F-3
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrants name into English)
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Cayman Islands
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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2834
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
No. 699-18 Xuan Wu Avenue,
Xuan Wu District, Nanjing
Jiangsu Province 210042
Peoples Republic of China
(86) 25 8556 6666
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
(212) 664-1666
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Leiming Chen
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
35th Floor, ICBC Tower
3 Garden Road, Central
Hong Kong
(852) 2514-7600
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. o
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. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please 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 registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed |
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Proposed maximum |
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Amount of |
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Title of each class of |
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Amount to be |
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maximum offering |
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aggregate |
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registration |
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securities to be registered |
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registered |
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price per share(1) |
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offering price(1) |
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fee |
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Ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per ordinary share(2) |
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17,924,692 shares |
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$3.9175 |
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$70,219,981 |
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$3,918.28 |
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(1) |
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Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the Registrants ADSs on July 10,
2009 as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, which was $7.92 per ADS (equal to $3.96 per
ordinary share) and $7.75 per ADS (equal to $3.875 per ordinary share), respectively.. |
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(2) |
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American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby
have been registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration
No.333-141542). Each American depositary share represents two ordinary shares. |
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 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities
may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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Preliminary Prospectus (Subject to Completion) |
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Dated July 13, 2009 |
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group
8,962,346 American Depositary Shares
Representing
17,924,692 Ordinary Shares
This prospectus relates to the proposed sale from time to time by the shareholder identified
in the Selling Shareholder section in this prospectus, or the selling shareholder, of up to an
aggregate of 8,962,346 American depositary shares, or ADSs, of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, or
Simcere Pharmaceutical. Each ADS represents two ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, of
Simcere Pharmaceutical. The ADSs are evidenced by American depositary receipts, or ADRs. We will
not receive any proceeds from the ADSs sold by the selling shareholder.
Our ADSs are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol SCR. On
July 10, 2009, the last reported trading price of our ADSs on the NYSE was $7.85 per ADS.
When securities are offered under this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus
supplement describing the terms of the specific issues of securities, including the offering price
of the securities. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement
carefully before you invest. The selling shareholder may sell these securities to or through
underwriters, and also to other purchasers or through dealers or agents, or through any combination
of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis. The names of the underwriters will be set forth
in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of ADSs unless accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
See Risk Factors beginning on page 6 to read about risks you should consider before buying
the ADSs.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or
disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated , 2009.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional
information described under the heading Where You Can Find More Information About Us and
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires,
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$ and U.S. dollars refer to the legal currency of the United States; |
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ADRs refer to the American depositary receipts, which, if issued, evidence our
ADSs; |
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ADSs refer to our American depositary shares, each of which represents two ordinary shares; |
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China and the PRC refer to the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the
purposes of this prospectus only, Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong
Kong and Macau; |
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ordinary shares refer to our ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share; |
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RMB and Renminbi refer to the legal currency of China; and |
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we, us, our company and our refer to Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, its
predecessor entities and its consolidated subsidiaries. |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a shelf registration process. Under this
shelf registration process, the selling shareholder may sell the securities described in this
prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a summary description
of our ordinary shares. Each time the selling shareholder sells securities pursuant to the
registration statement, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains
specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add,
update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between
the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus
supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and
any supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading Where You Can
Find More Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you
with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you
should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where
the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this
prospectus and the applicable supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its
respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the
date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated
herein and therein by reference may contain forward-looking statements that relate to our current
expectations and views of future events. These statements relate to events that involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as
may, will, expect, anticipate, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, potential,
continue, is/are likely to or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking
statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial
trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy
and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements
relating to:
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our anticipated growth strategies; |
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our future business development, results of operations and financial condition; |
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market acceptance of our products and product candidates; |
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our ability to effectively protect our intellectual property and trade secrets and
not infringe on the intellectual property and trade secrets of others; |
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the sufficiency of our existing and future intellectual property right protections; |
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our ability to obtain regulatory approval for products that we develop; |
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our ability to successfully develop and improve products; |
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changes in the healthcare industry in China, including increased availability of
funding for medical insurance coverage and the inclusion of additional medicines in the
national and provincial Medical Insurance Catalogs; |
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our ability to manage our expansion of operations; |
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competition from other manufacturers of pharmaceutical products; |
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the expected growth for the pharmaceutical industry in China; |
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our ability to obtain permits and licenses to carry on our business; and |
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fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China. |
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated
herein may also contain data related to the pharmaceutical market in China. These market data
include projections that are based on a number of assumptions. Unlike in the United States, there
is limited authoritative data on the pharmaceutical market in China, particularly on a nationwide
basis. In addition, any data that is available may not be current. The pharmaceutical market in
China may not grow at the rates projected by the market data, or at all. The failure of the market
to grow at the projected rates may have a material adverse effect on our business and the market
price of our ADSs. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the pharmaceutical market subjects
any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market to
significant uncertainties. If any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data turns
out to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
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The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus
supplement relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made.
Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events. You should read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information
incorporated herein completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be
materially different from what we expect.
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OUR COMPANY
We are a leading manufacturer and supplier of branded generic pharmaceuticals in the fast
growing China market. We focus our strategy on the development of first-to-market generic and
innovative pharmaceuticals, and have introduced a first-to-market generic anti-stroke medication
under the brand name Bicun, a 5-FU sustained release implant under the brand name Sinofuan, and an
innovative anti-cancer medication under the brand name Endu. We currently manufacture and sell 45
principal pharmaceutical products and are the exclusive distributor of three additional
pharmaceuticals that are manufactured by independent third parties but marketed under our brand
names. In addition, we have obtained approvals from the PRC State Food and Drug Administration, or
SFDA, to manufacture and sell over 220 other products. As of March 31, 2009, we also had 12 product
candidates in various stages of development, including treatments for cancer, cerebrovascular
diseases, infections, rheumatoid arthritis, nasal allergies, nausea and vomiting associated with
chemotherapy.
Our innovative anti-cancer medication Endu has been granted an invention patent in China and
was the first recombinant human endostatin injection approved for sale in China. Recombinant human
endostatin is a genetically engineered protein that interferes with the growth of blood vessels to
a tumor, thereby starving and preventing the growth of tumor cells. Our generic anti-stroke
medication Bicun was the first edaravone injection, a type of neuroprotective pharmaceutical
compound, approved for sale in China. Our generic amoxicillin granule antibiotic, marketed under
the brand name Zailin, was recognized as a China Well-Known Trademark in 2004 and our
anti-inflammatory pain relievers and analgesic drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis, marketed under the brand name Yingtaiqing, was recognized as a China Well-Known
Trademark in 2008. Furthermore, our medication Sinofuan, a sustained release implant for the
treatment of cancer which we acquired through our acquisition of Wuhu Zhong Ren Pharmaceutical Co.,
Ltd., or Wuhu Simcere Zhong Ren, was the first sustained-released fluorouracil implant approved by
the SFDA, and our generic anti-infection medication Anxin, a new product that we introduced in
2008, was the first biapenem injection, a type of carbapenem, approved for sale in China.
We commenced operations in March 1995 as a distributor of pharmaceutical products, and since
then we have established an extensive distribution network in China that we now use to market, sell
and distribute our own pharmaceutical products. We sell our products exclusively to regional
distributors, who then sell them to local distributors, hospitals and retail pharmacies throughout
China. Our marketing team leverages the reputation of our Simcere brand name and our well-known
branded pharmaceuticals to cross-sell our other pharmaceuticals. We also have dedicated brand
management, market research and sales support teams to further enhance the effectiveness of these
marketing efforts.
We employ a market-oriented approach to research and development and focus our efforts on
branded generic pharmaceuticals that have the potential for gaining widespread market acceptance or
are the first generic version on the market. We concentrate our research and development efforts on
the treatment of diseases with high incidence and/or mortality rates and for which there is a clear
demand for more effective pharmacotherapy, such as cancer and cerebrovascular and infectious
diseases. Through our research and development efforts, we have introduced to the China market a
sizable portfolio of branded products with significant market potential.
On April 20, 2007, we completed our initial public offering in which we issued and sold
12,500,000 ADSs, representing 25,000,000 of our ordinary shares, and certain of our then
shareholders sold 5,468,700 ADSs, representing 10,937,400 of our ordinary shares, in each case at
an offering price of $14.50 per ADS. Subsequent to our initial public offering, we have engaged in
several acquisitions to strengthen our product portfolio, especially as to first-to-market generic
and innovative pharmaceuticals in China. We have acquired the remaining 20.0% equity interest in
Shandong Simcere Medgenn Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., formerly Yantai Medgenn Co., Ltd., or
Shandong Simcere, that we did not own at the time of our initial public offering and as a result,
Shandong Simcere is now our wholly owned subsidiary. In October 2007, we completed the acquisition
of a 51.0% equity interest in Jilin Boda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. In November 2007, we acquired
100% equity interest in Master Luck Corporation Limited, which in turns holds an 85.71% equity
interest in Nanjing Tung Chit Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the manufacturer of nedaplatin
injection, a chemotherapy pharmaceutical that is marketed under the brand name Jiebaishu. In April
2008, we acquired a 70.0% equity interest in Wuhu Simcere Zhong Ren, a pharmaceutical manufacturer
based in the PRC specializing in the production of antineoplastic implants. In May 2009, we
acquired approximately 35% of the equity interest of Shanghai Celgen Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.,
which has expertise in research and
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production of therapeutic antibodies and possesses an antibody manufacturing facility in Shanghai.
Furthermore, in May 2009, we acquired a 37.5% equity interest in Jiangsu Yanshen Biological
Technology Stock Co., a PRC-based developer and manufacturer of vaccines.
Our principal executive offices are located at No. 699-18 Xuan Wu Avenue, Xuan Wu District,
Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210042, Peoples Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address
is (86) 25 8556 6666.
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RISK FACTORS
Please see the risk factors set forth under the heading Item 3. Key Information.D. Risk
Factors in our most recently filed annual report on Form 20-F, which is incorporated in this
prospectus by reference, and, if applicable, in any accompanying prospectus supplement subsequently
filed relating to a specific offering of our ADSs, before investing in any ADSs that may be offered
pursuant to this prospectus.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the ADSs sold by the selling shareholder.
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SELLING SHAREHOLDER
This prospectus relates to the proposed sale in the form of ADSs of an aggregate of 17,924,692
ordinary shares held by the selling shareholder named in the table below from time to time after
the date of this prospectus. We are registering such shares held by the selling shareholder in the
registration statement which includes this prospectus. We have no assurance that the selling
shareholder will sell any of the ordinary shares registered for sale hereunder. See Plan of
Distribution. In addition, the selling shareholder may have sold or transferred, in transactions
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Act, some or all of the shares since the date on which the information in the table
below is presented. The ordinary shares listed below may be sold pursuant to this prospectus or in
privately negotiated transactions. Accordingly, we cannot estimate the number of ordinary shares in
the form of ADSs that the selling shareholder will sell under this prospectus. Information about
the selling shareholder may change over time.
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Minimum Number of |
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Ordinary Shares |
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Maximum Number of |
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Beneficially Owned After or |
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Ordinary Shares |
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Ordinary Shares Being |
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Upon Termination of the |
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Beneficially Owned(1)(2) |
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Offered(3) |
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Offering(3) |
Selling Shareholder: |
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% |
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Number |
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Number |
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% |
Assure Ahead Investments Limited(4) |
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17,924,692 |
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15.8 |
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17,924,692 |
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15.8 |
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0 |
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0.00 |
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(1) |
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Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and
includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. |
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(2) |
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Percentage of beneficial ownership of the selling shareholder is based on 113,674,686
ordinary shares outstanding as of the date hereof. |
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(3) |
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The selling shareholder might not sell any or all of the ordinary shares offered by this
prospectus and as a result, we cannot estimate the number of the ordinary shares that will be
held by the selling shareholder after completion of the offering. However, for purposes of
this table, we have assumed that, after completion of the offering, none of the ordinary
shares covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling shareholder. |
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(4) |
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Assure Ahead Investments Limited is a British Virgin Islands company that is 100.0% owned by
Hony Capital II, L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman
Islands; Hony Capital II, L.P.s general partner is Hony Capital II GP Ltd., which is wholly
owned by Legend Holdings Limited, an investment holding company incorporated in the Peoples
Republic of China. Legend Holdings Limited is 65.0% owned by the Chinese Academy of Sciences,
a national academic and research institution owned and controlled by the PRC government. The
address for Assure Ahead Investments Limited is at the offices of Offshore Incorporations
Limited, P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin
Islands. The directors of Assure Ahead Investments Limited, Messrs. John Huan Zhao, Shunlong
Wang and Yonggang Cao have voting and investment power over the shares that this shareholder
beneficially owns. |
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of certain benefits associated
with being a Cayman Islands exempted company, such as:
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political and economic stability; |
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an effective judicial system; |
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a favorable tax system; |
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the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and |
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the availability of professional and support services. |
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These
disadvantages include:
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the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the
United States and provides significantly less protection to investors; and |
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Cayman Islands companies do not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the
United States. |
Our constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those
arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and
shareholders, be arbitrated.
Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in China, and substantially all of
our assets are located in China. A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or
residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets
are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect
service of process within the United States upon us or such persons, or to enforce against us or
them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil
liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed CT Corporation System as our agent to receive service of process with
respect to any action brought against us in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in the
United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the
County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.
Walkers, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Jiangsu Xue Jimin Law Firm, our counsel as
to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of
the Cayman Islands and the PRC, respectively, would:
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recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our
directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities
laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or |
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entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our
directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any
state in the United States. |
Walkers has further advised us that a final and conclusive judgment in the federal or state
courts of the United States under which a sum of money is payable, other than a sum payable in
respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar fiscal or revenue obligations and which was neither
obtained in a manner nor is of a kind enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the
public policy of the Cayman Islands, may be subject to enforcement proceedings as a debt in the
courts of the Cayman Islands under the common law.
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Jiangsu Xue Jimin Law Firm has advised us further that the recognition and enforcement of
foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and
enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based
either on treaties between the PRC and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity
between jurisdictions, provided that the foreign judgments do not violate the basic principles of
laws of the PRC or its sovereignty, security or social and public interests.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and our affairs are governed
by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and the
Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, which is referred to as the Companies Law below.
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital consists of 500,000,000
ordinary shares, with a par value of $0.01 each. As of July 10, 2009, there are 113,674,686
ordinary shares outstanding (excluding 4,750,018 restricted shares granted under our 2006 share
incentive plan which are either vested but yet to be duly registered or are unvested).
The following are summaries of material provisions of our second amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material
terms of our ordinary shares.
Ordinary Shares
General
All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates
representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are
non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and transfer their ordinary shares.
Dividends
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our
board of directors subject to the Companies Law.
Voting Rights
Each holder of ordinary shares is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which the ordinary
shares are entitled to vote on a show of hands or, on a poll, each holder is entitled to have one
vote for each share registered in his or her name on the register of members. Voting at any meeting
of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the
chairman of our board of directors or by any shareholder present in person or by proxy.
A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of shareholders who hold at least
one-third of our ordinary shares at the meeting present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation
or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. Shareholders meetings are held
annually and may be convened by our board of directors on its own initiative or upon a request to
the directors by shareholders holding in aggregate at least ten percent of our ordinary shares.
Advance notice of at least seven days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting
and other shareholders meetings.
An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a
simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a
special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast
attaching to the ordinary shares.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the restrictions of our articles of association, as applicable, any of our
shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in
the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of
any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also
decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
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the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the
ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors
may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; |
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the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of ordinary shares; |
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the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; |
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in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the
ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four; or |
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the ordinary shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of us. |
If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on
which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee
notice of such refusal. The registration of transfers may, on 14 days notice being given by
advertisement in such one or more newspapers or by electronic means, be suspended and the register
closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time
determine, provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the
register closed for more than 30 days in any year.
Liquidation
On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or
purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary
shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our
assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets
will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts
unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to
the specified time of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are
subject to forfeiture.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, we may issue shares on terms that are subject
to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as
may be determined by our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Variations of Rights of Shares
All or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the
provisions of the Companies Law, be varied either with the unanimous written consent of the holders
of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general
meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Inspection of Books and Records
Holders of our ordinary shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or
obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our
shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See Where You Can Find Additional
Information.
Changes in Capital
We may from time to time by ordinary resolutions:
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increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes
and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe; |
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consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger
amount than our existing shares; |
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convert all or any of our paid up shares into stock and reconvert that stock into
paid up shares of any denomination; |
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sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount that
is fixed by our second amended memorandum and articles of association; or |
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cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been
taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital
by the amount of the shares so cancelled. |
We may by special resolution reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve in
any manner authorized by law.
Issuance of Additional Preferred Shares
Our second amended and restated memorandum of association authorizes our board of directors to
issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to
the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
Our second amended and restated memorandum of association authorizes our board of directors to
establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect
to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
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the designation of the series; |
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the number of shares of the series; |
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the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and |
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the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences. |
Our board of directors may issue preferred shares without action by our shareholders to the
extent authorized but unissued. In addition, the issuance of preferred shares may be used as an
anti-takeover device without further action on the part of the shareholders. Issuance of these
shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.
Actions Requiring the Approval of a Supermajority of Our Board of Directors
Actions require the approval of a supermajority of at least two-thirds of our board of
directors, including:
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the appointment or removal of either of our chief executive officer or chief
financial officer; |
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any anti-takeover action in response to a takeover attempt; |
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any merger resulting in our shareholders immediately prior to such merger holding
less than a majority of the voting power of the outstanding share capital of the
surviving business entity; |
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the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets; and |
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any change in the number of our board of directors. |
Exempted Company
We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law of the Cayman
Islands. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted
companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly
outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements
for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the
exemptions and privileges listed below:
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annual reporting requirements are minimal and consist mainly of a statement that the
company has conducted its operations mainly outside of the Cayman Islands and has
complied with the provisions of the Companies Law; |
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an exempted companys register of members is not open to inspection; |
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an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting; |
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an exempted company may issue negotiable or bearer shares or shares with no par
value; |
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an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future
taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance); |
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an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and
be deregistered in the Cayman Islands; |
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an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and |
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an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company. |
Limited liability means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount
unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company. We are subject to reporting and other
informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. We
currently comply with the NYSE Rules, in lieu of following home country practice after the closing
of our initial public offering. The NYSE Rules require that every company traded on the NYSE hold
an annual general meeting of shareholders. In addition, our second amended and restated articles of
association allow directors or shareholders to call special shareholder meetings pursuant to the
procedures set forth in the articles. We believe that the differences with respect to being a
Cayman Islands exempted company as opposed to a Delaware corporation do not pose additional
material risks to investors.
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Law is modeled after that of English law but does not follow many recent English
law statutory enactments. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United
States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant
differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to
companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
The Companies Law of the Cayman Islands provides, subject to certain conditions, that a Cayman
Islands company limited by shares may merge or consolidate with one or more Cayman Island companies
or foreign companies where the surviving or consolidated company will be a Cayman Islands company.
To proceed with any such merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company
must first approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, or Plan, which should specify, among
other things, the terms and
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conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation, including the rights and restrictions to be
attached to the shares issued in the consolidated or surviving company. The Plan must be
authorized by each constituent company by a shareholder resolution by a majority in number
representing 75.0% in value of the shareholders voting together as one class. If the shares to be
issued to each shareholder in the consolidated or surviving company are to have the same rights and
economic value as the shares held in the constituent company, the Plan must be authorized by each
constituent company by a special resolution (usually, and in any event not less than, a two-thirds
majority) of the shareholders voting together as one class. For dissenting shareholders the law
contains a mechanism whereby a shareholder of a constituent company which is a Cayman Islands
company can seek payment of the fair value of his or her shares. Once the constituent companies
have obtained the necessary authorizations and consents, the Plan must be filed with the Registrar
of Companies together with various supporting documents in relation to each constituent company
before the merger or consolidation becomes effective.
Upon the merger or consolidation taking effect, all rights and property of each of the
constituent companies immediately vest in the surviving or consolidated company and the surviving
or consolidated company assumes all obligations of each of the constituent companies.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and
amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of
each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in
addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the
case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings,
convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be
sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right
to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be
expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
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the statutory provisions as to the dual majority vote have been met; |
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the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question; |
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the arrangement is such that a businessman would reasonably approve; and |
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the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other
provision of the Companies Law. |
When a take-over offer is made and accepted by holders of 90.0% of the shares (within four
months), the offerer may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to
transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the
Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or
collusion.
If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have
no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to
dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash
for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders Suits
We are not aware of any reported class action or derivative action having been brought in a
Cayman Islands court. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and a derivative
action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which
would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to
the foregoing principle, including when:
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a company acts or proposes to act illegally or ultra vires; |
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the act complained of, although not ultra vires, could be effected duly if
authorized by a special resolution that has not been obtained; and |
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those who control the company are perpetrating a fraud on the minority. |
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys articles of association may
provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may
be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide
indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our second amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and
directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such
losses or damages arise from dishonesty, fraud or default of such directors or officers. This
standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law
for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our
directors and senior executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification
beyond that provided in our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been
informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.
Anti-takeover Provisions in Our Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Some provisions of our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may
discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may
consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference
shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers
granted to them under our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as
amended and restated from time to time, for what they believe in good faith to be in the best
interests of our company.
Directors Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the
corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of
loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an
ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director
must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available
regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner
he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his
corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director
and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over
any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the
shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an
informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best
interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of
one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a
director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the
transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position
of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he or she owes the
following duties to the companya duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a
duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him
or her to do so) and a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the
company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. A director
of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was
previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a
greater degree of skill than may reasonably be
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expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However,
English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the
required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of
shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman
Islands law and our second amended and restated articles of association provide that shareholders
may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of
each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a
meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal
before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the
governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person
authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling
special meetings.
Cayman Islands law and our second amended and restated articles of association allow our
shareholders holding not less than 10.0% of the paid up voting share capital of our company to
requisition a shareholders meeting. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by
law to call shareholders annual general meetings. However, our second amended and restated
articles of association require us to call such meetings.
Cumulative Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is
not permitted unless the corporations certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it.
Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of
directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder
is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholders voting power with respect to
electing such director. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the laws
of the Cayman Islands but our second amended and restated articles of association do not provide
for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or
rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified
board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our second
amended and restated articles of association, directors can be removed with cause, but only by the
vote of holders of two-thirds of our shares, cast at a general meeting, or the unanimous written
resolution of all shareholders, or without cause, by the ordinary resolution or the unanimous
written resolution of all shareholders.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to
Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be
governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from
engaging in certain business combinations with an interested shareholder for three years
following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder
generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15.0% or more of the targets
outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability
of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not
be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which
such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the
business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an
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interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware public corporation
to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the targets board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the
types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although
Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant
shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best
interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority
shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the
proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100.0% of the total
voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may
it be approved by a simple majority of the corporations outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a
Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting
requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under the Companies Law of the
Cayman Islands and our second amended and restated articles of association, our company may be
dissolved, liquidated or wound up by the vote of holders of two-thirds of our shares voting at a
meeting or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders.
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of
shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the
certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our second amended
and restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of
shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the vote at a class meeting of
holders of two-thirds of the shares of such class or unanimous written resolution of all
shareholders.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporations governing documents may be amended
with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate
of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, our second amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended with a special resolution at a
meeting or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders.
Rights of Non-resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our second amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights
on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our second amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership
must be disclosed.
History of Securities Issuances
Ordinary Shares. As part of a series of corporate reorganization in preparation of our initial
public offering, we established State Good Group Limited, or SGG, in the British Virgin Islands on
October 12, 2005. We then transferred our operating subsidiaries to SGG in March 2006. On March 28,
2006, through a private placement, SGG issued ordinary shares to the selling shareholder, Assure
Ahead Investments Limited, a British Virgin Islands investment vehicle owned by a group of
financial investors including Hony Capital II, L.P., The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Crystal Lena
International Limited, Excel Team Investments Limited, Enspire Investments Limited, Premier Goal
Company Limited and Right Lane Limited,for an aggregate consideration of $26.4 million. Upon
completion of this private placement, New Good Management Limited, which is owned members of our
management team, became our 69.0% shareholder and Assure Ahead Investments Limited became our 31.0%
shareholder. Subsequently, we incorporated Simcere Pharmaceutical Group in the Cayman Islands as a
listing vehicle on August 4,
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2006. Simcere Pharmaceutical Group became our ultimate holding company
when it issued an aggregate of 100,000,000 ordinary shares to then existing shareholders of SGG on
September 29, 2006, in exchange for all of the ordinary shares that these shareholders held in SGG.
Initial Public Offering. On April 20, 2007, we completed our initial public offering in which
we issued and sold 12,500,000 ADSs, representing 25,000,000 of our ordinary shares, and certain of
our then shareholders sold 5,468,700 ADSs, representing 10,937,400 of our ordinary shares, in each
case at an offering price of $14.50 per ADS.
Options. We have granted options to certain of our directors, officers, employees and
consultants. On November 15, 2006, we granted 10,000,000 options to our senior management and key
employees with an exercise price of $4.20 per share. On March 29, 2007, we granted 1,045,000
options to our independent directors and certain of our employees with an exercise price equal to
$6.75. On May 5, 2008, we granted 400,000 options to one of our officers with an exercise price
equal to $6.755. On December 24, 2008, we also granted 100,000 options to one of our officers with
an exercise price equal to $3.445. See Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees B.
Compensation 2006 Share Incentive Plan and Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
B. Compensation 2008 Share Incentive Plan in our most recently filed annual report on Form
20-F, which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference.
Share Option Exchange Program. On April 15, 2009, our compensation committee approved a
share option exchange program that offered our eligible directors, employees and consultants the
right to exchange vested and unvested outstanding share options to purchase our ordinary shares
granted under the 2006 Share Incentive Plan for our restricted shares. The exchange ratio was
determined based on the fair value of replacement restricted shares so that the fair value of the
replacement restricted shares to be issued upon exchange would be approximately equivalent to the
fair value of the share options surrendered by an individual. In addition, these replacement
restricted shares are subject to substantially the same vesting schedule as the options that were
validly tendered in the exchange offer. A total of 154 directors and employees accepted the offer,
and tendered options to purchase an aggregate of 9,802,400 ordinary shares in exchange for an
aggregate of 4,750,018 restricted shares, which were granted on May 7, 2009. See Item 6.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees B. Compensation Share Option Exchange Program in
our most recently filed annual report on Form 20-F, which is incorporated in this prospectus by
reference.
Share Repurchases. In November 2008, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase
program, under which we may repurchase up to $50.0 million worth of our issued and outstanding ADSs
from the open market or in block trades from time to time for a period of 12 months from the date
of such authorization. As of December 31, 2008, we have repurchased 3.0 million of our ordinary
shares in the form of ADSs for an aggregate cost of $10.0 million which included $0.1 million of
handling charge. As of December 31, 2008, all of the purchased ordinary shares have been retired.
During the period from January 1, 2009 to July 10, 2009, we further repurchased an additional
8.8 million ordinary shares in the form of ADSs for a total purchase price of approximately $29.8 million
which included handling charge of $0.1 million. All of the repurchased shares have been retired.
The repurchases were made on the open market at prevailing market prices or in block trades and
subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing. Any future repurchases, if any, will
depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements and other factors.
Registration Rights
Set forth below is a description of the registration rights we granted to Assure Ahead
Investments Limited, the selling shareholder, on November 20, 2006:
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Demand Registration Rights. At any time commencing the earlier of November 20, 2008
or six months after our initial public offering, shares held by Assure Ahead
Investments Limited or its transferees and assignees have the right to demand that we
file a registration statement under the Securities Act
covering the offer and sale of their securities, so long as the aggregate amount of
securities to be sold under the registration statement exceeds $20.0 million. We are
obligated under the registration rights agreement to use our best efforts to register
our ordinary shares for resale if Assure Ahead Investments Limited makes such request.
However, we are not required to provide for any payment or transfer any other |
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consideration to Assure Ahead Investments Limited in the event of non-performance. We
have the ability to delay or withdraw the filing of a registration statement for up to
90 days if we furnish to Assure Ahead Investments Limited or their transferees and
assignees a certificate signed by our chief executive officer or our chairman of the
board of directors stating that, board of directors determines it would be seriously
detrimental to us or our shareholders for a registration statement to be filed in the
near future. We are not obligated to affect such demand registrations on more than two
occasions. |
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Form F-3 or S-3 Registration Rights. Upon our company becoming eligible for use of
Form F-3 or S-3, Assure Ahead Investments Limited or their transferees and assignees
have the right to request that we file a registration statement under Form F-3 or S-3,
so long as the aggregate amount of securities to be sold under the registration
statement exceeds $1.0 million. Such requests for registrations are not counted as
demand registrations. |
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Piggyback Registration Rights. If we propose to file a registration statement with
respect to an offering for our own account or for the account of any person that is not
Assure Ahead Investments Limited or their transferees and assignees, we must offer
Assure Ahead Investments Limited or their transferees and assignees the opportunity to
include their securities in the registration statement. We must use our reasonable best
efforts to cause the underwriters in any underwritten offering to permit any such
shareholder who so requests to include their securities on the same terms and
conditions as the securities of our company. |
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Expenses of Registration. We will pay all expenses relating to any demand or
piggyback registration, whether or not such registrations become effective, except that
shareholders shall bear the expense of any brokers commission or underwriters
discount or commission relating to registration and sale of their securities. |
Set forth below is a description of the registration rights we granted to King View
Development International Limited on May 12, 2008. The registration rights were granted to cover
the resale of 11,820,000 ordinary shares purchased by King View Development International Limited
from New Good Management in a private sale.
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Pursuant to the registration rights agreement entered into among us, New Good
Management and King View Development International Limited on May 12, 2008, we agreed
to file as promptly as practicable but in any event no later than thirty (30) days
after the earlier of (i) June 30, 2008 and (ii) the date on which we file our annual
report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 with the SEC, a shelf
registration statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis
pursuant to Rule 415 registering the resale from time to time by holders of all of the
registrable securities. New Good Management will bear all costs associated with the
filing of such registration statements. |
In July 2008, we filed a registration statement under Form F-3 (File No. 333-152101), as
amended, for the sale of an aggregate of 10,166,454 ADSs representing 20,332,908 ordinary shares,
consisting of 11,820,000 ordinary shares held by King View Development International Limited and
8,512,908 ordinary shares held by certain transferees of Assure Ahead Investments Limited.
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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, will register and deliver ADSs. Each ADS will
represents two ordinary shares (or a right to receive two ordinary shares) deposited with the
principal Hong Kong office of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, as custodian
for the depositary in Hong Kong. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash or other
property which may be held by the depositary under the deposit agreement referred to below. The
depositarys corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 101
Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286. The Bank of New York Mellons principal executive office
is located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.
You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing
a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by holding ADSs in the Direct
Registration System, or DRS, or (B) indirectly through your broker or other financial institution.
If you hold ADSs directly, you are an ADS holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs
directly. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other
financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should
consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
The DRS is a system administered by the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to which
the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be
evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto.
As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have
shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the
holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A
deposit agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and the beneficial owners of
ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York
law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more
complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR, which are
filed as exhibits to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-141539) filed with the
SEC on March 23, 2007 and as amended thereafter.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the
custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and expenses.
You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares your ADSs represent.
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Cash. The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay
on the shares into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer
the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that is not possible or if any government
approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary
to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to
do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS
holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not
be liable for any interest. |
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Before making a distribution, the depositary will deduct any withholding taxes that must
be paid. It will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional
cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the
depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of
the distribution. |
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Shares. The depositary may and must (if we request in writing) distribute additional
ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution. The
depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will try to sell shares which would
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proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute
additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new shares. |
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Rights to purchase additional shares. If we offer holders of our securities any
rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may make
these rights available to you. If the depositary decides it is not legal and practical
to make the rights available but that it is practical to sell the rights, the depositary
may sell the rights and distribute the proceeds in the same way as it does with cash.
The depositary will allow rights that are not distributed or sold to lapse. In that
case, you will receive no value for them. |
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If the depositary makes rights available to you, it will exercise the rights and purchase
the shares on your behalf. The depositary will then deposit the shares and deliver ADSs
to you. It will only exercise rights if you pay it the exercise price and any other
charges the rights require you to pay. |
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United States securities laws may restrict transfers and cancellation of the ADSs
represented by shares purchased upon exercise of rights. For example, you may not be able
to trade these ADSs freely in the United States. In this case, the depositary may deliver
restricted depositary shares that have the same terms as the ADRs described in this
section except for changes needed to put the necessary restrictions in place. |
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Other Distributions. The depositary will send to you anything else we distribute on
deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot
make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice. It may decide to sell
what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with
cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also
represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to
distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to you unless it receives satisfactory
evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. |
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a
distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights
or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action
to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that
you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal
or impractical for us to make them available to you.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposit shares or evidence of rights to
receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or
charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the
appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs at its corporate
trust office to the persons you request.
How can ADS holders withdraw the deposited securities?
You may surrender your ADSs at the depositarys corporate trust office. Upon payment of its
fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees,
the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to
you or a person you designate at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and
expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its corporate trust office, if
feasible.
How do ADS holders interchange between certificated ADSs and uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for
uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send you a statement confirming
that you are the owner of
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uncertificated ADSs. Alternatively, upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a
holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs,
the depositary will execute and deliver to you an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
Voting Rights
How do you vote?
You may instruct the depositary to vote the number of deposited shares your ADSs represent.
The depositary will notify you of shareholders meetings and arrange to deliver our voting
materials to you if we ask it to and we will notify the depositary no less than 30 days before the
meeting date. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how you may
instruct the depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them
on or before the date specified.
Otherwise, you wont be able to vote unless you withdraw the shares. However, you may not know
about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the shares.
The depositary will try, in so far as practical, subject to the Cayman Islands law and the
provisions of our constitutive documents, to vote the number of shares or other deposited
securities represented by your ADSs as you instruct. The depositary will only vote or attempt to
vote as you instruct.
We cannot ensure that you will receive the voting materials or otherwise learn of an upcoming
shareholders meeting in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares.
In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting
instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be
able to exercise your right to vote and there may be nothing you can do if your shares are not
voted as you requested.
Fees and Expenses
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Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay: |
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$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion
of 100 ADSs)
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Issuance of ADSs, including issuances
resulting from a distribution of shares or rights
or other property |
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Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of
withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement
terminates |
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$0.02 (or less) per ADS
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Any cash distribution to you |
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A fee equivalent to the fee that would be
payable if securities distributed to you had been
shares and the shares had been deposited for
issuance of ADSs
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Distribution of securities distributed to
holders of deposited securities which are
distributed by the depositary to ADS holders |
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$0.02 or less per ADSs per calendar year
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Depositary services |
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Expenses of the depositary
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Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions
(when expressly provided in the deposit agreement) |
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Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars |
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Registration or transfer fees
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Transfer and registration of shares on
our share register to or from the name of the
depositary or its agent when you deposit or
withdraw shares |
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Taxes and other governmental charges the
depositary or the custodian have to pay on any
ADR or share underlying an ADR, for example,
stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding
taxes
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As necessary |
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Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities
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As necessary |
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The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, has agreed to reimburse us for expenses we incur
that are related to the establishment and maintenance of the ADR program, including investor
relations expenses and the New York Stock Exchange application and listing fees. There are limits
on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of
reimbursement available to us is not related to the amounts of fees the depositary collects from
investors under the ADR program.
The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation of ADSs directly from investors
depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs or from intermediaries acting for them. The
depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the
amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The
depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deducting from cash distributions
or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants
acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its
fees for those services are paid.
Payment of Taxes
The depositary may deduct the amount of any taxes owed from any payments to you. It may also
sell deposited securities, by public or private sale, to pay any taxes owed. You will remain liable
if the proceeds of the sale are not enough to pay the taxes. The depositary may refuse to register
any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your
ADSs until such taxes are paid. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if
appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to you any proceeds, or send to
you any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
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If we: |
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Change the nominal or par value of our shares
Reclassify, split up or consolidate any of
the deposited securities
Distribute securities on the shares that are
not distributed to you |
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The cash, shares or other securities received by the depositary
will become deposited securities. Each ADS will automatically
represent its equal share of the new deposited securities.
The depositary may, and will if we ask it to, distribute some
or all of the cash, shares or other securities it received. It may
also deliver new ADRs or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in
exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities. |
Amendment and Termination
How may the deposit agreement be amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your
consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges (except for taxes and
other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs,
delivery charges or similar items) or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not
become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of
the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to
hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as
amended.
How may the deposit agreement be terminated?
The depositary will terminate the deposit agreement if we ask it to do so, by notifying you at
least 30 days before termination. The depositary may also terminate the deposit agreement if the
depositary has told us that it would like to resign and we have not appointed a new depositary bank
within 60 days. In either case, the depositary must notify you at least 30 days before termination.
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After termination, the depositary and its agents will do the following under the deposit
agreement but nothing else: (1) advise you that the deposit agreement is terminated, (2) collect
distributions on the deposited securities, (3) sell rights and other property, and (4) deliver
shares and other deposited securities upon cancellation of ADSs. Six months or more after
termination, the depositary may sell any remaining deposited securities by public or private sale.
After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash
it is holding under the deposit agreement for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not
surrendered their ADSs. It will not invest the money and has no liability for interest. The
depositarys only obligations will be to account for the money and other cash. After termination
our only obligations will be to indemnify the depositary and to pay fees and expenses of the
depositary that we agreed to pay.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability
Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary; Limits on Liability to Holders of
ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary.
It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:
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are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit
agreement without negligence or bad faith; |
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are not liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or circumstances beyond
our control from performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement; |
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are not liable if either of us exercises discretion permitted under the deposit
agreement; |
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have no obligation to become involved in a lawsuit or other proceeding related to the
ADSs or the deposit agreement on your behalf or on behalf of any other person; and |
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may rely upon the advice of or information from any person whom we believe in good
faith to be competent to give such advice or information. |
In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain
circumstances.
In addition, the depositary is not liable for:
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the validity or worth of the deposited securities; and |
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failing to carry out any instructions to vote any of the ADSs. |
Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of an ADS, make a distribution on an
ADS, or permit withdrawal of shares or other property, the depositary may require:
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payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer
or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any shares or other
deposited securities; |
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satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or other
information it deems necessary; and |
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compliance with regulations it may establish, from time to time, consistent with the
deposit agreement, including presentation of transfer documents. |
The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs generally when the
transfer books of
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the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary thinks or we think
that it is advisable to do so.
Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADRs
You have the right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:
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When temporary delays arise because: (i) the depositary has closed its transfer books
or we have closed our transfer books; (ii) the transfer of shares is blocked to permit
voting at a shareholders meeting; or (iii) we are paying a dividend on our shares. |
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When you or other ADR holders seeking to withdraw shares owe money to pay fees, taxes
and similar charges. |
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When it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or
governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of shares or other
deposited securities. |
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Pre-release of ADSs
The deposit agreement permits the depositary to deliver ADSs before deposit of the underlying
shares. This is called a pre-release of the ADSs. The depositary may also deliver shares upon
cancellation of pre-released ADSs (even if the ADSs are canceled before the pre-release transaction
has been closed out). A pre-release is closed out as soon as the underlying shares are delivered to
the depositary. The depositary may receive ADSs instead of shares to close out a pre-release. The
depositary may pre-release ADSs only under the following conditions:
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before or at the time of the pre-release, the person to whom the pre-release is being
made must represent to the depositary in writing that it or its customer owns the shares
or ADSs to be deposited; |
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the person to whom the pre-release is being made assigns all beneficial rights, title
and interest in the shares or ADSs to the depositary, will reflect the depositary is
owner of the shares or ADSs on its records, and will not take any action with respect to
such shares or ADSs that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership,
other than in satisfaction of such pre-release; |
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the pre-release must be fully collateralized with cash or other collateral that the
depositary considers appropriate; |
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the depositary must be able to terminate the pre-release on not more than five
business days notice; and |
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each pre-release is subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the
depositary deems appropriate. |
In addition, the number of shares not deposited but represented by ADSs outstanding at any
time as a result of pre-release will not normally exceed 30% of the shares deposited, although the
depositary may disregard the limit from time to time, if it thinks it is appropriate to do so. The
deposit agreement sets forth all of the conditions of the pre-release of the ADSs.
Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the DRS and
Profile Modification System, or Profile, will apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof
to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the depositary may register
the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements
issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS
which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an ADS
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holder, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to
deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of
prior authorization from the ADS holder to register such transfer.
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS
and/or Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not
verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on
behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery described in the
paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any
requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that
the depositarys reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through
the DRS and/or Profile and in accordance with the deposit agreement, shall not constitute
negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.
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TAXATION
The following summary of certain Cayman Islands, Peoples Republic of China and United States
federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws
and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are
subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an
investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under United States state,
local and other tax laws. To the extent the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax
law, it constitutes the opinion of Walkers, our Cayman Islands counsel.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levy no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits,
income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate
duty. No Cayman Islands stamp duty will be payable unless an instrument is executed in, brought to,
or produced before a court of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands are not parties to any double
tax treaties. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman
Islands.
Peoples Republic of China Taxation
The PRC Corporate Income Tax Law, or the CIT Law, and the implementation rules for the CIT Law
issued by the PRC State Council, became effective as of January 1, 2008. The CIT Law provides that
enterprises established outside of China whose de facto management bodies are located in China
are considered resident enterprises and are generally subject to the uniform 25% corporate income
tax rate as to their worldwide income. Under the implementation rules for the CIT Law issued by the
PRC State Council, de facto management body is defined as a body that has material and overall
management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel and human
resources, finances and treasury, and acquisition and disposition of properties and other assets of
an enterprise. Although substantially all of our operational management is currently based in the
PRC, it is unclear whether PRC tax authorities would require (or permit) us to be treated as a PRC
resident enterprise
Under the CIT Law and implementation rules issued by the State Council, PRC income tax at the
rate of 10% is applicable to dividends payable to investors that are non-resident enterprises,
which do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC, or which have such
establishment or place of business but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the
establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends have their sources within the PRC.
Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or shares by such investors is also subject to
10% PRC income tax if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. If we
are considered a PRC resident enterprise, it is unclear whether dividends we pay with respect to
our ordinary shares or ADSs, or the gain you may realize from the transfer of our ordinary shares
or ADSs, would be treated as income derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax.
It is also unclear whether, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise, holders of our
ordinary shares or ADSs might be able to claim the benefit of income tax treaties entered into
between China and other countries.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion describes certain United States federal income tax consequences to
United States Holders (defined below) under present law of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary
shares subsequently received in exchange for ADSs. This summary applies only to United States
Holders that hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as
their functional currency. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code) as in effect on the date of this prospectus and on United States Treasury
regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of this prospectus, as well as
judicial decisions and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All
of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and
could affect the tax consequences described below. As used herein, the term United States Holder
means a holder of an ADS or ordinary share that is for United States federal income tax purposes:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal
income tax purposes) created organized in or under the laws of the United States, any
state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation
regardless of its source; or |
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a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United
States and has one or more United States persons with the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable
United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
The following discussion does not represent a detailed description of the United States
federal income tax consequences applicable to persons subject to special treatment under United
States federal income tax laws, such as:
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dealers in securities or currencies; |
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certain financial institutions; |
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insurance companies; |
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regulated investment companies; |
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real estate investment trusts; |
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broker dealers; |
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United States expatriates; |
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traders that elect the mark to market method of accounting for their securities; |
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tax-exempt entities; |
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persons liable for alternative minimum tax; |
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persons holding an ADS or ordinary share as part of a straddle, constructive sale,
hedging, conversion or integrated transaction; |
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persons that actually or constructively own 10.0% or more of our voting stock; or |
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persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through partnerships or other pass-through
entities. |
If you are a partner in a partnership or other entity taxable as a partnership that holds ADSs
or ordinary shares, your tax treatment generally will depend on your status and the activities of
the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding the ADSs or ordinary shares, you
should consult your own tax advisors.
The discussion below does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal
income tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances nor does it address any
United States federal tax laws other than United States federal income tax laws. If you are
considering the purchase of the ADSs, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the
particular United States federal income tax consequences to you of your acquisition, ownership and
disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as the consequences to you arising under the
laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are
true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be complied
with in accordance with their terms.
The United States Treasury has expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of
ownership between the holder of an ADS and the issuer of the security underlying the ADS may be
taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming, by United States Holders, of foreign tax
credits for United States federal income tax purposes. Such actions would also be inconsistent with
the claiming of the reduced rate of tax applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate
United States Holders, as described below. Accordingly, the analysis of the creditability of PRC
taxes, if any, and the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain
non-corporate United States Holders, each described below, could be affected by future actions that
may be taken by the United States Treasury or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the
holder of an ADS and our company.
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ADSs
If you hold ADSs, for United States federal income tax purposes, you generally will be treated
as the owner of the underlying shares that are represented by such ADSs. Accordingly, deposits or
withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will not be subject to United States federal income tax.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of
all our distributions to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares (including amounts
withheld to reflect PRC withholding taxes, if any) generally will be included in your gross income
as foreign source dividend income on the date of actual or constructive receipt by the depositary,
in the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of ordinary shares, but only to the extent that the
distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under
United States federal income tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other
United States corporations.
With respect to non-corporate United States Holders, certain dividends received in a taxable
year beginning before January 1, 2011 from a qualified foreign corporation may be subject to
reduced rates of taxation. A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with
respect to dividends received from that corporation on shares (or ADSs backed by such shares) that
are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. United States
Treasury Department guidelines indicate that our ADSs (which are listed on the NYSE), but not our
ordinary shares, are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.
Thus, we believe that dividends we pay on our ordinary shares that are represented by ADSs, but not
on our ordinary shares that are not so represented, currently meet such conditions required for the
reduced tax rates. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will be considered readily tradable on
an established securities market in later years. A qualified foreign corporation also includes a
foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties with the
United States. In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under PRC tax law
(see discussion under TaxationPeoples Republic of China Taxation), we may be eligible for the
benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, and, if we are eligible
for such benefits, dividends we pay on our ordinary shares, regardless of whether such ordinary
shares are represented by ADSs, would be subject to the reduced rates of taxation. We will not be
a qualified foreign corporation, however, and dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or
ordinary shares will not be eligible for the reduced rate of taxation if we are a passive foreign
investment company in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable
year. Furthermore, non-corporate holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement
during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend
income as investment income pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for
the reduced rates of taxation regardless of our status as a qualified foreign corporation. In
addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is
obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related
property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. You should
consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules given your particular
circumstances.
In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under PRC tax law, you may
be subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary
shares. In that case, however, you may be able to obtain a reduced rate of PRC withholding taxes
under the treaty between the United States and the PRC if certain requirements are met, although no
assurances can be given in this regard. In addition, subject to certain conditions and limitations,
PRC withholding taxes on dividends, if any, may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit
against your United States federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign
tax credit, dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as
income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute passive category
income. Furthermore, in certain circumstances, if you have held the ADSs or ordinary shares for
less than a specified minimum period during which you are not protected from risk of loss, or are
obligated to make payments related to the dividends, you will not be allowed a foreign tax credit
for any PRC withholding taxes imposed on dividends paid on the ADSs or ordinary shares. The rules
governing the foreign tax credit are complex. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding
the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings
and profits (as determined under United States federal income tax principles), it will be treated
first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ADSs or ordinary shares, and to the extent the
amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the
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excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under
United States federal income tax principles. Therefore, a United States Holder should expect that a
distribution will generally be treated as a dividend.
Taxation of Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize
taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an ADS or ordinary share
equal to the difference between the amount realized for the ADS or ordinary share and your tax
basis in the ADS or ordinary share. The gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. If you
are a non-corporate United States Holder, including an individual United States Holder, who has
held the ADS or ordinary share for more than one year, you will be eligible for reduced tax rates.
The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you
recognize will generally be treated as United States source income or. However, in the event that
we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under PRC tax law, we may be eligible for the
benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC. Under that treaty, if any
PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, the
gain may be treated as PRC-source income. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the
tax consequences if a foreign tax is imposed on a disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, including
the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Based on the current and projected composition of our income and valuation of our assets,
including goodwill, we do not expect to be a passive foreign investment company (a PFIC) for our
taxable year ending December 31, 2009, and we do not expect to become one in the future, although
there can be no assurance in this regard.
A non- United States corporation is considered to be a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
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at least 75% of its gross income is passive income; or |
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at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values
of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held
for the production of passive income. |
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than certain
royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business), annuities and gain from
assets that produce passive income. For purpose of the PFIC tests, we will be treated as owning our
proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other
corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% (by value) of the stock.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. Accordingly, it
is possible that we may become a PFIC in the current or any future taxable year due to changes in
our income or asset composition. In particular, because we have valued our goodwill based on the
market value of our ADSs and ordinary shares, our PFIC status may be determined in large part based
on the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares which is likely to fluctuate after the
offering. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the ADSs and ordinary shares may result
in our being a PFIC for any year. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold ADSs or
ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during
which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, you will
be subject to special tax rules with respect to any excess distribution that you receive and any
gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or ordinary
shares, unless you make a mark-to-market election as discussed below. Distributions you receive
in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received
during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or
ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
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the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for
the ADSs or ordinary shares; |
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the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the
first taxable year in which we became a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and |
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the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in
effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax
will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year. |
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or excess
distribution cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not
losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if
you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets.
Alternatively, a United States Holder of marketable stock (as defined below) in a PFIC may
make a mark-to-market election for such stock of a PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed
in the two preceding paragraphs. If you make a mark-to-market election for the ADSs or ordinary
shares, you will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair
market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted
basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. You are allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the
adjusted basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the
taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains
on the ADSs or ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in
your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other
disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment
also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the ADSs or ordinary shares,
as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares,
to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously
included for such ADSs or ordinary shares. Your basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares will be
adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. The tax rules that apply to distributions by
corporations that are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us.
The mark-to-market election is available only for marketable stock, which is stock that is
regularly traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar
quarter on a qualified exchange, including the New York Stock Exchange, or other market, as defined
in applicable United States Treasury regulations. The ADSs are currently listed on the New York
Stock Exchange, but no assurances can be given that the ADSs will be regularly traded for purposes
of the mark-to-market election. It should also be noted that only the ADSs, and not the ordinary
shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Consequently, if you are a holder of ordinary
shares that are not backed by ADSs, you generally will not be eligible to make a mark-to-market
election. If you make a mark-to-market election it will be effective for the taxable year for
which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ADSs are no longer treated
as marketable stock or the Internal Revenue Service consents to the revocation of the election.
You are urged to consult your tax advisor about the availability of the mark-to-market election,
and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances.
Alternatively, you can sometimes avoid the rules described above by electing to treat us as a
qualified electing fund under Section 1295 of the Code. This option is not available to you
because we do not intend to comply with the requirements necessary to permit you to make this
election.
If you hold ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required
to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the ADSs or ordinary
shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or ordinary shares and
any of our non-United States subsidiaries is also a PFIC, you would be treated as owning a
proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the
application of these rules. You are urged to consult your tax advisors about the application of
the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.
You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your
investment in ADSs or ordinary shares.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to ADSs or ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange
or redemption of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the Internal
Revenue Service,
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unless you are an exempt recipient such as a corporation. A backup withholding tax may also apply
to such payments unless you furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other
required certification or you are otherwise exempt from backup withholding. United States Holders
who are required to certify that they are not subject to backup withholding generally must provide
such certification on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. You are urged to consult their tax
advisors regarding the application of the United States information reporting and backup
withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be
credited against your United States federal income tax liability, if any, and you may obtain a
refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate
claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering ordinary shares held by the selling shareholder for sale of these ordinary
shares in the form of ADSs from time to time after the date of this prospectus. The selling
shareholder is entitled to, and will receive, the net proceeds from sales of ADSs sold pursuant to
this prospectus.
The selling shareholder may sell all or a portion of the ADSs offered hereby from time to time
directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. The ADSs may be sold in one
or more transactions at fixed prices which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time
of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.
If the selling shareholder effects such transactions by selling ADSs to or through
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive
commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling shareholder or
commissions from purchasers of the ADSs for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as
principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions
involved). In connection with sales of the ADSs or otherwise, the selling shareholder may enter
into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the ADSs
in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling shareholder may also sell ADSs short
and deliver ADSs covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed
ADSs in connection with such short sales. The selling shareholder may also loan or pledge ADSs to
broker-dealers that in turn may sell such ADSs.
The selling shareholder and any broker-dealer participating in a distribution of the ADSs may
be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid,
or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the ADSs is
made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate
amount of ADSs being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any
broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from
or on behalf of the selling shareholder and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Under the securities laws of some states, the ADSs offered in this offering may be sold in
such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states our
ADSs may not be sold unless such ADSs have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or
an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that the selling shareholder will sell any or all of the ADSs
registered pursuant to the shelf registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The selling shareholder and any other person participating in a distribution of the ADSs will
be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder,
including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, or the Exchange Act which may
limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the ADSs by the selling shareholder and any other
participating person. Regulation M of the Exchange Act may also restrict the ability of any person
engaged in a distribution of the ADSs to engage in market-making activities, if any, with respect
to our ADSs. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of our ADSs and the ability of any
person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our ADSs.
Once sold under the shelf registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the
ADSs will be freely tradable in the hands of purchasers.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering and
certain other legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Walkers.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group as of December 31, 2008
and 2007, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, and
managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in
reliance upon the reports of KPMG, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by
reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008, contains an explanatory paragraph that states Simcere Pharmaceutical Group
acquired a controlling financial interest in Wuhu Zhong Ren Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Wuhu
Simcere Zhong Ren) during 2008 and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of
Simcere Pharmaceutical Groups internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008,
Wuhu Simcere Zhong Rens internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of
RMB74.1 million and total revenue of RMB2.6 million included in the consolidated financial
statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. The audit of Simcere Pharmaceutical
Groups internal control over financial reporting also excluded an evaluation of the internal
control over financial reporting of Wuhu Simcere Zhong Ren.
The offices of KPMG are located at 8th Floor, Princes Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong
Kong, Peoples Republic of China.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3, including relevant exhibits
and schedules under the Securities Act with respect to underlying ordinary shares represented by
the ADSs, to be sold in this offering. We have also filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form F-6 (File No. 333-141512) to register the ADSs. This prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, do not contain all
of the information contained in the registration statement. You should read the registration
statement and its exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and our ADSs.
We file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC.
All information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of
these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Additional
information may also be obtained over the Internet at the SECs website at 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 executive officers,
directors 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 will not be required under
the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as
promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
However, we intend to provide the depositary with our annual reports on Form 20-F, which will
include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in
conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, and all
notices of shareholders meeting and other reports and communications that are made generally
available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications
available to holders of ADSs and, upon our written request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs
the information contained in any notice of a shareholders meeting received by the depositary from
us. Reports and information statements and other information about us may also be inspected at the
New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them. This means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Each
document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the
incorporation by reference of such documents shall not create any implication that there has been
no change in our affairs since the date thereof or that the information contained therein is
current as of any time subsequent to its date. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be a part of this prospectus and should be read with the same care. When we update
the information contained in documents that have been incorporated by reference by making future
filings with the SEC, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is considered to
be automatically updated and superseded. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency
between information contained in this prospectus and information incorporated by reference into
this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
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Our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 filed
with the SEC on June 18, 2009. |
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With respect to each offering of securities under this prospectus, all reports on
Form 20-F and any report on Form 6-K that so indicates it is being incorporated by
reference, in each case, that we file or furnish with the SEC on or after the date on
which the registration statement is first filed with the SEC and until the termination
or completion of that offering under this prospectus. |
Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to
those documents
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unless such exhibits are specially incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of
this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:
No. 699-18 Xuan Wu Avenue,
Xuan Wu District, Nanjing
Jiangsu Province 210042
Peoples Republic of China
(86) 25 8556 6666
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
You should rely only on the information that we incorporate by reference or provide in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not
making any offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You
should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the
date on the front of those documents.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 8. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys articles of association may
provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may
be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide
indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our second amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association provides for indemnification of officers and
directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such, except
through their own dishonesty, fraud or default.
Under the terms of our indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers,
the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-141539), as amended, we have agreed to indemnify our directors and executive officers against
certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason
of their being such a director or executive officer.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been
informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
ITEM 9. EXHIBITS
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed on the Index to Exhibits to this
registration statement, which Index to Exhibits is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 10. UNDERTAKINGS.
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
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To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement; |
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To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
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To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or any decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from
the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in
the effective registration statement; and |
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To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement; |
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provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do
not apply if the registration statement is on Form F-3 and the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange
Act, that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a
form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement. |
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That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
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To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial
statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or
throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in
the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant
to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information
in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a
post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information
required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-K if such financial
statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in this Form F-3. |
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That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
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Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
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Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing
the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such
form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract
of sale of 314 securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in
Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an
underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration
statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that
prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is
part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated
by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective
date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such effective date. |
(B) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(C) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to
directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has
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been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in Nanjing, Peoples Republic of China, on July 13, 2009.
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SIMCERE PHARMACEUTICAL GROUP
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By: |
/s/ Jinsheng Ren
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Name: |
Jinsheng Ren |
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Title: |
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Jinsheng Ren and
Frank Zhigang Zhao as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement and any and all related registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of
the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact
and agent, or its substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on July 13, 2009.
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
|
|
/s/ Jinsheng Ren
Name: Jinsheng Ren |
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer) |
|
|
|
/s/ Guoqiang Lin
Name: Guoqiang Lin |
|
Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Hongquan Liu
Name: Hongquan Liu |
|
Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Gary Siu Kwan Sik
Name: Gary Siu Kwan Sik |
|
Director
|
II-4
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
|
|
/s/ John Huan Zhao
Name: John Huan Zhao |
|
Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Frank Zhigang Zhao
Name: Frank Zhigang Zhao |
|
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer) |
II-5
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE
Under the Securities Act, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United
States of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto
in Newark, Delaware, on July 13, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized United States Representative
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Donald J. Puglisi
|
|
|
Name: |
Donald J. Puglisi |
|
|
Title: |
Managing Director, Puglisi & Associates |
|
II-6
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description of Document |
|
|
|
|
4.1 |
* |
|
Registrants Form American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.3) |
4.2 |
* |
|
Registrants Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares |
4.3 |
* |
|
Form of Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, the depositary and
Owners and Beneficial Owners of the American Depositary Shares issued
thereunder |
4.4 |
* |
|
Registration Rights Agreement between Simcere Pharmaceutical Group,
New Good Management Limited and Assure Ahead Investments Limited,
dated November 20, 2006 |
4.5 |
** |
|
Registration Rights Agreement among Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, New
Good Management Limited and King View Development International
Limited, dated May 12, 2008 |
5.1 |
|
|
Opinion of Walkers regarding the validity of the ordinary shares being
registered and certain Cayman Islands tax matters |
23.1
|
|
|
Consent of KPMG |
23.2 |
|
|
Consent of Walkers (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
24.1 |
|
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page in Part II of this
registration statement) |
|
|
|
* |
|
Previously filed with the registrants registration statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-141539), as amended, filed on March 23, 2007. |
|
** |
|
Previously filed with the registrants report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-33398) for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 filed on June 24, 2008 |
II-7