Pre-Annual General Meeting Information • Apr 20, 2020
Pre-Annual General Meeting Information
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Limited Liability Company ("naamloze vennootschap") Registered Office: Generaal de Wittelaan 11B, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium Company Number VAT BE 0505.640.808 RLP Antwerp, division Mechelen
to be held on Friday 8 May 2020 at 2:00 p.m. CEST
This explanatory note has been prepared on behalf of the Board of Directors of Biocartis Group NV (the "Company") in connection with the various items on the agenda of the annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings of the Company, to be held on Friday 8 May 2020. Pursuant to Article 7:129, §3, 4° of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, this note contains for each of the items on the agenda of the aforementioned annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings a proposed resolution or, if the item does not require a resolution, a commentary on behalf of the Board of Directors.
For further information on date, hour and venue of the annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings, the manner in which the holders of securities issued by the Company can participate in the meeting and background documentation regarding the meeting, reference can be made to the notice convening the annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings.
Agenda and proposed resolutions: The agenda and proposed resolutions of the annual shareholders' meeting of the Company, which, as the case may be, can be amended at the meeting on behalf of the Board of Directors, are as follows:
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the submission of, and discussion on: (a) the combined annual report of the Board of Directors on the statutory financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, (b) the report of the statutory auditor on the statutory financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, and (c) the report of the statutory auditor on the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019. A copy of these documents are available on the Company's website and at the Company's registered office, as indicated in the notice convening the annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings.
Submission of, and discussion on: (a) the combined annual report of the Board of Directors on the statutory financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, (b) the report of the statutory auditor on the statutory financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, and (c) the report of the statutory auditor on the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the approval of the statutory financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, and of the proposed allocation of the result. Pursuant to the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, the annual shareholders' meeting must decide on the approval of the statutory financial statements and the proposed allocation of the Company's profit or loss. A copy of this document is available on the Company's website and at the Company's registered office, as indicated in the notice convening the annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings.
Approval of the statutory financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, and of the proposed allocation of the result.
Proposed resolution: The annual shareholders' meeting approves the statutory financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, as well as the allocation of the result as proposed by the Board of Directors.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the submission of, and discussion on, the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019. A copy of this document is available on the Company's website and at the Company's registered office, as indicated in the notice convening the annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings.
Submission of the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the release from liability of the directors for the performance of their mandate during 2019. Pursuant to the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, the annual shareholders' meeting must each year, after the approval of the statutory financial statements, decide separately on the release from liability of the directors. For an overview of the directors who were in office in 2019, reference can be made to the corporate governance statement included in the annual report of the Board of Directors that is referred to in item 1 of the agenda of the annual shareholders' meeting.
Proposed resolution: The annual shareholders' meeting grants discharge from liability to each of the directors who was in office during the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, for the performance of his or her mandate during that financial year.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the release from liability of the statutory auditor for the performance of its mandate during 2019. Pursuant to the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, the annual shareholders' meeting must each year, after the approval of the statutory financial statements, decide on the release from liability of the statutory auditor.
Proposed resolution: The annual shareholders' meeting grants discharge from liability to the statutory auditor for the performance of its mandate during the financial year ended on 31 December 2019.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the submission of, discussion on and approval of the remuneration report prepared by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee. Pursuant to the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, the annual shareholders' meeting must decide separately on the approval of the remuneration report. The remuneration report is included in the annual report of the Board of Directors that is referred to in item 1 of the agenda of the annual shareholders' meeting.
Submission of, discussion on and approval of the remuneration report prepared by the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and included in the annual report of the Board of Directors for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019.
Proposed resolution: The annual shareholders' meeting approves the remuneration report included in the annual report of the Board of Directors for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019.
Explanation: The mandate of the following directors will expire with effect as from the closing of the annual shareholders' meeting of 8 May 2020:
This agenda item relates to the proposed re-appointment of (i) Ann-Christine Sundell and Luc Gijsens BV, represented by Luc Gijsens as permanent representative, as independent directors of the Company for a term of two years, up to and including the closing of the annual shareholders' meeting to be held in 2022 which will have decided upon the financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2021, and (ii) Roald Borré as director of the Company for a term of two years, up to and including the closing of the annual shareholders' meeting to be held in 2022 which will have decided upon the financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2021. The mandate of these directors shall be remunerated as set out in the remuneration report included in the annual report of the Board of Directors for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019.
CLSCO BV, represented by Leo Steenbergen as permanent representative, and Scientia II LLC, represented by Harry Glorikian as permanent representative, agreed that they will not be proposed for re-appointment as director of the Company in order to allow the Company to increase the diversity within the Board.
Subject to the annual shareholders' meeting re-appointing the directors proposed by the Board of Directors in this agenda item 7 and appointing Christine Kuslich (agenda item 8), and taking into account the aforementioned expiration of the mandates of CLSCO BV, represented by Leo Steenbergen as permanent representative, and Scientia II LLC, represented by Harry Glorikian as permanent representative, the Board will be composed as follows as from the closing of the annual shareholders' meeting of 8 May 2020:
Taking into account the recommendation of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, the Board of Directors recommends that Ann-Christine Sundell and Luc Gijsens BV, represented by Luc Gijsens as permanent representative, be re-appointed as independent directors of the Company for a term of two years, and that Roald Borré be re-appointed as director of the Company for a term of two years. For further information regarding these proposed directors, reference is made to the corporate governance statement included in the annual report of the Board of Directors for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019.
Based on information made available by respectively Ann-Christine Sundell and Luc Gijsens BV, permanently represented by Luc Gijsens, it appears that respectively Ann-Christine Sundell and each of Luc Gijsens BV and Luc Gijsens, satisfy the applicable requirements in order to be appointed as independent directors in accordance with Article 7:87 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations and provision 3.5 of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the proposed appointment of Christine Kuslich as a new independent director. Dr. Christine Kuslich is a clinical molecular geneticist with more than 25 years of experience in the clinical diagnostics industry. Most recently, Dr. Kuslich held positions as Chief Scientific Officer for the molecular diagnostic divisions of Hologic and GE Healthcare overseeing large diverse teams of scientists, engineers and bioinformaticians to develop and commercialize both CLIA and FDA approved assays and diagnostic platforms. Prior to this she was Senior Vice President of Research & Development for Caris Life Sciences where she lead the team developing the first molecular profiling tools for cancer therapy selection as well as inventing a novel liquid biopsy methodology and biomarkers for non-invasive cancer detection and therapy selection. Dr. Kuslich holds a BS degree in Microbiology from Arizona State University, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Genetics) from University of Hawaii.
The mandate of this director shall be remunerated as set out in relation to independent directors in the remuneration report included in the annual report of the Board of Directors for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, provided that the attendance fee for this director shall be increased, as the case may be, with a fee for travel time of EUR 2,500 per meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person, in accordance with Biocartis' remuneration policy and practices.
Taking into account the recommendation of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, the Board of Directors recommends that Christine Kuslich be appointed as independent director of the Company for a term of two years. For further information regarding this proposed director, reference is made to the explanatory note prepared by the Board of Directors.
Based on information made available by Christine Kuslich, it appears that Christine Kuslich satisfies the applicable requirements in order to be appointed as independent director in accordance with Article 7:87 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations and provision 3.5 of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020.
Proposed resolution: Christine Kuslich is appointed as independent director of the Company within the meaning of Article 7:87 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations and provision 3.5 of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020, for a term of two years, up to and including the closing of the annual shareholders' meeting to be held in 2022 which will have decided upon the financial statements for the financial year ended on 31 December 2021. The mandate of this director shall be remunerated as set out in relation to independent directors in the remuneration report included in the annual report of the Board of Directors for the financial year ended on 31 December 2019, provided that the attendance fee for this director shall be increased, as the case may be, with a fee for travel time of EUR 2,500 per meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person, in accordance with Biocartis' remuneration policy and practices.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the proposed increase of the annual remuneration of the statutory auditor for the audit of the statutory annual accounts, the consolidated annual accounts and the interim reporting of the group for the financial years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020. This increase results from the fact that the scope of the audit activities performed by the statutory auditor was broadened as a result of the growing business of the group.
Approval of the increase of the remuneration of the statutory auditor for its audit for the financial years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020. This increase results from the fact that the scope of the audit activities performed by the statutory auditor was broadened as a result of the growing business of the group.
Proposed resolution: The annual shareholders' meeting resolves to increase the annual remuneration of the statutory auditor from EUR 120,000 (exclusive of expenses and VAT), as approved by the annual shareholders' meeting of 11 May 2018, to EUR 137,000 (exclusive of expenses and VAT) for the audit of the statutory annual accounts, the consolidated annual accounts and the interim reporting of the group for the financial years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020. This increase results from the fact that the scope of the audit activities performed by the statutory auditor was broadened as a result of the growing business of the group.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the acknowledgement of the change from Mr. Gert Vanhees to Mr. Nico Houthaeve as the permanent representative of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren CVBA, Gateway Building, Luchthaven Nationaal, 1J, 1930 Zaventem, Belgium, statutory auditor of the Company. This change occurs in the framework of the internal audit partner rotation requirements of the statutory auditor of the Company.
Acknowledgement of the change from Mr. Gert Vanhees to Mr. Nico Houthaeve as the permanent representative of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren CVBA, Gateway Building, Luchthaven Nationaal, 1J, 1930 Zaventem, Belgium, statutory auditor of the Company. This change will enter into effect immediately for the remaining duration of the current mandate of the statutory auditor.
Agenda and proposed resolutions: The agenda and proposed resolutions of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of the Company, which, as the case may be, can be amended at the meeting on behalf of the Board of Directors, are as follows:
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the consideration, submission of, and discussion on the special report of the Board of Directors in accordance with Article 7:199 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations relating to the proposal to renew the powers granted to the Board of Directors under the authorized capital. A copy of this document is available on the Company's website and at the Company's registered office.
Consideration, discussion and submission of the special report of the Board of Directors in accordance with Article 7:199 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations relating to the proposal to renew the powers granted to the Board of Directors under the authorized capital, as set out below in item 2 of the agenda of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting, and setting out the specific circumstances in which the Board of Directors will be able to use its powers under the authorized capital, and the purposes that it should pursue.
Explanation: This agenda item relates to the proposal that the extraordinary shareholders' meeting resolves to renew the authorization 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 authorization, with an aggregate amount equal to up to 75% of the current amount of the share capital of the Company, 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 Code of Companies and Associations, as referred to in agenda item 1 of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting. In particular, it should be noted that the aforementioned authorization is not intended as a defense mechanism against a takeover bid as it does not authorize the Board of Directors to increase the share capital of the Company with restriction or cancellation of the preferential subscription right of the shareholders after the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) has notified the Company of a public takeover bid for the Company's shares, subject to the provisions of Article 7:202 of the BCCA.
Proposed resolution: The extraordinary shareholders' meeting resolves to renew the authorization 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 authorization, with an aggregate amount equal to up to 75% of the current amount of the share capital of the Company, 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 Code of Companies and Associations, as referred to in agenda item 1 of this extraordinary shareholders' meeting. Consequently, the extraordinary shareholders' meeting resolves to delete Article 10 "Authorized capital" of the articles of association of the Company entirely 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 authorized capital):
The board of directors may increase the share capital of the company in one or several times with a maximum amount of € 422,865.66, i.e. 75% of the share capital at the time of the convening of the shareholders' meeting granting this authorization.
The board of directors may increase the share capital by contributions in cash or in kind, by capitalization of reserves, whether available or unavailable for distribution, and capitalization of issue premium, with or without the issue of new shares. The board of directors may use this authorization for the issue of convertible bonds, share options or subscription rights, bonds with subscription rights or other securities.
This authorization is valid for a period of five years as from the date of publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of an extract of the minutes of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of the company held on [date].
In the event of a capital increase decided by the board of directors pursuant to the authorized capital, all booked issue premiums, if any, shall be booked in accordance with these articles of association.
The board of directors is authorized, when exercising its powers under the authorized capital, to restrict or cancel the statutory preferential subscription right of the shareholders (in accordance with Article 7:190 and following of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations) in the interest of the company. This restriction or cancellation of the preferential subscription right can also be done in favor of members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries or in favor of one or more persons, other than members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries.
Every member of the board of directors, the company secretary and every person specifically authorized by the board of directors or by the managing director of the company, acting individually and with the right of substitution, is authorized to amend the articles of association, after each capital increase within the framework of the authorized capital, in order to bring them in conformity with the new situation of the share capital and shares."
Explanation: This agenda item relates to proposal that the extraordinary shareholders' meeting resolves to amend and restate the articles of association of the Company to bring the articles of association in line with the provisions and requirements of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations and to make some technical changes in the articles of associations, as further set out in the proposed draft of the articles of association attached to this explanatory note and in the proposed resolution below.
Proposed resolution: The extraordinary shareholders' meeting resolves to amend and restate the articles of association of the Company in accordance with the proposed draft of the articles of association that is attached to the explanatory note that has been prepared by the Board of Directors pursuant to Article 7:129, §3, 4° of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations and which is available on the Company's website, with a view to:
* * *
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Attachment: Proposed amended and restated articles of association of the Company, in a version reflecting the proposed changes to the current articles of association of the Company.
The company has the corporate form of a "naamloze vennootschap" (limited liability company) or "NV" in short.
The name must always be preceded or followed by the words "naamloze vennootschap" (limited liability company) or its abbreviation "NV".
The registered office of the company is located at 2800 Mechelen (Belgium), Generaal De Wittelaan 11B, in the judicial district Antwerp, division Mechelen. in the Flemish Region.
The board of directors may decide to transfer the registered office of the company in Belgium without amendment to the articles of association, insofar as this transfer does not cause a change in the language regime applicable to the company.
The company may, by a simple majority vote of the board of directors, establish additional administrative seats and operating seats, as well as offices and branches, both in Belgium and abroad.
The purposeobject of the company is, as well in Belgium as abroad, as well in its own name and for its own account as in the name or for the account of third parties, alone or in cooperation with third parties:
associations in which it holds an interest or a participation or any other right, and, in general, to undertake all actions that wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, fall under the activities of a parent company.
The company can :
Article 4: Duration
The company has been established for an indefinite duration.
Except in the event of dissolution by court order, the company can only be dissolved by an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders with due observance of the applicable legal requirements regarding the dissolution of companies.
Article 5: Share Capital
5.1 Share capital and Shares
The share capital of the company amounts to € 563,820.88.
It is divided in 56,382,088 shares, without nominal value, each representing the same fraction of the share capital.
The share capital has been fully and unconditionally subscribed for and is fully paid up.
being together all shares of the company incorporated under Swiss law, "BIOCARTIS SA", located at Ecublens (Switzerland), and with registered office 1015 Lausanne (Switzerland), Quartier Innovation EPFL-G, registered at the register of commerce of the canton de Vaud (Switzerland) under number CH-113.721.204, and with federal number CH-550.1.050.998-0, of which they were owner, in a ratio of one (1) new Common Share, respectively one (1) Preferred F Share, of the limited liability company "BIOCARTIS GROUP", benefiting from the contribution, for one (1) existing common share, respectively one (1) existing preferred F share for
of aforementioned company "BIOCARTIS SA", which was contributed, and this for a total rounded contribution value of € 222,114,578.00
at 1677 Prez-vers-Siviriez (Switzerland), Route de la Glâne 123, registered zitch the registered of commerce of Canton de Fribourg (Switzerland) under number CHE-112.050.229 and with Federal number CH-550.1.042.160-6, and registered with the Crossroads Bank of Enterprises in Belgium with company number 0567.830.278 in consideration for the contribution in kind of all 2,253,262,501 shares of the limited liability company "MyCartis", located at 9052 Ghent, Technologiepark 4, RLP Ghent with company number 0866.952.940, VAT-liable, for a total contribution value of € 5,052,158.00;
Article 6: Nature of the securities
Shares that are not fully paid-up are in registered form.
Fully paid-up shares and other securities shall be in registered or dematerialised form, or, to the extent allowed by the law and provided by the applicable issuance conditions of the relevant securities, in another form at the discretion of the holder of the securities.
Any holder of securities can request at any time and at his expense that his paid-up securities be converted into another form, to the extent allowed by the law and the applicable issuance conditions.
Dematerialised securities are represented by a book-entry, in the name of the owner or the holder, with a certified account holder or with a depository institution.
The share register book and the register of other registered securities, in as far as applicable, can be kept electronically. Each owner of securities can consult the register relating to his securities.
The transfer of securities is not subject to any limitations, unless otherwise provided by law.
All issue premiums booked will be accounted for on the liabilities side of the company's balance sheet as net equity.
The account on which the issue premiums are booked shall serve, like the share capital, as the guarantee for third parties and can only be reduced on the basis of a lawful resolution of the general shareholders' meeting passed in the manner required for an amendment to the company's articles of association.
Any natural person or legal entity which acquires, directly or indirectly, voting right securities of the company, whether or not representing its share capital, must notify the board of directors of the company and the Financial Services and Markets Authority of the number and the percentage of the existing voting rights he or she holds as a result of the acquisition, whether directly, indirectly or by acting in concert with one or several other persons, when the voting rights attached to the voting right securities reach or exceed 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and any further multiple of 5% of the total existing voting rights.
A similar notification is required when due to transfers of securities the number of voting rights falls below one of the aforementioned thresholds.
Each time in case of an increase of the share capital, the new shares which are to be subscribed for in cash must first be offered to the existing shareholders in proportion to the part of the share capital represented by their shares in accordance with the relevant legal provisions.
The preferential subscription right can be restricted or cancelled by the general shareholders' meeting in accordance with the relevant legal provisions in the interest of the company. In case of authorisation to increase the share capital within the framework of the authorised capital, the board of directors is also authorised to restrict or cancel the preferential subscription right, in the interest of the company, and this also in favour of one or more specific persons other than the members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries.
The general shareholders' meeting, or as the case may be the board of directors within the framework of the authorised capital, can decide to increase the share capital in favour of the personnel of the company or its subsidiaries, provided that the provisions of article 609 of the Belgian Company Code of Companies and Associations are complied with.
The general shareholders' meeting can resolve to a share split or a consolidation of shares, provided that the provisions and majorities required for an amendment of the articles of association set out in the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations are complied with.
The board of directors may increase the share capital of the company onin one or several occasionstimes with a maximum amount of € 391,440.13422,865.66, i.e. 75% of the share capital at the time of the convening of the shareholders' meeting granting this authorization.
The board of directors may increase the share capital by contributions in cash or in kind, by capitalisationcapitalization of reserves, whether available or unavailable for distribution, and capitalisationcapitalization of issue premium, with or without the issue of new shares. The board of directors may use this authorisationauthorization for the issue of convertible bonds, share options or warrantssubscription rights, bonds with warrantssubscription rights or other securities.
This authorisationauthorization is valid for a period of five years as from the date of publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of an extract of the minutes of the extraordinary shareholders' meeting of the company held on 13 April 2015.[date].
In the event of a capital increase decided by the board of directors pursuant to the authorisedauthorized capital, all booked issue premiums, if any, shall be booked in accordance with these articles of association.
The board of directors is authorisedauthorized, when exercising its powers under the authorisedauthorized capital, to restrict or cancel the statutory preferential subscription right of the shareholders (in accordance with article 592Article 7:190 and following of the Belgian Company Code of Companies and Associations) in the interest of the company. This restriction or cancellation of the preferential subscription right can also be done in favourfavor of members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries or in favourfavor of one or more persons, other than members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries.
The Every member of the board of directors is authorised,, the company secretary and every person specifically authorized by the board of directors or by the managing director of the company, acting individually and with the right of substitution, is authorized to amend the articles of association, after each capital increase within the framework of the authorisedauthorized capital, in order to bring them in conformity with the new situation of the share capital and shares.
Article 11: Non-paid-up shares - Obligation to pay-up shares
The obligation to pay-up a share is unconditional and indivisible.
If shares which have not been paid-up in full belong to several persons undividedly, each of them is liable for the payment of the entire amount of the called payable payments.
Additional payment or payment in full is called by the board of directors at the time it determines.
Notice thereof is given to the relevant shareholders at least ten (10) days beforehand by registered letter or, for those shareholders who have communicated their e-mail address to the company in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, by e-mail indicating the bank account to which the payment should be made, to the exclusion of all other methods of payment, by means of wire transfer or cash deposit. A shareholder is in default by the mere lapse of the term determined in the notice.
As long as the calls for payments on a share have not been performed in accordance with this provision, the exercise of the voting rights of all shares owned by the relevant shareholder (and not only the voting rights attached to the shares for which the payments due have not yet been performed) are suspended, and an interest will be due on the payable amounts, which will be equal to 3.5% annually.
Earlier payments on shares cannot be made without the prior consent of the board of directors.
Article 12: Indivisibility of securities
All securities shall be viewed as held in undivided ownership vis-à-vis the company.
Co-owners as well as pledgors and pledgees and bare owners and naked owners and usufructuaries must be represented by a sole person.
Without prejudice of the provisions of these articles of association relating to the representation at a general shareholders' meeting, whenif a security is held by more than one person or if several persons hold rights in rem to the same security, the company may suspend all rights attached to such security until such time as one sole person has been identified to the company as the holder of the security.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and unless a will or an agreement provides otherwise, the usufructuary of securities exercises all rights associated with those securities.
Heirs, creditors, or other rightful claimants of a shareholder may in no event intervene in the management of the company, nor cause seals to be laid on the assets and securities of the company, nor petition the liquidation of the company or the distribution of its assets.
For the exercise of their rights, they must accept the balance sheets and inventories of the company and accept the decisions of the general shareholders' meeting.
Article 14: Bonds, warrantssubscription rights and other securities giving entitlement to shares
The general shareholders' meeting or the board of directors acting within the framework of the authorised capital may issue convertible bonds, bonds repayable into shares, warrantssubscription rights or any other financial instrument giving an entitlement to shares. The general shareholders' meeting or the board of directors acting within the framework of the authorised capital may, in the interest of the company, restrict or cancel the shareholders' preferential subscription right in accordance with the Belgian Company CodeCode of Companies and Associations, including in favour of one or more specified persons other than members of the personnel of the company or of its subsidiaries.
The holders of bonds or warrants have the rightIn accordance with applicable law, holders of shares without voting rights, profit certificates without voting rights, convertible bonds, subscription rights or certificates which were issued with cooperation of the company are entitled to attend general shareholders' meetings, but only in a consultative capacity.
The company can acquire or dispose of its own shares subject to compliance with the legal provisions.
Article 16: Powers of the board of directors
The company has opted for a one tier governance model whereby the board of directors will havehas the authority to take all actions necessary or useful for the realisation of the corporate purposeobject of the company, save for those in relation to which only the general shareholders' meeting has authority by law or these articles of association.
The company may, acting through the board of directors and subject to applicable law, enter into indemnification arrangements with the directors and take out insurance coverage in order to cover liability of its directors and agents.
The board of directors shall be composed of at least three (3) persons, who shall be appointed by simple majority of the general shareholders' meeting.
When a legal person is appointed as director, it must appoint amongst its shareholders, directors, managers or employees a permanent representative charged with the performance of the mandate in the name of and for the account of the legal person-director. This permanent representative must be a natural person.
The term of the directors' mandate may not exceed four (4) years. The directors may be reelected for one or more terms.
Their Unless the relevant appointment decision provides otherwise, their mandate ends at the closing ofwill start as from the general shareholders'shareholders' meeting or at which they are appointed and will end at the annual general shareholders' meeting ofin the board of directors that does not provide for their replacementfinancial year in which their mandate expires in accordance with the appointment decision.
The directors may at all times be discharged by the general shareholders' meeting in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
In the event of a vacancy in a director's mandate, whatever the reason may be, the remaining directors shall have the authority in accordance with Article 519the relevant provisions of the Belgian Company Code of Companies and Associations to fill such vacancy for the time being. The next general shareholders' meeting shall decide on the final appointment in accordance with the rules set forth in this article. In case of more than one vacancy, the remaining directors shall have the right to fill all such vacancies simultaneously for the time being.
The general shareholders' meeting can decide whether or not the mandate of the directors is remunerated by allocating a fixed and/or variable remuneration.
The amount thereof is determined by the general shareholders' meeting and will be borne by the general expenses of the company. The general shareholders' meeting may determine the aggregate amount of the remuneration allocated to the directors, who shall then divide this amount among themselves.
In the absence of any explicit resolution as to the remuneration of a director, his mandate is deemed not remunerated.
The board of directors will elect a chairman from among its members, and may appoint one or more vice-chairmen.
The chairman, or in case the chairman is absent, a vice-chairman, if any, or in case the latter is also absent, a director appointed by the other directors present, will chair the meeting of the board of directors.
The board of directors shall meet as often as the interest of the company so requires. The board of directors will meet upon invitation by the chairman of the board of directors, as well as within fourteen days after a request for a meeting by any director (stating the reasons for such meeting of the board of directors).
The meeting of the board of directors shall be chaired by the chairman, or in case the chairman is absent or hindered, a vice-chairman, if any, or in case the latter is also absent, a director appointed by the other directors.
Unless waived by all of the directors the convening notice shall be given to the directors at least five (5) business days before the meeting and will include the agenda, together with the documents which are to be resolved upon (if applicable). In case of urgency, such as force majeure events, the term of convening notice shall be changed to two (2) business days.
The meetings of the board of directors are held at the registered office or at the place indicated in the notice convening the meeting.
Meetings may be held by using any telecommunication means permitting joint discussion, such as telephone conferencing or video conferencing. Directors taking part in a meeting held by conference call or video conference shall be considered as being present at the meeting.
In exceptional circumstances, where the urgency of the matter and the interests of the company so require, board resolutions may be adopted by unanimous written consent of all directors. This written procedure may not be used for the determination of the annual financial statements or the application of the authorised capital.
The board can only deliberate and pass resolutions provided that at least half of the directors is present or represented. If the quorum is not reached at a first meeting, a second meeting can be convened which can validly deliberate and take decisions regardless of the number of directors present or represented, it being understood that at least two (2) directors must be present, either physically or with the aid of telecommunication means.
The attendance quorum will not apply to resolutions to which a majority of the members of the board of directors would not participate pursuant to Article 7:96 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations relating to conflicts of interest, provided however that a majority of the other directors is present or represented at such meeting.
The board of directors can only validly deliberate and resolve on matters not included in the agenda if all members of the board of directors are present or represented and all have agreed thereto. This consent is assumed to have been given when no objection is recorded in the minutes.
Each director may instruct another director by simple letter, by telegram, telex, telefax, email or any other means of communication that produces a document, bearing the director's signature (which may be a digital signature as defined in article 1322, paragraph 2 of the Civil Codeto the extent allowed as written evidence by the applicable legislation), to represent him at a specified meeting of the board of directors and to vote for him and in his place. In these circumstances a director giving such instructions is regarded as being present. A director can represent several of his fellow members.
All resolutions of the board of directors will be passed with a simple majority of the directors present or represented, without taking into account the abstentions.
In case votes are tied, the chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.
The resolutions of the board of directors can be taken by unanimous written resolutions of all directors, with the exception of those resolutions for which the articles of association exclude such possibility (if applicable).
Minutes of each meeting of the board of directors are kept at the registered office of the company and will be signed by the at least the chairman and the secretary of the board of directors, as well as any member who so requests.
Copies or extracts of the minutes under private deed, to be produced in court or elsewhere, are validly signed by two directors, by the chairman of the board of directors or by any person to whom daily management powers have been delegated.
The board of directors can appoint one or more managing director(s) and grant them the broadest powers in connection with the daily management of the company, the representation in connection with such daily management and the execution of the resolutions of the board of directors.
The board of directors may also delegate the daily management and the representation related to said management to
(b) one or more persons, whether or not a director.
It appoints and dismisses the persons delegated to said management and determines their powers.
The board of directors and the persons to whom the daily management has been delegated, the latter within the boundaries of such management, and the executive committee, if one is established, within the framework of its powers, may grant special and specific proxies to one or more persons of their choice.
The board of directors may establish within itself and under its responsibility one or more advisory committees, such as an audit committee, a nomination committee and a remuneration committee (which may be combined with a nomination committee).
For the avoidance of doubt, such committees have an advisory role, with decisions to be only taken by the board of directors.
Notwithstanding the general representation power of the board of directors as a body, the company is validly represented in any and all matters by two directors.
The company is also validly represented in any and all matters by one or more persons delegated to the daily management, within the framework of this daily management, acting individually or jointly, or in execution of a decision of the board of directors.
The company shall be validly bound in law by special attorneys acting within the limits of the powers of attorney granted to them by the board of directors.
The audit of the financial situation of the company, the financial statements and the regularity of the transactions to be reported in the annual financial statements, shall at all times, even when the company does not meet the legally required thresholds, be entrusted to one or more auditors.
The auditors are appointed and remunerated in accordance with the provisions of the Belgian Company CodeCode of Companies and Associations.
Article 27: Annual, special and extraordinary general shareholders' meeting
The annual general shareholders' meeting shall be held on the second Friday of the month May at 2 p.m..
If this day is a public holiday, the meeting will be held on the next business day.
A special or an extraordinary shareholders' meeting may be convened at any time in order to deliberate on any matter within its authority.
Each general shareholders' meetings shall be held at the registered office of the company or at any other place indicated in the notice convening the meeting.
The board of directors and each statutory auditor of the company may, acting separately, convene a general shareholders' meeting. They must convene the annual shareholders' meeting on the date set forth in these articles of association.
The board of directors and the statutory auditors are under the obligation to convene a special or an extraordinary general shareholders' meeting within three weeks if one or more shareholders which, separately or jointly, represent one/fifthtenth of the share capital, so request. , with at least the items on the agenda proposed by the relevant shareholders.
The request shall be sent by registered letter to the registered office of the company. Such request must indicate the items on the agenda on which the shareholders' meeting must deliberate and decide.
In the notice convening the general shareholders' meeting, other items may be added to the agenda to those included by the shareholders.
General shareholders' meetings shall be convened in accordance with the relevant provisions of the applicable legislation. The convening notice will include the agenda, as well as the information which is obliged by the applicable legislation.
The convening notices prepared by the board of directors may validly be signed in its name by a person to whom the daily management of the company has been delegated.
The persons participating in a meeting are deemed to have received proper notice if they are present or represented at the meeting. They may also waive in writing their right to complain about any lack or irregularity of the convening notice before or after a meeting which they do not attend.
The convening notices are deemed to be given as soon as they are sent.
To be admitted to and to participate in a general shareholders' meeting, the shareholders must comply with the relevant registration, notice, deposit, admission and other formalities, as required by the applicable legislation or as set forth (in accordance with the applicable legislation) in the notice convening to the meeting.
Representatives of legal persons must submit the documents, that prove their capacity of corporate body or special proxy-holder. Natural persons, corporate bodies or proxyholders who participate to the shareholders' meeting must submit proof of their identity.
Holders of profit sharing certificates, non-shares without voting shares,rights, convertible bonds, warrantssubscription rights or other securities issued by the company, if any, as well as holders of certificates, if any, issued with the assistance of the company and representing securities issued by the latter, may participate in a general shareholders' meeting insofar as the law or the articles of association entitle them to do so, and, if applicable, give them the right to participate in the vote.
If they wish to participate, they are subject to the same formalities regarding prior deposit and notice, form and deposit of proxies and admission, as those imposed on the shareholders.
Without prejudice to the rules on legal representation, each shareholder can be represented at the meeting by a proxyholder to whom a written proxy or a proxy on another durable medium recognized by law has been granted. Such proxies must be given in accordance with the applicable legislation or as set forth (in accordance with the applicable legislation) in the notice convening the meeting.
The holders of a proxy must comply with the provisions of the Belgian Company CodeCode of Companies and Associations in relation to the proxies for general shareholders' meetings. The board of directors may determine the draft text of the powers of attorney.
Each general shareholders' meeting shall be chaired by the chairman of the board of directors or, in his absence, by a vice-chairman, if any, or in his absence a director appointed by the board of directors.
The chairman shall appoint a secretary, who may or may not be a shareholder.
If the number of participants to the meeting so permits or requires, the meeting appoints two tellers from among thewho may be or not be shareholders or their proxy holders.
The persons referred to in this article constitute the bureau of the meeting.
The board of directors has the right, during the annual general shareholders' meeting, to postpone the resolution on the approval of the annual financial statements with five (5) weeks. This postponement shall not prejudice the decisions already adopted at such meeting, unless the general shareholders' meeting decides otherwise. The next general shareholders' meeting shall have the right to finally approve the annual financial statements.
The board of directors also has the right, during the general shareholders' meeting, to postpone any other general shareholders' meeting on one single occasion for a period of five (5) weeks. This postponement shall not prejudice the decisions already adopted at such meeting, unless the general shareholders' meeting decides otherwise.
At the next general shareholders' meeting, the items on the agenda in relation to which there was no final decision at the previous shareholders' meeting will be further created.
Subject to the relevant legislation, additional items may be added to the agenda of the next general shareholders' meeting.
Subject to the applicable legislation, the formalities that were satisfied in order to attend the first meeting, including the registration for the general shareholders' meeting, and, as the case may be, the deposit of the proxies, shall remain valid for the second meeting.
Shareholders who are not present or represented at the previous (adjourned) meeting, shall be admitted to the next meeting, provided that they complied with the formalities set forth in applicable law and these articles of association.
Article 34: Voting rights
Each share gives right to one (1) vote.
If the convening notice so provides, any shareholder may, prior to the general shareholders' meeting, vote by mail or electronically, using forms, of which the contents shall be specified in the convening notice and which will be made available to the shareholders. The form for remote voting contains at least the following information:
Forms that do not contain a positive or negative vote or an abstention with respect to each proposed resolution are void.
The form must bear the shareholder's signature (which may be a digital signature as defined in article 1322, paragraph 2 ofto the Belgian Civil Code or as otherwiseextent allowed as written evidence by the relevantapplicable legislation).
In accordance with the applicable legislation, the dated and signed form for remote voting must be sent by letter, fax, email or any other means mentioned in article 2281 of the Belgian Civil Codeto the extent allowed as written evidence by the applicable legislation to the company's registered office or to the place indicated in the convening notice and must arrive at the company at least on the sixth business day before the date of the shareholders' meeting. In accordance with the applicable legislation, the board of directors can elect that it is possible to vote electronically on the day of, or until the day of, such general shareholders' meeting. The board of directors may arrange for the remote voting to take place electronically via one or more websites. It shall establish the practical procedures for such electronic voting, ensuring that the system used allows for the inclusion of the information referred to in the second paragraph of this article and control of compliance with the prescribed time limit.
The general shareholders' meeting may not deliberate on items that are not on the agenda, unless all shareholders are present or represented at the meeting and unanimously consent to do so and if, in the event of a vote by mail, the form authorises a proxy holder to take such a decision.
The general shareholders' meeting can validly deliberate and pass resolutions, regardless of the number of shares present or represented, except in cases in which the law requires a special quorum.
The resolutions of the shareholders' meeting shall be validly passed by a simple majority of the cast in the voting except in cases in which the law requires a specific majority.
Voting shall be by show of hands unless, in view of the number of participants, the chairman of the meeting thinks it preferable to vote by another method, such as voting slips or by means of electronic means.
General shareholders' meetings may be transmitted or broadcast live by audio or video conferencing, or any other means of transmission and/or telecommunication.
Except for resolutions recorded in a notarial deed, the shareholders may adopt all resolutions within the powers of the general shareholders' meeting by unanimous and written consent in accordance with applicable legislation.
Minutes of the general shareholders' meetings shall be kept, and the attendance list and the reports, proxies, or votes cast in writing (as the case may be), shall be attached thereto in annex.
The minutes of the general shareholders' meetings shall be signed by the members of the bureau of the meeting and by those shareholders which so request.
The minutes are subsequently kept in a special register.
Transcripts and excerpts are signed by two directors, acting jointly, by the chairman of the board of directors or by each person, to whom the powers of the daily management were delegated.
Article 38: Fiscal year - Annual financial statements
The fiscal year of the company starts on 1 January and ends on 31 December of each year. At the end of each fiscal year the books and records shall be closed and the board of directors shall produce the annual financial statements, in accordance with applicable legal provisions. Such document is prepared and deposited with the National Bank of Belgium in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
If applicable, and in accordance with the applicable legal provisions, the board of directors shall, prior to the annual general shareholders' meeting, submit the documents containing the annual report to the auditors who must prepare their report in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
The positive balance on the profit and loss account represents the profit to be allocated for the fiscal year. At least 5% of this profit shall be used to form the legal reserve until that reserve amounts to 10% of the amount of the share capital.
The general shareholders' meeting decides on the allocation of the balance of the profit upon the proposal of the board of directors. In case the general shareholders' meeting decides on distributary profits, each share shall be equally entitled to dividends.
The board of directors shall determine the time and manner in which dividends will be paid. The board of directors is granted the power to distribute an interim dividend in accordance with the provisions of article 618 of the Belgian Company Code of Companies and Associations.
Article 41: Dissolution - Liquidation
The voluntary dissolution of the company can only be decided by an extraordinary general shareholders' meeting in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of these articles of association.
The general shareholders' meeting shall have the broadest powers to determine the powers of the liquidators, fix their remuneration and grant them release from liability, even while the liquidation is still pending.
After all liabilities have been settled, the balance of the assets owned by the company shall be distributed equally among all the shares.
Article 42: Election of domicile
Every member of the board of directors and the managing director can elect domicile at the registered office of the company, for all matters relating to the exercise of their mandate.
The directors and liquidators who are not domiciled in Belgium are, for the entire duration of their mandate, deemed to elect domicile at the registered office of the company, where any summons or notification concerning the business of the company and their responsibility for its management can be served on them.
Article 43: Applicable law
For all matters not expressly determined in these articles of association, or for legal provisions from which there is no valid derogation in these articles of association, the provisions of the Belgian Company CodeCode of Companies and Associations and the other provisions of Belgian law shall apply.
For the purposes of these articles of association, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays are not deemed to be business days.
Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise defined in these articles of association, for the purposes of these articles of association, "personnel" has the meaning as defined in Article 1:27 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. ===========================================================
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