CINGW Cingulate Inc

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

December 20, 2024

 

CINGULATE INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		001-40874		86-3825535
(State or other jurisdiction		(Commission		(IRS Employer
of incorporation)		File Number)		Identification No.)

 

1901 W. 47^th Place

Kansas City, KS 66205

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(913) 942-2300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share		CING		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq Capital Market)
Warrants, exercisable for one share of common stock		CINGW		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq Capital Market)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On December 20, 2024, Cingulate, Inc. (the “Company”), entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Streeterville Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company (“Lender”), pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Lender an unsecured promissory note (the “Note”) in the amount of $5,480,000 (the “Principal Amount”). The Principal Amount includes an original issue discount of $450,000. In exchange for the Note, Lender paid a purchase price of $5,000,000 in cash (the “Purchase Price”). The Note bears interest at a rate of 9% per annum and matures 18 months after its issuance date. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Note for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

 

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Cingulate Therapeutics LLC and Cingulate Works, Inc., provided a guarantee (the “Guaranty”) of the Company’s obligations to Lender under the Note and the other transaction documents.

 

From time to time, beginning on July 2, 2025, Lender may redeem a portion of the Note, not to exceed an amount of $550,000 per month. In the event the Note is outstanding on the 90-day anniversary of the effective date of the Note, the Company will be charged a monitoring fee equal to the outstanding balance on such date divided by 0.85 less the outstanding balance on such date. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Note, the Company may prepay all or any portion of the outstanding balance of the Note at any time.

 

The Note provides for customary events of default (each as defined in the Note, an “Event of Default”), including, among other things, the event of nonpayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, a representation or warranty proving to have been incorrect when made, failure to perform or observe covenants within a specified cure period, a cross-default to certain other indebtedness and material agreements of the Company, and the occurrence of a bankruptcy, insolvency or similar event affecting the Company. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default that is deemed a “Major Trigger Event” as defined in the Note, Lender may increase the outstanding balance of the Note by 15%, and upon the occurrence of an Event of Default that is deemed a “Minor Trigger Event” as defined in the Note, Lender may increase the outstanding balance of the Note by 5%. Lender can exercise its right to increase the outstanding balance upon a Major or Minor Trigger Event three times each. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender may declare all amounts owed under the Note immediately due and payable. In addition, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, upon the election of Lender, interest shall begin accruing on the outstanding balance of the Note from the date of the Event of Default equal to the lesser of 22% per annum and the maximum rate allowable under law.

 

Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, while the Note is still outstanding, the Company will not enter into any arrangement that prohibits the Company from entering into a variable rate transaction, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement, with Lender or its affiliates, or from issuing securities of the Company to Lender or its affiliates. The Company is also prohibited from entering into a variable rate transaction until July 1, 2025, subject to certain exceptions. At any time while the Note is still outstanding, Lender will have the right, but not the obligation, with the Company’s consent, to reinvest up to an additional $5,000,000 in the Company in one or more tranches on the same terms and conditions as the Note. Additionally, so long as the Note is outstanding, upon any issuance by the Company of any debt security with any economic term or condition more favorable to the holder of such security that was not provided to Lender pursuant to the Note, then, at Lender’s option, such additional term shall become part of the Note and related documents for the benefit of Lender.

 

 

The Note Purchase Agreement also provides for indemnification of Lender and its affiliates in the event that they incur loss or damage related to, among other things, a breach by the Company of any of its representations, warranties or covenants under the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

The description of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Note and the Guaranty is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Note and the Guaranty, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1, 4.1 and 10.2, respectively, and which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

To the extent required by Item 2.03 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On December 23, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing the Note. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

 

Including the net proceeds from the sale of the Note, based on planned expenditures, the Company has the cash runway to fund clinical, manufacturing, and regulatory activities, as well as operating costs, into the fourth quarter of 2025. Filing of the NDA for potential FDA approval of CTx-1301 is targeted for mid-2025.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.		Description
4.1		Promissory Note issued to Streeterville Capital, LLC, dated December 20, 2024
10.1		Securities Purchase Agreement between Cingulate Inc. and Streeterville Capital, LLC, dated December 20, 2024
10.2		Guaranty by Cingulate Therapeutics LLC and Cingulate Works, Inc., dated December 20, 2024
99.1		Press Release, dated December 23, 2024
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

	CINGULATE INC.
Dated: December 23, 2024	By:	/s/ Jennifer L. Callahan
	Name:	Jennifer L. Callahan
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATES IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Effective Date: December 20, 2024

U.S. $5,480,000.00

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Cingulate Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), promises to pay to Streeterville Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, or its successors or assigns (“Lender”), $5,480,000.00 (or such lesser principal amount of the loan made and not repaid from time to time to the Borrower by the Lender pursuant to this Note) and any interest, fees, charges, and late fees accrued hereunder on the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Effective Date (the “Maturity Date”) in accordance with the terms set forth herein and to pay interest on the Outstanding Balance at the rate of nine percent (9%) per annum from the Effective Date until the same is paid in full. All interest calculations hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve (12) thirty (30) day months, shall compound daily and shall be payable in accordance with the terms of this Note. This Promissory Note (this “Note”) is issued and made effective as of the date set forth above (the “Effective Date”). This Note is issued pursuant to that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated December 20, 2024, as the same may be amended from time to time, by and between Borrower and Lender (the “Purchase Agreement”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Attachment 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

This Note carries an original issue discount of $450,000.00 (the “OID”). In addition, Borrower agrees to pay $30,000.00 to Lender to cover Lender’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of this Note (the “Transaction Expense Amount”). The OID and the Transaction Expense Amount are included in the initial principal balance of this Note and are deemed to be fully earned and non-refundable as of the Effective Date. The purchase price for this Note shall be $5,000,000.00 (the “Purchase Price”), computed as follows: $5,480,000.00 original principal balance, less the OID, less the Transaction Expense Amount. The Purchase Price shall be payable by Lender by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

1. Payment; Prepayment; Monitoring Fee.

 

1.1. Payment. All payments owing hereunder shall be in lawful money of the United States of America as provided for herein, and delivered to Lender at the bank account furnished to Borrower for that purpose. All payments shall be applied first to (a) costs of collection, if any, then to (b) fees and charges, if any, then to (c) accrued and unpaid interest, and thereafter, to (d) principal.

 

1.2. Prepayment. Borrower may pay all or any portion of the Outstanding Balance earlier than it is due. Early payments of less than all principal, fees and interest outstanding will not, unless agreed to by Lender in writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower’s remaining obligations hereunder without any premium or penalty.

 

1.3. Monitoring Fee. If this Note is still outstanding on the 90-day anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Calculation Date”), Borrower will be charged a fee to cover Lender’s accounting, legal and other costs incurred in monitoring this Note calculated as follows: the Outstanding Balance as of the Calculation Date divided by .85 less the Outstanding Balance on the Calculation Date (the “Monitoring Fee”). The Monitoring Fee will automatically be added to the Outstanding Balance on the Calculation Date without any further action by either party. By way of example only, if the Outstanding Balance on the Calculation Date were $1,000,000.00, a Monitoring Fee of $176,471.00 would be added to the Outstanding Balance ($1,000,000.00/.85 = $1,176,741.00; $1,176,141.00 - $1,000,000.00 = a Monitoring Fee of $176,471.00). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Monitoring Fee and interest accrued on the Monitoring Fee will be forgiven, on a pro rata basis, each time Borrower makes a cash payment hereunder.

 

 

2. Security. This Note is unsecured.

 

3. Redemptions. Beginning on July 2, 2025, Lender shall have the right, exercisable at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, to redeem up to the Maximum Monthly Redemption Amount (such amount, the “Redemption Amount”) per calendar month by providing written notice to Borrower (each, a “Redemption Notice”). For the avoidance of doubt, Lender may submit to Borrower one (1) or more Redemption Notices in any given calendar month. Upon receipt of a Redemption Notice, Borrower shall pay the applicable Redemption Amount in cash to Lender within three (3) Trading Days of Lender’s delivery of such Redemption Notice.

 

4. Trigger Events, Defaults and Remedies.

 

4.1. Trigger Events. The following are trigger events under this Note (each, a “Trigger Event”): (a) Borrower fails to pay any principal, interest, fees, charges, or any other amount when due and payable hereunder; (b) a receiver, trustee or other similar official shall be appointed over Borrower or a material part of its assets and such appointment shall remain uncontested for twenty (20) days or shall not be dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days; (c) Borrower becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to applicable grace periods, if any, which event remains uncured for a period of five (5) Trading Days; (d) Borrower makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, which event remains uncured for a period of five (5) Trading Days; (e) Borrower files a petition for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law (domestic or foreign), which default remains uncured for a period of five (5) Trading Days; (f) an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding is commenced or filed against Borrower, which event remains uncured for a period of five (5) Trading Days; (g) the occurrence of a Fundamental Transaction without Lender’s prior written consent; (h) Borrower fails to observe or perform any covenant set forth in Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement; (i) Borrower defaults or otherwise fails to observe or perform (after giving effect to any grace periods) any covenant, obligation, condition or agreement of Borrower contained herein or in any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), other than those specifically set forth in this Section 4.1 and Section 4 of the Purchase Agreement, which event continues for a period of five (5) Trading Days following notice by Lender to Borrower thereof; (j) any representation, warranty or other statement made or furnished by or on behalf of Borrower to Lender herein, in any Transaction Document, or otherwise in connection with the issuance of this Note is false, incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any material respect when made or furnished, which remains uncured for a period of five (5) Trading Days; (k) Borrower effectuates a reverse split of its Common Shares without twenty (20) Trading Days prior written notice to Lender; (l) any United States money judgment, writ or similar process is entered or filed against Borrower or any subsidiary of Borrower or any of its property or other assets for more than $500,000.00, and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of twenty (20) calendar days unless otherwise consented to by Lender; or (m) Borrower or any subsidiary of Borrower, breaches any covenant or other term or condition contained in any Other Agreements in any material respect, which default remains uncured for a period of five (5) Trading Days.

 

4.2. Trigger Event Remedies. At any time following the occurrence of any Trigger Event, Lender may, at its option, increase the Outstanding Balance by applying the Trigger Effect (subject to the limitation set forth below).

 

 

4.3. Defaults. At any time following the occurrence of a Trigger Event, Lender may, at its option, send written notice to Borrower demanding that Borrower cure the Trigger Event within five (5) Trading Days. If Borrower fails to cure the Trigger Event within the required five (5) Trading Day cure period, the Trigger Event will automatically become an event of default hereunder (each, an “Event of Default”).

 

4.4. Default Remedies. At any time and from time to time following the occurrence of any Event of Default, Lender may accelerate this Note by written notice to Borrower, with the Outstanding Balance becoming immediately due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of any Trigger Event described in clauses (b) – (f) of Section 4.1, an Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred and the Outstanding Balance as of the date of the occurrence of such Trigger Event shall become immediately and automatically due and payable in cash at the Mandatory Default Amount, without any written notice required by Lender for the Trigger Event to become an Event of Default. At any time following the occurrence of any Event of Default, upon written notice given by Lender to Borrower, interest shall accrue on the Outstanding Balance beginning on the date the applicable Event of Default occurred at an interest rate equal to the lesser of twenty-two percent (22%) per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law (“Default Interest”). In connection with acceleration described herein, Lender need not provide, and Borrower hereby waives, any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, and Lender may immediately and without expiration of any grace period enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and all other remedies available to it under applicable law. Such acceleration may be rescinded and annulled by Lender at any time prior to payment hereunder and Lender shall have all rights as a holder of the Note until such time, if any, as Lender receives full payment pursuant to this Section 4.2. No such rescission or annulment shall affect any subsequent Trigger Event or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Nothing herein shall limit Lender’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief.

 

5. Unconditional Obligation; No Offset. Borrower acknowledges that this Note is an unconditional, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Borrower not subject to offset, deduction or counterclaim of any kind. Borrower hereby waives any rights of offset it now has or may have hereafter against Lender, its successors and assigns, and agrees to make the payments called for herein in accordance with the terms of this Note.

 

6. Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Note shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.

 

7. Governing Law; Venue. This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Note shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Utah. The provisions set forth in the Purchase Agreement to determine the proper venue for any disputes are incorporated herein by this reference.

 

8. Arbitration of Disputes. Each party agrees to be bound by the Arbitration Provisions (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) set forth as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement with respect to any disputes regarding this Note.

 

 

9. Cancellation. After repayment of the entire Outstanding Balance, this Note shall be deemed paid in full, shall automatically be deemed canceled, and shall not be reissued.

 

10. Amendments. The prior written consent of both parties hereto shall be required for any change or amendment to this Note.

 

11. Assignments. Borrower may not assign this Note without the prior written consent of Lender. This Note may be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by Lender to its affiliates without the consent of Borrower. This Note may not be offered, sold, assigned or transferred by Lender to a third party without Borrower’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

12. Notices. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Note, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with the subsection of the Purchase Agreement titled “Notices.”

 

13. Liquidated Damages. Lender and Borrower agree that in the event Borrower fails to comply with any of the terms or provisions of this Note, Lender’s damages would be uncertain and difficult (if not impossible) to accurately estimate because of the parties’ inability to predict future interest rates, future share prices, future trading volumes and other relevant factors. Accordingly, Lender and Borrower agree that any fees, balance adjustments, Default Interest or other charges assessed under this Note are not penalties but instead are intended by the parties to be, and shall be deemed, liquidated damages.

 

14. Severability. If any part of this Note is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of Borrower and Lender to the fullest extent permitted by law and the balance of this Note shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed as of the Effective Date.

 

	BORROWER:
	Cingulate Inc.
	By:	/s/ Shane Schaffer
		Shane Schaffer, CEO

 

ACKNOWLEDGED, ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

LENDER:

 

Streeterville Capital, LLC
By:	/s/ John M. Fife
	John M. Fife, President

 

[Signature Page to Promissory Note]

 

 

ATTACHMENT 1

DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

A1. “Common Shares” means shares of Borrower’s common stock, par value $0.0001.

 

A2. “Fundamental Transaction” means that (a) (i) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not Borrower or any of its subsidiaries is the surviving corporation) any other person or entity, (ii) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its respective properties or assets to any other person or entity, (iii) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, allow any other person or entity to make a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the person or persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the persons or entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), (iv) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with any other person or entity whereby such other person or entity acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Borrower (not including any shares of voting stock of Borrower held by the other persons or entities making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other persons or entities making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), (v) Borrower or any of its subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify the Common Shares, other than an increase in the number of authorized shares of Borrower’s Common Shares, (vi) Borrower transfers any material asset to any subsidiary, affiliate, person or entity under common ownership or control with Borrower other than Cingulate Therapeutics LLC or Cingulate Works, Inc., or (vii) Borrower pays or makes any monetary or non-monetary dividend or distribution to its shareholders; or (b) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding voting stock of Borrower; provided, however, that a consolidation or merger of any existing subsidiary of Borrower with any other subsidiary of Borrower existing as of the date of the Purchase Agreement shall not constitute a Fundamental Transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, Borrower or any if its subsidiaries entering into a definitive agreement that contemplates a Fundamental Transaction will be deemed to be a Fundamental Transaction unless such agreement contains a closing condition that this Note is repaid in full upon consummation of the transaction.

 

A3. “Major Trigger Event” means any Trigger Event occurring under Sections 4.1(a) - 4.1(h).

 

A4. “Mandatory Default Amount” means the Outstanding Balance following the application of the Trigger Effect.

 

A5. “Maximum Monthly Redemption Amount” means $550,000.00.

 

A6. “Minor Trigger Event” means any Trigger Event that is not a Major Trigger Event.

 

A7. “Other Agreements” means, collectively, (a) all existing and future agreements and instruments between, among or by Borrower (or an affiliate), on the one hand, and Lender (or an affiliate), on the other hand, and (b) any financing agreement or a material agreement that affects Borrower’s ongoing business operations.

 

A8. “Outstanding Balance” means as of any date of determination, the Purchase Price, plus the OID, plus the Transaction Expense Amount, as reduced or increased, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms hereof for payment, offset, or otherwise, accrued but unpaid interest, collection and enforcements costs (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Lender, transfer, stamp, and any other fees or charges incurred under this Note.

 

A9. “Trading Day” means any day on which Borrower’s principal market is open for trading.

 

A10. “Trigger Effect” means multiplying the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Trigger Event occurred by (a) fifteen percent (15%) for each occurrence of any Major Trigger Event, or (b) five percent (5%) for each occurrence of any Minor Trigger Event, and then adding the resulting product to the Outstanding Balance as of the date the applicable Trigger Event occurred, with the sum of the foregoing then becoming the Outstanding Balance under this Note as of the date the applicable Trigger Event occurred; provided, however, that Lender may only apply the Trigger Event up to three (3) times for Major Trigger Events and three (3) times for Minor Trigger Events.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Note Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 20, 2024, is entered into by and between Cingulate Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and Streeterville Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, its successors and/or assigns (“Investor”).

 

A. Company and Investor are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon an exemption from securities registration afforded by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

B. Investor desires to purchase and Company desires to issue and sell, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, a Promissory Note, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, in the original principal amount of $5,480,000.00 (the “Note”).

 

C. This Agreement, the Note, the Guaranty (as defined below) and all other certificates, documents, agreements, resolutions and instruments delivered to any party under or in connection with this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents”.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Investor hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Purchase and Sale of Note; Guaranty.

 

1.1. Purchase of Note. Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to Investor and Investor hereby agrees to purchase from Company the Note. In consideration thereof, Investor agrees to pay the Purchase Price (as defined below) to Company.

 

1.2. Form of Payment. On the Closing Date (as defined below), Investor shall pay the Purchase Price to Company via wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

1.3. Closing Date. Subject to the satisfaction (or written waiver) of the conditions set forth in Section 4 and Section 6 below, the date of the issuance and sale of the Note pursuant to this Agreement (the “Closing Date”) shall be December 20, 2024, or another mutually agreed upon date. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall occur on the Closing Date by means of the exchange of electronic signatures, but shall be deemed for all purposes to have occurred at the offices of Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC in Lehi, Utah.

 

1.4. Original Issue Discount; Transaction Expense Amount. The Note carries an original issue discount of $450,000.00 (the “OID”). In addition, Company agrees to pay $30,000.00 to Investor to cover Investor’s legal fees, accounting costs, due diligence, monitoring and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Note (the “Transaction Expense Amount”). The OID and Transaction Expense Amount will be included in the initial principal balance of the Note. The “Purchase Price”, therefore, shall be $5,000,000.00, computed as follows: $5,480,000.00 initial principal balance, less the OID, less the Transaction Expense Amount.

 

1.5. Guaranty. Company’s subsidiaries, Cingulate Therapeutics LLC and Cingulate Works, Inc. (collectively, the “Subsidiaries”), will jointly and severally guarantee all of Company’s obligations under the Note pursuant to a Guaranty in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Guaranty”).

 

 

2. Investor’s Representations and Warranties. Investor represents and warrants to Company that as of the Closing Date: (i) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized; (ii) Investor has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver each Transaction Document and to carry out their provisions; (iii) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Investor enforceable in accordance with its terms; and (iii) Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act; (iv) Investor is acquiring the Note for investment for such Investor’s own account, and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof, and Investor has no present intention of selling or distributing the Note; (vi) Investor has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management and financial affairs with its management and to obtain any additional information which Investor has deemed necessary or appropriate for deciding whether or not to purchase the Note, including an opportunity to receive, review and understand the information set forth in the Company’s financial statements, capitalization and other business information as Investor deems prudent; (vii) Investor acknowledges that no other representations or warranties, oral or written, have been made by the Company or any agent thereof except as set forth in this Agreement; (viii) Investor is aware that no federal, state or other agency has made any finding or determination as to the fairness of the investment, nor made any recommendation or endorsement of the Note; (ix) Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters, including investments in other emerging growth companies that such individual or entity is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Note and it is able to bear the economic risk of such investment, (x) Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such individual is capable of utilizing the information made available in connection with the offering of the Note, of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Note and of making an informed investment decision with respect to the Note; (xii) Investor is aware that there is currently no public market for the Note, that there is no guarantee that a public market will develop at any time in the future and Investor understands that the Note is unregistered and may not presently be sold except in accordance with applicable securities laws; (xiii) Investor understands that the Note cannot be readily sold or liquidated in case of an emergency or other financial need; (xiv) Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Note must be held indefinitely unless it is subsequently registered under the 1933 Act or an exemption from such registration is available, and Investor has been advised or is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act as in effect from time to time, which permits limited resale of securities purchased in a private placement subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among other things: the availability of certain current public information about Company and the resale occurring following the required holding period under Rule 144; and (xv) each instrument evidencing the Note which Investor may purchase hereunder may be imprinted with legends substantially in the following form:

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATES IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM.”

 

Company covenants and agrees it will not use a breach by Investor of any of the representations and warranties in this Section 2 as a defense to performance of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or in any attempt to avoid, modify, reduce, rescind or void such obligations.

 

 

3. Company’s Representations and Warranties. Company represents and warrants to Investor that as of the Closing Date: (i) Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted; (ii) Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, assets, properties, operations or financial condition or its ability to perform its obligations hereunder (a “Material Adverse Effect”); (iii) Company has registered its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Shares”), under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and is obligated to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act; (iv) each of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by Company and all necessary corporate actions have been taken; (v) the Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by Company and constitute the valid and binding obligations of Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and by general principles of equity; (vi) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by Company, the issuance of the Note in accordance with the terms hereof, and the consummation by Company of the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach by Company of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (a) Company’s formation documents or bylaws, each as currently in effect, (b) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other material agreement or instrument to which Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are bound, including, without limitation, any listing agreement for the Common Shares, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (c) any existing applicable law, rule, or regulation or any applicable decree, judgment, or order of any court, United States federal, state or foreign regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental body having jurisdiction over Company or any of Company’s properties or assets, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (vii) no further authorization, approval or consent of any court, governmental body, regulatory agency, self-regulatory organization, or stock exchange or market or the stockholders or any lender of Company is required to be obtained by Company for the issuance of the Note to Investor or the entering into of the Transaction Documents; (viii) none of Company’s filings with the SEC since January 1, 2022, contained, at the time they were filed, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; (ix) since January 1, 2022, Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by Company with the SEC under the 1934 Act on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such report, schedule, form, statement or other document prior to the expiration of any such extension; (x) there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board or body pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting Company before or by any governmental authority or non-governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality or any other person which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (xi) Company has not consummated any financing transaction required to be disclosed under the 1934 Act that has not been so disclosed in a periodic filing or current report with the SEC under the 1934 Act; (xii) Company is not, nor has it been at any time in the previous twelve (12) months, a “Shell Company,” as such type of “issuer” is described in Rule 144(i)(1) under the 1933 Act; (xiii) with respect to any commissions, placement agent or finder’s fees or similar payments that will or would become due and owing by Company to any person or entity as a result of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Broker Fees”), any such Broker Fees will be made in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and only to a person or entity that is a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer; (xiv) Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any Broker Fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other persons for fees of a type contemplated in this subsection that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each of Investor, Investor’s employees, officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, agents, and partners, and their respective affiliates, from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs (including the costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses suffered in respect of any such claimed Broker Fees; (xv) neither Investor nor any of its officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives has made any representations or warranties to Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents and, in making its decision to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, Company is not relying on any representation, warranty, covenant or promise of Investor or its officers, directors, members, managers, employees, agents or representatives other than as set forth in the Transaction Documents; (xvi) Company acknowledges that the State of Utah has a reasonable relationship and sufficient contacts to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and any dispute that may arise related thereto such that the laws and venue of the State of Utah, as set forth more specifically in Section 9.1 below, shall be applicable to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated therein; (xvii) Company has 240,000,000 Common Shares authorized and 3,301,848 issued and outstanding; (xviii) Company acknowledges that Investor is not registered as a ‘dealer’ under the 1934 Act; and (xix) Company has performed due diligence and background research on Investor and its affiliates and has received and reviewed the due diligence packet provided by Investor. Company, being aware of the matters and legal issues described in subsections (xviii) and (xix) above, acknowledges and agrees that such matters, or any similar matters, have no bearing on the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and covenants and agrees it will not use any such information or legal theory as a defense to performance of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or in any attempt to avoid, modify, reduce, rescind or void such obligations.

 

 

4. Company Covenants. Until all of Company’s obligations under all of the Transaction Documents are paid and performed in full, or within the timeframes otherwise specifically set forth below, Company will at all times comply with the following covenants: (i) so long as Investor beneficially owns the Note and for at least twenty (20) Trading Days (as defined in the Note) thereafter, Company will timely file on the applicable deadline all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, and will take all reasonable action under its control to ensure that adequate current public information with respect to Company, as required in accordance with Rule 144 of the 1933 Act, is publicly available, and will not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would permit such termination; (ii) the Common Shares shall be listed or quoted for trading on NYSE, NYSE American, or Nasdaq; (iii) trading in Company’s Common Shares will not be suspended, halted, chilled, frozen, reach zero bid or otherwise cease trading on Company’s principal trading market; (iv) Company will not make any Restricted Issuance (as defined below) without Investor’s prior written consent, which consent may be granted or withheld in Investor’s sole and absolute discretion; and (v) Company will not enter into any agreement or otherwise agree to any covenant, condition, or obligation that locks up, restricts in any way or otherwise prohibits Company: (a) from entering into a variable rate transaction with Investor or any affiliate of Investor, or (b) from issuing Common Shares, preferred stock, warrants, convertible notes, other debt securities, or any other Company securities to Investor or any affiliate of Investor. For purposes hereof, the term “Restricted Issuance” means the issuance, incurrence or guaranty of any debt obligations other than trade payables in the ordinary course of business, or the issuance of any securities prior to July 1, 2025 that: (1) have or may have conversion rights of any kind, contingent, conditional or otherwise, in which the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to such conversion right varies with the market price of the Common Shares, (2) are or may become convertible into Common Shares (including without limitation convertible debt, warrants or convertible preferred shares), with a conversion price that varies with the market price of the Common Shares, even if such security only becomes convertible following an event of default, the passage of time, or another trigger event or condition; (3) have a fixed conversion price, exercise price or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security (A) due to a change in the market price of Company’s Common Shares since the date of the initial issuance, or (B) upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of Company (including, without limitation, any “full ratchet” or “weighted average” anti-dilution provisions, but not including any standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), or such debt security contains a fixed conversion price with a provision to increase the outstanding balance upon a breach or default; or (4) are issued in connection with a Section 3(a)(9) exchange, a Section 3(a)(10) settlement, or any other similar settlement or exchange. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the following will be considered Restricted Issuances: (i) current or future ATM facilities; (ii) Company’s existing equity line of credit; and (iii) direct offerings of common stock, preferred stock or warrants provided that such offerings do not contain any variable pricing terms.

 

 

5. Conditions to Company’s Obligation to Sell. The obligation of Company hereunder to issue and sell the Note to Investor at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:

 

5.1. Investor shall have executed the applicable Transaction Documents and delivered the same to Company.

 

5.2. Investor shall have delivered the Purchase Price to Company in accordance with Section 1.2 above.

 

6. Conditions to Investor’s Obligation to Purchase. The obligation of Investor hereunder to purchase the Note at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are for Investor’s sole benefit and may be waived by Investor at any time in its sole discretion:

 

6.1. Company shall have executed all applicable Transaction Documents and delivered the same to Investor.

 

6.2. The Subsidiaries shall have executed the Guaranty and delivered the same to Investor.

 

6.3. Company shall have delivered to Investor a fully executed Officer’s Certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C evidencing Company’s approval of the Transaction Documents.

 

7. Reinvestment Right. At any time while the Note is still outstanding, Investor will have the right, but not the obligation, with Company’s consent, to reinvest up to an additional $5,000,000.00 in Company in one or more tranches on the same terms and conditions as the Note (the “Reinvestment Right”).

 

8. Most Favored Nation. So long as the Note is outstanding, upon any issuance by Company of any debt security with any economic term or condition more favorable to the holder of such security or with a term in favor of the holder of such security that was not similarly provided to Investor in the Transaction Documents, then Company shall notify Investor of such additional or more favorable economic term and such term, at Investor’s option, shall become a part of the Transaction Documents for the benefit of Investor. Additionally, if Company fails to notify Investor of any such additional or more favorable term, but Investor becomes aware that Company has granted such a term to any third party, Investor may notify Company of such additional or more favorable term and such term shall become a part of the Transaction Documents retroactive to the date on which such term was granted to the applicable third party. The types of economic terms contained in another debt security that may be more favorable to the holder of such security include, but are not limited to, terms addressing conversions into Common Shares, conversion discounts, conversion lookback periods, interest rates, original issue discounts, conversion price per share, warrant coverage, warrant exercise price, and anti-dilution/conversion and exercise price resets.

 

 

9. Miscellaneous. The provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall apply to this Agreement, as well as all other Transaction Documents as if these terms were fully set forth therein; provided, however, that in the event there is a conflict between any provision set forth in this Section 9 and any provision in any other Transaction Document, the provision in such other Transaction Document shall govern.

 

9.1. Arbitration of Claims. The parties shall submit all Claims (as defined in Exhibit D) arising under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any other agreement between the parties and their affiliates or any Claim relating to the relationship of the parties to binding arbitration pursuant to the arbitration provisions set forth in Exhibit D attached hereto (the “Arbitration Provisions”). For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that the injunction described in Section 9.3 below may be pursued in an arbitration that is separate and apart from any other arbitration regarding all other Claims arising under the Transaction Documents. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Arbitration Provisions are unconditionally binding on the parties hereto and are severable from all other provisions of this Agreement. By executing this Agreement, Company represents, warrants and covenants that Company has reviewed the Arbitration Provisions carefully, consulted with legal counsel about such provisions (or waived its right to do so), understands that the Arbitration Provisions are intended to allow for the expeditious and efficient resolution of any dispute hereunder, agrees to the terms and limitations set forth in the Arbitration Provisions, and that Company will not take a position contrary to the foregoing representations. Company acknowledges and agrees that Investor may rely upon the foregoing representations and covenants of Company regarding the Arbitration Provisions.

 

9.2. Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Utah or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Utah. Each party consents to and expressly agrees that the exclusive venue for arbitration of any dispute arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document or the relationship of the parties or their affiliates shall be in Salt Lake County, Utah. Without modifying the parties’ obligations to resolve disputes hereunder pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions, for any litigation arising in connection with any of the Transaction Documents, each party hereto hereby (i) consents to and expressly submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, (ii) expressly submits to the exclusive venue of any such court for the purposes hereof, (iii) agrees to not bring any such action outside of any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, and (iv) waives any claim of improper venue and any claim or objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or any other claim, defense or objection to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdiction or to any claim that such venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Company acknowledges that the governing law and venue provisions set forth in this Section 9.1 are material terms to induce Investor to enter into the Transaction Documents and that but for Company’s agreements set forth in this Section 9.1 Investor would not have entered into the Transaction Documents.

 

 

9.3. Specific Performance. Company acknowledges and agrees that Investor may suffer irreparable harm in the event that Company fails to perform any material provision of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents in accordance with its specific terms. It is accordingly agreed that Investor shall be entitled to one or more injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which Investor may be entitled under the Transaction Documents, at law or in equity. Company specifically agrees that: (a) following an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) under the Note, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or an arbitrator prohibiting Company from issuing any of its Common Shares or preferred stock to any party unless fifty percent (50%) of the gross proceeds received by Company in connection with such issuance are simultaneously used by Company to make a payment under the Note; (b) following a breach of Section 4(v) above, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or arbitrator invalidating such lock-up; and (c)Company specifically agrees that if Company or any of its subsidiaries enters into a definitive agreement that contemplates a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Note), unless such agreement contains a closing condition that the Note is repaid in full upon consummation of the transaction or Investor has provided its written consent in writing to such Fundamental Transaction, Investor shall have the right to seek and receive injunctive relief from a court or arbitrator preventing the consummation of such transaction. Company specifically acknowledges that Investor’s right to obtain specific performance constitutes bargained for leverage and that the loss of such leverage would result in irreparable harm to Investor. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event Investor seeks to obtain an injunction from a court or an arbitrator against Company or specific performance of any provision of any Transaction Document, such action shall not be a waiver of any right of Investor under any Transaction Document, at law, or in equity, including without limitation its rights to arbitrate any Claim pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents, nor shall Investor’s pursuit of an injunction prevent Investor, under the doctrines of claim preclusion, issues preclusion, res judicata or other similar legal doctrines, from pursuing other Claims in the future in a separate arbitration.

 

9.4. No Shorting. During the period beginning on the First Closing Date and ending on the later of (i) the date the Notes have been repaid in full or sold by Investor to a third party that is not an affiliate of Investor, or (ii) the date that the Pre-Delivery Shares have been returned to Company, neither Investor nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees or other affiliates has or will directly or indirectly engage in any open market Short Sales (as defined below) of Common Shares of Company; provided, however, that unless and until Company has affirmatively demonstrated by the use of specific evidence that Investor is engaging in open market Short Sales, Investor shall be assumed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 9.4 and Company shall remain fully obligated to fulfill all of its obligations under the Transaction Documents; and provided, further, that (A) Company shall under no circumstances be entitled to request or demand that Investor either (1) provide trading or other records of Investor or of any party or (2) affirmatively demonstrate that Investor or any other party has not engaged in any such Short Sales in breach of these provisions as a condition to Company’s fulfillment of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, (B) Company shall not assert Investor’s or any other party’s failure to demonstrate such absence of such Short Sales or provide any trading or other records of Investor or any other party as all or part of a defense to any breach of Company’s obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, and (C) Company shall have no setoff right with respect to any such Short Sales. For the purposes hereof, and in accordance with Regulation SHO, the sale after delivery of a Conversion Notice of such number of Common Shares reasonably expected to be purchased under a Conversion Notice shall not be deemed a Short Sale.

 

9.5. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

9.6. Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

 

9.7. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform to such statute or rule of law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.

 

9.8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Transaction Documents, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither Company nor Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. For the avoidance of doubt, all prior term sheets or other documents between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, related to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (collectively, “Prior Agreements”), that may have been entered into between Company and Investor, or any affiliate thereof, are hereby null and void and deemed to be replaced in their entirety by the Transaction Documents. To the extent there is a conflict between any term set forth in any Prior Agreement and the term(s) of the Transaction Documents, the Transaction Documents shall govern.

 

9.9. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto.

 

9.10. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing (unless otherwise specified herein) and shall be deemed effectively given on the earliest of: (i) the date delivered, if delivered by personal delivery as against written receipt therefor or by email to an executive officer named below or such officer’s successor, or by facsimile (with successful transmission confirmation which is kept by sending party), (ii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after deposit, postage prepaid, in the United States Postal Service by certified mail or with an international courier, or (iii) the earlier of the date delivered or the third Trading Day after mailing by express courier, with delivery costs and fees prepaid, in each case, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as such party may designate by five (5) calendar days’ advance written notice similarly given to each of the other parties hereto):

 

If to Company:

 

Cingulate Inc.

Attn: Shane Schaffer

1901 W. 47^th Place

Kansas City, Kansas 66205

 

With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

 

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Attn: Steven M. Skolnick

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

 

If to Investor:

 

Streeterville Capital, LLC

Attn: John Fife

297 Auto Mall Drive #4

St. George, Utah 84770

 

 

With a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

 

Hansen Black Anderson Ashcraft PLLC

Attn: Jonathan Hansen

3051 West Maple Loop Drive, Suite 325

Lehi, Utah 84043

 

9.11. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement or any of the severable rights and obligations inuring to the benefit of or to be performed by Investor hereunder may be assigned by Investor to its affiliates, in whole or in part, without the need to obtain Company’s consent thereto. Investor may not assign this Agreement to a third party without Company’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Company may not assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement or delegate its duties hereunder, whether directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Investor, and any such attempted assignment or delegation shall be null and void.

 

9.12. Survival. The representations and warranties of Company and the agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder notwithstanding any due diligence investigation conducted by or on behalf of Investor. Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Investor and all its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents for loss or damage arising as a result of or related to any breach or alleged breach by Company of any of its representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement or any of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement, including advancement of expenses as they are incurred.

 

9.13. Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

9.14. Investor’s Rights and Remedies Cumulative. All rights, remedies, and powers conferred in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies, and shall be in addition to every other right, power, and remedy that Investor may have, whether specifically granted in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or existing at law, in equity, or by statute, and any and all such rights and remedies may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as Investor may deem expedient.

 

9.15. Attorneys’ Fees and Cost of Collection. In the event any suit, action or arbitration is filed by either party against the other to interpret or enforce any of the Transaction Documents, the unsuccessful party to such action agrees to pay to the prevailing party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred therein, including the same with respect to an appeal. The “prevailing party” shall be the party in whose favor a judgment is entered, regardless of whether judgment is entered on all claims asserted by such party and regardless of the amount of the judgment; or where, due to the assertion of counterclaims, judgments are entered in favor of and against both parties, then the judge or arbitrator shall determine the “prevailing party” by taking into account the relative dollar amounts of the judgments or, if the judgments involve nonmonetary relief, the relative importance and value of such relief. Nothing herein shall restrict or impair an arbitrator’s or a court’s power to award fees and expenses for frivolous or bad faith pleading. If (i) the Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection or enforcement prior to commencing arbitration or legal proceedings, or is collected or enforced through any arbitration or legal proceeding, or Investor otherwise takes action to collect amounts due under the Note or to enforce the provisions of the Note, or (ii) there occurs any bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership of Company or other proceedings affecting Company’s creditors’ rights and involving a claim under the Note; then Company shall pay the costs incurred by Investor for such collection, enforcement or action or in connection with such bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, deposition costs, and disbursements.

 

 

9.16. Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any prohibited action shall constitute a waiver of any other provision or consent to any other prohibited action, whether or not similar. No waiver or consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver or consent in the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing.

 

9.17. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO DEMAND THAT ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PARTIES HERETO BE TRIED BY JURY. THIS WAIVER EXTENDS TO ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY ARISING UNDER COMMON LAW OR ANY APPLICABLE STATUTE, LAW, RULE OR REGULATION. FURTHER, EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH PARTY IS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO DEMAND TRIAL BY JURY.

 

9.18. Time is of the Essence. Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

9.19. Voluntary Agreement. Company has carefully read this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and has asked any questions needed for Company to understand the terms, consequences and binding effect of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and fully understand them. Company has had the opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of Company’s choosing, or has waived the right to do so, and is executing this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by Investor or anyone else.

 

9.20. Document Imaging. Investor shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to image or make copies of all or any selection of the agreements, instruments, documents, and items and records governing, arising from or relating to any of Company’s loans, including, without limitation, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and Investor may destroy or archive the paper originals. The parties hereto (i) waive any right to insist or require that Investor produce paper originals, (ii) agree that such images shall be accorded the same force and effect as the paper originals, (iii) agree that Investor is entitled to use such images in lieu of destroyed or archived originals for any purpose, including as admissible evidence in any demand, presentment or other proceedings, and (iv) further agree that any executed facsimile (faxed), scanned, emailed, or other imaged copy of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall be deemed to be of the same force and effect as the original manually executed document.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Investor and Company have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

	INVESTOR:
	Streeterville Capital, LLC
	By:	/s/ John M. Fife
		John M. Fife, President
	COMPANY:
	Cingulate Inc.
	By:	/s/ Shane Schaffer
		Shane Schaffer, CEO

 

[Signature Page to Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

ATTACHED EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A	Note
Exhibit B	Guaranty
Exhibit C	Officer’s Certificate
Exhibit D	Arbitration Provisions

 

 

Exhibit D

 

ARBITRATION PROVISIONS

 

1. Dispute Resolution. For purposes of these arbitration provisions (the “Arbitration Provisions”), the term “Claims” means any disputes, claims, demands, causes of action, requests for injunctive relief, requests for specific performance, liabilities, damages, losses, or controversies whatsoever arising from, related to, or connected with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents and any communications between the parties related thereto, including without limitation any claims of mutual mistake, mistake, fraud, misrepresentation, failure of formation, failure of consideration, promissory estoppel, unconscionability, failure of condition precedent, rescission, and any statutory claims, tort claims, contract claims, or claims to void, invalidate or terminate the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions (defined below)) or any of the other Transaction Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, Investor’s pursuit of an injunction or other Claim pursuant to these Arbitration Provisions or with a court will not later prevent Investor under the doctrines of claim preclusion, issue preclusion, res judicata or other similar legal doctrines from pursuing other Claims in a separate arbitration in the future. The parties to the Agreement (the “parties”) hereby agree that the Claims may be arbitrated in one or more arbitrations pursuant to these Arbitration Provisions (one for an injunction or injunctions and a separate one for all other Claims). The parties to the Agreement hereby agree that these Arbitration Provisions are binding on each of them. As a result, any attempt to rescind the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or any other Transaction Document) or declare the Agreement (or these Arbitration Provisions) or any other Transaction Document invalid or unenforceable pursuant to Section 29 of the 1934 Act or for any other reason is subject to these Arbitration Provisions. Any capitalized term not defined in these Arbitration Provisions shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.

 

2. Arbitration. Except as otherwise provided herein, all Claims must be submitted to arbitration (“Arbitration”) to be conducted exclusively in Salt Lake County, Utah and pursuant to the terms set forth in these Arbitration Provisions. Subject to the arbitration appeal right provided for in Paragraph 5 below (the “Appeal Right”), the parties agree that the award of the arbitrator rendered pursuant to Paragraph 4 below (the “Arbitration Award”) shall be (a) final and binding upon the parties, (b) the sole and exclusive remedy between them regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded to the arbitrator, and (c) promptly payable in United States dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Subject to the Appeal Right, any costs or fees, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Arbitration Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Arbitration Award shall include default interest (as defined or otherwise provided for in the Note, “Default Interest”) (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Arbitration Award will be entered and enforced by any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.

 

3. The Arbitration Act. The parties hereby incorporate herein the provisions and procedures set forth in the Utah Uniform Arbitration Act, U.C.A. § 78B-11-101 et seq. (as amended or superseded from time to time, the “Arbitration Act”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to, and to the maximum extent permitted by, Section 105 of the Arbitration Act, in the event of conflict or variation between the terms of these Arbitration Provisions and the provisions of the Arbitration Act, the terms of these Arbitration Provisions shall control and the parties hereby waive or otherwise agree to vary the effect of all requirements of the Arbitration Act that may conflict with or vary from these Arbitration Provisions.

 

4. Arbitration Proceedings. Arbitration between the parties will be subject to the following:

 

4.1 Initiation of Arbitration. Pursuant to Section 110 of the Arbitration Act, the parties agree that a party may initiate Arbitration by giving written notice to the other party (“Arbitration Notice”) in the same manner that notice is permitted under Section 9.10 of the Agreement (the “Notice Provision”); provided, however, that the Arbitration Notice may not be given by email or fax. Arbitration will be deemed initiated as of the date that the Arbitration Notice is deemed delivered to such other party under the Notice Provision (the “Service Date”). After the Service Date, information may be delivered, and notices may be given, by email or fax pursuant to the Notice Provision or any other method permitted thereunder. The Arbitration Notice must describe the nature of the controversy, the remedies sought, and the election to commence Arbitration proceedings. All Claims in the Arbitration Notice must be pleaded consistent with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.

 

 

4.2 Selection and Payment of Arbitrator.

 

(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date, Investor shall select and submit to Company the names of three (3) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services (http://www.utahadrservices.com) (such three (3) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “Proposed Arbitrators”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services. Within five (5) calendar days after Investor has submitted to Company the names of the Proposed Arbitrators, Company must select, by written notice to Investor, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Company fails to select one of the Proposed Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then Investor may select the arbitrator from the Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Company.

 

(b) If Investor fails to submit to Company the Proposed Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Service Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then Company may at any time prior to Investor so designating the Proposed Arbitrators, identify the names of three (3) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service by written notice to Investor. Investor may then, within five (5) calendar days after Company has submitted notice of its Proposed Arbitrators to Investor, select, by written notice to Company, one (1) of the Proposed Arbitrators to act as the arbitrator for the parties under these Arbitration Provisions. If Investor fails to select in writing and within such 5-day period one (1) of the three (3) Proposed Arbitrators selected by Company, then Company may select the arbitrator from its three (3) previously selected Proposed Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to Investor.

 

(c) If a Proposed Arbitrator chosen to serve as arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the party that selected such Proposed Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other three (3) Proposed Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date the chosen Proposed Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as arbitrator. If all three (3) Proposed Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve as arbitrator, then the arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2.

 

(d) The date that the Proposed Arbitrator selected pursuant to this Paragraph 4.2 agrees in writing (including via email) delivered to both parties to serve as the arbitrator hereunder is referred to herein as the “Arbitration Commencement Date”. If an arbitrator resigns or is unable to act during the Arbitration, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with this Paragraph 4.2 to continue the Arbitration. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals and there is no successor thereto, then the arbitrator shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

(e) Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, the cost of the arbitrator must be paid equally by both parties. Subject to Paragraph 4.10 below, if one party refuses or fails to pay its portion of the arbitrator fee, then the other party can advance such unpaid amount (subject to the accrual of Default Interest thereupon), with such amount being added to or subtracted from, as applicable, the Arbitration Award.

 

4.3 Applicability of Certain Utah Rules. The parties agree that the Arbitration shall be conducted generally in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure and the Utah Rules of Evidence. More specifically, the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply, without limitation, to the filing of any pleadings, motions or memoranda, the conducting of discovery, and the taking of any depositions. The Utah Rules of Evidence shall apply to any hearings, whether telephonic or in person, held by the arbitrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the parties’ intent that the incorporation of such rules will in no event supersede these Arbitration Provisions. In the event of any conflict between the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure or the Utah Rules of Evidence and these Arbitration Provisions, these Arbitration Provisions shall control.

 

4.4 Answer and Default. An answer and any counterclaims to the Arbitration Notice shall be required to be delivered to the party initiating the Arbitration within twenty (20) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. If an answer is not delivered by the required deadline, the arbitrator must provide written notice to the defaulting party stating that the arbitrator will enter a default award against such party if such party does not file an answer within five (5) calendar days of receipt of such notice. If an answer is not filed within the five (5) day extension period, the arbitrator must render a default award, consistent with the relief requested in the Arbitration Notice, against a party that fails to submit an answer within such time period.

 

 

4.5 Related Litigation. The party that delivers the Arbitration Notice to the other party shall have the option to also commence concurrent legal proceedings with any state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah (“Litigation Proceedings”), subject to the following: (a) the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings is to be substantially similar to the claims set forth in the Arbitration Notice, provided that an additional cause of action to compel arbitration will also be included therein, (b) so long as the other party files an answer to the complaint in the Litigation Proceedings and an answer to the Arbitration Notice, the Litigation Proceedings will be stayed pending an Arbitration Award (or Appeal Panel Award (defined below), as applicable) hereunder, (c) if the other party fails to file an answer in the Litigation Proceedings or an answer in the Arbitration proceedings, then the party initiating Arbitration shall be entitled to a default judgment consistent with the relief requested, to be entered in the Litigation Proceedings, and (d) any legal or procedural issue arising under the Arbitration Act that requires a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction may be determined in the Litigation Proceedings. Any award of the arbitrator (or of the Appeal Panel (defined below)) may be entered in such Litigation Proceedings pursuant to the Arbitration Act. In the event either party successfully petitions a court to compel arbitration, the losing party in such action shall be required to pay the prevailing party’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with such action.

 

4.6 Discovery. Pursuant to Section 118(8) of the Arbitration Act, the parties agree that discovery shall be conducted as follows:

 

(a) Written discovery will only be allowed if the likely benefits of the proposed written discovery outweigh the burden or expense thereof, and the written discovery sought is likely to reveal information that will satisfy a specific element of a claim or defense already pleaded in the Arbitration. The party seeking written discovery shall always have the burden of showing that all of the standards and limitations set forth in these Arbitration Provisions are satisfied. The scope of discovery in the Arbitration proceedings shall also be limited as follows:

 

(i) To facts directly connected with the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

 

(ii) To facts and information that cannot be obtained from another source or in another manner that is more convenient, less burdensome or less expensive than in the manner requested.

 

(b) No party shall be allowed (i) more than fifteen (15) interrogatories (including discrete subparts), (ii) more than fifteen (15) requests for admission (including discrete subparts), (iii) more than ten (10) document requests (including discrete subparts), or (iv) more than three (3) depositions (excluding expert depositions) for a maximum of seven (7) hours per deposition. The costs associated with depositions will be borne by the party taking the deposition. The party defending the deposition will submit a notice to the party taking the deposition of the estimated reasonable attorneys’ fees that such party expects to incur in connection with defending the deposition. If the party defending the deposition fails to submit an estimate of reasonable attorneys’ fees within five (5) calendar days of its receipt of a deposition notice, then such party shall be deemed to have waived its right to the estimated reasonable attorneys’ fees. The party taking the deposition must pay the party defending the deposition the estimated reasonable attorneys’ fees prior to taking the deposition, unless such obligation is deemed to be waived as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. If the party taking the deposition believes that the estimated reasonable attorneys’ fees are unreasonable, such party may submit the issue to the arbitrator for a decision. All depositions will be taken in Utah.

 

(c) All discovery requests (including document production requests included in deposition notices) must be submitted in writing to the arbitrator and the other party. The party submitting the written discovery requests must include with such discovery requests a detailed explanation of how the proposed discovery requests satisfy the requirements of these Arbitration Provisions and the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. The receiving party will then be allowed, within five (5) calendar days of receiving the proposed discovery requests, to submit to the arbitrator an estimate of the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to such written discovery requests and a written challenge to each applicable discovery request. After receipt of an estimate of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs and/or challenge(s) to one or more discovery requests, consistent with subparagraph (c) above, the arbitrator will within three (3) calendar days make a finding as to the likely reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests and issue an order that (i) requires the requesting party to prepay the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with responding to the discovery requests, and (ii) requires the responding party to respond to the discovery requests as limited by the arbitrator within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. If a party entitled to submit an estimate of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs and/or a challenge to discovery requests fails to do so within such 5-day period, the arbitrator will make a finding that (A) there are no reasonable attorneys’ fees or costs associated with responding to such discovery requests, and (B) the responding party must respond to such discovery requests (as may be limited by the arbitrator) within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the arbitrator’s finding with respect to such discovery requests. Any party submitting any written discovery requests, including without limitation interrogatories, requests for production subpoenas to a party or a third party, or requests for admissions, must prepay the estimated reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, before the responding party has any obligation to produce or respond to the same, unless such obligation is deemed waived as set forth above.

 

 

(d) In order to allow a written discovery request, the arbitrator must find that the discovery request satisfies the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions and the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure. The arbitrator must strictly enforce these standards. If a discovery request does not satisfy any of the standards set forth in these Arbitration Provisions or the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, the arbitrator may modify such discovery request to satisfy the applicable standards, or strike such discovery request in whole or in part.

 

(e) Each party may submit expert reports (and rebuttals thereto), provided that such reports must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the Arbitration Commencement Date. Each party will be allowed a maximum of two (2) experts. Expert reports must contain the following: (i) a complete statement of all opinions the expert will offer at trial and the basis and reasons for them; (ii) the expert’s name and qualifications, including a list of all the expert’s publications within the preceding ten (10) years, and a list of any other cases in which the expert has testified at trial or in a deposition or prepared a report within the preceding ten (10) years; and (iii) the compensation to be paid for the expert’s report and testimony. The parties are entitled to depose any other party’s expert witness one (1) time for no more than four (4) hours. An expert may not testify in a party’s case-in-chief concerning any matter not fairly disclosed in the expert report.

 

4.6 Dispositive Motions. Each party shall have the right to submit dispositive motions pursuant Rule 12 or Rule 56 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure (a “Dispositive Motion”). The party submitting the Dispositive Motion may, but is not required to, deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in support (the “Memorandum in Support”) of the Dispositive Motion. Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Support, the other party shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a memorandum in opposition to the Memorandum in Support (the “Memorandum in Opposition”). Within seven (7) calendar days of delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the party that submitted the Memorandum in Support shall deliver to the arbitrator and to the other party a reply memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition (“Reply Memorandum”). If the applicable party shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the other party fails to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the applicable party shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Dispositive Motion shall proceed regardless.

 

4.7 Confidentiality. All information disclosed by either party (or such party’s agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation information disclosed during the discovery process or any Appeal (defined below)) shall be considered confidential in nature. Each party agrees not to disclose any confidential information received from the other party (or its agents) during the Arbitration process (including without limitation during the discovery process or any Appeal) unless (a) prior to or after the time of disclosure such information becomes public knowledge or part of the public domain, not as a result of any inaction or action of the receiving party or its agents, (b) such information is required by a court order, subpoena or similar legal duress to be disclosed if such receiving party has notified the other party thereof in writing and given it a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order from a court of competent jurisdiction prior to disclosure, or (c) such information is disclosed to the receiving party’s agents, representatives and legal counsel on a need to know basis who each agree in writing not to disclose such information to any third party. Pursuant to Section 118(5) of the Arbitration Act, the arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to issue a protective order to prevent the disclosure of privileged information and confidential information upon the written request of either party.

 

4.8 Authorization; Timing; Scheduling Order. Subject to all other sections of these Arbitration Provisions, the parties hereby authorize and direct the arbitrator to take such actions and make such rulings as may be necessary to carry out the parties’ intent for the Arbitration proceedings to be efficient and expeditious. Pursuant to Section 120 of the Arbitration Act, the parties hereby agree that an Arbitration Award must be made within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date. The arbitrator is hereby authorized and directed to hold a scheduling conference within ten (10) calendar days after the Arbitration Commencement Date in order to establish a scheduling order with various binding deadlines for discovery, expert testimony, and the submission of documents by the parties to enable the arbitrator to render a decision prior to the end of such 120-day period.

 

 

4.9 Relief. The arbitrator shall have the right to award or include in the Arbitration Award (or in a preliminary ruling) any relief which the arbitrator deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the arbitrator may not award exemplary or punitive damages.

 

4.10 Fees and Costs. As part of the Arbitration Award, the arbitrator is hereby directed to require the losing party (the party being awarded the least amount of money by the arbitrator, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party for all reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration.

 

4.11 Motion to Vacate. Following the entry of the Arbitration Award, if either party desires to file a Motion to Vacate the Arbitration Award with a court in Salt Lake County, Utah, it must do so within the earlier of: (a) thirty (30) days of entry of the Arbitration; and (b) in response to the prevailing party’s Motion of Confirm the Arbitration Award.

 

5. Arbitration Appeal.

 

5.1 Initiation of Appeal. Following the entry of the Arbitration Award, either party (the “Appellant”) shall have a period of thirty (30) calendar days in which to notify the other party (the “Appellee”), in writing, that the Appellant elects to appeal (the “Appeal”) the Arbitration Award (such notice, an “Appeal Notice”) to a panel of arbitrators as provided in Paragraph 5.2 below. The date the Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee is referred to herein as the “Appeal Date”. The Appeal Notice must be delivered to the Appellee in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4.1 above with respect to delivery of an Arbitration Notice. In addition, together with delivery of the Appeal Notice to the Appellee, the Appellant must also pay for (and provide proof of such payment to the Appellee together with delivery of the Appeal Notice) a bond in the amount of 110% of the sum the Appellant owes to the Appellee as a result of the Arbitration Award the Appellant is appealing. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of this Paragraph 5.1, the Appeal will occur as a matter of right and, except as specifically set forth herein, will not be further conditioned. In the event a party does not deliver an Appeal Notice (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond) to the other party within the deadline prescribed in this Paragraph 5.1, such party shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award. The Arbitration Award will be considered final until the Appeal Notice has been properly delivered and the applicable appeal bond has been posted (along with proof of payment of the applicable bond). The parties acknowledge and agree that any Appeal shall be deemed part of the parties’ agreement to arbitrate for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act.

 

5.2 Selection and Payment of Appeal Panel. In the event an Appellant delivers an Appeal Notice to the Appellee (together with proof of payment of the applicable bond) in compliance with the provisions of Paragraph 5.1 above, the Appeal will be heard by a three (3) person arbitration panel (the “Appeal Panel”).

 

(a) Within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date, the Appellee shall select and submit to the Appellant the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Services (http://www.utahadrservices.com) (such five (5) designated persons hereunder are referred to herein as the “Proposed Appeal Arbitrators”). For the avoidance of doubt, each Proposed Appeal Arbitrator must be qualified as a “neutral” with Utah ADR Services, and shall not be the arbitrator who rendered the Arbitration Award being appealed (the “Original Arbitrator”). Within five (5) calendar days after the Appellee has submitted to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, the Appellant must select, by written notice to the Appellee, three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators to act as the members of the Appeal Panel. If the Appellant fails to select three (3) of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators in writing within such 5-day period, then the Appellee may select such three (3) arbitrators from the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellant.

 

(b) If the Appellee fails to submit to the Appellant the names of the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within ten (10) calendar days after the Appeal Date pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, then the Appellant may at any time prior to the Appellee so designating the Proposed Appeal Arbitrators, identify the names of five (5) arbitrators that are designated as “neutrals” or qualified arbitrators by Utah ADR Service (none of whom may be the Original Arbitrator) by written notice to the Appellee. The Appellee may then, within five (5) calendar days after the Appellant has submitted notice of its selected arbitrators to the Appellee, select, by written notice to the Appellant, three (3) of such selected arbitrators to serve on the Appeal Panel. If the Appellee fails to select in writing within such 5-day period three (3) of the arbitrators selected by the Appellant to serve as the members of the Appeal Panel, then the Appellant may select the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel from the Appellant’s list of five (5) arbitrators by providing written notice of such selection to the Appellee.

 

 

(c) If a selected Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or is otherwise unable to serve, then the party that selected such Proposed Appeal Arbitrator may select one (1) of the other five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators within three (3) calendar days of the date a chosen Proposed Appeal Arbitrator declines or notifies the parties he or she is unable to serve as an arbitrator. If at least three (3) of the five (5) designated Proposed Appeal Arbitrators decline or are otherwise unable to serve, then the Proposed Appeal Arbitrator selection process shall begin again in accordance with this Paragraph 5.2; provided, however, that any Proposed Appeal Arbitrators who have already agreed to serve shall remain on the Appeal Panel.

 

(d) The date that all three (3) Proposed Appeal Arbitrators selected pursuant to this Paragraph 5.2 agree in writing (including via email) delivered to both the Appellant and the Appellee to serve as members of the Appeal Panel hereunder is referred to herein as the “Appeal Commencement Date”. No later than five (5) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellee shall designate in writing (including via email) to the Appellant and the Appeal Panel the name of one (1) of the three (3) members of the Appeal Panel to serve as the lead arbitrator in the Appeal proceedings. Each member of the Appeal Panel shall be deemed an arbitrator for purposes of these Arbitration Provisions and the Arbitration Act, provided that, in conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel may only act or make determinations upon the approval or vote of no less than the majority vote of its members, as announced or communicated by the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. If an arbitrator on the Appeal Panel ceases or is unable to act during the Appeal proceedings, a replacement arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with Paragraph 5.2 above to continue the Appeal as a member of the Appeal Panel. If Utah ADR Services ceases to exist or to provide a list of neutrals, then the arbitrators for the Appeal Panel shall be selected under the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association.

 

(d) Subject to Paragraph 5.7 below, the cost of the Appeal Panel must be paid entirely by the Appellant.

 

5.3 Appeal Procedure. The Appeal will be deemed an appeal of the entire Arbitration Award. In conducting the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall conduct a de novo review of all Claims described or otherwise set forth in the Arbitration Notice. Subject to the foregoing and all other provisions of this Paragraph 5, the Appeal Panel shall conduct the Appeal in a manner the Appeal Panel considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the Appeal, may hold one or more hearings and permit oral argument, and may review all previous evidence and discovery, together with all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (as well as any documents filed with the Appeal Panel pursuant to Paragraph 5.4(a) below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the Appeal, the Appeal Panel shall not permit the parties to conduct any additional discovery or raise any new Claims to be arbitrated, shall not permit new witnesses or affidavits, and shall not base any of its findings or determinations on the Original Arbitrator’s findings or the Arbitration Award.

 

5.4 Timing.

 

(a) Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, the Appellant (i) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Appeal Panel copies of the Appeal Notice, all discovery conducted in connection with the Arbitration, and all briefs, pleadings and other documents filed with the Original Arbitrator (which material Appellee shall have the right to review and supplement if necessary), and (ii) may, but is not required to, deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Memorandum in Support of the Appellant’s arguments concerning or position with respect to all Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellant’s delivery of the Memorandum in Support, as applicable, the Appellee shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellant a Memorandum in Opposition to the Memorandum in Support. Within seven (7) calendar days of the Appellee’s delivery of the Memorandum in Opposition, as applicable, the Appellant shall deliver to the Appeal Panel and to the Appellee a Reply Memorandum to the Memorandum in Opposition. If the Appellant shall fail to substantially comply with the requirements of clause (i) of this subparagraph (a), the Appellant shall lose its right to appeal the Arbitration Award, and the Arbitration Award shall be final. If the Appellee shall fail to deliver the Memorandum in Opposition as required above, or if the Appellant shall fail to deliver the Reply Memorandum as required above, then the Appellee or the Appellant, as the case may be, shall lose its right to so deliver the same, and the Appeal shall proceed regardless.

 

(b) Subject to subparagraph (a) above, the parties hereby agree that the Appeal must be heard by the Appeal Panel within thirty (30) calendar days of the Appeal Commencement Date, and that the Appeal Panel must render its decision within thirty (30) calendar days after the Appeal is heard (and in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days after the Appeal Commencement Date).

 

 

5.5 Appeal Panel Award. The Appeal Panel shall issue its decision (the “Appeal Panel Award”) through the lead arbitrator on the Appeal Panel. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the Appeal Panel Award shall (a) supersede in its entirety and make of no further force or effect the Arbitration Award (provided that any protective orders issued by the Original Arbitrator shall remain in full force and effect), (b) be final and binding upon the parties, with no further rights of appeal, (c) be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any Claims, counterclaims, issues, or accountings presented or pleaded in the Arbitration, and (d) be promptly payable in United States dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset (with respect to monetary awards). Any costs or fees, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with or incident to enforcing the Appeal Panel Award shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be charged against the party resisting such enforcement. The Appeal Panel Award shall include Default Interest (with respect to monetary awards) at the rate specified in the Note for Default Interest both before and after the Arbitration Award. Judgment upon the Appeal Panel Award will be entered and enforced by a state or federal court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah.

 

5.6 Relief. The Appeal Panel shall have the right to award or include in the Appeal Panel Award any relief which the Appeal Panel deems proper under the circumstances, including, without limitation, specific performance and injunctive relief, provided that the Appeal Panel may not award exemplary or punitive damages.

 

5.7 Fees and Costs. As part of the Appeal Panel Award, the Appeal Panel is hereby directed to require the losing party (the party being awarded the least amount of money by the arbitrator, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any party) to (a) pay the full amount of any unpaid costs and fees of the Arbitration and the Appeal Panel, and (b) reimburse the prevailing party (the party being awarded the most amount of money by the Appeal Panel, which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be determined without regard to any statutory fines, penalties, fees, or other charges awarded to any part) the reasonable attorneys’ fees, arbitrator and Appeal Panel costs and fees, deposition costs, other discovery costs, and other expenses, costs or fees paid or otherwise incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the Arbitration (including without limitation in connection with the Appeal).

 

6. Miscellaneous.

 

6.1 Severability. If any part of these Arbitration Provisions is found to violate or be illegal under applicable law, then such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable under applicable law, and the remainder of the Arbitration Provisions shall remain unaffected and in full force and effect.

 

6.2 Governing Law. These Arbitration Provisions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah without regard to the conflict of laws principles therein.

 

6.3 Interpretation. The headings of these Arbitration Provisions are for convenience of reference only and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, these Arbitration Provisions.

 

6.4 Waiver. No waiver of any provision of these Arbitration Provisions shall be effective unless it is in the form of a writing signed by the party granting the waiver.

 

6.5 Time is of the Essence. Time is expressly made of the essence with respect to each and every provision of these Arbitration Provisions.

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

GUARANTY

 

This GUARANTY, made effective as of December 20, 2024, is given by Cingulate Therapeutics LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Therapeutics”), and Cingulate Works, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Works”), for the benefit of Streeterville Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company, and its successors, transferees, and assigns (“Lender”). Works and Therapeutics are referred to herein individually as a “Guarantor” and together as “Guarantors”.

 

PURPOSE

 

A. Cingulate Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), has issued to Lender that certain Promissory Note of even date herewith in the original face amount of $5,480,000.00 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “Note”).

 

B. The Note was issued pursuant to the terms of a Note Purchase Agreement dated as of December 20, 2024 between Borrower and Lender (as amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “Purchase Agreement”).

 

C. Each Guarantor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Borrower and will materially benefit from the credit evidenced by the Note and other financial accommodations granted to Borrower pursuant to the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

 

D. Lender agreed to provide the financing to Borrower evidenced by the Note only upon the inducement and representation of Guarantors that Guarantors would guaranty all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of Borrower owed to Lender under the Note and all the other Transaction Documents, as provided herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce Lender to enter into the Transaction Documents and provide the financing contemplated therein, Guarantors hereby agrees for the benefit of Lender as follows:

 

GUARANTY

 

1. Indebtedness Guaranteed. Guarantors hereby absolutely and unconditionally guarantee the prompt payment in full of the Obligations (as defined below), as and when the same (including without limitation portions thereof) become due and payable. Guarantors acknowledge that the amount of the Obligations may exceed the original principal amount of the Note. Guarantors further acknowledge that the foregoing guarantee is made for the timely payment and performance of each of the Obligations and is not merely a guaranty of collection. For purposes of this Guaranty, “Obligations” means (a) all loans, advances, debts, liabilities and obligations, arising on or after the date of this Guaranty, owed by Borrower or Guarantors to Lender, whether created by the Note, the Purchase Agreement, or any other Transaction Documents, including any modification or amendment to any of the foregoing, and (b) all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Lender in connection with the Note or in connection with the collection or enforcement of any portion of the indebtedness, liabilities or obligations described in the foregoing clause (a) and (b) and the performance of the covenants and agreements of Borrower contained in the Note and the other Transaction Documents.

 

 

2. Representations and Warranties. Each Guarantor hereby represents and warrants to Lender that:

 

(a) Guarantor is an entity, organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, and has the power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its properties and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged.

 

(b) Guarantor has the power and authority and the legal right to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, this Guaranty and has taken all necessary action required by its form of organization to authorize such execution, delivery and performance.

 

(c) This Guaranty constitutes Guarantor’s legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

 

(d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty will not (i) violate any provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation or any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any court, governmental agency or arbitrator presently in effect having applicability to Guarantor, (ii) violate or contravene any provision of Guarantor’s organizational documents, or (iii) result in a breach of or constitute a default under any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other material agreement, lease or instrument to which Guarantor is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or result in the creation of any lien thereunder. Guarantor is not in default under or in violation of any such law, statute, rule or regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award or any such indenture, loan or credit agreement or other agreement, lease or instrument in any case in which the consequences of such default or violation could have a material adverse effect on its business, operations, properties, assets or condition (financial or otherwise).

 

(e) No order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority is required on Guarantor’s part to authorize, or is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of, or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of, this Guaranty.

 

(f) Except as disclosed by Borrower in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting Guarantor or any of its properties before any court or arbitrator, or any governmental department, board, agency or other instrumentality which, if determined adversely to Guarantor, would have a material adverse effect on its business, operations, property or condition (financial or otherwise) or on its ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(g) (i) This Guaranty is not given with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud any entity to which Guarantor is, or will become on or after the date of this Guaranty, indebted, (ii) Guarantor has received at least a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the giving of this Guaranty, (iii) Guarantor is not insolvent, as defined in any applicable state or federal statute, nor will Guarantor be rendered insolvent by the execution and delivery of this Guaranty to Lender, and (iv) Guarantor does not intend to incur debts that will be beyond Guarantor’s ability to pay as such debts become due.

 

 

(h) Guarantor has examined or has had the full opportunity to examine the Note and all the other Transaction Documents, all the terms of which are acceptable to Guarantor.

 

(i) This Guaranty is given in consideration of Lender entering into the Transaction Documents and providing financing thereunder.

 

(j) Guarantor is not insolvent, as defined in any applicable state or federal statute, nor will Guarantor be rendered insolvent by the execution and delivery of this Guaranty to Lender.

 

(k) Guarantor is wholly-owned subsidiary of Borrower.

 

(l) Guarantor has received adequate consideration and at least a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the giving of this Guaranty, which Guarantor hereby acknowledges having received, and thereby will materially benefit from the financial accommodations granted to Borrower by Lender pursuant to the Transaction Documents. Lender may rely conclusively on the continuing warranty, hereby made, that Guarantor continues to be benefitted by Lender’s extension of credit accommodations to Borrower and Lender shall have no duty to inquire into or confirm the receipt of any such benefits, and this Guaranty shall be effective and enforceable by Lender without regard to the receipt, nature or value of any such benefits. As such, this Guaranty is a valid and binding obligation of Guarantor. Guarantor further covenants and agrees that it will not use lack of consideration as a defense to its performance of its obligations under this Guaranty. Lender may rely conclusively on the continuing warranty, hereby made, that Guarantor continues to be benefitted by Lender’s extension of accommodations to Borrower and Guarantor, and Lender shall have no duty to inquire into or confirm the receipt of any such benefits, and this Guaranty shall be effective and enforceable by Lender without regard to the receipt, nature or value of any such benefits.

 

3. Alteration of Obligations. In such manner, upon such terms and at such times as Lender and Borrower deem best and without notice to Guarantors, Lender and Borrower may alter, compromise, accelerate, extend, renew or change the time or manner for the payment of any Obligation, increase or reduce the rate of interest on the Note, release Borrower, as to all or any portion of the Obligations, release, substitute or add any one or more guarantors or endorsers, accept additional or substituted security therefor, or release or subordinate any security therefor. No exercise or non-exercise by Lender of any right available to Lender, no dealing by Lender with Guarantors or any other guarantor, endorser of the Note or any other person, and no change, impairment or release of all or a portion of the obligations of Borrower under any of the Transaction Documents or suspension of any right or remedy of Lender against any person, including, without limitation, Borrower and any other such guarantor, endorser or other person, shall in any way affect any of the obligations of Guarantors hereunder or any security furnished by Guarantors or give Guarantors any recourse against Lender. Guarantors acknowledge that their obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of Borrower.

 

 

4. Waiver. To the extent permitted by law, each Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes all rights and remedies accorded by applicable law to guarantors and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any such rights or remedies, including (without limitation) (a) any right to require Lender to proceed against Borrower or any other person or to pursue any other remedy in Lender’s power before proceeding against Guarantor; (b) any defense that may arise by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority, death or disability of any other person or persons or the failure of Lender to file or enforce a claim against the estate (in administration, bankruptcy or any other proceeding) of any other person or persons; (c) demand, protest and notice of any kind, including, without limitation, notice of the existence, creation or incurring of any new or additional indebtedness, liability or obligation or of any action or non-action on the part of Borrower, Lender, any endorser or creditor of Borrower or Guarantor or on the part of any other person whomsoever under this or any other instrument in connection with any obligation or liability or evidence of indebtedness held by Lender as collateral or in connection with any Obligation hereby guaranteed; (d) any defense based upon an election of remedies by Lender which may destroy or otherwise impair the subrogation rights of Guarantor or the right of Guarantor to proceed against Borrower for reimbursement, or both; provided, however, the Company makes no waiver as to the defense of payment; (e) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; provided, however, the Company makes no waiver as to the defense of payment; (f) any duty on the part of Lender to disclose to Guarantor any facts Lender may now or hereafter know about Borrower, regardless of whether Lender has reason to believe that any such facts materially increase the risk beyond that which Guarantor intends to assume or has reason to believe that such facts are unknown to Guarantor or has a reasonable opportunity to communicate such facts to Guarantor, since Guarantor acknowledges that it is fully responsible for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of Borrower and of all circumstances bearing on the risk of non-payment of any Obligation; (g) any defense arising because of Lender’s election, in any proceeding instituted under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code; (h) any defense based on any borrowing or grant of a security interest under Section 364 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code; (i) any claim, right or remedy which Guarantor may now have or hereafter acquire against Borrower that arises hereunder and/or from the performance by Guarantor hereunder, including, without limitation, any claim, right or remedy of Lender against Borrower or any security which Lender now has or hereafter acquires, whether or not such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise; and (j) any obligation of Lender to pursue any other guarantor or any other person, or to foreclose on any collateral.

 

5. Bankruptcy. So long as any Obligation (other than any inchoate indemnification obligations) shall be owing to Lender, Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of Lender, commence, or join with any other person in commencing, any bankruptcy, reorganization, or insolvency proceeding against Borrower. The obligations of Guarantors under this Guaranty shall not be altered, limited or affected by any proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation or arrangement of Borrower, or by any defense which Borrower may have by reason of any order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.

 

 

6. Claims in Bankruptcy. Guarantors shall file in any bankruptcy or other proceeding in which the filing of claims is required or permitted by law all claims that Guarantors may have against Borrower relating to any indebtedness, liability or obligation of Borrower owed to Guarantors and will assign to Lender all rights of Guarantors thereunder. If either Guarantor does not file any such claim, Lender, as attorney-in-fact for Guarantor, is hereby authorized to do so in the name of Guarantor or, in Lender’s discretion, to assign the claim to a nominee and to cause proof of claim to be filed in the name of Lender’s nominee. The foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest and cannot be revoked. Lender or Lender’s nominee shall have the sole right to accept or reject any plan proposed in such proceeding and to take any other action that a party filing a claim is entitled to do. In all such cases, whether in administration, bankruptcy or otherwise, the person or persons authorized to pay such claim shall pay to Lender the amount payable on such claim and, to the full extent necessary for that purpose, each Guarantor hereby assigns to Lender all of Guarantor’s rights to any such payments or distributions to which Guarantor would otherwise be entitled; provided, however, that Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall not be deemed satisfied except to the extent that Lender receives cash by reason of any such payment or distribution. If Lender receives anything hereunder other than cash, the same shall be held as collateral for amounts due under this Guaranty. If at any time the holder of the Note is required to refund to Borrower any payments made by Borrower under the Note because such payments have been held by a bankruptcy court having jurisdiction over Borrower to constitute a preference under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law then in effect, or for any other reason, then in addition to such Guarantor’s other obligation under this Guaranty, Guarantor shall reimburse the holder in the aggregate amount of such refund payments.

 

7. Costs and Attorneys’ Fees. If Borrower or either Guarantor fails to pay all or any portion of any Obligation, or either Guarantor otherwise breaches any provision hereof or otherwise defaults hereunder, Guarantors shall pay all such expenses and actual attorneys’ fees incurred by Lender in connection with the enforcement of any obligations of Guarantors hereunder, including, without limitation, any attorneys’ fees incurred in any negotiation, alternative dispute resolution proceeding subsequently agreed to by the parties, if any, litigation, or bankruptcy proceeding or any appeals from any of such proceedings.

 

8. Cumulative Rights. The amount of Guarantors’ liability and all rights, powers and remedies of Lender hereunder and under any other agreement now or at any time hereafter in force between Lender and Guarantors, including, without limitation, any other guaranty executed by Guarantors relating to any indebtedness, liability or obligation of Borrower owed to Lender, shall be cumulative and not alternative and such rights, powers and remedies shall be in addition to all rights, powers and remedies given to Lender by law. This Guaranty is in addition to and exclusive of the guaranty of any other guarantor of any indebtedness, liability or obligation of Borrower owed to Lender.

 

9. Independent Obligations. The obligations of Guarantors hereunder are independent of the obligations of Borrower and, to the extent permitted by law, in the event of any breach or default hereunder, a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against Guarantors whether or not Borrower is joined therein or a separate action or actions are brought against Borrower, and Lender shall have no obligation to separately pursue an action against Borrower with respect to the Obligations. Lender may maintain successive actions for other breaches or defaults. Lender’s rights hereunder shall not be exhausted by Lender’s exercise of any of Lender’s rights or remedies or by any such action or by any number of successive actions until and unless all Obligations have been paid and fully performed.

 

 

10. Severability. If any part of this Guaranty is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of the parties to the fullest extent permitted and the balance of this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect.

 

11. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall inure to the benefit of Lender, Lender’s successors and assigns, including the assignees of any Obligation, and shall bind the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns of Guarantors. This Guaranty may be assigned by Lender with respect to all or any portion of the Obligations, and when so assigned, Guarantors shall be liable to the assignees under this Guaranty without in any manner affecting the liability of Guarantors hereunder with respect to any Obligations retained by Lender.

 

12. Notices. Whenever either Guarantor or Lender shall desire to give or serve any notice, demand, request or other communication with respect to this Guaranty, each such notice shall be given in writing (unless otherwise specified herein) and shall be deemed effectively given on the earliest of:

 

(a) the date delivered, if delivered by personal delivery as against written receipt therefor or by email to an executive officer, or by confirmed facsimile,

 

(b) the fifth business day after deposit, postage prepaid, in the United States Postal Service by registered or certified mail, or

 

(c) the third Trading Day after mailing by domestic or international express courier, with delivery costs and fees prepaid,

 

in each case, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the address for such party (or Borrower, in respect of notices delivered to Guarantor) set forth in the Purchase Agreement (or at such other addresses as such party may designate by ten (10) calendar days’ advance written notice similarly given to each of the other parties hereto).

 

13. Application of Payments or Recoveries. With or without notice to Guarantors, Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion and at any time and from time to time and in such manner and upon such terms as Lender deems fit, may (a) apply any or all payments or recoveries from Borrower or from any other guarantor or endorser under any other instrument or realized from any security, in such manner and order of priority as Lender may determine, to any indebtedness, liability or obligation of Borrower owed to Lender, whether or not such indebtedness, liability or obligation is guaranteed hereby or is otherwise secured or is due at the time of such application; and (b) refund to Borrower any payment received by Lender in connection with any Obligation and payment of the amount refunded shall be fully guaranteed hereby.

 

14. Setoff. Lender shall have a right of setoff against all monies, securities and other property of Guarantors now or hereafter in the possession of, or on deposit with, Lender (if any), whether held in a general or special account or deposit, or for safekeeping or otherwise. Such right is in addition to any right of setoff Lender may have by law. All rights of setoff may be exercised without notice or demand to Guarantors. No right of setoff shall be deemed to have been waived by any act or conduct on the part of Lender, or by any neglect to exercise such right of setoff, or by any delay in doing so. Every right of setoff shall continue in full force and effect until specifically waived or released by an instrument in writing executed by Lender.

 

 

15. Affirmative Covenants. Until the Obligations (other than any inchoate indemnification obligations) shall have been paid in full, unless Lender shall otherwise consent in writing:

 

15.1 Guarantors will file all material tax returns and reports which are required by law to be filed by them and will pay before they become delinquent, all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies imposed upon them or their property and all claims or demands of any kind which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a lien or other encumbrance upon their property. Upon Investor’s request, Guarantors shall provide Investor with copies of the federal and state tax returns for Guarantors.

 

15.2 Guarantors will give prompt written notice to Investor of the commencement of any material action, suit or proceeding affecting Guarantors.

 

15.3 Guarantors will not become insolvent or fail to pay their debts and liabilities as the same shall become due.

 

15.4 Guarantors will take no action with an actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud any present or future creditors of Company or Guarantors, including Investor.

 

15.5 Guarantors will comply in all material respects with all laws, rules and regulations to which they may be subject.

 

15.6 Each Guarantor covenants and agrees not to sell, transfer, or assign any of its assets, including, but not limited to, (a) any of its intellectual property, or (b) any interest in any revenue bearing contract, stream or asset, without Investor’s prior written consent and agrees that any transfer in contravention of such covenant shall be null and void ab initio; provided, however that each Guarantor will not be restricted from licensing any of its assets.

 

16. Miscellaneous.

 

16.1 Governing Law and Venue. This Guaranty shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah for contracts to be wholly performed in such state and without giving effect to the principles thereof regarding the conflict of laws. Without modifying Guarantors’ obligations to resolve disputes hereunder pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions (as defined below), each Guarantor consents to and expressly agrees that exclusive venue for the arbitration of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or the relationship of the parties or their affiliates shall be in Salt Lake County, Utah. Without modifying the parties obligations to resolve disputes hereunder pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions (as defined below), for any litigation arising in connection with this Agreement, each Guarantor hereby (a) consents to and expressly submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of any state court sitting in Salt Lake County, Utah, (b) expressly submits to the exclusive venue of any such court for the purposes hereof, and (c) waives any claim of improper venue and any claim or objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or any other claim or objection to the bringing of any such proceeding in such jurisdictions or to any claim that such venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper.

 

 

16.2 Arbitration of Claims. The parties hereto hereby incorporate by this reference the arbitration provisions set forth as an exhibit to the Purchase Agreement (“Arbitration Provisions”). The parties shall submit all Claims (as defined in the Arbitration Provisions) arising under this Guaranty or other agreements between the parties and their affiliates to binding arbitration pursuant to the Arbitration Provisions. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Arbitration Provisions are unconditionally binding on the parties hereto and are severable from all other provisions of this Guaranty. Any capitalized term not defined in the Arbitration Provisions shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement. By executing this Guaranty, each Guarantor represents, warrants and covenants that Guarantor has reviewed the Arbitration Provisions carefully, consulted with legal counsel about such provisions (or waived its right to do so), understands that the Arbitration Provisions are intended to allow for the expeditious and efficient resolution of any dispute hereunder, agrees to the terms and limitations set forth in the Arbitration Provisions, and that Guarantor will not take a position contrary to the foregoing representations. Guarantors acknowledge and agree that Lender may rely upon the foregoing representations and covenants of Guarantors regarding the Arbitration Provisions.

 

16.3 Entire Agreement. Except as provided in any other written agreement now or at any time hereafter in force between Lender and Guarantors, this Guaranty shall constitute the entire agreement of Guarantors with Lender with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no representation, understanding, promise or condition concerning the subject matter hereof shall be binding upon Lender unless expressed herein.

 

16.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

16.5 Construction. When the context and construction so require, all words used in the singular herein shall be deemed to have been used in the plural and the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter and vice versa. The word “person” as used herein shall include any individual, company, firm, association, partnership, corporation, trust or other legal entity of any kind whatsoever. The headings of this Guaranty are inserted for convenience only and shall have no effect upon the construction or interpretation hereof.

 

16.6 Waiver. No provision of this Guaranty or right granted to Lender hereunder can be waived in whole or in part nor can Guarantors be released from Guarantors’ obligations hereunder except by a writing duly executed by an authorized officer of Lender.

 

16.7 No Subrogation. Until all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of Borrower owed to Lender have been paid in full, Guarantors shall not have any right of subrogation.

 

16.8 Survival. All representations and warranties contained in this Guaranty shall survive the execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty and the creation and payment of the Obligations.

 

16.9 Joint and Several Liability. Guarantors’ covenants, obligations and agreements set forth herein are joint and several liabilities and obligations of Guarantors together with every other guarantor of the Obligations, if any.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantors have executed this Guaranty to be effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

	Cingulate Therapeutics llc
	By:	/s/ Shane Schaffer
		Shane Schaffer, CEO
	CINGULATE WORKS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Shane Schaffer
		Shane Schaffer, CEO

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Cingulate Completes Financing Transaction for Net Proceeds of $5,000,000

 

Cash Runway Extended Beyond Planned NDA Submission of CTx-1301

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan., December 23, 2024 — Cingulate Inc. (NASDAQ: CING), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing its proprietary Precision Timed Release™ (PTR™) drug delivery platform technology to build and advance a pipeline of next-generation pharmaceutical products, has completed a financing transaction with an accredited investor which provided net proceeds to CING of $5 million. The transaction was structured as a non-convertible, unsecured promissory note in the principal amount of $5,480,000. The promissory note accumulates interest at a rate of 9% per annum and matures 18 months after its issuance date.

 

CING intends to use the net proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Based on planned expenditures, this additional capital provides CING the cash runway to fund clinical, manufacturing, and regulatory activities, as well as operating costs, into the fourth quarter of 2025. Filing of the NDA for potential FDA approval of CTx-1301 is targeted for mid-2025.

 

The offer and sale of the promissory note is being made by Cingulate Inc. in a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and such securities have not been registered under the Act or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act and such applicable state securities laws.

 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

 

 

About Cingulate Inc.

 

Cingulate Inc. (Nasdaq: CING), is a biopharmaceutical company utilizing its proprietary PTR drug delivery platform technology to build and advance a pipeline of next-generation pharmaceutical products, designed to improve the lives of patients suffering from frequently diagnosed conditions characterized by burdensome daily dosing regimens and suboptimal treatment outcomes. With an initial focus on the treatment of ADHD, Cingulate is identifying and evaluating additional therapeutic areas where PTR technology may be employed to develop future product candidates, including to treat anxiety disorders. Cingulate is headquartered in Kansas City.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include all statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our current views and assumptions with respect to future events regarding our business, including statements with respect to our plans, assumptions, expectations, beliefs and objectives with respect to product development, clinical studies, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statements that are predictive in nature. These statements are generally identified by the use of such words as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “outlook,” “will,” “potential” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking information provided by us or on our behalf is not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024 and our other filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

 

Investor & Public Relations:

 

Thomas Dalton
Vice President, Investor & Public Relations, Cingulate
tdalton@cingulate.com
(913) 942-2301

Matt Kreps
Darrow Associates
mkreps@darrowir.com
(214) 597-8200

 

 

v3.24.4

Cover	Dec. 20, 2024
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 20, 2024
Entity File Number	001-40874
Entity Registrant Name	CINGULATE INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001862150
Entity Tax Identification Number	86-3825535
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	1901 W. 47th Place
Entity Address, City or Town	Kansas City
Entity Address, State or Province	KS
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	66205
City Area Code	(913)
Local Phone Number	942-2300
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Elected Not To Use the Extended Transition Period	false
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	CING
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Warrants, exercisable for one share of common stock
Title of 12(b) Security	Warrants, exercisable for one share of common stock
Trading Symbol	CINGW
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

---