As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_______________________________________________________
AC IMMUNE SA
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
_______________________________________________________
Switzerland | Not Applicable |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
EPFL INNOVATION PARK
Building B
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
(Address and Telephone Number of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
_______________________________________________________
Christopher Roberts
AC Immune USA, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, Ste 1634
New York, New York 10020
+41 21 345 91 44
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Agent For Service)
_______________________________________________________
Copies to:
Derek J. Dostal
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 450-4000
_______________________________________________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please 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(c) 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 registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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 this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities † or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
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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 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
Explanatory Note
This replacement registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”) of AC Immune SA (the “Company”, or “AC Immune”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) is filed pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and registers an indeterminate number of common shares, such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common shares or debt securities, such indeterminate number of purchase contracts to purchase common shares or debt securities, such number of indeterminable subscription rights to purchase common shares or debt securities and such indeterminate number of units (collectively, the “Securities”) of the Company up to an aggregate initial offering price of $350,000,000, provided that the subscription price shall not be less than the par value of the share(s), $291,893,690 of which was previously offered by the Company and registered on the Company’s prior registration statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-255576) (the “Prior Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act on April 28, 2021 and declared effective on May 5, 2021, and not sold thereunder (“Unsold Securities”). Under Rule 415(a)(5) under the Securities Act, the registration of the unsold Securities under the Prior Registration Statement expires three years after the effective date of the Prior Registration Statement, or on April 28, 2024. Accordingly, the Company is filing this Registration Statement to register the new Securities and cover the Unsold Securities. Any Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with the other Securities registered hereunder.
Under Rule 415(a)(5), the Company may continue to offer and sell the
Unsold Securities during the grace period permitted by Rule 415(a)(5). In accordance with Rule 415(a)(6), effectiveness of this Registration
Statement will be deemed to terminate the offering of the Unsold Securities on the Prior Registration Statement. If the Company sells
any of such Unsold Securities pursuant to the Prior Registration Statement after the date of filing, and prior to the date of effectiveness,
of this Registration Statement, the Company will file a pre-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which will reduce the number
of such unsold securities included on this Registration Statement.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated March 14, 2024
PROSPECTUS
$350,000,000
Common Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units
Subscription Rights
AC IMMUNE SA
(incorporated in Switzerland)
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, common shares, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, units or subscription rights, which we collectively refer to as the “securities.” The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that we may offer and sell under this prospectus will not exceed $350,000,000. We may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in different series, at times, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of each offering. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.
The securities covered by this prospectus may be offered through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers. The names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 30.
Our common shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ACIU.” On March 13, 2024, the last sale price of our common shares as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market was $3.70 per common share. As of March 13, 2024, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common shares held by non-affiliates was approximately $197,151,928 based on approximately 99,197,289 shares of outstanding common shares, of which approximately 53,284,305 shares were held by non-affiliates.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus and, if applicable, any risk factors described in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different or additional to the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any related prospectus supplement we provide to you. We are not making an offer of securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “AC Immune,” “the Company,” “our company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar terms refer to AC Immune SA.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
About This Prospectus | 2 |
Where You Can Find More Information | 2 |
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | 3 |
AC Immune SA | 4 |
Risk Factors | 4 |
Use of Proceeds | 5 |
Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association | 6 |
Comparison of Swiss Law and Delaware Law | 17 |
Description of Debt Securities | 25 |
Description of Warrants | 26 |
Description of Purchase Contracts | 27 |
Description of Units | 28 |
Description of Subscription Rights | 29 |
Plan of Distribution | 30 |
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference | 31 |
Expenses | 31 |
Legal Matters | 32 |
Experts | 32 |
Indemnification of Officers and Directors | II-1 |
Exhibits | II-1 |
Undertakings | II-2 |
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About This Prospectus
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.
Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made under it implies that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information in this prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, including any information incorporated in this prospectus by reference, the accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by us, is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any other date.
Where You Can Find More Information
We file or furnish certain information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. You may read and copy this information at the following location of the SEC: Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports and other information about issuers like us who file electronically with the SEC. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our managing directors, supervisory directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, product candidates, product pipeline, ongoing and planned clinical studies, including those of our collaboration partners, regulatory approvals, research and development costs, timing and likelihood of success, as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will” and “potential,” among others.
Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. These risks and uncertainties include factors relating to:
· | the success of our and our collaboration partners’ clinical studies, and our and their ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval and to commercialize our active immunotherapies (ACI-35.030, ACI-24.060 and ACI-7104.056), monoclonal antibodies (semorinemab and crenezumab) and diagnostics (Tau-PET tracer PI-2620 and a-syn-PET tracer ACI-12589) and to a lesser extent our preclinical candidates; |
· | the preclinical and clinical safety, efficacy and utility of our product candidates; |
· | the ability of our competitors to discover, develop or commercialize competing products before or more successfully than we do; |
· | our plans to research, develop and commercialize our product candidates; |
· | the identification of serious adverse, undesirable or unacceptable side effects related to our product candidates; |
· | our ability to maintain our current strategic relationships with our collaboration partners; |
· | our ability to protect and maintain our, and not infringe on third parties’, intellectual property rights throughout the world; |
· | our ability to raise capital when needed in order to continue our product development programs or commercialization efforts; |
· | our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; |
· | the acceptance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and applicable foreign regulatory authorities of data from studies that we and our collaboration partners conduct within and outside the U.S. now and in the future; |
· | our foreign private issuer (FPI) status, the loss of which would require us to comply with the Exchange Act’s domestic reporting regime, and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses; |
· | our incorporation in Switzerland, the laws of which govern our corporate affairs and may differ from those applicable to companies incorporated in the U.S.; and |
· | the other risk factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F. |
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AC Immune SA
AC Immune is a leading, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company advancing one of the broadest portfolios focused on pioneering Precision Medicine for neurodegenerative diseases. Our highly differentiated approach integrates novel therapeutics and diagnostics to overcome the fundamental challenge in this therapeutic area – the high number of co-pathologies driving disease development and progression and the urgent need for more tailored therapeutic regimens.
Leveraging our dual proprietary technology platforms, SupraAntigen and Morphomer, we have built a comprehensive pipeline of first-in-class or best-in-class candidates spanning multiple treatment modalities and targeting both established and emerging neurodegenerative pathologies. We are currently advancing 16 therapeutic and diagnostic programs, with one in a Phase 3 and five in Phase 2 clinical trials, targeting five different types of misfolded pathological proteins related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Our pipeline assets are further validated by the multiple partnerships we have established with leading global pharmaceutical companies. We believe our clinically validated technology platforms and multi-target, multimodal approach position AC Immune to revolutionize the treatment paradigm for neurodegenerative disease by shifting it towards Precision Medicine and disease prevention.
We are a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) organized under the laws of Switzerland. We were formed as a Swiss limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) on February 13, 2003 with our registered office and domicile in Basel, Switzerland. We converted to a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) under the laws of Switzerland on August 25, 2003. Our Swiss enterprise identification number is CHE-109.878.825. Our domicile and registered office is in Ecublens, at the École Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne (EPFL) Innovation Park Building B, 1015 Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland. Our common shares were admitted to trading on Nasdaq Global Market on September 23, 2016, and trade under the symbol ACIU.
Our registered and principal executive offices are located in Ecublens, at EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, our general telephone number is (41) 21 345 91 21 and our internet address is www.acimmune.com. Our website and the information contained on or accessible through our website are not part of this prospectus.
Risk Factors
Before making a decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our then most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, and in any updates to those risk factors in our reports Form 6-K incorporated herein, together with all of the other information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances.
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Use of Proceeds
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from future offerings to strategically invest in research and clinical development of current and/or additional pipeline candidates, our technology platforms, working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. Accordingly, we will have significant discretion in the use of any net proceeds. We may provide additional information on the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities in an applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offered securities.
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Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association
The Company
We are a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) organized under the laws of Switzerland. We were formed as a Swiss limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) on February 13, 2003 with our registered office and domicile in Basel, Switzerland. We converted to a Swiss stock corporation (société anonyme) under the laws of Switzerland on August 25, 2003. Our Swiss enterprise identification number is CHE-109.878.825. Our domicile and registered office is in Ecublens, at the École Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne (EPFL) Innovation Park Building B, 1015 Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland.
Share Capital
As of the date of this prospectus, our issued share capital is CHF 2,082,858.10, consisting of 104,142,905 common shares of which 5,243,958 are held as treasury shares, leaving 98,898,947 common shares outstanding with a nominal value of CHF 0.02 each. We have no dividend rights certificates (bons de jouissance).
Articles of Association
On February 26, 2024, we adopted amended articles of association and when we refer to our articles of association, we refer to the articles of association as filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Purpose
Under our articles of association, our purpose is the research, study, development, manufacture, promotion, sale and marketing of products and substances within the pharmaceutical and nutrition industry as well as the purchase, sale and exploitation of patents and licenses in this field. We may engage in any activities which are apt to favor our purpose directly or indirectly. We may also acquire and sell real estate. We may open branch offices in Switzerland and abroad and may also acquire participations in other companies. We may provide securities to our subsidiaries and supply guarantees.
Ordinary Capital Increase, Authorized and Conditional Share Capital
Under Swiss law, we may increase our share capital (capital-actions) with a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders (ordinary capital increase) that must be carried out by the board of directors within three months of the general meeting of shareholders in order to become effective. Under our articles of association, in the case of an increase of capital against payment of contributions in cash, a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast at the general meeting of shareholders regardless of abstentions and empty or invalid votes is required. In the case of the limitation or withdrawal of subscription rights or in the case of an increase of capital out of equity, against contribution in kind, or for the purpose of acquisition of assets and the granting of special benefits, a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders and the absolute majority of the nominal amount of the shares represented is required.
Furthermore, under the Swiss Code of Obligations, the CO, as effective at the time when our current conditional capitals and authorized share capital were voted by the general meeting, our shareholders, by a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders and the absolute majority of the nominal amount of the shares represented, may empower our board of directors to issue shares of a specific aggregate nominal amount up to a maximum of 50% of the share capital in the form of:
· | conditional capital (capital conditionnel) for the purpose of issuing shares in connection with, among other things, (i) the exercise of conversion and/or option or warrant rights granted on a standalone basis or in connection with bonds or similar instruments, issued or to be issued by the Company or by one of our subsidiaries or (ii) the exercise of option rights granted to employees of the Company or a subsidiary, members of our board of directors or any consultant of the Company, or other persons providing services to the Company or a subsidiary; or |
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· | authorized capital (capital-actions autorisé) to be utilized by the board of directors within a period determined by the shareholders but not exceeding two years from the date of the shareholder approval. |
Pre-Emptive Rights
Pursuant to the CO, shareholders have in principle pre-emptive subscription rights (droit préférentiel de souscription). With respect to conditional capital in connection with the issuance of conversion rights, convertible bonds or similar debt instruments, shareholders have in principle advance subscription rights (droit de souscrire préalablement).
A resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders by at least two-thirds of the shares represented and the absolute majority of the nominal value of the shares represented may authorize our board of directors to withdraw or limit pre-emptive subscription rights or advance subscription rights in certain circumstances.
If pre-emptive subscription rights are granted, but not exercised, the board of directors may allocate the non-exercised pre-emptive subscription rights as it elects but has to follow the principle of equal treatment of the shareholders.
Our Authorized Share Capital
Under Article 3a of our articles of association, the board of directors is authorized to increase the share capital, in one or several steps until 24 June 2024, by a maximum amount of CHF 114,000 by issuing a maximum of 5,700,000 registered shares with a par value of CHF 0.02 each, to be fully paid up. An increase of the share capital (i) by means of an offering underwritten by a financial institution, a syndicate or another third party or third parties, followed by an offer to the then-existing shareholders of the Company and (ii) in partial amounts shall also be permissible.
For the currently effective Authorized Share Capital, the board of directors is authorized to determine the time of the issuance, the issue price, the manner in which the new registered shares have to be paid up, the date from which the registered shares carry the right to dividends, the conditions for the exercise of the preemptive rights and the allotment of preemptive rights that have not been exercised. The board of directors may allow the pre-emptive rights that have not been exercised to expire, or it may place with third parties such rights or registered shares, the pre-emptive rights of which have not been exercised, at market conditions or use them otherwise in the interest of the Company.
The board of directors is authorized to withdraw or limit the pre-emptive rights of the shareholders and to allot them to third parties:
· | if the issue price of the new registered shares is determined by reference to the market price (with a customary discount); or |
· | for the acquisition of an enterprise, part of an enterprise or participations, or for the financing or refinancing of any of such acquisition, or in the event of share placement for the financing or refinancing of such placement; or |
· | for raising of capital (including private placements) in a fast and flexible manner which probably could not be reached without the exclusion of the statutory pre-emptive right of the existing shareholders. |
· | As of January 1, 2023, the new Swiss corporate law introducing the capital band mechanism has come into force. It will no longer be possible to renew the Company's current Authorized Share Capital beyond June 24, 2024. Instead, the Company can only introduce the capital band pursuant to Article 653s et seq. of the revised Swiss Code of Obligations which requires an amendment of the Articles by way of a resolution of a duly convened general meeting of shareholders of the Company. Under the capital band mechanism, the general meeting of shareholders can authorize the board of directors at any time within a maximum of five years to increase or decrease the share capital by a maximum amount of 50% of the current share capital. |
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Our Conditional Share Capital
Conditional Share Capital for Financing and Other Purposes
Under Article 3b of our articles of association, our share capital may be increased by a maximum aggregate amount of CHF 100,000 through the issue of a maximum of 5,000,000 common shares, payable in full, each with a nominal value of CHF 0.02, through the optional or mandatory exercise of conversion, exchange, option, warrant or similar rights or obligations for the subscription of shares granted to shareholders or third parties on a standalone basis or in connection with bonds, notes, options, warrants or other securities or contractual obligations of the Company or any subsidiaries of the Company, including convertible debt instruments. Shareholders do not have pre-emptive subscription rights in such circumstances.
Shareholders’ subscription rights are excluded. Shareholders’ advance subscription rights with regard to the new bonds, warrants or similar instruments may be restricted or excluded by decision of the board of directors in order to finance or re-finance the acquisition of companies, parts of companies or holdings, or new investments planned by the Company, or in order to issue convertible bonds and warrants on the international capital markets or through private placement. If advance subscription rights are excluded, then (i) the instruments are to be placed at market conditions; (ii) the exercise period is not to exceed ten years from the date of issue for warrants and twenty years for conversion rights; and (iii) the conversion or exercise price for the new shares is to be set at least in line with the market conditions prevailing at the date on which the instruments are issued. The respective holders of conversion and/or option or warrant rights are entitled to subscribe the new shares.
Conditional Share Capital for Employee Benefit Plans
Under Article 3c of our articles of association, our share capital may, to the exclusion of the pre-emptive subscription rights of shareholders, be increased by a maximum aggregate amount of CHF 91,844.20 through the issue of a maximum of 4,592,210 registered shares, payable in full, each with a nominal value of CHF 0.02, in connection with the exercise of option rights granted to employee of the Company or a subsidiary, members of the board of directors or any consultant, or other persons providing services to the Company or a subsidiary. The board of directors specifies the precise conditions of issue including the issue price of the shares.
Uncertificated Securities
Our shares are uncertificated securities (droits-valeurs, within the meaning of Article 973c of the CO) and, when administered by a financial intermediary (dépositaire, within the meaning of the Federal Act on Intermediated Securities, “FISA”), qualify as intermediated securities (titres intermédiés, within the meaning of the FISA). In accordance with Article 973c of the CO, we maintain a non-public register of uncertificated securities (registre des droits-valeurs). We may at any time convert uncertificated securities into share certificates (including global certificates), one kind of certificate into another, or share certificates (including global certificates) into uncertificated securities. Following entry in our share register, a shareholder may at any time request from us a written confirmation in respect of the shares held by such shareholder, as reflected in the share register.
General Meeting of Shareholders
Ordinary/Extraordinary Meetings, Powers
The general meeting of shareholders is our supreme corporate body. Under Swiss law, ordinary and extraordinary general meetings of shareholders may be held. Under Swiss law, an ordinary general meeting of shareholders must be held annually within six months after the end of a Company’s financial year. In our case, this generally means on or before June 30.
The following powers are vested exclusively in the general meeting of shareholders:
· | adopting and amending the articles of association, including change of a company’s purpose or domicile; |
· | electing and removal of the members of the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the members of the compensation committee, the auditors and the independent proxy; |
· | approving the management report and the consolidated accounts; |
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· | approving the annual accounts and resolutions on the allocation of the disposable profits, and in particular setting the dividend and the shares of profit to board members; |
· | approving the total compensation paid to members of the board of directors and executive management; |
· | resolving the interim dividend and approve the interim account required therefor; |
· | resolving on repaying the statutory capital reserve; |
· | discharging the members of the board of directors and executive management from liability with respect to their tenure in the previous financial year; |
· | dissolving a company with or without liquidation; |
· | resolving to delist the equity securities of the company; and |
· | passing resolutions concerning all matters which are reserved to the authority of the general meeting of shareholders by law or by the articles of association. |
An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders may be called by a resolution of the general meeting, the board of directors or, under certain circumstances, by a company’s auditor, liquidator or the representatives of convertible bond holders, if any. In addition, our articles of association require the board of directors to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if shareholders representing at least 10% of the share capital request such general meeting of shareholders in writing. The amended Swiss corporation law requires the board of directors of a listed company to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if shareholders representing at least 5% of the share capital or of the voting rights so request in writing. Our current articles of association do not yet reflect this amendment in law. Such request to convene an extraordinary general meeting must set forth the items to be discussed and the proposals to be acted upon. The board of directors must convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and propose financial restructuring measures if, based on a company’s stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet, half of the share capital and reserves are not covered by its assets.
Voting and Quorum Requirements
Shareholder resolutions and elections (including elections of members of the board of directors) require the affirmative vote of the simple majority of the votes cast at the general meeting of shareholders regardless of abstentions or empty or invalid votes, unless statutory law or the articles of association state otherwise.
A resolution of the general meeting of the shareholders passed by at least two-thirds of the shares represented at the meeting, and the absolute majority of the nominal value of the shares represented is required for:
· | amending a company’s corporate purpose; |
· | the consolidation of shares, unless the consent of all the shareholders concerned is required; |
· | creating shares with privileged voting rights; |
· | restricting the transferability of common shares; |
· | creating conditional share capital or a capital band; |
· | increasing the share capital out of equity, against contributions in-kind or for the purpose of acquiring assets and granting of special benefits; |
· | limiting or withdrawing shareholder’s pre-emptive subscription rights; |
· | changing a company’s domicile; |
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· | introducing a casting vote for the person chairing the general meeting; |
· | introducing a provision on holding the general meeting abroad; |
· | resolving the delisting of the equity securities of the company; |
· | introducing an arbitration clause in the articles of association; |
· | alleviating or withdrawing of restrictions upon the transfer of common shares and the removal of the voting cap of 33 1∕3% as contained in article 4 of the articles of association; |
· | removing the indemnification provision for the board of directors and executive management as contained in article 29 of the articles of association; |
· | converting common shares into bearer shares and vice versa; |
· | dissolving or liquidating a company; and |
· | amending or eliminating article 17 (resolutions and elections) of the articles of association. |
The same voting requirements apply, subject to mandatory law, to resolutions regarding transactions among corporations (including a merger, demerger or conversion of a corporation) based on Switzerland’s Federal Act on Mergers, Demergers, Transformations and Transfer of Assets, or the Merger Act, see “—Compulsory Acquisitions; Appraisal Rights.”
In accordance with Swiss law and generally accepted business practices, our articles of association do not provide quorum requirements generally applicable to general meetings of shareholders. To this extent, our practice varies from the requirement of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5620(c), which requires an issuer to provide in its bylaws for a generally applicable quorum, and that such quorum may not be less than one-third of the outstanding voting stock.
Notice
General meetings of shareholders must be convened by the board of directors or, if necessary, by the auditors at least 20 days before the date of the meeting. The general meeting of shareholders is convened by way of a notice appearing in our official publication medium, currently the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. Registered shareholders may also be informed by ordinary mail or e-mail. The notice of a general meeting of shareholders must state the items on the agenda, the proposals to be acted upon and, in case of elections, the names of the nominated candidates. Except in the limited circumstances listed below, a resolution may not be passed at a general meeting without proper notice. This limitation does not apply to proposals to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders or to initiate a special investigation. No previous notification is required for proposals concerning items included in the agenda or for debates that do not result in a vote.
All of the owners or representatives of our shares may, if no objection is raised, hold a general meeting of shareholders without complying with the formal requirements for convening general meetings of shareholders (a universal meeting). This universal meeting of shareholders may discuss and pass binding resolutions on all matters within the purview of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders, provided that the owners or representatives of all the shares are present at the meeting.
Agenda Requests
Pursuant to our current articles of association, one or more shareholders, whose combined shareholdings represent the lower of (i) at least one tenth of the share capital or (ii) an aggregate nominal value of at least CHF 1,000,000, may request that an item be included in the agenda for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders. A request for inclusion of an item on the agenda must in principle be requested in writing delivered to or mailed and received at the registered office of the Company at least 120 calendar days before the first anniversary of the date that the Company’s proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s ordinary general meeting of shareholders. The request must contain, for each of the agenda items, the following information:
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· | a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the ordinary general meeting of shareholders and the reasons for conducting such business at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders; |
· | the name and address, as they appear in our share register, of the shareholder proposing such business; |
· | the number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by such shareholder; |
· | the dates upon which the shareholder acquired such shares; |
· | documentary support for any claim of beneficial ownership; |
· | any material interest of such shareholder in such business; and |
· | a statement in support of the matter and, for proposals sought to be included in the Company’s proxy statement, any other information required by Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14a-8. |
In addition, if the shareholder intends to solicit proxies from the shareholders of the Company, such shareholder shall notify the Company of this intent in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14a-4 and/or Rule 14a-8.
Our annual business report, the compensation report and the auditor’s report must be made available for inspection by the shareholders at our registered office no later than 20 days prior to the general meeting of shareholders. Shareholders of record may be notified of this in writing.
Voting Rights
Each of our shares entitles its holder to one vote, regardless of its nominal value. The shares are not divisible. The right to vote and the other rights of share ownership may only be exercised by shareholders (including any nominees) or usufructuaries who are entered in our share register at cut-off date determined by the board of directors. Those entitled to vote in the general meeting of shareholders may be represented by the independent proxy holder (annually elected by the general meeting of shareholders), another registered shareholder or third person with written authorization to act as proxy or the shareholder’s legal representative. The chairman has the power to decide whether to recognize a power of attorney.
Our articles of association state that no individual or legal entity may, directly or indirectly, formally, constructively or beneficially own or otherwise control voting rights (“Controlled Shares”) with respect to 33 1∕3% or more of the registered share capital recorded in the Commercial Register except if such individual or legal entity submits prior to the acquisition of such Controlled Shares an orderly tender offer to all shareholders with a minimum price of the higher of (i) the volume weighted average price of the last 60 trading days prior to the publication of the tender offer or (ii) the highest price paid by such individual or legal entity in the 12 months preceding to the publication of the tender offer. Those associated through capital, voting power, joint management or in any other way, or joining for the acquisition of shares, will be regarded as one person. The common shares exceeding the limit of 33 1/3% and not benefitting from the exemption regarding a tender offer will be entered in our share registered as shares without voting rights. The board of directors may in special cases approve exceptions to the above regulations. Additional voting caps apply to shareholders acquiring shares for other persons (nominees).
Dividends and Other Distributions
Our board of directors may propose to shareholders that a dividend or other distribution be paid but cannot itself authorize the distribution. Dividend payments require a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders regardless of abstentions or empty or invalid votes. In addition, our auditors must confirm that the dividend proposal of our board of directors conforms to Swiss statutory law and our articles of association.
Under Swiss law, we may pay dividends only from the disposable profit and from reserves formed for this purpose, each as evidenced by our audited stand-alone statutory balance sheet prepared pursuant to Swiss law, and after allocations to reserves required by Swiss law and the articles of association have been deducted.
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Distributable reserves are generally booked either as “free reserves” (réserves libres) or as “reserve from capital contributions” (apports de capital). Under the CO, if our general reserves (réserve générale) amount to less than 20% of our share capital recorded in the Commercial Register (i.e., 20% of the aggregate nominal value of our issued capital), then at least 5% of our annual profit must be retained as general reserves. The CO permits us to accrue additional general reserves. Further, a purchase of our own shares (whether by us or a subsidiary) reduces the distributable reserves in an amount corresponding to the purchase price of such own shares. Finally, the CO under certain circumstances requires the creation of revaluation reserves which are not distributable.
Distributions out of issued share capital (i.e. the aggregate nominal value of our issued shares) are not allowed and may be made only by way of a share capital reduction. Such a capital reduction requires a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders regardless of abstentions or empty or invalid votes. The resolution of the shareholders must be recorded in a public deed and a special audit report must confirm that claims of our creditors remain fully covered despite the reduction in the share capital recorded in the Commercial Register. The share capital may be reduced below CHF 100,000 only if and to the extent that at the same time the statutory minimum share capital of CHF 100,000 is reestablished by sufficient new fully paid-up capital An ordinary capital reduction must be completed within six months after the resolution of shareholders, otherwise such resolution becomes invalid.
Our board of directors determines the date on which the dividend entitlement starts. Dividends are usually due and payable shortly after the shareholders have passed the resolution approving the payment, but shareholders may also resolve at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders to pay dividends in quarterly or other installments.
Transfer of Shares
Shares in uncertificated form (droits-valeurs) may only be transferred by way of assignment. Shares that constitute intermediated securities (titres intermédiés) may only be transferred when a credit of the relevant intermediated securities to the acquirer’s securities account is made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the FISA. Article 5 of our articles of association provides that the transfer of intermediated securities and the pledging of these intermediated securities are based on the provisions of the FISA and that transfer of propriety as collateral by means of written assignment are not permitted.
Voting rights may be exercised only after a shareholder (or usufructuaries) has been entered in our share register (registre des actions) with his or her name, first name and address (in the case of legal entities, the registered office) as a shareholder with voting rights. Our articles of association state that no individual or legal entity may, directly or indirectly, formally, constructively or beneficially own or otherwise control voting rights (“Controlled Shares”) with respect to 33 1∕3% or more of the registered share capital recorded in the Commercial Register except if such individual or legal entity submits prior to the acquisition of such Controlled Shares an orderly tender offer to all shareholders with a minimum price of the higher of (i) the volume weighted average price of the last 60 trading days prior to the publication of the tender offer or (ii) the highest price paid by such individual or legal entity in the 12 months preceding to the publication of the tender offer. Those associated through capital, voting power, joint management or in any other way, or joining for the acquisition of shares, will be regarded as one person. The common shares exceeding the limit of 33 1/3% and not benefitting from the exemption regarding a tender offer will be entered in our share registered as shares without voting rights.
Additional voting caps apply to shareholders acquiring shares for other persons (nominees).
Inspection of Books and Records
Under the CO, a shareholder has a right to inspect our share register with respect to his own shares and otherwise to the extent necessary to exercise his shareholder rights. No other person has a right to inspect our share register. Our books and correspondence may be inspected with the express authorization of the general meeting of shareholders or by resolution of the board of directors and subject to the safeguarding of our business secrets.
Special Investigation
If the shareholders’ inspection rights as outlined above prove to be insufficient in the judgment of the shareholder, any shareholder may propose to the general meeting of shareholders that specific facts be examined by
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a special commissioner in a special investigation. If the general meeting of shareholders approves the proposal, we or any shareholder may, within 30 calendar days after the general meeting of shareholders, request the competent court sitting in Lausanne, Switzerland, our registered office, to appoint a special commissioner. If the general meeting of shareholders rejects the request, one or more shareholders representing at least 5 percent of the share capital may request that the court appoint a special commissioner. The court will issue such an order if the petitioners can demonstrate that the board of directors, any member of the board of directors or our executive management infringed the law or our articles of association and thereby caused damages to the Company or the shareholders. The costs of the investigation would generally be allocated to us and only in exceptional cases to the petitioners.
Compulsory Acquisitions; Appraisal Rights
Business combinations and other similar transactions (i.e. mergers, demergers, transformations and certain asset transfers) that are governed by the Swiss Merger Act are, if approved in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Swiss Merger Act, binding on all shareholders of the involved companies. A statutory merger or demerger requires approval by at least two-thirds of the shares represented at a general meeting of shareholders and the absolute majority of the nominal value of the shares represented. If the merger agreement provides, however, only for a compensation payment, or in the event of an asymmetrical demerger, at least 90 percent of all shareholders of the transferring company who are entitled to vote must approve the merger agreement and the asymmetrical demerger, respectively.
Swiss corporations may be acquired by an acquirer through the direct acquisition of shares of the Swiss corporation. The Swiss Merger Act provides for the possibility of a so-called “cash-out” or “squeeze-out” merger if the acquirer controls 90% of the outstanding shares. If such a squeeze-out merger under the Swiss Merger Act occurs, a minority shareholder subject to the squeeze-out merger could seek to claim, within two months of the publication of the squeeze-out merger, that the consideration offered is “inadequate” and petition a Swiss competent court to determine what “adequate” consideration is.
In addition, under Swiss law, the sale of “all or substantially all of our assets” by us may require the approval of at least two-thirds of the number of shares represented at a general meeting shareholders and the absolute majority of the nominal value of the shares represented. Whether a shareholder resolution is required depends on the particular transaction, including whether the following test is satisfied:
· | a core part of our business is sold without which it is economically impracticable or unreasonable to continue to operate the remaining business; |
· | our assets, after the divestment, are not invested in accordance with our statutory business purpose; and |
· | the proceeds of the divestment are not earmarked for reinvestment in accordance with our business purpose but, instead, are intended for distribution to our shareholders or for financial investments unrelated to our business. |
If in a merger, demerger or transformation, equity or shareholder rights are not adequately preserved or the compensation paid is unreasonable, within two months after the publication of the merger, demerger or transformation resolution, each shareholder may demand that the competent court determines what is a reasonable amount of compensation. The decision of the court is legally binding on all shareholders of the company involved, provided that they are in the same legal position as the plaintiff. The costs of proceedings shall be borne by the acquiring company. If the particular circumstances justify it, the court may decide that the plaintiff shall bear all or part of the cost. An action to obtain a review of the protection of equity or shareholder rights does not affect the legal validity of the merger, demerger or transformation resolution.
Board of Directors
Our articles of association provide that the board of directors shall consist of at least three and not more than nine members.
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The members of the board of directors and the chairman are elected annually by the general meeting of shareholders for a period until the completion of the subsequent ordinary general meeting of shareholders and are eligible for re-election. Each member of the board of directors must be elected individually.
Powers
The board of directors has the following non-delegable and inalienable powers and duties:
· | the overall management of the Company and the issuing of all necessary directives; |
· | the determination of the Company’s organization; |
· | the organization of the accounting, financial control and financial planning systems as required for management of the Company; |
· | the appointment and dismissal of persons entrusted with managing and representing the Company; |
· | the overall supervision of the persons entrusted with managing the Company, in particular with regard to compliance with the law, articles of association, operational regulations and directives; |
· | the compilation of the annual report, and the preparation for the general meeting of shareholders and implementing its resolutions; |
· | the preparation of the compensation report and to request approval by the general meeting of shareholders regarding the compensation of the board of directors and the executive committee; and |
· | the notification of the court in the event that the Company is over-indebted. |
The board of directors may assign responsibility for preparing and implementing its resolutions or monitoring transactions to committees or individual members. It must ensure appropriate reporting to its members. Furthermore, the board of directors may, while retaining such non-delegable and inalienable powers and duties, delegate, in part or entirely, the management and the representation of the Company, within the limits of the law, to a one or more individual directors (Delegates) or to third parties pursuant to the organizational regulations issued by the board of directors.
Pursuant to Swiss law and Article 25 of our articles of association, details of the delegation and other procedural rules such as quorum requirements must be set in the organizational rules issued by the board of directors.
The board of directors assigns the persons with signatory power for the Company and the kind of signatory power.
Indemnification of Executive Management and Directors
Subject to Swiss law, Article 29 of our articles of association provides for indemnification of the current and former members of the board of directors, executive management and their heirs, executors and administrators, against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties in such capacity, and permits us to advance the expenses of defending any act, suit or proceeding to our directors and members of the executive management.
In addition, under general principles of Swiss employment law, an employer may be required to indemnify an employee against losses and expenses incurred by such employee in the proper execution of their duties under the employment agreement with the employer.
Conflict of Interest, Management Transactions
Swiss law does not have a general provision regarding conflicts of interest. However, the CO contains a provision that requires our directors and the members of the executive management to safeguard the Company’s interests and imposes a duty of loyalty and duty of care on our directors and the members of the executive
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management. This rule is generally understood to disqualify directors and members of the executive management from participating in decisions that directly affect them. Our directors and executive officers are personally liable to us for any breach of these provisions. In addition, Swiss law contains provisions under which directors and all persons engaged in the Company’s management are liable to the Company, each shareholder and the Company’s creditors for damages caused by an intentional or negligent violation of their duties. Furthermore, Swiss law contains a provision under which payments made to any of the Company’s shareholders or directors or any person associated with any such shareholder or director, other than payments made at arm’s length, must be repaid to the Company if such shareholder or director acted in bad faith.
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that covers a broad range of matters, including the handling of conflicts of interest.
Principles of the Compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management
Pursuant to Swiss law, our shareholders must annually approve the compensation of the board of directors and the persons whom the board of directors has, fully or partially, entrusted with the management of the Company. The board of directors must issue, on an annual basis, a written compensation report that must be reviewed together with a report on our business by our auditor. The compensation report must disclose all compensation (as defined in section 14 of the Swiss Ordinance against Excessive Compensation in Listed Companies) granted by the Company, directly or indirectly, to current members of the board of directors and executive management as well as to former members of the board of directors and executive management but in the latter case only to the extent if such compensation is related to their former role within the Company or if such compensation is not on customary market terms.
The disclosure concerning compensation must in particular include the aggregate amount for the board of directors and the aggregate amount for the executive management, as well as the particular amount of compensation for each member of the board of directors and the highest paid member of the executive management, specifying the name and function of each person.
Certain forms of compensation are prohibited for members of our board of directors and executive management, such as:
· | severance payments provided for either contractually or in the articles of association (compensation due until the termination of a contractual relationship does not qualify as severance payment); |
· | advance compensation; |
· | incentive fees for the acquisition or transfer of corporations, or parts thereof, by the Company or by companies being, directly or indirectly, controlled by the us; |
· | loans, other forms of indebtedness, pension benefits not based on occupational pension schemes and performance-based compensation not provided for in the articles of association; and |
· | equity securities and conversion and option rights awards not provided for in the articles of association. |
Compensation to members of the board of directors and executive management for activities in entities that are, directly or indirectly, controlled by the Company is prohibited if the compensation (i) would have been prohibited if it was paid directly by the Company, (ii) is not provided for in the articles of association or (iii) has not been approved by the general meeting of shareholders.
The general meeting of shareholders annually votes on the proposals of the board of directors with respect to:
· | the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the board of directors for the period until the next Ordinary General Meeting; and |
· | the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the executive committee for the following financial year. |
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The respective total compensation amounts include social security and occupational pension contributions for the benefit of the members of the board of directors, the executive management and the Company.
If the general meeting of shareholders refuses to approve a respective motion by the board of directors, the board of directors may either submit a new motion at the same meeting or determine a maximum total remuneration or several maximum partial remunerations, subject to the relevant principles of the compensation, or submit a new motion to the next general meeting of shareholders for approval.
In addition to fixed compensation, members of the executive management may be paid in cash a variable compensation, depending on the achievement of certain performance criteria. The performance criteria may include individual targets, targets of the Company or parts thereof and targets in relation to the market, other companies or comparable benchmarks, taking into account the position and level of responsibility of the recipient of the variable compensation. The board of directors or, where delegated to it, the compensation committee determines the relative weight of the performance criteria and the respective target values.
Compensation may be paid in cash or granted in form of options or shares in the Company. The board of directors or, to the extent delegated to it, the compensation committee determines grant, vesting, exercise and forfeiture conditions.
Borrowing Powers
Neither Swiss law nor our articles of association restrict in any way our power to borrow and raise funds. The decision to borrow funds is made by or under the direction of our board of directors, and no approval by the shareholders is required in relation to any such borrowing.
Repurchases of Shares and Purchases of Own Shares
The CO limits our right to purchase and hold our own shares. We and our subsidiaries may purchase shares only if and to the extent that (i) we have freely distributable reserves in the amount of the purchase price; and (ii) the aggregate nominal value of all shares held by us does not exceed 10 percent of our share capital. Pursuant to Swiss law, where shares are acquired in connection with a transfer restriction set out in the articles of association, the foregoing upper limit is 20 percent. If we own shares that exceed the threshold of 10 percent of our share capital, the excess must be sold or cancelled by means of a capital reduction within two years.
We currently hold 5,243,958 fully paid up common shares of par value CHF 0.02 each, as treasury shares.
Shares of the Company held by us or our subsidiaries are not entitled to vote at the general meeting of shareholders but are entitled to the economic benefits applicable to the shares generally, including dividends and pre-emptive subscription rights in the case of share capital increases.
In addition, selective share repurchases are only permitted under certain circumstances. Within these limitations, as is customary for Swiss corporations, we may purchase and sell our own shares from time to time in order to meet imbalances of supply and demand, to provide liquidity and to even out variances in the market price of shares.
Notification and Disclosure of Substantial Share Interests
The disclosure obligations generally applicable to shareholders of Swiss corporations under the Swiss Financial Market Infrastructure Act, FinMIA, do not apply to us since our shares are not listed on a Swiss stock exchange.
Stock Exchange Listing
Our common shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “ACIU.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar of Shares
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. acts as transfer agent and registrar for our common shares. The share register reflects only record owners of our shares. Swiss law does not recognize fractional share interests.
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Comparison of Swiss Law and Delaware Law
The Swiss laws applicable to Swiss corporations and their shareholders differ from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. The following table summarizes significant differences in shareholder rights between the provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations (Code des Obligations Suisse) and the Swiss Ordinance against excessive compensation in listed stock corporations applicable to our Company, as implemented by the Company in its articles of association, and the Delaware General Corporation Law applicable to companies incorporated in Delaware and their shareholders. Please note that this is only a general summary of certain provisions applicable to companies in Delaware. Certain Delaware companies may be permitted to exclude certain of the provisions summarized below in their charter documents. On January 1, 2023, a new Swiss corporate law have come into force. Swiss companies have two years (until January 1, 2025) to amend their articles of association according to the new Swiss corporate law. Our current articles association have not yet been amended to fully reflect such new law.
DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW |
SWISS CORPORATE LAW | |
Mergers and similar arrangements | ||
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, with certain exceptions, a merger, consolidation, sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation must be approved by the board of directors and a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. A shareholder of a Delaware corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to which such shareholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by such shareholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration such shareholder would otherwise receive in the transaction. The Delaware General Corporation Law also provides that a parent corporation, by resolution of its board of directors, may merge with any subsidiary, of which it owns at least 90.0% of each class of capital stock without a vote by the shareholders of such subsidiary. Upon any such merger, dissenting shareholders of the subsidiary would have appraisal rights. | Under Swiss law, with certain exceptions, a merger or a demerger of the corporation or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation must be approved by two-thirds of the voting rights represented at the respective general meeting of shareholders as well as the absolute majority of the nominal value of shares represented at such shareholders’ meeting. A shareholder of a Swiss corporation participating in a statutory merger or demerger pursuant to the Swiss Merger Act (Loi sur la fusion) can file a lawsuit against the surviving company. If the consideration is deemed “inadequate,” such shareholder may, in addition to the consideration (be it in shares or in cash) receive an additional amount to ensure that such shareholder receives the fair value of the shares held by such shareholder. Swiss law also provides that if the merger agreement provides only for a compensation payment, at least 90.0% of all members in the transferring legal entity, who are entitled to vote, shall approve the merger agreement. | |
Shareholders’ suits | ||
Class actions and derivative actions generally are available to shareholders of a Delaware corporation for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and actions not taken in accordance with applicable law. In such actions, the court has discretion to permit the winning party to recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action. | Class actions and derivative actions as such are not available under Swiss law. Nevertheless, certain actions may have a similar effect. A shareholder is entitled to bring suit against directors for breach of their duties and claim the payment of the company’s losses or damages both to the corporation and, subject to certain conditions, to the individual shareholder. Likewise, an appraisal lawsuit won by a shareholder may indirectly compensate all shareholders. In addition, to the extent that US laws and regulations provide a basis for liability and US courts have jurisdiction, a class action may be available. | |
Under Swiss law, the winning party is generally entitled to recover or to partially recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action, provided, however, that the court has broad discretion to permit the shareholder whose claim has been dismissed to recover attorneys’ fees incurred to the extent he or she acted in good faith. |
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DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW |
SWISS CORPORATE LAW | |
Shareholder vote on board and management compensation | ||
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the board of directors has the authority to fix the compensation of directors, unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. | Pursuant to Swiss law, the general meeting of shareholders has the non-transferable right, amongst others, to vote on the aggregate amount of compensation of the members of the board of directors, of the executive committee and of the advisory boards. | |
Annual vote on board renewal | ||
Unless directors are elected by written consent in lieu of an annual meeting, directors are elected in an annual meeting of stockholders on a date and at a time designated by or in the manner provided in the bylaws. Re-election is possible.
Classified boards are permitted.
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The general meeting of shareholders elects the members of the board of directors, the chairperson of the board of directors and the members of the compensation committee individually and annually for a term of office until the end of the following general meeting of shareholders. Re-election is possible. | |
Indemnification of directors and executive management and limitation of liability | ||
The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors and officers (but not other controlling persons) of the corporation for monetary damages for breach of a fiduciary duty as a director, except no provision in the certificate of incorporation may eliminate or limit liability of:
· a director or officer for any breach of the duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders;
· a director or officer for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
· a director for statutory liability for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchase or redemption;
· a director or officer for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit; or
· an officer in any action by or in right of the corporation.
A Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding, other than an action by or on behalf of the corporation, because the person is or was a director or officer, against liability incurred in connection with |
Under Swiss corporate law, an indemnification by the corporation of a director or member of the executive management in relation to potential personal liability is not effective to the extent the director or member of the executive management intentionally or negligently violated his or her corporate duties towards the corporation (certain views advocate that at least a grossly negligent violation is required to exclude the indemnification). Furthermore, the general meeting of shareholders may discharge the directors and members of the executive management from liability from actions taken during the past financial year. Such discharge is effective only, however, for disclosed facts and only as against the company and those shareholders who approved the discharge or who have since acquired their shares in full knowledge of the discharge. Most violations of corporate law are regarded as violations of duties towards the corporation rather than towards the shareholders. In addition, indemnification of other controlling persons is not permitted under Swiss corporate law, including shareholders of the corporation.
The articles of association of a Swiss corporation may also set forth that the corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by the law, the directors and executive managers out of assets of the corporation against threatened, pending or completed actions.
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the proceeding if the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation; and the director or officer, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Unless ordered by a court, any foregoing indemnification is subject to a determination that the director or officer has met the applicable standard of conduct:
• by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to the proceeding, even though less than a quorum;
• by a committee of directors designated by a majority vote of the eligible directors, even though less than a quorum;
• by independent legal counsel in a written opinion if there are no eligible directors, or if the eligible directors so direct; or
• by the shareholders.
Moreover, a Delaware corporation may not indemnify a director or officer in connection with any proceeding in which the director or officer has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for those expenses which the court deems proper. |
Also, a corporation may enter into and pay for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which may cover negligent acts as well. |
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DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW | SWISS CORPORATE LAW | |
Directors’ fiduciary duties | ||
A director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components:
• the duty of care; and
• the duty of loyalty.
The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself or herself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction.
The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties.
Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
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The board of directors of a Swiss corporation manages the business of the corporation, unless responsibility for such management has been delegated to the executive management (for example by organizational rules and comparable bylaws). However, there are several non-transferable duties of the board of directors:
• the overall management of the corporation and the issuing of all necessary directives;
• determination of the corporation’s organization;
• the organization of the accounting, financial control and financial planning systems as required for management of the corporation;
• the appointment and dismissal of persons entrusted with managing and representing the corporation;
• overall supervision of the persons entrusted with managing the corporation, in particular with regard to compliance with the law, articles of association, operational regulations and directives;
• compilation of the annual report, preparation for the general meeting, the compensation report and implementation of its resolutions;
• the preparation of the compensation report and to request approval by the general meeting of shareholders regarding the compensation of the board of directors and the executive committee; and
• notification of the court in the event that the company is overindebted.
The members of the board of directors must perform their duties with all due diligence and safeguard the interests of the corporation in good faith. They must afford the shareholders equal treatment in equal circumstances.
The burden of proof for a violation of these duties is with the corporation or with the shareholder bringing a suit against the director. | |
Shareholder action by written consent | ||
A Delaware corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent. | Shareholders of a Swiss corporation may exercise their voting rights in a general meeting of shareholders and can only act by written consents if no shareholder requests a general meeting of shareholders to be held. The articles of association must allow for (independent) proxies to be present at a general meeting of shareholders. The instruction of such (independent) proxies may occur in writing or electronically. |
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DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW | SWISS CORPORATE LAW | |
Shareholder proposals | ||
A shareholder of a Delaware corporation has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings. |
At any general meeting of shareholders any shareholder may put proposals to the meeting if the proposal is part of an agenda item. No resolution may be made on proposals relating to the agenda items that were not duly notified. Unless the articles of association provide for a lower threshold or for additional shareholders’ rights:
• shareholders together representing at least 10% of the share capital may demand that a general meeting of shareholders be called for specific agenda items and specific proposals; and
• shareholders together representing shares with a nominal value of at least 0.5% of the share capital or the voting rights may demand that an agenda item including a specific proposal be put on the agenda for a regularly scheduled general meeting of shareholders, provided such request is made with appropriate notice.
Any shareholder can propose candidates for election as directors provided that the election of board members has been included as an agenda item.
In addition, any shareholder is entitled, at a general meeting of shareholders and without advance notice, to (i) request information from the board of directors on the affairs of the company (note, however, that the right to obtain such information is limited), (ii) request information from the auditors on the methods and results of their audit, (iii) request that the general meeting of shareholders resolve to convene an extraordinary general meeting, or (iv) request that the general meeting of shareholders resolve to appoint an examiner to carry out a special examination.
| |
Cumulative voting | ||
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides for it. | Cumulative voting is not permitted under Swiss corporate law. Pursuant to Swiss law, shareholders can vote for each proposed candidate, but they are not allowed to cumulate their votes for single candidates. An annual individual election of (i) all members of the board of directors, (ii) the chairman of the board of directors, (iii) the members of the compensation committee, (iv) the election of the independent proxy for a term of office of one year (i.e. until the following annual general meeting) as well as the vote on the aggregate amount of compensation for the members of the board of directors and the executive committee as well as for the members of the advisory board, if applicable, is mandatory for listed companies. Re-election is permitted. |
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DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW | SWISS CORPORATE LAW | |
Removal of directors | ||
A Delaware corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. | A Swiss corporation may remove, with or without cause, any director at any time with a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders concerned. The articles of association may require the approval by a qualified majority of the shares represented at a meeting for the removal of a director. | |
Transactions with interested shareholders | ||
The Delaware General Corporation Law generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or group who or which owns or owned 15.0% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. | No such rule applies to a Swiss corporation. | |
Dissolution; Winding up | ||
Unless the board of directors of a Delaware corporation approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100.0% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. | A dissolution of a Swiss corporation requires the approval by two-thirds of the shares represented as well as the absolute majority of the nominal value of the share capital represented at a general meeting of shareholders passing a resolution on such dissolution. The articles of association may increase the voting thresholds required for such a resolution. | |
Variation of rights of shares | ||
A Delaware corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. |
The general shareholder meeting of a Swiss corporation may resolve that preference shares be issued or that existing shares be converted into preference shares with a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast at the general meeting of shareholders. Where a company has issued preference shares, further preference shares conferring preferential rights over the existing preference shares may be issued only with the consent of both a special meeting of the adversely affected holders of the existing preference shares and of a general meeting of all shareholders, unless otherwise provided in the articles of association.
Shares with preferential voting rights are not regarded a special class for these purposes. |
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DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW |
SWISS CORPORATE LAW | |
Amendment of governing documents | ||
A Delaware corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. | The articles of association of a Swiss corporation may be amended with a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast at such meeting, unless otherwise provided in the articles of association. There are a number of resolutions, such as an amendment of the stated purpose of the corporation, the introduction of authorized and conditional capital and the introduction of shares with preferential voting rights that require the approval by two-thirds of the votes and an absolute majority of the nominal value of the shares represented at a shareholders’ meeting. The articles of association may increase the voting thresholds. | |
Inspection of Books and Records | ||
Shareholders of a Delaware corporation, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose, and to obtain copies of list(s) of shareholders and other books and records of the corporation and its subsidiaries, if any, to the extent the books and records of such subsidiaries are available to the corporation. | Shareholders of a Swiss corporation holding in the aggregate at least 5% of the nominal share capital or voting rights have the right to inspect books and records, subject to the safeguarding of the company’s business secrets and other interests warranting protection. A shareholder is only entitled to receive information to the extent required to exercise such shareholders’ rights, subject to the interests of the corporation. The board of directors has to decide on an inspection request within four months after receipt of such request. Denial of the request will need to be justified in writing. If the board of directors denies an inspection request, shareholders may request the order of an inspection by the court within thirty days. The right to inspect the share register is limited to the right to inspect that shareholder’s own entry in the share register. | |
Payment of dividends | ||
The board of directors may approve a dividend without shareholder approval. Subject to any restrictions contained in its certificate of incorporation, the board may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock either:
• out of its surplus, or
• in case there is no such surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year.
Stockholder approval is required to authorize capital stock in excess of that provided in the charter. Directors may issue authorized shares without stockholder approval. |
Dividend payments are subject to the approval of the general meeting of shareholders. The board of directors may propose to shareholders that a dividend shall be paid but cannot itself authorize the distribution.
Payments out of the Company’s share capital (in other words, the aggregate nominal value of the Company’s registered share capital) in the form of dividends may be made by way of a capital reduction only. Dividends may be paid only from the profits brought forward from the previous business years or if the Company has distributable reserves, each as will be presented on the Company’s audited annual stand-alone balance sheet. The dividend may be determined only after the allocations to reserves required by the law and the articles of association have been deducted.
|
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DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW |
SWISS CORPORATE LAW | |
Creation and issuance of new shares | ||
All creation of shares require the board of directors to adopt a resolution or resolutions, pursuant to authority expressly vested in the board of directors by the provisions of the company’s certificate of incorporation. | All creation of shares require a shareholders’ resolution. The creation of capital band or conditional capital requires at least two-thirds of the voting rights represented at the general meeting of shareholders and an absolute majority of the nominal value of shares represented. The board of directors may issue or cancel shares out of the capital band during a period of up to five years by a maximum amount of 50% of the current share capital. Conditional shares are created and issued through the exercise of options and conversion rights related to debt instruments issued by the board of directors or such rights issued to employees. |
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Description of Debt Securities
The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and may be secured or unsecured and may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into other securities, including our common shares. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and a designated trustee. We will include in a prospectus supplement the specific terms of each series of senior or subordinated debt securities being offered, including the terms, if any, on which a series of senior or subordinated debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities. In addition, the material terms of any indenture, which will govern the rights of the holders of our senior or subordinated debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Description of Warrants
We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, common shares or other securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements between our company and a warrant agent that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Description of Purchase Contracts
We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of equity securities issued by us.
Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such equity securities issued by us at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.
Any purchase contracts we issue will be physically settled by delivery of the securities. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness.
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Description of Units
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more common shares, debt securities, warrants or any combination of such securities.
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Description of Subscription Rights
The following is a general description of the terms of the subscription rights we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any subscription rights we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus relating to such subscription rights, and may differ from the terms described herein.
We may issue subscription rights to purchase our securities. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
· | whether common shares or warrants for those securities will be offered under the shareholder subscription rights; |
· | the price, if any, for the subscription rights; |
· | the exercise price payable for each security upon the exercise of the subscription rights; |
· | the number of subscription rights issued to each shareholder; |
· | the number and terms of the securities which may be purchased per each subscription right; |
· | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; |
· | any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights; |
· | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire; |
· | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to the unsubscribed securities; |
· | if appropriate, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
· | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights. |
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights.
Standby Arrangements
If fewer than all of the subscription rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Plan of Distribution
We may sell the securities in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:
· | through underwriters or dealers; |
· | directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; |
· | through agents; or |
· | through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
· | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
· | the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to be received by us, if any; |
· | any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; |
· | any initial public offering price; |
· | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
· | any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. |
Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:
· | negotiated transactions; |
· | at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed; |
· | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
· | at prices related to prevailing market prices; or |
· | at negotiated prices. |
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.
The securities may be sold through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions paid to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions paid for solicitation of these contracts.
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Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make.
The prospectus supplement may also set forth whether or not underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market, including, for example, by entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions or imposing penalty bids.
Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market, other than our common shares, which are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than our common shares, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.
Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this document, except for any information superseded by information that is included directly in this prospectus or incorporated by reference subsequent to the date of this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference herein:
· | Our 2023 Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023; and |
· | Our reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on January 3, 2024 and January 22, 2024 (other than Exhibit 99.1 filed as an exhibit thereto). |
All annual reports we file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act on Form 20-F after the date of this prospectus and prior to termination or expiration of this registration statement shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. We may incorporate by reference any Form 6-K subsequently submitted to the SEC by identifying in such Form that it is being incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are available from us without charge upon written or oral request, excluding any exhibits to those documents that are not specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this document by requesting them from us in writing or at AC Immune SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Building B, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, or via telephone at +41 21 345 91 21.
Expenses
The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation, if any) expected to be incurred by us in connection with a possible offering of securities registered under this registration statement.
Amount To Be Paid | ||||
SEC registration fee** | $ | 51,660 | ||
Transfer agent’s fees | * | |||
Printing and engraving expenses | * | |||
Legal fees and expenses | * |
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Accounting fees and expenses | * | |||
Miscellaneous | * | |||
Total | $ | * |
____________________
* | To be provided by a prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. |
** | Includes the $35,895.29 previously paid in connection with unsold securities pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6). |
Legal Matters
The validity of our common shares and certain other matters of Swiss law will be passed upon for us by Bär & Karrer Ltd., Zurich, Switzerland. Certain matters of U.S. federal and New York State law will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.
Experts
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Annual Report on internal control over financial reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, an independent registered accounting firm given the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA is a member of EXPERTsuisse — Swiss Expert Association for Audit, Tax and Fiduciary.
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AC IMMUNE SA
Common Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units
Subscription Rights
___________________________
PROSPECTUS
___________________________
PART II – INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Subject to Swiss law, Article 29 of our articles of association provides for indemnification of the existing and former members of the board of directors, executive management and their heirs, executors and administrators, against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties in such capacity, and permits us to advance the expenses of defending any act, suit or proceeding to our directors and executive management.
In addition, under general principles of Swiss employment law, an employer may be required to indemnify an employee against losses and expenses incurred by such employee in the proper execution of their duties under the employment agreement with the employer. See “Comparison of Swiss Law and Delaware Law—Indemnification of directors and executive management and limitation of liability.”
We will enter into indemnification agreements with each of the members of our board of directors and executive management.
Exhibits
The following documents are filed as part of this registration statement:
* To be filed, if necessary, by amendment II-1 Undertakings (a) The undersigned registrant
hereby undertakes: Provided, however, that: II-2 that all other information in the prospectus is at least
as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3
(§ 239.33 of this chapter), a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required
by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act or § 210.3-19 of this chapter if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic
reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3. The undersigned registrant undertakes that in
a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting
method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following
communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to
such purchaser: II-3 registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof. II-4 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Lausanne, Switzerland on March 14, 2024. KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each
person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Andrea Pfeifer and Christopher Roberts and each of them, individually,
as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments and registrations filed
pursuant to Rule 462 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated: Name Title Date Chief Financial Officer principal accounting officer) AC Immune USA, Inc. /s/ Christopher Roberts Exhibit 4.2 AC IMMUNE SA as the Company and as Trustee Senior Indenture Dated as of , 20 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page i ii iii SENIOR INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , between AC
Immune SA, a Swiss stock corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland, as the Company, and , as Trustee. RECITALS OF THE COMPANY WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issue
from time to time of its senior debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”)
up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide,
among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery
of this Indenture; and WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture
a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done; NOW, THEREFORE: In consideration of the premises and the purchases
of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit
of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities or of any and all series thereof as follows: Article
1 Section 1.01. Definitions. “Affiliate” of any Person means
any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For
the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled
by” and “under common control with”) when used with respect to any Person means the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities,
by contract or otherwise. “Agent” means any Registrar,
Paying Agent, transfer agent or Authenticating Agent. “Board Resolution” means one
or more resolutions of the board of directors of the Company or any authorized committee thereof, certified by the secretary or an assistant
secretary to have been duly adopted and to be in full force and effect on the date of certification, and delivered to the Trustee. “Business Day” means any day,
other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by
law or regulation to close in The City of New York, with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations
in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar 4 deposits in London, or with respect to Securities denominated in a
specified currency other than United States dollars, in the principal financial center of the country of the specified currency. “Commission” means the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time after the execution of this
instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing
such duties at such time. “Company” means the party named
as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article 5 of this Indenture and thereafter
means the successor. “Corporate Trust Office” means
the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office
is, at the date of this Indenture, located at Attention: . “Default” means any event that
is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default. “Depositary” means, with respect
to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary
by the Company pursuant to Section 2.03 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if
at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series
shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Global Securities of that series. “Exchange Act” means the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. “Holder” or “Securityholder”
means the registered holder of any Security. “IFRS” means International Financial
Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, as in effect as of the date hereof. “Indenture” means this Indenture
as originally executed and delivered or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental
to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and shall include the forms and terms of the Securities
of each series established as contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03. “Officer” means, with respect
to the Company, the chairman of the board of directors, the president or chief executive officer, any executive vice president, any senior
vice president, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer, or the secretary or any assistant
secretary. 5 “Officers’ Certificate”
means a certificate signed in the name of the Company (i) by the chairman of the board of directors, the president or chief executive
officer, an executive vice president, a senior vice president or a vice president, and (ii) by the chief financial officer, the treasurer
or any assistant treasurer, or the secretary or any assistant secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall comply
with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) the
statements provided in Section 10.04, if applicable. “Opinion of Counsel” means a
written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion
shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include the statements provided in Section 10.04, if and
to the extent required thereby. “original issue date” of any
Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of authentication of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or
portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution. “Original Issue Discount Security”
means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration
of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02. “Periodic Offering” means an
offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate
or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto,
are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities. “Person” means an individual,
a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government
or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof. “Principal” of a Security means
the principal amount of, and, unless the context indicates otherwise, includes any premium payable on, the Security. “Registered Global Security”
means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section
2.02, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.02. “Responsible Officer” when used
with respect to the Trustee, shall mean an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office, having direct responsibility for the
administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because
of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. “Securities” means any of the
securities, as defined in the first paragraph of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. 6 “Securities Act” means the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. “Subsidiary” means, with respect
to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which a majority of the capital stock or other ownership interests
having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time
directly or indirectly owned by such Person. “Trustee” means the party named
as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 and thereafter
shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee”
as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series. “Trust Indenture Act” means
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as it may be amended from time to time. “U.S. Government Obligations”
means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is
pledged or (ii) obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed
as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or
trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any
such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt. “Yield to Maturity” means, as
the context may require, the yield to maturity (i) on a series of Securities or (ii) if the Securities of a series are issuable from time
to time, on a Security of such series, calculated at the time of issuance of such series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance
of such Security of such series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such
series or on such Security, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as
is specified in the terms of such Security. Section 1.02. Other Definitions. Each of
the following terms is defined in the section set forth opposite such term: Term Section 7 Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of
Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference
in and made a part of this Indenture. The following terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act have the
following meanings: “indenture securities” means
the Securities; “indenture security holder”
means a Holder or a Securityholder; “indenture to be qualified”
means this Indenture; “indenture trustee” or “institutional
trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the indenture securities
means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities. All other terms used in this Indenture that are
defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by reference in the Trust Indenture Act to another statute or defined by a rule of the Commission
and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein. Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless
the context otherwise requires: 8 Article
2 Section 2.01. Form and Dating. The Securities
of each series shall be substantially in such form or forms (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant
to one or more Board Resolutions or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon
such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any
law, or with any rules of any securities exchange or usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced
by their execution of the Securities. Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication.
Two Officers shall execute the Securities for the Company by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on behalf of the Company. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that
office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid. The Trustee, at the expense of the Company, may
appoint an authenticating agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) to authenticate Securities. The Authenticating Agent may
authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication
by such Authenticating Agent. A Security shall not be valid until the Trustee
or Authenticating Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that
the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution
and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication
together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such
Securities to or upon the written order of the Company. In authenticating any Securities of a series, the Trustee shall be entitled to
receive prior to the authentication of any Securities of such series, and (subject to Article 7) shall be fully protected in relying upon,
unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked: 9 The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate
such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities
under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.01
and 2.02, if, in connection with a Periodic Offering, all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall
not be necessary to deliver the Board Resolution otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01 or the written order, Officers’ Certificate
and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.02 at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if
such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued. With respect to Securities of a series offered
in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the forms and terms thereof
and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant
to Sections 2.01 and 2.02, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the Company shall establish pursuant to
Section 2.03 that the Securities of a series or a portion thereof are to be issued in the form of one or more Registered Global
Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Registered Global Securities
that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of
such series issued in such form and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Registered
Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or its
custodian or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (iv) shall (unless provided otherwise in the form of such
Security) bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for
Securities in definitive registered form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the nominee of
the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor
Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.” 10 Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in
Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series
and each such series shall rank equally and pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the Company. There shall
be established in or pursuant to Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities
of any series, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03, 11 12 All Securities of any one series shall be substantially
identical, except as to date and denomination, except in the case of any Periodic Offering and except as may otherwise be provided by
or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any
one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so
provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and any forms and terms of Securities to
be issued from time to time may be completed and established from time to time prior to the issuance thereof by procedures described in
such Board Resolution or supplemental indenture. Unless otherwise expressly provided with respect
to a series of Securities, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Securities may be increased and additional Securities of such
series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such series as increased. Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities;
Payments of Interest. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.03
or, if not so established with respect to Securities of any series, in denominations of $2,000 and any higher integral multiple of $1,000.
The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as
the Officers of the Company executing the same may determine, as evidenced by their execution thereof. Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series
of Securities, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any,
from the date, and such interest and shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.03. The person in whose name any Security of any series
is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date
for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer
or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Company
shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case the provisions of Section
2.13 shall apply. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment
of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of such series
established as contemplated by Section 2.03, or, if no such date is so established, the fifteenth day next preceding such interest payment
date, whether or not such record date is a Business Day. Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent;
Agents Generally. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration, registration
of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where 13 Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying
Agent”), which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register
of the Securities and of their registration, transfer and exchange (the “Security Register”). The Company may have
one or more additional Paying Agents or transfer agents with respect to any series. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency
agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture
Act that relate to such Agent. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent and any
change in the name or address of an Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.
The Company may remove any Agent upon written notice to such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become
effective until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement
entered into by the Company and such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee
shall serve as such Agent until the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso. The Company or any
affiliate of the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar; provided that neither the Company nor an affiliate of the Company
shall act as Paying Agent in connection with the defeasance of the Securities or the discharge of this Indenture under Article 8. The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar,
Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent. If, at any time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make available to the Trustee
ten days prior to each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of
the Holders as they appear in the Security Register. Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money in
Trust. Not later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each due date of any Principal or interest on any Securities, the Company shall
deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such Principal or interest. The Company shall require
each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders
of such Securities or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Principal of and interest on such Securities and
shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying
Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance
of any payment default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and
to account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to the
Trustee. If the Company or any affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any Principal of
or interest on any Securities, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders thereof a sum of money sufficient to pay such Principal or interest
so becoming due until such sum of money shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in 14 this Indenture, and will
promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act as required by this Section. Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange. At the option of the Holder thereof, Securities
of any series (other than a Registered Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of such
series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Securities to be exchanged
at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon payment, if the Company
shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of
any Security of a series at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for that purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon
payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized
denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. All Securities presented for registration of transfer,
exchange, redemption or payment shall be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities.
No service charge shall be made for any such transaction. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
2.07, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Registered Global Security
representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series
to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. If at any time the Depositary for any Registered
Global Securities of any series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Registered Global
Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Registered Global Securities shall no longer be eligible under applicable law, the
Company shall appoint a successor Depositary eligible under applicable law with respect to
such Registered Global Securities. If a successor Depositary eligible under applicable law for such 15 Registered Global Securities is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will
execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such
series and tenor, will authenticate and deliver certificated Securities of such series and tenor, in any authorized denominations, in
an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global
Securities. The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion
and subject to the procedures of the Depositary determine that any Registered Global Securities of any series shall no longer be maintained
in global form. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s order for the authentication
and delivery of definitive Securities of such series and tenor, will authenticate and deliver, certificated Securities of such series
and tenor in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities,
in exchange for such Registered Global Securities. Any time the Securities of any series are not in
the form of Registered Global Securities pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the Company agrees to supply the Trustee with a reasonable
supply of certificated Securities without the legend required by Section 2.02 and the Trustee agrees to hold such Securities in safekeeping
until authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. If established by the Company pursuant to Section
2.03 with respect to any Registered Global Security, the Depositary for such Registered Global Security may surrender such Registered
Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms
as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
without service charge, Certificated Securities issued in exchange for
a Registered Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the
Depositary for such Registered Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall
instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities
are so registered. 16 All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange
of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture,
as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange. The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue,
authenticate, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series for a period of 15 days before a selection of such Securities
to be redeemed or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part. Section 2.08. Replacement Securities. If
any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange
for such mutilated Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously
outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the Company and
the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as
may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the
Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount
and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security,
pay such Security (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish
to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them
harmless, and in the case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of them of
the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and the ownership thereof. Upon the issuance of any new Security under this
Section, the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. Every new Security of any series issued pursuant
to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for any mutilated Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time
enforceable by anyone, and any such new Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. 17 The provisions of this Section are exclusive and
shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Securities. Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities. Securities
outstanding at any time are all Securities that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered
to it for cancellation, those described in this Section as not outstanding and those that have been defeased pursuant to Section 8.05. If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08,
it ceases to be outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security
is held by a holder in due course. If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or
an affiliate of the Company) holds on the maturity date or any redemption date or date for repurchase of the Securities money sufficient
to pay Securities payable or to be redeemed or repurchased on that date, then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding
and interest on them shall cease to accrue. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because
the Company or one of its affiliates holds such Security, provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder,
Securities owned by the Company or any affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent
or waiver, only Securities as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice to be so owned shall be so disregarded.
Any Securities so owned which are pledged by the Company, or by any affiliate of the Company, as security for loans or other obligations,
otherwise than to another such affiliate of the Company, shall be deemed to be outstanding, if the pledgee is entitled pursuant to the
terms of its pledge agreement and is free to exercise in its or his discretion the right to vote such securities, uncontrolled by the
Company or by any such affiliate. Section 2.10. Temporary Securities. Until
definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities
of such series. Temporary Securities of any series shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities of such series but may
have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Securities,
as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the temporary Securities
of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series and tenor upon surrender of such temporary Securities at
the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose 18 pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender
for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of such series and tenor and authorized denominations. Until
so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities
of such series. Section 2.11. Cancellation. The Company
at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company
may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder
which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar, any transfer agent and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities
surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel and dispose of in accordance with its customary procedures
all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company.
The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has paid in full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company
in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “ISIN” and/or “CINS” numbers (if then generally in use),
and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers, ISIN numbers or CINS numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience
to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of redemption or exchange. Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest. If the
Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately
available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest (as
may be specified in the terms thereof, established pursuant to Section 2.03) to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record
date, which shall mean the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not
such day is a Business Day. At least 15 days before such special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder of such Securities
and to the Trustee a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid. Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches.
A series of Securities may include one or more tranches (each a “tranche”) of Securities, including Securities
issued in a Periodic Offering. The Securities of different tranches may have one or more different terms, including authentication dates
and public offering prices, but all the Securities within each such tranche shall have identical terms, including authentication date
and public offering price. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, with respect to Sections 2.02 (other than the fourth,
sixth and seventh paragraphs thereof) through 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 2.10, 3.01 through 3.05, 4.02, 6.01 through 6.14, 8.01 through 8.07, 9.02
and 10.07, if any series of Securities includes more than one tranche, all provisions of such sections applicable to any series of Securities
shall be deemed equally applicable to each 19 tranche of any series of Securities in the same manner as though originally
designated a series unless otherwise provided with respect to such series or tranche pursuant to Section 2.03. In particular, and without
limiting the scope of the next preceding sentence, any of the provisions of such sections which provide for or permit action to be taken
with respect to a series of Securities shall also be deemed to provide for and permit such action to be taken instead only with respect
to Securities of one or more tranches within that series (and such provisions shall be deemed satisfied thereby), even if no comparable
action is taken with respect to Securities in the remaining tranches of that series. Article
3 Section 3.01. Applicability of Article. The
provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking
fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such
series. Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial
Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of
the Company shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than
60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear
upon the Security Register. Any notice which is mailed or published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have
been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder
of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption
of any other Security of such series. The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall
specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the CUSIP numbers of the Securities to
be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof, the
place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant
to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be
paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease
to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal
amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new
Security or Securities of such series and tenor in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued. The notice of redemption of Securities of any series
to be redeemed at the option of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name
and at the expense of the Company. 20 On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the
redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or
with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided
in Section 2.06) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption
at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If all of the outstanding Securities
of a series are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 10 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption
may be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee)
an Officers’ Certificate stating that all such Securities are to be redeemed. If less than all the outstanding Securities of a series
are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may
be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee)
an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption
of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere
in this Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities
or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to Holders pursuant
to this Section, an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition. If less than all the Securities of a series are
to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, pro rata, by lot or in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such
series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part in principal amounts equal to authorized denominations for
Securities of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption
and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all
purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has
been or is to be redeemed. Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called
For Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such
notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with
interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such
Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to such date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities
so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and, except as provided in Sections 7.12 and 8.02, such Securities shall cease from and
after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in
respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption.
On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment 21 specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions
thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date
fixed for redemption; provided that payment of interest becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable
to the Holders registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.04 and 2.13 hereof. If any Security called for redemption shall not
be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed
for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security. Upon presentation of any Security of any series
redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof,
at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of such series and tenor, of authorized denominations, in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented. Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities
from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Unless otherwise provided with respect to any series of Securities, Securities shall
be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement
signed by an authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of
redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Company or (b)
an entity specifically identified in such written statement as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Company. Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking
Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to
as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of
the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. The date on which a sinking
fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date”. In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory
sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities
of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except through a mandatory sinking fund payment) by the Company or receive
credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by
the Company and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.11, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments
(not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited)
redeemed by the Company at the option of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through any optional sinking fund payment.
Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such
Securities. 22 On or before the sixtieth day next preceding each
sinking fund payment date for any series, or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, the Company will deliver to the
Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of
cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of specified Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that
none of the specified Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest
or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) stating
whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if
so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Company intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking
fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Company to
be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation
pursuant to Section 2.11 to the Trustee with such Officers’ Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the
Trustee). Such Officers’ Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally
obligated to make all the cash payments or delivery of Securities therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking
fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such sixtieth day, to deliver such Officer’s Certificate and Securities
specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election
of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall
be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company
will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section. If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory
or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking
fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any
series), such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at
the sinking fund redemption price thereof together with accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall
be $50,000 (or such lesser sum) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000
(or such lesser sum) is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 3.02, for redemption on such sinking fund
payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested
in writing by the Company) inform the Company of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected.
Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for redemption under this Section if they are identified by registration and certificate
number in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being owned
of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such
Officers’ Certificate as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common 23 control with the Company. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense
of the Company (or the Company, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such
series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 3.02 (and with the effect provided in Section 3.03) for the redemption
of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Company. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated
to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with
such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity
date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption
of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the
payment of the Principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity. On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each
sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued
to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date. The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed
any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the
sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where
the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed
such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any
moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter
paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under
Article 6 and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section
6.04 or the Default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter
be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities. Article
4 Section 4.01. Payment of Securities. The
Company shall pay the Principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and this Indenture.
The interest on Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only
to the Holders thereof (subject to Section 2.04) and at the option of the Company may be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable
to or upon the written order of such Holders at their last addresses as they appear on the Security Register of the Company. 24 Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture
and the Securities of any series to the contrary, if the Company and a Holder of any Security so agree, payments of interest on, and any
portion of the Principal of, such Holder’s Security (other than interest payable at maturity or on any redemption or repayment date
or the final payment of Principal on such Security) shall be made by the Paying Agent, upon receipt from the Company of immediately available
funds by 11:00 A.M., New York City time (or such other time as may be agreed to between the Company and the Paying Agent), directly to
the Holder of such Security (by Federal funds wire transfer or otherwise) if the Holder has delivered written instructions to the Trustee
15 days prior to such payment date requesting that such payment will be so made and designating the bank account to which such payments
shall be so made and in the case of payments of Principal, surrenders the same to the Trustee in exchange for a Security or Securities
aggregating the same principal amount as the unredeemed principal amount of the Securities surrendered. The Trustee shall be entitled
to rely on the last instruction delivered by the Holder pursuant to this Section 4.01 unless a new instruction is delivered 15 days prior
to a payment date. The Company will indemnify and hold each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent harmless against any loss, liability or
expense (including attorneys’ fees) resulting from any act or omission to act on the part of the Company or any such Holder in connection
with any such agreement or from making any payment in accordance with any such agreement. The Company shall pay interest on overdue Principal,
and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate per annum specified in the Securities. Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the United States of America, an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities
and this Indenture may be served. The Company hereby initially designates the , located in , as such office or agency of the Company.
The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.
If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address
thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section
10.02. The Company may also from time to time designate
one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes
and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company
of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States of America for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the
names and addresses of the holders of the Securities pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture 25 Act of 1939 (a) semi-annually not more than 15 days after each record
date for the payment of semi-annual interest on the Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date, and (b) at such other
times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Company of any such request as of a date not more
than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished. Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee. The
Company will furnish to the Trustee annually, on or before a date not more than four months after the end of its fiscal year (which, on
the date hereof, is a calendar year), a brief certificate (which need not contain the statements required by Section 10.04) from its principal
executive, financial or accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the compliance of the Company with all conditions and covenants
under this Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this
Indenture) which certificate shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. Section 4.05. Reports by the Company. The
Company covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual
reports and of the information, documents, and other reports which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Section 4.06. Additional Amounts. If the
Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first interest payment date with respect
to that series of Securities and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities of that
series if there has been a change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company
shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal paying agent, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the
Trustee and such paying agent whether such payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders
of the Securities of that series without withholding or deduction for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge
described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding or deduction shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate
shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld or deducted on such payments to such Holders and shall certify the
fact that additional amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable to each Holder, and the Company shall pay to the Trustee or such
paying agent the additional amounts required to be paid by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any paying
agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their
part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished
pursuant to this Section. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned,
in any context, the payment of the Principal of or interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series, such
mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby
or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect 26 thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment
of additional amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of additional amounts in
those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made. Article
5 Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc.
Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.03 in connection with the establishment
of a series, the Company shall not consolidate or combine with, merge with or into, directly or indirectly, or sell, assign, convey, transfer,
lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets to any Person or Persons in a single transaction or
through a series of transactions unless: Section 5.02. Successor Substituted. Upon
any consolidation, combination or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 of this
Indenture, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such Surviving Entity had been named as the Company herein and thereafter the predecessor Person,
except in the case of (x) a lease or (y) any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition to one or more Subsidiaries
of the Company, shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. 27 Article
6 Section 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event
of Default” shall occur with respect to the Securities of any series if: Section 6.02. Acceleration. i) If an Event
of Default other than as described in clauses (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Securities of any series then outstanding
occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and
payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 28 Securities of all such series then
outstanding hereunder in respect of which an Event of Default has occurred (all such series voting together as a single class) by notice
in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of
any such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such
series established pursuant to Section 2.03) of all Securities of the affected series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be
due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. (b) If an
Event of Default described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount (or, if any Securities
are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to
Section 2.03) of all the Securities then outstanding and interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be and become immediately due and payable,
without any notice or other action by any Holder or the Trustee, to the full extent permitted by applicable law. The foregoing provisions, however, are subject
to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to Section 2.03) of the Securities of any series (or of
all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared or become due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the
payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the
Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities,
as the case may be) and the principal of any and all Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which
shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest
is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity
(in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of each such series to the date of such payment or deposit)
and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07, and if any and all Events of Default
under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have
been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of all the then outstanding Securities of all such series that have been accelerated (voting as a single class), by written notice
to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to all such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the
case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend
to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon. For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion
of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared or become due and payable pursuant
to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless 29 such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal
amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof
as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and
payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute
payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities. Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If a payment
default or an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue, in its own
name or as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of Principal of
and interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this
Indenture. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it
does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject
to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series affected
(voting as a single class), by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities
of such series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of Principal of or interest on any Security as specified in clauses
(a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default with respect to the Securities of such series arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto. Section 6.05. Control by Majority. Subject
to Sections 7.01 and 7.02(e), the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series
affected (voting as a single class) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by this Indenture; provided,
that the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal
liability or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in the giving of
such direction; and provided further, that the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any directions
received from Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.05. Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. No Holder
of any Security of any series may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of
30 such series, or for the appointment of a receiver
or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless: A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice
the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder. Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive
Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of Principal
of or interest, if any, on such Holder’s Security on or after the respective due dates expressed on such Security, or to bring suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such
Holder. Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If
an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series in payment of Principal or interest specified in clause (a) or (b) of
Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the
Company for the whole amount (or such portion thereof as specified in the terms established pursuant to Section 2.03 of Original Issue
Discount Securities) of Principal of, and accrued interest remaining unpaid on, together with interest on overdue Principal of, and, to
the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest on, the Securities of such series, in
each case at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, and such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07. Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts due the
Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities),
its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and 31 empowered to collect and receive any moneys, securities or other property payable
or deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Securities or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver,
assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder
to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders,
to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize
or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting
the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding. Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds. Any
moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of the Securities of any series shall be applied in the following
order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of Principal or interest, upon
presentation of the several Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected and noting thereon the payment, or issuing Securities
of such series and tenor in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of such series and tenor if only partially
paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid: FIRST: To the payment of all amounts
due the Trustee under Section 7.07 applicable to the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected; SECOND: In case the principal of the
Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment
of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest
(to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the
rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments
to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference; THIRD: In case the principal of the
Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the
payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for Principal and interest, with interest
upon the overdue Principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of
interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified
in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid
upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such Principal and interest or Yield
to Maturity, without preference or priority of Principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over
Principal, or of any installment of interest over any 32 other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other
Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such Principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder,
if any, to the Company or any other person lawfully entitled thereto. Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding
has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then, and in every
such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former
positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding
had been instituted. Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs. In
any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted
by it as Trustee, in either case in respect to the Securities of any series, a court may require any party litigant in such suit (other
than the Trustee) to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith
of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07,
a suit instituted by the Trustee or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series. Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken Securities
in Section 2.08, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of
any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other
right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right
or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy. Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair
any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given
by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient,
by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be. 33 Article
7 Section 7.01. General. The duties and responsibilities
of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act and as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of
this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance
of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against
any loss, liability or expense. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct
or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article 7. Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject
to Trust Indenture Act Sections 315(a) through (d): 34 the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company; Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However,
the Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(b) and 311. For purposes of Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b)(4) and (6),
the following terms shall mean: 35 financing
the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing
title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the
goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with
the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill
of exchange, acceptance or obligation. Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The
recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as statements
of the Company and not of the Trustee and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. Neither the Trustee nor
any of its agents (a) makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities and (b) shall be accountable
for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Securities. Section 7.05. Notice of Default. If any
Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and if such Default is known to the actual knowledge of
a Responsible Officer with the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to each Holder of Securities of such
series notice of such Default within 90 days after it occurs to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent
provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the mailing or publication
of such notice; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security,
the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice
is in the interests of the Holders. Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to Holders a brief report,
dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a). A copy of each such report shall, at the time of
such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission
and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange. Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The
Company shall pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time for its services. The compensation
of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a Trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee
and any predecessor Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses,
disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or such predecessor 36 Trustee. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation
and expenses of the Trustee’s or such predecessor Trustee’s agents, counsel and other persons not regularly in their employ. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee and any
predecessor Trustee for, and hold them harmless against, any loss or liability or expense incurred by them without negligence or bad faith
on their part arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture and the Securities or the issuance
of the Securities or of series thereof or the trusts hereunder and the performance of duties under this Indenture and the Securities,
including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against or investigating any claim or liability and of complying with any process
served upon them or any of their officers in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties under this Indenture
and the Securities. To secure the Company’s payment obligations
in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee,
in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay Principal of, and interest on particular Securities. The obligations of the Company under this Section
to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee
for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge
of this Indenture or the rejection or termination of this Indenture under bankruptcy law. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior
claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the
benefit of the Holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim. Without prejudice to
any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, if the Trustee renders services and incurs expenses following an Event
of Default under Section 6.01(d) or Section 6.01(e) hereof, the parties hereto and the holders by their acceptance of the Securities hereby
agree that such expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law. Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. A
resignation or removal of the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and appointment of a successor Trustee as
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment
as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign as Trustee with respect
to the Securities of any series at any time by so notifying the Company in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the
Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto with the consent of the Company. The Company may remove the
Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series if: (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.11 of this Indenture;
(ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other
public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting. 37 If the Trustee resigns or is removed as Trustee
with respect to the Securities of any series, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series
for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto. Within one year after the successor Trustee
takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may appoint a successor Trustee
in respect of such Securities to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If the successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of any series does not deliver its written acceptance required by Section 7.09 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns
or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such
series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect thereto. The Company shall give notice of any resignation
and any removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee in respect of
the Securities of such series to all Holders of Securities of such series. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee
and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 7.08 and Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section
7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee. Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by
Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee
so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment,
and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further
act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request
of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges and subject to the lien provided for
in Section 7.07, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring
Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor
Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm
to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities
of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain
such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the 38 retiring Trustee
with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in
the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture
shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder
separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such
supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each
such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates;
but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor
Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which
the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the
Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such
rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be. No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment
unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under this Article and qualified under Section 310(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act. Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger,
Etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business
to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association
without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee
herein. Section 7.11. Eligibility. This Indenture
shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital
and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust. The
Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money
held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in
trust under Article 8 of this Indenture. 39 Article
8 Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of
Indenture. If at any time (a) (i) all Securities of any series issued that have been authenticated and delivered have been delivered
by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which
have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08); or (ii) all the Securities
of any series issued that have not been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or
are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory
to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by such Trustee in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense,
the Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash (other
than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Company in accordance with Section
8.04) or U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will insure (without
consideration of the reinvestment of such interest) the availability of cash, or a combination thereof, sufficient to pay at maturity
or upon redemption all Securities of such series (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen
and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) not theretofore
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become due on or prior to such date of maturity
or redemption as the case may be; (b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under this Indenture;
and (c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to this Section
8.01 have been complied with, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of such series (except
as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of securities of such series, and the Company’s right of optional redemption,
if any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of holders to receive payments of
principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of
the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and
(v) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee
payable to all or any of them), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion
of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging
this Indenture with respect to such series; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of Principal
of and interest on the Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-applicable mandatory rules or policies
of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses
thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered
by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series. 40 Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds
Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 8.04, all moneys (including U.S. Government Obligations and the proceeds thereof)
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, Section 8.05 or Section 8.06 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment,
either directly or through any paying agent to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of
which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for Principal and interest; but such
money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying
Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then
held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Company,
be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
moneys. Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee
and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of
the Principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which
such Principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Company and unless otherwise required
by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee for such
series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of
applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such Holder may
be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease. Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture.
The Company shall be deemed to have paid and shall be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities of any
series, after the deposit referred to in clause (i) hereof has been made, and the provisions of this Indenture shall no longer be in effect
with respect to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
the same), except as to: ii) rights of Holders of the Securities of such series to receive payments of principal thereof, premium thereto,
and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor, iii) the Company’s obligations with respect to the issuance of
temporary Securities and the registration of transfer with respect to the Securities of such series, the Company’s right of optional
redemption, substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such series and the maintenance of an office or
agency for payment for security payments held in trust pursuant to clause (i) hereof, iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the
Trustee hereunder, and v) the defeasance provisions contained in Article 8 of this
Indenture; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied: 41 Section
7.11) as trust funds in trust, for the purposes of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated
solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations which
through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before
the due date of any payment referred to in subclause (x) or (y) of this clause (i), or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient,
in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of reinvestment and after payment of all federal, state and local
taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge (x) all of the
Principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding Securities of such series on the maturity or due dates
thereof or if the Company has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the
Trustee, the redemption date, as the case may be, and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the
Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of Securities of such series
and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations.
The Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in, and this Indenture will no longer be in effect
with respect to, any covenant established pursuant to Section 2.03(r) and clause (c) and clause (f) (with respect to any covenants established pursuant
to Section 2.03(s)) of 42 Section 6.01 shall be deemed not to constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any
series, if 43 redemption shall
have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made. Section 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee
or paying agent is unable to apply any monies or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding
or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application,
the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to this Article until such time as the Trustee or paying agent is permitted to apply all such monies or U.S. Government Obligations
in accordance with Article 8; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of Principal of or interest on any Securities
because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive
such payment from the monies or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or paying agent. Section 8.08. Indemnity. The Company shall
pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.08 and Section 8.02, the “Trustee”)
against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.01,
8.05 or 8.06 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of the Securities. Section 8.09. Excess Funds. Anything in
this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon request of the
Company, any money or U.S. Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 8.01,
8.05 or 8.06 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of Independent Public Accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a discharge
or defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article 8. Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee. Any trustee
appointed pursuant to Section 8.05 or 8.06 for the purpose of holding money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to such
Sections shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate, upon
which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related
defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee. Article
9 Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The
Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without notice to or the consent of any
Holder: 44 Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Subject
to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, without prior notice to any Holders, the Company and the Trustee may amend this Indenture and the Securities
of any series with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each series affected
by such amendment (all such series voting together as a single class), and the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of each series affected thereby (all such series voting together as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may waive
future compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such series. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
9.02, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not: 45 A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates
any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series
of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, shall
be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. It shall not be necessary for the consent of any
Holder under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient
if such consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver under
this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall give to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment,
supplement or waiver. The Company will mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice,
or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver. Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent.
Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent
Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the Security of the consenting Holder, even if notation
of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or
portion of its Security. Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the
amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective with respect to any Securities
affected thereby on receipt by the Trustee of written consents from the requisite Holders of outstanding Securities affected thereby. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to,
fix a record date (which may be not less than five nor more than 60 days prior to the solicitation of consents) for the purpose of determining
the Holders of the Securities of any series affected entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed,
then, notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were such Holders at such record date (or their duly designated
proxies) and only those Persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be
such Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date. After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes
effective with respect to the Securities of any series affected thereby, it shall bind every Holder of such Securities unless it is of
the type described in any of clauses (a) through (d) of Section 9.02. In case 46 of an amendment or waiver of the type described in clauses
(a) through (d) of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver shall bind each such Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder
of a Security that evidences the same indebtedness as the Security of the consenting Holder. Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of any Security, the Trustee may require the Holder thereof to deliver it
to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and
the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Security of such series thereafter authenticated. Alternatively, if the Company or
the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security of the
same series and tenor that reflects the changed terms. Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.
The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution
of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, stating that
all requisite consents have been obtained or that no consents are required and stating that such supplemental indenture constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary
exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s
own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture
Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 9 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act
as then in effect. Article
10 Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
This Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and
to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Section 10.02. Notices. Any notice or communication
shall be sufficiently given if written and (a) if delivered in person when received or (b) if mailed by first class mail 5 days after
mailing, or (c) as between the Company and the Trustee if sent by facsimile transmission, when transmission is confirmed, in each case
addressed as follows: if to the Company: AC Immune SA 47 if to the Trustee: The Company or the Trustee by written notice to
the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications. Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently
given to Holders by mailing to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register. Notice mailed shall be sufficiently
given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to the Trustee
and each Agent at the same time. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a
Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture,
if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided in this Section 10.02, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives
it. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any
manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such
waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not
be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case it shall be impracticable to give notice
as herein contemplated, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
for every purpose hereunder. Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to
Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company
shall furnish to the Trustee: Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate
or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other
than the certificate required by Section 4.04) shall include: 48 Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership. The
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered
upon the Security Register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding
any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the Principal of and, subject
to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent
or Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Paying Agent or Registrar may make
reasonable rules for its functions. Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a Business
Day. Except as otherwise provided with respect to a series of Securities, if any date for payment of Principal or interest on any
Security shall not be a Business Day at any place of payment, then payment of Principal of or interest on such Security, as the case may
be, need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at any place of payment with the same force and
effect as if made on such date and no interest shall accrue in respect of such payment for the period from and after such date. Section 10.08. Governing Law. The laws
of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the Securities. Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of
Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture or loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company. Any such indenture or agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture. Section 10.10. Successors. All agreements
of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind
its successors. Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals. The
parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the
same agreement. 49 Section 10.12. Separability. In case any
provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings,
Etc. The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference
only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms and provisions hereof. Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders,
Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby,
shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such,
of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional
provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly
waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities. Section 10.15. Judgment Currency. The Company
agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in
any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the Principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required
Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange
used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required
Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Business Day,
then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking
procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day preceding
the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required
Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance
with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result
in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments,
(ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering
in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency
so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. Section 10.16. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH
OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY
IN ANY LEGAL 50 PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE,
THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. Section 10.17. Force Majeure. In no event
shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or
caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts
of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions
of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts
which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances. 51 SIGNATURES IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused
this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above. 52 Exhibit 4.3 AC IMMUNE SA as the Company and as Trustee Subordinated Indenture Dated as of , 20 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page i ii iii SIGNATURES iv SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of , 20 , between
AC Immune SA, a Swiss stock corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland, as the Company, and , as Trustee. RECITALS OF THE COMPANY WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issue
from time to time of its subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”)
up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide,
among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery
of this Indenture; and WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture
a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done; NOW, THEREFORE: In consideration of the premises and the purchases
of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit
of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities or of any and all series thereof as follows: Article
1 Section 1.01. Definitions. “Affiliate” of any Person means
any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For
the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled
by” and “under common control with”) when used with respect to any Person means the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities,
by contract or otherwise. “Agent” means any Registrar,
Paying Agent, transfer agent or Authenticating Agent. “Board Resolution” means one
or more resolutions of the board of directors of the Company or any authorized committee thereof, certified by the secretary or an assistant
secretary to have been duly adopted and to be in full force and effect on the date of certification, and delivered to the Trustee. “Business Day” means any day,
other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by
law or regulation to close in The City of New York, with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations
in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar deposits in London, or with respect to Securities denominated in a
specified currency other than United States dollars, in the principal financial center of the country of the specified currency. “Commission” means the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time after the execution of this
instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing
such duties at such time. “Company” means the party named
as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article 5 of this Indenture and thereafter
means the successor. “Corporate Trust Office” means
the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office
is, at the date of this Indenture, located at Attention: . “Default” means any event that
is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default. “Depositary” means, with respect
to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary
by the Company pursuant to Section 2.03 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if
at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series
shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Global Securities of that series. “Exchange Act” means the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. “Guarantee” by any Person means
any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation (whether
arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay,
or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee
of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or
in part), provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
The term “Guarantee” when used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. “Holder” or “Securityholder”
means the registered holder of any Security. 2 “IFRS” means International Financial
Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, as in effect as of the date hereof. “Indebtedness” of any Person
means at any date, without duplication (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced
by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar
instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price
of property or services, except Trade Payables, (v) all obligations of such Person as a lessee under capital leases, (vi) all Indebtedness
of others secured by a lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, (vii) all Indebtedness
of others Guaranteed by such Person. “Indenture” means this Indenture
as originally executed and delivered or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental
to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and shall include the forms and terms of the Securities
of each series established as contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03. “Officer” means, with respect
to the Company, the chairman of the board of directors, the president or chief executive officer, any executive vice president, any senior
vice president, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer, or the secretary or any assistant
secretary. “Officers’ Certificate”
means a certificate signed in the name of the Company (i) by the chairman of the board of directors, the president or chief executive
officer, an executive vice president, a senior vice president or a vice president and (ii) by the chief financial officer, the treasurer
or any assistant treasurer, or the secretary or any assistant secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall comply
with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) the
statements provided in Section 10.04, if applicable. “Opinion of Counsel” means a
written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion
shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include the statements provided in Section 10.04, if and
to the extent required thereby. “original issue date” of any
Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of authentication of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or
portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution. “Original Issue Discount Security”
means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration
of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02. “Periodic Offering” means an
offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate
or rates of 3 interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof
and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such
Securities. “Person” means an individual,
a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government
or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof. “Principal” of a Security means
the principal amount of, and, unless the context indicates otherwise, includes any premium payable on, the Security. “Registered Global Security”
means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section
2.02, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.02. “Responsible Officer” when used
with respect to the Trustee, shall mean an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office, having direct responsibility for the
administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because
of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. “Securities” means any of the
securities, as defined in the first paragraph of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. “Securities Act” means the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. “Senior Indebtedness” means
all Indebtedness of the Company (other than the Securities) including principal and interest (including, without limitation, any interest
that would accrue but for the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding referred to in Section 11.02 hereof) on such Indebtedness,
created, incurred or assumed on or after the date of the first issuance of any Securities, unless such Indebtedness, but its terms or
the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it, is subordinate in right of payment to, or pari passu with, the Securities; provided,
that the term Senior Indebtedness shall not include (a) any Indebtedness of the Company which, when incurred and without respect to any
election under Section 111(b) of Title II, United States Code, with or without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company
to a Subsidiary, (c) Indebtedness to any employee of the Company and (d) Trade Payables. “Subsidiary” means, with respect
to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which a majority of the capital stock or other ownership interests
having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time
directly or indirectly owned by such Person. “Trade Payables” means, with
respect to any Person, any accounts payable or any other indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or Guaranteed
by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services. 4 “Trustee” means the party named
as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 and thereafter
shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee”
as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series. “Trust Indenture Act” means
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as it may be amended from time to time. “U.S. Government Obligations”
means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is
pledged or (ii) obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed
as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or
trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any
such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt. “Yield to Maturity” means, as
the context may require, the yield to maturity (i) on a series of Securities or (ii) if the Securities of a series are issuable from time
to time, on a Security of such series, calculated at the time of issuance of such series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance
of such Security of such series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such
series or on such Security, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as
is specified in the terms of such Security. Section 1.02. Other Definitions. Each
of the following terms is defined in the section set forth opposite such term: Term Section 5 Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference
of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by
reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act
have the following meanings: “indenture securities” means
the Securities; “indenture security holder”
means a Holder or a Securityholder; “indenture to be qualified”
means this Indenture; “indenture trustee” or “institutional
trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the indenture securities
means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities. All other terms used in this Indenture that are
defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by reference in the Trust Indenture Act to another statute or defined by a rule of the Commission
and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein. Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) an
accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with IFRS; (b) words
in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular; (c) “herein,”
“hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or
other subdivision; (d) all
references to Sections or Articles refer to Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated; and (e) use
of masculine, feminine or neuter pronouns should not be deemed a limitation, and the use of any such pronouns should be construed to include,
where appropriate, the other pronouns. Article
2 Section 2.01. Form and Dating. The Securities
of each series shall be substantially in such form or forms (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant
to one or more Board Resolutions or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon
such legend or legends or endorsements, 6 not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required
to comply with any law, or with any rules of any securities exchange or usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such
Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication.
Two Officers shall execute the Securities for the Company by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on behalf of the Company. If
an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall
nevertheless be valid. The Trustee, at the expense of the Company, may
appoint an authenticating agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) to authenticate Securities. The Authenticating Agent may authenticate
Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by
such Authenticating Agent. A Security shall not be valid until the Trustee
or Authenticating Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that
the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution
and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication
together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such
Securities to or upon the written order of the Company. In authenticating any Securities of a series, the Trustee shall be entitled to
receive prior to the authentication of any Securities of such series, and (subject to Article 7) shall be fully protected in relying upon,
unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked: (a) any
Board Resolution and/or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.01 and 2.03 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms
of the Securities of that series were established; (b) an
Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of the Securities, stating that the form or forms and terms of the
Securities of such series have been, or, in the case of a Periodic Offering, will be when established in accordance with such procedures
as shall be referred to therein, established in compliance with this Indenture; and (c) an
Opinion of Counsel substantially to the effect that the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series have been, or, in the
case of a Periodic Offering, will be when established in accordance with such procedures as shall be referred to therein, established
in compliance with this Indenture and that the supplemental indenture, to the extent applicable, and Securities have been duly authorized
and, if executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers
thereof on the date of such opinion, would be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and would be valid and binding obligations of
the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their 7 respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
receivership, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, general principles of equity, and covering
such other matters as shall be specified therein and as shall be reasonably requested by the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate
such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities
under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.01
and 2.02, if, in connection with a Periodic Offering, all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall
not be necessary to deliver the Board Resolution otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01 or the written order, Officers’ Certificate
and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.02 at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if
such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued. With respect to Securities of a series offered
in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the forms and terms thereof
and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant
to Sections 2.01 and 2.02, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section
2.03 that the Securities of a series or a portion thereof are to be issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, then
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Registered Global Securities that (i) shall represent
and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series issued in such form
and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities or the
nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to such Depositary’s
instructions and (iv) shall (unless provided otherwise in the form of such Security) bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
“Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this Security may not be transferred
except as a whole by the Depositary to the nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee
of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.” Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable
in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series
and each such series shall rank equally and pari passu with the Securities of each other series, but all Securities hereunder shall be
subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and manner 8 set forth in Article 11, to all Senior Indebtedness. There shall be
established in or pursuant to Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities
of any series, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03, (a) the
designation of the Securities of the series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series; (b) any
limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
and any limitation on the ability of the Company to increase such aggregate principal amount after the initial issuance of the Securities
of that series (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of,
or upon redemption of, other Securities of the series pursuant hereto); (c) the
date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable (which date or dates may be fixed or extendible); (d) the
rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or
dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable and on which a record shall be taken for the determination
of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined; (e) if
other than as provided in Section 4.02, the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall
be payable, any Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, notices, demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities
of the series and this Indenture may be served; (f) the
right, if any, of the Company to redeem Securities of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any
sinking fund or otherwise; (g) the
obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking
fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which
and any of the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant
to such obligation; (h) if
other than denominations of $2,000 and any higher integral multiple of $1,000, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall
be issuable; (i) if
other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration
of acceleration of the maturity thereof; 9 (j) if
other than the coin or currency in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal
of or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable or if the amount of payments of principal of and/or interest on the Securities
of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the
series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; (k) if
other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment
of the Principal of and interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable, and the manner in which any such currencies shall be
valued against other currencies in which any other Securities shall be payable; (l) whether
the Securities of the series or any portion thereof will be issuable as Global Securities; (m) whether
the Securities of the series may be exchangeable for and/or convertible into the common stock of the Company or any other security; (n) whether
and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S.
person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option
to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional amounts; (o) if
the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security
of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of
such certificates, documents or conditions; (p) any
trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or the registrar or any other agents with respect to the Securities
of the series; (q) provisions,
if any, for the defeasance of the Securities of the series (including provisions permitting defeasance of less than all Securities of
the series), which provisions may be in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of (or any combination of the foregoing)
the provisions of Article 8; (r) if
the Securities of the series are issuable in whole or in part as one or more Registered Global Securities, the identity of the Depositary
or common Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities; (s) any
other Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Securities of the series; and (t) any
other terms of the Securities of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture). 10 All Securities of any one series shall be substantially
identical, except as to date and denomination, except in the case of any Periodic Offering and except as may otherwise be provided by
or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any
one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so
provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and any forms and terms of Securities to
be issued from time to time may be completed and established from time to time prior to the issuance thereof by procedures described in
such Board Resolution or supplemental indenture. Unless otherwise expressly provided with respect
to a series of Securities, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Securities may be increased and additional Securities of such
series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such series as increased. Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities;
Payments of Interest. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.03
or, if not so established with respect to Securities of any series, in denominations of $2,000 and any higher integral multiple of $1,000.
The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as
the Officers of the Company executing the same may determine, as evidenced by their execution thereof. Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series
of Securities, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any,
from the date, and such interest and shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.03. The person in whose name any Security of any series
is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date
for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer
or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Company
shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case the provisions of Section
2.13 shall apply. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment
of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of such series
established as contemplated by Section 2.03, or, if no such date is so established, the fifteenth day next preceding such interest payment
date, whether or not such record date is a Business Day. Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent;
Agents Generally. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration, registration
of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment
(the “Paying Agent”), which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. 11 The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a
register of the Securities and of their registration, transfer and exchange (the “Security Register”). The Company
may have one or more additional Paying Agents or transfer agents with respect to any series. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency
agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture
Act that relate to such Agent. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent and any
change in the name or address of an Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.
The Company may remove any Agent upon written notice to such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become
effective until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement
entered into by the Company and such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee
shall serve as such Agent until the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso. The Company or any
affiliate of the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar; provided that neither the Company nor an affiliate of the Company
shall act as Paying Agent in connection with the defeasance of the Securities or the discharge of this Indenture under Article 8. The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar,
Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent. If, at any time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make available to the Trustee
ten days prior to each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of
the Holders as they appear in the Security Register. Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money
in Trust. Not later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each due date of any Principal or interest on any Securities, the Company
shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such Principal or interest. The Company shall
require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Principal of and interest on such Securities
and shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. The Company at any time may require a
Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the
continuance of any payment default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the
Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid
over to the Trustee. If the Company or any affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any Principal
of or interest on any Securities, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders thereof a sum of money sufficient
to pay such Principal or interest so becoming due until such sum of money shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided
in this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act as required by this Section. 12 Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange. At the option of the Holder thereof, Securities
of any series (other than a Registered Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of such
series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Securities to be exchanged
at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon payment, if the Company
shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute,
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of
any Security of a series at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for that purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon
payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized
denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. All Securities presented for registration of transfer,
exchange, redemption or payment shall be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities.
No service charge shall be made for any such transaction. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
2.07, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Registered Global Security
representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series
to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. If at any time the Depositary for any Registered
Global Securities of any series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Registered Global
Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Registered Global Securities shall no longer be eligible under applicable law, the
Company shall appoint a successor Depositary eligible under applicable law with respect to such Registered Global Securities. If a successor
Depositary eligible under applicable law for such Registered Global Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the
Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s
order for the authentication and 13 delivery of definitive Securities of such series and tenor, will authenticate
and deliver certificated Securities of such series and tenor, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal
to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global Securities. The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion
and subject to the procedures of the Depositary determine that any Registered Global Securities of any series shall no longer be maintained
in global form. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s order for the authentication
and delivery of definitive Securities of such series and tenor, will authenticate and deliver, certificated Securities of such series
and tenor in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities,
in exchange for such Registered Global Securities. Any time the Securities of any series are not in
the form of Registered Global Securities pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the Company agrees to supply the Trustee with a reasonable
supply of certificated Securities without the legend required by Section 2.02 and the Trustee agrees to hold such Securities in safekeeping
until authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. If established by the Company pursuant to Section
2.03 with respect to any Registered Global Security, the Depositary for such Registered Global Security may surrender such Registered
Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms
as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
without service charge, (a) to
the Person specified by such Depositary new certificated Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested
by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Registered
Global Security; and (b) to
such Depositary a new Registered Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the
surrendered Registered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of certificated Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant
to clause (a) above. Certificated Securities issued in exchange for
a Registered Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the
Depositary for such Registered Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall
instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Securities to or as directed
by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. 14 All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange
of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture,
as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange. The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue,
authenticate, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series for a period of 15 days before a selection of such Securities
to be redeemed or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part. Section 2.08. Replacement Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in
exchange for such mutilated Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the Company and
the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as
may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the
Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount
and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security,
pay such Security (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish
to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them
harmless, and in the case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of them of
the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and the ownership thereof. Upon the issuance of any new Security under this
Section, the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. Every new Security of any series issued pursuant
to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for any mutilated Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time
enforceable by anyone, and any such new Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. 15 The provisions of this Section are exclusive and
shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Securities. Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities.
Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those
delivered to it for cancellation, those described in this Section as not outstanding and those that have been defeased pursuant to Section
8.05. If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08,
it ceases to be outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security
is held by a holder in due course. If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or
an affiliate of the Company) holds on the maturity date or any redemption date or date for repurchase of the Securities money sufficient
to pay Securities payable or to be redeemed or repurchased on that date, then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding
and interest on them shall cease to accrue. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because
the Company or one of its affiliates holds such Security, provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of
the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent
or waiver hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding,
except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent or waiver, only Securities as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice to be so owned
shall be so disregarded. Any Securities so owned which are pledged by the Company, or by any affiliate of the Company, as security for
loans or other obligations, otherwise than to another such affiliate of the Company, shall be deemed to be outstanding, if the pledgee
is entitled pursuant to the terms of its pledge agreement and is free to exercise in its or his discretion the right to vote such securities,
uncontrolled by the Company or by any such affiliate. Section 2.10. Temporary Securities. Until
definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities
of such series. Temporary Securities of any series shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities of such series but may
have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Securities,
as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of any
series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series and tenor upon surrender
of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge
to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall 16 execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of such series and tenor and authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series. Section 2.11. Cancellation. The Company
at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company
may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder
which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar, any transfer agent and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities
surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel and dispose of in accordance with its customary procedures
all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company.
The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has paid in full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company
in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “ISIN” and/or “CINS” numbers (if then generally in use),
and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers, ISIN numbers or CINS numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience
to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of redemption or exchange. Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest. If
the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately
available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest (as
may be specified in the terms thereof, established pursuant to Section 2.03) to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record
date, which shall mean the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not
such day is a Business Day. At least 15 days before such special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder of such Securities
and to the Trustee a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid. Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches.
A series of Securities may include one or more tranches (each a “tranche”) of Securities, including Securities issued
in a Periodic Offering. The Securities of different tranches may have one or more different terms, including authentication dates and
public offering prices, but all the Securities within each such tranche shall have identical terms, including authentication date and
public offering price. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, with respect to Sections 2.02 (other than the fourth, sixth
and seventh paragraphs thereof) through 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 2.10, 3.01 through 3.05, 4.02, 6.01 through 6.14, 8.01 through 8.07, 9.02 and
10.07, if any series of Securities includes more than one tranche, all provisions of such sections applicable to any series of Securities
shall be deemed equally applicable to each tranche of any series of Securities in the same manner as though originally designated a series
unless otherwise provided with respect to such series or tranche 17 pursuant to Section 2.03. In particular, and without limiting the scope
of the next preceding sentence, any of the provisions of such sections which provide for or permit action to be taken with respect to
a series of Securities shall also be deemed to provide for and permit such action to be taken instead only with respect to Securities
of one or more tranches within that series (and such provisions shall be deemed satisfied thereby), even if no comparable action is taken
with respect to Securities in the remaining tranches of that series. Article
3 Section 3.01. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any
sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities
of such series. Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial
Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of
the Company shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than
60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear
upon the Security Register. Any notice which is mailed or published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have
been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder
of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption
of any other Security of such series. The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall
specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the CUSIP numbers of the Securities to
be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof, the
place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant
to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be
paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease
to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal
amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new
Security or Securities of such series and tenor in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued. The notice of redemption of Securities of any series
to be redeemed at the option of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name
and at the expense of the Company. 18 On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the
redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or
with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided
in Section 2.06) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption
at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If all of the outstanding Securities
of a series are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 10 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption
may be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee)
an Officers’ Certificate stating that all such Securities are to be redeemed. If less than all the outstanding Securities of a series
are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may
be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee)
an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption
of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere
in this Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities
or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to Holders pursuant
to this Section, an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition. If less than all the Securities of a series are
to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, pro rata, by lot or in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such
series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part in principal amounts equal to authorized denominations for
Securities of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption
and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all
purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate,
in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has
been or is to be redeemed. Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called
For Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such
notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with
interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such
Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to such date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities
so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and, except as provided in Sections 7.12 and 8.02, such Securities shall cease from and
after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in
respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption.
On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of 19 payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified
portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon
to the date fixed for redemption; provided that payment of interest becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be
payable to the Holders registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.04 and 2.13 hereof. If any Security called for redemption shall not
be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed
for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security. Upon presentation of any Security of any series
redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof,
at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of such series and tenor, of authorized denominations, in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented. Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities
from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Unless otherwise provided with respect to any series of Securities, Securities shall
be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement
signed by an authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of
redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Company or (b)
an entity specifically identified in such written statement as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with the Company. Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking
Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to
as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of
the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. The date on which a sinking
fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date”. In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory
sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities
of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except through a mandatory sinking fund payment) by the Company or receive
credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by
the Company and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.11, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments
(not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited)
redeemed by the Company at the option of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through any optional sinking fund payment.
Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such
Securities. 20 On or before the sixtieth day next preceding each
sinking fund payment date for any series, or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, the Company will deliver to the
Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of
cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of specified Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that
none of the specified Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest
or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) stating
whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if
so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Company intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking
fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Company to
be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation
pursuant to Section 2.11 to the Trustee with such Officers’ Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the
Trustee). Such Officers’ Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally
obligated to make all the cash payments or delivery of Securities therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking
fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such sixtieth day, to deliver such Officer’s Certificate and Securities
specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election
of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall
be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company
will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section. If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory
or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking
fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any
series), such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at
the sinking fund redemption price thereof together with accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall
be $50,000 (or such lesser sum) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000
(or such lesser sum) is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 3.02, for redemption on such sinking fund
payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested
in writing by the Company) inform the Company of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected.
Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for redemption under this Section if they are identified by registration and certificate
number in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being owned
of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such
Officers’ Certificate as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common 21 control with the Company. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense
of the Company (or the Company, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such
series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 3.02 (and with the effect provided in Section 3.03) for the redemption
of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Company. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated
to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with
such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity
date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption
of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the
payment of the Principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity. On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each
sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued
to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date. The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed
any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the
sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where
the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed
such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any
moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter
paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under
Article 6 and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section
6.04 or the Default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter
be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities. Article
4 Section 4.01. Payment of Securities.
The Company shall pay the Principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and this
Indenture. The interest on Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be
payable only to the Holders thereof (subject to Section 2.04) and at the option of the Company may be paid by mailing checks for such
interest payable to or upon the written order of such Holders at their last addresses as they appear on the Security Register of the Company. 22 Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture
and the Securities of any series to the contrary, if the Company and a Holder of any Security so agree, payments of interest on, and any
portion of the Principal of, such Holder’s Security (other than interest payable at maturity or on any redemption or repayment date
or the final payment of Principal on such Security) shall be made by the Paying Agent, upon receipt from the Company of immediately available
funds by 11:00 A.M., New York City time (or such other time as may be agreed to between the Company and the Paying Agent), directly to
the Holder of such Security (by Federal funds wire transfer or otherwise) if the Holder has delivered written instructions to the Trustee
15 days prior to such payment date requesting that such payment will be so made and designating the bank account to which such payments
shall be so made and in the case of payments of Principal, surrenders the same to the Trustee in exchange for a Security or Securities
aggregating the same principal amount as the unredeemed principal amount of the Securities surrendered. The Trustee shall be entitled
to rely on the last instruction delivered by the Holder pursuant to this Section 4.01 unless a new instruction is delivered 15 days prior
to a payment date. The Company will indemnify and hold each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent harmless against any loss, liability or
expense (including attorneys’ fees) resulting from any act or omission to act on the part of the Company or any such Holder in connection
with any such agreement or from making any payment in accordance with any such agreement. The Company shall pay interest on overdue Principal,
and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate per annum specified in the Securities. Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the United States of America an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of
transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities
and this Indenture may be served. The Company hereby initially designates the , located in , as such office or agency of the Company.
The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.
If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address
thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section
10.02. The Company may also from time to time designate
one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes
and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company
of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States of America for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names
and addresses of the holders of the Securities pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust 23 Indenture Act of 1939 (a) semi-annually not more than 15 days after
each record date for the payment of semi-annual interest on the Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date, and (b)
at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Company of any such request as of a
date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished. Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee.
The Company will furnish to the Trustee annually, on or before a date not more than four months after the end of its fiscal year (which,
on the date hereof, is a calendar year), a brief certificate (which need not contain the statements required by Section 10.04) from its
principal executive, financial or accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the compliance of the Company with all conditions and
covenants under this Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided
under this Indenture) which certificate shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. Section 4.05. Reports by the Company.
The Company covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual
reports and of the information, documents, and other reports which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Section 4.06. Additional Amounts. If
the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first interest payment date with
respect to that series of Securities and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities
of that series if there has been a change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal paying agent, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing
the Trustee and such paying agent whether such payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders
of the Securities of that series without withholding or deduction for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge
described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding or deduction shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate
shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld or deducted on such payments to such Holders and shall certify the
fact that additional amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable to each Holder, and the Company shall pay to the Trustee or such
paying agent the additional amounts required to be paid by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any paying
agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their
part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished
pursuant to this Section. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned,
in any context, the payment of the Principal of or interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any series, such
mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided by the terms of such series established hereby
or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect 24 thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment
of additional amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of additional amounts in
those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made. Article
5 Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc.
Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.03 in connection with the establishment of a series, the Company shall not consolidate
or combine with, merge with or into, directly or indirectly, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially
all of its property and assets to any Person or Persons in a single transaction or through a series of transactions unless: (a) the
Company shall be the continuing Person or, if the Company is not the continuing Person, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person
(the “Surviving Entity”) is a company organized and existing under the laws of any member state of the European Union
or the United States of America or any State or territory thereof; (b) the
Surviving Entity shall expressly assume all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities and this Indenture, and shall, if
required by law to effectuate the assumption, execute supplemental indentures which shall be delivered to the Trustee and shall be in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; (c) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, no Default has occurred and is continuing; and (d) the
Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that
(x) the transaction or series of transactions and such supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Section 5.01, (y) such supplemental
indenture (if any) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and such Surviving Entity enforceable against such
Surviving Entity in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and (z) all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating
to the transaction or series of transactions have been satisfied. Section 5.02. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation, combination or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to,
and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Surviving
Entity had been named as the Company herein and thereafter the predecessor Person, except in the case of (x) a lease or (y) any sale,
assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition to one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, shall be discharged from all
obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. 25 Article
6 Section 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event
of Default” shall occur with respect to the Securities of any series if: (a) the
Company defaults in the payment of the Principal of any Security of such series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon
acceleration, redemption or mandatory repurchase, including as a sinking fund installment, or otherwise; (b) the
Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Security of such series when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues
for a period of 30 days; (c) the
Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any
Security of such series or in the Securities of such series (other than a covenant or agreement in respect of which noncompliance by the
Company would otherwise be an Event of Default) and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days or more after
written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount
of the Securities of all series affected thereby specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such
notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; (d) a
court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under
any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding
up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; (e) the
Company (i) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or
consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (ii) consents to the appointment of or taking
possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or for all or substantially
all of the property and assets of the Company or (iii) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (f) any
other Event of Default established pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to the Securities of such series occurs. Section 6.02. Acceleration. i) If an
Event of Default other than as described in clauses (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Securities of any series then outstanding
occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for 26 any series of Securities the principal of which shall have already
become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all
such series then outstanding hereunder in respect of which an Event of Default has occurred (all such series voting together as a single
class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if
the Securities of any such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in
the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 2.03) of all Securities of the affected series, and the interest accrued thereon,
if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable. (b) If
an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount (or, if any Securities
are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to
Section 2.03) of all the Securities then outstanding and interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be and become immediately due and payable,
without any notice or other action by any Holder or the Trustee, to the full extent permitted by applicable law. The foregoing provisions, however, are subject
to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to Section 2.03) of the Securities of any series (or of
all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared or become due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the
payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the
Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities,
as the case may be) and the principal of any and all Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which
shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest
is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity
(in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of each such series to the date of such payment or deposit)
and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07, and if any and all Events of Default
under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have
been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of all the then outstanding Securities of all such series that have been accelerated (voting as a single class), by written notice
to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to all such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the
case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend
to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon. 27 For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion
of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared or become due and payable pursuant
to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal
amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof
as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and
payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute
payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities. Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If a payment
default or an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue, in its own
name or as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of Principal of
and interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this
Indenture. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it
does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.
Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount (or, if the Securities are Original Issue
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series
affected (voting as a single class), by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities
of such series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of Principal of or interest on any Security as specified in clauses
(a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default with respect to the Securities of such series arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto. Section 6.05. Control by Majority. Subject
to Sections 7.01 and 7.02(e), the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue
Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series
affected (voting as a single class) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by this Indenture; provided,
that the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal
liability or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in the giving of
such direction; and provided further, that the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any directions
received from Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.05. 28 Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. No
Holder of any Security of any series may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Securities
of such series, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless: (a) such
Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series; (b) the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of all such series affected shall have made written request
to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (c) such
Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liabilities
or expenses to be incurred in compliance with such request; (d) the
Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and (e) during
such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all such affected series
have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such written request. A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice
the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder. Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive
Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of Principal
of or interest, if any, on such Holder’s Security on or after the respective due dates expressed on such Security, or to bring suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such
Holder. Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series in payment of Principal or interest specified in clause (a) or (b)
of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against
the Company for the whole amount (or such portion thereof as specified in the terms established pursuant to Section 2.03 of Original Issue
Discount Securities) of Principal of, and accrued interest remaining unpaid on, together with interest on overdue Principal of, and, to
the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest on, the Securities of such series, in
each case at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, and such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07. Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of
Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order 29 to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts
due the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor
on the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any moneys, securities or
other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Securities or upon any such claims and to distribute the same,
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is
hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect
of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding. Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of the Securities of any series shall be applied in the following
order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of Principal or interest, upon
presentation of the several Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected and noting thereon the payment, or issuing Securities
of such series and tenor in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of such series and tenor if only partially
paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid: FIRST: To the payment of all amounts
due the Trustee under Section 7.07 applicable to the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected; SECOND: In case the principal of the
Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment
of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest
(to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the
rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments
to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference; THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities
of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the
whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for Principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue Principal,
and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the
rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series;
and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, 30 then to the payment of such Principal and interest or Yield
to Maturity, without preference or priority of Principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over
Principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other
Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such Principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder,
if any, to the Company or any other person lawfully entitled thereto. Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has
been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then, and in every such
case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions
hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had
been instituted. Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, in either case in respect to the Securities of any series, a court may require any party litigant in such suit
(other than the Trustee) to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith
of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07,
a suit instituted by the Trustee or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series. Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken Securities in
Section 2.08, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any
other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other
right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right
or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy. Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any
such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this
Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the
Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be. 31 Article
7 Section 7.01. General. The duties and
responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act and as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory
to it against any loss, liability or expense. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating
to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article
7. Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 315(a) through (d): (a) the
Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate,
Opinion of Counsel (or both), statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note,
other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
person or persons. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; (b) before
the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform
to Section 10.04 and shall cover such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action
it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, whenever in the
administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established
prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established
by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part
of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture
upon the faith thereof; (c) the
Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents not regularly in its employ and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence
of any agent or attorney appointed with due care; (d) any
request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be 32 evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company; (e) the
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction
of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses
and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; (f) the
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights
or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance with the direction of the Holders in accordance with Section 6.05
relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture; (g) the
Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization
and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; and (h) prior
to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be
bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion
of Counsel, Board Resolution, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture,
note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable
time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion
of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require
reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding. Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture
Act Sections 310(b) and 311. For purposes of Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b)(4) and (6), the following terms shall mean: (a) “cash
transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery
of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and 33 (b) “self-liquidating
paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company
for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which
is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds
arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the
Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or
incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation. Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as statements
of the Company and not of the Trustee and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. Neither the Trustee nor
any of its agents (a) makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities and (b) shall be accountable
for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Securities. Section 7.05. Notice of Default. If any
Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and if such Default is known to the actual knowledge of
a Responsible Officer with the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to each Holder of Securities of such
series notice of such Default within 90 days after it occurs to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent
provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the mailing or publication
of such notice; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest
on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding
of such notice is in the interests of the Holders. Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant
to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to Holders a brief report, dated
as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a). A copy of each such report shall, at the time of
such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission
and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange. Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time for its services. The compensation
of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a Trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee 34 and any predecessor Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or such predecessor Trustee. Such expenses shall include the reasonable
compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s or such predecessor Trustee’s agents, counsel and other persons not regularly in
their employ. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee and any
predecessor Trustee for, and hold them harmless against, any loss or liability or expense incurred by them without negligence or bad faith
on their part arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture and the Securities or the issuance
of the Securities or of series thereof or the trusts hereunder and the performance of duties under this Indenture and the Securities,
including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against or investigating any claim or liability and of complying with any process
served upon them or any of their officers in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties under this Indenture
and the Securities. To secure the Company’s payment obligations
in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee,
in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay Principal of, and interest on particular Securities. The obligations of the Company under this Section
to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee
for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge
of this Indenture or the rejection or termination of this Indenture under bankruptcy law. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior
claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the
benefit of the Holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim. Without prejudice to
any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, if the Trustee renders services and incurs expenses following an Event
of Default under Section 6.01(d) or Section 6.01(e) hereof, the parties hereto and the holders by their acceptance of the Securities hereby
agree that such expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law. Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and appointment of a successor Trustee
as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment
as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign as Trustee with respect
to the Securities of any series at any time by so notifying the Company in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the
Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto with the consent of the Company. The Company may remove the
Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series if: (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.11 of this Indenture;
(ii) the 35 Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other
public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting. If the Trustee resigns or is removed as Trustee
with respect to the Securities of any series, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series
for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto. Within one year after the successor Trustee
takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may appoint a successor Trustee
in respect of such Securities to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If the successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of any series does not deliver its written acceptance required by Section 7.09 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns
or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such
series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect thereto. The Company shall give notice of any resignation
and any removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee in respect of
the Securities of such series to all Holders of Securities of such series. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee
and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 7.08 and Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section
7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee. Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by
Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee
so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment,
and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further
act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request
of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges and subject to the lien provided for
in Section 7.07, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring
Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor
Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm
to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities
of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring 36 Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain
such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee
with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in
the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture
shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder
separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such
supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each
such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates;
but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor
Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which
the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the
Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such
rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be. No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment
unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under this Article and qualified under Section 310(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act. Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger,
Etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business
to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association
without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee
herein. Section 7.11. Eligibility. This Indenture
shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital
and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust. The
Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money
held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in
trust under Article 8 of this Indenture. 37 Article
8 Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge
of Indenture. If at any time (a) (i) all Securities of any series issued that have been authenticated and delivered have been delivered
by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which
have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08); or (ii) all the Securities of any series issued that have not been delivered
by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within
one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of
redemption by such Trustee in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense, the Company shall have irrevocably deposited
or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying
agent to the Company in accordance with Section 8.04) or U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts
and at such times as will insure (without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest) the availability of cash, or a combination
thereof, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of such series (other than any Securities of such series which
shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) not theretofore delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become due on or prior to such date of maturity or redemption
as the case may be; (b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under this Indenture; and (c) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to this Section 8.01 have been complied with,
then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration
of transfer and exchange of securities of such series, and the Company’s right of optional redemption, if any, (ii) substitution
of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest
thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory
sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (v) the rights of the Securityholders
of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them), and
the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense
of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such
series; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of Principal of and interest on the
Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange
upon which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and
properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection
with this Indenture or the Securities of such series. 38 Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds
Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 8.04, all moneys (including U.S. Government Obligations and the proceeds thereof)
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, Section 8.05 or Section 8.06 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment,
either directly or through any paying agent to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of
which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for Principal and interest; but such
money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by
Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys
then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the
Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect
to such moneys. Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee
and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of
the Principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which
such Principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Company and unless otherwise required
by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee for such
series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of
applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such Holder may
be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease. Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of
Indenture. The Company shall be deemed to have paid and shall be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities
of any series, after the deposit referred to in clause (i) hereof has been made, and the provisions of this Indenture shall no longer
be in effect with respect to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), except as to: (a) rights of Holders of the Securities of such series to receive payments of principal thereof,
premium thereto, and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to
the issuance of temporary Securities and the registration of transfer with respect to the Securities of such series, the Company’s
right of optional redemption, substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such series and the maintenance
of an office or agency for payment for security payments held in trust pursuant to clause (i) hereof, (c) the rights, obligations and
immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and (d) the defeasance provisions contained in Article 8 of this Indenture; provided that the following
conditions shall have been satisfied: (i) with
reference to this Section 8.05 the Company irrevocably has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying
trustee 39 satisfying the requirements of Section 7.11) as trust funds
in trust, for the purposes of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit
of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of
interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due date of any
payment referred to in subclause (x) or (y) of this clause (i), or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the written
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of reinvestment and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other
charges and assessments in respect thereof, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge (x) all of the Principal of,
premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding Securities of such series on the maturity or due dates thereof or
if the Company has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee, the
redemption date, as the case may be, and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Securities of
such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of Securities of such series and the Indenture
with respect to the Securities of such series; (ii) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, under then applicable U.S. federal income tax law, Holders
of Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s
exercise of its option under this Section 8.05 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; (iii) no
Default under either clause (d) or clause (e) of Section 6.01 shall have occurred and be continuing at such time; (iv) if
at such time the Securities of such series are listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; (v) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent to the defeasance and discharge under this Section have been complied with; and (vi) if
the Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to the final maturity thereof (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments
or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory
to the Trustee shall have been made. 40 Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations.
The Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in, and this Indenture will no longer be in effect with
respect to, any covenant established pursuant to Section 2.03(r) and clause (c) and clause (f) (with respect to any covenants established
pursuant to Section 2.03(s)) of Section 6.01 shall be deemed not to constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to Securities
of any series, if (a) with
reference to this Section 8.06, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying
trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.11) as trust funds in trust, for the purposes of making the following payments, specifically
pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (i) money in an amount,
(ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms
will provide not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in subclause (x) or (y) of this clause (a), or (iii)
a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of reinvestment and
after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof, and which shall be applied by
the Trustee to pay and discharge (x) all of the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding Securities
of such series on the maturity or due dates thereof or if the Company has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee, the redemption date, as the case may be, and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments
or analogous payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance
with the terms of the Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; (b) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of Securities of such series will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.06
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case
if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; (c) no
Default with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit immediately
after giving effect to such deposit; (d) if
at such time the Securities of such series are listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; 41 (e) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent to the defeasance under this Section have been complied with; and (f) if
the Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to the final maturity thereof (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments
or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory
to the Trustee shall have been made. Section 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee
or paying agent is unable to apply any monies or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding
or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application,
the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred
pursuant to this Article until such time as the Trustee or paying agent is permitted to apply all such monies or U.S. Government Obligations
in accordance with Article 8; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of Principal of or interest on
any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities
to receive such payment from the monies or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or paying agent. Section 8.08. Indemnity. The Company
shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.08 and Section 8.02, the
“Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited
pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.05 or 8.06 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Securities. Section 8.09. Excess Funds. Anything
in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon request of the
Company, any money or U.S. Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 8.01,
8.05 or 8.06 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of Independent Public Accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a discharge
or defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article 8. Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee. Any
trustee appointed pursuant to Section 8.05 or 8.06 for the purpose of holding money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant
to such Sections shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate,
upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related
defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee. 42 Article
9 Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders.
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without notice to or the consent of
any Holder: (a) to
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; (b) to
comply with Article 5; (c) to
comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; (d) to
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder with respect to the Securities of any or all series by a successor Trustee
and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration
of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.09; (e) to
establish the form or forms or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.03; (f) to
provide for uncertificated Securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose; (g) to
conform any provision to the applicable corresponding provision set forth in the offering document for the offering of such series of
Securities; and (h) to
make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders.
Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, without prior notice to any Holders, the Company and the Trustee may amend this Indenture and the Securities
of any series with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each series affected
by such amendment (all such series voting together as a single class), and the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities of each series affected thereby (all such series voting together as a single class) by written notice to the Trustee may waive
future compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such series. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
9.02, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not: (a) change
the stated maturity of the Principal of, or any sinking fund obligation or any installment of interest on, such Holder’s Security, 43 (b) reduce
the Principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (including any amount in respect of original issue discount); (c) reduce
the above stated percentage of outstanding Securities the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify or amend the Indenture with
respect to the Securities of the relevant series; and (d) reduce
the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Securities of the relevant series the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental
indenture or for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults and their consequences provided
for in this Indenture. A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates
any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series
of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, shall
be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. It shall not be necessary for the consent of any
Holder under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient
if such consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver under
this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall give to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment,
supplement or waiver. The Company will mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice,
or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver. Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent.
Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent
Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the Security of the consenting Holder, even if notation
of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or
portion of its Security. Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the
amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective with respect to any Securities
affected thereby on receipt by the Trustee of written consents from the requisite Holders of outstanding Securities affected thereby. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to,
fix a record date (which may be not less than five nor more than 60 days prior to the solicitation of consents) for the purpose of determining
the Holders of the Securities of any series affected entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed,
then, notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were such Holders at such record date (or their duly designated
proxies) and only those Persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any 44 consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be
such Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date. After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes
effective with respect to the Securities of any series affected thereby, it shall bind every Holder of such Securities unless it is of
the type described in any of clauses (a) through (d) of Section 9.02. In case of an amendment or waiver of the type described in clauses
(a) through (d) of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver shall bind each such Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder
of a Security that evidences the same indebtedness as the Security of the consenting Holder. Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of
Securities. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of any Security, the Trustee may require the Holder thereof to
deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the
Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Security of such series thereafter authenticated. Alternatively, if the
Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security
of the same series and tenor that reflects the changed terms. Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments,
Etc. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the
execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, stating
that all requisite consents have been obtained or that no consents are required and stating that such supplemental indenture constitutes
the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary
exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s
own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture
Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 9 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act
as then in effect. Article
10 Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
This Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and to govern
indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Section 10.02. Notices. Any notice or
communication shall be sufficiently given if written and (a) if delivered in person when received or (b) if mailed by first class mail
5 days after mailing, or (c) as between the Company and the Trustee if sent by facsimile transmission, when transmission is confirmed,
in each case addressed as follows: 45 if to the Company: AC Immune SA Attention: Chief Financial Officer if to the Trustee: The Company or the Trustee by written notice to
the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications. Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently
given to Holders by mailing to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register. Notice mailed shall be sufficiently
given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to the Trustee
and each Agent at the same time. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a
Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture,
if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided in this Section 10.02, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives
it. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any
manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such
waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not
be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case it shall be impracticable to give notice
as herein contemplated, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
for every purpose hereunder. Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as
to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish to the Trustee: (a) an
Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and (b) an
Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with. Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate
or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other
than the certificate required by Section 4.04) shall include: 46 (a) a
statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating
thereto; (b) a
brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate
or opinion is based; (c) a
statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express
an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (d) a
statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided,
however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates
of public officials. Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership.
The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be
registered upon the Security Register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue
and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the Principal
of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor
the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent
or Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Paying Agent or Registrar may make
reasonable rules for its functions. Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a
Business Day. Except as otherwise provided with respect to a series of Securities, if any date for payment of Principal or interest
on any Security shall not be a Business Day at any place of payment, then payment of Principal of or interest on such Security, as the
case may be, need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at any place of payment with the same
force and effect as if made on such date and no interest shall accrue in respect of such payment for the period from and after such date. Section 10.08. Governing Law. The laws
of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the Securities. Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation
of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture or loan or debt agreement of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture or agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture. 47 Section 10.10. Successors. All agreements
of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind
its successors. Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals. The
parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the
same agreement. Section 10.12. Separability. In case
any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings,
Etc. The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference
only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms and provisions hereof. Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders,
Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby,
shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such,
of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional
provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly
waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities. Section 10.15. Judgment Currency. The
Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that ii) if for the purpose of obtaining
judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the Principal of or interest on the Securities of any series
(the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the
rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of
New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day
is not a Business Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance
with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on
the Business Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and iii) its obligations under this Indenture
to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment
(whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that
such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required 48 Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii)
shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount,
if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii)
shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. Section 10.16. Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL
BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. Section 10.17. Force Majeure. In no event
shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or
caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts
of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions
of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts
which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances. Article
11 Section 11.01. Agreement to Subordinate.
The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security issued hereunder, by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees,
that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original
issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that the principal of and interest on all Securities issued
hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner herein set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Section 11.02. Payments to Securityholders.
As to each series of Securities, if any, issued hereunder, in the event iv) of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership,
dissolution, winding-up, total or partial liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in respect of the Company or a substantial
part of its property, whether voluntary or involuntary, or v) that (1) a default shall have occurred with respect to the payment of principal
of or interest on or other monetary amounts due and payable with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, or (2) there shall have occurred
an event of default (other than a default in the payment of principal or interest or other monetary amounts due and payable) in respect
of any Senior Indebtedness, as defined in such Senior Indebtedness or in the instrument under which the same is outstanding, permitting
the holder or holders thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof, and such default or event of default shall not be cured or was continued
beyond the period of grace, if any, in 49 respect thereof, and such default or event of default shall not have
been waived or shall not have ceased to exist, or vi) separately with respect to each series of Securities, that the principal of and
accrued interest on such Securities shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 6.01 and such declaration shall not have
been rescinded and annulled as provided in Section 6.01, then the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall first be entitled to receive
payment in full of all amounts due or to become due thereon, or provision shall be made, in accordance with the terms of such Senior Indebtedness,
for such payment in money or money’s worth, before the Holders of such series of Securities are entitled to receive a payment on
account of the principal of or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by such series of Securities, including, without limitation, any
payments made pursuant to Article 3, or any cash payments to purchase such series of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof. Upon any such insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding,
receivership, dissolution, winding-up, total or partial liquidation, reorganization, or other similar proceeding referred to in clause
(a) of the immediately preceding paragraph, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in
cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee under this Indenture would be entitled, except for
the provisions hereof, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person
making such payment or distribution or, to the extent required by the next succeeding paragraph, by the Holders of the Securities or the
Trustee, if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective
amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture
pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear,
to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for
the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities
(including any cash payments to repurchase such Securities at the option of the Holders thereof) or to the Trustee under this Indenture. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing,
any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by
the foregoing provisions of this Section, shall be received by the Trustee under this Indenture or the Holders of the Securities before
all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full or provision is made for such payment in accordance with its terms, and if such fact shall, at
or prior to the time of such payment or distribution, have been known to the Trustee, then such payment or distribution shall be held
in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives,
or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until
all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment
or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. 50 For purposes of this Article only, the words, “cash,
property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities
of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of arrangement, reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is
subordinated (at least to the extent provided in this Article with respect to the Securities) to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness
which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from
any such arrangement, reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness are not, without the
consent of such holders, altered by such arrangement, reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger
of the Company with or into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer
of all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided in Article 5 shall not be deemed
a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall, as a part of
such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 5. Nothing in this Section shall apply
to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Article 7, except as expressly provided therein. This Section shall be
subject to the further provisions of Section 11.05 Section 11.03. Subrogation. Subject to
the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities subject to the provisions of Section 11.02 shall be subrogated
(equally and ratably with the holders of all obligations of the Company which by their express terms are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness
of the Company to the same extent as the Securities are subordinated and which are entitled to like rights of subrogation) to the rights
of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to
the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest on such Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purpose of such subrogation,
no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of such
Securities or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no payment over pursuant to
the provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of such Securities or the Trustee on their behalf shall,
as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of such Securities, be deemed to be a
payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities to
or for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the subrogation provision of this Article, which would otherwise have
been paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or for the account of such Securities.
The provisions of this Article are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on
the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere
in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the issuer, its creditors other than the holders of
Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the 51 Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders
of the Securities the principal of and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with
their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the Securities and creditors
of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holder of any Security
or the Trustee on his behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject
to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company
received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the
Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 and Section 7.02, and the Holders of the Securities
shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation, arrangement or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities,
for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other
indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts
pertinent thereto or to this Article. Section 11.04. Authorization by Securityholders.
Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Section 11.05. Notice to Trustee. The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee and to any paying agent of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit
the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee or any paying agent in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of
this Article. Regardless of anything to the contrary contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be
charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any default or event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness
or of any other facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless
and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing (which may be by telegram, telecopy or other similar writing) at its Corporate
Trust Office to that effect signed by an officer of the Company, or by a holder or agent of a holder of Senior Indebtedness who shall
have been certified by the Company or otherwise established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee to be such holder or agent,
or by the trustee under any indenture pursuant to which Senior Indebtedness shall be outstanding, and, prior to the receipt of any such
written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 7.01 and Section 7.02, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided
that if on a date at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies shall become payable for
any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received
with respect to such monies the notice provided for in this Section, 52 then, regardless of anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall
have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not
be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date. Regardless of anything to the contrary herein (but
subject, in the case of clause (a) of this paragraph, to the second paragraph of Section 11.02), nothing shall prevent (a) any payment
by the Company or the Trustee to the Securityholders of amounts in connection with a
redemption of Securities if (i) notice of such redemption has been given pursuant to Article 3 prior to the receipt by the Trustee of
written notice as aforesaid, and (ii) such notice of redemption is given not earlier than 60 days before any redemption date, or (b) any
payment by the Trustee to the Securityholders of amounts deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01, provided, that, in the case of Section
8.05, the applicable Securities are deemed to have been paid and discharged, and in the case of Section 8.01, the Trustee shall not have
received, by at least two Business Days prior to the date of execution of instruments acknowledging the satisfaction of and discharge
of this Indenture with respect to the applicable Securities, the notice provided in the preceding paragraph. Subject to Section 7.01 and Section 7.02, the Trustee
shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness
(or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on
behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the
right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee
may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held
by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent
to the rights of such Person under this Article, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. Section 11.06. Trustee’s Relation to
Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this
Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same
extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in the second paragraph of Section 2.02 or elsewhere in this Indenture shall
deprive the Trustee or any such agent of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments
to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article,
and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the
Trustee. The Trustee 53 shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 and Section 7.02, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior
Indebtedness if it shall in good faith pay over or deliver to Holders of Securities, the Company or any other Person monies or assets
to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise. Section 11.07. No Impairment of Subordination.
No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any
way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith,
by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any
knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. 54 SIGNATURES IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused
this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above. Exhibit 5.1 Prof. Dr. Rolf Watter Attorney-at-Law, LL.M. +41 58 261 50 00 rolf.watter@baerkarrer.ch AC Immune SA EPFL Innovation Park, bâtiment B 1015 Lausanne Switzerland Zurich, 14 March 2024 [ProjectNo]/82303User_Telephone]/wm/
AC Immune SA – Prospectus Supplement Ladies, Gentlemen We have acted as Swiss legal counsel to AC Immune
SA, Ecublens (VD) (the "Issuer") in connection with a Form F-3 Registration Statement ("Registration Statement")
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on 14 March 2024 under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act") relating to certain securities, including (a) common shares of the Issuer, each with a nominal
value of CHF 0.02 (each a "Share" and together the "Shares"), (b) certain debt securities of the Issuer
("Debt Securities") (c) certain warrants of the Issuer ("Warrants"), (d) certain purchase contracts
of Issuer ("Purchase Contracts"), (e) certain subscription rights of the Issuer ("Subscription Rights) and
(f) certain units of the Issuer ("Units"", (b)-(f) together, "Securities"). We have been requested
to give our opinion as to certain legal matters of Swiss law. This opinion is strictly confined to matters of
Swiss law as in force at the date hereof. Such law and its interpretation are subject to change. In the absence of explicit statutory
law, we base our opinion solely on our independent professional judgment. This opinion is strictly limited to the Documents (as defined
below) and the matters stated herein and is not to be read as extending, by implication or otherwise, to any agreement or document referred
to in any of the Documents (including in the case of the Prospectus Supplement, any document incorporated by reference therein or exhibit
thereto) or any other matter. For purposes of this opinion, we have not conducted any due diligence or similar investigation or verification
as to any matters stated herein, which are or may be referred to in the Bär &
Karrer AG Rechtsanwälte baerkarrer.ch Zürich Brandschenkestrasse 90 CH-8002 Zürich Phone: +41 58 261 50 00 zuerich@baerkarrer.ch Genf 12, quai de la Poste CH-1211 Genève 3 Phone: +41 58 261 57 00 geneve@baerkarrer.ch Lugano Via Vegezzi 6 CH-6901 Lugano Phone: +41 58 261 58 00 lugano@baerkarrer.ch Zug Baarerstrasse 8 CH-6302 Zug Phone: +41 58 261 59 00 zug@baerkarrer.ch Basel Lange Gasse 47 CH-4052 Basel Phone: +41 58 261 59 50 basel@baerkarrer.ch St. Moritz Via Maistra 2 CH-7500 St. Moritz Phone: +41 58 261 50 90 st.moritz@baerkarrer.ch Documents, and we express no opinion as to the
accuracy of representations and warranties of facts set out in the Documents or the factual background assumed therein. In this opinion,
Swiss legal concepts are expressed in English terms and not in their original language. These concepts may not be identical to the concepts
described by the same English language terms as they exist under the laws of other jurisdictions. In arriving at the opinions expressed in Section
3 below, we have exclusively examined and relied on the following documents (the "Documents"): In arriving at the opinions expressed in Section
4 below, we have assumed (without verification) each of the following: liquidation, no petition
has been presented or order made by a court or other competent authority for the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, bankruptcy, moratorium,
composition with creditors or administration of any party and no receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, administrator or similar officer has
been appointed in relation to any of the parties or any of their assets or revenues; Based upon and subject to the foregoing assumptions,
and subject to the qualifications and limitations set out in Section 0 below, we are of
the opinion that The opinions expressed herein are limited to questions
arising under the laws of Switzerland, and we express no opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction. We express no opinion herein
as to any matter of accounting or taxation, or as to any regulatory or commercial matter. Our opinions expressed in Section 4
above are further subject to the following qualifications and limitations: We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K to be filed by the Issuer on the date hereof and its incorporation by reference into the Registration
Statement and and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement.
In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Act, as amended. This opinion and all matters relating to this opinion
are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of Switzerland. We confirm our understanding that all disputes
arising out of or in connection with this opinion shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Canton of Zurich,
Switzerland, venue being city of Zurich. Yours faithfully, Rolf Watter Bär & Karrer AG Davis Polk & Wardwell llp 450 Lexington Avenue davispolk.com Exhibits 5.2 and 23.2 March 14, 2024 AC Immune SA Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special counsel for AC Immune SA, a Swiss stock corporation
organized under the laws of Switzerland (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (a) common shares, nominal value CHF 0.02 per
share (the “Common Shares”) of the Company; (b) the Company’s senior debt securities and subordinated debt
securities (collectively, the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to a senior debt indenture (the “Senior
Indenture”), between the Company and the trustee to be named therein, as trustee (the “Senior Debt Trustee”)
and a subordinated debt indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”),
between the Company and the trustee to be named therein (the “Subordinated Debt Trustee” and, together with the Senior
Debt Trustee, the “Trustees”); (c) warrants of the Company (the “Warrants”), which may be issued
pursuant to a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and the warrant agent to be named therein
(the “Warrant Agent”); (d) purchase contracts (the “Purchase Contracts”) which may be issued under
one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company
and the purchase contract agent to be named therein (the “Purchase Contract Agent”); (e) units (the “Units”)
which may be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into among the Company, a bank or trust company, as unit agent (the
“Unit Agent”), and the holders from time to time of the Units (each such unit agreement, a “Unit Agreement”);
and (f) subscription rights (“Rights”) which may be issued pursuant to a subscription rights agreement (the “Rights
Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and the subscription agent to be named therein (the “Rights Agent”). We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents,
corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of
rendering this opinion. In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have, without independent
inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted
to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have
not been executed will conform to the forms thereof, (iv) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (v) all natural
persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (vi) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers
of the Company that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vii) all representations made
by the Company as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate. Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions
and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion: applicability and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory
actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. In connection with the opinions expressed above, we have assumed that,
at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such security, (i) the Board of Directors of the Company, as required under Swiss law,
shall have duly established the terms of such security (and that such security is governed by the laws of the State of New York) and duly
authorized the issuance and sale of such security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded; (ii) the Company is,
and shall remain, validly existing as a corporation in good standing (to the extent such concept exists) under the laws of Switzerland;
(iii) the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded;
(iv) the applicable Indenture, Debt Securities, Warrant Agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement, Unit Agreement and Rights Agreement
are each valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company);
and (v) there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such security. We have also assumed
that the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of any security whose terms are established subsequent to the date hereof
(a) are within its corporate powers, (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, the articles of association or other constitutive
documents of the Company, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (d)
do not contravene, or constitute a default under public policy, any provision of applicable law or regulation or any judgment, injunction,
order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company. We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing
opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States. Insofar as the foregoing opinion involves matters governed by the laws of Switzerland, we have relied, without
independent inquiry or investigation, on the opinion of Bär & Karrer AG delivered to you today. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement referred to above and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters”
in the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category
of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act. Very truly yours, /s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP Exhibit 23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference
in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of AC Immune SA of our report dated March 14, 2024 relating to the financial statements and
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in AC Immune SA’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the
year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers SA Lausanne, Switzerland Exhibit 107 Calculation of Filing Fee Tables Form F-3 (Form Type) AC Immune SA (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward
Securities Table 2: Fee Offset Claims and Sources
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar
value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§ 230.424(b) of this
chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price
set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
(A) Paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8 (§ 239.16b of this
chapter), and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed
with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement; and
(B) Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 (§
239.13 of this chapter) or Form F-3 (§ 239.33 of this chapter) and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form
of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§ 230.424(b) of this chapter) that is part of the registration statement.
(C) Provided further, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is for an offering
of asset-backed securities on Form S-1 (§ 239.11 of this chapter) or Form S-3 (§ 239.13 of this chapter), and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment is provided pursuant to Item 1100(c) of Regulation AB (§ 229.1100(c)).
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by “Item 8.A.
of Form 20-F” at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise
required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a
post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of
the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance
on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required
by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier
of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering
described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter,
such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement
to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement
or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement
that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately
prior to such effective date; or
(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial
distribution of the securities:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to
by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant
or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed
as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant
to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time
it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee
to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations
prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
AC IMMUNE SA
By:
/s/ Andrea Pfeifer
Name:
Andrea Pfeifer
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
By:
/s/ Christopher Roberts
Name:
Christopher Roberts
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Andrea Pfeifer
Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
March 14, 2024
Andrea Pfeifer
/s/ Christopher Roberts
(principal financial officer and
March 14, 2024
Christopher Roberts
/s/ Douglas Williams
Chairman and Director
March 14, 2024
Douglas Williams
/s/ Monika Bütler
Director
March 14, 2024
Monika Bütler
/s/ Carl June
Director
March 14, 2024
Carl June
/s/ Werner Lanthaler
Director
March 14, 2024
Werner Lanthaler
/s/ Monica Shaw
Director
March 14, 2024
Monica Shaw
/s/ Roy Twyman
Director
March 14, 2024
Roy Twyman
Authorized Representative in the United States
March 14, 2024
Christopher Roberts
Chief Financial Officer of AC Immune USA, Inc.
Article
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions
5
Section 1.02. Other Definitions
8
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
9
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction
9
Article 2
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating
10
Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication
10
Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series
12
Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest
14
Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent; Agents Generally
15
Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
15
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange
16
Section 2.08. Replacement Securities
18
Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities
19
Section 2.10. Temporary Securities
20
Section 2.11. Cancellation
20
Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers
20
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest
20
Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches
21
Article 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01. Applicability of Article
21
Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions
21
Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called For Redemption
23
Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption
23
Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds
23
Article 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Securities
26
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency
26
Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists
27
Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee
27
Section 4.05. Reports by the Company
27
Section 4.06. Additional Amounts
27
Article 5
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc
28
Section 5.02. Successor Substituted
29
Article 6
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default
29
Section 6.02. Acceleration
30
Section 6.03. Other Remedies
31
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults
31
Section 6.05. Control by Majority
32
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits
32
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment
33
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee
33
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
33
Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds
33
Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies
34
Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs
34
Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative
35
Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver
35
Article 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. General
35
Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee
35
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee
37
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer
37
Section 7.05. Notice of Default
37
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders
38
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity
38
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee
39
Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
40
Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger, Etc
41
Section 7.11. Eligibility
41
Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust
41
Article 8
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
41
Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities
42
Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent
42
Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years
42
Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture
43
Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations
44
Section 8.07. Reinstatement
45
Section 8.08. Indemnity
45
Section 8.09. Excess Funds
46
Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee
46
Article 9
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders
46
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders
47
Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent
47
Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Securities
48
Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc
48
Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act
49
Article 10
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939
49
Section 10.02. Notices
49
Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
50
Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
50
Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership
50
Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar
50
Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day
51
Section 10.08. Governing Law
51
Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
51
Section 10.10. Successors
51
Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals
51
Section 10.12. Separability
51
Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc
51
Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability
51
Section 10.15. Judgment Currency
51
Section 10.16. Waiver of Jury Trial
52
Section 10.17. Force Majeure
52
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Authenticating Agent
2.02
Cash Transaction
7.03
Dollars
4.02
Event of Default
6.01
Judgment Currency
10.15(a)
mandatory sinking fund payment
3.05
optional sinking fund payment
3.05
Paying Agent
2.05
record date
2.04
Registrar
2.05
Required Currency
10.15(a)
Security Register
2.05
self-liquidating paper
7.03
sinking fund payment date
3.05
Surviving Entity
5.01(a)
tranche
2.14
(a) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned
to it in accordance with IFRS;
(b) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the
plural include the singular;
(c) “herein,” “hereof” and other words
of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(d) all references to Sections or Articles refer to Sections or
Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated; and
(e) use of masculine, feminine or neuter pronouns should not be
deemed a limitation, and the use of any such pronouns should be construed to include, where appropriate, the other pronouns.
THE SECURITIES
(a) any Board Resolution and/or executed supplemental indenture
referred to in Sections 2.01 and 2.03 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms of the Securities of that series were established;
(b) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form or forms
and terms of the Securities, stating that the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series have been, or, in the case of
a Periodic Offering, will be when established in accordance with such procedures as shall be referred to therein, established in compliance
with this Indenture; and
(c) an Opinion of Counsel substantially to the effect that the
form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series have been, or, in the case of a Periodic Offering, will be when established
in accordance with such procedures as shall be referred to therein, established in compliance with this Indenture and that the supplemental
indenture, to the extent applicable, and Securities have been duly authorized and, if executed and authenticated in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof on the date of such opinion, would be entitled
to the benefits of the Indenture and would be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, general principles of equity, and covering such other matters as shall be specified therein and as
shall be reasonably requested by the Trustee.
(a) the designation of the Securities of the series, which shall
distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series;
(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities
of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and any limitation on the ability of the Company to increase
such aggregate principal amount after the initial issuance of the Securities of that series (except for Securities authenticated and
delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, or upon redemption of, other Securities of the series
pursuant hereto);
(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities
of the series is payable (which date or dates may be fixed or extendible);
(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum
at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which
such interest shall be payable and on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or
the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;
(e) if other than as provided in Section 4.02, the place or places
where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Securities of the series may be surrendered
for exchange, notices, demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(f) the right, if any, of the Company to redeem Securities of
the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and any terms and
conditions upon which Securities of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
(g) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase
or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder
thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and any of the terms and conditions upon which Securities
of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(h) if other than denominations of $2,000 and any higher integral
multiple of $1,000, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(i) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of
the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(j) if other than the coin or currency in which the Securities
of the series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of the series
shall be payable or if the amount of payments of principal of and/or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with
reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in
which such amounts shall be determined;
(k) if other than the currency of the United States of America,
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the Principal of and interest on the Securities of the
series shall be payable, and the manner in which any such currencies shall be valued against other currencies in which any other Securities
shall be payable;
(l) whether the Securities of the series or any portion thereof
will be issuable as Global Securities;
(m) whether the Securities of the series may be exchangeable for
and/or convertible into the common stock of the Company or any other security;
(n) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental
charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional
amounts;
(o) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive
form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates
or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(p) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents,
transfer agents or the registrar or any other agents with respect to the Securities of the series;
(q) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of the Securities of
the series (including provisions permitting defeasance of less than all Securities of the series), which provisions may be in addition
to, in substitution for, or in modification of (or any combination of the foregoing) the provisions of Article 8;
(r) if the Securities of the series are issuable in whole or in
part as one or more Registered Global Securities, the identity of the Depositary or common Depositary for such Registered Global Security
or Securities;
(s) any other Events of Default or covenants with respect to the
Securities of the series; and
(t) any other terms of the Securities of the series (which terms
shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
(a) to the Person specified by such Depositary new certificated
Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount
equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Registered Global Security; and
(b) to such Depositary a new Registered Global Security in a denomination
equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Registered Global Security and the aggregate principal
amount of certificated Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (a) above.
REDEMPTION
COVENANTS
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
(a) the Company shall be the continuing Person or, if the Company
is not the continuing Person, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Surviving Entity”) is a company
organized and existing under the laws of any member state of the European Union or the United States of America or any State or territory
thereof;
(b) the Surviving Entity shall expressly assume all of the Company’s
obligations under the Securities and this Indenture, and shall, if required by law to effectuate the assumption, execute supplemental
indentures which shall be delivered to the Trustee and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series
of transactions on a pro forma basis, no Default has occurred and is continuing; and
(d) the Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to
the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that (x) the transaction or series of transactions and such
supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Section 5.01, (y) such supplemental
indenture (if any) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and such Surviving Entity enforceable against such
Surviving Entity in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and (z) all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating
to the transaction or series of transactions have been satisfied.
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
(a) the Company defaults in the payment of the Principal of any
Security of such series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or mandatory repurchase, including
as a sinking fund installment, or otherwise;
(b) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Security
of such series when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(c) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any
other covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of such series or in the Securities of such
series (other than a covenant or agreement in respect of which noncompliance by the Company would otherwise be an Event of Default) and
such default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days or more after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to
the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected thereby
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;
(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar
law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official)
of the Company or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree
or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;
(e) the Company (i) commences a voluntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary
case under any such law, (ii) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator or similar official of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or (iii) effects
any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
(f) any other Event of Default established pursuant to Section
2.03 with respect to the Securities of such series occurs.
(a) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice
of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of outstanding Securities of all such series affected shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect
of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity
or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred in compliance with such
request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all such affected series have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent
with such written request.
TRUSTEE
(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel (or both), statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee need not investigate any
fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
or matters as it may see fit;
(b) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require
an Officers’ Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to Section 10.04 and shall cover such other matters
as the Trustee may reasonably request. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance
on such certificate or opinion. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the
Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action
hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence
or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered
to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to
the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof;
(c) the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents not regularly
in its employ and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care;
(d) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned
herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically
prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to
(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall
have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it
in compliance with such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take
in accordance with the direction of the Holders in accordance with Section 6.05 relating to the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;
(g) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice
of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; and
(h) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and
after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters
stated in any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel, Board Resolution, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless
requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series
affected then outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities
likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee
by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or
liabilities as a condition to proceeding.
(a) “cash transaction” means any transaction
in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or
in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and
(b) “self-liquidating paper” means any draft,
bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company for the purpose of
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
(i) with reference to this Section
8.05 the Company irrevocably has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee satisfying the requirements
of
(ii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that, under then applicable U.S. federal income tax law, Holders of Securities of such series will not recognize income,
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.05 and will
be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
(iii) no Default under either clause (d)
or clause (e) of Section
6.01 shall have occurred and be continuing at such time;
(iv) if at such time the Securities of such series are listed on
a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such
series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge;
(v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge under this Section
have been complied with; and
(vi) if the Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior
to the final maturity thereof (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall
have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made.
(a) with reference to this Section
8.06, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee satisfying the
requirements of Section 7.11) as trust funds in trust, for the purposes of making
the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of the Securities
of such series, (i) money in an amount, (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect
thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in subclause
(x) or (y) of this clause (a), or (iii) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without
consideration of reinvestment and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof,
and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge (x) all of the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of
interest on the outstanding Securities of such series on the maturity or due dates thereof or if the Company has made irrevocable arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee, the redemption date, as the case may be, and (y) any
mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are
due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such
series;
(b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that Holders of Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.06 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount
and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
(c) no Default with respect to the outstanding Securities of such
series shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit immediately after giving effect to such deposit;
(d) if at such time the Securities of such series are listed on
a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such
series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge;
(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under this Section have been complied
with; and
(f) if the Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior
to the final maturity thereof (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture;
(b) to comply with Article 5;
(c) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection
with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(d) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder with respect to the Securities of any or all series by a successor Trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of
this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee,
pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.09;
(e) to establish the form or forms or terms of Securities of any
series as permitted by Section 2.03;
(f) to provide for uncertificated Securities and to make all appropriate
changes for such purpose;
(g) to conform any provision to the applicable corresponding provision
set forth in the offering document for the offering of such series of Securities; and
(h) to make any change that does not materially and adversely
affect the rights of any Holder.
(a) change the stated maturity of the Principal of, or any sinking
fund obligation or any installment of interest on, such Holder’s Security,
(b) reduce the Principal amount thereof or the rate of interest
thereon (including any amount in respect of original issue discount);
(c) reduce the above stated percentage of outstanding Securities
the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify or amend the Indenture with respect to the Securities of the relevant series; and
(d) reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Securities
of the relevant series the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture or for any waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults and their consequences provided for in this Indenture.
MISCELLANEOUS
EPFL Innovation Park
Building B
CH-1015 Lausanne
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
(a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion
of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with;
and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
(a) a statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion
has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he has
made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such
person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion
of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.
(SEAL)
Attest:
AC Immune SA
as the Company
By:
Name:
Title:
(SEAL)
Attest:
as the Trustee
By:
Name:
Title:
Article 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions
1
Section 1.02. Other Definitions
5
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
6
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction
6
Article 2
THE SECURITIES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating
6
Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication
7
Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series
8
Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest
11
Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent; Agents Generally
11
Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
12
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange
13
Section 2.08. Replacement Securities
15
Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities
16
Section 2.10. Temporary Securities
16
Section 2.11. Cancellation
17
Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers
17
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest
17
Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches
17
Article 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01. Applicability of Article
18
Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions
18
Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called For Redemption
19
Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption
20
Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds
20
Article 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Securities
22
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency
23
Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists
23
Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee
24
Section 4.05. Reports by the Company
24
Section 4.06. Additional Amounts
24
Article 5
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc
25
Section 5.02. Successor Substituted
25
Article 6
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default
26
Section 6.02. Acceleration
26
Section 6.03. Other Remedies
28
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults
28
Section 6.05. Control by Majority
28
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits
29
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment
29
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee
29
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
29
Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds
30
Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies
31
Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs
31
Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative
31
Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver
31
Article 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. General
32
Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee
32
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee
33
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer
34
Section 7.05. Notice of Default
34
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders
34
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity
34
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee
35
Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
36
Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger, Etc
37
Section 7.11. Eligibility
37
Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust
37
Article 8
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
38
Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities
39
Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent
39
Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years
39
Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture
39
Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations
41
Section 8.07. Reinstatement
42
Section 8.08. Indemnity
42
Section 8.09. Excess Funds
42
Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee
42
Article 9
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders
43
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders
43
Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent
44
Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Securities
45
Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc
45
Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act
45
Article 10
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939
45
Section 10.02. Notices
45
Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
46
Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
46
Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership
47
Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar
47
Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day
47
Section 10.08. Governing Law
47
Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
47
Section 10.10. Successors
48
Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals
48
Section 10.12. Separability
48
Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc
48
Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability
48
Section 10.15. Judgment Currency
48
Section 10.16. Waiver of Jury Trial
49
Section 10.17. Force Majeure
49
Article 11
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.01. Agreement to Subordinate
49
Section 11.02. Payments to Securityholders
49
Section 11.03. Subrogation
51
Section 11.04. Authorization by Securityholders
52
Section 11.05. Notice to Trustee
52
Section 11.06. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness
53
Section 11.07. No Impairment of Subordination
54
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Authenticating Agent
2.02
Cash Transaction
7.03
Event of Default
6.01
Judgment Currency
10.15(a)
mandatory sinking fund payment
3.05
optional sinking fund payment
3.05
Paying Agent
2.05
record date
2.04
Registrar
2.05
Required Currency
10.15(a)
Security Register
2.05
self-liquidating paper
7.03
sinking fund payment date
3.05
Surviving Entity
5.01(a)
tranche
2.14
THE SECURITIES
REDEMPTION
COVENANTS
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
TRUSTEE
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
MISCELLANEOUS
EPFL Innovation Park
Building B
CH-1015 Lausanne
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
(SEAL)
Attest:
AC Immune SA
as the Company
By:
Name:
Title:
(SEAL)
Attest:
as the Trustee
By:
Name:
Title:
Postfach
1548 | CH-8002 Zürich
1 Scope and Limitation of Opinion
Bär & Karrer 2
2 Documents
a) An electronic copy of the Registration Statement;
b) A certified copy of an extract from the Commercial Register of the Canton of Vaud in respect of the Issuer,
certified by such Commercial Register as of 12 March 2024 (the "Extract");
c) a certified copy of the articles of association of the Issuer dated 26 February 2024, certified by the
Commercial Register of the Canton of Vaud as per 12 March 2024 (the "Articles"); and
d) a electronic copy of the organizational regulations of the Issuers' board of directors, dated as of 06
October 2023 (the "Organizational Regulations").
3 Assumptions
a) that all documents submitted to us in a form other than an original conform to authentic and complete
originals;
b) that all signatures on documents examined are genuine;
c) to the extent relevant for purposes of this opinion, any and all information contained in the Documents
is and will be true, complete and accurate at all relevant times;
d) that the Extract, the Articles and the Organizational Regulations are correct, up-to-date and in full
force and effect as of the date hereof and no changes have been made in such documents;
e) that the Issuer, as of the date hereof, is neither insolvent or over-indebted (in the sense of articles
725 et seqq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations (the "CO")), has not passed a resolution for its dissolution, winding-up
or Bär & Karrer 3
f) that all authorizations, consents, licenses, exemptions, notices, filings, publications or registrations
which may be necessary under any applicable laws or regulations, other than the laws of Switzerland, in connection the issuance of the
Shares have been or will be duly obtained or made in time, remain in full force and effect at the date of this letter and, where relevant,
will be obtained and maintained in the future, and that any related conditions have been fulfilled and any related covenants will be complied
with;
g) the Prospectus Supplement has been duly filed with the Commission by the Issuer;
h) the Issuer has not entered and will not enter into any transaction which could be construed as repayment
of share capital and has not undertaken and will not undertake an acquisition in kind or intended acquisition in kind;
i) that the considerations received by the Issuer for the issuance of the Shares are fully paid and are not
less than the nominal value of such Shares; and
j) that any Swiss federal stamp duties due in connection with the issuance of the Shares will be remitted
to the Swiss tax authorities.
4 Opinion
i) the Issuer is a stock corporation (société anonyme) validly existing under the laws
of Switzerland;
ii) the Shares and any Shares to be issued upon conversion, exercise, exchange or otherwise pursuant to the
terms of any of the Securities in each case if and when issued and paid for pursuant to the Articles, the underlying contractual arrangements
of the respective Securities and Swiss law—in particular after the written conversion or exercise notice has been given (if applicable)
and the issue price for such Shares has been paid-in in accordance with the Articles, the underlying contractual arrangements of the respective
Securities and Swiss law, and upon registration of the corresponding share capital increase into the Commercial Register of the Canton
of Vaud (if applicable)—and if and when such Shares have been entered into the Company's book of uncertificated securities, have
been or will be, as applicable, validly issued, fully paid as to their nominal value and non-assessable. Bär & Karrer 4
5 Qualifications and Limitations
a) the exercise of voting rights and rights related thereto with respect to any Shares is only permissible
after registration in the Issuer's share register as a shareholder with voting rights in accordance with the provisions of, and subject
to the limitations provided in, the Articles;
b) we express no opinion on the accuracy, correctness or completeness of the Prospectus Supplement; in particular,
we express no opinion on whether the Prospectus Supplement provides sufficient information for knowledgeable investors to reach an informed
assessment of the Issuer and its securities; and
c) we express no opinion as regards the exclusion of shareholders' subscription rights (Bezugsrechte).
New York, NY 10017
draft
EPFL Innovation Park
Building B
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
1. When the applicable Indenture and any supplemental indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Debt Securities
has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the applicable Trustee and the Company; the specific terms of a particular series
of Debt Securities have been duly authorized and established in accordance with such Indenture; and such Debt Securities have been duly
authorized, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and the applicable underwriting or other agreement
against payment therefor, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance
with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts
of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving
effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, provided that we express no opinion as to (w) the enforceability
of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law, (x) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision
of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above, (y) the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of any section of the
applicable Indenture that requires or relates to adjustments to the conversion rate at a rate or in an amount that a court would determine
in the circumstances under applicable law to be commercially unreasonable or a penalty or forfeiture or (z) the validity, legally binding
effect or enforceability of any provision that permits holders to collect any portion of stated principal amount upon acceleration of
the Debt Securities to the extent determined to constitute unearned interest.
2. When the Warrant Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Warrant Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized and established in accordance
with the Warrant Agreement; and such Warrants have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Warrant
Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability and may be subject
to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
3. When the Purchase Contract Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Purchase Contract Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized
and established in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement; and such Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized, executed, issued
and delivered in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor,
such Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject
to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable
principles of general March 14, 2024 2
4. When the Unit Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Unit Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Units have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Unit
Agreement; and such Units have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Unit Agreement and the applicable
underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally,
concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions
giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
5. When the Rights Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Rights has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Rights Agent and the Company; the specific terms of the Rights have been duly authorized and established in accordance
with the Rights Agreement; and such Rights have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Rights Agreement
and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, such Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’
rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability and may be subject to possible judicial
or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. March 14, 2024 3 March 14, 2024 4
March 14, 2024
Security
Type
Security Class
Title
Fee Calculation
or Carry Forward
Rule
Amount
Registered
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
Fee
Rate
Amount of
Registration
Fee
Carry
Forward Form
Type
Carry Forward File Number
Carry
Forward
Initial
Effective
Date
Filing Fee
Previously
Paid In
Connection
with
Unsold
Securities
to be
Carried
Forward
Newly Registered Securities
Fees to Be Paid
Equity
Common Shares
Rule 457(o)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Debt
Securities
Rule 457(o)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Other
Warrants
Rule 457(o)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Other
Purchase Contracts
Rule 457(o)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Other
Subscription Rights
Rule 457(o)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Other
Units
Rule 457(o)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
Rule 457(o)
(1)
(1)
$350,000,000
0.00014760
$51,660
Fees Previously Paid
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Carry Forward Securities
Carry Forward Securities
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Total Offering Amounts
$350,000,000
$51,660
Total Fees Previously Paid
N/A
N/A
Total Fee Offsets
$35,892.29
N/A
Net Fee Due
$15,767.71
(1) Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.C to Form F-3. The amount to be registered consists of up to $350,000,000 of an indeterminate
amount of common shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, subscription rights and/or units that may be offered and sold
from time to time in one or more offerings.
Registrant or Filer Name
Form or Filing Type
File Number
Initial Filing Date
Filing Date
Fee Offset Claimed
Security Associated with Fee Offset Claimed
Security Title Associated with Fee Offset Claimed
Unsold Securities Associates with Fee Offset Claimed
Unsold Aggregate Offering Amount Associated with Fee Offset Claimed
Fee Paid with Fee Offset Source
Rule 457(p) and Rule 415(a)(6)
Fee Offset Claim
AC Immune SA
F-3
333-255576
April 28, 2021
$11,517.29
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
$291,893,690 (1)
Fee Offset Claim
AC Immune SA
F-3
333-224694
May 4, 2018
$24,375
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
Unallocated (Universal) Shelf
$223,411,644 (2)
Fee Offset Source
AC Immune SA
F-3
333-255576
April 28, 2021
$13,810 (1)
Fee Offset Source
AC Immune SA
F-3
333-224694
May 4, 2018
$43,575 (2)
(1) AC Immune SA (the “Registrant”) previously filed a registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-255576), initially
filed on April 28, 2021 and declared effective on May 5, 2021 (the “2021 Prior Registration Statement”) and which registered
the offer and sale of an indeterminate number of common shares, principal amount of debt securities, purchase contracts, warrants to purchase
common shares, debt securities or other securities, units and subscription rights (collectively, the “Shelf Securities”) having
an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $350,000,000. The 2021 Prior Registration Statement was not fully used and $291,893,690
of the Shelf Securities remain unsold. As a result, the Registrant has $24,375 in unused filing fees associated with the 2021 Prior Registration
Statement. In accordance with Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, the registrant is using the unused filing fees to offset the filing
fee payable in connection with this filing. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the filing fee of $24,375 relating to
the Unsold Securities under the 2021 Prior Registration Statement, which was paid under the 2021 Prior Registration Statement, will continue
to be applied to the Unsold Securities registered pursuant to this registration statement. To the extent that, after the filing date hereof
and prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement, the registrant sells any Unsold Securities pursuant to the 2021 Prior Registration
Statement, the Registrant will identify in a pre-effective amendment to this registration statement the updated amount of Unsold Securities
from the 2021 Prior Registration Statement to be included in this registration statement pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6). Pursuant to Rule
415(a)(6), the offering of the Unsold Securities under the 2021 Prior Registration Statement will be deemed terminated as of the date
of effectiveness of this registration statement. The filing fee of $24,375 relating to the Unsold Securities under the 2021 Prior Registration
Statement, which was paid under the 2021 Prior Registration Statement, will continue to be applied to the Unsold Securities registered
pursuant to this registration statement.
(2) AC Immune SA (the “Registrant”) previously filed a registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-224694), initially
filed on May 4, 2018 and declared effective on June 8, 2018 (the “2018 Prior Registration Statement”) and which registered
the offer and sale of an indeterminate number of common shares, principal amount of debt securities, purchase contracts, warrants to purchase
common shares, debt securities or other securities, units and subscription rights (collectively, the “Shelf Securities”) having
an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $350,000,000. The 2018 Prior Registration Statement was not fully used and $223,411,644
of the Shelf Securities remain unsold. As a result, the Registrant has $11,517.29 in unused filing fees associated with the 2018 Prior
Registration Statement. In accordance with Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, the registrant is using the unused filing fees to offset
the filing fee payable in connection with this filing. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the filing fee of $11,517.29
relating to the Unsold Securities under the 2018 Prior Registration Statement, which was paid under the 2018 Prior Registration Statement,
will continue to be applied to the Unsold Securities registered pursuant to this registration statement. To the extent that, after the
filing date hereof and prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement, the registrant sells any Unsold Securities pursuant
to the 2018 Prior Registration Statement, the Registrant will identify in a pre-effective amendment to this registration statement the
updated amount of Unsold Securities from the 2018 Prior Registration Statement to be included in this registration statement pursuant
to Rule 415(a)(6). Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), the offering of the Unsold Securities under the 2018 Prior Registration Statement will
be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this registration statement. The filing fee of $11,517.29 relating to the Unsold
Securities under the 2018 Prior Registration Statement, which was paid under the 2018 Prior Registration Statement, will continue to be
applied to the Unsold Securities registered pursuant to this registration statement