EX-3.1 3 d571974dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AILERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,

RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

OF

SERIES X NON-VOTING CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE

DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

Aileron Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) does hereby certify that, in accordance with Sections 141(c) and 151 of the DGCL, the following resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, on October 30, 2023:

WHEREAS, the Corporation wishes to designate the following series of non-voting convertible preferred stock which shall otherwise be economically equal to the Common Stock of the Corporation, and which shall be convertible into Common Stock of the Corporation subject to receipt of Stockholder Approval (defined below);

RESOLVED, pursuant to authority expressly set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), (i) the issuance of a series of Preferred Stock designated as the Series X Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation is hereby authorized; (ii) the issuance of up to 24,847 shares of Series X Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of (x) the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated October 31, 2023, by and among the Corporation and the initial Holders (as defined below) (the “Purchase Agreement”) and (y) the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 31, 2023, by and among the Corporation, AT Merger Sub I, Inc., AT Merger Sub II, LLC and Lung Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”) is hereby authorized; and (iii) the designation, number of shares, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof (in addition to any provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation that are applicable to the Preferred Stock of all classes and series) are hereby fixed, and the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series X Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock is hereby approved as follows:

SERIES X NON-VOTING CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with (as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933), a Person. With respect to a Holder, any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a discretionary basis by the same investment manager as such Holder will be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Holder.


Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the date hereof, directly or indirectly managed or advised by a Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of a Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with a Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Corporation’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with a Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively a Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” means the Corporation’s common stock, par value of $0.001 per share, and stock of any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

Conversion Shares” means, collectively, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series X Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, including the Initial Conversion Shares (as defined below).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

Holder” means any holder of Series X Preferred Stock.

Person” means any individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for business.

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

Section 2. Designation, Amount and Par Value; Assignment.

(a) The series of preferred stock designated by this Certificate of Designation shall be designated as the Corporation’s Series X Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series X Preferred Stock”) and the number of shares so designated shall be 24,847. Series X Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

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(b) The Corporation shall maintain a register of shares of the Series X Preferred Stock, upon records to be maintained by the Corporation for that purpose (the “Series X Preferred Stock Register”), in the name of the Holders thereof from time to time, including the name, address, and electronic mail address of each such Holder. The Corporation may deem and treat the registered Holder of shares of Series X Preferred Stock as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of any conversion thereof and for all other purposes. Shares of Series X Preferred Stock may be issued solely in book entry form or, if requested by any Holder, such Holder’s shares may be issued in certificated form. The Corporation shall register the transfer of any shares of Series X Preferred Stock in the Series X Preferred Stock Register, upon surrender of the certificates (if applicable) evidencing such shares to be transferred, duly endorsed by the Holder thereof, to the Corporation at its address specified herein. Upon any such transfer, a new certificate evidencing the shares of Series X Preferred Stock so transferred shall be issued to the transferee and a new certificate evidencing the remaining portion of the shares not so transferred, if any, shall be issued to the transferring Holder, in each case, within three Business Days. The provisions of this Certificate of Designation are intended to be for the benefit of all Holders from time to time and shall be enforceable by any such Holder.

Section 3. Dividends. Holders shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation shall pay, dividends on shares of the Series X Preferred Stock (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis, without regard to the beneficial ownership limitation set forth in Section 6(c)) equal to and in the same form, and in the same manner, as dividends (other than dividends on shares of the Common Stock payable in the form of Common Stock) actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends (other than dividends payable in the form of Common Stock) are paid on shares of the Common Stock. Other than as set forth in the previous sentence, no other dividends shall be paid on shares of Series X Preferred Stock, and the Corporation shall pay no dividends (other than dividends payable in the form of Common Stock) on shares of the Common Stock unless it simultaneously complies with the previous sentence.

Section 4. Voting Rights; Amendments.

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise required by the DGCL, the Series X Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights. However, as long as any shares of Series X Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series X Preferred Stock: (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series X Preferred Stock or alter or amend this Certificate of Designation, amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws of the Corporation, or file any articles of amendment, certificate of designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of any series of preferred stock, if such action would adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series X Preferred Stock, regardless of whether any of the foregoing actions shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise, (ii) issue further shares of Series X Preferred Stock or increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the number of authorized shares of Series X Preferred Stock, (iii) prior to the Stockholder Approval (as defined

 

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below), consummate either: (A) any Fundamental Transaction (as defined below) or (B) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity or any stock sale to, or other business combination in which the stockholders of the Corporation immediately before such transaction do not hold at least a majority of the capital stock of the Corporation immediately after such transaction, or (iv) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.

(b) Any vote required or permitted under Section 4(a) may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of the Series X Preferred Stock or through the execution of an action by written consent in lieu of such meeting, provided that the consent is executed by Holders representing a majority of the outstanding shares of Series X Preferred Stock, unless a higher percentage is required by the DGCL, in which case the written consent of the Holders of not less than such higher percentage shall be required.

Section 5. Rank; Liquidation.

(a) The Series X Preferred Stock shall rank: (i) senior to any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms junior to the Series X Preferred Stock (“Junior Securities”); (ii) on parity with the Common Stock and any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms on parity with the Series X Preferred Stock (the “Parity Securities”); and (iii) junior to any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms senior to the Series X Preferred Stock (“Senior Securities”), in each case, as to distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntarily or involuntarily (all such distributions being referred to collectively as “Distributions”).

(b) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any Senior Securities of the Corporation, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), each Holder shall be entitled to receive, in preference to any Distributions of any of the assets or surplus funds of the Corporation to the holders of the Junior Securities, and pari passu with any Distribution to the holders of the Parity Securities, an equivalent amount of Distributions as would be paid on the Common Stock underlying the Series X Preferred Stock, determined on an as-converted basis (without regard to the beneficial ownership limitation set forth in Section 6(c)), plus an additional amount equal to any dividends declared but unpaid on such shares, before any payments shall be made or any assets distributed to holders of any class of Junior Securities. If, upon any such Liquidation, the assets of the Corporation shall be insufficient to pay the Holders of shares of the Series X Preferred Stock the amount required under the preceding sentence, then all remaining assets of the Corporation shall be distributed ratably to the Holders and holders of Parity Securities in accordance with the respective amounts that would be payable on all such securities if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. A Fundamental Transaction shall not be deemed a Liquidation unless the Corporation expressly declares that such Fundamental Transaction shall be treated as if it were a Liquidation.

 

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Section 6. Conversion.

(a) Automatic and Optional Conversions. The shares of Series X Preferred Stock shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock as follows:

(i) Automatic Conversion on Stockholder Approval. Effective as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the fourth Business Day after the date on which the Corporation’s stockholders approve the conversion of the Series X Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock in accordance with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or any other Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then traded), as set forth in the Purchase Agreement (the “Stockholder Approval”), each share of Series X Preferred Stock then outstanding shall automatically convert into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Ratio, subject to the beneficial ownership limitation set forth in Section 6(c) (the “Automatic Conversion”). In determining the application of the beneficial ownership limitation set forth in Section 6(c) solely with respect to the Automatic Conversion, the Corporation shall calculate beneficial ownership for each Holder assuming beneficial ownership of: (x) the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to such Holder in such Automatic Conversion, plus (y) any additional shares of Common Stock for which a Holder has provided the Corporation with prior written notice of beneficial ownership within 45 days prior to the date of Stockholder Approval (a “Beneficial Ownership Statement”). If a Holder fails to provide the Corporation with a Beneficial Ownership Statement within 45 days prior to the date of Stockholder Approval, then the Corporation shall presume the Holder’s beneficial ownership of Common Stock (apart from the Initial Conversion Shares) to be zero. The shares of Common Stock issued upon the Automatic Conversion are referred to as the “Initial Conversion Shares” and shares of Series X Preferred Stock that are converted in the Automatic Conversion are referred to as the “Converted Stock”. The Initial Conversion Shares shall be issued as follows:

(1) Converted Stock that is registered in book entry form shall be automatically cancelled upon the Automatic Conversion and converted into the corresponding Initial Conversion Shares, which shares shall be issued in book entry form and without any action on the part of the Holders.

(2) Converted Stock that is issued in certificated form shall be deemed converted into the corresponding Initial Conversion Shares on the date of Automatic Conversion and the Holder’s rights as a holder of such shares of Converted Stock shall cease and terminate on such date, excepting only the right to receive the Initial Conversion Shares upon the Holder tendering to the Corporation (or its designated agent) the stock certificate(s) (duly endorsed) representing such certificated Converted Stock.

(3) Notwithstanding the cancellation of the Converted Stock upon the Automatic Conversion, Holders of Converted Stock shall continue to have any remedies provided herein or otherwise available at law or in equity to such Holder because of a failure by the Corporation to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designation. In all cases, the Holder shall retain all of its rights and remedies for the Corporation’s failure to convert the Converted Stock.

 

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(ii) Optional Conversion Following Stockholder Approval.

(1) Subject to Section 6(a)(i) and Section 6(c), at any time and from time to time as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the fourth Business Day after Stockholder Approval is obtained, each Holder may, at its option, effect conversions other than the Automatic Conversion of shares of Series X Preferred Stock into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Ratio (each, an “Optional Conversion”) by providing the Corporation with the form of conversion notice attached hereto as Annex A (a “Notice of Conversion”), duly completed and executed. Provided the Corporation’s transfer agent is participating in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer program, the Notice of Conversion may specify, at the Holder’s election, whether the applicable Conversion Shares shall be credited to the account of the Holder’s prime broker with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system (a “DWAC Delivery”).

(2) The date on which an Optional Conversion shall be deemed effective (the “Conversion Date”) shall be the Trading Day that the Notice of Conversion, completed and executed, is sent via email to, and received during regular business hours by, the Corporation; provided, that the original certificate(s) (if any) representing such shares of Series X Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion, are received by the Corporation within two (2) Trading Days thereafter. In all other cases, the Conversion Date shall be defined as the Trading Day on which the original certificate(s) (if any) representing such shares of Series X Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion, are received by the Corporation. The calculations set forth in the Notice of Conversion shall control in the absence of manifest or mathematical error.

(b) Conversion Ratio. The “Conversion Ratio” for each share of Series X Preferred Stock shall initially be 1,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of each share of Series X Preferred Stock (corresponding to a ratio of 1,000:1), subject to adjustment as provided herein.

(c) Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Series X Preferred Stock, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the Series X Preferred Stock, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations and any such conversion shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that, after giving effect to such conversion, such Holder together with such Holder’s Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 19.99% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and such Holder’s Attribution

 

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Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by such Holder and such Holder’s Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series X Preferred Stock subject to the Notice of Conversion or the Automatic Conversion (as applicable) with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, unconverted Series X Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of such Holder’s Attribution Parties, and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants) beneficially owned by such Holder or such Holder’s Attribution Parties subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. For purposes of this Section 6(c), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes of this Series X Preferred Stock, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock a Holder may acquire upon the conversion of such Holder’s Series X Preferred Stock without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Corporation’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Corporation, or (C) any other written notice by the Corporation or the Corporation’s transfer agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (any of the foregoing, as applicable, the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to any actual conversion or exercise of securities of the Corporation, including shares of Series X Preferred Stock, by such Holder or such Holder’s Attribution Parties since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of Common Stock to a Holder upon conversion of such Holder’s Series X Preferred Stock results in such Holder and the such Holder’s Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), the number of shares of Common Stock so issued by which such Holder’s and such Holder’s Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and such Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Corporation, a Holder may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 19.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Corporation and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to such Holder and such Holder’s Attribution Parties and not to any other holder of Series X Preferred Stock that is not an Attribution Party of such Holder. No prior inability to convert all or a portion of such Holder’s Series X Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 6(c) shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this Section 6(c) with respect to any subsequent determination of conversion. The provisions of this Section 6(c) shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 6(c) to the extent necessary to correct this Section 6(c) or any portion of this Section 6(c) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 6(c) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to

 

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such limitation. The limitations contained in this Section 6(c) may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of such Holder’s Series X Preferred Stock. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on the representations and the other information set forth in any Notice of Conversion and shall not be required to independently verify whether any conversion of Series X Preferred Stock would cause a Holder (together with such Holder’s Attribution Parties) to collectively beneficially own in excess of the Maximum Percentage of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after giving effect to such conversion or otherwise trigger the provisions of this Section 6(c).

(d) Mechanics of Conversion

(i) Delivery of Certificate or Electronic Issuance Upon Conversion. Not later than three (3) Trading Days after the applicable Conversion Date, or if the Holder requests the issuance of physical certificate(s), three (3) Trading Days after receipt by the Corporation of the original certificate(s) representing such shares of Series X Preferred Stock being converted, duly endorsed, and the accompanying Notice of Conversion (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Corporation shall either: (a) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder a physical certificate or certificates representing the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of shares of Series X Preferred Stock, or (b) in the case of a DWAC Delivery (if so requested by the Holder), electronically transfer such Conversion Shares by crediting the account of the Holder’s prime broker with DTC through its DWAC system. If in the case of any Notice of Conversion such certificate or certificates for the Conversion Shares are not delivered to or as directed by or, in the case of a DWAC Delivery, such shares are not electronically delivered to or as directed by, the applicable Holder by the Share Delivery Date, the applicable Holder shall be entitled to elect to rescind such Notice of Conversion by written notice to the Corporation at any time on or before its receipt of such certificate or certificates for Conversion Shares or electronic receipt of such shares, as applicable, in which event the Corporation shall promptly return to such Holder any original Series X Preferred Stock certificate delivered to the Corporation and such Holder shall promptly return to the Corporation any Common Stock certificates or otherwise direct the return of any shares of Common Stock delivered to the Holder through the DWAC system, representing the shares of Series X Preferred Stock unsuccessfully tendered for conversion to the Corporation.

(ii) Obligation Absolute. Subject to Section 6(c) and Section 6(d)(iv) hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6(d)(i) above, the Corporation’s obligation to issue and deliver the Conversion Shares upon conversion of Series X Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by a Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by such Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Corporation or any violation or alleged violation of law by such Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Corporation to such Holder in connection with the issuance of such Conversion Shares. Subject to Section 6(c) and

 

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Section 6(d)(iv) hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6(d)(i) above, in the event a Holder shall elect to convert any or all of its Series X Preferred Stock, the Corporation may not refuse conversion based on any claim that such Holder or anyone associated or affiliated with such Holder has been engaged in any violation of law, agreement or for any other reason, unless an injunction from a court, on notice to Holder, restraining and/or enjoining conversion of all or part of the Series X Preferred Stock of such Holder shall have been sought and obtained by the Corporation. In the absence of such injunction, the Corporation shall, subject to Section 6(c) and Section 6(d)(iv) hereof and subject to Holder’s right to rescind a Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6(d)(i) above, issue Conversion Shares upon a properly noticed conversion.

(iii) Cash Settlement. If, (a) at any time after the receipt of Stockholder Approval, the Corporation fails to deliver to a Holder such certificate or certificates, or electronically deliver (or cause its transfer agent to electronically deliver) such shares in the case of a DWAC Delivery, pursuant to Section 6(d)(i) on or prior to the fourth Trading Day after the Share Delivery Date applicable to such conversion (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation and provided the Holder has not rescinded the applicable Notice of Conversion pursuant to Section 6(d)(i)), or (b) if Stockholder Approval is not obtained within six months after the initial issuance of the Series X Preferred Stock (such date, the “Conversion Expiration Date”), then, the Corporation shall, at the request of the Holder, pay an amount equal to the Fair Value (defined below) of the Series X Preferred Stock held by such Holder, with such payment to be made within two Business Days from the date of request by the Holder, whereupon the Corporation’s obligations to deliver such shares underlying the Notice of Conversion shall be extinguished. For purposes of this Section 6(d)(iii), the “Fair Value” of shares shall be fixed with reference to the last reported closing stock price on the principal Trading Market on which the Common Stock is listed as of the Trading Day on which the Notice of Conversion is delivered to the Corporation or on the Conversion Expiration Date, as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, the cash settlement provisions set forth in this Section 6(d)(iii) shall be available irrespective of the reason for the Corporation’s failure (x) to timely deliver Conversion Shares (other than a failure caused by incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to the Corporation or the application of the beneficial ownership limitation set forth in Section 6(c)), or (y) to obtain Stockholder Approval, which may or may not be due to applicable stock exchange rules.

(iv) Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation covenants that at all times, it will reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of outstanding shares of Series X Preferred Stock, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holders of the Series X Preferred Stock, not less than such aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock as shall be issuable (taking into account the adjustments of Section 7) upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series X Preferred Stock. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

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(v) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the conversion of the Series X Preferred Stock. As to any fraction of a share which a Holder would otherwise be entitled to receive upon such conversion, the Corporation shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional share of Common Stock in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Fair Value. Whether or not fractional shares would be issuable upon such conversion shall be determined on the basis of the total number of shares of Series X Preferred Stock the Holder is at the time converting into Common Stock and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion.

(vi) Transfer Taxes. The issuance of certificates for shares of the Common Stock upon conversion of the Series X Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to any Holder for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such certificates, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate upon conversion in a name other than that of the registered Holder(s) of such shares of Series X Preferred Stock and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificates unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

(e) Status as Stockholder. Upon each Conversion Date, (i) the shares of Series X Preferred Stock being converted shall be deemed converted into shares of Common Stock and (ii) the Holder’s rights as a holder of such converted shares of Series X Preferred Stock shall cease and terminate, excepting only the right to receive certificates for such shares of Common Stock and to any remedies provided herein or otherwise available at law or in equity to such Holder because of a failure by the Corporation to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designation. In all cases, the Holder shall retain all of its rights and remedies for the Corporation’s failure to convert Series X Preferred Stock. In no event shall the Series X Preferred Stock convert into shares of Common Stock prior to the Stockholder Approval.

Section 7. Certain Adjustments.

(a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while this Series X Preferred Stock is outstanding: (A) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Corporation upon conversion of this Series X Preferred Stock) with respect to the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; (B) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares; or (C) combines (including by way of a reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then the Conversion Ratio shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) outstanding immediately after such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation). Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision or combination.

 

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(b) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while any Series X Preferred Stock is outstanding, (A) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another Person, (B) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (C) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Corporation or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of the Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and such offer has been accepted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock, (D) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each, a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent conversion of this Series X Preferred Stock the Holders shall have the right to receive, in lieu of the right to receive Conversion Shares, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, the number of shares of common stock or other equity securities of the successor or acquiring corporation of the Corporation, if it is the surviving corporation, and any other or additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Series X Preferred Stock is then convertible immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any beneficial ownership limitation set forth in Section 6(c) above, which shall cease to be applicable at the time of and following the Fundamental Transaction). For purposes of any such subsequent conversion, the determination of the Conversion Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Corporation shall apportion the Conversion Ratio among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holders shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration they receive upon any conversion of this Series X Preferred Stock following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Alternate Consideration consist solely of cash (a “Fundamental Cash Transaction”), the Holders shall exercise their conversion rights under this Series X Preferred Stock and such exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Cash Transaction. If Holders do not so convert this Series X Preferred Stock, this Series X Preferred Stock shall automatically convert pursuant to Section 6(a) above, without any

 

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action by Holders and without regard to the beneficial ownership limitation set forth in Section 6(c) above immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Cash Transaction. The Corporation shall provide the Holders with written notice of the Fundamental Cash Transaction (together with such reasonable information as the Holders may request in connection with such contemplated transaction giving rise to such notice), which is to be delivered to the Holders not less than 10 days prior to the closing of the Fundamental Cash Transaction. To the extent necessary to effectuate the foregoing provisions, any successor to the Corporation or surviving entity in such Fundamental Transaction shall file a new certificate of designation with the same terms and conditions and issue to the Holders new preferred stock consistent with the foregoing provisions and evidencing the Holders’ right to convert such preferred stock into Alternate Consideration. The terms of any agreement pursuant to which a Fundamental Transaction is effected shall include terms requiring any such successor or surviving entity to comply with the provisions of this Section 7(b) and insuring that this Series X Preferred Stock (or any such replacement security) will be similarly adjusted upon any subsequent transaction analogous to a Fundamental Transaction.

(c) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 7, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) issued and outstanding.

Section 8. Redemption. The shares of Series X Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise deal in such shares to the extent otherwise permitted hereby and by law, nor shall the foregoing limit the Holder’s rights under Section 6(d)(iii).

Section 9. Transfer. A Holder may transfer such shares of Series X Preferred Stock in whole, or in part, together with the accompanying rights set forth herein, held by such holder without the consent of the Corporation; provided that such transfer is in compliance with applicable securities laws. The Corporation shall in good faith (i) do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and (ii) execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, in each case, as any holder of Series X Preferred Stock may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Section 9.

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Conversion, shall be in writing and delivered personally, via email or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Corporation, at 738 Main Street #398, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, or such other email address or mailing address as the Corporation may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders delivered in accordance with this Section. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Corporation hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by email at the email address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Corporation, or if no such email address appears on the books of the Corporation, sent by a

 

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nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder, at the principal place of business or principal residence of such Holder. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time) on any date, (ii) the date immediately following the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section between 5:30 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on any date, (iii) the second Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.

(b) Lost or Mutilated Series X Preferred Stock Certificate. If a Holder’s Series X Preferred Stock certificate is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated certificate, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, a new certificate for the shares of Series X Preferred Stock so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such certificate, and of the ownership thereof, reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and, in each case, customary and reasonable indemnity, if requested. Applicants for a new certificate under such circumstances shall also comply with such other reasonable regulations and procedures and pay such other reasonable third-party costs as the Corporation may prescribe.

(c) Waiver. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder of a breach of any provision of this Certificate of Designation shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Certificate of Designation or a waiver by any other Holders. The failure of the Corporation or a Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Certificate of Designation on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party (or any other Holder) of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Certificate of Designation. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder must be in writing. Notwithstanding any provision in this Certificate of Designation to the contrary, any provision contained herein and any right of the Holders of Series X Preferred Stock granted hereunder may be waived as to all shares of Series X Preferred Stock (and the Holders thereof) upon the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the shares of Series X Preferred Stock then outstanding, unless a higher percentage is required by the DGCL, in which case the written consent of the Holders of not less than such higher percentage shall be required.

(d) Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Designation is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Certificate of Designation shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances.

(e) Next Business Day. Whenever any payment or other obligation hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

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(f) Headings. The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Certificate of Designation and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

(g) Status of Converted Series X Preferred Stock. If any shares of Series X Preferred Stock shall be converted or repurchased or otherwise be acquired by the Corporation, or cash settled pursuant to Section 6(d)(iii) hereof, such shares shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and shall no longer be designated as Series X Preferred Stock.

********************

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Designation this 31st day of October, 2023.

 

/s/ Manuel C. Alves-Aivado, M.D., Ph.D.

By:   Manuel C. Alves-Aivado, M.D., Ph.D.
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page – Certificate of Designation


ANNEX A

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

(TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER IN ORDER TO CONVERT SHARES

OF SERIES X PREFERRED STOCK)

The undersigned Holder hereby irrevocably elects to convert the number of shares of Series X Preferred Stock indicated below, [represented by stock certificate No(s). [●]]/[represented in book-entry form], into shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Aileron Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), as of the date written below. If securities are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto. Capitalized terms utilized but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in that certain Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series X Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) filed by the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 31, 2023.

As of the date hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the undersigned Holder (together with such Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Person whose beneficial ownership of Common Stock would be aggregated with the Holder’s for purposes of Section 13(d) or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission, including any “group” of which the Holder is a member (the foregoing, “Attribution Parties”)), including the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series X Preferred Stock subject to this Notice of Conversion, but excluding the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon (A) conversion of the remaining, unconverted Series X Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties, and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation (including any warrants) beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Attribution Parties that are subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise similar to the limitation contained in Section 6(c) of the Certificate of Designation, is [●]%. For purposes hereof, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission. In addition, for purposes hereof, “group” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations of the Commission.

Conversion calculations:

Date to Effect Conversion:_______________________________________________

Number of shares of Series X Preferred Stock owned prior to Conversion: _________

Number of shares of Series X Preferred Stock to be Converted: _________________

Number of shares of Common Stock to be Issued: ____________________________

Address for delivery of physical certificates: ________________________________

 

Annex A


  or
 

For DWAC Delivery:

DWAC Instructions:

Broker no: _________

Account no: ___________

 

[HOLDER
By:                     
  Name:
  Title:
  Date:

 

Annex A