S-4/A 1 d177007ds4a.htm S-4/A S-4/A
Table of Contents

As filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2021

Registration No: 333-256121

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 3 to

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.*

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands   6770   N/A

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

955 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10075

Telephone: (310) 209-7280

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Eli Baker

President and Chief Financial Officer

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

955 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10075

Telephone: (310) 209-7280

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Joel L. Rubinstein

Jonathan P. Rochwarger

White & Case LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

(212) 819-8200

 

Rachel W. Sheridan

Shagufa R. Hossain

Emily E. Taylor

Latham & Watkins LLP

555 Eleventh Street NW

Suite 1000

Washington, D.C. 20004

(202) 637-2200

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective and all other conditions to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement described in the included proxy statement/prospectus have been satisfied or waived.


Table of Contents

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  ☐

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer
  Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company
       Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

 

  

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i)

(Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)

       

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d)

(Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered(1)
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price
 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share(2)(3)

  172,500,000   $9.90(4)   $1,707,750,000(4)   $186,316(5)

Redeemable warrants(2)(6)

  34,500,000   $1.88(7)   $64,860,000(7)   $7,076(5)

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share(2)(8)

  43,125,000   $9.90(4)   $426,937,500(9)   $46,579(5)

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share(2)(10)

  1,059,540,417   $9.90(4)   $10,489,450,128(11)   $1,144,399(5)

Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share(2)(12)

  620,154,976   $9.90(4)   $6,139,534,262(13)   $669,823(5)

Total

          $18,828,531,891   $2,054,193(14)

 

 

(1)

Prior to the consummation of the business combination described in the proxy statement/prospectus forming part of this registration statement (the “proxy statement/prospectus”), Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“SRNG”), intends to effect a deregistration under the Cayman Islands Companies Act (As Revised) and a domestication under Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, pursuant to which SRNG’s jurisdiction of incorporation will be changed from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”). As used herein, “New SRNG” refers to SRNG after the Domestication. All securities being registered will be issued by New SRNG, the continuing entity following the Domestication, or New Ginkgo, the continuing entity following the business combination described in this proxy statement/prospectus, which will thereafter be renamed “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.”, as further described in the proxy statement/prospectus. As used herein, “New Ginkgo” refers to SRNG after the consummation of the business combination described in this proxy statement/prospectus.


Table of Contents
(2)

Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act, there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(3)

The number of shares of common stock of New SRNG being registered represents the number of Class A ordinary shares of SRNG (“SRNG Class A ordinary shares”) that were registered pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-251661) (the “IPO Registration Statement”) and offered by SRNG in its initial public offering. The SRNG public shares automatically will be converted by operation of law into shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Ginkgo (“New SRNG Class A common stock” or “New Ginkgo Class A common stock”) in the Domestication.

(4)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based on the average of the high and low trading prices of the SRNG Class A ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) on May 11, 2021 ($9.90 per SRNG Class A ordinary share) (such date being within five business days of the date that this registration statement was first filed with the SEC). This calculation is in accordance with Rule 457(f)(1) of the Securities Act.

(5)

Calculated pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act by multiplying the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of securities to be registered by 0.0001091.

(6)

The number of redeemable warrants to acquire shares of New SRNG Class A common stock being registered represents the number of redeemable warrants to acquire SRNG Class A ordinary shares that were registered pursuant to the IPO Registration Statement referenced in note (3) above and offered by SRNG in its initial public offering (“SRNG public warrants”). The SRNG public warrants automatically will be converted by operation of law into redeemable warrants to acquire shares of New SRNG Class A common stock in the Domestication (“New SRNG public warrants”).

(7)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based on the average of the high and low trading prices of SRNG public warrants on Nasdaq on May 11, 2021 ($1.88 per warrant) (such date being within five business days of the date that this registration statement was first filed with the SEC). This calculation is in accordance with Rule 457(f)(1) of the Securities Act.

(8)

The number of shares of common stock of New SRNG being registered represents the number of Class B ordinary shares of SRNG (“SRNG Class B ordinary shares”) outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication. All SRNG Class B ordinary shares will be converted into SRNG Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the Domestication and automatically will be converted by operation of law into shares of New SRNG Class A common stock in the Domestication.

(9)

Pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(f)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act and solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is calculated as the product of (i) 43,125,000 SRNG Class B ordinary shares and (ii) $9.90, the average of the high and low trading prices of SRNG Class A ordinary shares on May 11, 2021 (within five business days prior to the date of this Registration Statement). For purposes of calculating the registration fee, SRNG Class B ordinary shares are treated as having the same value as SRNG Class A ordinary shares, as each SRNG Class B ordinary share is convertible into one SRNG Class A ordinary share in connection with the Domestication.

(10)

Based on the maximum number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock estimated to be issued in connection with the business combination described in the proxy statement/prospectus. Such maximum number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock is based on the sum of: (a) 1,037,773,870 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock to be issued in connection with the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus, (b) 201,828 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock to be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options to purchase New Ginkgo Class A common stock, which are currently options of Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (“Ginkgo”), (c) 19,965,299 of New Ginkgo Class A common stock reserved for issuance upon the settlement of New Ginkgo restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which are currently RSUs of Ginkgo, and (d) 1,599,420 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock to be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of warrants held by certain investors in Ginkgo to purchase New Ginkgo Class A common stock, which are currently warrants to purchase preferred stock of Ginkgo.

(11)

Pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(f)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act and solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is calculated as the product of (i) 1,059,540,417 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and (ii) $9.90, the average of the high and low trading prices of SRNG Class A ordinary shares on May 11, 2021 (within five business days prior to the date of this Registration Statement). For purposes of calculating the registration fee, shares of New


Table of Contents
  Ginkgo Class A common stock are treated as having the same value as SRNG Class A ordinary shares, as each SRNG Class A ordinary share will become a share of New SRNG Class A common stock in the Domestication.
(12)

Based on the maximum number of shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Ginkgo (“New Ginkgo Class B common stock”) estimated to be issued in connection with the business combination described in the proxy statement/prospectus. Such maximum number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock is based on the sum of: (a) 505,832,752 shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to be issued in connection with the merger described in the proxy statement/prospectus, (b) 32,331,438 shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options to purchase New Ginkgo Class B common stock, which are currently options of Ginkgo, and (c) 81,990,786 of New Ginkgo Class A common stock reserved for issuance upon the settlement of New Ginkgo RSUs, which are currently RSUs of Ginkgo.

(13)

Pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(f)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act and solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is calculated as the product of (i) 620,154,976 shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock and (ii) $9.90, the average of the high and low trading prices of SRNG Class A ordinary shares on May 11, 2021 (within five business days prior to the date of this Registration Statement). For purposes of calculating the registration fee, shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock are treated as having the same value as shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock because each share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock is convertible into shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock under certain circumstances that are more fully described in this proxy statement/prospectus and, as discussed in note (11) above, the average of the high and low trading prices of SRNG Class A ordinary shares on May 11, 2021 is used as a proxy for the price of the New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

(14)

A filing fee of $2,054,193 has been previously paid.

*

Prior to the consummation of the business combination described in the proxy statement/prospectus, SRNG intends to effect the Domestication, consisting of a deregistration under the Cayman Islands Companies Act (As Revised) and a domestication under Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, pursuant to which SRNG’s jurisdiction of incorporation will be changed from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware. All securities being registered will be issued by New SRNG, the continuing entity following the Domestication, or New Ginkgo, the continuing entity following the business combination described in this proxy statement/prospectus, which will thereafter be renamed “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.”

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the SEC, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

The information in this preliminary proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be issued until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and does not constitute the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED AUGUST 3, 2021

PROXY STATEMENT FOR

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.

(A CAYMAN ISLANDS EXEMPTED COMPANY)

PROSPECTUS FOR

1,275,165,417 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK, 620,154,976 SHARES OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK, 34,500,000 REDEEMABLE WARRANTS AND

34,500,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK UNDERLYING REDEEMABLE WARRANTS

OF

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.

(AFTER ITS DOMESTICATION AS A CORPORATION INCORPORATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE), THE CONTINUING ENTITY FOLLOWING THE DOMESTICATION, WHICH

WILL BE RENAMED “GINKGO BIOWORKS HOLDINGS, INC.” IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION DESCRIBED HEREIN

On May 7, 2021, the board of directors of Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (the “SRNG Board”), a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (which shall domesticate as a Delaware corporation in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) (“SRNG,” “we,” “us” or “our”), approved an agreement and plan of merger, dated May 11, 2021, by and among SRNG, SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG (“Merger Sub”), and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. (“Ginkgo”) (as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”). If the Merger Agreement is approved and adopted by SRNG’s shareholders and the closing conditions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are satisfied, SRNG intends to effect a deregistration under the Cayman Islands Companies Act (As Revised) and a domestication under Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the “DGCL”), pursuant to which SRNG’s jurisdiction of incorporation will be changed from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”), and, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL, Merger Sub will merge with and into Ginkgo, with Ginkgo surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG (the “Business Combination”). In addition, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, SRNG will be renamed “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.” As used herein, “New SRNG” refers to SRNG after the Domestication and “New Ginkgo” refers to SRNG after the consummation of the Business Combination.

Under the Merger Agreement, SRNG has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Ginkgo for approximately $15 billion in aggregate consideration in the form of common stock of New Ginkgo (“New Ginkgo common stock”) valued at $10 per share (the “Base Equity Consideration”), plus approximately 180 million earn-out shares of New Ginkgo common stock, which are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the vesting conditions described below are not satisfied on or before the fifth anniversary of the closing of the Business Combination (the “Earn-out Consideration”). Ginkgo stockholders will receive consideration in the form of shares of Class A common stock of New Ginkgo (“New Ginkgo Class A common stock”) and/or Class B common stock of New Ginkgo (“New Ginkgo Class B common stock”), as determined in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

The Base Equity Consideration will be allocated among Ginkgo equity holders as follows: (i) each stockholder of Ginkgo holding shares of Class A common stock of Ginkgo (“Ginkgo Class A common stock”) immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will receive, with respect to each share of Ginkgo Class A common stock it holds, a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio (as hereinafter defined), (ii) each stockholder of Ginkgo holding shares of Class B common stock of Ginkgo (“Ginkgo Class B common stock” and, together with the Ginkgo Class A common stock, “Ginkgo common stock”) immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will receive, with respect to each share of Ginkgo Class B common stock it holds, a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio, (iii) each option exercisable for Ginkgo common stock (each, a “Ginkgo option”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, will be assumed and converted into a newly issued option exercisable for New


Table of Contents

Ginkgo common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo option”) having the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo option, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such option is exercisable and the exercise price thereof, (iv) each award of restricted common stock of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (each, a “Ginkgo restricted stock award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of restricted common stock of New Ginkgo (each, a “New Ginkgo restricted stock award”) equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio on the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo restricted stock award, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares to which each such New Ginkgo restricted stock award relates, (v) each award of restricted stock units of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (each, a “Ginkgo restricted stock unit award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive restricted stock units based on New Ginkgo common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo restricted stock unit award”) on the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo restricted stock unit award, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares to which each such New Ginkgo restricted stock unit relates, and (vi) each warrant to purchase shares of Ginkgo capital stock (each, a “Ginkgo warrant”) that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination and that is not automatically exercised in full in accordance with its terms by virtue of the occurrence of the Business Combination will be assumed and converted into a warrant exercisable for shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo assumed warrant”) having the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo warrant immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such New Ginkgo assumed warrant is exercisable and the exercise price thereof.

In addition, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the holders of Ginkgo common stock, Ginkgo options, Ginkgo restricted stock awards, Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards and Ginkgo warrants outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will collectively be entitled to receive (or, in the case of the holders of Ginkgo options, Ginkgo restricted stock units, Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards and Ginkgo warrants, to receive New Ginkgo options, New Ginkgo restricted stock units, New Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards or New Ginkgo assumed warrants exercisable for, or based upon) a proportional amount of the Earn-out Consideration, which is divided into four equal tranches subject to vesting during the five years after the closing date of the Business Combination (the “Earn-out Period”) based on the conditions below:

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $17.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest; and

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, the remaining 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest.

Additionally, the vesting of the Earn-out Consideration will be subject to acceleration in the event of certain transactions resulting in a change of control of New Ginkgo or the acquisition by a third party of assets of New Ginkgo representing at least 50% of New Ginkgo’s assets (by value) on a consolidated basis or generating at least 50% of New Ginkgo’s revenues on a consolidated basis, to the extent that the per-share value of the consideration received by New Ginkgo’s stockholders in such transaction or acquisition is greater than or equal to the earn-out targets described above.

To the extent that the earn-out targets described above are not achieved during the Earn-out Period, the portion of the Earn-out Consideration that remains subject to vesting and forfeiture at the end of the Earn-out Period will be forfeited to New Ginkgo for no consideration and cancelled.


Table of Contents

Shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have the same economic terms as shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, except that shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock will have one vote per share and shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have 10 votes per share, and the holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, as a class, will have the right, for so long as the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock continue to represent at least 2% of all of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo common stock, to elect 25% of the directors constituting New Ginkgo’s board of directors. Assuming no redemptions, Ginkgo stockholders holding New Ginkgo Class B common stock will hold approximately 31% of the common stock of New Ginkgo following the consummation of the Business Combination. Generally, each share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will convert into one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (i) at the election of the holder or (ii) subject to the Stock Policies (as defined in the proposed certificate of incorporation of SRNG, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B (the “Proposed Charter”), upon the holder ceasing to be an Eligible Holder (as defined in the Proposed Charter) for any reason (including by virtue of such holder ceasing to serve as a director or employee of New Ginkgo or by virtue of the transfer (subject to limited exceptions set forth in the Proposed Charter) of such share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to a person other than an Eligible Holder) unless, in each case, a majority of the independent directors of New Ginkgo determine that such transfer or event will not result in such automatic conversion.

In connection with the entry into the Merger Agreement, Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (our “Sponsor”), agreed to forfeit 10% of its private placement warrants and to subject a portion of its promote shares, calculated based on a formula as further described in this proxy statement/prospectus, to vesting and forfeiture conditions identical to those applicable to the Earn-out Consideration. Additionally, in the event that our shareholders’ redemptions in connection with our extraordinary general meeting exceed $387.5 million in the aggregate, our Sponsor has agreed to forfeit a portion of its promote shares, calculated based on a formula as further described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The total number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock expected to be issued at the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”) is approximately 1,226,255,905, assuming no redemptions. The total number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock expected to be issued at the Closing is approximately 554,024,323. Holders of shares of Ginkgo capital stock will hold, in the aggregate, between approximately 84.2% and approximately 91.8% of the issued and outstanding shares of New Ginkgo common stock immediately following the Closing.

SRNG’s units, Class A ordinary shares and public warrants are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the symbols “SRNG” and “SRNGW,” respectively. SRNG intends to list the New Ginkgo Class A common stock and public warrants on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “DNA” and “DNA.WS”, respectively, upon the Closing. New Ginkgo will not have units traded following the Closing.

SRNG will hold an extraordinary general meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to consider and vote upon matters relating to the Business Combination. SRNG cannot complete the Business Combination unless SRNG’s shareholders consent to the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. SRNG is sending you this proxy statement/prospectus to ask you to vote in favor of the Merger Agreement and the other matters described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Unless adjourned, the Special Meeting will be held at         , Eastern time, on                 , 2021. For the purposes of Cayman Islands law and the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of SRNG, the physical location of the Special Meeting shall be at the offices of White & Case LLP at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, or you or your proxyholder will be able to attend and vote at the Special Meeting online by visiting https://                                 and using a control number assigned by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. To register and receive access to the Special Meeting, registered shareholders and beneficial shareholders (those holding shares through a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record) will need to follow the instructions applicable to them provided in this proxy statement/prospectus.


Table of Contents

This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with detailed information about the Business Combination and other matters to be considered at the Special Meeting. It also contains or references information about SRNG and New Ginkgo and certain related matters. You are encouraged to read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. In particular, you should read the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 43 for a discussion of the risks you should consider in evaluating the Business Combination and how it will affect you.

If you have any questions or need assistance voting your common stock, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC (“Morrow”), our proxy solicitor, by calling (800) 662-5200, or banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400, or by emailing SRNG.info@investor.morrowsodali.com. This notice of extraordinary general meeting is and the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination will be available at https://                                .

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Business Combination or the other transactions contemplated thereby, as described in this proxy statement/prospectus, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this proxy statement/prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated                         , 2021, and is first being mailed to shareholders of SRNG on or about                         , 2021.


Table of Contents

SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.

955 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10075

NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON                 , 2021

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SOARING EAGLE ACQUISITION CORP.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an extraordinary general meeting (the “Special Meeting”) of Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“SRNG,” “we,” “us” or “our”), will be held at                         , New York City time, on                 , 2021 at the offices of White & Case LLP located at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, or virtually via live webcast at                                 . You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting, which will be held for the following purposes:

 

(a)

Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt, by way of ordinary resolution, the agreement and plan of merger, dated as of May 11, 2021 (as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among SRNG, SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG (“Merger Sub”), and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“Ginkgo”), pursuant to which, among other things, SRNG will be domesticated as a Delaware corporation and, promptly thereafter, Merger Sub will merge with and into Ginkgo, with Ginkgo surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG (the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination” and such proposal, the “Business Combination Proposal”);

 

(b)

Proposal No. 2—The Domestication Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, by way of special resolution in accordance with Article 49 of SRNG’s amended and restated articles of association, assuming the Business Combination Proposal is approved and adopted, the transfer of SRNG by way of continuation to Delaware pursuant to Part XII of the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands and Section 388 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and, immediately upon being de-registered in the Cayman Islands, continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (we refer to such proposal as the “Domestication Proposal”);

 

(c)

Proposal No. 3—The Governing Documents Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt, by way of special resolution, assuming the Business Combination Proposal and the Domestication Proposal are approved and adopted, the proposed certificate of incorporation of SRNG (the “Proposed Charter”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B, and the proposed bylaws of SRNG (the “Proposed Bylaws”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C, which together will replace SRNG’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, dated October 22, 2020 (the “Current Charter”), and will become effective upon the completion of the Domestication in connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”) (we refer to such proposal as the “Governing Documents Proposal”);

 

(d)

Proposal No. 4—The Advisory Governing Documents Proposals—to consider and vote upon separate proposals to approve by way of a special resolution, on a non-binding advisory basis, the following material differences between the Proposed Charter and Proposed Bylaws and the Current Charter, which are being presented in accordance with the requirements of the SEC as six separate sub-proposals (we refer to such proposals as the “Advisory Governing Documents Proposals”);

 

  (i)

Advisory Governing Documents Proposal A—Under the Proposed Charter, New Ginkgo will be authorized to issue 16,000,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 15,800,000,000 shares of common stock, including 10,500,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“New Ginkgo Class A common stock”), 4,500,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“New Ginkgo Class B common stock”), and 800,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“New


Table of Contents
  Ginkgo Class C common stock”), and (ii) 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, as opposed to the Current Charter which authorizes SRNG to issue 481,000,000 capital shares, consisting of (i) 480,000,000 ordinary shares, including 400,000,000 SRNG Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 80,000,000 SRNG Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) 1,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share;

 

  (ii)

Advisory Governing Documents Proposal B—Holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock will be entitled to cast one vote per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock on each matter properly submitted to New Ginkgo’s stockholders entitled to vote, holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will be entitled to cast 10 votes per share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock on each matter properly submitted to New Ginkgo’s stockholders entitled to vote and holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock will not be entitled to vote, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law, as opposed to each SRNG Class A ordinary share and SRNG Class B ordinary share being entitled to one vote per share on each matter properly submitted to SRNG’s shareholders entitled to vote;

 

  (iii)

Advisory Governing Documents Proposal C—The number of directors constituting the New Ginkgo board of directors (the “New Ginkgo Board”) shall be fixed from time to time solely by resolution of the New Ginkgo Board and the holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock shall be entitled to nominate and elect one-quarter of the total number of directors of New Ginkgo (the “Class B Directors”) for so long as the outstanding number of shares of Class B common stock continue to represent at least 2% of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo’s common stock, and the holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and New Ginkgo Class B common stock voting together as a single class shall be entitled to elect the directors of New Ginkgo other than the Class B Directors (the “Common Directors”), as opposed to the appointment of any person to the SRNG Board by ordinary resolution of the holders of SRNG Class B ordinary shares;

 

  (iv)

Advisory Governing Documents Proposal D—(i) The number of authorized shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, New Ginkgo Class B common stock and New Ginkgo Class C common stock may be increased by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of New Ginkgo entitled to vote thereon, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), (ii) the number of authorized shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, New Ginkgo Class C common stock or New Ginkgo preferred stock may be decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding or, in the case of the New Ginkgo Class A common stock, the number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock reserved for issuance upon the conversion of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock) by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of New Ginkgo entitled to vote thereon, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and (iii) the number of authorized shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock may be decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, as opposed to SRNG requiring an increase in share capital by ordinary resolution; and

 

  (v)

Advisory Governing Documents Proposal E—Authorization of all other changes in the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws, including (1) adopting Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation and the federal district courts of the United States as the exclusive forum for certain other stockholder litigation, in each case unless New Ginkgo expressly consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (2) electing not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL and (3) removing certain provisions related to SRNG’s status as a blank check company that will no longer be applicable upon consummation of the Business Combination.

 

  (vi)

Advisory Governing Documents Proposal F—Authorization of an amendment to the Proposed Charter in order to change the corporate name of “Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.” to “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.” in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination.


Table of Contents
(e)

Proposal No. 5—The Director Election Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, by way of ordinary resolution, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal and the Governing Documents Proposal are approved and adopted, to elect seven directors to serve on the New Ginkgo Board; provided that as long as the outstanding number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock continue to represent at least 2% of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo’s common stock, the holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock shall be entitled to nominate and elect the Class B Directors and the holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and New Ginkgo Class B common stock voting together as a single class shall be entitled to elect the Common Directors, each to serve for a term expiring at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, or removal (we refer to such proposal as the “Director Election Proposal”);

 

(f)

Proposal No. 6—The Stock Issuance Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, by way of ordinary resolution, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal and the Director Election Proposal are approved and adopted, for the purposes of complying with the applicable listing rules of Nasdaq, the issuance of (x) shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and (y) shares of New SRNG Class A common stock to certain accredited investors, including an affiliate of the Sponsor (the “PIPE Investors”) in connection with the Private Placement (as defined herein), plus any additional shares pursuant to subscription agreements we may enter into prior to Closing (we refer to such proposal as the “Stock Issuance Proposal”);

 

(g)

Proposal No. 7—The Incentive Plan Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve by way of ordinary resolution, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal, the Director Election Proposal and the Stock Issuance Proposal are approved and adopted, the Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “2021 Plan”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E, including the authorization of the initial share reserve under the 2021 Plan (we refer to such proposal as the “Incentive Plan Proposal”);

 

(h)

Proposal No. 8—The ESPP Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve by way of ordinary resolution, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Issuance Proposal and the Incentive Plan Proposal are approved and adopted, the Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex F, including the authorization of the initial share reserve under the ESPP (the “ESPP Proposal”); and

 

(i)

Proposal No. 9—The Adjournment Proposal—to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve by way of ordinary resolution the adjournment of the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, any of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Issuance Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal and the ESPP Proposal (together the “condition precedent proposals”) would not be duly approved and adopted by our shareholders or we determine that one or more of the Closing conditions under the Merger Agreement is not satisfied or waived (we refer to such proposal as the “Adjournment Proposal”).

Only holders of record of SRNG Class A ordinary shares and SRNG Class B ordinary shares (collectively, “SRNG ordinary shares”) at the close of business on                     , 2021 are entitled to notice of and to vote and have their votes counted at the Special Meeting and any further adjournments or postponements of the Special Meeting (and only such holders of SRNG Class B ordinary shares are entitled to vote on the Domestication Proposal).

We will provide you with the proxy statement/prospectus and a proxy card in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at the Special Meeting and at any adjournment of the Special Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, we urge you to read the proxy statement/prospectus (and any documents incorporated into the proxy statement/prospectus by reference) carefully. Please pay particular attention to the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

 


Table of Contents

After careful consideration, SRNG’s board of directors (the “SRNG Board”) has determined that each of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal, the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Issuance Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are in the best interests of SRNG and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that you, and in the case of the Domestication Proposal, the holders of SRNG Class B ordinary shares, vote or give instruction to vote “FOR” each of those proposals.

The existence of financial and personal interests of SRNG’s directors and officers may result in a conflict of interest on the part of one or more of the directors between what they may believe is in the best interests of SRNG and its shareholders and what they may believe is best for himself or themselves in determining to recommend that shareholders vote for the proposals. See the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—Interests of SRNG’s Directors and Officers and Others in the Business Combination” in the proxy statement/prospectus for a further discussion.

Under the Merger Agreement, the approval of the condition precedent proposals presented at the Special Meeting is a condition to the consummation of the Business Combination. The approval of each condition precedent proposal is conditioned on the approval of all of the other condition precedent proposals. If our shareholders do not approve each of the condition precedent proposals, the Business Combination may not be consummated. The Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of any other proposal.

In connection with our initial public offering, Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (our “Sponsor”), and our officers and directors at the time of our initial public offering entered into a letter agreement (the “SRNG Letter Agreement”) to vote their SRNG Class B ordinary shares purchased prior to our initial public offering (the “founder shares”), as well as SRNG Class A ordinary shares sold as part of the units by us in our initial public offering (the “public shares”) purchased by them during or after our initial public offering, in favor of the Business Combination Proposal, and we also expect them to vote their shares in favor of all other proposals being presented at the Special Meeting. As of the date hereof, our Sponsor owns approximately 20% of our total outstanding shares.

Pursuant to the Current Charter, a holder of public shares (a “public shareholder”) may request that SRNG redeem all or a portion of its public shares for cash if the Business Combination is consummated. As a public shareholder, and assuming the Business Combination is consummated, you will be entitled to receive cash for any public shares to be redeemed only if you:

 

  (i)

(a) hold public shares or (b) hold public shares through units and elect to separate your units into the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the public shares; and

 

  (ii)

prior to                 , New York City time, on                 , 2021, (a) submit a written request, including the legal name, phone number and address of the beneficial owner of the shares for which redemption is requested, to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, SRNG’s transfer agent (the “transfer agent”), that SRNG redeem your public shares for cash and (b) deliver your public shares to the transfer agent, physically or electronically through Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

As noted above, holders of units must elect to separate the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. If holders hold their units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their broker or bank that they elect to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants, or if a holder holds units registered in its own name, the holder must contact the transfer agent, directly and instruct it to do so. The redemption rights include the requirement that a holder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial holder and provide its legal name, phone number and address to the transfer agent in order to validly redeem its shares. Public shareholders may elect to redeem all or a portion of their public shares even if they vote for the Business Combination Proposal. If the Business Combination is not consummated, public shares will not be redeemed for cash, even if their holders have properly exercised redemption rights with respect to such public shares. If the Business Combination is consummated and a public shareholder properly exercises its right to redeem its public shares and timely delivers its shares to the transfer agent, we will redeem each public share for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to


Table of Contents

the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account established in connection with our initial public offering (the “Trust Account”), calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) and/or to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. For illustrative purposes, as of July 15, 2021, this would have amounted to approximately $10.00 per public share. If a public shareholder exercises its redemption rights, then it will be exchanging its redeemed public shares for cash and will no longer own such shares. Any request to redeem public shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for submitting redemption requests and thereafter, with our consent, until the Closing (as defined below). If a holder of a public share delivers its shares in connection with an election to redeem and subsequently decides prior to the deadline for submitting redemption requests not to elect to exercise such rights, it may simply request that SRNG instruct the transfer agent to return the shares (physically or electronically). The holder can make such request by contacting the transfer agent, at the address or email address listed in this proxy statement/prospectus. See “The Special Meeting—Redemption Rights” in the proxy statement/prospectus for a detailed description of the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your public shares for cash.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of public shares, together with any affiliate of such public shareholder or any other person with whom such public shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its public shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the public shares. Accordingly, if a public shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to redeem more than 20% of the public shares, then any such shares in excess of that 20% limit would not be redeemed for cash.

Subject to approval by SRNG shareholders of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal and the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, at the Closing, we will adopt a multi-class stock structure, comprised of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, which will carry one vote per share, New Ginkgo Class B common stock, which will carry 10 votes per share, and New Ginkgo Class C common stock, which will carry no voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law). The New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have the same economic terms as the New Ginkgo Class A common stock. Upon the Closing, all stockholders of New Ginkgo will hold only shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, except for the employees and directors of New Ginkgo, who will hold shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock. Immediately following the Closing, including by virtue of holdings of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, the employees and directors of New Ginkgo are currently expected to hold in the aggregate (assuming no redemptions) approximately 82% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of New Ginkgo. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Organizational Structure and Governance—Following the consummation of the Business Combination, only our employees and directors will be entitled to hold shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock (including shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock granted or otherwise issued to our employees and directors in the future), which shares will have ten votes per share. This will limit or preclude other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the approval of certain employee compensation plans, the adoption of amendments to our organizational documents and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval.”

Furthermore, SRNG entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with the PIPE Investors, pursuant to which the PIPE Investors have agreed to purchase immediately prior to the Closing an aggregate of 77,500,000 shares of New SRNG Class A common stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share (including 7,500,000 shares of New SRNG Class A common stock to an affiliate of the Sponsor).

All SRNG shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting which will be held in person at the offices of White & Case LLP at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 and in virtual format. To ensure your representation at the Special Meeting, however, you are urged to complete, sign, date and return the proxy card accompanying the proxy statement/prospectus as soon as possible. If you are a shareholder of record holding SRNG ordinary shares, you may also cast your vote at the Special Meeting electronically by visiting                     . If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct your


Table of Contents

broker or bank on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to attend the Special Meeting and vote electronically, obtain a proxy from your broker or bank. The Governing Documents Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the SRNG Shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting.

Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether you plan to attend the Special Meeting or not, please sign, date and return the proxy card accompanying the proxy statement/prospectus as soon as possible in the envelope provided. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted.

If you have any questions or need assistance voting your SRNG shares, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC (“Morrow”), our proxy solicitor, by calling (800) 662-5200, or banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400, or by emailing SRNG.info@investor.morrowsodali.com. This notice of extraordinary general meeting is and the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination will be available at                 .

Thank you for your participation. We look forward to your continued support.

                    , 2021

IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE PROPOSALS. TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST (I) IF YOU HOLD SRNG CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES THROUGH UNITS, ELECT TO SEPARATE YOUR UNITS INTO THE UNDERLYING SRNG CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES AND PUBLIC WARRANTS PRIOR TO EXERCISING YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PUBLIC SHARES, (II) SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST, INCLUDING THE LEGAL NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THE SHARES FOR WHICH REDEMPTION IS REQUESTED, TO THE TRANSFER AGENT THAT YOUR PUBLIC SHARES BE REDEEMED FOR CASH AND (III) DELIVER YOUR SRNG CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES TO THE TRANSFER AGENT, PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY’S DWAC (DEPOSIT WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. IF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION IS NOT CONSUMMATED, PUBLIC SHARES WILL NOT BE REDEEMED FOR CASH, EVEN IF THEIR HOLDERS HAVE PROPERLY EXERCISED REDEMPTION RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PUBLIC SHARES. IF YOU HOLD THE SHARES IN STREET NAME, YOU WILL NEED TO INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT YOUR BANK OR BROKER TO WITHDRAW THE SHARES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS. SEE “THE SPECIAL MEETING—REDEMPTION RIGHTS” IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS FOR MORE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by SRNG, constitutes a prospectus of SRNG under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the shares of New Ginkgo common stock to be issued to Ginkgo’s stockholders under the Merger Agreement. This document also constitutes a proxy statement of SRNG under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement/prospectus. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated as of the date set forth on the cover hereof. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of such incorporated document. Neither the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus to SRNG shareholders nor the issuance by New Ginkgo of its common stock in connection with the Business Combination will create any implication to the contrary.

Information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding SRNG has been provided by SRNG and information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding Ginkgo has been provided by Ginkgo.

This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

 

This proxy statement/prospectus contains information concerning the market and industry in which Ginkgo conducts its business. Ginkgo operates in an industry in which it is difficult to obtain precise industry and market information. Ginkgo has obtained market and industry data in this proxy statement/prospectus from industry publications and from surveys or studies conducted by third parties that it believes to be reliable.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     1  

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

     2  

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

     6  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

     8  

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

     26  

Information About the Parties to the Business Combination

     26  

The Business Combination and the Merger Agreement

     26  

Structure of the Business Combination

     27  

Merger Consideration

     28  

The Private Placement

     30  

Special Meeting of SRNG Shareholders and the Proposals

     30  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     31  

Regulatory Approvals

     32  

Conditions to the Completion of the Business Combination

     32  

Termination

     32  

Redemption Rights

     34  

Appraisal Rights

     34  

Proxy Solicitation

     34  

Interests of SRNG’s Directors and Officers and Others in the Business Combination

     35  

Stock Exchange Listing

     37  

Sources and Uses of Funds for the Business Combination

     37  

Accounting Treatment

     37  

Comparison of Stockholders’ Rights

     38  

Summary of Risk Factors

     38  

Emerging Growth Company

     41  

MARKET PRICE, TICKER SYMBOL AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

     42  

SRNG

     42  

Ginkgo

     42  

RISK FACTORS

     43  

Risks Related to SRNG and the Business Combination

     43  

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Business

     53  

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Customers

     62  

Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

     64  

Risks Related to the Synthetic Biology Industry

     67  

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Intellectual Property

     69  

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Personnel, IT and Physical Infrastructure

     77  

Risks Related to Financial Reporting

     79  

Risks Related to Governmental Regulation and Litigation

     81  

Risks Related to our Organizational Structure and Governance

     94  

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTIES TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

     99  

SRNG

     99  

Merger Sub

     99  

Ginkgo

     99  

THE SPECIAL MEETING

     100  

Overview

     100  

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

     100  

Proposals

     100  

 

i


Table of Contents

Record Date; Outstanding Shares; Shares Entitled to Vote

     100  

Quorum

     101  

Vote Required and SRNG Board Recommendation

     101  

Voting Your Shares

     103  

Voting Shares Held in Street Name

     103  

Revoking Your Proxy

     104  

Share Ownership and Voting by SRNG’s Officers and Directors

     104  

Redemption Rights

     104  

Appraisal Rights

     106  

Potential Purchases of Shares and/or Public Warrants

     106  

Costs of Solicitation

     106  

Other Business

     107  

Attendance

     107  

Assistance

     107  

THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

     108  

Structure of the Business Combination

     108  

Consideration to Ginkgo Equity Holders

     108  

The Private Placement

     110  

Background of the Business Combination

     110  

SRNG Board Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination

     115  

Financial Analysis

     118  

Certain Projected Financial Information

     121  

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Business

     125  

Risks Related to the Multi-Class Share Structure

     125  

Satisfaction of 80% Test

     125  

Interests of SRNG’s Directors and Officers and Others in the Business Combination

     126  

Sources and Uses of Funds for the Business Combination

     128  

Directors and Executive Officers of New Ginkgo After the Business Combination

     128  

Stock Exchange Listing

     129  

Accounting Treatment

     129  

Vote Required for Approval

     129  

Resolution to be Voted Upon

     130  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     130  

THE MERGER AGREEMENT

     131  

Explanatory Note Regarding the Merger Agreement

     131  

Closing and Effective Time of the Business Combination

     131  

Consideration to Ginkgo Equity Holders

     132  

Covenants and Agreements

     134  

Representations and Warranties

     141  

Conditions to Closing

     144  

Termination

     147  

Effect of Termination

     148  

Amendment

     148  

Specific Performance

     148  

ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

     149  

Subscription Agreements

     149  

Company Stockholder Support Agreements

     149  

Sponsor Support Agreement

     149  

Registration Rights Agreement

     150  

 

ii


Table of Contents

THE DOMESTICATION PROPOSAL

     151  

Overview

     151  

Reasons for the Domestication

     151  

Expected Accounting Treatment of the Domestication

     152  

Vote Required for Approval

     153  

Resolution to be Voted Upon

     153  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     153  

THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS PROPOSAL

     154  

Overview

     154  

Comparison of Current Charter to Proposed Charter

     154  

Reasons for the Approval of the Governing Documents Proposal

     154  

Vote Required for Approval

     154  

Resolution to be Voted Upon

     155  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     155  

THE ADVISORY GOVERNING DOCUMENTS PROPOSALS

     156  

Overview

     156  

Advisory Governing Documents Proposals

     156  

Reasons for Approval of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals

     158  

Vote Required for Approval

     161  

Resolutions to be Voted Upon

     161  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     162  

THE DIRECTOR ELECTION PROPOSAL

     163  

Overview

     163  

Director Nominees

     163  

Vote Required for Approval

     163  

Resolution to Be Voted Upon

     163  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     163  

THE STOCK ISSUANCE PROPOSAL

     164  

Why SRNG Needs Shareholder Approval

     164  

Vote Required for Approval

     164  

Resolution to be Voted Upon

     165  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     165  

THE INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL

     166  

Overview

     166  

The 2021 Plan

     166  

Summary of the 2021 Plan

     166  

Eligibility and Administration

     166  

Shares Available for Awards

     167  

Awards

     168  

Certain Transactions

     169  

Repricing

     169  

Plan Amendment and Termination

     169  

Foreign Participants, Claw-Back Provisions, Transferability and Participant Payments

     169  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

     169  

Section 409A of the Code

     170  

New Plan Benefits

     171  

Interests of Certain Persons in this Proposal

     171  

Vote Required for Approval

     171  

Resolution to be Voted Upon

     171  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     171  

 

iii


Table of Contents

THE ESPP PROPOSAL

     172  

Overview

     172  

The ESPP

     172  

Summary of the ESPP

     172  

Eligibility and Administration

     172  

Shares Available for Awards

     172  

Awards

     173  

Certain Transactions

     173  

ESPP Amendment and Termination

     173  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

     174  

New Plan Benefits

     175  

Interests of Certain Persons in this Proposal

     175  

Vote Required for Approval

     175  

Resolution to be Voted Upon

     175  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     175  

THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

     176  

Overview

     176  

Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved

     176  

Vote Required for Approval

     176  

Resolution to be Voted Upon

     176  

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

     176  

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     177  

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

     184  

OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO SRNG

     188  

Introduction

     188  

Initial Public Offering

     188  

Fair Market Value of Ginkgo’s Business

     189  

Shareholder Approval of Business Combination

     189  

Voting Restrictions in Connection with Shareholder Meeting

     189  

Liquidation if No Business Combination

     189  

Properties

     192  

Employees

     192  

Directors and Executive Officers

     193  

Executive Compensation and Director Compensation

     196  

Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors

     196  

Director Independence

     197  

Legal Proceedings

     197  

Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements

     197  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF SRNG

     198  

Overview

     198  

Merger Agreement

     198  

Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events

     200  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     201  

Controls and Procedures

     203  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     204  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results

     204  

Contractual Obligations

     204  

JOBS Act

     204  

 

iv


Table of Contents

A LETTER FROM GINKGO’S FOUNDERS

     206  

INFORMATION ABOUT GINKGO

     211  

Mission

     211  

Overview

     211  

An Introduction to Synthetic Biology

     214  

The Impact of Cell Programming

     218  

Market Opportunity

     223  

Industry Overview

     224  

Enabling Customer Success

     226  

Our Platform

     232  

Our Business Model

     242  

Our Sustainable Advantage

     245  

Our Growth Strategy

     247  

Our People & Culture

     249  

Competition

     251  

Intellectual Property

     252  

Facilities

     262  

Suppliers

     262  

Government Regulations

     264  

Legal Proceedings

     269  

Ginkgo Corporate Information

     269  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF GINKGO

     270  

Overview

     270  

Generating Economic Value Through Revenue and Downstream Value Share

     272  

Key Business Metrics

     275  

Proposed Business Combination Transaction

     275  

Potential Modification of Equity Awards in Connection with Proposed Business Combination Transaction

     276  

Components of Results of Operations

     276  

Results of Operations

     280  

Non-GAAP Information

     285  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     287  

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

     290  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

     291  

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     291  

JOBS Act and Emerging Growth Company Status

     298  

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

     298  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks

     298  

OWNERSHIP SUMMARY

     300  

DESCRIPTION OF NEW GINKGO SECURITIES

     301  

Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock

     301  

Common Stock

     301  

SECURITIES ACT RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF COMMON STOCK

     317  

Rule 144

     317  

Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies

     317  

 

v


Table of Contents

COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS

     318  

General

     318  

Comparison of Stockholders’ Rights

     318  

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

     333  

NEW GINKGO MANAGEMENT AFTER THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

     337  

Board of Directors and Management

     337  

Corporate Governance

     340  

Role of Board in Risk Oversight

     340  

Composition of the New Ginkgo Board After the Merger

     341  

Board Committees

     341  

Code of Business Conduct

     342  

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     342  

Independence of the Board of Directors

     342  

GINKGO’S EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     343  

2020 Summary Compensation Table

     343  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

     346  

Executive Compensation Arrangements

     346  

Director Compensation

     347  

Post-Combination Company Executive Officer and Director Compensation

     347  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     351  

SRNG

     351  

Ginkgo

     351  

LEGAL MATTERS

     355  

EXPERTS

     355  

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

     355  

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     356  

U.S. Holders

     357  

Non-U.S. Holders

     366  

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS

     371  

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

     373  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     374  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

Annex A – Agreement and Plan of Merger

     A-1  

Annex B – Form of Certificate of Incorporation of Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.

     B-1  

Annex C – Form of Bylaws of Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.

     C-1  

Annex D – Subscription Agreement

     D-1  

Annex E – Form of Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. 2021 Incentive Plan

     E-1  

Annex F – Form of Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     F-1  

Annex G – Memorandum and Articles of Association of Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

     G-1  

 

vi


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about SRNG from other documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available for you to review on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) at www.sec.gov. You can also obtain the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following address and telephone number:

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

955 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10075

Telephone: (310) 209-7280

Attention: Secretary

or

Morrow Sodali LLC

470 West Avenue, Suite 3000

Stamford, CT 06902

Telephone: (800) 662-5200

(banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400)

Email: SRNG.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

To obtain timely delivery, SRNG shareholders must request the materials no later than five business days prior to the Special Meeting.

You also may obtain additional proxy cards and other information related to the proxy solicitation by contacting the appropriate contact listed above. You will not be charged for any of these documents that you request.

For a more detailed description of the information incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus and how you may obtain it, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.

 

1


Table of Contents

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “SRNG” refer to Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., the term “New SRNG” refers to Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. following the Domestication and the terms “New Ginkgo,” “combined company” and “post-combination company” refer to Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries following the consummation of the Business Combination.

In this document:

Business Combination” means the Domestication together with the Merger.

Closing” means the closing of the Business Combination.

Closing Date” means the closing date of the Business Combination.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Cayman Constitutional Documents” means SRNG’s first amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

FASB” means the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Founder” means any of Jason Kelly, Reshma Shetty, Austin Che, Bartholomew Canton and Thomas F. Knight, Jr.

Founder Holder” means any Founder or any legal entity or trust through which (directly or indirectly, and by ownership, voting power, contract or otherwise) any Founder exercises exclusive voting control with respect to the shares of capital stock of New Ginkgo owned by such legal entity or trust.

founder shares” means the SRNG Class B ordinary shares sold prior to SRNG’s initial public offering.

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

GDPR” mean the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.

Ginkgo” means Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Ginkgo capital stock” means the Ginkgo Class A common stock, the Ginkgo Class B common stock and each other class or series of capital stock of Ginkgo (including preferred stock).

Ginkgo Class A common stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Ginkgo.

Ginkgo Class B common stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Ginkgo.

Ginkgo option” means each option to purchase shares of Ginkgo common stock.

 

2


Table of Contents

Ginkgo stockholder” means each holder of Ginkgo capital stock.

Ginkgo warrant” means each warrant to purchase shares of Ginkgo capital stock.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

initial shareholders” means the holders of our founder shares.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

IPO” means SRNG’s initial public offering, consummated on February 26, 2021, through the sale of 22,500,000 units at $10.00 per unit.

JOBS Act” means the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012.

Merger Agreement” means that Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 11, 2021, by and among SRNG, Merger Sub and Ginkgo.

Merger Sub” means SEAC Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG.

“Minimum Proceeds Condition” means the condition to Closing in favor of Ginkgo set forth in Section 10.3(d) of the Merger Agreement, which requires SRNG to have at the Closing at least $1,250,000,000 of available cash, consisting of cash held in the Trust Account after giving effect to the Shareholder Redemption (as defined herein), and cash received in the Private Placement and in certain other investments, if any, arranged by SRNG in accordance with the Merger Agreement and the Sponsor Support Agreement.

Morrow” means Morrow Sodali, proxy solicitor to SRNG.

Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.

New Ginkgo” means Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which, prior to consummation of the Business Combination, was known as Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. (“SRNG” herein)).

New Ginkgo Board” means the board of directors of New Ginkgo.

New Ginkgo Class A common stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Ginkgo, which shares have the same economic terms as the shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, however they are only entitled to one vote per share.

New Ginkgo Class B common stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Ginkgo, which shares have the same economic terms as the shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, however they are entitled to 10 votes per share and the holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, as a class, will have the right, for so long as the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock continue to represent at least 2% of all of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo common stock, to elect 25% of the directors constituting the New Ginkgo Board.

New Ginkgo Class C common stock” means the shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Ginkgo, which shares have the same economic terms as the shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, but which will carry no voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law).

New Ginkgo common stock” means, collectively, the New Ginkgo Class A common stock, the New Ginkgo Class B common stock and the New Ginkgo Class C common stock.

 

3


Table of Contents

New Ginkgo Management” means the management of New Ginkgo following the consummation of the Business Combination.

New SRNG” means Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, following the Domestication.

Non-Redemption Agreements” means certain non-redemption agreements with certain holders of SRNG’s Class A ordinary shares, pursuant to which such holders agree not to exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination.

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

“PIPE Investors” means certain institutional investors, including affiliates of the Sponsor, who are party to the Subscription Agreements.

“Private Placement” means the issuance of an aggregate of 77,500,000 shares of New SRNG Class A common stock pursuant to the Subscription Agreements to the PIPE Investors immediately before the Closing, at a purchase price of $10.00 per share.

Private placement warrants” means the 19,250,000 warrants issued to our Sponsor concurrently with our IPO, each of which is exercisable for one SRNG Class A ordinary share. Upon the Closing, 10% of the private placement warrants will be forfeited to New Ginkgo and cancelled for no consideration.

Proposed Governing Documents” means the proposed certificate of incorporation and bylaws to be adopted by SRNG pursuant to the Governing Documents Proposal and the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals immediately prior to the Closing (and which at and after the Closing will operate as the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of New Ginkgo), a copy of each of which is attached as Annex B and Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Public shares” means SRNG Class A ordinary shares included in the units issued in the IPO.

Public shareholders” means holders of public shares.

Public warrants” means the warrants included in the units issued in the IPO, each of which is exercisable for SRNG Class A ordinary share, in accordance with its terms.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2021 and effective at (but subject to) the Closing, by and among Ginkgo, SRNG, certain Ginkgo stockholders and certain SRNG shareholders.

Sponsor” means Eagle Equity Partners III, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Sponsor Shares” means the aggregate of 43,125,000 SRNG Class B ordinary shares held by the Sponsor.

SRNG” means Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company, prior to the Domestication as a corporation in the state of Delaware.

SRNG Board” means the board of directors of SRNG.

SRNG Class A ordinary shares” means the Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of SRNG.

SRNG Class B ordinary shares” means the Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of SRNG.

SRNG ordinary shares” means, collectively, the SRNG Class A ordinary shares and SRNG Class B ordinary shares.

SRNG warrants” are to the public warrants and the private placement warrants.

 

4


Table of Contents

“Subscription Agreements” means the subscription agreements, each dated as of May 11, 2021, between SRNG and the PIPE Investors, pursuant to which SRNG has agreed to issue an aggregate of 77,500,000 shares of New SRNG Class A common stock to the PIPE Investors immediately before the Closing at a purchase price of $10.00 per share.

Transfer Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Trust Account” means the Trust Account of SRNG that holds the proceeds from SRNG’s IPO and the private placement of the private placement warrants.

Trust Agreement” mean that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of February 23, 2021, between SRNG and the Trustee.

Trustee” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Units” means the units of SRNG, each consisting of one SRNG Class A ordinary share and one-fifth of one public warrant of SRNG.

 

5


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement/prospectus includes forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial, of SRNG, Ginkgo and New Ginkgo. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SRNG and Ginkgo. Although SRNG and Ginkgo believe that their respective plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, neither SRNG nor Ginkgo can assure you that either will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “seeks”, “plans”, “scheduled”, “anticipates” or “intends” or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are based on projections prepared by, and are the responsibility of, Ginkgo’s management. Ernst & Young, Ginkgo’s independent auditor, has not examined, compiled or otherwise applied procedures with respect to the accompanying forward-looking financial information presented herein and, accordingly, expresses no opinion or any other form of assurance on it. The Ernst & Young report included in this proxy statement/prospectus relates to historical financial information of Ginkgo. It does not extend to the forward-looking information and should not be read as if it does. Forward-looking statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

the ability of SRNG and Ginkgo prior to the Business Combination, and New Ginkgo following the Business Combination, to:

 

   

meet the Closing conditions to the Business Combination, including approval by shareholders of SRNG and the availability of at least $1.25 billion of cash from the proceeds received from PIPE Investors and in SRNG’s Trust Account, after giving effect to redemptions of public shares, if any,

 

   

realize the benefits expected from the Business Combination;

 

   

the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of New Ginkgo Class A common stock on the NYSE following the Business Combination;

 

   

New Ginkgo’s ability to raise financing in the future and to comply with restrictive covenants related to long-term indebtedness;

 

   

New Ginkgo’s ability to retain or recruit, or adapt to changes required in, its founders, senior executives, key personnel or directors following the Business Combination;

 

   

factors relating to the business, operations and financial performance of Ginkgo, including:

 

   

New Ginkgo’s ability to effectively manage its growth;

 

   

New Ginkgo’s exposure to the volatility and liquidity risks inherent in holding equity interests in certain of its customers;

 

   

rapidly changing technology and extensive competition in the synthetic biology industry that could make the products and processes New Ginkgo is developing obsolete or non-competitive unless it continues to collaborate on the development of new and improved products and processes and pursue new market opportunities;

 

   

New Ginkgo’s reliance on its customers to develop, produce and manufacture products using the engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes that New Ginkgo develops;

 

6


Table of Contents
   

New Ginkgo’s ability to comply with laws and regulations applicable to its business; and

 

   

market conditions and global and economic factors beyond New Ginkgo’s control;

 

   

intense competition and competitive pressures from other companies worldwide in the industries in which the combined company will operate;

 

   

litigation and the ability to adequately protect New Ginkgo’s intellectual property rights; and

 

   

other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors.

These and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this proxy statement/prospectus are more fully described under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this proxy statement/prospectus describe additional factors that could adversely affect the business, financial condition or results of operations of SRNG and Ginkgo prior to the Business Combination, and New Ginkgo following the Business Combination. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can SRNG or Ginkgo assess the impact of all such risk factors on the business of SRNG and Ginkgo prior to the Business Combination, and New Ginkgo following the Business Combination, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements attributable to SRNG or Ginkgo or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. SRNG and Ginkgo prior to the Business Combination, and New Ginkgo following the Business Combination, undertake no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

7


Table of Contents

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

The following are answers to certain questions that you may have regarding the Business Combination and the Special Meeting. SRNG urges you to read carefully the remainder of this document because the information in this section may not provide all the information that might be important to you in determining how to vote. Additional important information is also contained in the appendices to, and the documents incorporated by reference in, this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Q:

Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus?

 

A:

SRNG is proposing to consummate the Business Combination with Ginkgo. SRNG, Merger Sub and Ginkgo have entered into the Merger Agreement, the terms of which are described in this proxy statement/prospectus. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Annex A. SRNG urges its shareholders to read the Merger Agreement in its entirety.

The Merger Agreement must be adopted by the SRNG shareholders in accordance with Cayman Islands law and SRNG’s Current Charter. SRNG is holding a Special Meeting to obtain that approval. SRNG shareholders will also be asked to vote on certain other matters related to the Business Combination, which are described in this proxy statement/prospectus, at the Special Meeting and to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus and thereby approve the Business Combination.

THE VOTE OF SRNG SHAREHOLDERS IS IMPORTANT. SRNG SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO SUBMIT THEIR PROXIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND CAREFULLY CONSIDERING EACH OF THE PROPOSALS BEING PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.

 

Q:

Why is SRNG proposing the Business Combination?

 

A:

SRNG was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more operating businesses.

Based on its due diligence investigations of Ginkgo and the industry in which it operates, including the financial and other information provided by Ginkgo in the course of SRNG’s due diligence investigations, the SRNG Board believes that the Business Combination with Ginkgo is in the best interests of SRNG and its shareholders and presents an opportunity to increase shareholder value. However, there can be no assurances of this.

Although the SRNG Board believes that the Business Combination with Ginkgo presents a unique business combination opportunity and is in the best interests of SRNG and its shareholders, the SRNG Board did consider certain potentially material negative factors in arriving at that conclusion. See “The Business Combination Proposal—SRNG Board Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination” for a discussion of the factors considered by the SRNG Board in making its decision.

 

Q:

When and where will the Special Meeting take place?

 

A:

The SRNG Special Meeting will be held on                 , 2021 at                 , New York City time, at the office of White & Case LLP at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, or virtually via live webcast at                 .

In light of ongoing developments related to COVID-19, and the related protocols that governments have implemented, the SRNG Board determined that the Special Meeting will also be a virtual meeting

 

8


Table of Contents

conducted exclusively via live webcast. The SRNG Board believes that this is the right choice for SRNG and its shareholders at this time, as it permits shareholders to attend and participate in the extraordinary general meeting while safeguarding the health and safety of SRNG’s shareholders, directors and management team. You will be able to attend the extraordinary general meeting online, vote, view the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the extraordinary general meeting and submit your questions during the extraordinary general meeting by visiting                 . To participate in the virtual meeting, you will need a 12-digit control number assigned by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at                 , New York City time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures.

 

Q:

What matters will be considered at the Special Meeting?

 

A:

The SRNG shareholders will be asked to consider and vote on the following proposals:

 

   

a proposal to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Business Combination (the “Business Combination Proposal”);

 

   

a proposal for the holders of SRNG Class B ordinary shares to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal is approved and adopted, the transfer of SRNG by way of continuation to Delaware and, immediately upon being de-registered in the Cayman Islands, continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware (the “Domestication Proposal”);

 

   

a proposal to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal and the Domestication Proposal are approved and adopted, the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws, which together will replace SRNG’s Current Charter and will be in effect upon the Closing (the “Governing Documents Proposal”);

 

   

a proposal to approve, on a non-advisory basis and as required by applicable SEC guidance, certain material differences between the Proposed Charter and Proposed Bylaws and the Current Charter (the “Advisory Governing Documents Proposals”);

 

   

a proposal to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal and the Governing Documents Proposal are approved and adopted, the election of seven directors to the New Ginkgo Board (the “Director Election Proposal”);

 

   

to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal and the Director Election Proposal are approved and adopted, for the purposes of complying with the applicable listing rules of Nasdaq, the issuance of (x) shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (y) shares of New SRNG Class A common stock to the PIPE Investors in connection with the Private Placement, plus any additional shares pursuant to subscription agreements we may enter into prior to Closing (the “Stock Issuance Proposal”);

 

   

to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, and the Stock Issuance Proposal are approved and adopted, the 2021 Plan, including the authorization of the initial share reserve under the 2021 Plan (the “Incentive Plan Proposal”);

 

   

to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Issuance Proposal and the Incentive Plan Proposal are approved and adopted, the ESPP, including the authorization of the initial share reserve under the ESPP (the “ESPP Proposal”); and

 

   

to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote

 

9


Table of Contents
 

at the time of the Special Meeting, any of the condition precedent proposals would not be duly approved and adopted by our shareholders or we determine that one or more of the closing conditions under the Merger Agreement is not satisfied or waived (the “Adjournment Proposal”).

 

Q:

Is my vote important?

 

A:

Yes. The Business Combination cannot be completed unless the Merger Agreement is adopted by the SRNG shareholders holding a majority of the votes cast on such proposal and the other condition precedent proposals achieve the necessary vote outlined below. Only SRNG shareholders as of the close of business on                     , 2021 the record date for the Special Meeting, are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. The SRNG Board unanimously recommends that such SRNG shareholders, and in the case of the Domestication Proposal, the holders of SRNG Class B ordinary shares, vote “FOR” the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Domestication Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Governing Documents Proposal, “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, “FOR” the approval of the Director Election Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the ESPP Proposal and “FOR” the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.

 

Q:

If my shares are held in “street name” by my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, will my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee automatically vote those shares for me?

 

A:

No. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker submits a proxy that states that the broker does not vote for some or all of the proposals because the broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owners on how to vote on the proposals and does not have discretionary authority to vote in the absence of instructions. Under the relevant rules, brokers are not permitted to vote on any of the matters to be considered at the Special Meeting. As a result, your public shares will not be voted on any matter unless you affirmatively instruct your broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares in one of the ways indicated by your broker, bank or other nominee. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares in accordance with directions you provide.

 

Q:

What SRNG shareholder vote is required for the approval of each proposal brought before the Special Meeting? What will happen if I fail to vote or abstain from voting on each proposal?

 

A:

The Business Combination Proposal. Approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. Our Sponsor, directors and executive officers have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination. Accordingly, if all of our outstanding shares were to be voted, we would only need the additional affirmative vote of shares representing approximately 38% of the outstanding shares in order to approve the Business Combination. Because the Business Combination only requires a majority of the votes cast at the Special Meeting in order to be approved and because a quorum will exist at the Special Meeting if a majority of the outstanding SRNG ordinary shares as of the record date are present, the Business Combination could be approved by the affirmative vote of shares representing as little as 25% of the outstanding SRNG ordinary shares, or approximately 6% of the SRNG Class A ordinary shares outstanding.

The Domestication Proposal. Approval of the Domestication Proposal requires a special resolution, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. In addition, although the Cayman Constitutional Documents indicate that, prior to the Closing, only the holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on this proposal, while the holders of Class A ordinary shares will have no right to vote on this proposal, we have nevertheless opted to also submit this proposal to a vote of holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares, voting together as a single class, and will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of such shares represented in person or by

 

10


Table of Contents

proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

The Governing Documents Proposal. Approval of the Governing Documents Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

The Advisory Governing Documents Proposals. Approval of each of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, each of which is a non-binding vote, requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposals.

The Director Election Proposal. Approval of the Director Election Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. Under the terms of the Current Charter, only the holders of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares are entitled to vote on the election of directors to the SRNG Board. Therefore, only holders of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares will vote on the election of directors at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

The Stock Issuance Proposal. Approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

The Incentive Plan Proposal. Approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

The ESPP Proposal. Approval of the ESPP Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

The Adjournment Proposal. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

 

Q:

What will New Ginkgo’s equity holders receive in connection with the Business Combination?

A: Under the Merger Agreement, SRNG has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Ginkgo for approximately $15 billion in aggregate consideration in the form of New Ginkgo common stock valued at $10 per share (the “Base Equity Consideration”), plus, subject to the vesting conditions based on New Ginkgo’s stock trading price as further described in this proxy statement/prospectus, up to a total of 180 million shares of New Ginkgo common stock (the “Earn-out Consideration”). Ginkgo stockholders will receive the Base Equity Consideration and the Earn-Out Consideration in the form of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock or New Ginkgo Class B common stock as determined in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

The Base Equity Consideration will be allocated among Ginkgo equity holders as follows: (i) each stockholder of Ginkgo holding shares of Ginkgo Class A common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will receive, with respect to each share of Ginkgo Class A common stock it holds, a

 

11


Table of Contents

number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio, (ii) each stockholder of Ginkgo holding shares of Ginkgo Class B common stock prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will receive, with respect to each share of Ginkgo Class B common stock it holds, a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio, (iii) each option exercisable for Ginkgo common stock of Ginkgo (each, a “Ginkgo option”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, will be assumed and converted into a newly issued option exercisable for shares of New Ginkgo common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo option”) having the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo option, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such option is exercisable and the exercise price thereof, (iv) each award of restricted common stock of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (each, a “Ginkgo restricted stock award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of restricted common stock of New Ginkgo (each, a “New Ginkgo restricted stock award”) equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio on the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo restricted stock award, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares to which each such New Ginkgo restricted stock award relates, (v) each award of restricted stock units of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (each, a “Ginkgo restricted stock unit award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive restricted stock units based on New Ginkgo common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo restricted stock unit award”) on the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo restricted stock unit award, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares to which each such New Ginkgo restricted stock unit relates, and (vi) each warrant to purchase shares of Ginkgo capital stock (each, a “Ginkgo warrant”) that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination and that is not automatically exercised in full in accordance with its terms by virtue of the occurrence of the Business Combination will be assumed and converted into a warrant exercisable for shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo assumed warrant”) having the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo warrant immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such New Ginkgo assumed warrant is exercisable and the exercise price thereof.

In addition, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the holders of Ginkgo common stock, Ginkgo options, Ginkgo restricted stock awards, Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards and Ginkgo warrants outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will collectively be entitled to receive or, in the case of the holders of Ginkgo options, Ginkgo restricted stock units, Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards and Ginkgo warrants, to receive New Ginkgo options, New Ginkgo restricted stock units, New Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards or New Ginkgo assumed warrants exercisable for, or based upon) a proportional amount of the Earn-out Consideration, which is divided into four equal tranches subject to the vesting during the five years after the closing date of the Business Combination (the “Earn-out Period”) based on the conditions below:

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $17.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest; and

 

   

If the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, the remaining 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest.

 

12


Table of Contents

Shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have the same economic terms as shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, except that shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock will have one vote per share and shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have 10 votes per share, and the holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, as a class, will be entitled, for so long as the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock continue to represent at least 2% of all of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo common stock, to elect 25% of the directors constituting the New Ginkgo Board. Assuming no redemptions, Ginkgo stockholders holding New Ginkgo Class B common stock will hold approximately 31% of the common stock of New Ginkgo following the consummation of the Business Combination. Generally, each outstanding share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will convert into one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (i) at the election of the holder or (ii) subject to the Stock Policies (as defined in the Proposed Charter), upon the holder ceasing to be an Eligible Holder (as defined in the Proposed Charter) for any reason (including by virtue of such holder ceasing to serve as a director or employee of New Ginkgo or by virtue of the transfer (subject to limited exceptions set forth in the Proposed Charter) of such a share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to a person other than an Eligible Holder) unless, in each case, a majority of the independent directors of the New Ginkgo Board determine that such transfer or event will not result in such automatic conversion.

 

Q:

What equity stake will current SRNG shareholders and Ginkgo stockholders hold in New Ginkgo immediately after the consummation of the Business Combination?

 

A:

It is anticipated that, upon completion of the Business Combination, the ownership interests in New Ginkgo will be as set forth in the table below:

 

     Assuming No
Redemptions
of
Public
Shares
     Assuming
Maximum
Redemptions of
Public Shares(1)
 

Ginkgo Stockholders(2)

     1,500,047,728        1,500,047,728  

SRNG Public Shareholders

     172,500,000        47,500,000  

PIPE Investors

     77,500,000        77,500,000  

Initial Stockholders(3)

     30,232,500        7,775,157  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,780,280,228        1,632,822,885  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Assumes that holders of 125,000,000 public shares exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination (maximum redemption scenario based on approximately $1.725 billion held in trust as of July 15, 2021 and a redemption price of $10.00 per share).

(2)

Assumes that the aggregate cash consideration is $17,774 million in the no redemption scenario and $16,524 million in the maximum redemption scenario, based on estimated cash on hand at closing and includes both the shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and New Ginkgo Class B common stock to be issued and outstanding (but not the 1,599,420 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock underlying the Ginkgo warrants).

(3)

Excludes 12.9 million and 18.5 million Sponsor Earn-out Shares under the no redemption scenario and the maximum redemption scenario, respectively.

The share numbers set forth above do not take into account (a) public warrants and private placement warrants that will remain outstanding immediately following the Business Combination and may be exercised thereafter (commencing the later of 30 days after the Closing and 12 months from the closing of our initial public offering, which occurred on February 26, 2021), (b) the Earn-out Consideration held by the SRNG Earn-out Group, which will be subject to vesting and forfeiture as provided in the Sponsor Support Agreement, and the Earn-out Consideration issued to the Ginkgo Earn-out Group, which will be subject to vesting and forfeiture as provided in the Merger Agreement or (c) the issuance of any shares upon completion of the Business Combination under the 2021 Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E. If the actual facts are different than the assumptions set forth above, the share numbers set forth above will be different.

For more information, please see the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

 

13


Table of Contents

In addition, there are currently outstanding an aggregate of 53,750,000 warrants to acquire SRNG Class A ordinary shares, which are comprised of 19,250,000 private placement warrants held by our Sponsor and 34,500,000 public warrants. Upon the Closing, 10% of the private placement warrants will be forfeited to New Ginkgo and cancelled for no consideration. Each of our outstanding whole warrants is exercisable commencing the later of 30 days following the Closing for one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. Therefore, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, if we assume that each outstanding whole warrant is exercised and one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock is issued as a result of such exercise, with payment to New Ginkgo of the exercise price of $11.50 per whole warrant for one whole share, our fully-diluted share capital would increase by a total of 51,825,000 shares, with approximately $595,987,500 paid to exercise the warrants.

Furthermore, subject to approval by SRNG shareholders of the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal and the Governing Documents Proposal, in connection with the Closing, we will adopt a multi-class stock structure and certain directors and employees of New Ginkgo will receive shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, which will have 10:1 voting rights as compared to the shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, such that as of immediately following the completion of the Business Combination, the employees and directors of New Ginkgo are currently expected to hold in the aggregate (assuming no redemptions) approximately 81.9% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of New Ginkgo. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Organizational Structure and Governance—Following the consummation of the Business Combination, only our employees and directors will be entitled to hold shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock (including shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock granted or otherwise issued to our employees and directors in the future), which shares will have ten votes per share. This will limit or preclude other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the approval of certain employee compensation plans, the adoption of amendments to our organizational documents and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval.

 

Q:

What voting power will current SRNG shareholders, Ginkgo employees and directors and other Ginkgo Stockholders hold in New Ginkgo immediately after the consummation of the Business Combination?

 

A:

It is anticipated that, upon completion of the Business Combination, the voting power in New Ginkgo will be as set forth in the table below (which was, except as noted below, prepared using the same assumptions as the immediately preceding table):

 

     Assuming No
Redemptions
of
Public
Shares
     Assuming
Maximum
Redemptions
of

Public
Shares
 

Ginkgo employees and directors

     81.9%        83.7%  

Other Ginkgo Stockholders

     14.0%        14.3%  

SRNG Public Shareholders

     2.5%        0.7%  

PIPE Investors

     1.1%        1.2%  

Sponsor

     0.4%        0.1%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100%        100%  

 

Q:

What happens to the funds deposited in the Trust Account after consummation of the Business Combination?

 

A:

A total of $1.725 billion, including $60,375,000 of underwriters’ deferred discount and $25,875,000 of the proceeds of the sale of the private placement warrants, was placed in a Trust Account maintained by Continental, acting as trustee. As of July 15, 2021 there were investments and cash held in the Trust

 

14


Table of Contents
  Account of $1,725,028,960.73. These funds will not be released until the earlier of the Closing or the redemption of our public shares if we are unable to complete an initial business combination by February 26, 2023, although we may withdraw the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account to pay franchise and income taxes and for working capital purposes (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000).

 

Q:

What happens if a substantial number of the public shareholders vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and exercise their redemption right?

 

A:

SRNG shareholders who vote in favor of the Business Combination may also nevertheless exercise their redemption rights. Accordingly, the Business Combination may be consummated even though the funds available in the Trust Account and the number of public shareholders are reduced as a result of redemptions by public shareholders, or, if the funds available in the Trust Account are reduced such that the Minimum Proceeds Condition is not satisfied, the Business Combination may not be consummated. In addition, in the event that there are fewer public shares and public shareholders, the trading market for New Ginkgo Class A common stock may be less liquid than the market for SRNG Class A ordinary shares was prior to consummation of the Business Combination and New Ginkgo may not be able to meet the listing standards for the NYSE or another national securities exchange. In addition, with less funds available in the Trust Account, the working capital infusion from the Trust Account into Ginkgo’s business will be reduced. As a result, the proceeds will be greater in the event that no public shareholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their public shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account as opposed to the scenario in which SRNG’s public shareholders exercise the maximum allowed redemption rights.

 

Q:

What amendments will be made to the Current Charter?

 

A:

We are asking SRNG shareholders to approve the Proposed Charter that will be effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The Proposed Charter provides for various changes that the SRNG Board believes are necessary to address the needs of the post-Business Combination company, including, among other things: (i) the increase of the total number of authorized shares of all classes of capital stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, from 481,000,000 shares to 16,000,000,000 shares, consisting of 15,800,000,000 shares of common stock, including 10,500,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 4,500,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 800,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share; (ii) the establishment of a multi-class stock structure pursuant to which New Ginkgo Class A common stock will carry one vote per share, New Ginkgo Class B common stock will carry ten votes per share and New Ginkgo Class C common stock will not carry any voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law), as described herein and in the Proposed Charter; (iii) certain transfer restrictions relating to the Base Equity Consideration and the Earn-Out Consideration; (iv) changes to the required vote to amend the charter and bylaws; and (v) the elimination of certain provisions specific to SRNG’s status as a blank check company. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, we intend to adopt an amendment to the Proposed Charter in order to change the corporate name of “Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.” to “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.”

Pursuant to Cayman law and the Current Charter, SRNG is required to submit the Governing Documents Proposal to SRNG’s shareholders for approval. For additional information, see the section entitled “The Governing Documents Proposal.”

 

Q:

What material negative factors did the SRNG Board consider in connection with the Business Combination?

 

A:

The SRNG Board considered certain potentially material negative factors or material risk factors in connection with the Business Combination, including (i) the history of Ginkgo’s net losses and the fact that,

 

15


Table of Contents
  going forward, New Ginkgo will require substantial additional capital to fund its business, (ii) whether New Ginkgo will be able to enter into a definitive agreement with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and its overall level of indebtedness, (iii) that Ginkgo owns equity interests in several of its customers and has exposure to the volatility and liquidity risks inherent in holding such equity interests, (iv) that Ginkgo’s revenue is currently concentrated in a limited number of customers and New Ginkgo’s growth will depend on expanding that customer base, (v) rapidly changing technology and extensive competition in the synthetic biology industry, (vi) the protection of intellectual property, (vii) the challenges in adequately protecting biological materials, (viii) the important roles that Ginkgo’s founders have played in its business and the dependence that Ginkgo may have on its founders in the successful execution of its business plan, and (ix) uncertainty with regards to the regulatory framework for synthetic biology. The SRNG Board also weighed the risk around the New Ginkgo’s multi-class stock structure (with “super-voting” rights for holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock). These factors are discussed in greater detail in the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—SRNG Board Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination,” as well as in the section entitled “Risk Factors—Risk Factors Relating to the Business Combination and Integration of Ginkgo’s Business.”

 

Q:

Do I have redemption rights?

 

A:

If you are a public shareholder, you have the right to request that SRNG redeem all or a portion of your public shares for cash, provided that you follow the procedures and deadlines described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus under the heading “The Special Meeting—Redemption Rights.” The redemption rights include the requirement that a holder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial holder and provide its legal name, phone number and address to the transfer agent in order to validly redeem its shares. Public shareholders may elect to redeem all or a portion of their public shares even if they vote for the Business Combination Proposal. We sometimes refer to these rights to elect to redeem all or a portion of the public shares into a pro rata portion of the cash held in the Trust Account as “redemption rights.” If you wish to exercise your redemption rights, please see the answer to the next question: “How do I exercise my redemption rights?”

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such public shareholder or any other person with whom such public shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its public shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the public shares. Accordingly, if a public shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to redeem more than 20% of the public shares, then any such shares in excess of that 20% limit would not be redeemed for cash.

Our Sponsor and our directors at the time of our initial public offering entered into the SRNG Letter Agreement, pursuant to which they agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their shares in connection with the completion of a business combination.

 

Q:

How do I exercise my redemption rights?

 

A:

If you are a public shareholder and wish to exercise your right to redeem your public shares, you must:

 

(i) (a) hold public shares or (b) hold public shares through units and elect to separate your units into the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the public shares; and

 

  (ii)

prior to                     , New York City time, on                     , 2021, (a) submit a written request to Continental that SRNG redeem your public shares for cash and (b) deliver your public shares to Continental, physically or electronically through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

The address of Continental is listed under the question “Whom do I call if I have questions about the Special Meeting or the Business Combination?” below.

As noted above, holders of units must elect to separate the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. If holders hold their units in an

 

16


Table of Contents

account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their broker or bank that they elect to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants, or if a holder holds units registered in its own name, the holder must contact Continental directly and instruct them to do so.

The redemption rights include the requirement that a holder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial holder and provide its legal name, phone number and address to the transfer agent in order to validly redeem its shares. Any public shareholder will be entitled to request that their public shares be redeemed for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) and/or to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. For illustrative purposes, as of July 15, 2021, this would have amounted to approximately $10.00 per public share. However, the proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of our creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of our public shareholders, regardless of whether such public shareholders vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal. Therefore, the per-share distribution from the Trust Account in such a situation may be less than originally anticipated due to such claims. Your vote on any proposal will have no impact on the amount you will receive upon exercise of your redemption rights. It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to public shareholders electing to redeem their public shares will be distributed promptly after the consummation of the Business Combination.

If you are a holder of public shares, you may exercise your redemption rights by submitting your request in writing to Continental at the address listed under the question “Whom do I call if I have questions about the Special Meeting or the Business Combination?” below.

Any request for redemption, once made by a holder of public shares, may be withdrawn at any time up to the deadline for submitting redemption requests, which is                     , 2021 (two business days prior to the date of the Special Meeting), and thereafter, with our consent, until the Closing. If you deliver your shares for redemption to Continental and later decide prior to the deadline for submitting redemption requests not to elect redemption, you may request that SRNG instruct Continental to return the shares to you (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting Continental at the phone number or address listed at the end of this section.

Any corrected or changed written exercise of redemption rights must be received by SRNG’s secretary prior to the deadline for submitting redemption requests. No request for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s share has been delivered (either physically or electronically) to Continental prior to                     , New York City time, on                     , 2021.

If you are a holder of public shares and you exercise your redemption rights, it will not result in the loss of any SRNG warrants that you may hold.

 

Q:

If I am a holder of units, can I exercise redemption rights with respect to my units?

 

A:

No. Holders of outstanding units must elect to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. If you hold your units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must notify your broker or bank that you elect to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants, or if you hold units registered in your own name, you must contact Continental, SRNG’s transfer agent, directly and instruct them to do so. The redemption rights include the requirement that a holder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial holder and provide its legal name, phone number and address to the transfer agent in order to validly redeem its shares. If you fail to cause your units to be separated and delivered to Continental, SRNG’s transfer agent, prior to                     , New York City time, on                     , 2021, you will not be able to exercise your redemption rights with respect to your public shares.

 

17


Table of Contents
Q:

What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising my redemption rights?

 

A:

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising your redemption rights with respect to your public shares depend on your particular facts and circumstances. It is possible that you may be treated as selling your public shares for cash and, as a result, recognize gain or loss. It is also possible that the redemption may be treated as a distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes depending on the amount of public shares that you own or are deemed to own (including through the ownership of New Ginkgo warrants). For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax considerations of an exercise of redemption rights, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Additionally, because the Domestication will occur prior to the redemption of any SRNG shareholder, U.S. Holders (as defined in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders”) exercising redemption rights will be subject to the potential tax consequences of Section 367 of the Code as well as potential tax consequences of the U.S. federal income tax rules relating to a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). The tax consequences of Section 367 of the Code and the PFIC rules are discussed more fully below under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders.”

TAX MATTERS ARE COMPLICATED, AND THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EXERCISING YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS WILL DEPEND ON THE FACTS OF YOUR OWN SITUATION. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXERCISE OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS TO YOU IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Q:

How does the SRNG Board recommend that I vote?

 

A:

The SRNG Board recommends that the SRNG shareholders, and in the case of the Domestication Proposal, the holders of SRNG Class B ordinary shares, vote “FOR” the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Domestication Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Governing Documents Proposal, “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, “FOR” the approval of the Director Election Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the ESPP Proposal and “FOR” the approval of the Adjournment Proposal. For more information regarding how the SRNG Board recommends that SRNG shareholders vote, see the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—SRNG Board Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination.”

 

Q:

How does our Sponsor intend to vote its shares?

 

A:

In connection with our initial public offering, our Sponsor, our directors and our executive officers at the time of our initial public offering entered into a letter agreement to vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal, and we also expect them to vote their shares in favor of all other proposals being presented at the Special Meeting. Our Sponsor owns approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Accordingly, if all of our outstanding shares were to be voted, we would need the affirmative vote of approximately 30% of the remaining shares to approve the Business Combination.

 

Q:

May our Sponsor purchase public shares or warrants prior to the Special Meeting?

 

A:

At any time prior to the Special Meeting, during a period when they are not then aware of any material nonpublic information regarding SRNG or its securities, our Sponsor, Ginkgo and/or their respective affiliates may, subject to applicable law, purchase SRNG ordinary shares and/or warrants from investors, or they may enter into transactions with such investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire public shares or vote their public shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. The purpose of such share purchases and other transactions would be to increase the likelihood that the proposals presented for approval at the Special Meeting are approved. Any such share purchases and other transactions may thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the Business Combination. This may result in

 

18


Table of Contents
  the completion of our Business Combination in a way that may not otherwise have been possible. While the exact nature of any such incentives has not been determined as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, they might include, without limitation, arrangements to protect such investors or holders against potential loss in value of their shares, including the granting of put options and the transfer to such investors or holders of shares or rights owned by our Sponsor for nominal value.

Entering into any such arrangements may have a depressive effect on our public shares. For example, as a result of these arrangements, an investor or holder may have the ability to effectively purchase shares at a price lower than market and may therefore be more likely to sell the shares it owns, either prior to or immediately after the Special Meeting.

If such transactions are effected, the consequence could be to cause the Business Combination to be approved in circumstances where such approval could not otherwise be obtained. Purchases of public shares by the persons described above would allow them to exert more influence over the approval of the proposals to be presented at the Special Meeting and would likely increase the chances that such proposals would be approved. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there have been no such discussions and no agreements to such effect have been entered into with any such investor or holder.

 

Q:

Who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?

 

A:

The SRNG Board has fixed                     , 2021 as the record date for the Special Meeting. All holders of record of SRNG ordinary shares as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting, provided that the Domestication Proposal is required to be voted on only by the holders of SRNG Class B ordinary shares, provided that those SRNG Class B ordinary shares remain outstanding on the date of the Special Meeting. Physical attendance at the Special Meeting is not required to vote. See the section entitled “Questions and Answers About the Business Combination and the Special Meeting—How can I vote my shares without attending the Special Meeting?” on page 22 for instructions on how to vote your SRNG ordinary shares without attending the Special Meeting.

 

Q:

How many votes do I have?

 

A:

Each SRNG shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each SRNG ordinary share held by such holder as of the close of business on the record date. As of the close of business on the record date, there were outstanding SRNG ordinary shares.

 

Q:

What constitutes a quorum for the Special Meeting?

 

A:

A quorum is the minimum number of shareholders necessary to hold a valid shareholder meeting.

A quorum will exist at the Special Meeting with respect to each matter to be considered at the Special Meeting if the holders of a majority of the outstanding SRNG ordinary shares as of the record date are present in person (which would include presence at the virtual Special Meeting) or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting. All shares represented by proxy are counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum. As of the record date for the extraordinary general meeting,              ordinary shares would be required to achieve a quorum.

 

Q:

Why is SRNG proposing the Domestication?

 

A:

The SRNG Board of directors believes that there are significant advantages to us that will arise as a result of a change of SRNG’s domicile to Delaware. Further, the SRNG Board believes that any direct benefit that the DGCL provides to a corporation also indirectly benefits its stockholders, who are the owners of the corporation. The SRNG Board believes that there are several reasons why transfer by way of continuation to Delaware is in the best interests of SRNG and its shareholders, including (i) the prominence, predictability and flexibility of the DGCL, (ii) Delaware’s well-established principles of corporate governance and (iii) the increased ability for Delaware corporations to attract and retain qualified directors.

 

19


Table of Contents

To effect the Domestication, we will file an application for deregistration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and file a certificate of corporate domestication and a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which we will be domesticated and continue as a Delaware corporation. When we use the term “New SRNG,” we refer to Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. following the Domestication.

The approval of the Domestication Proposal is a condition to closing the Business Combination under the Merger Agreement. The approval of the Domestication Proposal requires a special resolution, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. In addition, although the Cayman Constitutional Documents indicate that, prior to the Closing, only the holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on this proposal, while the holders of Class A ordinary shares will have no right to vote on this proposal, we have nevertheless opted to also submit this proposal to a vote of holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares, voting together as a single class, and will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of such shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will not count as votes cast at the Special Meeting.

 

What

are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication?

 

A:

As discussed more fully under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” although it is intended for the Domestication to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(l)(F) of the Code, i.e., an F Reorganization, which generally provides for tax-deferred treatment, the Domestication is likely to be a taxable event for U.S. Holders (as defined in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders”) under Section 367(b) of the Code and the PFIC rules. Assuming that the Domestication qualifies as an F Reorganization, and subject to the PFIC rules discussed below and under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders—A. Tax Effects of the Domestication to U.S. Holders—5. PFIC Considerations,” U.S. Holders will be subject to Section 367(b) of the Code and, as a result:

 

   

A U.S. Holder whose SRNG Class A ordinary shares have a fair market value of less than $50,000 on the date of the Domestication and who, on the date of the Domestication, owns (actually or constructively) less than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote and less than 10% of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock generally will not recognize any gain or loss and will not be required to include any part of SRNG’s earnings in income in connection with the Domestication;

 

   

A U.S. Holder whose SRNG Class A ordinary shares have a fair market value of $50,000 or more on the date of the Domestication and who, on the date of the Domestication, owns (actually or constructively) less than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote and less than 10% of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock generally will recognize gain (but not loss) on the exchange of SRNG Class A ordinary shares for New Ginkgo Class A common stock pursuant to the Domestication. As an alternative to recognizing gain, such U.S. Holder may file an election to include in income as a deemed dividend deemed paid by SRNG the “all earnings and profits amount” (as defined in the Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code) attributable to its SRNG Class A ordinary shares provided certain other requirements are satisfied; and

 

   

A U.S. Holder who, on the date of the Domestication, owns (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock generally will be required to include in income as a deemed dividend deemed paid by SRNG the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to its SRNG Class A ordinary shares as a result of the Domestication.

SRNG does not expect to have significant cumulative earnings and profits, if any, on the date of the Domestication.

 

20


Table of Contents

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below and under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders—A. Tax Effects of the Domestication to U.S. Holders—5. PFIC Considerations,” a U.S. Holder should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to the exchange of such holder’s SRNG warrants for New Ginkgo warrants in the Domestication. However, for purposes of the Section 367(b) rules described above, a U.S. Holder’s ownership of SRNG warrants will be taken into account in determining whether such holder owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock.

As discussed more fully under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders—A. Tax Effects of the Domestication to U.S. Holders—5. PFIC Considerations,” it is possible that SRNG is classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If SRNG is classified as a PFIC, then, notwithstanding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication discussed in the foregoing, proposed Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code (which have a retroactive effective date), if finalized in their current form, generally would require a U.S. Holder to recognize gain on the exchange of SRNG Class A ordinary shares or SRNG warrants for New Ginkgo Class A common stock or warrants pursuant to the Domestication. Any such gain would be taxable income with no corresponding receipt of cash in the Domestication. The tax on any such gain would be imposed at the rate applicable to ordinary income and an interest charge would apply based on a complex set of rules. In addition, the proposed Treasury Regulations provide coordinating rules with other sections of the Code, including Section 367(b) of the Code, which affect the manner in which the rules under such other sections apply to transfers of PFIC stock. However, it is difficult to predict whether, in what form, and with what effective date, final Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code may be adopted and how any such Treasury Regulations would apply. Importantly, however, U.S. Holders that make or have made certain elections discussed further under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders—A. Tax Effects of the Domestication to U.S. Holders—5. PFIC Considerations—d. QEF Election and Mark-to-Market Election” with respect to their SRNG Class A ordinary shares are generally not subject to the same gain recognition rules under the currently proposed Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code. Currently, there are no elections available under the PFIC rules that apply to SRNG warrants, and the application of the PFIC rules to SRNG warrants is unclear. For a more complete discussion of the potential application of the PFIC rules to U.S. Holders as a result of the Domestication, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders.

Each U.S. Holder of SRNG Class A ordinary shares or SRNG warrants is urged to consult its own tax advisor concerning the application of the PFIC rules, including the proposed Treasury Regulations, to the exchange of SRNG Class A ordinary shares and SRNG warrants for New Ginkgo Class A common stock and New Ginkgo warrants pursuant to the Domestication.

Additionally, the Domestication may cause Non-U.S. Holders (as defined in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—II. Non-U.S. Holders”) to become subject to U.S. federal income withholding taxes on any amounts treated as dividends paid in respect of such Non-U.S. Holder’s New Ginkgo Class A common stock after the Domestication.

The tax consequences of the Domestication are complex and will depend on a holder’s particular circumstances. All holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of the Domestication, including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax laws. For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the Domestication, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.

 

Q:

What is Ginkgo?

 

A:

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. is building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as we can program computers. Ginkgo’s platform is market agnostic and enables biotechnology applications across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to industrial chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of biosecurity efforts to respond to COVID-19, including vaccine manufacturing optimization, therapeutics discovery and K-12 pooled testing.

 

21


Table of Contents
Q:

What will happen to my SRNG Shares as a result of the Business Combination?

 

A:

If the Business Combination is completed, (i) each SRNG Class A ordinary share will remain outstanding and automatically become a share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, and (ii) each SRNG Class B ordinary share will be converted into one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (and the portion of converted shares that constitute Sponsor Earn-out Shares will be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions identical to those applicable to the Earn-out Consideration issued to Ginkgo equityholders). See the sections entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—Consideration to Ginkgo Equity Holders” and “Ancillary Agreements Related to the Business Combination—Sponsor Support Agreement” for additional detail on the Sponsor Earn-out Shares.

 

Q:

Where will the New Ginkgo Class A common stock that SRNG shareholders receive in the Business Combination be publicly traded?

 

A:

Assuming the Business Combination is completed, the shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (including the New Ginkgo Class A common stock issued in connection with the Business Combination) will be listed and traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “DNA” and the public warrants will be listed and traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “DNA.WS”.

 

Q:

What happens if the Business Combination is not completed?

 

A:

If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by SRNG shareholders or if the Business Combination is not completed for any other reason by               , then we will seek to consummate an alternative initial business combination prior to February 26, 2023. If we do not consummate an initial business combination by February 26, 2023, we will cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and redeem our public shares and liquidate the Trust Account, in which case our public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share and our warrants will expire worthless.

 

Q:

How can I attend and vote my shares at the Special Meeting?

 

A:

SRNG ordinary shares held directly in your name as the shareholder of record of such SRNG ordinary shares as of the close of business on                     , 2021, the record date, may be voted electronically at the Special Meeting. If you choose to attend the Special Meeting, you will need to visit                     , and enter the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you previously received. You may vote during the Special Meeting by following instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting. If your shares are held in “street name” by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to attend and vote at the Special Meeting, you will not be permitted to attend and vote electronically at the Special Meeting unless you first obtain a legal proxy issued in your name from the record owner. To request a legal proxy, please contact your broker, bank or other nominee holder of record. It is suggested you do so in a timely manner to ensure receipt of your legal proxy prior to the Special Meeting.

 

Q:

How can I vote my shares without attending the Special Meeting?

 

A:

If you are a shareholder of record of SRNG ordinary shares as of the close of business on                     , 2021, the record date, you can vote by mail by following the instructions provided in the enclosed proxy card. Please note that if you hold your shares in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or nominee, you should contact your broker to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. In this regard, you must provide the broker, bank or nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares, or otherwise follow the instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee.

 

Q:

What is a proxy?

 

A:

A proxy is a legal designation of another person to vote the shares you own. If you are a shareholder of record of SRNG ordinary shares as of the close of business on the record date, and you vote by phone, by Internet or by signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, you

 

22


Table of Contents
  designate two of SRNG’s officers as your proxies at the Special Meeting, each with full power to act without the other and with full power of substitution. These two officers are Harry E. Sloan and Eli Baker.

 

Q:

What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

 

A:

If your SRNG ordinary shares are registered directly in your name with Continental you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, and access to proxy materials is being provided directly to you. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, then you are considered the beneficial owner of those shares, which are considered to be held in street name. Access to proxy materials is being provided to you by your broker, bank or other nominee who is considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares.

Direct holders (shareholders of record). For SRNG ordinary shares held directly by you, please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card (or cast your vote by telephone or Internet as provided on each proxy card) or otherwise follow the voting instructions provided in this proxy statement/prospectus in order to ensure that all of your SRNG ordinary shares are voted.

Shares in “street name.” For SRNG ordinary shares held in “street name” through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you should follow the procedures provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to vote your shares.

 

Q:

If a SRNG shareholder gives a proxy, how will the SRNG ordinary shares covered by the proxy be voted?

 

A:

If you provide a proxy by returning the applicable enclosed proxy card, the individuals named on the enclosed proxy card will vote your SRNG ordinary shares in the way that you indicate when providing your proxy in respect of the SRNG ordinary shares you hold. When completing the proxy card, you may specify whether your SRNG ordinary shares should be voted FOR or AGAINST, or should be abstained from voting on, all, some or none of the specific items of business to come before the Special Meeting.

 

Q:

How will my SRNG ordinary shares be voted if I return a blank proxy?

 

A:

If you sign, date and return your proxy and do not indicate how you want your SRNG ordinary shares to be voted, then your SRNG ordinary shares will be voted “FOR” the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Domestication Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Governing Documents Proposal, “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, “FOR” the approval of the Director Election Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal, “ FOR” the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the ESPP Proposal and “FOR” the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.

 

Q:

Can I change my vote after I have submitted my proxy?

 

A:

Yes. If you are a shareholder of record of SRNG ordinary shares as of the close of business on the record date, you can change or revoke your proxy before it is voted at the meeting in one of the following ways:

 

   

submit a new proxy card bearing a later date;

 

   

give written notice of your revocation to SRNG’s Corporate Secretary, which notice must be received by SRNG’s Corporate Secretary prior to the vote at the Special Meeting; or

 

   

vote electronically at the Special Meeting by visiting                      and entering the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you previously received. Please note that your attendance at the Special Meeting will not alone serve to revoke your proxy.

If your shares are held in “street name” by your broker, bank or another nominee as of the close of business on the record date, you must follow the instructions of your broker, bank or other nominee to revoke or change your voting instructions.

 

23


Table of Contents
Q:

Where can I find the voting results of the Special Meeting?

 

A:

The preliminary voting results are expected to be announced at the Special Meeting. In addition, within four business days following certification of the final voting results, SRNG will file the final voting results of its Special Meeting with the SEC in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Q:

Are SRNG shareholders able to exercise dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights with respect to the matters being voted upon at the extraordinary general meeting?

 

A:

Neither SRNG’s shareholders nor SRNG’s warrant holders have appraisal rights in connection with the Business Combination or the domestication under Cayman Islands law or under the DGCL.

 

Q:

Are there any risks that I should consider as a SRNG shareholder in deciding how to vote or whether to exercise my redemption rights?

 

A:

Yes. You should read and carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 43. You also should read and carefully consider the risk factors of SRNG and Ginkgo contained in the documents that are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Q:

What happens if I sell my SRNG ordinary shares before the Special Meeting?

 

A:

The record date for SRNG shareholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting is earlier than the date of the Special Meeting. If you transfer your SRNG ordinary shares before the record date, you will not be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. If you transfer your SRNG ordinary shares after the record date but before the Special Meeting, you will, unless special arrangements are made, retain your right to vote at the Special Meeting but will transfer the right to hold New Ginkgo shares to the person to whom you transfer your shares.

 

Q:

When is the Business Combination expected to be completed?

 

A:

Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the Closing conditions described in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Closing”, including the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the SRNG shareholders at the Special Meeting, the Business Combination is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021. However, it is possible that factors outside the control of both SRNG and Ginkgo could result in the Business Combination being completed at a later time, or not being completed at all.

 

Q:

Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies?

 

A:

SRNG has engaged a professional proxy solicitation firm, Morrow Sodali LLC (“Morrow”), to assist in soliciting proxies for the Special Meeting. SRNG has agreed to pay Morrow a fee of $                , plus disbursements. SRNG will reimburse Morrow for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify Morrow and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. SRNG will also reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of our ordinary shares for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of our ordinary shares and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. SRNG’s management team may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.

 

Q:

What are the conditions to completion of the Business Combination?

 

A:

The Closing is subject to certain conditions, including, among other things, (i) approval by SRNG’s shareholders and Ginkgo’s stockholders of the Merger Agreement, the Business Combination and certain other actions related thereto, (ii) the expiration or termination of the waiting period (or any extension

 

24


Table of Contents
  thereof) applicable under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the “HSR Act”), (iii) the absence of a material adverse event with respect to Ginkgo, the material adverse effects of which are continuing, (iv) the Minimum Proceeds Condition and (v) the continued listing of the shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock on Nasdaq or the NYSE. If any of these conditions (or any of the other conditions to the Closing set forth in the Merger Agreement) are not satisfied, the Business Combination will not be consummated, unless the unsatisfied condition is permitted by applicable law to be waived, and is waived, by the party entitled to the benefit of such condition. For example, the condition in the foregoing clause (iv) may be waived only by Ginkgo, however the condition set forth in the foregoing clause (ii) may not be waived by either Ginkgo or SRNG. Furthermore, in no event will we redeem our public shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001. See the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal.”

 

Q:

What should I do now?

 

A:

You should read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully in its entirety, including the annexes, and return your completed, signed and dated proxy card(s) by mail in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or submit your voting instructions by telephone or via the Internet as soon as possible so that your SRNG ordinary shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions.

 

Q:

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

 

A:

Shareholders may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast a vote with respect to all of your SRNG ordinary shares.

 

Q:

Whom do I call if I have questions about the Special Meeting or the Business Combination?

 

A:

If you have questions about the Special Meeting or the Business Combination, or desire additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or additional proxies, you may contact:

Morrow Sodali LLC

470 West Avenue, Suite 3000

Stamford, CT 06902

Tel: (800) 662-5200

Banks and brokers call collect: (203) 658-9400

E-mail: SRNG.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

You also may obtain additional information about SRNG from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” If you are a holder of public shares and you intend to seek redemption of your shares, you will need to deliver your public shares (either physically or electronically) to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, SRNG’s transfer agent, at the address below prior to                 , New York City time, on                     , 2021. If you have questions regarding the certification of your position or delivery of your stock, please contact:

Mark Zimkind

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

E-mail: mzimkind@continentalstock.com

 

25


Table of Contents

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This summary highlights selected information included in this proxy statement/prospectus and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire document and its annex and the other documents to which we refer before you decide how to vote with respect to the proposals to be considered and voted on at the Special Meeting.

Information About the Parties to the Business Combination

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

955 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10075

(310) 209-7280

Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.

27 Drydock Avenue, 8th Floor

Boston, MA 02210

(877) 442-5362

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. is building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as we can program computers. Ginkgo’s platform is market agnostic and enables biotechnology applications across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to industrial chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of biosecurity efforts to respond to COVID-19, including vaccine manufacturing optimization, therapeutics discovery, and K-12 pooled testing. Ginkgo has incurred net losses since its inception. Ginkgo’s net loss attributable to its stockholders was approximately $126.6 million and $119.3 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and as of December 31, 2020, Ginkgo had an accumulated deficit of approximately $467.9 million. For more information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Business—We have a history of net losses. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.

SEAC Merger Sub Inc.

c/o Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp.

955 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10075

(310) 209-7280

SEAC Merger Sub Inc. is a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. that was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger with Ginkgo.

The Business Combination and the Merger Agreement

The terms and conditions of the Business Combination are contained in the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read the Merger Agreement carefully and in its entirety, as it is the legal document that governs the Business Combination.


 

26


Table of Contents

If the Merger Agreement is approved and adopted and the Business Combination is consummated, SRNG will be domesticated as a Delaware corporation and, promptly thereafter, Merger Sub will merge with and into Ginkgo, with Ginkgo surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. In addition, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, SRNG will be renamed “Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.” and is referred to herein as “New Ginkgo” after the consummation of the Business Combination.

Structure of the Business Combination

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Ginkgo, with Ginkgo surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of New Ginkgo. Upon consummation of the foregoing transactions, Ginkgo will be a wholly owned subsidiary of New Ginkgo (formerly SRNG). In addition, immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, New Ginkgo will amend and restate its charter to be the Proposed Charter and adopt a multi-class stock structure, each as described in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Description of New Ginkgo Securities.”

The following diagrams illustrate in simplified terms the current structure of SRNG and Ginkgo and the expected structure of New Ginkgo (formerly SRNG) upon the Closing.

Simplified Pre-Combination Structure

 

LOGO


 

27


Table of Contents

Simplified Post-Combination Structure(1)

 

LOGO

 

(1)

Ownership percentages assume no redemptions.

 

(2)

Ginkgo stockholders holding New Ginkgo Class A common stock and New Ginkgo Class B common stock will hold approximately 53.1% and 31.1%, respectively, of the shares of New Ginkgo following the consummation of the Business Combination.

Merger Consideration

SRNG has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Ginkgo for approximately $15 billion in aggregate consideration in the form of New Ginkgo common stock valued at $10 per share (the “Base Equity Consideration”), plus, subject to the vesting conditions based on New Ginkgo’s stock trading price as further described in this proxy statement/prospectus, up to a total of 180 million shares of New Ginkgo common stock (the “Earn-out Consideration”). Ginkgo stockholders will receive consideration in the form of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock or New Ginkgo Class B common stock, as determined in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

The Base Equity Consideration will be allocated among Ginkgo equity holders as follows: (i) each stockholder of Ginkgo holding shares of Ginkgo Class A common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will receive, with respect to each share of Ginkgo Class A common stock it holds, a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio, (ii) each stockholder of Ginkgo holding shares of Ginkgo Class B common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will receive, with respect to each share of Ginkgo Class B common stock it holds, a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio, (iii) each option exercisable for Ginkgo common stock (each, a “Ginkgo option”) that is outstanding, immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, will be assumed and converted into a newly issued option exercisable for shares of New Ginkgo common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo option”) having the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo option, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such option is exercisable and the exercise price thereof, (iv) each award of restricted common stock of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (each, a “Ginkgo restricted stock award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of restricted common stock of New Ginkgo (each, a “New Ginkgo restricted stock award”) equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio having the same terms and


 

28


Table of Contents

conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo restricted stock award, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares to which each such New Ginkgo restricted stock award relates, (v) each award of restricted stock units of Ginkgo under Ginkgo’s stock incentive plans (each, a “Ginkgo restricted stock unit award”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will be converted into the right to receive restricted stock units based on common stock of New Ginkgo (each, a “New Ginkgo restricted stock unit award”) having the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo restricted stock unit award, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares to which each such New Ginkgo restricted stock unit relates, and (vi) each warrant to purchase shares of Ginkgo capital stock (each, a “Ginkgo warrant”) that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination and that is not automatically exercised in full in accordance with its terms by virtue of the occurrence of the Business Combination will be assumed and converted into a warrant exercisable for shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (each, a “New Ginkgo assumed warrant”) on the same terms and conditions as applied to the original Ginkgo warrant immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, with appropriate adjustments to the number of shares for which such New Ginkgo assumed warrant is exercisable and the exercise price thereof.

In addition, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the holders of Ginkgo common stock, Ginkgo options, Ginkgo restricted stock awards, Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards and Ginkgo warrants outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will collectively be entitled to receive (or, in the case of the holders of Ginkgo options, Ginkgo restricted stock units, Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards and Ginkgo warrants, to receive New Ginkgo options, New Ginkgo restricted stock units, New Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards or New Ginkgo assumed warrants exercisable for, or based upon) a proportional amount of Earn-out Consideration, which is divided into four equal tranches subject to the vesting during the five years after the closing date of the Business Combination (the “Earn-out Period”) based on the conditions below:

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $17.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest; and

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, the remaining 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest.

Shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have the same economic terms as shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, except that shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock will have one vote per share and shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have 10 votes per share, and the holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, as a class, will have the right, for so long as the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock continue to represent at least 2% of all of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo common stock, to elect 25% of the directors constituting the New Ginkgo Board. Assuming no redemptions, Ginkgo stockholders holding New Ginkgo Class B common stock will hold approximately 31% of the common stock of New Ginkgo following the consummation of the Business Combination. Generally, each outstanding share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will convert into one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (i) at the election of the holder or (ii) subject to the Stock Policies (as defined in the Proposed Charter), upon the holder ceasing to be an Eligible Holder (as defined in the Proposed Charter) for any reason (including by virtue of such holder ceasing to serve as a director or employee of New Ginkgo or by virtue of the transfer (subject to limited


 

29


Table of Contents

exceptions set forth in the Proposed Charter) of such a share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to a person other than an Eligible Holder) unless, in each case, a majority of the independent directors of the New Ginkgo Board determine that such transfer or event will not result in such automatic conversion.

The Private Placement

SRNG entered into the Subscription Agreements with the PIPE Investors, pursuant to which, among other things, SRNG agreed to issue and sell in private placements an aggregate of 77,500,000 shares of New SRNG Class A common stock to the PIPE Investors for $10.00 per share.

The Private Placement is expected to close on the date on which the Closing occurs, prior to or substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination but after the Domestication.

Special Meeting of SRNG Shareholders and the Proposals

The Special Meeting will convene on                      , 2021 at             , New York City time, at the offices of White & Case LLP at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, or virtually via live webcast at             . Shareholders may attend, vote and examine the list of SRNG shareholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting by visiting              and entering the control number found on their proxy card, voting instruction form or notice they previously received. The purpose of the Special Meeting is to consider and vote on the Business Combination Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Governing Documents Proposal, the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, the Director Election Proposal, the Stock Issuance Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.

Approval of the condition precedent proposals is a condition to the obligation of both SRNG and Ginkgo to complete the Business Combination.

Only holders of record of issued and outstanding SRNG ordinary shares as of the close of business on                 , 2021, the record date for the Special Meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Special Meeting. You may cast one vote for each share of SRNG ordinary shares that you owned as of the close of business on the record date.

A quorum of shareholders is necessary to hold a valid shareholder meeting. A quorum will exist at the Special Meeting with respect to each matter to be considered at the Special Meeting if the holders of a majority of the outstanding SRNG ordinary shares as of the record date are present in person (which would include presence at the virtual Special Meeting) or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting. All shares represented by proxy are counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum.

Approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Approval of the Domestication Proposal requires a special resolution, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. In addition, although the Cayman Constitutional Documents indicate that, prior to the Closing, only the holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on this proposal, while the holders of Class A ordinary shares will have no right to vote on this proposal, we have nevertheless opted to also submit this proposal to a vote of holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares, voting together as a single class, and will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of such shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.


 

30


Table of Contents

Approval of the Governing Documents Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Approval of each of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, each of which is a non-binding vote, requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Approval of the Director Election Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. Under the terms of the Current Charter, only the holders of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares are entitled to vote on the election of directors to our board of directors. Therefore, only holders of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares will vote on the election of directors at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Approval of the ESPP Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Recommendation of the SRNG Board

The SRNG Board has determined that the Business Combination is advisable and in the best interests of the SRNG shareholders and recommends that the SRNG shareholders adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Business Combination. The SRNG Board made its determination after consultation with its legal and financial advisors and consideration of a number of factors, as described in “The Business Combination Proposal — SRNG Board Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination” beginning on page 115.

The SRNG Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Domestication Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Governing Documents Proposal, “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of each of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, “FOR” the approval of the Director Election Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Stock


 

31


Table of Contents

Issuance Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the ESPP Proposal and “FOR” the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.

For more information about the SRNG Board’s recommendation and the proposals, see the sections entitled “The Special Meeting—Vote Required and SRNG Board Recommendation” and “The Business Combination Proposal—SRNG Board Reasons for the Approval of the Business Combination.”

Regulatory Approvals

The Business Combination is subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period (or any extension thereof) applicable under the HSR Act. The waiting period expired on June 24, 2021.

Conditions to the Completion of the Business Combination

The Business Combination is subject to customary Closing conditions, including, among others, (i) the expiration or termination of the waiting period (or any extension thereof) applicable under the HSR Act, (ii) SRNG having, and having not redeemed, SRNG Class A ordinary shares or made payments in connection with the Private Placement in an amount that would cause SRNG not to have, at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets, (iii) the required approval of SRNG shareholders having been obtained for the Business Combination, (iv) the required approval of Ginkgo stockholders having been obtained for the Business Combination, and (v) the New Ginkgo Class A Common stock to be issued in connection with the Business Combination having been approved for listing on the Nasdaq or the NYSE (as elected by Ginkgo). The obligations of SRNG to complete the Business Combination are further conditioned on other Closing conditions, including (i) no material adverse effect with respect to Ginkgo having occurred after the date of the Merger Agreement, the material adverse effects of which are continuing, (ii) the representations and warranties of Ginkgo being true as of the Closing (subject to customary materiality qualifications) and (iii) Ginkgo having complied with its agreements and covenants in the Merger Agreement in all material respects. The obligations of Ginkgo to complete the Business Combination are further conditioned on other Closing conditions, including (i) the Minimum Proceeds Condition being satisfied, (ii) the Domestication having been completed and (iii) SRNG having delivered to Ginkgo evidence reasonably acceptable to Ginkgo that the New Ginkgo Board will be constituted, immediately after closing, as provided in the Merger Agreement.

Termination

Mutual Termination Rights

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned:

 

   

by mutual written consent of SRNG and Ginkgo;

 

   

by either Ginkgo or SRNG if any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction has enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any governmental order or other law which has become final and non-appealable and remains in effect and has the effect of making the consummation of the Business Combination or any other transaction contemplated in the Merger Agreement illegal or otherwise permanently preventing or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger or such other transaction; provided that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement will not be available to Ginkgo or SRNG if such party’s breach of any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement is the primary cause of the existence or occurrence of any fact or circumstance but for the existence or occurrence of which the consummation of the Business Combination or such other transaction would not be illegal or otherwise permanently prevented or prohibited;

 

   

by either Ginkgo or SRNG if the Closing has not occurred before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 11, 2021 (such time on such date, the “Outside Deadline”); provided that (i) if any action for specific performance or other equitable relief by Ginkgo with respect to the Merger Agreement or any


 

32


Table of Contents
 

ancillary agreement or any of the transactions contemplated thereby is pending in the Delaware Court of Chancery of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware as of the Outside Deadline, then the Outside Deadline shall be automatically extended until 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date that is the earlier of (x) thirty (30) days after the date on which a final, non-appealable governmental order has been entered with respect to such action and (y) August 26, 2023, and such extended time shall be the Outside Deadline for all purposes under the Merger Agreement, and (ii) the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this bullet shall not be available to Ginkgo or SRNG if such party’s breach of any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement is the primary cause of the failure of the Closing to have occurred before the Outside Deadline; or

 

   

by either Ginkgo or SRNG if the required approval of SRNG shareholders is not obtained at the Special Meeting (subject to any adjournment or postponement of the Special Meeting in accordance with the Merger Agreement).

Termination Rights of Ginkgo

The Merger Agreement may be terminated by Ginkgo and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned if:

 

   

any of SRNG’s or Merger Sub’s representations or warranties has failed to be true and correct or if SRNG or Merger Sub has failed to perform or comply with any covenant or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement such that the conditions described in “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Closing—Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Ginkgo—Representations and Warranties” and “—Agreements and Covenants” would not be satisfied at the Closing, and (A) such failure, by its nature, could not be cured prior to the Outside Deadline through SRNG’s exercise of its reasonable best efforts or (B) such failure has not been cured by the earlier of (x) the date that is thirty (30) days after the date on which Ginkgo has first notified SRNG in writing of such failure (or such earlier time after SRNG’s receipt of such notice as SRNG has ceased to use reasonable best efforts to cure such failure) and (y) the Outside Deadline; provided that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement under this bullet will not be available to Ginkgo at any time at which SRNG would have the ability to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to its corresponding termination right described below; or

 

   

there has been any withdrawal, amendment, qualification or modification of the SRNG Board’s recommendation to the SRNG shareholders that they vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, the approval of the Business Combination and the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus, or certain other actions of the SRNG Board in furtherance of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

Termination Rights of SRNG

The Merger Agreement may be terminated by SRNG and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned if:

 

   

any of Ginkgo’s representations or warranties has failed to be true and correct or if Ginkgo has failed to perform or comply with any covenant or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement such that the conditions described in “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Closing—Additional Conditions to the Obligations of SRNG and Merger Sub—Representations and Warranties” and “—Agreements and Covenants” would not be satisfied at the Closing, and such failure (A) has not been cured by the earlier of (x) the date that is thirty (30) days after the date on which Ginkgo has first notified SRNG in writing of such failure and (y) the Outside Deadline or (B) by its nature cannot be cured prior to the Outside Deadline through exercise of its reasonable efforts; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this bullet will not be available to SRNG at any time at which Ginkgo would have the ability to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to its corresponding termination right described above; or

 

   

Ginkgo stockholder approval has not been obtained within 10 business days after the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.


 

33


Table of Contents

Redemption Rights

Pursuant to the Current Charter, a public shareholder may request that SRNG redeem all or a portion of their public shares for cash if the Business Combination is consummated. You will be entitled to receive cash for any public shares to be redeemed only if you:

 

   

(a) hold public shares or (b) hold public shares through units and elect to separate your units into the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the public shares; and

 

   

prior to                      , New York City time, on                      , 2021, (a) submit a written request, including the legal name, phone number and address of the beneficial owner of the shares for which redemption is requested, to the transfer agent that SRNG redeem your public shares for cash and (b) deliver your share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms (as applicable) (either physically or electronically) to the transfer agent, physically or electronically through DTC.

As noted above, holders of units must elect to separate the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. Holders may instruct their broker to do so, or if a holder holds units registered in its own name, the holder must contact the transfer agent directly and instruct them to do so in order to validly redeem its shares. Public shareholders may elect to redeem all or a portion of their public shares even if they vote for the Business Combination Proposal. If the Business Combination is not consummated, public shares will not be redeemed for cash, even if their holders have properly exercised redemption rights with respect to such public shares. If a public shareholder properly exercises its right to redeem its public shares and timely delivers its share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms (as applicable) to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, SRNG’s transfer agent, SRNG will redeem such public shares upon or promptly after the Closing for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) and/or to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. If a public shareholder exercises its redemption rights, then it will be exchanging its redeemed public shares for cash and will no longer own such shares. See the section entitled “The Special Meeting—Redemption Rights” for a detailed description of the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your public shares for cash.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of public shares, together with any affiliate of such public shareholder or any other person with whom such public shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its public shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 20% of the public shares. Accordingly, if a public shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to redeem more than 20% of the public shares, then any such shares in excess of that 20% limit would not be redeemed for cash.

Holders of our warrants will not have redemption rights with respect to the warrants.

Appraisal Rights

Neither SRNG’s shareholders nor SRNG’s warrant holders have appraisal rights in connection with the Business Combination or the domestication under Cayman Islands law or under the DGCL.

Proxy Solicitation

Proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone or in person. SRNG has engaged Morrow to assist in the solicitation of proxies. If a shareholder grants a proxy, it may still vote its shares at the Special Meeting if it


 

34


Table of Contents

revokes its proxy before the Special Meeting. A shareholder also may change its vote by submitting a later-dated proxy as described in the section entitled “The Special Meeting—Revoking Your Proxy.”

Interests of SRNG’s Directors and Officers and Others in the Business Combination

When you consider the recommendation of the SRNG Board in favor of approval of the Business Combination Proposal, you should keep in mind that SRNG’s Sponsor and its directors and officers have interests in the Business Combination that are different from, or in addition to, those of SRNG shareholders and warrant holders generally. These interests include, among other things, the interests listed below:

 

   

If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by February 26, 2023, we will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any) and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our private placement warrants, which will expire worthless if we fail to complete our initial business combination by February 26, 2023.

 

   

Our Sponsor purchased 43,125,000 founder shares prior to our initial public offering for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.0006 per share, which accounted for approximately 20% of our outstanding shares after the consummation of the initial public offering. Upon the Closing, assuming no founder shares are forfeited pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Support Agreement as a result of shareholder redemptions exceeding a specified threshold, such founder shares will be converted into 43,125,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

 

   

Simultaneously with the closing of our initial public offering, we consummated the sale of 19,250,000 private placement warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant in a private placement to our Sponsor. The warrants are each exercisable commencing 30 days following the Closing for one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. If we do not consummate a business combination transaction by February 26, 2023, then the proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants will be part of the liquidating distribution to the public shareholders and the warrants held by our Sponsor will be worthless. The warrants held by our Sponsor had an aggregate market value of approximately $37.9 million based upon the closing price of $1.97 per warrant on Nasdaq on May 10, 2021. Upon the Closing, 10% of the private placement warrants will be forfeited to New Ginkgo and cancelled for no consideration.

 

   

Our Sponsor has made an investment for the founder shares at an average price per share of approximately $0.0006 prior to the consummation of our initial public offering. As a result of the significantly lower investment per share of our Sponsor as compared to the investment per share of our public shareholders (which was $10.00 per unit), a transaction that results in an increase in the value of the investment of our Sponsor in the founder shares may result in a decrease in the value of the investment of our public shareholders.

 

   

Our Sponsor, officers and directors will lose their entire investment of $28,900,000, consisting of the Sponsor’s $25,000 initial investment and the Sponsor’s $28,875,000 private placement warrant purchase price, if we do not complete a business combination by February 26, 2023.


 

35


Table of Contents
   

Certain of our current officers may serve as directors of New Ginkgo after the Closing. As such, in the future they may receive any cash fees, stock options or stock awards that the New Ginkgo Board determines to pay to its directors and/or officers.

 

   

Our Sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to their founder shares if SRNG fails to complete a business combination by February 26, 2023.

 

   

In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

   

Following the Closing, our Sponsor would be entitled to the repayment of any working capital loan and advances that have been made to SRNG and remain outstanding. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, our Sponsor has not made any advances to us for working capital expenses. If we do not complete an initial business combination within the required period, we may use a portion of our working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the working capital loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the working capital loans.

 

   

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Ginkgo will indemnify our existing directors and officers and will maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.

 

   

Upon the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, our Sponsor, our officers and directors and their respective affiliates may be entitled to reimbursement for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and consummating an initial business combination, and repayment of any other loans, if any, and on such terms as to be determined by SRNG from time to time, made by our Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. To date, we have incurred no such out-of-pocket expenses.

At any time prior to the Special Meeting, during a period when they are not then aware of any material nonpublic information regarding SRNG or its securities, the Sponsor, Ginkgo and/or their respective affiliates, subject to applicable law, may purchase shares and/or warrants from investors, or they may enter into transactions with such investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire SRNG ordinary shares or vote their SRNG ordinary shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. The purpose of such share purchases and other transactions would be to increase the likelihood that the proposals presented for approval at the Special Meeting are approved. Any such purchases of public shares and other transactions may thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the Business Combination. This may result in the completion of our Business Combination that may not otherwise have been possible. While the exact nature of any such incentives has not been determined as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, they might include, without limitation, arrangements to protect such investors or holders against potential loss in value of their shares, including the granting of put options and the transfer to such investors or holders of shares or rights owned by the Sponsor for nominal value.

Entering into any such arrangements may have a depressive effect on SRNG ordinary shares. For example, as a result of these arrangements, an investor or holder may have the ability to effectively purchase shares at a price lower than market and may therefore be more likely to sell the shares it owns, either prior to or immediately after the Special Meeting.


 

36


Table of Contents

If such transactions are effected, the consequence could be to cause the Business Combination to be approved in circumstances where such approval could not otherwise be obtained. Purchases of shares by the persons described above would allow them to exert more influence over the approval of the proposals to be presented at the Special Meeting and would likely increase the chances that such proposals would be approved. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there have been no such discussions and no agreements to such effect have been entered into with any such investor or holder.

The existence of financial and personal interests of the SRNG directors and officers may result in a conflict of interest on the part of one or more of them between what he may believe is best for SRNG and what he may believe is best for him in determining whether or not to grant a waiver in a specific situation. See the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “The Business Combination Proposal—Interests of SRNG’s Directors and Officers and Others in the Business Combination” for a further discussion of this and other risks.

Stock Exchange Listing

SRNG’s units, Class A ordinary shares and public warrants are publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “SRNGU,” “SRNG” and “SRNGW”, respectively. SRNG intends to apply to list the New Ginkgo Class A common stock and public warrants on the NYSE under the symbols “DNA” and “DNA.WS”, respectively, upon the Closing. New Ginkgo will not have units traded following the Closing.

Sources and Uses of Funds for the Business Combination

The following table summarizes the sources and uses for funding the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Where actual amounts are not known or knowable, the figures below represent Ginkgo’s good faith estimate of such amounts assuming a Closing as of                     , 2021.

 

(in millions)    Assuming
No
Redemption
     Assuming
Maximum
Redemption
 

Sources

     

Proceeds from Trust Account

   $ 1,725      $ 475  

Private Placement

     775        775  

Sellers’ Equity

     15,000        15,000  

Ginkgo Cash on Balance Sheet(1)

     274        274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Sources

     17,774        16,524  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Uses

 

Cash on Balance Sheet(1)

   $ 2,639      $ 1,389  

Sellers’ Equity

     15,000        15,000  

Transaction costs

     135        135  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Uses

     17,774        16,524  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Based on cash on hand as of April 30, 2021.

Accounting Treatment

The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, SRNG will be treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes and the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of Ginkgo issuing stock for the net assets of SRNG, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of SRNG will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.


 

37


Table of Contents

Ginkgo has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

 

   

Ginkgo’s existing stockholders will have the greatest voting interest in the combined entity under the no and maximum redemption scenarios with over 95% of the voting interest in each scenario;

 

   

The largest individual minority stockholder of the combined entity is an existing stockholder of Ginkgo;

 

   

Ginkgo’s directors will represent the majority of the New Ginkgo Board;

 

   

Ginkgo’s senior management will be the senior management of New Ginkgo; and

 

   

Ginkgo is the larger entity based on historical revenue and has the larger employee base.

The preponderance of evidence as described above is indicative that Ginkgo is the accounting acquirer in the Business Combination.

Comparison of Stockholders’ Rights

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the rights of SRNG shareholders who become New Ginkgo stockholders in the Business Combination will no longer be governed by the Current Charter and instead will be governed by the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws. See “Comparison of Stockholders’ Rights.”

Summary of Risk Factors

In evaluating the proposals to be presented at the Special Meeting, SRNG shareholders should carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus and especially consider the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors”

Some of the risks related Ginkgo’s business and industry are summarized below. References in the summary below to “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” generally refer to Ginkgo in the present tense or New Ginkgo from and after the Business Combination.

 

   

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, we can exercise warrants for unexpired New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any time, which could occur at a disadvantageous time for stockholders and result in dilution for stockholders.

 

   

Subsequent to the Business Combination, our business could have to restructure, we may not meet expectations of investors, or we may have materially different financial results than expected, any of which could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and stock price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

 

   

Our New Ginkgo Class A common stock issued in connection with the Business Combination may not be approved for listing or comply with the standards of NYSE following the Closing.

 

   

Our directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our Sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to our public shareholders.

 

   

Our creditors may have priority over our stockholders in the event of bankruptcy, which could limit the recovery of our stockholders in a liquidation.

 

   

If we were to be deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.


 

38


Table of Contents
   

The multi-class structure of our common stock could affect our business operations and the price of our stock.

 

   

Our multi-class stock structure will entitle only our employees and directors to acquire and hold New Ginkgo Class B common stock which will have a greater number of votes per share than New Ginkgo Class A common stock, which may affect whether stockholders hold or purchase New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

 

   

Issuing a large number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock in the future may increase the concentration of voting power with our employees and directors, which could have an adverse effect on the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

 

   

Issuing New Ginkgo Class C common stock may increase concentration of voting power in New Ginkgo Class B common stock, which could discourage potential acquisitions of our business and could have an adverse effect on the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

 

   

Our focus on the long-term best interests of our company and our consideration of the interests of all of our stakeholders may conflict with short-term or medium-term financial interests and business performance, which may adversely impact the value of our common stock.

 

   

Under Delaware law, the language in Proposed Charter and Proposed Bylaws may limit shareholders actions and the available forums for such actions.

 

   

Our history of net losses is expected to continue, and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.

 

   

We will need substantial additional capital in the future in order to fund our business.

 

   

If we fail to effectively manage our rapid growth, then our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

   

Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our current business and future prospects.

 

   

We currently own and may in the future own equity interests in other operating companies, including certain of our customers; consequently, we have exposure to the volatility and liquidity risks inherent in holding their equity and overall operational and financial performance of these businesses.

 

   

Failure to pursue strategic acquisitions and investments, achieve projected milestones or maintain and expand customer partnerships could have an adverse impact on our business.

 

   

Failure to secure laboratory equipment and third-party suppliers could cause delays in our research, development or production capacity and adversely affect our business.

 

   

We are subject to regulatory and legal scrutiny for our use of genetically modified organisms, biological, hazardous, flammable and/or regulated materials and DNA sequencing synthesis.

 

   

Our reputation could be damaged by third parties’ use of our engineered cells and accompanying production processes.

 

   

International expansion of our business exposes us to business, regulatory, political, operational, financial and economic risks associated with doing business outside of the United States.

 

   

Our ability to enter into a definitive agreement with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and our overall level of indebtedness could adversely affect liquidity and have an adverse effect on our valuation, operations and business.

 

   

If our customers discontinue using or are not successful in developing, producing and manufacturing products using the engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes that we develop, our future financial position may be adversely impacted.


 

39


Table of Contents
   

Our revenue, results of operations, cash flows and reputation in the marketplace may suffer upon the loss of a significant customer.

 

   

Our business partners may make announcements about the status of our collaborations, and the price of our common stock may decline as a result of announcements of unexpected results or developments.

 

   

Uncertainty about COVID-19 or another global pandemic could materially affect how we and our business partners are operating and may harm our business and results of operations.

 

   

Decline in COVID-19 testing, decline in our capacity to test or disruption of our telehealth relationships may harm our business and results of operations.

 

   

We may be subject to liability if the COVID-19 tests we utilize in our testing programs provide inaccurate results.

 

   

Failure to pursue new opportunities and develop our platform could make our products obsolete or non-competitive in the market.

 

   

The market may be skeptical of our novel and complex technology and use of genetically modified materials, which could limit public acceptance of our products or processes and limit our revenues.

 

   

Failure to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, trade secrets and inventions could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition and may result in litigation.

 

   

We may be subject to litigation alleging infringement on the patents of third parties.

 

   

Risks related to intellectual property developed under U.S. federally funded research grants and contracts.

 

   

Our use of genetic resources and sequencing may subject us to obligations under the Nagoya Protocol.

 

   

Our use of in-licensing from third parties and “open source” software could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

 

   

Loss of key personnel or failure to access infrastructure could delay our programs, harm our development efforts and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

   

We rely on our customers, joint venturers, equity investees and other third parties to deliver timely and accurate information in order to accurately report our financial results in the time frame and manner required by law.

 

   

We use estimates in determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. If our estimates prove to be incorrect, we may be required to write down the value of these assets or write up the value of these liabilities, which could adversely affect our financial position.

 

   

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

 

   

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

 

   

Our cash and cash equivalents could be adversely affected if the financial institutions in which we hold our cash and cash equivalents fail.

 

   

We are subject to numerous federal, state, local and international laws and regulations related to our business and operations, and the failure to comply with any of these laws and regulations, or failure to comply with new or changed laws and regulations, could adversely affect our business and our financial condition.


 

40


Table of Contents
   

We may incur significant costs complying with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could expose us to significant liabilities.

 

   

We may become subject to the comprehensive laws and rules governing billing and payment, noncompliance with which could result in non-payment or recoupment of overpayments for our services or other sanctions.

 

   

Our receipt of public funds subjects us to the False Claims Act, EKRA (a federal anti-kickback law) and state anti-kickback laws.

 

   

We are engaged in certain research activities involving controlled substances, the making, use, sale, importation, exportation, and distribution of which may be subject to significant regulation.

 

   

Disruptions of information technology systems or data security incidents could result in significant financial, legal, regulatory, business and reputational harm to us.

 

   

Changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations or financial conditions.

 

   

We may become subject to lawsuits or indemnity claims in the ordinary course of business, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

   

Our business could be adversely affected by legal challenges to our telehealth partner’s business model.

Emerging Growth Company

Section 102(b)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a registration statement under the Securities Act declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of New Ginkgo’s financial statements with those of another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the Closing of SRNG’s initial public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to “emerging growth company” have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.


 

41


Table of Contents

MARKET PRICE, TICKER SYMBOL AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

SRNG

Market Price and Ticker Symbol

SRNG’s units, Class A ordinary shares and public warrants are currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “SRNGU,” “SRNG,” and “SRNGW,” respectively.

The closing prices of SRNG’s units, Class A ordinary shares and public warrants on May 10, 2021, the last trading day before announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement, were $10.31, $9.94 and $1.97, respectively. As of                 , 2021, the record date for the Special Meeting, the closing prices for each unit, Class A ordinary share and public warrant were $            , $             and $            , respectively.

Holders

As of                 , 2021, there were                  holders of record of our units,                  holders of record of SRNG Class A ordinary shares,                  holders of record of SRNG Class B ordinary shares and                  holders of record of our public warrants. The number of holders of record does not include a substantially greater number of “street name” holders or beneficial holders whose units, SRNG Class A ordinary shares and warrants are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

Dividend Policy

SRNG has not paid any cash dividends on SRNG ordinary shares to date and does not intend to pay any cash dividends prior to the completion of the Business Combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon New Ginkgo’s revenue and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of the Business Combination. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to the Business Combination will be within the discretion of the New Ginkgo Board at such time.

Ginkgo

There is no public market for shares of Ginkgo’s common stock.


 

42


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

SRNG shareholders should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this proxy statement/prospectus, before they decide whether to vote or instruct their votes to be cast to approve the relevant proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the business of Ginkgo and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, which will be the business of New Ginkgo and its subsidiaries following the consummation of the Business Combination.

Risks Related to SRNG and the Business Combination

Directors and officers of SRNG have potential conflicts of interest in recommending that SRNG’s shareholders vote in favor of approval of the Business Combination and approval of the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

When considering the SRNG Board’s recommendation that its shareholders vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination and the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus, SRNG shareholders should be aware that directors and officers of SRNG have interests in the Business Combination that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of SRNG shareholders. These interests include:

 

   

If SRNG is unable to complete its initial business combination by February 26, 2023, SRNG will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem the public shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to SRNG to fund its working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any) and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of SRNG’s remaining shareholders and the SRNG Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to SRNG’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to SRNG’s warrants, which will expire worthless if SRNG fails to complete its initial business combination by February 26, 2023.

 

   

The Sponsor purchased 43,125,000 founder shares prior to SRNG’s initial public offering for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 or approximately $0.0006 per share, which accounted for approximately 20% of our outstanding shares after the consummation of the initial public offering. Upon the Closing, assuming no founder shares are forfeited pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Support Agreement as a result of shareholder redemptions exceeding a specified threshold, such founder shares will be converted into 43,125,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

 

   

Simultaneously with the closing of SRNG’s initial public offering, SRNG consummated the sale of 19,250,000 private placement warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant in a private placement to the Sponsor. The warrants are each exercisable commencing 30 days following the Closing Date for one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. If SRNG does not consummate a business combination transaction by February 26, 2023, then the proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants will be part of the liquidating distribution to the public shareholders and the warrants held by the Sponsor will be worthless. The warrants held by the Sponsor had an aggregate market value of approximately $37.9 based upon the closing price of $1.97 per warrant on Nasdaq on May 10, 2021. Upon the Closing, 10% of the private placement warrants will be forfeited to New Ginkgo and cancelled for no consideration.

 

43


Table of Contents
   

SRNG’s Sponsor, officers and directors will lose their entire investment of $28,900,000, consisting of the Sponsor’s $25,000 initial investment and the Sponsor’s $28,875,000 private placement warrant purchase price, if SRNG does not complete a business combination by February 26, 2023.

 

   

Certain of SRNG’s current officers may serve as directors of New Ginkgo after the Closing. As such, in the future they may receive any cash fees, stock options or stock awards that the New Ginkgo Board determines to pay to its directors and/or officers.

 

   

The Sponsor and SRNG’s officers and directors have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to their founder shares if SRNG fails to complete a business combination by February 26, 2023.

 

   

In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to SRNG if and to the extent any claims by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to SRNG, or a prospective target business with which SRNG have entered into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account. This liability will not apply with respect to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or to any claims under SRNG’s indemnity of the underwriters of the offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

   

Following the Closing, SRNG’s Sponsor would be entitled to the repayment of any working capital loan and advances that have been made to SRNG and remain outstanding. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, SRNG’s Sponsor has not made any advances to SRNG for working capital expenses. If SRNG does not complete an initial business combination within the required period, SRNG may use a portion of its working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the working capital loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the working capital loans.

 

   

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Ginkgo will indemnify SRNG’s existing directors and officers and will maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.

 

   

Upon the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, SRNG’s Sponsor, its officers and directors and their respective affiliates may be entitled to reimbursement for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and consummating an initial business combination, and repayment of any other loans, if any, and on such terms as to be determined by SRNG from time to time, made by SRNG’s Sponsor or certain of its officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. To date, SRNG has incurred no such out-of-pocket expenses.

These financial interests of the initial shareholders, officers and directors and entities affiliated with them may have influenced their decision to approve the Business Combination. You should consider these interests when evaluating the Business Combination and the recommendation of the SRNG Board to vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and other proposals to be presented to the SRNG shareholders.

The Sponsor and SRNG’s directors and executive officers have agreed to vote in favor of the Business Combination, regardless of how SRNG’s public shareholders vote.

The Sponsor and SRNG’s directors and executive officers have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination. The Sponsor owns approximately 20% of SRNG’s outstanding shares prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, it is more likely that the necessary shareholder approval for the Business Combination will be received than would be the case if the Sponsor had agreed to vote their shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by SRNG’s public shareholders.

 

44


Table of Contents

The Sponsor and SRNG’s directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares or public warrants from public shareholders, which may influence a vote on the Business Combination and reduce the public “float” of our ordinary shares.

The Sponsor and SRNG’s directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase public shares or public warrants in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of the Business Combination, although they are under no obligation to do so. However, other than as expressly stated herein, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the Trust Account will be used to purchase shares or public warrants in such transactions.

In the event that the Sponsor and SRNG’s directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase public shares in privately negotiated transactions from public shareholders who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their public shares. The purpose of any such purchases of public shares could be to vote such shares in favor of the Business Combination and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the Business Combination or to satisfy a Closing condition in the Merger Agreement that requires SRNG to have a certain amount of cash at the Closing, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. Any such purchases of SRNG’s securities may result in the completion of the Business Combination that may not otherwise have been possible.

In addition, if such purchases are made, the public “float” of SRNG’s ordinary shares and the number of beneficial holders of SRNG’s securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain or obtain the quotation, listing or trading of SRNG’s securities on a national securities exchange.

Warrants will become exercisable for New Ginkgo Class A common stock, which will increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to SRNG’s shareholders.

Following the Business Combination, there will be 34,500,000 outstanding public warrants to purchase 34,500,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, which warrants will become exercisable commencing 30 days following the Closing Date. In addition, there will be 17,325,000 outstanding private placement warrants to purchase 17,325,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, which warrants will become exercisable commencing 30 days following the Closing. To the extent such warrants are exercised, additional shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock will be issued, which will result in dilution to the holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market could adversely affect the market price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, the impact of which is increased as the value of SRNG’s stock price increases.

New Ginkgo may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.

New Ginkgo will have the ability to redeem outstanding public warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the closing price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date we give notice of redemption. If and when the warrants become redeemable by New Ginkgo, New Ginkgo may exercise the redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force holders to (i) exercise the warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so, (ii) sell the warrants at the then-current market price when the holder might otherwise wish to hold onto such warrants or (iii) accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of the warrants. None of the private placement warrants will be redeemable by New Ginkgo so long as they are held by their initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.

 

45


Table of Contents

In addition, New Ginkgo may redeem your warrants after they become exercisable for a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock determined based on the redemption date and the fair market value of New Ginkgo Class A common stock. Any such redemption may have similar consequences to a cash redemption described above. In addition, such redemption may occur at a time when the warrants are “out-of-the- money,” in which case you would lose any potential embedded value from a subsequent increase in the value of our common stock had your warrants remained outstanding.

Even if SRNG consummates the Business Combination, there can be no assurance that the warrants will be in the money at the time they become exercisable, and they may expire worthless.

The exercise price for the outstanding warrants is $11.50 per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock. There can be no assurance that the warrants will be in the money following the time they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, and as such, the warrants may expire worthless.

Our stockholders will experience immediate dilution as a consequence of the issuance of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and New Ginkgo Class B common stock as consideration in the Business Combination. Having a minority share position may reduce the influence that SRNG’s current shareholders have on the management of New Ginkgo.

Assuming that no public shareholders exercise their redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination, immediately after the consummation of the Business Combination, SRNG’s Sponsor and public shareholders will hold 202,732,500 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, or 11.4% of the outstanding common stock. Assuming that our public shareholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to 125,000,000 public shares in connection with the Business Combination, immediately after the consummation of the Business Combination, SRNG’s Sponsor and public shareholders will hold 55,270,319 shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, or 3.4% of the outstanding common stock.

There are currently outstanding an aggregate of 53,750,000 warrants to acquire SRNG Class A ordinary shares, which comprise 19,250,000 private placement warrants held by SRNG’s Sponsor at the time of SRNG’s initial public offering and 34,500,000 public warrants. Upon the Closing, 10% of the private placement warrants will be forfeited to New Ginkgo and cancelled for no consideration. Each of SRNG’s outstanding whole warrants is exercisable commencing 30 days following the Closing Date for one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock in accordance with its terms. Therefore, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, if we assume that each outstanding whole warrant is exercised and one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock is issued as a result of such exercise, with payment of the exercise price of $11.50 per share, our fully diluted share capital would increase by a total of 51,825,000 shares, with approximately $595,987,000 paid to us to exercise the warrants.

The Domestication may result in adverse tax consequences for holders of SRNG Class A ordinary shares and SRNG warrants, including holders exercising their redemption rights with respect to the SRNG Class A ordinary shares.

SRNG intends for the Domestication to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(l)(F) of the Code, i.e., an F Reorganization. If the Domestication fails to qualify as an F Reorganization, a U.S. Holder (as defined in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders”) of SRNG Class A ordinary shares or SRNG warrants generally would recognize gain or loss with respect to its SRNG Class A ordinary shares or SRNG warrants in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the fair market value of the corresponding common stock or warrants of New Ginkgo received in the Domestication and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its SRNG Class A ordinary shares or SRNG warrants surrendered. Because the Domestication will occur prior to the redemption of U.S. Holders that exercise redemption rights with respect to SRNG Class A ordinary shares, U.S. Holders exercising such redemption rights will be subject to the potential

 

46


Table of Contents

tax consequences of the Domestication. Additionally, Non-U.S. Holders (as defined in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—II. Non-U.S. Holders”) may become subject to withholding tax on any amounts treated as dividends paid on New Ginkgo Class A common stock after the Domestication.

Assuming that the Domestication qualifies as an F Reorganization, subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, U.S. Holders generally will be subject to Section 367(b) of the Code. A U.S. Holder whose SRNG Class A ordinary shares have a fair market value of less than $50,000 on the date of the Domestication and who, on the date of the Domestication, beneficially owns (actually or constructively) less than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote and less than 10% of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock generally will not recognize any gain or loss and will not be required to include any part of SRNG’s earnings in income as a result of the Domestication. A U.S. Holder whose SRNG Class A ordinary shares have a fair market value of $50,000 or more on the date of the Domestication and who, on the day of the Domestication, beneficially owns (actually or constructively) less than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote and less than 10% of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock, generally will recognize gain (but not loss) in respect of the Domestication as if such U.S. Holder exchanged its SRNG Class A ordinary shares for New Ginkgo Class A common stock in a taxable transaction, unless such U.S. Holder elects in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations to include in income as a deemed dividend deemed paid by SRNG the “all earnings and profits amount” (as defined in the Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code) attributable to the SRNG Class A ordinary shares held directly by such U.S. Holder. A U.S. Holder who, on the day of the Domestication, beneficially owns (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock, will generally be required to include in income as a deemed dividend deemed paid by SRNG the “all earnings and profits amount” (as defined in the Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code) attributable to the SRNG Class A ordinary shares held directly by such U.S. Holder as a result of the Domestication. Subject to the discussion below of the PFIC rules, a U.S. Holder should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to the exchange of such holder’s SRNG warrants for New Ginkgo warrants in the Domestication. However, for purposes of the discussion above regarding Section 367(b) of the Code, a U.S. Holder’s ownership of SRNG warrants will be taken into account in determining whether such holder owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of SRNG stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of SRNG stock.

Additionally, even if the Domestication qualifies as an F Reorganization, proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 1291(f) of the Code (which have a retroactive effective date) generally require that, a U.S. person who disposes of stock of a PFIC (including for this purpose exchanging SRNG warrants for newly issued New Ginkgo warrants in the Domestication) must recognize gain equal to the excess of the fair market value of such PFIC stock over its adjusted tax basis, notwithstanding any other provision of the Code. It is possible that SRNG is classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If SRNG is classified as a PFIC, these proposed Treasury Regulations, if finalized in their current form, would generally require a U.S. Holder of SRNG Class A ordinary shares to recognize gain under the PFIC rules on the exchange of SRNG Class A ordinary shares for New Ginkgo Class A common stock pursuant to the Domestication unless such U.S. Holder has made certain tax elections with respect to such U.S. Holder’s SRNG Class A ordinary shares. In addition, the proposed Treasury Regulations provide coordinating rules with other sections of the Code, including Section 367(b) of the Code, which affect the manner in which the rules under such other sections apply to transfers of PFIC stock. These proposed Treasury Regulations, if finalized in their current form, would also apply to a U.S. Holder who exchanges SRNG warrants for newly issued New Ginkgo warrants; currently, however, the elections under the PFIC rules mentioned above do not apply to SRNG warrants (for discussion regarding the unclear application of the PFIC rules to SRNG warrants, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—I. U.S. Holders—A. Tax Effects of the Domestication to U.S. Holders —5. PFIC Considerations”). Any gain recognized from the application of the PFIC rules described above would be taxable income with no corresponding receipt of cash. The tax on any such gain would be imposed at the rate applicable to ordinary income and an interest charge would apply based on complex rules designed to offset the tax deferral to such U.S. Holder on the undistributed earnings, if any, of SRNG. It is not possible to determine at this time

 

47


Table of Contents

whether, in what form, and with what effective date, final Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code may be adopted or how any such Treasury Regulations would apply.

Subsequent to the consummation of the Business Combination, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and stock price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

Although SRNG has conducted due diligence on Ginkgo, SRNG cannot assure you that this diligence revealed all material issues that may be present in Ginkgo’s business, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of SRNG’s or New Ginkgo’s control will not later arise. As a result, New Ginkgo may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure its operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in losses. Even if due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with SRNG’s preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that New Ginkgo reports charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about New Ginkgo or its securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause New Ginkgo to violate net worth or other covenants to which it may be subject. Accordingly, any SRNG shareholder who chooses to remain a stockholder of New Ginkgo following the Business Combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares. Such stockholders are unlikely to have a remedy for such reduction in value unless they are able to successfully claim that the reduction was due to the breach by SRNG’s officers or directors of a duty of care or other fiduciary duty owed to them, or if they are able to successfully bring a private claim under securities laws that the proxy solicitation relating to the Business Combination contained an actionable material misstatement or material omission.

If the benefits of the Business Combination do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of our securities may decline.

If the benefits of the Business Combination do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of SRNG’s securities prior to the Closing may decline. The market values of SRNG’s securities at the time of the Business Combination may vary significantly from their prices on the date the Merger Agreement was executed, the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, or the date on which SRNG shareholders vote on the Business Combination. Because the number of shares to be issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement is based on the per share value of the amount in the Trust Account and will not be adjusted to reflect any changes in the market price of SRNG Class A ordinary shares, the market value of New Ginkgo Class A common stock issued in the Business Combination may be higher or lower than the values of these shares on earlier dates.

In addition, following the Business Combination, fluctuations in the price of New Ginkgo’s securities could contribute to the loss of all or part of your investment. Prior to the Business Combination, there has not been a public market for the stock of Ginkgo and trading in SRNG’s Class A ordinary shares has not been active. Accordingly, the valuation ascribed to New Ginkgo in the Business Combination may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market following the Business Combination. If an active market for our securities develops and continues, the trading price of New Ginkgo securities following the Business Combination could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. Any of the risk factors discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus could have a material adverse effect on your investment in our securities and New Ginkgo securities may trade at prices significantly below the price you paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.

Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and Nasdaq specifically, has experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, you may not be able to sell your securities at or above the price at which they were acquired. A loss of investor

 

48


Table of Contents

confidence in the market for the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to New Ginkgo could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future.

Our actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from the unaudited pro forma financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what our actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination been completed on the dates indicated. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” for more information.

There can be no assurance that New Ginkgo Class A common stock issued in connection with the Business Combination will be approved for listing on the NYSE following the Closing, or that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of the NYSE.

New Ginkgo Class A common stock and warrants are expected to be listed on the NYSE following the Business Combination. New Ginkgo’s continued eligibility for listing may depend on the number of our shares that are redeemed. If, after the Business Combination, the NYSE delists New Ginkgo Class A common stock from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the listing standards, we and our shareholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:

 

   

a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;

 

   

a determination that New Ginkgo Class A common stock is a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in New Ginkgo Class A common stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for New Ginkgo Class A common stock;

 

   

a limited amount of analyst coverage; and

 

   

a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

The Current Charter states that SRNG must complete its initial business combination by February 26, 2023. If SRNG has not completed an initial business combination by then (or such later date as our shareholders may approve in accordance with the Current Charter), SRNG will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to SRNG to fund its working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of SRNG’s remaining shareholders and the SRNG Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to SRNG’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, SRNG’s public shareholders may only receive approximately $10.00 per share and SRNG’s warrants will expire worthless.

SRNG’s directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our Sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to our public shareholders.

The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to SRNG if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to SRNG, or a prospective target business with which SRNG has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual

 

49


Table of Contents

amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the funds held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under SRNG’s indemnity of the underwriters of SRNG’s initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. While SRNG currently expects that its independent directors would take legal action on its behalf against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to SRNG, it is possible that SRNG’s independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If SRNG’s independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to SRNG’s public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.

If, before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to SRNG’s public shareholders, SRNG files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against SRNG that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of SRNG’s shareholders and the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by SRNG’s shareholders in connection with SRNG’s liquidation may be reduced.

If, before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to SRNG’s public shareholders, SRNG files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against SRNG that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in SRNG’s bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of SRNG’s shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, the per-share amount that would otherwise be received by SRNG’s shareholders in connection with SRNG’s liquidation may be reduced.

If SRNG’s shareholders fail to comply with the redemption requirements specified in this proxy statement/prospectus, they will not be entitled to redeem their SRNG Class A ordinary shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account.

Holders of public shares are not required to affirmatively vote against the Business Combination Proposal in order to exercise their rights to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account. In order to exercise their redemption rights, they are required to submit a request in writing and deliver their share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms (as applicable) to our transfer agent prior to                      , New York City time, on                      , 2021. Shareholders electing to redeem their shares will receive their pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to SRNG to fund its working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) and/or to pay SRNG’s taxes, calculated as of two business days prior to the anticipated consummation of the Business Combination.

The ability of SRNG shareholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of shares could increase the probability that the Business Combination would be unsuccessful and that shareholders would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem their shares.

At the time SRNG entered into the Merger Agreement and related agreements for the Business Combination, SRNG did not know how many shareholders would exercise their redemption rights, and therefore SRNG structured the Business Combination based on its expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. The Merger Agreement requires SRNG to have at least $1.25 billion of aggregate cash proceeds available in the Trust Account, after giving effect to redemptions of public shares, if any, and the Private Placement. If a larger number of shares are submitted for redemption than SRNG initially expected, SRNG may need to restructure the transaction to reserve a greater portion of the cash in the Trust Account. The above considerations may limit SRNG’s ability to complete the Business Combination or optimize its capital structure.

 

50


Table of Contents

The completion of the Business Combination is subject to conditions, including certain conditions that may not be satisfied on a timely basis, if at all.

The completion of the Business Combination is subject to a number of conditions. The completion of the Business Combination is not assured and is subject to risks, including the risk that approval of the Business Combination by SRNG shareholders is not obtained or that there are not sufficient funds in the Trust Account, in each case subject to certain terms specified in the Merger Agreement (as described under “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Closing”), or that other Closing conditions are not satisfied. If SRNG does not complete the Business Combination, SRNG could be subject to various risks, including:

 

   

the parties may be liable for damages to one another under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

negative reactions from the financial markets, including declines in the price of our Class A ordinary shares due to the fact that current prices may reflect a market assumption that the Business Combination will be completed; and

 

   

the attention of our management will have been diverted to the Business Combination rather than the pursuit of other opportunities in respect of an initial business combination.

Delaware law and provisions in the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws could make a takeover proposal more difficult.

If the Business Combination is consummated, New Ginkgo’s organizational documents will be governed by Delaware law. Certain provisions of Delaware law and of the Proposed Charter and the Proposed Bylaws could discourage, delay, defer or prevent a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other change of control transaction that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock held by New Ginkgo’s stockholders. These provisions provide for, among other things:

 

   

the ability of the New Ginkgo Board to issue additional shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock (including potentially to persons other than employees and directors) and one or more series of preferred stock;

 

   

certain limitations on convening special stockholder meetings;

 

   

advance notice for nominations of directors by stockholders and for stockholders to include matters to be considered at New Ginkgo’s annual meetings;

 

   

amendment of certain provisions of the organizational documents only by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing at least two-thirds of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of New Ginkgo and, in certain circumstances, amendment of certain provisions of New Ginkgo’s organizational documents only with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock or New Ginkgo Class B common stock, as applicable, voting as a separate class; and

 

   

a multi-class common stock structure with one vote per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, 10 votes per share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock and no voting right per share of New Ginkgo Class C common stock (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law).

These anti-takeover provisions as well as certain provisions of Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire New Ginkgo, even if the third party’s offer may be considered beneficial by many of New Ginkgo’s stockholders. As a result, New Ginkgo’s stockholders may be limited in their ability to obtain a premium for their shares. If prospective takeovers are not consummated for any reason, New Ginkgo may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on the price of New Ginkgo

 

51


Table of Contents

common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for New Ginkgo’s stockholders to elect directors of their choosing and to cause New Ginkgo to take other corporate actions that New Ginkgo’s stockholders desire. See “Description of New Ginkgo Securities.”

The Proposed Bylaws designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings and the federal district courts of the United States as the sole and exclusive forum for certain other types of actions and proceedings, in each case, that may be initiated by New Ginkgo’s stockholders, which could limit New Ginkgo’s stockholders’ ability to obtain what such stockholders believe to be a favorable judicial forum for disputes with New Ginkgo or New Ginkgo’s directors, officers or other employees.

The Proposed Bylaws will provide that, unless New Ginkgo consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum or if the Court of Chancery (or other state or federal court located within the State of Delaware) determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the applicable court, the Court of Chancery (or other state or federal court located within the State of Delaware) will be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for resolution for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of New Ginkgo; (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee, agent, or stockholder of New Ginkgo to New Ginkgo or New Ginkgo’s stockholders, or any claim for aiding and abetting such an alleged breach; (iii) action governed by the “internal affairs doctrine” or arising pursuant to any provision of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws; (iv) action asserting a claim against New Ginkgo or any current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of New Ginkgo arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery. Unless New Ginkgo consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for resolution of any action, claim or proceeding arising under the Securities Act. The exclusive forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. If any action, claim or proceeding the subject matter of which is within the scope of the forum provisions in the Proposed Bylaws (the “Forum Provisions”) is filed in the name of any stockholders of New Ginkgo in a court other than the specified courts in the Forum Provisions, then such stockholder will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have consented to (a) the personal jurisdiction of the applicable courts specified in the Forum Provisions in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the Forum Provisions and (b) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in such action as agent for such stockholder. These choice-of-forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that he, she or it believes to be favorable for disputes with New Ginkgo or New Ginkgo’s directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Such choice-of-forum provisions may also increase the costs to bring a claim. We note that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce the Forum Provisions and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

Alternatively, if a court were to find the Forum Provisions of the Proposed Bylaws inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, New Ginkgo may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially adversely affect New Ginkgo’s business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of New Ginkgo’s management and board of directors.

 

52


Table of Contents

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Business

We have a history of net losses. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.

We have incurred significant operating losses since our inception. Our net loss attributable to our stockholders was approximately $126.6 million and $119.3 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $467.9 million. We may incur losses and negative cash flow from operating activities for the foreseeable future as we continue to invest significant additional funds toward further developing our platform, the cell programs we perform on behalf of our customers and otherwise growing our business. We also expect that our operating expenses will increase as a result of becoming a public company and will continue to increase as we grow our business. We have derived a significant portion of our revenues from fees and milestone payments from technical development services provided to customers to advance programs. Historically, these fees have not been sufficient to cover the full cost of our operations. Additionally, if our customers terminate their agreements or development plans with us, our near-term revenues could be adversely affected. In addition, certain of our customer agreements provide for milestone payments, future royalties and other forms of contingent consideration, the payment of which are uncertain, as they are dependent on our ability to successfully develop engineered cells, bioprocesses, or other deliverables and our customers’ ability and willingness to successfully develop and commercialize products and processes.

In 2020, we incurred significant operating and capital expenditures in launching our biosecurity offering, which includes COVID-19 testing products and services for businesses, academic institutions, and other organizations and the development of components and processes for the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines. In the first quarter of 2021, we launched our pooled testing initiative which focuses on providing end-to-end COVID-19 testing services to groups of individuals, with a focus of offering pooled testing services for K-12 schools. Given the recent launch of this biosecurity offering and limited operating history, our reliance on school funding for testing, potential disruptions from vaccine rollout generally and for adolescents in the foreseeable future, the impact of summer vacation, and the increased availability of over-the-counter testing options, this business may never recoup the losses incurred to date.

Our expenses may exceed revenues for the foreseeable future and we may not achieve profitability. If we fail to achieve profitability, or if the time required to achieve profitability is longer than we anticipate, we may not be able to expand or continue our business, and the value of New Ginkgo common stock could be negatively impacted. Our ability to achieve or sustain profitability is based on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the development of our platform, the initiation of new programs with new and existing customers, the commercial terms of our programs, our ability to advance cell engineering programs in a timely and cost-effective manner, our ability to extend new offerings to customers, our customers’ ability to scale up bioprocesses, the ability of our customers to produce and sell products, the impact of market acceptance of our customers’ products, and our and our customers’ market penetration and margins. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.

We will need substantial additional capital in the future in order to fund our business.

We have consumed considerable amounts of capital to date, and we expect to incur continued net losses over the next several years as we continue to develop our business, advance our programs, expand and enhance our platform, and make the capital investments necessary to scale up our Foundry operations and Codebase assets. We may also use additional capital for strategic investments and acquisitions. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and interest earned on investments will be sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements for several years and until we reach profitability. However, these assumptions may prove to be incorrect and we could exhaust our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with our programs, including risks and uncertainties that could impact the rate of progress of our programs, we are unable to estimate with certainty the amounts of capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with these activities.

 

53


Table of Contents

We do not currently have any commitments for future funding beyond the consummation of the Business Combination. We may receive fees, milestones, and royalty payments under our customer agreements, but these are not guaranteed. Additionally we may be able to sell our equity interests in certain subsidiaries or collaborations but most of these equity stakes are illiquid (e.g. in private companies) and we may not be able to find a buyer or may incur significant impairment if forced to sell these positions for liquidity. We may not receive any further funds under those agreements, the funds we receive may be lower than projected, or our program costs may be higher than projected. In addition, we may not be able to sign new customer agreements or enter into new development plans with existing customers with adequate funds to cover program development expenses. As a result of these and other factors, we do not know whether additional financing will be available when needed, or, if available, whether such financing would be on terms favorable to our stockholders or us.

If future financings involve the issuance of equity securities, our existing shareholders would suffer dilution. If we raise debt financing in the future, we may be subject to restrictive covenants that limit our ability to conduct our business. Our ability to raise funds may be adversely impacted by current or future economic conditions. If we fail to raise sufficient funds and continue to incur losses, our ability to fund our operations, take advantage of strategic opportunities, or otherwise respond to competitive pressures could be significantly limited. If adequate funds are not available, we may not be able to successfully execute our business plan or continue our business.

We have experienced rapid growth and expect our growth to continue, and if we fail to effectively manage our growth, then our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We have experienced substantial growth in our business since inception, which has placed and may continue to place significant demands on our company culture, operational infrastructure, and management. We believe that our culture has been a critical component of our success. We have invested substantial time and resources in building our team and nurturing a culture of empowerment of, and active engagement by, our employees. As we expand our business and mature as a public company, we may find it difficult to maintain our culture while managing this growth. Any failure to manage our anticipated growth and organizational changes in a manner that preserves the key aspects of our culture could be detrimental to future success, including our ability to recruit and retain personnel, and effectively focus on and pursue our objectives. This, in turn, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

In addition, in order to successfully manage our rapid growth, our organizational structure has become more complex and is likely to continue to become more complex. In order to manage these increasing complexities, we will need to continue to scale and adapt our operational, financial, and management controls, as well as our reporting systems and procedures. The expansion of our systems and infrastructure will require us to commit substantial financial, operational, and management resources before our revenue increases and without any assurances that our revenue will increase.

Finally, continued growth could strain our ability to maintain reliable service levels and offerings for our customers. If we fail to achieve the necessary level of capacity, quality and efficiency in performing services and other development activities, or the necessary level of efficiency in our organizational structure as we grow, then our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our current business and future prospects.

We have a portfolio of cell engineering programs which vary in start date, duration, complexity, and revenue potential. Additionally, our downstream economics in the form of equity interests, milestone payments, or royalty streams add an additional level of uncertainty to our possible future performance. Consequently, predictions about our future success or viability are highly uncertain and may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a longer company history of successfully developing, commercializing and generating revenue from our programs and/or downstream economic participation. With respect to our biosecurity offering, prior to 2020, we had no experience developing or commercializing testing products or services. Moreover, as described above,

 

54


Table of Contents

given the limited operating history of our biosecurity offering, our reliance on school funding for testing, potential disruptions from vaccine rollout generally and for adolescents in the foreseeable future, the impact of summer vacation, and the increased availability of over-the-counter testing options, the future performance of our COVID-19 offerings is unpredictable. Moreover, we cannot predict how long the COVID-19 pandemic will continue and, therefore, we cannot predict the duration of the revenue stream from our COVID-19 testing products and services.

Our long-term objective is to generate free cash flow from the commercialization of programs by customers across a variety of industries, as well as, from our biosecurity-focused offerings. Our estimated costs and timelines for the completion of programs are based on our experiences to date and our expectations for each stage of the program in development. Given the variety of types of programs we support and the continued growth of our platform, there is variability in timelines and costs for launching and executing programs, and completion dates can change over the course of a customer engagement. In addition, our costs and timelines may be greater or subject to variability where regulatory requirements lead to longer timelines, such as in agriculture, food, and therapeutics. In addition, we have equity interests in certain companies and there is and will continue to be variability in the financial performance of these other companies or future companies in which we may have equity interests.

As a business with a limited operating history, we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other known and unknown obstacles. We have encountered in the past, and will encounter in the future, risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies with limited operating histories in emerging and rapidly changing industries. If our assumptions regarding these risks and uncertainties, which we use to plan and operate our business, are incorrect or change, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our results of operations could differ materially from our expectations, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

If we cannot maintain and expand current customer partnerships and enter into new customer partnerships, our business could be adversely affected.

We do not generate substantial revenue from our own products, and instead generate revenue from customer collaborations in which we provide services, and also receive downstream value in the form of royalties, equity, or milestone payments. As a result, our success depends on our ability to expand the number, size and scope of our customer collaborations. Our ability to win new business depends on many factors, including our reputation in the market, the quality of our service offerings relative to alternatives, the pricing and efficiency of our services relative to alternatives, and our technical capabilities. If we fail to maintain a position of strength in any of these factors, our ability to either sign new customer collaborations or launch new programs with existing customers may suffer and this could adversely affect our prospects. Additionally, in the process of developing programs, we generate Foundry know-how and accumulate meaningful biological and data assets, including optimized proteins and organisms, characterized genetic parts, enhanced understanding of metabolic pathways, biological, chemical, and genetic libraries, and other elements of biological data. Data and know-how generated from our programs provide the basis for expanded capabilities that we believe further supports our customer collaborations. As a result, in addition to reducing our revenue or delaying the development of our programs, the loss of one or more of our customer relationships or the failure to add new customers or programs may hinder our accumulation of such information, thus hindering our efforts to advance our technological differentiation and improve our platform.

We engage in conversations with companies regarding potential customer collaborations on an ongoing basis. We may spend considerable time and money engaging in these conversations and feasibility assessments, including, understanding the technical approach to a program, customer concerns and limitations, and legal or regulatory landscape of a potential program or offering, which may not result in a commercial agreement. Even if an agreement is reached, the resulting relationship may not be successful for many reasons, including our inability to complete a program to our customers’ specifications or within our customers’ time frames, or

 

55


Table of Contents

unsuccessful development or commercialization of products or processes by our customers. In such circumstances, our revenues and downstream value potential from such a collaboration might be meaningfully reduced.

We currently own and may in the future own equity interests in other operating companies, including certain of our customers; consequently, we have exposure to the volatility and liquidity risks inherent in holding their equity and overall operational and financial performance of these businesses.

We currently own equity interests in several of our customers. In the future, we may also own equity interests in other companies. The process by which we receive equity interests and the factors we consider in deciding whether to accept, hold or dispose of these equity positions may differ significantly from those that an independent investor would evaluate when considering equity interests in a company. Owning equity increases our exposure to the risks of the other company and, in the case of customers, beyond the products of our collaborations. Our equity ownership positions expose us to market volatility and the potential for negative returns. We may have restrictions on resale or limited markets to sell our equity ownership. In many cases, our equity position is a minority position which exposes us to further risk, as we are not able to exert control over the companies in which we hold securities.

In connection with future collaborations or joint ventures, we may, from time to time, receive warrants, or options, all of which involve special risks. To the extent we receive warrants or options in connection with future collaborations or joint ventures, we would be exposed to risks involving pricing differences between the market value of underlying securities and our exercise price for the warrants or options, a possible lack of liquidity, and the related inability to close a warrant or option position, all of which could ultimately have an adverse effect on our financial position.

We leverage our own resources and partner with strategic and financial investors in order to help early stage companies and innovators secure funding and benefit from our platform, which exposes us to a number of risks.

Since our founding, we have helped to launch new companies (such as Motif FoodWorks, Inc., Allonnia LLC and Kalo Ingredients LLC) by bringing together strategic and financial investors to secure funding for these early stage and small companies. Going forward, we intend to continue to leverage our own balance sheet and partner with investors in order to enable companies at all stages to benefit from our platform.

Partnering with and investing in early stage and small companies may expose us to a number of risks, including that early stage and small companies may have:

 

   

shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render small companies more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;

 

   

more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may be in a weaker financial position and may need more capital than originally anticipated to expand, compete and operate their business;

 

   

the inability to obtain financing from the public capital markets or other traditional sources, such as commercial banks, in part because loans made to these types of companies entail higher risks than loans made to companies that have larger businesses, greater financial resources or are otherwise able to access traditional credit sources on more attractive terms;

 

   

a higher likelihood of depending on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on such company and, in turn, on us;

 

   

less predictable operating results, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position;

 

56


Table of Contents
   

particular vulnerabilities to changes in customer preferences and market conditions, depend on a limited number of customers, and face intense competition, including from companies with greater financial, technical, managerial and marketing resources; and

 

   

fewer administrative resources, which can lead to greater uncertainty in their ability to generate accurate and reliable financial data, including their ability to deliver audited financial statements.

Any of these factors or changes thereto could impair an early stage or small company’s financial condition, results of operation, cash flow or result in other adverse events, such as bankruptcy. This, in turn, could result in losses in our investments and a change in our income (loss) on investments.

We may pursue strategic acquisitions and investments that could have an adverse impact on our business if they are unsuccessful.

We have made acquisitions in the past and, if appropriate opportunities become available, we may acquire additional businesses, assets, technologies, or products to enhance our business in the future, but our ability to do so successfully cannot be ensured. We have also made investments in companies that we view as synergistic with our business. Although we conduct due diligence on these acquisitions and investments, such processes may fail to reveal significant liabilities and we could incur losses resulting from undiscovered liabilities of the acquired business that are not covered by indemnification we may obtain from the seller. Even if we identify suitable opportunities, we may not be able to complete such acquisitions on favorable terms or at all. Any acquisitions we make may not strengthen our competitive position, and these transactions may be viewed negatively by customers or investors. We may decide to incur debt or spend cash in connection with an acquisition, which may cause us to face liquidity concerns or be subject to restrictive covenants in the future. We may also issue common stock or other equity securities to the stockholders of the acquired company, which would reduce the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders. In addition, we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired personnel, assets, technologies, products and/or operations into our existing business in an effective, timely, and non-disruptive manner or retain acquired personnel following an acquisition. Acquisitions may also divert management’s attention from day-to-day responsibilities, increase our expenses and reduce our cash available for operations and other uses. In addition, we may not be able to fully recover the costs of such acquisitions or be successful in leveraging any such strategic transactions into increased business, revenue, or profitability. We also cannot predict the number, timing, or size of any future acquisitions or the effect that any such transactions might have on our operating results.

Accordingly, although there can be no assurance that we will undertake or successfully complete any acquisitions, any transactions that we do complete may not yield the anticipated benefits and may be subject to the foregoing or other risks and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. Conversely, any failure to pursue or delay in completing any acquisition or other strategic transaction that would be beneficial to us could delay the development of our platform or advancement of our programs and, thus, potential commercialization of our customer’s products.

Our programs may not achieve milestones and other anticipated key events on the expected timelines or at all, which could have an adverse impact on our business and could cause the price of New Ginkgo common stock to decline.

We may adopt various technical, manufacturing, regulatory, commercial, and other objectives for our programs. These milestones may include our or our customer’s expectations regarding the commencement or completion of technical development, the achievement of manufacturing targets, the submission of regulatory filings, or the realization of other development, regulatory, or commercialization objectives by us or our customers. The achievement of many of these milestones may be outside of our control. All of these milestones are based on a variety of assumptions, including assumptions regarding capital resources, constraints, and priorities, progress of and results from research and development activities, and other factors, including impacts resulting from the

 

57


Table of Contents

COVID-19 pandemic, any of which may cause the timing of achievement of the milestones to vary considerably. If we, our collaborators, or our customers fail to achieve milestones in the expected timeframes, the commercialization of our programs may be delayed, our credibility may be undermined, our business and results of operations may be harmed, and the trading price of New Ginkgo common stock may decline.

We must continue to secure and maintain sufficient and stable supplies of laboratory reagents, consumables, equipment, and laboratory services. We depend on a limited number of suppliers, some of which are single-source suppliers, and contract manufacturers for critical supplies, equipment, and services for research, development, and manufacturing of our products and processes. Our reliance on these third parties exposes us to risks relating to costs, contractual terms, supply, and logistics, and the loss of any one or more of these suppliers or contract manufacturers or their failure to supply us with the necessary supplies, equipment, or services on a timely basis, could cause delays in our research, development, or production capacity and adversely affect our business.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial disruption in global supply chains and the ability of third parties to provide us services on a timely basis or at all. As a result, we have experienced shortages in some of our key equipment and supplies, including those required in our labs, as well as, disruptions in services provided by third parties, and may continue to do so in the future as a result of the pandemic, or otherwise. We may also experience price increases, quality issues and longer lead times due to unexpected material shortages, service disruptions, and other unanticipated events, which may adversely affect our supply of lab equipment, lab supplies, chemicals, reagents, supplies, and lab services. For some suppliers, we do not enter into long-term agreements and instead secure our materials and services on a purchase order basis. Our suppliers may reduce or cease their supply of materials or services to us at any time in the future. If the supply of materials or services is interrupted, our programs may be delayed.

We depend on a limited number of suppliers for critical items, including lab consumables and equipment, for the development of our programs. Some of these suppliers are single-source suppliers. We do not currently have the infrastructure or capability internally to manufacture these items at the necessary scale or at all. Although we have a reserve of supplies and although alternative suppliers exist for some of these critical products, services, and equipment, our existing processes used in our Foundries have been designed based on the functions, limitations, features, and specifications of the products, services, and equipment that we currently utilize. While we work with a variety of domestic and international suppliers, our suppliers may not be obligated to supply products or services or our arrangements may be terminated with relatively short notice periods. Additionally, we do not have any control over the process or timing of the acquisition or manufacture of materials by our manufacturers and cannot ensure that they will deliver to us the items we order on time, or at all.

In particular, we rely on Twist Bioscience Corporation for custom DNA synthesis and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. for certain instruments and consumables. The price and availability of DNA, chemicals, reagents, equipment, consumables, and instruments have a material impact on our ability to provide Foundry services. We also rely on third parties, such as Berkeley Lights, Inc., to develop workflows to use the equipment they provide to us. We may rely on contract manufacturers like Fermic, s.a. de.c.v for scale-up fermentation development, fermentation, and manufacturing of products for some customers.

The loss of the products, services, and equipment provided by one or more of our suppliers could require us to change the design of our research, development, and manufacturing processes based on the functions, limitations, features, and specifications of the replacement items or seek out a new supplier to provide these items. Additionally, as we grow, our existing suppliers may not be able to meet our increasing demand, and we may need to find additional suppliers. We may not be able to secure suppliers who provide lab supplies at, or equipment and services to, the specification, quantity, and quality levels that we demand (or at all) or be able to negotiate acceptable fees and terms of services with any such suppliers.

 

58


Table of Contents

As described above, some lab equipment, lab consumables, and other services and materials that we purchase are purchased from single-source or preferred suppliers, which limits our negotiating leverage and our ability to rely on additional or alternative suppliers for these items. Our dependence on these single-source and preferred suppliers exposes us to certain risks, including the following:

 

   

our suppliers may cease or reduce production or deliveries, raise prices, or renegotiate terms;

 

   

we may be unable to locate a suitable replacement on acceptable terms or on a timely basis, if at all;

 

   

if there is a disruption to our single-source or preferred suppliers’ operations, and if we are unable to enter into arrangements with alternative suppliers, we will have no other means of continuing the relevant research, development, or manufacturing operations until they restore the affected facilities or we or they procure alternative sources of supply;

 

   

delays caused by supply issues may harm our reputation, frustrate our customers, and cause them to turn to our competitors for future programs; and

 

   

our ability to progress the development of existing programs and the expansion of our capacity to begin future programs could be materially and adversely impacted if the single-source or preferred suppliers upon which we rely were to experience a significant business challenge, disruption, or failure due to issues such as financial difficulties or bankruptcy, issues relating to other customers such as regulatory or quality compliance issues, or other financial, legal, regulatory, or reputational issues.

Moreover, to meet anticipated market demand, our suppliers may need to increase manufacturing capacity, which could involve significant challenges. This may require us and our suppliers to invest substantial additional funds and hire and retain the technical personnel who have the necessary experience. Neither we nor our suppliers may successfully complete any required increase to existing research, development, or manufacturing capacity in a timely manner, or at all.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, our cost of lab equipment, lab supplies, and lab services accounted for a significant portion of our total research and development expenses. In the event of price increases by suppliers, we may attempt to pass the increased costs to our customers. However, we may not be able to raise the prices of our Foundry services sufficiently to cover increased costs resulting from increases in the cost of our materials and services, or the interruption of a sufficient supply of materials or services. As a result, materials and services costs, including any price increase for our materials and services, may negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Some of our suppliers and contract manufacturers are foreign entities. We may face disruptions due to the inability to obtain customs clearances in a timely manner or restrictions on shipping or international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of ongoing global supply chain challenges resulting in very long lead times for certain products and equipment, we may order in larger volumes in order to secure the supplies we require for our future operations, which may negatively impact our financial conditions, especially if we are unable to use the supplies ordered.

We use biological, hazardous, flammable and/or regulated materials that require considerable training, expertise and expense for handling, storage and disposal and may result in claims against us.

We work with biological and chemical materials that could be hazardous to human, animal, or plant health and safety or the environment. Our operations produce hazardous and biological waste products, and we largely contract with third parties for the disposal of these products. Federal, state, and local laws and regulations govern the use, generation, manufacture, storage, handling, and disposal of these materials and wastes. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is expensive, and current or future laws and regulations may restrict our operations. If we do not comply with applicable laws and regulations, we may be subject to fines and penalties.

 

59


Table of Contents

In addition, we cannot eliminate the risk of (a) accidental or intentional injury or (b) release, or contamination from these materials or wastes, which could expose us to liability. Furthermore, laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and have tended to become more stringent. We cannot predict the impact of such changes and cannot be certain of our future compliance. Accordingly, in the event of release, contamination, or injury, we could be liable for the resulting harm or penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources and our operations could be suspended or otherwise adversely affected. These liabilities could also include regulatory actions, litigation, investigations, remediation obligations, damage to our reputation and brand, supplemental disclosure obligations, loss of customer, consumer, and partner confidence in the safety of our laboratory operations, impairment to our business, and corresponding fees, costs, expenses, loss of revenues, and other potential liabilities, as well as, increased costs or loss of revenue or other harm to our business.

The release of genetically modified organisms or materials, whether inadvertent or purposeful, into uncontrolled environments could have unintended consequences, which may result in increased regulatory scrutiny and otherwise harm our business and financial condition.

The genetically engineered organisms and materials that we develop may have significantly altered characteristics compared to those found in the wild, and the full effects of deployment or release of our genetically engineered organisms and materials into uncontrolled environments may be unknown. In particular, such deployment or release, including an unauthorized release, could impact the environment or community generally or the health and safety of our employees, our customers’ employees, and the consumers of our customers’ products.

In addition, if a high profile biosecurity breach or unauthorized release of a biological agent occurs within our industry, our customers and potential customers may lose trust in the security of the laboratory environments in which we produce genetically modified organisms and materials, even if we are not directly affected. Any adverse effect resulting from such a release, by us or others, could have a material adverse effect on the public acceptance of products from engineered cells and our business and financial condition. Such a release could result in increased regulatory scrutiny of our facilities, platform, and programs, and could require us to implement additional costly measures to maintain our regulatory permits, licenses, authorizations and approvals. To the extent such regulatory scrutiny or changes impact our ability to execute on existing or new programs for our customers, or make doing so more costly or difficult, our business, financial condition, or results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, we could have exposure to liability for any resulting harm, as well as to regulatory actions, litigation, investigations, remediation obligations, damage to our reputation and brand, supplemental disclosure obligations, loss of customer, consumer, and partner confidence in the safety of engineered cells materials, and organisms, impairment to our business, and corresponding fees, costs, expenses, loss of revenues, and other potential liabilities, as well as, increased costs or loss of revenue or other harm to our business.

We could synthesize DNA sequences or engage in other activity that contravenes biosecurity requirements, or regulatory authorities could promulgate more far-reaching biosecurity requirements that our standard business practices cannot accommodate, which could give rise to substantial legal liability, impede our business, and damage our reputation.

The Federal Select Agent Program (“FSAP”), involves rules administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service that regulate possession, use, and transfer of biological select agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public, animal, or plant health or to animal or plant products. In accordance with the International Gene Synthesis Consortium’s (“IGSC”) Harmonized Screening Protocol for screening of synthetic DNA sequence orders, we follow biosafety and biosecurity industry practices and avoid DNA synthesis activities that implicate FSAP rules by screening synthetic DNA sequence orders against the IGSC’s Regulated Pathogen Database; however, we could err in our observance of compliance program requirements in a manner that leaves us in noncompliance with FSAP or

 

60


Table of Contents

other biosecurity rules. In addition, authorities could promulgate new biosecurity requirements that restrict our operations. One or more resulting legal penalties, restraints on our business or reputational damage could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Third parties may use our engineered cells materials, and organisms and accompanying production processes in ways that could damage our reputation.

After our customers have received our engineered cells materials, and organisms and accompanying production processes, we do not have any control over their use and our customers may use them in ways that are harmful to our reputation. In addition, while we have established a biosecurity program designed to comply with biosafety and biosecurity requirements and export control requirements in an effort to ensure that third parties do not obtain our engineered cells or other biomaterials for malevolent purposes, we cannot guarantee that these preventative measures will eliminate or reduce the risk of the domestic and global opportunities for the misuse or negligent use of our engineered cells materials, and organisms and production processes. Accordingly, in the event of such misuse or negligent use, our reputation, future revenue, and operating results may suffer.

International expansion of our business exposes us to business, regulatory, political, operational, financial, and economic risks associated with doing business outside of the United States.

We currently market our services and deliver our programs, materials, and processes outside of the United States and may market future offerings outside of the United States. We, and our suppliers, collaborators, and customers, currently conduct business outside of the United States. From time to time, our services may include the hiring or secondment of our employees outside the United States at third party facilities or require the hiring or secondment of foreign persons within our facilities. Accordingly, we are subject to a variety of risks inherent in doing business internationally, and our exposure to these risks will increase as we continue to expand our operations and customer base. These risks include:

 

   

political, social and economic instability;

 

   

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

   

higher levels of credit risk, corruption, and payment fraud;

 

   

enhanced difficulties of integrating any foreign acquisitions;

 

   

increased expenses and diversion of our management’s attention from advancing programs;

 

   

regulations that might add difficulties in repatriating cash earned outside the United States and otherwise prevent us from freely moving cash;

 

   

import and export controls and restrictions and changes in trade regulations;

 

   

compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and similar laws in other jurisdictions;

 

   

multiple, conflicting and changing laws and regulations such as privacy, security and data use regulations, tax laws, tariffs, trade regulations, economic sanctions and embargoes, employment laws, anti-corruption laws, regulatory requirements, reimbursement or payor regimes and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses;

 

   

failure by us, our collaborators or our customers to obtain regulatory clearance, authorization or approval for the use of our services in various countries;

 

   

additional potentially relevant third-party patent rights;

 

   

complexities and difficulties in obtaining intellectual property protection and enforcing our intellectual property;

 

   

difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, including difficulties related to the increased operations, travel, infrastructure and legal compliance costs associated with international locations;

 

61


Table of Contents
   

logistics and regulations associated with shipping chemicals, biomaterials and product samples, including infrastructure conditions and transportation delays;

 

   

financial risks, such as longer payment cycles, difficulty collecting accounts receivable, the impact of local and regional financial crises, on demand and payment for our products and exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

natural disasters, political and economic instability, including wars, terrorism and political unrest, the outbreak of disease, or public health epidemics, such as COVID-19, which could have an adverse impact on our employees, contractors, customers, partners, travel and the global economy;

 

   

breakdowns in infrastructure, utilities and other services;

 

   

boycotts, curtailment of trade and other business restrictions; and

 

   

the other risks and uncertainties described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Additionally, as part of our growth strategy, we will continue to evaluate potential opportunities for international expansion. Operating in international markets requires significant resources and management attention and will subject us to regulatory, economic and political risks in addition to those we face in the United States. However, our international expansion efforts may not be successful, which could limit the size of our market or the ability to provide services or programs internationally.

In addition, due to potential costs from any international expansion efforts and potentially higher supplier costs outside of the United States, our international operations may operate with a lower margin profile. As a result, our margins may fluctuate as we expand our operations and customer base internationally.

Any of these factors could significantly harm our future international expansion and operations and, consequently, our revenue and results of operations.

Our ability to enter into a definitive agreement with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and our overall level of indebtedness could adversely affect liquidity and have an adverse effect on our valuation, operations and business.

On November 25, 2020, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”) announced its approval to extend a loan of up to $1.1 billion to us to aid in the expansion of our commercial biosecurity offering at a global scale, contingent on our entering into a definitive loan agreement with DFC. In the event we finalize and enter into an agreement and accept a loan from the DFC, we may be subject to negative covenants limiting our ability to enter into certain transactions or incur indebtedness. We may also be required to maintain a leverage ratio and other financial metrics within certain limits. Incurring indebtedness could increase our vulnerability to sustained, adverse macroeconomic weakness and limit our ability to obtain further financing. Alternatively, if we do not enter into an agreement and accept a loan from the DFC, we may not have access to capital sufficient to scale our facilities and capabilities to the extent necessary to be competitive in the biosecurity market.

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Customers

We rely on our customers to develop, produce and manufacture products using the engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes that we develop. If these initiatives by our customers are not successful or do not achieve commercial success, or if our customers discontinue their development, production and manufacturing efforts using our engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes, our future financial position may be adversely impacted.

We operate as a platform company. As such, we largely rely on our customers to commercialize products that may be enabled by our engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes. A portion of the value in our customer collaborations is earned through downstream value sharing in the form of equity, royalty streams, or milestone payments. If our customers are not successful in bringing these products to market, the downstream

 

62


Table of Contents

portion of our value will be adversely impacted. Because we do not directly control manufacturing, product or downstream process development or commercialization, we have limited ability to impact the quality of our partners’ production processes and ultimate commercial success.

In addition, our customers may simply choose not to develop or commercialize a product we have enabled in which we are entitled to downstream value sharing. In our current relationships, we would have limited or no recourse to find alternative methods to monetize these products without the original customer. Because this industry is still nascent and the regulatory environment is evolving, we have limited historical information on the probability of commercial success for bioengineered products or biomanufacturing processes in the market and have limited ability to underwrite the likelihood that our customers will be able to create valuable products or processes in their market using the results of their programs with us. If we overestimate the probability of commercial success, the price of New Ginkgo common stock may be adversely impacted as a result of lower expectations for future cash flows from customer collaborations.

Our revenue is concentrated in a limited number of customers, some of which are related parties, and our revenue, results of operations, cash flows and reputation in the marketplace may suffer upon the loss of a significant customer.

We have derived, and may continue to derive, a significant portion of our revenue from a limited number of large customers. During the year ended December 31, 2020, two customers, Motif FoodWorks, Inc. and Genomatica, Inc., each represented more than 10% of our total revenue and cumulatively represented 39.4% of our total revenue. Due to the significant time required to acquire new customers, to plan and develop new programs for customers, and to satisfactorily execute on existing programs, the loss of one or both of these customers, or the loss of any other significant customer or a significant reduction in the amount of demand from a significant customer would adversely affect our revenue, results of operations, cash flows and reputation in the marketplace. There is always a risk that existing customers will not elect to do business with us in the future or will experience financial difficulties. If our customers experience financial difficulties or business reversals which reduce or eliminate the need for our services, they may be unable or unwilling to fulfill their contracts with us. There is also the risk that our customers will attempt to impose new or additional requirements on us that reduce the profitability of the services performed by Ginkgo. Our customer concentration also increases the concentration of our accounts receivable and our exposure to payment defaults by key customers, which could expose us to substantial and potentially unrecoverable costs if we do not receive payment from key customers. Additionally, the loss of any significant customer could pose reputational harm to Ginkgo and make it more challenging to acquire new customers.

In addition, while our customer collaborations are typically multi-year, we generally do not require our customers to generate a minimum amount of annual demand and without such contracts, our customers are not obligated to use our services beyond the amounts they choose to incur. Our customers may choose to use less of our services depending on program progress, their own technological capabilities, market demand for their products and/or their own internal budget cycles. As a result, we cannot accurately predict our customers’ decisions to reduce or cease utilizing our services. Even where we enter into long-term contracts with our customers, there is no guarantee that such agreements will be negotiated on terms that are commercially favorable to us in the long-term. In addition, existing customers may choose to perform some or all of the services they expect from us internally, with another third-party partner or by using capabilities from acquisitions of assets.

In certain cases, our business partners may have discretion in determining when and whether to make announcements about the status of our collaborations, including about developments and timelines for advancing programs, and the price of New Ginkgo common stock may decline as a result of announcements of unexpected results or developments.

Generally, we and our customers must mutually agree on determining when and whether to make announcements about the status of our collaborations, including developments in our programs and timelines for

 

63


Table of Contents

commercialization of or improvements to products using engineered cells developed using our platform. However, in some cases our customers may report or otherwise may be obligated to disclose certain matters without our consent. Our partners may also wish to report such information more or less frequently than we intend to or may not wish to report such information at all. We or our partners may announce a collaboration or partnership even if there is no guarantee that we will recognize program fees. The price of New Ginkgo common stock may decline as a result of a public announcement of unexpected results or developments in our partnerships, or as a result of our partners not consenting to an announcement or withholding information.

Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the global attempt to contain it may harm our business and results of operations.

The full impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures on our business will depend largely on future developments, including the duration and severity of the pandemic, which remains highly uncertain. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 caused by a novel strain of coronavirus as a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States and around the world. Since then, extraordinary actions have been taken by international, federal, state and local public health and governmental authorities to contain and combat the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 throughout the world. These actions include travel bans, quarantines, capacity limitations at facilities, “stay-at-home” orders and similar mandates for many individuals to substantially restrict daily activities and for many businesses to curtail or cease normal operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and is expected to continue to have, an adverse impact on our operations, particularly as a result of preventive and precautionary measures that we, other businesses, and governments are taking. For example, as part of these efforts and in accordance with applicable government directives, we initially temporarily suspended some programs at our facilities in Boston, Massachusetts in late March 2020. In addition, we began restricting non-essential travel. As a result of the travel restrictions, we limited in-person sales and marketing activities. We have continued to operate within the rules and guidance applicable to our business during the pandemic, including by requiring physical distancing, quarantining our personnel and reducing capacity limits in our facilities; however, a continuing implementation of these restrictions could further impact our ability to operate effectively and conduct ongoing research and development, laboratory operations, sales and marketing activities or other activities or operations.

We have also incurred expenses associated with our efforts to accommodate personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, including costs associated with the provision of COVID-19 testing to our personnel, safety accommodations, providing on-site amenities and enhanced on-site cleaning efforts. During the course of the pandemic, we will continue to incur such expenses associated with our operations.

Governmental mandates and guidelines related to COVID-19, other infectious diseases or public health crises, have impacted and we expect them to continue to impact, our personnel and operations and personnel and operations at third-party facilities in the United States and other countries. The pandemic has caused substantial disruption in global supply chains. These interruptions may require us to suspend operations or delay programs. If we continually delay programs with existing customers, we may be in breach of our contracts with existing customers or customers may decide to cease doing business with us. Difficulties and delays such as those we have experienced and may experience in the future may prevent us from meeting our operating and financial goals, both in general and within our targeted timelines, and may cause our revenues and operating results to fluctuate from period to period.

Our operations rely on the availability of laboratory scientists, engineers and facility, safety, quality and compliance personnel to work on-site. If a critical team member falls ill or needs to quarantine, or if a critical mass of our personnel falls ill or needs to quarantine, we may not be able to continue operations. The COVID-19

 

64


Table of Contents

pandemic has also had an adverse effect on our ability to attract, recruit, interview and hire at the pace we would typically expect to support our rapidly expanding operations, as well as on our ability to build out facilities to accommodate expanding operations. To the extent that any governmental authority imposes additional regulatory requirements or changes existing laws, regulations and policies that apply to our business and operations, such as additional workplace safety measures, our programs may be delayed, and we may incur further costs in bringing our business and operations into compliance with changing or new laws, regulations and policies.

Further, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation efforts on our customers’ and on consumer demand for their products could materially and adversely affect us, particularly to the extent our customers or potential customers experience declines in demand for their goods or services that contain or use our products or services. We may also experience a slow-down in our pipeline of new programs or a termination of existing programs if our customers or potential customers face disruptions during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to sudden change. We are following, and plan to continue to follow, recommendations from federal, state and local governments regarding workplace policies, practices and procedures. We are continuing to monitor the potential impact of the pandemic, including on global supply chains and manufacturing capacity, but we cannot be certain what the overall impact will be on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects on a go-forward basis.

Uncertainty regarding the ongoing demand and/or capacity (including capacity at third party clinical testing laboratories) of our COVID-19 individual and pooled sample tests could materially adversely affect our business.

Our COVID-19 testing programs are subject to inherent risks of commercial viability, such as demand for tests, price or market share erosion due to competition and the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are in a highly competitive market – many companies have launched or are seeking to launch COVID-19 testing products and many of these companies already have an existing commercial and technical infrastructure to market and commercialize such offerings. We have limited experience marketing or commercializing diagnostic or pooled sample testing programs and may not be able to sufficiently support operations with our current base of personnel or recruit enough personnel to effectively commercialize COVID-19 testing programs, particularly during a pandemic, at which time the pipeline for experienced personnel will be in high demand. Moreover, as vaccines for COVID-19 and at-home or over-the-counter COVID-19 tests become more widely available, and as infection rates decrease, demand for COVID-19 testing may also decrease.

Our COVID-19 testing business relies heavily on the adoption of pooled testing in schools, and we expect our revenue from pooled sample testing in schools to decrease during the summer months when schools are closed. In addition, schools may be hesitant to adopt COVID-19 testing without positive support from parents or teachers. Although we make test validation results and protocols available to parents and teachers, they may not trust the accuracy of the tests or may have concerns about how the tests are performed, how samples are used or tracked and whether appropriate privacy measures are being taken with respect to individually identifiable health information, including genetic information. The ability for schools to pay for COVID-19 testing relies heavily on the availability of federal, state or local funding for testing. If such funding is not available or if there are restrictions on the use of such funding for our pooled sample test offerings, our COVID-19 testing business may not be commercially viable. In the event a COVID-19 vaccine is approved for children younger than sixteen years of age, the demand for COVID-19 testing in schools could diminish significantly or be eliminated.

Creating the commercial and technical infrastructure to test on a mass scale is expensive. We may also be limited in our ability to scale up based on expense or unavailability of the required materials, equipment, personnel and infrastructure necessary to deliver diagnostic or pooled sample tests on a mass scale. We may not be able to recover our investment expenses with sufficient revenue generated by our diagnostic and pooled sample testing efforts.

 

65


Table of Contents

Our ability to commercialize our testing programs is also subject to regulatory or governmental controls, decisions or actions. If the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services terminates its Declaration Justifying Emergency Use of Medical Countermeasures because the circumstances justifying emergency use no longer exist, or if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) requires premarket approval, clearance or other marketing authorization for the third-party COVID-19 tests that are used in our testing services, we may be unable to market or distribute these COVID-19 tests or generate revenues from our test offerings. We may also experience price erosion if federal or state governments implement price controls.

Finally, the sale of each test is dependent on the supply of the appropriate collection devices authorized for use with the COVID-19 tests we utilize in our testing programs. Disruptions in this supply chain will have a material adverse effect on our ability to sell tests.

Uncertainty regarding the sales and delivery of our COVID-19 individual and pooled sample tests could materially adversely affect our business.

Although we have partnerships with third party clinical testing laboratories to support a high volume of pooled sample testing for COVID-19 nationally, pooled testing has not yet been adopted by all states nor have we established partnerships with clinical testing laboratories in all states. We are continuing to develop processes to scale capacity of COVID-19 pooled sample collection and testing. However, we can give no assurance that we will be able to successfully scale the pooled sample collection and test capacity or that we will be able to establish or maintain the collaborative third party relationships that support such testing capacity. In addition, even if we are able to scale to high volume testing nationwide, there can be no assurance that the testing capacity will be used.

We may be subject to tort liability if the COVID-19 tests we utilize in our testing programs provide inaccurate results.

The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (the “PREP Act”) provides immunity for manufacturers, distributors, program planners, qualified persons, and their officials, agents, and employees from certain claims under state or federal law for a “loss” arising out of the administration or use of a “covered countermeasure” in the United States. Distributors are certain persons or entities engaged in the distribution of drugs, biologics, or devices. Program planners include persons who supervise or administer a program with respect to the administration, distribution, provision, or use of a Covered Countermeasure (as defined in the PREP Act). Covered Countermeasures include security countermeasures and “qualified pandemic or epidemic products,” including products intended to diagnose or treat pandemic or epidemic disease, such as COVID-19 diagnostic tests, as well as treatments intended to address conditions caused by such products. Covered Countermeasures must also be approved, cleared, or authorized for emergency use, or otherwise authorized for investigational use, by the FDA in order to be considered Covered Countermeasures under the PREP Act.

For these immunities to apply, the Secretary of HHS must issue a declaration in cases of public health emergency or “credible risk” of a future public health emergency. On March 10, 2020, the Secretary of HHS issued a declaration under the PREP Act and has issued subsequent amendments thereto to provide liability immunity for activities related to certain countermeasures against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

We act as the authorized distributor of certain third-party COVID-19 tests and collection kits that have received Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) and supervise testing programs for our COVID-19 testing customers. While we believe our test distribution and program planning activities with respect to these programs would be covered under the provisions of the PREP Act, this cannot be assured. Also, there can be no assurance that the U.S. Congress will not act in the future to reduce coverage under the PREP Act or to repeal it altogether.

Furthermore, some of the third-party tests used as part of our pooled testing program are not covered by an EUA and, at this time, we do not believe that such testing services, administration, or program planning related to

 

66


Table of Contents

our pooled testing program will qualify for PREP Act immunity. If product liability lawsuits are brought against us in connection with allegations of harm connected to our COVID-19 testing services, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit our testing services. The PREP Act is a complex law with limited judicial precedent, and thus even for the third-party COVID-19 tests and collection kits used in our testing services that are subject to EUAs, we may have to expend significant time and legal resources to obtain dismissal of a lawsuit on the basis of PREP Act immunity.

If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against claims that our COVID-19 testing services caused injuries and if we are not entitled to immunity under the PREP Act, or the U.S. Congress limits or eliminates coverage under the PREP Act, or if the liability protections under the PREP Act are not adequate to cover all claims, we may incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in decreased demand for our services, injury to our reputation, costs to defend litigation, loss of revenue, and substantial money awards to customers.

We are dependent on our relationships with our telehealth partner to provide healthcare services, and our business would be adversely affected if those relationships were disrupted.

Our contractual relationships with our telehealth partner who provides physician authorization for COVID-19 diagnostic and screening testing may implicate certain state laws in the United States that generally prohibit non-physician entities from practicing medicine, exercising control over physicians or engaging in certain practices such as fee-splitting with physicians. There can be no assurance that these laws will be interpreted in a manner consistent with our practices or that other laws or regulations will not be enacted in the future that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Regulatory authorities, state medical boards of medicine, state attorneys general and other parties, including our telehealth partner, may assert that we are engaged in the prohibited corporate practice of medicine, and/or that its arrangements with its telehealth partner constitutes unlawful fee-splitting. If a state’s prohibition on the corporate practice of medicine or fee-splitting law is interpreted in a manner that is inconsistent with our practices, we would be required to restructure or terminate our relationship with our telehealth partner to bring our activities into compliance with such laws. A determination of non-compliance, or the termination of or failure to successfully restructure these relationships could result in disciplinary action, penalties, damages, fines, and/or a loss of revenue, any of which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. State corporate practice of medicine doctrines and fee-splitting prohibitions also often impose penalties on healthcare professionals for aiding the corporate practice of medicine, which could discourage our telehealth partner from providing services to us.

Risks Related to the Synthetic Biology Industry

Rapidly changing technology and emerging competition in the synthetic biology industry could make the platform, programs, and products we and our customers are developing obsolete or non-competitive unless we continue to develop our platform and pursue new market opportunities.

The synthetic biology industry is still emerging and is characterized by rapid and significant technological changes, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, and evolving industry demands and standards. Our future success will depend on our ability to sign and initiate new programs that address the evolving needs of our customers on a timely and cost-effective basis, to advance existing programs and to pursue new market opportunities that develop as a result of technological and scientific advances. Additionally, our customers may face significant competition or other risks which may adversely impact our business and results of operations.

There are a number of companies in the broader synthetic biology industry, and our future success will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive position with respect to technological advances. Technological development by others may result in our platform becoming obsolete. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to develop proprietary technologies that enable our customers to develop products using

 

67


Table of Contents

our platform in a manner that is either less expensive, faster, superior or otherwise differentiated from what a competitor’s technologies and products might enable. If we are unable to continue to successfully advance our platform or the services it provides at scale, or if our customers are unable to commercialize the products or processes made or improved upon by using our platform, our business and results of operations will be adversely impacted.

Due to the significant lead time involved in launching a new program or developing a new product or process using our platform, our customers are required to make a number of assumptions and estimates regarding the commercial feasibility of a new program, including assumptions and estimates regarding the size of an emerging product category and demand for those end-products and processes which will use our technology, the ability to scale-up manufacturing processes to produce a product on a commercial scale, the ability to penetrate that emerging product category, customer adoption of a downstream product, the existence or non-existence of products being simultaneously developed by competitors, potential market penetration and obsolescence, planned or unplanned. As a result, it is possible that we may commence a new program with a customer who wishes to develop a product or process that has been displaced by the time of launch, addresses a market that no longer exists or is smaller than previously thought, that end-consumers do not like or otherwise is not competitive at the time of launch, in each case, after the incurrence of significant opportunity costs on our part to develop such product. The ultimate success of the products developed by our customers using our services may be dependent on the success of other markets in which we or our customers do not operate in or have knowledge or expertise or which, in each case, may not reach the size anticipated by us or our customers or may be replaced by another emerging product category or eliminated entirely.

The market, including customers and potential investors, may be skeptical of our ability to deliver on programs because they are based on a relatively novel and complex technology.

The market, including customers and potential investors, may be skeptical of the viability and benefits of bioengineered products as well as Ginkgo’s enabling abilities, including our platform and programs, because they are based on a relatively novel approach and the adoption of complex technology. There can be no assurance that our platform and programs will be understood, approved, or accepted by customers, regulators and potential investors or that we will be able to sell our services profitably at competitive prices and with features sufficient to establish demand.

In addition, in order for novel products from our programs to be successfully commercialized, support from the entire relevant supply chain is needed. Relationships with all parts of the supply chain are important in order to gain visibility into market trends and feature and specification requirements and in order to ensure customers are able to successfully manufacture their products, obtain regulatory approval and gain access to key distribution channels. If we are unable to convince these potential customers, their suppliers, or the consumers who purchase products containing or made or developed using engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes, of the utility and value of such products or that such products are superior to the products they currently use, we will not be successful in entering these markets and our business and results of operations will be adversely affected. If potential investors are skeptical of the success of our platform or cell programs, our ability to raise capital and the value of New Ginkgo common stock may be adversely affected.

Ethical, legal and social concerns about genetically modified organisms and genetically modified materials and their resulting products could limit or prevent the use of products or processes using our technologies, limit public acceptance of such products or processes and limit our revenues.

Our technologies and the technologies of our customers involve the use of genetically modified cells, organisms and biomaterials, including, without limitation, genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”) and genetically modified microorganisms (“GMMs”), genetically modified plant or animal cells and genetically modified proteins and biomaterials (collectively, “Genetically Modified Materials”), and their respective products. The use, production and marketing of Genetically Modified Materials, are subject to laws and

 

68


Table of Contents

regulations in many countries, some of which are new and some of which are still evolving. In the United States, the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) are the primary agencies that regulate the use of GMOs, GMMs and potential products derived from GMOs or GMMs or Genetically Modified Materials. If regulatory approval of the Genetically Modified Materials or resulting products is not secured, our business operations, financial condition and our ability to grow as a business could be adversely affected. We expect to encounter regulations regarding Genetically Modified Materials in most if not all of the countries in which our customers may seek to establish production capabilities or sell their products and the scope and nature of these regulations will likely be different from country to country. Governmental authorities could, for safety, social or other purposes, impose limits on, or implement regulation of, the use, production or marketing of Genetically Modified Materials. If our customers cannot meet the applicable requirements in other countries in which they intend to produce or sell their products, or if it takes longer than anticipated to obtain such approvals, our business could be adversely affected.

In addition, public perception regarding the safety and environmental hazards of, and ethical concerns over, Genetically Modified Materials or the processes used to create them, including gene editing or gene regulating technologies, could influence public acceptance of our and our customers’ technologies, products and processes. For instance, certain advocacy groups engage in efforts that include regulatory legal challenges and labeling campaigns for genetically modified products, as well as application of pressure to consumer retail outlets seeking a commitment not to carry genetically modified foods. These groups in the past have pressured retail food outlets and grocery store chains to publicly state that they will not carry genetically modified foods and have pressed food brands to publicly state that they will not use ingredients produced by genetically modified microbes. In addition, certain labeling-related initiatives have heightened consumer awareness of GMOs, which may make consumers less likely to purchase products containing GMO ingredients, which could have a negative impact on the commercial success of our customers’ products and programs. These concerns could result in increased expenses, regulatory scrutiny, delays or other impediments to our programs. The subject of Genetically Modified Materials has received negative publicity, which has aroused public debate. This adverse publicity has led to, and could continue to lead to, greater regulation and trade restrictions on imports of Genetically Modified Materials or their resulting products. In addition, with the acquisition of Dutch DNA, we are expanding into the European Union market, which has increased government regulation and scrutiny over genetically modified products. There is a risk that products produced using our technologies could cause adverse health effects or other adverse events, which could also lead to negative publicity, regulatory action or private litigation. If we are unable to overcome the ethical, legal and social concerns relating to genetic engineering, our programs could face increased expenses, regulatory scrutiny, delays or other impediments to deliver our programs or the commercialization of resulting products and processes.

Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic may increase biosecurity concerns by public and/or governmental stakeholders regarding genetic engineering technologies and risks around engineered viruses, microbes and organisms. Such concerns, restrictions, or governmental restrictions could limit the use of Genetically Modified Materials in our customers’ products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Intellectual Property

Our business could be harmed if we are not able to adequately protect our intellectual property.

Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our proprietary technologies. We protect our proprietary technologies through patents and trade secrets, both of which entail risk. If we are unable to obtain, maintain or protect intellectual property rights related to our technology, or if our intellectual property rights are inadequate, our competitive position, business, financial conditions, results of operations and prospects may be harmed.

 

69


Table of Contents

Risks related to our patents and patent applications.

Because of the volume and nature of our inventions, patent protection may not be practicable, available, or appropriate for some aspects of our proprietary technologies. While we own patents and pending patent applications in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions, these applications do not ensure the protection of our intellectual property. There may be prior art of which we are not aware. Additionally, obtaining, maintaining, defending and enforcing patents is costly, time consuming and complex, and we may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications, or maintain and enforce any patents that may issue from such patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of our technologies before it is too late to obtain patent protection. Although we enter into confidentiality agreements with parties who have access to confidential or patentable aspects of our research and development output, such as our employees, collaborators, consultants, advisors and other third parties, any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose such output before a patent application is filed, thereby jeopardizing our ability to seek patent protection.

Further, pending applications may not be issued or may be issued with claims significantly narrower than we currently seek. Patents for which claims have been allowed may be successfully challenged and invalidated. Unless and until our pending applications issue, their protective scope is impossible to determine and, even after issuance, their protective scope may be limited.

Recent changes in patent law have made patents covering life science inventions more difficult to obtain and enforce. Further legislative changes or changes in the interpretation of existing patent law could increase the uncertainty and cost surrounding the prosecution of our owned patent applications and the maintenance, enforcement or defense of our owned patents. The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (“the Leahy-Smith Act”) included changes that affect the way patent applications are prosecuted; redefine prior art; enable third-party submission of prior art to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) during patent prosecution; and provide cost-effective avenues for competitors and other third parties to challenge the validity of patents at USPTO-administered post-grant proceedings, including post-grant review, inter partes review and derivation proceedings. Thus, the Leahy-Smith Act and its continued implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Other changes in the law may further detract from the value of life science patents and facilitate challenges to our patents. In some cases, we use genetic sequence information from naturally occurring organisms, which may not be patentable. Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have narrowed the scope of patent protection for naturally occurring sequences and for inventions based on the observation and exploitation of natural phenomena. These decisions have weakened the rights of patent owners in certain situations. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has also issued a series of rulings that create obstacles to the patenting of groups of genetic sequences that share functional characteristics, making it more difficult to obtain claims to certain genetic constructs, particularly antibodies. These changes in the law have created uncertainty with respect to the validity and enforceability of patents covering natural and engineered sequences. Depending on future actions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that could have a further material adverse effect on our patent rights and our ability to protect, defend and enforce our patent rights in the future.

Further, the issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its inventorship, scope, validity or enforceability, and our patents may be challenged in the courts or patent offices in the United States and abroad. An adverse determination in any such challenge could result in loss of exclusivity, or patent claims being narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable, in whole or in part. Any of these results could limit our ability to stop others from using or commercializing similar or identical technology to compete directly with us. In addition, if the breadth or strength of protection provided by our patents and patent applications is threatened, regardless of the

 

70


Table of Contents

outcome, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us. Such proceedings also may result in substantial cost and require significant time from our scientists and management, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to us.

The laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States or may apply different rules concerning the assignment of intellectual property rights. Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in certain foreign jurisdictions. We may encounter similar difficulties, particularly as we expand to work with foreign employees and contractors and expand our collaboration activities into foreign markets. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents by foreign holders and, in some cases, do not favor the enforcement of patents at all, particularly patents in the life sciences. This could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business and could be unsuccessful.

Reductions in the scope or enforceability of our patent protection may adversely impact our customers’ ability to commercialize their products and may thus reduce our downstream value from royalties, equity, or commercial milestone payments.

Risks relating to trade secrets and other proprietary information and biomaterials.

Because patent protection may not be available or appropriate for significant aspects of the technology we are developing, our success may depend in large part on our proprietary information, including genetic and other chemical and biological data, processes, know-how, and other trade secrets developed over years of research and development, some of which are embodied in proprietary software. We rely heavily on trade secret protections, especially in cases where we believe patents or other forms of registered intellectual property protection may not be appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. The secrecy of the Company’s trade secrets must be maintained for them to retain their status and protection as trade secrets. While we strive to protect the secrecy of our trade secrets and other proprietary information, including by requiring our employees, customers, consultants, and contractors to enter into confidentiality agreements and instituting multilayered protections covering our digital environment and biomaterials, we may not be able to adequately protect our trade secrets or other proprietary information. We cannot guarantee that we have entered into such agreements with every party that may have or has had access to our trade secrets, biomaterials or proprietary technology and processes. Further, despite these efforts, any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches.

We seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our information by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems, but it is possible that these security measures could be breached. We also rely on systems provided by third parties, which may suffer security breaches or incidents. Such security breaches may be inadvertent or may come about due to intentional misconduct or other malfeasance or by human error or technical malfunctions, including those caused by hackers, employees, contractors, or vendors. It may be difficult or impossible to recover trade secrets or other confidential information once it is hacked, and hackers may operate from jurisdictions that will not cooperate with such efforts. Enforcing any claim that a third party unlawfully obtained and is using any of our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts in some jurisdictions are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets even when a hacker or thief can be identified.

Our competitors may lawfully obtain or independently develop knowledge that is equivalent to one or more of our trade secrets. Were they to do so, we would be unable to prevent them from using that independently developed knowledge. Such a competitor could claim that we had learned the trade secret from them and bring an action against us on that basis. If any of our trade secrets were to be disclosed to or independently developed by a

 

71


Table of Contents

competitor or other third party, our competitive position could be materially and adversely harmed. Moreover, a competitor could file for patent protection covering intellectual property that we have chosen to protect as a trade secret. In such a case, we might be restricted or excluded from using that intellectual property even if we had developed it before our competitor did.

Our facilities hold large collections of microbial strains, cell lines and other biomaterials. Failure to implement adequate controls and protections, failure to implement adequate disposal procedures, unauthorized visitors in the labs, or customers’ failure to adequately protect biological materials can put us and our customers at risk of losing valuable assets through negligence or theft and enabling the use of those lost materials by our competitors. While we believe that we take reasonable measures to protect the security of biomaterials owned by us or our customers, it is possible that our security controls and practices may not prevent unauthorized or other improper access to such genetic material. Any unauthorized access, acquisition, use, destruction, or release of the genetically modified organisms we engineer could result in our having exposure to significant liability under our contracts, as well as to regulatory actions, litigation, investigations, remediation obligations, damage to our reputation and brand, supplemental disclosure obligations, loss of customer, consumer, or partner confidence in the security of our platform, impairment to our business, and corresponding fees, costs, expenses, loss of revenues, and other potential liabilities.

Our customers sometimes provide organisms, genetic material and/or data to us in connection with our collaborations. In the event that we fail to protect customer materials or data or inadvertently use such materials or data for unauthorized purposes, we could be liable to our customers under trade secret laws or contractual provisions.

There could be unintended consequences to the environment generally or the health and safety of our employees or the public as a result of an unauthorized release of genetically modified materials into uncontrolled environments. In addition, if a biosecurity breach or unauthorized release of genetic material were to occur within our industry, our customers and potential customers might lose trust in the security of the laboratory environments in which we produce genetically modified organisms, even if we are not directly affected. Any adverse effect resulting from such a release, by us or others, could have a material adverse effect on the public acceptance of our products and business and our financial condition. Such a release could result in enhanced regulatory activity and we could have exposure to liability for any resulting harm.

Risks relating to ownership of inventions and biomaterials.

Certain of our employees, consultants and contractors were previously employed at universities or other software or biotechnology companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Additionally, some of our consultants or contractors may have ongoing relationships with universities. Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants and contractors do not use the intellectual property of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that these individuals or other contractors have used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of another. Litigation may result from these claims.

While it is our policy to require that our employees, consultants and contractors who may be involved in the development of intellectual property execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to us, we may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who in fact develops intellectual property that we regard as our own. Our intellectual property assignment agreements with them may not be self-executing or may be breached, and we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims they may bring against us, to determine the ownership of what we regard as our intellectual property. Such claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

If we are unsuccessful in litigating any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel, which could have a material adverse effect on our competitive business position and prospects. Such intellectual property rights could be awarded to a third party, and we could be required to obtain a license from such third party to use or commercialize our technology or products, which

 

72


Table of Contents

license might not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if we are successful in prosecuting or defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to our management and employees.

The life science academic and research community has abided by norms of free exchange of biomaterials, but recently, norms have begun to change so that parties may assert ownership and control over biomaterials that they permitted to be freely disseminated in the past. Thus, despite our best efforts to confirm our right to use biomaterials in our possession, we may use organisms that we believe to be free of encumbrance that are, in fact, subject to claims of title by others. In such a situation, litigation may be required to clear title, if it can be cleared at all. Similarly, we may be subject to claims that we have used biomaterials obtained from licensors or repositories for unauthorized purposes, or purposes not consistent with the licensing terms of the providing organization.

Risks related to the vindication or enforcement of our intellectual property rights.

Competitors and other third parties may infringe or otherwise violate our issued patents or other intellectual property. In addition, our patents may become involved in inventorship, ownership, or priority disputes. We may also become subject to claims by collaboration partners that intellectual property or biomaterials that we believe to be owned by us is actually owned by them. Any litigation concerning any of these issues would be expensive, time consuming and uncertain. There can be no assurances that we would prevail in any suit brought by us or against us by third parties, or successfully settle or otherwise resolve those claims. Significant litigation would have substantial costs, even if the eventual outcome were favorable to us, and would divert management’s attention from our business objectives.

Risks related to intellectual property developed under U.S. federally funded research grants and contracts.

Some of our inventions, data, or other intellectual property have been or may be developed during the course of research funded by the U.S. government. The U.S. government may have the right to take title to government-funded inventions if we fail to disclose the inventions to the government in a timely manner or fail to file a patent for the intellectual property within specified time limits. Further, in consequence of our receiving government funding, the U.S. government may have certain rights to intellectual property that we use in our platform or programs pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, as amended (the “Bayh-Dole Act”). Under the Bayh-Dole Act, U.S. government rights in certain “subject inventions” developed under a government-funded program may include a non-exclusive, irrevocable worldwide license to use inventions for any governmental purpose. In some circumstances, the U.S. government may acquire unlimited rights in data we generate. In addition, the U.S. government has the right to require us, or an assignee or exclusive licensee to U.S. Government-funded inventions, to grant licenses to any of these inventions to the government or a third party if the government determines that: (i) adequate steps have not been taken to commercialize the invention; (ii) government action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; (iii) government action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations; or (iv) the right to use or sell such inventions is exclusively licensed to an entity within the United States and substantially manufactured outside the United States without the U.S. government’s prior approval. Additionally, we may be restricted from granting exclusive licenses for the right to use or sell such inventions unless the licensee agrees to comply with relevant Bayh-Dole Act restrictions (e.g., manufacturing substantially all of the invention in the United States) and reporting requirements. In addition, the U.S. government may acquire title in any country in which a patent application is not filed. Certain technology and inventions are also subject to transfer restrictions during the term of these agreements with the U.S. government and for a period thereafter. These restrictions may limit sales of products or components, transfers to foreign subsidiaries for the purpose of the relevant agreements, and transfers to certain foreign third parties. If any of our intellectual property becomes subject to any of the rights or remedies available to the U.S. government or third parties pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act, this could impair the value of our intellectual property and could adversely affect our business.

 

73


Table of Contents

Risks relating to the Nagoya Protocol.

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization is a supplemental agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Protocol is designed to provide for equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Under the Protocol, countries possessing genetic resources (“source countries”) are tasked with setting up procedures and institutional infrastructure for researchers to obtain prior (not post-hoc) informed consent, both from the source country and from any relevant indigenous or traditional communities, for biological research. Many have been slow to adopt workable institutions permitting the rational negotiation of benefit-sharing agreements. Many source countries are now asserting that the use of digital genetic sequence information is subject to the constraints of the Nagoya Protocol or national-level benefit-sharing requirements. It is unclear whether this position will ultimately be adopted or what the implications of such adoption might be. It is unclear what a source country might assert if we used genetic sequences (i) extracted by a third party from a natural resource that was removed from its source country before that source country ratified the CBD or signed the Protocol (ii) extracted by a third party and uploaded to public sequence databases after the source country ratified the CBD; (iii) in a heterologous host organism; or (iv) as a base for further engineering, so that the sequence we use no longer conforms to the natural sequence on which it was based.

We make extensive use of public and proprietary sequence databases to support our work. While we undertake efforts to identify and comply with laws and international protocols relating to the use of genetic resources, the uncertainty surrounding the use of digital sequence information and the lack of workable institutions in many source countries for the efficient negotiation of benefit-sharing agreements may limit our use or cause uncertainty in our use of certain sequences that we obtain from public access databases or natural sources. New financial obligations may arise regarding our use of sequence information. Customers that must certify their compliance with Nagoya Protocol obligations may be reluctant to do business with us unless we engage in expensive and time-consuming benefit-sharing negotiations with source countries of publicly available genetic sequences. These changes could increase our research and development costs and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results.

Risks that we infringe the patents of third parties or must design around such patents.

There may be patents that affect our freedom to operate in certain areas, and we may as a result choose to design around or license such patents from third parties. If we must spend significant time and money designing around or licensing patents held by others, our business and financial prospects may be harmed. We may be restricted from carrying out certain operations in our foundry, or we may be limited in our ability to design new products for our customers. We may become subject to claims by third parties alleging that we are infringing, misappropriating, or otherwise violating their intellectual property rights.

Risks that we may need to engage in intellectual property litigation.

Any litigation arising from any dispute relating to the intellectual property of third parties would be expensive, time-consuming, and uncertain. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in any such dispute. Parties making claims against us might be able to obtain injunctive or other relief, which could block our or our customers’ ability to develop, commercialize and sell products or use our technologies, and could result in the award of substantial damages against us, including treble damages, attorney’s fees, costs and expenses if we were found to have willfully infringed. In the event of a successful claim against us, we or our customers might be required to pay damages and ongoing royalties, and obtain licenses from third parties, or be prohibited from selling certain products or using certain technologies. We may not be able to obtain these licenses on acceptable or commercially reasonable terms, if at all. In addition, we or our customers could encounter delays in product or service introductions while we attempt to develop alternative or redesign existing products or technologies to avoid or resolve these claims. Our loss in any lawsuit or failure to obtain a license could prevent us from using our platform and technologies. Such a loss or failure could materially affect our business. Any litigation pertaining to these issues would have substantial costs, even if the eventual outcome is favorable to us, and would divert management’s attention from our business objectives.

 

74


Table of Contents

Risks relating to protection of our trademarks and trade names.

Our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, diluted, tarnished, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names, which we need to build name recognition among potential collaborators or customers in our markets of interest. At times, competitors may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement, dilution or tarnishment claims brought by owners of other trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations of our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names. Over the long term, if we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks and trade names, then we may not be able to compete effectively and our business may be adversely affected. Our efforts to enforce or protect our proprietary rights related to trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, domain names, copyrights or other intellectual property may be ineffective and could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

General risks relating to litigation.

Any of the risks identified above could result in significant litigation. In addition to the specific litigation-related risks identified above, litigation of any kind carries certain inherent risks. Because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with litigation in U.S. courts, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised in the discovery process. There could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on our share price.

Further, our agreements with some of our customers, suppliers or other entities require us to defend or indemnify these parties if they become involved in infringement claims that target our products, services or technologies, or in certain other situations. If we must defend or indemnify third parties, we could incur significant costs and expenses that could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Intellectual property rights do not necessarily address all potential threats.    

The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations and may not adequately protect our business or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. The following examples are illustrative:

 

   

we may choose not to file a patent in order to maintain certain trade secrets or know-how, and a third party may subsequently file a patent covering such intellectual property;

 

   

others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our owned or licensed intellectual property rights;

 

   

the patents of others may harm our business;

 

   

we might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patents or pending patent applications that we own;

 

   

we might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions; and

 

   

issued patents that we hold rights to may fail to provide us with any competitive advantage, or may be held invalid or unenforceable, including as a result of legal challenges by our competitors.

Should any of these events occur, they could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

75


Table of Contents

Risks relating to in-licenses.

We rely, and expect to continue to rely on, certain services and intellectual property that we license from third parties for use in our operations, platform, products, services and offerings. We cannot be certain that our licensors are not infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others or that our suppliers and licensors have sufficient rights to the third-party technology used in our business in all jurisdictions in which we may operate. Disputes with licensors over uses or terms could result in the payment of additional royalties or penalties by us, cancellation or non-renewal of the underlying license, or litigation. In the event that we cannot renew and/or expand existing licenses, we may be required to discontinue or limit our use of the operations, platform, products, services or offerings that include or incorporate the licensed intellectual property. Any such discontinuation or limitation could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Risks relating to our use of “open-source” software.

We have used “open-source” software in connection with the development and deployment of our software platform, and we expect to continue to use open-source software in the future. Open-source software is licensed by its authors or other third parties under open-source licenses, which in some instances may subject us to certain unfavorable conditions, including requirements that we offer our products that incorporate the open-source software for no cost, that we make publicly available all or part of the source code for any modifications or derivative works we create based upon, incorporating or using the open-source software, or that we license such modifications or derivative works under the terms of the particular open-source license.

Companies that incorporate open-source software into their products have, from time to time, faced claims challenging the use of open-source software and compliance with open-source license terms. We could be subject to similar suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open-source software or claiming noncompliance with open-source licensing terms. While we monitor our use of open-source software and try to ensure that none is used in a manner that would require us to disclose our proprietary source code or that would otherwise breach the terms of an open-source agreement, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful, that all open-source software is reviewed prior to use in our platform, that our developers have not incorporated open-source software into our products that we are unaware of or that they will not do so in the future.

Furthermore, there are an increasing number of open-source software license types, almost none of which have been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, resulting in a dearth of guidance regarding the proper legal interpretation of such licenses. As a result, there is a risk that open-source software licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to market or provide our products and services. If we are held to have breached or failed to fully comply with all the terms and conditions of an open-source software license, we could face infringement claims or other liability, or be required to seek costly licenses from third parties to continue providing our offerings on terms that are not economically feasible, if at all, to re-engineer all or a portion of our platform, to discontinue or delay the provision of our offerings if re-engineering could not be accomplished on a timely basis or to make generally available, in source code form, our proprietary code. Further, in addition to risks related to license requirements, use of certain open-source software carries greater technical and legal risks than does the use of third-party commercial software. For example, open-source software is generally provided without any support or warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement or the quality of the code, including the existence of security vulnerabilities. To the extent that our platform depends upon the successful operation of open-source software, any undetected errors or defects in open-source software that we use could prevent the deployment or impair the functionality of our systems and injure our reputation. In addition, the public availability of such software may make it easier for others to compromise our platform. Any of the foregoing risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

76


Table of Contents

Risks Related to Ginkgo’s Personnel, IT and Physical Infrastructure

Loss of key personnel, including our founders and senior executives, and/or failure to attract, train and retain additional key personnel could delay our cell engineering programs and harm our platform development efforts and our ability to meet our business objectives, particularly given the substantial investment required to train certain of our employees.

Our business involves complex, global operations across a variety of markets and requires a management team and employee workforce that is knowledgeable in the many areas in which we operate. Our future success depends upon our ability to attract, train, retain and motivate highly qualified management, scientific, engineering, information technology, operations, business development and marketing personnel, among others. In addition, the market for qualified personnel is very competitive because of (a) the limited number of people available who have the necessary technical skills and understanding of our technology and products and (b) the nature of our industry which requires certain of our technical personnel to be on-site in our facilities. We compete for qualified technical personnel with other life sciences and information technology companies, as well as academic institutions and research institutions in the markets in which we operate, including Boston, Massachusetts, Cambridge, Massachusetts and Emeryville, California. In addition, as we add international operations, we will increasingly need to recruit qualified personnel outside the United States. However, doing so may also require us to comply with laws to which we are not currently subject, which could cause us to allocate or divert capital, personnel and other resources from our organization, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and reputation. Establishing international operations and recruiting personnel has and may continue to be impacted by COVID-19 travel and operational restrictions. Our senior leadership team is critical to our vision, strategic direction, platform development, operations and commercial efforts. Our employees, including members of our leadership team, could leave our company with little or no prior notice and would be free to work for a competitor. We also do not maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our employees. The departure of one or more of our founders, senior leadership team members or other key employees could be disruptive to our business until we are able to hire qualified successors.

Our continued platform development, growth and commercial success depends, in part, on recruiting and retaining highly-trained personnel across our various target industries and markets with the necessary background and ability to develop and use our platform and to effectively identify and sell to current and new customers. New hires require significant training and, in most cases, take significant time before they achieve full productivity. Our failure to successfully hire and integrate these key personnel into our business could adversely affect our business. To attract top talent, we believe we will need to offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including equity incentive programs, which may require significant investment. If we are unable to offer competitive compensation this may make it more difficult for us to attract and retain key employees. Moreover, if the perceived value of our equity awards declines, it may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain key employees. If we do not maintain the necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience staffing constraints that adversely affect our ability to support our programs and operations.

In addition, some of our personnel are qualified foreign nationals whose ability to live and work in the U.S. is contingent upon the continued availability of appropriate visas and whose ability to work on some of our technologies may require the procurement of appropriate export licenses. Due to the competition for qualified personnel in the key markets in which we operate, we expect to continue to utilize foreign nationals to fill part of our recruiting needs. As a result, changes to United States immigration policies have and could further restrain the flow of technical and professional talent into the United States and adversely affect our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel.

 

77


Table of Contents

Our business and results of operations are dependent on adequate access to laboratory and office space and suitable physical infrastructure, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC and network infrastructure, to conduct our operations. Our headquarters and laboratories are located in a flood zone in Boston’s Seaport District. If we are unable to access enough space or we experience failures of our physical infrastructure, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our business depends on providing customers with technical services. In order to properly conduct our business, we need access to sufficient laboratory space and equipment to perform the activities necessary to advance and complete our programs. Additionally, we need to ensure that our laboratories and corporate offices remain operational at all times, which includes maintaining suitable physical infrastructure, including electrical, plumbing and HVAC, logistics and transportation systems and network infrastructure. We lease our laboratories and office spaces and we rely on the landlords for basic maintenance of our leased laboratories and office buildings. If one of our landlords has not maintained a leased property sufficiently, we may be forced into an early exit from the facility, which could be disruptive to our business. Furthermore, we may continue to acquire laboratories not built by us in order to sufficiently scale and expand our output capacity. If we discover that these buildings and their infrastructure assets are not in the condition we expected when they were acquired, we may be required to incur substantial additional costs to repair or upgrade the laboratories.

Problems in and around one or more of our laboratories or corporate offices, whether or not within our control, could result in service interruptions or significant infrastructure or equipment damage. These could result from numerous factors, including:

 

   

human error;

 

   

equipment failure;

 

   

physical, electronic and cybersecurity breaches;

 

   

fire, earthquake, hurricane, flood, tornado and other natural disasters;

 

   

extreme temperatures;

 

   

flood and/or water damage;

 

   

fiber cuts;

 

   

power loss;

 

   

terrorist acts, including acts of bioterrorism;

 

   

sabotage and vandalism; and

 

   

local epidemics or global pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have timeline obligations to certain customers with respect to their programs. As a result, service interruptions or significant equipment damage in our laboratories could result in difficulty maintaining program timelines for these customers and potential claims related to such failures. Because the services we provide in our laboratories are critical to many of our customers’ businesses, service interruptions or significant equipment damage in our laboratories could also result in lost revenue or other indirect or consequential damages to our customers. We cannot guarantee that a court would enforce any contractual limitations on our liability in the event that one of our customers brings a lawsuit against us as a result of a problem at one of our laboratories and we may decide to reach settlements with affected customers irrespective of any such contractual limitations. Any such settlement may result in a reduction of revenue under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition, any loss of service, equipment damage or inability to meet our service obligations could reduce the confidence of our customers and could consequently impair our ability to obtain and retain customers, which would adversely affect both our ability to generate revenues and our operating results.

Furthermore, we are dependent upon internet service providers, telecommunications carriers and other website operators, some of which have experienced significant system failures and electrical outages in the past.

 

78


Table of Contents

Our customers may in the future experience difficulties due to system failures unrelated to our systems and offerings. If, for any reason, these providers fail to provide the required services, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

Risks Related to Financial Reporting

We rely on our customers, joint venturers, equity investees and other third parties to deliver timely and accurate information in order to accurately report our financial results in the time frame and manner required by law.

We need to receive timely, accurate and complete information from a number of third parties in order to accurately report our financial results on a timely basis. If the information that we receive is not accurate, our consolidated financial statements may be materially incorrect and may require restatement. Although we have audit rights with these parties, performing such an audit could be expensive and time consuming and may not be adequate to reveal any discrepancies in a time frame consistent with our reporting requirements. As a result, we may have difficulty completing accurate and timely financial disclosures, which could have an adverse effect on our business.

We use estimates in determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. If our estimates prove to be incorrect, we may be required to write down the value of these assets or write up the value of these liabilities, which could adversely affect our financial position.

Our ability to measure and report our financial position and operating results is influenced by the need to estimate the fair value of an asset or liability. Fair value is estimated based on a hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. We estimate the impact or outcome of future events on the basis of information available at the time of the financial statements. An accounting estimate is considered critical if it requires that management make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made. If actual results differ from management’s judgments and assumptions, then they may have an adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

We have incurred net losses since our inception and we may never achieve or sustain profitability. Generally, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, net operating losses incurred will carry forward. However, net operating loss carryforwards generated prior to January 1, 2018 are subject to expiration for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As of December 31, 2020, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $347.8 million of which $139.2 million will begin to expire in 2029 and $208.6 million, which will carryforward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2020, we had a total state net operating loss carryforward of $282.8 million, of which $278.3 million will begin to expire in 2029. We have approximately $4.5 million of state net operating losses as of December 31, 2020 that can be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2020, we also had federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $13.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively, which may be available to offset future income tax liabilities. The federal research and development tax credit carryforwards would begin to expire in 2029. The state research and development tax credit carryforwards are not subject to expiration.

Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50% change by value in its equity ownership by certain shareholders over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-ownership change net

 

79


Table of Contents

operating loss carryforwards and other pre-ownership change tax attributes, such as research tax credits, to offset its post-ownership change income or taxes may be limited. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply to limit the use of our state net operating loss carryforwards and other state tax attributes. We have not performed an analysis to determine whether our past issuances of stock and other changes in our stock ownership may have resulted in one or more ownership changes. If it is determined that we have in the past experienced an ownership change, or if we undergo one or more ownership changes as a result of future transactions in our stock, which may be outside our control, then our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be materially limited. As a result, even if we earn taxable income, we may be unable to use a material portion of our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes, which could adversely affect our future cash flows. There is also a risk that regulatory changes, such as suspensions on the use of net operating losses or other unforeseen reasons, may result in our existing net operating loss carryforwards expiring or otherwise becoming unavailable to offset future taxable income. For these reasons, we may not be able to utilize a material portion of our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes even if we attain profitability.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of New Ginkgo common stock.

As a public reporting company, we will become subject to the rules and regulations established by the SEC and NYSE. These rules and regulations will require, among other things, that we establish and periodically evaluate procedures with respect to our internal control over financial reporting. Reporting obligations as a public company are likely to place a considerable strain on our financial and management systems, processes and controls, as well as on our personnel, including senior management. In addition, as a public company, we will be required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act so that our management can certify as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s initial certification under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will be required with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2022. In support of such certifications, we will be required to document and make significant changes and enhancements, including potentially hiring additional personnel, to our internal control over financial reporting. Likewise, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until our first annual report is required to be filed with the SEC following the date we are no longer an emerging growth company. At such time as we are required to obtain auditor attestation, if we then have a material weakness, we would receive an adverse opinion regarding our internal control over financial reporting from our independent registered accounting firm.

To achieve compliance with Section 404 within the prescribed period, we will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, including hiring additional financial and accounting personnel and potentially engaging outside consultants. During our evaluation of our internal control, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We have identified gaps in our internal control environment in the past and cannot provide assurances that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition, or results of operations. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of shares of New Ginkgo common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by NYSE, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

 

80


Table of Contents

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the past. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, our stock price.

Our cash and cash equivalents could be adversely affected if the financial institutions in which we hold our cash and cash equivalents fail.

We regularly maintain cash balances at third-party financial institutions in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit. While we monitor the cash balances in our operating accounts on a daily basis and adjust the balances as appropriate, these balances could be impacted, and there could be a material adverse effect on our business, if one or more of the financial institutions with which we deposit cash fails or is subject to other adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets. To date, we have experienced no loss or lack of access to our invested cash or cash equivalents; however, we can provide no assurance that access to our invested cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial and credit markets.

Risks Related to Governmental Regulation and Litigation

Failure to comply with federal, state, local and international laws and regulations could adversely affect our business and our financial condition.

A variety of federal, state, local and international laws and regulations govern certain aspects of our business. For example, we maintain a registration from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) for the research of certain controlled substances and permits from the Boston Public Health Commission to conduct work with recombinant DNA. Some of our programs or products made or developed using our engineered cells and/or biomanufacturing processes are subject to regulations, including those promulgated by the FDA, DEA or USDA. Products utilized in our COVID-19 testing services are subject to regulations promulgated by the FDA, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and certain state governments. In addition, we are subject to laws relating to, among other things, anti-bribery, insider trading, sourcing of biological materials and data privacy. The legal and regulatory requirements that apply to our business may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another or may conflict with other rules or our practices. As a result, our practices may not comply, or may not comply in the future with all such laws, regulations, requirements and obligations. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with any federal, state, local or international laws, regulations, industry self-regulatory principles, industry standards or codes of conduct, regulatory guidance, orders to which we may be subject or other legal obligations could adversely affect our reputation, brand and business, and may result in claims, proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others or other liabilities or require us to change our operations. We may also be contractually required to indemnify and hold harmless third parties from the costs or consequences of non-compliance with any laws, regulations or other legal obligations.

We may also become subject to increasing regulation in the future as we expand our business. We currently operate a laboratory in California which is subject to a different set of state laws than Massachusetts, including specific laboratory registration requirements. We may also be subject to laws and regulations of the FDA and the states regarding the distribution of COVID-19 tests and test kits in connection with our testing services. We have limited experience operating a business located outside of Massachusetts. As we continue to expand our operations and offerings domestically and globally, we will have to expend significant management and financial resources to maintain compliant practices in those locations. Non-compliance could lead to litigation, which would require substantial management and financial resources.

 

81


Table of Contents

We may incur significant costs complying with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could expose us to significant liabilities.

We use hazardous chemical and biological materials in our business and are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international laws and regulations governing, among other matters, the use, generation, manufacture, transportation, storage, handling, disposal of, and human exposure to these materials, including regulation by governmental regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the EPA. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other costs in the ordinary course of our business in complying with these laws and regulations.

Although we have implemented safety procedures for storing, handling and disposing of these materials and waste products in an effort to comply with these laws and regulations, we cannot be sure that our safety measures will be compliant or capable of eliminating the risk of injury or contamination from the generation, manufacturing, use, storage, transportation, handling, disposal of and human exposure to hazardous materials and/or flammable chemicals. Failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws could subject us to liability and resulting damages. There can be no assurance that violations of environmental, health and safety laws will not occur as a result of human error, accident, equipment failure, contamination, intentional misconduct or other causes. Compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations may be expensive, and the failure to comply with past, present or future laws could result in the imposition of fines, regulatory oversight costs, third party property damage, product liability and personal injury claims, investigation and remediation costs, the suspension of production or a cessation of operations, and our liability may exceed our total assets. Liability under environmental laws can be imposed for the full amount of damages without regard to comparative fault for the investigation and cleanup of contamination and impacts to human health and for damages to natural resources. Contamination at properties we may own and operate and at properties to which we send hazardous materials, may result in liability for us under environmental laws and regulations.

Our business and operations may be affected by other new environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, which may require us to change our operations, or result in greater compliance costs and increasing risks and penalties associated with violations, which could impair our research, development or production efforts and harm our business.

If we fail to comply with healthcare and other governmental regulations, we could face substantial penalties and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our business activities may be subject to regulation and enforcement by the FDA, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office of Inspector General, and other federal and state governmental authorities. Although our offerings are not currently billed to any third-party payor, including any commercial payor or government healthcare program, we may, in the future, submit claims for our COVID-19 testing services to third-party payors, including government healthcare programs. If we submit claims to third-party payors, such activity will expand the scope of federal and state healthcare laws applicable to us.

Federal and state healthcare laws and regulations that may affect our ability to conduct business include, without limitation:

 

   

the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, persons or entities from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or paying any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, lease, order, or arranging for or recommending the purchase, lease or order of, any item or service, for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under federal healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation;

 

82


Table of Contents
   

the federal physician self-referral prohibition, commonly known as the Stark Law, which prohibits a physician, in the absence of an applicable exception, from making a referral for certain designated health services covered by the Medicare or Medicaid program, including clinical laboratory services, if the physician or an immediate family member of the physician has a financial relationship with the entity providing the designated health services. The Stark Law also prohibits the entity furnishing the designated health services from billing, presenting or causing to be presented a claim for the designated health services furnished pursuant to the prohibited referral;

 

   

the federal civil false claims laws, including without limitation the federal False Claims Act (which can be enforced through “qui tam,” or whistleblower actions, by private citizens on behalf of the federal government), and civil monetary penalties laws, which prohibit, among other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, false or fraudulent claims for payment of government funds, or knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay money to the government or knowingly and improperly avoiding, decreasing or concealing an obligation to pay money to the federal government. In addition, the government may assert that a claim including items and services resulting from a violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute or Stark Law constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the civil False Claims Act;

 

   

the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (“EKRA”), which created a new federal crime for knowingly and willfully: (1) soliciting or receiving any remuneration in return for referring a patient to a recovery home, clinical treatment facility, or laboratory; or (2) paying or offering any remuneration to induce such a referral or in exchange for an individual using the services of a recovery home, clinical treatment facility, or laboratory. Unlike the Anti-Kickback Statute, EKRA is not limited to services reimbursable under a government health care program, but instead extends to all services reimbursed by “health care benefit programs”;

 

   

the healthcare fraud statutes under HIPAA, which impose criminal and civil liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, or knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement, in connection with the delivery of, or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services by a healthcare benefit program, which includes both government and privately funded benefits programs. Similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation;

 

   

federal consumer protection and unfair competition laws, which broadly regulate platform activities and activities that potentially harm consumers; and

 

   

state law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, such as anti-kickback, self-referral, and fee-splitting, and false claims laws which may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers and self-pay patients.

Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of available statutory and regulatory exemptions, exceptions, and safe harbors, it is possible that some of our activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. We may face claims and proceedings by private parties, and claims, investigations and other proceedings by governmental authorities, relating to allegations that our business practices do not comply with current or future laws or regulations involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations, and it is possible that courts or governmental authorities may conclude that we or any of our partners have not complied with them, or that we may find it necessary or appropriate to settle any such claims or other proceedings. Any action brought against us for violation of these or other laws or regulations, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s

 

83


Table of Contents

attention from the operation of our business. If our operations are found to be in violation of any federal or state laws described above or any other current or future fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to claims and proceedings by private parties, investigations and other proceedings by governmental authorities, as well as penalties, including significant criminal, civil and administrative penalties, damages and fines, disgorgement, additional reporting requirements and oversight if we become subject to a corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of noncompliance with these laws or regulations, imprisonment for individuals and exclusion from participation in government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as contractual damages and reputational harm. We could also be required to curtail or cease our operations. In addition, if any customers, healthcare professionals we engage, laboratory partners or other entities with whom we do business are found not to be in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to the same criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusion from government-funded healthcare programs. Any of the foregoing could seriously harm our business and financial results.

We may become subject to the comprehensive laws and rules governing billing and payment, noncompliance with which could result in non-payment or recoupment of overpayments for our services or other sanctions.

We may, in the future, submit claims for our COVID-19 testing services to third-party payors. Payors typically have differing and complex billing and documentation requirements. If we fail to comply with these payor-specific requirements, we may not be paid for our services or payment may be substantially delayed or reduced. Numerous state and federal laws would also apply to our claims for payment, including but not limited to (i) “coordination of benefits” rules that dictate which payor must be billed first when a patient has coverage from multiple payors, (ii) requirements that overpayments be refunded within a specified period of time, (iii) “reassignment” rules governing the ability to bill and collect professional fees on behalf of other providers, (iv) requirements that electronic claims for payment be submitted using certain standardized transaction codes and formats, and (v) laws requiring all health and financial information of patients to be maintained in a manner that complies with stringent security and privacy standards.

Audits, inquiries and investigations from government agencies and private insurers and health network partners can occur from time to time in the ordinary course of our business, and could result in costs to us and a diversion of management’s time and attention. New regulations and heightened enforcement activity also could negatively affect our cost of doing business and our risk of becoming the subject of an audit or investigation. Our failure to comply with rules related to billing or adverse findings from audits by government and private payors could result in, among other penalties, non-payment for services rendered or recoupments or refunds of amounts previously paid for such services. We cannot predict whether any future audits, inquiries or investigations, or the public disclosure of such matters, likely would negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and the trading price of our securities. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Governmental Regulation and Litigation—If we fail to comply with healthcare and other governmental regulations, we could face substantial penalties and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.”

We and our laboratory partners are subject to a variety of laboratory testing standards, compliance with which is an expensive and time-consuming process, and any failure to comply could result in substantial penalties.

The third-party laboratories that we partner with are subject to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (“CLIA”). CLIA is a federal law that regulates clinical laboratories that perform testing on specimens derived from humans for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of disease. CLIA requires virtually all laboratories to be certified by the federal government and mandates compliance with various operational, personnel, facilities administration, quality and proficiency testing requirements depending on the level of complexity for which the laboratory is certified. CLIA certification is also a prerequisite to be eligible to bill state and federal healthcare programs, as well as many private third-party payors, for laboratory testing services. Our partner laboratories hold CLIA certifications for

 

84


Table of Contents

high complexity testing, which mandate compliance with various operational, personnel, facilities administration, quality and proficiency testing requirements depending on the level of complexity for which the laboratory is certified. In addition, we hold CLIA Certificates of Waiver and perform certain CLIA-waived tests on behalf of our clients, which subjects us directly to certain CLIA requirements. Sanctions for failure to comply with CLIA requirements may include suspension, revocation, or limitation of a laboratory’s CLIA certificate, as well as the imposition of significant fines or criminal penalties. Any sanction imposed under CLIA, its implementing regulations, or state or foreign laws or regulations governing licensure, or our partner laboratories’ failure to renew a CLIA certificate, a state or foreign license, or accreditation, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition, our partner laboratories and our laboratories holding CLIA Certificates of Waiver are subject to state laws and regulations governing laboratory licensure. Some states have enacted state licensure laws that are more stringent than CLIA. Our ability to successfully deploy COVID-19 testing at large scale may be adversely impacted if our partner laboratories do not maintain the required regulatory licensure and operate in accordance with CLIA standards. In certain markets such as California, New York, and Pennsylvania, we or our partner laboratories may also need to obtain and maintain additional licensure from such states. It is uncertain that our partner laboratories will be granted such licensure and, in such case, we cannot offer testing to patients located in those states, which could limit our ability to offer testing on a wide scale.

It is possible that additional states may enact laboratory licensure requirements in the future, which could further limit our ability to expand our services.

If any of our partners were to lose or fail to obtain or renew their CLIA certifications or state laboratory licenses, whether as a result of a revocation, suspension or limitation, such laboratories would no longer be able to run the COVID-19 tests we offer to our customers, and our ability to successfully deploy a COVID-19 pooled sample testing program nationwide may be adversely impacted.

The testing industry is subject to complex and costly regulation and if government regulations are interpreted or enforced in a manner adverse to us, we may be subject to enforcement actions, penalties, exclusion, and other material limitations on our operations.

We offer COVID-19 testing services by partnering with third-party laboratories, diagnostic test manufacturers and manufacturers of collection kits, which are subject to extensive and frequently changing federal, state and local laws and regulations governing various aspects of our business, including significant governmental certification and licensing regulations. New laws, regulations and judicial decisions, or new interpretations of existing laws, regulations and decisions, may also limit our potential revenues, and we may need to revise our research and development or commercialization programs. The costs of defending claims associated with violations, as well as any sanctions imposed, could significantly adversely affect our financial performance.

We are required to comply with federal and state genetic testing and privacy laws. We have measures in place to collect clinical data and genetic and other biological samples, and disclose test results, from subjects who have provided appropriate informed consents. However, informed consents could be challenged in the future, and those informed consents could prove invalid, unlawful or otherwise inadequate for our purposes. Any legal challenges could consume our management and financial resources.

Current regulations governing the testing services we offer are shifting and in some cases unclear. If regulators apply different regulations to our pooled testing services or interpret the regulations differently than we do, our ability to deploy the services nationwide will be materially adversely impacted. In addition, our laboratory partners may be unsuccessful in validating, or obtaining or maintaining authorizations for, the tests we rely on to provide our COVID-19 testing services. If any third party manufacturers or laboratories offering tests that we use in our testing services are deemed by the FDA or other regulatory authorities to have violated

 

85


Table of Contents

applicable law or if the tests or test components are marketed, processed or distributed in violation of applicable law, we may be subject to enforcement action or litigation, or we may be required to find alternative tests to support our testing services, which could increase our costs and prevent us from successfully commercializing our COVID-19 testing services.

In addition, we are required to comply with applicable FDA regulations with respect to our distribution of certain COVID-19 diagnostic test kits and collection kits, including, for certain kits, compliance with applicable terms and conditions of an EUA. Such conditions may include requirements related to collection of information on the performance of the product, reporting of adverse events, recordkeeping requirements, and labeling and promotional activities. To the extent that we market or promote third-party tests or test kits outside of the uses authorized for these products or in a false or misleading manner, the tests or collection kits could be considered misbranded or adulterated and in violation of applicable law.

Advertising for any of the tests or collection kits we distribute or the testing services we offer is also subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), under the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTC Act”). The FTC may take enforcement action for advertising claims that are not adequately substantiated or that are false or misleading. Violations of applicable FDA requirements could result in enforcement actions, such as warning or “untitled” letters, revocation of EUAs, seizures, injunctions, civil penalties and criminal prosecutions and fines, and violation of the FTC Act could result in injunctions and other associated remedies, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Most states also have similar regulatory and enforcement authority for laboratory testing and distribution of related collection kits. For example, many state laws require us to hold a specific form of license to distribute COVID-19 diagnostic test kits and collection kits into such states. These requirements vary from one state to another and frequently change. Complying with state laws and regulations may subject us to similar risks and delays as those we could experience under federal regulation.

We are subject to federal and state laws and regulations governing the protection, use, and disclosure of health information and other types of personal information, and our failure to comply with those laws and regulations or to adequately secure the information we hold could result in significant liability or reputational harm.

Numerous state and federal laws, regulations, standards and other legal obligations, including consumer protection laws and regulations, which govern the collection, dissemination, use, access to, confidentiality, security and processing of personal information, including health-related information, could apply to our operations or the operations of our partners. For example, HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, and regulations implemented thereunder (collectively referred to as “HIPAA”) imposes privacy, security and breach notification obligations on certain healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, known as covered entities, as well as their business associates that perform certain services that involve creating, receiving, maintaining or transmitting individually identifiable health information for or on behalf of such covered entities, and their covered subcontractors. HIPAA requires covered entities and business associates to develop and maintain policies with respect to the protection of, use and disclosure of protected health information (“PHI”), including the adoption of administrative, physical and technical safeguards to protect such information, and certain notification requirements in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI. If in the future we engage in certain types of standard electronic transactions involving payors, including billing the Medicare or Medicaid programs or commercial health plans, we will be subject to HIPAA as a “covered entity.” We are currently subject to HIPAA as a “business associate” because we perform certain services involving the use or disclosure of PHI on behalf of covered entity customers with respect to our COVID-19 testing service offerings.

Additionally, under HIPAA, covered entities must report breaches of unsecured PHI to affected individuals without unreasonable delay, not to exceed 60 days following discovery of the breach by a covered entity or its agents. Notification also must be made to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights and, in certain circumstances involving large breaches, to the media. Business associates must report

 

86


Table of Contents

breaches of unsecured PHI to covered entities within 60 days of discovery of the breach by the business associate or its agents. A non-permitted use or disclosure of PHI is presumed to be a breach under HIPAA unless the Covered Entity or Business Associate establishes that there is a low probability the information has been compromised consistent with requirements enumerated in HIPAA.

Entities that are found to be in violation of HIPAA as the result of a breach of unsecured PHI, a complaint about privacy practices or an audit by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative fines and penalties and/or additional reporting and oversight obligations if required to enter into a resolution agreement and corrective action plan with HHS to settle allegations of HIPAA non-compliance. HIPAA also authorizes state Attorneys General to file suit on behalf of their residents. Courts may award damages, costs and attorneys’ fees related to violations of HIPAA in such cases. While HIPAA does not create a private right of action allowing individuals to sue us in civil court for violations of HIPAA, its standards have been used as the basis for duty of care in state civil suits such as those for negligence or recklessness in the misuse or breach of PHI.

Even when HIPAA or a state law does not apply, according to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), violating consumers’ privacy rights or failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure may constitute unfair and/or deceptive acts or practices in violation of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The FTC expects a company’s data security measures to be reasonable and appropriate in light of the sensitivity and volume of consumer information it holds, the size and complexity of its business, and the cost of available tools to improve security and reduce vulnerabilities.

Several states have enacted privacy laws governing the use and disclosure of health information, such as the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act; these laws are not preempted by HIPAA to the extent they are more stringent than HIPAA. Such laws and regulations will be subject to interpretation by various courts and other governmental authorities, thus creating potentially complex compliance issues for us and our partners.

Further, in recent years, there have been a number of well-publicized data breaches involving the improper dissemination of personal information of individuals both within and outside of the healthcare industry. Laws in all 50 states require businesses to provide notice to individuals whose personally identifiable information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach. The laws are not consistent, and compliance in the event of a widespread data breach is costly. States are also constantly amending existing laws, and creating new data privacy and security laws, requiring attention to frequently changing regulatory requirements. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”) went into effect on January 1, 2020. The CCPA creates new transparency requirements and grants California residents several new rights with respect to their personal information. Failure to comply with the CCPA may result in, among other things, significant civil penalties and injunctive relief, or potential statutory or actual damages. On November 3, 2020, California voters passed a ballot initiative for the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which will significantly expand the CCPA. Most CPRA provisions will take effect on January 1, 2023, though the obligations will apply to any personal information collected after January 1, 2022. The CPRA will impose additional data protection obligations on covered businesses, including additional consumer rights processes, limitations on data uses, new audit requirements for higher risk data, and opt outs for certain uses of sensitive data. It will also create a new California data protection agency authorized to issue substantive regulations and could result in increased privacy and information security enforcement. The majority of the provisions will go into effect on January 1, 2023, and additional compliance investment and potential business process changes may be required. Similar laws have been proposed or passed in other states, including the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, which will take effect on January 1, 2023. We will need to invest substantial resources in putting in place policies and procedures to comply with these evolving state laws.

As our operations and business grow, we may become subject to or affected by new or additional data protection laws and regulations and face increased scrutiny or attention from regulatory authorities. For example, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which went into effect in May 2018,

 

87


Table of Contents

imposes strict requirements for processing the personal data of individuals within the European Economic Area (“EEA”). Companies that must comply with the GDPR face increased compliance obligations and risk, including more robust regulatory enforcement of data protection requirements and potential fines for noncompliance of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenues of the noncompliant company, whichever is greater. Among other requirements, the GDPR regulates transfers of personal data subject to the GDPR to third countries that have not been found to provide adequate protection to such personal data, including the United States, and the efficacy and longevity of current transfer mechanisms between the EU and the United States remains uncertain. For example, in 2016, the EU and United States agreed to a transfer framework for data transferred from the EU to the United States, called the Privacy Shield, but the Privacy Shield was invalidated in July 2020 by the Court of Justice of the European Union. Further, from January 1, 2021, companies have to comply with the GDPR and also the United Kingdom GDPR (the “UK GDPR”), which, together with the amended UK Data Protection Act 2018, retains the GDPR in UK national law. The UK GDPR mirrors the fines under the GDPR, i.e., fines up to the greater of €20 million (£17.5 million) or 4% of global turnover. The relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union in relation to certain aspects of data protection law remains unclear, and it is unclear how United Kingdom data protection laws and regulations will develop in the medium to longer term, and how data transfers to and from the United Kingdom will be regulated in the long term. These changes will lead to additional costs and increase our overall risk exposure. Currently there is a four to six-month grace period agreed in the EU and United Kingdom Trade and Cooperation Agreement, ending June 30, 2021 at the latest, whilst the parties discuss an adequacy decision. The European Commission published a draft adequacy decision on February 19, 2021. If adopted, the decision will enable data transfers from EU member states to the United Kingdom for a four-year period, subject to subsequent extensions.

Although we work to comply with applicable laws, regulations and standards, contractual obligations and other legal obligations, these requirements are evolving and may be modified, interpreted and applied in an inconsistent manner from one jurisdiction to another, and may conflict with one another or other legal obligations with which Ginkgo must comply. Recently, there has been an increase in public awareness of privacy issues in the wake of revelations about the data-collection activities of various government agencies and in the number of private privacy-related lawsuits filed against companies. Any failure or perceived failure by us or our employees, representatives, contractors, consultants, collaborators, or other third parties to comply with such requirements or adequately address privacy and security concerns, even if unfounded, could result in additional cost and liability to us, damage our reputation, and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We have pursued in the past and may pursue additional U.S. Government contracting and subcontracting opportunities in the future and as a U.S. Government contractor and subcontractor, we are subject to a number of procurement rules and regulations.

We have entered into agreements with governmental entities and contractors in the past to serve as a U.S. government contractor or subcontractor and may do so again in the future. U.S. government procurement contractors and subcontractors must comply with specific procurement regulations and other requirements. These requirements, although customary in U.S. government contracts, could impact our performance and compliance costs, including by limiting or delaying our ability to share information with business partners, customers and investors. The U.S. government has in the past and may in the future demand contract terms that are less favorable than standard arrangements with private sector customers and may have statutory, contractual, or other legal rights to terminate contracts with us for convenience or for other reasons. Generally, U.S. government contracts contain provisions permitting unilateral termination or modification, in whole or in part, at the government’s convenience. Under general principles of government contracting law, if the government terminates a contract for convenience, the government contractor may recover only its incurred or committed costs, settlement expenses and profit on work completed prior to the termination. If the government terminates a contract for default, the government contractor is entitled to recover costs incurred and associated profits on accepted items only and may be liable for excess costs incurred by the government in procuring undelivered items from another source. Any termination for default may also adversely affect our ability to contract with other government customers, as well as our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. In

 

88


Table of Contents

addition, changes in U.S. government budgetary priorities could lead to changes in the procurement environment, affecting availability of U.S. government contracting, subcontracting or funding opportunities, which could lead to modification, reduction or termination of our U.S. government contracts or subcontracts. If and to the extent such changes occur, they could impact our results and potential growth opportunities.

Furthermore, our U.S. government contracts grant the government the right to use technologies developed by us under the government contract or the right to share data related to our technologies, for or on behalf of the government. Under our government contracts, we may not be able to limit third parties, including our competitors, from accessing certain of these technology or data rights, including intellectual property, in providing products and services to the government.

In addition, failure by us, our employees, representatives, contractors, partners, agents, intermediaries, other customers or other third parties to comply with these regulations and requirements could result in reductions of the value of contracts, contract modifications or termination, claims for damages, refund obligations, the assessment of civil or criminal penalties and fines, loss of rights in our intellectual property and temporary suspension or permanent debarment from government contracting, all of which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition. Any such damages, penalties, disruptions or limitations in our ability to do business with the public sector could result in reduced sales of our products, reputational damage, penalties and other sanctions, any of which could harm our business, reputation and results of operations.

We are engaged in certain research activities involving controlled substances, including cannabinoids and other chemical intermediates, the making, use, sale, importation, exportation, and distribution of which may be subject to significant regulation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other regulatory agencies.

We are engaged in certain research activities involving the development of microbes designed to generate cannabinoids, their precursors and other chemical intermediaries, some of which may be regulated as controlled substances in the United States. Controlled substances are subject to state, federal, and foreign laws and regulations regarding their manufacture, use, sale, importation, exportation, and distribution. Among other things, controlled substances are regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (“CSA”) and implementing regulations of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”). The DEA regulates controlled substances as Schedule I, II, III, IV or V substances. Schedule I substances by definition have no established medicinal use and may generally not be marketed or sold in the United States. Schedule I substances are subject to the most stringent controls and Schedule V the least controls of the five schedules, based on their relative risk of abuse.

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant and its derivatives are highly regulated by the DEA and the USDA. Specifically, marihuana, which is defined as all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not, the seeds thereof, the resin extracted therefrom, and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation, is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. However, the term does not include “hemp,” which means the cannabis plant and any part of that plant, including the seeds and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. Thus, depending on the THC concentration of the product, the product may or may not be regulated as a controlled substance. The DEA has historically regulated synthetic cannabinoids similarly to naturally-derived cannabinoids. Consequently, even though our cannabinoids that could be produced from microbes may not be derived from the cannabis plant, the DEA may consider them to be controlled substances subject to stringent regulatory controls.

Regulations associated with controlled substances govern manufacturing, labeling, packaging, testing, dispensing, production and procurement quotas, recordkeeping, reporting, handling, shipment and disposal. These regulations include required security measures, such as background checks on employees and physical control of inventory and increase the personnel needs and the expense associated with development and commercialization of products or product candidates including controlled substances. Regulators conduct

 

89


Table of Contents

periodic inspections of entities involved in handling, manufacturing, or otherwise distributing controlled substances, and have broad enforcement authorities. If we are found to be non-compliant with applicable controlled substance registrations and related requirements, we may need to modify its business activities and/or stop handling or producing the products regulated as controlled substances, and could be subject to enforcement action, significant fines or penalties, and/or adverse publicity, among other consequences.

Various states also independently regulate controlled substances. Though state-controlled substances laws often mirror federal law, because the states are separate jurisdictions, they may separately schedule substances, as well. The failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements could lead to enforcement actions and sanctions from the states in addition to those from the DEA or otherwise arising under federal law.

Changes in government regulations may materially and adversely affect our sales and results of operations.

The markets where we provide our services are heavily influenced by foreign, federal, state and local government regulations and policies. The U.S. or foreign governments may take administrative, legislative, or regulatory action that could materially interfere with our customer’s ability to sell products derived from engineered cells in certain countries and/or to certain customers. The uncertainty regarding future standards and policies may also affect our ability to develop our programs or to license engineered cells to customers and to initiate new programs with our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in U.S. trade policy more generally could trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, which could impose restrictions on our ability to do business in or with affected countries or prohibit, reduce or discourage purchases of our services by foreign customers, leading to increased program costs, increased costs of developing or manufacturing our customers’ products and higher prices for their products in foreign markets. Changes in, and responses to, U.S. trade policy could reduce the competitiveness of our services or our customers’ products, cause our services to be less in demand and our sales to decline and adversely impact our ability to compete, which could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to certain U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws and regulations. We can face serious consequences for violations.

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”), the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S. Travel Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and possibly other anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we do business, both domestic and abroad. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws have been enforced aggressively in recent years. The FCPA and other anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies, their employees, agents, representatives, business partners and third-party intermediaries from corruptly promising, authorizing, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, anything of value to government officials, political parties, or candidates for public office for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or securing an improper business advantage. The UK Bribery Act and other anti-corruption laws also prohibit commercial bribery not involving government officials, and requesting or accepting bribes; and anti-money laundering laws prohibit engaging in certain transactions involving criminally-derived property or the proceeds of criminal activity.

We and our third-party business partners, representatives and agents may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or -affiliated universities or other entities (for example, to obtain necessary permits, licenses, patent registrations and other regulatory approvals), which increases our risks under the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws. We also engage contractors, consultants and other third parties from time to time to conduct business development activities abroad. We may be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of our employees or third parties even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities. We expect our non-U.S. activities to increase over time, which may also increase our exposure under these laws.

 

90


Table of Contents

The FCPA also requires that we keep accurate books and records and maintain a system of adequate internal controls. While we have controls to address compliance with such laws, and will continue to review and enhance our compliance program, we cannot assure you that our employees, agents, representatives, business partners or third-party intermediaries will always comply with our policies and applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible.

Any allegations or violation of the FCPA or other applicable anti-bribery, anti-corruption laws and anti-money laundering laws may result in whistleblower complaints, sanctions, settlements, investigations, prosecution, enforcement actions, substantial criminal fines and civil penalties, disgorgement of profits, imprisonment, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, loss of export privileges, suspension or debarment from U.S. government contracts, adverse media coverage, reputational harm and other consequences, all of which may have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Responding to an investigation or action can also result in a materially significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees.

Significant disruptions to our and our service providers’ information technology systems or data security incidents could result in significant financial, legal, regulatory, business and reputational harm to us.

We are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure, including services licensed, leased or purchased from third parties such as cloud computing infrastructure and operating systems, to operate its business. In the ordinary course of business, we collect, store, process and transmit large amounts of sensitive information, including intellectual property, proprietary business information, personal information and other confidential information. It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of such sensitive information. We have also outsourced elements of our operations (including elements of its information technology infrastructure) to third parties, and as a result, we manage a number of third-party vendors who may have access to our networks or our confidential information.

While we take measures to safeguard and protect this information, threats to network and data security are increasingly diverse and sophisticated. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may also face increased cybersecurity risks due to our reliance on internet technology and the number of our employees working remotely, which may create additional opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. Despite our efforts, training and processes to prevent security breaches and incidents, our information technology systems, servers, and those of third parties that we use in our operations are vulnerable to cybersecurity risks, including cyberattacks such as viruses and worms, phishing attacks and other forms of social engineering, denial-of-service attacks, ransomware attacks, physical or electronic break-ins, third-party or employee theft or misuse, and other negligent actions, errors or malfeasance by employees or other third parties, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with its servers and computer systems or those of third parties that we use in its operations, which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss or corruption of critical data, unauthorized access to or acquisition of health-related and other personal information. In addition, we may be the target of email scams and other social engineering attacks that attempt to acquire personal information or company assets or access to our systems. Despite our efforts to create security barriers to such threats, we may not be able to entirely mitigate these risks. Our third-party service providers face similar risks. Any cyberattack that attempts to obtain our data or assets, including data that we maintain on behalf of its customers, disrupt its service, or otherwise access its systems, or those of third parties we use, or any other security breach or incident, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results, be expensive to remedy, and damage our reputation. We and our third-party service providers may face difficulties or delays in identifying or otherwise responding to any attacks or actual or potential security breaches or security incidents. We may incur significant costs and operational consequences of investigating, remediating, eliminating and putting in place additional tools and devices designed to prevent actual or perceived security breaches and other security incidents, including in response to any actual or perceived incident we may suffer, and substantial costs to comply with any notification or other legal obligations resulting from any security breaches or other security incidents. In addition, any such breaches or incidents, or the perception that they have occurred, may result in negative publicity, and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

 

91


Table of Contents

Although we maintain insurance coverage that may cover certain liabilities in connection with security breaches and other security incidents, we cannot be certain our insurance coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred, that insurance will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms (if at all) or that any insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim.

Governmental trade controls, including export and import controls, sanctions, customs requirements and related regimes, could subject us to liability or loss of contracting privileges or limit our ability to compete in certain markets.

Our programs and technologies are subject to U.S. and non-U.S. export controls. Export authorizations may be required for biotechnology products, technologies, or services to be exported outside of the United States, to a foreign person, or outside of a foreign jurisdiction. Our current or future programs or technologies are, and may in the future, be subject to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). If a program, technology, or service meets certain criteria for control under the EAR, then that engineered cell, production process, resulting product, technology, or service would be exportable outside the United States or to a foreign person or from one foreign jurisdiction to another foreign jurisdiction only if we obtain the applicable export license or other applicable authorization including qualifying for a license exception, if required. Compliance with the U.S. and foreign export laws and regulations and other applicable regulatory requirements regarding the sales, shipment and use of our engineering cells, bioprocesses and other technology may affect our ability to work with foreign partners, affect the speed at which we can introduce new products into non-U.S. markets, or limit our ability to sell programs or services or license technologies into some countries.

Additionally, certain materials that we use in our programs are subject to U.S. import controls. We currently have, and may in the course of business need to procure, certain import authorizations, for example, related to plant pests, chemicals, biological agents and other controlled materials, including from the USDA, EPA and U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Compliance with applicable regulatory requirements regarding the import of such materials may limit our access to materials critical to our development activities or affect the speed at which we can advance new programs.

Our activities are also subject to the economic sanctions laws and regulations of the United States and other jurisdictions. Such controls prohibit certain transactions, potentially including financial transactions and the transfer of products, technologies and services, to sanctioned countries, governments and persons, without a license or other appropriate authorization. U.S. sanctions policy changes could affect our or our customers’ ability to interact, directly and indirectly, with targeted companies or companies in sanctioned countries.

While we take precautions to comply with U.S. and non-U.S. export control, import control and economic sanctions laws and regulations, we cannot guarantee that such precautions will prevent violations of such laws, including transfers to unauthorized persons or destinations, and including inadvertent violations as a result of a misclassification of a product, technology or service under export control laws. Violations could result in our business being subject to government investigations, denial of export or import privileges, significant fines or penalties, denial of government contracts and reputational harm. Any limitation on our ability to export our engineered cells, production processes, resulting products, technology, or services, or import materials critical to our programs would likely adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations or financial conditions.

We are subject to tax laws, regulations and policies of the U.S. federal, state and local governments. Changes in tax laws, as well as other factors, could cause us to experience fluctuations in our tax obligations and otherwise adversely affect our tax positions and/or our tax liabilities. For example, the results of the 2020 presidential and congressional elections in the United States could result in significant changes in tax law that could adversely impact our effective tax rate. In addition, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) has published proposals covering various international tax-related issues, including

 

92


Table of Contents

country-by-country reporting, permanent establishment rules, transfer pricing and tax treaties. Future tax reform resulting from these developments may result in changes that could adversely affect our effective tax rate or result in higher cash tax liabilities. There can be no assurance that our tax payments, tax credits, or incentives will not be adversely affected by these or other initiatives.

We may become subject to lawsuits or indemnity claims in the ordinary course of business, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

From time to time, we may in the ordinary course of business be named as a defendant in lawsuits, indemnity claims and other legal proceedings. These actions may seek, among other things, compensation for alleged product liability, personal injury, employment discrimination, breach of contract, property damage and other losses or injunctive or declaratory relief.

The marketing, sale and use of our services engineered cells, production processes and resulting products could lead to the filing of product liability claims were someone to allege that our services, engineered cells, production processes or resulting products failed to perform as designed or intended or caused injury or other harms. A product liability claim could result in substantial damages and be costly and time-consuming for us to defend.

Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in:

 

   

decreased demand for programs and resulting products;

 

   

loss of revenue;

 

   

substantial monetary payments;

 

   

significant time and costs to defend related litigation;

 

   

the inability to commercialize any products from our programs; and

 

   

injury to our reputation and significant negative media attention.

In the event that such actions, claims or proceedings are ultimately resolved unfavorably to us at amounts exceeding our accrued liability, or at material amounts, the outcome could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, payments of significant amounts, even if reserved, could adversely affect our liquidity position. We maintain product liability insurance, but this insurance may not fully protect us from the financial impact of defending against product liability claims. Any product liability claim brought against us, with or without merit, could increase our insurance rates or prevent us from securing insurance coverage in the future. Additionally, any product liability lawsuit could cause current collaborators to terminate existing agreements or potential collaborators to seek other companies, any of which could impact our business and results of operations.

Our business could be adversely affected by legal challenges to our telehealth partner’s business model.

Certain of our COVID-19 biosecurity offerings rely significantly on healthcare provider orders for testing that are placed on the basis of telemedicine encounters. The ability to conduct telehealth services in a particular state is directly dependent upon the applicable laws governing remote healthcare, the practice of medicine and healthcare delivery in general in such location which are subject to changing political, regulatory and other influences. With respect to telehealth services, state medical boards continue to implement new rules or interpret existing rules in a manner that may limit or restrict the ability of the centers to conduct their business as it has been conducted in the past. Additionally, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, many states enacted waivers and adopted other temporary measures that lifted certain restrictions on out-of-state providers and relaxed licensure requirements to allow greater access to telehealth services during the public health emergency period. At this time, we cannot predict whether these waivers or temporary measures will remain in place after the end of the public health emergency period. Accordingly, we must monitor compliance with laws in every

 

93


Table of Contents

jurisdiction in which we operate, and we cannot provide assurance that government authorities may nonetheless challenge our activities and arrangements with our telehealth partner and consider them non-compliant. Additionally, it is possible that the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine, including remote healthcare, in one or more jurisdictions may change in a manner deleterious to our business. If a successful legal challenge or an adverse change in the relevant laws were to occur, and we are unable to adapt our business model accordingly, our operations as well as the operations of our telehealth partner in the affected jurisdictions would be disrupted, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to our Organizational Structure and Governance

We are not, and do not intend to become, regulated as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”), and if we were deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act following the consummation of the business combination, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

An entity generally will be deemed to be an “investment company” for purposes of the Investment Company Act if:

 

   

it is an “orthodox” investment company because it is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities; or

 

   

it is an inadvertent investment company because, absent an applicable exemption, (i) it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, or (ii) it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 45% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) and/or more than 45% of its income is derived from investment securities on a consolidated basis with its wholly owned subsidiaries.

We believe that we are engaged primarily in the business of providing cell engineering services to customers from across a variety of industries and not in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. We hold ourselves out as a synthetic biology company and do not propose to engage primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Accordingly, we do not believe that we are, or following this Business Combination will be, an “orthodox” investment company as defined in Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act and described in the first bullet point above. Furthermore, we believe that less than 40% of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis after this offering will be composed of assets that could be considered investment securities. Accordingly, we do not believe that we are, or following this Business Combination will be, an inadvertent investment company by virtue of the 40% tests in Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act as described in the second bullet point above. In addition, we believe that we are not an investment company under Section 3(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act because we are primarily engaged in a non-investment company business.

The Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder contain detailed parameters for the organization and operation of investment companies. Among other things, the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder limit or prohibit transactions with affiliates, impose limitations on the issuance of debt and equity securities, generally prohibit the issuance of options and impose certain governance requirements. We intend to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act or otherwise conduct our business in a manner that does not subject us to the registration and other requirements of the Investment Company Act. In order to ensure that we are not deemed to be an investment company, we may be limited in the assets that we may continue to own and, further, may need to dispose of or acquire certain assets at such times or on such terms as may be less favorable to us than in the absence of such requirement. If anything were to happen which would cause us to be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment

 

94


Table of Contents

Company Act (such as significant changes in the value of our programs or a change in circumstance that results in a reclassification of our interests in our programs for purposes of the Investment Company Act), the requirements imposed by the Investment Company Act could make it impractical for us to continue our business as currently conducted, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we were to become inadvertently subject to the Investment Company Act, any violation of the Investment Company Act could subject us to material adverse consequences, including potentially significant regulatory penalties and the possibility that certain of our contracts could be deemed unenforceable.

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, only our employees and directors will be entitled to hold shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock (including shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock granted or otherwise issued to our employees and directors in the future), which shares will have ten votes per share. This will limit or preclude other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the approval of certain employee compensation plans, the adoption of certain amendments to our organizational documents and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval.

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will have ten votes per share, whereas shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock will have one vote per share and shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock will have no voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law). Immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, our Founders will hold in the aggregate     % of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock, our directors and executive officers will hold in the aggregate     % of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock, and our directors and employees (including our Founders and executive officers) will hold in the aggregate     % of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Accordingly, holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock will be able to significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the approval of certain employee compensation plans, the adoption of amendments to our organizational documents and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval. This concentrated voting power will limit or preclude other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of these matters. Holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock may have interests that differ from holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and may vote in a way with which holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock disagree and which may be adverse to the interests of holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock. This concentrated voting power is likely to have the effect of limiting the likelihood of an unsolicited merger proposal, unsolicited tender offer or proxy contest for the removal of directors. As a result, our governance structure and the adoption of the Proposed Charter may have the effect of depriving our stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices and make it more difficult to replace our directors and management. Furthermore, this concentrated voting power could discourage a potential investor from acquiring New Ginkgo Class A common stock due to the limited voting power of such stock relative to New Ginkgo Class B common stock, which could also adversely affect the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

Our multi-class stock structure is intended to preserve our existing founder-led governance structure, to promote employee retention and engagement, to facilitate continued innovation and the risk-taking that it requires, to permit us to continue to prioritize our long-term goals rather than short-term results, to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of our board of directors and its policies, and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of the company, all of which we believe are essential to the long-term success of our company and to long-term stockholder value. We expect to maintain this concentrated voting power among our founders and employees for the foreseeable future, including by issuing additional shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to our employees pursuant to our equity compensation plans following the Closing.

 

95


Table of Contents

Future transfers of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to persons other than an Eligible Holder, or the holder of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock ceasing to be an Eligible Holder, will generally result in those shares converting to shares of Class A common stock on a one-to-one basis, subject to certain exceptions and unless a majority of the independent directors of the New Ginkgo Board determine that such transfer or event will not result in such automatic conversion. Each share of New Ginkgo Class B common stock is also convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock. The conversion of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to New Ginkgo Class A common stock over time will have the effect of increasing the relative voting power of those holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock who retain their shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock in the long term. As a result, the relative voting power of holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock is expected to remain limited for a significant period of time, and it is possible that one or more of the persons or entities holding New Ginkgo Class B common stock could gain significant voting control as other holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock sell or otherwise convert their shares into New Ginkgo Class A common stock. In addition, the conversion of New Ginkgo Class B common stock to New Ginkgo Class A common stock would dilute holders of New Ginkgo Class A common stock in terms of voting power within the New Ginkgo Class A common stock. Because holders of Class C common stock have no voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law), if we issue New Ginkgo Class C common stock in the future, the holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock may be able to significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval for a longer period of time than would be the case if we issued New Ginkgo Class A common stock rather than New Ginkgo Class C common stock in such transactions. See “Description of New Ginkgo Securities” for descriptions of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, New Ginkgo Class B common stock and New Ginkgo Class C common stock and the rights associated with each.

The Proposed Charter will authorize a large number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock for issuance in the future. The future issuance of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock may have the effect of further concentrating voting power with our employees and other Class B shareholders, and could have an adverse effect on the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

Under the Proposed Charter, which will become effective upon the completion of the Domestication in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, we will be authorized to issue 4,500,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock, which are entitled to ten votes per share. We currently intend to issue additional shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock in the future to existing and newly hired employees pursuant to our equity compensation plans. Our authorized but unissued shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock are available for issuance to Eligible Holders with the approval of our board of directors without stockholder approval, except as may be required by the Listing Rules of the NYSE. In addition, our authorized but unissued shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock are available for issuance to persons other than Eligible Holders only with the approval of majority of our Class B Directors. If we issue additional shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock in the future, holders of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, which are entitled to one vote per share, will experience disproportionate voting power dilution relative to economic dilution, and the holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock may be able to significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval for a longer period of time than would be the case if we issued shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Organizational Structure and Governance—Following the consummation of the Business Combination, only our employees and directors will be entitled to hold shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock (including shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock granted or otherwise issued to our employees and directors in the future), which shares will have ten votes per share. This will limit or preclude other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the approval of certain employee compensation plans, the adoption of amendments to our organizational documents and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval.”

 

96


Table of Contents

Under the Proposed Charter, we will be authorized to issue 800,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock, which have no voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law). Any future issuance of New Ginkgo Class C common stock may have the effect of extending voting power in New Ginkgo Class B common stock, and may discourage potential acquisitions of our business and could have an adverse effect on the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

Under the Proposed Charter, we will be authorized to issue 800,000,000 shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock, which have no voting rights (except as required by law). We may in the future issue shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock for a variety of corporate purposes, including financings, acquisitions and investments. Our authorized but unissued shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock are available for issuance with the approval of our board of directors without stockholder approval, except as may be required by the Listing Rules of the NYSE. Because the New Ginkgo Class C common stock carries no voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law), is not convertible into any other capital stock, and is not listed for trading on an exchange or registered for sale with the SEC, shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock may be less liquid and less attractive to any future recipients of these shares than shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, although we may seek to list the New Ginkgo Class C common stock for trading and register shares of New Ginkgo Class C common stock for sale in the future. In addition, because our New Ginkgo Class C common stock has no voting rights (except as otherwise expressly provided in the Proposed Charter or required by applicable law), if we issue New Ginkgo Class C common stock in the future, the holders of New Ginkgo Class B common stock may be able to significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval for a longer period of time than would be the case if we issued New Ginkgo Class A common stock rather than New Ginkgo Class C common stock in such transactions. In addition, if we issue New Ginkgo Class C common stock in the future, such issuances would have a dilutive effect on the economic interests of New Ginkgo Class A common stock and New Ginkgo Class B common stock. Any such issuance of New Ginkgo Class C common stock could also cause the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock to decline.

We cannot predict the effect the multi-class structure of our common stock may have on the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock.

The holding of low-voting stock, such as New Ginkgo Class A common stock, may not be permitted by the investment policies of certain institutional investors or may be less attractive to the portfolio managers of certain institutional investors. In addition, certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multiple-class share structures in certain of their indices. In July 2017, FTSE Russell and S&P Dow Jones announced that they would cease to allow most newly public companies with dual- or multi-class capital structures to be included in their indices. Affected indices include the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600, which together make up the S&P Composite 1500. Under the announced policies, our multi-class capital structure would make New Ginkgo Class A common stock ineligible for inclusion in certain indices, and as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles that attempt to passively track those indices would not invest in our common stock. These policies may depress our valuation compared to those of other similar companies that are included. Because of our multi-class stock structure, New Ginkgo Class A common stock will likely continue to be excluded from certain of these indices, and we cannot assure you that other stock indices will not take similar actions. Given the sustained flow of investment funds into passive strategies that seek to track certain indices, exclusion from stock indices would likely preclude investment by many of these funds in New Ginkgo Class A common stock and could make shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock less attractive to other investors. As a result, the trading price of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock could be adversely affected.

 

97


Table of Contents

Our focus on the long-term best interests of our company and our consideration of all of our stakeholders, including our stockholders, workforce, customers, suppliers, academic researchers, governments, communities and other stakeholders that we may identify from time to time, may conflict with short-term or medium-term financial interests and business performance, which may adversely impact the value of our common stock.

We believe that focusing on the long-term best interests of our company and our consideration of all of our stakeholders, including our stockholders, workforce, customers, suppliers, academic researchers, governments, communities and other stakeholders we may identify from time to time, is essential to the long-term success of our company and to long-term stockholder value. Therefore, we have made decisions, and may in the future make decisions, that we believe are in the long-term best interests of our company and our stockholders, even if such decisions may negatively impact the short- or medium-term performance of our business, results of operations, and financial condition or the short- or medium-term performance of New Ginkgo Class A common stock. Our commitment to pursuing long-term value for the company and its stockholders, potentially at the expense of short- or medium-term performance, may materially adversely affect the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, including by making owning New Ginkgo Class A common stock less appealing to investors who are focused on returns over a shorter time horizon. Our decisions and actions in pursuit of long-term success and long-term stockholder value, which may include our multi-class stock structure, making investments in research and development and our employees, and investing in and introducing new products and services, may not result in the long-term benefits that we expect, in which case our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as the trading price of New Ginkgo Class A common stock, could be materially adversely affected.

 

98


Table of Contents

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTIES TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

SRNG

SRNG is a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. For more information regarding SRNG, see the section entitled “Other Information Related to SRNG.”

Merger Sub

Merger Sub is a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG formed solely for the purpose of effecting the Business Combination. Merger Sub was incorporated under the DGCL on April 30, 2021. Merger Sub owns no material assets and does not operate any business.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. is building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as we can program computers. Ginkgo’s platform is market agnostic and enables biotechnology applications across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to industrial chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo is also actively supporting a number of biosecurity efforts to respond to COVID-19, including vaccine manufacturing optimization, therapeutics discovery, and K-12 pooled testing.

 

99


Table of Contents

THE SPECIAL MEETING

Overview

This proxy statement/prospectus is being provided to SRNG shareholders as part of a solicitation of proxies by the SRNG Board for use at the Special Meeting to be convened on             , 2021 and at any adjournments or postponements of such meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus is being furnished to SRNG shareholders on or about             , 2021. In addition, this proxy statement/prospectus constitutes a prospectus for New Ginkgo in connection with the issuance by New Ginkgo of common stock to be delivered to Ginkgo’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination.

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

The Special Meeting will take place at the offices of White & Case LLP at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 and also be conducted via live webcast starting at             , New York City time, on             , 2021, or at such other date, time and place to which such meeting may be adjourned or postponed, to consider and vote upon the proposals. Shareholders may attend the extraordinary general meeting in person or online, vote, view the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the extraordinary general meeting and submit your questions during the extraordinary general meeting by visiting              and entering your 12-digit control number, which is either included on the proxy card you received or obtained through Continental Stock Transfer  & Trust Company.

Proposals

At the Special Meeting, SRNG shareholders will vote upon:

 

   

the Business Combination Proposal;

 

   

the Domestication Proposal;

 

   

the Governing Documents Proposal;

 

   

the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals;

 

   

the Director Election Proposal;

 

   

the Stock Issuance Proposal;

 

   

the Incentive Plan Proposal;

 

   

the ESPP Proposal; and

 

   

the Adjournment Proposal.

 

THE SRNG BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL AND THE OTHER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING ARE ADVISABLE AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE SRNG SHAREHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

Record Date; Outstanding Shares; Shares Entitled to Vote

SRNG has fixed the close of business on             , 2021 as the “record date” for determining SRNG shareholders entitled to notice of and to attend and vote at the Special Meeting. As of the close of business on             , 2021, there were              SRNG ordinary shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Each SRNG ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share at the Special Meeting.

 

100


Table of Contents

Quorum

A quorum of SRNG shareholders is necessary to hold a valid shareholder meeting. A quorum will exist at the Special Meeting with respect to each matter to be considered at the Special Meeting if the holders of a majority of SRNG ordinary shares are present in person (which would include presence at the virtual Special Meeting) or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting. All shares represented by proxy are counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum.

Vote Required and SRNG Board Recommendation

The Business Combination Proposal

SRNG shareholders are being asked to consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement and thereby approve the Business Combination. You should carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the Business Combination. In particular, your attention is directed to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. The Sponsor and SRNG’s directors and executive officers have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination pursuant to a letter agreement that was executed at the time of the IPO. The Business Combination cannot be completed unless the Business Combination Proposal is adopted by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. Holders of SRNG Class A ordinary shares and SRNG Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, except as required by law.

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL.

The Domestication Proposal

Approval of the Domestication Proposal requires a special resolution, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. In addition, although the Cayman Constitutional Documents indicate that, prior to the Closing, only the holders of Class B ordinary shares will have the right to vote on this proposal, while the holders of Class A ordinary shares will have no right to vote on this proposal, we have nevertheless opted to also submit this proposal to a vote of holders of Class A and Class B ordinary shares, voting together as a single class, and will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of such shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

THE SRNG’S BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE DOMESTICATION PROPOSAL.

The Governing Documents Proposal

Approval of the Governing Documents Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

 

101


Table of Contents

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS PROPOSAL.

The Advisory Governing Documents Proposals

Approval of each of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, each of which is a non-binding vote, requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of at least two-thirds of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposals.

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ADVISORY GOVERNING DOCUMENTS PROPOSALS.

The Director Election Proposal

Approval of the Director Election Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. Under the terms of the Current Charter, only the holders of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares are entitled to vote on the election of directors to our board of directors. Therefore, only holders of the SRNG Class B ordinary shares will vote on the election of directors at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE DIRECTOR ELECTION PROPOSAL.

The Stock Issuance Proposal

Approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE STOCK ISSUANCE PROPOSAL.

The Incentive Plan Proposal

Approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL.

The ESPP Proposal

Approval of the ESPP Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

 

102


Table of Contents

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ESPP PROPOSAL.

Adjournment Proposal

If the chairman of the Special Meeting does not adjourn the Special Meeting, then, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, SRNG shareholders may be asked to vote on a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting, or any postponement thereof, to another time or place if necessary or appropriate (i) due to the absence of a quorum at the Special Meeting, (ii) to prevent a violation of applicable law, (iii) to provide to SRNG shareholders any supplement or amendment to this proxy statement/prospectus and/or (iv) to solicit additional proxies if SRNG reasonably determines that it is advisable or necessary to do so in order to obtain SRNG shareholder approval required to consummate the Business Combination pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the ordinary shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon and who vote at the Special Meeting. The failure to vote, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

THE SRNG BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.

Voting Your Shares

SRNG shareholders may vote electronically at the Special Meeting by visiting                      or by proxy. SRNG recommends that you submit your proxy even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting. If you vote by proxy, you may change your vote by submitting a later dated proxy before the deadline or by voting electronically at the Special Meeting.

If your SRNG ordinary shares are owned directly in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Share Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the “shareholder of record.” If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee or intermediary, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and are considered a “non-record (beneficial) shareholder.”

If you are a SRNG shareholder of record you may use the enclosed proxy card to tell the persons named as proxies how to vote your shares. If you properly complete, sign and date your proxy card, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. The named proxies will vote all shares at the meeting for which proxies have been properly submitted and not revoked. If you sign and return your proxy card but do not mark your card to tell the proxies how to vote, your shares will be voted “FOR” the proposals to adopt the Merger Agreement and the other proposals presented at the Special Meeting.

Your shares will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum if you vote:

 

   

by submitting a properly executed proxy card or voting instruction form by mail; or

 

   

electronically at the Special Meeting.

Abstentions will be counted for determining whether a quorum is present for the Special Meeting.

Voting instructions are printed on the proxy card or voting information form you received. Either method of submitting a proxy will enable your shares to be represented and voted at the Special Meeting.

Voting Shares Held in Street Name

If your SRNG ordinary shares are held in an account through a broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary, you must instruct the broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares by following the instructions that the broker, bank or other nominee provides you along with this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

103


Table of Contents

Your broker, bank or other nominee may have an earlier deadline by which you must provide instructions to it as to how to vote your SRNG ordinary shares, so you should read carefully the materials provided to you by your broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary.

If you do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee or intermediary, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which your bank, broker or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote. In these cases, the bank, broker or other nominee or intermediary will not be able to vote your shares on those matters for which specific authorization is required. Brokers do not generally have discretionary authority to vote on any of the proposals.

Broker non-votes are shares held by a broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary that are present or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting, but with respect to which the broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary is not instructed by the beneficial owner of such shares how to vote on a particular proposal and the broker does not generally have voting power on such proposal. Because brokers, banks and other nominees or intermediaries do not generally have discretionary voting with respect to any of the proposals, if a beneficial owner of SRNG ordinary shares held in “street name” does not give voting instructions to the broker, bank or other nominee for any proposal, then those shares will not be present or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting.

Revoking Your Proxy

If you are a SRNG shareholder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Special Meeting by:

 

   

timely delivering a written revocation letter to the Corporate Secretary of SRNG;

 

   

signing and returning by mail a proxy card with a later date so that it is received prior to the Special Meeting; or

 

   

attending the Special Meeting and voting electronically by visiting the website established for that purpose at                      and entering the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you previously received. Attendance at the Special Meeting will not, in and of itself, revoke a proxy.

If you are a non-record (beneficial) SRNG shareholder, you should follow the instructions of your bank, broker or other nominee regarding the revocation of proxies.

Share Ownership and Voting by SRNG’s Officers and Directors

As of the record date, the SRNG directors and officers and their affiliates had the right to vote                      SRNG Shares, representing approximately 20% of the SRNG ordinary shares then outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. The Sponsor and SRNG’s directors and executive officers at the time of SRNG’s initial public offering have entered into a letter agreement with us to vote “FOR” the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, and “FOR’ the approval of the Domestication Proposal, and we expect them to vote “FOR” the approval of the Governing Documents Proposal, “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of each of the Advisory Governing Documents Proposals, “FOR” the approval of the Director Election Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Stock Issuance Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the approval of the ESPP Proposal and “FOR” the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.

Redemption Rights

Public shareholders may seek to redeem the public shares that they hold, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed Business Combination or do not vote at the Special Meeting. Any public shareholder may request redemption of their public shares for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the

 

104


Table of Contents

Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to fund our working capital requirements (subject to an aggregate limit of $3,000,000) and/or to pay our taxes, divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares. If a holder properly seeks redemption as described in this section and the Business Combination is consummated, the holder will no longer own these shares following the Business Combination.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such holder or any other person with whom such holder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to 20% or more of the shares of the public shares. Accordingly, if a public shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to redeem more than 20% of the public shares, then any such shares in excess of that 20% limit would not be redeemed for cash.

SRNG’s Sponsor will not have redemption rights with respect to any SRNG ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly.

You will be entitled to receive cash for any public shares to be redeemed only if you:

 

   

hold public shares or (b) hold public shares through units and elect to separate your units into the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the public shares; and

 

   

prior to                 , New York City time, on                     , 2021, (a) submit a written request, including the legal name, phone number and address of the beneficial owner of the shares for which redemption is requested, to the transfer agent that SRNG redeem your public shares for cash and (b) deliver your public shares to the transfer agent, physically or electronically through DTC.

The redemption rights include the requirement that a holder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial holder and provide its legal name, phone number and address to the transfer agent in order to validly redeem its shares. If you hold the shares in street name, you will have to coordinate with your broker to have your shares certificated or delivered electronically. Public shares that have not been tendered (either physically or electronically) in accordance with these procedures will not be redeemed for cash. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $80 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming public shareholder. In the event the proposed Business Combination is not consummated this may result in an additional cost to shareholders for the return of their public shares.

Holders of units must elect to separate the underlying public shares and public warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the public shares. If holders hold their units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their broker or bank that they elect to separate the units into the underlying public shares and public warrants, or if a holder holds units registered in its own name, the holder must contact the transfer agent, directly and instruct them to do so.

Any request to redeem public shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for submitting redemption requests and thereafter, with SRNG’s consent, until the Closing. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivers its certificate in connection with an election of its redemption and subsequently decides prior to the deadline for submitting redemption requests not to elect to exercise such rights, it may simply request that SRNG instruct the transfer agent to return the certificate (physically or electronically). The holder can make such request by contacting the transfer agent, at the address or email address listed in this proxy statement/prospectus.

If the Business Combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights will not be entitled to redeem their shares. In such case, SRNG will promptly return any public shares previously delivered by public holders.

 

105


Table of Contents

For illustrative purposes, the cash held in the Trust Account on July 15, 2021 was $1,725,028,960.73 or approximately $10.00 per public share. Prior to exercising redemption rights, public shareholders should verify the market price of SRNG ordinary shares as they may receive higher proceeds from the sale of their SRNG ordinary shares in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price. SRNG cannot assure its shareholders that they will be able to sell their SRNG ordinary shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when its shareholders wish to sell their shares.

If a public shareholder exercises its redemption rights, then it will be exchanging its redeemed public shares for cash and will no longer own those public shares. You will be entitled to receive cash for your public shares only if you properly exercise your right to redeem your public shares and deliver your share certificates (if any) along with the redemption forms (as applicable) (either physically or electronically) to the transfer agent, in each case prior to             , New York City time, on             , 2021, the deadline for submitting redemption requests, and the Business Combination is consummated.

Immediately following the Closing, New Ginkgo will pay public shareholders who properly exercised their redemption rights in respect of their public shares.

Appraisal Rights

Neither SRNG shareholders nor SRNG warrant holders have appraisal rights in connection with the Business Combination under Cayman Islands law.

Potential Purchases of Shares and/or Public Warrants

At any time prior to the Special Meeting, during a period when they are not then aware of any material nonpublic information regarding SRNG or its securities, the Sponsor, Ginkgo and/or its affiliates, subject to applicable law, may purchase shares and/or warrants from investors, or they may enter into transactions with such investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire SRNG ordinary shares or vote their SRNG ordinary shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. The purpose of such share purchases and other transactions would be to increase the likelihood that the proposals presented for approval at the Special Meeting are approved. Any such stock purchases and other transactions may thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the Business Combination. This may result in the completion of our Business Combination in a way that may not otherwise have been possible. While the exact nature of any such incentives has not been determined as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, they might include, without limitation, arrangements to protect such investors or holders against potential loss in value of their shares, including the granting of put options and the transfer to such investors or holders of shares or rights owned by the Sponsor shareholders for nominal value.

Costs of Solicitation

SRNG will bear the cost of soliciting proxies from SRNG shareholders.

SRNG will solicit proxies by mail. In addition, the directors, officers and employees of SRNG may solicit proxies from SRNG shareholders by telephone, electronic communication, or in person, but will not receive any additional compensation for their services. SRNG will make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for forwarding proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of SRNG Shares held of record by those persons and will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in forwarding such proxy solicitation materials.

SRNG has engaged a professional proxy solicitation firm, Morrow, to assist in soliciting proxies for the Special Meeting. SRNG has agreed to pay Morrow a fee of $                    , plus disbursements. SRNG will reimburse Morrow for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify Morrow and its affiliates against

 

106


Table of Contents

certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. SRNG will also reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of our ordinary shares for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of our ordinary shares and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. SRNG’s management team may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.

Other Business

SRNG is not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Special Meeting. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the Special Meeting, the proxies will have discretion to vote or act on those matters according to their best judgment and they intend to vote the shares as the SRNG Board may recommend.

Attendance

Only SRNG shareholders on the record date or persons holding a written proxy for any shareholder or account of SRNG as of the record date may attend the Special Meeting. The Special Meeting will be held at the offices of White & Case LLP at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 and in a virtual format at             . You will not be able to attend the Special Meeting physically. If you hold your SRNG Shares in your name as a shareholder of record and you wish to attend the Special Meeting, please visit              and enter the control number found on your proxy card. If your SRNG ordinary shares are held in “street name” in a brokerage account or by a bank, broker or other holder of record and you wish to attend the Special Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the bank, broker or other holder of record in order to vote your shares electronically at the Special Meeting.

Assistance

If you need assistance in completing your proxy card or have questions regarding the Special Meeting, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC, the proxy solicitation agent for SRNG, by calling (800) 662-5200, or banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400, or by emailing SRNG.info@investor.morrowsodali.com.

 

107


Table of Contents

THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

The SRNG shareholders are being asked to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination. All SRNG shareholders should read carefully this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. You are urged to read carefully the Merger Agreement in its entirety before voting on this Business Combination Proposal.

SRNG may consummate the Business Combination only if all of the condition precedent proposals are approved by the SRNG shareholders present in person (which would include presence at the virtual Special Meeting) or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote thereon.

Structure of the Business Combination

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of SRNG, will merge with and into Ginkgo, with Ginkgo surviving the Business Combination. Upon consummation of the foregoing transactions, Ginkgo will be the wholly owned subsidiary of New Ginkgo (formerly SRNG). In addition, New Ginkgo (formerly SRNG) will amend and restate its charter to be the Proposed Charter and adopt the multi-class stock structure, each as described in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Description of New Ginkgo Securities.”

Consideration to Ginkgo Equity Holders

The aggregate base equity consideration (the “Aggregate Base Equity Consideration”) to be issued to the then current equity holders in Ginkgo will be a number of shares of New Ginkgo common stock calculated as the (a) sum of (i) $15 billion plus (ii) the aggregate exercise price of each of the Ginkgo options and the Ginkgo warrants that will be assumed by New Ginkgo, plus (iii) SRNG transaction expenses in excess of $108 million, divided by (b) $10.00.

In addition, the holders of Ginkgo common stock, Ginkgo options, Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards and Ginkgo warrants outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination will collectively be entitled to receive the Earn-out Consideration, which is divided into four equal tranches subject to vesting during the Earn-out Period:

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days during the Earn-out Period, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest;

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $17.50 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, an additional 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest; and

 

   

if the trading price per share of New Ginkgo Class A common stock at any point during the trading hours of a trading day is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, the remaining 25% of the Earn-out Consideration will immediately vest.

The consideration to be paid in, or in connection with, the Business Combination in respect of each Ginkgo Class A common stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination (but after the Ginkgo Recapitalization (as described below)) shall be (i) a number of shares of New

 

108


Table of Contents

Ginkgo Class A common stock equal to the ratio (such ratio, the “Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio”) determined by dividing the Aggregate Base Equity Consideration by the aggregate number of shares of Ginkgo common stock (a) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time after giving effect to the Ginkgo Recapitalization (as described below) and (b) that would be issued upon the cash settlement (as opposed to “net settlement”) of all Ginkgo warrants that will be assumed by New Ginkgo, all Ginkgo options that are vested Ginkgo equity awards and all Ginkgo Restricted Stock Unit Awards that are vested Ginkgo equity awards, in each case, that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, if such Ginkgo warrants, Ginkgo options and Ginkgo restricted stock unit awards were exercised or settled in full upon payment of the full cash exercise price immediately prior to the effective time (such number of shares of Ginkgo common stock, the “Fully Diluted Share Count”) and (ii) subject to the Vesting Conditions, a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock equal to the ratio (such ratio, the “Earn-out Exchange Ratio”) determined by dividing the Earn-out Consideration by the Fully Diluted Share Count.

The base consideration to be paid in, or in connection with, the Business Combination in respect of each Ginkgo Class B common stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination (but after the Ginkgo Recapitalization (as described below)) shall be a number of New Ginkgo Class B common stock equal to the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio and, subject to the Vesting Condition, a number of shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock equal to the Earn-out Exchange Ratio.

At the effective time of the Business Combination, each Ginkgo restricted stock award that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination shall be converted into the right to receive restricted common stock of New Ginkgo on the same terms and conditions as applicable to such Ginkgo restricted stock award; except that such New Ginkgo restricted stock award will relate to such number of shares of New Ginkgo common stock as is determined in accordance with the two preceding paragraphs.

At the effective time of the Business Combination, each option exercisable for Ginkgo Class A common stock that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination shall be assumed and converted into a newly issued option exercisable for shares of New Ginkgo Class A common stock (on the same terms and conditions as the original Ginkgo option); except that the number of shares underlying such New Ginkgo option will be the sum of (a) the product of (i) the number of shares of Ginkgo Class A common stock subject to such Ginkgo option multiplied by (ii) the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio and (b) subject to the Vesting Conditions, the product of (i) the number of shares of Ginkgo Class A common stock subject to such Ginkgo option multiplied by (ii) the product of (x) the Earn-out Exchange Ratio multiplied by (y) a discount factor to be determined by Ginkgo in good faith (the “Option Earn-out Exchange Ratio”), and except that the exercise price per share of such New Ginkgo option will be equal to the quotient of (A) the exercise price per share of such Ginkgo option in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination divided by (B) a number equal to the sum of the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio and the Option Earn-out Exchange Ratio (the “Option Exercise Price Exchange Ratio”).

At the effective time of the Business Combination, each option exercisable for Ginkgo Class B common stock that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination shall be assumed and converted into a newly issued option exercisable for shares of New Ginkgo Class B common stock (on the same terms and conditions as the original Ginkgo option); except that the number of shares underlying such New Ginkgo option will be the sum of (a) the product of (i) the number of shares of Ginkgo Class B common stock subject to such Ginkgo option multiplied by (ii) the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio and (b) subject to the Vesting Conditions, the product of (i) the number of shares of Ginkgo Class B common stock subject to such Ginkgo option multiplied by (ii) the Option Earn-out Exchange Ratio, and except that the exercise price per share of such New Ginkgo option will be equal to the quotient of (A) the exercise price per share of such Ginkgo option in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination divided by (B) the Option Exercise Price Exchange Ratio.

At the effective time of the Business Combination, each preferred warrant to purchase shares of Ginkgo capital stock that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Business

 

109


Table of Contents

Combination that is not automatically exercised in full in accordance with its terms by virtue of the occurrence of the Business Combination will be assumed and converted into a warrant exercisable for New Ginkgo Class A common stock on the same terms and conditions in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination, except that the number of shares underlying such New Ginkgo preferred warrant will be the sum of (a) the product of (i) the number of shares of Ginkgo Class A common stock subject to such Ginkgo preferred warrant multiplied by (ii) the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio and (b) subject to the Vesting Conditions, the product of (i) the number of shares of Ginkgo Class A common stock subject to such Ginkgo preferred warrant multiplied by (ii) the Earn-out Exchange Ratio, and except that the exercise price per share of such Ginkgo preferred warrant will be equal to the quotient of (A) the exercise price per share of such Ginkgo preferred warrant in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination divided by (B) the sum of the Base Equity Value Exchange Ratio and the Earn-out Exchange Ratio.

At the effective time of the Business Combination each Ginkgo restricted stock unit award that is outstanding immediately prior to the