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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

As filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2020

Registration No. 333-                


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



CENTOGENE N.V.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

The Netherlands
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  8071
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

Am Strande 7
18055 Rostock, Germany
+49 (381) 80113400

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)



Cogency Global Inc.
122 E 42nd Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10168
+1 (800) 221-0102

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)



Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:

Leo Borchardt
Davis Polk & Wardwell London LLP
5, Aldermanbury Square
London EC2V 7HR
United Kingdom
+44 (20) 7418-1300

 

Paul van der Bijl
NautaDutilh N.V.
Beethovenstraat 400
1082 PR Amsterdam
The Netherlands
+31 (20) 717-1000

 

Michael D. Maline
Edwin M. O'Connor
Goodwin Procter LLP
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
+1 (212) 813-8800



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

          If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.    o

          If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Emerging growth company ý

          If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o

The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

               
 
Title Of Each Class Of Securities
To Be Registered

  Amount To Be
Registered(1)

  Proposed maximum
offering price per
share(3)

  Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price(2)

  Amount of
registration fee(3)

 

Common shares, par value €0.12 per share

  4,025,000   $21.10   $84,927,500   $11,023.59

 

(1)
Includes 525,000 additional common shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase from the selling shareholders.

(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Includes the offering price of additional shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase from the selling shareholders.

(3)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based upon the average of the high and low sales prices of the common shares as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 29, 2020.

          The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

   


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the selling shareholders may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Preliminary Prospectus (Subject to Completion)   Dated July 7, 2020

3,500,000 Shares

LOGO

CENTOGENE N.V.

Common Shares



        We are offering a total of 2,000,000 common shares and the selling shareholders identified in this prospectus are offering a total of 1,500,000 common shares. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares by the selling shareholders. On July 2, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market was $24.50. The final public offering price will be determined through negotiation between us and the lead underwriters in the offering and the recent market price used throughout the prospectus may not be indicative of the final offering price. Our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "CNTG".

        We are both an "emerging growth company" and a "foreign private issuer" as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. See "Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company" and "—Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer."

       
 
 
  Per Share
  Total
 

Public offering price

                                             
 

Underwriting discounts and commissions

                                             
 

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

                                             
 

Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling shareholders

                                             

 

(1)
We refer you to "Underwriting" beginning on page 76 for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.

        The selling shareholders identified in this prospectus have granted the underwriters the right for 30 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 525,000 common shares from the selling shareholders, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.



Investing in our common shares involves risks.
See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.



        Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

        The underwriters expect to deliver the common shares against payment in New York, New York on or about                        , 2020.

Credit Suisse   SVB Leerink
Baird   BTIG

Kempen & Co

July                , 2020


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Summary

    1  

The Offering

    9  

Risk Factors

    12  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    22  

Use of Proceeds

    24  

Dividends and Dividend Policy

    25  

Capitalization

    26  

Dilution

    28  

Selected Financial Information

    30  

Principal and Selling Shareholders

    32  

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

    36  

Description of Share Capital and Articles of Association

    39  

Common Shares Eligible for Future Sale

    57  

Taxation

    59  

Underwriting

    76  

Expenses of the Offering

    82  

Legal Matters

    83  

Experts

    83  

Enforcement of Judgments

    84  

Where You Can Find More Information

    86  

Incorporation by Reference of Certain Documents

    86  



        We, the selling shareholders, and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we may have referred you. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither we, the selling shareholders nor the underwriters have authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. Neither we, the selling shareholders nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell the common shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. This offering is being made in the United States and elsewhere solely on the basis of the information contained in this prospectus. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the common shares. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date on the front cover of this prospectus.

        For investors outside the United States: Neither we, the selling shareholders nor any of the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the common shares and the distribution of this prospectus and any free writing prospectus outside the United States.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to "Centogene" or the "Company," "we," "our," "ours," "us" or similar terms refer to Centogene N.V. or Centogene N.V. together with its subsidiaries, as the context may require.

        We are incorporated in the Netherlands, and a majority of our outstanding securities are owned by non-U.S. residents. Under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), we are currently eligible for treatment as a "foreign private issuer." As a foreign private issuer, among other things, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as domestic registrants whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").


PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        We report under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the "IASB"). We present our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS. We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this prospectus. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them.

        Our financial statements included in this prospectus are presented in euro and, unless otherwise specified, all monetary amounts are in euro. All references in this prospectus to "$", "U.S. dollars" and "dollars" means U.S. dollars and all references to "€", "EUR" and "euro" mean euro, unless otherwise noted.

        In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, some euro amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of $1.1016 to €1.00, the official exchange rate quoted as of March 31, 2020 by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. For information related to our initial public offering, which closed on November 12, 2019, have been translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of $1.1129 to €1.00, the official exchange rate quoted as of October 17, 2019 by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. For information on the exchange rate used for Centogene's consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 and for the three years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, please see "Note 5(a)—Foreign currency and currency translation" to such consolidated financial statements included in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2019 on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on April 23, 2020, incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        We have historically conducted our business through Centogene AG (which is now known as Centogene GmbH), and therefore our historical financial statements present the results of operations and financial condition of Centogene AG and its controlled subsidiaries. In connection with our initial public offering, Centogene N.V. became the holding company of Centogene AG, and the historical consolidated financial statements of Centogene AG became the historical consolidated financial statements of Centogene N.V. Centogene AG was acquired by Centogene B.V., which subsequently converted into Centogene N.V., on November 7, 2019, as part of our corporate reorganization, and the historical consolidated financial statements of Centogene AG included in this prospectus became the historical consolidated financial statements of Centogene N.V. On March 5, 2020, the Company resolved that Centogene AG shall be converted into a German limited liability company and renamed Centogene GmbH. Such conversion became effective upon the registration in the German commercial register on June 29, 2020.


TRADEMARKS

        CENTOGENE™ is our main trademark. The trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the

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trademarks and trade names in this prospectus are referred to without the symbols ® and ™, but such references should not be construed as any indication that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto.


MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

        Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity and market size estimates, is based on information from independent industry analysts, third-party sources and management estimates. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information released by independent industry analysts and third-party sources, as well as data from our internal research, and are based on assumptions made by us based on such data and our knowledge of such industry and market, which we believe to be reasonable. In addition, while we believe the market opportunity information included in this prospectus is generally reliable and is based on reasonable assumptions, such data involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

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SUMMARY

        This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to you, and we urge you to read this entire prospectus carefully, including (i) the section "Risk Factors" in this prospectus, (ii) any related free writing prospectus, (iii) the section "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included as exhibit 99.3 to Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 15, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference, (iv) the section titled "Risk Factors" in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2019 on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on April 23, 2020 (the "Annual Report"), which is also incorporated herein by reference, including our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, and (v) the other information incorporated herein by reference, before deciding to invest in our common shares.

Overview

        We are a commercial-stage company focused on rare diseases that transforms real-world clinical and genetic data into actionable information for patients, physicians and pharmaceutical companies. Our goal is to bring rationality to treatment decisions and to accelerate the development of new orphan drugs by using our knowledge of the global rare disease market, including epidemiological and clinical data and innovative biomarkers. We have developed a global proprietary rare disease platform based on our real-world data repository with approximately 3.0 billion weighted data points from over 530,000 patients representing 120 different countries as of March 31, 2020, or an average of over 630 data points per patient, to draw upon for insight. Our platform includes multi-omic data (such as epidemiologic, phenotypic, proteomic, metabolomic and genetic data) that reflects a global population, and also a biobank of these patients' blood samples.

        We believe this represents the only platform that comprehensively analyzes multi-level data to improve the understanding of rare hereditary diseases, which can aid in the identification of patients and improve our pharmaceutical partners' ability to bring orphan drugs to the market. As of March 31, 2020, we collaborated with 39 pharmaceutical partners for over 45 different rare diseases. In addition, as of March 31, 2020, we had over 60 biomarker programs, of which 33 were used in connection with our pharmaceutical collaborations.

        A rare disease, by definition in the United States, is a disease that affects 200,000 or fewer people. However, with over 7,000 currently identified rare diseases, they in aggregate affect more than 350 million people globally. Rare diseases can be severe and often take years to diagnosis—on average it takes six to eight years for a patient with a rare disease to be diagnosed. This underscores the significant unmet need for high-quality genetic information in the rare disease space for the early identification and effective treatment of patients. Despite legislative initiatives and continued investment in rare disease drug development, significant unmet need still exists. Of the 7,000 identified rare diseases, it is estimated that 80%, or 5,600, have a genetic origin and, of these rare hereditary diseases, only approximately 250 rare hereditary diseases, or less than 5%, have an FDA approved treatment. One of the greatest challenges in the development of cost-effective treatments for rare diseases is the timely and adequate recruitment of eligible trial participants. According to a 2019 study of uncompleted rare disease trials registered on Clinicaltrials.gov, 32% cited that the main reason for the non-completion of their clinical trials was a lack of patients enrolled in the trials. Rare disease drug development face challenges and is constrained by a number of factors including: a lack of high-quality information regarding the clinical heterogeneity of medical symptoms, lack of comprehensive and curated medical data, difficulties in the early identification of patients, lack of biomarkers and difficulties in understanding market size and epidemiology.

        We have an integrated approach with a detailed, global understanding of the genetic basis and the clinical phenotype of rare hereditary diseases, which we believe will unlock the ability to target rare

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diseases and provide critical knowledge that will guide drug development and monitoring, and ultimately improve patient care. Our business is comprised of complementary solutions for both physicians and their patients, as well as pharmaceutical companies. Our diagnostics solution typically starts with specialist physicians requesting diagnostic information to identify or confirm a rare disease by sending us their patients' blood samples on our proprietary dried blood spot collection kit that bears the European Conformity Marking (the "CE Mark")—the CentoCard. With highly advanced technology, our proprietary database and our team of medical experts, we then deliver reports back to the physicians that contain what we believe is critical information containing genetic, proteomic, metabolomic information, or some combination, depending on what is most salient for each case. We also input this data to our CentoMD platform, which enriches our understanding of rare diseases broadly.

        For our pharmaceutical partners, we are able to provide various valuable information using our platform. For instance, with the access to the data in our repository and biomaterials in our biobank, we have successfully developed biomarkers by applying highly sophisticated tools, including mass spectrometry technologies, together with artificial intelligence capabilities in an efficient and cost effective manner.

        Since early 2020, we also started to pursue a metabolomics approach for establishing a biomarker discovery pipeline for rare hereditary disease. Our approach to developing biomarkers incorporates a tandem mass spectrometry (ion mobility quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry) methodology and artificial intelligence, which has proven expertise in the identification of new biomarkers. Biomarker candidates are validated and optimized in epidemiological clinical trials and facilitated by simple sample logistics with the CentoCard.

        Our platform integrates all relevant structured and unstructured patient data (clinical information/health records, genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic data (including DNA, RNA, Proteome, Metabolite profile or Metabolome), and especially longitudinal data (e.g., biomarker or patient recorded outcome, also referred to as "real world data"), as well as diagnostic workflow data. Therefore, artificial intelligence plays an important role in biomarker discovery by finding statistical relationships faster, drawing more exact conclusions about relationships in the data, and discovering patterns that cannot be found with traditional methods. Furthermore, the discovery phase can be initiated with existing biomaterials with the patients' consent and, consequently no clinical study is necessary, which reduces the time and cost significantly.

        Biomarkers are important in orphan drug development as well as post-commercialization monitoring, by demonstrating the efficacy of the drugs, performing longitudinal monitoring and informing necessary titration for individual rare disease patients. As of March 31, 2020, we had over 60 biomarker programs, with over 25 biomarker programs (covering more than 22 diseases) having completed the first step of validation using mass spectrometry. In addition, biomarkers covering eight rare diseases (AADC deficiency, hereditary angioedema (HAE), Fabry disease, Farber disease, Gaucher disease, Gaucher disease atypical, Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) A/B and NPD type C) were used as clinical diagnosis in our diagnostics segment.

        Our database is also valuable beyond drug discovery as the biomarkers can be relevant for patient stratification and monitoring. Our database has multiple additional applications such as patient identification for therapeutic trials and treatment. For example, identifying patients with a specific rare disease that are eligible for a clinical trial, which can reduce the time of clinical trial patient enrollment for our pharmaceutical partners. Reducing this enrollment time is often critically important in rare diseases as the small number of patients of each disease can cause long enrollment periods.

        We were founded in 2006 in Rostock, Germany and as of March 31, 2020 had approximately 500 highly qualified personnel (including consultants) across offices in Austria, Germany, India, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, from over 55 nationalities. We generated total revenue of €

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40.5 million and €48.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and of €10.7 million and €12.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. We also incurred total comprehensive losses attributable to equity holders of Centogene of €11.0 million and €20.7 million in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and of €5.2 million and €8.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Our Platform—An Integrated, Knowledge-Based System

        To deliver on this vision, we have developed a global real-world data based proprietary platform that we believe will improve methods for identifying and monitoring rare diseases and provide solutions that accelerate the development of orphan drugs. At the core of our platform is our data repository, which includes epidemiologic, phenotypic and heterogenetic data, and allows us to assemble an extensive knowledge base in rare hereditary diseases. We collect this detailed level of data in our repository through our easy-to-use CentoCard, a CE-Marked dried blood spot collection kit, captures blood samples of potential rare disease patients with a low cost of distribution, accompanied by the patients' medical histories and completed consent forms from the physicians. The data is then validated by professionals using a systematic and scientific approach prior to feeding it into our repository and our central CentoMD database, which we believe is the world's largest curated mutation database for rare diseases. As of March 31, 2020, our CentoMD 5.7 database includes curated data from over 400,000 patients from over 120 countries. We have received express consent from the majority of patients allowing us to retest their biomaterials in our biobank, with over 12.2 million unique variants and over 3,700 disease-associated phenotypes.

        This systematic and thorough process results in information-based services that are beneficial for our pharmaceutical partners. This includes the ability to derive diagnostic solutions to accurately identify rare disease patients and the ability to identify new biomarkers, which help streamline and accelerate the path to approval for new drugs. As we facilitate the development of new drugs and the identification of more patients, an increasing number of patients are involved in clinical trials, which leads to even more diagnostic information being added to our repository. This synergistic model allows us to continuously enhance our own expertise and support pharmaceutical knowledge in the rare disease field.

        A graphical description of our system is shown below:

GRAPHIC

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        The strengths of our platform include the following:

Our Solutions

        Our pharmaceutical segment provides a variety of services to our pharmaceutical partners, including early patient recruitment and identification, epidemiological insights, biomarker discovery, diagnostics for our pharmaceutical partners and patient monitoring. Our information platforms, our access to rare disease patients and our ability to develop proprietary technologies including biomarkers enable us to provide services to our pharmaceutical partners in all phases of the drug development process as well as post-commercialization. Revenues in our pharmaceutical segment are generated primarily from collaboration agreements with our pharmaceutical partners, which are structured on a fee per sample basis, milestone basis, fixed fee basis, royalty basis or a combination of these. For the year ended December 31, 2019, €21.5 million, or 44.1%, of our total revenues were derived from our pharmaceutical segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, €4.6 million, or 37.6%, of our total revenues were derived from our pharmaceutical segment.

        Our clinical diagnostics segment provides targeted genetic sequencing and diagnostics services to patients through our distribution partners and clients, who are typically physicians, labs or hospitals. As of March 31, 2020, we believe we offer the broadest diagnostic testing portfolio for rare diseases, covering over 7,000 genes using over 10,000 different tests. Revenues from our diagnostics segment are typically generated by set fees per diagnostic test or per bundle of diagnostic tests under contracts with our clients. In turn, the data and biomaterials collected from our diagnostic services allow us to continue to grow our repository and our CentoMD database. For the year ended December 31, 2019, €27.3 million, or 55.9%, of our total revenues were derived from our diagnostics segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, €7.5 million, or 62.4%, of our total revenues were derived from our diagnostics segment.

Strategy

        Our objective is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases by transforming real-world clinical and genetic data into actionable information for patients, physicians, and pharmaceutical companies, and unlocking critical knowledge that will guide and accelerate orphan drug development. To achieve this objective, our strategy is to:

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Recent Developments

        The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in December 2019 in China, has spread across the globe and caused significant disruptions to the society and economy. Different measures, such as quarantines, maintaining social distance, travel restrictions and closure of borders have been implemented by many governments only with the aim to avoid continuous outbreak of the disease.

        As part of our initiative to assist local, national and international authorities in their efforts to facilitate the earliest possible diagnosis of COVID-19 and thereby contribute to allowing society to return to a "new" normal, we have commenced testing for COVID-19 in March 2020. Starting from the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region of Germany focusing on employees and essential workers in Rostock, we further expanded the test offering to nursing homes as well as to high school students in Germany. Since May 2020, we are offering our test to the rest of the world and are in the process of seeking appropriate approvals to comply with local rules and regulations. Some of these initiatives are offered free of charge by us, while some of them are in collaboration with the state government and other companies. On June 7, 2020, we entered into a collaboration with the OESIS Network Inc., a network of more than 600 schools across the U.S., to conduct COVID-19 screening in schools. On July 1, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") granted the emergency use of our reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on individuals suspected of having COVID-19 by their healthcare providers for the detection of SARC-CoV-2 by CLIA certified laboratories.

        To support the expansion of our test offering, we acquired laboratory facilities and equipment for a total consideration of €1.8 million and leased laboratory space in Hamburg, Germany, in April 2020. In addition, we commenced the production and distribution of a sample collection kit for COVID-19 test, CentoSwab.

        Although we are taking a series of measures aiming to minimize the disruptions to the business and operations, and the provision of testing for the COVID-19 virus is anticipated to generate additional revenues to us, the impact of the pandemic to the global economy, international trade and business activities may also have a negative impact to our operating results. In particular, they could result in increased costs of execution with regards to operational plans. In addition, COVID-19 may disrupt our supply chain, particularly as it relates to the United States (from where a significant proportion of our sequencing products are sourced) as well other countries in which we operate and from where we receive tests, and otherwise adversely affect international trade and business activities. The impact of COVID-19 will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, such as the duration of the pandemic, the probability of occurrence of second outbreak, the ultimate impact on financial markets and the global economy. Accordingly, we are unable to provide a reasonable estimate of the related financial impact at this time.

Risks Associated with Our Business

        Our business is subject to a number of risks of which you should be aware before making an investment decision. You should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this prospectus. In particular, you should evaluate the specific factors set forth in Exhibit 99.4 to our report on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 15, 2020 and the heading "Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Certain Factors Relating to Our Business and Strategy" in our Annual Report, each incorporated by reference herein. These risks include the following:

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Corporate Information

        Our principal executive offices are located at Am Strande 7, 18055 Rostock, Germany. Our telephone number at this address is +49 (381) 80113400. Investors should contact us for any inquiries through the address and telephone number of our principal executive office. Our principal website is www.centogene.com.

        We make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

        Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only.

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Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

        As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"). As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:

        We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or until such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest to occur of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue; (ii) the date we qualify as a "large accelerated filer" with at least $700 million of equity securities; (iii) the issuance, in any three-year period, by our company of more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt securities held by non-affiliates; and (iv) the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering.

        We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced burdens. For example, we took advantage of the exemption from auditor attestation on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in our Annual Report. Accordingly, the information that we provide to shareholders may be different than you might obtain from other public companies.

        In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Given that we currently report and expect to continue to report under IFRS as issued by the IASB, we have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required by the IASB. Since IFRS makes no distinction between public and private companies for purposes of compliance with new or revised accounting standards, the requirements for our compliance as a private company and as a public company are the same.

Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer

        We are also considered a "foreign private issuer." In our capacity as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, members of our management board, supervisory board and our principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and "short-swing" profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our common shares. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

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In addition, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information.

        We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We will remain a foreign private issuer until such time that more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of the members of our management board or supervisory board are U.S. citizens or residents; (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.

        We have taken advantage of certain reduced reporting and other requirements in this prospectus. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different than the information you receive from other public companies.

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THE OFFERING

Issuer   Centogene N.V.

Common shares offered by us

 

2,000,000 common shares.

Common shares offered by the selling shareholders

 

1,500,000 common shares.

Underwriters' option to purchase additional common shares

 

The selling shareholders have granted the underwriters the right to purchase for 30 days from the date of this prospectus up to an additional 525,000 common shares from the selling shareholders, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, on the same terms as set forth in this prospectus.

Common shares to be outstanding after this offering

 

21,861,340 common shares.

Voting rights

 

Our common shares have one vote per share.

Nasdaq Global Market symbol

 

"CNTG".

Use of proceeds

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the offering will be approximately $45,300,000, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming an offering price of $24.50 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 2, 2020.

 

 

We currently expect to use the net proceeds to us from this offering for research and development to support orphan drug development with our knowledge-driven information platform, as well as for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to us from this offering to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, assets or technologies.

 

 

The selling shareholders will receive all net proceeds from the sale of the common shares to be sold by them in this offering, and we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of their shares.

 

 

See "Use of Proceeds."

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Dividend policy   We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our common shares, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain available funds and future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business. Under Dutch law, we may only pay dividends to the extent our shareholders' equity (eigen vermogen) exceeds the sum of the paid-up and called-up share capital plus the reserves required to be maintained by Dutch law or by our articles of association. Subject to such restrictions, any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our management board and our supervisory board and will depend upon a number of factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our management board and supervisory board deem relevant. If and when we do intend to distribute a dividend, such dividend may be distributed in the form of cash only or shares only, through a combination of the foregoing (cash and shares) or through a choice dividend (cash or shares), in each case subject to applicable law. We intend to place this dividend and reservation policy for discussion on the agenda for our annual general meetings of shareholders, consistent with the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (the "DCGC").

Lock-up agreements

 

We have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell or dispose of any shares of our share capital or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our share capital during the 90-day period following the date of this prospectus. Members of our management board, our supervisory board, our selling shareholders as well as certain of our other existing shareholders, have agreed to substantially similar lock-up provisions, subject to certain exceptions.

Risk factors

 

See "Risk Factors" and the other information included in this prospectus and incorporated by reference from our Annual Report for a discussion of factors you should consider before deciding to invest in our common shares.

        The above number of common shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on 19,861,340 common shares of Centogene N.V. outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and excludes:

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        Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus also reflects and assumes:

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RISK FACTORS

        You should carefully consider the following risks, including those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2019 on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on April 23, 2020, and those disclosed in Exhibit 99.4 to Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 15, 2020, each incorporated by reference herein, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, and all of the information contained in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, before deciding to invest in our common shares. If any of the following risks or the risks described in the documents incorporated by reference herein actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In such case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below or in the documents incorporated by reference herein are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us may also adversely affect our business.

Risks Relating to Our Common Shares and the Offering

An active trading market for our common shares may not be sustainable. If an active trading market is not maintained, investors may not be able to resell their shares at or above the offering price and our ability to raise capital in the future may be impaired.

        Although our common shares are listed and trade on Nasdaq, an active trading market for our shares may not be maintained following this offering. If an active market for our common shares is not maintained, it may be difficult for you to sell shares you purchase in this offering without depressing the market price for the shares or at all. An inactive trading market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our shares as consideration.

Our share price may in the future fluctuate, as a result of which you could lose a significant part of your investment.

        The market price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

        In addition, the stock market in general has experienced substantial price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies affected. These broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our common shares, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of certain companies' securities, securities class action litigation has been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

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Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.

        Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause a decline in the market price of our common shares. This could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities. We, our management board members and supervisory board members, the selling shareholders and certain of our existing shareholders have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell, or dispose of any shares of our share capital or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our share capital during the 90 day period following the date of this prospectus. See "Underwriting." If, after the end of such lock-up agreements, these shareholders sell substantial amounts of common shares in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the market price of our common shares and our ability to raise capital through an issue of equity securities could be adversely affected.

        Moreover, we have entered into a registration rights agreement entitling certain of our existing shareholders, to rights, subject to conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering their shares or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or other shareholders. In addition, we have registered on a Form S-8 registration statement all common shares that we may issue under our 2019 Plan (as defined below). As a result, these shares can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to volume limitations applicable to affiliates and the lock-up agreements entered into in connection with this offering. In addition, in connection with our initial public offering which closed on November 12, 2019, our managing directors, supervisory directors, officers and all of our pre-IPO shareholders entered into lock-up agreements that expired on May 4, 2020. As a result, any shares held by a pre-IPO shareholder that signed a lock-up in connection with our initial public offering but not in connection with this offering are eligible for sale in the public market. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our common shares could decline.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds received by us from this offering and may invest or spend the proceeds in ways with which you do not agree and in ways that may not yield a return on your investment.

        Although we currently intend to use the net proceeds received by us from this offering in the manner described in the section titled "Use of Proceeds" in this prospectus, our management has broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common shares. You will not have the opportunity to influence our decisions on how to use our net proceeds from this offering. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could harm our business, cause the price of our common shares to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

We are an "emerging growth company" and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common shares less attractive to investors.

        We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"), and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies." For example, for as long as we are an "emerging growth company" under the recently enacted JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years. See "Summary—

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Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company." We cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our share price may be more volatile.

        In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Given that we currently report and expect to continue to report under IFRS as issued by the IASB, we have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required by the IASB. Since IFRS makes no distinction between public and private companies for purposes of compliance with new or revised accounting standards, the requirements for our compliance as a private company and as a public company are the same.

We are a foreign private issuer and, as a result, we are not subject to U.S. proxy rules and are subject to Exchange Act reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and less frequent than those of a U.S. domestic public company.

        We report under the Exchange Act as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including (i) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act, (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time and (iii) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events. In addition, foreign private issuers are not required to file their annual report on Form 20-F until four months after the end of each fiscal year, while U.S. domestic issuers that are accelerated filers are required to file their annual report on Form 10-K within 75 days after the end of each fiscal year. Foreign private issuers are also exempt from the Regulation Fair Disclosure, aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information. As a result of the above, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are not foreign private issuers.

We may lose our foreign private issuer status, which would then require us to comply with the Exchange Act's domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.

        We are a foreign private issuer and therefore we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. If in the future we are not a foreign private issuer as of the last day of the second fiscal quarter in any fiscal year, we would be required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure, current reporting requirements and proxy solicitation rules of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. In order to maintain our current status as a foreign private issuer, either (a) a majority of our common shares must be either directly or indirectly owned of record by non-residents of the United States or (b)(i) a majority of our managing directors, supervisory directors and executive officers may not be United States citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets cannot be located in the United States and (iii) our business must be administered principally outside the United States. If we were to lose this status, we would be required to comply with the Exchange Act reporting and other requirements applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, which are more detailed and extensive than the requirements for foreign private issuers. We may also be required to make changes in our corporate governance practices in accordance with various SEC and stock exchange rules. The regulatory and

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compliance costs to us if we are required to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly higher than the costs we would incur as a foreign private issuer. As a result, we expect that a loss of foreign private issuer status would increase our legal and financial compliance costs and would make some activities highly time consuming and costly. These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified directors.

As a foreign private issuer and as permitted by the listing requirements of Nasdaq, we follow certain home country governance practices rather than the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.

        We are a foreign private issuer. As a result, in accordance with the listing requirements of Nasdaq we are relying on home country governance requirements and certain exemptions thereunder rather than relying on the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. In accordance with Dutch law and generally accepted business practices, our articles of association do not provide quorum requirements generally applicable to general meetings of shareholders. To this extent, our practice varies from the requirement of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(c), which requires an issuer to provide in its bylaws for a generally applicable quorum, and that such quorum may not be less than one-third of the outstanding voting shares. Although we must provide shareholders with an agenda and other relevant documents for the general meeting of shareholders, Dutch law does not have a regulatory regime for the solicitation of proxies and the solicitation of proxies is not a generally accepted business practice in the Netherlands, thus our practice will vary from the requirement of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(b). As permitted by the listing requirements of Nasdaq, we have also opted out of the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(d), which requires, among other things, an issuer to have a compensation committee that consists entirely of independent directors and makes determinations regarding the independence of any compensation consultants, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(e), which requires independent director oversight of director nominations, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(b)(2), which requires an issuer to have a majority of independent directors on its board and makes determinations regarding the independence of any compensation consultants. We are also relying on the phase-in rules of the SEC and Nasdaq with respect to the independence of our audit committee. These rules require that a majority of our supervisory directors must be independent, and all members of our audit committee must meet the independence standard for audit committee members by November 6, 2020. In addition, we have opted out of shareholder approval requirements, as included in the Nasdaq Listing Rules, for the issuance of securities in connection with certain events such as the acquisition of shares or assets of another company, the establishment of or amendments to equity-based compensation plans for employees, a change of control of the Company and certain private placements. To this extent, our practice varies from the requirements of Nasdaq Rule 5635, which generally requires an issuer to obtain shareholder approval for the issuance of securities in connection with such events. For an overview of our corporate governance principles, see "Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association" in our Annual Report which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these Nasdaq requirements.

Insiders will continue to have substantial control over us after this offering and could limit your ability to influence the outcome of key transactions, including a change of control.

        Upon the closing of this offering, a small number of our existing shareholders, including certain of our managing directors, supervisory directors and executive officers and entities affiliated with them, in the aggregate, will continue to beneficially own approximately 61.4% of our outstanding common shares, after giving effect to the sale by the selling shareholders of all of the common shares that they propose to sell in this offering as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and, assuming no exercise of the option granted to the underwriters to purchase additional common shares from the selling shareholders in connection with the offering. As a result, these shareholders, if acting together, are able to influence or control matters requiring approval by our general meeting of shareholders,

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including the election of managing directors and supervisory directors, changes to our articles of association and the approval of mergers or other extraordinary transactions. They may also have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. The concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change of control of our company, could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common shares as part of a sale of our company and might ultimately affect the market price of our common shares.

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

        We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to repay indebtedness and to fund the development and growth of our business. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our common shares. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our common shares, if any, will be your only source of gain on an investment in our common shares.

If we do pay dividends, we may need to withhold tax on such dividends payable to holders of our shares in both Germany and the Netherlands.

        As an entity incorporated under Dutch law, any dividends distributed by us are subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax on the basis of Dutch domestic law. On the basis of the 2012 Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income (the "double tax treaty between Germany and the Netherlands"), however, the Netherlands will be restricted in imposing these taxes if the Company is also a tax resident of Germany and its effective management is located in Germany. See "Risk Factors—We may become taxable in a jurisdiction other than Germany and this may increase the aggregate tax burden on us." Dutch dividend withholding tax is, however, still required to be withheld from dividends if and when paid to Dutch resident holders of our common shares (and non-Dutch resident holders of our common shares that have a permanent establishment in the Netherlands to which their shareholding is attributable). As a result, upon a payment of dividends, we will be required to identify our shareholders in order to assess whether there are Dutch residents (or non-Dutch residents with a permanent establishment in the Netherlands to which the common shares are attributable) in respect of which Dutch dividend tax has to be withheld. Such identification may not always be possible in practice. If the identity of our shareholders cannot be determined, withholding of both German and Dutch dividend tax may occur upon a payment of dividends.

New investors in our common shares will experience immediate and substantial book value dilution after this offering.

        The assumed public offering price of our common shares is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of the outstanding common shares immediately after the offering. Based on the assumed public offering price of $24.50 per share, which is the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 2, 2020 as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2020, if you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of $20.56 per share (€18.66), representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering. As a result of this dilution, investors purchasing shares in this offering may receive significantly less than the full purchase price that they paid for the shares purchased in this offering in the event of a liquidation.

        We also have approximately 1,201,830 outstanding share options to purchase common shares with exercise prices that are below the assumed public offering price of the common shares. To the extent that these options are exercised, investors in this offering may experience further dilution.

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Shareholders may not be able to exercise preemptive rights and, as a result, may experience substantial dilution upon future issuances of common shares.

        In the event of an issuance of common shares, subject to certain exceptions, each shareholder will have a pro rata preemptive right in proportion to the aggregate nominal value of the common shares held by such holder. These preemptive rights may be restricted or excluded by a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders or by another corporate body designated by the general meeting of shareholders. Our management board is authorized until November 6, 2024, and subject to the approval of the shareholders at the annual general meeting on June 26, 2020 until June 26, 2025, to issue shares or grant rights to subscribe for shares up to our authorized share capital from time to time and to limit or exclude preemptive rights in connection therewith. This could cause existing shareholders to experience substantial dilution of their interest in us.

If equity and industry research analysts publish negative evaluations of or downgrade our common shares, the price of our common shares could decline.

        The trading market for our common shares relies in part on the research and reports that equity and industry research analysts publish about us or our business. We do not control these analysts. If one or more of the analysts covering our business downgrade their evaluations of our common shares, the price of our common shares could decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover our common shares, we could lose visibility in the market for our common shares, which in turn could cause our common shares price to decline.

We may become taxable in a jurisdiction other than Germany and this may increase the aggregate tax burden on us.

        Since our incorporation we have had, on a continuous basis, our place of "effective management" in Germany. We therefore qualify as a tax resident of Germany on the basis of German domestic law. As an entity incorporated under Dutch law, however, we also qualify as a tax resident of the Netherlands on the basis of Dutch domestic law. However, based on our current management structure and the current tax laws of the United States, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as applicable income tax treaties, and current interpretations thereof, we should qualify solely as a tax resident of Germany for the purposes of the double tax treaty between Germany and the Netherlands due to the "effective management" tie-breaker. The test of "effective management" is largely a question of fact and degree based on all the circumstances, rather than a question of law. Nevertheless, the relevant case law and OECD guidance suggest that the Company is likely to be regarded as having become German tax resident from incorporation and remaining so if, as the Company intends, (i) most meetings of its management board are held in Germany (and none are held in the Netherlands) with a majority of directors present in Germany for those meetings; (ii) at those meetings there are full discussions of, and decisions are made regarding, the key strategic issues affecting the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) those meetings are properly minuted; (iv) at least some of the directors of the Company, together with supporting staff, are based in Germany; and (v) the Company has permanent staffed office premises in Germany. We may, however, become subject to limited income tax liability in other countries with regard to the income generated in the respective other country, for example, due to the existence of a permanent establishment or a permanent representative in such other country.

        The applicable tax laws or interpretations thereof may change. Furthermore, whether we have our place of effective management in Germany and are as such tax resident in Germany is largely a question of fact and degree based on all the circumstances, rather than a question of law, which facts and degree may also change. Changes to applicable laws or interpretations thereof and changes to applicable facts and circumstances (for example, a change of board members or the place where board meetings take place), may result in us becoming a tax resident of a jurisdiction other than Germany. As a consequence, our overall effective income tax rate and income tax expense could materially increase,

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which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects, which could cause our share price and trading volume to decline. However, if there is a double tax treaty between Germany and the respective other country, the double taxation of income may be reduced or avoided entirely.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be limited.

        Our ability to utilize our net operating losses ("NOLs") is currently limited, and may be limited further, under Section 8c of the German Corporation Income Tax Act (Körperschaftsteuergesetz, the "KStG") and Section 10a of the German Trade Tax Act (Gewerbesteuergesetz, the "GewStG"). These limitations apply if a qualified ownership change, as defined by Section 8c KStG, occurs and no exemption is applicable.

        Generally, a qualified ownership change occurs if more than 50% of the share capital or the voting rights are directly or indirectly transferred to a shareholder or a group of shareholders within a period of five years. A qualified ownership change may also occur in case of a transaction comparable to a transfer of shares or voting rights or in case of an increase in capital leading to a respective change in the shareholding. In the case of such a qualified ownership change tax loss carryforwards expire in full. To the extent that the tax loss carryforwards do not exceed hidden reserves (stille Reserven) taxable in Germany, they may be further utilized despite a qualified ownership change. In case of a qualified ownership change within a group, tax loss carryforwards will be preserved if certain conditions are satisfied. In case of a qualified ownership change, tax loss carryforwards will be preserved (in the form of a "fortführungsgebundener Verlustvortrag") if the business operations have not been changed and will not be changed within the meaning of Section 8d KStG.

        According to another appeal filed by the fiscal court of Hamburg dated August 29, 2017, Section 8c, paragraph 1, sentence 1 KStG is not in line with the German constitution. The appeal is still pending. It is unclear when the Federal Constitutional Court will decide this case. According to statements in German legal literature, there are good reasons to believe that the Federal Constitutional Court may come to the conclusion that Section 8, paragraph 1, sentence 1 KStG is not in line with the German constitution.

        As of December 31, 2019, we had unrecognized NOL carryforwards for German tax purposes of approximately €41.6 million available. Future changes in share ownership may also trigger an ownership change and, consequently, a Section 8c KStG or a Section 10a GewStG limitation. Any limitation may result in the expiration of a portion or the complete tax operating loss carryforwards before they can be utilized. As a result, if we earn net taxable income, our ability to use our pre-change net operating loss carryforwards to reduce German income tax may be subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future cash tax liability to us.

Although we do not believe that we were a "passive foreign investment company," or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes in 2019, we may be a PFIC in 2020 or one or more future taxable years. If we were a PFIC in any taxable year, U.S. shareholders may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

        Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after the application of certain look-through rules with respect to our subsidiaries, either (i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain non-active rents and royalties, and capital gains. Based on our current operations, income, and assets, and certain estimates and projections, including as to the relative values of our assets, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for our 2019 taxable year. However, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will agree with our conclusion. In addition, whether we will be a

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PFIC in 2020 or any future taxable year is uncertain because, among other things, (i) we currently own, and expect to continue to own, a substantial amount of passive assets, including cash, (ii) the value of our assets that generate non-passive income for PFIC purposes, including our intangible assets, is uncertain and may vary substantially over time and (iii) the composition of our income may vary substantially over time. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year.

        If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor holds our common shares, we would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S. investor for all succeeding years during which the U.S. investor holds our common shares, even if we ceased to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status, unless certain exceptions apply. Such a U.S. investor may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including (i) the treatment of all or a portion of any gain on disposition as ordinary income, (ii) the application of an additional tax effectively representing a deferred interest charge on such gain and the receipt of certain dividends and (iii) compliance with certain reporting requirements. We do not intend to provide the information that would enable investors to make a qualified electing fund election (a QEF Election") that could mitigate the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences should we be classified as a PFIC.

        For further discussion, see "Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders."

We are a Dutch public company. The rights of our shareholders are different from the rights of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions and may not protect investors in a similar fashion afforded by incorporation in a U.S. jurisdiction.

        We are a public company (naamloze vennootschap) organized under the laws of the Netherlands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of association and by the laws governing companies incorporated in the Netherlands. However, there can be no assurance that Dutch law will not change in the future or that it will serve to protect investors in a similar fashion afforded under corporate law principles in the United States, which could adversely affect the rights of investors.

        The rights of shareholders and the responsibilities of managing directors and supervisory directors may be different from the rights and obligations of shareholders and board members in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions. In the performance of their duties, our managing directors and supervisory directors are required by Dutch law to consider the interests of our company, its shareholders, its employees and other stakeholders, in all cases with due observation of the principles of reasonableness and fairness. It is possible that some of these parties will have interests that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder.

        For more information on our articles of association, please see "Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association" in our Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Provisions of our articles of association or Dutch corporate law might deter acquisition bids for us that might be considered favorable and prevent, delay or frustrate any attempt to replace or remove the members of our management board or supervisory board.

        Under Dutch law, various protective measures are possible and permissible within the boundaries set by Dutch law and Dutch case law. In this respect, certain provisions of our articles of association

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may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us or effect a change in our management board and supervisory board. These include:

We are not obligated to, and do not, comply with all best practice provisions of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.

        As a Dutch public company, we are subject to the DCGC. The DCGC contains both principles and best practice provisions that regulate relations between the management board, the supervisory board and the shareholders. The DCGC is based on a "comply or explain" principle. Accordingly, companies are required to disclose in their annual reports, filed in the Netherlands, whether they comply with the provisions of the DCGC. If they do not comply with those provisions (for example, because of a conflicting Nasdaq requirement), the company is required to give the reasons for such non-compliance. The DCGC applies to Dutch companies listed on a government-recognized stock exchange, whether in the Netherlands or elsewhere, including Nasdaq. We do not comply with all best practice provisions of the DCGC. For further information, see "Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association" in our Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This may affect your rights as a shareholder and you may not have the same level of protection as a shareholder in a Dutch company that fully complies with the DCGC.

Claims of U.S. civil liabilities may not be enforceable against us.

        We are incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, and our headquarters is located in Germany. Most of our assets are located outside the United States. The majority of our management board and supervisory board reside outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to enforce against them or us in U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States.

        There is currently no treaty between the United States and the Netherlands for the mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments (other than arbitration awards) in civil and commercial matters. Therefore, a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any federal or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether or not predicated solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws, would not be enforceable in the Netherlands unless the underlying claim is relitigated before a Dutch court of competent jurisdiction. Under current practice, however, a Dutch court will generally, subject to compliance with certain procedural requirements, grant the same judgment without a review of the merits of the underlying claim if such judgment (i) is a final judgment and has been rendered by a court which has established its jurisdiction vis-à-vis the relevant Dutch companies or Dutch company, as the case may be, on the basis of internationally accepted grounds of jurisdiction, (ii) has not been rendered in violation of principles of proper procedure (behoorlijke rechtspleging), (iii) is not contrary to the public policy of the Netherlands, and (iv) is not incompatible with (a) a prior judgment of a Netherlands court rendered in a dispute between the same parties, or (b) a prior

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judgment of a foreign court rendered in a dispute between the same parties, concerning the same subject matter and based on the same cause of action, provided that such prior judgment is capable of being recognized in the Netherlands. Dutch courts may deny the recognition and enforcement of punitive damages or other awards. Moreover, a Dutch court may reduce the amount of damages granted by a U.S. court and recognize damages only to the extent that they are necessary to compensate actual losses or damages. Enforcement and recognition of judgments of U.S. courts in the Netherlands are solely governed by the provisions of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure.

        The United States and Germany currently do not have a treaty providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, in civil and commercial matters. Consequently, a final judgment for payment or declaratory judgments given by a court in the United States, whether or not predicated solely upon U.S. securities laws, would not automatically be recognized or enforceable in Germany. German courts may deny the recognition and enforcement of a judgment rendered by a U.S. court if they consider the U.S. court not to be competent or the decision to be in violation of German public policy principles. For example, judgments awarding punitive damages are generally not enforceable in Germany. A German court may reduce the amount of damages granted by a U.S. court and recognize damages only to the extent that they are necessary to compensate actual losses or damages.

        In addition, actions brought in a German court against us, our managing directors, our supervisory directors, our senior management and the experts named herein to enforce liabilities based on U.S. federal securities laws may be subject to certain restrictions. In particular, German courts generally do not award punitive damages. Litigation in Germany is also subject to rules of procedure that differ from the U.S. rules, including with respect to the taking and admissibility of evidence, the conduct of the proceedings and the allocation of costs. German procedural law does not provide for pre-trial discovery of documents, nor does Germany support pre-trial discovery of documents under the 1970 Hague Evidence Convention. Proceedings in Germany would have to be conducted in the German language and all documents submitted to the court would, in principle, have to be translated into German. For these reasons, it may be difficult for a U.S. investor to bring an original action in a German court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us, our managing directors, our supervisory directors, our senior management and the experts named in this prospectus.

        Based on the foregoing, there can be no assurance that U.S. investors will be able to enforce against us or management board members, supervisory board members and executive officers or certain experts named herein who are residents of or possessing assets in the Netherlands, Germany, or other countries other than the United States any judgments obtained in U.S. courts in civil and commercial matters, including judgments under the U.S. federal securities.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into it contain express or implied statements that constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than present and historical facts and conditions, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, plans and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is designed to," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "objective," "should," or the negative of these and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

        Forward-looking statements are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report and those disclosed in Exhibit 99.4 to our report on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 15, 2020, which are each incorporated by reference in this prospectus. These risks and uncertainties include factors relating to:

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        You should refer to the section of this prospectus titled "Risk Factors", the section in our Annual Report titled "Risk Factors" and the risk factors disclosed in Exhibit 99.4 to our report on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 15, 2020 for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame or at all. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act do not protect any forward-looking statements that we make in connection with this offering.

        You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part completely and with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance, events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the issuance and sale of 2,000,000 common shares in this offering will be approximately $45.3 million, assuming an offering price of $24.50 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 2, 2020, less underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

        We currently expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for research and development to support orphan drug development with our knowledge-driven information platform, as well as for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to us from this offering to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, assets or technologies.

        This expected use of the net proceeds to us from the offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received by us upon the completion of the offering or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors, including the progress of our research and development efforts and the expansion of our suite of solutions, as well as any collaborations that we may enter into with new or existing pharmaceutical partners and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, our management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the net proceeds to us from the offering.

        Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $24.50 per share, which is the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 2, 2020 as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $1.88 million (approximately €1.71 million), assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million in the number of shares we are offering would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, by approximately $23.03 million (approximately €20.91 million), assuming the assumed public offering price remains the same. The actual net proceeds payable to us will adjust based on the actual number of common shares sold by us, the actual public offering price and other terms of the offering determined at pricing.

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DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND POLICY

        We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our common shares, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain available funds and future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business. Under Dutch law, we may only pay dividends to the extent our shareholders' equity (eigen vermogen) exceeds the sum of the paid-up and called-up share capital plus the reserves required to be maintained by Dutch law or by our articles of association. Subject to such restrictions, any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our management board and our supervisory board and will depend upon a number of factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our management board and supervisory board deem relevant. If and when we do intend to distribute a dividend, such dividend may be distributed in the form of cash only or shares only, through a combination of the foregoing (cash and shares) or through a choice dividend (cash or shares), in each case subject to applicable law. We intend to place this dividend and reservation policy for discussion on the agenda for our annual general meetings of shareholders, consistent with the DCGC.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The table below sets forth our capitalization (defined as long-term debt and shareholders' equity) as of March 31, 2020 derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS:

        This table should be read together with the information set forth under the sections titled "Use of Proceeds", "Selected Financial Information" and "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions" appearing elsewhere in this prospectus as well as (i) our Annual Report and (ii) the section "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 15, 2020, including our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto (the "Q1 2020 Financial Results"), each incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 
  As of March 31, 2020  
 
  Actual   As Adjusted  
 
  (€ in thousands)
 
 
  (unaudited)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

    33,381     74,503  

Liabilities

             

Non-current loans

    768     768  

Current loans

    3,852     3,852  

Total debt

    4,620     4,620  

Equity

             

Issued capital

    2,383     2,623  

Capital reserve

    99,156     140,038  

Retained earnings and other reserves

    (49,221 )   (49,221 )

Non-controlling interests

    (731 )   (731 )

Total shareholders' equity(1)

    51,587     92,709  

Total capitalization

    89,588     171,832  

(1)
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $24.50 per share, which is the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 2, 2020 as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $1.88 million (approximately €1.71 million), assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million in the number of shares we are offering would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, by approximately $23.03 million (approximately €20.91 million), assuming the assumed public offering price remains the same. The actual net proceeds payable to us will adjust based on the actual number of common shares sold by us, the actual public offering price and other terms of the offering determined at pricing.

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        The above table is based on 19,861,340 common shares of Centogene N.V. outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and excludes:

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DILUTION

        If you invest in our common shares in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per common share and the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share after this offering.

        At March 31, 2020, we had a net tangible book value of $40.8 million (€37.1 million), corresponding to a net tangible book value of $2.06 per common share (€1.87 per common share). Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total assets less our total liabilities, excluding intangible assets and deferred offering costs, divided by the common shares issued at March 31, 2020.

        After giving effect to the sale of the 2,000,000 common shares offered by us in the offering, based on the offering price of $24.50 per common share (€22.24 per common share), which is the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 2, 2020 as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our adjusted net tangible book value estimated at March 31, 2020 would have been $86.14 million (€78.20 million), representing $3.94 per common share (€3.58 per common share). This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $1.88 per common share (€1.71 per common share) to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $20.56 per common share (€18.66 per common share) to new investors purchasing common shares in this offering. Dilution for this purpose represents the difference between the price per common share paid by these purchasers and net tangible book value per common share immediately after this offering.

        The following table illustrates the dilution to new investors purchasing common shares in the offering.

 
  $    

Assumed public offering price per common share

    24.50     22.24  

Net tangible book value per common share at March 31, 2020

    2.06     1.87  

Increase in net tangible book value per common share attributable to this offering

    1.88     1.71  

As adjusted net tangible book value per common share after giving effect to this offering

    3.94     3.58  

Dilution per common share to new investors

    20.56     18.66  

Percentage of dilution per common share to new investors

    84 %   84 %

        Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the offering price per common share of $24.50 (approximately €22.24), which is the last reported sale price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 2, 2020 as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) our as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $0.09 per common share (€0.08 per common share) and the dilution to new investors purchasing common shares in the offering by $0.91 per common share (€0.83 per common share). Each increase of 1.0 million in the number of shares we are offering would increase our as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $0.84 per common share (€0.75 per common share) and the dilution to new investors purchasing common shares in the offering by $0.84 per common share (€0.75 per common share). Each decrease of 1.0 million in the number of shares we are offering would decrease our as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $0.91 per common share (€0.83 per common share) and the dilution to new investors purchasing common shares in the offering by $0.91 per common share (€0.83 per common share).

        To the extent that outstanding options are exercised, you will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that

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additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities may result in further dilution to our shareholders.

        The above number of common shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on 19,861,340 common shares of Centogene N.V. outstanding as of March 31, 2020, and excludes:

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SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The following selected consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, and the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 of Centogene N.V. are derived from our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and which has been audited by Ernst & Young.

        The following selected interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of March 31, 2020 and the interim condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020 of Centogene N.V. are derived from the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements attached as Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements referred to above and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary to state fairly our financial position as of March 31, 2020 and our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020. Our historical results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year or any other interim period. We maintain our books and records in euros, and we prepare our financial statements under IFRS as issued by the IASB.

        Financial information presented in the consolidated financial statements of Centogene N.V. for periods prior to the completion of our corporate reorganization is that of Centogene AG (which was converted into Centogene GmbH effective June 29, 2020), our wholly-owned subsidiary. The consolidated financial statements of Centogene N.V. are a continuation of the historical consolidated financial statements of Centogene AG.

        This financial information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Results of Operations—Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended 31, 2018" included in Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177) filed with the SEC on October 28, 2019, the section "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" in our Annual Report including our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the section "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on Exhibit 99.3 in our Q1 2020 Financial Results including our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020, each incorporated by reference herein.

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        We have not included selected consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 in the table below as we qualify as an "emerging growth company" under the JOBS Act, and we make use of an accommodation for reduced reporting.

 
  For the Years Ended
December 31,
  For the
Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
 
  2017   2018   2019   2019   2020  
 
  (€ in thousands)
 
 
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive loss:

                               

Revenue

    31,689     40,478     48,780     10,715     12,105  

Cost of sales

    14,939     19,941     26,005     6,744     7,018  

Gross profit

    16,750     20,537     22,775     3,971     5,087  

Research and development expenses

    6,396     6,300     9,590     1,701     2,691  

General administrative expenses

    9,498     18,610     23,160     5,910     7,898  

Selling expenses

    5,897     7,474     9,254     2,011     2,326  

Other operating income

    1,043     2,306     3,781     1,098     945  

Other operating expenses

    457     1,065     2,036     342     1,275  

Real estate transfer tax expenses

            1,200          

Operating loss

    (4,455 )   (10,606 )   (18,684 )   (4,895 )   (8,158 )

Interest and similar income

    14     33     16     8      

Interest and similar expense

    1,021     1,075     2,029     220     449  

Finance costs, net

    (1,007 )   (1,042 )   (2,013 )   (212 )   (449 )

Loss before taxes

    (5,462 )   (11,648 )   (20,697 )   (5,107 )   (8,607 )

Income tax (benefits)/expenses

    14     (310 )   158     174     129  

Loss for the year

    (5,476 )   (11,338 )   (20,855 )   (5,281 )   (8,736 )

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    10     (8 )   16     2     76  

Total comprehensive loss for the period

    (5,466 )   (11,346 )   (20,839 )   (5,279 )   (8,660 )

Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to the equity holders of the parent

    (5,351 )   (10,971 )   (20,658 )   (5,210 )   (8,599 )

Loss per share—Basic and diluted (€)

    (0.4 )   (0.8 )   (1.3 )   (0.33 )   (0.43 )

 

 
  As of December 31,   As of March 31,  
 
  2018   2019   2020  
 
  (€ in thousands)
 
 
   
   
  (unaudited)
 

Consolidated statement of financial position:

                   

Cash and cash equivalents

    9,222     41,095     33,381  

Total assets

    76,674     117,510     112,801  

Total current liabilities

    24,283     29,000     31,726  

Total non-current liabilities

    25,867     29,588     29,488  

Total equity

    26,524     58,922     51,587  

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

        As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is €9,480,000, consisting of 79,000,000 common shares, par value €0.12 per share. Each of our common shares entitles its holder to one vote. The following table presents information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of the date of this prospectus by:

        The percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 19,861,340 of our common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and generally includes voting power or investment power with respect to the securities held. We have deemed common shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2020, to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the option for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. If the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full, the selling shareholders will offer an additional 525,000 shares in the offering.

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  Percent Of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Assuming Full
Exercise Of
Underwriters'
Option To Purchase
Additional Shares
 
 
  Shares Beneficially Owned
Before This Offering
  Shares Beneficially
Owned After This
Offering
 
Shareholder
  Number   Percentage   Number   Percentage  

>5% Shareholders:

                               

Entities affiliated with DPE Deutsche Private Equity GmbH(1)

    5,124,289     25.8 %   5,124,289     23.4 %   23.4 %

Careventures Fund II S.C.Sp(2)

    3,249,093     16.4 %   2,941,081     13.5 %   12.9 %

Entities affiliated with TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P.(3)

    2,791,248     14.1 %   2,483,236     11.4 %   10.8 %

Equicore Beteiligungs GmbH(4)

    1,852,161     9.3 %   1,501,096     6.9 %   6.3 %

Management Board Members and Key Officers:

                               

Arndt Rolfs(5)

    2,492,129     12.5 %   2,151,139     9.8 %   9.3 %

Richard Stoffelen(6)

    156,780     *     156,780     *     *  

Volkmar Weckesser(7)

    80,417     *     80,417     *     *  

Peter Bauer

    3,322     *     3,222     *     *  

Philip Lambert

                     

Sun Kim

                     

Supervisory Board Members:

                               

Guido Prehn(8)

    5,124,289     25.8 %   5,124,289     23.4 %   23.4 %

Eric Souêtre(9)

    3,249,093     16.4 %   2,941,081     13.5 %   12.9 %

Hubert Birner(10)

    2,791,248     14.1 %   2,483,236     11.4 %   10.8 %

Holger Friedrich(11)

    350,145     1.8 %   350,145     1.6 %   1.6 %

Flemming Ornskov(12)

    132,174     *     132,174     *     *  

Peer Schatz(13)

                     

Berndt Modig

                     

All Supervisory Board Members, Management Board Members and Key Officers as a Group (13 persons)

    14,379,597     72.4 %   13,422,583     61.4 %   59.7 %

Selling Shareholders:

                               

Arndt Rolfs(14)

    2,492,129     12.5 %   2,151,139     9.8 %   9.3 %

Careventures Fund II S.C.Sp(2)

    3,249,093     16.4 %   2,941,081     13.5 %   12.9 %

Equicore Beteiligungs GmbH(4)

    1,852,161     9.3 %   1,501,096     6.9 %   6.3 %

TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P.(3)

    2,791,248     14.1 %   2,483,236     11.4 %   10.8 %

Michael Schlenk(15)

    555,203     *     490,318     *     *  

Stefan Maeser(16)

    207,682     *     168,199     *     *  

Jürgen Kohlhase(17)

    340,344     *     300,944     *     *  

Hans-Bodo Hartmann(18)

    486,828     *     448,776     *     *  

Doreen Niemann(19)

    64,088     *     53,987     *     *  

All Selling Shareholders as a Group (9 persons)

    12,038,776     60.6 %   10,538,776     48.2 %   45.8 %

*
Less than 1% ownership.

(1)
The 5,124,289 common shares held by entities affiliated with DPE Deutsche Private Equity GmbH consist of (a) 3,367,423 common shares held by DPE Deutschland II A GmbH & Co. KG ("DPE II A") and (b) 1,756,866 common shares held by DPE Deutschland II B GmbH & Co. KG ("DPE II B"). DPE Deutsche Private Equity GmbH is the managing limited

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(2)
Careventures Fund II S.C.Sp ("Careventures II") is managed by Careventures Fund II GP Sarl ("Careventures Fund"), and Eric Souêtre, the founder of Careventures Fund, may be deemed to have voting and investment power over the shares held by Careventures II. The address for Careventures II is 42-44, Avenue de la Gare, 1610 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

(3)
The 2,791,248 common shares held by entities affiliated with TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P. consist of (a) 1,934,105 common shares held by TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P and (b) 857,143 common shares held by TVM Life Science Innovation II SCSp. The governance, investment strategy and decision-making with respect to investments held by TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P. is directed by TVM Life Science Innovation I (GP) Limited, whose directors are Reshentha Beeby, Hubert Birner and Gary Leatt, and who have shared power to vote the common shares beneficially owned by TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P. As a result, each may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P. The address for TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P. is 500-1 Place Ville-Marie, Montréal (Québec) H3B 1R1, Canada. The governance, investment strategy and decision-making process with respect to investments held by TVM Life Science Innovation II, SCSp. is directed by TVM Life Science Innovation II (GP) S.à r.l., whose directors are Monica Morsch, Ganash Lokanathen and Jens Hoellermann, and who have shared power to vote the common shares beneficially owned by TVM Life Science Innovation II SCSp. As a result, each may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by TVM Life Science Innovation II SCSp. The address for TVM Life Science Innovation II SCSp is 8 rue Lou Hemmer, L-1748, Senningerberg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

(4)
The 1,852,161 common shares held by Equicore Beteiligungs GmbH consisted of 1,852,161 shares which are deemed to be beneficially owned by Christoph Ehlers, a former member of our supervisory board. The address for Equicore Beteiligungs GmbH is Weiherhofstrasse 5, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Mr. Ehlers has resigned from his office as a member of the supervisory board, effective June 15, 2020.

(5)
Consists of 81,151 common shares that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options issued under our 2019 Plan as a replacement of the 2017 Plan of Centogene GmbH (formerly known as Centogene AG). All options issued for the replacement of the 2017 Plan are fully vested as of the date of this prospectus. Prof. Arndt Rolfs, our CEO and a member of our management board, also directly owns 10% of the shares in Centogene GmbH, Vienna, Austria ("Centogene Vienna"), an immaterial subsidiary of ours. The remaining 90% of the shares in Centogene Vienna are directly owned by Centogene GmbH (formerly known as Centogene AG).

(6)
Consists of 140,169 common shares that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options issued under our 2019 Plan as a replacement of the 2017 Plan of Centogene GmbH (formerly known as Centogene AG). All options issued for the replacement of the 2017 Plan are fully vested as of the date of this prospectus.

(7)
Consists of 73,773 common shares that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options issued under our 2019 Plan as a replacement of the 2017 Plan of Centogene GmbH (formerly known as Centogene AG). All options issued for the replacement of the 2017 Plan are fully vested as of the date of this prospectus.

(8)
Guido Prehn has decision-making power over the common shares beneficially owned by DPE Deutsche Private Equity GmbH but disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.

(9)
Eric Souêtre beneficially owns common shares through his indirect ownership of interests in Careventures Fund.

(10)
Hubert Birner beneficially owns common shares through his indirect ownership of interests in TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P and TVM Life Science Innovation II (GP) S.à r.l.

(11)
Common shares are held by CCG-Commercial Coordination Germany GmbH and are beneficially owned by Holger Friedrich. The address for CCG-Commercial Coordination Germany GmbH is Mauerstraße 78, 10117 Berlin, Germany.

(12)
Consists of 132,174 common shares that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options issued according to the agreement between Centogene and Flemming Ornskov entered into in 2019. Does not include 264,348 common shares that may be acquired according to such agreement, which shares have not vested as of this date of prospectus.

(13)
Peer Schatz was appointed as a member of the supervisory board at the Company's Annual General Meeting on June 26, 2020, and as the vice-chairman of the supervisory board by the supervisory board members as of that same date.

(14)
Arndt Rolfs is our founder, CEO and a member of our management board. His address is Centogene N.V., Am Strande 7, 18055 Rostock, Germany.

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(15)
Michael Schlenk is a former member of our supervisory board. The address of Mr. Schlenk is Am Weinberg 3, 63654 Buedingen, Germany.

(16)
The address of Stefan Maeser is Gelnhäuser Str. 266, 63867 Johannesberg, Germany.

(17)
The address of Jurgen Kohlhase is Inselweg 2, D-79249 Merzhausen, Germany.

(18)
The address of Hans-Bodo Hartmann is Bifänge 59, 79111 Freiburg, Germany.

(19)
Doreen Niemann is an employee of the Company. The address of Mrs. Niemann is Stemeplstraße 9, 18057 Rostock, Germany.

        Following the completion of this offering, each of our shareholders is entitled to one vote per common share. None of the holders of our shares have different voting rights from other holders of shares. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        The following is a description of related party transactions we have entered into since January 1, 2017 with any of our management board members, supervisory board members and the holders of more than 5% of our voting securities, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons.

Preferred and Common Share Financing

        On June 9, 2017, we entered into investment and shareholders agreements with certain investors, including existing shareholders such as Prof. Arndt Rolfs, our CEO, Dr. Peter Bauer, our chief scientific officer, Richard Stoffelen, our CFO, Dr. Volkmar Weckesser, our chief information officer, all of whom are members of our management board, Holger Friedrich, a member of our supervisory board, and Christoph Ehlers, a former member of our supervisory board, Michael Schlenk, TVM Life Science Ventures VII L.P., DPE Deutschland II A GmbH & Co. KG, DPE Deutschland II B GmbH & Co. KG, Careventures S.A., Careventures CG and CM-CIC Investissement SCR, pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell an aggregate of 31,390 Series A preferred shares of Centogene AG in exchange for a further contribution of € 15.0 million from such investors and increased the authorized amount of Series A preferred shares of Centogene AG by up to 34,010.

        On May 22, 2018, pursuant to the Series A Shareholders Agreement we issued an additional 34,010 Series A preferred shares of Centogene AG from the authorized shares to certain investors in exchange for a contribution of €10.0 million from such investors. On November 7, 2018, pursuant to the Series A Extension Agreement (as described below) we issued an additional 26,162 Series A preferred shares of Centogene AG to certain investors in exchange for a contribution of €10.0 million from such investors.

        In conjunction with our corporate reorganization, the preferred shares of Centogene AG were converted into common shares of Centogene N.V.

        As registered in the German commercial register on July 23, 2018, Centogene AG issued 250 common shares to Dirk Ehlers, our Chief Operating Officer and member of our management board. In addition to the nominal value of such shares (€250), Mr. Ehlers made cash contributions into the Company's capital reserves of €99,750.

Investment and Shareholders Agreement

        We and the shareholders who subscribed for Series A preferred shares in the Series A financing entered into a shareholders agreement, dated June 9, 2017 (the "Shareholders Agreement"). The Shareholders Agreement provides for certain restrictions on the shareholders party thereto, including restrictions on transfer of the Series A preferred shares, as well as certain tag-along rights, drag-along rights, demand rights, rights of first offer and rights of first refusal. The Shareholders Agreement was terminated as a result of the corporate reorganization.

        We and the shareholders who subscribed for Series A preferred shares in the Series A financing entered into an investment agreement, dated June 9, 2017 (the "Investment Agreement"). The Investment Agreement provides for the shareholders' subscription obligations and payment obligations

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in connection with the Series A financing. According to the agreement, the initial investors were entitled to subscribe for 34,010 additional authorized Series A preferred shares at a price subject to adjustment based on certain thresholds. Such additional shares were issued on May 22, 2018. The Investment Agreement was terminated as a result of the corporate reorganization.

        We and select shareholders who subscribed for Series A preferred shares in the Series A financing entered into an extension investment agreement, dated October 1, 2018 (the "Series A Extension Agreement"). The Series A Extension Agreement provides for the shareholders' subscription obligations and payment obligations in connection with the Series A extension financing. According to the agreement, the initial investors were entitled to subscribe for 26,162 additional authorized Series A preferred shares at a price subject to adjustment based on certain thresholds. Such additional shares were issued on November 7, 2018. The Series A Extension Agreement was terminated as a result of the corporate reorganization.

Payments for IT and Consulting Services

        In the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we incurred costs of €476 thousand, €nil and €nil, respectively, from CORE SE, an IT provider owned by Holger Friedrich, a member of our supervisory board, for information technology services provided to us. In the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we incurred costs of €14 thousand, €64 thousand and €nil, respectively, from Equicore Beteiligungsgesellschaft GmbH, a shareholder of ours that is beneficially owned by Christoph Ehlers, a former member of our supervisory board, for consultancy services provided to us. In April 2019, we signed a consulting contract with Flemming Ornskov, the chairman of our supervisory board, for corporate strategy services outside the scope of his services as the chairman of our supervisory board to be provided to us. For the year ended December 31, 2019, total costs incurred in respect of this contract were €152 thousand.

Insurance and Indemnification Agreements

        Our current and future managing directors and supervisory directors (and such other officer or employee as designated by our management board) have the benefit of indemnification provisions in our articles of association. These provisions give the indemnified persons the right to recover from us amounts, including but not limited to litigation expenses, and any damages they are ordered to pay, in relation to acts or omissions in the performance of their duties, subject to certain exceptions. In particular, there is no entitlement to indemnification for acts or omissions which have been determined to constitute malice, gross negligence, intentional recklessness and/or serious culpability attributable to such indemnified person. In addition, we have entered into agreements with our managing directors, supervisory directors to indemnify them against expenses and liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by law. These agreements also provide, subject to certain exceptions, for indemnification for related expenses including, among others, attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding. In addition to such indemnification, we provide our managing directors and supervisory directors with directors' and officers' liability insurance.

Registration Rights Agreement

        In connection with our initial public offering which closed on November 12, 2019, we entered into a registration rights agreement with certain of our existing shareholders pursuant to which we agreed under certain circumstances to file a registration statement to register the resale of the shares held by such holders, subject to certain exceptions, as well as to cooperate in certain public offerings of such shares. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming

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freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration, except for shares purchased by affiliates. For more details, see the Form of Our Registration Rights Agreement attached as Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on October 11, 2019. On June 18, 2020, the Registration Rights Agreement was amended in accordance with its terms.

Service Agreements

        We have entered into service agreements with all of our managing directors and supervisory directors. All of these service agreements provide for notice of termination periods after certain minimum appointment periods and all of them include restrictive covenants.

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

General

        Centogene AG (which is now known as Centogene GmbH) was founded by our CEO, Prof. Arndt Rolfs, in 2006 in Rostock, Germany. In connection with our initial public offering, which closed on November 12, 2019, we executed a corporate reorganization whereby Centogene B.V., which was incorporated on October 11, 2018, was converted into Centogene N.V. and Centogene N.V. became the holding company for Centogene AG, which remains our principal operating subsidiary. Centogene N.V. is a Dutch public company (naamloze vennootschap) organized under the laws of the Netherlands and our legal and commercial name is Centogene N.V. Our affairs are governed by the provisions of our articles of association and internal rules, regulations and policies, as amended and restated from time to time, and by the provisions of applicable Dutch law.

        As provided in our articles of association, subject to Dutch law, we have full capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity, do any act or enter into any transaction consistent with the objects specified in our articles of association, and, for such purposes, full rights, powers and privileges. Our principal executives are located at Am Strande 7, 18055 Rostock, Germany.

        Our general meeting of shareholders has adopted the official Dutch version of the articles of association included in their English form as Exhibit 3.1 to our revised registration statement (the "Amendment No. 1") on Form F-1 (file no. 333-234177), filed with the SEC on October 28, 2019.

        We incorporate by reference into this prospectus our articles of association included as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 (File No. 333-234177) filed with the SEC on October 28, 2019. Such Exhibit sets forth an English translation of the official Dutch version of our articles of association as currently in effect.

        As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital amounts to €9,480,000, divided into 79,000,000 common shares, each with a nominal value of €0.12, and our issued share capital amounts to €2,383,360.80.

        Initial settlement of our common shares in connection with this offering will take place on the closing date of this offering through The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, in accordance with its customary settlement procedures for equity securities. Each person owning common shares held through DTC must rely on the procedures thereof and on institutions that have accounts therewith to exercise any rights of a holder of the common shares. Persons wishing to obtain certificates for their common shares must make arrangements with DTC.

        The following is a summary of relevant information concerning our share capital and our articles of association. This summary does not constitute legal advice regarding those matters and should not be regarded as such.

Common Shares

        The following summarizes the main rights of holders of our common shares:

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        The Company may not make calls on shareholders in excess of the aggregate nominal value of the shares a shareholder has subscribed for.

Shareholders' Register

        Pursuant to Dutch law and our articles of association, we must keep our shareholders' register accurate and current. The management board keeps our shareholders' register and records names and addresses of all holders of shares, showing the date on which the shares were acquired, the date of the acknowledgement by or notification of us as well as the amount paid on each share. The register also includes the names and addresses of those with a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) in shares belonging to another or a pledge (pandrecht) in respect of such shares. The common shares offered in this offering will be held through DTC, therefore DTC or its nominee will be recorded in the shareholders' register as the holder of those common shares.

Corporate Objectives

        Pursuant to our articles of association, our main corporate objectives are:

Limitations on the Rights to Own Securities

        Our common shares may be issued to individuals, corporations, trusts, estates of deceased individuals, partnerships and unincorporated associations of persons. Our articles of association contain no limitation on the rights to own our shares and no limitation on the rights of nonresidents of the Netherlands or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters

        Under Dutch law, managing directors, supervisory directors and certain other officers may be held liable for damages in the event of improper or negligent performance of their duties. They may be held jointly and severally liable for damages to the company and to third parties for infringement of the articles of association or of certain provisions of Dutch law. In certain circumstances, they may also

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incur additional specific civil and criminal liabilities. Subject to certain exceptions, our articles of association provide for indemnification of our current and former managing directors and supervisory directors (and other current and former officers and employees as designated by our management board). No indemnification shall be given to an indemnified person:

        Under our articles of association, our management board may stipulate additional terms, conditions and restrictions in relation to the indemnification described above.

Shareholders' Meetings

        General meetings of shareholders may be held in Amsterdam, Arnhem, Assen, The Hague, Haarlem, 's-Hertogenbosch, Groningen, Leeuwarden, Lelystad, Maastricht, Middelburg, Rotterdam, Schiphol (Haarlemmermeer), Utrecht or Zwolle, all in the Netherlands. The annual general meeting of shareholders must be held within six months of the end of each financial year. Additional extraordinary general meetings of shareholders may also be held, whenever considered appropriate by the management board or the supervisory board and shall be held within three months after our management board has considered it to be likely that our equity has decreased to an amount equal to or lower than half of its paid up and called up share capital, in order to discuss the measures to be taken if so required.

        Pursuant to Dutch law, one or more shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law who jointly represent at least one-tenth of the issued share capital may request us to convene a general meeting, setting out in detail the matters to be discussed. If we have not taken the steps necessary to ensure that such meeting can be held within six weeks after the request, the requesting party/parties may, on their application, be authorized by the competent Dutch court in preliminary relief proceedings to convene a general meeting of shareholders. The court shall disallow the application if it does not appear that the applicants have previously requested our management board and our supervisory board to convene a general meeting and neither our management board nor our supervisory board have taken the necessary steps so that the general meeting could be held within six weeks after the request.

        General meetings of shareholders can be convened by a notice, which shall include an agenda stating the items to be discussed as well as other information as required by Dutch law, including for the annual general meeting of shareholders, among other things, the adoption of the annual accounts, appropriation of our profits and proposals relating to the composition of the management board and supervisory board, including the filling of any vacancies in such bodies. In addition, the agenda shall

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include such items as have been included therein by the management board or the supervisory board. The agenda shall also include such items requested by one or more shareholders, or others with meeting rights under Dutch law, representing at least 3% of the issued share capital. Requests must be made in writing or by electronic means and received by us at least 60 days before the day of the meeting. No resolutions shall be adopted on items other than those that have been included in the agenda.

        In accordance with the DCGC and our articles of association, shareholders having the right to put an item on the agenda under the rules described above shall exercise such right only after consulting the management board in that respect. If one or more shareholders intend to request that an item be put on the agenda that may result in a change in the company's strategy (for example, the removal of managing directors or supervisory directors), the management board must be given the opportunity to invoke a reasonable period to respond to such intention. Such period shall not exceed 180 days (or such other period as may be stipulated for such purpose by Dutch law and/or the DCGC from time to time). If invoked, the management board must use such response period for further deliberation and constructive consultation, in any event with the shareholders(s) concerned, and shall explore the alternatives. At the end of the response time, the management board shall report on this consultation and the exploration of alternatives to the general meeting of shareholders. This shall be supervised by our supervisory board. The response period may be invoked only once for any given general meeting of shareholders and shall not apply: (a) in respect of a matter for which a response period has been previously invoked; or (b) if a shareholder holds at least 75% of the company's issued share capital as a consequence of a successful public bid. The response period may also be invoked in response to shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law requesting that a general meeting of shareholders be convened, as described above.

        The general meeting is presided over by the chairman of the supervisory board. If no chairman has been elected or if he or she is not present at the meeting, the general meeting shall be presided over by another supervisory director present at the meeting. If no supervisory director is present, the meeting shall be presided over by our CEO. If no CEO has been elected or if he or she is not present at the meeting, the general meeting shall be presided over by another managing director present at the meeting. If no managing director is present at the meeting, the general meeting shall be presided over by any other person appointed by the general meeting. In each case, the person who should chair the general meeting pursuant to the rules described above may appoint another person to chair the general meeting instead. Managing directors and supervisory directors may always attend a general meeting of shareholders. In these meetings, they have an advisory vote. The chairman of the meeting may decide at his or her discretion to admit other persons to the meeting.

        All shareholders and others with meeting rights under Dutch law are authorized to attend the general meeting of shareholders, to address the meeting and, in so far as they have such right, to vote.

        Each common share confers the right on the holder to cast one vote at the general meeting of shareholders. Shareholders may vote by proxy. No votes may be cast at a general meeting of shareholders on shares held by us or our subsidiaries or on shares for which we or our subsidiaries hold depositary receipts. Nonetheless, the holders of a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) and the holders of a right of pledge (pandrecht) in respect of shares held by us or our subsidiaries in our share capital are not excluded from the right to vote on such shares, if the right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or the right of pledge (pandrecht) was granted prior to the time such shares were acquired by us or any of our subsidiaries. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may cast votes in respect of a share on which we or such subsidiary holds a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or a right of pledge (pandrecht). Shares which are not entitled to voting rights pursuant to the preceding sentences will not be taken into account for the purpose of determining the number of shareholders that vote and that are present or represented, or the amount of the share capital that is provided or that is represented at a general meeting of shareholders.

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        Decisions of the general meeting of shareholders are taken by a simple majority of votes cast, except where Dutch law or our articles of association provide for a qualified majority or unanimity.

Managing Directors and Supervisory Directors

        Under our articles of association, the managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed by the general meeting of shareholders upon binding nomination by our supervisory board. However, the general meeting of shareholders may at all times overrule the binding nomination by a resolution adopted by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital. If the general meeting of shareholders overrules the binding nomination, the supervisory board shall make a new nomination.

        Our supervisory board has adopted a diversity policy for the composition of our management board and our supervisory board, as well as a profile for the composition of the supervisory board. The supervisory board shall make any nomination for the appointment of a managing director or supervisory director with due regard to the rules and principles set forth in such diversity policy and profile, as applicable.

        At a general meeting of shareholders, a resolution to appoint a managing director or supervisory director can only be passed in respect of candidates whose names are stated for that purpose in the agenda of that general meeting of shareholders or in the explanatory notes thereto.

        Under Dutch law, when nominating a person for appointment or reappointment as a supervisory director, the nomination must be supported by reasons (if it concerns a reappointment, past performance must be taken into consideration) and the following information about such person must be provided: (i) age and profession; (ii) the aggregate nominal value of the shares held in the company's capital; (iii) present and past positions, to the extent relevant for the performance of the tasks of a supervisory director; and (iv) the name of each entity where such person already holds a position as supervisory director or non-executive director (in case of multiple entities within the same group, the name of the group shall suffice).

        Under Dutch law, the management board is charged with the management of the company, subject to the restrictions contained in our articles of association, and the supervisory board is charged with the supervision of the policy of the management board and the general course of affairs of the company and of the business connected with it. Each managing director and supervisory director has a statutory duty to act in the corporate interest of the company and its business. Under Dutch law, the corporate interest extends to the interests of all corporate stakeholders, such as shareholders, creditors, employees, customers and suppliers. The duty to act in the corporate interest of the company also applies in the event of a proposed sale or break-up of the company, provided that the circumstances generally dictate how such duty is to be applied and how the respective interests of various groups of stakeholders should be weighed. Any resolution of the management board regarding a material change in our identity or character requires approval of the general meeting of shareholders.

Dividends and Other Distributions

        We may only make distributions to our shareholders if our shareholders' equity (eigen vermogen) exceeds the sum of the paid-up and called-up share capital plus any reserves required by Dutch law or by our articles of association. Under our articles of association, the management board may decide that all or part of the profits are carried to reserves. After reservation by the management board of any

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profit, the remaining profit will be at the disposal of the general meeting of shareholders for distribution, subject to restrictions of Dutch law and approval by our supervisory board.

        We only make a distribution of dividends to our shareholders after the adoption of our annual accounts demonstrating that such distribution is legally permitted. The management board is permitted, subject to certain requirements, to declare interim dividends without the approval of the general meeting of shareholders, but only with the approval of the supervisory board.

        Dividends and other distributions shall be made payable not later than the date determined by the management board. Claims to dividends and other distributions not made within five years from the date that such dividends or distributions became payable, will lapse and any such amounts will be considered to have been forfeited to us (verjaring).

        We have not adopted a dividend policy with respect to future dividends. Subject the restrictions described above, any dividend policy (if we were to adopt one) will depend on many factors, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our management board and supervisory board.

        Under Dutch law, there are no exchange controls applicable to the transfer to persons outside of the Netherlands of dividends or other distributions with respect to, or of the proceeds from the sale of, shares of a Dutch company, subject to applicable restrictions under sanctions and measures, including those concerning export control, pursuant to European Union regulations, the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977) or other legislation, applicable anti-boycott regulations, anti-money laundering regulations and similar rules.

        Pursuant to Section 2:92a of the Dutch Civil Code, a shareholder who holds at least 95% of our issued share capital for his own account, alone or together with group companies, may initiate proceedings against the other shareholders jointly for the transfer of their shares to such shareholder. The proceedings are held before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, or the Enterprise Chamber (Ondernemingskamer), and can be instituted by means of a writ of summons served upon each of the other shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure (Wetboek van Burgerlijke Rechtsvordering). The Enterprise Chamber may grant the claim for squeeze-out in relation to the other shareholders and will determine the price to be paid for the shares, if necessary, after appointment of one or three experts who will offer an opinion to the Enterprise Chamber on the value to be paid for the shares of the other shareholders. Once the order to transfer becomes final before the Enterprise Chamber, the person acquiring the shares shall give written notice of the date and place of payment and the price to the holders of the shares to be acquired whose addresses are known to him. Unless the addresses of all of them are known to the acquiring person, such person is required to publish the same in a daily newspaper with a national circulation.

        Under our articles of association, we may be dissolved by a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders, subject to a proposal of the management board approved by our supervisory board. In the event of a dissolution, the liquidation shall be effected by the management board, under supervision of our supervisory board, unless the general meeting decides otherwise. To the extent that any assets remain after payment of all debts, those assets shall be distributed to the holders of common shares.

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Dutch Corporate Governance Code

        As a listed Dutch public company (naamloze vennootschap), we will be subject to the DCGC. The DCGC contains both principles and best practice provisions that regulate relations between the management board, the supervisory board and the general meeting of shareholders. The DCGC is based on a "comply or explain" principle. Accordingly, companies are required to disclose in their statutory annual reports, filed in the Netherlands, whether they comply with the provisions of the DCGC. If they do not comply with these provisions (for example, because of a conflicting Nasdaq requirement), the company is required to give the reasons for such non-compliance. See "Risk factors—we are not obligated to, and do not, comply with all best practice provisions of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code."

        We do not comply with all principles and best practice provisions of the DCGC. As of the date of this prospectus, we deviate from the DCGC as summarized in our Dutch statutory annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, but cannot exclude the possibility of deviating from additional provisions of the DCGC after the date hereof, including in order to follow market practice or governance practices in the United States.

Dutch Financial Reporting Supervision Act

        On the basis of the Dutch Financial Reporting Supervision Act (Wet toezicht financiële verslaggeving), or the FRSA, the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiële Markten), or AFM supervises the application of financial reporting standards by Dutch companies whose securities are listed on a Dutch or foreign stock exchange.

        Pursuant to the FRSA, the AFM has an independent right to (i) request an explanation from us regarding our application of the applicable financial reporting standards and (ii) recommend to us the making available of further explanations. If we do not comply with such a request or recommendation, the AFM may request that the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (Ondernemingskamer) order us to (i) make available further explanations as recommended by the AFM, (ii) provide an explanation of the way we have applied the applicable financial reporting standards to our financial reports or (iii) prepare our financial reports in accordance with the Enterprise Chamber's orders.

Foreign Investment Legislation

        Under existing laws of the Netherlands, there are no exchange controls applicable to the transfer to persons outside of the Netherlands of dividends or other distributions with respect to, or of the proceeds from the sale of, shares of a Dutch company, subject to applicable restrictions under sanctions and measures, including those concerning export control, pursuant to European Union regulations, the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977) or other legislation, applicable anti-boycott regulations, anti-money laundering regulations and similar rules.

Comparison of Netherlands Corporate Law and U.S. Corporate Law

        The following comparison between Dutch corporate law, which applies to us, and Delaware corporation law, the law under which many publicly listed corporations in the United States are incorporated, discusses additional matters not otherwise described in this prospectus. Although we believe this summary is materially accurate, the summary is subject to Dutch law, including Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code and the DCGC and Delaware corporation law, including the Delaware General Corporation Law.

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        The Netherlands.    In the Netherlands, a listed company typically has a two-tier board structure with a management board comprised of the managing directors and a supervisory board comprised of the supervisory directors. We have a two-tier board structure consisting of our management board (bestuur) and a separate supervisory board (raad van commissarissen).

        Under Dutch law, the management board is charged with the management of the company, subject to the restrictions contained in our articles of association, and the supervisory board is charged with the supervision of the policy of the management board and the general course of affairs of the company and of the business connected with it. Each managing director and supervisory director has a statutory duty to act in the corporate interest of the company and its business. Under Dutch law, the corporate interest extends to the interests of all corporate stakeholders, such as shareholders, creditors, employees, customers and suppliers. The duty to act in the corporate interest of the company also applies in the event of a proposed sale or break-up of the company, provided that the circumstances generally dictate how such duty is to be applied and how the respective interests of various groups of stakeholders should be weighed. Any resolution of the management board regarding a material change in our identity or character requires approval of the general meeting of shareholders.

        Delaware.    The board of directors bears the ultimate responsibility for managing the business and affairs of a corporation. In discharging this function, directors of a Delaware corporation owe fiduciary duties of care and loyalty to the corporation and to its stockholders. Delaware courts have decided that the directors of a Delaware corporation are required to exercise informed business judgment in the performance of their duties. Informed business judgment means that the directors have informed themselves of all material information reasonably available to them. Delaware courts have also imposed a heightened standard of conduct upon directors of a Delaware corporation who take any action designed to defeat a threatened change in control of the corporation. In addition, under Delaware law, when the board of directors of a Delaware corporation approves the sale or break-up of a corporation, the board of directors may, in certain circumstances, have a duty to obtain the highest value reasonably available to the stockholders.

        The Netherlands.    The DCGC provides the following best practice recommendations on the terms for tenure of managing directors and supervisory directors:

        The general meeting of shareholders shall at all times be entitled to suspend or dismiss a managing director or supervisory director. Under our articles of association, the general meeting of shareholders may only adopt a resolution to suspend or dismiss such director by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided that such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital, unless the resolution is passed at the proposal of the supervisory board, in which case a simple majority of the votes cast is sufficient. In addition, the supervisory board may at any time suspend a managing director. A suspension by the supervisory board can at any time be lifted by the general meeting of shareholders.

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        Delaware.    The Delaware General Corporation Law generally provides for a one-year term for directors, but permits directorships to be divided into up to three classes with up to three-year terms, with the years for each class expiring in different years, if permitted by the certificate of incorporation, an initial bylaw or a bylaw adopted by the stockholders. A director elected to serve a term on a "classified" board may not be removed by stockholders without cause. There is no limit in the number of terms a director may serve.

        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law, managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed and reappointed by the general meeting of shareholders. Under our articles of association, managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed by the general meeting of shareholders upon the binding nomination by our supervisory board. However, the general meeting of shareholders may at all times overrule the binding nomination by a resolution adopted by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided that such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital. If the general meeting of shareholders overrules the binding nomination, the supervisory board shall make a new nomination.

        Our supervisory board has adopted a diversity policy for the composition of our management board and our supervisory board, as well as a profile for the composition of the supervisory board. The supervisory board shall make any nomination for the appointment of a managing director or supervisory director with due regard to the rules and principles set forth in such diversity policy and profile, as applicable.

        Under Dutch law, when nominating a person for appointment or reappointment as a supervisory director, the nomination must be supported by reasons (if it concerns a reappointment, past performance must be taken into consideration) and the following information about such person must be provided: (i) age and profession; (ii) the aggregate nominal value of the shares held in the company's capital; (iii) present and past positions, to the extent relevant for the performance of the tasks of a supervisory director; and (iv) the name of each entity where such person already holds a position as supervisory director or non-executive director (in case of multiple entities within the same group, the name of the group shall suffice).

        Delaware.    The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office (even though less than a quorum) unless (i) otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation or (ii) the certificate of incorporation directs that a particular class of stock is to elect such director, in which case any other directors elected by such class, or a sole remaining director elected by such class, will fill such vacancy.

        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law and our articles of association, our managing directors and supervisory directors shall not take part in any discussion or decision-making that involves a subject or transaction in relation to which he or she has a conflict of interest with us. Our articles of association provide that if as a result of conflicts of interests no resolution of the management board can be adopted, the resolution may be passed by the supervisory board and that, if as a result of conflicts of interests no resolution of the supervisory board can be adopted, the resolution may nonetheless be adopted by the supervisory board as if none of the supervisory directors had a conflict of interest. In that case, each supervisory director is entitled to participate in the discussion and decision-making process and to cast a vote.

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        The DCGC provides the following best practice recommendations in relation to conflicts of interests:

        Delaware.    The Delaware General Corporation Law generally permits transactions involving a Delaware corporation and an interested director of that corporation if:

        The Netherlands.    An absent member of the management board may issue a proxy for a specific management board meeting but only to another management board member in writing or by electronic means. An absent member of the supervisory board may issue a proxy for a specific supervisory board meeting but only to another supervisory board member in writing or by electronic means.

        Delaware.    A director of a Delaware corporation may not issue a proxy representing the director's voting rights as a director.

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        The Netherlands.    In accordance with Dutch law and our articles of association, each issued common share confers the right to cast one vote at the general meeting of shareholders. Each holder of shares may cast as many votes as it holds shares. No votes may be cast on shares that are held by us or our direct or indirect subsidiaries or on shares for which we or our subsidiaries hold depositary receipts. Nonetheless, the holders of a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) and the holders of a right of pledge (pandrecht) in respect of shares held by us or our subsidiaries in our share capital are not excluded from the right to vote on such shares, if the right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or the right of pledge (pandrecht) was granted prior to the time such shares were acquired by us or any of our subsidiaries. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may cast votes in respect of a share on which we or such subsidiary holds a right of use and enjoyment (vruchtgebruik) or a right of pledge (pandrecht).

        In accordance with our articles of association, for each general meeting of shareholders, the management board may determine that a record date will be applied in order to establish which shareholders are entitled to attend and vote at the general meeting of shareholders. Such record date shall be the 28th day prior to the day of the general meeting. The record date and the manner in which shareholders can register and exercise their rights will be set out in the notice of the meeting which must be published in a Dutch daily newspaper with national distribution at least 15 days prior to the meeting (and such notice may therefore be published after the record date for such meeting).

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, each stockholder is entitled to one vote per share of stock, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. In addition, the certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting at all elections of directors of the corporation, or at elections held under specified circumstances. Either the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws may specify the number of shares and/or the amount of other securities that must be represented at a meeting in order to constitute a quorum, but in no event will a quorum consist of less than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.

        Stockholders as of the record date for the meeting are entitled to vote at the meeting, and the board of directors may fix a record date that is no more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, and if no record date is set then the record date is the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived then the record date is the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The determination of the stockholders of record entitled to notice or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting, but the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

        The Netherlands.    Pursuant to our articles of association, extraordinary general meetings of shareholders will be held whenever required under Dutch law or whenever our management board or supervisory board deems such to be appropriate or necessary. Pursuant to Dutch law, one or more shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law representing at least one-tenth of the issued share capital may request us to convene a general meeting, setting out in detail the matters to be discussed. If we have not taken the steps necessary to ensure that such meeting can be held within six weeks after the request, the requesting party or parties may, on their application, be authorized by the competent Dutch court in preliminary relief proceedings to convene a general meeting of shareholders.

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        Also, the agenda for a general meeting of shareholders shall include such items requested by one or more shareholders, and others entitled to attend general meetings of shareholders, representing at least 3% of the issued share capital, except where the articles of association state a lower percentage. Our articles of association do not state such lower percentage. Requests must be made in writing or by electronic means and received by us at least 60 days before the day of the meeting.

        In accordance with the DCGC and our articles of association, a shareholder shall exercise the right of putting an item on the agenda only after consulting the management board in that respect. If one or more shareholders intend to request that an item be put on the agenda that may result in a change in the company's strategy (for example, the removal of managing directors or supervisory directors), the management board must be given the opportunity to invoke a reasonable period to respond to such intention. Such period shall not exceed 180 days (or such other period as may be stipulated for such purpose by Dutch law and/or the DCGC from time to time). If invoked, the management board must use such response period for further deliberation and constructive consultation, in any event with the shareholders(s) concerned, and shall explore the alternatives. At the end of the response time, the management board shall report on this consultation and the exploration of alternatives to the general meeting of shareholders. This shall be supervised by our supervisory board. The response period may be invoked only once for any given general meeting of shareholders and shall not apply: (a) in respect of a matter for which a response period has been previously invoked; or (b) if a shareholder holds at least 75% of the company's issued share capital as a consequence of a successful public bid. The response period may also be invoked in response to shareholders or others with meeting rights under Dutch law requesting that a general meeting of shareholders be convened, as described above.

        Delaware.    Delaware law does not specifically grant stockholders the right to bring business before an annual or special meeting. However, if a Delaware corporation is subject to the SEC's proxy rules, a stockholder who owns at least $2,000 in market value, or 1% of the corporation's securities entitled to vote, may propose a matter for a vote at an annual or special meeting in accordance with those rules.

        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law, shareholders' resolutions may be adopted in writing without holding a meeting of shareholders, provided that (i) the articles of association allow such action by written consent, (ii) the company has not issued bearer shares or, with its cooperation, depository receipts for shares in its capital, and (iii) the resolution is adopted unanimously by all shareholders that are entitled to vote. The requirement of unanimity renders the adoption of shareholder resolutions without holding a meeting not feasible for publicly traded companies.

        Delaware.    Although permitted by Delaware law, publicly listed companies do not typically permit stockholders of a corporation to take action by written consent.

        The Netherlands.    Subject to certain exceptions, Dutch law does not recognize the concept of appraisal or dissenters' rights. However, Dutch law does provide for squeeze-out procedures as described under "Dividends and Other Distributions—Squeeze-Out Procedures." Also, Dutch law provides for cash exit rights for dissenting shareholders of a company organized under Dutch law entering into a cross-border merger with an acquiring company organized under the laws of another member state of the EEA. A shareholder of such a Dutch disappearing company who has voted against such cross-border merger, as well as any holder of shares without voting rights, may file a claim with the Dutch company for compensation. Such compensation shall then be determined by one or more independent experts. The shares of such shareholder that are subject to such claim will cease to exist as of the moment of entry into effect of the cross-border merger.

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        Delaware.    The Delaware General Corporation Law provides for stockholder appraisal rights, or the right to demand payment in cash of the judicially determined fair value of the stockholder's shares, in connection with certain mergers and consolidations.

        The Netherlands.    In the event a third party is liable to a Dutch company, only the company itself can bring a civil action against that party. The individual shareholders do not have the right to bring an action on behalf of the company. Only in the event that the cause for the liability of a third party to the company also constitutes a tortious act directly against a shareholder does that shareholder have an individual right of action against such third party in its own name. Dutch law provides for the possibility to initiate such actions collectively, in which a foundation or an association can act as a class representative and has standing to commence proceedings and claim damages if certain criteria are met. The court will first determine if those criteria are met. If so, the case will go forward as a class action on the merits after a period allowing class members to opt out from the case has lapsed. All members of the class who are residents of the Netherlands and who did not opt-out will be bound to the outcome of the case. Residents of other countries must actively opt in in order to be able to benefit from the class action. The defendant is not required to file defenses on the merits prior to the merits phase having commenced. It is possible for the parties to reach a settlement during the merits phase. Such a settlement can be approved by the court, which approval will then bind the members of the class, subject to a second opt-out. This new regime applies to claims brought after January 1, 2020 and which relate to certain events that occurred prior to that date. For other matters, the old Dutch class actions regime will apply. Under the old regime, no monetary damages can be sought. Also, a judgment rendered under the old regime will not bind individual class members. Even though Dutch law does not provide for derivative suits, directors and officers can still be subject to liability under U.S. securities laws.

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a stockholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the corporation to enforce the rights of the corporation. An individual also may commence a class action suit on behalf of himself and other similarly situated stockholders where the requirements for maintaining a class action under Delaware law have been met. A person may institute and maintain such a suit only if that person was a stockholder at the time of the transaction which is the subject of the suit. In addition, under Delaware case law, the plaintiff normally must be a stockholder at the time of the transaction that is the subject of the suit and throughout the duration of the derivative suit. Delaware law also requires that the derivative plaintiff make a demand on the directors of the corporation to assert the corporate claim before the suit may be prosecuted by the derivative plaintiff in court, unless such a demand would be futile.

        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law, when issuing shares, a public company such as ours may not subscribe for newly issued shares in its own capital. Such company may, however, subject to certain restrictions of Dutch law and its articles of association, acquire shares in its own capital. A listed public company such as ours may acquire fully paid shares in its own capital at any time for no valuable consideration. Furthermore, subject to certain provisions of Dutch law and its articles of association, such company may repurchase fully paid shares in its own capital if (i) the company's shareholders' equity less the payment required to make the acquisition does not fall below the sum of paid-up and called-up share capital plus any reserves required by Dutch law or its articles of association and (ii) the aggregate nominal value of shares of the company which the company acquires, holds or on which the company holds a pledge (pandrecht) or which are held by a subsidiary of the company, would not exceed 50% of its then-current issued share capital. Such company may only acquire its own shares if

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its general meeting of shareholders has granted the management board the authority to effect such acquisitions.

        An acquisition of common shares for a consideration must be authorized by our general meeting of shareholders. Such authorization may be granted for a maximum period of 18 months and must specify the number of common shares that may be acquired, the manner in which common shares may be acquired and the price limits within which common shares may be acquired. Authorization is not required for the acquisition of common shares in order to transfer them to our employees. The actual acquisition may only be effected pursuant to a resolution of our management board, with the approval of our supervisory board. Our management board, subject to approval by our supervisory board, has been authorized, for a period of 18 months from June 26, 2020, the date of our most recent annual general meeting of shareholders, to cause the repurchase of common shares by us of up to 20% of our issued share capital, for a price per share not exceeding 110% of the average market price of our common shares on Nasdaq (such average market price being the average of the closing prices on each of the five consecutive trading days preceding the date the acquisition is agreed upon by us). These shares may be used to deliver shares underlying awards granted pursuant to our equity-based compensation plans.

        No authorization of the general meeting of shareholders is required if common shares are acquired by us with the intention of transferring such common shares to our employees under an applicable employee stock purchase plan.

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may purchase or redeem its own shares unless the capital of the corporation is impaired or the purchase or redemption would cause an impairment of the capital of the corporation. A Delaware corporation may, however, purchase or redeem out of capital any of its preferred shares or, if no preferred shares are outstanding, any of its own shares if such shares will be retired upon acquisition and the capital of the corporation will be reduced in accordance with specified limitations.

        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law, various protective measures are possible and permissible within the boundaries set by Dutch law and Dutch case law. In this respect, certain provisions of our articles of association may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us or effect a change in our management board and supervisory board. These provisions include: a provision that our managing directors and supervisory directors are appointed on the basis of a binding nomination prepared by our supervisory board which can only be overruled by a two-thirds majority of votes cast representing more than 50% of our issued share capital; a provision that our managing directors and supervisory directors may only be dismissed by the general meeting of shareholders by a two-thirds majority of votes cast representing more than 50% of our issued share capital (unless the dismissal is proposed by the supervisory board in which case a simple majority of the votes would be sufficient); and a requirement that certain matters, including an amendment of our articles of association, may only be brought to our shareholders for a vote upon a proposal by our management board. In addition, Dutch law allows for staggered multi-year terms of our managing directors and supervisory directors, as a result of which only part of our managing directors and supervisory directors may be subject to election or re-election in any one year.

        Delaware.    In addition to other aspects of Delaware law governing fiduciary duties of directors during a potential takeover, the Delaware General Corporation Law also contains a business combination statute that protects Delaware companies from hostile takeovers and from actions following the takeover by prohibiting some transactions once an acquirer has gained a significant holding in the corporation.

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        Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits "business combinations," including mergers, sales and leases of assets, issuances of securities and similar transactions by a corporation or a subsidiary with an interested stockholder that beneficially owns 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock, within three years after the person becomes an interested stockholder, unless:

        A Delaware corporation may elect not to be governed by Section 203 by a provision contained in the original certificate of incorporation of the corporation or an amendment to the original certificate of incorporation or to the bylaws of the company, which amendment must be approved by a majority of the shares entitled to vote and may not be further amended by the board of directors of the corporation. Such an amendment is not effective until 12 months following its adoption.

        The Netherlands.    The management board and the supervisory board provide the general meeting of shareholders, within a reasonable amount of time, all information that the shareholders require for the exercise of their powers, unless this would be contrary to an overriding interest of our company. If the management board or supervisory board invokes such an overriding interest, it must give reasons.

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, any stockholder may inspect for any proper purpose certain of the corporation's books and records during the corporation's usual hours of business.

        The Netherlands.    Under our articles of association, the general meeting of shareholders shall at all times be entitled to dismiss a director. The general meeting of shareholders may only adopt a resolution to suspend or dismiss a managing director or supervisory director by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, provided that such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital, unless the proposal was made by the supervisory board, in which latter case a simple majority is sufficient.

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except (i) unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, in the case of a corporation whose board is classified, stockholders may effect such removal only for cause, or (ii) in the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there are classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which he is a part.

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        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law, a company's general meeting is the corporate body authorized to resolve on the issuance of shares and the granting of rights to subscribe for shares. The general meeting can delegate such authority to another corporate body of the company, such as the management board, for a period not exceeding five years. Our management board, subject to approval of our supervisory board, has been authorized, for a period of five years from June 26, 2020, the date of our most recent annual general meeting of shareholders, to issue shares or grant rights to subscribe for shares up to our authorized share capital from time to time.

        Delaware.    All creation of shares require the board of directors to adopt a resolution or resolutions, pursuant to authority expressly vested in the board of directors by the provisions of the company's certificate of incorporation.

        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law, in the event of an issuance of common shares, each shareholder will have a pro rata preemptive right in proportion to the aggregate nominal value of the common shares held by such holder (with the exception of common shares to be issued to employees or common shares issued against a contribution other than in cash or pursuant to the exercise of a previously acquired right to subscribe for shares). Under our articles of association, the preemptive rights in respect of newly issued common shares may be restricted or excluded by a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders. Another corporate body, such as the management board, may restrict or exclude the preemptive rights in respect of newly issued common shares if it has been designated as the authorized body to do so by the general meeting of shareholders. Such designation can be granted for a period not exceeding five years. A resolution of the general meeting of shareholders to restrict or exclude the preemptive rights or to designate another corporate body as the authorized body to do so requires a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast, if less than one-half of our issued share capital is represented at the meeting. Our management board, subject to approval of our supervisory board, has been authorized, for a period of five years from June 26, 2020, the date of our most recent annual general meeting of shareholders, to limit or exclude preemptive rights in relation to an issuance of shares or a grant of rights to subscribe for shares that the management board is authorized to resolve upon (see above under "Issuance of Shares").

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders have no preemptive rights to subscribe for additional issues of stock or to any security convertible into such stock unless, and to the extent that, such rights are expressly provided for in the certificate of incorporation.

        The Netherlands.    Dutch law provides that dividends may be distributed after adoption of the annual accounts by the general meeting of shareholders from which it appears that such dividend distribution is allowed. Moreover, dividends may be distributed only to the extent the shareholders' equity exceeds the amount of the paid-up and called-up issued share capital and the reserves that must be maintained under the law or the articles of association. Interim dividends may be declared as provided in the articles of association and may be distributed to the extent that the shareholders' equity exceeds the amount of the paid-up and called-up issued share capital plus any reserves as described above as apparent from our financial statements. Under Dutch law, the articles of association may prescribe that the management board decide what portion of the profits are to be held as reserves.

        Under our articles of association, the management board may decide that all or part of the profits are carried to reserves. After reservation by the management board of any profit, the remaining profit will be at the disposal of the general meeting of shareholders for distribution, subject to restrictions of Dutch law and approval by our supervisory board. Our management board is permitted, subject to

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certain requirements, to declare interim dividends without the approval of the general meeting of shareholders, but only with the approval of the supervisory board. Dividends and other distributions shall be made payable not later than the date determined by the management board. Claims to dividends and other distributions not made within five years from the date that such dividends or distributions became payable will lapse and any such amounts will be considered to have been forfeited to us (verjaring).

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a Delaware corporation may pay dividends out of its surplus (the excess of net assets over capital), or in case there is no surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year (provided that the amount of the capital of the corporation is not less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets). In determining the amount of surplus of a Delaware corporation, the assets of the corporation, including stock of subsidiaries owned by the corporation, must be valued at their fair market value as determined by the board of directors, without regard to their historical book value. Dividends may be paid in the form of common stock, property or cash.

        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law, the general meeting of shareholders must approve resolutions of the management board relating to a significant change in the identity or the character of the company or the business of the company, which includes:

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon generally is necessary to approve a merger or consolidation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation. The Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a provision requiring for any corporate action the vote of a larger portion of the stock or of any class or series of stock than would otherwise be required.

        Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, no vote of the stockholders of a surviving corporation to a merger is needed, however, unless required by the certificate of incorporation, if (i) the agreement of merger does not amend in any respect the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation, (ii) the shares of stock of the surviving corporation are not changed in the merger and (iii) the number of shares of common stock of the surviving corporation into which any other shares, securities or obligations to be issued in the merger may be converted does not exceed 20% of the surviving corporation's common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger. In addition, stockholders may not be entitled to vote in certain mergers with other corporations that own 90% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of stock of such corporation, but the stockholders will be entitled to appraisal rights.

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        The Netherlands.    Under Dutch law and our articles of association, we must adopt a compensation policy for our management board. Such compensation policy then requires approval by our general meeting of shareholders. The supervisory board determines the remuneration of individual managing directors with due observance of the remuneration policy. A proposal with respect to remuneration schemes in the form of shares or rights to shares in which managing directors may participate is subject to approval by our general meeting of shareholders. Such a proposal must set out at least the maximum number of shares or rights to subscribe for shares to be granted to the management board and the criteria for granting or amendment. The compensation for our supervisory directors is set by the general meeting of shareholders.

        Delaware.    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the stockholders do not generally have the right to approve the compensation policy for directors or the senior management of the corporation, although certain aspects of the compensation policy may be subject to stockholder vote due to the provisions of U.S. federal securities and tax law.

Code of Ethics

        We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our management board, our supervisory board, and company personnel.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is the American Stock and Transfer Company.

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COMMON SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

        Our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol "CNTG". Future sales of common shares in the public market after this offering, and the availability of common shares for future sale, could adversely affect the market price of our common shares prevailing from time to time. As described below, most of our currently outstanding common shares will be available for sale immediately after this offering, and the remainder will be available for sale 90 days after the expiration of contractual restrictions on transfers of common shares. Accordingly, sales of substantial amounts of the common shares, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common shares and could impair our future ability to raise equity capital.

        Based on the number of common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020, upon completion of this offering, 21,861,340 common shares will be outstanding, assuming no outstanding options are exercised. All of the common shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any common shares sold to our "affiliates." In addition, all of our common shares outstanding before this offering will be freely transferable and may be resold without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, an "affiliate" of a company is a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with that company. Affiliates may sell only the volume of shares described below and their sales are subject to additional restrictions described below.

        In connection with this offering, our managing directors, supervisory directors, selling shareholders and certain of our existing shareholders have entered into lock-up agreements that will expire 90 days after the date of this prospectus. Upon expiration of this lock-up period, the common shares subject to these agreements will be eligible for sale, subject in certain circumstances to the volume, manner of sale and other limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below.

Rule 144

        In general, persons who have beneficially owned restricted common shares for at least six months, and any affiliate of our company who owns either restricted or unrestricted common shares, are entitled to sell their securities without registration with the SEC under an exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144.

        In general, a person who has beneficially owned restricted common shares for at least six months would be entitled to sell its securities pursuant to Rule 144 provided that (1) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the 90 days preceding, a sale and (2) we have been subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale. Such sale by non-affiliates must also comply with the current public information provision of Rule 144. Persons who have beneficially owned restricted common shares for at least six months, but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

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Regulation S

        Regulation S provides generally that sales made in offshore transactions are not subject to the registration or prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. Accordingly, common shares held by our affiliates may be sold in offshore transactions in compliance with Regulation S.

Registration Rights

        In connection with our initial public offering which closed on November 12, 2019, we entered into a registration rights agreement with certain of our existing shareholders pursuant to which we agreed under certain circumstances to file a registration statement to register the resale of the shares held by such holders, subject to certain exceptions, as well as to cooperate in certain public offerings of such shares. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration, except for shares purchased by affiliates. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement."

Lock-up Agreements

        In connection with this offering, we, our supervisory board, our management board, our selling shareholders and certain of our existing shareholders have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to sell or transfer any common shares or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for or repayable with common shares for 90 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and SVB Leerink LLC. See "Underwriting—No Sales of Similar Securities" for additional information.

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TAXATION

        The following summary contains a description of certain U.S. federal, Dutch and German income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase common shares. The summary is based upon the tax laws of the U.S. and regulations thereunder, the tax laws of the Netherlands and regulations thereunder and the tax laws of Germany and regulations thereunder as of the date hereof, which are subject to change.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders

        The following section is the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders, as defined below, of owning and disposing of our common shares. It does not set forth all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person's decision to invest in our common shares.

        This section applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds our common shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, it does not set forth all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant in light of the U.S. Holder's particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences, the potential application of the provisions of the Code known as the Medicare contribution tax and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:

        If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our common shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our common shares.

        This section is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between Germany and the United States (the "Treaty") all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect.

        A "U.S. Holder" is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of our common shares, who is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty and who is:

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        U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of our common shares in their particular circumstances.

        As discussed above under "Dividends and Dividend Policy", we do not currently expect to make distributions on our common shares. In the event that we do make distributions of cash or other property, subject to the passive foreign investment company rules described below, distributions on our common shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of our common shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). For so long as our common shares are listed on Nasdaq or another established securities market in the United States or we are eligible for benefits under the Treaty, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will be eligible for taxation as "qualified dividend income," which is taxable at rates not in excess of the long-term capital gain rate applicable to such U.S. Holders. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends in their particular circumstances. The amount of a dividend will include any amounts withheld by us in respect of German income taxes. The amount of the dividend will be treated as foreign-source dividend income to U.S. Holders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends will be included in a U.S. Holder's income on the date of the U.S. Holder's receipt of the dividend. The amount of any dividend income paid in euros will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.

        German income taxes withheld from dividends on our common shares at a rate not exceeding the rate provided by the Treaty will be eligible for credit against the U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability. German taxes withheld in excess of the rate applicable under the Treaty will not be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder's federal income tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. Holders may elect to deduct foreign taxes, including any German income tax, in computing their taxable income. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year. If Dutch income taxes are withheld from dividends payable to U.S. Holders, U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the creditability of such Dutch income taxes against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities. See "Risk factors—Certain Factors Relating to Our Common Shares and the Offering—If we do pay dividends, we may need to withhold tax on such dividends payable to holders of our shares in both Germany and the Netherlands".

        Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules described below, gain or loss realized on the sale or other disposition of our common shares will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held our common shares for more than one year. The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars.

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        Under the Code, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after the application of certain "look-through" rules with respect to our subsidiaries, either (i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of "passive income" or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets consist of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, "passive income." For purposes of the above calculations, we will be treated as if we hold our proportionate share of the assets of, and receive directly our proportionate share of the income of, any other corporation in which we directly or indirectly own at least 25%, by value, of the shares of such corporation.

        Passive income includes, among other things, interest, dividends, rents, certain non-active royalties and capital gains. Based on our current operations, income, and assets, and certain estimates and projections, including as to the relative values of our assets, we do not believe that we were a PFIC for our 2019 taxable year. However, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our conclusion. In addition, whether we will be a PFIC in 2020 or any future taxable year is uncertain because, among other things, (i) we currently own, and expect to continue to own, a substantial amount of passive assets, including cash, (ii) the value of our assets that generate non-passive income for PFIC purposes, including our intangible assets, is uncertain and may vary substantially over time and (iii) the composition of our income may vary substantially over time. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year. If we are a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our common shares, we would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S. Holder for all succeeding years during which the U.S. Holder holds our common shares, even if we ceased to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status, unless the U.S. Holder makes a valid deemed sale or deemed dividend election under the applicable Treasury regulations with respect to our common shares.

        If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held our common shares (assuming such U.S. Holder has not made a timely mark-to-market election, as described below), gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of our common shares would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period for our common shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an additional tax effectively representing a deferred interest charge would be imposed on the amount allocated to that taxable year. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on our common shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on our common shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder's holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution would be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain, described immediately above.

        A U.S. Holder can avoid certain of the adverse rules described above by making a mark-to-market election with respect to our common shares, provided that our common shares are "marketable." Our common shares will be marketable if they are "regularly traded" on a "qualified exchange" or other market within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations. If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, it will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of our common shares at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of our common shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder's tax basis in our common shares will be adjusted to reflect the amount of income or loss that is recognized. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of our common shares in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary

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loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election).

        In addition, in order to avoid the application of the foregoing rules, a United States person that owns stock in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes may make a QEF Election with respect to such PFIC if the PFIC provides the information necessary for such election to be made. If a United States person makes a QEF Election with respect to a PFIC, the United States person will be currently taxable on its pro rata share of the PFIC's ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gain rates, respectively) for each taxable year that the entity is classified as a PFIC and will not be required to include such amounts in income when actually distributed by the PFIC. We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make QEF Elections.

        In addition, if we were a PFIC or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, were treated as a PFIC for the taxable year in which we paid a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the preferential dividend rates discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.

        If a U.S. Holder owns our common shares during any year in which we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder must file annual reports, containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require on IRS Form 8621 (or any successor form) with respect to us, with the U.S. Holder's federal income tax return for that year, unless otherwise specified in the instructions with respect to such form.

        U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning our potential PFIC status and the potential application of the PFIC rules.

        Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries are subject to information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding, unless (i) the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

        Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and certain entities may be required to report information relating to an interest in our common shares by filing a Form 8398 with their U.S. federal income tax return, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for our common shares held in accounts maintained by certain U.S. financial institutions). Failure to file a Form 8398 where required can result in monetary penalties and the extension of the relevant statute of limitations with respect to all or a part of the relevant U.S. tax return. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding this reporting requirement.

Material Dutch Tax Considerations

        The following is a summary of certain material Dutch tax consequences of the acquisition, holding and disposal of common shares. This summary does not purport to describe all possible tax considerations or consequences that may be relevant to a holder or prospective holder of common shares and does not purport to deal with the tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which (such as trusts or similar arrangements) may be subject to special rules. In view of its general nature, this summary should be treated with corresponding caution.

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        Except as otherwise indicated, this summary is based on the tax laws of the Netherlands, published regulations thereunder and published authoritative case law, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Where the summary refers to "the Netherlands" or "Dutch" it refers only to the part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands located in Europe. The applicable tax laws or interpretations thereof may change, or the relevant facts and circumstances may change, and such changes may affect the contents of this section, which will not be up-dated to reflect any such changes.

        This discussion is for general information purposes only and is not Dutch tax advice or a complete description of all Dutch tax consequences relating to the acquisition, holding and disposal of the common shares. Holders or prospective holders of common shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the Dutch tax consequences relating to the acquisition, holding and disposal of the common shares in light of their particular circumstances.

        Please note that the summary does not describe the Dutch tax consequences for:

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        We are required to withhold Dutch dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15% from dividends distributed by us (which withholding tax will not be borne by us, but will be withheld by us from the gross dividends paid on the common shares). However, as long as we continue to have our place of effective management in Germany, and not in the Netherlands, under the Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income of 2012, we will be considered to be exclusively tax resident in Germany and we will not be required to withhold Dutch dividend withholding tax. This exemption from withholding does not apply to dividends distributed by us to a holder who is resident or deemed to be resident in the Netherlands for Dutch income tax purposes or Dutch corporate income tax purposes or to holders of common shares that are neither resident nor deemed to be resident of the Netherlands if the common shares are attributable to a Dutch permanent establishment of such non-resident holder, in which case the following paragraph applies. See "Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—If we do pay dividends, we may need to withhold tax on such dividends payable to holders of our shares in both Germany and the Netherlands" in our Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein.

        Dividends distributed by us to individuals and corporate legal entities who are resident or deemed to be resident in the Netherlands for Dutch (corporate) income tax purposes ("Dutch Resident Individuals" and "Dutch Resident Entities," as the case may be) or to holders of common shares that are neither resident nor deemed to be resident of the Netherlands if the common shares are attributable to a Dutch permanent establishment of such non-resident holder are subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15%.

        The expression "dividends distributed" includes, among other things:

        Dutch Resident Individuals and Dutch Resident Entities can generally credit the Dutch dividend withholding tax against their income tax or corporate income tax liability and to a refund of any residual Dutch dividend withholding tax. The same generally applies to holders of common shares that are neither resident nor deemed to be resident of the Netherlands if the common shares are attributable to a Dutch permanent establishment of such non-resident holder.

        Pursuant to legislation to counteract "dividend stripping", a reduction, exemption, credit or refund of Dutch dividend withholding tax is denied if the recipient of the dividend is not the beneficial owner as described in the Dutch Dividend Withholding Tax Act 1965 (Wet op de dividendbelasting 1965). This legislation generally targets situations in which a shareholder retains its economic interest in shares but reduces the withholding tax costs on dividends by a transaction with another party. It is not required for these rules to apply that the recipient of the dividends is aware that a dividend stripping transaction

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took place. The Dutch State Secretary of Finance takes the position that the definition of beneficial ownership introduced by this legislation will also be applied in the context of a double taxation convention.

        Generally speaking, if the holder of common shares is an entity that is a resident or deemed to be resident of the Netherlands for Dutch corporate income tax purposes, any payment under the common shares or any gain or loss realized on the disposal or deemed disposal of the common shares is subject to Dutch corporate income tax at a rate of 16.5% with respect to taxable profits up to €200,000 and 25% with respect to taxable profits in excess of that amount (rates and brackets for 2020).

        If the holder of common shares is an individual resident or deemed to be resident of the Netherlands for Dutch income tax purposes, any payment on the common shares or any gain or loss realized on the disposal or deemed disposal of the common shares is taxable at the progressive Dutch income tax rates (with a maximum of 49.50% in 2020), if:

        If the above-mentioned conditions (i) and (ii) do not apply to the individual holder of common shares, such holder will be taxed annually on a deemed return (with a maximum of 5.28% in 2020) on the individual's net investment assets (rendementsgrondslag) for the year, insofar the individual's net investment assets for the year exceed a statutory threshold (heffingvrij vermogen). The deemed return on the individual's net investment assets for the year is taxed at a rate of 30%. Actual income, gains or losses in respect of the common shares are as such not subject to Dutch income tax.

        The net investment assets for the year are the fair market value of the investment assets less the allowable liabilities on January 1 of the relevant calendar year. The common shares are included as investment assets. For the net investment assets on January 1, 2020, the deemed return ranges from 1.7893% up to 5.28% (depending on the aggregate amount of the net investment assets of the individual on January 1, 2020). The deemed return will be adjusted annually on the basis of historic market yields.

        A holder of common shares that is neither a Dutch Resident Entity nor a Dutch Resident Individual will not be subject to Dutch taxes on income or capital gains in respect of any payment under the common shares or in respect of any gain or loss realized on the disposal or deemed disposal of the common shares, provided that:

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        Gift or inheritance taxes will arise in the Netherlands with respect to a transfer of common shares by way of a gift by, or on the death of, a holder of such common shares who is resident or deemed resident of the Netherlands at the time of the gift or the holder's death.

        No gift or inheritance taxes will arise in the Netherlands with respect to a transfer of the shares by way of gift by, or on the death of, a holder of common shares who is neither resident nor deemed to be resident of the Netherlands, unless:

        For purposes of Dutch gift and inheritance taxes, amongst others, a person that holds the Dutch nationality will be deemed to be resident of the Netherlands if such person has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the ten years preceding the date of the gift or such person's death. Additionally, for purposes of Dutch gift tax, amongst others, a person not holding the Dutch nationality will be deemed to be resident of the Netherlands if such person has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the twelve months preceding the date of the gift. Applicable tax treaties may override deemed residency.

        No Dutch VAT will be payable by a holder of common shares in respect of any payment in consideration for the holding or disposal of the common shares.

        No Dutch registration tax, stamp duty or any other similar documentary tax or duty will be payable by a holder of common shares in respect of any payment in consideration for the holding or disposal of the common shares.

Material German Tax Considerations

        The following section is the opinion of Taylor Wessing Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB ("German Tax Counsel") of the material German tax considerations that become relevant when purchasing, holding or transferring the Company's shares. The Company expects and intends to have its sole place of management in Germany and, therefore, qualifies as a corporation subject to German unlimited income taxation; however, because a company's tax residency depends on future facts regarding the

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location in which the company is managed and controlled, German Tax Counsel cannot opine as to whether the Company qualifies as a corporation subject to German unlimited income taxation. This section does not set forth all German tax aspects that may be relevant for shareholders. The section is based on the German tax law applicable as of the date of this prospectus. It should be noted that the law may change following the issuance of this Prospectus and that such changes may have retroactive effect.

        The material German tax principles of purchasing, owning and transferring of shares are set forth in the following. This section does not purport to be a comprehensive or complete analysis or listing of all potential tax effects of the purchase, ownership or disposition of shares and does not set forth all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person's decision to acquire common shares. All of the following is subject to change. Such changes could apply retroactively and could affect the consequences set forth below. This section does not refer to any U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act aspects.

        Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with regard to the application of German tax law to their particular situations, in particular with respect to the procedure to be complied with to obtain a relief of withholding tax on dividends and on capital gains (Kapitalertragsteuer) and with respect to the influence of double tax treaty provisions, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or other foreign jurisdiction. For German tax purposes, a shareholder may include an individual who or an entity that does not have the legal title to the shares, but to whom nevertheless the shares are attributed, based either on such individual or entity owning a beneficial interest in the shares or based on specific statutory provisions.

        This section does not constitute a particular tax advice. Potential purchasers of the Company's shares are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares in light of their particular circumstances.

        Dividends distributed from a company to its shareholders are subject to withholding tax, subject to certain exemptions (for example, repayments of capital from the tax equity account (steuerliches Einlagekonto)), as described in the following. The withholding tax rate is 25% plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag) thereon (in total 26.375%) of the gross dividend approved by the ordinary shareholders' meeting. Withholding tax is to be withheld and passed on for the account of the shareholders by a domestic branch of a domestic or foreign credit or financial services institution (Kredit- und Finanzdienstleistungsinstitut), by the domestic securities trading company (inländisches Wertpapierhandelsunternehmen) or a domestic securities trading bank (inländische Wertpapierhandelsbank) which keeps and administers the shares and disburses or credits the dividends or disburses the dividends to a foreign agent, or by the securities custodian bank (Wertpapiersammelbank) to which the shares were entrusted for collective custody if the dividends are distributed to a foreign agent by such securities custodian bank (which is referred to as the "Dividend Paying Agent"). In case the shares are not held in collective deposit with a Dividend Paying Agent, the Company is responsible for withholding and remitting the tax to the competent tax office.

        Such withholding tax is levied and withheld irrespective of whether and to what extent the dividend distribution is taxable at the level of the shareholder and whether the shareholder is a person residing in Germany or in a foreign country.

        In the case of dividends distributed to a company within the meaning of Art. 2 of the amended EU Directive 2011/96/EU of the Council of November 30, 2011 (the "EU Parent Subsidiary Directive") domiciled in another Member State of the European Union, an exemption from withholding tax will be

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granted upon request if further prerequisites are satisfied (Freistellung im Steuerabzugsverfahren). This also applies to dividends distributed to a permanent establishment located in another Member State of the European Union of such a parent company or of a parent company tax resident in Germany if the participation in the Company is effectively connected with this permanent establishment. The key prerequisite for the application of the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive is that the shareholder has held a direct participation in the share capital of the Company of at least 10% for at least one year.

        The withholding tax on distributions to other foreign resident shareholders is reduced in accordance with a double taxation treaty if Germany has concluded such double taxation treaty with the country of residence of the shareholder and if the shareholder does not hold his shares either as part of the assets of a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business in Germany or as business assets for which a permanent representative has been appointed in Germany. The reduction of the withholding tax is procedurally granted in such a manner that the difference between the total amount withheld, including the solidarity surcharge, and the tax liability determined on the basis of the tax rate set forth in the applicable double taxation treaty (15% unless further qualifications are met) is refunded by the German tax administration upon request (Federal Central Office for Taxes (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern), main office in Bonn-Beuel, An der Küppe 1, 53225 Bonn, Germany).

        In the case of dividends received by corporations whose statutory seat and effective place of management are not located in Germany and who are therefore not tax resident in Germany, two-fifths of the withholding tax deducted and remitted are refunded without the need to fulfill all prerequisites required for such refund under the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive or under a double taxation treaty or if no double taxation treaty has been concluded between the state of residence of the shareholder.

        In order to receive a refund pursuant to a double taxation treaty or the aforementioned option for foreign corporations, the shareholder has to submit a completed form for refund (available at the Federal Central Office for Taxes (http://www.bzst.de) as well as at the German embassies and consulates) together with a withholding tax certificate (Kapitalertragsteuerbescheinigung) issued by the institution that withheld the tax.

        The exemption from withholding tax in accordance with the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive or a double tax treaty and the aforementioned options for a refund of the withholding tax (with or without protection under a double taxation treaty) depend on whether certain additional prerequisites (in particular so-called substance requirements) are fulfilled. The applicable withholding tax relief will only be granted if the preconditions of the German anti avoidance rules (so called Directive Override or Treaty Override), in particular Section 50d, paragraph 3, German Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz) are fulfilled.

        The aforementioned reductions of (or exemptions from) withholding tax are further restricted if (i) the applicable double taxation treaty provides for a tax reduction resulting in an applicable tax rate of less than 15% and (ii) the shareholder is not a corporation that directly holds at least 10% in the equity capital of the Company and is subject to tax on its income and profits in its state of residence without being exempt. In this case, the reduction of (or exemption from) withholding tax is subject to the following three cumulative prerequisites: (i) the shareholder must qualify as beneficial owner of the shares in the Company for a minimum holding period of 45 consecutive days occurring within a period of 45 days prior and 45 days after the due date of the dividends, (ii) the shareholder has to bear at least 70% of the change in value risk related to the shares in the Company during the minimum holding period without being directly or indirectly hedged and (iii) the shareholder must not be required to fully or largely compensate directly or indirectly the dividends to third parties. However, these further prerequisites do not apply if the shareholder has been the beneficial owner of the shares in the Company for at least one uninterrupted year upon receipt of the dividends.

        For individual or corporate shareholders tax resident outside Germany not holding the shares through a permanent establishment (Betriebsstätte) in Germany or as business assets (Betriebsvermögen)

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for which a permanent representative (ständiger Vertreter) has been appointed in Germany, the remaining and paid withholding tax (if any) is final (i.e., not refundable) and settles the shareholder's limited tax liability in Germany. For individual or corporate shareholders tax resident in Germany (that are, for example, shareholders whose residence, domicile, registered office or place of management is located in Germany) holding their shares as business assets, as well as for shareholders tax resident outside of Germany holding their shares through a permanent establishment in Germany or as business assets for which a permanent representative has been appointed in Germany, the withholding tax withheld (including solidarity surcharge) can be credited against the shareholder's personal income tax or corporate income tax liability in Germany. Any withholding tax (including solidarity surcharge) in excess of such tax liability is refunded. For individual shareholders tax resident in Germany holding the Company's shares as private assets, the withholding tax is a final tax (Abgeltungsteuer), subject to the exceptions described in the following section.

        Pursuant to special rules on the restriction of withholding tax credit, the credit of withholding tax is subject to the following three cumulative prerequisites: (i) the shareholder must qualify as beneficial owner of the shares in the Company for a minimum holding period of 45 consecutive days occurring within a period of 45 days prior and 45 days after the due date of the dividends, (ii) the shareholder has to bear at least 70% of the change in value risk related to the shares in the Company during the minimum holding period without being directly or indirectly hedged and (iii) the shareholder must not be required to fully or largely compensate directly or indirectly the dividends to third parties. Absent the fulfillment of all of the three prerequisites, three-fifths of the withholding tax imposed on the dividends must not be credited against the shareholder's (corporate) income tax liability, but may, upon application, be deducted from the shareholder's tax base for the relevant assessment period. A shareholder that has received gross dividends without any deduction of withholding tax due to a tax exemption without qualifying for a full tax credit has to notify the competent local tax office accordingly and has to make a payment in the amount of the omitted withholding tax deduction. The special rules on the restriction of withholding tax credit do not apply to a shareholder whose overall dividend earnings within an assessment period do not exceed € 20,000 or that has been the beneficial owner of the shares in the Company for at least one uninterrupted year upon receipt of the dividends.

        For individual shareholders (individuals) resident in Germany holding the Company's shares as private assets, dividends are subject to a flat tax rate which is satisfied by the withholding tax actually withheld (Abgeltungsteuer). Accordingly, dividend income will be taxed at a flat tax rate of 25% plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge thereon (in total 26.375%) and church tax (Kirchensteuer) in case the shareholder is subject to church tax because of his individual circumstances. An automatic procedure for deduction of church tax by way of withholding will apply to shareholders being subject to church tax unless the shareholder has filed a blocking notice (Sperrvermerk) with the German Federal Tax Office (details related to the computation of the concrete tax rate including church tax are to be discussed with the individual tax adviser of the relevant shareholder). Except for an annual lump sum savings allowance (Sparer-Pauschbetrag) of up to €801 (for individual filers) or up to € 1,602 (for married couples and for partners in accordance with the registered partnership law (Gesetz über die Eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft) filing jointly), private individual shareholders will not be entitled to deduct expenses incurred in connection with the capital investment from their dividend income.

        The income tax owed for the dividend income is satisfied by the withholding tax withheld by the Dividend Paying Agent. However, if the flat tax results in a higher tax burden as opposed to the private shareholder's individual tax rate, the private shareholder can opt for taxation at his individual personal income tax rate. In that case, the final withholding tax will be credited against the income tax. However, pursuant to the German tax authorities and a court ruling, private shareholders are

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nevertheless not entitled to deduct expenses incurred in connection with the capital investment from their income. The option can be exercised only for all capital income from capital investments received in the relevant assessment period uniformly, and married couples as well as partners in accordance with the registered partnership law filing jointly may only jointly exercise the option.

        Exceptions from the flat tax rate (satisfied by withholding at source) (Abgeltungsteuer) may apply—that is, only upon application—for shareholders who have a shareholding of at least 25% in a company and for shareholders who have a shareholding of at least 1% in the Company and work for a company in a professional capacity. In such a case, the same rules apply as for sole proprietors holding the shares as business assets. See "—Taxation of dividend income of shareholders tax resident in Germany holding the Company's shares as business assets—Sole proprietors."

        If a shareholder holds the Company's shares as business assets, the taxation of the dividend income depends on whether the respective shareholder is a corporation, a sole proprietor or a partnership.

        Dividend income of corporate shareholders is exempt from corporate income tax, provided that the incorporated entity holds a direct participation of at least 10% in the share capital of a company at the beginning of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid. The acquisition of a participation of at least 10% in the course of a calendar year is deemed to have occurred at the beginning of such calendar year for the purpose of this rule. Participations in the share capital of the Company which a corporate shareholder holds through a partnership, including co-entrepreneurships (Mitunternehmerschaften), are attributable to such corporate shareholder only on a pro rata basis at the ratio of the interest share of the corporate shareholder in the assets of the relevant partnership. However, 5% of the tax exempt dividends are deemed to be non-deductible business expenses for tax purposes and therefore are subject to corporate income tax (plus solidarity surcharge) and trade tax, i.e., tax exemption of 95%. Business expenses incurred in connection with the dividends received are entirely tax-deductible.

        For trade tax purposes the entire dividend income is subject to trade tax (i.e., the tax-exempt dividends must be added back when determining the trade taxable income), unless the corporation shareholder holds at least 15% of the Company's registered share capital at the beginning of the relevant tax assessment period (Erhebungszeitraum). In case of an indirect participation via a partnership please refer to the section "Partnerships" below.

        If the shareholding is below 10% in the share capital, dividends are taxable at the applicable corporate income tax rate of 15% plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge thereon and trade tax (the rate of which depends on the municipalities the corporate shareholder resides in).

        Special regulations apply which abolish the 95% tax exemption if the Company's shares are held as trading portfolio assets in the meaning of Section 340e of the German commercial code (Handelsgesetzbuch) by (i) a credit institution (Kreditinstitut), (ii) a financial service institution (Finanzdienstleistungsinstitut) or (iii) a financial enterprise within the meaning of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz), in case more than 50% of the shares of such financial enterprise are held directly or indirectly by a credit institution or a financial service institution, as well as by a life insurance company, a health insurance company or a pension fund in case the shares are attributable to the capital investments, resulting in fully taxable income.

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        For sole proprietors (individuals) resident in Germany holding shares as business assets dividends are subject to the partial income rule (Teileinkünfteverfahren). Accordingly, only (i) 60% of the dividend income will be taxed at his/her individual personal income tax rate plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge thereon and church tax (if applicable) and (ii) 60% of the business expenses related to the dividend income are deductible for tax purposes. In addition, the dividend income is entirely subject to trade tax if the shares are held as business assets of a permanent establishment in Germany within the meaning of the German Trade Tax Act (Gewerbesteuergesetz), unless the shareholder holds at least 15% of the Company's registered share capital at the beginning of the relevant assessment period. The trade tax levied will be eligible for credit against the shareholder's personal income tax liability based on the applicable municipal trade tax rate and the individual tax situation of the shareholder.

        In case shares are held by a partnership, the partnership itself is not subject to corporate income tax or personal income tax. In this regard, corporate income tax or personal income tax (and church tax, if applicable) as well as solidarity surcharge, are levied only at the level of the partner with respect to their relevant part of the profit and depending on their individual circumstances.

        If the partner is a corporation, the dividend income will be subject to corporate income tax plus solidarity surcharge. See "—Corporations."

        If the partner is a sole proprietor (individual), the dividend income will be subject to the partial income rule. See "—Sole Proprietors."

        The dividend income is subject to trade tax at the level of the partnership (provided that the partnership is liable to trade tax), unless the partnership holds at least 15% of a company's registered share capital at the beginning of the relevant assessment period, in which case the dividend income is exempt from trade tax. There are no explicit statutory provisions concerning the taxation of dividends with regard to a corporate shareholder of the partnership. However, trade tax will be levied on 5% of the dividends to the extent they are attributable to the shares of such corporate partners to whom at least 10% of the shares of the Company are attributable on a look-through basis, since such portion of the dividends will be deemed to be non-deductible business expenses.

        If a partner is an individual, depending on the applicable municipal trade tax rate and the individual tax situation, the trade tax paid at the level of the partnership is partly or entirely be credited against the partner's personal income tax liability.

        In case of a corporation being a partner, special regulations will apply with respect to trading portfolio assets of credit institutions, financial service institutions or financial enterprises within the meaning of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) or life insurance companies, health insurance companies or pension funds. See "—Corporations."

        Thus, the actual trade tax charge, if any, at the level of the partnership depends on the shareholding quota of the partnership and the nature of the partners (e.g., individual or corporation).

        For foreign individual or corporate shareholders tax resident outside of Germany not holding the shares through a permanent establishment in Germany or as business assets for which a permanent representative has been appointed in Germany, the deducted withholding tax (possibly reduced by way of a tax relief under a double tax treaty or domestic tax law, such as in connection with the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive) is final (that is, not refundable) and settles the shareholder's limited tax liability in Germany, unless the shareholder is entitled to apply for a withholding tax refund or exemption.

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        In contrast, individual or corporate shareholders tax resident outside of Germany holding the Company's shares through a permanent establishment in Germany or as business assets for which a permanent representative has been appointed in Germany are subject to the same rules as applicable (and described above) to shareholders resident in Germany holding the shares as business assets. The withholding tax withheld (including solidarity surcharge) is credited against the shareholder's personal income tax or corporate income tax liability in Germany.

        Capital gains realized on the disposal of shares are only subject to withholding tax if a German branch of a German or foreign credit or financial institution, a German securities trading Company or a German securities trading bank stores or administrates or carries out the sale of the shares and pays or credits the capital gains. In those cases, the institution (and not the company) is required to deduct the withholding tax at the time of payment for the account of the shareholder and has to pay the withholding tax to the competent tax authority. In case the shares in Centogene N.V. are held (i) as business assets by a sole proprietor, a partnership or a corporation and such shares are attributable to a German business or (ii) in case of a corporation being subject to unlimited corporate income tax liability in Germany, the capital gains are not subject to withholding tax. In case of clause (i), the withholding tax exemption is subject to the condition that the paying agent has been notified by the beneficiary (Gläubiger) that the capital gains are exempt from withholding tax. The respective notification has to be filed by using the officially prescribed form.

        For individual shareholders (individuals) resident in Germany holding shares as private assets, capital gains realized on the disposal of shares are subject to final withholding tax. Accordingly, capital gains will be taxed at a flat tax rate of 25% plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge thereon (in total 26.375%) and church tax, in case the shareholder is subject to church tax because of his individual circumstances. An automatic procedure for deduction of church tax by way of withholding will apply to shareholders being subject to church tax unless the shareholder has filed a blocking notice (Sperrvermerk) with the German Federal Tax Office (details related to the computation of the concrete tax rate including church tax are to be discussed with the individual tax adviser of the relevant shareholder). The taxable capital gain is calculated by deducting the acquisition costs of the shares and the expenses directly related to the disposal from the proceeds of the disposal. Apart from that, except for an annual lump sum savings allowance (Sparer-Pauschbetrag) of up to €801 (for individual filers) or up to €1,602 (for married couples and for partners in accordance with the registered partnership law (Gesetz über die Eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft) filing jointly), private individual shareholders will not be entitled to deduct expenses incurred in connection with the capital investment from their capital gain.

        In case the flat tax results in a higher tax burden as opposed to the private shareholder's individual tax rate, the private shareholder can opt for taxation at his individual personal income tax rate. In that case, the withholding tax (including solidarity surcharge) withheld will be credited against the income tax. However, pursuant to the German tax authorities the private shareholders are nevertheless not entitled to deduct expenses incurred in connection with the capital investment from their income. The option can be exercised only for all capital income from capital investments received in the relevant assessment period uniformly, and married couples as well as for partners in accordance with the registered partnership law filing jointly may only jointly exercise the option.

        Capital losses arising from the sale of the shares can only be offset against other capital gains resulting from the disposition of the shares or shares in other stock corporations during the same

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calendar year. Offsetting of overall losses with other income (such as business or rental income) and other capital income is not possible. Such losses are to be carried forward and to be offset against positive capital gains deriving from the sale of shares in stock corporations in future years.

        The final withholding tax will not apply if the seller of the shares or in case of gratuitous transfer, its legal predecessor has held, directly or indirectly, at least 1% of the Company's registered share capital at any time during the five years prior to the disposal. In that case capital gains are subject to the partial income rule. Accordingly, only (i) 60% of the capital gains will be taxed at his individual personal income tax rate plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge thereon and church tax (if applicable) and (ii) 60% of the business expenses related to the capital gains are deductible for tax purposes. The withholding tax withheld (including solidarity surcharge) will be credited against the shareholder's personal income tax liability in Germany.

        If a shareholder holds shares as business assets, the taxation of capital gains realized on the disposal of such shares depends on whether the respective shareholder is a corporation, a sole proprietor or a partnership:

        Capital gains realized on the disposal of shares by a corporate shareholder are generally exempt from corporate income tax and trade tax. However, 5% of the tax-exempt capital gains are deemed to be non-deductible business expenses for tax purposes and therefore are subject to corporate income tax (plus solidarity surcharge) and trade tax, i.e., tax exemption of 95%. Business expenses incurred in connection with the capital gains are entirely tax-deductible.

        Capital losses incurred upon the disposal of shares or other impairments of the share value are not tax-deductible. A reduction of profit is also defined as any losses incurred in connection with a loan or security in the event the loan or the security is granted by a shareholder or by a related party thereto or by a third person with the right of recourse against the before-mentioned persons, and the shareholder holds directly or indirectly more than 25% of the company's registered share capital.

        Special regulations apply if the shares are held as trading portfolio assets by a credit institution, a financial service institution or a financial enterprise within the meaning of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) as well as by a life insurance company, a health insurance company or a pension fund. See "—Corporations."

        If the shares are held by a sole proprietor, capital gains realized on the disposal of the shares are subject to the partial income rule. Accordingly, only (i) 60% of the capital gains will be taxed at his/her individual personal income tax rate plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge thereon and church tax (if applicable) and (ii) 60% of the business expenses related to the dividend income are deductible for tax purposes. In addition, 60% of the capital gains are subject to trade tax if the shares are held as business assets of a permanent establishment in Germany within the meaning of the German Trade Tax Act (Gewerbesteuergesetz). The trade tax levied, depending on the applicable municipal trade tax rate and the individual tax situation, is partly or entirely credited against the shareholder's personal income tax liability.

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        In case the shares are held by a partnership, the partnership itself is not subject to corporate income tax or personal income tax as well as a solidarity surcharge (and church tax) since partnerships qualify as transparent for German tax purposes. In this regard, corporate income tax or personal income tax as well as a solidarity surcharge (and church tax, if applicable) are levied only at the level of the partner with respect to their relevant part of the profit and depending on their individual circumstances.

        If the partner is a corporation, the capital gains will be subject to corporate income tax plus a solidarity surcharge. See "—Corporations." Trade tax will be levied additionally at the level of the partner insofar as the relevant profit of the partnership is not subject to trade tax at the level of the partnership. However, with respect to both corporate income and trade tax, the 95% exemption rule as described above applies.

        If the partner is a sole proprietor (individual), the capital gains are subject to the partial income rule. See "—Sole Proprietors."

        In addition, if the partnership is liable to trade tax, 60% of the capital gains are subject to trade tax at the level of the partnership, to the extent the partners are individuals, and 5% of the capital gains are subject to trade tax, to the extent the partners are corporations. However, if a partner is an individual, depending on the applicable municipal trade tax rate and the individual tax situation, the trade tax paid at the level of the partnership is credited against the partner's personal income tax liability.

        With regard to corporate partners, special regulations apply if they are held as trading portfolio assets by credit institutions, financial service institutions or financial enterprises within the meaning of the German Banking Act or life insurance companies, health insurance companies or pension funds, as described above.

        Capital gains realized on the disposal of the shares by a shareholder tax resident outside of Germany are subject to German taxation provided that (i) the Company's shares are held as business assets of a permanent establishment or as business assets for which a permanent representative has been appointed in Germany, or (ii) the shareholder or, in case of a gratuitous transfer, its legal predecessor has held, directly or indirectly, at least 1% of the company's shares capital at any time during a five-year period prior to the disposal. In these cases, capital gains are generally subject to the same rules as described above for shareholders resident in Germany. However, in case the shares are not attributable to a German permanent establishment or permanent representative the 5% taxation (see "—Corporations—Taxation of capital gains realized by shareholders tax resident in Germany holding the Company's shares as business assets") shall not apply and the capital gains are fully exempt from German tax.

        However, except for the cases referred to in clause (i) above, some of the double tax treaties concluded with Germany provide for a full exemption from German taxation.

        The transfer of the Company's shares to another person by way of succession or donation is subject to German inheritance and gift tax (Erbschaft- und Schenkungsteuer) if:

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        Special regulations apply to qualified German citizens who maintain neither a residence nor their domicile in Germany but in a low tax jurisdiction, and to former German citizens, also resulting in inheritance and gift tax. The few double tax treaties on inheritance and gift tax which Germany has entered into provide that German inheritance and gift tax is levied only in case of (i) and, with certain restrictions, in case of (ii).

        No German capital transfer tax (Kapitalverkehrsteuer), value-added tax (Umsatzsteuer), stamp duty (Stempelgebühr) or similar taxes are levied when acquiring, holding or transferring the Company's shares. No value-added tax will be levied unless the shareholder validly opts for it. Net wealth tax (Vermögensteuer) is currently not levied in Germany.

        On January 22, 2013, the Council of the European Union approved the resolution of the ministers of finance from eleven EU member states (including Germany) to introduce a Financial Transaction Tax ("FTT") within the framework of enhanced cooperation. On February 14, 2013, the European Commission published a proposal for a Council Directive implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of financial transaction tax. The plan focuses on levying a tax of 0.1% (0.01% for derivatives) on the purchase and sale of financial instruments.

        A joint statement issued by 10 of the 11 participating EU member states in October 2016 reaffirmed the intention to introduce FTT. However, at the moment not many details are available. Thus, it is not known to what extent the elements of the European Commission's proposal outlined in the preceding paragraph will be followed in relation to the taxation of shares. The FTT proposal remains subject to negotiation between the participating Member States and is subject to political discussion. It may, therefore, be altered prior to the implementation, the timing of which remains unclear. Additional EU member states may decide to participate.

        Prospective holders of the shares are advised to seek their own professional advice in relation to FTT.

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UNDERWRITING

        We and the selling shareholders are offering the common shares described in this prospectus through a number of underwriters. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and SVB Leerink LLC are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below and as joint book running managers for this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement among us, the selling shareholders and the underwriters, we and the selling shareholders have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us and the selling shareholders, the number of common shares set forth opposite its name below.

Underwriter
  Number of
Shares
 

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

       

SVB Leerink LLC

       

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

       

BTIG, LLC

       

Kempen & Co U.S.A., Inc. 

       

Total

       

        Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all the common shares offered by us and the selling shareholders under the underwriting agreement if any of the common shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

        The underwriters are offering the common shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the common shares, and subject to other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers' certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. Sales of shares made outside the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters.

        The address of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is 11 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10010 and the address of SVB Leerink LLC is One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

Commissions and Discounts

        The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the common shares to the public at the assumed public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $            per share. After the offering of the common shares, the assumed public offering price, concession or any other term of this offering may be changed by the representatives.

        The following table shows (i) the public offering price, (ii) underwriting discounts and commissions, (iii) proceeds, before expenses, to us and (iv) proceeds, before expenses, to the selling

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shareholders. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.

 
  Per Share   Without
Exercise of
Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
  With Full
Exercise of
Option to
Purchase
Additional
Shares
 

Public offering price

                   

Underwriting discounts and commissions

                   

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

                   

Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling shareholders

                   

Total

                   

        We estimate expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions referred to above, will be approximately $760,000. We also have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for up to $25,000 for their FINRA counsel fee. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, this reimbursed fee is deemed underwriting compensation for this offering.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

        The sellling shareholders have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 525,000 additional common shares from the selling shareholders, at the public offering price, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the underwriters exercise this option, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional common shares proportionate to that underwriter's initial amount reflected in the above table.

No Sales of Similar Securities

        In connection with this offering, we, our management board members, our supervisory board members, the selling shareholders and certain of our other existing shareholders have agreed not to sell or transfer any common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common shares, for 90 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and SVB Leerink LLC on behalf of the underwriters. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly, offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, or announce the intention to otherwise dispose of, or enter into any swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of, directly or indirectly, or engage in any short selling of, any common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any common shares.

        The lock-up provisions apply to common shares and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common shares.

Nasdaq Global Market Listing

        Our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol "CNTG".

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The U.S. transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

        Until the distribution of the common shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common shares. However, the representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common shares, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

        In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell common shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering. "Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option or purchasing common shares in the open market.

        In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option granted to them under the underwriting agreement described above. "Naked" short sales are sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing common shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of common shares made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the closing of this offering.

        The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

        Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters' purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result, the price of our common shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

        Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common shares. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

        In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail.

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Other Relationships

        The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Some of the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may in the future engage in investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us and our affiliates, for which they may in the future receive customary fees, commissions and expenses.

        In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

        In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (each, a "Relevant State"), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

provided that no such offer of shares shall require the Company or the representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

        Each person in a Relevant State who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

        We, the representatives and each of our and the representatives' affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

        This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of shares in any Relevant State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of shares. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make an offer in that

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Relevant State of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation in relation to such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

        For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression "an offer to the public" in relation to any shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

        In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order and/or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons.

        Any person offering, selling or recommending the shares (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturers' target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the shares (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers' target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

        The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

        Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

        Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

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        In the State of Israel this prospectus shall not be regarded as an offer to the public to purchase shares of common stock under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, which requires a prospectus to be published and authorized by the Israel Securities Authorities, if it complies with certain provisions of Section 15 of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, including, inter alia, if: (i) the offer is made, distributed or directed to not more than 35 investors, subject to certain conditions (the "Addressed investors"); or (ii) the offer is made, distributed or directed to certain qualified investors defined in the First Addendum of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, subject to certain conditions (the "Qualified Investors"). The Qualified Investors shall not be taken into account in the count of the Addressed Investors and may be offered to purchase securities in addition to the 35 Addressed Investors. The company has not and will not take any action that would require it to publish a prospectus in accordance with and subject to the Israeli Securities law, 5728-1968. We have not and will not distribute this prospectus or make, distribute or direct an offer to subscribe for our common stock to any person within the State of Israel, other than to Qualified Investors and up to 35 Addressed Investors.

        This prospectus is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the shares. The shares may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA") and no application has or will be made to admit the shares to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

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EXPENSES OF THE OFFERING

        We estimate that our expenses in connection with this offering, other than estimated underwriting discounts and commissions, will be as follows:

Expenses
  Amount  
 
  (in $)
 

SEC registration fee

    11,024  

FINRA filing fee

    13,239  

Legal fees and expenses

    460,000  

Accounting fees and expenses

    221,000  

Miscellaneous costs

    54,737  

Total

    760,000  

        All amounts in the table are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee. The Company will pay all of the expenses of this offering.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the common shares and certain other matters of Dutch law will be passed upon for us by NautaDutilh N.V. Certain matters of U.S. federal law will be passed upon for us by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, New York.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of Centogene N.V. appearing in Centogene N.V.'s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, have been audited by Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The current address of Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft is Friedrichstraße 140, 10117 Berlin, Germany.

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ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS

        We are incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, and our headquarters are located in Germany. Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. The majority of our management board and supervisory board reside outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to enforce against them or us in U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States.

        There is currently no treaty between the United States and the Netherlands for the mutual recognition and enforcement of judgments (other than arbitration awards) in civil and commercial matters. Therefore, a final judgment for the payment of money rendered by any federal or state court in the United States based on civil liability, whether or not predicated solely upon the U.S. federal securities laws, would not be enforceable in the Netherlands unless the underlying claim is relitigated before a Dutch court of competent jurisdiction. Under current practice, however, a Dutch court will generally, subject to compliance with certain procedural requirements, grant the same judgment without a review of the merits of the underlying claim if such judgment (i) is a final judgment and has been rendered by a court, which has established its jurisdiction vis-à-vis the relevant Dutch companies or Dutch company, as the case may be, on the basis of internationally accepted grounds of jurisdiction, (ii) has not been rendered in violation of principles of proper procedure (behoorlijke rechtspleging), (iii) is not contrary to the public policy of the Netherlands, and (iv) is not incompatible with (a) a prior judgment of a Netherlands court rendered in a dispute between the same parties, or (b) a prior judgment of a foreign court rendered in a dispute between the same parties, concerning the same subject matter and based on the same cause of action, provided that such prior judgment is capable of being recognized in the Netherlands and except to the extent that the foreign judgement contravenes Dutch public policy (openbare orde). Dutch courts may deny the recognition and enforcement of punitive damages or other awards. Moreover, a Dutch court may reduce the amount of damages granted by a U.S. court and recognize damages only to the extent that they are necessary to compensate actual losses or damages. Enforcement and recognition of judgments of U.S. courts in the Netherlands are solely governed by the provisions of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure. Based on the foregoing, there can be no assurance that U.S. investors will be able to enforce any judgments obtained in U.S. courts in civil and commercial matters, including judgments under the U.S. federal securities.

        Dutch civil procedure differs substantially from U.S. civil procedure in a number of respects. Insofar as the production of evidence is concerned, U.S. law and the laws of several other jurisdictions based on common law provide for pre-trial discovery, a process by which parties to the proceedings may prior to trial compel the production of documents by adverse or third parties and the deposition of witnesses. Evidence obtained in this manner may be decisive in the outcome of any proceeding. No such pre-trial discovery process exists under Dutch law.

        The United States and Germany currently do not have a treaty providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments, in civil and commercial matters. Consequently, a final judgment for payment or declaratory judgments given by a court in the United States, whether or not predicated solely upon U.S. securities laws, would not automatically be recognized or enforceable in Germany. German courts may deny the recognition and enforcement of a judgment rendered by a U.S. court if they consider the U.S. court not to be competent or the decision to be in violation of German public policy principles. For example, judgments awarding punitive damages are generally not enforceable in Germany. A German court may reduce the amount of damages granted by a U.S. court and recognize damages only to the extent that they are necessary to compensate actual losses or damages.

        In addition, actions brought in a German court against us, our management board and supervisory board and the experts named herein to enforce liabilities based on U.S. federal securities laws may be

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subject to certain restrictions. In particular, German courts generally do not award punitive damages. Litigation in Germany is also subject to rules of procedure that differ from the U.S. rules, including with respect to the taking and admissibility of evidence, the conduct of the proceedings and the allocation of costs. German procedural law does not provide for pre-trial discovery of documents, nor does Germany support pre-trial discovery of documents under the 1970 Hague Evidence Convention. Proceedings in Germany would have to be conducted in the German language and all documents submitted to the court would, in principle, have to be translated into German. For these reasons, it may be difficult for a U.S. investor to bring an original action in a German court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us, our management board and supervisory board and the experts named in this prospectus.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form F-1 under the Securities Act. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. If a document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

        We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

        As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our management board members, supervisory board members and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

        We will send the transfer agent a copy of all notices of shareholders' meetings and other reports, communications and information that are made generally available to shareholders. The transfer agent has agreed to mail to all shareholders a notice containing the information (or a summary of the information) contained in any notice of a meeting of our shareholders received by the transfer agent and will make available to all shareholders such notices and all such other reports and communications received by the transfer agent.


INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus.

        We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part:

        We will provide to each person at their request, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the reports or documents that have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. We will provide these reports

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upon written or oral request at no cost to the requester. Please direct your request, either in writing or by telephone, to Centogene N.V., Am Strande 7, 18055 Rostock, Germany. Our telephone number at this address is +49 (381) 80113400. In addition, copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be accessed at our website at www.centogene.com. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only.

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3,500,000 Shares

LOGO

CENTOGENE N.V.

Common Shares

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

Credit Suisse   SVB Leerink
Baird   BTIG

Kempen & Co

July                , 2020

   


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item 6.    Indemnification of Members of the Management Board and Supervisory Board.

        Under Dutch law, members of our management board and members of our supervisory board may be held liable by the registrant for damages in the event of improper or negligent performance of their duties. They may be jointly and severally liable for damages to the registrant and third parties for infringement of our articles of association or certain provisions of Dutch law. In certain circumstances, they may also incur additional specific civil and criminal liabilities.

        The liability of members of our management board and members of our supervisory board and other key employees is covered by a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy. This policy contains customary limitations and exclusions, such as willful misconduct or intentional recklessness (opzet of bewuste roekeloosheid).

        Our current and former managing directors and supervisory directors (and such other current or former officer or employee as designated by the management board) have the benefit of the following indemnification provisions in our articles of association:

        Indemnified persons shall be reimbursed for:

        No indemnification shall be given to an indemnified person:

        Under our articles of association, our management board may stipulate additional terms, conditions and restrictions in relation to the indemnification described above.

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Item 7.    Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

        Set forth below are the sales of all securities sold by Centogene AG within the past three years (i.e., since January 1, 2017 up to the date of this registration statement) which were not registered under the Securities Act (and in each case not giving effect to the corporate reorganization):

        As registered in the commercial register on June 30, 2017, Centogene AG issued 31,390 Series A preferred shares. In addition to the nominal value of the shares (€31,390), the shareholders made cash contributions into the Company's capital reserves of €15 million.

        As registered in the commercial register on May 22, 2018, Centogene AG issued an additional 34,010 Series A preferred shares. In addition to the nominal value of the shares (€ 34,010), the shareholders made cash contributions into the Company's capital reserves of €10 million.

        As registered in the commercial register on November 7, 2018, Centogene AG issued an additional 26,162 Series A preferred shares. In addition to the nominal value of the shares (€26,162), the shareholders made cash contributions into the Company's capital reserves of € 10 million.

        As registered in the commercial register on January 25, 2017, Centogene AG issued 14,286 common shares. In addition to the nominal value of the shares (€14,286), the shareholders made cash contributions into the Company's capital reserves of €4,985,814.

        As registered in the commercial register on June 1, 2017, Centogene AG issued 312 common shares. In addition to the nominal value of the shares (€312), the shareholders made cash contributions into the Company's capital reserves of €124,488.

        As registered in the commercial register on July 23, 2018, Centogene AG issued 250 common shares. In addition to the nominal value of the shares (€250), the shareholders made cash contributions into the Company's capital reserves of € 99,750.

        The issuances of restricted securities in the transactions described above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon the Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

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Item 8.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

Exhibit No.   Description
  1.1 * Form of Underwriting Agreement.
        
  3.1 ** Form of Articles of Association of Centogene N.V. (translated into English) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  4.1 ** Form of Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  4.2 * Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Rights Agreement.
        
  5.1 * Opinion of NautaDutilh N.V., Dutch counsel of Centogene, as to the validity of the common shares.
        
  8.1 * Opinion of NautaDutilh N.V., Dutch counsel of Centogene, as to Dutch tax matters.
        
  8.2 * Opinion of Taylor Wessing Partnerschaftsgesellschaft von Rechtsanwälten, as to German tax matters.
        
  8.3 * Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as to U.S. tax matters.
        
  10.1 **† Global Master Services Agreement between Centogene AG and Shire International GmbH, dated January 1, 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  10.2 **† Supply Agreement between Centogene AG and Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd, dated January 1, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  10.3 **† Amendment to the Global Master Services Agreement and Supply Agreement among Centogene AG, Shire International GmbH and Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd., dated May 3, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  10.4 **† Amendment to the Global Master Services Agreement and Supply Agreement among Centogene AG, Shire International GmbH and Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd., dated July 2, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  10.5 ** Form of Long Term Incentive Plan of Centogene N.V. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  10.6 ** Form of indemnification agreement between Centogene N.V. and members of the Supervisory Board or Management Board (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  10.7 ** English summary of the Property Sale Agreement between Centogene AG and Ludewig-Wasserbau- und Werft- GmbH, dated June 28, 2019 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  10.8 ** English summary of the Lease Agreement between Centogene AG and Ludewig-Wasserbau- und Werft- GmbH, dated June 28, 2019 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
 
   

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Exhibit No.   Description
  10.9 ** English summary of the Securities Sale Agreement between Centogene AG and K&L Immobilien GmbH and F&G IT GmbH, dated July 22, 2019 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-234177).
        
  21.1 * List of subsidiaries.
        
  23.1 * Consent of Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.
        
  23.2 * Consent of NautaDutilh N.V. (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
        
  23.3 * Consent of Taylor Wessing Partnerschaftsgesellschaft von Rechtsanwälten (included in Exhibit 8.2).
        
  23.4 * Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in Exhibit 8.3).
        
  24.1 * Powers of Attorney (included on signature page to the registration statement).

*
Filed herewith.

**
Previously filed.

Certain information has been excluded from the exhibit because it both (i) is not material and (ii) would likely cause competitive harm to the Company if publicly disclosed.

        All schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or has been included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.    Undertakings.

        The undersigned hereby undertakes:

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Berlin, Germany, on the 7th day of July, 2020.

    CENTOGENE N.V.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ ARNDT ROLFS

        Name:   Arndt Rolfs
        Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

 

By:

 

/s/ RICHARD STOFFELEN

        Name:   Richard Stoffelen
        Title:   Chief Financial Officer

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        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Arndt Rolfs, Richard Stoffelen and Volkmar Weckesser and each of them, individually, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this registration statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments and registrations filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on July 7, 2020 in the capacities indicated:

Name
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ ARNDT ROLFS

Arndt Rolfs
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)   July 7, 2020

/s/ RICHARD STOFFELEN

Richard Stoffelen

 

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

 

July 7, 2020

/s/ ARNDT ROLFS

Arndt Rolfs

 

Member of the Management Board

 

July 7, 2020

/s/ RICHARD STOFFELEN

Richard Stoffelen

 

Member of the Management Board

 

July 7, 2020

/s/ VOLKMAR WECKESSER

Volkmar Weckesser

 

Member of the Management Board

 

July 7, 2020

/s/ RICHARD ARTHUR

Richard Arthur
Assistant Secretary

 

Cogency Global Inc.
Authorized Representative in the United States

 

July 7, 2020

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Exhibit 1.1

 

[*] Shares

CENTOGENE N.V.

Common Shares

 

FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

                  , 2020

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

SVB LEERINK LLC

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

 

c/o CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

11 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10010

 

c/o  SVB Leerink LLC

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor

New York, New York 10019

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

1.             INTRODUCTORY.

 

(i)            Centogene N.V., a Dutch public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootschap) (the “Company”), proposes to sell, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, to the several underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (the “Underwriters,” or, each, an “Underwriter”), an aggregate of [*] common shares with a nominal value of €0.12 per share (the “Common Shares”) of the Company (the “Company Firm Shares”).

 

(ii)           Certain shareholders of the Company named in Schedule B hereto (the “Selling Shareholders,” or, each, a “Selling Shareholder”) propose to sell, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, to the several Underwriters an aggregate of [*] Common Shares of the Company (the “Selling Shareholder Firm Shares” and together with the Company Firm Shares, the “Firm Shares”).

 

(iii)          The Selling Shareholders also propose to sell to the Underwriters, upon the terms and conditions set forth in Section 3 hereof, up to an additional [*] Common Shares of the Company (the “Optional Shares”). The Firm Shares and the Optional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Offered Shares”.

 


 

(iv)          Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and SVB Leerink LLC are acting as representatives of the several Underwriters and in such capacity are hereinafter referred to as the “Representatives.”

 

2.             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

(i)            Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the several Underwriters, as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date, and agrees with the several Underwriters that:

 

(a)           Registration Statement.  A registration statement of the Company on Form F-1 (File No. 333-[*]) (including any amendments thereto, the “Initial Registration Statement”) in respect of the Offered Shares has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “Rules and Regulations”).  The Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to you, and, excluding exhibits thereto, to you for each of the other Underwriters, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form and meet the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Rules and Regulations.  Other than (i) the Initial Registration Statement, (ii) a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the Offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), (iii) any Preliminary Prospectus (as defined below), (iv) the Prospectus contemplated by this Agreement to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations in accordance with Section 4(i)(a) hereof and (v) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below), no other document with respect to the offer and sale of the Offered Shares has heretofore been filed with the Commission.  No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act has been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge after reasonable investigation and due diligence inquiry (“Knowledge”), threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Rules and Regulations is hereinafter called a “Preliminary Prospectus”).  The Initial Registration Statement including all exhibits thereto and including the information contained in the Prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Securities Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it became effective is hereinafter collectively called the “Registration Statement.”  If the Company has filed a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.  The final prospectus, in the form filed pursuant to and within the time limits described in Rule 424(b) under the Rules and Regulations, is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.”

 

(b)           General Disclosure Package.  As of the Applicable Time (as defined below) and as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date (as defined below), as the case may be, neither (i) the General Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or

 

2


 

prior to the Applicable Time, the Pricing Prospectus (as defined below) and the information included on Schedule D hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), (ii) any individual Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below), (iii) the bona fide electronic roadshow (as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) of the Rules and Regulations); nor (iv) any individual Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information (as defined in Section 19).  As used in this paragraph (b) and elsewhere in this Agreement:

 

Applicable Time” means [*] P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or such other time as agreed to by the Company and the Representatives.

 

Pricing Prospectus” means the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Offered Shares that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time.

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations relating to the Offered Shares in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) of the Rules and Regulations.

 

General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is identified on Schedule C to this Agreement.

 

Limited Use Free Writing Prospectuses” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

 

Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication (as defined below) that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

(c)           No Stop Orders; No Material Misstatements.  No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus relating to the proposed offering of the Offered Shares as described in the Registration Statement (the “Offering”) has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act has been instituted or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under

 

3


 

which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in or omitted from any Preliminary Prospectus, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

 

(d)           Registration Statement and Prospectus Contents.  At the respective times the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became or become effective as to the Underwriters and at each Closing Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was issued and at each Closing Date, conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing representations and warranties in this paragraph (d) shall not apply to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

 

(e)           Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.  Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the Offering or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representatives as described in Section 4(i)(f), did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing representations and warranties in this paragraph (e) shall not apply to information contained in or omitted from each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

 

(f)            Non-Deal Road Show.  The written and oral communications made by the Company in connection with its non-deal road show on June 16, 2020 to June 23, 2020 (the “NDR”) do not include any material non-public information, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and

 

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do not refer to the offering of the Offered Shares or constitute an offering of the Offered Shares, or constitute an offering of the Offered Shares.

 

(g)           Distribution of Offering Materials.  The Company has not, directly or indirectly, distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the Offering other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and other materials, if any, permitted under the Securities Act and consistent with Section 4(i)(b) below.  The Company will file with the Commission all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (other than a “road show” as described in Rule 433(d)(8) of the Rules and Regulations) in the time and manner required under Rules 163(b)(2) and 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations.

 

(h)           Foreign Private Issuer.  The Company is a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

(i)            Emerging Growth Company.  From the time of the initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communications) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”).  “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act.

 

(j)            Not an Ineligible Issuer.  At the time of filing the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, and at the date hereof, the Company was not, and the Company currently is not, an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

(k)           Testing the Waters CommunicationsThe Company (a) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives and (b) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications.  The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications.  The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.

 

(l)            Organization and Good Standing.  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a Dutch public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootschap).  Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, or the equivalent thereof under the laws of the jurisdiction of such subsidiary’s incorporation or organization, in good standing (where such concept exists) under the laws of such jurisdiction.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing as corporations, partnerships or limited liability companies, as applicable, or the equivalent thereof under the laws of the jurisdiction of their respective incorporation or organization, in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their

 

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respective businesses requires such qualification and have all power and authority (corporate or other) necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to so qualify or have such power or authority would not (i) have, singularly or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (ii) impair in any material respect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate any transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (any such effect as described in clauses (i) or (ii), a “Material Adverse Effect”).  The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed on Schedule F hereto.

 

(m)          Underwriting Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

(n)           The Offered Shares.  The Company Firm Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will conform to the description thereof in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and any preemptive or similar rights with respect to the issuance of the Company Firm Shares are validly excluded.

 

(o)           Capitalization.  The Company has an authorized share capital as set forth under the heading “Principal and Selling Shareholders” in the Pricing Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with Dutch law, as applicable, and conform to the description thereof contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  All of the Company’s options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange any securities for shares of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and were issued in compliance with Dutch law.  None of the outstanding shares of the Company were issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company.  As of the date set forth in the General Disclosure Package, there were no authorized or outstanding shares, options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any shares of the Company other than those described above or accurately described in the General Disclosure Package.  Since such date, the Company has not issued any securities other than Common Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants or upon the exercise of share options or other awards outstanding under the Company’s equity incentive plans, options or other securities granted or issued pursuant to the Company’s existing equity compensation plans or other plans, and the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to employee stock purchase plans.  The description of the Company’s share option, share bonus and other share plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder, as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, accurately and fairly present the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

 

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(p)           Capitalization of Subsidiaries.  All of the outstanding share capital (if any) of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and, except to the extent set forth in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, are owned by the Company directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries, free and clear of any claim, lien, encumbrance, security interest, restriction upon voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.

 

(q)           No Conflicts.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company, the issue and sale of the Company Firm Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, constitute a default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, claim or charge upon any property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws (or analogous governing instruments, as applicable) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (including but not limited to any change of control) or (iii) result in the violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court or governmental or regulatory agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  A “Debt Repayment Triggering Event” means any event or condition that gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company of any of its subsidiaries.

 

(r)            No Consents Required.  Except for the registration of the Offered Shares under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Nasdaq Global Market in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Offered Shares by the Underwriters and the listing of the Offered Shares on the Nasdaq Global Market, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, qualification or registration (each an “Authorization”) with, any court, governmental or regulatory agency or body, foreign or domestic, which has not been made, obtained or taken and is not in full force and effect, is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; and no event has occurred that allows or results in, or after notice or lapse of time or both would allow or result in, revocation, suspension, termination or invalidation of any such Authorization or any other impairment of the rights of the holder or maker of any such Authorization.

 

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(s)            Independent Auditors.  Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (“Ernst & Young”) who have audited certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of Article 2-01 of Regulation S-X and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”).

 

(t)            Financial Statements.  The financial statements, together with the related notes and schedules, included in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and in the Registration Statement fairly present the financial position and the results of operations and changes in financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the respective dates or for the respective periods therein specified.  Such statements and related notes and schedules have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved except as may be set forth in the related notes included in the General Disclosure Package.  The financial statements, together with the related notes, included in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with Regulation S-X.  No other financial statements or supporting schedules or exhibits are required by Regulation S-X to be described, or included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.  The summary and selected financial data included in the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and the Registration Statement fairly present in all material respects the information shown therein as at the respective dates and for the respective periods specified and are derived from the consolidated financial statements set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus and other financial information.

 

(u)           No Material Adverse Change.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package, (i) any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or action, order or decree of any court or governmental or regulatory authority, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the General Disclosure Package; (ii) any change in the authorized share capital or outstanding shares (other than the issuance of Common Shares upon exercise of share options and warrants described as outstanding in, and the grant of options and awards under existing equity incentive plans described in, the Registration statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of shares, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, assets, general affairs, management, financial position, prospects, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the General Disclosure Package.

 

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(v)           Legal Proceedings.  Except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, there is no legal or governmental proceeding to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject, including any proceeding before the United States Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“FDA”), the HHS Office of Inspector General, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) Division of Clinical Laboratory Improvement & Quality, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (“DPH”) Clinical Laboratory Program, or comparable federal, state, local or foreign governmental bodies (it being understood that the interaction between the Company and the FDA and such comparable governmental bodies relating to the clinical development and product approval process shall not be deemed proceedings for purposes of this representation), which is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and is not described therein, or which, singularly or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and to the Company’s Knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened by governmental or regulatory authorities.  The Company is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations, orders and decrees governing its business as prescribed by the FDA, or any other federal, state or foreign agencies or bodies engaged in the regulation of pharmaceuticals or medical devices, except where noncompliance would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(w)          No Violation or Default.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws (or analogous governing instrument, as applicable), (ii) in default in any respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its property or assets is subject or (iii) in violation in any respect of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court order, decree or judgment to which it or its property or assets may be subject (including, without limitation, those administered by the FDA, CDC, CMS, HHS, DPH or by any comparable foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority) except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such violation or default that would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(x)           Licenses or Permits.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries possess all licenses, certificates, authorizations and permits issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate local, state, federal or foreign governmental or regulatory agencies or bodies (including, without limitation, those administered by the FDA, CDC, CMS, HHS, DPH or by any comparable foreign, federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority performing similar functions) that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (collectively, the “Governmental Permits”) except where any failures to possess or make the same would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company and its subsidiaries are in

 

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compliance with all such Governmental Permits; all such Governmental Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where the validity or failure to be in full force and effect would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received notification of any revocation, modification, suspension, termination or invalidation (or proceedings related thereto) of any such Governmental Permit and the Company has no reason to believe that any such Governmental Permit will not be renewed.

 

(y)           Regulatory Matters.  The studies and tests for biomarker development conducted by the Company that are described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (the “Company Studies”) were and, if still pending, are being, conducted in all material respects in accordance with experimental protocols, procedures and controls designed and approved for the Company Studies and all applicable U.S. and foreign laws and industry guidance, including without limitation International Conference on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practices, European Union Clinical Trial Directive ((EC) No. 2001/20/EC) and any applicable European Union member state national legislation related thereto; the descriptions of the results of the Company Studies contained in the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus are accurate in all material respects; the Company does not have any knowledge of any other studies not described in the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus, the results of which are inconsistent with or call into question the results described or referred to in the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company has not received any notices or correspondence with the FDA or any foreign, state or local governmental body exercising comparable authority requiring where such termination, suspension or material modification of any Company Studies that termination, suspension or material modification would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and, to the Company’s Knowledge, there are no reasonable grounds for the same.  In using or disclosing patient information received by the Company in connection with the Company Studies, the Company has complied in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, including, without limitation, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq.), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. § 17921 et seq.) (collectively “HIPAA”) and the rules and regulations thereunder, 42 C.F.R. Part 2, the Genetic Information and Non-discrimination Act of 2008 “GINA”, the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (the “Common Rule”, including 45 C.F.R. Part 46 and 21 C.F.R. Part 50), and applicable state genetic information privacy laws, rules, and regulations.

 

(z)           Regulatory Compliance.    The Company has not received any unresolved Form FDA 483, notice of adverse filing, warning letter, untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from the FDA, or any other court or arbitrator or federal, state, local, or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, alleging or asserting noncompliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C § 301 et seq.) (the “FDCA”) or comparable law.  The Company and its managing directors, and, to the Company’s knowledge, supervisory directors, officers, employees and agents are and have been in material compliance with applicable health care laws, including without limitation, the FDCA, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b)), the civil False Claims

 

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Act (31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.), the criminal False Claims Law (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(a)), the Civil Monetary Penalties Law (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7a), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq.), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. § 17921 et seq.) the exclusion laws (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7), Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act), Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act), and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, including, without limitation, the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7h), and the regulation promulgated pursuant to such laws, and comparable state laws, and all other local, state, federal, national, supranational, and foreign laws, manual provisions, policies and administrative guidance relating to the regulation of the Company(collectively, “Health Care Laws).  The Company has not, either voluntarily or involuntarily, initiated, conducted or issued or caused to be initiated, conducted or issued, any recall, market withdrawal or replacement, safety alert, post sale warning, “dear doctor” letter, or other notice or action relating to the alleged lack of safety or efficacy of any product or any alleged product defect or violation and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no third-party has initiated or conducted any such notice or action.

 

(aa)         Investment Company Act.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is or, after giving effect to the Offering and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will be required to register as an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

(bb)         Intellectual Property.  Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries own or possess the valid right to use all valid and enforceable patents, patent applications, inventions, trademarks, trademark registrations, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, Internet domain names, copyrights, copyright registrations, licenses, works of authorship, formulae, know how, software, databases, and other intellectual property (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary confidential information, systems, or procedures) (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) necessary to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted, and as proposed to be conducted and described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have not received written notice of any challenge, which is to their Knowledge still pending, by any other person to the rights of the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to any Intellectual Property Rights owned by or licensed to the Company or its subsidiaries; (iii) to the Company’s Knowledge, the Company and its subsidiaries’ respective businesses as now conducted do not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any valid and enforceable Intellectual Property Rights of any other person; (iv) all licenses for the use of the Intellectual Property Rights to which the Company or its subsidiaries are a party and that are described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are valid, binding upon, and enforceable by or against the parties thereto in accordance to its terms; (v) the Company and its subsidiaries have complied with and are not in breach, nor have received any written asserted or threatened claim of breach, of any

 

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Intellectual Property license to which they are a party and that is described in the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus, and neither the Company nor its subsidiaries have knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach by any other person to any such Intellectual Property license; (vi) to the Company’s Knowledge, no written claim has been made against the Company or its subsidiaries alleging the infringement by the Company or its subsidiaries, respectively, of any patent, trademark, service mark, trade name, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property right of any person; (vii) the Company and its subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to protect, maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of their respective Intellectual Property Rights, the value of which to the Company and its subsidiaries is contingent upon maintaining the confidentiality thereof, including the execution of appropriate nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements; and (viii) to the Company’s Knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is using any software that is licensed under any “open source” or other similar license that requires that any of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ owned and proprietary software be publicly distributed or dedicated to the public.

 

(cc)         Privacy Laws.

 

i.              “Privacy Laws” means any applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the California Online Privacy Protection Act, the Video Privacy Protection Act, the Communications Decency Act, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, the CAN-SPAM Act, HIPAA, GINA, 42 C.F.R. Part 2, state genetic information and healthcare privacy laws, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679) (“GDPR”) together with any national state GDPR-implementing laws in any Member State of the European Union, Directive 2002/58/EC and best practices, codes of conduct, official interpretation and guidance, self-regulatory guidelines and codes, applicable published industry standards and published interpretations by applicable governmental authorities and regulations relating to data protection and including any U.S. state or federal, or EU Member State genetic information privacy laws.

 

ii.             Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have provided accurate and all required disclosures to their customers, employees, third party vendors and representatives with respect to their privacy policies and privacy practices, including providing any type of notice and obtaining any type of consent required by Privacy Laws applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries, and such disclosures have not contained any omissions related to the privacy policies and privacy practices of the Company and its subsidiaries and (ii) each privacy policy and all materials distributed or marketed by the Company and its subsidiaries have at all times included all information and made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable Privacy Laws, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any such privacy policy or in any such materials has been inaccurate, misleading or deceptive in violation of applicable Privacy Laws.

 

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iii.            Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written communication from any governmental authority that alleges that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is not in compliance with the applicable privacy, security, transaction standards, breach notification or other provisions and requirements of any Privacy Laws.

 

(dd)         IT Systems.  Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) (x) there has been no security breach or other compromise of any of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of their respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of them), equipment or technology (“IT Systems and Data”), and (y) the Company and its subsidiaries have not been notified in writing of, any security breach or compromise to their IT Systems and Data, and (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented commercially reasonable backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practice.

 

(ee)         Title to Real and Personal Property.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in and (in the case of real property) to, or to the Company’s Knowledge, have valid and marketable rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real or personal property which are material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, claims and defects except those that (i) do not, singularly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) could not reasonably be expected, singularly or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ff)          No Labor Dispute.  There is (A) no significant unfair labor practice complaint pending against the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, nor to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against it or any of its subsidiaries, before the National Labor Relations Board, any state or local labor relation board or any foreign labor relations board, and no significant grievance or significant arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against it and (B) no labor disturbance by or dispute with, employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the Company’s Knowledge, is contemplated or threatened.

 

(gg)         Compliance with ERISA.  No “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ERISA”), or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the “Code”)) or “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) or any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of ERISA (other than events with respect to

 

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which the thirty (30)-day notice requirement under Section 4043 of ERISA has been waived) has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur with respect to any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which could, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with applicable law, including ERISA and the Code.  The Company and its subsidiaries have not incurred and could not reasonably be expected to incur material liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of, or withdrawal from, any pension plan (as defined in ERISA).  Each pension plan for which the Company or any of its subsidiaries would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, and to the Company’s Knowledge, nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could, singularly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification.

 

(hh)         Environmental Laws and Hazardous Materials.  The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all foreign, federal, state and local rules, laws and regulations relating to the use, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or waste and protection of health and safety or the environment which are applicable to their businesses (“Environmental Laws”).  There has been no storage, generation, transportation, handling, treatment, disposal, discharge, emission, or other release of any kind of toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances by, due to, or caused by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other entity for whose acts or omissions the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may otherwise be liable) upon any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or upon any other property, in violation of any law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would, under any law, statute, ordinance, rule (including rule of common law), regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, give rise to any liability that would have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the Company’s Knowledge, there has been no disposal, discharge, emission or other release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances.

 

(ii)           Taxes.  The Company and its subsidiaries each (i) have timely filed all necessary federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns, and all such returns were true, complete and correct, (ii) have paid all federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxes, for which it is liable, including, without limitation, all sales and use taxes and all taxes which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is obligated to withhold from amounts owing to employees, creditors and third parties, and (iii) do not have any tax deficiency or claims outstanding or assessed or, to the Company’s Knowledge, proposed against any of them, except those, in each of the cases described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, that would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(jj)           Insurance.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company reasonably believes is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any reason to believe that

 

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it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received written notice from any insurer, agent of such insurer or the broker of the Company or any of its subsidiaries that any material capital improvements or any other material expenditures (other than premium payments) are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance.

 

(kk)         Accounting Controls.  Except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, the Company and each of its subsidiaries maintains a system of “internal control over financial reporting” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (such act, the “Exchange Act,” and such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act Rules”)) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and has been designed by their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.  The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is overseen by the audit committee of the Company’s supervisory board in accordance with rules of Nasdaq Stock Market.  Except as described in the General Disclosure Package, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (A) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (B) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

(ll)           Disclosure Controls.  The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act Rules) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act; such disclosure controls and procedures have been reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company on a consolidated basis with its subsidiaries in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures.

 

(mm)      No Undisclosed Relationships.  No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the one hand, and the directors, officers, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of their affiliates on the other hand, which is required to be described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and which is not so described.

 

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(nn)         No Registration Rights.  No person or entity has the right to require registration of Common Shares or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries because of the filing or effectiveness of the Registration Statement or otherwise, except for persons and entities who have expressly waived such right in writing or who have been given timely and proper written notice and have failed to exercise such right within the time or times required under the terms and conditions of such right.  Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no persons with registration rights or similar rights to have any securities registered by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under the Securities Act.

 

(oo)         Other Offerings.  The Company has not sold, issued or distributed any securities during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or Regulation S of, the Securities Act, other than securities issued pursuant to equity incentive plans, employee benefit plans, qualified share option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.

 

(pp)         Margin Rules.  The application of the proceeds received by the Company from the issuance, sale and delivery of the Offered Shares as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

 

(qq)         No Broker’s Fees.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the Underwriters for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the Offering and sale of the Offered Shares or any transaction contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

 

(rr)           No Restrictions on Subsidiaries.  Except as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s share capital, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

 

(ss)          PFIC.  The Company is not a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1296 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Company is not likely to become a PFIC.

 

(tt)           Forward-Looking Statements.  No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in either the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

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(uu)         Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company, or to the Company’s Knowledge, any of the Company’s officers or directors, in their capacities as such, to comply with any currently applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans.

 

(vv)         No Unlawful Payments.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any managing director, supervisory director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary, has (i) used any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees, political parties or campaigns, political party officials or candidates for political office from corporate funds, (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the Dutch Criminal Code, or any applicable anti-corruption laws, rules or regulations of the European Union or any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any subsidiary conducts business, or (iv) made any other unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any person.

 

(ww)       Absence of Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed, or would be expected, to cause or result in, or which constitutes, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares or to result in a violation of Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

 

(xx)         Statistical and Market Data.  The statistical and market related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.

 

(yy)         Compliance with Money Laundering Laws.  The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

(zz)         Compliance with OFAC.

 

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(A)                              Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any managing director, supervisory director, officer, employee or agent thereof, is an individual or entity (“Person”) that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:  (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Swiss Secretariat of Economic Affairs, or any Dutch or German government agency (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of a U.S. government embargo (currently, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea).

 

(B)                               The Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:  (i) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of a U.S. government embargo; or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

 

(C)                               For the past five (5) years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in any direct or indirect dealings or transactions with any Person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions or any country or territory that, at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of a U.S. government embargo, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(aaa)      No Associated Persons; FINRA Matters.  Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of its affiliates (within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121(f)(1)) directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, or is an associated person (within the meaning of Article I, Section 1(ee) of the By-laws of FINRA) of, any member firm of FINRA.

 

(bbb)      Valid Choice of Law.  The choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of this Agreement is a valid choice of law under the laws of the Netherlands and, subject to the provisions of EU Regulation No. 593/2008 relating to the law that is applicable to contractual obligations, will be honored by courts in the Netherlands except in case performance of the contract is unlawful in the Netherlands or

 

18


 

manifest incompatibility with the public policy “ordre public” of the Netherlands.  The Company has the power to submit, and pursuant to Section 16 of this Agreement, has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably submitted, to the personal jurisdiction of each New York State and United States federal court sitting in The City of New York, New York (each, a “New York Court”) and has validly and irrevocably waived any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court; and the Company has the power to designate, appoint and empower an authorized agent for service of process in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or the offering of the Securities in any New York Court and service of process effected on such authorized agent will be effective to notify the Company of any action under this Agreement.

 

(ccc)       No Rights of Immunity.  Neither the Company nor any of its Dutch properties, assets or revenues, except for the books and records required for the Company’s business, enjoy any rights of immunity from legal proceedings or the execution of judgment or other attachment in the Netherlands or the United States with respect to obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Securities.

 

(ddd)      Enforceability in the Netherlands.  This Agreement is in proper form to be enforceable in the Netherlands in accordance with its terms; to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in the Netherlands of this Agreement it is not necessary that this Agreement be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in the Netherlands (other than court filings in the ordinary course of proceedings) or that any stamp or similar tax in the Netherlands (other than court fees or similar documentary tax payable in the ordinary course of proceedings) be paid on or in respect of this Agreement or any other documents to be furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

(eee)       Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

 

(ii)           Representations and Warranties of the Selling Shareholders. Each Selling Shareholder represents and warrants to the several Underwriters, as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date, and agrees with the several Underwriters that:

 

(a)           Title to Offered Shares.  Such Selling Shareholder has and on each Closing Date will have valid and unencumbered title to the Offered Shares to be delivered by such Selling Shareholder on such Closing Date and full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Offered Shares to be delivered by such Selling Shareholder on such Closing Date hereunder; and upon the delivery of and payment for the Offered Shares on each Closing Date hereunder the several Underwriters will acquire valid and unencumbered title to the Offered Shares to be delivered by such Selling Shareholder on such Closing Date. The Offered Shares to be delivered by such Selling Shareholder are held by the Custodian (as defined below) for such Selling Shareholder in book-entry form and are not certificated.

 

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(b)           Absence of Further Requirements.  No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing with, any person (including any governmental agency or body or any court) is required to be obtained or made by such Selling Shareholder for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Custody Agreement (as defined below) or this Agreement in connection with the offering, issuance and sale of the Offered Shares sold by such Selling Shareholder, except such as have been obtained and made under the Securities Act and such as may be required under state securities laws or by FINRA.

 

(c)           Absence of Defaults and Conflicts Resulting from Transaction.  The execution, delivery and performance of the Custody Agreement and this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions therein and herein contemplated will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of such Selling Shareholder pursuant to, any statute, any rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court having jurisdiction over such Selling Shareholder or any of its properties or any agreement or instrument to which such Selling Shareholder is a party or by which such Selling Shareholder is bound or to which any of the properties of such Selling Shareholder is subject, or the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of such Selling Shareholder that is a corporation or the constituent documents of such Selling Shareholder that is not a natural person or a corporation.

 

(d)           Power of Attorney. The irrevocable power of attorney (“Power of Attorney”), appointing certain individuals named therein as such Selling Shareholder’s attorneys-in-fact (each, an “Attorney-in-Fact”, and collectively  the “Attorneys-in-Fact”) relating to the transactions contemplated herein, constitutes a valid instrument granting the Attorneys-in-Fact named in such Power of Attorney, the power and authority stated therein, and permits the Attorneys-in-Fact, singly or collectively, to bind such Selling Shareholder with respect to all matters granted, conferred and contemplated in such Power of Attorney and such Power of Attorney has not been revoked, cancelled or terminated at any time.

 

(e)           Custody Agreement.  The custody agreement between such Selling Shareholder, the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as custodian (the “Custodian”), relating to the deposit of the Offered Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder (the “Custody Agreement”) in connection with the offer and sale of the Offered Shares contemplated herein has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Shareholder and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of such Selling Shareholder enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(f)            Prospectus.  On its date, at the time of filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (if no such filing is required) at the effective time of the additional Registration Statement in which the Prospectus is included, and on each Closing Date, the Prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not

 

20


 

misleading. The preceding sentence applies only to written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Shareholder specifically for use in the Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information is that described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

 

(g)           No Undisclosed Material Information.  The sale of the Offered Shares by such Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement is not prompted by any material information concerning the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is not set forth the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(h)           General Disclosure Package.  As of the Applicable Time, none of (i) the General Disclosure Package, or (ii) any individual Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, or (iii) any individual Testing-the-Waters Communication, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The preceding sentence applies only to written information furnished to the Company by such Selling Shareholder specifically for use in the General Disclosure Package or, any individual Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, it being understood and agreed that the only such information is that described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

 

(i)            Authorization of Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Shareholder.

 

(j)            No Broker’s Fee. Such Selling Shareholder is not a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against such Selling Shareholder or the Underwriters for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the Offering and sale of the Offered Shares or any transaction contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

 

(k)           Absence of Manipulation.  Neither such Selling Shareholder nor any affiliate of such Selling Shareholder has taken, nor will such Selling Shareholder or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed, or would be expected, to cause or result in, or which constitutes, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares or to result in a violation of Regulation M under the Exchange Act.

 

(l)            Testing-the-Waters Communication. Such Selling Shareholder has not engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication.

 

(m)          Any certificate signed by or on behalf of such Selling Shareholder and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by such Selling Shareholder to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

 

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3.             PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF OFFERED SHARES.  On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell the Company Firm Shares and the Selling Shareholders agree, severally and not jointly, to sell the Selling Shareholder Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of the Selling Shareholders in Schedule B hereto to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and the Selling Shareholders the respective number of shares of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of the Underwriters in Schedule A hereto.

 

The purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters to the Company and the Selling Shareholders for the Offered Shares will be $[*] per share (the “Purchase Price”).

 

Each Selling Shareholder agrees that book-entry shares held in custody for the Selling Shareholders under the Custody Agreement are subject to the interests of the Underwriters hereunder, that the arrangements made by the Selling Shareholders for such custody are to that extent irrevocable, and that the obligations of the Selling Shareholders hereunder shall not be terminated by operation of law, whether by the death of any individual Selling Shareholder or the occurrence of any other event, or in the case of a trust, by the death of any trustee or trustees or the termination of such trust.  If any individual Selling Shareholder or any such trustee or trustees should die, or if any other such event should occur, or if any of such trusts should terminate, before the delivery of the Offered Shares hereunder, such Offered Shares shall be delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if such death or other event or termination had not occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian shall have received notice of such death or other event or termination.

 

The Company will deliver the Company Firm Shares and the Selling Shareholders shall cause the Custodian to deliver the Selling Shareholder Firm Shares, in each case in book-entry form, to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, in each such case, issued in such names as the Representatives may direct by notice in writing to the Company for the Company Firm Shares and the Attorneys-in-Fact for the Selling Shareholder Firm Shares given at or prior to 12:00 Noon, New York time, on the second (2nd) full business day preceding the Closing Date against payment of the aggregate Purchase Price therefor by wire transfer in federal (same day) funds to an account at a bank specified by the Company for itself and the Custodian for the Selling Shareholders, payable to the order of the Company for the Company Firm Shares and to the order of the Custodian for the Selling Shareholder Firm Shares all at the offices of Goodwin Procter LLP, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018.  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligations of each Underwriter hereunder.  The time and date of the delivery and closing shall be at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on [*], 2020, in accordance with Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act.  The time and date of such payment and delivery are herein referred to as the “Closing Date”.  The Closing Date and the location of delivery of, and the form of payment for, the Firm Shares may be varied by agreement between the Company and the Representatives.

 

For the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Shares as contemplated by the Prospectus, the Underwriters may purchase all or less than all of the Optional Shares.  The price per share to be paid for the Optional Shares shall

 

22


 

be the Purchase Price.  The Selling Shareholders agree to sell to the Underwriters, in proportion to the maximum number of the respective Optional Shares set forth opposite the names of the Selling Shareholders in Schedule B hereto, the number of Optional Shares specified in the written notice delivered by the Representatives to the Attorneys-in-Facts described below and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase such number of Optional Shares.  The option granted hereby may be exercised as to all or any part of the Optional Shares at any time, and from time to time, provided however, that notice of such exercise must be delivered not more than thirty (30) days subsequent to the date of this Agreement.  No Optional Shares shall be sold and delivered unless the Firm Shares previously have been, or simultaneously is, sold and delivered.  The right to purchase the Optional Shares or any portion thereof may be surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by the Representatives to the Attorneys-in-Facts.

 

The option granted hereby shall be exercised by written notice being given to the Attorneys-in-Facts by the Representatives setting forth the number of shares of the Optional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Optional Shares.  Each date and time for delivery of and payment for the Optional Shares (which may be the Closing Date, but not earlier) is herein called the “Option Closing Date” and shall in no event be earlier than two (2) business days nor later than five (5) business days after written notice is given.  The Option Closing Date and the Closing Date are herein called the “Closing Dates.”

 

The Selling Shareholders shall cause the Custodian to deliver the Optional Shares to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, issued in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives may direct by notice in writing to the Selling Shareholders given at or prior to 12:00 Noon, New York time, on the second (2nd) full business day preceding the Option Closing Date against payment of the aggregate Purchase Price therefor by wire transfer in federal (same day) funds to an account at a bank acceptable to the Representatives payable to the order of Custodian all at the offices of Goodwin Procter LLP, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018.  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligations of each Underwriter hereunder.  The Option Closing Date and the location of delivery of, and the form of payment for, the Optional Shares may be varied by agreement between the Company and the Representatives.

 

The several Underwriters propose to offer the Offered Shares for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

 

4.             FURTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS.

 

(i)            The Company and the Selling Shareholders agree with the several Underwriters:

 

(a)           Required Filings; Amendments or Supplements; Notice to the Representatives.  To prepare the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if necessary, in a form approved by the Representatives and file such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission by 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date hereof, the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee

 

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pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Rules and Regulations; to prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives containing information previously omitted at the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement in reliance on Rules 430A, 430B or 430C of the Rules and Regulations and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations not later than the second business (2nd) day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by the Securities Act; to notify the Representatives immediately of the Company’s intention to file or prepare any supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus and to make no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or to the Prospectus to which the Representatives shall reasonably object by notice to the Company after a reasonable period to review; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication has been filed and to furnish the Underwriters with copies thereof; to file promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rules 433(d) or 163(b)(2) of the Rules and Regulations, as the case may be; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, of the suspension of the qualification of the Offered Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or for additional information including, but not limited to, any request for information concerning any Testing-the-Waters Communication; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, and promptly to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order.

 

(b)           Emerging Growth Company.  The Company will promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (a) the completion of the distribution of the Firm Shares within the meaning of the Securities Act and (b) completion of the Lock-Up Period (as defined below).

 

If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.

 

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(c)           Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.  The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not, make any offer relating to the Offered Shares that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations (each, a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus”); provided that the prior written consent of the Representatives hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule C hereto.  The Company represents that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Rules and Regulations applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including the requirements relating to timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping and will not take any action that would result in an Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that such Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.  The Company will satisfy the condition in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic road show.

 

(d)           Ongoing Compliance.  If at any time prior to the date when a prospectus relating to the Offered Shares is required to be delivered (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) any event occurs or condition exists as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made when the Prospectus is delivered (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations), not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives thereof and upon their request will prepare an appropriate amendment or supplement in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as reasonably possible.  The Company will furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of such amendment or supplement.  In case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations) relating to the Offered Shares, the Company upon the request of the Representatives will prepare promptly an amended or supplemented Prospectus as may be necessary to permit compliance with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as such Underwriter may request of such amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.

 

(e)           Amendment to General Disclosure Package.  If the General Disclosure Package is being used to solicit offers to buy the Offered Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur as a result of which, in the judgment of the Company or in the reasonable opinion of the

 

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Underwriters, it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, or to make the statements therein not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file and not superseded or modified, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package to comply with any law, the Company promptly will prepare, file with the Commission (if required) and furnish to the Underwriters and any dealers an appropriate amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package.

 

(f)            Amendment to Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.  If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or Prospectus and not superseded or modified or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the subsequent time, not misleading, the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representatives so that any use of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus may cease until it is amended or supplemented and has promptly amended or will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.  The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

 

(g)           Delivery of Registration Statement.  To the extent not available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any successor system (“EDGAR”), upon the request of the Representatives, the Company will furnish promptly to the Representatives and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed therewith.

 

(h)           Delivery of Copies.  Upon request of the Representatives, to the extent not available on EDGAR, the Company will deliver promptly to the Representatives in New York City such number of the following documents as the Representatives shall reasonably request:  (i) conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission (in each case excluding exhibits), (ii) each Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (iv) the Prospectus (the delivery of the documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (h) to be made not later than 10:00 A.M., New York time, on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement), (v) conformed copies of any amendment to the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits), and (vi) any amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (the delivery of the documents referred to in clauses (v) and (vi) of this paragraph (h) to be made not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second business day following the date of such amendment or supplement

 

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(the delivery of the documents referred to in clause (vi) of this paragraph (h) to be made not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day following the date of such document).

 

(i)            Earnings Statement.  The Company will make generally available to its shareholders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than sixteen (16) months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) of the Rules and Regulations), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158); and furnish to its shareholders as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance sheet and statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries certified by independent public accountants) and as soon as possible after each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (beginning with the first fiscal quarter after the effective date of such Registration Statement), consolidated summary financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries for such quarter in reasonable detail; provided, that, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and is timely filing reports with Commission on EDGAR, it shall be deemed to be in compliance with the foregoing requirement to furnish such earnings statements and annual reports to its shareholders.

 

(j)            Blue Sky Compliance.  The Company will take promptly from time to time such actions as the Representatives may reasonably request to qualify the Offered Shares for offering and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may reasonably designate and to continue such qualifications in effect, and comply with such laws, for so long as required to permit the offer and sale of Offered Shares in such jurisdictions; provided that each of the Company and its subsidiaries shall not be obligated to (i) qualify as foreign corporations in any jurisdiction in which they are not so qualified, (ii) file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

 

(k)           Reports.  Upon request, during the period of one (1) year from the date hereof, the Company will deliver to each of the Underwriters, (i) as soon as they are available, copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to shareholders, and (ii) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which the Offered Shares are listed.  However, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and is timely filing reports EDGAR, it is not required to furnish such reports or statements to the Underwriters.

 

(l)            Lock-Up.  During the period commencing on and including the date hereof and ending on and including the (90th) day following the date of this Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”), the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Representatives), directly or indirectly offer, sell (including, without limitation, any short

 

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sale), assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any Common Shares, options, rights or warrants to acquire Common Shares or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Common Shares (other than is contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Offered Shares) or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the Company may (i) issue the Company Firm Shares; (ii) issue Common Shares and options to purchase Common Shares, Common Shares underlying options granted and other securities, each pursuant to any director or employee stock option plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect on the date hereof and described in the General Disclosure Package; or (iii) issue Common Shares pursuant to the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants, which securities or warrants are outstanding on the date hereof and described in the General Disclosure Package; (iv) adopt a new equity incentive plan, and file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register the offer and sale of securities to be issued pursuant to such new equity incentive plan, and issue securities pursuant to such new equity incentive plan (including, without limitation, the issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of options or other securities issued pursuant to such new equity incentive plan), provided that (1) such new equity incentive plan satisfies the transaction requirements of General Instruction A.1 of Form S-8 under the Securities Act and (2) this clause (iv) shall not be available unless each recipient of Common Shares, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Common Shares, pursuant to such new equity incentive plan shall be contractually prohibited from selling, offering, disposing of or otherwise transferring any such shares or securities during the remainder of the Lock-Up Period (except as permitted under the form of the “lock-up” agreement attached as Exhibit I hereto).  The Company will cause each person and entity listed in Schedule E to furnish to the Representatives, and each of the Selling Shareholders will furnish to the Representatives, prior to the Closing Date, a “lock-up” agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto.  In addition, the Company will direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon any such securities of the Company that are bound by such “lock-up” agreements.

 

(m)          Delivery of SEC Correspondence.  Upon the request of the Representatives and to the extent not available on EDGAR, the Company will supply the Underwriters with copies of all correspondence to and from, and all documents issued to and by, the Commission in connection with the registration of the Offered Shares under the Securities Act or any of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

(n)           Press Releases.  Prior to the Closing Date, the Company will not issue any press release or other communication directly or indirectly or hold any press conference with respect to the Company, its condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings, business affairs or business prospects (except for routine oral marketing communications in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of the Company and of which the Representatives are notified), without the prior consent of the Representatives, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, unless in the judgment of the Company

 

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and its counsel, and after notification to the Representatives, such press release or communication is required by law.

 

(o)           Compliance with Regulation M.  Until the Representatives shall have notified the Company of the completion of the resale of the Offered Shares, each of the Company and the Selling Shareholders will not, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its affiliated purchasers (as defined in Regulation M under the Exchange Act) not to, either alone or with one or more other persons, bid for or purchase, for any account in which it or any of its affiliated purchasers has a beneficial interest, any Offered Shares, or attempt to induce any person to purchase any Offered Shares; and will not, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its affiliated purchasers not to, make bids or purchase for the purpose of creating actual, or apparent, active trading in or of raising the price of the Offered Shares.

 

(p)           Registrar and Transfer Agent.  To maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Offered Shares for so long as the Common Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

(q)           Use of Proceeds.  To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds,” and except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, the Company does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Offered Shares hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Underwriter.

 

(r)            Exchange Listing.  To use its commercially reasonable efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the Offered Shares on the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

(s)            Performance of Covenants and Satisfaction of Conditions.  To use its reasonable best efforts to do and perform all things required to be done or performed under this Agreement by the Company prior to each Closing Date and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Firm Shares and the Optional Shares.

 

5.             PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.

 

(i)            The Company agrees to pay, or reimburse if paid by any Underwriter, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated:  (a) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Offered Shares and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the registration of the Offered Shares under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; (c) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and distribution of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, this Agreement and any closing documents by mail, telex or other means of communications; (d) the fees and expenses (including reasonable related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters) incurred in connection with securing any required review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Offered Shares and any filings made with FINRA, in an amount not to exceed $25,000 in the aggregate; (e) any applicable listing or

 

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other fees; (f) the fees and expenses (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters) of qualifying the Offered Shares under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 4(i)(j)) and of preparing, printing and distributing wrappers, Blue Sky Memoranda and Legal Investment Surveys, in an amount not to exceed $25,000 in the aggregate; (g) the cost of preparing and printing share certificates; (h) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Offered Shares; (i) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Offered Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the officers of the Company and such consultants, including fifty (50) percent of the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show with the prior consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; and (j) all other costs and expenses of the Company incident to the offering of the Offered Shares or the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s independent accountants; provided that, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Section 5 and in Sections 9 and 10, the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses, including the fees and expenses of their counsel not contemplated herein, any transfer taxes on the resale of any Offered Shares by them and the expenses of advertising any offering of the Offered Shares made by the Underwriters and fifty (50) percent of the cost of any aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show.

 

(ii)           The Company and the Selling Shareholders will, severally but not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters against any stamp, issue, registration or other similar documentary tax or duty, including any interest and penalties, on or in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company, the Selling Shareholders or the Underwriters of this Agreement, except if such tax or duty is due as a result of or in connection with an Underwriter (a) being a resident in the Netherlands or Germany for tax purposes or (b) carrying on business through a permanent establishment in the Netherlands or Germany for tax purposes or (c) having a fixed establishment in the Netherlands or Germany for VAT purposes.  All payments to be made by the Company and the Selling Shareholders under this Agreement shall be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges whatsoever, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto (“Taxes) unless the Company or the applicable Selling Shareholder is compelled by law to deduct or withhold such Taxes.  In that event, and except for any net income, capital gains, franchise taxes or other similar taxes imposed on the Underwriters by the Netherlands or other applicable jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein as a result of any present or former connection (other than any connection resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) between the Underwriters and such jurisdiction, the Company or the applicable Selling Shareholder, as appropriate, shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order to ensure that the net amounts received after such withholding or deduction shall equal the amounts that would have been received if no withholding or deduction had been made.

 

6.             CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITERS’ OBLIGATIONS.  The respective obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and as of the Applicable Time and

 

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on each Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Shareholders contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company and the Selling Shareholders made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Selling Shareholders of their obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

 

(a)           Registration Compliance; No Stop Orders.  The Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof, preventing or suspending the use of, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall have been initiated or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened by the Commission, and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives; and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been filed with, the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by, and in compliance with, the Rules and Regulations and in accordance with Section 4(i)(a), and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, shall have become effective immediately upon its filing with the Commission; and FINRA shall have raised no unresolved objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(b)           Corporate Proceedings.  All corporate proceedings incident to the authorization, form and validity of each of this Agreement, the Offered Shares, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

 

(c)           Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the CompanyDavis Polk & Wardwell LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives such counsel’s written opinion and 10b-5 Statement, as counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

 

(d)           Opinion of Dutch Counsel for the Company.  NautaDutilh N.V. shall have furnished to the Representatives such counsel’s written opinion, as Dutch counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

 

(e)           Opinion of German Counsel for the Company.  Taylor Wessing Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB shall have furnished to the Representatives such counsel’s written opinion, as German counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

 

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(f)            Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Intellectual Property Counsel for the Company.  Each of bohmann II bohman and Stanek Lemon Crouse + Meeks, PA, U.S. intellectual property counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives such counsel’s written opinion, as intellectual property counsel to the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

 

(g)           Opinion of Counsel for Selling Shareholders.  Counsel for each Selling Shareholder shall have furnished to the Representatives such counsel’s written opinion, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

 

(h)           Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters.  The Representatives shall have received from Goodwin Procter LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions and 10b-5 Statement, dated such Closing Date, with respect to such matters as the Underwriters may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

(i)            Comfort Letter.  At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young a letter, addressed to the Underwriters, executed and dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives (i) confirming that they are an independent registered accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and PCAOB and (ii) stating the conclusions and findings of such firm, of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters, with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(j)            Bring Down Comfort.  On each Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a letter (the “bring-down letter”) from Ernst & Young addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Closing Date confirming, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of a date not more than three (3) business days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm, of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters, with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by its letter delivered to the Representatives concurrently with the execution of this Agreement pursuant to paragraph (i) of this Section 6.

 

(k)           Officer’s Certificate.  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate, dated such Closing Date, of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer stating in their respective capacities as officers of the Company on behalf of the Company that (i) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (including, for avoidance of doubt, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement), or any post-effective amendment thereto, shall be in effect and no proceedings

 

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for such purpose shall have been instituted or, to their knowledge, threatened by the Commission, (ii) for the period from and including the date of this Agreement through and including such Closing Date, there has not occurred any Material Adverse Effect, (iii) to their knowledge, after reasonable investigation, as of such Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and the Company have complied with all of their respective agreements and satisfied all respective conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date, and (iv) there has not been, subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package, any Material Adverse Effect in the financial position or results of operations of the Company, or to their Knowledge, any change or development that, singularly or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to involve a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(l)            No Material Adverse Change.  Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package, no event or condition of a type described in Section 2(I)(u) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist which event or condition is not described in the General Disclosure Package and the effect of which is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Offered Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package.

 

(m)          No Legal Impediment to Issuance.  No action shall have been taken and no law, statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental or regulatory agency or body which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Offered Shares; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any foreign, federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Offered Shares or materially and adversely affect or potentially materially and adversely affect the business or operations of the Company.

 

(n)           Market Conditions.  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following:  (i) trading in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or Nasdaq Global Market, or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Stock Market or in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices or maximum range for prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or market or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or state authorities in the United States or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, (iii) the United States, Germany or the Netherlands shall have become engaged in hostilities, or the subject of an act of terrorism, or there shall have been an outbreak of or escalation in hostilities involving the United States, Germany or the Netherlands, or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, Germany or the Netherlands or (iv) there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in

 

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general economic, political or financial conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States, Germany or the Netherlands shall be such) as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Offered Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(o)           Exchange Listing.  The Nasdaq Global Market shall have approved the Offered Shares for listing therein, subject only to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution.

 

(p)           Good Standing.  The Representatives shall have received on and as of such Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing (to the extent that such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) of the Company and its subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing (to the extent that such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) as foreign entities in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

 

(q)           Lock Up Agreements.  The Representatives shall have received the written agreements, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, of the requested officers, managing directors, supervisory directors and certain shareholders of the Company, and Selling Shareholders listed in Schedule E to this Agreement.

 

(r)            Secretary’s Certificate.  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a Secretary’s Certificate of the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters and customary for the type of offering contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(s)            Chief Financial Officer Certificate.  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives as of the Closing Date, a certificate, dated the date hereof or such Closing Date, as applicable, of its Chief Financial Officer, substantially in the form of Exhibit II hereto.

 

(t)            Undertaking to Deliver Form 1099. The Custodian shall have confirmed to the Representatives that the Custodian will deliver to each Selling Shareholder a United States Treasury Department Form 1099 (or other applicable form or statement specified by the United States Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof) on or before January 31 of the year following the date of this Agreement.

 

(u)           Certification of Beneficial Ownership.  On or before the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received a certificate satisfying the beneficial ownership due diligence requirements of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network from the Company and each institutional Selling Shareholder in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, along with such additional supporting documentation as the Representatives have requested in connection with the verification of the foregoing certificate.

 

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(v)           Additional Documents.  On or prior to such Closing Date, the Company and the Selling Shareholders shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

 

All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

 

7.             INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

 

(a)           Indemnification of Underwriters by the Company.  The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless:

 

each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers, managers, members, employees, representatives and agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Underwriter Indemnified Parties,” and each an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Common Shares, including any roadshow or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically) (“Marketing Materials”), or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials, or in any written or oral communication made by the Company in connection with its NDRs, (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Company Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials, or in any written or oral communication made by the Company in connection with its NDR, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter Indemnified Party promptly upon demand for any legal fees or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigating, or preparing to defend, or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the

 

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extent that any such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in, or omission or alleged omission from any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Marketing Materials made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

 

The indemnity agreement in this Section 7(a) is not exclusive and is in addition to each other liability which the Company might have under this Agreement or otherwise, and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available under this Agreement, at law or in equity to any Underwriter Indemnified Party.

 

(b)           Indemnification of Underwriters by Selling Shareholders.  The Selling Shareholders shall severally and jointly indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter Indemnified Party against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials, or in any written or oral communication made by the Company in connection with its NDR, (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Company Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Materials, or in any written or oral communication made by the Company in connection with its NDR, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter Indemnified Party promptly upon demand for any legal fees or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigating, or preparing to defend, or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Selling Shareholders will only be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Selling Shareholders specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Selling Shareholders

 

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consists of the following information: the Selling Shareholders’ names and corresponding share amounts set forth in the table of Principal and Selling Shareholders in the Registration Statement and Prospectus under the heading “Principal and Selling Shareholders” and the Selling Shareholders’ addresses.

 

(c)           Indemnification of Company and the Selling Shareholders by the Underwriters.  Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its managing directors, its supervisory directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each Selling Shareholder (collectively the “Company Indemnified Parties” and each a “Company Indemnified Party”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Company Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of that Underwriter specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information, and shall reimburse the Company Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred.  This indemnity agreement is not exclusive and will be in addition to any liability which the Underwriters might otherwise have and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available under this Agreement, at law or in equity to the Company Indemnified Parties.

 

(d)           Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of that action; provided, however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 7 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure; and, provided, further, that the failure to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 7.  If any such action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably

 

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satisfactory to the indemnified party (which counsel shall not, except with the written consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party).  After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such action, except as provided herein, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the defense of such action but the fees and expenses of such counsel (other than reasonable costs of investigation) shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized in writing by the Company in the case of a claim for indemnification under Section 7(a), the Selling Shareholders in the case of a claim for indemnification under the Section 7(b), or the Representatives in the case of a claim for indemnification under Section 7(c), (ii) such indemnified party shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense of such action and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable period of time after notice of the commencement of the action or the indemnifying party does not diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, in which case, if such indemnified party notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of (or, in the case of a failure to diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, to continue to defend) such action on behalf of such indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall be responsible for legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action; provided, however, that, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties (in addition to any local counsel), which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives if the indemnified parties under this Section 7 consist of any Underwriter Indemnified Party or by the Company if the indemnified parties under this Section 7 consist of any Company Indemnified Parties.  Subject to this Section 7(d), the amount payable by an indemnifying party under Section 7 shall include, but not be limited to, (x) reasonable documented legal fees and expenses of counsel to the indemnified party and any other expenses in investigating, or preparing to defend or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any action, investigation, proceeding or claim, and (y) all amounts paid in settlement of any of the foregoing.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever, in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 7 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party from all liability

 

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arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.  Subject to the provisions of the following sentence, no indemnifying party shall be liable for settlement of any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever that is effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with its written consent, if its consent has been unreasonably withheld or delayed or if there be a judgment for the plaintiff in any such matter, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.  In addition, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested that an indemnifying party reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 7(a) or Section 7(b) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than forty-five (45) days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the request for reimbursement, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least thirty (30) days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

 

(e)           If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 7(a), 7(b) or 7(c), then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid, payable or otherwise incurred by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), as incurred, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Shareholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Offered Shares, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) of this Section 7(e) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) of this Section 7(e) but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Shareholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to the statements, omissions, acts or failures to act which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Shareholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Offered Shares purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Shareholder, bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the Offered Shares purchased under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus.  The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Shareholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Selling Shareholder, on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement, omission, act or

 

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failure to act; provided that the parties hereto agree that the written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of the Underwriters for use in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, consists solely of the Underwriters’ Information.

 

(f)            The Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to Section 7(e) above were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to Section 7(e) above.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding referred to in Section 7(e) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriters shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Offered Shares exceeds the amount of any damages which the Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission, act or alleged act or failure to act or alleged failure to act.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

 

8.             TERMINATION.  The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by the Representatives, in their absolute discretion by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Firm Shares if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Section 6(n) have occurred or if the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Offered Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement.

 

9.             REIMBURSEMENT OF UNDERWRITERS’ EXPENSES.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 8 or 10, (b) the Company and the Selling Shareholders shall fail to tender the Offered Shares for delivery to the Underwriters for any reason not permitted under this Agreement, (c) the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Offered Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement or (d) the sale of the Offered Shares is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth herein is not satisfied or because of the refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to satisfy any condition or to comply with the provisions hereof, then in addition to the payment of amounts in accordance with Section 5, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for the reasonable fees and expenses of Underwriters’ counsel and for such other out-of-pocket expenses as shall have been reasonably incurred by them in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Offered Shares, including, without limitation, travel and lodging expenses of the Underwriters, and upon demand the Company shall pay the full amount thereof to the Representatives; provided that if this

 

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Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, the Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Underwriter on account of expenses to the extent incurred by such defaulting Underwriter; provided, further that the foregoing shall not limit any reimbursement obligation of the Company to any non-defaulting Underwriter under this Section 9.

 

10.          SUBSTITUTION OF UNDERWRITERS.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase shares of Offered Shares hereunder on any Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares to be purchased by all Underwriters on such Closing Date, the Representatives may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Offered Shares by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by such Closing Date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date.  If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall so default and the aggregate number of shares with respect to which such default or defaults occur is more than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares to be purchased by all Underwriters on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such shares by other persons are not made within forty-eight (48) hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate.

 

If the remaining Underwriters or substituted Underwriters are required hereby or agree to take up all or part of the Offered Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters on such Closing Date as provided in this Section 10, (i) the Company shall have the right to postpone such Closing Dates for a period of not more than five (5) full business days in order that the Company may effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees promptly to file any amendments to the Registration Statement or supplements to the Prospectus which may thereby be made necessary, and (ii) the respective numbers of shares to be purchased by the remaining Underwriters or substituted Underwriters shall be taken as the basis of their underwriting obligation for all purposes of this Agreement.  Nothing herein contained shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability to the Company or the other Underwriters for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.  Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except that the representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, agreements and other statements set forth in Section 2, the obligations with respect to expenses to be paid or reimbursed pursuant to Sections 5 and 9 and the provisions of Section 7 and Sections 11 through 21, inclusive, shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

11.          ABSENCE OF FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP.  Each of the Company and the Selling Shareholders acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a)           each Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company and the Selling Shareholders is solely contractual in nature, the Representatives have been retained solely to act as underwriters in connection with the sale of the Offered Shares and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationships between the Company or the Selling Shareholders and the

 

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Representatives have been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether any of the Representatives has advised or is advising the Company or the Selling Shareholders on other matters;

 

(b)           the price of the Offered Shares set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives and does not constitute a recommendation, investment advice, or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters, and each of the Company and the Selling Shareholders, as applicable, is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)           it has been advised that the Underwriters and their affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Selling Shareholders and that the Representatives have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company and the Selling Shareholders by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship;

 

(d)           none of the activities of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation, investment advice or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters with respect to any entity or natural person; and

 

(e)           it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Representatives for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that the Representatives shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company or the Selling Shareholders in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company or the Selling Shareholders, including shareholders, employees or creditors of the Company or the Selling Shareholders.

 

12.          ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE UNDERWRITERS.  The Underwriters understand and agree that no action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction by the Underwriters that would permit a public offering of the Offered Shares other than the United States.

 

13.          SUCCESSORS; PERSONS ENTITLED TO BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the several Underwriters, the Company, the Selling Shareholders and their respective successors and assigns.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other person; except that the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and indemnities of the Company and the Selling Shareholders contained in this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties, and the indemnities of the several Underwriters shall be for the benefit of the Company Indemnified Parties.  It is understood that each Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company and the Selling Shareholders is solely contractual in nature and the Underwriters do not owe the Company, the Selling Shareholders or

 

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any other party any fiduciary duty as a result of this Agreement.  No purchaser of any of the Offered Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

 

14.          SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES, REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, ETC.  The respective indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by them respectively, and as of the date of this Agreement or as of a specific date as set forth in such statements, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company, the Selling Shareholders or any person controlling any of them and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Offered Shares.  Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, including without limitation any termination pursuant to Section 8 or Section 10, the indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements forth in Sections 2, 5, 7 and 9 and Sections 11 through 24, inclusive, of this Agreement shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect at all times.

 

15.          NOTICES.  All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:

 

(a)           if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, facsimile transmission or email to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, 11 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010, Attention: IBCM-Legal; and SVB Leerink LLC, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Jack Fitzgerald;;

 

(b)           if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, facsimile transmission or email to Centogene N.V., Am Strande 7, 18055 Rostock, Germany, FAO:  Richard Stoffelen, Chief Financial Officer, Fax:  +4938180113401, Email:  richard.stoffelen @centogene.com; or to Cogency Global Inc., with offices at 122 E 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10168; and

 

(c)           if to the Selling Shareholders or any of them, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, facsimile transmission or email to Centogene N.V., Am Strande 7, 18055 Rostock, Germany, FAO: Arndt Rolfs (E-mail: arndt.rolfs@centogene.com) and Richard Stoffelen (Fax: +4938180113401; Email: richard.stoffelen @centogene.com) as Attorneys-in-Fact of the Selling Shareholders; or to Cogency Global Inc., with offices at 122 E 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10168.

 

provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 shall be delivered or sent by mail, or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its acceptance telex to the Representatives, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto by the Representatives upon request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.

 

16.          DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS.  For purposes of this Agreement, (a) “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, (b) “business day” means any day on which

 

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the Nasdaq Global Market is open for trading and (c) “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations.

 

17.          GOVERNING LAW, AGENT FOR SERVICE AND JURISDICTION.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including without limitation Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations.  The Company irrevocably appoints Cogency Global Inc., with offices at 122 E 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10168 (and its successors) as its authorized agent in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York upon which process may be served in any such suit or proceeding, and agrees that service of process upon such agent, and written notice of said service to the Company by the person serving the same to the address provided in Section 15, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding.  The Company irrevocably (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, (b) agrees that all claims in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and determined by any such court, (c) waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any immunity from the jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process, (d) agrees not to commence any such suit, action or proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

18.          WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

19.          UNDERWRITERS’ INFORMATION.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes of this Agreement, the Underwriters’ Information consists solely of the following information in the Prospectus: the sixth paragraph, the fourteenth paragraph, the fifteenth paragraph, the sixteenth paragraph and the seventeenth paragraph under the heading “Underwriting.”

 

20.          AUTHORITY OF THE REPRESENTATIVES.  In connection with this Agreement, the Representatives will act for and on behalf of the several Underwriters, and any action taken under this Agreement by the Representatives, will be binding on all the Underwriters.

 

21.          GENERAL.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof.  In this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and the plural include one another.  The section headings in this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties only and will not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be amended or modified, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived, only by a writing signed by the Company and the Representatives.

 

22.          COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall

 

44


 

be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

23.          JUDGMENT CURRENCY.  The obligations of the Company and the Selling Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any sum due to any Underwriter shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than United States dollars, not be discharged until the first (1st) business day, following receipt by such Underwriter of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency, on which (and only to the extent that) such Underwriter may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase United States dollars with such other currency; if the United States dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder, the Company and the Selling Shareholders agree, jointly and severally, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Underwriter against such loss.

 

24.          RECOGNITION OF THE U.S. SPECIAL RESOLUTION REGIMES.

 

(i)            In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

(ii)           In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

As used in this Section 24:

 

“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

 

“Covered Entity” means any of the following:

 

(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

45


 

“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

46


 

If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives’ understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement among the Selling Shareholders, the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

CENTOGENE N.V.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

Name:

Arndt Rolfs

 

Name:

Richard Stoffelen

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

As Attorney-in-Fact acting on behalf of each of the Selling Shareholders named in Schedule B to this Agreement

 

As Attorney-in-Fact acting on behalf of each of the Selling Shareholders named in Schedule B to this Agreement

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

 


 

The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

Acting on behalf of themselves

 

and as Representatives of several

 

Underwriters listed on Schedule A to this

 

Agreement.

 

 

 

By: CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

By: SVB LEERINK LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]

 


 

SCHEDULE A

 

Name

 

Number of Firm Shares
to be Purchased

 

Number of Option Shares
to be Purchased

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

 

[*] Company Firm Shares
[*] Selling Shareholder Firm Shares

 

[*]

SVB Leerink LLC

 

[*] Company Firm Shares
[*] Selling Shareholder Firm Shares

 

[*]

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

 

[*] Company Firm Shares
[*] Selling Shareholder Firm Shares

 

[*]

BTIG, LLC

 

[*] Company Firm Shares
[*] Selling Shareholder Firm Shares

 

[*]

Kempen & Co U.S.A., Inc.

 

[*] Company Firm Shares
[*] Selling Shareholder Firm Shares

 

[*]

Total

 

[*]

 

[*]

 


 

SCHEDULE B

 

Name

 

Number of Selling
Shareholder Firm Shares
to be Sold

 

Number of Option
Shares to be Sold

 

 

 

 

 

Arndt Rolfs

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Careventures Fund II S.C.Sp

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Equicore Beteiligungs GmbH

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P.

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Schlenk

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Stefan Maeser

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Jürgen Kohlhase

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Hans-Bodo Hartmann

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Doreen Niemann

 

[*]

 

[*]

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

[*]

 

[*]

 


 

SCHEDULE C

 

General Use Free Writing Prospectuses

 

None.

 


 

SCHEDULE D

 

Pricing Information

 

Firm Shares to be Sold:  [*]  shares

 

Offering Price:  $[*] per share

 

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions:  [*]%

 

Estimated Net Proceeds to the Company (after underwriting discounts and commissions, but before transaction expenses):  $[*]

 


 

SCHEDULE E

 

Supervisory Board Members:

 

·                  Flemming Ornskov

·                  Hubert Birner

·                  Holger Friedrich

·                  Guido Prehn

·                  Eric Souetre

·                  Berndt Modig

·                  Peer Schatz

 

Management Board Members:

 

·                  Arndt Rolfs

·                  Richard Stoffelen

·                  Volkmar Weckesser

 

Executive Officers

 

·                  Peter Bauer

·                  Philip Lambert

·                  Sun Kim

 

Others:

 

·                  Entities affiliated with DPE Deutsche Private Equity GmbH

·                  Careventures Fund II S.C. Sp

·                  Entities affiliated with TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P.

 

Selling Shareholders:

 

·                  Careventures Fund II S.C.SP

·                  Doreen Niemann

·                  Dr. Stefan Maeser

·                  Equicore Beteiligungs GmbH

·                  Hans-Bodo Hartmann

·                  Michael Schlenk

·                  Prof. Dr. Arndt Rolfs

·                  Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kohlhase

·                  TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P.

 


 

SCHEDULE F

 

List of Subsidiaries of the Company

 

Centogene AG

Centogene IP GmbH

Centogene Shared Services GmbH

Centogene Fzllc, Dubai

Centogene US, LLC, Burlington, USA

Centogene GmbH, Vienna

Centogene India Pvt. Ltd.

 


 

Exhibit I

 

Form of Lock Up Agreement

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

SVB LEERINK LLC

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

 

c/o CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

11 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10010

 

c/o SVB Leerink LLC

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor

New York, New York 10019

 

Re:  Centogene N.V. — Registration Statement on Form F-1 for Common Shares (the “Registration Statement”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Agreement is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) between Centogene N.V., a Dutch public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootschap) (the “Company”), the selling shareholders to be listed on Schedule B to the Underwriting Agreement (the “Selling Shareholders”) and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and SVB Leerink LLC, as Representatives (the “Representatives”) of a group of underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”), to be named therein, and the other parties thereto (if any), relating to the proposed public offering (the “Offering”) of common shares (the “Common Shares”) of the Company to be sold by the Company and the Selling Shareholders to be named in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, and in light of the benefits that the Offering will confer upon the undersigned in its capacity as a shareholder and/or a supervisory board member or management board member of the Company, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each Underwriter that, during the period beginning on the date hereof through and including the date that is the 90th day after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Offering (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly, (i) except in its capacity as a Selling Shareholder in this Offering, offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or

 


 

otherwise dispose of, or announce the intention to otherwise dispose of, any Common Shares (including, without limitation, Common Shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (such Common Shares, the “Beneficially Owned Shares”)) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares, (ii) enter into any swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement that transfers in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Beneficially Owned Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or (iii) engage in any short selling of the Common Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares.

 

The restrictions set forth in the preceding paragraphs shall not apply to:

 

(1)           the Common Shares to be sold by the undersigned (if applicable) pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement;

 

(2)    if the undersigned is a natural person, any transfers made by the undersigned (a) as a bona fide gift to any member of the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or members of the undersigned’s immediate family, (b) by will or intestate succession (or the equivalent thereof under the applicable laws of descent and succession) upon the death of the undersigned or (c) as a bona fide gift to a charity or educational institution;

 

(3)           if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers to any stockholder, partner or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the undersigned, as the case may be;

 

(4)           if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfer made by the undersigned (a) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets, in any such case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Agreement or (b) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity so long as the transferee is an affiliate (as defined below) of the undersigned;

 

(5)           any transfers made solely by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement;

 

(6)           any transfers made by the undersigned to the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations or in connection with a cashless exercise pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans or arrangements disclosed in the final prospectus relating to the Offering;

 

(7)           transactions relating to Common Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares acquired in open market transactions after completion of the Offering;

 


 

(8)           the entry, by the undersigned, at any time on or after the date of the Underwriting Agreement, of any trading plan providing for the sale of Common Shares by the undersigned, which trading plan meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provided, however, that such plan does not provide for, or permit, the sale of any Common Shares during the Lock-Up Period and no public announcement or filing is voluntarily made or required regarding such plan during the Lock-Up Period; and

 

(9)           the transfer of Common Shares or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction made to all holders of the Company’s securities involving a change of control of the Company, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, such securities held by the undersigned shall remain subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Agreement;

 

further provided, however, that in the case of any transfer described in clause (2) through (6) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer that the transferee executes and delivers to the Representatives, not later than one business day prior to such transfer, a written agreement, in substantially the form of this Agreement (it being understood that any references to “immediate family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the immediate family of the undersigned and not to the immediate family of the transferee) and otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives.  For the purposes of clause (9), “change of control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons (other than an Underwriter pursuant to the Offering), of the Company’s voting securities if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving entity).  For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean a spouse, child, grandchild or other lineal descendant (including by adoption), father, mother, brother or sister of the undersigned; and “affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

For avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the undersigned from receiving, exercising or exchanging any options or warrants to acquire Common Shares or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive Common Shares of the Company (which exercises may be effected on a cash or cashless basis to the extent the instruments representing such options or warrants permit exercises on a cash or cashless basis), including under the Company’s existing equity plans described in the Registration Statement and the final prospectus relating to this Offering (or in documents incorporated by reference therein), it being understood that any Common Shares issued upon such exercises or exchanges, or pursuant to such existing equity plans, will be subject to the restrictions of this Agreement.

 

In order to enable this covenant to be enforced, the undersigned hereby consents to the placing of legends or stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent with respect to any Common Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares.

 


 

The undersigned further agrees that it will not, during the Lock-Up Period, make any demand or request for or exercise any right with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of any Common Shares or other Beneficially Owned Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares or other Beneficially Owned Shares, other than such demands or requests in connection with its participation as a Selling Shareholder in this Offering.

 

This Agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and that this Agreement has been duly authorized (if the undersigned is not a natural person), executed and delivered by the undersigned and is a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned.  This Agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state.

 

If (i) the Company notifies the Representatives in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Offering, (ii) the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by September 30, 2020, or (iii) the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated for any reason prior to payment for and delivery of any Common Shares to be sold thereunder, then this Agreement shall immediately be terminated and the undersigned shall automatically be released from all of its obligations under this Agreement.  The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that whether or not any public offering of Common Shares actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions.

 

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 


 

Exhibit II

 

Form of Certificate of Chief Financial Officer

 

, 2020

 

I, Richard Stoffelen, do hereby certify that I am the Chief Financial Officer of Centogene N.V., a company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “Company”), and pursuant to Section 6(s) of that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of        , 2020 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Company, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and SVB Leerink LLC, as representatives to the several underwriters named in Schedule A therein (the “Underwriters”), and the selling shareholders named in Schedule B therein, hereby certify, in the name and on behalf of the Company, and not in my individual capacity, that (capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Underwriting Agreement):

 

1.              I am knowledgeable with respect to the accounting records and internal accounting practices, policies, procedures and controls of the Company and have responsibility for financial accounting matters with respect to the Company.

 

2.              I or members of my staff who are responsible for the Company’s financial accounting matters have reviewed the amounts circled on the copies of certain pages of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Circled Information”).

 

3.              I or members of my staff who are responsible for the Company’s financial accounting matters have compared the Circled Information to the corresponding amounts included in or derived from the Company’s internal accounting records or schedules prepared by management from such accounting records for the applicable periods and found them to be in agreement in all material respects.

 

4.              Nothing has come to my attention that causes me to believe that the Circled Information is not accurate in all material respects or has been materially misstated or is materially misleading.

 

This certificate is being furnished to the Underwriters solely to assist them in conducting and documenting their investigation of the affairs of the Company in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares covered by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

[The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certificate as of the date first written above.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: Richard Stoffelen

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 


 

Exhibit A

 

Circled Information

 




Exhibit 4.2

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment No. 1 (this Amendment) to the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) dated as of June 18, 2020, among Centogene N.V., a Dutch limited liability company (the Company) and certain holders of Common Shares of the Company signatory hereto (each a “Required Party” and collectively, the “Required Parties”).

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Shareholders have entered into a registration rights agreement, dated November 12, 2019 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company has granted the Shareholders certain rights to include their Registrable Securities in certain registration statements filed by the Company under the Securities Act;

 

WHEREAS, Section 5.03 of the Registration Rights Agreement states that the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement may not be given without the written consent of the Company and holders of two-thirds of the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that in no event shall the obligations of any holder of Registrable Securities be materially increased or the rights of any Shareholder be materially adversely affected (without similarly adversely affecting the rights of all Shareholders), except upon the written consent of such holder;

 

WHEREAS, the Required Parties hold at least two-thirds of the Registrable Securities; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Registration Rights Agreement in the manner set forth below.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.   Section 5.02 of the Registration Rights Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

Notices. Any and all notices, requests or other communications (each, a “Notice”) required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and shall be (i) delivered personally, (ii) sent by documented overnight delivery service, (iii) sent by certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or (iv) electronically sent by facsimile or email. Such Notice shall be deemed duly given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of the delivery, if delivered personally, (b) the Business Day after dispatch by documented overnight delivery service, if sent in such manner, (c) the fifth (5th) Business Day after sent by certified mail, if sent in such manner, (d) the date of electronic transmission, if such Notice is delivered via email (provided the sender does not receive a machine-generated rejection of transmission) or (e) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such Notice is given. The address for such Notices shall be as follows:

 


 

If to the Company to:

 

Centogene N.V.

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Am Strande 7, 18055

Rostock, Germany

Email: richard.stoffelen@centogene.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell London LLP

Attention: Leo Borchardt

5 Aldermanbury Square

London EC2V 7HR, United Kingdom

Email: leo.borchardt@davispolk.com

 

if to any Shareholder, at the address for such Shareholder listed on the signature pages below or otherwise provided to the Company as set forth below.

 

Any Person that becomes a Shareholder after the date hereof shall promptly provide its address and email address to the Company.”

 

2.   Section 3.06 of the Registration Rights Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

Participation in Public Offering.  No Shareholder may participate in any Public Offering hereunder unless such Shareholder (a) agrees to sell such Shareholder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements (which, in the case of any Public Offering pursuant to Section 3.02 shall be any pricing committee established by the management board or the supervisory board of the Company), and (b) promptly completes and executes (and, if reasonably required, promptly has medallion-guaranteed, notarized and apostilled) all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, custody agreements, other agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and the provisions of this Agreement in respect of registration rights.”

 


 

3.   Except as set forth herein, the Registration Rights Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect in all other respects. This Amendment shall form a part of the Registration Rights Agreement for all purposes, and every Shareholder shall be bound hereby.

 

4.   The provisions of Sections 5.04 (Governing Law), 5.08 (Counterparts; Effectiveness; Third Party Beneficiaries) and 5.10 (Severability) of the Registration Rights Agreement shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Amendment.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

CENTOGENE N.V.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Arndt Rolfs

 

 

Name:

Arndt Rolfs

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

[Company’s Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement]

 


 

 

By:

 /s/ Arndt Rolfs

 

 

Name:

Arndt Rolfs

 

 

[Required Party’s Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement]

 


 

 

CAREVENTURES FUND II S.C.SP

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Maxime de Thomaz

 

 

Name: Maxime de Thomaz

 

 

Title: director of caraventures Fund II GP Sarl, for and on behalf of Careventures Fund II S.C.SP

 

 

[Required Party’s Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement]

 


 

 

DPE DEUTSCHLAND II A GMBH & CO. KG

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Guido Prehn

 

 

Name: Guido Prehn

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

 

[Required Party’s Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement]

 


 

 

DPE DEUTSCHLAND II B GMBH & CO. KG

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Guido Prehn

 

 

Name: Guido Prehn

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

 

[Required Party’s Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement]

 


 

 

TVM LIFE SCIENCE INNOVATION I L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Gary Leatt

 

 

Name: Gary Leatt

 

 

Title: Director

 

 

[Required Party’s Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement]

 




Exhibit 5.1

 

ATTORNEYS • CIVIL LAW NOTARIES • TAX ADVISERS

 

P.O. Box 7113

1007 JC Amsterdam

Beethovenstraat 400

1082 PR Amsterdam

T +31 20 71 71 000

F +31 20 71 71 111

 

      Amsterdam, July 7, 2020.

 

      To the Company

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as legal counsel as to Dutch law to the Company in connection with the Offering. This opinion letter is rendered to you in order to be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

Capitalised terms used in this opinion letter have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A to this opinion letter. The section headings used in this opinion letter are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect its construction or to be taken into consideration in its interpretation.

 

This opinion letter is strictly limited to the matters stated in it and may not be read as extending by implication to any matters not specifically referred to in it. Nothing in this opinion letter should be taken as expressing an opinion in respect of any representations or warranties, or other information, contained in the Reviewed Documents.

 

In rendering the opinions expressed in this opinion letter, we have reviewed and relied upon pdf copies or drafts, as the case may be, of the Reviewed Documents and the Corporate Documents and we have assumed that the Reviewed Documents have been or shall be, as applicable, entered into for bona fide commercial reasons. We have not investigated or verified any factual matter disclosed to us in the course of our review.

 

This opinion letter sets out our opinion on certain matters of the laws with general applicability of the Netherlands, and, insofar as they are directly applicable in the Netherlands, of the European Union, as at today’s date and as presently interpreted under published authoritative case law of the Dutch courts, the General Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union. We do not express any opinion on Dutch or European competition law, data protection law, tax law or regulatory law. No undertaking is assumed on our part to revise, update or amend this opinion letter in connection with or to notify or inform you of, any developments and/or changes of Dutch law subsequent to today’s date. We do not purport to opine on the consequences of amendments to the Reviewed Documents or the Corporate Documents subsequent to the date of this opinion letter.

 

The opinions expressed in this opinion letter are to be construed and interpreted in accordance with Dutch law. The competent courts at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any issues of interpretation or liability arising

 

This communication is confidential and may be subject to professional privilege. All legal relationships are subject to NautaDutilh N.V.’s general terms and conditions (see https://www.nautadutilh.com/terms), which apply mutatis mutandis to our relationship with third parties relying on statements of NautaDutilh N.V., include a limitation of liability clause, have been filed with the Rotterdam District Court and will be provided free of charge upon request. NautaDutilh N.V.; corporate seat Rotterdam; trade register no. 24338323.

 


 

 

out of or in connection with this opinion letter. Any legal relationship arising out of or in connection with this opinion letter (whether contractual or non-contractual), including the above submission to jurisdiction, is governed by Dutch law and shall be subject to the general terms and conditions of NautaDutilh. Any liability arising out of or in connection with this opinion letter shall be limited to the amount which is paid out under NautaDutilh’s insurance policy in the matter concerned. No person other than NautaDutilh may be held liable in connection with this opinion letter.

 

In this opinion letter, legal concepts are expressed in English terms. The Dutch legal concepts concerned may not be identical in meaning to the concepts described by the English terms as they exist under the law of other jurisdictions. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency, the relevant expression shall be deemed to refer only to the Dutch legal concepts described by the English terms.

 

For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that:

 

a.                                      drafts of documents reviewed by us will be signed in the form of those drafts, each copy of a document conforms to the original, each original is authentic, and each signature is the genuine signature of the individual purported to have placed that signature;

 

b.                                      the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form reviewed by us;

 

c.                                       (i) no internal regulations (reglementen) have been adopted by any corporate body of the Company which would affect the validity of the resolutions recorded in the Resolutions, (ii) the Prior Articles were the Articles of Association in force when the Existing Deeds of Issue were executed and (iii) and the Current Articles will be the Articles of Association as they will be in force when the Deed of Issue will be executed;

 

d.                                      the resolutions recorded in the Resolutions are in full force and effect, the factual statements made and the confirmations given in the Resolutions, the Descriptions, the Existing Deeds of Issue and the Deed of Issue are complete and correct at each Relevant Moment and the Resolutions correctly reflect the resolutions recorded therein;

 

e.                                       any contribution in kind (inbreng anders dan in geld) on the Existing Offer Shares and the Existing Option Shares has been validly contributed and transferred to the Company in satisfaction of the obligation to pay up such Common Shares in full and has been validly accepted by the Company, in

 

2


 

 

each case in accordance with applicable law (other than Dutch law) and as described in the respective Existing Deeds of Issue, the value of any such contribution was sufficient to pay up such Common Shares, and any formalities stipulated by applicable law (other than Dutch law) in respect of any such contribution have been complied with;

 

f.                                        each Existing Deed of Issue has been validly signed and executed on behalf of the Company and the relevant Selling Shareholder and the Deed of Issue has been validly signed and executed on behalf of the Company;

 

g.                                       the Prior Offering, to the extent made in the Netherlands, has been made in conformity with the Prospectus Regulation, the DFSA and the rules promulgated thereunder and the Offering, to the extent made in the Netherlands, has been, is and will be made in conformity with the Prospectus Regulation, the DFSA and the rules promulgated thereunder; and

 

h.                                      at each Relevant Moment, each of the assumptions made in this opinion letter will be correct in all aspects by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth in this opinion letter and to any matters, documents or events not disclosed to us, we express the following opinions:

 

Corporate Status

 

1.                                     The Company has been duly incorporated as a besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid and is validly existing as a naamloze vennootschap.

 

Offer Shares

 

2.                                     The Existing Offer Shares and the Existing Option Shares have been validly issued, are fully paid and are non-assessable.

 

3.                                     Subject to receipt by the Company of payment in full for the Offer Shares as provided for in the Reviewed Documents, and when issued and accepted in accordance with the Resolutions and the Reviewed Documents, the Offer Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:

 

A.                                   Opinion 1 must not be read to imply that the Company cannot be dissolved (ontbonden). A company such as the Company may be dissolved, inter alia

 

3


 

 

by the competent court at the request of the company’s board of directors, any interested party (belanghebbende) or the public prosecution office in certain circumstances, such as when there are certain defects in the incorporation of the company. Any such dissolution will not have retro-active effect.

 

B.                                   Pursuant to Section 2:7 DCC, any transaction entered into by a legal entity may be nullified by the legal entity itself or its liquidator in bankruptcy proceedings (curator) if the objects of that entity were transgressed by the transaction and the other party to the transaction knew or should have known this without independent investigation (wist of zonder eigen onderzoek moest weten). The Dutch Supreme Court (Hoge Raad der Nederlanden) has ruled that in determining whether the objects of a legal entity are transgressed, not only the description of the objects in that legal entity’s articles of association (statuten) is decisive, but all (relevant) circumstances must be taken into account, in particular whether the interests of the legal entity were served by the transaction. Based on the objects clauses contained in the Prior Articles and the Current Articles, we have no reason to believe that, by entering into the Reviewed Documents, the Company transgressed or would transgress, as applicable, the description of the objects contained in its Articles of Association. However, we cannot assess whether there are other relevant circumstances that must be taken into account, in particular whether the interests of the Company are served by entering into the Reviewed Documents since this is a matter of fact.

 

C.                                   Pursuant to Section 2:98c DCC, a naamloze vennootschap may grant loans (leningen verstrekken) only in accordance with the restrictions set out in Section 2:98c DCC, and may not provide security (zekerheid stellen), give a price guarantee (koersgarantie geven) or otherwise bind itself, whether jointly and severally or otherwise with or for third parties (zich op andere wijze sterk maken of zich hoofdelijk of anderszins naast of voor anderen verbinden) with a view to (met het oog op) the subscription or acquisition by third parties of shares in its share capital or depository receipts. This prohibition also applies to its subsidiaries (dochtervennootschappen). It is generally assumed that a transaction entered into in violation of Section 2:98c DCC is null and void (nietig). Based on the content of the Reviewed Documents, we have no reason to believe that the Company or its subsidiaries will violate Section 2:98c DCC in connection with the issue of the Existing Offer Shares, the Existing Option Shares or the Offer Shares. However, we cannot confirm this definitively, since the determination of whether a company (or a subsidiary) has provided

 

4


 

 

security, has given a price guarantee or has otherwise bound itself, with a view to the subscription or acquisition by third parties of shares in its share capital or depository receipts, as described above, is a matter of fact.

 

D.                                   The opinions expressed in this opinion letter may be limited or affected by:

 

a.                                     any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganisation, moratorium or other similar laws or procedures now or hereafter in effect, relating to or affecting the enforcement or protection of creditors’ rights generally;

 

b.                                     the provisions of fraudulent preference and fraudulent conveyance (Actio Pauliana) and similar rights available in other jurisdictions to insolvency practitioners and insolvency office holders in bankruptcy proceedings or creditors;

 

c.                                      claims based on tort (onrechtmatige daad);

 

d.                                     sanctions and measures, including but not limited to those concerning export control, pursuant to European Union regulations, under the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977) or other legislation;

 

e.                                      the Anti-Boycott Regulation and related legislation; and

 

f.                                       the rules of force majeure (niet toerekenbare tekortkoming), reasonableness and fairness (redelijkheid en billijkheid), suspension (opschorting), dissolution (ontbinding), unforeseen circumstances (onvoorziene omstandigheden) and vitiated consent (i.e., duress (bedreiging), fraud (bedrog), abuse of circumstances (misbruik van omstandigheden) and error (dwaling)) or a difference of intention (wil) and declaration (verklaring).

 

E.                                    The term “non-assessable” has no equivalent in the Dutch language and for purposes of this opinion letter such term should be interpreted to mean that a holder of a Common Share shall not by reason of merely being such a holder be subject to assessment or calls by the Company or its creditors for further payment on such Common Share.

 

F.                                     This opinion letter does not purport to express any opinion or view on the operational rules and procedures of any clearing or settlement system or agency.

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration

 

5


 

 

Statement and also consent to the reference to NautaDutilh in the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Matters”. In giving this consent we do not admit or imply that we are a person whose consent is required under Section 7 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ NautaDutilh N.V.

 

 

 

 

 

NautaDutilh N.V.

 

 

6


 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

LIST OF DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-Boycott Regulation

 

The Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 of 22 November 1996 on protecting against the effects of the extra-territorial application of legislation adopted by a third country, and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom.

 

 

 

 

 

Articles of Association

 

The Company’s articles of association (statuten) as they read from time to time.

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Register

 

The Dutch Commercial Register (handelsregister).

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

Common shares in the Company’s capital, with a nominal value of EUR 0.12 each.

 

 

 

 

 

Company

 

Centogene N.V., a public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootschap), registered with the Commercial Register under number 72822872, previously named Centogene B.V.

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Documents

 

The Deed of Incorporation, the Deed of Conversion, the Prior Articles, the Current Articles, the Descriptions, the Resolutions and the Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

Current Articles

 

The Articles of Association as contained in the Deed of Conversion.

 

 

 

 

 

DCC

 

The Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek).

 

 

 

 

 

Deed of Conversion

 

The deed of conversion and amendment to the Articles of Association dated November 7, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

Deed of Incorporation

 

The Company’s deed of incorporation (akte van oprichting) dated October 11, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

Deed of Issue

 

The draft deed of issue of the Offer Shares, prepared by us with reference 82043973 M 29277189.

 

7


 

 

Deeds of Transfer

 

The deeds of transfer of certain Existing Offer Shares by Centogene Pooling UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Co. KG to the respective Selling Shareholders mentioned under a., c. and i. of the definition of Selling Shareholders, dated November 7, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

Descriptions

 

The descriptions of contribution in kind (inbreng anders dan in geld) on the Existing Offer Shares and the Existing Option Shares within the meaning of Section 2:204b(1) DCC as referenced in the respective Existing Deeds of Issue.

 

 

 

 

 

DFSA

 

The Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

 

 

 

 

 

Existing Deeds of Issue

 

The deeds of issue of Existing Offer Shares and Existing Option Shares by the Company to Centogene Pooling UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Co. KG (subsequently transferred to the respective Selling Shareholders mentioned under a., c. and i. of the definition of Selling Shareholders) and to the Selling Shareholders mentioned under b. and d. through h. of the definition of Selling Shareholders, dated November 7, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

Existing Offer Shares

 

1,500,000 Common Shares issued pursuant to the respective Existing Deeds of Issue.

 

 

 

 

 

Existing Option Shares

 

Up to 525,000 Common Shares or such lesser number of Common Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised vis-à-vis the Selling Shareholders, issued pursuant to the respective Existing Deeds of Issue.

 

 

 

 

 

General Meeting

 

The Company’s general meeting (algemene vergadering).

 

 

 

 

 

Management Board

 

The Company’s management board (bestuur).

 

 

 

 

 

NautaDutilh

 

NautaDutilh N.V.

 

8


 

 

the Netherlands

 

The European territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

 

 

 

 

 

Offer Shares

 

2,000,000 Common Shares.

 

 

 

 

 

Offering

 

The offering of the Offer Shares, the Existing Offer Shares and, if any, the Existing Option Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

Option

 

The option to acquire Existing Option Shares to be granted to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

Prior Articles

 

The Articles of Association as contained in the Deed of Incorporation.

 

 

 

 

 

Prior Offering

 

The offering of Common Shares as contemplated by the Prior Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

Prior Registration Statement

 

The Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC in connection with the Prior Offering and declared effective by the SEC on November 6, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

Prospectus Regulation

 

Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market, and repealing Directive 2003/71/EC.

 

 

 

 

 

Registration Statement

 

The Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 filed or to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Offering on or about the date of this opinion letter in the form reviewed by us.

 

 

 

 

 

Relevant Moment

 

Each time when Existing Offer Shares or Existing Option Shares were issued pursuant to the execution of an Existing Deed of Issue and each time when Offer Shares are issued pursuant to the execution of the Deed of Issue.

 

9


 

 

Resolutions

 

Each of the following:

 

a.                        the written resolutions of the General Meeting, dated November 6, 2019;

 

b.                        the written resolutions of the Management Board, dated June 26, 2020;

 

c.                         the written resolutions of the Supervisory Board, dated June 26, 2020; and

 

d.                        the draft written resolution of the pricing committee established by the Management Board and Supervisory Board prepared by us with reference 82043973 M 29267528.

 

 

 

 

 

Reviewed Documents

 

Each Existing Deed of Issue, each Deed of Transfer, the Deed of Issue and the Underwriting Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

SEC

 

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

Selling Shareholders

 

Each of:

 

a.                        Arndt Rolfs;

 

b.                        Careventures Fund II S.C.Sp;

 

c.                         Equicore Beteiligungs GmbH;

 

d.                        TVM Life Science Innovation I, L.P.

 

e.                         Michael Schlenk;

 

f.                          Stefan Maeser;

 

g.                        Jürgen Kohlhase;

 

h.                        Hans-Bodo Hartmann; and

 

i.                           Doreen Niemann.

 

10


 

 

Supervisory Board

 

The Company’s supervisory board (raad van commissarissen).

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriters

 

The Underwriters, as defined in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The draft underwriting agreement to be entered into between the Company and the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, in the form reviewed by NautaDutilh.

 

11




Exhibit 8.1

 

ATTORNEYS • CIVIL LAW NOTARIES • TAX ADVISERS

 

 

 

 

P.O. Box 7113
1007 JC Amsterdam
Beethovenstraat 400
1082 PR Amsterdam
T +31 20 71 71 000
F +31 20 71 71 111

 

      Amsterdam, July 7, 2020.

      To the Company

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as tax counsel as to Dutch law to the Company in connection with the Offering. This opinion letter is rendered to you in order to be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

Capitalised terms used in this opinion letter have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A to this opinion letter. The section headings used in this opinion letter are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect its construction or to be taken into consideration in its interpretation.

 

This opinion letter is strictly limited to the matters stated in it and may not be read as extending by implication to any matters not specifically referred to in it. Nothing in this opinion letter should be taken as expressing an opinion in respect of any representations or warranties, or other information, contained in any document reviewed by us.

 

In rendering the opinion expressed in this opinion letter, we have reviewed and relied upon a draft of the Registration Statement. We have not investigated or verified any factual matter disclosed to us in the course of our review.

 

This opinion letter sets out our opinion on certain matters of the tax laws with general applicability of the Netherlands, and, insofar as they are directly applicable in the Netherlands, of the European Union, as at today’s date and as presently interpreted under published authoritative case law of the Dutch courts, the General Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union. We do not express any opinion on Dutch or European competition law, data protection law or regulatory law. No undertaking is assumed on our part to revise, update or amend this opinion letter in connection with or to notify or inform you of, any developments and/or changes of Dutch law subsequent to today’s date. We do not purport to opine on the consequences of amendments to the Registration Statement subsequent to the date of this opinion letter.

 

 

 

Amsterdam

 

Brussels

 

London

 

Luxemburg

 

New York

 

Rotterdam

The opinion expressed in this opinion letter is to be construed and interpreted in accordance with Dutch tax law. The competent courts at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any issues of interpretation or liability arising out of or in connection with this opinion letter. Any legal

 

This communication is confidential and may be subject to professional privilege. All legal relationships are subject to NautaDutilh N.V.’s general terms and conditions (see https://www.nautadutilh.com/terms), which apply mutatis mutandis to our relationship with third parties relying on statements of NautaDutilh N.V., include a limitation of liability clause, have been filed with the Rotterdam District Court and will be provided free of charge upon request. NautaDutilh N.V.; corporate seat Rotterdam; trade register no. 24338323.

 


 

 

relationship arising out of or in connection with this opinion letter (whether contractual or non-contractual), including the above submission to jurisdiction, is governed by Dutch law and shall be subject to the general terms and conditions of NautaDutilh. Any liability arising out of or in connection with this opinion letter shall be limited to the amount which is paid out under NautaDutilh’s insurance policy in the matter concerned. No person other than NautaDutilh may be held liable in connection with this opinion letter.

 

In this opinion letter and in the Dutch Tax Summary, legal and tax concepts are expressed in English terms. The Dutch legal and tax concepts concerned may not be identical in meaning to the concepts described by the English terms as they exist under the law of other jurisdictions. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency, the relevant expression shall be deemed to refer only to the Dutch legal and tax concepts described by the English terms.

 

For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that:

 

a.                                      the Registration Statement has been or will be declared effective by the SEC in the form reviewed by us; and

 

b.                                      the place of effective management of the Company is in Germany, and not in the Netherlands, and the Company will therefore be a tax resident of Germany under German national tax law.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject to any matters, documents or events not disclosed to us, we express the following opinion:

 

Dutch Tax Summary

 

The Dutch Tax Summary constitutes our opinion, is true and accurate and provides a fair summary of the matters of Dutch tax law described therein.

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and also consent to the reference to NautaDutilh in the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Matters”. In giving this consent we do not admit or imply that we are a person whose consent is required under Section 7 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ NautaDutilh N.V.

 

 

 

 

 

NautaDutilh N.V.

 

 

2


 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

LIST OF DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

Common shares in the Company’s capital, with a nominal value of EUR 0.12 each.

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Register

 

The Dutch Commercial Register (handelsregister).

 

 

 

 

 

Company

 

Centogene N.V., a public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootschap), registered with the Commercial Register under number 72822872, previously named Centogene B.V.

 

 

 

 

 

Dutch Tax Summary

 

The statements contained in the Registration Statement under the caption “Taxation - Material Dutch Tax Considerations”.

 

 

 

 

 

NautaDutilh

 

NautaDutilh N.V.

 

 

 

 

 

the Netherlands

 

The European territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

 

 

 

 

 

Offering

 

The offering of Common Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

Registration Statement

 

The Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 filed or to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Offering on or about the date of this opinion letter in the form reviewed by us.

 

 

 

 

 

SEC

 

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

3




Exhibit 8.2

 

Taylor Wessing × Benrather Straße 15 × 40213 Düsseldorf

 

Centogene N.V.

Am Strande 7

18055 Rostock

 

Benrather Straße 15

40213 Düsseldorf

Postfach 10 53 61

40044 Düsseldorf

 

Tel. +49 211 8387-0

Fax +49 211 8387-100

duesseldorf@taylorwessing.com

 

Verzeichnis der Partner unter:

www.taylorwessing.com

 

Sekretariat +49 69 97130-132

u.reers@taylorwessing.com

 

Rechtsanwalt

 

Aktenzeichen

 

Datum

Ulrich Reers

 

4008915/18 / CEN39.D1000
(eislad) Dok.-Nr.: 30373510

 

07. Juli 2020

 

Registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission of ordinary shares in the capital of the Issuer

 

Dear Sir / Madam,

 

1.                                      Introduction

 

I act as German tax adviser (Rechtsanwalt/Steuerberater) to the Issuer in connection with the Registration. Certain terms used in this opinion are defined in Annex 1 (Definitions).

 

2.                                      German Tax Law

 

This opinion is limited to German tax law in effect on the date of this opinion. It (including all terms used in it) is to be construed in accordance with German tax law.

 

3.                                      Scope of Inquiry

 

For the purpose of this opinion, I have examined, and relied upon the accuracy of the factual statements in, the Registration Statement, which I determined and deemed the only document relevant to rendering this opinion.

 

Taylor Wessing Partnerschaftsgesellschaft von Rechtsanwälten, Steuerberatern, Solicitors und Avocats à la Cour mbB, Sitz Düsseldorf, AG Essen, PR 1530

 

IBAN DE54 3007 0010 0732 0351 00 BIC (Swift Code) DEUTDEDDXXX

 

Amsterdam Beijing Berlin Bratislava Brünn Brüssel

Deutsche Bank AG

 

Budapest Cambridge Dubai Düsseldorf Eindhoven

München Paris Prag Shanghai Warschau Wien

 

Frankfurt Hamburg Hongkong Kiew Klagenfurt London

 


 

4.                                      Assumptions

 

For the purpose of this opinion, I have made the following assumptions:

 

4.1                               The Registration Statement has been or will have been filed with the SEC in the form referred to in this opinion.

 

4.2                               The effective place of management of the Issuer will be located in Rostock, Germany.

 

4.3                               The factual statements in the Registration Statement are true and correct in all respects.

 

5.                                      Opinion

 

Based on the documents and investigations referred to and the assumptions made in paragraphs 3 and 4, I hereby confirm that the statements set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption “Material German Tax Considerations” constitute the opinion of Taylor Wessing as to the material German tax consequences of purchasing, holding or transferring the ordinary shares in the capital of the Issuer

 

6.                                      Reliance

 

6.1                               This opinion is an exhibit to the Registration Statement and may be only relied upon for the purpose of the Registration. It may not be supplied, and its contents or existence may not be disclosed, to any person other than as an Exhibit to (and therefore together with) the Registration Statement and may not be relied upon for any purpose other than the Registration.

 

6.2                               Each person relying on this opinion agrees, in so relying, that only Taylor Wessing shall have any liability in connection with this opinion.

 

6.3                               The Issuer may:

 

(a)                                 file this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and

 

(b)                                 refer to Taylor Wessing giving this opinion under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

 

2


 

The previous sentence is no admittance from me (or Taylor Wessing) that I am (or Taylor Wessing is) in the category of persons whose consent for the filing and reference in that paragraph is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or any rules or regulations of the SEC promulgated under it.

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

 

/s/ Dr. Bert Kimpel

 

 

 

Dr. Bert Kimpel

 

Rechtsanwalt/Steuerberater

 

 

3


 

Annex 1-Definitions

 

In this opinion:

 

“German Tax” means any tax pursuant to Section 3 (1) thorough to (3) German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung) levied by or on behalf of Germany or any of its subdivisions or taxing authorities.

 

“Taylor Wessing” means Taylor Wessing, Partnerschaftsgesellschaft von Rechtsanwalten, Steuerberatern, Solicitors und Avocats a la Cour mbB.

 

“Issuer” means Centogene N.V. with corporate seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

 

“Registration” means the registration of ordinary shares in the capital of the Issuer with the SEC under the Securities Act.

 

“Registration Statement” means the registration statement on form F-1 in relation to the Registration to be filed with the SEC on the date hereof (excluding any documents incorporated by reference in it and any exhibits to it).

 

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

4




Exhibit 8.3

 

 

New York

Paris

 

 

 

Northern California

Madrid

 

 

Washington DC

Tokyo

 

 

São Paulo

Beijing

 

 

London

Hong Kong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017

 

212 450 4000 tel
212 701 5800 fax

 

July 7, 2020

 

Centogene N.V.

Am Strande 7

18055 Rostock, Germany

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We are acting as United States counsel to Centogene N.V., a Dutch public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootschap) (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

 

We hereby confirm that our opinion as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of an investment in the Company’s common shares is set forth in full under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders” in the Registration Statement.

 

We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States.

 

We hereby consent to the use of our name under the captions “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders” and “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement and to the filing, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, of this letter.  In giving this consent we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

 




Exhibit 21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries of the Company

 

Centogene AG

Centogene IP GmbH

Centogene Shared Services GmbH

Centogene Fzllc, Dubai

Centogene US, LLC, Burlington, USA

Centogene GmbH, Vienna

Centogene India Pvt. Ltd.

 




Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form F-1) and related Prospectus of Centogene N.V. for the registration of its common shares and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated April 23, 2020, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Centogene N.V, included in its Annual Report (Form 20-F) for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

/s/Ingo Röders

 

/s/Christian Patzelt

Wirtschaftsprüfer

 

Wirtschaftsprüfer

(German Public Auditor)

 

(German Public Auditor)

 

 

 

Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

 

 

Berlin, Germany

 

 

 

 

 

July 7, 2020