EX-99.2 6 d21815dex992.htm EX-99.2 EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

General

We are an exempted company incorporated in June 2014 with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands and our affairs are governed by:

 

   

Our Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (Articles);

 

   

the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (Companies Law); and

 

   

the common law of the Cayman Islands.

As of the date hereof, our authorized share capital is $165,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of $0.33 per ordinary share. As of June 30, 2020, there were 189,954,970 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

On August 25, 2020, our ordinary shares ceased trading on the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) and on September 4, 2020, our shareholders approved the cessation of the Company’s public company status in Taiwan. On September 17, 2020, we received confirmation from the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan (FSC), confirming the removal of the Company’s public company status in Taiwan. As a result, we are no longer bound by the rules and regulations of the FSC or TPEx.

As part of the delisting, we also redenominated our authorized share capital from NT$5,000,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of NT$10.00 to $165,000,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares or a nominal or par value of $0.33 each by redenominating each ordinary share of a nominal or par value of NT$10.00 each into an ordinary share of a nominal or par value of $0.33 each. It is proposed that, conditional upon an order of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, we will subsequently reduce the nominal or par value of each ordinary share from $0.33 per share to $0.01 (Capital Reduction). In connection with the Capital Reduction it is also proposed that the we will replace the Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the material provisions of which are described below) in their entirety by the adoption of the Tenth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association by our shareholders, which will be identical to the Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, except that the authorized share capital set out therein will reflect the Capital Reduction having taken place.

The following are summaries of material provisions of our Articles and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our share capital.

Ninth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association

Subject to other provisions in our Articles, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution increase our authorized share capital or by special resolution reduce the share capital and may also by special resolution amend our Articles.

Ordinary Shares. All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. No certificates representing the ordinary shares have been issued. Our shareholders who are nonresidents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.

Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. In addition, our shareholders may declare dividends by ordinary resolution, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Our Articles provide that the directors may, before recommending or declaring any dividend, set aside out of the funds legally available for distribution such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall be applicable for meeting contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for any other purpose to which those funds may be properly applied. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or the credit standing in our company’s share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business immediately following the date on which the distribution or dividend is paid.

Voting Rights. Holders of our ordinary shares shall be entitled to one vote per ordinary share. Voting at any shareholders’ meeting is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands). A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy at the meeting.


An ordinary resolution to be passed at a meeting by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast at a meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the outstanding ordinary shares at a meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our Articles. Holders of the ordinary shares may, among other things, divide or combine their shares by ordinary resolution.

General Meetings of Shareholders. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law or our Articles to call shareholders’ annual general meetings.

Shareholders’ general meetings may be convened by a majority of our board of directors. Advance written notice of at least seven calendar days (counting from the date service is deemed to take place as provided in our Articles) is required for the convening of any general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for any general meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing at least a majority of our paid up voting share capital.

The Companies Law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our Articles provide general meetings shall also be convened on the requisition in writing of any Shareholder or Shareholders entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company holding at least ten percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company deposited at the Office specifying the objects of the meeting by notice given no later than 21 days from the date of deposit of the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the restrictions set out below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors may determine to decline to register any transfer of shares for any reason.

Liquidation. On the winding up of our company, if the assets available for distribution amongst our shareholders shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the share capital at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them at the commencement of the winding up, subject to a deduction from those shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to our company for unpaid calls or otherwise. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay the whole of the share capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders in proportion to the par value of the shares held by them.

Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.

Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares. We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders of these shares, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors. We may also repurchase any of our shares on such terms and in such manner as have been approved by our board of directors and agreed with the relevant shareholder. Under the Companies Law, the redemption or repurchase of any share may be paid out of our profits or out of the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purpose of such redemption or repurchase, or out of capital (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) if our company can, immediately following such payment, pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, under the Companies Law no such share may be redeemed or repurchased (a) unless it is fully paid up, (b) if such redemption or repurchase would result in there being no shares outstanding or (c) if the company has commenced liquidation. In addition, our company may accept the surrender of any fully paid share for no consideration.


Variations of Rights of Shares. If at any time our share capital is divided into different classes (and as otherwise determined by our board of directors) the rights attached to any such class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class only be materially adversely varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of the relevant class, or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of such class by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast at such a meeting. The board of directors may vary the rights attaching to any class without the consent or approval of shareholders provided that the rights will not, in the determination of the board of directors, be materially adversely varied or abrogated by such action.

Issuance of Additional Shares. Our Articles authorizes our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.

Our Articles also authorize our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares with the approval of the board of directors and with the approval of a special resolution and to determine, with respect to any series of preference shares, the terms and rights of that series, including the:

 

   

order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of dividends and other distributions on preferred shares;

 

   

order, fixed amount or fixed ratio of allocation of the assets available for distribution on a liquidation of the Company;

 

   

order of or restriction on the voting rights (including declaring no voting rights whatsoever) of preferred shareholders;

 

   

other matters concerning rights and obligations incidental to preferred shares; and

 

   

method by which the Company is authorized or compelled to redeem the preferred shares, or a statement that redemption rights shall not apply.

Prior to the issuance of any preferred shares, the Articles shall be amended to set forth the rights and obligations of the preferred shares. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.

Inspection of Books and Records. Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our corporate records (except for the memorandum and articles of association of our company, any special resolutions passed by our company and the register of mortgages and charges of our company). However, we will provide our shareholders with annual audited financial statements.

Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our Articles may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:

 

   

authorize our board of directors to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares; and

 

   

limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders.

However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our Articles for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

Exempted Company. We are an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except that an exempted company:

 

   

does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

 

   

is not required to open its register of members for inspection;

 

   

does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

   

may issue negotiable or bearer shares or shares with no par value;

 

   

may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

   

may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

   

may register as a limited duration company; and

 

   

may register as a segregated portfolio company.


“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).

Convertible Loan and Warrants

In September, October and November 2019, we entered into a series of loan facilities with certain of our directors, existing stockholders or affiliates thereof, and others, for an aggregate loan amount of $3.25 million. The two types of loan facility are described below:

Convertible Loan Facility

On September 30, 2019, we entered into a loan facility with Bukwang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., for an amount of $1.0 million, which we refer to as the Convertible Loan Facility. The Convertible Loan Facility has a two-year term with a 10% interest rate per annum, commencing upon the date we draw down on such facility. We have the option to repay the amounts owed under the Convertible Loan Facility at any time, subject to certain conditions.

The lender has the right to convert, at its option, any outstanding principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest under the loan into that number of our newly issued American Depositary Shares (ADSs) which is calculated by dividing (a) such outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest by (b) 90% of the volume-weighted average price of our ADSs on the date of the conversion notice. Each ADS represents five of our ordinary shares. The ability to convert is subject to certain conditions, and expires at the expiry of the term of the loan.

In October 2019, we drew down on $1.0 million under the Convertible Loan Facility. To date, the lender has not exercised its right to convert the loan into ADSs.

October/November 2019 Loan Facility

On October 25 2019, we entered into a loan facility with certain existing stockholders/directors, or affiliates thereof, and on November 11 2019, we entered into a related loan facility with the affiliate of another existing stockholder, for an aggregate amount of $2.25 million, which we refer to as the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. The October/November 2019 Loan Facility has a two-year term with a 10% interest rate per annum, commencing upon the date we draw down the facility, which must be drawn down in full. We have the option to repay not less than $1.0 million of the amounts owed under the October/November 2019 Loan Facility at any time, subject to certain conditions. In the event that we raise net proceeds of more than ten times the aggregate loan amount in a single financing transaction during the loan term, we will be obligated to repay any unpaid portion of the principal amount and accrued interest thereunder within 30 days of the receipt of the proceeds from such re-financing transaction.

The October/November 2019 Loan Facility provides that, during the time that any amount is outstanding thereunder, we will not (i) incur any finance debt which is secured by a security interest or conferring repayment rights which rank in priority over those of the lenders, or (ii) carry out or implement any merger, consolidation, reorganization (other than our solvent reorganization), recapitalization, reincorporation, share dividend or other changes in our capital structure which may have a material adverse effect on the rights of the lenders, in each case except with the prior written consent of the lenders. In addition, upon an event of default (as defined in the October/November 2019 Loan Facility), the lenders may declare the principal amounts then outstanding and all interest thereon accrued and unpaid to be immediately due and payable to the lenders.

In October 2019, we drew down on an initial $1.95 million under the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. In connection with this initial draw down, we issued warrants to purchase 483,448 ADSs (representing 2,417,240 ordinary shares) to certain of the lenders, at an exercise price of $2.02 per ADS. In November 2019, we drew down on the remaining $0.3 million under the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. In connection with the second draw down, we issued warrants to purchase 74,377 ADSs (representing 371,885 ordinary shares) to the lenders at an exercise price of $2.02 per ADS.

The warrants will expire on the earlier of (i) August 24, 2021 (the first anniversary of the delisting of our ordinary shares on TPEx) or (ii) expiry of the term of the October/November 2019 Loan Facility. To date, none of the warrant holders have exercised their rights to purchase any ADSs.


Preference Shares

Pursuant to our Articles, we may issue shares with rights which are preferential to those of ordinary shares issued by us with the approval of our board of directors and with the approval of a special resolution. Our Articles must be amended by special resolution to provide for such preference shares.

Material Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Law is modeled after the corporate legislation of the United Kingdom but does not follow recent United Kingdom statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in Delaware and their shareholders.

 

    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

Title of Organizational Documents

   Certificate of Incorporation Bylaws   

Memorandum of Association

Articles of Association

Duties of Directors

   Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of a corporation are managed by or under the direction of its board of directors. In exercising their powers, directors are charged with a fiduciary duty of care to protect the interests of the corporation and a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act in the best interests of its shareholders. The duty of care requires that directors act in an informed and deliberative manner and inform themselves, prior to making a business decision, of all material information reasonably available to them. The duty of care also requires that directors exercise care in overseeing and investigating the conduct of the corporation’s employees. The duty of loyalty may be summarized as the duty to act in good faith, not out of self-interest, and in a manner which the director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the shareholders.   

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, directors of Cayman Islands companies owe fiduciary duties to their respective companies to, amongst other things, act in good faith in their dealings with or on behalf of the company and exercise their powers and fulfill the duties of their office honestly. Five core duties are:

 

•  a duty to act in good faith in what the directors bona fide consider to be the best interests of the company (and in this regard, it should be noted that the duty is owed to the company and not to associate companies, subsidiaries or holding companies);

 

•  a duty not to personally profit from opportunities that arise from the office of director;

 

•  a duty of trusteeship of the company’s assets;

 

•  a duty to avoid conflicts of interest; and

 

•  a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were conferred.

 

A director of a Cayman Islands company also owes the company a duty to act with skill, care and diligence. A director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

Limitations on Personal Liability of Directors

  

Subject to the limitations described below, a certificate of incorporation may provide for the elimination or limitation of the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

 

Such provision cannot limit liability for breach of loyalty, bad faith, intentional misconduct, unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful share purchase or redemption. In addition, the certificate of incorporation cannot limit liability for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.

   The Companies Law has no equivalent provision to Delaware law regarding the limitation of director’s liability. However, as a matter of public policy, Cayman Islands law will not allow the limitation of a director’s liability to the extent that the liability is a consequence of the director committing a crime or of the director’s own fraud, dishonesty or willful default.

Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Agents, and Others

   A corporation has the power to indemnify any director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation who was, is, or is threatened to be made a party who acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, and if with respect to a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct would be unlawful, against amounts actually and reasonably incurred.    Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of directors and officers, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against the consequences of committing a crime, or against the indemnified person’s own fraud or dishonesty.
Interested Directors    Under Delaware law, a transaction in which a director who has an interest is not void or voidable solely because such interested director is present at or participates in the meeting that authorizes the transaction if: (i) the material facts as to such interested director’s relationship or interests are disclosed or are known to the board of directors and the board in good faith authorizes the transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum, (ii) such material facts are disclosed or are known to the shareholders entitled to vote on such transaction and the transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the shareholders, or (iii) the transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified. Under Delaware law, a director could be held liable for any transaction in which such director derived an improper personal benefit.    Our Articles contain a provision that provides that a director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the directors. A general notice given to the directors by any director to the effect that he is to be regarded as interested in any contract or other arrangement which may thereafter be made with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest in regard to any contract so made. A director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement shall come before the meeting for consideration.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

Voting Requirements

   The certificate of incorporation may include a provision requiring supermajority approval by the directors or shareholders for any corporate action. In addition, under Delaware law, certain business combinations involving interested shareholders require approval by a supermajority of the non-interested shareholders.   

For the protection of shareholders, certain matters must be approved by special resolution of the shareholders as a matter of Cayman Islands law, including alteration of the memorandum or articles of association, appointment of inspectors to examine company affairs, reduction of share capital (subject, in relevant circumstances, to court approval), change of name, authorization of a plan of merger or transfer by way of continuation to another jurisdiction or consolidation or voluntary winding up of the company.

 

The Companies Law requires that a special resolution be passed by a super majority of at least two-thirds or such higher percentage as set forth in the articles of association, of shareholders being entitled to vote and do vote in person or by proxy at a general meeting, or by unanimous written consent of shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting. Our Articles provide that a resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (or being corporations by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

Voting for Directors

   Under Delaware law, unless otherwise specified in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.   

The Companies Law defines “special resolutions” only. A company’s articles of association can therefore tailor the definition of “ordinary resolutions” as a whole, or with respect to specific provisions.

 

Our Articles provide that: (i) the shareholders may by ordinary resolution appoint any person to be a directors and from time to time fix the maximum and minimum number of Directors to be appointed; and (ii) the board of the directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint any person to be a director, either as a result of a casual vacancy or as an additional director, subject to the maximum number (if any) imposed by Ordinary Resolution.

Cumulative Voting

   No cumulative voting for the election of directors unless so provided in the certificate of incorporation.    No cumulative voting for the election of directors unless so provided in the articles of association. Our Articles do not expressly provide for cumulative voting on the election of directors.

Directors’ Powers Regarding Bylaws

   The certificate of incorporation may grant the directors the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.    The memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by a special resolution of the shareholders.

Nomination and Removal of Directors and Filling Vacancies on Board

   Shareholders may generally nominate directors if they comply with advance notice provisions and other procedural requirements in company bylaws. Holders of a majority of the shares may remove a director with or without cause, except in certain cases involving a classified board or if the company uses cumulative voting. Unless otherwise provided for in the certificate of incorporation, directorship vacancies are filled by a majority of the directors elected or then in office.    Nomination and removal of directors and filling of board vacancies are governed by the terms of our Articles as described above.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

Mergers and Similar Arrangements    Under Delaware law, with certain exceptions, a merger, consolidation, exchange or sale of all or substantially all the assets of a corporation must be approved by the board of directors and a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. Under Delaware law, a shareholder of a corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to which such shareholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by such shareholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration such shareholder would otherwise receive in the transaction. Delaware law also provides that a parent corporation, by resolution of its board of directors, may merge with any subsidiary, of which it owns at least 90% of each class of capital stock without a vote by shareholders of such subsidiary. Upon any such merger, dissenting shareholders of the subsidiary would have appraisal rights.   

The Companies Law provides for the merger or consolidation of two or more companies into a single entity. The legislation makes a distinction between a “consolidation” and a “merger.” In a consolidation, a new entity is formed from the combination of each participating company, and the separate consolidating parties, as a consequence, cease to exist and are each stricken by the Registrar of Companies. In a merger, one company remains as the surviving entity, having in effect absorbed the other merging party that then ceases to exist.

 

Two or more Cayman Islands companies may merge or consolidate. Cayman Islands companies may also merge or consolidate with foreign companies provided that the laws of the foreign jurisdiction permit such merger or consolidation.

 

Under the Companies Law, a plan of merger or consolidation shall be authorized by each constituent company by way of (i) a special resolution of the members of each such constituent company; and (ii) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association.

 

Shareholder approval is not required where a parent company registered in the Cayman Islands seeks to merge with one or more of its subsidiaries registered in the Cayman Islands and a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of each subsidiary company to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise.

 

Secured creditors must consent to the merger although application can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for such requirement to be waived if such secured creditor does not grant its consent to the merger. Where a foreign company wishes to merge with a Cayman company, consent or approval to the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the resulting Cayman entity in the transaction is required, unless otherwise released or waived by the secured party. If the merger plan is approved, it is then filed with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies along with a declaration by a director of each company. The Registrar of Companies will then issue a certificate of merger which shall be prima facie evidence of compliance with all requirements of the Companies Law in respect of the merger or consolidation.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

     

The surviving or consolidated entity remains or becomes active while the other company or companies are automatically dissolved. Unless the shares of such shareholder are publicly listed or quoted, dissenting shareholders in a merger or consolidation of this type are entitled to payment of the fair value of their shares if such shareholder provides a written objection before the vote on such merger or consolidation. With respect to shares that are listed or quoted, a shareholder shall have similar rights only if it is required by the terms of the merger or consolidation to accept for such shares property other than (i) shares (or depositary receipts in respect thereof) in the surviving or consolidated company; (ii) listed or quoted shares (or depositary receipts in respect thereof) of another company; (iii) cash in lieu of any fractions of shares or depositary receipts described at (i) and (ii); or (iv) any combination of shares, depositary receipts or cash described in (i)—(iii).

 

Cayman companies may also be restructured or amalgamated under supervision of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands by way of a court-sanctioned “scheme of arrangement.” A scheme of arrangement is one of several transactional mechanisms available in the Cayman Islands for achieving a restructuring.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

     

Others include share capital exchange, merger (as described above), asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements, of an operating business. A scheme of arrangement must not be beyond the powers of the company, as stated in the constitutional documents of the company and also requires the approval of a majority, in number, of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the Court its view that the transaction ought not be approved, the Court can be expected to approve the scheme of arrangement if it is satisfied that:

 

•  the classes which are required to approve the scheme of arrangement have been properly constituted, so that the members of such classes are properly represented;

 

•  the meetings held by the company in relation to the approval of the scheme of arrangement by such classes have been convened and held in accordance with any directions given by the Court;

 

•  the scheme of arrangement has been properly explained to the shareholders or creditors so that they have been able to exercise an informed vote in respect of the scheme; the scheme of arrangement is one which an intelligent and honest man, who is a member of the relevant class and properly acting might approve.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

     

When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection may be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion. If the arrangement and reconstruction are thus approved, any dissenting shareholders would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

 

Our Articles provide that we may merge or consolidate with one or more other companies in accordance with the Companies Law with the approval of a Special Resolution.

Shareholder Suits    Class actions and derivative actions generally are available to shareholders under Delaware law for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and actions not taken in accordance with applicable law. In such actions, the court generally has discretion to permit the winning party to recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action.    The rights of shareholders under Cayman Islands law are not as extensive as those under Delaware law. Class actions are generally not available to shareholders under Cayman Islands laws; historically, there have not been any reported instances of such class actions having been successfully brought before the Cayman Islands courts. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative action may be brought by a minority shareholder in only limited circumstances. In this regard, the Cayman Islands courts would ordinarily be expected to follow English case law precedent, which would permit a shareholder to commence an action in the company’s name to remedy a wrong done to the company where the act complained of cannot be ratified by the shareholders and where control of the company by the wrongdoer results in the company not pursuing a remedy itself. The case law shows that derivative actions have been permitted in respect of acts that are beyond the company’s corporate power, illegal, where the individual rights of the plaintiff shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed and acts that are alleged to constitute a “fraud on the minority.” The winning party in such an action generally would be able to recover a portion of attorney’s fees incurred in connection with such action.


    

Delaware

  

Cayman Islands

Inspection of Corporate Records    Under Delaware law, shareholders of a Delaware corporation have the right during normal business hours to inspect for any proper purpose, and to obtain copies of list(s) of shareholders and other books and records of the corporation and its subsidiaries, if any, to the extent the books and records of such subsidiaries are available to the corporation.    Shareholders of a Cayman Islands exempted company have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of a list of shareholders or other corporate records (other than the register of mortgages or charges) of the company. However, these rights may be provided in the company’s articles of association.
Shareholder Proposals    Unless provided in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, Delaware law does not include a provision restricting the manner in which shareholders may bring business before a meeting.    The Companies Law does not provide shareholders any right to bring business before a meeting or requisition a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in the company’s articles of association. Our Articles do provide for these rights.

Approval of Corporate Matters by Written Consent

   Delaware law permits shareholders to take action by written consent signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting of shareholders.   

The Companies Law allows a special resolution to be passed in writing if signed by all the voting shareholders (if authorized by the articles of association).

Our Articles do authorize special resolutions and ordinary resolutions to be passed by in writing if signed by all shareholders entitled to vote.

Calling of Special Shareholders Meetings

   Delaware law permits the board of directors or any person who is authorized under a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws to call a special meeting of shareholders.   

The Companies Law does not have provisions governing the proceedings of shareholders meetings which are usually provided in the articles of association.

 

Our Articles allow for shareholders’ meetings to be convened on the requisition in writing of any shareholder or shareholders holding at least ten percent of the paid up voting share capital of the Company Our Articles also provide that, in the event that our board of directors does not or cannot convene a general meeting upon the duly delivered requisition of any shareholder or shareholders (as described above), the requisitionists themselves may convene the general meeting in the same manner, as nearly as possible, as that in which general meetings may be convened by the Directors, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the requisitionists as a result of the failure of the Directors to convene the general meeting shall be reimbursed to them by the Company.

Listing

Our ADSs are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ASLN.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our ADSs is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Our principal share register is currently maintained by Walkers Corporate Limited and a branch share register is currently maintained by Capital Securities Co., Ltd. The principal share register and the branch share register reflect only record owners of our ordinary shares. Holders of our ADSs will not be treated as one of our shareholders and their names will therefore not be entered in our principal share register or our branch share register. The depositary, the custodian or their nominees will be the holder of the shares underlying our ADSs.