AGM Information • Sep 29, 2023
AGM Information
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Taking into account the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee, the board of directors recommends that the nomination by cooptation of Inge Beernaert BV, represented by Mrs. Inge Beernaert as permanent representative, as an independent director of the Company be confirmed and continued for a period extending up to and including the closing of the ordinary general shareholders' meeting to be held in 2025 and which will approve the financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2024. On 21 September 2023, the board of directors appointed Inge Beernaert BV, represented by Mrs. Inge Beernaert as permanent representative, as an independent director of the Company by cooptation, replacing Mrs. Inge Beernaert, who had been appointed, by the ordinary general shareholders' meeting held on 25 May 2023, for a period of two years, up to and including the closing of the ordinary general shareholders' meeting to be held in 2025 and which will approve the financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2024. On the basis of the information provided by Inge Beernaert BV, represented by Mrs. Inge Beernaert as permanent representative, it appears that Inge Beernaert BV and Mrs. Inge Beernaert each meet the applicable requirements to be appointed as independent director in accordance with article 7:87 of the Companies and Associations Code and provision 3.5 of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020.
Proposed resolution: The general shareholders' meeting resolves to confirm the appointment by cooptation, following the resignation of Mrs. Inge Beernaert, of Inge Beernaert BV, represented by Mrs. Inge Beernaert as permanent representative, as an independent director of the Company within the meaning of article 7:87 of the Companies and Associations Code and provision 3.5 of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020, for a period up to and including the closing of the ordinary general shareholders' meeting to be held in 2025 and which will approve the financial statements for the financial year ending on 31 December 2024. The director's remuneration will be as set out in the Company's remuneration policy, as approved from time to time by the general meeting of shareholders and (subject to the provisions of the remuneration policy) as decided by the general meeting from time to time.
2. Remuneration of directors
Taking into account the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee, the board of directors proposes and recommends that the remuneration of members of the board of directors will be amended as indicated in this proposed resolution.
Proposed resolution: The general shareholders' meeting resolves to approve that the directors be entitled to the following remuneration (without prejudice to other forms of compensation approved from time to time by the general meeting of shareholders and in addition to the coverage of the directors' costs and expenses in connection with the performance of their duties as director):
The rules set out in paragraphs (a) to (f) apply with retrospective effect as of 25 May 2023, and are in addition to the insurance policies (and other similar arrangements) which the Company is authorised to take out to cover the liability, activities and obligations of the directors and other members of the personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries (as defined in article 1:27 of the Companies and Associations Code) to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Communication and approval of the revised remuneration policy, prepared by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and approved by the board of directors, amending the remuneration policy approved by the general meeting of shareholders of 20 May 2021.
Proposed resolution: The general meeting of shareholders resolves to approve the revised remuneration policy.
4. Approval in accordance with article 7:151 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code
On 20 June 2023, the Company, funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management LLC (collectively, "Highbridge"), funds managed by Whitebox Advisors LLC (collectively, "Whitebox", and together with Highbridge, each a "Lender") and certain agents, entered into (i) an amended and restated Senior Secured Convertible Facilities Agreement, which was itself amended on 23 August 2023 by a letter of consent (the "Amendment") signed by the Company, the Lenders and the agents in connection with the private placement of 10,000,000 shares, for a total subscription price of EUR 20,000,000.00, completed on 28 August 2023 (the "Amended Convertible Loans Agreement"), and (ii) an amended and restated Conversion Agreement which was amended on 23 August 2023 by the Amendment (the "Amended Conversion Agreement", and together with the Amended Convertible Loans Agreement, the "Amended Agreements"). Pursuant to the Amended Agreements, among other things, the Lenders have agreed to provide, for a period of 3 years from 8 August 2022, a financing by loans convertible in shares to the Company for a maximum aggregate principal amount of EUR 100,000,000.00, divided in several tranches (certain drawdowns subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions), with an outstanding amount at any time not greater than EUR 75,000,000.00, the loans bearing, following the Amendment, an interest of 13% per year. Under the Amended Agreements, certain receivables that are or could be due by the Company under the Amended Convertible Loans Agreement and/or the Amended Conversion Agreement, as a principal, interest, option prepayment amount, commitment fee or otherwise (as contemplated in the Amended Convertible Loans Agreement and the Amended Conversion Agreement, as amended from time to time) will be convertible into new shares of the Company (by contributions in kind of the relevant receivables). In addition, clause 8.1 of the Amended Convertible Loans Agreement also provides that in the event of a change of control of the Company, the loans facility under the Amended Convertible Loans Agreement will immediately terminate and cease to be available for further use and all loans, accrued interest and other amounts due by the Company under the Amended Agreements will become immediately due and payable.
Proposed resolution: The general shareholders' meeting resolves to approve and ratify, in accordance with article 7:151 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, all clauses of the Amended Agreements (including, but not limited to, (i) clause 8.1 of the Amended Convertible Loans Agreement, and (ii) the paragraph (b) of the definition of "Adjustment Event" and clause 6 of the Amended Conversion Agreement) that are applicable at the time a change of control occurs and which fall or could be considered to fall within the scope of article 7:151 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code (relating to the granting of rights to third parties that substantially affect the Company's assets and liabilities, or give rise to a substantial debt or commitment on its behalf, when the exercise of these rights is subject to the launching of a public takeover bid on the shares of the Company or to a change in the control exercised over it). The general shareholders' meeting also grants a special power of attorney to each of the Company's directors, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, the Compliance Officer and the Company's Corporate Secretary, each such person acting individually and with possibility of sub-delegation and the power of subrogation, to complete the formalities required by article 7:151 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code with regard to this resolution, including, but not limited to, the execution of all documents and forms required for the publication of this resolution in the annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette.
1. Review of the special report prepared by the board of directors in accordance with article 7:199 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code regarding the proposal to renew the authorised capital
Communication, consideration and discussion of the special report of the board of directors in accordance with article 7:199 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code in relation to the proposal to renew the powers granted to the board of directors under the authorised capital, as set out below under items 2. and 3. of the agenda of the extraordinary general shareholders' meeting, and setting out the specific circumstances in which the board of directors will be able to use of its powers under the authorised capital, and the purposes that it should pursue.
2. Renewal of the authorisation to the board of directors to increase the capital within the framework of the authorised capital
In order to provide the board of directors with the flexibility to raise an additional equity based financing when the need may arise or an opportunity would present itself, the board of directors proposes to renew the powers granted to it under the authorised capital to increase the Company's share capital by a maximum amount of up to 100% of the amount of the Company's capital for a period of 5 years, all as indicated below. For further information on the circumstances in which the board of directors could make use of the authorised capital and on the objectives that the board of directors would pursue with the authorised capital, see also the special report mentioned under item 1. of the agenda of the extraordinary general meeting.
Proposed resolution: The general shareholders' meeting resolves to renew the authorisation to the board of directors to increase the share capital in one or several times, during a period of five (5) years as from the publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of this authorisation, with an aggregate total amount equal to up to 100% of the amount of the Company's share capital, and this in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the special report of the board of directors prepared in accordance with article 7:199 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code, as referred to under item 1. of the agenda of this general shareholders' meeting. Accordingly, the general shareholders' meeting resolves to delete article 7A. of the Company's articles of association and to replace it with the following text (whereby the date referred to in the sub-section between square brackets shall be the date of the general shareholders' meeting approving the renewed authorised capital, and the amount referred to in the sub-section between square brackets shall be the amount of the Company's share capital at the time of the general shareholders' meeting approving the authorised capital):
"A. The board of directors is authorised to increase the capital in one or more instances within the limits set by law, in particular by issuing convertible bonds, and subscription rights, and any other right or security convertible or exercisable for shares, up to a maximum amount of [100% of the Company's capital at the time of adoption of the new authorised capital]. The board of directors is expressly authorised to use this authorisation for the following operations:
- Capital increases or issues of convertible bonds, or subscription rights, and any other right or security convertible or exercisable for shares, with cancellation or limitation of the preferential subscription rights of the existing shareholders;
- Capital increases or the issuance of convertible bonds, or subscription rights, and any other right or security convertible or exercisable for shares, with cancellation or limitation of the preferential subscription rights of the existing shareholders for the benefit of one or more specific persons who are not part of the personnel of the Company or its subsidiaries;
- Capital increases carried out by incorporation of reserves.
Any such capital increase may take any and all forms ,including but not limited to, contributions in cash or in kind, with or without share premium, at issue prices below or above the fractional value of the outstanding shares, as well as by incorporation of reserves and/or share premium and/or profits carried forward, to the maximum extent permitted by the law. This authorisation is granted to the board of directors for a period of five (5) years as from the date of publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of an extract from the minutes of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of [date of the extraordinary general meeting approving the renewal of the authorised capital]."
In order to provide the board of directors with the flexibility to raise additional equity when the need arises or an opportunity arises, the board of directors proposes to renew its authorisation, for a period of three (3) years, to proceed with a capital increase of the Company by limiting or eliminating the preferential subscription right of the shareholders after the Company has been notified by the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) of a public takeover bid for the shares of the Company, subject to the provisions of article 7:202 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. For more information on the circumstances in which the board of directors could make use of the authorised capital and on the objectives that the board of directors would pursue with the authorised capital, see also the special report mentioned under item 1. of the agenda of the general shareholders' meeting.
Proposed resolution: The general shareholders' meeting resolves to renew the authorisation to the board of directors to use the authorisation granted under item 2. of the agenda, for a period of three (3) years from the date of this general shareholders' meeting, after the Company has been notified by the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) of a public takeover bid on the Company's shares, subject to the provisions of article 7:202 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. Consequently, the general shareholders' meeting resolves to delete article 7 B. of the Company's articles of association and to replace it with the following text (whereby the date referred in the subsection between square brackets shall be the date of the general shareholders' meeting approving the renewed authorised capital):
"B. The board of directors is expressly authorised to make use of the authorisation granted under A. even after the Company has received notification from the Authority for Financial Services and Markets that it has received a notice of a public takeover bid for the Company, under the mandatory conditions set forth in article 7:202 of the Companies and Associations Code. This authorisation is granted to the board of directors for a period of three (3) years as from the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of [date of the extraordinary general meeting approving the renewal of the authorised capital]. It is renewable."
4. Communication, consideration and discussion of the following reports concerning a proposed capital increase
Communication, consideration and discussion of the following reports:
Proposed resolution: The extraordinary shareholders' meeting resolves (i) as far as needed and applicable to ratify and to renew (x) the resolutions passed by the board of directors on 8 August 2022 within the framework of the authorised capital, and by the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of 21 October 2022, to increase the share capital of the Company in connection with the original Senior Secured Convertible Facilities Agreement and the original Conversion Agreement, entered into on 8 August 2022 by and between the Company and the Lenders (the "Previous Agreements"), and (y) the resolutions taken by the board of directors on 21 June 2023 within the framework of the authorised capital to increase the share capital of the Company in connection with the Amended Agreements (the aforementioned resolutions of 8 August 2022, 21 October 2022 and 21 June 2023 will be referred to as the "Previous Resolutions"), and (ii) to increase the capital of the Company, in one or more transactions, with a maximum amount up to the Authorised Amount (including issue premium, as the case may be) by contributions in kind of receivables (whatever their origin, whether as principal, interest, amount related to the prepayment of an option, or commission, or otherwise) due by the Company under the Amended Agreements, and the issuance of new shares in consideration of such contributions in kind, the maximum number and issue price of which are yet to be determined in accordance with the Amended Agreements, subject to the following terms and conditions (as amended from time to time, as the case may be):
5.1 Increase of the share capital: The shareholders' meeting resolves to increase the Company's share capital, in one or more transactions, by contributions in kind of receivables (whatever their origin, whether as principal, interest, amount related to the prepayment of an option, or commission, or otherwise) due by the Company under the Amended Agreements with a maximum amount up to the Authorised Amount (including issue premium, as the case may be) and the issuance of new shares in consideration of such contributions in kind, the maximum number and issue price of which are yet to be determined in accordance with the Amended Agreements, as provided for below and as further described in the report of the board of directors referred to in item 4.1 of the agenda. The capital increase is subject to the condition precedent of the completion of the respective contributions in kind of receivables due and the issuance of the shares in consideration of these contributions, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out below.
5.4 Allocation of the issue price of the new shares: At the occasion of each capital increase by contribution in kind and issuance of new shares in consideration of this contribution, the issue price of each new share must be recorded as share capital on the liabilities side of the Company's balance sheet, as shareholders' equity in the "Capital" account. However, the amount by which the issue price of a new share exceeds the fractional value of the existing shares of the Company (which, at the date of these decisions, amounts to, (rounded) EUR 0.7321) will be recorded as issue premium, as the case may be, on the liabilities side of the balance sheet of the Company as shareholders' equity under the account "Issue premium". The account to which the issue premium will be allocated will constitute, in the same way as the Company's share capital, a guarantee for third parties and, except for the possibility of capitalising these reserves, may only be reduced or cancelled by a decision of the general meeting of shareholders ruling under the conditions required for amending the Company's articles of association. If the issue price of the new shares does not exceed the fractional value of the existing shares of the Company (i.e. as of the date of these decisions, rounded to EUR 0.7321), the issue price will be fully accounted for as share capital, and after the completion of the capital increase, all outstanding shares of the Company will have the same fractional value in accordance with article 7:178 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code.
5.5 Nature and form of the new shares: All the new shares to be issued in connection with the capital increase will be the same, and will be of the same nature as the existing and outstanding shares of the Company. The new shares will not have a nominal value, have the same rights and benefits, and rank pari passu in all respects, including in relation to the rights to dividends and other distributions, with the other existing and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of their issuance, and will be entitled to dividends and other distributions in relation to which the registration date or maturity date falls on or after the issuance date of the new shares. A new share will represent the same fraction of the Company's share capital as the other existing shares of the Company.
5.7 Realisation in several tranches: The capital increase can be realised in one or several tranches by means of one or several notarial deeds, subject to the effective realisation of the respective contributions in kind of the receivables due and the issuance of the shares in consideration of these contributions. If the entire capital increase for the Authorised Amount (including issue premium, as the case may be) is not subscribed for by means of contributions in kind, the capital increase may nevertheless be carried out to the extent of each contribution in kind made in accordance with the Amended Agreements, to be determined as aforesaid, in accordance with article 7:181 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. The board of directors or the Committee may also, for the avoidance of doubt, decide not to carry out the contemplated capital increase, without prejudice, however, to the provisions of the Amended Agreements.
5.8 Implementation of the capital increase, issuance and subscription of the new shares: Subject to the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs and subject to the provisions of the Amended Agreements, as the case may be, the board of directors or the Committee will determine the practical implementation of each drawdown of the loan facility under the Amended Agreements, each contribution in kind of a receivable created and due under the Amended Agreements and each issuance of new shares in consideration of such contributions in kind, including (but not limited to) the maximum number of new shares to be issued, the issue price of the new shares to be issued, the timing of the issuance of the new shares and the resulting capital increase, the terms and conditions of subscription for the shares and the other mechanisms for realising the capital increase, for a period ending three years and two months after 8 August 2022.
(e) to undertake all useful or necessary steps with the competent regulatory authorities and Euronext Brussels (including, without limitation, the preparation and submission of a listing and trading prospectus in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation) in relation to the admission to trading of the new shares on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels;
(f) to carry out and establish the capital increase transactions, on each occasion as provided for above in one or several tranches, to amend the Company's articles of association as a result thereof and, as the case may be, to fix the amount of the issue premium; and
The board of directors and the Committee are each authorised to sub-delegate (in whole or in part) the exercise of the powers conferred upon each of them by this resolution. The Committee will be validly represented by each member of the Committee, acting individually.
Communication, consideration and discussion of the following reports:
6.1 the report of the board of directors of the Company, prepared in accordance with articles 7:180, 7:191 and 7:193 of the Companies and Associations Code, in connection with the proposal to issue, in favour of Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. (the "Investor") (i) 10,000,000 new subscription rights for shares of the Company, with a term of 5 years (the "Warrants"), and (ii) 10,000,000 new subscription rights for shares of the Company, with a term of 18 months (the "Investment Options"), and to cancel, in the interest of the Company, the preferential subscription right of the Company's existing shareholders and, to the extent necessary, the current holders of share options and/or convertible bonds of the Company, in favour of the Investor;
6.2 the report of the Company's statutory auditor, prepared in accordance with articles 7:180, 7:191 and 7:193 of the Companies and Associations Code, in connection with the proposal to issue in favour of the Investor (i) 10,000,000 Warrants, and (ii) 10,000,000 Investment Options, and to cancel, in the interest of the Company, the preferential subscription right of the Company's existing shareholders and, to the extent necessary, the current holders of share options and/or convertible bonds of the Company, in favour of the Investor.
Proposed resolution: The general meeting of shareholders resolves to approve the issue of 10,000,000 new subscription rights for shares of the Company, with a term of 5 years, called the "2023 Investor Warrants", and to cancel, in the interest of the Company, the preferential subscription right of the Company's existing shareholders and, to the extent necessary, the current holders of share options and/or convertible bonds of the Company, in favour of the Investor. To this end, the general meeting of shareholders resolves as follows:
7.2 Underlying shares: Each Warrant will entitle its holder to subscribe for one new share to be issued by the Company. The new shares to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants will have the same rights and benefits, and will in all respects rank pari passu, including with respect to the rights to dividends and distributions, with the existing and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of their issuance, and will be entitled to dividends and distributions for which the applicable record date or maturity date falls on, or after the issuance date of the new shares.
7.3 Admission to listing and trading of the underlying shares: All new shares to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants, when issued, must be admitted to listing and trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels. For this purpose, the Company will submit the necessary applications, and implement all measures as appropriate, including (if such is not yet the case) the preparation of a listing and trading prospectus or a supplement in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, in order to have the new shares to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants admitted to listing and trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
7.6 Issue premium: Any issue premium recorded, as the case may be, in connection with the Warrants, will be recorded as a liability in the Company's balance sheet under equity. The account to which the issue premium is booked will constitute, in the same way as the Company's capital, a guarantee for third parties and, unless it is possible to capitalize these reserves, may only be reduced or eliminated following a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders conform the conditions required to amend the Company's articles of association.
7.7 Approval in accordance with article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code: The general meeting of shareholders resolves to acknowledge, approve and ratify, insofar as necessary, in accordance with article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code, all clauses of the Warrants Terms that come into effect at the time a change of control occurs (including, but not limited to, clauses 5.2 and 7 of the Warrants Terms), and which fall or could be considered to fall within the scope of article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code (relating to the granting to third parties of rights substantially affecting the Company's assets or giving rise to a substantial debt or liability on its part, where the exercise of such rights depends on the launch of a public takeover bid for the Company's shares or a change of control exercised over it). The general meeting of shareholders also grants a special power of attorney to each of the Company's directors, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, the Compliance Officer and the Company's Corporate Secretary, each acting individually and with the possibility of sub-delegation and power of subrogation, to carry out the formalities required by article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code with regard to this decision, including, but not limited to, the execution of all the documents and forms required for the publication of this resolution in the annexes of the Belgian Official Gazette.
Proposed resolution: The general meeting of shareholders resolves to approve the issue of 10,000,000 new subscription rights for shares in the Company, with a term of 18 months, known as the "2023 Investment Options", and to cancel, in the interest of the Company, the preferential subscription right of the Company's existing shareholders and, to the extent necessary, the current holders of share options and/or convertible bonds of the Company, in favour of the Investor. To this end, the general meeting of shareholders resolves as follows:
8.2 Underlying shares: Each Investment Option will entitle its holder to subscribe for one new share to be issued by the Company. The new shares to be issued upon exercise of the Investment Options will have the same rights and benefits, and will in all respects rank pari passu, including with respect to the rights to dividends and distributions, with the existing and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of their issuance, and will be entitled to dividends and distributions for which the applicable record date or maturity date falls on, or after the issuance date of the new shares.
8.3 Admission to listing and trading of the underlying shares: All new shares to be issued upon exercise of the Investment Options, when issued, must be admitted to listing and trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels. For this purpose, the Company will submit the necessary applications, and implement all measures as appropriate, including (if such is not yet the case) the preparation of a listing and trading prospectus or a supplement in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, in order to have the new shares to be issued upon exercise of the Investment Options admitted to listing and trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
8.6 Issue premium: Any issue premium recorded, as the case may be, in connection with the Investment Options, will be recorded as a liability in the Company's balance sheet under equity. The account to which the issue premium is booked will constitute, in the same way as the Company's capital, a guarantee for third parties and, unless it is possible to capitalize these reserves, may only be reduced or eliminated following a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders conform the conditions required to amend the Company's articles of association.
8.7 Approval in accordance with article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code: The general meeting of shareholders resolves to acknowledge, approve and ratify, insofar as necessary, in accordance with article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code, all clauses of the Investment Options Terms that come into effect at the time a change of control occurs (including, but not limited to, clauses 5.2 and 7 of the Investment Options Terms), and which fall or could be considered to fall within the scope of article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code (relating to the granting to third parties of rights substantially affecting the Company's assets or giving rise to a substantial debt or liability on its part, where the exercise of such rights depends on the launch of a public takeover bid for the Company's shares or a change of control exercised over it). The general meeting of shareholders also grants a special power of attorney to each of the Company's directors, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, the Compliance Officer and the Company's Corporate Secretary, each acting individually and with the possibility of sub-delegation and power of subrogation, to carry out the formalities required by article 7:151 of the Companies and Associations Code with regard to this decision, including, but not limited to, the execution of all the documents and forms required for the publication of this resolution in the annexes of the Belgian Official Gazette.
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