Supplement to the Definitive Proxy Statement
The following supplemental disclosures should be reviewed in conjunction with the disclosures in the Definitive Proxy Statement, which should be carefully read in its entirety. To the extent information set forth herein differs from or updates information contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement, the information contained herein supersedes the information contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement. Any defined terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Definitive Proxy Statement. Paragraph and page references used herein refer to the Definitive Proxy Statement before any additions or deletions resulting from the supplemental disclosures. The below updated disclosures are with respect to the litigation and demands related to the Merger.
The disclosure on page 98 of the Definitive Proxy Statement is hereby supplemented by replacing the below paragraph in its entirety as follows:
In response to these significant challenges, the non-management members of the Zymergen Board engaged in regular discussions, including in meetings held on June 19, June 22, June 30, July 8, July 14, July 21 and July 28, 2021, to better understand the change in expectations by Zymergen management and reasons therefor. From time to time at such meetings, Zymergen management and advisors from Freshfields and Boston Consulting Group (“BCG”) were requested to participate and assist the Zymergen Board in its review. As part of Zymergen management’s development of an updated strategic plan over the coming months, BCG was asked to review and provide a market assessment of Zymergen’s business programs, provide input on which programs to prioritize, and work with management to simplify the organization and reduce Zymergen’s cash burn. The Zymergen Board also considered certain organizational changes that it believed were necessary to implement in light of the significant challenges that Zymergen faced. After extensive discussions, the Zymergen Board unanimously appointed Mr. Flatley as acting Chief Executive Officer to replace Josh Hoffman, Zymergen’s Chief Executive Officer at the time, and authorized the formation of a strategic oversight committee (the “Committee”) to assist with, among other things, overseeing and evaluating the formulation of a new strategic plan for Zymergen. The Committee’s role focused on evaluating strategic options available to the Company and did not include any mandate or delegated authority to accept or reject any specific transaction. Based on their respective skills and experience, the Zymergen Board appointed Jay Flatley, Sandra Peterson, Steven Chu and Travis Murdoch to serve on the Committee. Each of Ms. Peterson and Messrs. Chu and Murdoch are non-management members of the Zymergen Board.
The disclosure on page 102 of the Definitive Proxy Statement is hereby supplemented by replacing the below paragraph in its entirety as follows:
Between April 11 and June 4, 2022, at the direction of, and in regular communication with, the Zymergen Board, including at Zymergen Board meetings held on April 15, May 4, May 18, May 19, May 27, June 2 and June 3, 2022, Cowen contacted 41 potentially interested strategic parties. Eight such parties (including Ginkgo, which previously had executed a confidentiality agreement, and, as described below, Party A, Party B, Party C and a DCVC-affiliated party) executed confidentiality agreements, each of which contained a customary “don’t ask don’t waive” standstill provision, but which permitted such party to make a private proposal to the Zymergen Board, and received diligence information, including the Zymergen Projections. Only the Ginkgo confidentiality agreement contained a fall away of the standstill in the event that another party entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 50% or more of Zymergen, a tender offer was made by another party to acquire 50% or more of Zymergen or Zymergen entered into a bankruptcy or insolvency process. Three such parties participated in meetings with Zymergen’s management. Four such parties (Ginkgo, Party A, Party B and Party C) expressed interest in submitting a formal proposal to acquire Zymergen and were provided bid process letters, but only Ginkgo and Party A submitted proposals to acquire Zymergen. Prior to signing the Merger Agreement, the other parties that declined to pursue such transaction cited, among other reasons, concerns with Zymergen’s cash burn and anticipated challenges integrating Zymergen’s diverse businesses within such parties’ existing organizations.
The disclosure on page 113 of the Definitive Proxy Statement is hereby supplemented by replacing the below paragraph in its entirety as follows:
The following day on Sunday, July 24, 2022, Zymergen, Ginkgo and Merger Sub executed and delivered the Merger Agreement and the related transaction documents (including the Voting Agreements entered into by the Voting Agreement Stockholders), and prior to the start of trading on July 25, 2022, Zymergen and Ginkgo issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement. At no time prior to signing the Merger Agreement were