ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
References
to the “Company,” “BCTG Acquisition Corp.,” “BCTG,” “our,” “us” or
“we” refer to BCTG Acquisition Corp. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition
and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere
in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties.
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and
projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions
about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some
cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,”
“would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to
such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
filings.
Overview
We
are a blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation on May 21, 2020. We were formed for the purpose of effecting
a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses
(the “Business Combination”). Although we are not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating
a Business Combination, intend to focus on businesses that have their primary operations located in North America and Europe in
the biotechnology industry. We are an emerging growth company and, as such, we are subject to all of the risks associated with
emerging growth companies.
Our
sponsor is BCTG Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement
for our initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) was declared effective on September 2, 2020. On September
8, 2020, we consummated an Initial Public Offering of 16,675,000 shares of common stock (the “Public Shares”), which
includes 2,175,000 Public Shares as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option, at an offering
price of $10.00 per Public Share, generating gross proceeds of approximately $166.8 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately
$9.6 million, inclusive of approximately $5.8 million in deferred underwriting commissions.
Simultaneously
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 533,500
shares of common stock (the “Private Placement Shares”), at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Share to the Sponsor,
generating gross proceeds of approximately $5.3 million.
14
Upon
the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement (including the exercise of the over-allotment) $166.8 million,
representing the net proceeds of the sale of the Public Shares in the Initial Public Offering and certain proceeds of the Private
Placement, was placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States with Continental
Stock Transfer& Trust Company acting as trustee, and held as cash or invested only in U.S. “government securities,”
within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money
market funds meeting certain conditions under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury
obligations, as determined by us, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution
of the Trust Account as described below.
We
will have 24 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or September 8, 2022, to complete our initial Business
Combination (the “Combination Period”). If we do not complete a Business Combination within this period of time (and
stockholders do not approve an amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation to extend this date) we will
(i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business
days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption,
subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and the board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case
of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other
applicable law. The initial stockholders have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if we
fail to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Initial Stockholders should acquire Public
Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with
respect to such Public Shares if we fail to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have
agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission held in the Trust Account in the event we do not complete
a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in
the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of our Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is
possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets)
will be only $10.00 per share initially held in the Trust Account.
Results
of Operations
Our
entire activity since inception up to December 31, 2020 was in preparation for our formation, the Initial Public Offering, and,
since the closing of our Initial Public Offering, a search for business combination candidates. We will not be generating any
operating revenues until after the closing and completion of our initial Business Combination.
For
the period from May 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we had net loss of approximately $123,000, which consisted
of approximately $109,000 in general and administrative expenses, approximately $40,000 in general and administrative expenses
– related party, and approximately $39,000 in franchise and income tax expense, offset by approximately $65,000 in interest
income earned on investments held in the Trust Account.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As
of December 31, 2020, we had $1.3 million in cash available for operating expenses and approximately $1.4 million of working capital.
Prior
to the completion of the Initial Public Offering, our liquidity needs were satisfied through a payment of $25,000 from our Sponsor
in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares (as defined below), and the loans under the Note (as defined below) of approximately
$127,000 to us to cover for offering costs in connection with the Initial Public Offering. We fully repaid the Notes on September
10, 2020. Subsequent to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering on September 8, 2020, the liquidity needs have been satisfied
through the net proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account. In addition, in order to
finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, our officers, directors and initial stockholders may, but
are not obligated to, provide us Working Capital Loans (as defined below). As of December 31, 2020, there were no amounts outstanding
under any Working Capital Loans.
15
Based
on the foregoing, management believes that we will have sufficient working capital and borrowing capacity to meet our needs through
the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, we will be using
these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates,
performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge
with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.
Management
continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that the specific impact is not readily determinable
as of the date of the balance sheet. The financial statement does not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome
of this uncertainty.
Related
Party Transactions
Founder
Shares
On
June 4, 2020, we issued 3,593,750 shares of common stock to our Sponsor in exchange for a payment of $25,000 (the “Founder
Shares”). On September 2, 2020, we declared a dividend of 0.16 shares for each outstanding share of common stock (an aggregate
of 575,000 shares), resulting in an aggregate of 4,168,750 shares outstanding. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively
restated to reflect the share dividend. Our Sponsor currently owns an aggregate of 4,493,450 shares of common stock, and our independent
directors and advisors collectively own 208,800 shares of common stock. Our Sponsor had agreed to forfeit up to an aggregate of
543,750 Founder Shares, so that the Founder Shares would represent 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after the Initial
Public Offering, to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part. On September
8, 2020, the underwriters exercised their 15% over-allotment option in full; thus, the Founder Shares were no longer subject to
forfeiture.
The
Initial Stockholders agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees)
until the earlier of (i) one year after the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination or (ii) the date on which
the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations
and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial
Business Combination, or earlier if, subsequent to the initial Business Combination, we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger,
stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares
of common stock for cash, securities or other property.
Private
Placement Shares
Concurrently
with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, our Sponsor purchased 533,500 Private Placement Shares, at a price of $10.00
per share, in a private placement for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $5.3 million. The Private Placement Shares
are identical to the shares of common stock sold in the Initial Public Offering, subject to certain limited exceptions as described
in Note 1 of our financial statements.
Our
Sponsor and our officers and directors have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their
Private Placement Shares until 30 days after the completion of the Initial Business Combination.
Related
Party Loans
On
May 21, 2020 and June 10, 2020, our Sponsor agreed to loan us up to $25,025 and $274,975, respectively, for an aggregate amount
of $300,000 to be used for the payment of costs related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (each, a
“Note” and, collectively, the “Notes”). The Notes were non-interest bearing, unsecured and due upon the
date we consummate the Initial Public Offering. We borrowed approximately $127,000 under the Notes and repaid the Notes in full
on September 10, 2020.
In
order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination,
the initial stockholders, officers and directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required
(the “Working Capital Loans”). Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon
consummation of the initial Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1.5 million of
the notes may be converted upon consummation of the Business Combination into additional private placement shares at a conversion
price of $10.00 per share. If we do not complete a Business Combination, the loans will not be repaid. Such private placement
shares would be identical to the Private Placement Shares. We did not have any borrowings under the Working Capital Loans as of
December 31, 2020.
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Administrative
Support Agreement
Commencing
on the date of our prospectus, we agreed to pay an affiliate of the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space and
certain office and secretarial services. Upon completion of the Initial Business Combination or our liquidation, we will cease
paying these monthly fees. For the period from May 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, the Company incurred $40,000
related to these services. As of December 31, 2020, no amounts were payable related to this agreement.
Share
Purchase Commitment
Our
Sponsor entered into an agreement to purchase an aggregate of at least 2,500,000 shares of common for an aggregate purchase price
of $25.0 million, or $10.00 per share, prior to, concurrently with, or following the closing of the initial Business Combination
in a private placement. The funds from such private placement may be used as part of the consideration to the sellers in the initial
Business Combination, and any excess funds from such private placement may be used for working capital in the post-transaction
company.
Contractual
Obligations
Registration
Rights
The
holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Shares and shares that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans
are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement. The holders of a majority of these securities
are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the Founder Shares can
elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common
stock are to be released from escrow. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with
respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination. We will bear the expenses incurred
in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting
Agreement
The
underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per share, or approximately $3.3 million in the aggregate, paid
upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred underwriting commission
of $0.35 per share, or approximately $5.8 million in the aggregate if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised
in full. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event
that we complete a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Investments
Held in the Trust Account
Our
portfolio of investments held in the Trust Account is comprised of U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in
Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or investments in money market funds that
invest in U.S. government securities, or a combination thereof. The investments held in the Trust Account are classified as trading
securities. Trading securities are presented on the balance sheet at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and
losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities is included in interest earned on investments held in the Trust
Account on the accompanying statement of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined
using available market information.
17
Common
Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
We
account for our common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing
Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments
and are measured at fair value. Shares of conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption
rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely
within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of common stock are classified as stockholders’
equity. Our common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to the
occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2020, 15,736,221 shares of common stock subject to possible
redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the accompanying balance sheet.
Net
Loss Per Common Share
We
comply with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net loss per share
of common stock is computed by dividing net loss applicable to stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common
stock outstanding during the periods. Weighted average share were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 543,750 shares of
common stock that were subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option was not exercised by the underwriters. The underwriters
exercised their over-allotment option in full on September 8, 2020; thus, these Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture
(see Note 6). At December 31, 2020, we did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised
or converted into shares of common stock and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is
the same as basic loss per share for the periods presented.
Our
statement of operations includes a presentation of loss per share for common stock subject to redemption in a manner similar to the two-class method of
income per share. Net loss per share, basic and diluted for Public Shares is calculated by dividing the investment income earned
on the Trust Account, net of applicable income and franchise taxes of approximately $26,000 for the period from May 21, 2020 (inception)
through December 31, 2020, by the weighted average number of shares of Public Shares outstanding for the period. Net loss per
share, basic and diluted for Founder Shares is calculated by dividing the net loss of approximately $123,000, less income attributable
to Founder Shares, by the weighted average number of shares of Founder Shares outstanding for the periods.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As
of December 31, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
JOBS
Act
The
Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain
reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS
Act are allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly
traded) companies. We have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply
with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging
growth companies. As a result, the financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting
pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Additionally,
we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act.
Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on
such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system
of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may
be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii)
comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s
report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis) and (iv)
disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and
comparisons of the CEO’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five
years following the completion of our Initial Public Offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,”
whichever is earlier.
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Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Our
management does not believe there are any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently
adopted, that would have a material effect on our financial statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We
are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise
required under this item.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our
financial statements and the notes thereto begin on page F-1 of this Annual Report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under
the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial
and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end
of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based
on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that during
the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Disclosure
controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is
recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial
officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal
Control over Financial Reporting
This
Annual Report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting due
to a transition period established by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for newly public companies. This annual
report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting. As a smaller reporting company, management’s report is not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting
firm.
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There
have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
19
part
III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following table sets forth information about our
directors and executive officers as of March 31, 2021.
Name Age Position
Aaron I. Davis 42 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Christopher Fuglesang, Ph.D., J.D. 52 President, Director
Michael Beauchamp 30 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
Andrew Ellis, M.D., J.D. 38 Chief Operating Officer, Secretary
Carole L. Nuechterlein, J.D. 60 Director
Richard Heyman, Ph.D. 63 Director
Charles M. Baum, M.D., Ph.D. 63 Director
Jamie G. Christensen, Ph.D. 53 Director
James B. Avery 57 Director
Aaron
I. Davis has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our board of directors since May 2020. Mr. Davis co-founded
Boxer Capital, LLC (“Boxer Capital”), the healthcare arm of the Tavistock Group, where he has served as portfolio
manager since 2005 and as Chief Executive Officer since 2012. At Boxer Capital, Mr. Davis is responsible for identifying, evaluating
and structuring investment opportunities in private and public biotechnology companies. Mr. Davis serves as a member of the board
of directors of Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRTX), Odonate Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ODT), iTeos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ITOS),
and Sojournix, Inc. and serves as the Executive Chairman of CiVi Biopharma Holdings, Inc. Prior to joining the Tavistock Group,
Mr. Davis worked in the Global Healthcare Investment Banking and Private Equity Groups at UBS Warburg, LLC. Mr. Davis received
an M.A. degree in biotechnology from Columbia University and a B.B.A. degree in finance from Emory University. We believe Mr.
Davis’ experience serving as a director of biotechnology companies and as a manager of funds specializing in the area of
life sciences qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.
Christopher
Fuglesang, Ph.D., J.D., has served as our President and as a member of our board of directors since May 2020. Dr. Fuglesang
joined Tavistock Group in 2005 as a vice president and was a co-founder of Boxer Capital, where he has been a managing director
since 2012. At Boxer Capital, Dr. Fuglesang assists in managing the firm’s research team, deal structuring and securities
compliance. Prior to joining Boxer Capital, Dr. Fuglesang was vice president at Eidogen-Sertanty, Inc., a structural proteomics
software company, and an attorney at Perkins Coie LLC. Dr. Fuglesang is a member of the board of directors of Pandion Therapeutics,
Inc. and CiVi Biopharma Holdings, Inc. Dr. Fuglesang served as a member of the board of directors of Kalypsys, Inc. from 2007
to 2013 and of Ambrx Inc. from 2011 to 2015. Dr. Fuglesang received a B.S. in chemistry and physics from the University of California
at Los Angeles, a Ph.D. in theoretical chemical physics from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a J.D. from Boston
University. We believe Dr. Fuglesang’s experience as an investor in the life sciences industry qualifies him to serve on
our board of directors.
Michael
Beauchamp has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since May 2020. Mr. Beauchamp has served as Vice President
of Finance at Boxer Capital since January 2016, where he is responsible for the firm’s back office operations, including
finance, tax, audit and administration. Prior to joining Boxer Capital, Mr. Beauchamp worked in the assurance practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers
from 2012 to January 2016. Mr. Beauchamp received a bachelor of accountancy degree from the University of San Diego.
Andrew
Ellis, M.D., J.D., has served as our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary since May 2020. Dr. Ellis has served at Boxer Capital
as Head of Compliance since July 2018 and as Senior Vice President since December 2020, where he is responsible for securities
compliance, deal structuring and due diligence for investments in private and public healthcare companies. Prior to joining Boxer
Capital, Dr. Ellis was a corporate and securities attorney at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. from August 2013 to July
2018, where he worked with life sciences companies and investors on a variety of corporate transactions. Dr. Ellis received an
M.D. and general surgery training at Baylor College of Medicine, a J.D. from New York University School of Law, and a B.S. degree
in Biology from Baylor University.
20
Carole
L. Nuechterlein, J.D., has served on our board of directors since the completion of our initial public offering. Ms. Nuechterlein
joined F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. in 2001 and currently serves as the head of Roche Venture Fund. Prior to that, from 1998 to 2001,
Ms. Nuechterlein served as General Counsel for SangStat, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. Ms. Nuechterlein has served as a member
of the board of directors of Millendo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MLND) since March 2017 and Aligos Therapeutics (Nasdaq:
ALGS) since August 2018,. Ms. Nuechterlein serves and has served as a member of the boards of directors of a number of private
biotechnology companies, including Enthera Therapeutics since January 2021, Entrada Therapeutics since April 2020, Vivet Therapeutics
SAS since April 2017, CiVi BioPharma, Inc. since March 2017, Mission Therapeutics Ltd. since January 2017, Arch Oncology Inc.
since August 2016 and Second Genome, Inc. since April 2016. She also served as a member of the board of directors of AveXis Inc.,
a biotechnology company (Nasdaq:AVXS), from October 2014 to May 2017. Ms. Nuechterlein received a B.A. from Valparaiso University
and a J.D. from University of Michigan. We believe Ms. Nuechterlein’s experience investing in innovative biotechnology companies
qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.
Richard
Heyman, Ph.D., has served on our board of directors since the completion of our initial public offering. Dr. Heyman is chairman
of the board of directors and co-founder of Metacrine, Inc., a biotechnology company developing new therapeutics for the treatment
of liver and gastrointestinal diseases. He also is on the board of directors of Gritstone Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq:GRTS) and is
the co-founder and chairman of the board of directors of ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ORIC). Previously, Dr. Heyman served
as president and chief executive officer of Seragon Pharmaceuticals Inc., or Seragon, a privately-held biotechnology company,
which was acquired by Genentech in 2014. Prior to Seragon, he co-founded and served as president and chief executive officer of
Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Aragon, until it was purchased by Johnson & Johnson in 2013. Dr. Heyman is a venture partner
for Arch Ventures and also serves on the boards of directors for private life sciences companies Yumanity Therapeutics, Inc.,
Vividion Therapeutics, Inc., PMV Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Amunix Inc. He is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Salk Institute,
on the Board Foundation for the American Association for Cancer Research, or AACR, and on the Board of Visitors at the University
of California at San Diego Moores Cancer Center. Dr. Heyman received a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Connecticut and
a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Minnesota. He was an NIH post-doctoral fellow and staff scientist at the Salk Institute.
We believe Dr. Heyman’s experience and expertise as a biotechnology executive and investor qualifies him to serve on our
board of directors.
Charles
M. Baum, M.D., Ph.D., has served on our board of directors since the completion of our initial public offering. Dr. Baum has
been the President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. since November
2012. From June 2003 to September 2012, he was at Pfizer as Senior Vice President for Biotherapeutic Clinical Research within
Pfizer’s Worldwide Research & Development division and as Vice President and Head of Oncology Development and Chief
Medical Officer for Pfizer’s Biotherapeutics and Bioinnovation Center. From 2000 to 2003, he was responsible for the development
of several oncology compounds at Schering-Plough Corporation (acquired by Merck). His career has included academic and hospital
positions at Stanford University and Emory University, as well as positions of increasing responsibility within the pharmaceutical
industry at SyStemix, Inc. (acquired by Novartis AG), G.D. Searle & Company (acquired by Pfizer), Schering-Plough Corporation
(acquired by Merck) and Pfizer. Dr. Baum has served on the board of directors of Immunomedics, Inc. (Nasdaq:IMMU) since February
2019 and was on the board of directors of Array BioPharma Inc. from 2014 until its acquisition by Pfizer in July 2019. Dr. Baum
received his M.D. and Ph.D. (Immunology) degrees from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and completed
his post-doctoral training at Stanford University. We believe Dr. Baum’s experience as a biotechnology executive and his
expertise in targeted oncology qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Jamie
G. Christensen, Ph.D., has served on our board of directors since the completion of our initial public offering. Dr. Christensen
has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. since June 2013. In his role at
Mirati, he is responsible for drug discovery, translational research, drug manufacturing and companion diagnostics research and
teams. While at Mirati, Dr. Christensen led activities related to the discovery and advancement of the KRAS G12C inhibitor, MRTX849,
as well as the spectrum-selective receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor, sitravatinib, through IND and clinical development.
Prior to Mirati, Dr. Christensen most recently was the head of Oncology Precision Medicine and member of the executive leadership
team in the Oncology Research Unit at Pfizer. While at Pfizer, Dr Christensen led key aspects of the nonclinical and clinical
development of sunitinib (Sutent®), crizotinib (Xalkori®), and palbociclib (Ibrance®). Prior to his time at Pfizer,
he held positions at SUGEN/Pharmacia as a Group Leader on the Preclinical Research and Exploratory Development team. Dr. Christensen
initiated his industry experience at Warner Lambert/Parke-Davis with research focus in RTK biology and pathway biomarker development
in the oncology therapeutic area. Dr. Christensen received his Ph.D. focusing in Molecular Pharmacology from North Carolina State
University with dissertation research directed toward characterization of mechanisms of apoptosis dysregulation during the process
of carcinogenesis. We believe Dr. Christensen’s experience as a biotechnology executive and his expertise in drug discovery
and translational research qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
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James
B. Avery has served on our board of directors since October 2020. Mr. Avery joined Tavistock Group in July 2014 and is currently
a Senior Managing Director. From 2003 to June 2014, Mr. Avery was a Managing Director and Co-Founder of GCA Savvian, a boutique
investment bank, in addition to holding the position of Representative Director for GCA Corporation, GCA Savvian’s parent
company that is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Prior to GCA Savvian, Mr. Avery spent 10 years working in the New
York and Silicon Valley offices of Morgan Stanley, where he advised clients across a number of industries on strategic, merger
& acquisition and capital market transactions. Mr. Avery has also held roles at Edward M. Greenberg Associates, Burson-Marsteller,
Westdeutsche Landesbank, and Republic National Bank of New York. Mr. Avery is currently a member of the board of directors of
Inseego Corp. (Nasdaq: INSG) and FrontWell Capital Partners. Mr. Avery received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Miami
University in 1986. We believe that Mr. Avery’s management background and expertise in strategic corporate matters and capital
markets qualifies him to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Number
and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
Our
board of directors has seven members, five of whom are deemed “independent” under SEC and Nasdaq rules. Our board
of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving
a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors, consisting of Carole L. Nuechterlein and Jamie
G. Christensen, expires at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting
of Richard Heyman and Charles M. Baum, expires at the second annual meeting. The term of office of the third class of
directors, consisting of Aaron I. Davis, Christopher Fuglesang and James B. Avery, expires at our third annual meeting of
stockholders. We may not hold an annual meeting of stockholders until after we consummate our initial business combination.
Pursuant
to an with our sponsor, upon consummation of an initial business combination, our sponsor will be entitled to nominate two
individuals for election to our board of directors.
Our
officers are appointed by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific
terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate.
Our bylaws provide that our directors may consist of a chairman of the board, and that our officers may consist of chief executive
officer, president, chief financial officer, executive vice president(s), vice president(s), secretary, treasurer and such other
officers as may be determined by the board of directors.
Executive
Compensation
No
executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. We will pay to an affiliate of our sponsor a
fee of $10,000 per month for providing us with office space and certain office and secretarial services until we close a business
combination. However, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, we may delay payment of such monthly fee upon a determination by
our audit committee that we lack sufficient funds held outside the trust to pay actual or anticipated expenses in connection with
our initial business combination. Any such unpaid amount will accrue without interest and be due and payable no later than the
date of the consummation of our initial business combination. Other than the $10,000 per month administrative fee, no compensation
or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees and other similar fees, will be paid to our insiders or any
of the members of our management team, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business
combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing
business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants
or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket
expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in
the trust account and the interest income earned on the amounts held in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed
by us unless we consummate an initial business combination.
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After
our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other
fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the
proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the
time of a stockholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination
business to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the
time of its determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K, as required by the SEC.
Director
Independence
Nasdaq
listing standards require that within one year of the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market we have at least
three independent directors and that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director”
is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual
having a relationship which in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the director’s
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our Board of Directors had determined that
Carole L. Nuechterlein, Richard Heyman, Jamie Christensen, Charles M. Baum and James B. Avery are “independent directors”
as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings
at which only independent directors are present.
We
will only enter into a business combination if it is approved by a majority of our independent directors. Additionally, we will
only enter into transactions with our officers and directors and their respective affiliates that are on terms no less favorable
to us than could be obtained from independent parties. Any related-party transactions must be approved by our audit committee
and a majority of disinterested directors.
Audit
Committee
We
have established an audit committee of the board of directors, which consists of Carole L. Nuechterlein, Richard Heyman, and Charles
M. Baum, each of whom is an independent director. Carole L. Nuechterlein serves as chairman of the audit committee. The audit
committee’s duties, which are specified in our Audit Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:
● discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;
● monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;
● reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;
● appointing or replacing the independent auditor;
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Financial
Experts on Audit Committee
The
audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of “independent directors” who are “financially literate”
as defined under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Nasdaq listing standards define “financially literate” as being
able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and
cash flow statement.
In
addition, we must certify to Nasdaq that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment
experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background
that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. The board of directors has determined that Carole L. Nuechterlein
qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.
Guidelines
for Selecting Director Nominees
We
do not have a standing nominating committee, though we intend to form a corporate governance and nominating committee as and when
required to do so by law or Nasdaq rules. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(2) of the Nasdaq rules, a majority of the independent
directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors.
The
board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting
or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. Carole L. Nuechterlein, Richard Heyman,
Jamie Christensen, Chuck Baum and James B. Avery will participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees.
In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A) of the Nasdaq rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating
committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.
The
board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our shareholders during such times as
they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election at the next annual general meeting (or, if applicable, extraordinary
general meeting). Our shareholders that wish to nominate a director for election to the Board should follow the procedures set
forth in our bylaws.
We
have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors
to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background,
diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and
the ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders.
Compensation
Committee
We
have established a compensation committee of the board of directors consisting of Richard Heyman and Carole L. Nuechterlein,
each of whom is an independent director. Richard Heyman serves as chairman of the compensation committee. We adopted a compensation
committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:
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● reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
The
charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation
consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of
the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel
or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required
by Nasdaq and the SEC.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
We
may not have a compensation committee in place prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Any executive compensation
matters that arise prior to the time we have a compensation committee in place will be determined by our independent directors.
None of our directors who currently serve as members of our compensation committee is, or has at any time in the past been, one
of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of
the compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors. None
of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors of any other
entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our compensation committee.
Code
of Ethics
We
have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our executive officers, directors and employees. The code of ethics codifies
the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.
Conflicts
of Interest
Investors
should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:
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In
general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present
business opportunities to a corporation if:
● the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;
● the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and
Accordingly,
as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting
business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. Furthermore, our certificate of incorporation provides
that the doctrine of corporate opportunity will not apply with respect to any of our officers or directors in circumstances where
the application of the doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have. In order to
minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, our officers and directors (other than our
independent directors) have agreed to present to us for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or entity,
any suitable opportunity to acquire a target business, until the earlier of: (1) our consummation of an initial business combination
and (2) 24 months from the date of our Initial Public Offering. This agreement is, however, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary
and contractual obligations such officer or director may from time to time have to another entity. Accordingly, if any of them
becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has pre-existing fiduciary
or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination
opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity. We do not believe, however, that
the pre-existing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers and directors will materially undermine our ability
to complete our business combination because in most cases the affiliated companies are closely held entities controlled by the
officer or director or the nature of the affiliated company’s business is such that it is unlikely that a conflict will
arise.
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The
following table summarizes the current material pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers, directors and
director nominees:
Name of Individual Name of Affiliated Company Entity’s Business Affiliation
Aaron Davis Boxer Capital, LLC Investment Fund Chief Executive Officer
MVA Investors, LLC Investment Fund Chief Executive Officer
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics Director
Odonate Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics Director
iTeos Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics Director
Tango Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics Director
CiVi Biopharma Holdings, Inc. Therapeutics Executive Chairman
Sojournix, Inc. Therapeutics Director
Rain Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics Director
Christopher Fuglesang Boxer Capital, LLC Investment Fund Managing Director
MVA Investors, LLC Investment Fund President
Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics Director
CiVi Biopharma Holdings, Inc. Therapeutics Director
Coho Therapeutics, Inc. Therapeutics Director
Shoreline Biosciences, Inc. Therapeutics Director