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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2013.

Registration No. 333-188186

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

 

FORM S-1

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Michigan
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

94-3096597
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
Number)

 

24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
Lobby K
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
(800) 556-0311

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Dominick C. Colangelo
President and Chief Executive Officer
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
Lobby K
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
(800) 556-0311

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Mitchell S. Bloom
Danielle M. Lauzon

Goodwin Procter LLP
Exchange Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Telephone: (617) 570-1000
Facsimile: (617) 523-1231

 

Andrew D. Thorpe, Esq.

Gerd D. Thomsen, Esq.

Kevin Yung, Esq.

Morrison & Foerster LLP

425 Market Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

Telephone: (415) 268-7000

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, check the following box.

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated
filer 
o

 

Accelerated
filer 
x

 

Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting
company)

 

Smaller reporting
company 
o

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum

 

 

 

Title of Each Class of

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate

 

Amount of

 

Securities to be Registered(1)

 

 

 

 

 

Offering Price (2)

 

Registration Fee

 

Common Stock (no par value)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

28,750,000

 

$

3,922

 

(1)         This Registration Statement also relates to the rights to purchase shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Registrant which are attached to all shares of Common Stock outstanding as of, and issued subsequent to, August 15, 2011, pursuant to the terms of the Registrant’s Shareholder Rights Agreement dated August 11, 2011 as amended on March 9, 2012.  Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the Rights are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates for the Common Stock and will be transferred with and only with such stock.

(2)         Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(3)         Includes the shares of common stock that the underwriters have an option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.

(4)         The registrant previously paid the registration fee of $3,410 in connection with the initial filing of this registration statement.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 



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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated May 13, 2013.

 

Prospectus

 

$25,000,000

 

 

Common Stock

 

We are offering $25,000,000 of shares to be sold in this offering.

 

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ASTM.”  On May 8, 2013, the closing price for our common stock was $0.59 per share.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk.  You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus beginning on page 16 and any applicable prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

 

 

Per Share

 

Total

 

Public offering price

 

$

 

$

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us

 

$

 

$

 

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

 

$

 

$

 

 

(1) See “Underwriting” in this prospectus for a description of compensation payable to the underwriters.

 

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to $3,750,000 of additional shares of our common stock to cover overallotments, if any, at the public offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions.  If the underwriters exercise the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us will be $            and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $           .

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock on or about                         , 2013.

 

JMP Securities

 

The date of this prospectus is             , 2013.

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

1

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

1

 

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

 

AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.

3

 

 

RISK FACTORS

17

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

30

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

31

 

 

CAPITALIZATION

31

 

 

DILUTION

32

 

 

UNDERWRITING

33

 

 

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MICHIGAN LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

36

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

37

 

 

MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK

39

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

40

 

 

EXPERTS

40

 

 

GLOSSARY

41

 



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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

You may rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, or in a prospectus supplement or amendment thereto.  We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus.  We and the underwriters are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.  The information contained in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus, or document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of its date, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock.

 

You should read this prospectus together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.  In various places in this prospectus, we refer you to sections for additional information by indicating the caption heading of the other sections.  All cross-references in this prospectus are to captions contained in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus.  This prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC.  For further information with respect to us and the securities offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement.

 

Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document that we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the exhibits for a complete statement of their terms and conditions.

 

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.  You may read and copy any document we file, including the registration statement, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.  These documents also may be accessed through the SEC’s electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system, or EDGAR, via electronic means, including the SEC’s home page on the Internet (www.sec.gov).  You may also inspect the registration statement on this website.

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

This prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information that we file with the SEC and that we are not including in or delivering with this prospectus.  As the SEC allows, incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus, and we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.  We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

·                  our annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2013;

 

·                  our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2013;

 

·                  our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2013, March 29, 2013, April 9, 2013, April 23, 2013 (including exhibit 99.1 thereto), May 3, 2013, and May 13, 2013;

 

·                  our definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2013;

 

·                  the description of the rights to purchase shares of our Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on August 12, 2011, including any amendment or report for the purpose of updating such description; and

 

·                  the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form S-1, which was filed with the SEC on November 1, 1996, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

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Pursuant to Rule 412 under the Securities Act, any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

You may request a copy of any or all of these filings, at no cost, by writing to us at: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Lobby K, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, attention: Investor Relations or by telephoning us at (800) 556-0311.  These filings may also be obtained through our website located at http://www.aastrom.com.  The reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference and, except for the documents incorporated by reference as noted above, the information on, or accessible through, our website is not intended to be part of this prospectus.

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement.  We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information.  You should not assume that information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents.

 

We advise that there have been no material changes in our affairs that have occurred since the end of the latest fiscal period for which audited financial statements were included in the latest Form 10-K and that have not been described in a Form 8-K filed under the Exchange Act.

 

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AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.

 

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.  It may not contain all of the information that is important to you.  You should read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the discussion regarding the risks of investing in our securities under the heading “Risk Factors,” before investing in our securities.  In this prospectus, “Aastrom,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.  Please refer to our Glossary at the end of this Prospectus for certain industry-specific and technical definitions.

 

Business

 

Business Overview

 

We were incorporated in 1989 and are a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative cell therapies to repair or regenerate damaged or diseased tissues.  We are developing patient-specific, expanded multicellular therapies for use in the treatment of severe, chronic ischemic cardiovascular diseases.  We believe ixmyelocel-T (the generic name for our multicellular therapy) is a disease modifying therapy with multi-functional properties including: tissue remodeling, immunomodulation and the promotion of angiogenesis.  Our proprietary cell-manufacturing technology enables the manufacture of multicellular therapies, expanded from an adult patient’s own bone marrow, to be delivered directly to damaged tissues.  Preclinical and clinical data suggest that ixmyelocel-T may be safe and effective in treating patients with severe, chronic ischemic cardiovascular diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the third leading cause of heart failure, and critical limb ischemia (CLI), the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).  Over 400 patients have been safely treated since our inception, with over 200 of those using ixmyelocel-T.  During the fourth quarter of 2012, we launched a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded Phase 2b clinical trial (ixCELL-DCM) for patients with advance heart failure due to ischemic DCM.  In November 2011, we released positive Phase 2b data from our RESTORE-CLI clinical trial and launched our pivotal Phase 3 REVIVE trial in CLI in February 2012.

 

On March 27, 2013, we announced a strategic change in our research and development programs to focus on the clinical development of ixmyelocel-T for the treatment of advanced heart failure due to ischemic DCM.  We believe heart failure represents a significant unmet medical need and a growing public health problem.  DCM is the third leading cause of heart failure and the leading cause of heart transplantation in the U.S.  A majority of advanced heart failure patients that are refractory to medical therapy have DCM, which leads us to believe that the refractory ischemic DCM market represents a substantial market opportunity for ixmyelocel-T.  The DCM program has received a U.S. Orphan Drug designation, and we believe that this orphan designation will allow us to pursue this heart failure indication with a more cost-effective path to approval for ixmyelocel-T.

 

As a result of the strategic change, we stopped enrollment of patients and are ending the Phase 3 REVIVE clinical trial in patients with CLI.  In addition, we are executing a corporate restructuring that we expect will reduce staff and ongoing operating cash needs by approximately 50 percent.  As a result, we recorded a one-time restructuring charge of approximately $400,000 in the first quarter of 2013, primarily representing cash payments for severance and other personnel-related expenses.  Severance payments will be paid out during the second quarter of 2013 and will continue into the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Our Therapy

 

Ixmyelocel-T is a patient-specific, expanded multicellular therapy developed using our proprietary, fully-closed, automated processing system.  Ixmyelocel-T is a product derived from an adult patient’s own bone marrow but it is significantly enhanced compared with the original bone marrow.  Our process enhances the patient’s bone marrow mononuclear cells by expanding the mesenchymal stromal cells and M2-like anti-inflammatory macrophages while retaining many of the hematopoietic cells.  These cell types, known to regulate the immune response, are important in the resolution of pathologic inflammation and tissue repair.  The manufacture of our patient-specific, expanded multicellular therapies is done under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and current Good Tissue

 

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Practices (cGTP) guidelines required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Our therapy has several features that we believe are primarily responsible for success in treating adult patients with severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases:

 

Patient-specific (autologous) — we start with the patient’s own cells, which are accepted by the patient’s immune system allowing the cells to integrate into existing functional tissues.  We believe that this characteristic of our therapy eliminates both the risk of rejection and of having to use immunosuppressive therapy pre- or post-therapy.  Our data also suggests that ixmyelocel-T provides the potential for long-term engraftment and tissue repair.

 

Expanded — we begin with a small amount of bone marrow from the patient (up to 60 ml) and significantly expand the number of certain cell types, primarily CD90+ (mesenchymal stromal cells or MSCs) and CD14+autofluorescent+ (M2-like anti-inflammatory macrophages) to a substantially greater number than are present in the patient’s own bone marrow (up to 200 times the number of certain cell types compared with the starting bone marrow).

 

Multicellular — we believe the multiple cell types in ixmyelocel-T, which are normally found in bone marrow but in smaller quantities, possess the key functions required for reducing chronic inflammation and promoting tissue repair and angiogenesis.  By reducing inflammation, we believe ixmyelocel-T provides the ideal conditions to allow for the growth of new tissue and blood vessels.

 

Minimally invasive — our procedure for taking bone marrow (an “aspirate”) can be performed in an out-patient setting and takes approximately 15 minutes.  For DCM, administration of ixmyelocel-T is performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.  A catheter, similar to those used for balloon angioplasty and stenting is inserted and 12-20 direct injections into the heart muscle are performed in a one-time procedure.  For diseases such as CLI, the administration of ixmyelocel-T is performed in an out-patient setting (e.g. a physician’s office) in a one-time, approximately 20 minute procedure.

 

Safe — bone marrow and bone marrow-derived therapies have been used safely and efficaciously in medicine for over three decades.  Our product, ixmyelocel-T, a bone marrow-derived, patient-specific, expanded multicellular therapy, leverages this body of scientific study and medical experience, and appears well tolerated in over 400 patients treated to date.

 

Cell Composition

 

Ixmyelocel-T is the only multicellular product known to have expanded cell populations of both MSCs and M-2 like anti-inflammatory macrophages.  We believe that our therapy is best suited for chronic, ischemic diseases with significant inflammation.  Our multicellular therapy could be ideal to modulate inflammation and allow for remodeling of ischemic tissue and angiogenesis.

 

Manufacturing Process

 

Our therapy is produced at our cell manufacturing facility in the United States, located at our headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

 

Clinical Development Programs

 

Our clinical development programs are focused on addressing areas of high unmet medical needs in severe, chronic ischemic cardiovascular diseases.  We have completed our Phase 1/2 clinical trials in DCM and launched the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded Phase 2b ixCELL-DCM clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2012.  Our DCM development program has received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA.

 

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GRAPHIC

 


*Not an active program

**Investigator-sponsored trial (University of Michigan)

 

Results to date in our clinical trials may not be indicative of results obtained from subsequent patients enrolled in those trials or from future clinical trials.  Further, our future clinical trials may not be successful or we may not be able to obtain the required Biologic License Application (BLA) approval to commercialize our products in the United States in a timely fashion, or at all.  See “Risk Factors”.

 

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

 

Background

 

DCM is a severe, chronic cardiovascular disease that leads to weakening of the heart muscle, enlargement of the heart, and reduction of the pumping function of the heart to the point that blood circulation is impaired.  Patients with DCM typically present with symptoms of congestive heart failure, including limitations in physical activity and shortness of breath.  DCM is now the third leading cause of heart failure and the leading cause of heart transplantation in the U.S.  There are two types of DCM: ischemic and non-ischemic.  Ischemic DCM, the most common form representing an estimated 60% of all DCM patients, is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.  These refractory ischemic DCM patients are currently the target patient population for our clinical development of ixmyelocel-T, with approximately 175,000 patients in the U.S. alone.   Patient prognosis depends on the stage and cause of the disease but is typically characterized by a very poor quality of life and a high mortality rate.

 

Current treatments for refractory ischemic DCM patients are limited to heart transplantation and placement of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).  There are less than 2,500 heart transplantations in the U.S. each year.  Many refractory DCM patients are not eligible for heart transplantation and transplants are extremely expensive at an estimated cost of over $1 million.  LVADs are also expensive at an estimated cost of over $175,000 and have a mortality rate of 50% at two years.

 

In February 2007, the FDA granted Orphan Drug designation to ixmyelocel-T for the treatment of DCM.  Our DCM development program is currently in Phase 2b clinical development.  We recently completed follow up on two U.S. Phase 1/2 trials investigating surgical and catheter-based delivery for our product in the treatment of DCM.  The final results from these Phase 1/2 clinical trials were presented at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) meeting on May 10, 2012.

 

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Surgical Trial Program — DCM

 

We completed enrollment of 40 ischemic and non-ischemic DCM patients in the IMPACT-DCM clinical trial in January 2010 and the final patient was treated in March 2010.  Participants in the IMPACT-DCM clinical trial were required to have New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than or equal to 30% (60-75% is typical for a healthy person), and meet other eligibility criteria, including optimized medical therapy.  Patients were randomized in an approximate 3:1 ratio of treatment to control group.  Patients in the treatment group received our therapy through direct injection into the heart muscle during minimally invasive-surgery (involving a chest incision of approximately 2 inches).  The primary objective of this study was to assess the safety of ixmyelocel-T in patients with DCM.  Efficacy measures included cardiac dimensions and tissue mass, cardiac function (e.g., cardiac output, LVEF, cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters), cardiac perfusion and viability, as well as other efficacy endpoints.  NYHA functional class and quality of life were also assessed.  Patients were followed for 12 months after treatment with an additional two year follow-up phone call recently completed for all patients.

 

Catheter Trial Program — DCM

 

The Catheter-DCM clinical trial was designed to explore catheter-based direct injection delivery of ixmyelocel-T to treat DCM patients.  This multi-center, randomized, controlled, prospective, open-label, Phase 2 study enrolled DCM patients at clinical sites across the United States.

 

We reported final 12-month results from the Catheter-DCM Phase 2 trial at the SCAI 2012 Scientific Sessions on May 10, 2012.  The trial included 22 ischemic DCM (IDCM) and non-ischemic DCM (NIDCM) patients with a NYHA heart failure class of III or IV, or moderate to severe heart failure, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30 percent or less, which is a measure of how much blood leaves the heart with each pump.  Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive an injection of the treatment into their heart muscles or to a control group, and were followed at three, six and 12 months.  After 12 months, no procedural complications were reported and adverse events were comparable among patients who received the treatment and the control group.  IDCM patients who received ixmyelocel-T had a lower mean number of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (0.22 compared to 1.67 in the control group).  IDCM patients who received the treatment were more likely to see improvement in NYHA class, six-minute walking distance and ejection fraction, compared to those in the control group.  No consistent trends were noted in NIDCM patients.

 

Phase 2b Clinical Program — ixCELL-DCM

 

In February 2013, several sites began screening patients with ischemic DCM in the ixCELL-DCM trial, which is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.  The first patient was randomized in April 2013.  The Phase 2b ixCELL-DCM trial will enroll 108 ischemic DCM patients.   To be eligible, patients must be between the ages of 30 and 85, not be a candidate for reasonable revascularization procedures, have a LVEF less than or equal to 30%, and have NYHA class III or IV heart failure. Patients will be randomized 1:1 and followed for 12 months for the primary efficacy endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause deaths, all-cause hospitalizations, and unplanned outpatient or emergency department visits for IV treatment of acute worsening heart failure.  Secondary endpoints include clinical, functional, structural, symptomatic, quality of life, and biomarker measures at 3, 6 and 9 months.  Patients will be followed for an additional 12 months for safety.  We anticipate that enrollment will occur at approximately 30 sites across the U.S. and Canada and be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2014, with top-line data in the second quarter of 2015.

 

Critical Limb Ischemia

 

Background

 

CLI is the most serious and advanced stage of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) resulting from chronic inflammation and lipid accumulation.  PAD is a chronic atherosclerotic disease that progressively restricts blood flow in the limbs and can lead to serious medical complications.  This disease is often associated with other serious clinical conditions including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity and stroke.  CLI is

 

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used to describe patients with chronic ischemia-induced pain (even at rest) or tissue loss (ulcers or gangrene) in the limbs, often leading to amputation and death.  Many CLI patients are considered “unsuitable for revascularization” patients as they have exhausted all other reasonable treatment options and will likely require amputation.  The one-year and four-year mortality rates for CLI patients that are unsuitable for revascularization that progress to amputation are approximately 25% and 70%, respectively.  Ixmyelocel-T, our disease modifying therapy with multiple functions, has shown significant promise in the treatment of CLI patients with existing tissue loss that are unsuitable for revascularization.  Currently, there are an estimated 250,000 CLI patients that are unsuitable for revascularization in the U.S.

 

Phase 2b Clinical Program — RESTORE CLI

 

Our U.S. Phase 2b RESTORE-CLI program was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.  This clinical trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ixmyelocel-T in the treatment of patients with CLI that are unsuitable for revascularization.  It was the largest multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cellular therapy study ever conducted in CLI patients.  We completed enrollment of this trial in February 2010 with a total of 86 patients at 18 sites across the United States, with the last patient treated in March 2010.  These patients were followed for a period of 12 months after treatment.  In addition to assessing the safety of our product, efficacy endpoints included time to first occurrence of treatment failure — the trial’s primary efficacy endpoint — (defined as major amputation, all-cause mortality, doubling in wound surface area and de novo gangrene), amputation-free survival (defined as major amputation and all-cause mortality), major amputation rates, level of amputation, wound healing, patient quality of life and pain scores.  The primary purpose of the trial was to assess performance of our therapy and, if positive, prepare for a Phase 3 program.

 

Final results of the Phase 2b RESTORE-CLI clinical trial were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in November 2011 and published in the peer-reviewed journal Molecular Therapy in April 2012.  Patients in the treatment arm showed a 62% reduction in risk relative to placebo in the primary efficacy endpoint of time to first occurrence of treatment failure (p=0.0032).  While the study was not powered to show statistical significance in the secondary endpoint of amputation free survival, results from a subgroup of 45 patients with wounds at baseline (the approximate profile of the Phase 3 patient population) showed a 61% reduction in risk (21% ixmyelocel-T treated versus 44% control event rate; p=0.0802).  The study also met the primary safety endpoint with no meaningful differences between the treated and control groups.

 

Phase 3 Clinical Program — REVIVE

 

In February 2012, several principal investigators participating in the pivotal Phase 3 REVIVE clinical trial for patients with CLI that are unsuitable for revascularization began screening patients.  The first patient was randomized and aspirated in May 2012.  We had previously received Fast Track Designation from the FDA for use of ixmyelocel-T for CLI in October 2010 and reached agreement with the FDA on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) in July 2011.  Patients were randomized 1:1 and were to be followed for 12 months for the primary efficacy endpoint of amputation-free survival.  On March 27, 2013 we announced that we were stopping enrollment and ending the Phase 3 REVIVE clinical trial.  We had enrolled approximately 40 patients through that date and plan to continue following the patients for 12 months for safety and certain efficacy measures.

 

Production

 

Cell Manufacturing and Cell Production Components

 

We operate a centralized cell manufacturing facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The facility supports the current U.S. clinical trial and has sufficient capacity, with minor modifications, to supply our early commercialization requirements.  We may establish and operate larger commercial-scale cell manufacturing facilities for the U.S. market in the future to accommodate potential market growth.  We have reached agreement with the FDA on Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) which was completed as part of the Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) process with the FDA for the Phase 3 REVIVE clinical trial.

 

We have established relationships with manufacturers that are registered with the FDA as suppliers of medical products to produce various components of our patented cell manufacturing system.

 

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We have established relationships with various third parties who manufacture and/or supply certain components, equipment, disposable devices and other materials used in our cell manufacturing process to develop our cell products, as well as our final assemblies, component parts, subassemblies and associated spare parts used in the instrumentation platform of our cell production system.

 

There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue our present arrangements with our manufacturers and/or suppliers, supplement existing relationships or establish new relationships, or that we will be able to identify and obtain certain components, equipment, disposable devices, other materials, including ancillary materials that are necessary to develop our product candidates or that are used in our cell manufacturing and cell production components processes.  Our dependence upon third parties for the supply and manufacture of such items could adversely affect our ability to develop and deliver commercially feasible cell products on a timely and competitive basis.  See “Risk Factors.”

 

Our Arrangement with Vention Medical

 

In October 2010, we entered into a contract manufacturing and supply agreement (Supply Agreement) with ATEK Medical, LLC (ATEK) for the manufacture of our proprietary cell cassette for use in our manufacturing process.  In November 2011, ATEK was purchased by Vention Medical (Vention) and currently operates as a division of Vention.  There have been no changes to the terms of the Supply Agreement as a result of this purchase.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Supply Agreement, we have granted Vention the exclusive right to manufacture our proprietary cell cassette, which includes assembly, labeling, packaging and sterilization.  Vention will be responsible for obtaining all of our approved components pertaining to the cassettes and we are obligated to order and purchase the cassettes from Vention on an agreed upon schedule and in agreed upon quantities.  In addition, we will provide Vention with reasonable engineering support to initiate and ramp up manufacturing of the cassettes and will supply all manufacturing equipment.

 

The Supply Agreement has an initial term of four years and will terminate automatically without notice unless prior to that time the term is extended by mutual written consent delivered at least six months prior to the termination date.  The minimum term extension is generally to be no less than two years.

 

The Supply Agreement provides that we may discontinue the manufacture of the cassettes at our sole discretion.  In such event, we agree to use commercially best efforts to notify Vention at least 120 days prior to our intention to discontinue manufacture of the cassettes.  Failure to provide such notice will not be a breach of the Supply Agreement, but without such notice, we agree to purchase from Vention (i) certain finished goods that are in usable condition and (ii) certain components or raw materials inventory or work in process in each case to the extent convertible into finished cassettes.

 

We or Vention may terminate the Supply Agreement if the other party materially defaults in the performance of any provision of the Supply Agreement and, should any such default occur, then the non-defaulting party may give written notice to the defaulting party that if the default is not cured within 45 days, the Supply Agreement will be terminated. If the non-defaulting party gives such notice and the default is not cured during the 45 day period, then the Supply Agreement shall automatically terminate at the end of such period unless an extension is mutually agreed to by Vention and us.  In addition to other remedies, either party may terminate the Supply Agreement at any time if either of us breach our respective confidentiality obligations under the Supply Agreement, in which case termination shall be effective immediately upon receipt of notice from the non-breaching party of the breach and of termination. Either party may immediately terminate the Supply Agreement by written notice if the other party is or becomes insolvent, appoints or has appointed a receiver for all or substantially all of its assets, or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors.  In addition, either party may terminate the Supply Agreement by written notice if the other party files a voluntary petition, or has filed against it an involuntary petition, for bankruptcy and such petition is not dismissed within 90 days.

 

Upon termination of the Supply Agreement, Vention agrees to provide reasonable technical support at Vention’s published engineering rates for the transfer of manufacturing technology to an alternative manufacturer chosen by us to conduct final manufacture, package and test of the cassettes in the event that Vention, for a period of 150 days

 

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from the date of receipt of the associated purchase order, is unable to manufacture all of our orders for any reason, or if Vention fails or refuses to meet our orders for cassettes pursuant to the terms of the Supply Agreement.

 

There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue our present arrangement with Vention. Our dependence upon our arrangement with Vention for the supply and manufacture of our proprietary cell cassette could adversely affect our ability to develop and deliver commercially feasible cell products on a timely and competitive basis.  See “Risk Factors.”

 

Research & Development

 

Our therapy is produced from the patient’s bone marrow using Aastrom’s proprietary manufacturing system.  The product is composed of a mixture of cell types normally found in bone marrow but at different quantities.  For example, the mesenchymal stromal cells, identified with the CD90+ cell surface marker, as well as monocytes and activated macrophages, identified with CD14 marker, are expanded approximately 50 and 200 fold, respectively, while other CD45+ mononuclear cells from the bone marrow remain during the manufacturing process.  We have demonstrated in the laboratory that the cells in our therapy are capable of multiple biological activities thought to play a critical role in repairing diseased and damaged tissues.  These activities include aspects of tissue remodeling, promotion of angiogenesis and resolution of inflammation.  In addition to these properties demonstrated in vitro, we have also shown that the therapy increases blood perfusion in both rat and mouse models of critical limb ischemia.  In addition to these initial preclinical observations, we have ongoing preclinical studies designed to further characterize the mechanism of action of our product in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.  This data supports our current clinical-stage research where we are exploring the use of our therapy to regenerate tissue in patients with DCM and CLI.

 

In addition, our proprietary cell manufacturing system has demonstrated the capability to produce other types of cells.  In the future, we may continue to explore the application of our manufacturing technology for the production of other cell types where there are potential opportunities to collaborate in the development of new cell therapies.

 

Patents and Proprietary Rights

 

Our success depends in part on our ability, and the ability of our licensors, to obtain patent protection for our products and processes.  We have exclusive rights to approximately 19 unexpired issued U.S. patents.  Eleven of these patents are material patents that protect our cellular therapy.  We own ten of these patents and one has been licensed exclusively from the University of Michigan.  These patents present various claims relating to (i) the composition of our cellular therapy, (ii) methods to manufacture or administer the cellular therapy, and (iii) the bioreactor device (the Aastrom Replicell System) that is used to make our product.  The number of U.S. patents of each type with expiration range is listed in the table below.

 

Patent Type

 

Number

 

Expiry (Years)

 

Composition of Matter

 

2

 

1 and 16

 

Methods

 

2

 

14

 

Bioreactor Device

 

7

 

1 - 2

 

 

Certain patent equivalents to the U.S. patents have also been issued in other jurisdictions including Australia, Japan, and Canada and under the European Patent Convention.  In addition, we have filed applications for patents in the United States and equivalent applications in certain other countries claiming other aspects of our cell products and manufacturing processes.  Our most significant patent that protects the composition of the cellular therapy directly, “Mixed cell populations for tissue repair and separation technique for cell processing” (US Patent 7,871,605), was issued in January 2011 and will expire in 2029.  A divisional application of 7,871,605 for administration of this composition to patients was allowed by the USPTO in January 2012 and was issued in the April 2012 and will expire in 2027.  A second divisional application of 7,871,605 directed to the methods of manufacture of our cell compositions was issued in March 2013 and will expire in 2027.  Patents that protect our automated bioreactor device and culture system expire in 2015, but we will continue to rely on trade secrets and un-patentable know-how.

 

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The validity and breadth of claims in medical technology patents involve complex legal and factual questions and, therefore, may be highly uncertain.  No assurance can be given that any patents based on pending patent applications or any future patent applications by us, or our licensors, will be issued, that the scope of any patent protection will exclude competitors or provide competitive advantages to us, that any of the patents that have been or may be issued to us or our licensors will be held valid if subsequently challenged or that others will not claim rights in or ownership of the patents and other proprietary rights held or licensed by us. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others have not developed or will not develop similar products, duplicate any of our products or design around any patents that have been or may be issued to us or our licensors.  Since patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in secrecy until they are published 18 months after filing, we also cannot be certain that others did not first file applications for inventions covered by our and our licensors’ pending patent applications, nor can we be certain that we will not infringe any patents that may be issued to others on such applications.

 

We rely on certain licenses granted by the University of Michigan for certain patent rights.  If we breach such agreements or otherwise fail to comply with such agreements, or if such agreements expire or are otherwise terminated, we may lose our rights in such patents.

 

We also rely on trade secrets and un-patentable know-how that we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements.  It is our policy to require our employees, consultants, contractors, manufacturers, outside scientific collaborators and sponsored researchers and other advisors to execute confidentiality agreements upon the commencement of employment or consulting relationships with us.  These agreements provide that all confidential information developed or made known to the individual during the course of the individual’s relationship with us is to be kept confidential and not disclosed to third parties except in specific limited circumstances.  We also require signed confidentiality or material transfer agreements from any company that is to receive our confidential information.  In the case of employees, consultants and contractors, the agreements generally provide that all inventions conceived by the individual while rendering services to us shall be assigned to us as the exclusive property of Aastrom.  There can be no assurance, however, that these agreements will not be breached, that we would have adequate remedies for any breach, or that our trade secrets or un-patentable know-how will not otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors.

 

Our success will also depend in part on our ability to develop commercially viable products without infringing the proprietary rights of others.  We do not believe any of our currently contemplated products or processes infringe any existing valid issued patent.  However, the results of patent litigation are unpredictable, and no assurance can be given that patents do not exist or could not be filed which would have an adverse effect on our ability to market our products or maintain our competitive position with respect to our products.  If our technology components, designs, products, processes or other subject matter are claimed under other existing U.S. or foreign patents, or are otherwise protected by third party proprietary rights, we may be subject to infringement actions.  In such event, we may challenge the validity of such patents or other proprietary rights or we may be required to obtain licenses from such companies in order to develop, manufacture or market our products.  There can be no assurances that we would be able to obtain such licenses or that such licenses, if available, could be obtained on commercially reasonable terms.  Furthermore, the failure to either develop a commercially viable alternative or obtain such licenses could result in delays in marketing our proposed products or the inability to proceed with the development, manufacture or sale of products requiring such licenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  If we are required to defend ourselves against charges of patent infringement or to protect our proprietary rights against third parties, substantial costs will be incurred regardless of whether we are successful.  Such proceedings are typically protracted with no certainty of success.  An adverse outcome could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties and force us to curtail or cease our development and sale of our products and processes.

 

Certain of our and our licensors’ research has been or is being funded in part by the Department of Commerce and by a Small Business Innovation Research Grant obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services.  As a result of such funding, the U.S. Government has certain rights in the technology developed with such funding.  These rights include a non-exclusive, fully paid-up, worldwide license under such inventions for any governmental purpose.  In addition, the U.S. Government has the right to require us to grant an exclusive license under any of such inventions to a third party if the U.S. Government determines that: (i) adequate steps have not been taken to commercialize such inventions; (ii) such action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or (iii) such action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations.  Additionally, under the federal Bayh

 

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Dole Act, a party which acquires an exclusive license for an invention that was partially funded by a federal research grant is subject to the following government rights: (i) products using the invention which are sold in the United States are to be manufactured substantially in the United States, unless a waiver is obtained; (ii) the government may force the granting of a license to a third party who will make and sell the needed product if the licensee does not pursue reasonable commercialization of a needed product using the invention; and (iii) the U.S. Government may use the invention for its own needs.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

We currently do not have the sales or marketing resources required to fully commercialize our therapeutic products.  We intend to advance our programs to a point where we can evaluate the options to seek a development and/or commercialization partnership, or to make the investment to complete development and commercialize a product alone.  We may also choose to undertake some pilot level of sales and marketing activity while seeking a commercial partnership.

 

Government Regulation

 

Our research and development activities and the manufacturing and marketing of our products are subject to the laws and regulations of governmental authorities in the United States and other countries in which our products will be marketed.  Specifically, in the United States, the FDA, among other activities, regulates new product approvals to establish safety and efficacy of these products.  Governments in other countries have similar requirements for testing and marketing.  In the United States, in addition to meeting FDA regulations, we are also subject to other federal laws, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Environmental Protection Act, as well as certain state laws.

 

Our cell products will be regulated as somatic cell therapies/biologics/pharmaceuticals.  With this classification, commercial production of our products will need to occur in registered/licensed facilities in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for biologics (cellular products) or drugs.

 

Regulatory Process

 

Our products are subject to regulation as biological products under the Public Health Service Act and the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  Different regulatory requirements may apply to our products depending on how they are categorized by the FDA under these laws.  The FDA has indicated that it intends to regulate products based on our technology as licensed biologics through the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.  As current regulations exist, the FDA will require regulatory approval for certain human cellular- or tissue-based products, including our cell products, through a BLA submission.

 

Approval of new biological products is a lengthy procedure leading from development of a new product through preclinical and clinical testing.  This process takes a number of years and the expenditure of significant resources.  There can be no assurance that our product candidates will ultimately receive regulatory approval.

 

Regardless of how our product candidates are regulated, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other Federal and State statutes and regulations govern or influence the research, testing, manufacture, safety, labeling, storage, record-keeping, approval, distribution, use, product reporting, advertising and promotion of such products.  Noncompliance with applicable requirements can result in civil penalties, recall, injunction or seizure of products, refusal of the government to approve or clear product approval applications or to allow us to enter into government supply contracts, withdrawal of previously approved applications and criminal prosecution.

 

Product Approval

 

In order to obtain FDA approval of a new medical product, sponsors must submit proof of safety and efficacy.  In most cases, such proof entails extensive preclinical studies and clinical trials.  The testing, preparation of necessary applications and processing of those applications by the FDA is expensive and may take several years to complete.  There can be no assurance that the FDA will act favorably or in a timely manner in reviewing submitted applications, and we may encounter significant difficulties or costs in our efforts to obtain FDA approvals, in turn, which could delay or preclude us from marketing any products we may develop.  The FDA may also require post-

 

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marketing testing and surveillance of approved products, or place other conditions on the approvals.  These requirements could cause it to be more difficult or expensive to sell the products, and could therefore restrict the commercial applications of such products.  Product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with applicable regulations is not maintained or if problems occur following commercialization.  For patented technologies, delays imposed by the governmental approval process may materially reduce the period during which we will have the exclusive right to exploit such technologies.

 

If clinical trials of a proposed medical product are required, the manufacturer or distributor of a drug or biologic will have to submit an IND application with the FDA prior to commencing human clinical trials.  The submission must be supported by data, typically including the results of preclinical and laboratory testing.  Following submission of the IND, the FDA has 30 days to review the application and raise safety and other clinical trial issues.  If we are not notified of objections within that period, clinical trials may be initiated, and human clinical trials may commence at a specified number of investigational sites with the number of patients approved by the FDA.  We have submitted several INDs for our cell products, and we have conducted clinical trials under these INDs.

 

Our products will be regulated by the FDA as a licensed biologic, although there can be no assurance that the FDA will not choose to regulate this product in a different manner in the future.  The FDA categorizes human cell- or tissue-based products as either minimally manipulated or more than minimally manipulated, and has determined that more than minimally manipulated products require clinical trials to demonstrate product safety and efficacy and the submission of a BLA for marketing authorization.  For products that may be regulated as biologics, the FDA requires: (i) preclinical laboratory and animal testing; (ii) submission to the FDA of an IND application, which must be approved prior to the initiation of human clinical trials; (iii) adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the product for its intended use; (iv) submission to the FDA of a BLA; and (v) review and approval of the BLA as well as inspections of the manufacturing facility by the FDA prior to commercial marketing of the product.

 

We conduct preclinical testing for internal use and as support for submissions to the FDA.  Preclinical testing generally includes various types of in-vitro laboratory evaluations of our products as well as animal studies to assess the safety and the functionality of the product.  Clinical trials are identified by phases (i.e., Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, etc.).  Depending on the type of preclinical and/or clinical data available, the trial sponsor will submit a request to the FDA to initiate a specific phase study (e.g., a Phase 1 trial represents an initial study in a small group of patients to test for safety and other relevant factors; a Phase 2 trial represents a study in a larger number of patients to assess the safety and efficacy of a product; and, Phase 3 trials are initiated to establish safety and efficacy in an expanded patient population at multiple clinical trial sites).

 

The results of the preclinical tests and clinical trials are submitted to the FDA in the form of a BLA for marketing approval.  The testing, clinical trials and approval process are likely to require substantial time and effort and there can be no assurance that any approval will be granted on a timely basis, if at all.  Additional animal studies or clinical trials may be requested during the FDA review period that may delay marketing approval.  After FDA approval for the initial indications, further clinical trials may be necessary to gain approval for the use of the product for additional indications.  The FDA requires that adverse effects be reported to the FDA and may also require post-marketing testing to monitor for adverse events, which can involve significant expense.

 

Under current requirements, facilities manufacturing biological products for commercial distribution must be licensed.  To accomplish this, an establishment registration must be filed with the FDA.  In addition to the preclinical studies and clinical trials, the BLA includes a description of the facilities, equipment and personnel involved in the manufacturing process.  An establishment registration/license is granted on the basis of inspections of the applicant’s facilities in which the primary focus is on compliance with GMPs and the ability to consistently manufacture the product in the facility in accordance with the BLA.  If the FDA finds the results of the inspection unsatisfactory, it may decline to approve the BLA, resulting in a delay in production of products.

 

As part of the approval process for human biological products, each manufacturing facility must be registered and inspected by the FDA prior to marketing approval.  In addition, state agency inspections and approvals may also be required for a biological product to be shipped out of state.

 

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Commercial Strategy

 

We are currently focused on utilizing our technology to produce expanded, patient specific multicellular products for use in severe, chronic ischemic cardiovascular indications.  At such time as we satisfy applicable regulatory approval requirements, we expect the sales of our cell-based products to constitute nearly all of our product sales revenues.

 

We do not expect to generate positive cash flows from our consolidated operations for at least the next several years and then only if we achieve significant product sales.  Until that time, we expect that our revenue sources from our current activities will consist of only minor sales of our cell products and manufacturing supplies to our academic collaborators, grant revenue, research funding and potential licensing fees or other financial support from potential future corporate collaborators.

 

We expect that we will need to raise significant additional funds or pursue strategic transactions or other strategic alternatives in order to complete our product development programs, complete clinical trials needed to market our products, and commercialize our products.  To date, we have financed our operations primarily through public and private sales of our equity securities, and we expect to continue to seek to obtain the required capital in a similar manner.  As a development stage company, we have never been profitable and do not anticipate having net income unless and until significant product sales commence.  With respect to our current activities, this is not likely to occur until we obtain significant additional funding, complete the required clinical trials for regulatory approvals, and receive the necessary approvals to market our products.  If we cannot raise such funds, we will not be able to develop or enhance products, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  As a result of the need to raise additional capital and a net capital deficiency, there is uncertainty regarding our ability to maintain liquidity sufficient to operate our business effectively over at least the next twelve months, which raises substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.  Through March 31, 2013, we have accumulated a net loss attributable to common shareholders of approximately $282,122,000.  We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to achieve profitability on a sustained basis, if at all, obtain the required funding, obtain the required regulatory approvals, or complete additional corporate partnering or acquisition transactions.

 

Competitive Environment

 

The biotechnology and medical device industries are characterized by rapidly evolving technology and intense competition.  Our competitors include major multinational medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and stem cell companies operating in the fields of tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, cardiac, vascular, orthopedics and neural medicine.  Many of these companies are well-established and possess technical, research and development, financial, and sales and marketing resources significantly greater than ours.  In addition, many of our smaller potential competitors have formed strategic collaborations, partnerships and other types of joint ventures with larger, well established industry competitors that afford these companies potential research and development and commercialization advantages in the technology and therapeutic areas currently being pursued by us.  Academic institutions, governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations are also conducting and financing research activities which may produce products directly competitive to those being commercialized by us.  Moreover, many of these competitors may be able to obtain patent protection, obtain FDA and other regulatory approvals and begin commercial sales of their products before us.

 

Our potential commercial products address a broad range of existing and emerging therapeutic markets, in which cell-based therapy is a new and as of yet, unproven, commercial strategy.  In a large part, we face primary competition from existing medical devices and drug products.  Some of our competitors have longer operating histories and substantially greater resources.  These include companies such as Baxter International, Inc. (Baxter), Biomet, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Inc., Medtronic, Inc. (Medtronic), and others.

 

In the general area of cell-based therapies, we potentially compete with a variety of companies, most of whom are specialty medical products or biotechnology companies.  Some of these, such as Baxter, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Miltenyi Biotec are well-established and have substantial technical and financial resources compared to ours.  However, as cell-based products are only just emerging as viable medical therapies, many of our most direct competitors are smaller biotechnology and specialty medical products companies.  These include Advanced

 

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Cell Technology, Inc., Cytomedix, Inc. (formerly Aldagen, Inc.), Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc., Athersys, Inc., Bioheart, Inc., Cytori Therapeutics, Inc., International Stem Cell Corporation, Neostem, Inc., Terumo Medical Corporation (formerly Harvest Technologies Corporation), Mesoblast, Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., Pluristem, Inc. Stem Cells, Inc., Tengion, Inc. and others.

 

Employees

 

As of April 1, 2013, we employed approximately 40 individuals on a full-time equivalent basis.  A significant number of our management and professional employees have had prior experience with pharmaceutical, biotechnology or medical product companies.  None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and management considers relations with our employees to be good.

 

Executive Officers

 

Name

 

Position

 

Age

 

Executive
Officer Since

 

Dominick C. Colangelo

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

49

 

2013

 

Daniel R. Orlando

 

Chief Commercial Officer

 

48

 

2012

 

Ronnda L. Bartel, Ph.D.

 

Chief Scientific Officer

 

54

 

2010

 

Brian D. Gibson

 

Vice President of Finance

 

34

 

2011

 

 

Dominick C. Colangelo — Mr. Colangelo joined Aastrom in 2013 with more than twenty years of executive management and corporate development experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including nearly a decade with Eli Lilly and Company.  Most recently, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Promedior, Inc.  During his career, he has held a variety of executive positions of increasing responsibility in product development, pharmaceutical operations, sales and marketing, and corporate development.  He has extensive experience in the acquisition, development and commercialization of therapies to treat fibrovascular, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.  During his tenure at Eli Lilly and Company, he held positions as Director of Strategy and Business Development for Lilly’s Diabetes Product Group and also served as a founding Managing Director of Lilly Ventures.  Mr. Colangelo received his B.S.B.A. in Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a J.D. degree, with Honors, from the Duke University School of Law.

 

Daniel R. Orlando — Mr. Orlando joined Aastrom as Chief Commercial Officer in August of 2012.  Mr. Orlando served as interim CEO of Aastrom from December 2012 to March 2013.  He has more than 20 years of commercial product preparation and launch experience including leadership roles in sales, marketing and most recently as a vice president of business development for North and South America at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.  As an early employee at Takeda North America, he served as the original brand director for Actos, which became the #1 branded anti-diabetic agent in the U.S.  Mr. Orlando’s initial pharmaceutical experience came in progressively expanding roles in sales and marketing at Abbott Laboratories.  He holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in economics with Honors from the University of Florida.

 

Ronnda L. Bartel, Ph.D. — Dr. Bartel joined Aastrom in 2006 and is responsible for research, development, quality, IT, manufacturing and engineering operations.  Dr. Bartel has more than 20 years of research and product development experience and most recently was Executive Director, Biological Research at MicroIslet and Vice president, Scientific Development at StemCells, Inc. Earlier in her career, she was Senior Principal Scientist, Cell Biology at Advanced Tissue Sciences and was involved in the development and approval of two of the first three cell based products approved by the FDA.  She has also worked as Senior Director, Science and Technology at SRS Capital, LLC evaluating life science investments and has also held positions in clinical development, drug delivery, business development and manufacturing.  Dr. Bartel holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas, completed postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan and received a B.A. in Chemistry and Biology from Tabor College.

 

Brian D. Gibson — Mr. Gibson joined Aastrom in July 2010 and is Vice President of Finance.  He brings more than 12 years of finance and accounting experience to Aastrom.  Prior to joining Aastrom, Mr. Gibson was a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, with broad experience in multiple industries, including life sciences and healthcare.  Mr. Gibson holds a BA in accounting with high honor from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University and is a certified public accountant.

 

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Corporate Information

 

Aastrom is incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan.  Our principal executive offices are located at 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Lobby K, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.  Our telephone number is (800) 556-0311.  The address of our website is www.aastrom.com.  The reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference and, except for the documents incorporated by reference as noted above, the information on, or accessible through, our website is not intended to be part of this prospectus.

 

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The Offering

 

Issuer

 

Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.

 

 

 

Common stock offered by us

 

$25,000,000 of shares of common stock.

 

 

 

Common stock outstanding before this offering

 

45,664,079 shares of common stock.

 

 

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

 

88,036,960 shares or 94,392,893 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full.

 

 

 

Use of proceeds

 

We estimate the net proceeds from the sale of common stock from this offering will be approximately $23,150,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated transaction expenses payable by us of approximately $1,850,000 (or net proceeds of approximately $26,675,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case assuming a public offering price of $0.59 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on May 8, 2013.

Risk Factors

 

You should carefully read “Risk Factors” in this prospectus for a discussion of factors that you should consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.

 

 

 

NASDAQ Capital Market Symbol

 

ASTM

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 45,664,079 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and excludes:

 

·                  11,087,468 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2013 at a weighted-average exercise price of $2.27 per share;

 

·                  5,574,209 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2013 at exercise prices of $12.72 per share (October 2007-740,131 shares), $2.44 per share (January 2010-4,525,978 shares) and $1.25 per share (December 2010-308,100 shares), which warrants are exercisable to purchase common stock; and

 

·                  12,308 shares of preferred stock outstanding as of March 31, 2013.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk.  You should carefully consider the risks described below and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.  Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the materialization of any of these risks.  The trading price of our securities could decline due to the materialization of any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.  This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described below and in the documents incorporated herein by reference, including (i) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and (ii) other documents we file with the SEC that are deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

Our past losses and expected future losses cast doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern and operate profitably.

 

As of March 31, 2013, we had $9,226,000 of cash and cash equivalents.  This is not sufficient to sustain our operations for one year.  In light of our financial position, we are evaluating strategic and financial opportunities in the short-term in order to maintain adequate liquidity through December 31, 2013 and beyond.  Additionally, we could sell shares through an At the Market Sales Agreement (ATM) in order to raise additional capital, though there are certain factors, such as volume of trading in our stock, our stock price and the ability to terminate the agreement with notice, which could limit the amount we could raise in a short period of time.  On a longer term basis, we will need to raise additional funds in order to complete product development programs and complete clinical trials needed to market and commercialize our products.  We cannot be certain that such funding will be available on favorable terms, if at all.  Some of the factors that will impact our ability to raise additional capital and our overall success include: the rate and degree of progress for our product development, the rate of regulatory approval to proceed with clinical trial programs, the level of success achieved in clinical trials, the requirements for marketing authorization from regulatory bodies in the United States and other countries, the liquidity and market volatility of our equity securities, regulatory and manufacturing requirements and uncertainties, technological developments by competitors, and other factors.  If we cannot raise such funds, we will not be able to develop or enhance products, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  As a result of the need to raise additional capital and a net capital deficiency, there is uncertainty regarding our ability to maintain liquidity sufficient to operate our business effectively over at least the next twelve months, which raises substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.  The consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

We were incorporated in 1989 and have experienced substantial operating losses since inception.  As of March 31, 2013, we had incurred a cumulative net loss attributable to common shareholders totaling approximately $282,122,000 and we have continued to incur losses since that date.  These losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in the research and development (including clinical trials) of our cell culture technologies and our cell manufacturing system, general and administrative expenses, and the prosecution of patent applications.  We expect to continue to incur significant operating losses over the next several years and at least until, and probably after, product sales increase, primarily owing to our research and development programs, including preclinical studies and clinical trials, and the establishment of marketing and distribution capabilities necessary to support commercialization efforts for our products.  We cannot predict with any certainty the amount of future losses.  Our ability to achieve profitability will depend, among other things, on successfully completing the development of our product candidates, timely initiation and completion of clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals, establishing manufacturing, sales and marketing arrangements with third parties, maintaining supplies of key manufacturing components, acquisition and development of complementary activities and raising sufficient cash to fund our operating activities.  Therefore, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability.

 

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We may not be able to raise the required capital to conduct our operations and develop and commercialize our products.

 

We will require substantial additional capital resources in order to conduct our operations, complete our product development programs, complete our clinical trials needed to market our products (including a Phase 2b clinical trial for DCM), and commercialize these products and cell manufacturing facilities.  In order to grow and expand our business, to introduce our new product candidates into the marketplace and to acquire or develop complementary business activities, we will need to raise a significant amount of additional funds.  We will also need significant additional funds or a collaborative partner, or both, to finance the research and development activities of our cell product candidates for additional indications.  Accordingly, we are continuing to pursue additional sources of financing.

 

Our future capital requirements will depend upon many factors, including:

 

·

continued scientific progress in our research, clinical and development programs;

 

 

·

costs and timing of conducting clinical trials and seeking regulatory approvals;

 

 

·

competing technological and market developments;

 

 

·

avoiding infringement and misappropriation of third-party intellectual property;

 

 

·

obtaining valid and enforceable patents that give us a competitive advantage;

 

 

·

our ability to establish additional collaborative relationships;

 

 

·

our ability to effectively launch a commercial product;

 

 

·

the effect of commercialization activities and facility expansions, if and as required; and

 

 

·

complementary business acquisition or development opportunities.

 

We entered into an ATM on June 16, 2011, which allows us to raise approximately $20,000,000 through sales of our common stock from time to time.  However, there are certain factors, such as volume of trading in our stock, our stock price and the ability to terminate the agreement with notice, which limit the amount that can be raised in a short period of time through the ATM.  Regardless of the usage of the ATM, we need to raise additional capital in order to fund the clinical trials of ixmyelocel-T for DCM, complete our product development programs, complete clinical trials needed to market our products and commercialize these products.

 

We will need to raise additional funds in order to complete our product development programs, complete clinical trials needed to market our products (including clinical trials for our DCM program), and commercialize these products.  Because of our long-term funding requirements, we may try to access the public or private equity markets if conditions are favorable to complete a financing, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at that time, or whenever we require additional operating capital.  In addition, we may seek collaborative relationships, incur debt and access other available funding sources.  This additional funding may not be available to us on reasonable terms, or at all.  Some of the factors that will impact our ability to raise additional capital and our overall success include:

 

·

the rate and degree of progress for our product development;

 

 

·

the rate of regulatory approval to proceed with clinical trial programs;

 

 

·

the level of success achieved in clinical trials;

 

 

·

the requirements for marketing authorization from regulatory bodies in the United States and other

 

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countries;

 

 

·

the liquidity and market volatility of our equity securities; and

 

 

·

regulatory and manufacturing requirements and uncertainties, technological developments by competitors.

 

If adequate funds are not available in the future, we may not be able to develop or enhance our products, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements and we may be required to delay or terminate research and development programs, curtail capital expenditures, and reduce business development and other operating activities.  Should the financing we require to sustain our working capital needs be unavailable or prohibitively expensive when we require it, the consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

 

Failure to obtain and maintain required regulatory approvals would severely limit our ability to sell our products.

 

We must obtain the approval of the FDA before commercial sales of our cell product candidates may commence in the United States, which we believe will ultimately be the largest market for our products.  We will also be required to obtain additional approvals from various foreign regulatory authorities to initiate sales activities of cell products in those jurisdictions.  If we cannot demonstrate the safety, purity and potency of our product candidates, including our cell product candidates, produced in our production system, the FDA or other regulatory authorities could delay or withhold regulatory approval of our product candidates.

 

Finally, even if we obtain regulatory approval of a product, that approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which it may be marketed.  Even after granting regulatory approval, the FDA and regulatory agencies in other countries continue to review and inspect marketed products, manufacturers and manufacturing facilities, which may create additional regulatory burdens.  Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, manufacturer or facility may result in restrictions on the product or manufacturer, including a withdrawal of the product from the market.  Further, regulatory agencies may establish additional regulations that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our products.

 

We currently depend heavily on the success of ixmyelocel-T, our sole product candidate.  Any failure to commercialize ixmyelocel-T, or significant delays in doing so, will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in the development of ixmyelocel-T.  Our ability to generate future product revenue depends heavily on the successful development and commercialization of ixmyelocel-T.  The successful commercialization of ixmyelocel-T will depend on several factors, including the following:

 

·

obtaining marketing approvals from the FDA and other foreign regulatory authorities;

 

 

·

successful enrollment of patients in our ongoing clinical studies of ixmyelocel-T;

 

 

·

successful completion of our ongoing clinical studies of ixmyelocel-T;

 

 

·

the successful audit of our facilities by additional regulatory authorities;

 

 

·

maintaining the cGMP and cGTP compliance of our manufacturing facility;

 

 

·

maintaining current manufacturing arrangements with third parties and establishing new manufacturing arrangements;

 

 

·

our development of a successful sales and marketing organization for ixmyelocel-T;

 

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·

an acceptable safety and efficacy profile of our product candidates following approval;

 

 

·

the availability of reimbursement to patients from healthcare payors for our drug products, if approved; and

 

 

·

other risks described in these Risk Factors.

 

Any failure to commercialize ixmyelocel-T or significant delays in doing so will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our sole product candidate, ixmyelocel-T, is still in clinical development.  If we do not successfully continue or complete the clinical development of ixmyelocel-T, our likelihood of success as a company and our ability to finance our operations will be substantially harmed.

 

Our near-term prospects substantially depend upon our ability to successfully continue and complete clinical trials of our lead product candidate, ixmyelocel-T and to demonstrate its safety and efficacy, as well as its superiority over existing therapies and standards of care, if any.  We are currently enrolling patients with ischemic DCM for the ixCELL-DCM trial, a Phase 2b clinical trial, and have recently treated the first patients in the trial.  All of our other potential product candidates are in preclinical research or early clinical development.  Our ability to finance our company and to generate revenues will depend heavily on our ability to obtain favorable results in the ongoing and planned clinical trials of ixmyelocel-T, including the ongoing ixCELL-DCM Phase 2b clinical trial, and to successfully develop and commercialize ixmyelocel-T.  Ixmyelocel-T could be unsuccessful if it:

 

·

does not demonstrate acceptable safety and efficacy in clinical trials, or otherwise does not meet applicable regulatory standards for approval;

 

 

·

does not offer sufficient, clinically meaningful therapeutic or other improvements over existing or future drugs used to treat the DCM indications for which it is being tested;

 

 

·

is not capable of being produced in commercial quantities at acceptable costs; or

 

 

·

is not accepted as safe, efficacious, cost-effective, less costly and preferable to current therapies in the medical community and by third-party payors.

 

If we are not successful in developing and commercializing ixmyelocel-T or are significantly delayed in doing so, our financial condition and future prospects may be adversely affected and we may experience difficulties in raising the substantial additional capital required to fund our business.

 

Our product development programs are based on novel technologies and are inherently risky.

 

We are subject to the risks of failure inherent in the development of products based on new technologies.  The novel nature of our therapeutics creates significant challenges in regard to product development and optimization, manufacturing, government regulation, third party reimbursement and market acceptance.  For example, if regulatory agencies have limited experience in approving cellular therapies for commercialization, the development and commercialization pathway for our therapies may be subject to increased uncertainty, as compared to the pathway for new conventional drugs.

 

Any changes in the governmental regulatory classifications of our products could prevent, limit or delay our ability to market or develop our products.

 

The FDA establishes regulatory requirements based on the classification of a product.  Because our product development programs are designed to satisfy the standards applicable to biological licensure for our cellular products, any change in the regulatory classification or designation would affect our ability to obtain FDA approval of our products.  Each of these cell products is, under current regulations, regulated as a biologic, which requires a BLA.

 

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Our inability to complete our product development activities successfully would severely limit our ability to operate or finance operations.

 

In order to commercialize our cell product candidates in the United States, we must complete substantial clinical trials and obtain sufficient safety, purity and potency results to support required registration approval and market acceptance of our cell product candidates.  We may not be able to successfully complete the development of our product candidates, or successfully market our technologies or product candidates.  We, and any of our potential collaborators, may encounter problems and delays relating to research and development, regulatory approval and intellectual property rights of our technologies and product candidates.  Our research and development programs may not be successful, and our cell culture technologies and product candidates may not facilitate the production of cells outside the human body with the expected results.  Our technologies and cell product candidates may not prove to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials, and we may not obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for our technologies or product candidates and the cells produced in such products.  If any of these events occur, we may not have adequate resources to continue operations for the period required to resolve any issues delaying commercialization and we may not be able to raise capital to finance our continued operation during the period required for resolution of any such issues.

 

We must successfully complete our clinical trials to be able to market certain of our products.

 

To be able to market therapeutic cell products in the United States, we must demonstrate, through extensive preclinical studies and clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of our processes and product candidates.  If our clinical trials are not successful, our products may not be marketable.  The results of early stage clinical trials do not ensure success in later clinical trials, and interim results are not necessarily predictive of final results.

 

Our ability to complete our clinical trials in a timely manner depends on many factors, including the rate of patient enrollment.  Patient enrollment can vary with the size of the patient population, the proximity of suitable patients to clinical sites, perceptions of the utility of cell therapy for the treatment of certain diseases, and the eligibility criteria for the study.  For example, patients enrolling in our studies need to provide an adequate amount of bone marrow to process and expand for injection and some patients may not be able to provide sufficient starting material despite our study inclusion and exclusion criteria designed to prevent this.  Bone marrow is an inherently variable starting material.  We have experienced delays in patient accrual in our previous clinical trials.  If we experience future delays in patient enrollment, we could experience increased costs and delays associated with clinical trials, which would impair our product development programs and our ability to market our products.

 

Furthermore, the FDA monitors the progress of clinical trials and it may suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time due to patient safety or other considerations.

 

Our research programs are currently directed at improving product functionality for certain clinical indications, improving product shelf life, and decreasing the cost of manufacturing our products.  These production process changes may alter the functionality of our cells and require various additional levels of experimental and clinical testing and evaluation.  Any such testing could lengthen the time before these products would be commercially available.

 

Even if successful clinical results are reported for a product from a completed clinical trial, this does not mean that the results will be sustained over time, or will be sufficient for a marketable or regulatory approvable product.

 

We may rely on third parties to conduct some of our clinical trials, and their failure to perform their obligations in a timely or competent manner may delay development and commercialization of our product candidates.

 

We may use clinical research organizations (CRO) to assist in conduct of our clinical trials.  There are numerous alternative sources to provide these services.  However, we may face delays outside of our control if these parties do not perform their obligations in a timely or competent fashion or if we are forced to change service providers.  Any third party that we hire to conduct clinical trials may also provide services to our competitors, which could compromise the performance of their obligations to us.  If we experience significant delays in the progress of our clinical trials, the commercial prospects for product candidates could be harmed and our ability to generate product

 

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revenue would be delayed or prevented.  In addition, we and any provider that we retain will be subject to Good Clinical Practice, or GCP requirements.  If GCP and other regulatory requirements are not adhered to by us or our third-party providers, the development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed.

 

Any failure of such CRO to successfully accomplish clinical trial monitoring, data collection, safety monitoring and data management and the other services it provides for us in a timely manner and in compliance with regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on our ability to complete clinical development of our products and obtain regulatory approval.  Problems with the timeliness or quality of the work of a CRO may lead us to seek to terminate the relationship and use an alternate service provider.  However, making such changes may be costly and may delay our trials, and contractual restrictions may make such a change difficult or impossible.  Additionally, it may be difficult to find a replacement organization that can conduct our trials in an acceptable manner and at an acceptable cost.

 

Failure of third parties, including Vention Medical, to manufacture or supply certain components, equipment, disposable devices and other materials used in our cell manufacturing process would impair our cell product development.

 

We rely on third parties, including Vention Medical (Vention), to manufacture and/or supply certain of our devices/manufacturing equipment and to manufacture and/or supply certain components, equipment, disposable devices and other materials used in our cell manufacturing process to develop our cell products.  Vention is our sole supplier of cell cassettes for which it would be difficult to obtain alternate sources of supply on a short-term basis.  If any of our manufacturers or suppliers fails to perform their respective obligations, or if our supply of certain components, equipment, disposable devices and other materials is limited or interrupted, it could impair our ability to manufacture our products, which would delay our ability to conduct our clinical trials or market our product candidates on a timely and cost-competitive basis, if at all.

 

In addition, we may not be able to continue our present arrangements with our suppliers, supplement existing relationships, establish new relationships or be able to identify and obtain the ancillary materials that are necessary to develop our product candidates in the future.  Our dependence upon third parties for the supply and manufacture of these items could adversely affect our ability to develop and deliver commercially feasible products on a timely and competitive basis.

 

Manufacturing of our cell products in centralized facilities may increase the risk that we will not have adequate quantities of our cell products for clinical programs.

 

We are subject to regulatory compliance and quality assurance requirements at our production site in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  This site could be subject to ongoing, periodic, unannounced inspection by regulatory agencies to ensure strict compliance with GMP regulations and other governmental regulations.  We do not have redundant cell manufacturing sites.  In the event our cell production facility is damaged or destroyed or is subject to regulatory restrictions, our clinical trial programs and other business prospects would be adversely affected.

 

Even if we obtain regulatory approvals to sell our products, lack of commercial acceptance could impair our business.

 

We will be seeking to obtain regulatory approvals to market our cell products for tissue repair treatments.  Even if we obtain all required regulatory approvals, we cannot be certain that our products and processes will be accepted in the marketplace at a level that would allow us to operate profitably.  Our products may be unable to achieve commercial acceptance for a number of reasons, such as the availability of alternatives that are less expensive, more effective, or easier to use; the perception of a low cost-benefit ratio for the product amongst physicians and hospitals; or an inadequate level of product support from ourselves or a commercial partner.  Our technologies or product candidates may not be employed in all potential applications being investigated, and any reduction in applications would limit the market acceptance of our technologies and product candidates, and our potential revenues.

 

The market for our products will be heavily dependent on third party reimbursement policies.

 

Our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates will depend on the extent to which government

 

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healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as private health insurers, health maintenance organizations and other third party payers will pay for our products and related treatments.

 

Reimbursement by third party payers depends on a number of factors, including the payer’s determination that use of the product is safe and effective, not experimental or investigational, medically necessary, appropriate for the specific patient and cost-effective.  Reimbursement in the United States or foreign countries may not be available or maintained for any of our product candidates.  If we do not obtain approvals for adequate third party reimbursements, we may not be able to establish or maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investment in product development.  Any limits on reimbursement from third party payers may reduce the demand for, or negatively affect the price of, our products.  For example, in the past, published studies suggested that stem cell transplantation for breast cancer, which constituted a significant portion of the overall stem cell therapy market at the time, may have limited clinical benefit.  The lack of reimbursement for these procedures by insurance payers has negatively affected the market for our products in this indication in the past.

 

Managing and reducing health care costs has been a general concern of federal and state governments in the United States and of foreign governments.  In addition, third party payers are increasingly challenging the price and cost-effectiveness of medical products and services, and many limit reimbursement for newly approved health care products.  In particular, third party payers may limit the indications for which they will reimburse patients who use any products that we may develop.  Cost control initiatives could decrease the price for products that we may develop, which would result in lower product revenues to us.

 

Use of animal-derived materials could harm our product development and commercialization efforts.

 

Some of the manufacturing materials and/or components we use in, and are critical to, implementation of our technology involve the use of animal-derived products, including fetal bovine serum.  Suppliers or regulatory changes may limit or restrict the availability of such materials for clinical and commercial use.  We currently purchase all of our fetal bovine sera from protected herds in Australia and New Zealand.  These sources are considered to be the safest and raise the least amount of concern from the global regulatory agencies.  If, for example, the so-called “mad cow disease” occurs in New Zealand or in Australia, it may lead to a restricted supply of the serum currently required for our product manufacturing processes.  Any restrictions on these materials would impose a potential competitive disadvantage for our products or prevent our ability to manufacture our cell products.  The FDA has issued draft regulations for controls over bovine materials.  These proposed regulations do not appear to affect our ability to purchase the manufacturing materials we currently use.  However, the FDA may issue final regulations that could affect our operations.  Our inability to develop or obtain alternative compounds would harm our product development and commercialization efforts.  There are certain limitations in the supply of certain animal-derived materials, which may lead to delays in our ability to complete clinical trials or eventually to meet the anticipated market demand for our cell products.

 

Given our limited internal manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, we need to develop increased internal capability or collaborative relationships to manufacture, sell, market and distribute our products.

 

We have only limited internal manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities.  As market needs develop, we intend to establish and operate commercial-scale manufacturing facilities, which will need to comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.  We will also need to develop new configurations of our cell manufacturing system for these facilities to enable processes and cost efficiencies associated with large-scale manufacturing.  Establishing these facilities will require significant capital and expertise.  We may need to make such expenditures when there are significant uncertainties as to the market opportunity.  Any delay in establishing, or difficulties in operating, these facilities will limit our ability to meet the anticipated market demand for our cell products.  We intend to get assistance to market some of our future cell products through collaborative relationships with companies with established sales, marketing and distribution capabilities.  Our inability to develop and maintain those relationships would limit our ability to market, sell and distribute our products.  Our inability to enter into successful, long-term relationships could require us to develop alternate arrangements at a time when we need sales, marketing or distribution capabilities to meet existing demand.  We may market one or more of our products through our own sales force.  Our inability to develop and retain a qualified sales force could limit our ability to market, sell and distribute our cell products.

 

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If we do not keep pace with our competitors and with technological and market changes, our products will become obsolete and our business may suffer.

 

The markets for our products are very competitive, subject to rapid technological changes, and vary for different candidates and processes that directly compete with our products.  Our competitors may have developed, or could in the future develop, new technologies that compete with our products or even render our products obsolete.  As an example, in the past, published studies have suggested that hematopoietic stem cell therapy use for bone marrow transplantation, following marrow ablation due to chemotherapy, may have limited clinical benefit in the treatment of breast cancer, which was a significant portion of the overall hematopoietic stem cell transplant market.  This resulted in the practical elimination of this market for our cell-based product for this application.

 

Our cell manufacturing system is designed to improve and automate the processes for producing cells used in therapeutic procedures.  Even if we are able to demonstrate improved or equivalent results, the cost or process of treatment and other factors may cause researchers and practitioners to not use our products and we could suffer a competitive disadvantage.  Finally, to the extent that others develop new technologies that address the targeted application for our products, our business will suffer.

 

The current credit and financial market conditions may exacerbate certain risks affecting our business.

 

We rely upon third parties for certain aspects of our business, including collaboration partners, wholesale distributors, contract clinical trial providers, contract manufacturers and third-party suppliers.  Because of the recent tightening of global credit and the volatility in the financial markets, there may be a delay or disruption in the performance or satisfaction of commitments to us by these third parties, which could adversely affect our business.

 

If we cannot attract and retain key personnel, our business may suffer.

 

Our success depends in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified scientific and management personnel.  We face competition for such personnel from other companies, research and academic institutions and other entities.  Further, in an effort to conserve financial resources, we have implemented reductions in our work force on four previous occasions, most recently in the first quarter of 2013.  As a result of these and other factors, we may not be successful in hiring or retaining key personnel.  Our inability to replace any key employee could harm our operations.

 

Risks Related to Intellectual Property

 

If our patents and proprietary rights do not provide substantial protection, then our business and competitive position will suffer.

 

Our success depends in large part on our ability to develop or license intellectual property rights to protect our proprietary products and technologies.  This involves complex legal, scientific, and factual questions and uncertainties.  We rely upon patent, trade secret, copyright and contract laws to protect proprietary technology and trademark law to protect brand identities.  However, we cannot assure you that any patent applications filed by, assigned to, or licensed to us will be granted, and that the scope of any of our issued or licensed patents will be sufficiently broad to offer meaningful protection.  In addition, our issued patents or patents licensed to us could be successfully challenged, invalidated, held to be unenforceable, or circumvented so that our patent rights would not create an effective competitive barrier.  We also cannot assure you that the inventors of the patents and applications that we own or license were the first to invent or the first to file on the inventions, or that a third party will not claim ownership in one of our patents or patent applications.  We cannot assure you that a third party does not have or will not obtain patents that dominate the patents we own or license now or in the future.  Furthermore, we rely on exclusive, world-wide licenses relating to the production of human cells granted to us by the University of Michigan.  If we materially breach such agreements or otherwise fail to materially comply with such agreements, or if such agreements expire or are otherwise terminated by us, we may lose our rights under the patents held by the University of Michigan.  At the latest, each of these licenses will terminate when the patent underlying the license expires, with the last to expire during the third quarter of 2014.  Once the patents expire, third parties may be able to practice the inventions covered by those patents and thus compete with us.

 

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Patent law relating to the scope of claims in the biotechnology field is evolving and our patent rights in this country and abroad are subject to this uncertainty.

 

We also rely on trade secrets and un-patentable know-how that we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, suppliers and licensees.  These agreements may be breached, and we might not have adequate remedies for any breach.  Our competitors may also independently develop technologies substantially equivalent or superior to ours.  If this were to occur, our business and competitive position would suffer.

 

Intellectual property litigation could harm our business.

 

Our success will also depend in part on our ability to develop commercially viable products without infringing the proprietary rights of others.  Our cell processing system and cell compositions utilize a wide variety of technologies and we can give no assurance that we have identified or can identify all inventions and patents that may be infringed by development and manufacture of our cell compositions.  Although we have not been subject to any filed infringement claims, patents could exist or could be filed which would prohibit or limit our ability to market our products or maintain our competitive position.  In the event of an intellectual property dispute, we may be forced to litigate.  Such litigation is typically protracted and the results are unpredictable.  Intellectual property litigation would divert management’s attention from developing our products and would force us to incur substantial costs regardless of whether we are successful.  An adverse outcome could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties including treble damages and the opposing party’s attorney fees, and force us to pay significant license fees and royalties or cease the development and sale of our products and processes.

 

We have hired and will continue to hire individuals who have experience in cell culture and cell based therapeutics and may have confidential trade secret or proprietary information of third parties.  We caution these individuals not to use or reveal this third-party information, but we cannot assure you that these individuals will not use or reveal this third-party information.  Thus, we could be sued for misappropriation of proprietary information and trade secrets.  Such claims are expensive to defend and could divert our attention and could result in substantial damage awards and injunctions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

We may need to initiate lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or other proprietary rights, which would be expensive and, if unsuccessful, may cause us to lose some of our intellectual property rights.

 

To protect or enforce our patent rights, it may be necessary for us to initiate patent litigation proceedings against third parties, such as infringement suits or interference proceedings.  These lawsuits would be expensive, take significant time and would divert management’s attention from other business concerns.  These lawsuits could put our patents at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable, or interpreted narrowly, and our patent applications at risk of not being issued.  Further, these lawsuits may provoke the defendants to assert claims against us.  The patent position of biotechnology firms is highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions and recently has been the subject of much litigation.  We cannot assure you that we will prevail in any of such suits or proceedings or that the damages or other remedies awarded to us, if any, will be commercially valuable.

 

The government maintains certain rights in technology that we develop using government grant money and we may lose the revenues from such technology if we do not commercialize and utilize the technology pursuant to established government guidelines.

 

Certain of our and our licensors’ research have been or are being funded in part by government grants.  As a result of such funding, the U.S. Government has established guidelines and has certain rights in the technology developed with the grant.  These rights include a non-exclusive, fully paid-up, worldwide license under such inventions for any governmental purpose.  In addition, the U.S. Government has the right to require us to grant an exclusive license under any of such inventions to a third party if the U.S. Government determines that: (i) adequate steps have not been taken to commercialize such inventions; (ii) such action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or (iii) such action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations.  Additionally, under the federal Bayh Dole Act, a party which acquires an exclusive license for an invention that was partially funded by a federal research grant is subject to the following government rights: (i) products using the

 

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invention which are sold in the United States are to be manufactured substantially in the United States, unless a waiver is obtained; (ii) the government may force the granting of a license to a third party who will make and sell the needed product if the licensee does not pursue reasonable commercialization of a needed product using the invention; and (iii) the U.S. Government may use the invention for its own needs.  If we fail to meet these guidelines, we would lose our exclusive rights to these products, and we would lose potential revenue derived from the sale of these products.

 

Potential product liability claims could affect our earnings and financial condition.

 

We face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the manufacture and/or use of our products during clinical trials, or after commercialization, results in adverse events.  As a result, we may incur significant product liability exposure, which could exceed existing insurance coverage.  We may not be able to maintain adequate levels of insurance at reasonable cost and/or reasonable terms.  Excessive insurance costs or uninsured claims would increase our operating loss and adversely affect our financial condition.

 

Risks Related to an Investment in our Common Stock

 

We may be unable to continue as a going concern in which case our securities will have little or no value.

 

We have incurred substantial losses since inception and have a net capital deficiency.  This raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.  In the event we are not able to continue operations you will likely suffer a complete loss of your investment in our securities.

 

Our stock price has been volatile and future sales of substantial numbers of our shares could have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares.

 

The market price of shares of our common stock has been volatile, ranging in closing price between $0.67 and $1.47 during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  The price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, such as:

 

·

clinical trial results;

 

 

·

the amount of our cash resources and our ability to obtain additional funding;

 

 

·

announcements of research activities, business developments, technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors;

 

 

·

entering into or terminating strategic relationships;

 

 

·

regulatory developments in both the United States and abroad;

 

 

·

disputes concerning patents or proprietary rights;

 

 

·

changes in our revenues or expense levels;

 

 

·

public concern regarding the safety, efficacy or other aspects of the products or methodologies we are developing;

 

 

·

news or reports from other stem cell, cell therapy or regenerative medicine companies;

 

 

·

reports by securities analysts;

 

 

·

status of the investment markets;

 

 

·

concerns related to management transitions; and

 

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·      delisting from the NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

Any of these events may cause the price of our shares to fall, which may adversely affect our business and financing opportunities.  In addition, the stock market in general and the market prices for biotechnology companies in particular have experienced significant volatility recently that often has been unrelated to the operating performance or financial conditions of such companies.  These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our stock, regardless of our operating performance or prospects.

 

Our stock may be delisted from NASDAQ, which could affect its market price and liquidity.

 

Currently, our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market.  Continued listing of a security on NASDAQ is conditioned upon compliance with various continued listing standards, which require, among other things, that for 30 consecutive trading days the closing minimum bid price for our listed securities not be lower than $1.00 per share.  Our common stock bid price has fallen below $1.00 per share and our common stock is in jeopardy of being delisted.  On May 9, 2013, we received notice from NASDAQ that we have 180 calendar days, or until November 5, 2013, to meet this threshold to maintain the listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market.  We intend to regain compliance prior to the expiration of the notice periods.  While we are exercising diligent efforts to maintain the listing of our common stock on NASDAQ, there can be no assurance that we will be able to meet this threshold within the required timeframe.  We may receive a second 180 day grace period if certain conditions are met.  Additionally, NASDAQ rules permit us to appeal to a NASDAQ Hearings Panel.

 

If we are unable to maintain or regain compliance in a timely manner and our common stock is delisted, it could be more difficult to buy or sell our common stock and obtain accurate quotations, and the price of our stock could suffer a material decline.  Delisting may also impair our ability to raise capital.  Moreover, if we were delisted we would be subject to rules that impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell our securities.  The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by these requirements could discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our common stock, which could severely limit the market liquidity of the common stock and your ability to sell our securities in the secondary market.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase.

 

Because the public offering price per share of our common stock is higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering.  Based on an assumed public offering price of $0.59 per share, if you purchase shares of common stock in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of approximately $0.74 per share in the net tangible book value of the common stock.  See the section entitled “Dilution” in this prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock in this offering.

 

The sale of our common stock through future equity offerings may cause dilution and could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

We have registered $100,000,000 of securities for public sale pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3 declared effective in July 2011.  In addition, we registered $75,000,000 of securities for public sale pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed in November 2010.  In December 2010, we offered 10,000,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock under such registration statement and pursuant to a prospectus supplement first made available on December 10, 2010.  Additionally, we entered into an ATM on June 16, 2011, which has remaining capacity of approximately $17,300,000 through sales of our common stock from time to time under such registration statement.  However, there are certain factors, such as volume of trading in our stock, our stock price and the ability to terminate the agreement with notice, which limit the amount that can be raised in a short period of time through the ATM.

 

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Sales of our common stock offered through future equity offerings may result in substantial dilution to the interests of other holders of our common stock.  The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock to investors, or anticipation of such sales, could make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at a price that we might otherwise wish to effect sales.

 

Eastern Capital Limited, holds a large percentage of our outstanding capital stock and has significant influence over the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval; and such shareholder’s priorities for our business may be different from other shareholders.

 

Eastern Capital Limited has not entered into a Lock-Up agreement in connection with this offering.  All of the accumulated dividends in Series B-1 non-voting preferred stock and outstanding Series B-2 voting preferred stock, representing a significant amount of our outstanding capital stock on a fully-converted basis, are held by Eastern Capital Limited.  The accumulated dividends in our Series B-1 non-voting preferred stock are exchangeable for shares of Series B-2 voting preferred stock and, in March 2017, are convertible into shares of our common stock.  Based solely on the number of shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock that Eastern Capital held as of March 31, 2013, Eastern Capital has beneficial ownership of approximately twenty-one percent (21%) (calculated on an as converted to common stock basis and excluding any shares that will accrue as a dividend on the shares of Series B-2 Preferred) of our voting securities based on the approximately fifty-eight million shares of common stock and Series B-2 Preferred Stock outstanding as of May 8, 2013.  Furthermore, in connection with the March 2012 financing, we amended our Shareholder Rights Plan described below under “Description of Capital Stock” to allow Eastern Capital to acquire beneficial ownership of up to 49.9% of the Company’s outstanding securities without being deemed an “Acquiring Person” for purposes of our Shareholder Rights Plan.  As a result of their current ownership and their ability to acquire more of our securities, they will be able to significantly influence the outcome of any financing transaction or other matter submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election of directors, any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets or any other significant corporate transaction.  The interests of Eastern Capital may differ from the interests of our other shareholders.  For example, Eastern Capital could delay or prevent a change of control of Aastrom even if such a change of control would benefit Aastrom’s other shareholders.  The significant concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the trading price of Aastrom’s common stock due to our investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise.

 

In addition, the shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock and the shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock which may be issued upon exchange of the shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock have certain rights, preferences and privileges that rank senior to the shares of our common stock.  For example, the shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock and Series B-2 Preferred Stock are entitled to receive a liquidation preference prior to any payment being made to holders of common stock upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or if we experience a change of control.  Furthermore, if the shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock are never exchanged for shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock and/or converted into shares of our common stock, at any time after March 2017, we may be required to redeem the then outstanding shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock and any dividend shares accrued thereon at a price equal to the greater of (A) $3,250 (subject to adjustments for stock splits and similar events) plus all accrued dividends and (B) the then fair market value of a share of common stock multiplied by the number of shares of common stock into which such share of Series B-1 Preferred Stock is then convertible.  Such redemption would be completed in three annual installments beginning not more than 120 days after we receive a request for redemption.  The requirement for us to redeem Eastern Capital’s shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock in cash could diminish our working capital, the consequences of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

 

Our corporate documents and Michigan law contain provisions that may make it more difficult for us to be acquired.

 

Our Board of Directors has the authority, without shareholder approval, to issue additional shares of preferred stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of these shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.  Michigan law contains a provision that makes it more difficult for a 10% shareholder, or its officers, to acquire a company.  This authority, together with certain provisions of our charter documents, may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of our company.  This effect could occur even if our shareholders consider the change in control to

 

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be in their best interest.  We have adopted a shareholder rights plan, the purpose of which is, among other things, to enhance our Board’s ability to protect shareholder interests and to ensure that shareholders receive fair treatment in the event any coercive takeover attempt of our company is made in the future.  The shareholder rights plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, our company or a large block of our company’s common stock.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “projects,” “trends,” “opportunity,” “comfortable,” “current,” “intention,” “position,” “assume,” “potential,” “outlook,” “remain,” “continue,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “believe,” “intend” and similar words or phrases, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this report, and in particular those factors referenced in the section “Risk Factors.”

 

Because the factors referred to in the preceding paragraph could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise.  In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

 

·        potential strategic collaborations with others;

 

·        future capital needs;

 

·        adequacy of existing capital to support operations for a specified time;

 

·        product development and marketing plans;

 

·        features and successes of our cellular therapies;

 

·        manufacturing and facility capabilities;

 

·        clinical trial plans and anticipated results, including the publication thereof;

 

·        anticipation of future losses;

 

·        replacement of manufacturing sources;

 

·        commercialization plans; or

 

·        revenue expectations and operating results.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate the net proceeds from the sale of common stock from this offering will be approximately $23,150,000 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated transaction expenses payable by us of approximately $1,850,000 (or net proceeds of approximately $26,675,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full), in each case assuming a public offering price of $0.59 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on May 8, 2013.

 

Unless otherwise provided in a supplement or amendment to this prospectus, we intend to use any net proceeds from this offering, together with other available funds, for operating costs, including continuing to conduct our clinical development programs, capital expenditures and working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes.

 

We have not specifically identified the precise amounts we will spend on each of these areas or the timing of these expenditures.  The amounts actually expended for each purpose may vary significantly depending upon numerous factors, including the amount and timing of the proceeds from this offering, progress with clinical product development and other cell therapy application programs.  In addition, expenditures may also depend on the establishment of new collaborative arrangements with other companies, the availability of other financing, and other factors.

 

We will be required to raise substantial additional capital to continue to fund the clinical development of our cell therapy applications.  We may raise additional capital through additional public or private financings, as well as collaborative relationships, incurring debt and other available sources.  Please see the discussion of the risks associated with our liquidity in the section “Risk Factors.”

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2013:

 

·                 on an actual basis;

 

·                  on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give further effect to our issuance and sale of $25,000,000 of shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $0.59 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on May 8, 2013, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013

 

 

 

Actual

 

Pro forma

 

 

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,226

 

$

32,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series B-1 non-voting convertible preferred stock, no par value; shares authorized and reserved — 39, shares issued and outstanding — zero, pro forma

 

$

5,186

 

$

5,186

 

Series B-2 voting convertible preferred stock, no par value; shares authorized and reserved — 39, shares issued and outstanding — 12, pro forma

 

37,690

 

37,690

 

Common stock, no par value; shares authorized — 150,000; shares issued and outstanding — 45,664, actual; 150,000 shares authorized, 88,037 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma

 

245,500

 

268,650

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(282,122

)

(282,122

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization

 

$

6,254

 

$

29,404

 

 

The table above does not include:

 

·                 11,087,468 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2013 at a weighted-average exercise price of $2.27 per share;

 

·                 5,574,209 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2013 at exercise prices of $12.72 per share (October 2007-740,131 shares), $2.44 per  share (January 2010-4,525,978 shares) and $1.25 per share (December 2010-308,100 shares), which warrants are exercisable to purchase common stock; and

 

·                 12,308 shares of preferred stock outstanding as of March 31, 2013.

 

Each $0.50 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $0.59 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market on May 8, 2013, would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $19,915,000, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. Each increase of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would increase the as adjusted amount of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $600,000, assuming that the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would decrease the as adjusted amount of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $600,000, assuming that the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

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DILUTION

 

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

 

The net tangible book value of our common stock as of March 31, 2013 was a deficit of $36,572,000, or $(0.80) per share.  Net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less our total tangible liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock before giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of preferred stock into shares of common stock upon the completion of this offering.  The pro forma net tangible book value of our common stock as of March 31, 2013 was a deficit of $13,472,000, or a deficit of $(0.15) per share.

 

Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of common stock in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after the completion of this offering.  After giving effect to our issuance and sale of $25,000,000 of shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $0.59 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market on May 8, 2013, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2013 would have been $(0.15) per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.65 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $0.74 per share to purchasers of common stock in this offering, as illustrated in the following table:

 

Assumed public offering price per share

 

 

 

$

0.59

 

Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2013

 

$

(0.80

)

 

 

Increase per share attributable to new investors

 

$

0.65

 

 

 

Pro forma net tangible book value per share at March 31, 2013 after giving effect to the offering

 

 

 

$

(0.15

)

Dilution per share to new investors

 

 

 

$

0.74

 

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

We and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares of common stock being offered.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.  JMP Securities LLC is the representative of the underwriters.

 

Underwriters

 

Number of Shares

 

JMP Securities LLC

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to each underwriter’s acceptance of the shares of common stock from us and subject to prior sale.  The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of each underwriter to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus is subject to the approval of certain legal matters by its counsel and to certain other conditions.  Each underwriter is obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock if any such shares are taken.  However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares of common stock covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.

 

Over-Allotment Option

 

We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of $3,750,000 additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions.  The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus.

 

Commission and Expenses

 

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common stock to the public at the initial public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $          per share of common stock.  After this offering, the initial public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be changed by the underwriters.  No such change shall change the amount of proceeds to be received by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.  The shares of common stock are offered by the underwriters subject to various conditions as stated herein, including receipt and acceptance by it and its right to reject any order in whole or in part.  The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend to confirm sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters by us in connection with this offering.  Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares.

 

 

 

Per Share of
Common Stock

 

Total Without
Exercise of
Over-Allotment
Option

 

Total With
Exercise of
Over-Allotment
Option

 

Public offering price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We estimate that expenses payable by us in connection with this offering (including the reimbursement of the underwriters’ expenses described in this paragraph), other than the underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $350,000.  We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the underwriters in an amount not to exceed $150,000 in the aggregate.

 

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Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and liabilities arising from breaches of representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

Lock-up Agreements

 

We and our officers and directors have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, for a period of 90 days after the date of the underwriting agreement, not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock either owned as of the date of the underwriting agreement or thereafter acquired without the prior written consent of JMP Securities, LLC.  This 90-day period may be extended if (1) during the last 17 days of the 90-day period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event regarding us occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 90-day period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 90-day period, then the period of such extension will be 18 days, beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.  JMP Securities, LLC may, in its sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the lock-up period, without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriters, or by their affiliates.  Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by any underwriter is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters in their capacity as underwriters, and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

 

In connection with the offering the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

·                                          Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

·                                          Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.

 

·                                          Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of shares of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which it may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure

 

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on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representations that the underwriters will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Listing and Transfer Agent

 

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market and trades under the symbol “ASTM.”  The transfer agent of our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

Other

 

The underwriters and/or their affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking and other financial services for us for which services they have received and, may in the future receive, customary fees. Except for services provided in connection with this offering, the underwriters have not provided any investment banking or other financial services during the 180-day period preceding the date of this prospectus and we do not expect to retain the underwriters to perform any investment banking or other financial services for at least 90 days after the date of this prospectus.

 

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MICHIGAN LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND

BYLAWS

 

We are subject to certain anti-takeover provisions of the MBCA that could delay or make more difficult a merger or tender offer involving Aastrom.  Chapter 7A of the MBCA prevents, in general, an “interested shareholder” (defined generally as a person owning 10% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting shares) from engaging in a “business combination” (as defined therein) with a Michigan corporation unless: (a) the board of directors issues an advisory statement, holders of 90% of the shares of each class of stock entitled to vote approve the transaction, and holders of two-thirds of the “disinterested” shares of each class of stock approve the transaction; or (b) the interested shareholder has been an interested shareholder for at least five years and has not acquired beneficial ownership of any additional shares of the corporation subsequent to the transaction which resulted in such shareholder being classified as an interested shareholder, and meets certain requirements, including provisions relating to the fairness of the price and the form of consideration paid; or (c) the board of directors, by resolution, exempts a particular interested shareholder from these provisions prior to the interested shareholder becoming an interested shareholder. The MBCA also contains certain other provisions that could have anti-takeover effects.

 

Our Charter does not provide shareholders with the right to act without a meeting and does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.  The amendment of any of these provisions would require approval by holders of at least a majority of the shares of our outstanding common stock.

 

These and other provisions of our Charter or Bylaws, as well as our Shareholder Rights Plan described below under “Description of Capital Stock”, could have the effect of deterring certain takeovers or delaying or preventing certain changes in control or management of Aastrom, including transactions in which shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then-current market prices.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

We are offering $25,000,000 of shares of common stock or $28,750,000 of shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full.  The following briefly summarizes the general terms and provisions of our shares of common stock.  You should read the provisions of our articles of incorporation, as amended, bylaws and other relevant instruments and agreements relating to our securities before you make an investment decision with respect to our shares of common stock.

 

The following description of our common stock and certain provisions of our articles of incorporation, as amended, or Charter, and our amended and restated bylaws, or Bylaws, is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our Charter and Bylaws.

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share.  Please see “Certain Provisions of Michigan Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws; Shareholder Rights Plan; Transfer Agent and Registrar” for a description of those provisions in our Charter and Bylaws that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Aastrom and that would operate only with respect to an extraordinary corporate transaction involving us or our subsidiaries.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders.  We do not have a classified board of directors and shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights.  Holders of common stock have no preemptive, redemption or conversion rights and are not subject to future calls or assessments.  No sinking fund provisions apply to our common stock.  All outstanding shares are fully-paid and non-assessable.  In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in assets available for distribution, subject to any prior distribution rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.  Holders of common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any such dividends declared by our Board, out of legally available funds for dividends, subject to any preferences that may be applicable to any shares of preferred stock that may be outstanding at that time.  The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are set forth in our Charter, which may be amended by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock.  We have adopted a shareholder rights plan, which could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, our company or a large block of our common stock.  Please see the description above in “Certain Provisions of Michigan Law and of our Charter and Bylaws; Transfer Agent and Registrar.”

 

Shareholder Rights Plan

 

On August 11, 2011, Aastrom’s Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan, as set forth in the Shareholder Rights Agreement between Aastrom and the rights agent, the purpose of which is, among other things, to enhance the Board’s ability to protect shareholder interests and to ensure that shareholders receive fair treatment in the event any coercive takeover attempt of Aastrom is made in the future.  The Shareholder Rights Plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, Aastrom or a large block of our common stock.  The following summary description of the Shareholder Rights Plan should be read in conjunction with the Shareholder Rights Plan, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A on August 12, 2011 and amended in March 2012 to allow Eastern Capital to acquire beneficial ownership of up to 49.9% of the Company’s outstanding securities without being deemed an “Acquiring Person” for purposes of our Shareholder Rights Plan.

 

In connection with the adoption of the Shareholder Rights Plan, the Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 15, 2011.  In addition, one Right will automatically attach to each share of common stock issued between August 15, 2011 and the distribution date.  The Rights currently are not exercisable and are attached to and trade with the outstanding shares of common stock.  Under the Shareholder Rights Plan, the Rights become exercisable if a person or group becomes an “acquiring person” by acquiring 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock or if a person or group commences a tender offer

 

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that would result in that person owning 15% or more of the common stock.  If a person or group becomes an “acquiring person,” each holder of a Right (other than the acquiring person and its affiliates, associates and transferees) would be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, such number of shares of our preferred stock which are equivalent to shares of common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right.  If Aastrom is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after any such event, each holder of a Right would then be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, shares of the acquiring company’s common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right.

 

The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right (payable in cash, common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors) by the Board of Directors only until the earlier of (i) the time at which any person becomes an “acquiring person” or (ii) the expiration date of the Rights Agreement.  Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Right will terminate and thereafter the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price.  The Rights will expire at the close of business on August 15, 2021, unless previously redeemed or exchanged by Aastrom as described above.

 

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MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK

 

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ASTM.”  Our common stock has, from time to time, traded on a limited, sporadic and volatile basis.  The table below shows the high and low sales prices for our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by NASDAQ.

 

 

 

Price Ranges

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

1.47

 

$

0.67

 

Second Quarter — through May 8, 2013

 

0.81

 

0.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

2.20

 

$

1.78

 

Second Quarter

 

2.64

 

1.94

 

Third Quarter

 

2.18

 

1.57

 

Fourth Quarter

 

1.63

 

1.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

3.25

 

$

2.06

 

Second Quarter

 

3.27

 

2.48

 

Third Quarter

 

2.89

 

2.01

 

Fourth Quarter

 

2.75

 

1.79

 

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters, including the legality of the securities offered, will be passed upon for us by Dykema Gossett PLLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan, acting as special counsel to the Company.  In connection with the offering, other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Goodwin Procter, LLP. Morrison & Foerster LLP will pass on certain legal matters for the underwriters.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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GLOSSARY

 

TERM

 

DEFINITION

Adverse Event

 

Any adverse change in health or “side-effect” that occurs in a person participating in a clinical trial, from the time they consent to joining the trial until a pre-specified period of time after their treatment has been completed.

Autologous (Patient Specific)

 

Originating from the patient receiving treatment. (Aastrom uses only autologous cells)

BLA — Biologics License Application

 

An application containing product safety, efficacy and manufacturing information required by the FDA to market biologics products in the U.S.

CLI — Critical Limb Ischemia

 

A vascular disease characterized by insufficient blood flow in the lower extremities that causes severe pain, tissue loss or both.

Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control

 

The composition, manufacture, and control of the drug substance and the drug product. It is information on the identification, quality, purity, and strength of the investigational product.

Controlled Clinical Trial

 

A clinical study that compares patients receiving a specific treatment to patients receiving an alternate treatment for the condition of interest. The alternate treatment may be another active treatment, standard of care for the condition and/or a placebo (inactive) treatment.

DCM — Dilated Cardiomyopathy

 

A chronic cardiac disease where expansion of the patient’s heart reduces the pumping function to a point that the normal circulation of blood cannot be maintained.

Double-Blind Clinical Trial

 

Clinical trials in which neither the patient nor the physician know if the patient received the experimental treatment or a control/placebo.

FDA — Food & Drug Administration

 

The U.S. FDA ensures that medicines, medical devices, and radiation-emitting consumer products are safe and effective. Authorized by Congress to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and several other public health laws, the agency monitors the manufacture, import, transport, storage, and sale of $1 trillion worth of goods annually.

GMP — Good Manufacturing Practice

 

GMP regulations require that manufacturers, processors, and packagers of drugs, medical devices, some food, and blood take proactive steps to ensure that their products are safe, pure, and effective. GMP regulations require a quality approach to manufacturing, enabling companies to minimize or eliminate instances of contamination, mix-ups, and errors.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

 

Stem cells that give rise to all the blood cell types including myeloid (monocytes and macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, erythrocytes, megakaryocytes/platelets, dendritic cells), and lymphoid lineages (T-cells, B-cells, NK-cells).

IMPACT-DCM

 

Aastrom’s U.S. Phase 2 dilated cardiomyopathy clinical trial.

IND — Investigational New Drug

 

An application submitted to the FDA for a new drug or biologic that, if allowed, will be used in a clinical trial.

Ischemia

 

A shortage or inadequate flow of blood to a body part (commonly an organ or tissue) caused by a constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels supplying it.

LVEF — Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

 

The fraction of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heart beat.

Mesenchymal stromal cells

 

Connective tissue cells that, in the case of bone marrow derived MSC, function to support blood forming cells and secrete anti-inflammatory factors.

 

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TERM

 

DEFINITION

M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages

 

Specialized blood cells that remove damaged tissue and bacteria and secrete anti-inflammatory factors.

Open-label Clinical Trial

 

A trial in which both the treating physician and the patient know whether they are receiving the experimental treatment or control/placebo treatment.

 

 

 

Orphan Drug Designation

 

“Orphan drug” refers to a drug or biologic that is intended for use in the treatment of a rare disease or condition. Orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) qualifies the sponsor to receive certain benefits from the Government in exchange for developing the drug for a rare disease or condition. The drug must then go through the FDA marketing approval process like any other drug or biologic which evaluates for safety and efficacy. Usually a sponsor receives a quicker review time and lower application fees for an orphan product.

Phase 1 Clinical Trial

 

A Phase 1 trial represents an initial study in a small group of patients to test for safety and other relevant factors.

Phase 2 Clinical Trial

 

A Phase 2 trial represents a study in a moderate number of patients to assess the safety and efficacy of a product.

Phase 2b Clinical Trial

 

A Phase 2b trial is a moderately-sized Phase 2 trial that is more specifically designed assess the efficacy of a product than a Phase 2a trial.

Phase 3 Clinical Trial

 

Phase 3 studies are initiated to establish safety and efficacy in an expanded patient population at multiple clinical trial sites and are generally larger than trials in earlier phases of development.

Prospective Clinical Trial

 

A clinical trial in which participants are identified and then followed throughout the study going forward in time.

Randomized Clinical Trial

 

A clinical trial in which the participants are assigned randomly to different treatment groups.

Somatic Cell

 

Any of the cells responsible for forming the body of an organism such as internal organs, bones, skin, connective tissues and blood.

Stem Cell

 

Unspecialized (undifferentiated) cells that retain the ability to divide throughout a lifetime and give rise to more specialized (differentiated) cells which take the place of cells that die or are lost. In culture, these undifferentiated cells possess the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and may give rise to highly specialized cells.

 

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$25,000,000

 

Common Stock

 

Prospectus

 

                , 2013.

 

JMP Securities

 



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Part II—INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

The expenses payable by Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (the “Registrant” or the “Company”) in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered (other than underwriting discounts and commissions, if any) are set forth below.  Each item listed is estimated, except for the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registration fee.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

 

$

3,922

 

FINRA filing fee

 

 

4,250

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

300,000

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

27,000

 

Printing fees and expenses

 

7,000

 

Transfer agent and registrar fees

 

5,000

 

Miscellaneous

 

2,828

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

350,000

 

 


*           Estimated expenses not presently known

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Sections 1561 through 1571 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act (the “MBCA”) authorize a corporation to grant or a court to award, indemnity to directors, officers, employees and agents in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act of 1933”).

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) provide that the Company shall, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the MBCA, or other applicable law, indemnify a director or officer who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, against expenses, including actual and reasonable attorneys’ fees, and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with the action or suit, if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company or its shareholders. This section also authorizes the Company to advance expenses incurred by any agent of the Company in defending any proceeding prior to the final disposition of such proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay such amount unless it shall be determined ultimately that the agent is entitled to be indemnified.

 

The Bylaws also authorize the Company to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the MBCA.

 

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with certain individuals which contain provisions that may in some respects be broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained under applicable law.  The indemnification agreement may require the Company, among other things, to indemnify such directors, officers and key personnel against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors, officers or employees of the Company, to advance the expenses incurred by such parties as a result of any threatened claims or proceedings brought against them as to which they could be indemnified, and to the maximum extent that insurance coverage of such directors, officers and key employees under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies is maintained.

 

Section 1209 of the MBCA permits a Michigan corporation to include in its articles of incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting a director’s liability to a corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breaches of

 

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fiduciary duty.  The enabling statute provides, however, that liability for breaches of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of the law, or the receipt of improper personal benefits cannot be eliminated or limited in this manner.  The Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation (as amended, the “Charter”) includes a provision which eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by the MBCA, director liability for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

The following is a summary of all securities that we have sold within the past three years without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

On March 9, 2012, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Eastern Capital Limited, a Cayman exempted company (“ECL”), to sell 12,308 shares of Series B-1 Non-Voting Preferred Stock in a private placement to ECL, an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D) under the Securities Act, at a price of $3,250.00 per share.  The Series B-1 Shares were exchanged on a one-for-one basis for shares of the Series B-2 Voting Preferred Stock of the Company.  The sales of the shares of Series B preferred stock were made only to a select number of accredited investors in reliance upon the exemptions from registration afforded by Rule 506 of Regulation D as promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and/or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

 

On June 27, 2012, the Company entered into separate warrant exchange agreements with each of certain holders of the Company’s outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock, issued in connection with the Company’s December 2010 public offering, with an exercise price of $3.22 and an expiration date of December 15, 2015.  Pursuant to such warrant exchange agreements, on June 27, 2012, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,833,334 shares of Common Stock to Great Point Partners and its affiliated investment funds, Heights Capital Management and its affiliated investment funds, Deerfield Capital and its affiliated investment funds, and Millenium Management and its affiliated investment funds in exchange for the surrender of an aggregate of 7,666,666 warrants.

 

On July 30, 2012, the Company announced the results of its previously announced offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) any warrant to purchase shares of common stock, no par value per share, of the Company issued in connection with the Company’s December 2010 public offering, that was tendered and accepted, for shares of the Company’s common stock.  Such Exchange Offer was made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company’s offer to exchange, dated June 28, 2012, and in the related Exchange Offer materials filed as exhibits to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2012, as amended.  The Exchange Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on Friday, July 27, 2012.

 

The issuance of shares of Common Stock in the warrant exchanges was made pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.  No proceeds were received and no commissions were paid by the Company in connection with the Exchange Offer.

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules

 

(a)         Exhibits

 

A list of exhibits filed with this registration statement on Form S-1 is set forth on the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b)         Financial Statement Schedules

 

All schedules have been omitted because either they are not required, are not applicable or the information is otherwise set forth in the financial statements and related notes thereto.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(a)         For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the information omitted from a form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(b)         For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Ann Arbor, state of Michigan on May 13, 2013.

 

 

 

AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Dominick C. Colangelo

 

 

Dominick C. Colangelo

 

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dominick C. Colangelo

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

May 13, 2013

Dominick C. Colangelo

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Brian D. Gibson

 

Vice President of Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

 

May 13, 2013

Brian D. Gibson

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

May 13, 2013

Robert L. Zerbe, M.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

May 13, 2013

Ronald M. Creswell, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

May 13, 2013

Alan L. Rubino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

May 13, 2013

Nelson M. Sims

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*/s/ Dominick C. Colangelo

 

 

 

May 13, 2013

Dominick C. Colangelo, Attorney-in-fact

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

1.1 ##

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

 

 

 

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference (File No. 000-22025).

 

 

 

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated February 9, 2010, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 filed on March 31, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference (File No. 333-160044).

 

 

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated March 22, 2011, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 25, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference (File No. 000-22025).

 

 

 

3.4

 

Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights, of the Company classifying and designating the Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-A filed on August 12, 2011, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

3.5

 

Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights, of the Company classifying and designating the Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and the Series B-2 Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2012, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

3.6

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Specimen Common Stock Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on December 20, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

4.2

 

Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of August 11, 2011, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, attached as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-A filed on August 12, 2011, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

4.3

 

Amendment to Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2012, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2012, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

5.1 ##

 

Opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC.

 

 

 

10.1 #

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-15415), filed on November 1, 1996, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.2 #

 

Amended and Restated 1992 Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan and forms of agreements thereunder, attached as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-15415), filed on November 1, 1996, incorporated herein by reference.

 



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10.3 #

 

Form of Employment Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-15415), filed on November 1, 1996, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.4

 

License Agreement, dated March 13, 1992, between the Company and the University of Michigan and amendments thereto dated March 13, 1992, October 8, 1993 and June 21, 1995, attached as Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-15415), filed on November 1, 1996, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.5 #

 

2001 Stock Option Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.72 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2002, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.6 #

 

2004 Equity Incentive Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.82 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.7 #

 

Form of Option and Restricted Stock Award Agreements for Grants under 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.84 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.8

 

Amendment dated December 5, 2002 to License Agreement with the University of Michigan, attached as Exhibit 10.87 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.9 #

 

2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 8, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.10 #

 

Forms of Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement for Grants under 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, attached as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 8, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.11

 

Form of Purchase Agreement, attached as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2007, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.12

 

Form of Warrant, attached as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2007, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.13

 

Lease agreement between Domino’s Farms Office Park, LLC and the Company, as amended., attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2013, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.14 #

 

2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, attached as Appendix II to the Company’s Proxy Statement filed on October 9, 2009, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.15

 

Class A Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2010, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2010).

 

 

 

10.16

 

Class B Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2010, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2010).

 

 

 

10.17

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2010, and between the Company and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed

 



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on January 15, 2010).

 

 

 

10.18 #

 

Form of indemnification agreement entered into between the Company and each of its directors, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.19

 

Amended Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, attached as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.20*

 

Contract Manufacturing and Supply Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2010, by and between Vention Medical (formerly ATEK Medical, LLC) and the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012).

 

 

 

10.21

 

Warrant agreement, dated as of December 15, 2010, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2010).

 

 

 

10.22

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2010, and between the Company and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Needham & Company, LLC and Roth Capital Partners (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2010).

 

 

 

10.23#

 

Amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, dated March 21, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 25, 2011).

 

 

 

10.24#

 

Employment Agreement with Ronnda L. Bartel, PhD, dated March 22, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 25, 2011).

 

 

 

10.25#

 

Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 25, 2011).

 

 

 

10.26

 

At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated June 16, 2011, by and among the Company and McNicoll, Lewis & Vlak LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2011).

 

 

 

10.27

 

Master Services Agreement by and between the Company and PPD, made and entered into as of September 23, 2011 (the “Master Services Agreement”) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012).

 

 

 

10.28

 

Project Addendum to the Master Services Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 22, 2011).

 

 

 

10.29

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 9, 2012, between the Company and Eastern Capital Limited, attached as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2012, incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

10.30

 

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2012, by and between the Company and Eastern Capital Limited (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2012).

 

 

 

10.31#

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2013, by and between the Company and Daniel R. Orlando (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on

 



Table of Contents

 

 

 

April 9, 2013).

 

 

 

10.32#

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2012, by and between the Company and Brian Gibson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2012).

 

 

 

10.33#

 

Amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, dated May 3, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 7, 2012).

 

 

 

10.34

 

Form of Warrant Exchange Agreement, dated June 27, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 27, 2012).

 

 

 

10.35#

 

Executive Resignation Agreement, executed on December 12, 2012 and effective December 14, 2012, by and between the Company and Tim M. Mayleben (incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012).

 

 

 

10.36#

 

Executive Employment Agreement, executed March 4, 2013 and effective March 1, 2013, by and between the Company and Dominick C. Colangelo (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 9, 2013).

 

 

 

23.1##

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 

 

 

23.2##

 

Consent of Dykema Gossett PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).

 

 

 

24.1*

 

Power of Attorney (included in signature pages to this Registration Statement).

 


#                                                                          Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement covering executive officers or directors of Aastrom.

 

##                                                                     Filed herewith.

 

*                                                                            Previously filed.

 


Exhibit 1.1

 

[·] Shares
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
Common Stock
(no par value)
Underwriting Agreement
dated [
·], 2013

 

[·], 2013

 

JMP SECURITIES LLC
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, California 94111

 

As Representative of the several Underwriters listed on Schedule A hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule A attached hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of [·] shares of its Common Stock, no par value per share (the “Common Stock”), including rights to purchase shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company, which are attached to all shares of Common Stock (collectively, the “Firm Offered Shares”), in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Underwriting Agreement (the “Agreement”).  In addition, the Company has granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional [·] shares of Common Stock, including rights to purchase shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company, which are attached to all shares of Common Stock (collectively, the “Optional Offered Shares”), as provided in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Offered Shares and, if and to the extent such option is exercised, the Optional Offered Shares are collectively called the “Offered Shares.” JMP Securities LLC (“JMP”) has agreed to act as representative of the several Underwriters (in such capacity, the “Representative”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares.

 

The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-188186), which contains a form of prospectus to be used in connection with the public offering and sale of the Offered Shares.  Such registration statement, as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto, in the form in which it was declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), including any information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A (“Rule 430A Information”) or Rule 430C under the Securities Act (“Rule 430C Information”), is called the “Registration Statement.”  Any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act is called the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,” and from and after the date and time of filing of any such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the term “Registration Statement” shall include such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.  As used herein, the term “Preliminary Prospectus” means any preliminary prospectus relating to the Offered Shares included in the Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, including any preliminary prospectus supplement thereto relating to the Offered Shares, and the term “Prospectus” means the final prospectus relating to the Offered Shares, including any prospectus supplement relating to the Offered Shares, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.  Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-1 under the Securities Act, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be and any reference to “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after such date under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”) that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

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At or prior to [·] [am][/][pm] New York City time on [·], 2013 (the “Time of Sale”), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated [·], 2013, each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Schedule B hereto and the pricing information set forth on Schedule C.

 

Section 1.                                          Representations and Warranties of the Company.

 

The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Underwriters as follows:

 

(a)                                 Preliminary Prospectus. No stop order preventing the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued, and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission. Each Preliminary Prospectus included in the General Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Underwriters furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriters expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters consist of the information described as such in Section 8(c) hereof.

 

(b)                                 General Disclosure Package. The General Disclosure Package at the Time of Sale, and as of the First Closing Date (as hereafter defined) or the Second Closing Date (as hereafter defined), as the case may be, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Underwriters furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriters expressly for use in such General Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters consist of the information described as such in Section 8(c) hereof.

 

(c)                                  Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied, to the Commission’s satisfaction, with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information. No other document with respect to the Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued, and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission. The Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, as of each effective date, complied and will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements and provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date and as of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Underwriters furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriters expressly for use in such Registration Statement, Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, and Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters consist of the information described as such in Section 8(c) hereof.

 

(d)                                 Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not made, used, prepared, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Offered Shares (each such communication by the

 

2



 

Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clause (i) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Schedule B hereto and other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Representative.  Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and, when taken together with the General Disclosure Package, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and at the First Closing Date and as of the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(c) hereof.  Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Offered Shares or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative as described in Section 3(e) hereof, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any Preliminary Prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus satisfied, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the Prospectus Delivery Period, all other conditions to use thereof as set forth in Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act.

 

(e)                                  Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and in the Prospectus, when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and were filed on a timely basis with the Commission, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package or in the Prospectus, when such documents are filed with the Commission, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act, and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(f)                                   Organization and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan, with full corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as currently being conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, operations, assets, financial condition, members’ or stockholders’ equity (as applicable) or results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (as defined herein) taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”). Complete and correct copies of the charter and bylaws of the Company and all amendments thereto have been delivered to the Underwriters, and no changes therein will be made on or after the date hereof through and including the the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, as the case may be.

 

(g)                                  Subsidiaries. The Company has no subsidiaries (as defined under the Securities Act) other than the subsidiaries set forth in Exhibit 21 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (collectively, the “Subsidiaries”). The Company owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries. Other than the capital stock of the Subsidiaries, and other than with respect to its cash equivalents, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any shares of stock or any other equity interests or long-term debt securities of any corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity. Complete and correct copies of the charters and bylaws of each Subsidiary and all amendments thereto have been delivered to the Underwriters, and no changes therein will be made on or after the date hereof through and including the First

 

3



 

Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, as the case may be. Each Subsidiary has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where failure to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws, were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right and are owned by the Company subject to no security interest, other encumbrance or adverse claims. No options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue or other rights to convert any obligation into shares of capital stock or ownership interests in the Subsidiaries are outstanding. The Company has no “significant subsidiary,” as that term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Act.

 

(h)                                 Capitalization and other Capital Stock Matters. The Company has the authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, were not issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or purchase securities and conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Except as have been waived with respect to the Offered Shares or are otherwise described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s charter, bylaws or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor the offering or sale of the Offered Shares as contemplated by this Agreement gives rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company that have not been fully complied with or previously waived. Except as described or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no options, warrants, agreements, contracts or other rights in existence to purchase or acquire from the Company any shares of the capital stock of the Company (other than as a result of the grant of stock options under the Company’s existing equity incentive plans). The description of the Company’s stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

 

(i)                                     Offered Shares. The Offered Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights and of any restriction upon the voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the Michigan General Corporation Act or the Company’s charter or bylaws or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party. The Offered Shares will conform in all material respects to the description of the Offered Shares contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(j)                                    No Conflicts. The issuance and sale of the Offered Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant hereto, the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under), or result in the creation or imposition of a lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, lease, license, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the

 

4



 

Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, except for such breaches or violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of (a) the provisions of the charter or bylaws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator, governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties or (c) any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Capital Market), except in the case of (b) or (c) above, for such violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(k)                                 No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, qualification, permit, license, exemption, filing or notice (each, an “Authorization”) of, from, with or to any court, government, governmental or regulatory authority, self-regulatory organization or body (each, a “Regulatory Body”) is required for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares by the Company, except (i) the registration of the Offered Shares under the Securities Act; (ii) such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”); (iii) as may be required under the Exchange Act or state securities or Blue Sky laws or any securities laws of jurisdictions outside of the United States in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Offered Shares by the Underwriters; and (iv) such other Authorizations the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and no event has occurred that allows or results in, or after notice or lapse of time or both would allow or result in, revocation, suspension, termination or invalidation of any such Authorization or any other impairment of the rights of the holder or maker of any such Authorization.

 

(l)                                     Due Authorization. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid, legal and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity hereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws and except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity.

 

(m)                             Corporate Power. The Company has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the authorization, issuance and sale of the Offered Shares as contemplated by this Agreement. All corporate actions (including those of stockholders) necessary for the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement have been obtained and are in effect. Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no approval of the Company (including the approval of its stockholders) is required under the rules and regulations of any trading market for the Company to issue and deliver to the Underwriters the Offered Shares.

 

(n)                                 Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or violation of or in default under (nor has any event occurred which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) (i) its charter, bylaws or certificate of designation or other organizational documents; (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, lease, license, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or affected; (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; (iv) any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Capital Market); or (v) any decree, judgment or order applicable to it or any of its properties, except for such defaults specified under subparagraphs (ii) through (v) herein that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(o)                                 No Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree,

 

5



 

except for such loss or interference as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than issuances of shares of capital stock pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants) or short-term or long-term debt, or any issuance of options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights to purchase capital stock (other than issuances of options under the Company’s existing stock option plans), of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, entered into any material transactions, or declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock.

 

(p)                                 Title to Properties. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property (other than Intellectual Property) that are material to their business described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except (i) such as are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (ii) such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries. Any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(q)                                 Licenses and Permits. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries holds, and is operating in compliance with, all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, consents, certificates and orders (each, a “Permit”) of any Regulatory Body necessary for the conduct of its business, including, without limitation, all such certificates, authorizations and permits required by the FDA (as defined below) or any other state, federal or foreign agencies or bodies engaged in the regulation of pharmaceuticals or biohazardous materials; all such Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where the failure to hold or comply with any such Permits would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation, suspension or modification of any such Permit or has reason to believe that any such Permit will not be renewed in the ordinary course of business.

 

(r)                                    Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns, possesses or can acquire on reasonable terms all Intellectual Property (as defined below) necessary for the conduct of its business as now conducted or as proposed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus to be conducted. Except as set forth in Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no material infringement, misappropriation or violation by third parties of any such Intellectual Property; (ii) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ rights in or to any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (iii) the Intellectual Property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts that would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (iv) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property or other proprietary rights of others, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of such claim and the Company is unaware of any other fact which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (v) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not been advised of and have not received a written notice of breach of any of their agreements with the University of Michigan, or ATEK Medical, LLC or Vention Medical, (vi) all patent applications owned by or licensed to the Company and its Subsidiaries (including all applications pursuant to which patents have been issued) have, to the knowledge of the Company and its Subsidiaries, been duly and properly filed, and to the knowledge of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the parties prosecuting such applications have complied

 

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with their duty of candor and disclosure to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) in connection with such applications, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are not aware of any facts required to be disclosed to the USPTO that were not disclosed to the USPTO and which would preclude the grant of a patent in connection with any such application or could form the basis of a finding of invalidity with respect to any patents that have issued with respect to such applications; and (vii) to the Company’s knowledge, no employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of any employment contract, patent disclosure agreement, invention assignment agreement, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement or any restrictive covenant to or with a former employer where the basis of such violation relates to such employee’s employment with the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or actions undertaken by the employee while employed with the Company or such Subsidiary, except as such violation would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. “Intellectual Property” shall mean all patents, patent applications, trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other intellectual property.

 

(s)                                   FDA Compliance. The Company has operated and currently is in compliance with the United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, all applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and other federal, state, local and foreign governmental bodies exercising comparable authority, except where the failure to so operate or be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The clinical studies conducted by or on behalf of the Company that are described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus were, and, if still pending, are being, conducted in accordance with the protocols submitted to the FDA and all applicable laws and regulations; preclinical studies conducted by or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries that are described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus were, and, if still pending, are being, conducted in accordance with experimental protocols, procedures and controls; the descriptions of the tests and preclinical and clinical studies, and results thereof, conducted by or on behalf of the Company contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are accurate and complete in all material respects; and the Company is not aware of any other trials or studies, the results of which call into question the results described or referred to in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and the Company has not received any notice or correspondence from the FDA or any foreign, state or local governmental body exercising comparable authority requiring the termination, suspension, or clinical hold of any preclinical or clinical studies with respect to product candidates currently under development, or such notice or correspondence from any Institutional Review Board or comparable authority requiring the termination or suspension of a clinical study, conducted by or on behalf of the Company, which termination, suspension, or clinical hold would have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or their respective business operations, is in violation of any Health Care Laws, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “Health Care Laws” means (i) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, and the regulations promulgated thereunder and comparable state privacy and security laws, (ii) the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.) and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; (iii) the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (Pub. L. No. 100-578) and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; (iv) quality, safety and accreditation standards and requirements of all applicable state laws or regulatory bodies; and (v) any and all other applicable health care laws, regulations, manual provisions, policies and administrative guidance, each of (i) through (v) as may be amended from time to time. The Company has not received written notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any governmental authority alleging that any product, operation or activity is in material violation of any applicable Health Care Law or Permit and has no knowledge that any such governmental authority is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; and the Company has not received notice, either verbally or in writing, that any governmental authority has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any material Permits and has no knowledge that any such governmental authority is considering such action.

 

(t)                                    Compliance with Environmental Laws. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, decisions and orders relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (ii) has received and is in material compliance with all Permits required of it under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its business; and (iii) has not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of

 

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hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except in any such case for any such failure to comply, failure to receive required Permits or liability as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(u)                                 Compliance with Occupational Laws. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is in compliance, in all material respects, with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, treaties, statutes and codes promulgated by any and all governmental authorities (including pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act) relating to the protection of human health and safety in the workplace (“Occupational Laws”); (ii) has received all material Permits required of it under applicable Occupational Laws to conduct its business as currently conducted; and (iii) is in compliance, in all material respects, with all terms and conditions of such Permit. No action, proceeding, revocation proceeding, writ, injunction or claim is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to Occupational Laws, and the Company does not have knowledge of any facts, circumstances or developments relating to its operations or cost accounting practices that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for or give rise to such actions, suits, investigations or proceedings.

 

(v)                                 ERISA Compliance. Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its affiliates for employees or former employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to, ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). No prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; and for each such plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no “accumulated funding deficiency” as defined in Section 412 of the Code has been incurred, whether or not waived, and the fair market value of the assets of each such plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid contributions) exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such plan determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions.

 

(w)                               Labor Matters. Except for matters which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there is (A) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, (B) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage, pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and (C) no union representation dispute currently existing concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

(x)                                 Restrictions Upon Business. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted rights to develop, manufacture, produce, assemble, distribute, license, market or sell its products or any product candidates to any other person, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is bound by any agreement that affects the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ exclusive right to develop, manufacture, produce, assemble, distribute, license, market or sell its products or any product candidates.

 

(y)                                 Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

 

(z)                                  Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries carries, or is covered by, insurance issued by insurers of nationally recognized financial responsibility in such amounts and covering such risks as is reasonably adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance; or (ii) received notice from any insurer or agent that it will not be

 

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able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business. All such insurance is outstanding and duly in force on the date hereof.

 

(aa)                          Tax Law Compliance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed all federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise tax returns required to be filed and are not in default in the payment of any taxes which were payable pursuant to said returns or any assessments with respect thereto, other than any that the Company or such Subsidiary is contesting in good faith, except for such taxes and assessments which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending dispute with any taxing authority relating to any of such returns, and the Company has no knowledge of any proposed liability for any tax to be imposed upon the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for which there is not an adequate reserve reflected in the Company’s financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(bb)                          No Proceedings. Other than as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others. There are no current or pending legal, governmental or regulatory actions, suits or proceedings that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus that have not been so described.

 

(cc)                            Descriptions of Documents. The descriptions in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of legal or governmental proceedings, statutes, regulations, contracts, leases and other legal documents are accurate and present fairly the information required to be shown, and there are no legal or governmental proceedings, statutes, regulations, contracts, leases, or other documents of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required; all agreements between the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and third parties expressly referenced in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or one or more of the Subsidiaries, enforceable against the Company or such Subsidiary in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general principles of equity.

 

(dd)                          Company Not an “Investment Company”. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Offered Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof, will not be an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

 

(ee)                            Status under the Securities Act. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Offered Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

(ff)                              Distribution of Offering Materials. The Company has not distributed and will not distribute any prospectus or other offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares other than the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or other materials permitted by the Securities Act to be distributed by the Company; provided, however, that, except as set forth on Schedule B, the Company has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Offered Shares that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, except in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(g) of this Agreement.

 

(gg)                            Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Stock of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “ASTM.” The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common

 

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Stock under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market nor, except as disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2013, has the Company received any notice that it is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The Company has taken all reasonable actions necessary to address any notice received from the NASDAQ Capital Market in a timely manner and in compliance with such notice of the NASDAQ Capital Market, and believes that it is, and except as disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2013, has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in material compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no affiliations among the Company’s directors and officers and members of FINRA. A registration statement relating to the Common Stock on Form 8-A or other applicable form under the Exchange Act has become effective.

 

(hh)                          Independent Accountants. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries filed as a part of the Registration Statement and included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is (i) an independent public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act; (ii) a registered public accounting firm (as defined in Section 2(a)(12) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); and (iii) in the performance of its work for the Company, not in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

(ii)                                  Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including all notes and schedules thereto) set forth or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the periods specified in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), consistently applied throughout the periods involved, and in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission; and the summary and selected financial data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein as at the respective dates and for the respective periods specified and have been compiled on a basis consistent with and are derived from the consolidated financial statements set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and other accounting records of the Company. There are no other schedules or financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and the Company does not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. All non-GAAP financial information included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus complies with the requirements of Regulation G and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

(jj)                                Accounting Controls. The Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and has been designed by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective. The Company’s board of directors has, subject to the exceptions, cure periods and the phase in periods specified in the applicable stock exchange rules (“Exchange Rules”), validly appointed an audit committee to oversee internal accounting controls whose composition satisfies the applicable requirements of the Exchange Rules and the Company’s board of directors and/or the audit committee has adopted a charter that satisfies the requirements of the Exchange Rules.

 

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(kk)                          No Significant Deficiencies or Material Weaknesses. Neither the Company’s board of directors nor the audit committee has been informed, nor is any director of the Company or the Company aware, of (i) any “significant deficiencies” or “material weaknesses” (each as defined by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) in the design or operation of the Company’s internal controls that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of the Company who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls.

 

(ll)                                  No Change in Accounting Controls. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (other than as set forth in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus).

 

(mm)                  Disclosure Controls. The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act, such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective. The Company has utilized such controls and procedures in preparing and evaluating the disclosures in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(nn)                          Related Party Transactions. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company, on the one hand, and the directors or officers or, to the knowledge of the Company, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company, on the other hand, which is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and which is not so described. There are no outstanding loans, advances or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the executive officers or directors of the Company in violation of applicable laws, including Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(oo)                          No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer, director, manager or trustee purporting to act on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has at any time (i) made any contributions to any candidate for political office, or failed to disclose fully any such contributions, in violation of law, (ii) made any payment to any state, federal or foreign governmental officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public duties, other than payments required or allowed by applicable law, (iii) made any payment outside the ordinary course of business to any investment officer or loan broker or person charged with similar duties of any entity to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries sells or from which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries buys loans or servicing arrangements for the purpose of influencing such agent, officer, broker or person to buy loans or servicing arrangements from or sell loans to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in violation of law, or (iv) engaged in any transactions, maintained any bank account or used any corporate funds except for transactions, bank accounts and funds that have been and are reflected in the normally maintained books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

 

(pp)                          Compliance with FCPA. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (“FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, its Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

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(qq)                          No Broker’s Fees. Except as contemplated by this Agreement and as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no person is entitled to receive from the Company a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.

 

(rr)                                No Stabilization. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which has constituted, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares, and has not effected any sales of Common Stock which are required to be disclosed in response to Item 701 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act which have not been so disclosed in the Registration Statement.

 

(ss)                              FINRA. All of the information provided to the Underwriters or to counsel for the Underwriters by the Company, its officers and directors and, to the Company’s knowledge, the holders of any securities (debt or equity) or options to acquire any securities of the Company in connection with letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 or 5121, is true, complete and correct. Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its affiliates (within the meaning of the FINRA Rule 5121(f)(1)) directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, or is an associated person (within the meaning of Article I Section 1(ff) of the By-laws of FINRA) of, any member of FINRA. To the Company’s knowledge, there are no affiliations with FINRA among the Company’s officers or directors.

 

(tt)                                Compliance with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or threatened.

 

(uu)                          Compliance with OFAC. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or controlled affiliates nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

(vv)                          Business with Cuba. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or controlled affiliates does business with the government of Cuba or with any person located in Cuba within the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes.

 

(ww)                      No Unlawful Payment or Receipt of Funds. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee or agent of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, has made any payment of funds of the Company or of any Subsidiary or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation or of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(xx)                          Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Offered Shares nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

 

(yy)                          No Transfer Taxes or Other Fees. There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under Federal law or the applicable laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance and sale by the Company of the Offered Shares.

 

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(zz)                            Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

(aaa)                   Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Company and its board of directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s charter documents or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or could reasonably be expected to become applicable to the Underwriters as a result of the Underwriters and the Company fulfilling their respective obligations or exercising their respective rights under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s issuance of the Offered Shares and the Underwriters’ ownership of the Offered Shares.

 

Section 2.                                          Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Offered Shares.

 

(a)                                 The Offered Shares.  On the basis of the representations, warranties, and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters the Firm Offered Shares, and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective number of Firm Offered Shares set forth opposite their names on Schedule A attached hereto.  The purchase price per Firm Offered Share to be paid by the several Underwriters to the Company shall be $[·] (the “Purchase Price”).

 

(b)                                 The First Closing Date.  Delivery of certificates for the Firm Offered Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Morrison & Foerster LLP, located at 425 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105 (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company and the Representative) at [·] [am][/][pm] New York City time, on [·], 2013, or such other time and date (not to exceed seven days from [·], 2013) as the Representative shall designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such closing are called the “First Closing Date”); provided, however, that if the Company has not made available to the Representative copies of the Prospectus within the time provided in Section 2(g) hereof, the Representative may, in its sole discretion, postpone the First Closing Date until no later than two (2) full business days following delivery of copies of the Prospectus to the Representative. The Company hereby acknowledges that circumstances under which the Representative may provide notice to postpone the First Closing Date as originally scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by the Company or the Representative to recirculate to the public copies of an amended or supplemented Prospectus or a delay as contemplated by the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

 

(c)                                  The Optional Offered Shares; the Second Closing Date.  In addition, on the basis of the representations, warranties, and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to an aggregate of [·] Optional Offered Shares from the Company at the purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters for the Firm Offered Shares.  The option granted hereunder is for use by the Underwriters solely in covering any over-allotments in connection with the sale and distribution of the Firm Offered Shares.  The option granted hereunder may be exercised at any time (but not more than once) upon notice by the Representative to the Company, which notice may be given at any time within thirty (30) days from the date of this Agreement.  Such notice shall set forth (i) the aggregate number of Optional Offered Shares as to which the Underwriters are exercising the option, (ii) the names and denominations in which the certificates for the Optional Offered Shares are to be registered, and (iii) the time, date, and place at which such certificates will be delivered (which time and date may be simultaneous with, but not earlier than, the First Closing Date, and in such case the term “First Closing Date” shall refer to the time and date of delivery of certificates for the Firm Offered Shares and the Optional Offered Shares).  Such time and date of delivery of the Optional Offered Shares, if subsequent to the First Closing Date, is called the “Second Closing Date” and shall be determined by the Representative and shall not be earlier than three (3) nor later than five (5) full business days after delivery of such notice of exercise.  If any Optional Offered Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Optional Offered Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representative may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Optional Offered Shares to be purchased as the number of Firm Offered Shares set forth on Schedule A attached hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of

 

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Firm Offered Shares.  The Representative may cancel the option at any time prior to its expiration by giving written notice of such cancellation to the Company.

 

(d)                                 Public Offering of the Offered Shares.  The Representative hereby advises the Company that the Underwriters intend to offer for sale to the public, as described in the Prospectus, their respective portions of the Offered Shares as soon after this Agreement has been executed as the Representative, in its sole judgment, has determined is advisable and practicable.

 

(e)                                  Payment for the Offered Shares.  Payment for the Offered Shares shall be made at the First Closing Date (and, if applicable, at the Second Closing Date) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the Company. It is understood that the Representative has been authorized, for its own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Firm Offered Shares and any Optional Offered Shares that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase.  JMP, individually and not as the Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment for any Offered Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by the Representative by the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(f)                                   Delivery of the Offered Shares.  On the First Closing Date the Company shall deliver the Firm Offered Shares, which shall be registered in the name or names and shall be in such denominations as the Representative may request at least one (1) business day before the First Closing Date, to the Underwriters, which delivery shall be made through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC system. On the Second Closing Date, if applicable, the Company shall deliver the Optional Offered Shares being issued, if any, which shall be registered in the name or names and shall be in such denominations as the Representative may request at least one (1) business day before the Second Closing Date, to the Underwriters, which delivery shall be made through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC system.

 

(g)                                  Delivery of Prospectus to the Underwriters.  Not later than 12:00 p.m. on the second business day following the date that the Offered Shares are first released by the Underwriters for sale to the public, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered, copies of the Prospectus in such quantities and at such places as the Representative shall request.

 

Section 3.                                          Covenants of the Company.

 

The Company hereby covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:

 

(a)                                 Blue Sky Compliance.  The Company shall cooperate with the Representative and legal counsel for the Underwriters and furnish such information as may be required to qualify or register the Offered Shares for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the state securities or blue sky laws or Canadian provincial securities laws or other foreign laws of those jurisdictions designated by the Representative, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Offered Shares, provided that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation; and that the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Offered Shares for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction and will advise the Representative promptly of such suspension or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose; and that, in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

 

(b)                                 Post-Effective Amendments.  If, at the time this Agreement is executed and delivered, it is necessary for a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to be declared effective before the offering of the Offered Shares may commence, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to become effective as soon as possible.

 

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(c)                                  Required Filings.  The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A or 430C under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and will file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Offered Shares; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities and at such locations as the Representative may reasonably request, which Prospectus and Issuer Free Writing Prospectus furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the version transmitted to the Commission for filing via EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

(d)                                 Delivery of Copies.  At the Representative’s request, the Company will deliver, without charge, (i) to the Representative, two signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto, in each case including all exhibits and consents filed therewith and documents incorporated by reference therein; and (ii) to each Underwriter (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as the Representative may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Offered Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Offered Shares is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Offered Shares by any Underwriter or dealer.

 

(e)                                  Notice to the Representative.  After the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise the Representative in writing of (i) the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission, in each case with respect to the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, (ii) the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, (iii) the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective, and (iv) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend, or terminate from listing the Common Stock from the NASDAQ, or the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes.  During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order or suspension, removal or termination from listing, and, if the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment.

 

(f)                                   Ongoing Compliance.  (1) If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representative may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law and (2) if at any time prior to the First Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the General Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representative(s) may designate, such amendments or supplements to the General Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the General Disclosure Package as so

 

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amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when it is so delivered, be misleading, or so that the General Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented, will comply with the law.

 

(g)                                  Amendments or Supplements, Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses.  Before preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably objects.  The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

 

(h)                                 Use of Proceeds.  The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(i)                                     Earnings Statement.  The Company will make generally available to its security holders and deliver to the Representative as soon as practicable an earnings statement complying with the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least 12 months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.

 

(j)                                    Exchange Listing.  The Company will use its reasonable efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the Offered Shares on, and comply during the Prospectus Delivery Period with the published rules and regulations of, the NASDAQ and file with the NASDAQ, all documents and notices required by the NASDAQ of companies that have securities for which quotations are reported by the NASDAQ.

 

(k)                                 Transfer Agent.  The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Offered Shares.

 

(l)                                     Agreement Not to Offer or Sell Additional Securities.  For a period of 90 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-up Period”), the Company will not (i) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device which is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or any other Company securities, or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any such shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans existing on the date hereof), (ii) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of the Common Stock or other securities, whether any such transaction described in in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, in each case without the prior written consent of the Representative.  The foregoing restriction shall not apply to (a) the Offered Shares to be sold hereunder; (b) shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities required to be issued pursuant to contractual obligations of the Company in effect as of the date of this Agreement; or (c) shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit or purchase plans in effect as of the date of this Agreement or pursuant to bona fide employee benefit or purchase plans established during this period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 90-day restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 90-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 90-day period, the restrictions imposed by this clause shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

 

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(m)                             No Stabilization.  The Company will not, and will use its reasonable best efforts to cause its officers, directors, partners and affiliates, as applicable, not to (i) take, directly or indirectly prior to termination of the underwriting syndicate contemplated by this Agreement, any action designed to stabilize or manipulate the price of any security of the Company, or which may cause or result in, or which might in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Offered Shares, (ii) sell, bid for, purchase or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Offered Shares or (iii) during the Prospectus Delivery Period, pay or agree to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting any order to purchase any other securities of the Company.

 

(n)                                 Periodic Reporting Obligations.  During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the NASDAQ all reports and documents in the manner required by the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(o)                                 Notice of Subsequent Events Affecting the Market Price of the Common Stock or Offered Shares. If at any time during the period prior to the Second Closing Date, any rumor, publication, notice or event relating to or affecting the Company shall occur as a result of which, in the reasonable opinion of the Representative, the market price of the Offered Shares has been or is likely to be materially affected (regardless of whether such rumor, publication, notice or event necessitates a supplement to or amendment of the Prospectus) and after written notice from the Representative advising the Company to the effect set forth above, to forthwith prepare, consult with the Representative concerning the substance of, and disseminate a press release or other public statement, reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, responding to or commenting on such rumor, publication, notice or event.

 

(p)                                 Investment Company Act.  Within one year of the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not invest or otherwise use the proceeds received by the Company from its sale of the Offered Shares in such a manner as would require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

(q)                                 Taxes.  The Company and its Subsidiaries will pay during the Prospectus Delivery Period all federal, state, local and foreign taxes and will file all tax returns required to be paid or filed for the current and subsequent taxable years; and there will be no material tax deficiency asserted against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets during the Prospectus Delivery Period.

 

Section 4.                                          Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters.  The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Offered Shares as provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Offered Shares, the Second Closing Date, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date as though then made and, with respect to the Optional Offered Shares, as of the Second Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)                                 Accountants’ Original Comfort Letter.  On the date hereof, the Representative shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (the “Auditors”), independent registered public accounting firm for the Company, a letter dated the date hereof addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative (the “Original Comfort Letter”), containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(b)                                 Accountants’ Bring-down Comfort Letter.  The Representative shall have received on the First Closing Date and on the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, a letter (the “Bring-down Comfort Letter”) from the Auditors addressed to the Underwriters, dated the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, confirming that they are independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act, and based upon the procedures described in the Original Comfort Letter, but carried out to a date not more than three (3) business days prior to the First Closing

 

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Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, (i) confirming, to the extent true, that the statements and conclusions set forth in the Original Comfort Letter are accurate as of the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, and (ii) setting forth any revisions and additions to the statements and conclusions set forth in the Original Comfort Letter which are necessary to reflect any changes in the facts described in the Original Comfort Letter since the date of such letter, or to reflect the availability of more recent financial statements, data, or information. The Representative shall have received an additional number of conformed copies of such accountants’ letter as the Representative may request for each of the several Underwriters.

 

If the Bring-down Comfort Letter shall disclose any change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, operations, business, or business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one entity, from that set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, which, in the sole judgment of the Representative, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the sole judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering of the Offered Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, then this condition in this Section 4(b) shall be deemed not satisfied, and the Representative may terminate this Agreement in accordance with the last paragraph of this Section 4.

 

(c)                                  Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No Objection from FINRA.  For the period from and after effectiveness of this Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Offered shares, prior to the Second Closing Date:

 

(i)                                     The Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission (including the information required by Rule 430A under the Securities Act) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement containing the information required by such Rule 430A, and such post-effective amendment shall have become effective;

 

(ii)                                  No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or are pending, contemplated, or threatened by the Commission, and no suspension of the qualification of the Offered Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any such purposes, shall have occurred;

 

(iii)                               Any request of the Commission for additional information (to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any incorporated document or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Representative and Underwriters’ counsel;

 

(iv)                              the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case, that has not been corrected by an amendment or supplement thereto; and

 

(v)                                 FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

 

(d)                                 No Material Adverse Change.  For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Offered Shares, prior to the Second Closing Date, in the judgment of the Representative there shall not have occurred any material adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the business, prospects, operations, financial condition, or results of operations, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one entity, from that set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, which, in the sole judgment of the Representative, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the sole judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with

 

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the public offering of the Offered Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(e)                                  Opinion of Counsel to the Company.  On each of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of (i) Goodwin Procter LLP, counsel for the Company and the Subsidiaries, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, the form of which shall have been agreed to between the Underwriters and Goodwin Procter LLP, (ii) Dykema Gossett PLLC, Michigan counsel for the Company and the Subsidiaries, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, the form of which shall have been agreed to between the Underwriters and Dykema Gossett PLLC and (iii) Mintz Levin LLP, intellectual property counsel for the Company and the Subsidiaries, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, the form of which shall have been agreed to between the Underwriters and Mintz Levin LLP.

 

(f)                                   Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters.  On each of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, addressed to the Underwriters and dated as of the First Closing Date or Second Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative.  The Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as such may have requested for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

(g)                                  Officers’ Certificate.  On each of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, the Representative shall have received a written certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the First Closing Date or Second Closing Date, as the case may be, to the effect set forth in subsection (c)(ii) and subsection (d) of this Section 4, and further to the effect that:

 

(i)                                     Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus, there has not been (a) any Material Adverse Change, (b) any transaction that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one entity, except transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business, (c) any obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one entity, incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries, except obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (d) any change in the capital stock or outstanding indebtedness that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one entity, (e) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid, or made on the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (f) any loss or damage (whether or not insured) to the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has been sustained or will have been sustained which has a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, operations, business, or business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as one entity;

 

(ii)                                  When the Registration Statement became effective, at the Time of Sale and as of the delivery of such certificate, (a) the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto and the incorporated documents, when such incorporated documents became effective or were filed with the Commission, contained all material information required to be included therein by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and in all material respects conformed to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be; (b) the Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto, did not and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (c) the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, did not and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (d) there has occurred no event required to be set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or an amended or supplemented Prospectus which has not been so set forth;

 

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(iii)                               The representations, warranties, and covenants of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of such Closing Date; and

 

(iv)                              The Company has complied with all the agreements hereunder and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date.

 

(h)                                 Secretary’s Certificate. The Representative shall receive, on each of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, a certificate of the Secretary of the Company certifying as to (i) the Articles of Incorporation and any amendments thereto, (ii) the Bylaws and any amendments thereto and (iii) resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other offering documents.

 

(i)                                     Lock-Up Agreements.  On the date hereof, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative an agreement in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto from each officer and director of the Company.  Such agreement shall be in full force and effect on each of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date.

 

(j)                                    Exchange Listing.  The Offered Shares to be delivered on the First Closing Date or Second Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance.

 

(k)                                 FINRA.  Prior to the date of this Agreement, FINRA shall have confirmed in writing that it has no objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

 

(l)                                     Additional Documents.  On or before each of the First Closing Date and the Second Closing Date, the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters shall have received from the Company, as applicable, such other information, documents, certificates and opinions as they may require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.

 

If any condition specified in this Section 4 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Offered Shares, at any time prior to the Second Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Section 5, Section 6, Section 8, Section 9, and Section 12 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

Section 5.                                          Payment of Expenses.  The Company, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement is prevented from becoming effective under the provisions of Section 11 hereof or is otherwise terminated, agrees to pay all costs, fees, and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Offered Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock, (iii) all necessary issue, transfer, and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares to the Underwriters, (iv) all reasonable fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants, and other advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping, and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents, and certificates of experts), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, (vi) all filing fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and expenses incurred by the Company or the Underwriters in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Offered Shares for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the Representative, preparing and printing a “Blue Sky Survey,” an “International Blue Sky Survey,”

 

20



 

or other memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the Underwriters of such qualifications, registrations and exemptions, (vii) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, FINRA’s review and approval of the Underwriters’ participation in the offering and distribution of the Offered Shares, (viii) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Offered Shares on the NASDAQ, (ix) all costs and expenses incident to the travel and accommodation of the Company’s employees on the “roadshow,” and (x) all other fees, costs, and expenses referred to in Item 13 of Part II of the Registration Statement.

 

Section 6.                                          Reimbursement of the Underwriters’ Expenses.

 

(a)                                 Reimbursement.    Subject to Section 10, Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters (including reasonable and documented fees related to clauses (vi) and (vii) of Section 5 above) and all other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the performance of their obligations hereunder not otherwise specifically provided for in Section 5; provided, however, that such fees, costs and expenses shall not exceed $150,000 in the aggregate.

 

(b)                                 Termination of Agreement. If the sale to the Underwriters of the Offered Shares on the First Closing Date is not consummated because of any willful refusal or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters upon demand for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Offered Shares, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel and accommodation expenses, postage, facsimile, and telephone charges.

 

Section 7.                                          Effectiveness of this Agreement.

 

This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by the parties hereto.

 

Section 8.                                          Indemnification.

 

(a)                                 Indemnification of the Underwriters.  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any Loss (as hereinafter defined) to which such Underwriter or such controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), insofar as such Loss (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based (A) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (B) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission therefrom necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (C) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (D) in whole or in part upon any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, (E) in whole or in part upon any failure of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or under law applicable to the offering and sale of the Offered Shares, or (F) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any audio or visual materials provided by the Company or based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company including, without limitation, slides, videos, films or tape recordings, used in connection with the marketing of the Offered Shares, and including, without limitation, statements communicated to securities analysts employed by the Underwriter; and to reimburse each Underwriter and each such officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel

 

21



 

chosen by the Representative) as such expenses are incurred by such Underwriter or such officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising, or paying any such Loss; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any Loss to the extent, but only to the extent, such Loss arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; provided, further, that with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus, the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting any Loss purchased Offered Shares, or any person controlling such Underwriter, if copies of the Prospectus were timely delivered to the Underwriter pursuant to Section 2 hereof and a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to the person asserting such Loss, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Offered Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such Loss.  “Loss” shall be defined as any loss, claim, damage, liability, expense, or action, as incurred, suffered by the specified person (collectively, the “Losses”).  The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

 

(b)                                 Indemnification of the Company, Its Directors and Officers.  Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any Loss to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Underwriter, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), insofar as such Loss (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (B) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Representative expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only information furnished by the Underwriters consist of the information described as such in Section 8(c) hereof; and to reimburse the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person for any legal and other expense reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising, or paying any such Loss.  The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise have.

 

(c)                                  Information Provided by the Underwriters.  The Company and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Underwriters have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth in the (A) list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of the Offered Shares and (B) the following paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus: (i) the first paragraph under the heading “Commission and Expenses”, (ii) the paragraph under the heading “Electronic Distribution” and (iii) the paragraph(s) under the heading “Price Stabilization, Short Positions and  Penalty Bids”, and the Underwriter confirms that such statements are correct.

 

22



 

(d)                                 Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures.  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.  Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the indemnifying party (JMP in the case of Section 8(b) and Section 9), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party, in each of which cases the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

 

(e)                                  Settlements.  The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any Loss by reason of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 8(d) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than thirty (30) days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise, or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit, or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise, or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit, or proceeding, and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability, or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

Section 9.                                          Contribution.

 

If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any Loss referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any Loss referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the

 

23



 

Offered Shares pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements, omissions, or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such Loss, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Offered Shares pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the front cover page of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Offered Shares as set forth on such cover.  The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(d) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.  The provisions set forth in Section 8(d) hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 9; provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 8(d) for purposes of indemnification.

 

The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.

 

The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A attached hereto.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions received by such Underwriter in connection with the Offered Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 9, each officer and employee of an Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

Any Loss for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Section 9 shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party as such Loss is incurred, but in all cases, no later than forty-five (45) days of invoice to the indemnifying party.

 

Section 10.                                   Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters.  If, on the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Offered Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Offered Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the Offered Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number of Firm Offered Shares set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A attached hereto bears to the aggregate number of Firm Offered Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representative with the consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase the Offered Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date.  If, on the First

 

24



 

Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Offered Shares and the aggregate number of Offered Shares with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Offered Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and the Company for the purchase of such Offered Shares are not made within forty-eight (48) hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party and the Company shall have no liability to reimburse the Underwriters for the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters (including reasonable fees related to clauses (vi) and (vii) of Section 5) or any other out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been incurred by the Underwriters, except that (i) the provisions of Section 5, Section 8 and Section 9 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination, and (ii) any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.  In any such case, either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the First Closing Date or the Second Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

 

As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section 10.

 

Section 11.                                   Termination of this Agreement. Prior to the First Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representative by notice given to the Company if at any time (i) the Company is unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (ii) any of the conditions specified in Section 4 hereof shall not have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement to be fulfilled; (iii) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the Nasdaq Stock Market, or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq Stock Market or the NYSE shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or FINRA; (iv) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any federal, New York or California authorities; (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity (including without limitation any terrorist or similar attack), or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change in the United States’ or international political, financial, or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Representative is material and adverse and makes it impracticable to market the Offered Shares in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities; (vi) in the judgment of the Representative there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (vii) the Company shall have sustained a loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident, terrorist attack, act of war or other calamity of such character as in the reasonable judgment of the Representative may interfere materially with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company regardless of whether or not such loss shall have been insured.  Any termination pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company to any Underwriter, except that the Company shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Representative and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 5 and 6(a) hereof, (b) any Underwriter to the Company, or (c) of any party hereto to any other party except that the provisions of Section 8 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

Section 12.                                   Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, of its officers, and the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers, or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Offered Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 13.                                   Notices.

 

All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

 

If to the Representative:

 

JMP Securities LLC

600 Montgomery Street

 

25



 

Suite 1100

San Francisco, California  94111

Facsimile:  (415) 835-8920

Attention:  Mr. [Kent Ledbetter]

 

with a copy to:

 

Morrison & Foerster LLP
425 Market Street
San Francisco, California 94105
Facsimile:  (415) 268-6966
Attention:   Andrew D. Thorpe, Esq.

 

If to the Company:

 

Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.

24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Lobby K

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106

Facsimile: 734-665-0485
Attention: Dominick C. Colangelo and Brian D. Gibson

 

with a copy to:

 

Goodwin Procter LLP
53 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Facsimile: (617) 523-1231
Attention: Mitchell S. Bloom, Esq. and Danielle Lauzon

 

Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.

 

Section 14.                                   Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 and Section 9 hereof, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.  The term “successors” shall not include any purchaser of the Offered Shares as such from the Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.

 

Section 15.                                   Partial Unenforceability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section, paragraph, or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof.  If any Section, paragraph, or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

 

Section 16.                                   Governing Law Provisions.

 

(a)                                 Choice of Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.

 

(b)                                 Consent to Jurisdiction.  Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Related Proceedings”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a

 

26



 

judgment of any such court (a “Related Judgment”), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding.  Service of any process, summons, notice, or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.  The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action, or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(c)                                  Waiver of Immunity.  With respect to any Related Proceeding, each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction, service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment), and execution to which it might otherwise be entitled in the Specified Courts.  With respect to any Related Judgment, each party waives any such immunity in the Specified Courts or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such Related Proceeding or Related Judgment, including, without limitation, any immunity pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended.

 

Section 17.                                   No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Offered Shares pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Offered Shares and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction, each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company or any of their respective stockholders, members, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

 

Section 18.                                   General Provisions.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings, and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.  The Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated business person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the indemnification provisions of Section 8 and the contribution provisions of Section 9 hereof, and is fully informed regarding said provisions.  Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Section 8 and Section 9 hereof fairly allocate the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its affairs, and its business in order to assure that adequate disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements thereto) and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

27



 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature page to Underwriting Agreement]

 



 

The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Representative in San Francisco, California as of the date first above written.

 

JMP SECURITIES LLC

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

For itself and as Representative of the several
Underwriters named in Schedule A attached hereto.

 

[Signature page to Underwriting Agreement]

 



 

SCHEDULE A

 

LIST OF THE UNDERWRITERS

 

Underwriters

 

Number of Firm
Offered Shares to be
 Purchased

JMP Securities LLC

 

[·]

[TBD]

 

[·]

Total

 

[·]

 



 

SCHEDULE B

 

ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES

 

[·]

 



 

SCHEDULE C

 

FINAL PRICING INFORMATION

 

Security:

 

[·] shares of common stock, no par value per share

Public offering price:

 

$[·] per share

Underwriting discounts and commissions:

 

$[·] per share

Net proceeds:

 

$[·] million (after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions but before estimated offering expenses payable by the Company)

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

[·], 2013

 

JMP Securities LLC

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100

San Francisco, California 94111

 

Re:                          Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Ladies & Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned is an owner of record or beneficially of certain shares of Common Stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) or securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock (such securities, together with the Common Stock, the “Securities”). The Company proposes to carry out a public offering of Common Stock (the “Offering”) for which you will act as the Underwriter. The undersigned recognizes that the Offering will be of benefit to the undersigned and will benefit the Company. The undersigned acknowledges that you are relying on the representations and agreements of the undersigned contained in this letter in carrying out the Offering and in entering into underwriting arrangements with the Company with respect to the Offering.

 

In consideration of the foregoing, the undersigned hereby agrees that the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of JMP Securities LLC (which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract to sell, sell, any option to contract to purchase (including without limitation any short sale), purchase any option or contract to sell, pledge, transfer, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, establish or increase an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”), liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act or otherwise dispose of any shares (collectively, a “Disposition”) of Securities currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by the undersigned, or publicly announce the undersigned’s intention to do any of the foregoing, or file or cause to be filed or participate in the filing of, any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Securities for a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing through the close of trading on the date ninety (90) days after the date of the prospectus related to the Offering (the “Lock-up Period”). The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock held by the undersigned except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer his or her Securities (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, provided that the donee or donees thereof agree in writing to be bound by the restrictions set forth herein, (ii) for grants of stock options pursuant to the terms of a plan in effect as of the date hereof, issuances of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of such options or the exercise of any other stock options outstanding as of the date hereof and for delivery to the Company as payment of the exercise price or any required withholding in connection with any such exercise, provided that (a) any Securities received upon such grant or exercise will also be subject to the terms of this agreement, and (b) no filing under Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-up Period in connection with such exercise, (iii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, provided that the trustee of the trust agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions set forth herein, and provided further that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, or (iv) with the prior written consent of JMP Securities LLC. For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin.

 

The foregoing restriction has been expressly agreed to preclude the holder of the Securities from engaging in any hedging or other transaction which is designed to or reasonably expected to lead to or result in a Disposition of

 



 

Securities during the Lock-up Period, even if such Securities would be disposed of by someone other than such holder. Such prohibited hedging or other transactions would include, without limitation, any short sale (whether or not against the box) or any purchase, sale, or grant of any right (including, without limitation, any put or call option) with respect to any Securities or with respect to any security (other than a broad-based market basket or index) that included, relates to, or derives any significant part of its value from Securities. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of shares of Common Stock or Securities held by the undersigned except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

 

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if (1) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Company issues an earnings release or other material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the Lock-Up Period shall be extended and the restrictions imposed by this letter shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, unless JMP Securities LLC waives, in writing, such extension.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has “actively traded securities” within the meaning of Rule 139 of the Securities Act of 1933, or otherwise satisfies the requirements set forth in Rule 139 that would permit JMP Securities LLC to publish issuer-specific research reports pursuant to Rule 139, the Lock-Up Period shall not be extended upon the occurrence of (1) or (2) above.

 

With respect to the Offering only, the undersigned waives any registration rights relating to registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, of any Common Stock owned either of record or beneficially by the undersigned, including any rights to receive notice of the Offering.

 

Anything to the contrary notwithstanding this Lock-Up Agreement shall lapse and become null and void and the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Lock-Up Agreement upon the earliest to occur, if any, of: (i) if, prior to the Underwriting Agreement becoming effective, the Company notifies JMP Securities LLC in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Offering, and (ii) the termination of the Underwriting Agreement before the sale of any Securities to the Underwriter. .

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Agreement. This agreement is irrevocable and will be binding on the undersigned and the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the undersigned.

 

 

 

 

Printed Name of Holder

 

By:

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Printed Name of Person Signing

 

 


EXHIBIT 5.1

 

GRAPHIC

Dykema Gossett PLLC

39577 Woodward Avenue
Suite 300
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

WWW.DYKEMA.COM

 

Tel:

(248) 203-0700

 

Fax:

(248) 203-0763

 

May 13, 2013

 

Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
Domino’s Farms, Lobby K
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

 

Re:                             Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”)

 

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

As special counsel for Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), we are rendering this opinion in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of Amendment No. 1 to registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-188186) (the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).  The Registration Statement relates to the issuance, offer and sale by the Company of up to 48,728,814 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Shares”).

 

In rendering our opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement (including the exhibits thereto), the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the restated articles of incorporation (“Restated Articles of Incorporation”) and the bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of the Company as amended to date, resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors and such other documents and corporate records relating to the Company and the issuance and sale of the Shares as we have deemed appropriate.

 

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to original documents of all photostatic and facsimile copies submitted to us, and the due execution and delivery of all documents by any party where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.  We have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective and comply with all applicable laws; (ii) all Shares will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement; and (iii) a definitive underwriting agreement with respect to the Shares offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto.   As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein that were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and

 

California | Illinois | Michigan | Minnesota | North Carolina | Texas | Washington, D.C.

 



 

representations of officers and other representatives of the Company.  In addition, we have assumed that the certificates representing the Shares will be duly executed and delivered.

 

On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when the price at which the Shares will be sold has been approved and determined as adequate by the pricing committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and when the Shares have been duly issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the applicable definitive underwriting agreement and certificates evidencing the Shares have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with the Bylaws and applicable law, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. This opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, rules, regulations and judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to update this opinion or otherwise advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.

 

The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the state of Michigan.  We express no opinion and make no representation with respect to the law of any other jurisdiction.

 

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

 

Sincerely,

 

/S/ DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC

 

 

/wwk

 

2


EXHIBIT 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 of our report dated March 18, 2013 relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Detroit, Michigan

 

May 10, 2013