Securities Trading Policy
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
22 August 2023
Updated Securities Trading Policy
Cogstate Ltd (ASX.CGS) attaches the following documents in relation to FY2023:
Updated Securities Trading Policy
This announcement was authorised for released by a sub-committee of the Board of Directors of Cogstate Ltd.
About Cogstate
Cogstate Ltd (ASX:CGS) is the neuroscience technology company optimising brain health assessments to advance the
development of new medicines and to enable earlier clinical insights in healthcare. Cogstate technologies provide rapid, reliable
and highly sensitive computerised cognitive tests across a growing list of domains and support electronic clinical outcome
assessment (eCOA) solutions to replace costly and error-prone paper assessments with real-time data capture. The company’s
clinical trials solutions include quality assurance services for study endpoints that combine innovative operational approaches,
advanced analytics and scientific consulting. For 20 years, Cogstate has proudly supported the leading-edge research needs of
biopharmaceutical companies and academic institutions and the clinical care needs of physicians and patients around the world.
In the Healthcare market, in August 2019 Cogstate entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with the pharmaceutical
company Eisai, under which Eisai will market Cogstate technologies as digital cognitive assessment tools in Japanese markets.
In October 2020, Cogstate extended its agreement with Eisai to the Rest of the World. The product, branded as NouKNOW,
launched in Japan on 31 March 2020 (nouknow.jp). For more information, please visit www.cogstate.com.
For further information contact:
Brad O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer, boconnor@cogstate.com
Securities
Trading Policy
22 August 2023
Securities Trading Policy
Cogstate Limited (ABN 80 090 972 723) and its subsidiaries
(Cogstate)
Securities Trading Policy – 22 August 2023
Page 1 of 13
1
Introduction and Purpose
1.1 Background
This Securities Trading Policy (Policy)1 regulates Trading by Directors, employees of Cogstate (“the
Company”) and their Closely Connected Persons and Entities in Company Securities or Securities of any
other companies.
Directors and all employees must comply with the insider trading prohibitions of the Corporations Act at
all times. Any person who possesses inside information in relation to a company must not Trade in
Securities of that company, regardless of the terms of this Policy or any written clearance given under
this Policy in respect of Company Securities.
In addition to setting out general principles in relation to Trading in Securities applicable to all Directors
and employees of the Company, this Policy recognises that there are specific periods when Directors
and Restricted Employees should not Trade in Company Securities. This Policy also sets out procedures
which apply to Trading in Company Securities by Directors and Restricted Employees.
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this Policy is to assist Directors and employees, including Restricted Employees, to
comply with their obligations under the insider trading prohibitions of the Corporations Act and to protect
the reputation of the Company, its Directors and employees.
All Directors and employees, particularly Restricted Employees, should read this Policy carefully and
familiarise themselves with the requirements and procedures detailed in it.
The Board considers insider trading to be both illegal and unethical. Any breach of this Policy will be
regarded as serious misconduct.
If you have any questions about this Policy please contact the Company Secretary.
1.3 Definitions
Capitalised terms used in this Policy are defined in the Schedule.
2
Key principles of insider trading prohibition
2.1 Conduct prohibited by law
Under the Corporations Act, if a person possesses "inside information" in relation to Securities of the
Company or any other company, the person must not:
A link to the Company's corporate governance policies can be found here:
https://www.cogstate.com/investors/corporate-governance/
1
Securities Trading Policy – 22 August 2023
Page 2 of 13
a) Deal in those Securities; or
b) Procure another person to Deal in those Securities; or
c) directly or indirectly communicate the information, or cause the information to be communicated, to
another person if the first-mentioned person knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the other
person would, or would be likely to, Deal in those Securities in any way or Procure a third person to
Deal in those Securities.
Importantly, given the broad definition of "Procure", a person who Deals in Securities through a trust or
company while in possession of inside information may contravene the insider trading prohibitions in the
Corporations Act and this Policy.
2.2 When a person possesses inside information
A person possesses inside information in relation to Securities of the Company or another company
where:
a) the person possesses information that is not generally available and, if the information were
generally available, a reasonable person would expect it to have a material effect on the price or
value of the Securities; and
b) the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the information is not generally available and, if
it were generally available, a reasonable person would expect it to have a material effect on the price
or value of the Securities.
Directors and employees may only assume that information in respect of the Company or another
Australian company is generally available if it has been announced to ASX.
Trading in Securities of a foreign company will be governed by the laws of the local jurisdiction and
where a Director or employee believes they may possess inside information (or equivalent) in respect of
that foreign company, they should seek legal advice in respect of insider trading laws of that jurisdiction.
A reasonable person would be taken to expect information to have a material effect on the price or value
of Securities if the information would, or would be likely to, influence persons who commonly acquire
Securities in deciding whether or not to acquire or dispose of the Securities.
2.3 A person does not need to be an "insider"
A person can possess inside information in respect of a company, even if they are not associated in any
way with that company. It is irrelevant how the inside information was obtained.
2.4 Penalties
A person who Trades in Securities while they possess inside information or communicates that
information in the circumstances described in paragraph 2.1(c) above may be liable for both significant
civil and criminal penalties.
In addition, a breach of this Policy may lead to disciplinary action by the Company, including termination
of employment with the Company.
Securities Trading Policy – 22 August 2023
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2.5 Examples of inside information
The following items are examples of information which may be inside information in relation to the
Company:
a) a change in financial forecasts or expectations;
b) a proposed dividend;
c) pending changes in the Board of Directors or senior executives;
d) pending ASX announcements;
e) proposed changes in capital structure, including issues of securities, rights issues, the redemption of
securities and capital reconstructions;
f)
giving or receiving a notice of intention to make a takeover offer;
g) debt facilities and borrowings;
h) proposed mergers, demergers, acquisitions and divestments;
i)
significant proposed changes in operations, strategy or proposed changes in the general character or
nature of the business of the Company or its subsidiaries;
j)
liquidity and cash flow information;
k) sales figures;
l)
major or material purchases or sales of assets;
m) significant new contracts or customers or loss of a significant contract or customer;
n) an entity proposing to buy, or a holder proposing to sell, a substantial number of Company
Securities;
o) industry issues that may have a material impact on the Company;
p) significant litigation involving the Company;
q) cybersecurity risks and incidents, including vulnerabilities and data breaches;
r)
allegations of any material breach of the law or other regulatory requirements by the Company; and
s) decisions on significant issues affecting the Company by regulatory bodies in Australia or other
relevant jurisdictions.
This is not an exhaustive list.
3
Restrictions on trading
3.1 General principles
Directors and employees must comply with the following general principles in relation to Trading in
Securities:
a) Directors and employees must comply with the insider trading provisions of the Corporations Act at
all times and must not Trade in Securities whilst in possession of inside information in respect of
those in Securities; and
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b) Directors and employees must not derive personal advantage from information which is not generally
available and which has been obtained by reason of their connection with the Company.
3.2 Short term Trading - all Directors and employees
Except as stated below, Directors and employees must not engage in short term Trading of Company
Securities.
In general, the acquisition of Securities with a view to resale within a 6 month period and the sale of
Securities with a view to repurchase within a 6 month period would be considered to be transactions of a
short term nature.
Provided that Directors and employees are not in possession of inside information, this prohibition does
not restrict the sale of Securities following the vesting or exercise of options under any employee share
scheme.
3.3 Short Selling - all Directors and employees
Directors and employees must not engage in short selling of Company Securities. Short selling involves
selling Securities that a person has borrowed (rather than those that they own) with a view to
repurchasing them later at a lower price and returning them to the lender.
In general, the execution of a short sale in reliance on an existing securities lending arrangement to have
a 'presently exercisable and unconditional right to vest' the products in the buyer at the time of sale would
be considered to be a short sale transaction.
Short selling can send a negative message about the level of confidence in the prospects of the
Company. It could also be speculated that short selling of Company Securities by a Director or
employee is due to their knowledge or awareness of negative information about the Company that the
market is not aware of or had not fully absorbed.
3.4 Securities of other companies
Directors and employees must not Trade in Securities of another company whilst in possession of inside
information in respect of that company.
3.5 No Trading in Company Securities during Prohibited Periods
Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities must not Trade in
Company Securities during the following Prohibited Periods:
a) two weeks before the Company's year end until the business day after the release of the full year
results;
b) two weeks before the Company's half year end until the business day after the release of the half
yearly results;
c) if a quarterly report is required to be released, two weeks before the Company's quarterly balance
date until the business day after the release of the quarterly report;
Securities Trading Policy – 22 August 2023
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d) two weeks before the Company's Annual General Meeting until the business day after the Annual
General Meeting; and
e) any additional periods imposed by the Board from time to time (for example when the company is
considering matters which are subject to Listing Rule 3.1A).
However, even if a Prohibited Period is not operating, Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely
Connected Persons and Entities must not Trade in Company Securities at that time if they are in
possession of inside information.
3.6 Prior written clearance for Trading
Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities must seek prior written
clearance before undertaking any Trading in Company Securities.
This requirement applies to all Trading outside of a Prohibited Period and any Trading during a Prohibited
Period which is subject to an exception in paragraph 3.12 of this Policy. (The procedures for seeking
prior written clearance to Trade during a Prohibited Period as a consequence of Exceptional
Circumstances are set out in paragraph 3.11.)
In order to seek clearance to Trade, Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons
and Entities must submit a written request (which may include an email communication) to the Designated
Officer and copied to the Company Secretary at least 5 days (where the 5 days can include weekends
and public holidays) before the proposed trade date. Such written request must include a statement that
the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity seeking approval does not
have inside information relevant to the Securities or proposed Trade, and they are not aware of any
reason by clearance should not be provided The Designated Officer may request such information as
considered appropriate in the circumstances.
The Designated Officer's discretion will be exercised with caution having regard to the importance of
minimising both the risk and the appearance, of insider trading. Directors, Restricted Employees and
Closely Connected Persons and Entities should be aware that the Designated Officer is not obliged to
provide the clearance to Trade. A clearance to Trade may be withdrawn to the extent new information or
circumstances arise that, had they been known at the time the initial clearance to Trade was granted,
would have resulted in the Designated Officer determining that such clearance would be inappropriate.
Any decision of the Designated Officer to refuse clearance to Trade is final and binding and must be kept
confidential by the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity. The
Designated Officer is not required to give reasons should clearance be refused.
Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities may only engage in the
proposed Trading if and only if prior written clearance is given by the Designated Officer. Any clearance
for the Trading will be valid for 7 days from the date it is given.
The Company Secretary will inform the Board of the details of all Trades cleared.
Approval of Trade can be withdrawn if new information comes to light or if there is a change in
circumstances.
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3.7 Subsequent notification of all Trading
Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities must provide the
Company Secretary with subsequent written notification of all Trading in Company Securities within two
business days, regardless of whether prior written clearance has been given for that Trading.
Directors must provide sufficient details of all Trading to enable the Company to file a notice in
accordance with the ASX Listing Rules within 5 business days of the Trade. The Company will also be
obliged to notify ASX whether the Trading by a Director occurred during a Closed Period where prior
written clearance was required and, if so, that prior written clearance was provided.
The Company Secretary will inform the Board of the details for all Trading notified to ASX.
3.8 Margin loans and other security interests
No Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity may enter into a margin loan
or similar funding arrangement to acquire any Company Securities, (which includes transferring
Securities into an existing margin loan account, or selling Securities to satisfy a call pursuant to a margin
loan) or grant lenders any rights over their Company Securities.
3.9 Hedging and Derivatives
Directors and Restricted Employees must not use, or allow to be used, any Derivatives or other products
which operate to limit the economic risk of holding unvested Company Securities or Company Securities
which are subject to holding locks.
3.10 Trading may be permitted in Exceptional Circumstances
A Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity who is not in possession of
inside information in relation to the Company may, subject to applicable law, Trade in Company
Securities during a Prohibited Period if:
a) the Designated Officer determines that an Exceptional Circumstance applies to the Director,
Restricted Employee Closely Connected Person and Entity; and
b) prior written clearance is granted by the Designated Officer in accordance with this Policy to permit
the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity to Trade in Company
Securities during the Prohibited Period.
A Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity seeking clearance to Trade
during a Prohibited Period must satisfy the Designated Officer that Exceptional Circumstances exist and
that the proposal to Trade in Company Securities during a Prohibited Period is the only reasonable
course of action available. Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities
must apply for clearance in accordance with paragraph 3.11 below.
However, even if prior written clearance is given, Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely
Connected Persons and Entities must not Trade in Company Securities if the person is in possession of
any inside information.
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3.11 Prior written clearance
In order to seek prior written clearance to Trade during a Prohibited Period due to Exceptional
Circumstances, Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities must
submit a written request to the Designated Officer at least 5 days (where the 5 days can include
weekends and public holidays) before the proposed trade date. Such written request must include a
statement that the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Persons and Entities seeking
approval does not have inside information relevant to the Securities or proposed Trade, and they are not
aware of any reason why approval should not be provided. The Designated Officer may request such
information as considered appropriate in the circumstances.
The Designated Officer's discretion will be exercised with caution and having regard to the importance of
minimising both the risk and appearance of insider trading. Directors, Restricted Employees and
Closely Connected Persons and Entities should be aware that the Designated Officer is not obliged to
provide the clearance to Trade, even if Exceptional Circumstances exist. A clearance to Trade may be
withdrawn to the extent new information or circumstances arise that, had they been known at the time the
initial clearance to Trade was granted, would have resulted in the Designated Officer determining that
such clearance would be inappropriate.
Any decision of the Designated Officer to refuse clearance to Trade is final and binding and must be kept
confidential by the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity. The
Designated Officer is not required to give reasons should clearance be refused.
Directors, Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities may only engage in the
proposed Trading if written clearance is given. Any prior written clearance given for Exceptional
Circumstances trading will be valid for 7 days from the date it is given.
The Company's decision to refuse approval is final and binding on the person seeking the approval and
if approval to Trade is refused, the person seeking the approval must keep that information confidential
and not disclose it to anyone.
3.12 Dealings which may occur during a Prohibited Period
Provided that the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity is not in
possession of any inside information, during a Prohibited Period Directors, Restricted Employees and
Closely Connected Persons and Entities may Trade in Company Securities in the circumstances
described below:
a) (No change in beneficial ownership) Trades in Company Securities where the Trading does not
result in a change of beneficial interest in the Securities;
b) (Transfers into a superannuation fund) Transfers of Company Securities already held into a
superannuation fund or other saving scheme in which the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely
Connected Person and Entity is a beneficiary;
c) (Investment in fund etc) An investment in, or Trading in units of, a fund or other scheme (other than
a scheme only investing in Company Securities) where the assets of the fund or other scheme are
invested at the discretion of a third party;
Securities Trading Policy – 22 August 2023
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d) (Director or Restricted Employee acting as trustee) Where the Director, Restricted Employee or
Closely Connected Person and Entity is a trustee or a director of a corporate trustee, Trading in
Company Securities by that trust provided the Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected
Person and Entity is not a beneficiary of the trust and any decision to Trade during a Prohibited
Period is taken by the other trustees or directors or by the investment managers independently of the
Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity;
e) (Accepting a takeover offer) Undertakings to accept, or the acceptance of, a takeover offer, or
participation in a scheme of arrangement;
f)
(Rights issue, security purchase plan, distribution reinvestment plan etc) Trading under an
offer or invitation made to all or most of the Company's security holders, such as a rights issue, a
security purchase plan, a dividend or distribution reinvestment plan or an equal access buy-back,
where the plan that determines the timing and structure of the offer has been approved by the Board.
(This extends to decisions relating to whether or not to take up the entitlements and the sale of
entitlements required to provide for the take up of the balance of entitlements under a renounceable
pro rata issue);
g) (Exercise of options or rights) The exercise (but not the sale of Securities following exercise) of an
option or a right under an employee incentive scheme.;
h) (Share qualification) The acquisition of shares by a Director to obtain a share qualification.
Please note that the Policy requirements with respect to prior written clearance and subsequent
notification continue to apply to Trading under one of the above exceptions - see paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7.
4
Other matters
4.1 Qualifications
Under insider trading laws, a person who possesses inside information about an entity's securities is
generally prohibited from trading in those securities. This applies even where:
a) the trading occurs at a time that would otherwise be outside a Prohibited Period specified in this
Policy;
b) the trading falls within an exclusion in this Policy; or
c) the person has been given clearance under the Policy to Trade (whether in exceptional
circumstances or otherwise).
Clearance to Trade under this Policy is not an endorsement of the proposed Trade nor a representation
that such Trade is lawful. The person Trading is the individual responsible for his or her investment
decisions and his or her compliance with insider trading laws.
Before any Director or Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity Trades in
Securities, they should consider carefully whether they are in possession of any inside information that
might preclude them from Trading at that time and, if they have any doubt they should seek professional
advice.
Securities Trading Policy – 22 August 2023
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When seeking written clearance to Trade in Company Securities, Directors, Restricted Employees and
Closely Connected Persons and Entities must certify that they are not in possession of any inside
information that might preclude them from Trading.
If any Director, Restricted Employee or Closely Connected Person and Entity comes into possession of
inside information after receiving a clearance to Trade, they must not Trade despite having received the
clearance.
4.2 Closely Connected Persons and Entities
Directors and employees (including Restricted Employees) must take reasonable steps to advise their
Closely Connected Persons and Entities of this Policy and procure that they comply with this Policy as if
they were a Director, Restricted Employee or other employee (as applicable).
4.3 Changes to Policy
If any material changes are made to this Policy, the Company will give the amended Policy to ASX for
release to the market within 5 business days of the material change taking effect.
Amendments to the Policy which are likely to constitute a material change include:
a) changes to the Closed Periods;
b) changes with respect to Trading in Company Securities which is not subject to a Prohibited Period
(as set out in paragraph 3.12 of this Policy); and
c) changes with respect to the Exceptional Circumstances in which Directors and Restricted Employees
may be permitted to Trade during a Prohibited Period (as set out in paragraphs 3.10 and 3.11 of this
Policy).
4.4 Adoption of Policy and annual Board review
This Policy was adopted by the Board on 29 August 2022 and takes effect from that date and replaces all
previous securities trading policies in this regard.
The Board will review this Policy annually. The Company Secretary will communicate any amendments
to employees as appropriate.
4.5
Record keeping
The Board will ensure that records are made capturing the details of all applications by Directors,
Restricted Employees and Closely Connected Persons and Entities for approval under this Policy and
the decisions made in relation to those applications.
Securities Trading Policy – 22 August 2023
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Schedule 1 Definitions
For the purposes of this Policy:
ASX Listing Rules means the listing rules of ASX Limited;
Board means the board of directors of the Company;
Chair means the Chair of the Board from time to time;
Closed Period means the periods set out in paragraphs 3.5(a) and 3.5(b);
Closely Connected Persons and Entities means close family members of employees (including the spouse, de
facto partner of, or any children residing with a Director or any such employee) and any company, trust, selfmanaged or other super funds and entities which are controlled by a Director or employee or their close family
members.
Company Securities means Securities issued by the Company;
Corporations Act means the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth);
to Deal in Securities means to apply for, acquire or dispose of Securities, or enter into an agreement to do any of
those things, and Dealing has a corresponding meaning;
Derivative has the meaning in section 761D of the Corporations Act and includes options, forward contracts,
futures, warrants, swaps, caps and collars;
Designated Officer means:
a) in respect of a Director and the CEO, the Chair;
b) in respect of the Chair, the CEO; and
c) in respect of a Restricted Employee other than the CEO, the CEO.
or such other person appointed by the Board as a Designated Officer for the purposes of this Policy, with copies of
communication to be shared with the Company Secretary;
Directors means directors of any company in the Company;
Exceptional Circumstances means, in relation to a Director or Restricted Employee:
a) (Severe financial hardship): a pressing financial commitment that can only be satisfied by selling the
relevant Company Securities;
b) (Tax liability): a tax liability of such a person would constitute severe financial hardship only if the person
has no other means of satisfying the liability. A tax liability relating to Securities received under an employee
incentive scheme would also not normally constitute severe financial hardship or otherwise be considered
an exceptional circumstance for the purpose of obtaining proper written approval to sell or otherwise dispose
of Securities during a Prohibited Period;
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c) (Court order): a requirement to Trade in Company Securities as a result of:
i.
a court order;
ii.
court enforceable undertakings (eg as part of a bona fide family settlement); or
iii. some other overriding legal or regulatory requirement; or
d) (Other circumstances): any other circumstances considered exceptional by the Designated Officer;
to Procure another person to Deal in Securities includes inciting, inducing or encouraging a person to Deal or not
Deal in Securities;
Prohibited Period means the periods set out in paragraphs 3.5(a), 3.5(b) and 3.5(d);
Restricted Employees means the:
a) Chief Executive Officer;
b) Chief Financial Officer;
c) Company Secretary;
d) General Counsel;
e) Chief Scientific Officer;
f)
Chief Technical Officer;
g) Chief Commercial Officer;
h) Chief People Officer;
i)
Chief Innovation Officer;
j)
Executive Vice President and Vice President level roles;
k) Financial Controller;
l)
Quality Assurance Manager;
m) employees employed in the finance department;
n) employees employed in the Company's strategic planning department;
o) direct reports to the above positions (including, without limitation, any executive assistants to the above
people);
p) employees who have access to the emails, documents or files of the above positions; and
q) employees nominated by the Board as Restricted Employees (and who are notified accordingly),
whether employed by Cogstate or another member of the Company;
Securities includes shares, options, rights, debentures (including convertible notes), interests in a managed
investment scheme (including an option over an unissued unit or other interest in the scheme, and a renounceable
or non-renounceable right to subscribe for a unit or other interest in the scheme), Derivatives, options over an
unissued a share
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