SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 13G
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INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1 AND 13d-2
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Orign Agritech, Ltd.
(NAME OF ISSUER)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
G6782106
(CUSIP NUMBER)
December 30, 2005
(Date of Event which requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to
designate the rule pursuant to
which this Schedule is filed:
[ ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[x] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
(Page 1 of 17 Pages)
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* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 2 of 17 PAGES
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(1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSON
Ardsley Partners Fund II, L.P.
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [x]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
0
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
265,750
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
265,750
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
265,750
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
1.75%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 3 of 17 PAGES
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(1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSON
Ardsley Partners Institutional Fund, L.P.
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [x]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
0
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
152,500
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
152,500
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
152,500
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
1.00%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 4 of 17 PAGES
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(1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSON
Ardsley Offshore Fund Ltd.
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [x]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
British Virgin Islands
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
0
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
364,400
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
364,400
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
364,400
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
2.41
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
CO
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 5 of 17 PAGES
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(1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSON
Ardsley Advisory Partners
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [x]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
New York
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
0
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
796,900
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
796,900
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
796,900
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.28%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN; IA
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 6 of 17 PAGES
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(1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSON
Ardsley Partners I
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [x]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
New York
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
0
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
418,250
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
418,250
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
418,250
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
2.76%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 7 of 17 PAGES
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(1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSON
Philip J. Hempleman
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [x]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
0
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
796,900
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
796,900
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
796,900
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.28%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
IN
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 8 of 17 PAGES
ITEM 1(a). NAME OF ISSUER:
The name of the issuer is Origin Agritech, Ltd. (the
"Company").
ITEM 1(b). ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
625 Broadway, Suite 1111 San Diego, CA 92101
ITEM 2(a). NAME OF PERSON FILING:
This statement is filed by:
(i) Ardsley Partners Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("AP II"), with respect to the shares of Common Stock (defined
in Item 2(d) below) directly owned by it;
(ii) Ardsley Partners Institutional Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("Ardsley Institutional"), with respect to the
shares of Common Stock directly owned by it;
(iii) Ardsley Offshore Fund Ltd., a British Virgin Islands
Corporation ("Ardsley Offshore"), with respect to the shares
of Common Stock directly owned by it;
(iv) Ardsley Advisory Partners, a New York general partnership
("Ardsley") which serves as Investment Manager of Ardsley
Offshore, and as Investment Adviser of AP II, Ardsley
Institutional and certain managed accounts, with respect to
the shares of Common Stock directly owned by Ardsley Offshore,
AP II, Ardsley Institutional and the managed accounts;
(v) Ardsley Partners I, a New York general partnership ("Ardsley
Partners") which serves as General Partner of Ardsley, AP II
and Ardsley Institutional; and
(vi) Philip J. Hempleman ("Mr. Hempleman"), the managing partner of
Ardsley and of Ardsley Partners and may, by virtue of his
position as managing partner, be deemed to have power to
direct the voting and disposition of the Common Stock held or
controlled by Ardsley, Ardsley Partners, AP II, Ardsley
Institutional, Ardsley Offshore and the managed accounts. Mr.
Hempleman disclaims beneficial ownership of the Common Stock
reported herein, other than the portion of such shares which
relates to his individual economic interest in AP II.
The foregoing persons are hereinafter sometimes collectively
referred to as the "Reporting Persons". Any disclosures herein with respect to
persons other than the Reporting Persons are made on information and belief
after making inquiry to the appropriate party.
ITEM 2(b). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE:
The address of the business office of each of the Reporting Persons,
with the exception of Ardsley Offshore, is 262 Harbor Drive, Stamford,
Connecticut 06902.
The address of the registered office of Ardsley Offshore is Romasco
Place, Wickhams Cay 1, Roadtown Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
ITEM 2(c). CITIZENSHIP:
AP II and Ardsley Institutional are Delaware limited partnerships.
Ardsley Offshore is a British Virgin Islands Corporation. Ardsley and Ardsley
Partners are New York general partnerships. Mr. Hempleman is a United States
Citizen.
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 9 of 17 PAGES
ITEM 2(d). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES: Common Stock, $0.01 par value
("Common Stock")
ITEM 2(e). CUSIP NUMBER: G6782106
ITEM 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1(b), OR 13d-2(b),
CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A:
(a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act
(b) [ ] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act
(c) [ ] Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act
(d) [ ] Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act
(e) [ ] Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940
(f) [ ] Employee Benefit Plan, Pension Fund which is subject to
the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974 or Endowment Fund; see Rule 13d- 1(b)(1)(ii)(F)
(g) [ ] Parent Holding Company, in accordance with Rule 13d-
1(b)(ii)(G); see item 7
(h) ( ) Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(H)
If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c), check the box. [X]
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 10 of 17 PAGES
ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP.
A. Ardsley Partners Fund II, L.P.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 265,750
(b) Percent of class: 1.75%. The percentages used herein and
in the rest of Item 4 are calculated based upon the 15,100,000 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding at November 9, 2005 as reflected on Bloomberg.
(c) (i) Sole Power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 265,750
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
265,750
B. Ardsley Partners Institutional Fund, L.P.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 152,500
(b) Percent of class: 1.00%
(c) (i) Sole Power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 152,500
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
152,500
C. Ardsley Offshore Fund Ltd.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 364,400
(b) Percent of class: 2.41%
(c) (i) Sole Power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 364,400
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
364,400
D. Ardsley Advisory Partners
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 796,900
(b) Percent of class: 5.28%
(c) (i) Sole Power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 796,900
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
796,900
E. Ardsley Partners I
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 418,250
(b) Percent of class: 2.76%
(c) (i) Sole Power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 418,250
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
418,250
F. Philip J. Hempleman
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 796,900
(b) Percent of class: 5.28%
(c) (i) Sole Power to vote or direct the vote: 0
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 796,900
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:
796,900
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 11 of 17 PAGES
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.
Ardsley, the Investment Manager of Ardsley Offshore and the Investment
Adviser of certain managed accounts, has the power to vote and direct the
disposition of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock owned by
Ardsley Offshore and the managed accounts, and accordingly may be deemed the
direct "beneficial owner" of such shares of Common Stock.
Ardsley, the Investment Adviser of AP II and Ardsley Institutional
shares the power to vote and direct the disposition of the proceeds from the
sale of the shares of Common Stock owned by AP II and Ardsley Institutional, and
accordingly may be deemed the direct "beneficial owner" of such shares of Common
Stock.
Ardsley Partners, the General Partner of AP II and Ardsley
Institutional shares the power to vote and direct the disposition of the shares
of Common Stock owned by AP II and Ardsley Institutional, and accordingly may be
deemed the direct "beneficial owner" of such shares of Common Stock.
Mr. Hempleman is the Managing Partner of Ardsley and Ardsley Partners
and in that capacity directs their operations and therefore may be deemed to be
the indirect "beneficial owner" of the shares of Common Stock owned by Ardsley
Offshore, AP II, Ardsley Institutional and the managed accounts. Mr. Hempleman
also has the power to vote and direct the disposition of the proceeds from the
sale of the shares of Common Stock that he owns individually.
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED
THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.
Not applicable.
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 12 of 17 PAGES
ITEM 10. CERTIFICATION.
Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:
By signing below I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of
business, were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of
changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were
not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having
such purposes or effect.
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 13 of 17 PAGES
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of their knowledge and
belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement
is true, complete and correct.
DATED: as of February 14, 2006
ARDSLEY PARTNERS FUND II, L.P.
BY: ARDSLEY PARTNERS I,
GENERAL PARTNER
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
General Partner
ARDSLEY PARTNERS INSTITUTIONAL FUND, L.P.
BY: ARDSLEY PARTNERS I,
GENERAL PARTNER
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
General Partner
ARDSLEY OFFSHORE FUND LTD.
BY:/s/ Neil Glass_
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Neil Glass
Vice-President and Administrative Manager
ARDSLEY ADVISORY PARTNERS
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
General Partner
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 14 of 17 PAGES
ARDSLEY PARTNERS I
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
----------------
Steve Napoli
General Partner
PHILIP J. HEMPLEMAN, Individually
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 15 of 17 PAGES
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)(1)
The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing
statement on Schedule 13G is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that
all subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G/A shall be filed on
behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional
joint filing statements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be
responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness
and accuracy of the information concerning him, her or it contained herein, but
shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information
concerning the other entities or persons, except to the extent that he, she or
it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.
Dated: as of February 14, 2006
ARDSLEY PARTNERS FUND II, L.P.
BY: ARDSLEY PARTNERS I,
GENERAL PARTNER
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
General Partner
ARDSLEY PARTNERS INSTITUTIONAL FUND, L.P.
BY: ARDSLEY PARTNERS I,
GENERAL PARTNER
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
General Partner
ARDSLEY OFFSHORE FUND LTD.
BY:/s/ Neil Glass
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Neil Glass
Vice-President and Administrative Manager
ARDSLEY ADVISORY PARTNERS
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
General Partner
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 16 of 17 PAGES
ARDSLEY PARTNERS I
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
----------------
Steve Napoli
General Partner
PHILIP J. HEMPLEMAN, Individually
BY:/s/ Steve Napoli
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Steve Napoli
CUSIP No. G6782106 13G PAGE 17 of 17 PAGES
EXHIBIT 2
Evidence of Power Of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that Philip J. Hempleman, an
individual residing at 2 Dublin Hill Drive, Greenwich, CT 06831, does hereby
nominate, constitute and appoint Steven N. Napoli, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, for him, in his name, place and stead, in the sole discretion
of any such attorney-in-fact, to prepare, or cause the preparation by other
appropriate persons of, and to execute and deliver on behalf of him, in
connection with any securities of any entity, any filing of any form under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to file the same, with all
other documents in connection therewith, in each case, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and generally do all such things in his name and on his
behalf in connection therewith consistent with the provisions of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to take any and all other action, as any such
attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or desirable in connection therewith.
Philip J. Hempleman hereby ratifies and confirms the execution,
delivery and performance (whether before or after the date hereof) of the
above-mentioned instruments or other documents by the attorney-in-fact and all
that the attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Philip J. Hempleman hereby agrees that no person or other entity
dealing with the attorney-in-fact shall be bound to inquire into such
attorney-in-fact's power and authority hereunder and any such person or entity
shall be fully protected in relying on such power of authority.
This Power of Attorney Shall be governed and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Connecticut without reference to principles of
conflicts of law.
Executed as of this 4th day of February, 2004
PHILIP J. HEMPLEMAN, Individually
BY:/s/ Philip J. Hempleman
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Philip J. Hempleman