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Note 18 - Rights Plan
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Rights Plan Disclosure
18. Rights Plan

In December 2002, pursuant to a rights agreement, we distributed common stock purchase rights to stockholders of record as a dividend at the rate of one right for each share of common stock. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from us one ten-thousandth of a share of common stock at an exercise price of $4.00. Initially the rights are attached to the common stock and are not exercisable. There is one right outstanding for every share of common stock outstanding.

The rights become exercisable and will separate from the common stock ten calendar days after a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of fifteen percent or more of our common stock, or ten business days (or a later date following such announcement as determined by our Board of Directors) after the announcement of a tender offer or an exchange offer to acquire fifteen percent or more of our outstanding common stock.

The rights are redeemable for $.00001 per right at the option of the Board of Directors at any time prior to the close of business on the tenth calendar day after a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of fifteen percent or more of our common stock. If not redeemed, the rights will expire on December 30, 2012. Prior to the date upon which the rights would become exercisable under the rights agreement, our outstanding stock certificates will represent both the shares of common stock and the rights, and the rights will trade only with the shares of common stock.

Generally, if the rights become exercisable, then each stockholder, other than the stockholder whose acquisition has caused the rights to become exercisable, is entitled to purchase, for the exercise price, that number of shares of common stock that, at the time of the transaction, will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the rights. In addition, if, after the rights become exercisable, we are acquired in a merger or other business combination, or fifty percent or more of our assets, cash flow or earning power are sold, each right will entitle the holder to purchase, at the exercise price of the rights, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company that, at the time of the transaction, will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the rights.

The rights plan is intended to improve the ability of our Board of Directors to protect the interests of Unigene and our stockholders in the event of an unsolicited proposal to acquire a significant interest in Unigene.