LOAN AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.3

$28,000,000
LOAN AGREEMENT

dated as of February 12, 2009

among

HEARTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
as Borrower

and

ALL OF THE SUBSIDIARIES OF
HEARTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
as Guarantors

and

THORATEC CORPORATION
as Lender

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXHIBITS

     This LOAN AGREEMENT is dated as of February 12, 2009 (this “ Agreement ”), among HEARTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the GUARANTORS (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto and THORATEC CORPORATION, a California corporation (the “ Lender ”).

     The parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

Definitions

     SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

     “ Acquisition ” shall mean, collectively, (i) the merger of Thomas Merger Sub I, Inc. with and into the Borrower, whereupon the separate existence of Thomas Merger Sub I, Inc. shall cease, and the Borrower shall continue as the surviving corporation and (ii) immediately following the consummation of the merger in clause (i) of this definition, the merger of Borrower with and into Thomas Merger Sub II, Inc., whereupon the corporate existence of Borrower shall cease and Thomas Merger Sub II, Inc. shall continue as the surviving corporation, in each case, pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement.

     “ Affiliate ” means, when used with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person.

     “ Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

     “ Applicable Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any federal (including United States or Australian), state, local or foreign law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon or applicable to such Person.

     “ Applicable Rate ” shall mean, for any day with respect to any Loan, a rate equal to 10% per annum.

     “ ASTC ” means ASX Settlement and Transfer Corporation Pty Ltd ACN 008 504 532.

     “ ASX ” means ASX Limited ACN 008 624 691 or the Australian Securities Exchange.

     “ AU$ ” shall mean lawful money of Australia.

     “ Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

     “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

     “ Borrower ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

     “ Borrowing ” shall mean Loans made pursuant to Section 2.01 .

     “ Borrowing Request ” means a notice substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto.

     “ Business Day ” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by Applicable Law to close.

     “ Capital Lease Obligations ” of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.

     “ CDIs ” means CHESS Depositary Interests representing shares of Common Stock (in the ratio of one (1) share of Common Stock to thirty five (35) CDIs).

     “ Change of Control ” shall mean, other than the transactions contemplated by the Definitive Agreement, (A) any acquisition or purchase, direct or indirect, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the assets (based on fair market value) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or over fifty percent (50%) of any class of equity or voting securities of the Borrower or of any of its Subsidiaries, (B) the consummation of any tender offer (including a self-tender offer) or exchange offer that results in a Third Party beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Borrower or of any of its Subsidiaries or (C) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, sale of substantially all the assets, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute more than fifty percent (50%) of the assets (based on fair market value) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     “ Charges ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08 .

     “ CHESS ” means the clearing house electronic sub-register system of share transfers operated by ASTC.

     “ Closing Date ” shall mean February 12, 2009.

     “ Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to the Lender, the commitment of the Lender to make Loans hereunder. The amount of the Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Appendix A, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. The aggregate amount of the Commitments on the Closing Date is $20,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     “ Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Borrower.

     “ Company Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean any event, change or occurrence which, individually or together with any one or more other events, changes or occurrences (A) has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect upon the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or operating results of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided , that in no event shall any of the following events, changes, or occurrences constitute a “Company Material Adverse Effect” or be considered in determining whether a “Company Material Adverse Effect” has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (i) changes in general economic, securities market or business conditions except to the extent that such changes have a materially disproportionate effect (relative to other industry participants) on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) changes in conditions generally affecting the industry in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries operate, except to the extent that such changes have a materially disproportionate effect (relative to other industry participants that are development stage companies at a similar stage of development as the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) any change in the trading price or trading volume of the Borrower’s common stock or CDIs in and of itself or any failure to meet internal or published projections or forecasts for any period in and of itself (in each case, as distinguished from any change, event or occurrence giving rise or contributing to such change or failure), (iv) changes in GAAP or Applicable Laws or (v) changes resulting from the announcement or the existence of, or that result from the compliance by the Borrower with its obligations under, the Definitive Agreement, or (B) would prevent the Borrower from consummating, or materially delay, the Merger.

     “ Control ” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “ Controls ”, “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” shall have the meanings correlative thereto.

     “ Conversion Notice ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10 .

     “ Conversion Rate ” shall mean (i) if the Acquisition is not consummated because of a Superior Proposal Termination, $21.5355 per share of Common Stock and (ii) if the Acquisition is not consummated for any reason other than a Superior Proposal Termination, AU$35.00 per share of Common Stock, in each case, as such rate may be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.13 .

     “ Convertible Portion ” shall mean, as at any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Loans as of such date plus the amount of any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

     “ Credit Event ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01 .

     “ Default ” shall mean any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

     “ Definitive Agreement ” shall mean that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Lender, Thomas Merger Sub I, Inc., Thomas Merger Sub II, Inc. and Borrower dated as of February 12, 2009.

     “ Definitive Agreement Termination Date ” shall mean the date, if any, upon which the Definitive Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

     “ Delayed Draw Loan ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01 .

     “ Disposition ” with respect to any property, shall mean any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof. The terms “ Dispose ” and “ Disposed of ” shall have correlative meanings

     “ Dollars ” or “ $ ” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

     “ Domestic Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

     “ Equity Interests ” shall mean shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity interests in any Person, or any obligations convertible into or exchangeable for, or giving any Person a right, option or warrant to acquire, such equity interests or such convertible or exchangeable obligations.

     “ Escrow Account ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

     “ Escrow Agent ” shall mean U.S. Bank, National Association, or any Person selected or appointed as a successor thereto, as escrow agent under the Escrow Agreement.

     “ Escrow Agreement ” shall mean the Escrow Agreement dated as of February 12, 2009, between the Lender, the Borrower and the Escrow Agent.

     “ Escrow Amount Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10 .

     “ Escrow Funds ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

     “ Event of Default ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII .

     “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     “ Federal Funds Effective Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the Business Day preceding such day, provided that if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotations for the

day for such transactions received by the Lender from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

     “ Final Outside Date Extension Option ” shall mean Lender’s option to extend the Outside Date (as such term is defined in the Definitive Agreement) to January 31, 2010 in accordance with Section 8.01(b)(i) of the Definitive Agreement.

     “ Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

     “ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

     “ Governmental Authority ” means any transnational, domestic or foreign, federal, state or local governmental authority, department, court, agency or official, including any political subdivision thereof.

     “ Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of (a) the guarantor or (b) another Person (including any bank under a letter of credit) pursuant to which the guarantor has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness, (iv) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or (v) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the owner of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof; provided , however , that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

     “ Guaranteed Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01 .

     “ Guarantor ” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     “ Guaranty ” shall mean the guarantees issued pursuant to Article VII by each of the Guarantors.

     “ HSR Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

     “ Indebtedness ” of any Person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than current trade accounts payable

incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Equity Interests in such Person, (f) all Indebtedness secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances and bank guaranties. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other Person (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in, or other relationship with, such other Person, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

     “ Initial Borrowing ” shall mean the initial Borrowing of Loans in accordance with this Agreement.

     “ Interest Payment Date ” shall mean, as to any Loan, (a) each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, (b) the Maturity Date, (c) the date of repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof and (d) the date of conversion of such Loan pursuant to Section 2.10 .

     “ Investor’s Rights Agreement ” shall mean the Investor’s Rights Agreement dated as of February 12, 2009 by and among the Borrower and the Lender.

     “ Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

     “ Lender Termination ” shall mean a termination by the Lender of the Definitive Agreement in accordance with (i) Section 8.01(c)(i)(A) of the Definitive Agreement, solely to the extent that the underlying breach by the Borrower was intentional or (ii) Section 8.01(c)(i)(B) of the Definitive Agreement.

     “ Lien ” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, collateral assignment, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

     “ Loan Conversion Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10 .

     “ Loan Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, any promissory note executed and delivered in connection herewith, the Investor’s Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.

     “ Loan Parties ” shall mean, collectively, Borrower and the Guarantors.

     “ Loans ” shall mean the Term Loans and Delayed Draw Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Article II .

     “ Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

     “ Maturity Date ” shall mean the earlier of (i) November 1, 2011, (ii) the Termination Date and (iii) the date on which all Loans shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

     “ Maximum Delayed Draw Loan Amount ” shall mean (a) from and after the Closing Date but prior to the Option Date, $0 and (b) after the Option Date but prior to the Maturity Date, $8,000,000, which amount may be reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by Escrow Funds that are converted into Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.11 .

     “ Maximum Rate ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08 .

     “ Maximum Term Loan Amount ” shall mean (i) from and after the Closing Date but prior to May 1, 2009, $0, (ii) from and after May 1, 2009 but prior to July 31, 2009, $12,000,000 and (iii) from and after July 31, 2009 but prior to the Maturity Date, $20,000,000, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), as such amounts may be reduced by Escrow Funds that are converted into Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.11 .

     “ Merger ” shall mean the merger, in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, of Thomas Merger Sub I, Inc. with and into the Borrower, with the Borrower continuing as the corporation surviving the Merger.

     “ Obligations ” shall mean the Loans and all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by any Loan Party to the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender, of any kind or nature, present or future, whether or not evidenced by any note, guaranty or other instrument, whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, loan, guaranty, indemnification, foreign exchange contract or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired arising under or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The term includes, without limitation, all interest (including any interest that, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued), charges, expenses, fees, attorneys’ fees and disbursements and any other sum chargeable to any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

     “ Obligee Guarantor ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.06 .

     “ Option Date ” shall mean the date, if any, on which the Lender exercises the Final Outside Date Extension Option.

     “ Other Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including interest, fines, penalties and additions to tax) arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

     “ Parent Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean any event, change or occurrence which, individually or together with any one or more other events, changes or occurrences (A) has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect upon the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or operating results of the Lender and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided , that in no event shall any of the following events, changes, or occurrences constitute a “Parent Material Adverse Effect” or be considered in determining whether a “Parent Material Adverse Effect” has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (i) changes in general economic, securities market or business conditions except to the extent that such changes have a materially disproportionate effect (relative to other industry participants) on the Lender and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) changes in conditions generally affecting the industry in which the Lender and its Subsidiaries operate, except to the extent that such changes have a materially disproportionate effect (relative to other industry participants that are at a similar stage of development as the Lender and its Subsidiaries) on the Lender and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) any change in the trading price or trading volume of the Lender’s common stock in and of itself or any failure to meet internal or published projections or forecasts for any period in and of itself (in each case, as distinguished from any change, event or occurrence giving rise or contributing to such change or failure), (iv) changes in GAAP or Applicable Laws or (v) changes resulting from the announcement or the existence of, or that result from the compliance by the Lender with its obligations under, the Definitive Agreement or (B) would prevent the Lender, Thomas Merger Sub I, Inc. or Thomas Merger Sub II, Inc. from consummating, or materially delay, the Merger.

     “ Permit ” shall mean any franchise, license, lease, permit, notification, certification, registration, authorization, exemption, qualification, or approval granted by or filed with a Governmental Authority.

     “ Person ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Definitive Agreement.

     “ Regulation T ” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

     “ Regulation U ” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

     “ Regulation X ” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

     “ Related Parties ” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, trustees, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

     “ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

     “ Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity or organization of which such Person (either alone or through or together with any other Subsidiary of such Person), owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the stock or other Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of

the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions of such entity or organization.

     “ Superior Proposal Termination ” shall mean a termination of the Definitive Agreement (a) by the Borrower in accordance with Section 8.01(d)(ii) of the Definitive Agreement or (b) by the Lender in accordance with Section 8.01(c)(ii) of the Definitive Agreement.

     “ Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

     “ Term Loans ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01 .

     “ Termination Date ” shall mean the date on which all Loans and Escrow Funds shall have been converted into Common Stock in accordance with Section 2.10 or Section 2.11 , as applicable, upon which date all commitments to make any Loans pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate.

     “ Third Party ” shall mean any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Lender or any of its Subsidiaries.

     “ Total Commitment ” shall mean the sum of (i) all unfunded Commitments, (ii) all outstanding and unpaid Loans and (iii) all Escrow Funds.

     “ Transactions ” shall mean, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each of the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (b) the Borrowings hereunder and the use of proceeds thereof and (c) the deposit by the Lender of up to $28,000,000 in the aggregate into the Escrow Account.

     SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally . The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including”, and words of similar import, shall not be limiting and shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed as having the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all rights and interests in tangible and intangible assets and properties of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed, including cash, securities, Equity Interests, accounts and contract rights. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision of this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) any definition of, or reference to, any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document in this Agreement shall mean such Loan Document or other agreement, instrument or document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein) and (b) all terms of an accounting or

financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided , however , that if the Borrower notifies the Lender that the Borrower wishes to amend any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP occurring after the date of this Agreement on the operation of such provision (or if the Lender notifies the Borrower that it wishes to amend any provision hereof for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such provision shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such provision is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrower and the Lender.

ARTICLE II.

The Credits

     SECTION 2.01. Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including, without limitation, Article IV ) and relying upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, (i) the Lender agrees to make one or more term loans (collectively, the “ Term Loans ” and each, individually, a “ Term Loan ”) to the Borrower from and after the Closing Date but no later than the Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount up to the Maximum Term Loan Amount and (ii) if the Lender exercises the Final Outside Date Extension Option, the Lender agrees to make one or more delayed draw loans (collectively, the “ Delayed Draw Loans ” and each, individually, a “ Delayed Draw Loan ”) to the Borrower up to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Maximum Delayed Draw Loan Amount on or after the Option Date but no later than the Maturity Date. Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of any Loans may not be reborrowed.

     SECTION 2.02. Borrowing Request; Loans . (a) The Borrower may borrow a Loan in accordance with this Agreement by delivery to the Lender of a duly completed Borrowing Request not later than 10:00 a.m. New York time on the date three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed date of the Borrowing. Each Borrowing Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: (i) it identifies the Loan or Loans to be borrowed and (ii) the proposed date of Borrowing is a Business Day prior to the Maturity Date.

     (b) No later than one (1) Business Day following the Closing Date, the Lender shall fund $20,000,000 into the Escrow Account and, if the Lender exercises the Final Outside Date Extension Option, then on the Option Date, the Lender shall fund an additional $8,000,000 into the Escrow Account. The Lender shall direct the Escrow Agent to fund the Loans to be made hereunder from the Escrow Account pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of Section 3 of the Escrow Agreement.

     SECTION 2.03. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

     (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Lender the principal amount of each Loan made to the Borrower by the Lender as provided in Section 2.06 .

     (b) The Lender may maintain an accounting evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to the Lender resulting from the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under this

Agreement from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to the Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

     (c) The entries made in the accounting maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of the Lender to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loans made to the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

     (d) The Lender may request that the Loans made by it hereunder be evidenced by one or more promissory notes. In such event, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Lender one or more promissory notes payable to the Lender in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Lender. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event the Lender shall request and receive such a promissory note, the interests represented by such note shall at all times (including after any assignment of all or part of such interests pursuant to Section 9.04 ) be represented by one or more promissory notes payable to the payee named therein.

     SECTION 2.04. Interest on Loans . (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.05 , the Loans shall bear interest (computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year)) at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate.

     (b) Interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, in an amount equal to the interest accrued and unpaid since the previous Interest Payment Date.

     SECTION 2.05. Default Interest . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Borrower shall on demand from time to time pay interest in cash, to the extent permitted by law, on such defaulted amount to but excluding the date of actual payment (after as well as before judgment) at the rate otherwise applicable to Loans hereunder pursuant to Section 2.04 plus 2.00% per annum.

     SECTION 2.06. Repayment of Loans . All Loans then outstanding shall be due and payable in full in cash on the Maturity Date (solely for purposes of this Section, excluding the Termination Date), together with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of payment. All repayments pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall be without premium or penalty.

     SECTION 2.07. Voluntary Prepayments . Subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.07 , the Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, prepay the Loans in whole or in part upon at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Lender; provided , however , that any partial prepayment shall be in the minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $250,000 in excess thereof. Any notice of prepayment given to the Lender under this Section 2.07 shall specify (i) the date (which shall be a Business Day) of prepayment and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the prepayment. When notice of prepayment is delivered as provided herein, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice, and all accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal amount, shall become due and payable on the

prepayment date specified in such notice and such notice shall be irrevocable. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.07 to the contrary, the Borrower may not voluntarily prepay the Loans (i) prior to the Definitive Agreement Termination Date or (ii) at any time prior to the consummation of a Change of Control, if a Superior Proposal Termination shall have occurred.

     SECTION 2.08. Mandatory Prepayments . (a) Upon a Change of Control, the Borrower shall repay all or any part of the Loans at 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repayment.

     (b) On a repayment date under paragraph (a), the Borrower shall repay the Loans to be repaid to the Lender, and, in the case of Loans evidenced by promissory notes, the Lender shall surrender all such promissory notes.

     SECTION 2.09. Payments . (a) The Borrower shall make each payment (including principal of or interest on the Loans or other amounts) hereunder and under any other Loan Document not later than 12:00 p.m. New York time, on the date when due in immediately available funds, without setoff, defense or counterclaim. For purposes of computing interest, funds received by the Lender after that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by the Borrower on the next succeeding Business Day, in the Lender’s sole discretion. Each such payment shall be made to the Lender at its address specified in Section 9.01 . All payments hereunder and under each other Loan Document shall be made in Dollars.

     (b) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever any payment (including principal of or interest on any Loan or other amounts) hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest, if applicable.

     SECTION 2.10. Conversion of Loans . (a) From and after the Definitive Agreement Termination Date, the Lender may convert the Convertible Portion of its Loans in whole or in part into Common Stock at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date into a number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the Convertible Portion of the Loans divided by the applicable Conversion Rate in effect on the date the Conversion Notice is delivered; provided that with respect to any conversion of the Convertible Portion of the Loans into Common Stock that would be subject to a waiting period provided by the HSR Act, no such conversion shall be considered effective until the expiration or termination of such waiting period; provided further that the Borrower agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties hereto in doing, all things necessary to consummate and make effective the conversion contemplated by this Section 2.10 .

     (b) The Convertible Portion of the Loans delivered for conversion will be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the Loan Conversion Date. The Lender shall be entitled to rights with regard to the Common Stock only to the extent such Convertible Portion of Loans has been converted (or deemed to have converted) into Common Stock pursuant hereto.

     (c) The right of conversion attaching to the Convertible Portion of any Loan may be exercised (i) if such Loan is not represented by a promissory note, by book-entry transfer by the Lender, or (ii) if such Loan is represented by a promissory note, by delivery of such promissory note to the Borrower, accompanied, in either case, by: (1) a duly signed and completed Conversion Notice, in the form as set forth as Exhibit B (a “ Conversion Notice ”), which Conversion Notice shall specify the Convertible Portion of such Loan to be converted; (2) if any promissory note has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, a notice to the Borrower regarding the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the promissory note together with reasonable indemnity for the Borrower; (3) appropriate endorsements and transfer documents if reasonably required by the Borrower; and (4) payment of any transfer tax due that is payable solely as a result of the issue, delivery or registration of the Common Stock in the name of a Person other than the Lender. The date on which the Lender satisfies all of the requirements in the immediately preceding sentence is the “ Loan Conversion Date .” Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower may not, and shall not, redeem or prepay any Loans (or any portion thereof) with respect to which a Conversion Notice has been delivered to the Borrower. The Borrower shall deliver to the Lender the number of whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Portion of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.10(a) (and cash in lieu of any fractional shares) no later than five (5) Business Days following the relevant Loan Conversion Date. All such shares shall be fully paid, duly authorized and issued and nonassesable.

     (d) Upon conversion of a Loan and receipt of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Convertible Portion of the Loans, the recipient of such Common Stock shall no longer be the Lender to the extent of such converted Loan. No adjustment will be made to the Conversion Rate for accrued and unpaid interest on a converted Loan except as provided herein.

     (e) Upon surrender of a Loan evidenced by a promissory note that is converted in part, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Lender a new note evidencing the Loan equal in principal amount to the unconverted portion of the Loan promissory note surrendered.

     SECTION 2.11. Conversion of Escrow Funds . (a) From and after the Definitive Agreement Termination Date, the Lender may convert any Escrow Funds in whole or in part into Common Stock at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date into a number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the Escrow Funds delivered for conversion divided by the applicable Conversion Rate; provided that with respect to any conversion of any Escrow Funds into Common Stock that would be subject to a waiting period provided by the HSR Act, no such conversion shall be considered effective until the expiration or termination of such waiting period; provided further that the Borrower agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to