Attached files

file filename
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.tm2037484d1_ex99-1.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.tm2037484d1_ex10-1.htm
EX-3.1 - EXHIBIT 3.1 - Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.tm2037484d1_ex3-1.htm
8-K - FORM 8-K - Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.tm2037484d1_8k.htm

Exhibit 3.2 

 

BY-LAWS
OF
PETROS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
ARTICLE I

 

Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

 

These by-laws (“By-Laws”) are subject to the Certificate of Incorporation of Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Corporation”), as amended to date. In these By-Laws, references to law, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws mean the law, the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws as from time to time in effect.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Corporate Offices

 

Section 1.      Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Corporation.

 

Section 2.      Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Meetings of Stockholders

 

Section 1.      Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors shall be held at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors, or at such other place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“the DGCL”). Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the corporation’s principal executive office.

 

Section 2.      Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such date, at such time, and at such place (if any) within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the corporation’s notice of the meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and any other business properly brought before the meeting pursuant to these By-Laws may be transacted. The Board of Directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meetings has been sent to the stockholders.

 

 

 

Section 3.      Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour 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 record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws, written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.

 

Section 4.      List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. If, however, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on the list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the corporation’s principal place of business. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.

 

Section 5.      Special Meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or President and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.

 

2

 

 

Section 6.      Notice of Special Meeting. Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

 

Section 7.      Quorum. The holders of majority in number of the total outstanding stock issued and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Where a separate vote by class or series is required, a majority of voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of such class or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 8.      Election of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question (other than the election of directors) brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. At any meeting of stockholders for the election of one or more directors at which a quorum is present, each director shall be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director, provided that if, as of a date that is ten (10) days in advance of the date on which the Corporation files its definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (regardless of whether thereafter revised or supplemented), the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election. If an incumbent director then serving on the Board of Directors does not receive the required majority, the director shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. Within ninety (90) days after the date of the certification of the election results, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or other committee that may be designated by the Board of Directors will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will act on the tendered resignation, taking into account such committee’s recommendation. The director who tenders his or her resignation will not participate in the recommendation of the Governance and Compliance Committee or the decision of the Board of Directors with respect to his or her resignation. If such incumbent director’s resignation is not accepted by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall publicly disclose its decision regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision. If a director’s resignation is accepted by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 8, or if a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, then the Board of Directors may fill the resulting vacancy pursuant to the provisions of Article IV, Section 2 of these By-Laws or may decrease the size of the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of Article IV, Section 1 of these By-Laws.

 

3

 

 

Section 9.      Voting. The stockholders entitled to vote any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Article VII, Section 5 of these By-Laws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

Section 10.     Adjournment. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, a meeting of stockholders may be adjourned only by the Chairman of the Board from time to time whether or not a quorum is present at such meeting, without notice other than announcement at the meeting. No notice of the time and place of an adjourned meeting need be given except as required by law. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. The Board of Directors may postpone any meeting of stockholders or cancel any special meeting of stockholders by public announcement or disclosure prior to the time scheduled for the meeting.

 

Section 11.    Advance Notice Procedures. No business shall be transacted at a meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the following procedures:

 

(a)            Advance Notice of Stockholder Business. At an annual meeting of stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) brought before the meeting by the Corporation and specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such business is proposed, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in this Section 11 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. Except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act”), and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. Stockholders shall not be permitted to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of the stockholders, and the only matters that may be brought before a special meeting are the matters specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting pursuant to Sections 5 and 6 of this Article III. Stockholders seeking to nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors must comply with Section 12, and this Section 11 shall not be applicable to nominations except as expressly provided in Section 12.

 

4

 

 

(b)            Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 11, and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action as determined by the Board of Directors. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for on a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made or the notice of the meeting was mailed, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The stockholder’s notice shall contain, at a minimum, the information set forth in paragraph (c) of this Section 11. For purposes of these By-Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(c)            Contents of Stockholder’s Notice. Any proper stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11 shall set forth:

 

(1)            For each item of business that the stockholder proposes for consideration before the annual meeting, (A) a reasonably detailed description of the business desired to be brought before the annual stockholder meeting, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text on any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the By-Laws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), (C) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and (D) a reasonably detailed description of any material interest in such business of such stockholder, beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and any affiliate or associate (each within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act for purposes of these By-Laws) of such stockholder or beneficial owner (each, a “Proposing Person”), including all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

 

(2)            As to each Proposing Person, (A) the name and address of such Proposing Person, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future; and

 

5

 

 

(3)            As to each Proposing Person, (A) any derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such Proposing Person, the purpose or effect of which is to give such Proposing Person economic risk similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such derivative, swap or other transactions are determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any shares of any class or series of the Corporation, or which derivative, swap or other transactions provide, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any increase in the price or value of shares of any class or series of the Corporation (“Synthetic Equity Interests”), which Synthetic Equity Interests shall be disclosed without regard to whether (x) the derivative, swap or other transactions convey any voting rights in such shares to such Proposing Person, (y) the derivative, swap or other transactions are required to be, or are capable of being, settled through delivery of such shares or (z) such Proposing Person may have entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such derivative, swap or other transactions (B) any proxy (other than a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act by way of a solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A), agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Proposing Person has or shares a right to vote any shares of any class or series of the Corporation, (C) any agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such Proposing Person, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of shares of any class or series of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proposing Person with respect to the shares of any class or series of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any decrease in the price or value of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation (“Short Interests”), (D) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of the Corporation beneficially owned by such Proposing Person that are separated or separate from the underlying shares of the Corporation; (E) any performance related fees (other than an asset based fee) that such Proposing Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the price or value of shares of any class or series of the Corporation, or any Synthetic Equity Interests or Short Interests, if any, and (F) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (F) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these By-Laws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

 

6

 

 

(d)            A stockholder providing notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 11 shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to), or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

 

(e)            Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with this Section 11. Except as otherwise provided by law, the presiding officer of the meeting shall have the power and duty, if the facts warrant, to (i) determine whether any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting was proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 and (ii) if he or she determines that any proposed business is not in compliance with this Section 11 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made solicits (or is part of a group which solicits), declare that such proposed business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

(f)            This Section 11 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than any proposal made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a Proposing Person 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 Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 12. Advance Notice of Director Nominations at Meetings. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

(a)            To comply with Article III, Section 12:

 

(1)            Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at an annual meeting or at a special meeting of stockholders (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) only (A) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or the Chairman of the Board or (B) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nomination is proposed to be made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time the notice provided for in this Section 12 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and at the time of the meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (iii) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 12 as to such nomination. The foregoing clause (a)(1)(B) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or special meeting.

 

7

 

 

(2)            Without qualification, for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or at a special meeting of stockholders (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting), such nominations must be properly brought before such meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (B) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 12, and the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 12. To be timely for nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for on a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date of the annual meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made or the notice of the meeting was mailed, whichever first occurs. To be timely for nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting), a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such special meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the special meeting is called for on a date that is less than ninety (90) days prior to the special meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting was made or the notice of the special meeting was mailed, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting, as applicable, of stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. The stockholder’s notice shall contain, at a minimum, the information set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 12.

 

(3)            Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 12 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 year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 12 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.

 

8

 

 

(b)            Contents of Stockholder’s Notice. Any proper stockholder’s notice required by this Section 12 shall set forth:

 

(1)            As to each stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made, and any affiliate or associate of such stockholder or beneficial owner (each, a “Nominating Person”), the name, age, nationality, business address and residence address of such Nominating Person, (ii) the principal occupation and employment of such Nominating Person and (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Nominating Person;

 

(2)            As to any Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article III, except that for purposes of this Section 12(b) the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article III and the disclosure in clause (F) of Section 12(c)(3) shall be made with respect to the election of directors at the meeting);

 

(3)            As to each person whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a director, (A) all information with respect to such proposed nominee that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 12(b) if such proposed nominee were a Nominating Person, (B) all information relating to such proposed nominee that is 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 a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such proposed nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (C) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among any Nominating Person, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (D) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in this Section 12(e); and

 

(4)            The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information (A) as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation in accordance with the Corporation’s corporate governance guidelines or (B) that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence or lack of independence of such proposed nominee.

 

9

 

 

(c)            A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to Section 12(b) of this Article III shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to such meeting), or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

 

(d)            Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the presiding officer of the meeting shall have the power and duty to (i) determine whether a nomination to be brought before an annual or special meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 and (ii) if he or she determines that any proposed nomination is not in compliance with this Section (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made solicits (or is part of a group which solicits), or fails to so solicit (as the case may be), proxies in support of such stockholder’s nominee in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by paragraph (e) of this Section 12, declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

(e)            To be eligible to be a nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, if so requested by the Corporation, the proposed nominee must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under this Section 12) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such proposed nominee (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 proposed nominee (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, 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 (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (ii) 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 to the Corporation and (iii) in such proposed nominee’s individual capacity and on behalf of the stockholder (or the beneficial owner, if different) on whose behalf the nomination is made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

 

10

 

 

(f)            In addition to the requirements of this Section 12 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Nominating Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.

 

Section 13. Conduct of Business. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, the President or by another chair designated by the Board of Directors. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be determined by the chair of the meeting and announced at the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chair of any meeting of stockholders shall have the exclusive right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure

 

Section 14. Postponement or Cancellation of Meeting. Any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and any previously scheduled annual or special meeting of the stockholders called by the Board of Directors may be canceled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the time previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors in its discretion may set a new record date for the postponed meeting.

 

Section 15. Inspectors of Election. The Board of Directors by resolution may, and to the extent required by law, shall appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives of the Corporation, to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act, or if all inspectors or alternates who have been appointed are unable to act, at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may, and to the extent required by law, shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall:

 

(a)            determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;

 

11

 

 

(b)            receive votes, ballots or consents;

 

(c)            hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;

 

(d)            count and tabulate all votes or consents;

 

(e)            determine when the polls shall close;

 

(f)            determine the result; and

 

(g)            do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders.

 

The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are two (2) or more inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Directors

 

Section 1.      Number of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of nine members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article IV. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

 

Section 2.      Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election at which such director's class is to be elected and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole Board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent (10%) of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office.

 

12

 

 

Section 3.      Resignation. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. A resignation which is conditioned upon the director failing to receive a specified vote for reelection as a director may provide that it is irrevocable. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws, when one or more directors resign from the board of directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective. If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the DGCL.

 

Section 4.      Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

Section 5.      Meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other 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 the meeting.

 

Section 6.      Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 7.      Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the chairman of the board or president on two (2) days' notice to each director by mail or twenty-four (24) hours notice to each director either personally or by facsimile, telephone or other electronic transmission; special meetings shall be called by the president or secretary or chairman of the board in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors unless the Board consists of only one director, in which case special meetings shall be called by the chairman of the board or the president or secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of the sole director.

 

Section 8.      Quorum. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the directors fixed by Section 1 of this Article IV shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

 

13

 

 

Section 9.      Board Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation of these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 10.      Participation in Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any 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 the meeting.

 

Section 11.      Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Director and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and 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 attending committee meetings.

 

Section 12.      Removal of Directors. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed only in accordance with the provisions of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Committees

 

Section 1.      Committees of Directors. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.

 

14

 

 

In the absence of disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the By-Laws of the Corporation; and, unless the resolution or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.      Subcommittees. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, in these By-Laws or in the resolution of the Board of Directors designating a committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to the subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee, except otherwise prohibited by statute.

 

Section 3.      Committee Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Notices

 

Section 1.      Notice to Directors or Stockholders. Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these By-Laws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by facsimile or electronic transmission.

 

Section 2.      Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings. Notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the corporation’s records.

 

Section 3.      Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

 

15

 

 

Section 4.            Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:

 

(a)          the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent; and

 

(b)         such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.

 

An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. Notice by a form of electronic transmission shall not apply with respect to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.

 

Section 5.            Exceptions to Revocation. However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:

 

(a)          if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

(b)          if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

(c)          if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and

 

(d)          if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Officers

 

Section 1.            Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may elect from among its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may also choose a Treasurer, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws otherwise provide.

 

16

 

Section 2.             Reserved.

 

Section 3.             Appointment of Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, Section 4 of these By-Laws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

 

Section 4.             Subordinate Officers. The board of directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, another officer, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these By-Laws or as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

 

Section 5.             Compensation. The officers of the Corporation shall be entitled to receive such compensation for their services as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.             Removal and Resignation of Officers. Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.

 

Section 7.             Vacancies in Office. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8.             Representation of Shares of Other Corporations. The chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer and/or president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the chief executive officer and/or president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

Section 9.             The Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may appoint a Chairman of the Board and may, but is not obligated to, designate the Chairman of the Board as chief executive officer. If the Board of Directors appoints a Chairman of the Board, he shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned to him by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors appoints a Vice Chairman of the Board, he shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board and shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as may from time to time be vested in him by the Board of Directors.

 

17

 

Section 10.          Chief Executive Officer or President. The Chief Executive Officer or President shall conduct general and active management of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect, subject, however, to the right of the directors to delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by statute exclusively conferred on the Chief Executive Officer or President, to any other officer or officers of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer or President shall have the general power and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation. In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors.

 

Section 11.           Vice Presidents. In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice President, if any, (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

Section 12.           The Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the Board of Directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. Such individual shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or president, under whose supervision such individual shall be. Such individual shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and he, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.

 

Section 13.           The Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

Section 14.           The Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to appoint a Chief Financial Officer who may also be the Treasurer or a Chief Financial Officer and a Treasurer and any Assistant Treasurers which the Board of Directors deems necessary to the operation of the Company. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer, if there be one separate from the Chief Financial Officer, shall have the duties prescribed by the Board of Directors.

 

18

 

The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Certificate of Stock

 

Section 1.            Stock Certificates. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some of all of any or all classes or series of shares of stock of the Corporation may also be represented by uncertificated shares evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation.

 

Section 2.            Special Designation on Certificates. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualification, limitations or restrictions or such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

Section 3.            Partly Paid Shares. The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly-paid shares, or upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly-paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully-paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly-paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

 

19

 

Section 4.            Certificate Signatures. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such individual were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 5.            Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

Section 6.            Transfer of Stock. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

Section 7.            Stock Transfer Agreements. The shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

Section 8.            Fixing Record Date. 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, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting unless expressly disallowed by the Certificate of Incorporation, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or 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, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. 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.

 

If no record date is fixed, 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; and the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose (except corporate action to be taken by consent in writing) shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

20

 

Section 9.             Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

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 Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim 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 court’s 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 these By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Indemnification

 

Section 1.             Indemnification of Directors and Officers in Third Party Proceedings. Subject to the other provisions of this Article X, the corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the corporation serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

21

 

Section 2.             Indemnification of Directors and Officers in Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to the other provisions of this Article X, the corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the corporation serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

Section 3.             Successful Defense. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described in Article X, Section 1 or Article X, Section 2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

Section 4.             Indemnification of Others. Subject to the other provisions of this Article X, the corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and agents to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The board of directors shall have the power to delegate to such person or persons as the board shall in its discretion determine the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified.

 

Section 5.            Advancement of Payment of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor (together with documentation reasonably evidencing such expenses) and an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article X or the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply to any claim for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to these By-Laws, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Article X, Section 6(b) or 6(c) prior to a determination that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

 

22

 

Section 6.             Limitation on Indemnification. Subject to the requirements in Article X, Section 3 and the DGCL, the corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article IX in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

 

(a)          for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

 

(b)          for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

(c)          for any reimbursement of the corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the corporation, as required in each case under the 1934 Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

(d)          initiated by such person, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by such person against the corporation or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (a) the board of directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (b) the corporation provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under applicable law, (c) otherwise required to be made under these By-Laws or (d) otherwise required by applicable law; or

 

(e)          if prohibited by applicable law; provided, however, that if any provision or provisions of this Article IX shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause 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 (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause 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.

 

23

 

Section 7.             Determination; Claim. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article X shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of incorporation or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.

 

Section 8.             Insurance. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

 

Section 9.             Survival. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Article X shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 10.           Effect of Repeal or Modification. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

 

Section 11.           Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article X, references to the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article X with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article X, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Article X.

 

24

 

ARTICLE XI

 

General Provisions

 

Section 1.             Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these By-Laws, the board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

Section 2.             Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and pursuant to applicable law.

 

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 directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think 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 purposes as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

Section 3.             Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31, unless otherwise fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.             Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. The corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

Section 5.             Construction; Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these By-Laws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

 

25

 

ARTICLE XII

 

Severability and Inconsistency

 

If any provision or provisions of these Bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of these By-Laws (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause 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 (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of these By-Laws (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause 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. If any provision of these By-Laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Charter, the DGCL or any other applicable law, the provision of these By-Laws shall not be given any effect to the extent of the inconsistency, but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

Amendments

 

These By-Laws may be repealed, altered, amended or rescinded by the stockholders of the Corporation by vote of not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose (provided that notice of such proposed repeal, alteration, amendment or rescission is included in the notice of such meeting). In addition, in accordance with the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may repeal, alter, amend or rescind these By-Laws by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

26