MERRIMACK PHARMACEUTICALS INC

In connection with the transition of the management of the day-to-day operations of the company to external consultants, we migrated our enterprise resource planning system to a less complex accounting system. Due to the termination of all employees, we have also significantly modified our internal control procedures over financial reporting to reflect the reduction in transaction volume and reliance on external consultants to manage the day-to-day operations of the company. In connection with these significant changes to the business and the control environment, we have updated our risk assessment of internal controls over financial reporting. During the second half of December 31, 2019, we have taken steps to redesign and implement internal controls over the cash disbursements process, information technology general controls and the accounting closing and reporting processes. As of December 31, 2019, we believe the controls are effectively designed to provide reasonable assurance on the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

On December 3, 2019, the Company entered into the Rights Agreement in an effort to protect stockholder value by attempting to diminish the risk that the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses (“NOLs”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations may become substantially limited. The Company’s ability to utilize its NOLs may be substantially limited if the Company experiences an "ownership change" within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). The Rights Agreement is intended to act as a deterrent to any person acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock without the approval of the Board.

The Board authorized the issuance of one Right for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, payable to stockholders of record date of the close of business on December 13, 2019 (the “Record Date”). Subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, if the Rights become exercisable, each Right would initially represent the right to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series Z Junior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Shares”) for a purchase price of $18.00 (the “Purchase Price”). Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

The Rights will not be exercisable until the earlier of (i) ten business days after a public announcement that a person has become an “Acquiring Person” by acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of outstanding common stock has become such (or, in the event an exchange is effected in accordance with Section 24 of the Rights Agreement and the Board determines that a later date is advisable, then such later date), and (ii) ten business days (or such later date as may be specified by the Board prior to such time as any person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer by or on behalf of a person that, if completed, would result in such person becoming an Acquiring Person (the “Distribution Date”).

Until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferred with and only with the common stock, and (unless the Rights are redeemed or expire) the surrender or transfer of any common stock outstanding on or after the Record Date will constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such common stock. Upon the Distribution Date, the Rights may be transferred separately from the common stock, and each Right, other than Rights held by an Acquiring Person, will entitle its holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share in exchange for the Purchase Price. The Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the common stock certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such common stock certificate with a copy of the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares.

If any person becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Rights, other than rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, an associate or affiliate of the Acquiring Person or any person with whom such person is acting in concert (all of which will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof, that number of common stock having a market value equal to two times the Purchase Price of the Right. If the Board so elects, the Company shall deliver, upon payment of the Purchase Price, an amount of cash or securities equivalent in value to the number of common stock issuable upon exercise of a Right.

The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights is subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares or a subdivision or combination of the Preferred Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Shares of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares at a price, or securities convertible into Preferred Shares with a conversion price, less than the then current market price of the Preferred Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above). The number of outstanding Rights and the number of Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.