received from such other source of indemnification.

 

SECTION 5. Any repeal, amendment, alteration or modification of the provisions of this Article XIII that in any way diminishes, limits, restricts, adversely affects or eliminates any right of an indemnitee or his or her successors to indemnification, advancement of expenses or otherwise shall be prospective only and shall not in any way diminish, limit, restrict, adversely affect or eliminate any such right with respect to any actual or alleged state of facts, occurrence, action or omission then or previously existing, or any action, suit or proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such actual or alleged state of facts, occurrence, action or omission.

 

SECTION 6. This Article XIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 7. If any provision or provisions of this Article XIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a)the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article XIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article XIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b)to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article XIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article XIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

SECTION 8. For purposes of this Article XIII:

 

(1) Disinterested Director means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.

 

(2) Independent Counsel means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimants rights under this Article XIII.

 

SECTION 9. Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Article XIII shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, telex, telegram, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

FORUM FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i)any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii)any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporations stockholders, (iii)any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (iv)any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware, in all cases subject to the courts having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XIV.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

AMENDMENTS

 

The Board of Directors shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws. The stockholders of the Corporation shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws at a duly called meeting of the stockholders; provided that notice of the proposed adoption, amendment or repeal was given in the notice of the meeting; provided, further, that, notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or No vote, Sections 7, 8 and 10 of Article I, Sections 2, 3 and 12 of Article II, Article XIII, Article XIV and this Article XV of these Bylaws may not be amended or repealed by the stockholders of the Corporation without the affirmative vote of the holders of No less than 80% of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy.

 

 

Exhibit 16.1

 

July 17, 2023

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549-7561

 

Dear Sirs/Madams:

 

We have read Item 4.01 of Evofem Biosciences, Inc.’s Form 8-K dated July 17, 2023, and have the following comments:

 

1. We agree with the statements made in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth paragraphs of 4.01(a).

 

2. We have no basis on which to agree or disagree with the statements made in the first and second paragraphs of 4.01(a), and the first, second, and third paragraphs of 4.01(b).

 

Yours truly,

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

v3.23.2

Cover	Jul. 11, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 11, 2023
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	001-36754
Entity Registrant Name	EVOFEM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001618835
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-8527075
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	7770 Regents Road
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 113-618
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92122
City Area Code	(858)
Local Phone Number	550-1900
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	EVFM
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

---