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Strategic Supplier Alliance Agreement

Strategic Alliance Agreement

Strategic Supplier Alliance Agreement You are currently viewing:
This Strategic Alliance Agreement involves

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE INC | Biochrom Limited | GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP | Harvard Bioscience, Inc

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Title: Strategic Supplier Alliance Agreement
Governing Law: New York     Date: 8/11/2008
Industry: SCIINS     Sector: TECHNO

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Distribution Agreement, dated April 10, 2008

EXHIBIT 10.1

Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit. The copy filed herewith omits the information subject to the confidentiality request. Omissions are designated as [***]. A complete version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Strategic Supplier Alliance Agreement

This Strategic Supply Agreement (“Agreement”), effective as of the date of last signature affixed below (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between the General Electric Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York, acting through its GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences business (“GE Healthcare”) and Biochrom Limited, a company incorporated in England and having its registered office at 22 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0FJ, England (“Biochrom”).

 

 

1.

Introduction

 

 

a.

General Conditions of Supply. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and its Attachments, Biochrom shall sell to GE Healthcare, and GE Healthcare shall purchase from Biochrom, those spectrophotometers identified in Attachment C as instruments, branded as Amersham and GE Healthcare offerings (the “Products”), meeting the specifications set forth in Attachment C (the “Specifications”), in such amounts as GE Healthcare may order from time to time during the term of this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly stated, references to this Agreement include all Attachments hereto.

 

 

b.

Exclusivity.

 

 

1.

GE Healthcare shall have exclusive, global rights excluding Canada (the “Territory”) to sell, resell, market, distribute and support the Products under the names [***] (the “Names”), as defined in Section 19(b) below. Biochrom will provide GE Healthcare with all the rights, information and know-how required to enable GE Healthcare to sell, resell, market, distribute and support the Products. GE Healthcare may, at its sole discretion and under terms and conditions it independently negotiates, utilize third parties for the distribution of Products supplied by Biochrom under this Agreement. Biochrom shall not be limited in its ability to manufacture, supply, market, distribute, sell, resell or support any proprietary or third party product(s) in the Territory which compete(s) directly or indirectly, either on its own or through any party other than GE Healthcare, with the Products during the Term of this Agreement so long as the products do not use the Names or have the same appearance as Products offered to GE Healthcare.

 

 

2.

[***]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3.

Provided Biochrom is able to meet GE Healthcare’s needs for Products as set forth in Section 3(a) below, and provided further that GE Healthcare, in its sole discretion, chooses to operate in the spectrophotometer market, GE Healthcare will use commercially reasonable efforts to sell Products, and will not sell other products that are competitive to the Products during the term of this Agreement;

 

 

4.

[***]

 

 

c.

Biochrom shall sell to GE Healthcare all components, spare parts, services, service tools, and software licenses with respect to the Products on a non-exclusive basis.

 

 

d.

Documents. The following attachments are an integral part of this Agreement (the “Attachments”). The provisions of each Attachment shall be incorporated by reference into and deemed to be part of this Agreement. If any conflict exists between the provisions of this Agreement and of the Attachments, or between the provisions of the Attachments themselves, the order of precedence shall be as follows:

 

 

(1)

This Agreement

 

 

(2)

Attachment K (OEM Addendum)

 

 

(3)

Attachment A (Annual Business Attachment)

 

 

(4)

Attachment B (Purchased Material Quality Requirements)

 

 

(5)

Attachment C (Products, Pricing, and Specifications)

 

 

(6)

Attachment D (Supplier Integrity Statement)

 

 

(7)

Attachment F (Quality Plan)

 

 

e.

Additional Addenda. GE Healthcare and Biochrom may enter into one of the following separate Addenda modifying the type of relationship between the parties reflected in the body of this Agreement and its various Attachments. To the extent any such Addendum is separately executed by the parties and makes reference to this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be incorporated by such reference into this Agreement, shall form a part hereof, and shall modify this Agreement as specified in such Addendum. In such event, references herein to this Agreement shall be deemed to include any such Addendum. In the event of conflict between any terms of such Addendum and any other terms of this Agreement and any Attachment, such Addendum shall take precedence.

Check Box (If Applicable)

 

 

¢

OEM Purchase Addendum

 

 

¨

Contract Manufacturing Addendum

 

 

2.

Term/Termination

 

 

a.

Term. The term of this Agreement will commence as of the Effective Date and shall continue until December 31, 2012 (the “Initial Term”). GE Healthcare may extend the Initial Term for additional one (1) year periods (the “Extension Term”). In such event, the Initial Term and the Extension Term, if any, shall be referred herein as the “Term”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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b.

Termination for Convenience. Neither party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement for convenience during the first twelve (12) months. Thereafter, each party shall provide the other party no less than twelve (12) months’ written notice of its intention to terminate the Agreement

 

 

c.

Termination for Cause by GE Healthcare. If Biochrom breaches any material term of this Agreement and Biochrom fails to correct such breach within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of such breach from GE Healthcare, GE Healthcare may terminate this Agreement at any time thereafter upon written notice to Biochrom; provided, however, if such breach is not reasonably susceptible to cure within such period, then GE Healthcare shall have the right to terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice. GE Healthcare may also terminate all unfilled Purchase Orders without any liability except for the price of any Products previously delivered and accepted by GE Healthcare (subject to any set-off available to GE Healthcare). GE Healthcare may also terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) days written notice to Biochrom if any proceeding under the bankruptcy or insolvency laws is brought against Biochrom, a receiver is appointed for Biochrom or Biochrom makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors. Any such termination shall not relieve Biochrom of its obligations and GE Healthcare shall retain all legal and equitable remedies after such termination.

 

 

d.

Breach; Default. If Biochrom fails to perform or deliver Products required under this Agreement, or if Biochrom repudiates or breaches any of the material terms hereof, including, but not limited to, Biochrom’s warranties, such events shall constitute a breach under Section 2(c). This Section 2(d) shall not be deemed to limit in any manner GE Healthcare’s rights to claim material breach by Biochrom under Section 2(c) above.

 

 

e.

Termination for Cause by Biochrom. If GE Healthcare breaches any material term of this Agreement and GE Healthcare fails to correct such breach within [***] after receiving written notice of such breach from Biochrom, Biochrom’s exclusive remedy shall be to terminate this Agreement in full at any time thereafter upon written notice to GE Healthcare. Biochrom’s obligations with respect to Product delivered or Purchase Orders that have been accepted shall not be affected by such termination; provided however that if Biochrom’s termination is due to nonpayment by GE Healthcare then Biochrom shall not be obligated to fulfill any other submitted Purchase Orders, unless agreed upon in writing by the parties. Biochrom may also terminate this Agreement upon [***] written notice to GE Healthcare if any proceeding under the bankruptcy or insolvency laws is brought against GE Healthcare or a receiver is appointed for GE Healthcare or GE Healthcare makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors. Any such termination shall not relieve GE Healthcare of its obligations and Biochrom shall retain all legal and equitable remedies after such termination. The following events shall constitute a breach under this Section 2(e): (i) if GE Healthcare does not make payments to Biochrom as specified in the Agreement; or (ii) if GE Healthcare repudiates or breaches any of the material terms hereof, including, but not limited to, GE Healthcare warranties. Biochrom has no obligation to provide Product on an ongoing basis if GE Healthcare fails to correct any underpayment of invoices within [***].

 

 

 

 

 

 

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f.

Termination of Purchase Order. GE Healthcare may terminate any Purchase Order (as defined herein) in whole or in part up until [***] before requested shipment upon written notice to Biochrom.

 

 

3.

Forecast/Commitment/Quantities

 

 

a.

Forecasting/Sales Summary. [***]

 

 

b.

No Obligation. With the sole exception of the Safety Stock described in Section 5(e) below, it is the express understanding of the parties that GE Healthcare shall have no obligation to purchase any minimum amount of Product from Biochrom.

 

 

c.

GE Healthcare Product Commitment. GE Healthcare’s commitment to purchase Products from Biochrom shall be limited to Purchase Orders released by GE Healthcare and accepted by Biochrom pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

 

d.

Material Commitments: Unless agreed otherwise in writing by the parties, GE Healthcare shall not be responsible or in any way liable to Biochrom or any third party with respect to any material commitments or production arrangements in excess of the amounts or in advance of the times necessary to meet GE Healthcare’s delivery schedule as set forth in its applicable Purchase Order.

 

 

4.

Pricing

 

 

a.

Pricing. [***]

 

 

b.

Price/Cost Reductions. Biochrom warrants and represents to GE Healthcare that:

 

 

(i)

[***]

 

 

(ii)

[***]

 

 

(iii)

[***]

 

 

c.

Taxes. Unless prohibited by law, Biochrom will separately indicate on its Invoice any tax that is required to be imposed on its sale of Products to GE Healthcare.

 

 

5.

Purchase Orders

 

 

a.

Purchase Order Contents. A purchase order released by GE Healthcare for Products (“Purchase Orders”) may consist of a hard copy in the form to be agreed upon by the parties, an electronic message, or other written communication from GE Healthcare to Biochrom, which complies with the requirements of this Agreement. Purchase Orders released by GE Healthcare shall contain a Purchase Order number, identify the delivery date or dates, and identify the quantities to be released for delivery.

 

 

b.

Purchase Order Lead Time. [***]

 

 

c.

Changes to Purchase Order. All quantities ordered by GE Healthcare may be revised as requirements change. GE Healthcare may at any time make changes in delivery dates, shipping instructions, quantities ordered, or other terms of the Purchase Order. GE Healthcare will confirm such changes in writing, and Biochrom will advise GE Healthcare in writing if the changes will result in changes to delivery schedules or other changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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d.

Acceptance of Purchase Order. Biochrom shall be deemed to have accepted a Purchase Order upon receipt from GE Healthcare so long as such Purchase Order complies with the terms of this Agreement. Biochrom shall send a written acknowledgement of such Purchase Order within [***] of receipt of Purchase Order. Biochrom may not reject any Purchase Order submitted by GE Healthcare consistent with the terms of this Agreement.

 

 

e.

Safety Stock. [***]

 

 

6.

Quality and Packaging

 

 

a.

Quality Plans. The parties are committed to quality in the performance of this Agreement. Accordingly, all Products shall conform to the Purchased Material Quality Requirements set forth in Attachment B, attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

b.

Packaging and Labeling. Biochrom shall be responsible, at its own expense, for the safe and suitable packaging and labeling of the Products, for complying with the requirements included in Attachment B, any Packaging Specifications included herein as Attachment I, and all applicable laws and regulations relating to the packaging, labeling, and carriage of the Products in the countries of manufacture, shipment and destination to GE Healthcare.

 

 

7.

Commercial Terms

 

 

a.

Transportation. Unless otherwise specified by GE Healthcare, Biochrom agrees to ship Products to GE Healthcare’s primary distribution center in Sweden, currently located at Björkgatan 30, S-751 84, Uppsala, Sweden using GE Healthcare’s designated carrier with transportation charges billed directly to GE Healthcare by the carrier. GE Healthcare will not pay premium transportation charges unless authorized by it in writing. If Biochrom ships Products by an unauthorized method or carrier, Biochrom will pay any freight costs. Biochrom will release rail or truck shipments at the lowest valuation permitted by law.

 

 

b.

Title and Risk of Loss. Title and risk of loss will pass to GE Healthcare when the Products are delivered to GE Healthcare’s designated carrier or when delivered to the agreed carrier if GE Healthcare agrees not to use GE Healthcare’s designated carrier.

 

 

c.

Shipments. Biochrom agrees to make shipments in the quantities and on the dates to meet the requirements of the applicable Purchase Order. Unless otherwise expressly stated, time is of the essence. In the event that any shipment is not made in time for delivery on the date and in the quantity set forth on the applicable Purchase Order, GE Healthcare may: (i) return to Biochrom some or all of the Products in the shipment at Biochrom’s risk and expense, including without limitation warehouse or handling costs or (ii) direct Biochrom to make an expedited shipment of additional or replacement Products, with the difference between any expedited routing and the Purchase Order routing to be paid by Biochrom. Biochrom agrees to notify GE Healthcare immediately if Biochrom has any reason to believe that any Products will not be delivered as ordered, or a shipment will not be made as scheduled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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d.

Packing Lists. Each shipment made by Biochrom shall include a packing list containing the Purchase Order number, GE Healthcare product identification and part number, quantity shipped, date of shipment, Country of Origin, Product weight, and such other information as GE Healthcare may reasonably request or is required by applicable law.

 

 

e.

Inspection Period. [***]

 

 

f.

Health and Safety. Biochrom shall ensure that all information held by or reasonably available to it regarding any potential hazards known or believed to exist in the transport, handling, or use of any Products and/or performance of any services shall be received by GE Healthcare in writing prior to delivery of the Products and/or performance of the services.

 

 

8.

Key Performance Metrics [***]

 

 

9.

Partnership Review Meetings [***]

 

 

10.

Invoices

Biochrom’s Invoices shall contain the Purchase Order number, item number of such release, GE Healthcare part number(s) and revision number, invoice quantity, unit of measure, unit price, total invoice amount, legal name of Biochrom, phone number of Biochrom, address to which remittance should be sent, and other such information as may be required by law or reasonably requested from time to time by GE Healthcare.

 

 

11.

Payment Terms

 

 

a.

Payment Terms. [***]

 

 

b.

Late Payments. [***]

 

 

12.

Documentation

 

 

a.

Customer Copies. Unless agreed otherwise in writing by GE Healthcare, each Product delivered by Biochrom shall include a manual or other form of documentation and when relevant a software license, which contains sufficient information for proper installation and use of the Product. Additional documentation containing any applicable drawings, schematics, software license(s), software documentation, design history files, spare part lists, theory of operation, service troubleshooting diagnostics, testing protocols, or instructions necessary for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Products (the “Documentation”) shall be made available to GE Healthcare for use in servicing the Products. The Documentation shall be in English and in a commercially reasonable format acceptable to GE Healthcare, and delivered to GE Healthcare. Biochrom hereby grants to GE Healthcare the right to use, modify, and distribute sublicenses, and create derivative works of any Documentation provided to GE Healthcare for use with the marketing and sale of the Products. GE Healthcare may not make material changes to the Documentation or modify any Product specifications without Biochrom’s prior written approval.

 

 

b.

Master Copy. Biochrom shall provide to GE Healthcare at no additional charge a complete set of reproducible master copies of all Documentation listed in subsection (a) above, which GE Healthcare may reproduce without charge. If any change in the Product requires a change in the Documentation, Biochrom shall promptly notify GE Healthcare of the change and provide a revised reproducible master copy without charge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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13.

Optional Services with Product.

 

 

a.

Support. Biochrom shall provide second tier technical and applications support to GE Healthcare for the Products. Biochrom shall respond to GE Healthcare support requests within [***] when said request is submitted on a week day. Biochrom shall respond to GE Healthcare support requests within [***] when said request is submitted on a weekend.

 

 

14.

Warranty

 

 

a.

Product Warranty. Biochrom represents and warrants that the Products will:

 

 

(i)

be delivered to GE Healthcare free of all liens, claims, or encumbrances;

 

 

(ii)

conform strictly to and be manufactured in accordance with all express specifications (including, but not limited to, those Specifications set forth in Attachment C), drawings, plans, instructions, samples, or other descriptions;

 

 

(iii)

be fit and sufficient for the purpose(s) for which they were manufactured and sold to GE Healthcare

 

 

(iv)

be 1st quality (upon shipment) and merchantable;

 

 

(v)

be free from defects in title, design, material, and workmanship, whether latent or otherwise;

 

 

(vi)

have received all applicable regulatory certifications, including CE marks, as required;

 

 

(vii)

be manufactured, processed, and assembled by Biochrom or by a third party under Biochrom’s direction;

 

 

(viii)

be safe for their intended use; and

 

 

(ix)

not contain software code distributed under the GNU Public License (GPL) and do not include any open source software, freeware, or free use software.

 

 

b.

Intellectual Property Warranty. Biochrom represents and warrants that neither the Products, nor the use of the Products, will infringe any patent or copyright trade secret, trademark, or other proprietary right of any third party. Biochrom also warrants that it has not and will not use or incorporate into Products any intellectual property of others without the party’s prior written consent, and that no other third party, including without limitation any local, state, or Federal government holds any property rights or security interests in any Products.

 

 

c.

Services Warranty. Biochrom represents and warrants that all services to be performed by Biochrom will be performed in a timely, professional, and workman-like manner.

 

 

d.

Additional Software Warranty. Biochrom represents and warrants that it has not and will not knowingly include in any software, and will use commercially reasonable efforts within industry practices to ensure that such software does not contain any software key function, virus, code, routine, or device that may disable, damage, impair, erase, deactivate, or electronically repossess such software or any equipment or data.

 

 

e.

Execution and Performance of Agreement.

 

 

1.

Biochrom represents and warrants that it has the full right, power, and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Biochrom further represents and warrants that the performance of its

 

 

 

 

 

 

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obligations under this Agreement will not result in a violation or breach of, and will not conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement, contract, commitment, or obligation to which such party or any of its Affiliates are a party or by which it is bound and that it has not granted and will not grant during the Term of this Agreement or any renewal thereof, including any conflicting rights, license, consent or privilege with respect to the rights granted herein.

 

 

2.

GE Healthcare represents and warrants that it has full right, power, and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. GE Healthcare further represents and warrants that the performance of its obligations under this Agreement will not result n a violation or breach of, and will not conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement, contract, commitment, or obligation to which such party or any of its Affiliates are a party or by which it is bound and that it has not granted and will not grant during the Term of this Agreement or any renewal thereof, including any conflicting rights, license, consent, or privilege with respect to the rights granted herein.

 

 

f.

Survival of Warranties. [***]

 

 

g.

Returns. [***]

 

 

h.

Credits. [***]

 

 

i.

Set-off. GE Healthcare may set-off any amount owed from Biochrom against any amount payable at any time by GE Healthcare.

 

 

j.

Remedies. The remedies contained in this Section 14 are the exclusive remedies available to the parties. under this Agreement.

 

 

k.

Spare Parts and Service. Biochrom shall utilize its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain for seven (7) years from the date of the last shipment of a Product the capability to repair the Product and make such repair service available to GE Healthcare and its customers, and furnish documentation, spare parts, service tools, and instruments necessary to service the Product effectively.

 

 

l.