Exhibit (d)(10)
EXCLUSIVITY AGREEMENT
This EXCLUSIVITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is effective as of June 25, 2024, by and between Morphic Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Eli Lilly and Company, an Indiana corporation (“Lilly”). The Company and Lilly are currently in negotiations relating to a possible strategic transaction involving the Company (the “Proposed Transaction”). In consideration of the time, effort and expenses that Lilly has invested and is expected to invest in consideration of the Proposed Transaction, the Company and Lilly, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. During the Exclusivity Period (as defined below), the Company hereby agrees that it will, and will cause its Representatives (as defined below) to, engage exclusively with Lilly and its Representatives in furtherance of the Proposed Transaction and that, with the exception of the Proposed Transaction, none of the Company or any of its Representatives will, directly or indirectly: (a) agree to, undertake, solicit, discuss, initiate, propose or knowingly encourage or take any other action to knowingly facilitate, or make any proposal, offer or inquiry to any party that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to result in, an Acquisition Proposal (as defined below); (b) participate in or continue any contacts, discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any non-public information or access to the books, records or personnel of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or take any other action to knowingly facilitate, assist or encourage any effort by any person, in each case, in connection with an Acquisition Proposal; or (c) enter into any contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding concerning or relating to an Acquisition Proposal. The Company will, and will cause its Representatives to, immediately (i) cease and terminate all such contacts, discussions or negotiations with third parties other than Lilly and its affiliates and (ii) terminate the access of any third party other than Lilly and its Representatives to any “data room” (whether maintained externally or internally) relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. If, during the Exclusivity Period, the Company or any of its Representatives receives an Acquisition Proposal, the Company and its Representatives shall not respond. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (A) “Acquisition Proposal” means any proposal, offer or inquiry from any party relating to any (1)(a) potential acquisition, merger, consolidation or other similar business combination or (direct or indirect) transfer of, or (b) tender offer or exchange offer with respect to, the Company, or (2) any sale, license, issuance or other transfer of, the business or any of the material assets (other than non-exclusive licenses to the intellectual property of the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course, including in connection with the Company’s clinical and preclinical development programs), or voting or equity interests (other than pursuant to equity awards outstanding on the date hereof or equity-based incentives granted or issued in the ordinary course), of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (B) “affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person; (C) “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; (D) “person” means any individual, corporation, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, association, joint venture, governmental entity or other entity; and (E) “Representatives” means, with respect to any person, any affiliates of such person, and such person’s and its affiliates’ respective officers, directors, employees, partners, members, advisors (including financial advisors), accountants, attorneys, agents, consultants and other representatives, in each case who are aware of the Proposed Transaction. During the Exclusivity Period, neither the Company nor Lilly has any obligation to continue discussions or negotiations with the other party with respect to a Proposed Transaction and either party may discontinue such discussions or negotiations at any time.