EX-3.1 2 d945848dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

EIGHTH AMENDED & RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

Progenity, Inc.

(a Delaware corporation)

(Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”))

PROGENITY, INC., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of the DGCL,

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

FIRST: That the name of the corporation is Progenity, Inc. (the “Corporation”), and that the Corporation was originally incorporated pursuant to the DGCL on January 9, 2012 under the name Ascendant MDx, Inc.

SECOND: The Corporation’s Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 3, 2020.

THIRD: That the stockholders of the Corporation duly authorized and approved the amendment and restatement of the Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

FOURTH: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation duly adopted resolutions proposing to amend and restate the Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, declaring such amendment and restatement to be advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders, and authorizing appropriate officers of the Corporation to solicit the consent of the stockholders therefor, which resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and restatement is as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the Corporation is Progenity, Inc.


ARTICLE II

AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware and the County of Kent is 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19904. The name of its registered agent at such address is COGENCY GLOBAL INC.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE IV

STOCK

Section 4.1 Authorized Stock. The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 360,000,000, of which 350,000,000 shall be designated as Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shall be designated as Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

Section 4.2 Common Stock.

(a) Each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation, including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock (each hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”), that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation).

(b) Dividends. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends to the extent permitted by law when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”).

(c) Liquidation. Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them.

Section 4.3 Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Subject to limitations prescribed by law and the provisions of this Article IV (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the Board of Directors is hereby authorized to

 

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provide by resolution and by causing the filing of a Preferred Stock Designation for the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, of the shares of each such series.

Section 4.4 No Class Vote on Changes in Authorized Number of Shares of Stock. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 5.1 Number. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the Board of Directors shall consist of such number of directors as shall be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized.

Section 5.2 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships; Removal.

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, and unless otherwise required by law, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by the sole remaining director. Any director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of directors and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(b) Any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon; provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or series are entitled to elect one or more directors by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), with respect to the removal without cause of a director or directors so elected, the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class or series and not the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole shall apply.

(c) During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect additional directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof (including any Preferred Stock Designation) (the “Preferred Stock Directors”), and upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically

 

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be increased by such number of directors that the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have a right to elect, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to such provisions; and (ii) each Preferred Stock Director shall serve until such Preferred Stock Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such Preferred Stock Director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to such provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof (including any Preferred Stock Designation), whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to such provisions, the terms of office of all such Preferred Stock Directors elected by the holders of such Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such Preferred Stock Director shall cease to be qualified as a director and shall cease to be a director) and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be automatically reduced accordingly.

Section 5.3 Powers. Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or as provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.4 Election; Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

(a) Ballot Not Required. The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

(b) Notice. Advance notice of nominations for the election of directors, and of business other than nominations, to be proposed by stockholders for consideration at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in or contemplated by the Bylaws of the Corporation.

(c) Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix.

ARTICLE VI

STOCKHOLDER ACTION

Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof (including any Preferred Stock Designation), no action that is required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that at any time when (i) Harry Stylli, (ii) Athyrium Capital Management, LP, and (iii) Andrew Midler, including for each any entities affiliated therewith, collectively, beneficially own (as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission rules promulgated under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) shares representing more than 50% of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders

 

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of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote by consent in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

ARTICLE VII

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Except as otherwise required by law, and except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof (including any Preferred Stock Designation), a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called at any time only by the Board of Directors. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII

EXISTENCE

The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT

Section 9.1 Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. The Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all powers, preferences and rights of any nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to this reservation.

Section 9.2 Amendment of Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, but subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation that require an additional vote) or the Bylaws of the Corporation, and in addition to any requirements of law, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, any provision of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE X

LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS

Section 10.1 No Personal Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

 

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Section 10.2 Amendment or Repeal. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article X that adversely affects any right of a director shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.

ARTICLE XI

FORUM FOR ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES

Section 11.1 Forum. Unless the Corporation, in writing, selects or consents to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for any internal corporate claims (as defined below), to the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have, or declines to accept, jurisdiction, another state court or a federal court located within the State of Delaware). For purposes of this Article XI, “internal corporate claims” means claims, including claims in the right of the Corporation: (a) that are based upon a violation of a duty by a current or former director, officer, employee or stockholder in such capacity; or (b) as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and for the avoidance of doubt: (y) this Article XI shall not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (z) unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Section 11.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of this Article XI is filed in a court other than the Court of Chancery (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have, or declines to accept, jurisdiction, another state court or a federal court located within the State of Delaware) (a “Foreign Action”) by any current or former stockholder (including any current or former beneficial owner), such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to: (a) the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (or such other state or federal court located within the State of Delaware, as applicable) in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce this Article XI; and (b) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

Section 11.3 Enforceability. If any provision of this Article XI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XI (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the corporation on this 23rd day of June, 2020.

 

By:   /s/ Eric d’Esparbes
  Eric d’Esparbes
  Chief Financial Officer

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO EIGHTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

PROGENITY, INC.]