Exhibit 10.4
Confidential Treatment Requested As To Certain Information Contained In
This Exhibit
NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT
This Non-Exclusive License Agreement (Agreement) is
made and entered into this 10th day of March, 2004 (the Effective Date),
by and between AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation with
offices located at 119 Fourth Avenue, Needham, Massachusetts 02494 (AVANT),
and AdProTech Ltd., a United Kingdom company with offices located at
Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron Walden, Essex UK, CB10 1
XL (LICENSEE) (AVANT and LICENSEE sometimes hereinafter referred to as the
parties).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, AVANT owns or is the exclusive licensee of
the PATENT RIGHTS (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, LICENSEE desires to obtain a non-exclusive
license from AVANT in and under the PATENT RIGHTS; and
WHEREAS, AVANT is
willing to grant such a license to LICENSEE upon the terms and conditions set
forth below; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following
words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
1.1 FIELD
OF USE means the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
1.2 LICENSED PROCESS means any process or method, the performance of
which by LICENSEE would, but for the license granted to LICENSEE in ARTICLE 2
of this Agreement, infringe a VALID CLAIM for a process or method contained within
the PATENT RIGHTS.
1.3 LICENSED
PRODUCT means *** Confidential Treatment Requested as to this Information***,
the development, manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, importation, or
distribution of which by LICENSEE (or a COLLABORATOR (as defined in Section
2.2) would, but for the license granted to LICENSEE in ARTICLE 2 of this
Agreement, infringe a VALID CLAIM of the PATENT RIGHTS. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall only
be one Licensed Product at any point in time.
1.4 NET
SALES shall mean the amount billed or invoiced by LICENSEE for the sale or
provision of LICENSED PRODUCTS less:
(a) customary, standard and reasonable trade, cash and/or quantity
discounts allowed;
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(b) sales, tariff duties, use and other taxes (including Value Added
Tax) directly imposed with reference to particular sales, and in the case of
export orders, any import duties or similar applicable governmental levies;
(c) special packaging, transportation and insurance prepaid or allowed;
(d) amounts allowed or credited or customary, standard and reasonable
retroactive price reductions on returns or for defects; and
(e) customary, standard and reasonable compulsory payments and rebates
accrued, paid or deducted pursuant to agreements (including, but not limited
to, managed care agreements) or governmental regulations
1.5 PATENT
RIGHTS means (a) the patent applications and patents identified in Exhibit
A attached hereto and any patents that issue on said applications and (b)
any divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, reissues or
re-examinations of any of the patents identified in Exhibit A.
1.6 TERM
has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
1.7 TERRITORY
means the entire world.
1.8 VALID
CLAIM means a claim of any issued and unexpired patent within the PATENT
RIGHTS which has not lapsed, become abandoned or been held revoked, invalid, or
unenforceable by a decision of a court or administrative or government
authority or agency of competent jurisdiction from which no appeal can be or
has been taken within the time allowed for such appeal, and which has not been
admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, disclaimer or
otherwise, or a pending claim of any pending application within the PATENT
RIGHTS that has not been cancelled or finally rejected without possibility of
appeal or further action before the patent authority reviewing such claim.
Additional terms may be defined throughout this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 2 - LICENSE GRANT
2.1 License
Grant.
(a) AVANT
hereby grants to LICENSEE, and LICENSEE hereby accepts, subject to the terms
and conditions hereof, a royalty-bearing, non-exclusive license (without the
right to sublicense, except as provided in Section 2.2) in the TERRITORY in the
FIELD OF USE and under the PATENT RIGHTS to (a) research, develop, make, have
made, use, sell, have sold, offer for sale, have offered for sale, import,
and export LICENSED PRODUCTS; and (b) research, develop, use, and practice
LICENSED PROCESSES only for the purposes of manufacturing or having
manufactured the LICENSED PRODUCTS.
(b) AVANT
hereby grants to LICENSEE, and LICENSEE hereby accepts, subject to the terms
and conditions hereof, a royalty-free, non-exclusive license (without the right
to sublicense) in the TERRITORY to conduct preclinical research and/or
pre-Phase II clinical trials (or the equivalent of pre-Phase II clinical trials
in the U.S. or other countries) involving the use of LICENSED PRODUCTS in
indications outside of the FIELD OF USE.
For purposes of this Agreement, Phase II clinical trial shall have the
generally accepted meaning in the industry, including as set forth in the U.S.
Government Code of Federal Regulation, Title 21, Volume 5, revised as of April
1, 2003, which states in pertinent part
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Phase II
includes the controlled clinical studies conducted to evaluate the
effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication in patients with the
disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side
effects and risks associated with the drug.
2.2 Sublicenses. LICENSEE shall have the
right to grant sublicenses of the rights set forth in Section 2.1(a) above only
to third parties with which LICENSEE has a written agreement under which
LICENSEE and such third party have agreed to (a) collaborate on the research
and development of LICENSED PRODUCTS and/or (b) market, promote and/or sell
(whether solely by such third party or jointly by such third party and
LICENSEE) LICENSED PRODUCTS (each such sublicensee, whether under sub-clause
(a) or sub-clause (b) of this Section 2.2, a COLLABORATOR and each such
written agreement, a COLLABORATION AGREEMENT).
ARTICLE 3 LICENSEE
OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO COMMERCIALIZATION
3.1 LICENSEE
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to bring the LICENSED PRODUCTS to
market in the FIELD OF USE through an active and diligent program for
exploitation of the PATENT RIGHTS and to continue active, diligent marketing
efforts for one or more indications of the LICENSED PRODUCTS in the FIELD OF
USE throughout the Term of this Agreement.
3.2 LICENSEE
shall maintain complete and accurate records of LICENSED PRODUCTS that are
made, used, or sold by LICENSEE under this Agreement. Not later than January 15th of each year following the
Effective Date, LICENSEE shall furnish AVANT with a summary report on the
progress of its efforts during the prior year to develop and commercialise
LICENSED PRODUCTS including without limitation research and development
efforts, efforts to obtain regulatory approval, marketing efforts (including
LICENSED PRODUCTS made, used, or sold) and sales figures.
3.3 In
the event that AVANT reasonably determines that LICENSEE has not fulfilled its
obligations under this ARTICLE 3, AVANT shall furnish LICENSEE with written
notice of such determination. Within
sixty (60) days after receipt of such notice, LICENSEE shall either (i) fulfil
the relevant obligation or (ii) negotiate with AVANT a mutually acceptable
schedule of revised obligations; failing which AVANT shall have the right,
immediately upon written notice to LICENSEE, to terminate this Agreement.
ARTICLE 4 - CONSIDERATION
4.1 License
Fees. In
partial consideration of the license granted by AVANT to LICENSEE in ARTICLE 2
of this Agreement, LICENSEE agrees to pay to AVANT (i) an Initial License Fee
(as described in Exhibit B) within three (3) business days of the
Effective Date and (ii) Annual License Fees (as described in Exhibit B)
within thirty (30) days after each anniversary of the Effective Date.
4.2 Milestone
Payments.
In partial consideration of the license granted by AVANT to LICENSEE in
ARTICLE 2 of this Agreement, LICENSEE agrees to pay to AVANT each of the
milestone payments identified in Exhibit C attached hereto within thirty
(30) days after the achievement of the relevant milestone.
4.3 Royalties.
(a) In partial consideration of the license granted by AVANT to LICENSEE
in ARTICLE 2 of this Agreement, LICENSEE agrees to pay to AVANT a royalty equal
to *** Confidential
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Treatment
Requested as to this Information*** of the NET SALES. Royalties will be calculated based upon the point at which each
LICENSED PRODUCT is provided to an end customer of LICENSEE, such end customer
not being an individual patient.
Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, in the case of the
distribution of LICENSED PRODUCTS by a COLLABORATOR which is not an affiliate
of LICENSEE, royalties attributable to sales by the applicable COLLABORATOR
shall not exceed *** Confidential Treatment Requested as to this Information***
of the amounts received by LICENSEE under the applicable COLLABORATION
AGREEMENT.
(b) The obligation of LICENSEE to pay royalties hereunder shall continue
on a country-by-country basis only for as long as the researching, developing,
making, using, selling, offering for sale, importing or exporting of LICENSED
PRODUCTS would, but for the license granted to LICENSEE in Article 2 of this
Agreement, infringe any VALID CLAIM within the PATENT RIGHTS applicable to the
relevant country.
4.4 Payments
in U.S. Currency.
All payments due under this Agreement shall be paid in cash to AVANT and
all payments shall be made in United States currency. Conversion of foreign currency to U.S. dollars shall be made at
the conversion rate reported in The Wall Street Journal on the last
working day of the calendar quarter to which the payment relates.
4.5 Taxes. All payments due hereunder
shall be paid in full without deduction of taxes or other fees which may be
imposed by any government and which shall be paid by LICENSEE; provided,
however, that any withholding tax required to be withheld by LICENSEE on
royalty payments under the laws of any country in the TERRITORY on behalf of
AVANT will be timely paid by LICENSEE to the appropriate governmental
authority, and LICENSEE will furnish AVANT with proof of payment of such
tax. Any such tax actually withheld may
be deducted from royalty payments due to AVANT under this Agreement. If at any time legal restrictions prevent
the prompt remittance of part or all of any payments owed by LICENSEE to AVANT
hereunder with respect to any country in the TERRITORY, payment shall be made
through any lawful means or methods that may be available, and as LICENSEE
shall reasonably determine is appropriate.
The parties agree to co-operate in all commercially reasonably respects
and in accordance with applicable law necessary to take advantage of such
double taxation agreements as may be available.
4.6 Overdue
Payments.
Any payments to be made by LICENSEE hereunder that are not paid on or
before the date such payments are due under this Agreement shall bear interest,
to the extent permitted by law, at two percentage points above the Prime Rate
of interest as reported in The Wall Street Journal on the date payment
is due, with interest calculated based on the number of days that payment is
delinquent.
ARTICLE 5 - REPORTS AND
RECORDS
5.1 Records. LICENSEE shall keep full, timely,
true and accurate books of account containing all particulars that may be
necessary for the purpose of showing the amounts payable to AVANT hereunder and
to enable the reports provided under Section 5.2 to be verified. Said books of account shall be kept at
LICENSEEs principal place of business.
Said books and the supporting data shall be open upon reasonable advance
notice (but not less than five (5) business days notice and no more frequently
than once per calendar year) for three (3) years following the end of the
calendar year to which they pertain, to the inspection of AVANTs agents for
the purpose of verifying LICENSEEs royalty statement. If any such audit determines an error in any
royalty payment, LICENSEE shall pay to AVANT, within thirty (30) days of the
discovery of the error, (a) all deficiencies in royalty payments, (b) interest
on such deficiencies from the date such royalty payment was due until the date
paid at the rate set
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forth in
Section 4.6 above, and (c) if such error is in excess of five percent (5%) of
any royalty payment, the cost of the audit.
In all other cases, the costs of the audit shall be paid for by AVANT.
5.2 Reports. After the first commercial
sale of a LICENSED PRODUCT, LICENSEE, within forty-five (45) days after March
31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, shall deliver to AVANT
a true and accurate report, giving such particulars of the business conducted
by LICENSEE and its permitted sublicensees during the preceding three-month
period under this Agreement as shall be pertinent to a royalty accounting
hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, these reports
shall include at least the following:
(a) the number of LICENSED PRODUCTS manufactured and sold by LICENSEE
and any COLLABORATOR;
(b) total billings and the amounts actually received for LICENSED
PRODUCTS sold by LICENSEE and any COLLABORATOR;
(c) the deductions applicable as provided in Section 1.4; and
(d) the names and addresses of all parties making LICENSED PRODUCTS on
behalf of LICENSEE.
5.3 Payment. With each such report
submitted, LICENSEE shall pay to AVANT the royalties due and payable for such
three-month period. If no royalties
shall be due, LICENSEE shall so report.
ARTICLE 6 - PATENT
PROSECUTION
The filing, prosecution, issuance, extension, and
maintenance of all patents and applications in PATENT RIGHTS shall be the sole
responsibility, but not the obligation, of AVANT. AVANT will make all decisions and take all actions with respect
to further filing, prosecution, issuance, extension, and maintenance of PATENT
RIGHTS without any obligation to consult or notify LICENSEE. LICENSEE agrees to cooperate fully with
AVANT, as reasonably requested by AVANT and at AVANTs expense, in the
preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of the patent applications
and patents included in the PATENT RIGHTS.
ARTICLE 7- PROSECUTION OF
INFRINGERS AND DEFENSE OF PATENT RIGHTS
The parties agree to notify each other in writing of
any actual or threatened infringement by a third party of PATENT RIGHTS or of
any claim of invalidity, unenforceability, or non-infringement of the PATENT
RIGHTS. AVANT shall have the sole
responsibility, but not the obligation, to prosecute or defend such claims, as
applicable. LICENSEE shall if requested provide reasonable assistance to AVANT,
at AVANTs expense, in connection with the prosecution or defense of such
claims.
ARTICLE 8 -
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 LICENSEE
shall at all times during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, indemnify,
defend and hold harmless AVANT and its directors, officers, employees and
affiliates (collectively, the Indemnified Parties) against all liabilities of
any kind whatsoever, including legal expenses and reasonable attorneys fees
incurred or imposed upon any of the Indemnified Parties in connection with or
as a consequence of any third party claims, suits, actions, demands or
judgments arising out of the death
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of or injury
to any person or persons or out of any damage to property resulting from the
development, production, manufacture, sale, use, performance, rendering,
consumption or advertisement of the LICENSED PRODUCT(s) by or on behalf of LICENSEE
or a sub-licensee thereof or arising from any obligation, act or omission
performed or failed to be performed by LICENSEE under this Agreement, or from a
breach of any representation or warranty of LICENSEE hereunder, excepting only
claims that the PATENT RIGHTS or the exercise thereof infringe third party
intellectual property or claims that result from any breach by AVANT of this
Agreement or from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of AVANT.
8.2 Any
indemnification obligations set forth in this Agreement shall be subject to the
following conditions: (i) the Indemnified Party shall notify LICENSEE in
writing promptly upon learning of any claim or suit for which indemnification
is sought; (ii) LICENSEE shall have control of the defense or settlement, provided
that the Indemnified Party shall have the right (but not the obligation) to
participate in such defense or settlement with counsel at its selection and at
its sole expense; and (iii) the Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate
with the defense, at LICENSEEs expense.
ARTICLE 9 - TERMINATION
9.1 Term. The term of this Agreement
(TERM) shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until the expiration
of the last VALID CLAIM within the PATENT RIGHTS to expire, unless sooner terminated
as provided in this ARTICLE 9.
9.2 Termination
for Breach.
If either Party commits a material breach of a material term of this
Agreement (including any failure to make any payment due under this Agreement),
the other Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement effective on
thirty (30) days prior written notice to the party in breach, unless such
breach is cured prior to the expiration of such thirty (30) day period.
9.3 Termination
Upon Termination of Licensed Product Development If
for any reason LICENSEE publicly announces the termination of or the intention
to terminate its clinical or commercial development of LICENSED PRODUCT, or
privately communicates the same to AVANT, AVANT shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days written notice, unless LICENSEE
resumes and notifies AVANT of its resumption of such clinical or commercial
development of LICENSED PRODUCT within that period; provided, however, that, in
the case of a termination of this Agreement under this Section 9.3, for as long
as Licensee continues to pay AVANT royalties under Article 4 hereof, all
provisions of this Agreement shall survive only with respect to each
COLLABORATION AGREEMENT in effect as of the effective date of the termination
of this Agreement. This Section 9.3 is
in addition to, and not in lieu of, Section 9.5.
9.4 Phase
Out Period.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that this
Agreement is terminated by AVANT pursuant to Section 9.2, LICENSEE shall retain
a license to rights granted in ARTICLE 2 to the extent reasonably necessary to
sell any LICENSED PRODUCTS existing or under production and to perform LICENSED
PROCESSES for the sole purpose of manufacturing such LICENSED PRODUCTS that are
in process, subject to the terms of this Agreement (including without
limitation the obligation to pay royalties under ARTICLE 4), provided that
LICENSEE shall complete and sell all such work-in-progress and inventory within
six (6) months after the effective date of termination.
9.5 Survival. Nothing herein shall be
construed to release either party from any obligation that accrued prior to
expiration or any termination of this Agreement. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights and
obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall cease except for: (a)
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LICENSEEs
obligation to make any payment of any fees or royalties accrued on or prior to
the date of expiration or termination (or, in the case of royalties owed with
respect to LICENSED PRODUCTS sold under Section 9.4, royalties which accrue on
or prior to the last day of the six (6) month period referenced in such
section), and the provisions of the following Articles and Sections: 1, 5, 8,
9.4 (except that the Section 9.4 shall only survive a termination of this
Agreement and not the expiration), 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.1, 14.9, 14.15 and
14.16.
ARTICLE 10 -
CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE
10.1 Confidential
Information.
Confidential Information shall mean any technical, business,
financial, customer or other information disclosed by one Party (the
Discloser) to the other party (the Recipient) pursuant to this Agreement
which is marked Confidential or Proprietary, or which, under all of the
given circumstances, ought reasonably to be treated as confidential information
of the Discloser. Such information may
be disclosed in oral, visual or written form (including magnetic, optical or
other media). Except as expressly
provided in Section 10.3 below, Confidential Information specifically includes
without limitation business plans and business practices, the terms of this
Agreement, scientific knowledge, research and development or know-how,
processes, inventions, techniques, formulae, products and product plans,
business operations, customer requirements, designs, sketches, photographs,
drawings, specifications, reports, studies, findings, data, plans or other
records, biological materials, software, margins, payment terms and sales forecasts,
volumes and activities, designs, computer code, technical information, costs,
pricing, financing, business opportunities, personnel, and information of the
Discloser relating to the LICENSED PRODUCTS or LICENSED PROCESSES whether or
not such information is marked, identified or confirmed.
10.2 Use of
Confidential Information; Non-Disclosure. The Recipient acknowledges that it will have
access to Confidential Information.
During the term of this Agreement, and thereafter, the Recipient agrees
that it will not (i) use any Confidential Information in any way, for its own
account or the account of any third party, except for the exercise of its
rights and performance of its obligations under this Agreement, or (ii)
disclose any Confidential Information to any party, other than furnishing
Confidential Information to its employees, agents, contractors, advisors,
directors and affiliates who are required to have access to the Confidential
Information in connection with the exercise of its rights and performance of
its obligations under this Agreement.
The Recipient agrees that it will not allow any unauthorized person
access to Confidential Information, and that the Recipient will take all action
reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such Confidential
Information, including implementing and enforcing procedures to minimize the
possibility of unauthorized use or copying of Confidential Information. In the event that the Recipient is required
by law to make any disclosure of any Confidential Information, by subpoena,
judicial or administrative order or otherwise, the Recipient shall first give
written notice of such requirement to the Discloser, and shall permit the
Discloser to intervene in any relevant proceedings to protect its interests in
the Confidential Information, and provide full cooperation and assistance to
the Discloser in seeking to obtain such protection.
10.3 Exceptions. Information will not be
deemed Confidential Information hereunder if such information: (a) is known to
the Recipient prior to receipt from the Discloser directly or indirectly from a
source other than one having an obligation of confidentiality to the Discloser;
(b) becomes known (independently of disclosure by the Discloser) to the
Recipient directly or indirectly from a source other than one having an
obligation of confidentiality to the Discloser; (c) becomes publicly known or
otherwise ceases to be secret or confidential, except through a breach of this
Agreement by the Recipient; or (d) is independently developed by the Recipient.
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10.4 Injunctive
Relief. The
Recipient acknowledges and agrees that any breach of the confidentiality
obligations imposed by this ARTICLE 10 will constitute immediate and irreparable
harm to the Discloser and/or its successors and assigns, which cannot
adequately and fully be compensated by money damages and will warrant, in
addition to all other rights and remedies afforded by law, injunctive relief,
specific performance, and/or other equitable relief. The Disclosers rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and
not exclusive. The Discloser shall also
be entitled to receive from the Recipient the costs of enforcing this ARTICLE
10, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses of litigation.
10.5 Termination. Upon termination or
expiration of this Agreement, or upon the Disclosers request at any time, the
Recipient shall promptly return to the Discloser all copies of Confidential
Information received from the Discloser, and shall return or destroy, and
document the destruction of, all summaries, abstracts, extracts, or other
documents which contain any Confidential Information in any form.
ARTICLE 11 - PAYMENTS,
NOTICES, AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Any payment, notice or other communication pursuant to
this Agreement shall be in writing and sent by certified first class mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by nationally recognized
overnight carrier addressed to the parties at the following addresses or such
other addresses as such party furnishes to the other party in accordance with
this paragraph. Such notices, payments,
or other communications shall be effective upon confirmation of receipt.
In the case of AVANT:
AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
119 Fourth Avenue
Needham, Massachusetts 02494
Attention: President and CEO
With a copy (other than copies of payments) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
Exchange Place
53 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attention: Ettore A. Santucci, P.C.
In the case of LICENSEE:
AdProTech Ltd.
Chesterford Research Park
Little Chesterford
Saffron Walden, Essex UK
CB10 1 XL
Attention: President and C.E.O.
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ARTICLE 12-
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; DISCLAIMER
12.1 AVANTs
Representations and Warranties. AVANT represents and warrants that it owns
or is the exclusive licensee of the PATENT RIGHTS (excepting the limited rights
retained by the US Government as a result of partial federal funding of the
subject matter of those rights), that it has the full legal right and power to
grant the licenses granted hereunder, that this Agreement constitutes the
binding legal obligation of AVANT, enforceable in accordance with its terms and
that the execution and performance of this Agreement by AVANT will not violate,
contravene or conflict with any other agreement to which AVANT is a party or by
which it is bound or with any law, rule or regulation applicable to AVANT. Except as described herein the limited
rights retained by the US government shall not in any way impact upon the
rights granted to LICENSEE.
12.2 AVANT
represents that to the best of AVANTs knowledge, the manufacture, sale,
transfer, distribution and intended use of the LICENSED PRODUCTS or the
practice of LICENSED PROCESSES in accordance with the rights granted hereunder
does not and will not infringe the patent or other intellectual property rights
of any third parties.
12.3 LICENSEEs
Representations and Warranties. LICENSEE represents and warrants that it has
full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, that this
Agreement constitutes the binding legal obligation of LICENSEE and that
execution and performance of this Agreement by LICENSEE will not violate,
contravene or conflict with any other agreement to which LICENSEE is a party or
by which it is bound or with any law, rule or regulation applicable to
LICENSEE.
12.4 Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND TO THE EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW,
NEITHER PARTY, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AFFILIATES MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOR EXTEND ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, VALIDITY OF PATENT RIGHTS, ISSUED OR PENDING, AND THE
ABSENCE OF LATENT OR OTHER DEFECTS, WHETHER OR NOT DISCOVERABLE. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN SECTION
12.2 HEREIN, NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS A REPRESENATION MADE
OR WARRANTY GIVEN BY AVANT THAT THE PRACTICE BY LICENSEE OF THE LICENSE GRANTED
HEREUNDER SHALL NOT INFRINGE THE PATENT RIGHTS OF ANY THIRD PARTY.
ARTICLE 13 - LIMITATION OF
LIABILITY
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT LIABILITY ARISES FROM: (I) A BREACH BY
LICENSEE OF THE LICENSE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 2 HEREOF, (II) A BREACH
BY EITHER PARTY OF ITS CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 10
HEREOF OR (III) A PARTYS INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE 8 HEREOF,
IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY OR ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR
AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND,
INCLUDING ECONOMIC DAMAGE OR INJURY TO PROPERTY AND LOST PROFITS, REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER IT SHALL BE ADVISED, SHALL HAVE OTHER REASON TO KNOW, OR IN FACT SHALL
KNOW OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
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ARTICLE 14 - MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
14.1 ***
Confidential Treatment Requested as to this Information***
14.2 Negotiation
Covenant.
AVANT agrees to enter into good faith negotiations with LICENSEE, at
LICENSEEs request, with respect to the terms of possible future non-exclusive
licenses under the PATENT RIGHTS for LICENSEE to sell other products and/or in
other fields of use. AVANT may withhold
consent to such future request by LICENSEE if the requested license or any term
or condition thereof is not commercially reasonable based upon the then-current
market conditions. The parties agree and acknowledge, however, that the
successful conclusion of such negotiations is not a condition precedent or
condition subsequent to the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement. Furthermore, until and
unless AVANT and LICENSEE enter into any such definitive non-exclusive license,
LICENSEEs rights shall be limited to the express rights, and subject to the
express limitations and conditions, set forth in this Agreement.
14.3 Compliance with Laws. To the extent that any invention claimed in
the PATENT RIGHTS has been partially funded by the United States Government,
and only to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations, LICENSEE
agrees that any LICENSED PRODUCTS used or sold in the United States will be
manufactured substantially in the United States or its territories. Current law provides that if a domestic
manufacturer is not commercially feasible under the circumstances, AVANT agrees
to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a waiver of this
requirement from the relevant federal agency on behalf of LICENSEE and, upon
LICENSEES request, shall cooperate with LICENSEE in seeking such a waiver.
14.4 Prohibition on Liens. LICENSEE shall not create or incur or cause
to be incurred or to exist any lien, encumbrance, pledge, charge, restriction
or other security interest of any kind upon the PATENT RIGHTS.
14.5 Announcements. Neither party shall originate any publicity, news release or
other public announcement, written or oral, relating to this Agreement or the
existence of an arrangement between the parties (Announcements), without the
prior written approval of the other party, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, except as otherwise required by law. The foregoing notwithstanding, AVANT and
LICENSEE shall have the right to make such Announcements without the consent of
the other party in any prospectus, offering memorandum, or other document or
filing required by applicable securities laws or other applicable law or
regulation, provided that such party shall have given the other party, as
applicable, at least five (5) business days prior written notice of the
proposed text for the purpose of giving the other party the opportunity to
comment on such text.
14.6 No Implied Licenses. No implied licenses are granted pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement. No
licensed rights shall be created by implication or estoppel.
14.7 Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed
to place the parties hereto in an agency, employment, franchise, joint venture,
or partnership relationship. Neither
party will have the authority to obligate or bind the other in any manner, and
nothing herein contained shall give rise or is intended to give rise to any
rights of any kind to any third parties.
Neither party will represent to the contrary, either expressly,
implicitly or otherwise.
14.8 Marking Requirement. To the extent commercially feasible, and
consistent with prevailing business practices and applicable law, all LICENSED
PRODUCTS sold pursuant to this Agreement will be marked with the number of each
issued patent that applies to such LICENSED PRODUCTS.
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14.9 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS OR CONTROVERSIES
ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE NEGOTIATION, VALIDITY OR PERFORMANCE OF
THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally
consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of J.A.M.S./Endispute, Inc. to resolve
all disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or any other agreement executed and delivered pursuant to this
Agreement or the negotiation, validity or performance hereof and thereof or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and further consents to the
jurisdiction of the courts of Massachusetts for the purposes of enforcing the
arbitration provisions of Section 14.10 of this Agreement. Each party further irrevocably waives any
objection to proceeding before J.A.M.S./Endispute, Inc. has been brought in an
inconvenient forum. Each of the parties
hereto hereby consents to services of process by registered mail at the address
to which notices are to be given. Each
of the parties hereto agrees that its or his submission to jurisdiction and its
or his consent to service of process by mail is made for the express benefit of
the other parties hereto.
14.10 Arbitration.
If any dispute arises between the parties relating to or arising out of
this Agreement, appropriate representatives of the parties shall first use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate
in good faith a resolution of the dispute as expeditiously as is reasonably possible.
If the dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days after the date that a
party referred the matter to the other party via written notice invoking the
relief contained within this section, the dispute shall be referred to binding
arbitration under the rules of the J.A.M.S. / Endispute with such arbitration
to be held in Boston, Massachusetts.
This Section 14.10 applies equally to requests for temporary,
preliminary or permanent injunctive relief, except that in the case of
temporary or preliminary injunctive relief any party may proceed in court
without prior arbitration for the limited purpose of avoiding immediate and
irreparable harm.
14.11 Complete Agreement. This Agreement, including the exhibits
hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties. It supersedes and replaces all prior or
contemporaneous understandings or agreements, written or oral, regarding such
subject matter, and prevails over any conflicting terms or conditions contained
on printed forms submitted with purchase orders, sales acknowledgments or
quotations. This Agreement may not be
modified or waived, in whole or part, except in a writing signed by an officer
or duly authorized representative of both parties.
14.12 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found to be
unenforceable, such provision will be reformed only to the extent necessary to
make it enforceable, and the remainder will continue in effect, to the extent
consistent with the intent of the parties as of the Effective Date.
14.13 No Waiver. The failure of either party to assert a right hereunder or to
insist upon compliance with any term or condition of this Agreement shall not
constitute a waiver of that right or excuse a similar subsequent failure to
perform any such term or condition by the other party.
14.14 Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by LICENSEE without the prior
written consent of AVANT, which consent shall be granted or denied in AVANTs
sole discretion. Notwithstanding the
foregoing to the contrary, LICENSEE may assign this Agreement without the
written consent of AVANT to (a) a corporation or other business entity
succeeding to all or substantially all the assets and business of LICENSEE by
merger or purchase or (b) a corporation or other business entity acquiring
directly or indirectly all of the issued and outstanding share capital of
LICENSEE, provided in
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both cases
that such corporation or other business entity shall expressly assume all of
LICENSEEs obligations under this Agreement by a writing delivered to
AVANT. Any attempted assignment,
delegation or transfer by LICENSEE in violation hereof shall be null and void. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement
shall be binding on the parties and their successors and assigns.
14.15 Construction. This Agreement has been prepared jointly and no rule of strict
construction shall be applied against either party. In this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and vice
versa and the word including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase
without limitation. The section
headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and
shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
14.16 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which will be deemed an original, but all of which will constitute but one
and the same instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement on the Effective
Date.
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AVANT IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Una S. Ryan, Ph.D.
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Name:
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Una S. Ryan, Ph.D.
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Title:
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President and C.E.O.
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ADPROTECH LTD.
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By:
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/s/ Kieran P. Murphy
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Name:
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Kieran P. Murphy
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Title:
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C.E.O.
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EXHIBIT A
PATENT RIGHTS
(Reference
Section 1.5)
*** Confidential Treatment Requested as to this Information***
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EXHIBIT B
License Fees
(Reference
Section 4.1)
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License
Fee
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Amount
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Initial License Fee
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USD
$1,000,000
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Annual License
Fee *** Confidential Treatment Requested as to this
Information***
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EXHIBIT C
Milestone Payments
(Reference Section 4.2)
*** Confidential Treatment Requested as to this Information***
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