Delaware

001-37581

46-0571712

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

Exhibit
No.

Description

10.1

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated May 27, 2016, by and between Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. and the investors named therein.

10.2

Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 27, 2016, by and between Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. and the investors named therein.

ACLARIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Frank Ruffo

Date:  June 2, 2016

Frank Ruffo
Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit
No.

Description

10.1

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated May 27, 2016, by and between Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. and the investors named therein.

10.2

Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 27, 2016, by and between Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. and the investors named therein.

A. The Company and the Investors are executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by the provisions of Regulation D (“Regulation D”), as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”); and

B. The Investors wish to purchase from the Company, and the Company wishes to sell and issue to the Investors, upon the terms and subject to the conditions stated in this Agreement, shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Common Stock”).

C. Contemporaneously with the sale of the Shares, the parties hereto will execute and deliver a Registration Rights Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company will agree to provide certain registration rights in respect of the Shares under the 1933 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws.

1. Definitions.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

2. Purchase and Sale of the Shares. On the Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company will issue and sell, and the Investors will purchase, severally and not jointly, the number of Shares set forth opposite the name of such Investor under the heading “Number of Shares to be Purchased” on Exhibit A attached hereto at a price per Share equal to $[   ].   

3. Closing.  

3.1. Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 6, the completion of the purchase and sale of the Shares (the “Closing”) shall occur remotely via exchange of documents and signatures at a time (the “Closing Date”) to be agreed to by the Company and the Investors, but in no event later than the third Trading Day after the date hereof, and of which the Investors will be notified in advance by the Placement Agents. 

3.2. On the Closing Date, each Investor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company the Subscription Amount via wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to the wire instructions delivered to such Investor by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.

3.3. At or before the Closing, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Investor a number of Shares, registered in the name of the Investor, in the amount set forth opposite the name of such Investor under the heading “Number of Shares to be Purchased” on Exhibit A attached hereto.

4. Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Investors that, except as set forth in the schedules delivered herewith (collectively, the “Disclosure Schedules”) and except as otherwise described in the SEC Filings, which qualify these representations and warranties in their entirety:

4.1. Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.  The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own or lease its properties.  The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property makes such qualification or leasing necessary unless the failure to so qualify has not had and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company’s “subsidiaries” (for purposes of this Agreement, as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) has been duly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has the power and authority (corporate or other) to carry on its business as now conducted and to own or lease its properties. Each of the Company’s subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property makes such qualification or leasing necessary unless the failure to so qualify has not had and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity or ownership interests of each of the Company’s subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or adverse claim. 

4.2. Authorization.  The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all requisite corporate action necessary for, and no further action on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and stockholders is necessary for, (i) the authorization, execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents, (ii) the authorization of the performance of all obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, and (iii) the authorization, issuance (or reservation for issuance) and delivery of the Shares.  The Transaction Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability, relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles.

4.3. Capitalization.  Schedule 4.3 sets forth as of the date hereof (a) the authorized capital stock of the Company; (b) the number of shares of capital stock issued and outstanding; (c) the number of shares of capital stock issuable pursuant to the Company’s stock plans; and (d) the number of shares of capital stock issuable and reserved for issuance pursuant to securities (other than the Shares) exercisable for, or convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock of the Company.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and none of such shares were issued in violation of any pre-emptive rights and such shares were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable state and federal securities law and any rights of third parties.  Except as described on Schedule 4.3 or as described in the IPO Registration Statement and the Company’s filings pursuant to the 1934 Act (collectively, the “SEC Filings”), no Person is entitled to pre-emptive or similar statutory or contractual rights with respect to the issuance by the Company of any securities of the Company.  Except as described on Schedule 4.3 or as described in the SEC filings, there are no outstanding warrants, options, convertible securities or other rights, agreements or arrangements of any character under which the Company is or may be obligated to issue any equity securities of any kind and except as contemplated by this Agreement.  Except as described on Schedule 4.3 or as described in the SEC filings and except for the Registration Rights Agreement, there are no voting agreements, buy-sell agreements, option or right of first purchase agreements or other agreements of any kind among the Company and any of the securityholders of the Company relating to the securities of the Company held by them.  Except as described on Schedule 4.3 or as described in the SEC filings and except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, no Person has the right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company under the 1933 Act, whether on a demand basis or in connection with the registration of securities of the Company for its own account or for the account of any other Person.

4.4. Valid Issuance.  The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and paid for pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and shall be free and clear of all encumbrances and restrictions (other than those created by the Investors), except for restrictions on transfer set forth in the Transaction Documents or imposed by applicable securities laws. 

4.5. Consents.  The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents and the offer, issuance and sale of the Shares require no consent of, action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Person, governmental body, agency, or official other than filings that have been made pursuant to applicable state securities laws and post-sale filings pursuant to applicable state and federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of Nasdaq which the Company undertakes to file within the applicable time periods and other than the registration statement required to be filed by the Registration Rights Agreement.  Subject to

the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each Investor set forth in Section 5 hereof, the Company has taken all action necessary to exempt (i) the issuance and sale of the Shares and (ii) the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents from the provisions of any stockholder rights plan or other “poison pill” arrangement, any anti-takeover, business combination or control share law or statute binding on the Company or to which the Company or any of its assets and properties is subject that is or could reasonably be expected to become applicable to the Investors as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation, the issuance of the Shares and the ownership, disposition or voting of the Shares by the Investors or the exercise of any right granted to the Investors pursuant to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

4.6. Delivery of SEC Filings; Business.  The Company has made available to the Investors through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system  (the “EDGAR system”), true and complete copies of the SEC Filings.  The Company has made all filings required to be made pursuant to the 1934 Act.  The Company is engaged in all material respects only in the business described in the SEC Filings and the SEC Filings contain a complete and accurate description in all material respects of the business of the Company.

4.7. Use of Proceeds.  The net proceeds of the sale of the Shares hereunder shall be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes. 

4.8. No Material Adverse Change.  Since March 31, 2016, except as specifically set forth in a subsequent SEC Report filed at least one  Trading Day prior to the date hereof, there has not been:

(i) any change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating results of the Company from that reflected in the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, except for changes in the ordinary course of business which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate;

(ii) any declaration or payment by the Company of any dividend, or any authorization or payment by the Company of any distribution, on any of the capital stock of the Company, or any redemption or repurchase by the Company of any securities of the Company;

(iii) any material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, to any assets or properties of the Company;

(iv) any waiver, not in the ordinary course of business, by the Company of a material right or of a material debt owed to it;

(v) any satisfaction or discharge of any lien, claim or encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company, except in the ordinary course of business and which is not material to the assets, properties, financial condition, operating results or business of the Company (as such business is presently conducted);

(vi) any change or amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or material change to any material contract or arrangement by which the Company or is bound or to which any of its assets or properties is subject;

(vii) any material labor difficulties or, to the Company’s Knowledge, labor union organizing activities with respect to employees of the Company;

(viii) any material transaction entered into by the Company other than in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) the loss of the services of any key employee, or material change in the composition or duties of the senior management of the Company;

(x) the loss or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened loss of any customer which has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(xi) any other event or condition of any character that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9. SEC Filings.  

(a) The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the one year preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material).  At the time of filing thereof, the SEC Filings complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act or 1934 Act, as applicable, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(b) Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act, as of its issue date and as of the closing of any sale of securities pursuant thereto, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

4.10. No Conflict, Breach, Violation or Default.  The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the issuance and sale of the Shares in accordance with the provisions thereof will not, except for such violations, conflicts or defaults as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of (a) any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, both as in effect on the date hereof (true and complete copies of which have been made available to the Investors through the EDGAR system), or (b) assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties in Section 5, any applicable statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or its subsidiaries, or any of their assets or properties, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,

result in the creation of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or its subsidiaries or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any Material Contract.  This Section does not relate to matters with respect to tax status, which are the subject of Section 4.12, employee relations and labor matters, which are the subject of Section 4.15, and environmental laws, which are the subject of Section 4.17.

4.11. Compliance.  The Company is not (i) in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company under), nor has the Company received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or governmental body or (iii) in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

4.12. Tax Matters.  The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all tax returns required to have been filed by the Company or its subsidiaries with all appropriate governmental agencies and have paid all taxes shown thereon or otherwise owed by them.  The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in Section 4.19 below in respect of all federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company or its subsidiaries has not been finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

4.13. Title to Properties.  Except as disclosed in the SEC Filings, the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real properties and all other properties and assets owned by them, in each case free from liens, encumbrances and defects, except such as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as disclosed in the SEC Filings, the Company and its subsidiaries hold any leased real or personal property under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company are in compliance and with no exceptions, except such as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect .

4.14. Certificates, Authorities and Permits.  The Company and its subsidiaries possess adequate certificates, authorities or permits issued by appropriate governmental agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where failure to so possess would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company and its subsidiaries have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit that, if determined adversely to the Company or its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.15. Labor Matters.  

(a) Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are parties to or bound by any collective bargaining agreements or other agreements with labor organizations.  The Company and its subsidiaries believe that their relations with their employees are good. To the Company’s Knowledge, the Company and its subsidiaries have not violated in any material respect any laws, regulations, orders or contract terms, affecting the collective bargaining rights of employees, labor organizations or any laws, regulations or orders affecting employment discrimination, equal opportunity employment, or employees’ health, safety, welfare, wages and hours.

(b) No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or with the employees of any principal supplier, manufacturer, customer or contractor of the Company, exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent.

4.16. Intellectual Property.  Except as expressly contemplated by the SEC Filings, the Company and its subsidiaries own, possess, license or have other rights to use, the patents and patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names and trade secrets described in the SEC Filings as being owned, possessed, licensed or otherwise having rights to use in connection with its business and which the failure to so have would have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”).  There is no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by any Person that the Company’s business or the business of its subsidiaries as now conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as described by the SEC Filings infringes or otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of another.  To the Company’s Knowledge, there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights that would have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of its Intellectual Property Rights, except where failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.17. Environmental Matters.  Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any statute, rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), has released any hazardous substances regulated by Environmental Law on to any real property that it owns or operates, or has received any written notice or claim it is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws; and to the Company’s Knowledge, there is no pending or threatened investigation that would reasonably be expected to lead to such a claim.

4.18. Legal Proceedings.  Except as described in the SEC Filings, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may reasonably be expected to become a party or to which any property of the Company is or may reasonably be expected to become the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or its subsidiaries,

could (i) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) adversely affect or challenge the legality, validity or enforceability of the Transaction Documents.

4.19. Financial Statements.  The financial statements included in each SEC Filing comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing (or to the extent corrected by a subsequent restatement) and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of the dates shown and its results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, subject in the case of unaudited financial statements to normal, immaterial year-end audit adjustments, and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”) (except as may be disclosed therein or in the notes thereto, and except that the unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and, in the case of quarterly financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q under the 1934 Act).  Except as set forth in the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Filings filed prior to the date hereof, the Company has not incurred any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, except those incurred in the ordinary course of business, consistent (as to amount and nature) with past practices since the date of such financial statements, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.20. Insurance Coverage.  The Company and its subsidiaries maintain in full force and effect insurance coverage that is customary for comparably situated companies for the business being conducted and properties owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Company reasonably believes such insurance coverage to be adequate against all liabilities, claims and risks against which it is customary for comparably situated companies to insure.

4.21. Compliance with Nasdaq Continued Listing Requirements.  The Company is in compliance with applicable Nasdaq continued listing requirements.  There are no proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company relating to the continued listing of the Common Stock on Nasdaq and the Company has not received any notice of, nor to the Company’s Knowledge is there any reasonable basis for, the delisting of the Common Stock from Nasdaq.

4.22. Brokers and Finders.  Other than the Placement Agents, no Person will have, as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, any valid right, interest or claim against or upon the Company or an Investor for any commission, fee or other compensation pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into by or on behalf of the Company. No Investor shall have any obligation with respect to any fees, or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees, in each case of the type contemplated by this Section 4.22 that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

4.23. No Directed Selling Efforts or General Solicitation.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any Person acting on its behalf has conducted any general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms are used in Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of any of the Shares.  The Company has offered the Shares for sale only to the

Investors and certain other “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the 1933 Act.

4.24. No Integrated Offering.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any Person acting on its behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any Company security or solicited any offers to buy any Company security, under circumstances that would adversely affect reliance by the Company on Section 4(a)(2) for the exemption from registration for the transactions contemplated hereby or would require registration of the Shares under the 1933 Act.

4.25. Private Placement.  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Investors set forth in Section 5, the offer and sale of the Shares to the Investors as contemplated hereby is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.  The issuance and sale of the shares does not contravene the rules and regulations of Nasdaq.

4.26. Questionable Payments.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, agents or other Persons acting on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries, has on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries: (a) used any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (b) made any direct or indirect unlawful payments to any governmental officials or employees from corporate funds; (c) established or maintained any unlawful or unrecorded fund of corporate monies or other assets which is in violation of law; (d) made any false or fictitious entries on the books and records of the Company; or (e) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of any nature.

4.27. Transactions with Affiliates.  Except as disclosed in the SEC Filings, none of the executive officers or directors of the Company or its subsidiaries and, to the Company’s Knowledge, none of the employees of the Company or its subsidiaries is presently a party to any transaction with the Company (other than as holders of stock options and/or warrants, and for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

4.28. Internal Controls.  The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the 1934 Act), which are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities.  Since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there have been no significant deficiencies or material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company is not aware of any change in its internal controls over financial reporting that has occurred during its most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

4.29. Disclosures.  Neither the Company nor any Person acting on its behalf has provided the Investors or their agents or counsel with any information that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute material, non-public information concerning the Company or its subsidiaries, other than with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and except as will be disclosed in the 8-K Filing. The written materials delivered to the Investors in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, when considered together with the SEC filings, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The Company understands and confirms that the Investors will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. 

4.30. Required Filings. Except for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the acquisition of the Shares contemplated hereby, no event or circumstance has occurred or information exists with respect to the Company or its business, properties, operations or financial condition, which, under applicable law, rule or regulation, requires public disclosure or announcement by the Company but which has not been so publicly announced or disclosed (assuming for this purpose that the SEC Filings are being incorporated by reference into an effective registration statement filed by the Company under the 1933 Act).    

4.31. Investment Company.  The Company is not required to be registered as, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately following the Closing will not be required to register as, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

4.32. Tests and Preclinical and Clinical Trials.  The studies, tests and preclinical and clinical trials conducted by or, to the Company’s Knowledge, on behalf of the Company that are described in the SEC Filings were and, if still pending, are being, conducted in all material respects in accordance with the protocols submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) or any foreign governmental body exercising comparable authority, procedures and controls pursuant to, where applicable, accepted professional and scientific standards, and all applicable laws and regulations; the descriptions of the studies, tests and preclinical and clinical trials conducted by or, to the Company’s Knowledge, on behalf of the Company, and the results thereof, contained in the SEC Filings are accurate and complete in all material respects; the Company is not aware of any other studies, tests or preclinical and clinical trials, the results of which call into question the results described in the SEC Filings; and the Company has not received any notices or correspondence from the FDA, any foreign, state or local governmental body exercising comparable authority or any Institutional Review Board requiring the termination, suspension, material modification or clinical hold of any studies, tests or preclinical or clinical trials conducted by or on behalf of the Company.

4.33. Manipulation of Price.  The Company has not, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no Person acting on its behalf has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Shares.

4.34. Acknowledgement Regarding Buyers' Trading Activity. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) none of the Investors has been asked to agree, nor has any

Investor agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, long and/or short, securities of the Company, or "derivative" securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Shares for any specified term; (ii) any Investor, and counter-parties in "derivative" transactions to which any such Investor is a party, directly or indirectly, presently may have a "short" position in the Shares, and (iii) each Investor shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm's length counter-party in any "derivative" transaction. The Company further understands and acknowledges that one or more Investors may engage in hedging and/or trading activities at various times during the period that the Shares are outstanding and (b) such hedging and/or trading activities, if any, can reduce the value of the existing stockholders' equity interest in the Company both at and after the time the hedging and/or trading activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging and/or trading activities do not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any of the documents executed in connection herewith.

5. Representations and Warranties of the Investors.  Each of the Investors hereby severally, and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company that:

5.1. Organization and Existence.  Such Investor is a validly existing business trust, corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to invest in the Shares pursuant to this Agreement.

5.2. Authorization.  The execution, delivery and performance by such Investor of the Transaction Documents to which such Investor is a party have been duly authorized and each has been duly executed and when delivered will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Investor, enforceable against such Investor in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability, relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally.

5.3. Purchase Entirely for Own Account.  The Shares to be received by such Investor hereunder will be acquired for such Investor’s own account, not as nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof in violation of the 1933 Act, and such Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same in violation of the 1933 Act without prejudice, subject however, to such Investor’s right at all times to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such Shares in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed a representation or warranty by such Investor to hold the Shares for any period of time.  Such Investor is not a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act or an entity engaged in a business that would require it to be so registered.

5.4. Investment Experience.  Such Investor acknowledges that it can bear the economic risk and complete loss of its investment in the Shares and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment contemplated hereby.

5.5. Disclosure of Information.  Such Investor has had an opportunity to receive, review and understand all information related to the Company requested by it and to ask questions of and receive answers from the Company regarding the Company, its business and the

terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares, and has conducted and completed its own independent due diligence.  Such Investor acknowledges receipt of copies of the SEC Filings.  Based on the information such Investor has deemed appropriate, and without reliance upon any Placement Agent, it has independently made its own analysis and decision to enter into the Transaction Documents.  Such Investor is relying exclusively on its own sources of information, investment analysis and due diligence (including professional advice it deems appropriate) with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents, the Shares and the business, condition (financial and otherwise), management, operations, properties and prospects of the Company, including but not limited to all business, legal, regulatory, accounting, credit and tax matters.  Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigation conducted by such Investor shall modify, limit or otherwise affect such Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement.

5.6. Restricted Securities.  Such Investor understands that the Shares are characterized as “restricted securities” under the U.S. federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the 1933 Act only in certain limited circumstances.

5.7. Legends.  It is understood that, except as provided below, certificates evidencing the Shares may bear the following or any similar legend:

5.8. Accredited Investor.  Such Investor is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 under the 1933 Act and has executed and delivered to the Company a questionnaire in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Investor Questionnaire”), which such Investor represents and warrants is true, correct and complete.  Such investor is a sophisticated institutional investor with sufficient knowledge and experience in

investing in private equity transactions to properly evaluate the risks and merits of its purchase of the Shares.  Such Investor has determined based on its own independent review and such professional advice as it deems appropriate that its purchase of the Shares and participation in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (i) are fully consistent with its financial needs, objectives and condition, (ii) comply and are fully consistent with all investment policies, guidelines and other restrictions applicable to such Investor, (iii) have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary action, and (iv) are a fit, proper and suitable investment for such Investor, notwithstanding the substantial risks inherent in investing in or holding the Shares. 

5.9. Placement Agents.  Such Investor hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) each of the Placement Agents is acting solely as placement agent in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents and is not acting as an underwriter or in any other capacity and is not and shall not be construed as a fiduciary for such Investor, the Company or any other person or entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents, (b) no Placement Agent has made and no Placement Agent will make any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, of any kind or character and has not provided any advice or recommendation in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents, (c) no Placement Agent will have any responsibility with respect to (i) any representations, warranties or agreements made by any person or entity under or in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents, or the execution, legality, validity or enforceability (with respect to any person) thereof, or (ii) the business, affairs, financial condition, operations, properties or prospects of, or any other matter concerning the Company, and (d) no Placement Agent will have any liability or obligation (including without limitation, for or with respect to any losses, claims, damages, obligations, penalties, judgments, awards, liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements incurred by such Investor, the Company or any other person or entity), whether in contract, tort or otherwise, to such Investor, or to any person claiming through it, in respect of the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents.

5.10. No General Solicitation.  Such Investor did not learn of the investment in the Shares as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising.

5.11. Brokers and Finders.  No Person will have, as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, any valid right, interest or claim against or upon the Company or an Investor for any commission, fee or other compensation pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into by or on behalf of such Investor.

5.12. Short Sales and Confidentiality Prior to the Date Hereof.  Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, such Investor has not, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with such Investor, directly or indirectly executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that such Investor was first contacted by the Company, the Placement Agents or any other Person regarding the transactions contemplated hereby and ending immediately prior to the date hereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Investor that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Investor’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Investor’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect

to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Shares covered by this Agreement.  Other than to other Persons party to this Agreement, such Investor has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to the identification of the availability of, or securing of, available shares to borrow in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.

5.13.  No Government Recommendation or Approval.  Such Investor understands that no United States federal or state agency, or similar agency of any other country, has reviewed, approved, passed upon, or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Company or the purchase of the Shares.

5.14.  No Intent to Effect a Change of Control.  Such Investor has no present intent to effect a “change of control” of the Company as such term is understood under the rules promulgated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act.

5.15.  No Conflicts.  The execution, delivery and performance by such Investor of the Transaction Documents and the consummation by such Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not (i) result in a violation of the organizational documents of such Investor or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which such Investor is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws) applicable to such Investor, except in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, defaults, rights or violations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Investor to perform its obligations hereunder.

5.16.  No Rule 506 Disqualifying Activities.  Such Investor has not taken any of the actions set forth in, and is not subject to, the disqualification provisions of Rule 506(d)(1) of the 1933 Act.

5.17. Residency.  Such Investor is a resident of the jurisdiction specified below its address on the Schedule of Investors.

6. Conditions to Closing.  

6.1. Conditions to the Investors’ Obligations.  The obligation of each Investor to purchase Shares at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Investor’s satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived by such Investor (as to itself only):

(a) The representations and warranties made by the Company in Section 4 hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and on the Closing Date, except to the extent any such representation or warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier

date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date.  The Company shall have performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants herein required to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

(b) The Company shall have obtained any and all consents, permits, approvals, registrations and waivers necessary for consummation of the purchase and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, all of which shall be in full force and effect.

(c) The Company shall have executed and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement.

(d) The Company shall have filed with Nasdaq a Notification Form: Listing of Additional Shares for the listing of the Shares, a copy of which shall have been provided to the Investors.

(e) No judgment, writ, order, injunction, award or decree of or by any court, or judge, justice or magistrate, including any bankruptcy court or judge, or any order of or by any governmental authority, shall have been issued, and no action or proceeding shall have been instituted by any governmental authority, enjoining or preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or in the other Transaction Documents.

(f) There shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company since the date hereof.

(g) The Company shall have delivered a Certificate, executed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer or its Chief Financial Officer, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions specified in subsections (a), (b), (d), (e), (f) and (j) of this Section 6.1.

(h) The Company shall have delivered a Certificate, executed on behalf of the Company by its Secretary, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company approving the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the issuance of the Shares, certifying the current versions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company and certifying as to the signatures and authority of persons signing the Transaction Documents and related documents on behalf of the Company.

(i) The Investors shall have received an opinion from Cooley LLP, the Company’s counsel, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Investors and addressing such legal matters as the Investors may reasonably request.

(j) No stop order or suspension of trading shall have been imposed by Nasdaq, the SEC or any other governmental or regulatory body with respect to public trading in the Common Stock.

(k) The Company’s directors and officers shall have executed and delivered customary “lock-up” agreements, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Investors and the Placement Agents. 

6.2. Conditions to Obligations of the Company.  The Company’s obligation to sell and issue Shares at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to the satisfaction of the Company on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any of which may be waived by the Company:

(a) The representations and warranties made by the Investors in Section 5 hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects when made, and shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if they had been made on and as of said date.  The Investors shall have performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants herein required to be performed by them on or prior to the Closing Date.

(b) The Investors shall have executed and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement and each Investor Questionnaire.

(c) Any Investor purchasing Shares at the Closing shall have paid in full its Subscription Amount to the Company.

6.3. Termination of Obligations to Effect Closing; Effects.  

(a) The obligations of the Company, on the one hand, and the Investors, on the other hand, to effect the Closing shall terminate as follows:

(i) Upon the mutual written consent of the Company and Investors that agreed to purchase a majority of the Shares to be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement;

(ii) By the Company if any of the conditions set forth in Section 6.2 shall have become incapable of fulfillment, and shall not have been waived by the Company;

(iii) By an Investor (with respect to itself only) if any of the conditions set forth in Section 6.1 shall have become incapable of fulfillment, and shall not have been waived by the Investor; or

(iv) By either the Company or any Investor (with respect to itself only) if the Closing has not occurred on or prior to June 2, 2016.

(b) In the event of termination by the Company or any Investor of its obligations to effect the Closing pursuant to this Section 6.3, written notice thereof shall be given to the other Investors by the Company and the other Investors shall have the right to terminate their obligations to effect the Closing upon written notice to the Company and the other Investors.  Nothing in this Section 6.3 shall be deemed to release any party from any liability for any breach by such party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the other Transaction

Documents or to impair the right of any party to compel specific performance by any other party of its obligations under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

7. Covenants and Agreements of the Company.  

7.1. Reports.  The Company will furnish to the Investors and/or their assignees such information relating to the Company as from time to time may reasonably be requested by the Investors and/or their assignees; provided, however, that the Company shall not disclose material nonpublic information to the Investors, or to advisors to or representatives of the Investors, unless prior to disclosure of such information the Company identifies such information as being material nonpublic information and provides the Investors, such advisors and representatives with the opportunity to accept or refuse to accept such material nonpublic information for review and any Investor wishing to obtain such information enters into an appropriate confidentiality agreement with the Company with respect thereto.

7.2. No Conflicting Agreements.  The Company will not take any action, enter into any agreement or make any commitment that would conflict or interfere in any material respect with the Company’s obligations to the Investors under the Transaction Documents.

7.3. Insurance.  The Company shall not materially reduce the insurance coverages described in Section 4.20.

7.4. Compliance with Laws.  The Company will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and decrees of all governmental authorities.

7.5. Nasdaq Listing.  The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to continue the listing and trading of its Common Stock on Nasdaq and, in accordance, therewith, will use commercially reasonable efforts to comply in all respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of such market or exchange, as applicable.

7.6. Termination of Covenants.  The provisions of Sections 7.1 through 7.5 shall terminate and be of no further force and effect on the date on which the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to register or maintain the effectiveness of any registration covering the Registrable Securities (as such term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) shall terminate.

7.7. Removal of Legends.  

(a) In connection with any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Shares by an Investor pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to any other exemption under the 1933 Act such that the purchaser acquires freely tradable shares and upon compliance by the Investor with the requirements of this Agreement, if requested by the Investor, the Company shall cause the transfer agent for the Common Stock (the “Transfer Agent”) to timely remove any restrictive legends related to the book entry account holding such Shares and make a new, unlegended entry for such book entry Shares sold or disposed of without restrictive legends within three Business Days of the request of the Investor, provided that the Company has received from the Investor customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company in connection therewith.

7.8. Subsequent Equity Sales.  

(a) From the date hereof until ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, without the consent of (i) prior to Closing, Investors that agreed to purchase a majority of the Shares to be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) following the Closing, the Required Investors, the Company shall not issue shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 7.8(a) shall not apply to (i) the issuance of the Shares hereunder, (ii) the issuance of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents upon the conversion or exercise of any securities of the Company outstanding on the date hereof or outstanding pursuant to clause (iii) or (iv) below, (iii) the issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents pursuant to any Company stock-based compensation plans in existence on the date hereof or (iv) the issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents in connection with a transaction with an unaffiliated third party that

includes a bona fide commercial relationship with the Company (including any joint venture, marketing or distribution arrangement, strategic alliance, collaboration agreement or corporate partnering, intellectual property license agreement or acquisition agreement with the Company); provided, however, that the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to clause (iv) during the ninety (90) day restricted period shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the Closing.

7.9. Short Sales and Confidentiality After the Date Hereof.  Each Investor covenants that neither it nor any Affiliates acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will execute any Short Sales during the period from the date hereof until the earlier of such time as (i) after the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced or (ii) this Agreement is terminated in full.  Each Investor covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company, such Investor will maintain the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction).

8. Survival and Indemnification.  

8.1. Survival.  The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for the applicable statute of limitations.

8.2. Indemnification.  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, trustees, members, managers, employees and agents, and their respective successors and assigns, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorney fees and disbursements and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim or proceeding, pending or threatened and the costs of enforcement thereof) (collectively, “Losses”) to which such Person may become subject as a result of any breach of representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by or to be performed on the part of the Company under the Transaction Documents, and will reimburse any such Person for all such amounts as they are incurred by such Person.

8.3. Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification and (ii) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided that any person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such person unless (a) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such

fees or expenses, (b) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such person or (c) in the reasonable judgment of any such person, based upon written advice of its counsel, a conflict of interest exists between such person and the indemnifying party with respect to such claims (in which case, if the person notifies the indemnifying party in writing that such person elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such claim on behalf of such person); and provided,  further, that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder, except to the extent that such failure to give notice shall materially adversely affect the indemnifying party in the defense of any such claim or litigation.  It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for fees or expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties.  No indemnifying party will, except with the consent of the indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.  No indemnified party will, except with the consent of the indemnifying party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement.

9. Miscellaneous.  

9.1. Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement may not be assigned by a party hereto without the prior written consent of the Company or the Investors, as applicable, provided, however, that an Investor may assign its rights and delegate its duties hereunder in whole or in part to an Affiliate or to a third party acquiring some or all of its Shares in a transaction complying with applicable securities laws without the prior written consent of the Company or the other Investors, provided such assignee agrees in writing to be bound by the provisions hereof that apply to Investors.  The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective permitted successors and assigns of the parties.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar business combination transaction in which the Common Stock is converted into the equity securities of another Person, from and after the effective time of such transaction, such Person shall, by virtue of such transaction, be deemed to have assumed the obligations of the Company hereunder, the term “Company” shall be deemed to refer to such Person and the term “Shares” shall be deemed to refer to the securities received by the Investors in connection with such transaction.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective permitted successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

9.2. Counterparts; Faxes; E-mail.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  This Agreement may also be executed via facsimile or e-mail, which shall be deemed an original.

9.3. Titles and Subtitles.  The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

9.4. Notices.  Unless otherwise provided, any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given as hereinafter described (i) if given by personal delivery, then such notice shall be deemed given upon such delivery, (ii) if given by facsimile, then such notice shall be deemed given upon receipt of confirmation of complete transmittal, (iii) if given by mail, then such notice shall be deemed given upon the earlier of (A) receipt of such notice by the recipient or (B) three days after such notice is deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid, and (iv) if given by an internationally recognized overnight air courier, then such notice shall be deemed given one Business Day after delivery to such carrier.  All notices shall be addressed to the party to be notified at the address as follows, or at such other address as such party may designate by ten days’ advance written notice to the other party:

9.5. Expenses.  The parties hereto shall pay their own costs and expenses in connection herewith regardless of whether the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated; it being understood that each of the Company and each Investor has relied on the advice of its own respective counsel.  In the event that legal proceedings are commenced by any party to this Agreement against another party to this Agreement in connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, the party or parties which do not prevail in such proceedings shall severally, but not jointly, pay their pro rata share of the reasonable attorneys’ fees and other reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the prevailing party in such proceedings.

9.6. Amendments and Waivers.  Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and (a) prior to the Closing, Investors that agreed to purchase a majority of the Shares to be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement and (b) following the Closing, the Required Investors.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may not be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may not be waived with respect to any Investor without the written consent of such Investor unless such amendment or waiver applies to all Investors in the same fashion. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon (i) prior to Closing, each Investor and (ii) following the Closing, each holder of any Shares purchased under this Agreement at the time outstanding, and in each case, each future holder of all such Shares and the Company.

9.7. Publicity.  Except as set forth below, no public release or announcement concerning the transactions contemplated hereby shall be issued by the Company or the Investors without the prior written consent of the Company (in the case of a release or announcement by the Investors) or the Investors (in the case of a release or announcement by the Company) (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld), except as such release or announcement may be required by law or the applicable rules or regulations of any securities exchange or securities market, in which case the Company or the Investors, as the case may be, shall allow the Investors or the Company, as applicable, to the extent reasonably practicable in the circumstances, reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance of such issuance.  By 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the date this Agreement is executed, the Company shall issue a press release, reasonably acceptable to the Investors, disclosing all material terms of transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Press Release”).  No later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the first Trading Day following the date this Agreement is executed, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K (“8-K Filing”) attaching the press release described in the foregoing sentence.  In addition, the Company will make such other filings and notices in the manner and time required by the SEC or Nasdaq.  The parties acknowledge that from and after the issuance of the Press Release, no Investor shall be in possession of any material, nonpublic information received from the Company or any of its respective officers, directors, employees or agents, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby that is not disclosed in the Press Release.  The Company shall not, and shall cause each of its officers, directors, employees and agents, not to, provide any Investor with any such material, nonpublic information regarding the Company or its subsidiaries from and after the filing of the Press Release without the express prior written consent of such Investor. If an Investor has, or believes it has, received any such material, nonpublic information regarding the Company or any of its subsidiaries from the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates or agents, it may provide the Company with written notice thereof. The Company shall, subject to the Company’s reasonable concurrence that the information is material, nonpublic information, within four Trading Days of receipt of such notice, make public disclosure of such material, nonpublic information. Except as contemplated by this Section 9.7 and the issuance of a press release and the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K related to the Closing, neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any Investor shall issue any press releases or any other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled, without the prior approval of any Investor, to make any press release or other public disclosure with respect to such transactions (i) in substantial conformity with the 8-K Filing and

contemporaneously therewith and (ii) as is required by applicable law and regulations (provided that in the case of clause (i) each Investor shall be consulted by the Company in connection with any such press release or other public disclosure prior to its release). Except for the Registration Statement required to be filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, and except as otherwise required by the SEC without the prior written consent of any applicable Investor, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall disclose the name of such Investor in any filing, announcement, release or otherwise.

9.8. Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof but shall be interpreted as if it were written so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereby waive any provision of law which renders any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

9.9. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including the signature pages, Exhibits and the Disclosure Schedules, and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereof with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

9.10. Further Assurances.  The parties shall execute and deliver all such further instruments and documents and take all such other actions as may reasonably be required to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and to evidence the fulfillment of the agreements herein contained.

9.11. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the choice of law principles thereof.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on each party hereto anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court.  Each party hereto irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO REQUEST A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND REPRESENTS THAT COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONSULTED SPECIFICALLY AS TO THIS WAIVER. 

9.12. Independent Nature of Investors’ Obligations and Rights.  The obligations of each Investor under any Transaction Document are several and not joint with the obligations

of any other Investor, and no Investor shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Investor under any Transaction Document.  The decision of each Investor to purchase Shares pursuant to the Transaction Documents has been made by such Investor independently of any other Investor.  Nothing contained herein or in any Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Investor pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Investors as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Investors are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.  Each Investor acknowledges that no other Investor has acted as agent for such Investor in connection with making its investment hereunder and that no Investor will be acting as agent of such Investor in connection with monitoring its investment in the Shares or enforcing its rights under the Transaction Documents.  Each Investor shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Investor to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.  The Company acknowledges that each of the Investors has been provided with the same Transaction Documents for the purpose of closing a transaction with multiple Investors and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Investor.

9.13. Limitation of Liability.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the liability of an Investor arising directly or indirectly under any Transaction Document of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of such Investor and that no trustee, officer, other investment vehicle or any other Affiliate of such Investor or any investor, shareholder or holder of shares of beneficial interest of such Investor shall be personally liable for any liabilities of such Investor.

COMPANY:

ACLARIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.

By:

/s/ Neal Walker

Name: Neal Walker

Title:  President and CEO

INVESTOR:

Aisling Capital IV LP

By:

/s/ Robert Wenzel

Name: Robert Wenzel

Title: Controller

INVESTOR:

Rock Springs Capital Master Fund LP

By: Rock Springs General Partner LLC

Its: General Partner

By:

/s/ Graham McPhail

Name: Graham McPhail

Title: Managing Director/Member

INVESTOR:

CVI Investments, Inc.

By: Heights Capital Management, Inc.

Its: Authorized Agent

By:

/s/ Martin Kobinger

Name: Martin Kobinger

Title: Investment Manager

INVESTOR:

Eventide Healthcare & Life Sciences Fund

By:

/s/ Erik Naviloff

Name: Erik Naviloff

Title: Treasurer, Mutual Fund Services Trust

INVESTOR:

Mossrock Capital, LLC

By:

/s/ Thomas Malley

Name: Thomas Malley

Title: President

INVESTOR:

Sabby Healthcare Master Fund, Ltd.

By:

/s/ Robert Grundstein

Name: Robert Grundstein

Title: COO of Investment Manager

INVESTOR:

Monashee Investment Management LLC

By:

/s/ Tom Wynn

Name: Tom Wynn

Title: Partner

INVESTOR:

Cormorant Global Healthcare Master Fund, LP

By:

/s/ Bihua Chen

Name: Bihua Chen

Title: Managing Member of GP

INVESTOR:

CRMA SPV, L.P.

By:

/s/ Bihua Chen

Name: Bihua Chen

Title: Managing Member of Special LP

Investor Name and Address

Number of Shares to be Purchased

Aggregate Purchase Price of Shares

Aisling Capital

Aisling Capital IV LP
888 7th Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10106

405,405

$7,499,992.50

Cormorant Asset Management

Cormorant Global Healthcare Master Fund, LP
200 Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor
Boston, MA 02116

207,500

$3,838,750.00

Eventide Asset Management

Eventide Healthcare & Life Sciences Fund
One International Place, 35th Floor
Boston, MA 02110

140,000

$2,590,000.00

Rock Springs Capital Management

Rock Springs Capital Master Fund LP
650 S. Exeter St., Suite 1070
Baltimore, MD 21202

95,677

$1,770,024.50

Monashee Investment Management

Monashee Capital Master Fund LP
125 High Street, 28th Floor
Boston, MA 02180

60,000

$1,110,000.00

Sabby Capital

Sabby Healthcare Master Fund, Ltd.
10 Mountainview Road, Suite 205
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

55,000

$1,017,500.00

Heights Capital Management

CVI Investments, Inc
101 California Street, Suite 3250
San Francisco, CA 94111

55,000

$1,017,500.00

Cormorant Asset Management

CRMA SPV, L.P.
PO Box 309, Ugland House
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands KY1-1104

42,500

$786,250.00

Mossrock Capital

Mossrock Capital, LLC
19 Martin Lane
Englewood, CO 80113

20,000

$370,000.00

1.

Residence Information.  Please provide your full legal name, residence address, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address and social security number.

2.

Personal Information.  Please indicate the state that issued your driver’s license and the state in which you are registered to vote.

3.

My Income.

4.

My Net Worth.

Form

State of Organization

Date of Organization

(i)

The undersigned is a trust with total assets in excess of $5,000,000 whose purchase is directed by a person with such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such person is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment.

(ii)

The undersigned is a bank, insurance company, investment company registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Companies Act”), a broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a business development company, a Small Business Investment Company licensed by the United States Small Business Administration, a plan with total assets in excess of $5,000,000 established and maintained by a state for the benefit of its employees, or a private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

(iii)

The undersigned is an employee benefit plan and either all investment decisions are made by a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment advisor, or the undersigned has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if such plan is a self-directed plan, investment decisions are made solely by persons who are accredited investors.

(iv)

The undersigned is a corporation, partnership, business trust, not formed for the purpose of acquiring the Securities, or an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in each case with total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

(v)

The undersigned is an entity in which all of the equity owners (in the case of a revocable living trust, its grantor(s)) qualify under any of the above subparagraphs, or, if an individual, each such individual has a net worth3, either individually or upon a joint basis with such individual’s spouse, in excess of $1,000,000 (within the meaning of such terms as used in the definition of “accredited investor” contained in Rule 501 under the Securities Act), or has had an individual income4 in excess of $200,000 for each of the two most recent years, or a joint income with such individual’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years, and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.

1. Certain Definitions.

2. Registration.  

(a) Registration Statements. 

(i) Promptly following the Closing Date but no later than thirty (30) days after the Closing Date (the “Filing Deadline”), the Company shall prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) one Registration Statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities.  Subject to any SEC comments, such Registration Statement shall include the plan of distribution attached hereto as Exhibit A; provided, however, that no Investor shall be named as an “underwriter” in such Registration Statement without the Investor’s prior written consent.  Such Registration Statement also shall cover, to the extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder (including Rule 416), such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions with respect to the Registrable Securities.  Such Registration Statement shall not include any shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of any other holder without the prior written consent of the Required Investors.  Such Registration Statement (and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each request for acceleration of effectiveness thereof) shall be provided in accordance with Section 3(c) to the Investors prior to its filing or other submission.  If a Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the Filing Deadline, the Company will make pro rata payments to each Investor, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate amount invested by such Investor for each 30-day period or pro rata for any portion thereof following the Filing Deadline for which no Registration Statement is filed with respect to the Registrable Securities.  Such payments shall constitute the Investors’ exclusive monetary remedy for such events, but shall not affect the right of the Investors to seek injunctive relief.  Such payments shall be made to each Investor in cash no later than three (3) Business Days after the end of each 30-day period (the “Payment Date”).  Interest shall accrue at the rate of 1% per month on any such liquidated damages payments that shall not be paid by the Payment Date until such amount is paid in full.

(ii) Promptly following the date (the “Qualification Date”) upon which the Company becomes eligible to use a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the Registrable Securities for resale, but in no event more than thirty (30) days after the Qualification Date (the “Qualification Deadline”), the Company shall file a registration statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities (or a post-effective amendment on Form S-3 to a registration statement on Form S-1) (a “Shelf Registration Statement”).  If a Shelf Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the Qualification Deadline, the Company will make pro rata payments to each Investor, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate amount invested by such Investor for each 30-day period or pro rata for any portion thereof following the Qualification Deadline for which no Registration Statement is filed with respect to the Registrable Securities.  Such payments shall constitute the Investors’ exclusive monetary remedy for such events, but shall not affect the right of the Investors to seek injunctive relief.  Such payments shall be made to each Investor in cash no later than three (3) Business Days after the end of each 30-day period.  Interest shall accrue at the rate of 1% per month on any such liquidated damages payments that shall not be paid by the end of each 30-day period until such amount is paid in full.

(b) Expenses.  The Company will pay all expenses associated with any Registration Statement, including filing and printing fees, the Company’s counsel and accounting fees and expenses, costs associated with clearing the Registrable Securities for sale under applicable state securities laws, listing fees, fees and expenses of one counsel to the Investors and the Investors’ reasonable expenses in connection with the registration, but excluding discounts, commissions and fees of underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities industry professionals with respect to the Registrable Securities being sold.

(c) Effectiveness.  

(i) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statements declared effective as soon as practicable.  The Company shall notify the Investors simultaneously by facsimile or e-mail as promptly as practicable, and in any event, within twenty-four (24) hours, after any Registration Statement is declared effective and shall simultaneously provide the Investors with copies of any related Prospectus to be used in connection with the sale or other disposition of the securities covered thereby.  If (A)(x) a Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities is not declared effective by the SEC prior to the earlier of (i) five (5) Business Days after the SEC informs the Company that no review of such Registration Statement will be made or that the SEC has no further comments on such Registration Statement or (ii) the 60th day after the Closing Date (or the 120th day if the SEC reviews such Registration Statement), or (y) a Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC prior to the earlier of (i) five (5) Business Days after the SEC informs the Company that no review of such Shelf Registration Statement will be made or that the SEC has no further comments on such Shelf Registration Statement or (ii) the 60th day after the Qualification Deadline (or the 120th day if the SEC reviews such Shelf Registration Statement), or (B) after a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, sales cannot be made pursuant to such Registration Statement for any reason (including without limitation by reason of a stop order, or the Company’s failure to update such Registration Statement), but excluding any Allowed Delay (as defined below), then the Company will make pro rata payments to each Investor then holding Registrable Securities, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate amount invested by such Investor for each 30-day period or pro rata for any portion thereof following the date by which such Registration Statement should have been effective (the “Blackout Period”).  Such payments shall constitute the Investors’ exclusive monetary remedy for such events, but shall not affect the right of the Investors to seek injunctive relief.  The amounts payable as liquidated damages pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid monthly within three (3) Business Days of the last day of each month following the commencement of the Blackout Period until the termination of the Blackout Period (the “Blackout Period Payment Date”).  Such payments shall be made to each Investor in cash. Interest shall accrue at the rate of 1% per month on any such liquidated damages payments that shall not be paid by the Blackout Payment Date until such amount is paid in full.

(ii) For not more than ten (10) consecutive days or for a total of not more than thirty (30) days in any twelve (12) month period, the Company may suspend the use of any Prospectus included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Section in the event that the Company determines in good faith that such suspension is necessary to (A) delay the disclosure of material non-public information concerning the Company, the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the Company, in the best interests of the

Company or (B) amend or supplement the affected Registration Statement or the related Prospectus so that such Registration Statement or Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of the Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (an “Allowed Delay”); provided, that the Company shall promptly (a) notify each Investor in writing of the commencement of an Allowed Delay, but shall not (without the prior written consent of an Investor) disclose to such Investor any material non-public information giving rise to an Allowed Delay, (b) advise the Investors in writing to cease all sales under such Registration Statement until the end of the Allowed Delay and (c) use commercially reasonable efforts to terminate an Allowed Delay as promptly as practicable.

(d) Rule 415; Cutback.  If at any time the SEC takes the position that the offering of some or all of the Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement is not eligible to be made on a delayed or continuous basis under the provisions of Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or requires any Investor to be named as an “underwriter,” the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to persuade the SEC that the offering contemplated by such Registration Statement is a valid secondary offering and not an offering “by or on behalf of the issuer” as defined in Rule 415 and that none of the Investors is an “underwriter.”  The Investors shall have the right to select one legal counsel designated by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to review and oversee any registration or matters pursuant to this Section 2(d), including participation in any meetings or discussions with the SEC regarding the SEC’s position and to comment on any written submission made to the SEC with respect thereto.  No such written submission with respect to this matter shall be made to the SEC to which the Investors’ counsel reasonably objects.  In the event that, despite the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts and compliance with the terms of this Section 2(d), the SEC refuses to alter its position, the Company shall (i) remove from such Registration Statement such portion of the Registrable Securities (the “Cut Back Shares”) and/or (ii) agree to such restrictions and limitations on the registration and resale of the Registrable Securities as the SEC may require to assure the Company’s compliance with the requirements of Rule 415 (collectively, the “SEC Restrictions”); provided, however, that the Company shall not agree to name any Investor as an “underwriter” in such Registration Statement without the prior written consent of such Investor.  Any cut-back imposed on the Investors pursuant to this Section 2(d) shall be allocated among the Investors on a pro rata basis and shall be applied first to any of the Registrable Securities of such Investor as such Investor shall designate, unless the SEC Restrictions otherwise require or provide or the Investors otherwise agree.  No liquidated damages shall accrue as to any Cut Back Shares until such date as the Company is able to effect the registration of such Cut Back Shares in accordance with any SEC Restrictions applicable to such Cut Back Shares (such date, the “Restriction Termination Date”).  In furtherance of the foregoing, if requested by the Company, each Investor shall provide the Company with notice of its sale of substantially all of the Registrable Securities under such Registration Statement such that the Company will be able to file one or more additional Registration Statements covering the Cut Back Shares. From and after the Restriction Termination Date applicable to any Cut Back Shares, all of the provisions of this Section 2 (including the Company’s obligations with respect to the filing of a Registration Statement and its obligations to use commercially reasonable efforts to have such Registration Statement declared effective within the time periods set forth herein and the liquidated damages provisions relating thereto) shall again be applicable to such Cut Back Shares; provided, however, that

(i) the Filing Deadline and/or the Qualification Deadline, as applicable, for such Registration Statement including such Cut Back Shares shall be ten (10) Business Days after such Restriction Termination Date, and (ii) the date by which the Company is required to obtain effectiveness with respect to such Cut Back Shares shall be the 60th day immediately after the Restriction Termination Date (or the 120th day if the SEC reviews such Registration Statement). 

3. Company Obligations.  The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and to remain continuously effective for a period that will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement as amended from time to time, have been sold, and (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 and without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the 1933 Act (the “Effectiveness Period”) and advise the Investors promptly in writing when the Effectiveness Period has expired;

(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period and to comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act with respect to the distribution of all of the Registrable Securities covered thereby;

(c) provide copies to and permit any counsel designated by the Investors to review each Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto no fewer than  three (3) days prior to their filing with the SEC and not file any document to which such counsel reasonably objects;

(d) furnish to each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, if requested by the Investor, one (1) copy of any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, each preliminary prospectus and Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, and each letter written by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC, and each item of correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC, in each case relating to such Registration Statement (other than any portion of any thereof which contains information for which the Company has sought confidential treatment), and (ii) such number of copies of a Prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto and such other documents as each Investor may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor;

(e) use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness and, (ii) if such order is issued, obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment;

(f) prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Investors and their counsel in connection with the registration or qualification of such Registrable Securities for the offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions requested by the Investors and do any and all other commercially reasonable acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the distribution in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (i) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(f), (ii) subject itself to general taxation in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be so subject but for this Section 3(f), or (iii) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(g) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange, interdealer quotation system or other market on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

(h) promptly notify the Investors, at any time prior to the end of the Effectiveness Period, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the Prospectus includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly prepare, file with the SEC and furnish to such holder a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus as may be necessary so that such Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

(i) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, including, without limitation, Rule 172 under the 1933 Act, file any final Prospectus, including any supplement or amendment thereof, with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, promptly inform the Investors in writing if, at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company does not satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 172 and, as a result thereof, the Investors are required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with any disposition of Registrable Securities and take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to facilitate the registration of the Registrable Securities hereunder, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than the Availability Date (as defined below), an earnings statement covering a period of at least twelve (12) months, beginning after the effective date of each Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act, including Rule 158 promulgated thereunder (for the purpose of this subsection 3(i), “Availability Date” means the 45th day following the end of the fourth fiscal quarter that includes the effective date of such Registration Statement, except that, if such fourth fiscal quarter is the last quarter of the Company’s fiscal year, “Availability Date” means the 90th day after the end of such fourth fiscal quarter); and

(j) with a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 (or its successor rule) and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the

Investors to sell shares of Common Stock to the public without registration, the Company covenants and agrees to: (i) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, until the earlier of (A) 12 months after the date of this Agreement or (B) such date as all of the Registrable Securities shall have been resold; (ii) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1934 Act; and (iii) furnish to each Investor upon request, as long as such Investor owns any Registrable Securities, (A) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act, (B) a copy of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and (C) such other information as may be reasonably requested in order to avail such Investor of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such Registrable Securities without registration.

4. Due Diligence Review; Information.  The Company shall, upon reasonable prior notice,  make available, during normal business hours, for inspection and review by the Investors, advisors to and representatives of the Investors (who may or may not be affiliated with the Investors and who are reasonably acceptable to the Company) (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all pertinent financial and other records, and all other corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”) as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of such review, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees, within a reasonable time period, to supply all such information reasonably requested by the Inspectors (including, without limitation, in response to all questions and other inquiries reasonably made or submitted by any of them), prior to and from time to time after the filing and effectiveness of such Registration Statement for the sole purpose of enabling such Investor and its accountants and attorneys to conduct initial and ongoing due diligence with respect to the Company and the accuracy of such Registration Statement; provided,  however, that each Inspector shall agree to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to such Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other Transaction Document.

5. Obligations of the Investors. 

(a) Each Investor shall furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it, as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of

such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.  At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of any Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor of the information the Company requires from such Investor if such Investor elects to have any of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement.  An Investor shall provide such information to the Company at least two (2) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement if such Investor elects to have any of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement.

(b) Each Investor, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of its election to exclude all of its Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.

(c) Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of either (i) the commencement of an Allowed Delay pursuant to Section 2(c)(ii) or (ii) the happening of an event pursuant to Section 3(h) hereof, such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities, until the Investor is advised by the Company that such dispositions may again be made.

(d) Each Investor covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act as applicable to it or an exemption therefrom in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement.

6. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification by the Company.  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and its officers, directors, members, employees and agents, successors and assigns, and each other person, if any, who controls such Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they may become subject under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:  (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof; (ii) any blue sky application or other document executed by the Company specifically for that purpose or based upon written information furnished by the Company filed in any state or other jurisdiction in order to qualify any or all of the Registrable Securities under the securities laws thereof (any such application, document or information herein called a “Blue Sky Application”); (iii) the omission or alleged omission to state in a Blue Sky Application a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (iv) any violation by the Company or its agents of any rule or regulation promulgated under the 1933 Act or 1934 Act applicable to the Company or its agents; (v) any violation of this Agreement; and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with such registration; or (vi) any failure to register or qualify the Registrable Securities included in any such Registration Statement in any state where the Company or its

agents has affirmatively undertaken or agreed in writing that the Company will undertake such registration or qualification on an Investor’s behalf and will reimburse such Investor, and each such officer, director or member and each such controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided,  however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon (i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such Investor or any such controlling person in writing specifically for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the use by an Investor of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Investor in writing that such Prospectus is outdated or defective or (iii) an Investor’s failure to send or give a copy of the Prospectus or supplement (as then amended or supplemented), if required (and not exempted) to the Persons asserting an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of Registrable Securities.

(b) Indemnification by the Investors.  Each Investor agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors, officers, employees, stockholders and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the 1933 Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expense (including reasonable attorney fees) resulting from any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission of a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information furnished in writing by such Investor to the Company specifically for inclusion in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto.  In no event shall the liability of an Investor be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of all expense paid by such Investor in connection with any claim relating to this Section 6 and the amount of any damages such Investor has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission) received by such Investor upon the sale of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification and (ii) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided that any person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such person unless (a) the indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees or expenses, (b) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such person or (c) in the reasonable judgment of any such person, based upon written advice of its counsel, a conflict of interest exists between such person and the indemnifying party with respect to such claims (in which case, if the person notifies the indemnifying party in writing that such person elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such claim on behalf of such person); and provided, further that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the

indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder, except to the extent that such failure to give notice shall materially adversely affect the indemnifying party in the defense of any such claim or litigation.  It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for fees or expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties.  No indemnifying party will, except with the consent of the indemnified party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or conditioned, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.

(d) Contribution.  If for any reason the indemnification provided for in the preceding paragraphs (a) and (b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient to hold it harmless, other than as expressly specified therein, then the indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act shall be entitled to contribution from any person not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  In no event shall the contribution obligation of a holder of Registrable Securities be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of all expenses paid by such holder in connection with any claim relating to this Section 6 and the amount of any damages such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission) received by it upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such contribution obligation.

7. Miscellaneous.

(a) Amendments and Waivers.  This Agreement may be amended only by a writing signed by the Company and the Required Investors.  The Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company shall have obtained the written consent to such amendment, action or omission to act, of the Required Investors.

(b) Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made as set forth in Section 9.4 of the Purchase Agreement.

(c) Assignments and Transfers by Investors.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Investors and their respective successors and assigns.  An Investor may transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more persons its rights hereunder in connection with the transfer of Registrable Securities by such Investor to such person, provided that such Investor complies with all laws applicable thereto, and the provisions of the Purchase Agreement, and provides written notice of assignment to the Company promptly after such assignment is effected, and such person agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein.

(d) Assignments and Transfers by the Company.  This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written

consent of the Required Investors, provided, however, that in the event that the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar business combination transaction in which the Common Stock is converted into the equity securities of another Person, from and after the effective time of such transaction, such Person shall, by virtue of such transaction, be deemed to have assumed the obligations of the Company hereunder, the term “Company” shall be deemed to refer to such Person and the term “Registrable Securities” shall be deemed to include the securities received by the Investors in connection with such transaction unless such securities are otherwise freely tradable by the Investors after giving effect to such transaction.

(e) Benefits of the Agreement.  The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective permitted successors and assigns of the parties.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

(f) Counterparts; Faxes.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  This Agreement may also be executed via facsimile, which shall be deemed an original.

(g) Titles and Subtitles.  The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

(h) Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof but shall be interpreted as if it were written so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the parties hereby waive any provision of law which renders any provisions hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

(i) Further Assurances.  The parties shall execute and deliver all such further instruments and documents and take all such other actions as may reasonably be required to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and to evidence the fulfillment of the agreements herein contained.

(j) Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

(k) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State

of New York without regard to the choice of law principles thereof.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in New York County and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on each party hereto anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court.  Each party hereto irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO REQUEST A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND REPRESENTS THAT COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONSULTED SPECIFICALLY AS TO THIS WAIVER.

(l) No Piggyback on Registrations; Prohibition on Filing Other Registration Statements. Neither the Company nor any of its security holders (other than the Investors in such capacity pursuant hereto) may include securities of the Company in any Registration Statements other than the Registrable Securities. The Company shall not file any other registration statements until all Registrable Securities are registered pursuant to a Registration Statement that is declared effective by the SEC, provided that this Section 7(l) shall not prohibit the Company from filing (i) amendments to registration statements filed prior to the date of this Agreement, (ii) a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 for a primary offering by the Company, provided that the Company makes no offering of securities pursuant to such shelf registration statement prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement required hereunder that includes all of the Registrable Securities and (iii) a registration statement on Form S-8.

COMPANY:

ACLARIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.

By:

/s/ Neal Walker

Name: Neal Walker

Title:  President and CEO

INVESTOR:

Aisling Capital IV LP

By:

/s/ Robert Wenzel

Name: Robert Wenzel

Title: Controller

INVESTOR:

Rock Springs Capital Master Fund LP

By: Rock Springs General Partner LLC

Its: General Partner

By:

/s/ Graham McPhail

Name: Graham McPhail

Title: Managing Director/Member

INVESTOR:

CVI Investments, Inc.

By: Heights Capital Management, Inc.

Its: Authorized Agent

By:

/s/ Martin Kobinger

Name: Martin Kobinger

Title: Investment Manager

INVESTOR:

Eventide Healthcare & Life Sciences Fund

By:

/s/ Erik Naviloff

Name: Erik Naviloff

Title: Treasurer, Mutual Fund Services Trust

INVESTOR:

Mossrock Capital, LLC

By:

/s/ Thomas Malley

Name: Thomas Malley

Title: President

INVESTOR:

Sabby Healthcare Master Fund, Ltd.

By:

/s/ Robert Grundstein

Name: Robert Grundstein

Title: COO of Investment Manager

INVESTOR:

Monashee Investment Management LLC

By:

/s/ Tom Wynn

Name: Tom Wynn

Title: Partner

INVESTOR:

Cormorant Global Healthcare Master Fund, LP

By:

/s/ Bihua Chen

Name: Bihua Chen

Title: Managing Member of GP

INVESTOR:

CRMA SPV, L.P.

By:

/s/ Bihua Chen

Name: Bihua Chen

Title: Managing Member of Special LP

•

on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

•

in the over-the-counter market;

•

in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;

•

through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

•

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

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block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

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purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

•

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

•

privately negotiated transactions;

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short sales;

•

sales pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act;

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broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;

•

a combination of any such methods of sale; and

•

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.