Exhibit 4.12

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

As of March 23, 2020, Akers Biosciences, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“we,” “our” and the “Company”) has our common stock, no par value per share registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

The foregoing description is intended as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) and the amended and restated by-laws, as amended (the “By-laws”) as currently in effect, copies of which are filed as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 150,000,000 shares, of which 100,000,00 are common stock, without par value, and 50,000,000 are preferred stock, without par value, of 10,000,000 of which have been designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, 1,990,000 of which have been designated as Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and 211,353 of which have been designated as Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. As of March 23, 2020, there were 2,700,240 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, no shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. Pursuant to our acquisition of Cystron Biotech, LLC referenced in this Annual Report that closed on March 23, 2020, 211,353 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock were issued.

 

Common Stock

 

Voting Rights

 

Each stockholder has one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. A stockholder may vote in person or by proxy. Elections of directors are determined by a plurality of the votes cast and all other matters are decided by a majority of the votes cast by those stockholders entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy.

 

Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of our shares of common stock will be able to elect all of our directors. Our Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws provide that stockholder actions may be effected at a duly called meeting of stockholders or pursuant to written consent of the majority of stockholders. A special meeting of stockholders may be called by the President, Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by the majority of the Board of Directors.

 

 

Dividend Rights

 

The holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine, provided that required dividends, if any, on preferred stock have been paid or provided for. However, to date we have not paid or declared cash distributions or dividends on our common stock and do not currently intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain all earnings, if and when generated, to finance our operations. The declaration of cash dividends in the future will be determined by the board of directors based upon our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other relevant factors.

 

No Preemptive or Similar Rights

 

Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive rights, and common stock is not convertible or redeemable.

 

Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions

 

Upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders and remaining after payment to holders of preferred stock of the amounts, if any, to which they are entitled, are distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock subject to any senior class of securities.

 

The NASDAQ Capital Market Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “AKER.”

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is VStock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598.

 

Options, Warrants and RSUs

 

As of March 23, 2020, we had 40 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, 492,215 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants, 15,603 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of RSUs and 1,990,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock that is issuable upon the exercise of the warrants. The shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs are not issuable until the increase in the number authorized shares of common stock is approved by the stockholders of the Company. There are no other outstanding warrants, options or RSUs at this time.

 

Preferred Stock

 

We may issue any class of preferred stock in any series. Our board of directors has the authority, subject to limitations prescribed under New Jersey law, to issue preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations and restrictions. Our board of directors can also increase or decrease the number of shares of any series, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding. Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company and may adversely affect the market price of common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock.

 

 

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock

 

Rank

 

The Series C Preferred Stock ranks (1) on parity with common stock on an “as converted” basis, (2) senior to any series of our capital stock hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms junior to the Series C Preferred Stock, (3) on parity with any series of our capital stock hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms on parity with the Series C Preferred Stock, and (4) junior to any series of our capital stock hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms senior to the Series C Preferred Stock in each case, as to dividends or distributions of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up whether voluntary or involuntary.

 

Conversion Rights

 

Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into one (1) share of common stock, provided that the holder will be prohibited from converting Series C Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, the holder would own more than 4.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock, or, at the election of a holder, together with its affiliates, would own more than 9.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock. The conversion rate of the Series C Preferred Stock is subject to proportionate adjustments for stock splits, reverse stock splits and similar events, but is not subject to adjustment based on price anti-dilution provisions.

 

Dividend Rights

 

In addition to stock dividends or distributions for which proportionate adjustments will be made, holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends on shares of Series C Preferred Stock equal, on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis, to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the common stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the common stock. No other dividends are payable on shares of Series C Preferred Stock.

 

 

Voting Rights

 

Except as provided in the Certificate of Designation or as otherwise required by law, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock will have no voting rights. However, we may not, without the consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series C Preferred Stock, increase the number of authorized shares of Series C Preferred Stock, or enter into any agreement with respect to the foregoing.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, pari passu with the holders of common stock, out of the assets available for distribution to stockholders an amount equal to such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of Series C Preferred Stock been converted into common stock immediately before such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, without giving effect to any limitation on conversion as a result of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, as described above.

 

Exchange Listing

 

We do not plan on making an application to list the shares of Series C Preferred Stock on the NASDAQ, any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Our common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol “AKER.”

 

Failure to Deliver Conversion Shares

 

If we fail to timely deliver shares of common stock upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock (the “Conversion Shares”) within the time period specified in the Certificate of Designation (within two trading days after delivery of the notice of conversion, or any shorter standard settlement period in effect with respect to trading market on the date notice is delivered), then we are obligated to pay to the holder, as liquidated damages, an amount equal to $50 per trading day (increasing to $100 per trading day after the third trading day and $200 per trading day after the tenth trading day) for each $5,000 of Conversion Shares for which the Series C Preferred Stock converted which are not timely delivered. If we make such liquidated damages payments, we are not also obligated to make Buy-In (as defined below) payments with respect to the same Conversion Shares.

 

Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Shares

 

If we fail to timely deliver the Conversion Shares to the holder, and if after the required delivery date the holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the holder or its brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of common stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the holder of the Conversion Shares which the holder anticipated receiving upon such conversion or exercise (a “Buy-In”), then we are obligated to (A) pay in cash to the holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of common stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Conversion Shares that we were required to deliver times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the holder, either reinstate the portion of the Series C Preferred Stock and equivalent number of Conversion Shares for which such conversion was not honored (in which case such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the holder the number of shares of common stock that would have been issued had we timely complied with its conversion and delivery obligations.

 

 

Subsequent Rights Offerings; Pro Rata Distributions

 

If we grant, issue or sell any common stock equivalents pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of common stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then a holder of Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the holder could have acquired if the holder had held the number of shares of common stock acquirable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on conversion). If we declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of common stock, then a holder of Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to participate in such distribution to the same extent as if the holder had held the number of shares of common stock acquirable upon complete conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on conversion).

 

Fundamental Transaction

 

If, at any time while the Series C Preferred Stock is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another person, (ii) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another person) is completed pursuant to which holders of common stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the common stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the common stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another person whereby such other person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock (not including any shares of common stock held by the other person or other persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Series C Preferred Stock Fundamental Transaction”), then upon any subsequent conversion of Series C Preferred Stock, the holder will receive, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Series C Preferred Stock Fundamental Transaction (without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation), the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Series C Preferred Stock Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Series C Preferred Stock Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of common stock for which the Series C Preferred Stock is convertible immediately prior to such Series C Preferred Stock Fundamental Transaction (without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation). For purposes of any such conversion, the determination of the conversion ratio will be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Series C Preferred Stock Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of common stock in such Series C Preferred Stock Fundamental Transaction. If holders of common stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Series C Preferred Stock Fundamental Transaction, then the holder will be given the same choice as to the Series C Preferred Stock Alternate Consideration it receives upon automatic conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock following such Fundamental Transaction.

 

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

The authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.

 

These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of us.

 

These provisions are also designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal and to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in our control or management. As a consequence, these provisions also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts.

 

In addition, we are subject to Section 14A-10A of the New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act, a type of anti-takeover statute designed to protect stockholders against coercive, unfair or inadequate tender offers and other abusive tactics and to encourage any person contemplating a business combination with the Company to negotiate with the Board for the fair and equitable treatment of all stockholders. Subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, the statute prohibits an interested stockholder of a corporation from effecting a business combination with the corporation for a period of five years unless the corporation’s board of directors approved the combination prior to the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder or after the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder if the corporation’s board of directors approved both the transaction causing a person to become an interested stockholder and the subsequent business combination. In addition, but not in limitation of the five-year restriction, if applicable, corporations covered by the New Jersey statute may not engage at any time in a business combination with any interested stockholder of that corporation unless the combination is approved by the board of directors prior to the interested stockholder’s stock acquisition date, the combination receives the approval of two-thirds of the voting stock of the corporation not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder or the combination meets minimum financial terms specified by the statute.

 

An “interested stockholder” is defined to include any beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any affiliate or associate of the corporation who within the prior five year period has at any time owned 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation.

 

The term “business combination” is defined to include a broad range of transactions including, among other things:

 

	●	the merger or consolidation of the corporation with the interested stockholder or any corporation that is or after the merger or consolidation would be an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder,
	●	the sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition to an interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the corporation’s assets, or
	●	the issuance or transfer to an interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder of 5% or more of the aggregate market value of the stock of the corporation.

 

The effect of the statute is to protect non-tendering, post-acquisition minority stockholders from mergers in which they will be “squeezed out” after the merger, by prohibiting transactions in which an acquirer could favor itself at the expense of minority stockholders. The statute generally applies to corporations that are organized under New Jersey law.