EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT
This Exclusive Distribution Agreement
(“Agreement”) is made as of April 1, 2002 (the
“Effective Date”), between Alliance Pharmaceutical
Corp., a New York corporation, having its principal place of
business at 3040 Science Park Road, San Diego, California 92121
(“Client”), and CORD Logistics, Inc., an Ohio
corporation, having its principal place of business at 15 Ingram
Boulevard, LaVergne, Tennessee 37086
(“CORD”).
A. Client is, among other things, in the business
of developing and marketing pharmaceutical products in the United
States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico (the
“Territory”).
B. CORD is, among other things, in the business of
distributing pharmaceutical products to wholesalers, specialty
distributors, physicians, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and other
health care providers in the Territory, and of providing
Information Systems and other services that support its
customers’ use of its distribution capabilities.
C. Client desires to engage CORD as its exclusive
distribution agent for commercial sales of lmagent™ in all
formulations (collectively, the “Product”), and such
other pharmaceutical products agreed to by the parties in the
Territory and to perform certain other services described in this
Agreement, all upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual
conditions and covenants set forth herein, CORD and Client
(collectively referred to as “Party” or
“Parties”) agree as follows:
1.
Appointment/Authorization
.
1.1 Upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, Client appoints CORD as its exclusive distribution agent
of Product in the Territory to Client’s customers, including,
but not limited to, wholesalers, specialty distributors,
physicians, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and other health care
providers in the Territory (collectively,
“Customers”).
1.2 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement, CORD accepts the appointment to represent Client as
its authorized exclusive distribution agent of Product to Customers
in the Territory.
1.3 Client shall provide CORD with a right of first
negotiation with respect to the distribution of new imaging agents
or other pharmaceutical products acquired or promoted by Client in
the Territory after the Effective Date. Client shall grant CORD an
exclusive right of negotiation with respect to the distribution of
such new product for a period of sixty (60) days after
Client’s notice to CORD that such new product will be
available for distribution. If the parties have not reached an
agreement with respect to the distribution of the new product
within sixty (60) days from the date of Client ’ s
notice, and entered into a definitive agreement within sixty (60)
days thereafter, or if Cord notifies Client in writing at any point
during such negotiation period that it is not interested or unable
to distribute such new product(s), then Client shall have no
further obligation with respect to that new product under this
Section 1.3.
[****]
Represents material which has been redacted pursuant to a request
for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24B-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.
Services .
2.1 CORD shall provide the services set forth in the
Operating Guidelines, which include, without limitation, storage,
distribution, returns, customer support, financial support, EDI and
system access support (“Services”). A copy of the
Operating Guidelines is attached hereto as Exhibit A and
incorporated by reference.
2.2 The Operating Guidelines may be amended from
time to time upon the mutual written agreement of the Parties;
provided, however, that any change, modification or amendment to
the Operating Guidelines may result in an increase in the fees
charged by CORD in Section 5.
2.3 CORD’s services shall comply with the
Operating Guidelines, provided Client’s shipment of Products
to CORD are within [****] of its Forecast (as
hereinafter defined).
2.4 All Product Returns shall be processed and
handled by CORD in accordance with the Operating Guidelines; and,
any customization or additional return services requested by Client
shall be performed at an additional fee as agreed by the
Parties.
2.5 Client is solely responsible for all Product
recalls. In the event Product is subject to recall, or Client, on
its own initiative, recalls any Product, CORD shall provide
assistance to Client as set forth in the Operating Guidelines,
provided that Client shall pay to CORD an amount equal to
CORD’s actual costs incurred with any, such recall services.
Such cost shall be in addition to the Service Fees described in
Section 5 below.
3.
Product Supply/Client
Responsibilities.
3.1 Client shall deliver Product to CORD at
CORD’s facility located at 15 Ingram Boulevard, Suite 100, La
Vergne, TN 37086, or to such other distribution facility as may be
designated by CORD to Client in writing
(“Facility”).
3.2 Client shall be responsible for delivery of
Product to the Facility, including all costs, expenses and risk of
loss associated with such delivery. Title to Product shall remain
with Client at all times, even when Product is stored or warehoused
at the Facility. Client shall at all times insure the Product for
damage, loss, destruction, theft or any such other property damage
(“Loss”) as further set forth in Section 17 below.
Except for Loss resulting solely from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of CORD, Client shall bear all risk of loss or
damage with respect to the Product stored or warehoused at the
Facility.
3.3 Client shall provide CORD with a forecast of the
volume of Product to be handled by CORD under this Agreement, not
less often than [****]
(“Forecast”). Upon execution of this Agreement, Client
shall deliver to CORD a customer list, which sets forth the Product
prices (the “Customer Price List”). Client shall notify
CORD of any change in the Customer Price List not less than
[****]
prior to the effective date of any such change. CORD shall use
commercially reasonably efforts to implement such price change in
accordance with Client’s instruction.
3.4 CORD shall visually inspect each shipment of
Product for external damage or loss in transit and notify Client of
any such damage or loss within a commercially reasonable period of
time following discovery.
[****]
Represents material which has been redacted pursuant to a request
for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24B-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
4.
Information System
Access.
4.1 CORD shall provide Client access to an Operating
System Base, which consists of the software used by CORD to support
the services provided to Client, including the server and other
components needed to execute the software and certain support
services associated therewith, as further set forth in the
Operating Guidelines (collectively, the “System”), upon
the terms and conditions set forth in the System Access Agreement.
A copy of the System Access Agreement is attached as Exhibit C and
incorporated herein by reference. The software releases are (i)
EliteSeries 6.1.2, as modified by CORD, supplied by Tecsys, Inc., a
Montreal, Quebec, Canadian company, and any upgrades, maintenance
releases or modifications implemented by CORD to support
distribution services provided by CORD; (ii) BACCS 3.0 as modified
by CORD and any upgrades implemented by CORD to support financial
services provided by CORD; and (iii) Impromptu 6.0, supplied by
Cognos Inc., a Canadian company, and any upgrades, maintenance
releases or modifications implemented by CORD to support reporting
services provided by CORD.
4.2 The System shall be made available to Client at
the fees set forth in the Fee Schedule, except that any custom
enhancements requested by Client shall be billed separately based
on an hourly rate set forth in the Fee Schedule (as defined in
Section 5).
4.3 In addition to the terms set forth in the System
Access Agreement, Client shall maintain (i) a local area network
sufficient to support Client’s terminals and personal
computers that have access to the System, all such personal
computers shall meet the minimum specifications necessary to
support software needed to access the system; (ii) a centralized
server sufficient for data storage, if data export requirements
exist; and (iii) a connection to the internet sufficient to support
system access. Client shall also assign knowledgeable and qualified
employees or representatives to facilitate access to the
System.
5.
Fees.
5.1 As compensation for the Services, Client shall
pay to CORD the fees (the “Fees”) set forth on Exhibit
B (the “Fee Schedule”).
5.2 CORD shall issue an invoice to Client for the
Services rendered under this Agreement or for any other amounts due
on a [****]
basis. Payment is due within [****] days of the invoice
date. If the Invoice is not paid within such [****] day period, a service
charge on the unpaid amount calculated at the rate of
[****] per
month (or the maximum rate permitted by law if such rate is less
than [****] per month) shall be
imposed until such amount is paid in full.
5.3 The Fees shall be held firm for the
[****] .
Thereafter, CORD shall adjust the price not more often than once
per contract year by the increase in the Producer Price Index - All
Commodities published by the United States Department of Labor,
Bureau of Statistics, as amended from time to time. In the case of
a decrease in the Producer Price Index — All Commodities
referenced above, Client’s pricing shall remain unchanged
from the immediately preceding contract year. For purposes of
sub-Section (i), the base point shall be the index level on the
first day of the contract year.
5.4 Notwithstanding the terms set forth above in
Section 5.3, if CORD can reasonably demonstrate that the costs for
providing the Services have materially increased, or are likely to
materially increase in the coming year due to the adoption of any
applicable law or regulation (or any material change in the
interpretation or administration thereof), or due to unforeseen
circumstances beyond CORD’s reasonable control, then upon
notice from CORD, the Parties agree to meet in good faith and
negotiate a mutually acceptable adjustment to the Fees.
[****] Represents material which has been redacted pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24B-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
6.1 The initial term of this Agreement shall begin
on the Effective Date and shall continue for a period of
[****]
years (the “Initial Term”), unless
terminated earlier pursuant to this Agreement. Thereafter, this
Agreement shall automatically renew for additional terms of
[****]
each, unless written notice of termination is given by either Party
at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Initial Term, or
such other term, in which case this Agreement shall terminate at
the end of the then current term.
6.2 Either Party shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement:
(a) upon one hundred eighty (180) days prior written
notice to the other Party, provided that in the event Client
terminates this Agreement, without cause, prior to the end of the
Initial Term, such termination shall be effective only upon payment
to CORD of six (6) months of the System Access Fees set forth on
the Fee Schedule;
(b) upon the breach by the other Party of a material
provision of this Agreement and that Party’s failure to cure
such breach within thirty (30) days following written notice
thereof from the non-breaching Party, provided that, with respect
to any failure to make any payment when due under this Agreement,
such period to cure shall be reduced to ten (10) days;
or
(c) immediately upon notice to the other Party
following the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding (whether voluntary or involuntary) with respect to such
other Party or its assets, which in the event of an involuntary
proceeding, is not dismissed within sixty (60) days, the general
assignment for the benefit of creditors by such other Party, or the
appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator by or for such
other Party.
6.3 Termination or expiration of this Agreement
shall not relieve either Party from any liability or obligation
that accrued prior to such termination or expiration. Upon
termination or expiration of this Agreement, all Product shall be
returned to Client or a designee of Client, at Client’s sole
cost and expense. Sections 13 and 14 shall survive termination or
expiration of this Agreement.
7.
Audits . No
more than twice per calendar year, Client or its designee shall
have the right during normal business hours (i.e., 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. local time), upon fifteen (15) business days prior
written notice to CORD, to: (a) conduct a physical audit of such
parties of the Facility that relate solely to Product stored and
warehoused at the Facility under this Agreement; and (b) review and
audit records that relate solely to the storage and distribution of
the Product. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Client or its designee
may, from time to time and subject to CORD’s prior consent,
perform additional physical audits of the Product located at the
Facility in the event of a reasonable, documented concern related
to the state of such Product. Such additional audits shall be
conducted during normal business hours (i.e., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. local time).
8.
Compliance With
Laws . Each
Party shall conduct its activities in connection with this
Agreement in compliance with all applicable laws, rules,
regulations, and orders of governmental entities.
9.
Representations and
Warranties .
9.1 Each Party represents and warrants to the other
that:
(a) it has full power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and perform all obligations and conditions to be
performed by it under this Agreement without any restriction by any
other Agreement or otherwise;
(b) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action of that Party; and
(c) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of that Party.
9.2 Client further represents and warrants to CORD
that the Product:
(a) is and shall be manufactured in conformity with
the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended from time to time, and
all other applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of
governmental entities relating to the manufacture, promotion, sale
or distribution of the Product;
(b) does not violate or infringe any patent,
trademark, tradename or other interest of any person or
entity.
10.
Taxes
. Client shall pay when due all sales, use, gross
receipts, excise, personal property taxes associated with the
Product (excluding any personal property tax associated with
CORD’s equipment used in connection with the Services), and
other taxes now or hereafter imposed as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than taxes based
on CORD’s net income), none of which have been included in
the fees payable to CORD under this Agreement; provided that the
amounts payable by Client under this section shall not include
taxes based on the net income of CORD.
11.
Trademarks . Neither Party shall have the right to use the
name of the other Party or any Affiliate of the other Party, or the
other Party’s or such Affiliates’ trademarks, service
marks, logos, or other similar marks in any manner except with the
prior written approval of that Party; provided that the foregoing
shall not prohibit CORD’s use of Client names or marks in
connection with the performance of the Services in a manner
consistent with this Agreement. “Affiliate,” as used in
this Agreement, means any legal entity which, during the Term
hereof, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Party. For purposes of this definition, an entity shall
be deemed to control another entity if it owns or controls,
directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting
interest of all equity interests of the other entity (or other such
comparable ownership interest for an entity other than a
corporation).
12.1 Each Party acknowledges that as a result of this
Agreement it may learn and have access to trade secrets and other
confidential and proprietary information of the other Party through
employees, representatives and/or agents acting on behalf of or
subcontracted to either Party (collectively the
“Representatives”), including without limitation,
financial information, information regarding business practices and
techniques, customer lists and systems and technology information,
or any information identified as confidential in writing by either
Party (the “Confidential Information”). For purposes of
this Agreement, Confidential Information shall not include
information disclosed by one Party to the other Party to the extent
that such information can be proven by written evidence: (a) to be
in the public domain or generally available in the industry in
which the disclosing Party engages in business without any
violation of this Agreement by the other Party; (b) is already
legally known to the other Party or any of its Affiliates at the
time of its disclosure by the disclosing Party; (c) becomes known
to the other Party or any of its Affiliates from a third party
without any obligation of confidentiality or limitation on use; or
(d) is independently developed by the other Party or any of its
Affiliates prior to the date of its disclosure. The specific
material terms of this Agreement shall be deemed to be the
Confidential Information of each Party. Confidential Information
shall not be deemed to be in the public domain or publicly known or
in the receiving Party’s possession because it is embraced by
more general information in the receiving Party’s possession
or because it is embraced in general terms in
publications.
12.2 Neither Party shall, directly or indirectly, at
any time: (a) disclose to any third person or entity any
Confidential Information of the other Party (whether learned before
or after the date of this Agreement), or (b) use, or permit or
assist any third person or entity to use, any such Confidential
Information, excepting only: (i) disclosures required by law, rule,
regulation or order, as reasonably determined by the disclosing
Party or its legal counsel, and (ii) disclosures on a confidential
basis to directors, officers, employees, and agents of that Party
or its Affiliates who have a reasonable need to know such
Confidential Information in the normal course of business of that
Party or any of that Party’s Affiliates.
12.3 The obligations of confidentiality hereunder
shall survive the termination of this Agreement for a period of
three (3) years. Upon termination of this Agreement (for any
reason) each Party shall promptly: (i) return to the other Party
all documentation and other materials (including copies of original
documentation or other materials) containing any Confidential
Information of the other Party; or (ii) with the other
Party’s consent, which consent will not be unreasonably
withheld, certify to the other Party, pursuant to a certificate in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party, as
to the destruction of all such documentation and other
materials.
13.
Indemnification
. Each Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the
other Party and its parent and Affiliates, and each of their
directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives from
and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, and
expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys’ fees (“Liability”) to a third party or
property arising directly or indirectly out of any failure of that
Party to perform fully all obligations and conditions to be
performed by that Party pursuant to this Agreement or any breach of
any warranty made by that Party in this Agreement. Client further
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CORD, its parent and
Affiliates and each of their directors, officers, employees, agents
and representatives from any and all Liability arising directly or
indirectly out of injury or death to person or property alleged to
have been caused by Client’s Product.
14.
Limitation of
Liability. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF
SECTION 13, OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE
CONTRARY, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY
CONSEQUENTIAL (SPECIFICALLY EXCEPTING THOSE CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
ARISING FROM EACH PARTY’S OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY THE OTHER
FOR LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIRD PARTY CLAIMS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 13 ABOVE), INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
OR OTHER SIMILAR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT.
15.
Insurance . During the term of this Agreement and for as
long thereafter as necessary to cover claims resulting from this
Agreement, Client shall maintain: (i) product liability and
commercial general liability insurance having a limit of not less
than $5 million; and (ii) property damage insurance at replacement
value for the Product located at the CORD Facility or in transit to
or from the CORD Facility, pursuant to one or more insurance
policies with reputable insurance carriers. Cardinal Health, Inc.
and its subsidiaries shall be designated as “additional
insureds” under the product liability and commercial general
liability insurance policy(ies) and under the property damage
insurance policy(ies). Prior to the Commencement Date, Client shall
deliver to CORD certificates evidencing such insurance. Client
shall not cause or permit such insurance to be canceled or modified
to materially reduce its scope or limits of coverage during the
term of this Agreement or thereafter as provided above. Except for
any losses resulting solely from the gross negligence or
intentional misconduct of CORD, Client shall bear all risk of loss
or damage with respect to the Product, whether located at the
Facility or otherwise.
16.
Dispute
Resolution . The
Parties agree to use good faith efforts to resolve all disputes
within ninety (90) days of written notice that such a dispute
exists. If dispute under this Agreement cannot be resolved by the
Parties within such sixty (60) day period, the Parties agree to
refer the matter to one executive from each Party not directly
involved in the dispute for review and resolution. A copy of the
terms of this Agreement, agreed upon facts and areas of
disagreement, and a concise summary of the basis for each
side’s contentions will be provided to both executives who
shall review the same, confer, and attempt to reach a mutual
resolution of the issue within forty-five (45) days after receipt
of the materials referenced above. If the matter has not been
resolved within such forty-five (45) day period, either or both
Parties may pursue resolution of the matter through litigation or
other process available under law or equity.
17.1
Relationship of the
Parties. The relationship
among the Parties is that of independent contractors, and this
Agreement does not establish or create a partnership, joint
venture, or other agency relationship among the Parties.
17.2
Notices. Any notice or other communication required or
desired to be given to any Party under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given: (a) three business days after
such notice is deposited in the United States mail, first-class
postage prepaid, and addressed to that Party at the address for
such Party set forth at the end of this Agreement; (b) one business
day after delivered to Federal Express, Airborne, or any other
similar express delivery service for delivery to that Party at that
address; or (c) when sent by facsimile transmission, with
electronic confirmation, to that Party at its facsimile number set
forth at the end of this Agreement. Any notice delivered by
facsimile transmission will be deemed delivered upon electronic
confirmation provided the notice is also deposited in the U.S.
mail, first-class postage prepaid. Any Party may change its address
or facsimile number for notices under this Agreement by giving the
other Parties notice of such change.
17.3
Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be construed
under the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to its
conflicts of laws provisions.
17.4
Severability.
If any term of this Agreement is
declared invalid or unenforceable by a court or other body of
competent jurisdiction, the remaining terms of this Agreement will
continue in full force and effect.
17.5
Non-Waiver.
No failure by either Party to insist
upon strict compliance with any term of this Agreement, to enforce
any right, or to seek any remedy upon any default of the other
Party shall affect, or constitute a waiver of, the first
Party’s right to insist upon strict compliance, to exercise
that option, to enforce that right, or to seek that remedy with
respect to that default or any prior, contemporaneous, or
subsequent default. No custom or practice of the Parties at
variance with any provision of this Agreement shall affect, or
constitute a waiver of, that Party’s right to demand strict
compliance with all provisions of this Agreement.
17.6
Force Majeure.
If the performance of any part of
this Agreement by either Party shall be prevented, restricted,
interfered with or affected for any length of time by fire or other
casualty, government restrictions, war, riots, strikes or labor
disputes, lock out, transportation delays, acts of God, or any
other causes which are beyond the reasonable control of such Party,
such Party shall not be responsible for delay or failure of
performance of this Agreement for such length of time, provided,
however, that the obligation of one Party to pay amounts due to the
other Party shall not be subject to the provisions of this
Section.
17.7
Complete Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the
entire understanding between the Parties and supersedes any
contracts, agreements or understanding (oral or written) of the
Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No term of this
Agreement may be amended except upon written agreement of both
Parties, unless provided otherwise in this Agreement.
17.8
Assignment.
Except as set forth herein, neither
Party shall have the right to assign this Agreement, or any of such
Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement, without
the prior written consent of the other Party, provided, however,
that CORD may assign its rights under this Agreement to any parent,
subsidiary or affiliate without obtaining such consent. This
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by and against the respective successors and assigns of
the Parties.
17.9
Independent
Contractor. The
relationship of the Parties is that of independent contractors, and
neither Party shall incur any debts or make any commitments for the
other Party except to the extent expressly provided in this
Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to create or shall
be construed as creating between the Parties the relationship of
joint ventures, co-partners, employer, employee or principal and
agent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned acknowledge
and accept the terms of this Agreement and have duly executed this
Agreement.
|
CORD LOGISTICS,
INC.
|
|
|
ALLIANCE
PHARMACEUTICAL CORP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: /s/
Frank C. Wegerson
|
|
|
By: /s/
Jack DeFranco
|
|
Frank C.
Wegerson
|
|
|
B. Jack
DeFranco
|
|
Vice President
and General Manager
15 Ingram Boulevard
LaVergne, TN 37086
Facsimile No. (615) 793-4783
|
|
|
Vice President,
Marketing & Business Development
3040 Science Park Road
San Diego, CA 92121
Facsimile No.: (858) 410-5201
|
Exhibits
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Guidelines
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fee
Schedule
|
|
|
|
|
|
System Access
Agreement
|
Alliance Pharmaceuticals
/ CORD Logistics, Inc.
Exhibit A
Operating Guidelines
In performing
its obligations under the Distribution Services Agreement
(“Agreement”), CORD Logistics, Inc.
(“CORD”) will follow the Operating Guidelines as
developed jointly with Alliance Pharmaceuticals Corp Inc.
(“Client”). These Operating Guidelines are in addition
to CORD Standard Operating Procedures (“SOPs”). Copies
of these documents are maintained by both parties and will be
reviewed, and updated if necessary, from time to time as mutually
agreed, but not less than once per calendar year.
1.0
WAREHOUSING,
|
1.1
|
CORD will
maintain its warehouse facility in accordance and comply with all
federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, including the
Prescription Drug Marketing Act and current Good Manufacturing
Practices (“cGMP”) as promulgated unde
|