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EXHIBIT 3.4
BYLAWS
OF
DISCOVERY PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office shall be in the City
of Dover, County of Kent, State of Delaware.
Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such
other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may
require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders for the
election of Directors shall be held in the City of San Diego, State of
California, at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of
Directors, or at such other place either within or without the State of
California as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors
and stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of stockholders for any other
purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of
California, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly
executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2. Annual Meeting.
(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the
corporation, for the purpose of election of Directors and for such other
business as may lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such
time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such
business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the
meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be: (A)
specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors, (B) otherwise properly brought before
the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C) otherwise
properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be
properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must
have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation.
To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received
at the principal executive offices of the corporation no later than the date
which is one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days prior to the anniversary
date of the previous annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in
the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than sixty
days or delayed by more than ninety
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days from such anniversary, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so
received not earlier than the one hundred twentieth day prior to such annual
meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the
sixtieth day prior to such annual meeting or (2) the tenth day following the
date on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public
disclosure thereof was made, whichever first occurs. For purposes of calculating
the first such notice period following adoption of these Bylaws, the 2000 annual
meeting shall be deemed to have occurred on May 15, 2000. A stockholder's notice
to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to
bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired
to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such
business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the
corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class
and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business and
(v) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), in his capacity as a proponent to a stockholder proposal. In
addition to the foregoing, in order to include information with respect to a
stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a
stockholder's meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the
regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act to the extent such regulations
require notice that is different from the notice required above. Notwithstanding
anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any
annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
paragraph (b) of this Section 2. The chairman of the annual meeting shall, if
the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that business was not
properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of
this paragraph (b), and, if he should so determine, he shall so declare at the
meeting that any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not
be transacted.
(c) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this paragraph (c) shall be eligible for election as
Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the
corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of
the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote
in the election of Directors at the meeting who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this paragraph (c). Such nominations, other than those
made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to
timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the corporation in accordance with
the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 2. Such stockholder's notice
shall set forth (i) as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to
nominate for election or re-election as a Director: (A) the name, age, business
address and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or
employment of such person, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation
that are beneficially owned by such person, (D) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any
other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the
nominations are to be made by the stockholder, and (E) any other information
relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies for election of Directors, or is otherwise required, in each case
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation such
person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a
nominee and to serving as a Director if elected); and (ii) as to such
stockholder giving notice, the information required to be provided pursuant to
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subitems (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (b) of this Section 2. At the request
of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as
a Director shall furnish to the Secretary of the corporation that information
required to be set forth in the stockholder's notice of nomination which
pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a Director
of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this paragraph (c). The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant,
determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination was not made in
accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination
shall be disregarded.
Section 3. Notice of Annual Meeting. Written notice of the annual
meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each
stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more
than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.
Section 4. Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger
of the corporation shall prepare and make, or have prepared and made, at least
ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,
and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered
in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of
any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary
business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting,
either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place
shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the
place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept
at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be
inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for
any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, may only be called
as provided in this Section 5 by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of
the Board, or a majority of the Board of Directors. Such request shall state the
purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. The place, date and time of any
special meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Such
determination shall include the record date for determining the stockholders
having the right of and to vote at such meeting.
Section 6. Notice of Special Meeting. Written notice of a special
meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called shall be given not less than ten (10)
nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, to each
stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 7. Action at Special Meeting. Business transacted at any special
meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
Section 8. Quorum and Adjournments.
(a) The holders of a majority of the stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all
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meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise
provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time
to time. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any
meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present
in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting
from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a
quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which
might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the
meeting.
(b) When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the
holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or
represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which by express provision of statutes or of the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, a different vote is
required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the
decision of such question.
Section 9. Voting Rights. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, each stockholder shall at every
meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy
for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such
stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three (3) years from its date,
unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 10. Action Without Meeting. No action shall be taken by the
stockholders of the corporation except at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws, and no action shall be
taken by the stockholders by written consent.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Classes, Number, Term of Office and Qualification. The
Directors shall be classified into three classes as specified in the Certificate
of Incorporation. At each Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Directors elected to
succeed those Directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office
to expire at the third succeeding Annual Meeting of Stockholders after their
election. Additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of
Directors shall be apportioned among the classes as equally as possible as
determined by the Board of Directors. The number of Directors which shall
constitute the whole Board shall not be less than six (6) nor more than ten (10)
Directors, and the exact number shall be fixed by resolution of sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Directors then in office or by sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the stockholders at the annual meeting of the
stockholders, with the number initially fixed at seven (7). Each Director
elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified.
Directors need not be stockholders.
Section 2. Vacancies. Vacancies including, newly created directorships,
may be filled only by a majority of the Directors then in office, though less
than a quorum, or by a sole
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remaining Director. Each Director so chosen shall hold office until a successor
is duly elected and shall qualify or until his earlier death, resignation or
removal. If there are no Directors in office, then an election of Directors may
be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any
vacancy, the Directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of
the whole Board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the
Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders
holding at least ten percent of the total number of the shares at the time
outstanding having the right to vote for such Directors, summarily order an
election to be held to fill any such vacancies, or to replace the Directors
chosen by the Directors then in office.
Section 3. Powers. The business of the corporation shall be managed by
or under the direction of its Board of Directors which may exercise all such
powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by
statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, or
by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the
stockholders.
Section 4. Regular and Special Meetings. The Board of Directors of the
corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or
without the State of California.
Section 5. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of each newly elected
Board of Directors shall be held without notice other than this Bylaw
immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders.
In the event the annual meeting of any newly elected Board of Directors shall
not be held immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of
stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be
specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the
Board of Directors.
Section 6. Notice of Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of
Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall
from time to time be determined by the Board.
Section 7. Notice of Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may
be called by the Chief Executive Officer or President on no less than
forty-eight (48) hours notice to each Director either personally, or by
telephone, mail, telegram or facsimile; special meetings shall be called by the
Chief Executive Officer, President or Secretary in like manner and on like
notice on the written request of two Directors unless the Board consists of only
one Director, in which case special meetings shall be called by the Chief
Executive Officer, President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice on
the written request of the sole Director. A written waiver of notice, signed by
the person entitled thereto, whether before or after the time of the meeting
stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.
Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board a majority of the
Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act
of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum
shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise
specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended from time to time. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of
the Board of Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting
from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall be present.
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Section 9. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, or these Bylaws, any
action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of
Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all
members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings
of the Board or committee.
Section 10. Meetings by Telephone Conference Calls. Unless otherwise
restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, or
these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by
the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors,
or any committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in
person at the meeting.
Section 11. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed
by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of one or more of the Directors of the corporation. The
Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee,
who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the
committee.
In the absence of disqualification of a member of a committee,
the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from
voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint
another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of
any such absent or disqualified member.
Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of
the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority
of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all
papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or
authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
from time to time, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation,
recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, recommending to the
stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution,
or amending the Bylaws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution or the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, expressly so
provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a
dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Such committee or committees
shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and
report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 12. Fees and Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, or these Bylaws, the
Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of
Directors. The Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at
each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for
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attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as
Director. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.
Section 13. Removal. Subject to any limitations imposed by law or the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, the Board of
Directors, or any individual Director, may be removed from office at any time
only with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a two-thirds
of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
NOTICES
Section 1. Notice. Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of
the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, or of these
Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any Director or stockholder, it shall
not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in
writing, by mail, addressed to such Director or stockholder, at his address as
it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and
such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be
deposited in the United States mail. Notice to Directors may also be given
personally, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or
technology designed to record and communicate messages, telegram, facsimile,
electronic mail or other electronic means.
Section 2. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given
under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended from time to time, or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing,
signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after
the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. Enumeration. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen
by the Board of Directors and shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief
Financial Officer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may elect from among
its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board
of Directors may also choose a President, one or more Vice Presidents and one or
more Assistant Secretaries. Any number of offices may be held by the same
person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time,
or these Bylaws otherwise provide.
The compensation of all officers and agents of the corporation
shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, and no officer shall be prevented from
receiving such compensation by virtue of his also being a Director of the
corporation.
Section 2. Election or Appointment. The Board of Directors at its first
meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and a Secretary and may choose a President, one
or more Vice Presidents and one or more Assistant Secretaries.
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The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents
as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall
exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to
time by the Board.
Section 3. Tenure, Removal and Vacancies. The officers of the
corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified.
Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any
time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any
vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the Board
of Directors.
Section 4. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if any,
shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders
at which he shall be present. The Chairman of the Board shall have and may
exercise such powers as are, from time to time, assigned by the Board and as may
be provided by law.
Section 5. Vice Chairman of the Board. In the absence of the Chairman of
the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings
of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he shall be present.
The Vice Chairman of the Board shall have and may exercise such powers as are,
from time to time, assigned by the Board and as may be provided by law.
Section 6. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have
general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of
the corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of
the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a Chairman or Vice
Chairman of the Board at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chief
Executive Officer shall have the general powers and duties of management usually
vested in the Chief Executive Officer of a corporation, including general
supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other
officers of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may
be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
The Chief Executive Officer shall, without limitation, have the
authority to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal,
under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to
be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution
thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other
officer or agent of the corporation.
Section 7. President. Subject to such supervisory powers as may be given
by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board or the
Chief Executive Officer, if there be such officers, the President shall have
general supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of
other officers of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties
as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. In the event a
Chief Executive Officer shall not be appointed, the President shall have the
duties of such office.
Section 8. Vice Presidents. The Vice President, or if there shall be
more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the Board of
Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, act with all of
the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the
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President. The Vice Presidents shall also perform such other duties and have
such other powers as the Board of Directors, the President or these Bylaws may,
from time to time, prescribe.
Section 9. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the
Board of Directors, all meetings of the committees thereof and all meetings of
the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings in a book or
books to be kept for that purpose. Under the Chief Executive Officer's or
President's supervision, the Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all
notices required to be given by these Bylaws or by law; shall have such powers
and perform such duties as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President or these Bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe; and shall have
custody of the seal of the corporation. The Secretary, or an Assistant
Secretary, shall have authority to affix the seal of the corporation to any
instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her
signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board of
Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of
the corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature.
Section 10. Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, if any, or if
there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the
Board of Directors, shall, in the absence, disability or refusal to act of the
Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or these Bylaws may,
from time to time, prescribe.
Section 11. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall
act as Treasurer and shall have the custody of the corporate funds and
securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys
and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in
such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers
for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and the Board of
Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires,
an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial
condition of the corporation.
If required by the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial
Officer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six
years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to
the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office
and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation,
retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and
other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging
to the corporation.
Section 12. Other Officers, Assistant Officers and Agents. Officers,
assistant officers and agents, if any, other than those whose duties are
provided for in these Bylaws, shall have such authority and perform such duties
as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chief
Executive Officer or the President.
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Section 13. Absence or Disability of Officers. In the case of the
absence or disability of any officer of the corporation and of any person hereby
authorized to act in such officer's place during such officer's absence or
disability, the Board of Directors may delegate the powers and duties of such
officer to any officer or to any Director, or to any other person who it may
select.
ARTICLE VI
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK
Section 1. Certificates of Stock. Every holder of stock in the
corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name
of the corporation by, the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors,
or the President or a Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or an
Assistant Chief Financial Officer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the
corporation.
Certificates may be issued for partly paid shares and in such
case upon the face or back of the certificates issued to represent any such
partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor,
and the amount paid thereon shall be specified.
If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one
class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of
each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or
summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall
issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as
otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in
lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back
of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or
series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to
each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock
or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such
preferences and/or rights.
Section 2. Execution of Certificates. Any or all of the signatures on
the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or
registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar
before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the
same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date
of issue.
Section 3. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new
certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of
Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or
certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner
as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may
direct
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as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with
respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Transfer of Stock. Upon surrender to the corporation or the
transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to
transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to
the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the
transaction upon its books.
Section 5. Fixing Record Date. In order that the corporation may
determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholder or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or
for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in
advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than
ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days
prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment
of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 6. Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner
of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable
for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of
shares and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not
it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by
the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers. The
corporation shall indemnify its Directors and executive officers to the fullest
extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law; provided,
however, that the corporation may limit the extent of such indemnification by
individual contracts with its Directors and executive officers; and, provided,
further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any Director or
executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated
by such person or any proceeding by such person against the corporation or its
Directors, officers, employees or other agents unless (i) such indemnification
is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by
the Board of Directors of the corporation, and (iii) such indemnification is
provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers
vested in the corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 2. Indemnification of Other Officers, Employees and Other
Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers,
employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
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Section 3. Good Faith.
(a) For purposes of any determination under this Bylaw, a
Director or officer shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had
no reasonable cause to believe that any conduct was unlawful, if such Director's
or officer's action is based on information, opinions, reports and statements,
including financial statements and other financial data, in each case prepared
or presented by:
(1) one or more officers or employees of the corporation
whom the Director or executive officer believed to be
reliable and competent in the matters presented;
(2) counsel, independent accountants or other persons as
to matters which the Director or executive officer believed
to be within such person's professional competence; and
(3) with respect to a Director, a committee of the Board
upon which such Director does not serve, as to matters within
such Committee's designated authority, which committee the
Director believes to merit confidence; so long as, in each
case, the Director or executive officer acts without
knowledge that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted.
(b) The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall
not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith
and in a manner which was reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding,
that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her consent was
unlawful.
(c) The provisions of this Section 3 shall not be deemed to
be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be
deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth by the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
Section 4. Expenses. The corporation shall advance, prior to the final
disposition of any proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses
incurred by any Director or officer in connection with such proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay said amounts
if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be
indemnified under this Bylaw or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined
pursuant to Section 4 of this Bylaw, no advance shall be made by the corporation
if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Board of Directors
by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who were not parties to
the proceeding, or (ii) if such quorum is not obtainable, or, even if
obtainable, a quorum of disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party
at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that
such person acted in bad faith
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or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation.
Section 5. Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an
express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to Directors and
officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be
effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the
corporation and the Director or officer. Any right to indemnification or
advances granted by this Bylaw to a Director or officer shall be enforceable by
or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent
jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in
whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety
(90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action, if
successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of
prosecuting his or her claim. The corporation shall be entitled to raise as a
defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of
conduct that make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for
the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. Neither the
failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in
the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination
by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel
or its stock-holders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of
conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the
claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
Section 6. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person
by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may
have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended from time to time, Bylaws, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The
corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with
any or all of its Directors, officers, employees or agents respecting
indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the
Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 7. Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by
this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director,
officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 8. Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of
Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted
to be indemnified pursuant to this Bylaw.
Section 9. Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall
only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect
at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is
the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.
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Section 10. Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Director and officer to the full
extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Bylaw that shall not
have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law.
Section 11. Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the
following definitions shall apply:
(a) The term "proceeding" shall be broadly construed and
shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution,
defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of the testimony
in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.
(b) The term "expenses" shall be broadly construed and shall
include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees, fines,
amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any
nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(c) The term the "corporation" shall include, in addition to
the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if
its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to
indemnify its Directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person
who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a Director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
the provisions of this Bylaw with respect to the resulting or surviving
corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its
separate existence had continued.
(d) References to a "Director," "officer," "employee," or
"agent" of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where
such person is serving at the request of the corporation as a Director, officer,
employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise.
(e) References to "other enterprises" shall include employee
benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on
a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at
the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a Director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or
involves services by, such Director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to
an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest
of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be
deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation" as referred to in this Bylaw.
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ARTICLE VIII
LOANS TO OFFICERS
Section 1. Loans to Officers. The corporation may lend money to, or
guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee
of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who
is a Director of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be
expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may
be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as
the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of
shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this Bylaw shall be deemed to
deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at
common law or under any statute.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Declaration of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of
the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation,
as amended from time to time, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors
at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in
cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions
of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time.
Section 2. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may
be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such
sum or sums as the Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion,
think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing
dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or
for such other purposes as the Directors shall think conducive to the interest
of the corporation, and the Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in
the manner in which it was created.
Section 3. Execution of Corporate Instruments. All checks or demands for
money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers
or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time
designate.
Section 4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be
fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate
seal having inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its
organization and the words "Corporate Seal, Delaware." The seal may be used by
causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or
otherwise.
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ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments.
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in Section 9 of Article VII
of these Bylaws, the Bylaws may be altered or amended or new Bylaws adopted by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of all of the
then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of Directors (the "Voting Stock"). The Board of
Directors shall also have the power, if such power is conferred upon the Board
of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time,
to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws by a vote of the majority of the Board of
Directors unless a greater or different vote is required pursuant to the
provisions of the Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or any applicable
provision of law.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws or
any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but
in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or
series of the Voting Stock required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended from time to time, or any Preferred Stock Designation (as the term is
defined in the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended), the affirmative vote
of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the
voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, voting
together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this
paragraph (b) or Section 2, Section 5 or Section 10 of Article II or Section 1,
Section 2 or Section 13 of Article III of these Bylaws.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws or
any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but
in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or
series of the Voting Stock required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended from time to time, or any Preferred Stock Designation (as the term is
defined in the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time), the
affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the
Directors, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this paragraph (c) or
Section 2, Section 5 or Section 10 of Article II or Section 1, Section 2 or
Section 13 of Article III of these Bylaws.
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CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
The undersigned, being the Secretary of Discovery Partners
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, does hereby certify the foregoing
to be the Bylaws of said Corporation, as adopted by the requisite vote or votes
of the stockholders and Directors of the Corporation and which remain in full
force and effect as of the date hereof.
Executed at San Diego, California effective as of May 11, 2000.
/s/ Jack Fitzparick
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Jack Fitzpatrick
