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EXHIBIT 10.4 STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AGREEMENT

Strategic Alliance Agreement

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This Strategic Alliance Agreement involves

EUGENE SCIENCE INC.

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Title: EXHIBIT 10.4 STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Illinois     Date: 10/6/2005

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

 

                          STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AGREEMENT

 

 

         THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 8th day of April, 2004 (the "Effective

Date"), by and between   ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND   COMPANY, a Delaware   corporation

("ADM"), and EUGENE SCIENCE INC., a Korean corporation ("EUGENE").

 

                                   WITNESSETH

 

         WHEREAS,   ADM is engaged in the   business of procuring   and   processing

fatty   acid   distillate    ("Distillate")   into,   among   other   things,   products

containing sterols and steryl esters using multiple technologies,   and marketing

those products worldwide; and

 

         WHEREAS,   EUGENE is engaged in the business of producing   and marketing

products   containing   sterols and steryl   esters   utilizing   EUGENE   proprietary

technology (the "EUGENE Products"); and

 

         WHEREAS,   the   parties   desire   to   enter   into   a   strategic   alliance

involving the procurement of Distillate, the procurement and sale of sterols and

the sale and   distribution   of EUGENE   Products,   all   pursuant to the terms and

conditions set forth herein.

 

         NOW,   THEREFORE,   in   consideration   of the   premises   and   the   mutual

covenants contained herein, it is agreed as follows:

 

         1.        Term

 

         (a)       The term of this Agreement commence on the Effective Date, and

shall continue for an initial term of five (5) years from the date ADM commences

offering   one or   more   EUGENE   Products   for   commercial   sale   unless   earlier

terminated as hereinafter provided. After the initial term, this Agreement shall

be   automatically   renewed for   successive one (1) year periods unless and until

terminated as hereinafter provided.   The initial term and each of the successive

renewal terms, if any, are hereinafter referred to as the "Term".

 

         (b)       Notwithstanding   anything to the   contrary,   either   party may

terminate this Agreement,   without liability,   at the end of the initial term or

any renewal   term by   providing   the other party with at least   ninety (90) days

advance written notice prior to the end of such term.

 

         (c)       Upon the happening of any one or more of the following events,

in addition to all other rights and remedies available to it, either party shall

have the right to cancel and terminate   this   Agreement   immediately   by written

notice to the other party:

 

                  (i)       The   failure of the other   party to perform or comply

                           with   any   one   or   more   of   any   of   the   terms   or

                           conditions of this   Agreement and the failure to cure

                           such failure   within thirty (30) days from   receiving

                           written notice of such failure;

 

                  (ii)      The insolvency of the other party;   or the assignment

                           by the other parry for the benefit of   creditors;   or

                           the filing of a voluntary or involuntary   bankruptcy,

                           judicial liquidation,   or reorganization   petition by

                           or against the other party;   or the   appointment of a

                           receiver, liquidator or judicial administrator,   or a

                            trustee for either party,   of any part or interest of

                           its   business;   or the   failure   of   either   party to

                           vacate, set

 

 

                                       -1-

<PAGE>

 

 

                            aside or have   dismissed   any   insolvency   proceeding

                           under   any   law   governing,   or in   effect   for,   the

                           Territory,   within   sixty   (60) days from the date of

                            the   commencement   of   any   such   proceeding;   or the

                           dissolution   of the entity of the other party for any

                           cause   whatsoever;   or the   suspension   of check/note

                           clearance privilege;

 

                  (iii)     The failure to commence the sales of EUGENE   Products

                           to any   customers   in the   Territory   within one year

                           after obtaining final   regulatory   approval to market

                            the EUGENE Products.

 

         2.        RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UPON TERMINATION

 

         (a)       Neither    party    shall   be    liable    for    compensation    or

consequential   damages of any kind, whether on account of the loss of present or

prospective   profits,   or   anticipated   sales,   expenditures,    investments,   or

commitments made in connection with-this Agreement.

 

         (b)       The    parties    shall   abide   by   and   uphold   any   rights   or

obligations accrued or existing on the date of such termination.

 

         (c)       For a period of six (6) months after the expiration or earlier

termination of this Agreement,   ADM shall have the right to sell its inventories

of EUGENE Products   through its regular   channels of distribution and upon terms

consistent with those offered before expiration or termination.

 

         3.        PROCUREMENT OF DISTILLATE   Subject to the terms and conditions

set forth in this   Agreement,   ADM shall and hereby does   appoint   EUGENE as its

exclusive agent to purchase Distillate from vegetable oil refining in. Korea. As

needed   in   ADM's    discretion.    ADM   shall    inform    EUGENE   of   the    price,

specifications,   terms and   conditions   upon which ADM is   willing   to   purchase

Distillate.   EUGENE shall use commercially   reasonable   efforts and diligence to

purchase   Distillate at or below the price requested by ADM, conforming with the

specifications,   terms and conditions   requested by ADM. To the extent EUGENE is

able to source   such   Distillate,   EUGENE   shall   procure   such   Distillate   for

EUGENE's   account.   EUGENE shall then sell such   Distillate   to ADM at the price

requested   by ADM,   conforming   with the   specifications,   terms and   conditions

requested by ADM. To the extent   EUGENE is able to procure the   Distillate   at a

price   lower than   requested   by ADM,   EUGENE   shall   retain such margin for its

account.   In addition,   the parties may mutually agree upon a commission payable

from ADM. to EUGENE for procuring   Distillate   pursuant to this section ADM will

remit   payment to EUGENE by wire   transfer of   irrevocable   funds within one (1)

business day of receiving the faxed documents   outlined in ADM's request,   which

will include, but is not necessarily limited to, bill of lading, invoice, kosher

certificate    and   wash    certificates.    ADM   shall    reserve   for   EUGENE   the

equivalent-quantity   of sterols   (finished product basis) in the Distillate that

EUGENE procured for ADM for sale to EUGENE pursuant to Section 4 below.

 

         4.        STEROL   SUPPLY For EUGENE   Products   sold in North America and

Europe,   EUGENE shall purchase all of its requirements for sterols from ADM, The

contract   with respect to any such sale shall   consist of this   Agreement,   plus

EUGENE'S purchase order, and ADM'S sales confirmation   and/or invoice;   however,

any   provisions in EUGENE'S   purchase order or ADM'S sales   confirmation   and/or

invoice that are inconsistent   with the provisions of this Agreement shall be of

no force or   effect.   The terms and   conditions   shall   include   those set forth

below:

 

         (a)       PRICE The   price for   sterols   sold   hereunder   shall be ADM's

weighted   average   resale price of sterols and sterol   steryl   esters (on a pure

sterol   basis   deducting   processing   costs   of   intersterification)    for   food

applications and pharmaceutical applications (the "ADM's Weighted Average Sterol

Price").   The price   shall be set at the   commencement   of the Term using   ADM's

Weighted Average

 

 

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

 

 

Sterol   Price   for the   immediately   preceding   six-month   period,   and shall be

adjusted each six months based upon ADM's Weighted   Average Sterol Price for the

immediately preceding six month period.

 

         (b)       LIMITATIONS   The   sterols   sold   hereunder   are   for   EUGENE's

internal use for the production of EUGENE Products,   and are not for resale.   To

the extent EUGENE requires sterols for resale to third parties in Korea,   Eugene

would   purchase all of its   requirements   from ADM upon the terms and conditions

set forth herein, except for the price, which is to be mutually agreed.

 

         (c)       RELEASE To the extent   EUGENE   requires   quantities of sterols

hereunder   in excess of the amounts   reserved   for EUGENE   pursuant to Section 3

above,   and ADM is unable to supply such   quantities,   EUGENE may purchase   such

sterols from a third party.

 

         (d)       DELIVERY    The    product    shall   be   sold   CIF    Busan.    All

interpretation   of the delivery terms shall be in accordance with the Incoterms,

latest edition.

 

         (e)       PAYMENT ADM shall invoice   EUGENE for sterols   purchased,   and

EUGENE shall make payment within 45 days of shipment.

 

         (f)       ORDERS EUGENE shall place all orders in writing for sterols at

least 30 days prior to the date of   shipment.   Orders shall set out the quantity

of product   desired,   any special   instructions   and the requested   date product

should be available.   EUGENE shall order sterols in approximately   equal amounts

each month during the Term.

 

         (g)       WEIGHTS   ADM's   weights   shall   govern   settlement;   provided,

however,   if any   substantial   discrepancy   with EUGENE's   weights   exists,   the

parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve the same.

 

         (h)        WARRANTIES;   INDEMNIFICATION   ADM   warrants   that the   sterols

shall conform to the   specifications   set forth in Schedule A, attached   hereto.

EXCEPT AS SET   FORTH IN THIS   PARAGRAPH,   SELLER   MAKES NO   WARRANTIES,   WHETHER

EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,   IMPLIED WARRANTY

OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND   NON-INFRINGEMENT ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL EITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL,

SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL   DAMAGES   UNDER ANY TORT,   CONTRACT,   STRICT   LIABILITY OR

OTHER   LEGAL OR   EQUITABLE   THEORY,   EVEN IF SAID PARTY HAS BEEN   ADVISED OF THE

POSSIBILITY OF OR COULD HAVE FORESEEN SUCH DAMAGES.

 

         5.        DISTRIBUTION   OF   EUGENE   PRODUCTS   Subject   to the   terms and

conditions set forth in this Agreement, EUGENE shall and hereby does appoint ADM

as the   exclusive   distributor   of the EUGENE   Products for shipment and sale to

customers in North   America and Europe (the   "Territory").   ADM shall and hereby

does accept such appointment. The terms of such appointment are as follows:

 

         (a)       PRE-COMMERCIALIZATION   ADM shall use   commercially   reasonable

efforts   and   diligence   to proceed   with the   regulatory   approval,   promotion,

marketing   and sale of the EUGENE   Products   in the   Territory.   As part of such

efforts,    ADM   shall   pursue   regulatory   approval   and   conduct   a   review   of

intellectual   property   rights in the   Territory.   These expenses ADM incurs and

other expenses ADM incurs   related to preparing for the   commercial   sale of the

EUGENE   Products in the Territory,   and that are   pre-approved   by EUGENE,   such

approval    not    to    be    unreasonably    withheld,     shall    be    defined    as

"Pre-Commercialization   Expenses."   As further   set forth   below,   EUGENE   shall

reimburse ADM for one-half of the Pre-Commercialization   Expenses. In the event,

ADM has not been reimbursed for one-half of the Pre-

 

 

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

 

 

Commercialization   Expense   pursuant to the method set forth below,   then EUGENE

shall promptly remit such unpaid amounts,   including   accrued   interest,   to ADM

unless the parties mutually agree to extend the period of repayment.

 

         (b)       PURCHASE   OF PRODUCTS   From time to time during the Term,   ADM

may place purchase   orders with EUGENE for the purchase of the EUGENE   Products,

and to the extent EUGENE has EUGENE   Products   available or capacity to produce.

EUGENE   Products   available,   EUGENE shall accept such purchase   orders.   EUGENE

shall   produce the EUGENE   Products   at its   production   facility in Korea.   The

contract   with respect to any such sale shall   consist of this   Agreement,   plus

ADM'S purchase order, and EUGENE'S sales confirmation   and/or invoice;   however,

any provisions in ADM'S purchase   order or EUGENE'S   sales   confirmation   and/or

invoice that are inconsistent   with the provisions of this Agreement shall be of

no force or effect.   The terms and   conditions   of such   purchase and sale shall

include those set forth below:

 

                  (i)       Price The price for EUGENE   Products   sold   hereunder

                           shall be (y)   115% of   EUGENE's   cost of   manufacture

                           calculated   in   accordance   with   Generally   Accepted

                            Accounting   Principles,   as   have   been   consistently

                           applied by EUGENE (the   'Transfer   Price"),   plus (z)

                           50% of ADM's   net   margin   from the   resale of EUGENE

                            Products less an amount   described below for EUGENE's

                           one-half share of the Pre-Commercialization   Expenses

                           (the "Bonus Price").   For purposes of this paragraph,

                           EUGENE's   cost   of   manufacture   shall   only   include

                           actual   costs   incurred by EUGENE for raw   materials,

                           labor, depreciation of production facility, utilities

                           and   overhead   necessary   for   the   production.    For

                           purposes of this paragraph, ADM's net margin shall be

                           calculated by subtracting from ADM's gross margin any

                           expenses, including rebates, returns, commissions and

                           license   fees payable to any third   parties,   but not

                           including   any   Pre-Commercialization   Expenses.   For

                           purposes of this paragraph,   ADM's gross margin shall

                           equal the sales   received   from   ADM's sale of EUGENE

                           Products less the Transfer Price, less freight, taxes

                           and duties.   The amount to be deducted   for   EUGENE'S

                            one-half share of the Pre-Commercialization   Expenses

                           shall be   calculated   by   amortizing-one-half   of the

                           Pre-Commercialization Expenses over a period of three

                            (3) years, accruing interest per annum at an interest

                           rate equal to the Prime   Rate,   as   published   in THE

                           WALL   STREET   JOURNAL,   plus   3%,   such   rate   to   be

                           adjusted semi-annually.

 

                  (ii)      DELIVERY   The   product   shall   be sold CIF US port or

                           European    port    to    be    mutually    agreed.     All

                           interpretation   of the   delivery   terms   shall   be in

                           accordance with the Incoterms, latest edition.

 

                  (iii)     PAYMENT   EUGENE   shall   invoice   ADM for   the   EUGENE

                           Products purchased, and ADM shall make payment within

                            45 days of shipment.

 

                  (iv)      ORDERS   ADM shall   place all   orders in   writing   for

                           sterols   at   least   60   days   prior   to the   date   of

                           shipment.   Orders   shall   set   out   the   quantity   of

                           product   desired,   any special   instructions   and the

                           requested date product should be available.

 

                  (v)       WEIGHTS   EUGENE'S   weights   shall govern   settlement;

                           provided,   however,   if any   substantial   discrepancy

                           with ADM's weights exists,   the parties shall attempt

                           in good faith to resolve the same.

 

                  (vi)      WARRANTIES;   INDEMNIFICATION EUGENE warrants that the

                           EUGENE   Products shall conform to the   specifications

                           set forth in Schedule B, attached   hereto.   EXCEPT AS

                           SET   FORTH   IN   THIS    PARAGRAPH,    SELLER   MAKES   NO

                           WARRANTIES,   WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.   THE IMPLIED

                           WARRANTIES   OF   MERCHANTABILITY  

 

 

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

 

 

                            IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR   PURPOSE

                           AND   NON-INFRINGEMENT   ARE HEREBY   DISCLAIMED.   IN NO

                           EVENT   WHATSOEVER   SHALL EITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE

                           FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL,   SPECIAL OR   INCIDENTALDAMAGES

                           UNDER ANY TORT,   CONTRACT,   STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER

                           LEGAL OR   EQUITABLE   THEORY,   EVEN IF SAID   PARTY HAS

                           BEEN   ADVISED   OF THE   POSSIBILITY   OF OR COULD   HAVE

                           FORESEEN SUCH DAMAGES.

 

         (c)       TRADEMARKS ADM may, but shall have no obligation,   to, use the

tradenames,   trademarks or get-up of EUGENE in   connection   with the sale of the

EUGENE Products.

 

         6.        LICENSE TO EUGENE   TECHNOLOGY In the event EUGENE is unable to

supply the volume of EUGENE   Products   required by ADM for   distribution   in the

Territory   from its   facility in Korea,   upon   request by ADM.   EUGENE   shall be

deemed to have   granted to ADM a license on the terms and   conditions   set forth

below:

 

         (a)       LICENSE   GRANT   For the   Term,   and   subject   to the terms and

conditions   hereof,   EUGENE hereby grants to ADM (i) a sole and exclusive   right

and license,   with the right to assign and sublicense,   to the EUGENE Technology

and Licensed Patents to manufacture,   have   manufactured on its behalf,   import,

use, sell and offer to sell EUGENE   Products in the Territory.   EUGENE shall not

grant other licenses under the EUGENE   Technology or the Licensed Patents in the

Territory.   Further,   EUGENE   does   not   retain   any   rights   under   the   EUGENE

Technology and the Licensed   Patents to   manufacture,   have   manufactured,   use,

sell, offer for sale or import Eugene Products in the Territory.

 

         (b)       TECHNOLOgY   TRANSFER   EUGENE   shall   furnish   to ADM copies of

 

EUGENE'S plans, drawings,   schematics, manuals and other drawings related to the

manufacture   of EUGENE   Products   utilizing the EUGENE   Technology   and Licensed

Patents.   EUGENE shall further   provide   support and assistance to ADM as may be

reasonably   requested to transfer the EUGENE   Technology   to ADM for purposes of

the license granted above.

 

         (c)       RUNNING   ROYALTIES In consideration of the rights and licenses

granted   to ADM by EUGENE   under   the   License,   ADM shall pay   EUGENE a running

royalty   ("Running   Royalty") in United States dollars for each calendar quarter

equal to a percentage of Net Sales   between 8% and 12%, the exact   percentage to

be based   upon the net   sales   price in a manner   to be   mutually   agreed by the

parties. Running Royalties shall be paid by ADM to EUGENE within forty-five (45)

days after the close of the calendar quarter.

 

         (d)       ENFORCEMENT   ADM if it so   desires,   shall   have the   right to

institute and   prosecute any   infringement   action for the   infringement   of the

EUGENE   Technology   and/or Licensed Patents against any third party at ADM's own

expense.   In such event, and, in the event that such suit results in a favorable

determination for ADM, ADM shall be entitled to keep any and all monies received

from such third party infringer for infringement of the EUGENE Technology and/or

Licensed   Patents   regardless   of whether   such   monies are   obtained   by way of

judgment or by way of   settlement.   In any such   infringement   action brought by

ADM,   EUGENE   shall at ADM's   request   and subject to   reimbursement   by ADM for

EUGENE's reasonable   out-of-pocket expense and management costs,   cooperate with

ADM in all   respec


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