UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
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:
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 Symbols |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On October 19, 2022, Altria Group, Inc. (“Altria”) issued a press release, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K, announcing that a subsidiary of Altria had entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Philip Morris International Inc. (“PMI”) under which Altria will assign exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to the IQOS Tobacco Heating System® (“IQOS System”) effective April 30, 2024 in exchange for certain consideration.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information in this Item 7.01 shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.
Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
On October 19, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), Altria Client Services LLC (“ALCS”), a subsidiary of Altria, and Altria (solely with respect to certain provisions thereunder), entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement) with Triaga Inc. (“Triaga”), a subsidiary of PMI, and PMI (solely with respect to certain provisions thereunder) to, among other things, transition and ultimately conclude the relationship between Altria and PMI with respect to the IQOS System in the U.S. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, (i) ALCS received a payment from Triaga of $1.0 billion upon entry into the Purchase Agreement, (ii) Triaga is obligated to make an additional payment of $1.7 billion (plus interest thereon from the Effective Date at a per annum rate equal to 6%) to ALCS by July 15, 2023, for a total cash payment of approximately $2.7 billion, and (iii) ALCS agreed to assign to Triaga exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to the IQOS System effective April 30, 2024.
The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Purchase Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K.
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the Purchase Agreement with PMI, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward looking statements relate to, among other things, Altria’s receipt of future cash payments. Factors that may cause actual results to differ include risks relating to Altria’s ability to realize the expected benefits of the transaction in the expected manner or timeframe, if at all, and the outcome of any legal proceedings or investigations that may be instituted against the parties or others related to the transaction. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in Altria’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. Altria assumes no obligation to provide any revisions to, or update, any projections and forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K.
(d) Exhibits
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
99.1 | Altria Group, Inc. Press Release, dated October 19, 2022 (furnished under Item 7.01) | |
99.2 | Purchase Agreement, dated October 19, 2022, by and among Triaga Inc., Altria Client Services LLC, and solely for the purposes of Article 4 thereof, Philip Morris International Inc. and Altria Group, Inc.* | |
104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101) |
* | Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted. |
2
SIGNATURES
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.
ALTRIA GROUP, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ W. HILDEBRANDT SURGNER, JR. | |
Name: | W. Hildebrandt Surgner, Jr. | |
Title: | Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel |
DATE: October 19, 2022
3
Exhibit 99.1
Altria Reaches Agreement With Philip Morris International for IQOS Transition
| Altria to receive cash payments from Philip Morris International of approximately $2.7 billion in exchange for assigning exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to the IQOS system effective April 30, 2024. |
| Altria gains greater flexibility to allocate resources toward Moving Beyond Smoking. |
RICHMOND, Va. - October 19, 2022 - Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) today announced that a subsidiary has entered into an agreement (the Agreement) with a subsidiary of Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) under which Altria will receive cash payments from PMI totaling approximately $2.7 billion (pre-tax) in exchange for assigning exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to the IQOS Tobacco Heating System® effective April 30, 2024.
We remain committed to creating long-term value through our Vision, said Billy Gifford, Altrias Chief Executive Officer. We believe that this agreement provides us with fair compensation and greater flexibility to allocate resources toward Moving Beyond Smoking.
Background
In 2013, we entered into a series of agreements with PMI related to innovative tobacco products, which included exclusive U.S. commercialization rights of PM USA, an Altria subsidiary, to the IQOS system. PM USAs commercialization rights were subject to an initial five-year term, which began when the system received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2019 and continued through April 2024. As part of the 2013 agreement, PM USA had the right to maintain exclusive U.S. commercialization rights upon achieving an initial milestone by April 2022. Upon achieving additional milestones, PM USA had the option to renew for an additional five-year term through April 2029. We believe that PM USA met each of these milestones, but PMI disagreed with our position. The parties were unable to reach a long-term agreement and decided to enter into the Agreement to transition and ultimately conclude their relationship.
Financial Terms
We received a payment from PMI of $1.0 billion upon entry into the Agreement. Under the terms of the Agreement, PMI is obligated to make an additional payment of $1.7 billion (plus interest) by July 2023 for a total cash payment of approximately $2.7 billion (pre-tax). We expect to use the cash proceeds for several items, which may include investments in pursuit of our Vision, debt repayment, share repurchases and general corporate purposes. Share repurchases depend on marketplace conditions and other factors and remain subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors.
We expect to record the $2.7 billion pre-tax transaction amount as a deferred gain on our consolidated balance sheet in the fourth quarter of 2022. This gain will be recognized in earnings when we assign our rights to the IQOS system.
IQOS Re-entry into the U.S.
IQOS and Marlboro HeatSticks are currently unavailable for sale in the U.S. due to orders imposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission that prohibit importation of IQOS and Marlboro HeatSticks into the U.S. relating to a patent dispute. PMI remains responsible for manufacturing the IQOS system and Marlboro HeatSticks and targets resumption of product supply in the first half of 2023. If supply of FDA-authorized product is available to us before May 2024, PM USA has the option to reintroduce the IQOS system and Marlboro HeatSticks for sale in the U.S. On April 30, 2024, U.S. commercialization rights to the IQOS system will transition to PMI. PMI will not have access to the Marlboro brand name or other brand assets, as PM USA owns the Marlboro trademark in the U.S.
Altrias Continued Commitment to Tobacco Harm Reduction
We remain committed to our Vision to responsibly lead the transition of adult smokers to a smoke-free future. We believe in a portfolio approach to tobacco harm reduction and expect to compete in the major smoke-free categories. We have reinvested into our internal product development system and we expect to finalize designs for two smoke-free products, including a heated tobacco product, by the end of 2022.
Altrias Profile
We have a leading portfolio of tobacco products for U.S. tobacco consumers age 21+. Our Vision by 2030 is to responsibly lead the transition of adult smokers to a smoke-free future (Vision). We are Moving Beyond Smoking, leading the way in moving adult smokers away from cigarettes by taking action to transition millions to potentially less harmful choices - believing it is a substantial opportunity for adult tobacco consumers, our businesses and society.
Our wholly owned subsidiaries include leading manufacturers of both combustible and smoke-free products. In combustibles, we own Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA), the most profitable U.S. cigarette manufacturer, and John Middleton Co. (Middleton), a leading U.S. cigar manufacturer. Our smoke-free portfolio includes ownership of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (USSTC), the leading global moist smokeless tobacco (MST) manufacturer, and Helix Innovations LLC (Helix), a rapidly growing manufacturer of oral nicotine pouches. Additionally, we have an equity investment in JUUL Labs, Inc. (JUUL) and have exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to the IQOS Tobacco Heating System® and Marlboro HeatSticks® through April 2024.
We also own equity investments in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (ABI), the worlds largest brewer, and Cronos Group Inc. (Cronos), a leading Canadian cannabinoid company.
The brand portfolios of our tobacco operating companies include Marlboro®, Black & Mild®, Copenhagen®, Skoal® and on!®. Trademarks and service marks related to Altria referenced in this release are the property of Altria or its subsidiaries or are used with permission.
Learn more about Altria at www.altria.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the IQOS transition agreement with PMI, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward looking statements relate to, among other things, Altrias receipt of future cash payments, the anticipated use of such proceeds, future availability and supply of IQOS products and the design and development of future products. Factors that may cause actual results to differ include receipt of required regulatory authorizations to reintroduce the IQOS system and Marlboro HeatSticks for sale in the U.S. and for any future products, risks relating to our ability to realize the expected benefits of the transaction in the expected manner or timeframe, if at all, prevailing economic, market, regulatory or business conditions, or changes in such conditions, negatively affecting the parties, changes in market and other conditions resulting in alternative uses of proceeds or unanticipated delays in the design and development of future products, the outcome of any legal proceedings or investigations that may be instituted against the parties or others related to the transaction, significant changes in price, availability or quality of raw materials or component parts, including as a result of changes in macroeconomic, climate and geopolitical conditions, and the risk of an extended disruption at a facility of, or of service by, a supplier, distributor or distribution chain service provider of our subsidiaries or of PMI. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in Altrias quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Altria assumes no obligation to provide any revisions to, or update, any projections and forward-looking statements contained in this release.
Altria Client Services
Investor Relations
804-484-8222
Altria Client Services
Media Relations
804-484-8897
3
EXHIBIT 99.2
CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE EXHIBIT. [***] INDICATES THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN REDACTED.
EXECUTION VERSION
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
TRIAGA INC.,
ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC,
AND, SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 4,
PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL INC. AND
ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
October 19, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE | ||||||
1 |
DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||||
2 |
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF THE NGP DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT | 5 | ||||
3 |
FINANCIAL TERMS | 6 | ||||
4 |
OTHER ASSURANCES | 7 | ||||
5 |
SALES AND CONSUMER DATA | 7 | ||||
6 |
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE | 7 | ||||
7 |
GROUNDWORK ACTIVITIES; EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AND REGULATORY AUTHORIZATION | 7 | ||||
8 |
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS | 7 | ||||
9 |
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY | 8 | ||||
10 |
TERMINATION | 8 | ||||
11 |
DISPUTE RESOLUTION | 8 | ||||
12 |
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION | 8 | ||||
13 |
MISCELLANEOUS | 10 |
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A: Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit B: Transition Activities
Exhibit C: Assigned Accounts
Exhibit D: Groundwork Activities
Exhibit E: External Engagement and Regulatory Authorization
Exhibit F: Memoranda of Understanding; Quality Technical Agreements; Guidelines
i
This PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement), effective as of October 19, 2022 (Effective Date), is entered into by and among (i) Triaga Inc., a Delaware corporation (Triaga), (ii) Altria Client Services LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (ALCS), (iii) solely for the purposes of Article 4, Philip Morris International Inc., a corporation organized and existing pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Triaga Parent), and (iv) solely for the purposes of Article 4, Altria Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Altria Parent). Triaga and ALCS are hereinafter referred to individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, prior to the Effective Date, Philip Morris Products S.A., a company organized and existing pursuant to the laws of Switzerland (PMI) and an Affiliate (as defined below) of Triaga, developed, and PMI is currently developing, certain Heated Tobacco Products (as defined below);
WHEREAS, ALCS and PMI are parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated NGP Distribution Agreement, effective as of the date hereof (the NGP Distribution Agreement), pursuant to which ALCS has acquired the right to purchase certain Heated Tobacco Products from PMI for distribution and sale in the ALCS Territory (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed that, in exchange for the consideration payable by Triaga to ALCS as set forth in Article 3 of this Agreement, on the Transition Date (as defined below), Triaga shall acquire and assume, and ALCS shall sell, assign and novate to Triaga, ALCSs entire right, title and interest in and to, and liabilities and obligations under, the NGP Distribution Agreement, and, as a result of such assignment, assumption and novation, ALCSs and its Affiliates exclusive right to distribute and sell Heated Tobacco Products purchased from PMI or any of its Affiliates in the ALCS Territory shall terminate (the Contract Assignment);
WHEREAS, in connection with the Contract Assignment, the Parties have agreed that ALCS will (i) provide certain data and other information to Triaga, (ii) assign certain accounts to Triaga and (iii) provide certain transitional assistance to Triaga, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein (together with the Contract Assignment, the Transaction); and
WHEREAS, the Parties are now entering into this Agreement to clarify their respective rights and obligations in connection with the Transaction.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1 DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as follows:
1.1. Affiliate(s) means with respect to any Person, any other Person that, as of the applicable time of determination, directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, control and, with correlative meanings, the terms controlled by and under common control with means (i) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management or policies of a business entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract relating to voting rights or corporate governance, or otherwise; or (ii) the ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities or other
1
ownership interest of a business entity (or, with respect to a limited partnership or other similar entity, its general partner or controlling entity). The Parties acknowledge that in the case of entities organized under the Laws of certain countries, the maximum percentage ownership permitted by Law for a foreign investor may be less than fifty percent (50%), and that in such case such lower percentage shall be substituted in the preceding sentence, provided that such foreign investor has the power to direct the management or policies of such entity.
1.2. Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
1.3. ALCS has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
1.4. ALCS Affiliate means an Affiliate of ALCS.
1.5. [***]
1.6. ALCS Territory means the United States and its territories and possessions.
1.7. Altria Parent has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
1.8. [***]
1.9. Arbitration Act means the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, as the same may be amended from time to time.
1.10. [***]
1.11. Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by Law or executive order to close.
1.12. Calendar Month means any given month between January and December.
1.13. Calendar Quarter means each successive period of three (3) Calendar Months commencing on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, provided, however, that the first Calendar Quarter of the term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the day immediately prior to the first to occur of January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 after the Effective Date.
1.14. [***]
1.15. [***]
1.16. Competition Law Approval has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.
1.17. Confidential Information has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.
1.18. Confidentiality Agreement means the confidentiality agreement between the Parties dated August 15, 2012, as amended.
1.19. [***]
1.20. [***]
1.21. [***]
2
1.22. Contract Assignment has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
1.23. [***]
1.24. [***]
1.25. Dollars means United States Dollars.
1.26. Effective Date has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
1.27. [***]
1.28. [***]
1.29. [***]
1.30. [***]
1.31. [***]
1.32. [***]
1.33. Governmental Authority means any national, federal, state, regional or supranational agency, authority (including any central bank or taxing authority or a listing authority in relation to a stock exchange, court, tribunal, grand jury or other similar dispute resolution forums or instrumentalities), department, inspectorate, minister, ministry official, parliament or public or statutory person (whether autonomous or not) having jurisdiction over any of the activities contemplated by this Agreement.
1.34. [***]
1.35. [***]
1.36. [***]
1.37. [***]
1.38. Information means all technical, scientific, and other information, knowledge, technology, know-how, means, methods, processes, practices, formulae, instructions, skills, techniques, procedures, experiences, ideas, technical assistance, designs, drawings, assembly procedures, computer programs, apparatuses, specifications, data, results and other materials, including biological, chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, pharmaceutical, physical and analytical, pre-clinical, clinical, safety, manufacturing and quality control data and information, study designs and protocols; assays; and biological methodology; in each case in written, electronic or any other form. Information excludes Regulatory Documentation.
1.39. Intellectual Property means (i) (a) Patents and rights in inventions; (b) copyrights, design rights (including registered industrial designs), moral rights, database rights and publication rights; (c) Information and rights therein, including rights in know-how, trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information; (d) plant variety protection; (e) all other equivalent or similar forms of intellectual property to any of the foregoing that may exist now or in the future anywhere in the world; and (f) in each case of (a) through (e) above, whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights; and (ii) Trademark Rights.
3
1.40. [***]
1.41. [***]
1.42. [***]
1.43. Law means any present or future national, federal, state, provincial, local or other regional law, statute, ordinance, regulation, code, license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, common law, legal doctrine, order, judgment, decree, injunction, directive or requirement of any Governmental Authority or any order or award of any arbitrator.
1.44. [***]
1.45. [***]
1.46. [***]
1.47. [***]
1.48. NGP Distribution Agreement has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
1.49. [***]
1.50. Parent means any Person that is a direct or indirect controlling Affiliate of another Person.
1.51. Party or Parties has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
1.52. Patents means (i) all national, regional and international patents and patent applications, including provisional patent applications; (ii) all patent applications filed either from such patents, patent applications or provisional applications or from an application claiming priority from either of these, including divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, provisionals, converted provisionals and continued prosecution applications; (iii) any and all patents that have issued or in the future issue from the foregoing patent applications ((i) and (ii)), including utility models, petty patents and design patents and certificates of invention; (iv) any and all extensions or restorations by existing or future extension or restoration mechanisms, including revalidations, reissues, re-examinations and extensions (including any supplementary protection certificates and the like) of the foregoing patents or patent applications ((i), (ii), and (iii)); and (v) any similar rights, including so-called pipeline protection or any importation, revalidation, confirmation or introduction patent or registration patent or patent of additions to any of such foregoing patent applications and patents.
1.53. Person(s) means a natural person, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, a limited liability company, an unincorporated organization, or a government or any department or agency thereof.
1.54. PMI has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
1.55. PMI Territory means the world outside the ALCS Territory.
1.56. [***]
4
1.57. [***]
1.58. [***]
1.59. [***]
1.60. Representatives means a Partys directors, members, officers, Affiliates, employees, agents, advisors, and partners (including attorneys, accountants, consultants and financial advisors).
1.61. [***]
1.62. Territory means the ALCS Territory or PMI Territory, as the case may be.
1.63. Third Party means a Person other than Triaga, ALCS and each of their respective Affiliates.
1.64. Trademark Rights means trademarks, service marks, rights in trade names, business names, brand names, trade dress, get-up, logos, domain names and URLs, and all other equivalent or similar forms of intellectual property to any of the foregoing that may exist now or in the future anywhere in the world; and in each case, whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights.
1.65. Transaction has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
1.66. Transition Date means the later of (i) April 30, 2024 and (ii) receipt by ALCS of all amounts owed by Triaga to ALCS pursuant to Article 3; provided that if Triaga fails to make any payment pursuant to Article 3 when due, and Triaga fails to rectify such breach within ten (10) days of receiving written notice from ALCS of such failure, then ALCS shall have the unilateral right to extend the Transition Date to June 30, 2024, in which case the Transition Date shall be the later of (a) such extended date and (b) receipt by ALCS of all amounts owed by Triaga to ALCS pursuant to Article 3.
1.67. [***]
1.68. Triaga has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
1.69. [***]
1.70. [***]
1.71. Triaga Parent has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
2 ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF THE NGP DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. On the Transition Date, ALCS shall sell, assign, transfer, convey, novate and deliver to Triaga, and Triaga shall purchase, acquire, accept and assume, free and clear of all liens, all right, title and interest of ALCS in and to, and liabilities and obligations under, the NGP Distribution Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, ALCS shall retain any and all of its and its Affiliates payment obligations arising under the NGP Distribution Agreement or liabilities for any breach of ALCSs obligations thereunder, in each case to the extent incurred and unpaid prior to the Transition Date. In furtherance of the foregoing, on the Transition Date, the Parties shall execute an assignment and assumption agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. In the event Triaga has paid to ALCS the amounts set forth in Section 3.1 below, and ALCS fails to execute such assignment and assumption agreement on the Transition Date in accordance with this Article 2, then ALCS hereby designates Triaga as its agent, and hereby grants to Triaga a power
5
of attorney with full power of substitution, which power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest, for the sole purpose of executing such agreement. In order to secure Triagas rights pursuant to this Article 2, effective upon Triagas payment in full of the amounts set forth in Section 3.1 below and until such time as ALCS sells, assigns, transfers, conveys, novates and delivers to Triaga all right, title and interest of ALCS in and to, and liabilities and obligations under, the NGP Distribution Agreement in accordance with this Article 2, ALCS hereby grants to Triaga a continuing security interest in all right, title and interest of ALCS in, to and under the NGP Distribution Agreement.
3 FINANCIAL TERMS.
3.1. In consideration for the Contract Assignment, Triaga shall pay ALCS a total of two billion seven hundred million dollars ($2,700,000,000) as follows: (i) on the Effective Date, Triaga shall pay one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) and (ii) on July 15, 2023, Triaga shall pay one billion seven hundred million dollars ($1,700,000,000) plus interest thereon since the Effective Date at a per annum rate equal to six percent (6%) (it being understood that Triaga may make such payment in advance of July 15, 2023, and in the event of such early payment, the interest thereon shall only be payable for the period of time from the Effective Date through the date on which Triaga makes such payment); provided that if Triaga fails to pay any amount when due pursuant to this Section 3.1, then (a) Triaga shall pay to ALCS the amount due, together with interest accruing daily on such amount from the date on which such payment was due at a per annum rate equal to the prime rate set forth in The Wall Street Journal in effect on the date such payment was due plus five percent (5%) and (b) Triaga shall reimburse ALCS for all costs and expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by ALCS or any ALCS Affiliate in connection with enforcing Triagas obligations under this Article 3. Triagas payment obligations pursuant to this Section 3.1 are unconditional and no such payments will be repayable or refundable under any circumstances. Triagas payment obligations pursuant to this Section 3.1 may not be offset by any other payment or other obligations under any circumstances, and Triaga hereby fully and irrevocably waives any right to setoff with respect thereto.
3.2. Except to the extent required as a result of (i) a change in Law after the date hereof, (ii) an assignment by Triaga of its obligations under this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.6, (iii) an assignment by ALCS (or any assignee) of its obligations under this Agreement (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contract Assignment), (iv) a change in the tax residence of ALCS (or any assignee) or (v) a change in the federal income tax classification of ALCS (or any assignee), all payments made by Triaga (or such assignee) pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be made without deduction or withholding for or on account of any taxes. If, as a result of (a) a change in Law after the date hereof or (b) an assignment by Triaga of its obligations under this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.6, Triaga (or such assignee) is required under applicable Law to deduct or withhold any amount for or on account of taxes from any payment made by Triaga (or such assignee) pursuant to Section 3.1, Triaga (or such assignee), as applicable, shall pay such additional amounts to ALCS as may be necessary so that the net amount received by ALCS after such deduction or withholding (including any deduction or withholding in respect of such additional amounts) is equal to the full amount ALCS would have received pursuant to Section 3.1 if no such deduction or withholding had been made; provided that no such additional amounts shall be payable under this Section 3.2 to the extent the applicable deduction or withholding results from (1) an assignment by ALCS (or its assignee) of its obligations under this Agreement (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contract Assignment), (2) a change in the tax residence of ALCS (or any assignee) or (3) a change in the federal income tax classification of ALCS (or any assignee).
3.3. All amounts payable by Triaga hereunder shall be made in Dollars by wire transfer of immediately available funds into an account or accounts designated in writing (email being sufficient) by ALCS.
6
3.4. Except as expressly contemplated by Section 3.1 above or Sections 6.1, 11.6, or 12.2.2 below, the Parties acknowledge and agree that no fees or other payments shall be due by Triaga or any of its Affiliates to ALCS or any ALCS Affiliate pursuant to this Agreement, and each Party shall be responsible for any and all costs such Party incurs in exercising its rights or performing its obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 3.4 shall limit, alter, amend, modify, revoke, waive or suspend any obligation of Triaga or any of its Affiliate pursuant to any other written agreement between the Parties.
4 OTHER ASSURANCES.
[***]
5 SALES AND CONSUMER DATA.
[***]
6 TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.
[***]
7 GROUNDWORK ACTIVITIES; EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AND REGULATORY AUTHORIZATION.
[***]
8 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.
8.1. ALCS represents, warrants and covenants to Triaga that:
8.1.1. ALCS is a company, duly registered and validly existing in its jurisdiction of organization and has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform and comply with its obligations hereunder; and
8.1.2. this Agreement, when executed and delivered by ALCS, in accordance with the provisions hereof, shall have been duly executed and delivered by ALCS and authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of ALCS, and, assuming due execution and delivery by Triaga, shall be valid and binding upon and enforceable against ALCS in accordance with the provisions hereof, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
8.2. Triaga represents, warrants and covenants to ALCS that:
8.2.1. Triaga is a company, duly registered and validly existing in its jurisdiction of organization and has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform and comply with its obligations hereunder; and
8.2.2. this Agreement, when executed and delivered by Triaga, in accordance with the provisions hereof, shall have been duly executed and delivered by Triaga and authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Triaga, and, assuming due execution and delivery by ALCS, shall be valid and binding upon and enforceable against Triaga in accordance with the provisions hereof, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
7
8.3. Each Party further covenants that it shall comply with all applicable Laws in its performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
9 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE 8, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR GRANTS ANY, AND EACH PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL, WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, WAIVES, RELEASES AND RENOUNCES ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, OR EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF QUALITY, EFFICACY, SAFETY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND NON-INFRINGEMENT OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES.
10 TERMINATION.
10.1. ALCS shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Triaga in the event that Triaga has failed to pay ALCS any amounts due and payable by Triaga to ALCS pursuant to Article 3 within thirty (30) days following receipt of written notice from ALCS regarding such failure.
10.2. Subject to Section 10.3, upon termination of this Agreement by ALCS pursuant to Section 10.1, all rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of such termination.
10.3. In the event of termination of this Agreement by ALCS pursuant to Section 10.1, the following provisions will survive such termination: Articles 1, 9, 11, 12, and 13 (other than Sections 13.2, 13.3 and 13.14) and Sections 10.2 and 10.3, and any obligations of Triaga to reimburse ALCS for expenses incurred prior to termination by ALCS or any applicable ALCS Affiliate pursuant to Section 6.1.
11 DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
[***]
12 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
12.1. Definition. For the purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information means all, or any part of, and originals or copies of, any Information with respect to the disclosing Partys or any of its Affiliates business or activities (in any form or media, whether electronic, paper or oral) that is furnished by or on behalf of a disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement and received by the other Party or its Representatives, including (i) the fact that either Party or its Representatives has received Confidential Information from the other Party, that Confidential Information has been made available by either Party or any of the provisions of or other facts with respect to this Agreement, in respect of which each Party shall be deemed to be a disclosing Party and a receiving Party; (ii) Information concerning either Partys or its Affiliates past, current, and planned products (including the Heated Tobacco Products licensed pursuant to the NGP Distribution Agreement), business plans, services, fees, concepts, methodologies, research, services, business activities, marketing plans, trade secrets, data, licenses, agreements, Information relating to customers, suppliers, employees, development programs, costs, trading, investment, sales activities, promotions, credit and financial data, profits, financing methods, plans, product specifications, computer software, programs, engineering, documentation, applications, source code, designs, know-how, processes, machines, inventions, research projects, notes, blueprints, and all other Information (including proprietary Information received by either Party from Third Parties under obligations of confidence and the like in any
8
industry), in respect of which the Party making such disclosure shall be deemed to be the disclosing Party and the receiver shall be the receiving Party; (iii) each Partys respective Intellectual Property, in respect of which the Party Possessing such Intellectual Property shall be deemed to be the disclosing Party and the receiver shall be the receiving Party; and (iv) any Information that contains, reflects or is based upon, in whole or in part, the foregoing, but excludes (w) Information that at the time of disclosure was, or thereafter becomes, part of the public domain other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement by a receiving Party or its Representatives, (x) Information lawfully obtained from a source other than a disclosing Party or its Representatives that was not known by such receiving Party or its Representatives to be under an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such Information, (y) Information that is independently developed by a receiving Party or its Representatives (whether on its own or jointly with Third Party(ies)) without violating any of such receiving Partys obligations under this Agreement, and (z) Information that was known by a receiving Party or its Representatives prior to disclosure by a disclosing Party (as reasonably evidenced by written records); provided that such Information was not known by such receiving Party or its Representatives to be subject to any legal or contractual obligation of confidentiality owed to such disclosing Party.
12.2. Treatment of Confidential Information. Each Party receiving Confidential Information or deemed to have received Confidential Information:
12.2.1. may use, copy and disclose such Confidential Information only in connection with and as expressly permitted by the provisions of, or as is reasonably necessary for the performance of, this Agreement, the MRA or the NGP Distribution Agreement;
12.2.2. may disclose such Confidential Information to any Person (other than its Representatives, subject to Section 12.2.5 below) (i) as required by applicable Law (including any rule, regulation or policy statement of any organized securities exchange, market or automated quotation system on which any of either Partys securities are listed or quoted) or legal or judicial process, provided that (x) if either Party or any of its Representatives becomes legally compelled (including by deposition, interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process, by an order or proceeding of a court, agency or authority) to disclose any of the Confidential Information received under this Agreement, such Party shall provide the disclosing Party with prompt prior written notice of such requirement, to the extent permitted by such relevant court, agency or authority, so that such disclosing Party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy, all of which shall be at such disclosing Partys sole cost and expense; (y) if such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, such Party and its Representatives will disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information which is legally required to be disclosed and will take all reasonable steps to request the confidentiality of the Confidential Information (including providing reasonable assistance to such disclosing Party in its efforts to obtain an appropriate protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information); and (z) such Party and its Representatives will not oppose any action by the disclosing Party (and will, if and to the extent requested by such disclosing Party and provided further that all costs and reasonable expenses related thereto are paid by such disclosing Party, cooperate with, assist and join with such disclosing Party in any reasonable action) to obtain an appropriate protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information; or (ii) to any Person expressly permitted in writing by the disclosing Party and then only if such Person has executed a non-disclosure agreement in form and substance satisfactory to such disclosing Party;
12.2.3. shall limit dissemination of such Confidential Information to its Representatives that have a need to know for purposes of performing the receiving Partys obligations under this Agreement, the MRA or the NGP Distribution Agreement but only to the extent necessary to evaluate or carry out such obligations and only to Representatives (i) who are bound by a professional obligation of secrecy (e.g., legal advisors or attorneys subject to attorney client privilege or to any similar rights or obligations); or (ii) who have
9
agreed to be bound by the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as such receiving Party (and such receiving Party shall be responsible for any breach of the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement by its Representatives, such responsibility to be in addition to and not by way of limitation of any right or remedy the disclosing Party may have against such Representatives with respect to such breach);
12.2.4. shall not remove or obscure proprietary rights notices that appear on such Confidential Information and copies thereof; and
12.2.5. shall advise the disclosing Party immediately orally and promptly in writing of any unauthorized disclosure or use of such Confidential Information of which the receiving Party becomes aware.
12.3. Each Party shall safeguard the confidentiality of the Confidential Information received from the disclosing Party using the same standard it employs to safeguard its own Confidential Information of like kind, but in no event less than a commercially reasonable standard of care.
12.4. Ownership of Confidential Information. Except as otherwise provided herein, all Confidential Information supplied or developed by either Party shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Party that supplied or developed it.
12.5. No Restriction on Competition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Article 12 shall restrict the ability of any Party or its Affiliates from (i) competing against the other Party and its Affiliates in any line of business, or (ii) owning, operating, developing or entering into any line of business, in each case including with respect to any Heated Tobacco Products; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, neither Party shall be restricted from enforcing its Intellectual Property or confidentiality rights against the other Party.
13 MISCELLANEOUS.
13.1. Public Announcements; Press Releases. Neither Party shall issue any initial press release or otherwise make any public statement with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, unless required by applicable Law or generally recognized stock exchange. Upon request, each Party will provide a designated contact person within the other Partys corporate communications department to handle any such requests for approval of any press release or public statement. Notwithstanding any representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement, each Party shall have the absolute right to take such actions and make such public submissions or regulatory or litigation filings, as such Party believes, in its sole discretion reasonably exercised, necessary to comply with its obligations under applicable Law.
13.2. Required Approvals. If necessary, each Party shall obtain in its Territory, at its sole cost and expense, all necessary licenses, permits and approvals required by any Governmental Authority or other Person to conduct such Partys business or otherwise to perform its obligations under this Agreement, as determined by each Party in its reasonable discretion. In the event a Party reasonably determines that the activities under this Agreement would require notification or prior authorization under the competition laws of any jurisdiction (a Competition Law Approval), the activities contemplated herein shall not proceed in such jurisdiction until such authorization is obtained. The Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary Competition Law Approval as soon as commercially practicable.
13.3. Compliance with Certain Laws. Without limiting the generality of Section 8.3 above, each Party shall (i) comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar applicable Laws addressing bribery and corruption; and (ii) not discriminate or permit to discriminate against any person or group on the grounds of sex, race, color, religion or national origin in any manner prohibited by applicable Law. Each
10
Party shall also ensure that it complies fully with all applicable export control and trade sanctions Laws applicable to its activities under this Agreement. This includes each Party ensuring that neither such Party nor any of its personnel involved in projects related to this Agreement appear on any list of prohibited persons maintained by the U.S. government, including the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list maintained by the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Denied Persons List maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security, or similar restricted party lists maintained by the European Union, as each such list may be updated from time to time. If a Party identifies any of its personnel on a prohibited list, such Party shall immediately remove the personnel from all projects related to this Agreement, immediately inform the other Party, cooperate with such other Party in any investigation, and take any measures such other Party may reasonably request to remedy any violation of applicable Law that is discovered. In addition, each Party shall check with the other Party before offering any gift or entertainment in excess of customary business entertainment to an employee of the other Party or any of its Affiliates. Neither Party may offer any cash or cash equivalent (e.g., gift certificate) to any employee of the other Party or its Affiliates. Neither Party may provide any entertainment or gift to any government official for or on behalf of the other Party or its Affiliates. Neither Party may make any direct or indirect political contribution or expenditure for or on behalf of the other Party or its Affiliates.
13.4. Language. All correspondence, notices, reports, and any other communications between the Parties shall be in English, which shall be the language of this Agreement. Any disputes arising hereunder or thereunder, if legal action is taken, shall be prosecuted and adjudicated in English.
13.5. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by cable, telegram, facsimile, electronic mail or other standard form of telecommunications (provided confirmation is delivered to the recipient the next Business Day in the case of facsimile, electronic mail or other standard form of telecommunications, except in the case of routine communications) or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
If to ALCS to: | Altria Client Services LLC | |||
6601 West Broad Street | ||||
Richmond, VA 23230 | ||||
c/o Altria Group Inc. Corporate Secretary | ||||
Email: [***] | ||||
Facsimile: [***] | ||||
If to Triaga to: | Triaga Inc. | |||
1900 Stantonsburg Road | ||||
Wilson, North Carolina 27893 | ||||
c/o Director of Operations | ||||
Email: [***] | ||||
Facsimile: [***] | ||||
or to such other address as any Party may have furnished to the other Party by a notice in writing in accordance with this Section 13.5. |
13.6. Assignment.
13.6.1. Neither Party shall assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided that each Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under
11
this Agreement to any of its Affiliates without the prior written consent of the other Party. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and the name of a Party appearing herein will be deemed to include the name of such Partys successors and permitted assigns to the extent necessary to carry out the intent of this Section 13.6.1.
13.6.2. With respect to any assignment or transfer permitted hereunder, the Party making such assignment or transfer shall remain liable hereunder for the conduct of the Person receiving such assignment or transfer and such Person receiving an assignment or transfer hereunder must agree in writing to be bound by and directly liable under the provisions of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the Parties understand a transfer, by operation of Law or otherwise, to include any transaction involving a merger, acquisition or purchase of the Partys stock or other equity. Neither Party may pledge any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any other Person as collateral without the prior written consent of the other Party. Any unauthorized assignment or transfer or pledge by a Party shall be void ab initio.
13.6.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, ALCS may not (i) assign this Agreement unless such assignment also includes an assignment of the NGP Distribution Agreement to the same assignee; or (ii) assign the NGP Distribution Agreement to any Person other than Triaga unless such assignment also includes an assignment of this Agreement.
13.7. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except to the extent specifically provided herein with respect to Affiliates of a Party, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties, and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any Person not a Party to this Agreement.
13.8. No Waiver. Waiver of or failure by a Party to complain of any act, omission or default on the part of the other Party, no matter how long the same may continue or how many times such shall occur, shall not be deemed a waiver of rights, or of any similar future act, omission or default under this Agreement. No waiver issued under this Agreement shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by the Party waiving its rights as to any particular matter.
13.9. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
13.9.1. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder and all claims or controversies arising out of the subject matter hereof whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise shall be governed by, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (other than the Laws regarding choice of laws and conflicts of laws other than NY General Obligations Law §§ 5-1401 and 5-1402) as to all matters, including matters of validity, construction, effect, performance and remedies; provided, however, that the Arbitration Act shall govern the matters described in Section 11.3 hereof. The Parties agree to exclude the application to this Agreement of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
13.9.2. Solely for the purposes of disputes, controversies or claims not otherwise covered by Section 11.3 and preliminary relief in connection with arbitration for any Dispute, each Party (i) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in each case as located within the State of New York and County of New York; (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court; (iii) agrees that any actions or proceedings arising in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be brought and determined in the courts of the State of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in each case as located within the State of New York and County of New York; (iv) waives any claim of improper venue or any claim that those courts are an inconvenient forum; and (v) agrees that it will not bring any action for interim relief relating to this Agreement or the
12
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than the aforesaid courts; and (vi) hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of, under, or in connection with this Agreement, any document or instrument delivered in connection herewith and any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
13.10. Interpretation. The words include, includes or including mean include without limitation, includes without limitation or including without limitation. The words hereof, herein, hereto and hereunder, and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any provision of this Agreement. Unless the context of a provision herein otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice-versa. References to Articles, Sections, Exhibits, and Schedules in this Agreement are references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits, and Schedules of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated herein. In resolving any dispute or construing any provision in this Agreement, there shall be no presumption made or inference drawn (i) because the attorneys for one of the Parties drafted this Agreement; (ii) because of the drafting history of this Agreement; or (iii) because of the inclusion of a provision not contained in a prior draft or the deletion of a provision contained in a prior draft.
13.11. Invalidity; Severability. If any term, covenant, condition or other provision of this Agreement or the application hereof to any Person or circumstance, is to any extent held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such term, covenant, condition or other provision to any Person or circumstance, other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each other term, covenant, condition or other provision of this Agreement shall be valid and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law.
13.12. Force Majeure. A Party shall not incur any liability to the other Party on account of any failure to perform, loss or damage resulting from any delay or failure to perform all or any part of this Agreement (other than an obligation to make a payment) if such delay or failure is caused, in whole or in part, by events, occurrences, or causes beyond the reasonable control of such Party. Such events, occurrences, or causes shall include material changes in Law applicable to the Heated Tobacco Products licensed pursuant to the NGP Distribution Agreement or a Partys manufacture, sale, distribution, import or export thereof, acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, acts of terrorism, earthquake, fire and explosions. The non-performing Party shall notify the other Party of such force majeure within thirty (30) days after such occurrence by giving written notice to the other Party stating the nature of the event, its anticipated duration, and any action being taken to avoid or minimize its effect. The suspension of performance shall be of no greater scope and no longer duration than is necessary and the non-performing Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to remedy its inability to perform.
13.13. Relationship of the Parties. It is expressly agreed that Triaga, on the one hand, and ALCS, on the other hand, shall be independent contractors and that the relationship between the two Parties shall not constitute a partnership, joint venture, or agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any other Person to create an agency, partnership or joint venture between the Parties. Neither Triaga, on the one hand, nor ALCS, on the other hand, shall have the authority to make any statements, representations, or commitments of any kind, or to take any action, which shall be binding on the other, without the prior written consent of the other Party to do so. All persons employed by a Party shall be employees of such Party and not of the other Party and all costs and obligations incurred by reason of any such employment shall be for the account and expense of such Party.
13.14. [***]
13
13.15. Further Assurances. Each Party, upon the request of the other Party, without further consideration, shall use reasonable best efforts to do, execute, acknowledge, and deliver or to cause to be done, executed, acknowledged or delivered all such further acts, deeds, documents, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers of attorney, instruments and assurances as may be reasonably necessary to effect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and use reasonable best efforts to do all such other acts as may be necessary in order to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
13.16. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement have been inserted merely for convenience, are not a part of this Agreement, and shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties or the meaning of the language in this Agreement.
13.17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile transmission or by exchange of emails containing PDF attachments and any such facsimile or PDF signatures hereon shall be deemed to be original signatures for all purposes.
13.18. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Agreement sets forth the entire and only agreement between the Parties relating to the subject matter contained herein, and all prior agreements, undertakings, discussions and writings between the Parties with respect thereto (including the Confidentiality Agreement) are superseded by this Agreement. No representation, inducement, promise, understanding, condition or warranty not set forth herein has been made or relied upon by either Party. No modifications, amendments, or additions to this Agreement shall be effective or binding unless set forth in a writing duly executed by both Parties.
* * * * *
[Signature Page to Follow]
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the Effective Date.
TRIAGA, INC. | ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC | |||||||||||
By: | /s/ DEEPAK MISHRA |
By: | /s/ ELIZABETH A. SEEGAR | |||||||||
Name: | Deepak Mishra | Name: | Elizabeth A. Seegar | |||||||||
Title: Date: |
President Americas Region October 19, 2022 |
Title: | Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis | |||||||||
Date: | October 19, 2022 | |||||||||||
Solely for purposes of Article 4 hereof: | Solely for purposes of Article 4 hereof: |
PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL INC. | ALTRIA GROUP, INC. | |||||||||||
By: | /s/ JACEK OLCZAK |
By: | /s/ HEATHER A. NEWMAN | |||||||||
Name: | Jacek Olczak | Name: | Heather A. Newman | |||||||||
Title: Date: |
Chief Executive Officer October 19, 2022 |
Title: | Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer | |||||||||
Date: | October 19, 2022 |
[Signature Page Purchase Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
[***]
EXHIBIT B
TRANSITION SERVICES
[***]
EXHIBIT C
ASSIGNED ACCOUNTS
[***]
EXHIBIT D
GROUNDWORK ACTIVITIES
[***]
EXHIBIT E
EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AND REGULATORY AUTHORIZATION
[***]
EXHIBIT F
MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING; QUALITY TECHNICAL AGREEMENTS; GUIDELINES
[***]
AAT#T.L42G@>NRP2X\M^*!#&+(MF221*LIVT[GD:3\D+-VP,(CC'##!^@N
MA/TXACY8''S=(&5['>:U@?1(MML!)1]E8 -8?20$3;
M8T.P6BP^0"X99K>]9!:G
D%X@)QY ]I&=YBQ#P
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M]S &P(9T,& NI14;RLI45RX-L]9;=Y\E+T&!A5.OJ3R<4K / $P @ 'H@ ;6\M,C R,C$P
@,3E?<')E+GAM;%!+!08 !P ' +H! #EA@ !
end
-=GNW<>A]
M^(W_O./R"?J&:)X, T2<\]YO<0*G?/:<6@XG7R%[) @S\Z#KSFL;03 >O]2
M?7DO&V>#V<-#L RK?;&[[QVT.BW4*/I/0 FWTU3%:MFP+^UT/_4:)[\7
DLVL=V8 %,UKU5&(U6K4F"S&>0]@*:8I5F2Z;".;Z0#='C$K\
M4&5AUZ-M,5FR=M?FXU:_Z;7;C8[7/37M Y#.OVU9PI8DBIYP;+L1QZ!R#CD/
M:P<@B#RX%T3 <7FTX!K<;7NT&2\\^IE&\F*V*;G&\