Item 1.01Item 1.01 - Entry into Material Agreement
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Merger Agreement
On June 6, 2026, Standard BioTools Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“Standard BioTools”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”)
with Treeline Biosciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Treeline”), and Siri Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and
a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard BioTools (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Standard BioTools and Treeline will combine
in an all-stock merger upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Merger is intended to qualify for federal
income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Effect of the Merger
The Merger Agreement provides, among other things,
that (i) Merger Sub will merge with and into Treeline, with Treeline surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard BioTools (the
“Merger” and, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Transactions”),
(ii) at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), Standard BioTools will file an amendment to its certificate
of incorporation (the “Charter Amendment”) to (a) change its name to Treeline Biosciences Holdings, Inc. and (b) effect a
reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of
Standard BioTools (the “Standard BioTools Common Stock”), if the Reverse Stock Split has not been effected prior to the Effective
Time as permitted by the Merger Agreement.
As a result of the Merger, each share of Treeline
common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Treeline Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time and each share of Treeline preferred stock, par value $0.00001 per share (together with the Treeline Common Stock, the
“Treeline Capital Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (in each case, other than shares
held in treasury and dissenting shares) will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock
based on an exchange ratio calculated in accordance with the Merger Agreement (the “Exchange Ratio”), with the number of shares
of Standard BioTools Common Stock that each holder of Treeline Capital Stock is entitled to receive being rounded down to the nearest
whole share and computed after aggregating all shares of Treeline Capital Stock held by such holder. The Exchange Ratio is based on the
relative capitalization of each of Treeline and Standard BioTools and assumes (i) an equity value for Treeline of $2.5 billion and (ii) an equity value for Standard BioTools equal to $460 million, reduced by the amount by which the Parent Net Cash (as defined in the Merger
Agreement, which definition includes deductions for certain liabilities and costs) is less than $449 million at the closing of the Transactions
(the “Closing”) or increased by the amount by which Parent Net Cash is more than $451 million at the Closing.
Following the Closing, former Standard BioTools
stockholders are expected to hold approximately 16% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis, and former Treeline stockholders
are expected to hold approximately 84% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. Under certain circumstances further described
in the Merger Agreement, the pro forma ownership percentages may be adjusted based on the amount of Standard BioTools’ net cash
at Closing as finally determined in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
In addition, as of the Effective Time, Standard
BioTools will assume Treeline’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and each outstanding option to purchase shares of Treeline Common Stock
(the “Treeline Options”), whether vested or unvested. Each such Treeline Option so assumed by Standard BioTools will continue
to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions applicable to such Treeline Option immediately prior to the Effective Time,
except that (i) such Treeline Option will be exercisable for that number of shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock equal to the number
of shares of Treeline Common Stock subject to such Treeline Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange
Ratio and rounded down to the next nearest share of Standard BioTools Common Stock, and (ii) the exercise price per share of each such
Treeline Option will be the exercise price per share in effect for that Treeline Option immediately prior to the Effective Time divided
by the Exchange Ratio and rounded up to the next nearest cent.
In addition, as of the Effective Time, (i)
each warrant to purchase shares of Treeline Capital Stock (each, a “Treeline Warrant”) that has been amended to require
net-exercise in connection with the Merger (the “Treeline Converting Warrants”) and that is outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time will, by virtue of the Merger, be cancelled and extinguished and converted into the right to receive,
for each share of Treeline Common Stock that would be received upon the net-exercise of such Treeline Converting Warrant in
accordance with its terms, a number of shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio and (ii) each Treeline
Warrant that is not a Treeline Converting Warrant and that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will, by virtue of
the Merger, be assumed by Standard BioTools. Each such Treeline Warrant so assumed by Standard BioTools will continue to have, and
be subject to, the same terms and conditions applicable to such Treeline Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time, except
that (a) such Treeline Warrant will be exercisable for that number of shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock equal to the number
of shares of Treeline Common Stock subject to such Treeline Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio and rounded down to the next nearest share of Standard BioTools Common Stock and (b) the warrant price per share will
be the warrant price per share in effect for such Treeline Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by the Exchange
Ratio and rounded up to the nearest thousandth of a cent.
Approvals and Conditions to the Transactions
The Transactions have been approved by the Standard
BioTools Board of Directors (the “Standard BioTools Board”), a Special Committee of the Standard BioTools Board (the “Special
Committee”) and the Treeline Board of Directors. After execution of the Merger Agreement, on June 6, 2026, Treeline stockholders
comprising the required majorities under Treeline’s organizational documents delivered their written consent adopting the Merger
Agreement and approving the Transactions.
In connection with the Transactions, Standard BioTools
will seek the approval of its stockholders for (i) the issuance of shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock to holders of Treeline Capital
Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement and in accordance with the listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”)
(the “Standard BioTools Share Issuance”), (ii) the Charter Amendment and (iii) adoption of a post-Closing equity incentive
plan and a post-Closing employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”). Receipt of Standard BioTools stockholder approval for the
proposals described in clauses (i) and (ii) above is a condition to the Closing.
The consummation of the Transactions is subject
to certain other customary closing conditions, including, among other things, (i) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 to register certain of the shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (ii) the listing
of existing shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock on Nasdaq as of the date of the Closing (the “Closing Date”) and the
approval for listing on Nasdaq of the shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger, subject to official
notice of issuance, and (iii) expiration or termination of the waiting period applicable to the Transactions under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. Standard BioTools expects the Transactions to close in the second half of 2026.
Non-Solicitation
From the date of the Merger Agreement until the
earlier to occur of the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms and the Effective Time, Standard BioTools will
be subject to customary restrictions on its ability to, among other things, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate certain competing
acquisition proposals from third parties, (ii) participate in discussions and engage in negotiations with, and provide non-public information
to, third parties regarding competing acquisition proposals, (iii) enter into any binding or nonbinding agreement for a competing acquisition
proposal and (iv) withdraw, modify or fail to publicly affirm (in certain circumstances) the Standard BioTools Board recommendation in
favor of the Transactions, subject to a customary provision that allows Standard BioTools, under certain specified circumstances, to participate
in discussions and engage in negotiations with, and provide non-public information to, third parties with respect to a competing acquisition
proposal that did not result from a breach of the foregoing restrictions, if the Standard BioTools Board determines in good faith after
consultation with its outside legal and financial advisors that such competing acquisition proposal constitutes a Parent Superior Proposal
(as defined in the Merger Agreement) or could reasonably be expected to result in a Parent Superior Proposal and that the failure to take
such actions would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the Standard BioTools Board’s fiduciary duties. Standard BioTools
is required to notify Treeline of certain competing acquisition proposals, provide copies of written documentation related to such competing
acquisition proposals and give Treeline a customary match period before effecting a change in the Standard BioTools Board recommendation
in favor of the Transactions.
Standard BioTools Legacy Businesses
Under the Merger Agreement, Standard BioTools must
use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the sale, license, transfer, disposition, divestiture or other monetization of its mass
cytometry and microfluidics businesses (the “Legacy Business” and each such transaction, a “Legacy Transaction”).
If Standard BioTools has not entered into a definitive agreement for the disposition of any portion of the Legacy Business on or before
the date the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”),
Standard BioTools is required to commence mutually agreed wind-down activities with respect to that portion of the Legacy Business.
Termination and Fees
The Merger Agreement contains certain termination
rights for each of Treeline and Standard BioTools. Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, including if
Treeline terminates the Merger Agreement due to a change in the Standard BioTools Board recommendation in favor of the Transactions, Standard
BioTools will be required to make a payment to Treeline equal to $16.1 million in cash. Standard BioTools will be required to reimburse
Treeline’s reasonable out-of-pocket fees in connection with the Transactions in an amount up to $5 million if the Merger Agreement
is terminated due to a failure to obtain the required approval of Standard BioTools stockholders.
Combined Company Board of Directors and Executive
Team
Standard BioTools and Treeline expect the Board
of Directors of the combined company will consist of 12 members, with ten members designated by Treeline and two members designated by
Standard BioTools. The parties also expect that, immediately after the Effective Time, Dr. Josh Bilenker, currently the chief executive
officer and co-founder of Treeline, will be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the combined company, Dr. Jeff Engelman, currently
the chief scientific officer and co-founder of Treeline, will be appointed as Chief Scientific Officer of the combined company, and Spencer
Smith, currently the chief financial officer of Treeline, will be appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company.
Other Terms of the Merger Agreement
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations,
warranties and covenants of the parties thereto, including certain covenants regarding the operation of the businesses of Standard BioTools
and Treeline from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the consummation of the Transactions and the termination of the
Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms.
The preceding summary does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K
and which is incorporated herein by reference. The Merger Agreement has been attached as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K
to provide investors and securityholders with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information
about Standard BioTools or Treeline. The Merger Agreement includes representations, warranties and covenants of Standard BioTools and
Treeline made solely for the purpose of the Merger Agreement and solely for the benefit of the parties thereto in connection with the
negotiated terms of the Merger Agreement. Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement
or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions of Standard BioTools, Treeline or any of their
respective affiliates. Moreover, certain of those representations and warranties may not be accurate or complete as of any specified date,
may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from those generally applicable to SEC filings or may have been used
for purposes of allocating risk among the parties to the Merger Agreement, rather than establishing matters of fact. In addition, the
representations and warranties may be subject to exceptions contained in a disclosure schedule to the Merger Agreement which is not filed
publicly. The Merger Agreement should not be read alone, but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding
Treeline, Standard BioTools or any of their respective affiliates, the Merger Agreement and the Transactions that will be contained in,
or incorporated by reference into, the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Proxy Statement of Standard BioTools and
a prospectus of Standard BioTools as well as in the Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and other filings that Standard BioTools makes with the SEC.
Voting Agreements
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger
Agreement, certain stockholders of Standard BioTools (including its directors and certain officers), collectively holding
approximately 39% of the outstanding shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock, entered into voting agreements (the “Voting
Agreements”) pursuant to which they have agreed to vote all of their shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock in favor of the
Standard BioTools Share Issuance, the Charter Amendment and the adoption of the post-Closing equity incentive plan and post-Closing
ESPP, subject to a reduction in the number of shares subject to the voting requirements for certain stockholders in the event of a
change in the recommendation of the Special Committee in favor of the Transactions such that the aggregate number of outstanding
shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock subject to the voting requirements in the Voting Agreements is reduced to approximately 30%
of the outstanding shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock.
The preceding summary of the Voting Agreements
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Voting Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
this Current Report on Form 8-K and which is incorporated herein by reference.
Lock-Up Agreements
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger
Agreement, certain stockholders of each of Standard BioTools and Treeline (including each individual who will serve as a director or
executive officer of the combined company following the Closing) entered into lock-up agreements (the “Lock-Up
Agreements”), pursuant to which, subject to specified exceptions, such persons agreed not to offer, pledge, sell or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, certain of the shares of the common stock of the combined company (or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of the common stock of the combined company) held by such person for a
period of 180 days following the Closing.
The preceding summary of the Lock-Up Agreements
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Lock-Up Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit
10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and which is incorporated herein by reference.
Contingent Value Rights Agreement
Prior to the Effective Time, Standard BioTools
expects to declare a dividend to Standard BioTools stockholders as of the close of business on the last business day prior to the day
on which the Effective Time occurs in the form of one contingent value right (each, a “CVR”) for each outstanding share of
Standard BioTools Common Stock held by such stockholder on such date. The payment date for such dividend will be three business days after
the Effective Time. The CVRs will be issued pursuant to the terms of a Contingent Value Rights Agreement to be entered into between Standard
BioTools and a rights agent (the “CVR Agreement”).
Pursuant to the CVR Agreement, the holder of each
CVR will be entitled to receive a payment for each 12-month CVR payment period during the five year term of the CVR Agreement, consisting
of a number of shares of Standard BioTools Common Stock (with fractional shares settled in cash) equal to such holder’s pro rata
portion of the aggregate net proceeds received by the combined company during such 12-month CVR payment period from the following sources:
(i) proceeds from any sale, disposition, or other monetization of the Legacy Business; (ii) proceeds from convertible notes or other investments
held by Standard BioTools as of the Closing Date; (iii) earnout, milestone, royalty or other similar contingent payments due to Standard
BioTools under contracts in effect as of the Closing Date, including payments from Illumina, Inc. pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement
dated June 22, 2025; and (iv) any surplus in Standard BioTools’ net cash delivered at Closing as finally determined under the Merger
Agreement. The maximum number of shares of common stock of the combined company which may be issued by the combined company pursuant to
the CVR Agreement is 76,000,000. There can be no assurance that any payments will be made on the CVRs.
The right to the contingent payments contemplated
by the CVR Agreement is a contractual right only and is not transferable, except in the limited circumstances specified in the CVR Agreement.
The CVRs are not evidenced by a certificate or any other instrument and are not registered with the SEC. The CVRs do not have any voting
or dividend rights and do not represent any equity or ownership interest in Standard BioTools or any of its respective affiliates. No
interest will accrue on any amounts payable in respect of the CVRs.
The preceding summary of the CVR Agreement does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of CVR Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3
to this Current Report on Form 8-K and which is incorporated herein by reference.