UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 5, 2014
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
001-36279 | 75-3175693 | |
(Commission File No.) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
1 Parrott Drive
Shelton, Connecticut 06484
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (203) 567-1500
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Employment Agreements
As previously described in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the Registration Statement) filed by Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company) in connection with the Companys initial public offering of shares of its common stock (the IPO) on February 5, 2014, upon completion of the IPO, the Company entered into employment agreements with Derek Chalmers (in his position as Chief Executive Officer), Frédérique Menzaghi (in her position as Vice President Research and Development) and Josef Schoell (in his position as Chief Financial Officer) (the Employment Agreements).
Under the Employment Agreements, the executive officers respective annual salaries and target annual bonuses are:
Executive Officer |
Base Salary | Target Bonus (as a % of Base Salary) |
||||||
Dr. Chalmers |
$ | 440,000 | 50 | % | ||||
Dr. Menzaghi |
$ | 302,500 | 35 | % | ||||
Mr. Schoell |
$ | 209,000 | 35 | % |
Under the Employment Agreements, each executive officer is eligible for severance benefits in specified circumstances. Under the terms of the agreements, upon execution and effectiveness of a general release of claims, each executive officer will be entitled to severance payments if we terminate his or her employment without cause, or in the case of Dr. Chalmers, he terminates employment with us for good reason.
The foregoing description of the Employment Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full texts of the Employment Agreements, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 hereto, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
Amendment and Restatement of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
On February 5, 2014, the Company filed an amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the Amended Certificate) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the closing of the IPO. The Companys board of directors (the Board) and stockholders previously approved the Amended Certificate to be filed in connection with, and to be effective upon, the closing of the IPO, and the form of the Amended Certificate was filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the Registration Statement) filed in connection with the IPO. On February 5, 2014, the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws (the Amended Bylaws) became effective in connection with the closing of the IPO. The Companys Board and stockholders previously approved the Amended Bylaws to become effective on the closing of the IPO, and the form of the Amended Bylaws was filed as Exhibit 3.5 to the Registration Statement.
The Amended Certificate amends and restates in its entirety the Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and the Amended Bylaws amend and restate, in their entirety, the Companys amended and restated bylaws. Collectively, the Amended Certificate and the Amended Bylaws, among other things: (i) authorize 100,000,000 shares of common stock; (ii) eliminate all references to the previously existing series of preferred stock; (iii) authorize 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock that may be issued from time to time by the Board in one or more series; (iv) provide that the Board be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms, with one class of directors to be elected at each annual meeting of the Companys stockholders; (v) provide that directors may only be removed with cause and only upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (vi) provide that, subject to limited exceptions, vacancies on the Board shall only be filled by the remaining members of the Board; (vii) eliminate the ability of the Companys stockholders to take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting; and (viii) provide that only the Board, the chairman of the Board or the chief executive officer may call a special meeting of stockholders.
The foregoing description of the Amended Certificate and the Amended Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full texts of the Amended Certificate, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto, and the Amended Bylaws, which are filed as Exhibit 3.2 hereto, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
Exhibit Description | |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. | |
10.1 | Employment Agreement with Derek Chalmers. | |
10.2 | Employment Agreement with Frédérique Menzaghi. | |
10.3 | Employment Agreement with Josef Schoell. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 7, 2014 | CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | |||||
By: | /s/ Derek Chalmers | |||||
Derek Chalmers | ||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Exhibit Description | |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. | |
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. | |
10.1 | Employment Agreement with Derek Chalmers. | |
10.2 | Employment Agreement with Frédérique Menzaghi. | |
10.3 | Employment Agreement with Josef Schoell. |
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Derek Chalmers hereby certifies that:
ONE: The original name of this company is Cara Therapeutics, Inc. and the date of filing the original Certificate of Incorporation of this company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was July 2, 2004.
TWO: He is the duly elected and acting President and Chief Executive Officer of Cara Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
THREE: The Certificate of Incorporation of this company is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
I.
The name of this company is CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. (the Company or the Corporation).
II.
The address of the registered office of this Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Zip Code 19808, and the name of the registered agent of this Corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Service Company.
III.
The purpose of this Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL).
IV.
A. This Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, Common Stock and Preferred Stock. The total number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue is one hundred five million (105,000,000) shares. One hundred million (100,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock, each having a par value of one-tenth of one cent ($0.001). Five million (5,000,000) shares shall be Preferred Stock, each having a par value of one-tenth of one cent ($0.001).
B. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board of Directors) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all of any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the
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number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.
C. Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the corporation for their vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).
V.
For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Company, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Company, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:
A. MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Company shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolutions adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors.
B. | BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, following the closing of the initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), covering the offer and sale of Common Stock to the public (the Initial Public Offering), the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
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C. | REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. |
1. Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause.
2. Subject to any limitation imposed by law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.
D. VACANCIES. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by applicable law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such directors successor shall have been elected and qualified.
E. | BYLAW AMENDMENTS. |
1. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Company by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
2. The directors of the Company need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
3. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Company except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or electronic transmission.
4. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Company shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Company.
VI.
A. The liability of the directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent under applicable law.
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B. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and agents of the Company (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Company to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended.
C. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights or protections or increase the liability of any director under this Article VI in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to liability or indemnification.
VII.
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; (B) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Companys stockholders; (C) any action asserting a claim against the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company; or (D) any action asserting a claim against the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article VII.
VIII.
A. The Company reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in paragraph B. of this Article VIII, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Company required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V, VI, VII and VIII.
* * * *
FOUR: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.
FIVE: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of said corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL by the stockholders of the Company.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Cara Therapeutics, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer this 5th day of February, 2014.
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Derek Chalmers | |
Derek Chalmers | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
Table of Contents
Page | ||||||||
ARTICLE I | OFFICES | 1 | ||||||
Section 1. |
Registered Office |
1 | ||||||
Section 2. |
Other Offices |
1 | ||||||
ARTICLE II |
CORPORATE SEAL |
1 | ||||||
Section 3. |
Corporate Seal | 1 | ||||||
ARTICLE III |
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS |
1 | ||||||
Section 4. |
Place Of Meetings | 1 | ||||||
Section 5. |
Annual Meetings | 1 | ||||||
Section 6. |
Special Meetings | 5 | ||||||
Section 7. |
Notice Of Meetings | 6 | ||||||
Section 8. |
Quorum | 7 | ||||||
Section 9. |
Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings | 7 | ||||||
Section 10. |
Voting Rights | 7 | ||||||
Section 11. |
Joint Owners Of Stock | 8 | ||||||
Section 12. |
List Of Stockholders | 8 | ||||||
Section 13. |
Action Without Meeting | 8 | ||||||
Section 14. |
Organization | 8 | ||||||
ARTICLE IV |
DIRECTORS |
9 | ||||||
Section 15. |
Number And Term Of Office | 9 | ||||||
Section 16. |
Powers | 9 | ||||||
Section 17. |
Classes of Directors. | 9 | ||||||
Section 18. |
Vacancies | 10 | ||||||
Section 19. |
Resignation | 10 | ||||||
Section 20. |
Removal | 10 | ||||||
Section 21. |
Meetings | 11 | ||||||
Section 22. |
Quorum And Voting | 12 | ||||||
Section 23. |
Action Without Meeting | 12 | ||||||
Section 24. |
Fees And Compensation | 12 | ||||||
Section 25. |
Committees | 12 | ||||||
Section 26. |
Duties of Chairperson of the Board of Directors | 13 | ||||||
Section 27. |
Organization | 14 |
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Page | ||||||||
ARTICLE V |
OFFICERS |
14 | ||||||
Section 28. |
Officers Designated | 14 | ||||||
Section 29. |
Tenure And Duties Of Officers | 14 | ||||||
Section 30. |
Delegation Of Authority | 16 | ||||||
Section 31. |
Resignations | 16 | ||||||
Section 32. |
Removal | 16 | ||||||
ARTICLE VI |
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION |
16 | ||||||
Section 33. |
Execution Of Corporate Instruments | 16 | ||||||
Section 34. |
Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation | 17 | ||||||
ARTICLE VII |
SHARES OF STOCK |
17 | ||||||
Section 35. |
Form And Execution Of Certificates | 17 | ||||||
Section 36. |
Lost Certificates | 17 | ||||||
Section 37. |
Transfers | 17 | ||||||
Section 38. |
Fixing Record Dates | 18 | ||||||
Section 39. |
Registered Stockholders | 18 | ||||||
ARTICLE VIII |
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION |
18 | ||||||
Section 40. |
Execution Of Other Securities | 18 | ||||||
ARTICLE IX |
DIVIDENDS |
19 | ||||||
Section 41. |
Declaration Of Dividends | 19 | ||||||
Section 42. |
Dividend Reserve | 19 | ||||||
ARTICLE X |
FISCAL YEAR |
19 | ||||||
Section 43. |
Fiscal Year | 19 | ||||||
ARTICLE XI |
INDEMNIFICATION |
20 | ||||||
Section 44. |
Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents | 20 | ||||||
ARTICLE XII |
NOTICES |
23 | ||||||
Section 45. |
Notices | 23 | ||||||
ARTICLE XIII |
AMENDMENTS |
24 | ||||||
Section 46. |
24 | |||||||
ARTICLE XIV |
LOANS TO OFFICERS |
24 | ||||||
Section 47. |
Loans To Officers | 24 |
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AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE SEAL
Section 3. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, Corporate Seal-Delaware. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE III
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 4. Place Of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL).
Section 5. Annual Meetings.
(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may properly come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of
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stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporations notice of meeting of stockholders (with respect to business other than nominations); (ii) brought specifically by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving the stockholders notice provided for in Section 5(b) below, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (iii) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations and submit other business (other than matters properly included in the corporations notice of meeting of stockholders and proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the 1934 Act)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.
(i) For nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholders notice shall set forth: (A) as to each nominee such stockholder proposes to nominate at the meeting: (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such nominee, (2) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (3) the class and number of shares of each class of capital stock of the corporation which are owned of record and beneficially by such nominee, (4) the date or dates on which such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, (5) a statement whether such nominee, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such persons failure to receive the required vote for election or re-election at the next meeting at which such person would face election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation effective upon acceptance of such resignation by the Board of Directors, and (6) such other information concerning such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such persons written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv). The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholders understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.
(ii) Other than proposals sought to be included in the corporations proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14(a)-8 under the 1934 Act, for business other than nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii), and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholders notice shall set forth: (A)
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as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material interest (including any anticipated benefit of such business to any Proponent (as defined below) other than solely as a result of its ownership of the corporations capital stock, that is material to any Proponent individually, or to the Proponents in the aggregate) in such business of any Proponent; and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv).
(iii) To be timely, the written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that, subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b)(iii), in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(iv) The written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) shall also set forth, as of the date of the notice and as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (each, a Proponent and collectively, the Proponents): (A) the name and address of each Proponent, as they appear on the corporations books; (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each Proponent; (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether oral or in writing) with respect to such nomination or proposal between or among any Proponent and any of its affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert, or otherwise under the agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any of the foregoing; (D) a representation that the Proponents are holders of record or beneficial owners, as the case may be, of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to propose the business that is specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (E) a representation as to whether the Proponents intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of holders of the corporations voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to carry such proposal (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (F) to the extent known by any Proponent, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal on the date of such stockholders notice; and (G) a description of all Derivative Transactions (as defined below) by each Proponent during the previous twelve (12) month period, including the date of the transactions and the class, series and number of securities involved in, and the material economic terms of, such Derivative Transactions.
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For purposes of Sections 5 and 6, a Derivative Transaction means any agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding entered into by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Proponent or any of its affiliates or associates, whether record or beneficial:
(w) the value of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the corporation,
(x) which otherwise provides any direct or indirect opportunity to gain or share in any gain derived from a change in the value of securities of the corporation,
(y) the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit of security value or price changes, or
(z) which provides the right to vote or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proponent, or any of its affiliates or associates, with respect to any securities of the corporation,
which agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding may include, without limitation, any option, warrant, debt position, note, bond, convertible security, swap, stock appreciation right, short position, profit interest, hedge, right to dividends, voting agreement, performance-related fee or arrangement to borrow or lend shares (whether or not subject to payment, settlement, exercise or conversion in any such class or series), and any proportionate interest of such Proponent in the securities of the corporation held by any general or limited partnership, or any limited liability company, of which such Proponent is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.
(c) A stockholder providing written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or (ii) shall update and supplement such notice in writing, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct in all material respects as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is five (5) business days prior to the meeting and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, five (5) business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than two (2) business days prior to the date for the meeting, and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, two (2) business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in Section 5(b)(iii) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors in an Expiring Class is increased and there is no public announcement of the appointment of a director to such class, or, if no appointment was made, of the vacancy in such class, made by the corporation at least ten (10) days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with Section 5(b)(iii), a stockholders notice required by this Section 5 and which complies with the requirements in Section 5(b)(i), other than the timing requirements in Section 5(b)(iii), shall also be considered
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timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions in such Expiring Class created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation. For purposes of this section, an Expiring Class shall mean a class of directors whose term shall expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders.
(e) A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director unless the person is nominated either in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 5(a), or in accordance with clause (iii) of Section 5(a). Except as otherwise required by law, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, or the Proponent does not act in accordance with the representations in Sections 5(b)(iv)(D) and 5(b)(iv)(E), to declare that such proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominations or such business may have been solicited or received.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders meeting, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals and/or nominations to be considered pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii) of these Bylaws.
(g) For purposes of Sections 5 and 6,
(i) public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act; and
(ii) affiliates and associates shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act).
Section 6. Special Meetings.
(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law, by (i) the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).
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(b) The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place, if any, of such special meeting. Upon determination of the time and place, if any, of the meeting, the Secretary shall cause a notice of meeting to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in the notice of meeting.
(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in this paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who delivers written notice to the Secretary of the corporation setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i). In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder of record may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporations notice of meeting, if written notice setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The stockholder shall also update and supplement such information as required under Section 5(c). In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of a special meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 6. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be considered pursuant to Section 6(c) of these Bylaws.
Section 7. Notice Of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholders address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof, or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the
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express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.
Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairperson of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by applicable stock exchange rules, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.
Section 9. Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chairperson of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 10. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every
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person entitled to vote shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three (3) years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 11. Joint Owners Of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only one (1) votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or even-split in interest.
Section 12. List Of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. The list shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting as provided by law.
Section 13. Action Without Meeting. No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or by electronic transmission.
Section 14. Organization.
(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairperson has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving or is absent, the President, or, if the President is absent, a chairperson of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairperson. The Chairperson of the Board may appoint the Chief Executive Officer as chairperson of the meeting. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary or other officer or other person directed to do so by the chairperson of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
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(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairperson, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairperson shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
Section 15. Number And Term Of Office. The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws.
Section 16. Powers. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised, its business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 17. Classes of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, following the closing of the initial public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, covering the offer and sale of Common Stock of the corporation to the public (the Initial Public Offering), the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Initial Public Offering, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 17, each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 18. Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock or as otherwise provided by applicable law, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders, provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such directors successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.
Section 19. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time. If no such specification is made, the Secretary, in his or her discretion, may either (a) require confirmation from the director prior to deeming the resignation effective, in which case the resignation will be deemed effective upon receipt of such confirmation, or (b) deem the resignation effective at the time of delivery of the resignation to the Secretary. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 20. Removal.
(a) Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause.
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(b) Subject to any limitation imposed by law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Section 21. Meetings.
(a) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.
(b) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the total number of authorized directors.
(c) Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(d) Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by US mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three (3) days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing, or by electronic transmission, at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
(e) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though it had been transacted at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
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Section 22. Quorum And Voting.
(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with respect to questions related to indemnification arising under Section 44 for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting.
(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 23. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 24. Fees And Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 25. Committees.
(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the corporation.
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(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.
(c) Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 25, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any Director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
Section 26. Duties of Chairperson of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, if appointed and when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
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Section 27. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairperson has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or, if a Chief Executive Officer is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a chairperson of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant Secretary or other officer, director or other person directed to do so by the person presiding over the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 28. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and the Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 29. Tenure And Duties Of Officers.
(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.
(b) Duties of Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors (if a director), unless the Chairperson of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. Unless an officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. To the extent that a Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and no President has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the President shall be deemed references to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors (if a director), unless the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and is present.
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Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.
(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. A Vice President may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. A Vice President shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, the President shall designate from time to time.
(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President may direct any Assistant Secretary or other officer to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time.
(f) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time. To the extent that a Chief Financial Officer has been appointed and no Treasurer has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the Treasurer shall be deemed references to the Chief Financial Officer. The President may direct the Treasurer, if any, or any Assistant Treasurer, or the controller or any assistant controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and each controller and assistant controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President shall designate from time to time.
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(g) Duties of Treasurer. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President, and, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President and Chief Financial Officer (if not Treasurer) shall designate from time to time.
Section 30. Delegation Of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
Section 31. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.
Section 32. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or by the Chief Executive Officer or by other superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES
OWNED BY THE CORPORATION
Section 33. Execution Of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.
All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do.
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Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 34. Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES OF STOCK
Section 35. Form And Execution Of Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated if so provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in the corporation represented by certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 36. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owners legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Section 37. Transfers.
(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.
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(b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
Section 38. Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 39. Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VIII
OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section 40. Execution Of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 35), may be signed by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate
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security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
Section 41. Declaration Of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
Section 42. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
Section 43. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 44. Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents.
(a) Directors and executive officers. The corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article XI, executive officers shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).
(b) Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except executive officers to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.
(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or executive officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or executive officer in his or her capacity as a director or executive officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an undertaking), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a final adjudication) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this section or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an executive officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding,
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whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this section to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, the claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or executive officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or executive officer is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this section or otherwise shall be on the corporation.
(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, or by any other applicable law.
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(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or executive officer or officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this section.
(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this section shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.
(i) Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this section that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this section shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.
(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) The term proceeding shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.
(ii) The term expenses shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.
(iii) The term the corporation shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
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(iv) References to a director, executive officer, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
(v) References to other enterprises shall include employee benefit plans; references to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to serving at the request of the corporation shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the corporation as referred to in this section.
ARTICLE XII
NOTICES
Section 45. Notices.
(a) Notice To Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7 herein. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by US mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by electronic mail or other electronic means.
(b) Notice To Directors. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), as otherwise provided in these Bylaws with notice other than one which is delivered personally to be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known address of such director.
(c) Affidavit Of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.
(d) Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.
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(e) Notice To Person With Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
(f) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under DGCL, any notice given under the provisions of DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the corporation within sixty (60) days of having been given notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 46. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 44(h) of these Bylaws or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
ARTICLE XIV
LOANS TO OFFICERS
Section 47. Loans To Officers. Except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is
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a director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.
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Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is entered into effective February 5, 2014 (the Effective Date), by and between Derek Chalmers (Executive) and Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ Executive and, in connection therewith, to compensate Executive for Executives personal services to the Company; and
WHEREAS, Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company and provide personal services to the Company in return for certain compensation.
Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the parties agree to the following:
1. EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY.
1.1 Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, and shall continue for four years after the Effective Date, unless terminated prior thereto by either the Company or the Executive as provided in Section 6. If either the Company or the Executive does not wish to renew this Agreement when it expires at the end of the initial or any renewal term hereof, as hereinafter provided, or if either the Company or the Executive wishes to renew this Agreement on different terms than those contained herein, it or Executive shall give written notice in accordance with Section 7.1 below of such intent to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date. In the absence of such notice, this Agreement shall be renewed on the same terms and conditions contained herein for a term of one (1) year from the date of expiration. The parties expressly agree that designation of a term and renewal provisions in this Agreement does not in any way limit the right of the parties to terminate this Agreement at any time as hereinafter provided. Reference herein to the Term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and any successive term as the context requires.
1.2 Position. Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company agrees to employ Executive initially in the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive hereby accepts such employment. During the term of Executives employment with the Company, Executive will devote his best efforts and substantially all of his business time and attention to the business of the Company.
1.3 Duties. Executive will report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) performing such duties as are normally associated with Executives position and such duties as are assigned to Executive from time to time by the Board, subject to the oversight and direction of the Board. Executive shall perform Executives duties under this Agreement principally out of the Companys corporate headquarters in Shelton, Connecticut. In addition, Executive shall make such business trips to such places as may be necessary or advisable for the efficient operations of the Company.
1.4 Company Policies and Benefits. The employment relationship between the parties shall also be subject to the Companys personnel policies and procedures as they may
be interpreted, adopted, revised or deleted from time to time in the Companys sole discretion. Executive will be eligible to participate on the same basis as similarly situated employees in the Companys benefit plans in effect from time to time during his employment. All matters of eligibility for coverage or benefits under any benefit plan shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of such plan. The Company reserves the right to change, alter, or terminate any benefit plan in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Companys general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.
2. COMPENSATION.
2.1 Salary. Executive shall receive for Executives services to be rendered hereunder an initial annualized base salary of $440,000, subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Board in its sole discretion and payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements in accordance with Companys standard payroll practices (Base Salary).
2.2 Bonus.
(a) During Employment. Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus pursuant to the Companys annual performance bonus plan, with the initial target amount of such bonus equal to fifty percent (50%) of Executives average Base Salary during the then current bonus year (Target Bonus), subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Board in its sole discretion, payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements. Whether or not Executive is eligible for any Target Bonus will be dependent upon (a) the actual achievement by Executive and the Company of the applicable individual and corporate performance goals, as determined by the Company, and (b) Executives continuous performance of services to the Company through the date any bonus is paid. In all events, any bonus awarded pursuant to this Section 2.2 will be paid on or before March 15 of the year following the year for which is awarded.
(b) Upon Termination. In the event Executive leaves the employ of the Company for any reason prior to payment of any bonus, Executive is not eligible for such bonus, prorated or otherwise.
2.3 Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
2.4 Stock Option. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Companys stock option plans that are in place from time to time as determined by the Company. Any options awarded under such plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in those plans, and in any applicable stock option agreement and grant document.
3. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, INVENTIONS, NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION OBLIGATIONS. The parties hereto have entered into a Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (the Non-Competition Agreement), which may be amended by the parties from time to time without regard to this Agreement. The Non-Competition
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Agreement contains provisions that are intended by the parties to survive and do survive termination or expiration of this Agreement. The Non-Competition Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Executive also agrees to continue to abide by his At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement with the Company (the Confidential Information Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Companys Confidential Information Agreement, this Agreement shall control.
4. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. Except with the prior written consent of the Companys Board, Executive will not, while employed by the Company, undertake or engage in any other employment, occupation or business enterprise that would interfere with Executives responsibilities and the performance of Executives duties hereunder except for (i) reasonable time devoted to volunteer services for or on behalf of such religious, educational, non-profit and/or other charitable organization as Executive may wish to serve, (ii) reasonable time devoted to activities in the non-profit and business communities consistent with Executives duties; and (iii) such other activities as may be specifically approved by the Board. This restriction shall not, however, preclude Executive from owning less than one percent (1%) of the total outstanding shares of a publicly traded company.
5. NO CONFLICT WITH EXISTING OBLIGATIONS. Executive represents that Executives performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an Executive of the Company do not and will not breach any agreement or obligation of any kind made prior to Executives employment by the Company, including agreements or obligations Executive may have with prior employers or entities for which Executive has provided services. Executive has not entered into, and Executive agrees that Executive will not enter into, any agreement or obligation, either written or oral, in conflict herewith.
6. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The parties acknowledge that either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship and the Term at any time for any reason by giving notice as described in Sections 6.8 and 7.1. The provisions in this Section 6 govern the amount of compensation, if any, to be provided to Executive upon termination of employment and do not restrict the right of either party to terminate the employment relationship and the Term.
6.1 Termination by the Company Without Cause.
(a) The Company shall have the right to terminate Executives employment with the Company pursuant to this Section 6.1 at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 6.2(b) below) by giving notice as described in Section 6.8 of this Agreement. A termination pursuant to Section 6.7 below is not a termination without Cause for purposes of receiving the benefits described in this Section 6.1.
(b) In the event Executives employment is terminated without Cause (other than for in connection with a Change in Control Termination as defined below), then provided that Executive executes a general release in favor of the Company, in a form attached as Exhibit B (the Release), and subject to Section 6.1(c) (the date that the Release becomes effective and may no longer be revoked by Executive is referred to as the Release Date), then
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the Company shall pay to Executive (i) an amount equal to Executives then current Base Salary for a period of twelve (12) months from the Release Date (such applicable period is referred to as the Severance Period), less applicable withholdings and deductions, on the Companys regular payroll dates; (ii) an amount equal to the Target Bonus or pro-rated portion of the Target Bonus that Executive was eligible to receive at the time of the termination without Cause (if any), payable in a lump sum on the date Target Bonuses are normally paid to other executives at the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year for which the Target Bonus is paid; and (iii) the Company shall pay the premiums of Executives group health insurance COBRA continuation coverage, including coverage for Executives eligible dependents, during the Severance Period; provided, however, that (a) Executive and his eligible dependents timely elect COBRA continuation coverage; (b) the Company shall pay premiums for Executives eligible dependents only for coverage for which those eligible dependents were enrolled immediately prior to the termination without Cause; and (c) the Companys obligation to pay such premiums shall cease immediately upon Executives eligibility for comparable group health insurance provided by a new employer of Executive. To receive the payments under (i), (ii), and (ii) above, Executives termination must constitute a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) and Executive must execute and allow the Release to become effective within sixty (60) days of Executives termination. Such payments shall not be paid prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, rather, subject to the aforementioned conditions, on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, the Company will pay Executive such payments in a lump sum that Executive would have received on or prior to such date under the original schedule, with the balance of such payments being paid as originally scheduled.
(c) Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) unless he executes the Release within the consideration period specified therein, which shall in no event be more than 60 days, and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms. Executives ability to receive benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) is further conditioned upon him: returning all Company property; complying with his post-termination obligations under this Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement, and the Confidential Information Agreement; and complying with the Release, including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(d) In the event Executives employment is terminated at any time without Cause, in addition to the severance benefits in Section 6.1(b), the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, in accordance with the Companys standard payroll policies, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
(e) The damages caused by the termination of Executives employment without Cause would be difficult to ascertain; therefore, the severance for which Executive is eligible pursuant to Section 6.1(b) above in exchange for the Release is agreed to by the parties as liquidated damages, to serve as full compensation, and not a penalty.
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6.2 Termination by the Company for Cause.
(a) Subject to Section 6.2(c) below, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executives employment with the Company at any time for Cause by giving notice as described in Sections 6.8 and 7.1 of this Agreement.
(b) Cause for termination shall mean that the Company has determined in its sole discretion that Executive has engaged in any one or more of the following: (i) Executives commission of a felony; (ii) any act or omission of Executive constituting dishonesty, fraud, immoral, or disreputable conduct that causes material harm to the Company; (iii) Executives violation of Company policy that causes material harm to the Company; (iv) Executives material breach of any written agreement between Executive and the Company which, if curable, remains uncured for thirty (30) days after notice; or (v) breach of fiduciary duty.
(c) In the event Executives employment is terminated at any time for Cause, Executive will not receive severance payments in Sections 6.1(b) and 6.5(a), or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
(d) Vesting of any unvested stock options and/or other equity securities shall cease on the date of termination for Cause.
6.3 Resignation by Executive.
(a) Executive may resign from Executives employment with the Company at any time by giving notice as described in Sections 6.8 and 7.1.
(b) In the event Executive resigns from Executives employment with the Company, Executive will not receive severance payments under Sections 6.1(b), 6.4(c), 6.5(a) or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of resignation, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive through the date of resignation under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement during such period and Executive shall be eligible for any benefit continuation or conversion rights provided by the provisions of a benefit plan or by law. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
6.4 Resignation by Executive for Good Reason.
(a) Provided Executive has not previously been notified of the Companys intention to terminate Executives employment, Executive may resign from employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined in Section 6.4(b) below) within ten
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(10) days after the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 6.4(b) below, by giving notice as described in Section 6.8 of this Agreement that Executive intends to terminate his employment for Good Reason on the thirtieth (30) day following the Companys receipt of Executives notice, if the Company has not cured the event that gives rise to Good Reason before the end of such thirty (30) day period.
(b) Good Reason for resignation shall mean the occurrence of any of the following without Executives prior written consent: (i) the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities which result in the material diminution of Executives then current position; provided, however, that the acquisition of the Company and subsequent conversion of the Company to a division or unit of the acquiring company will not by itself result in a diminution of Executives position; or (ii) a reduction by the Company in Executives annual base salary by greater than thirty percent (30%), except to the extent the base salaries of other similarly situated employees of the Company are accordingly reduced; or (iii) any request by the Company that Executive relocate to a new principal base of operations that would increase Executives one-way commute distance by more than one hundred (100) miles from his then-principal base of operations, unless Executive accepts such relocation opportunity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any actions taken by the Company to accommodate a disability of Executive or pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act shall not be a Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.
(c) In the event Executive resigns from Executives employment for Good Reason, and subject to Section 6.4(d), Executive shall be eligible for the same payments and benefits as Executive would receive under Section 6.1 and on the same conditions and pursuant to the same terms as if Executive had been terminated by the Company without Cause, provided that Executive executes a Release of claims in favor of the Company as defined in Section 6.1(b).
(d) Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to Section 6.4(c) unless he executes the Release within the consideration period specified therein, which shall in no event be more than 60 days, and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms. Executives ability to receive benefits pursuant to Section 6.4(c) is further conditioned upon him: returning all Company property; complying with his post-termination obligations under this Agreement and any other agreements between Executive and the Company, and complying with the Release including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(e) Vesting of any unvested stock options and/or other equity securities shall cease on the date of resignation for Good Reason.
6.5 Change in Control.
(a) In the event that the Company (or any surviving or acquiring corporation) terminates Executives employment for a termination without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control (Change in Control Termination), and upon compliance with the Release required by Section 6.1(b) above, Executive shall be eligible to receive the following Change in Control
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severance benefits: (i) an amount equal to Executives then current Base Salary for a period of twelve (12) months from the Release Date (such applicable period is referred to as the Change in Control Severance Period), less applicable withholdings and deductions, on the Companys regular payroll dates; (ii) an amount equal to the Target Bonus or pro-rated portion of the Target Bonus that Executive was eligible to receive at the time of the termination without Cause (if any), payable in a lump sum on the date Target Bonuses are normally paid to other executives at the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year for which the Target Bonus is paid; and (iii) the Company shall pay the premiums of Executives group health insurance COBRA continuation coverage, including coverage for Executives eligible dependents, during the Change in Control Severance Period; provided, however, that (a) Executive and his eligible dependents timely elect COBRA continuation coverage; (b) the Company shall pay premiums for Executives eligible dependents only for coverage for which those eligible dependents were enrolled immediately prior to the termination without Cause; and (c) the Companys obligation to pay such premiums shall cease immediately upon Executives eligibility for comparable group health insurance provided by a new employer of Executive. To receive the payments under (i), (ii), and (ii) above, Executives termination or resignation must constitute a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) and Executive must execute and allow the Release to become effective within sixty (60) days of Executives termination or resignation. Such payments shall not be paid prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, rather, subject to the aforementioned conditions, on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination or resignation, the Company will pay Executive such payments in a lump sum that Executive would have received on or prior to such date under the original schedule, with the balance of such payments being paid as originally scheduled.
(b) Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to 6.5(a) unless (i) he executes the Release within the consideration period specified therein, which shall in no event be more than sixty (60) days, and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms; and (ii) Executives Change in Control Termination constitutes a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)). Executives ability to receive benefits pursuant to Section 6.5(a) is further conditioned upon him: returning all Company property; complying with his post-termination obligations under this Agreement and the Compliance Agreement, and complying with the Release including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in Executives stock option or other equity award agreements to the contrary, upon a Change in Control Termination, Executive shall receive accelerated vesting of all then unvested shares of the Companys Common Stock that Executive then may have, if any.
(d) For the purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control will have the same meaning and effect as Change in Control is defined in the Companys 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
6.6 Expiration of Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, mere expiration pursuant to Section 1.1 of this Agreement, or at the end of any renewal Term, does not confer
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upon Executive any eligibility for severance benefits as described in this Section 6. Executive will not receive severance payments, or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of expiration and Executive shall be eligible for any benefit continuation or conversion rights provided by the provisions of a benefit plan or by law.
6.7 Termination by Virtue of Death or Disability of Executive.
(a) In the event of Executives death while employed pursuant to this Agreement, all obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate immediately, and the Company shall, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, pay to Executives legal representatives Executives accrued but unpaid salary through the date of death together with all legally required compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on Executives participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination.
(b) Subject to applicable state and federal law, the Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to Executive, to terminate this Agreement based on Executives Disability (as defined below). Termination by the Company of Executives employment based on Disability shall mean termination because Executive is unable due to a physical or mental condition to perform the essential functions of Executives position with or without reasonable accommodation for ninety (90) calendar days in the aggregate during any twelve (12) month period or based on the written certification by two licensed physicians of the likely continuation of such condition for such period. This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other applicable law. In the event Executives employment is terminated based on Executives Disability, Executive will not receive severance payments, or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on Executives participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination.
6.8 Notice; Effective Date of Termination.
(a) Termination of Executives employment pursuant to this Agreement shall be effective on the earliest of:
(i) immediately after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination, with or without Cause (except for a termination for Cause under Section 6.2(b)(iv)), unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date;
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(ii) thirty (30) days after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination for Cause under Section 6.2(b)(iv) and Executive fails to cure such breach;
(iii) immediately upon Executives death;
(iv) ten (10) days after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination on account of Executives Disability, unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date, provided that Executive has not returned to the full time performance of Executives duties prior to such date; or
(v) thirty (30) days after Executive gives written notice to the Company of Executives resignation, provided that may set a termination date at any time between the date of notice and the date of resignation, in which case Executives resignation shall be effective as of such other date; and provided further that, if the resignation is for Good Reason, the Company has not cured the reason for such Good Reason resignation. Executive will receive compensation through any required notice period.
(b) In the event notice of a termination under subsections (a)(i), (iv), and (v) is given orally, at the other partys request, the party giving notice must provide written confirmation of such notice within five (5) business days of the request in compliance with the requirement of Section 7.1 below.
6.9 Cooperation With Company. During the Term of this Agreement and following termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall fully cooperate with the Company in all matters relating to the winding up of Executives pending work including, but not limited to, any litigation in which the Company is involved, and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to such other employees as may be designated by the Company.
6.10 Application of Section 409A. It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executives right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed by the Company at the time of his Separation from Service to be a specified employee for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any of the payments upon Separation from Service set forth herein and/or under any other agreement with
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the Company are deemed to be deferred compensation, then if delayed commencement of any portion of such payments is required to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the related adverse taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the timing of the payments upon a Separation from Service will be delayed as follows: on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Executives Separation from Service, and (ii) the date of Executives death (such earlier date, the Delayed Initial Payment Date), the Company will (A) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon Separation from Service that Executive would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this paragraph, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth above. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.
6.11 Parachute Taxes.
(a) If any payment or benefit Executive would receive from the Company or otherwise in connection with a Change in Control or other similar transaction (Payment) would (i) constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount. The Reduced Amount will be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount ((x) or (y)), after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Executives receipt of the greater economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a Reduced Amount will give rise to the greater after tax benefit, the reduction in the Payments will occur in the following order: (a) reduction of cash payments; (b) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (c) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (d) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. Within any such category of payments and benefits (that is, (a), (b), (c) or (d)), a reduction will occur first with respect to amounts that are not deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Executives equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant.
(b) The registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the event described in Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code will perform the foregoing calculations. If the registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquirer or is otherwise unable or unwilling to perform the calculations, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized firm that has expertise in these calculations to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within 30 calendar days after
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the date on which Executives right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as reasonably requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the independent registered public accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.
7. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
7.1 Notices. Any notices required hereunder to be in writing shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by electronic mail or confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the Company, Attention Chairman of the Board, at its primary office location and to Executive at Executives address as listed on the Company payroll, or at such other address as the Company or Executive may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other.
7.2 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.
7.3 Waiver. If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, Executive or the Company shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.
7.4 Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter and supersedes any prior oral discussions or written communications and agreements. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein, and it cannot be modified or amended except in writing signed by Executive and an authorized officer of the Company. The parties have entered into a separate Non-Competition Agreement, a separate Confidential Information Agreement, and have or may enter into separate agreements related to stock awards. These separate agreements govern other aspects of the relationship between the parties, have or may have provisions that survive termination of Executives employment under this Agreement, may be amended or superseded by the parties without regard to this Agreement and are enforceable according to their terms without regard to the enforcement provision of this Agreement.
7.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
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7.6 Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.
7.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign any of his duties hereunder and he may not assign any of his rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company, which shall not be withheld unreasonably.
7.8 Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the law of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to choice of law principles.
7.9 Resolution of Disputes. The parties recognize that litigation in federal or state courts or before federal or state administrative agencies of disputes arising out of Executives employment with the Company or out of this Agreement, or Executives termination of employment or termination of this Agreement, may not be in the best interests of either Executive or the Company, and may result in unnecessary costs, delays, complexities, and uncertainty. The parties agree that any dispute between the parties arising out of or relating to the negotiation, execution, performance or termination of this Agreement or Executives employment, including, but not limited to, any claim arising out of this Agreement, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1966, as amended, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and any similar federal, state or local law, statute, regulation, or any common law doctrine, whether that dispute arises during or after employment, shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association; provided however, that this dispute resolution provision shall not apply to any separate agreements between the parties that do not themselves specify arbitration as an exclusive remedy. The location for the arbitration shall be in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Any award made by such panel shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties for all purposes, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrators fees and expenses and all administrative fees and expenses associated with the filing of the arbitration shall be borne by the Company; provided however, that at Executives option, Executive may voluntarily pay up to one-half the costs and fees. The parties acknowledge and agree that their obligations to arbitrate under this Section survive the termination of this Agreement and continue after the termination of the employment relationship between Executive and the Company. The parties each further agree that the arbitration provisions of this Agreement shall provide each party with its exclusive remedy, and each party expressly waives any right it might have to seek redress in any other forum, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. By election arbitration as the means for final settlement of all claims, the parties hereby waive their respective rights to, and agree not to, sue each other in any action in a Federal, State or local court with respect to such claims, but may seek to enforce in court an arbitration award rendered pursuant to this Agreement. The parties specifically agree to waive their respective rights to a trial by jury, and further agree that no demand, request or motion will be made for trial by jury.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Executive Employment Agreement on the day and year first written above.
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | EXECUTIVE: | |||||||
/s/ Martin Vogelbaum |
/s/ Derek Chalmers | |||||||
(Signature) | (Signature) | |||||||
By: | Martin Vogelbaum | By: | Derek Chalmers | |||||
Title: | Director |
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Exhibit A
EMPLOYEE NON-SOLICITATION AND
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
EMPLOYEE
NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
In consideration of my employment or continued employment by CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. its subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, successors and assigns (together, the Company) and the compensation now and hereafter paid to me, I hereby enter into this Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (the Agreement) and agree as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Exhibit B
Release Agreement
This Release Agreement (Release) is made by and between Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company) and Derek Chalmers (you). You and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement dated (the Employment Agreement). You and the Company hereby further agree as follows:
1. A blank copy of this Release was attached to the Employment Agreement as Exhibit B.
2. Severance Payments. In connection with your separation from the Company, you are eligible for certain severance payments under Section 6 of the Employment Agreement for a [termination without Cause, resignation for Good Reason, or Change in Control Termination]. In consideration for your execution, return and non-revocation of this Release, following the Release Date (as defined in Section 3 below) the Company will provide severance benefits, in accordance with Section 6 of the Employment Agreement, to you as follows: [described benefits and payment schedule].
3. Release by You. In exchange for the payments and other consideration under this Agreement, to which you would not otherwise be entitled, and except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, you hereby generally and completely release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and its and their officers, directors, managers, partners, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates (the Releasees), of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, both known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to and including the execution date of this Agreement, including but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with your employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law, statute, or cause of action; tort law; or contract law. The claims and causes of action you are releasing and waiving in this Agreement include, but are not limited to, any and all claims and causes of action that the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and its and their respective officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors, assigns or affiliates:
| has violated its personnel policies, handbooks, contracts of employment, or covenants of good faith and fair dealing; |
1.
| has discriminated against you on the basis of age, race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, ancestry, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, entitlement to benefits, any union activities or other protected category in violation of any local, state or federal law, constitution, ordinance, or regulation, including but not limited to: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (ADEA); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; 42 U.S.C. § 1981, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1866; the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Family Medical Leave Act; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended; Section 510 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; and the National Labor Relations Act; |
| has violated any statute, public policy or common law (including but not limited to claims for retaliatory discharge; negligent hiring, retention or supervision; defamation; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress and/or mental anguish; intentional interference with contract; negligence; detrimental reliance; loss of consortium to you or any member of your family and/or promissory estoppel). |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not releasing any right of indemnification you may have for any liabilities arising from your actions within the course and scope of your employment with the Company or within the course and scope of your role as a member of the Board of Directors and/or officer of the Company. Also excluded from this Agreement are any claims which cannot be waived by law. You are waiving, however, your right to any monetary recovery should any governmental agency or entity, such as the EEOC or the DOL, pursue any claims on your behalf. You acknowledge that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the ADEA, as amended. You also acknowledge that (i) the consideration given to you in exchange for the waiver and release in this Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which you were already entitled, and (ii) that you have been paid for all time worked, have received all the leave, leaves of absence and leave benefits and protections for which you are eligible, and have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which you have not already filed a claim. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this writing that: (a) your waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the execution date of this Agreement; (b) you have been advised hereby that you have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (c) you have twenty-one (21) days [in the event of a group release 21 days becomes 45 days] to consider this Agreement (although you may choose to voluntarily execute this Agreement earlier); (d) you have seven (7) days following your execution of this Agreement to revoke the Agreement; and (e) this Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired unexercised, which shall be the eighth day after this Agreement is executed by you provided the Company has also executed the Release on or before that date (the Release Date).
4. Return of Company Property. Within ten (10) days of the effective date of the termination of employment, you agree to return to the Company all Company documents (and all
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copies thereof) and other Company property then in existence that you have had in your possession at any time, including, but not limited to, Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specifications, computer-recorded information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys; and, any materials of any kind that contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof). Receipt of the Severance described in paragraph 2 of this Release expressly conditioned upon return of all such Company Property.
5. Confidentiality. The provisions of this Release will be held in strictest confidence by you and will not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that: (a) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your immediate family; (b) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your attorney, accountant, auditor, tax preparer, and financial advisor; and (c) you may disclose this Release insofar as such disclosure may be required by law.
6. Proprietary Information and Post-Termination Obligations. Both during and after your employment you acknowledge your continuing obligations under your Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (Non-Competition Agreement) and your At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (Confidential Information Agreement) not to use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information of the Company and to refrain from certain solicitation and competitive activities.
7. Non-Disparagement. You agree not to disparage the Company, and the Companys attorneys, directors, managers, partners, employees, agents and affiliates, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation; provided that you may respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process.
8. No Admission. This Agreement does not constitute an admission by the Company of any wrongful action or violation of any federal, state, or local statute, or common law rights, including those relating to the provisions of any law or statute concerning employment actions, or of any other possible or claimed violation of law or rights.
9. Breach. You agree that upon any material breach of this Release you will forfeit all amounts paid or owing to you under this Release. Further, you acknowledge that it may be impossible to assess the damages caused by your material violation of the terms of paragraphs 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Release and further agree that any threatened or actual material violation or breach of those paragraphs of this Release will constitute immediate and irreparable injury to the Company. You therefore agree that any such breach of this Release is a material breach of this Agreement, and, in addition to any and all other damages and remedies available to the Company upon your breach of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent you from violating or breaching this Agreement.
10. Miscellaneous. This Release, together with your Non-Competition Agreement and your Confidential Information Agreement, constitute the complete, final and exclusive
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embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to this subject matter. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations. This Release may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Release will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Release is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified by the court so as to be rendered enforceable. This Release will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut as applied to contracts made and performed entirely within the State of Connecticut.
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By: |
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[Name and Title] | Date | |||||
EXECUTIVE | ||||||
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Derek Chalmers | Date |
4.
Exhibit 10.2
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is entered into effective February 5, 2014 (the Effective Date), by and between Frédérique Menzaghi (Executive) and Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ Executive and, in connection therewith, to compensate Executive for Executives personal services to the Company; and
WHEREAS, Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company and provide personal services to the Company in return for certain compensation.
Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the parties agree to the following:
1. EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY.
1.1 Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, and shall continue for four years after the Effective Date, unless terminated prior thereto by either the Company or the Executive as provided in Section 6. If either the Company or the Executive does not wish to renew this Agreement when it expires at the end of the initial or any renewal term hereof, as hereinafter provided, or if either the Company or the Executive wishes to renew this Agreement on different terms than those contained herein, it or Executive shall give written notice in accordance with Section 7.1 below of such intent to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date. In the absence of such notice, this Agreement shall be renewed on the same terms and conditions contained herein for a term of one (1) year from the date of expiration. The parties expressly agree that designation of a term and renewal provisions in this Agreement does not in any way limit the right of the parties to terminate this Agreement at any time as hereinafter provided. Reference herein to the Term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and any successive term as the context requires.
1.2 Position. Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company agrees to employ Executive initially in the position of Vice President Research and Development, and Executive hereby accepts such employment. During the term of Executives employment with the Company, Executive will devote his best efforts and substantially all of his business time and attention to the business of the Company.
1.3 Duties. Executive will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the CEO) performing such duties as are normally associated with Executives position and such duties as are assigned to Executive from time to time by the CEO, subject to the oversight and direction of the CEO. Executive shall perform Executives duties under this Agreement principally out of the Companys corporate headquarters in Shelton, Connecticut. In addition, Executive shall make such business trips to such places as may be necessary or advisable for the efficient operations of the Company.
1.4 Company Policies and Benefits. The employment relationship between the parties shall also be subject to the Companys personnel policies and procedures as they may be interpreted, adopted, revised or deleted from time to time in the Companys sole discretion. Executive will be eligible to participate on the same basis as similarly situated employees in the Companys benefit plans in effect from time to time during his employment. All matters of eligibility for coverage or benefits under any benefit plan shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of such plan. The Company reserves the right to change, alter, or terminate any benefit plan in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Companys general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.
2. COMPENSATION.
2.1 Salary. Executive shall receive for Executives services to be rendered hereunder an initial annualized base salary of $302,500, subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) in its sole discretion and payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements in accordance with Companys standard payroll practices (Base Salary).
2.2 Bonus.
(a) During Employment. Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus pursuant to the Companys annual performance bonus plan, with the initial target amount of such bonus equal to thirty-five percent (35%) of Executives average Base Salary during the then current bonus year (Target Bonus), subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Company in its sole discretion, payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements. Whether or not Executive is eligible for any Target Bonus will be dependent upon (a) the actual achievement by Executive and the Company of the applicable individual and corporate performance goals, as determined by the Company, and (b) Executives continuous performance of services to the Company through the date any bonus is paid. In all events, any bonus awarded pursuant to this Section 2.2 will be paid on or before March 15 of the year following the year for which is awarded.
(b) Upon Termination. In the event Executive leaves the employ of the Company for any reason prior to payment of any bonus, Executive is not eligible for such bonus, prorated or otherwise.
2.3 Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
2.4 Stock Option. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Companys stock option plans that are in place from time to time as determined by the Company. Any options awarded under such plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in those plans, and in any applicable stock option agreement and grant document.
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3. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, INVENTIONS, NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION OBLIGATIONS. The parties hereto have entered into a Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (the Non-Competition Agreement), which may be amended by the parties from time to time without regard to this Agreement. The Non-Competition Agreement contains provisions that are intended by the parties to survive and do survive termination or expiration of this Agreement. The Non-Competition Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Executive also agrees to continue to abide by his At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement with the Company (the Confidential Information Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Companys Confidential Information Agreement, this Agreement shall control.
4. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. Except with the prior written consent of the Companys Board, Executive will not, while employed by the Company, undertake or engage in any other employment, occupation or business enterprise that would interfere with Executives responsibilities and the performance of Executives duties hereunder except for (i) reasonable time devoted to volunteer services for or on behalf of such religious, educational, non-profit and/or other charitable organization as Executive may wish to serve, (ii) reasonable time devoted to activities in the non-profit and business communities consistent with Executives duties; and (iii) such other activities as may be specifically approved by the Board. This restriction shall not, however, preclude Executive from owning less than one percent (1%) of the total outstanding shares of a publicly traded company.
5. NO CONFLICT WITH EXISTING OBLIGATIONS. Executive represents that Executives performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an Executive of the Company do not and will not breach any agreement or obligation of any kind made prior to Executives employment by the Company, including agreements or obligations Executive may have with prior employers or entities for which Executive has provided services. Executive has not entered into, and Executive agrees that Executive will not enter into, any agreement or obligation, either written or oral, in conflict herewith.
6. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The parties acknowledge that either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship and the Term at any time for any reason by giving notice as described in Sections 6.7 and 7.1. The provisions in this Section 6 govern the amount of compensation, if any, to be provided to Executive upon termination of employment and do not restrict the right of either party to terminate the employment relationship and the Term.
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6.1 Termination by the Company Without Cause.
(a) The Company shall have the right to terminate Executives employment with the Company pursuant to this Section 6.1 at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 6.2(b) below) by giving notice as described in Section 6.7 of this Agreement. A termination pursuant to Section 6.7 below is not a termination without Cause for purposes of receiving the benefits described in this Section 6.1.
(b) In the event Executives employment is terminated without Cause (other than for in connection with a Change in Control Termination as defined below), then provided that Executive executes a general release in favor of the Company, in a form attached as Exhibit B (the Release), and subject to Section 6.1(c) (the date that the Release becomes effective and may no longer be revoked by Executive is referred to as the Release Date), then the Company shall pay to Executive (i) an amount equal to Executives then current Base Salary for a period of six (6) months from the Release Date (such applicable period is referred to as the Severance Period), less applicable withholdings and deductions, on the Companys regular payroll dates; (ii) an amount equal to the Target Bonus or pro-rated portion of the Target Bonus that Executive was eligible to receive at the time of the termination without Cause (if any), payable in a lump sum on the date Target Bonuses are normally paid to other executives at the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year for which the Target Bonus is paid; and (iii) the Company shall pay the premiums of Executives group health insurance COBRA continuation coverage, including coverage for Executives eligible dependents, during the Severance Period; provided, however, that (a) Executive and his eligible dependents timely elect COBRA continuation coverage; (b) the Company shall pay premiums for Executives eligible dependents only for coverage for which those eligible dependents were enrolled immediately prior to the termination without Cause; and (c) the Companys obligation to pay such premiums shall cease immediately upon Executives eligibility for comparable group health insurance provided by a new employer of Executive. To receive the payments under (i), (ii), and (ii) above, Executives termination must constitute a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) and Executive must execute and allow the Release to become effective within sixty (60) days of Executives termination. Such payments shall not be paid prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, rather, subject to the aforementioned conditions, on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, the Company will pay Executive such payments in a lump sum that Executive would have received on or prior to such date under the original schedule, with the balance of such payments being paid as originally scheduled.
(c) Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) unless he executes the Release within the consideration period specified therein, which shall in no event be more than 60 days, and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms. Executives ability to receive benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) is further conditioned upon him: returning all Company property; complying with his post-termination obligations under this Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement, and the Confidential Information Agreement; and complying with the Release, including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
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(d) In the event Executives employment is terminated at any time without Cause, in addition to the severance benefits in Section 6.1(b), the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, in accordance with the Companys standard payroll policies, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
(e) The damages caused by the termination of Executives employment without Cause would be difficult to ascertain; therefore, the severance for which Executive is eligible pursuant to Section 6.1(b) above in exchange for the Release is agreed to by the parties as liquidated damages, to serve as full compensation, and not a penalty.
6.2 Termination by the Company for Cause.
(a) Subject to Section 6.2(c) below, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executives employment with the Company at any time for Cause by giving notice as described in Sections 6.7 and 7.1 of this Agreement.
(b) Cause for termination shall mean that the Company has determined in its sole discretion that Executive has engaged in any one or more of the following: (i) Executives commission of a felony; (ii) any act or omission of Executive constituting dishonesty, fraud, immoral, or disreputable conduct that causes material harm to the Company; (iii) Executives violation of Company policy that causes material harm to the Company; (iv) Executives material breach of any written agreement between Executive and the Company which, if curable, remains uncured for thirty (30) days after notice; or (v) breach of fiduciary duty.
(c) In the event Executives employment is terminated at any time for Cause, Executive will not receive severance payments in Sections 6.1(b) and 6.4(a), or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
(d) Vesting of any unvested stock options and/or other equity securities shall cease on the date of termination for Cause.
6.3 Resignation by Executive.
(a) Executive may resign from Executives employment with the Company at any time by giving notice as described in Sections 6.7 and 7.1.
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(b) In the event Executive resigns from Executives employment with the Company, Executive will not receive severance payments under Sections 6.1(b), 6.4(a) or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of resignation, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive through the date of resignation under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement during such period and Executive shall be eligible for any benefit continuation or conversion rights provided by the provisions of a benefit plan or by law. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
6.4 Change in Control.
(a) In the event that the Company (or any surviving or acquiring corporation) terminates Executives employment for a termination without Cause within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control (Change in Control Termination), and upon compliance with the Release required by Section 6.1(b) above, Executive shall be eligible to receive the following Change in Control severance benefits: (i) an amount equal to Executives then current Base Salary for a period of six (6) months from the Release Date (such applicable period is referred to as the Change in Control Severance Period), less applicable withholdings and deductions, on the Companys regular payroll dates; (ii) an amount equal to the Target Bonus or pro-rated portion of the Target Bonus that Executive was eligible to receive at the time of the termination without Cause (if any), payable in a lump sum on the date Target Bonuses are normally paid to other executives at the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year for which the Target Bonus is paid; and (iii) the Company shall pay the premiums of Executives group health insurance COBRA continuation coverage, including coverage for Executives eligible dependents, during the Change in Control Severance Period; provided, however, that (a) Executive and his eligible dependents timely elect COBRA continuation coverage; (b) the Company shall pay premiums for Executives eligible dependents only for coverage for which those eligible dependents were enrolled immediately prior to the termination without Cause; and (c) the Companys obligation to pay such premiums shall cease immediately upon Executives eligibility for comparable group health insurance provided by a new employer of Executive. To receive the payments under (i), (ii), and (ii) above, Executives termination must constitute a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) and Executive must execute and allow the Release to become effective within sixty (60) days of Executives termination. Such payments shall not be paid prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, rather, subject to the aforementioned conditions, on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, the Company will pay Executive such payments in a lump sum that Executive would have received on or prior to such date under the original schedule, with the balance of such payments being paid as originally scheduled.
(b) Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to 6.4(a) unless (i) he executes the Release within the consideration period specified therein, which shall in no event be more than sixty (60) days, and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms; and (ii) Executives Change in Control
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Termination constitutes a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)). Executives ability to receive benefits pursuant to Section 6.4(a) is further conditioned upon him: returning all Company property; complying with his post-termination obligations under this Agreement and the Compliance Agreement, and complying with the Release including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in Executives stock option or other equity award agreements to the contrary, upon a Change in Control Termination, Executive shall receive accelerated vesting of all then unvested shares of the Companys Common Stock that Executive then may have, if any.
(d) For the purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control will have the same meaning and effect as Change in Control is defined in the Companys 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
6.5 Expiration of Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, mere expiration pursuant to Section 1.1 of this Agreement, or at the end of any renewal Term, does not confer upon Executive any eligibility for severance benefits as described in this Section 6. Executive will not receive severance payments, or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of expiration and Executive shall be eligible for any benefit continuation or conversion rights provided by the provisions of a benefit plan or by law.
6.6 Termination by Virtue of Death or Disability of Executive.
(a) In the event of Executives death while employed pursuant to this Agreement, all obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate immediately, and the Company shall, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, pay to Executives legal representatives Executives accrued but unpaid salary through the date of death together with all legally required compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on Executives participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination.
(b) Subject to applicable state and federal law, the Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to Executive, to terminate this Agreement based on Executives Disability (as defined below). Termination by the Company of Executives employment based on Disability shall mean termination because Executive is unable due to a physical or mental condition to perform the essential functions of Executives position with or without reasonable accommodation for ninety (90) calendar days in the aggregate during any twelve (12) month period or based on the written certification by two licensed physicians of the likely continuation of such condition for such period. This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act,
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and other applicable law. In the event Executives employment is terminated based on Executives Disability, Executive will not receive severance payments, or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on Executives participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination.
6.7 Notice; Effective Date of Termination.
(a) Termination of Executives employment pursuant to this Agreement shall be effective on the earliest of:
(i) immediately after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination, with or without Cause (except for a termination for Cause under Section 6.2(b)(iv)), unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date;
(ii) thirty (30) days after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination for Cause under Section 6.2(b)(iv) and Executive fails to cure such breach;
(iii) immediately upon Executives death;
(iv) ten (10) days after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination on account of Executives Disability, unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date, provided that Executive has not returned to the full time performance of Executives duties prior to such date; or
(v) thirty (30) days after Executive gives written notice to the Company of Executives resignation, provided that may set a termination date at any time between the date of notice and the date of resignation, in which case Executives resignation shall be effective as of such other date. Executive will receive compensation through any required notice period.
(b) In the event notice of a termination under subsections (a)(i), (iv), and (v) is given orally, at the other partys request, the party giving notice must provide written confirmation of such notice within five (5) business days of the request in compliance with the requirement of Section 7.1 below.
6.8 Cooperation With Company. During the Term of this Agreement and following termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall fully cooperate with the Company in all matters relating to the winding up of Executives pending work including, but not limited to, any litigation in which the Company is involved, and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to such other employees as may be designated by the Company.
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6.9 Application of Section 409A. It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executives right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed by the Company at the time of his Separation from Service to be a specified employee for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any of the payments upon Separation from Service set forth herein and/or under any other agreement with the Company are deemed to be deferred compensation, then if delayed commencement of any portion of such payments is required to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the related adverse taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the timing of the payments upon a Separation from Service will be delayed as follows: on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Executives Separation from Service, and (ii) the date of Executives death (such earlier date, the Delayed Initial Payment Date), the Company will (A) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon Separation from Service that Executive would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this paragraph, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth above. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.
6.10 Parachute Taxes.
(a) If any payment or benefit Executive would receive from the Company or otherwise in connection with a Change in Control or other similar transaction (Payment) would (i) constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount. The Reduced Amount will be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount ((x) or (y)), after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Executives receipt of the greater economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a Reduced Amount will give rise to the greater after tax benefit, the reduction in the Payments will occur in the following order: (a) reduction of cash payments; (b) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (c) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (d) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. Within any such
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category of payments and benefits (that is, (a), (b), (c) or (d)), a reduction will occur first with respect to amounts that are not deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Executives equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant.
(b) The registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the event described in Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code will perform the foregoing calculations. If the registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquirer or is otherwise unable or unwilling to perform the calculations, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized firm that has expertise in these calculations to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within 30 calendar days after the date on which Executives right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as reasonably requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the independent registered public accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.
7. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
7.1 Notices. Any notices required hereunder to be in writing shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by electronic mail or confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the Company, Attention Chairman of the Board, at its primary office location and to Executive at Executives address as listed on the Company payroll, or at such other address as the Company or Executive may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other.
7.2 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.
7.3 Waiver. If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, Executive or the Company shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.
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7.4 Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter and supersedes any prior oral discussions or written communications and agreements. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein, and it cannot be modified or amended except in writing signed by Executive and an authorized officer of the Company. The parties have entered into a separate Non-Competition Agreement, a separate Confidential Information Agreement, and have or may enter into separate agreements related to stock awards. These separate agreements govern other aspects of the relationship between the parties, have or may have provisions that survive termination of Executives employment under this Agreement, may be amended or superseded by the parties without regard to this Agreement and are enforceable according to their terms without regard to the enforcement provision of this Agreement.
7.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
7.6 Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.
7.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign any of his duties hereunder and he may not assign any of his rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company, which shall not be withheld unreasonably.
7.8 Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the law of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to choice of law principles.
7.9 Resolution of Disputes. The parties recognize that litigation in federal or state courts or before federal or state administrative agencies of disputes arising out of Executives employment with the Company or out of this Agreement, or Executives termination of employment or termination of this Agreement, may not be in the best interests of either Executive or the Company, and may result in unnecessary costs, delays, complexities, and uncertainty. The parties agree that any dispute between the parties arising out of or relating to the negotiation, execution, performance or termination of this Agreement or Executives employment, including, but not limited to, any claim arising out of this Agreement, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1966, as amended, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and any similar federal, state or local law, statute, regulation, or any common law doctrine, whether that dispute arises during or after employment, shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of
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Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association; provided however, that this dispute resolution provision shall not apply to any separate agreements between the parties that do not themselves specify arbitration as an exclusive remedy. The location for the arbitration shall be in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Any award made by such panel shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties for all purposes, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrators fees and expenses and all administrative fees and expenses associated with the filing of the arbitration shall be borne by the Company; provided however, that at Executives option, Executive may voluntarily pay up to one-half the costs and fees. The parties acknowledge and agree that their obligations to arbitrate under this Section survive the termination of this Agreement and continue after the termination of the employment relationship between Executive and the Company. The parties each further agree that the arbitration provisions of this Agreement shall provide each party with its exclusive remedy, and each party expressly waives any right it might have to seek redress in any other forum, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. By election arbitration as the means for final settlement of all claims, the parties hereby waive their respective rights to, and agree not to, sue each other in any action in a Federal, State or local court with respect to such claims, but may seek to enforce in court an arbitration award rendered pursuant to this Agreement. The parties specifically agree to waive their respective rights to a trial by jury, and further agree that no demand, request or motion will be made for trial by jury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Executive Employment Agreement on the day and year first written above.
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | EXECUTIVE: | |||||||
/s/ Martin Vogelbaum |
/s/ Frédérique Menzaghi | |||||||
(Signature) | (Signature) | |||||||
By: | Martin Vogelbaum | By: | Frédérique Menzaghi | |||||
Title: | Director |
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Exhibit A
EMPLOYEE NON-SOLICITATION
AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
EMPLOYEE
NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
In consideration of my employment or continued employment by CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. its subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, successors and assigns (together, the Company) and the compensation now and hereafter paid to me, I hereby enter into this Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (the Agreement) and agree as follows:
1.
2.
3.
I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS. | ||||
/s/ Frédérique Menzaghi | ||||
Frédérique Menzaghi (Signature) | ||||
Frédérique Menzaghi | ||||
Frédérique Menzaghi (Printed Name) | ||||
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: | ||||
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Martin Vogelbaum | |||
Name: | Martin Vogelbaum | |||
Title: | Director |
4.
Exhibit B
Release Agreement
This Release Agreement (Release) is made by and between Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company) and Frédérique Menzaghi (you). You and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement dated (the Employment Agreement). You and the Company hereby further agree as follows:
1. A blank copy of this Release was attached to the Employment Agreement as Exhibit B.
2. Severance Payments. In connection with your separation from the Company, you are eligible for certain severance payments under Section 6 of the Employment Agreement for a [termination without Cause or Change in Control Termination]. In consideration for your execution, return and non-revocation of this Release, following the Release Date (as defined in Section 3 below) the Company will provide severance benefits, in accordance with Section 6 of the Employment Agreement, to you as follows: [described benefits and payment schedule].
3. Release by You. In exchange for the payments and other consideration under this Agreement, to which you would not otherwise be entitled, and except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, you hereby generally and completely release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and its and their officers, directors, managers, partners, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates (the Releasees), of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, both known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to and including the execution date of this Agreement, including but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with your employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law, statute, or cause of action; tort law; or contract law. The claims and causes of action you are releasing and waiving in this Agreement include, but are not limited to, any and all claims and causes of action that the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and its and their respective officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors, assigns or affiliates:
| has violated its personnel policies, handbooks, contracts of employment, or covenants of good faith and fair dealing; |
| has discriminated against you on the basis of age, race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, ancestry, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, entitlement to benefits, any union |
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activities or other protected category in violation of any local, state or federal law, constitution, ordinance, or regulation, including but not limited to: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (ADEA); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; 42 U.S.C. § 1981, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1866; the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Family Medical Leave Act; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended; Section 510 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; and the National Labor Relations Act; |
| has violated any statute, public policy or common law (including but not limited to claims for retaliatory discharge; negligent hiring, retention or supervision; defamation; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress and/or mental anguish; intentional interference with contract; negligence; detrimental reliance; loss of consortium to you or any member of your family and/or promissory estoppel). |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not releasing any right of indemnification you may have for any liabilities arising from your actions within the course and scope of your employment with the Company or within the course and scope of your role as a member of the Board of Directors and/or officer of the Company. Also excluded from this Agreement are any claims which cannot be waived by law. You are waiving, however, your right to any monetary recovery should any governmental agency or entity, such as the EEOC or the DOL, pursue any claims on your behalf. You acknowledge that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the ADEA, as amended. You also acknowledge that (i) the consideration given to you in exchange for the waiver and release in this Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which you were already entitled, and (ii) that you have been paid for all time worked, have received all the leave, leaves of absence and leave benefits and protections for which you are eligible, and have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which you have not already filed a claim. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this writing that: (a) your waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the execution date of this Agreement; (b) you have been advised hereby that you have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (c) you have twenty-one (21) days [in the event of a group release 21 days becomes 45 days] to consider this Agreement (although you may choose to voluntarily execute this Agreement earlier); (d) you have seven (7) days following your execution of this Agreement to revoke the Agreement; and (e) this Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired unexercised, which shall be the eighth day after this Agreement is executed by you provided the Company has also executed the Release on or before that date (the Release Date).
4. Return of Company Property. Within ten (10) days of the effective date of the termination of employment, you agree to return to the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property then in existence that you have had in your possession at any time, including, but not limited to, Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specifications, computer-recorded
2.
information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys; and, any materials of any kind that contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof). Receipt of the Severance described in paragraph 2 of this Release expressly conditioned upon return of all such Company Property.
5. Confidentiality. The provisions of this Release will be held in strictest confidence by you and will not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that: (a) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your immediate family; (b) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your attorney, accountant, auditor, tax preparer, and financial advisor; and (c) you may disclose this Release insofar as such disclosure may be required by law.
6. Proprietary Information and Post-Termination Obligations. Both during and after your employment you acknowledge your continuing obligations under your Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (Non-Competition Agreement) and your At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (Confidential Information Agreement) not to use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information of the Company and to refrain from certain solicitation and competitive activities.
7. Non-Disparagement. You agree not to disparage the Company, and the Companys attorneys, directors, managers, partners, employees, agents and affiliates, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation; provided that you may respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process.
8. No Admission. This Agreement does not constitute an admission by the Company of any wrongful action or violation of any federal, state, or local statute, or common law rights, including those relating to the provisions of any law or statute concerning employment actions, or of any other possible or claimed violation of law or rights.
9. Breach. You agree that upon any material breach of this Release you will forfeit all amounts paid or owing to you under this Release. Further, you acknowledge that it may be impossible to assess the damages caused by your material violation of the terms of paragraphs 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Release and further agree that any threatened or actual material violation or breach of those paragraphs of this Release will constitute immediate and irreparable injury to the Company. You therefore agree that any such breach of this Release is a material breach of this Agreement, and, in addition to any and all other damages and remedies available to the Company upon your breach of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent you from violating or breaching this Agreement.
10. Miscellaneous. This Release, together with your Non-Competition Agreement and your Confidential Information Agreement, constitute the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to this subject matter. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or
3.
representations. This Release may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Release will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Release is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified by the court so as to be rendered enforceable. This Release will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut as applied to contracts made and performed entirely within the State of Connecticut.
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By: |
|
| ||||
[Name and Title] | Date | |||||
EXECUTIVE | ||||||
|
| |||||
Frédérique Menzaghi | Date |
4.
Exhibit 10.3
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is entered into effective February 5, 2014 (the Effective Date), by and between Josef Schoell (Executive) and Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ Executive and, in connection therewith, to compensate Executive for Executives personal services to the Company; and
WHEREAS, Executive wishes to continue to be employed by the Company and provide personal services to the Company in return for certain compensation.
Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the parties agree to the following:
1. EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY.
1.1 Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, and shall continue for four years after the Effective Date, unless terminated prior thereto by either the Company or the Executive as provided in Section 6. If either the Company or the Executive does not wish to renew this Agreement when it expires at the end of the initial or any renewal term hereof, as hereinafter provided, or if either the Company or the Executive wishes to renew this Agreement on different terms than those contained herein, it or Executive shall give written notice in accordance with Section 7.1 below of such intent to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date. In the absence of such notice, this Agreement shall be renewed on the same terms and conditions contained herein for a term of one (1) year from the date of expiration. The parties expressly agree that designation of a term and renewal provisions in this Agreement does not in any way limit the right of the parties to terminate this Agreement at any time as hereinafter provided. Reference herein to the Term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and any successive term as the context requires.
1.2 Position. Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company agrees to employ Executive initially in the position of Chief Financial Officer, and Executive hereby accepts such employment. During the term of Executives employment with the Company, Executive will devote his best efforts and substantially all of his business time and attention to the business of the Company.
1.3 Duties. Executive will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the CEO) performing such duties as are normally associated with Executives position and such duties as are assigned to Executive from time to time by the CEO, subject to the oversight and direction of the CEO. Executive shall perform Executives duties under this Agreement principally out of the Companys corporate headquarters in Shelton, Connecticut. In addition, Executive shall make such business trips to such places as may be necessary or advisable for the efficient operations of the Company.
1.4 Company Policies and Benefits. The employment relationship between the parties shall also be subject to the Companys personnel policies and procedures as they may
be interpreted, adopted, revised or deleted from time to time in the Companys sole discretion. Executive will be eligible to participate on the same basis as similarly situated employees in the Companys benefit plans in effect from time to time during his employment. All matters of eligibility for coverage or benefits under any benefit plan shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of such plan. The Company reserves the right to change, alter, or terminate any benefit plan in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Companys general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.
2. COMPENSATION.
2.1 Salary. Executive shall receive for Executives services to be rendered hereunder an initial annualized base salary of $209,000, subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) in its sole discretion and payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements in accordance with Companys standard payroll practices (Base Salary).
2.2 Bonus.
(a) During Employment. Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus pursuant to the Companys annual performance bonus plan, with the initial target amount of such bonus equal to thirty-five percent (35%) of Executives average Base Salary during the then current bonus year (Target Bonus), subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Company in its sole discretion, payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements. Whether or not Executive is eligible for any Target Bonus will be dependent upon (a) the actual achievement by Executive and the Company of the applicable individual and corporate performance goals, as determined by the Company, and (b) Executives continuous performance of services to the Company through the date any bonus is paid. In all events, any bonus awarded pursuant to this Section 2.2 will be paid on or before March 15 of the year following the year for which is awarded.
(b) Upon Termination. In the event Executive leaves the employ of the Company for any reason prior to payment of any bonus, Executive is not eligible for such bonus, prorated or otherwise.
2.3 Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
2.4 Stock Option. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Companys stock option plans that are in place from time to time as determined by the Company. Any options awarded under such plans shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in those plans, and in any applicable stock option agreement and grant document.
3. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, INVENTIONS, NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION OBLIGATIONS. The parties hereto have entered into a Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (the Non-Competition Agreement), which may be amended
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by the parties from time to time without regard to this Agreement. The Non-Competition Agreement contains provisions that are intended by the parties to survive and do survive termination or expiration of this Agreement. The Non-Competition Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Executive also agrees to continue to abide by his At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement with the Company (the Confidential Information Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Companys Confidential Information Agreement, this Agreement shall control.
4. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. Except with the prior written consent of the Companys Board, Executive will not, while employed by the Company, undertake or engage in any other employment, occupation or business enterprise that would interfere with Executives responsibilities and the performance of Executives duties hereunder except for (i) reasonable time devoted to volunteer services for or on behalf of such religious, educational, non-profit and/or other charitable organization as Executive may wish to serve, (ii) reasonable time devoted to activities in the non-profit and business communities consistent with Executives duties; and (iii) such other activities as may be specifically approved by the Board. This restriction shall not, however, preclude Executive from owning less than one percent (1%) of the total outstanding shares of a publicly traded company.
5. NO CONFLICT WITH EXISTING OBLIGATIONS. Executive represents that Executives performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an Executive of the Company do not and will not breach any agreement or obligation of any kind made prior to Executives employment by the Company, including agreements or obligations Executive may have with prior employers or entities for which Executive has provided services. Executive has not entered into, and Executive agrees that Executive will not enter into, any agreement or obligation, either written or oral, in conflict herewith.
6. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The parties acknowledge that either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship and the Term at any time for any reason by giving notice as described in Sections 6.7 and 7.1. The provisions in this Section 6 govern the amount of compensation, if any, to be provided to Executive upon termination of employment and do not restrict the right of either party to terminate the employment relationship and the Term.
6.1 Termination by the Company Without Cause.
(a) The Company shall have the right to terminate Executives employment with the Company pursuant to this Section 6.1 at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 6.2(b) below) by giving notice as described in Section 6.7 of this Agreement. A termination pursuant to Section 6.7 below is not a termination without Cause for purposes of receiving the benefits described in this Section 6.1.
(b) In the event Executives employment is terminated without Cause (other than for in connection with a Change in Control Termination as defined below), then provided that Executive executes a general release in favor of the Company, in a form attached
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as Exhibit B (the Release), and subject to Section 6.1(c) (the date that the Release becomes effective and may no longer be revoked by Executive is referred to as the Release Date), then the Company shall pay to Executive (i) an amount equal to Executives then current Base Salary for a period of six (6) months from the Release Date (such applicable period is referred to as the Severance Period), less applicable withholdings and deductions, on the Companys regular payroll dates; (ii) an amount equal to the Target Bonus or pro-rated portion of the Target Bonus that Executive was eligible to receive at the time of the termination without Cause (if any), payable in a lump sum on the date Target Bonuses are normally paid to other executives at the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year for which the Target Bonus is paid; and (iii) the Company shall pay the premiums of Executives group health insurance COBRA continuation coverage, including coverage for Executives eligible dependents, during the Severance Period; provided, however, that (a) Executive and his eligible dependents timely elect COBRA continuation coverage; (b) the Company shall pay premiums for Executives eligible dependents only for coverage for which those eligible dependents were enrolled immediately prior to the termination without Cause; and (c) the Companys obligation to pay such premiums shall cease immediately upon Executives eligibility for comparable group health insurance provided by a new employer of Executive. To receive the payments under (i), (ii), and (ii) above, Executives termination must constitute a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) and Executive must execute and allow the Release to become effective within sixty (60) days of Executives termination. Such payments shall not be paid prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, rather, subject to the aforementioned conditions, on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, the Company will pay Executive such payments in a lump sum that Executive would have received on or prior to such date under the original schedule, with the balance of such payments being paid as originally scheduled.
(c) Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) unless he executes the Release within the consideration period specified therein, which shall in no event be more than 60 days, and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms. Executives ability to receive benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) is further conditioned upon him: returning all Company property; complying with his post-termination obligations under this Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement, and the Confidential Information Agreement; and complying with the Release, including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(d) In the event Executives employment is terminated at any time without Cause, in addition to the severance benefits in Section 6.1(b), the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, in accordance with the Companys standard payroll policies, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
(e) The damages caused by the termination of Executives employment without Cause would be difficult to ascertain; therefore, the severance for which Executive is eligible pursuant to Section 6.1(b) above in exchange for the Release is agreed to by the parties as liquidated damages, to serve as full compensation, and not a penalty.
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6.2 Termination by the Company for Cause.
(a) Subject to Section 6.2(c) below, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executives employment with the Company at any time for Cause by giving notice as described in Sections 6.7 and 7.1 of this Agreement.
(b) Cause for termination shall mean that the Company has determined in its sole discretion that Executive has engaged in any one or more of the following: (i) Executives commission of a felony; (ii) any act or omission of Executive constituting dishonesty, fraud, immoral, or disreputable conduct that causes material harm to the Company; (iii) Executives violation of Company policy that causes material harm to the Company; (iv) Executives material breach of any written agreement between Executive and the Company which, if curable, remains uncured for thirty (30) days after notice; or (v) breach of fiduciary duty.
(c) In the event Executives employment is terminated at any time for Cause, Executive will not receive severance payments in Sections 6.1(b) and 6.4(a), or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
(d) Vesting of any unvested stock options and/or other equity securities shall cease on the date of termination for Cause.
6.3 Resignation by Executive.
(a) Executive may resign from Executives employment with the Company at any time by giving notice as described in Sections 6.7 and 7.1.
(b) In the event Executive resigns from Executives employment with the Company, Executive will not receive severance payments under Sections 6.1(b), 6.4(a) or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of resignation, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive through the date of resignation under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement during such period and Executive shall be eligible for any benefit continuation or conversion rights provided by the provisions of a benefit plan or by law. The Company will also reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Companys standard expense reimbursement policy.
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6.4 Change in Control.
(a) In the event that the Company (or any surviving or acquiring corporation) terminates Executives employment for a termination without Cause within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control (Change in Control Termination), and upon compliance with the Release required by Section 6.1(b) above, Executive shall be eligible to receive the following Change in Control severance benefits: (i) an amount equal to Executives then current Base Salary for a period of six (6) months from the Release Date (such applicable period is referred to as the Change in Control Severance Period), less applicable withholdings and deductions, on the Companys regular payroll dates; (ii) an amount equal to the Target Bonus or pro-rated portion of the Target Bonus that Executive was eligible to receive at the time of the termination without Cause (if any), payable in a lump sum on the date Target Bonuses are normally paid to other executives at the Company, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year for which the Target Bonus is paid; and (iii) the Company shall pay the premiums of Executives group health insurance COBRA continuation coverage, including coverage for Executives eligible dependents, during the Change in Control Severance Period; provided, however, that (a) Executive and his eligible dependents timely elect COBRA continuation coverage; (b) the Company shall pay premiums for Executives eligible dependents only for coverage for which those eligible dependents were enrolled immediately prior to the termination without Cause; and (c) the Companys obligation to pay such premiums shall cease immediately upon Executives eligibility for comparable group health insurance provided by a new employer of Executive. To receive the payments under (i), (ii), and (ii) above, Executives termination must constitute a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) and Executive must execute and allow the Release to become effective within sixty (60) days of Executives termination. Such payments shall not be paid prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, rather, subject to the aforementioned conditions, on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination, the Company will pay Executive such payments in a lump sum that Executive would have received on or prior to such date under the original schedule, with the balance of such payments being paid as originally scheduled.
(b) Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to 6.4(a) unless (i) he executes the Release within the consideration period specified therein, which shall in no event be more than sixty (60) days, and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms; and (ii) Executives Change in Control Termination constitutes a separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)). Executives ability to receive benefits pursuant to Section 6.4(a) is further conditioned upon him: returning all Company property; complying with his post-termination obligations under this Agreement and the Compliance Agreement, and complying with the Release including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in Executives stock option or other equity award agreements to the contrary, upon a Change in Control Termination, Executive shall receive accelerated vesting of all then unvested shares of the Companys Common Stock that Executive then may have, if any.
(d) For the purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control will have the same meaning and effect as Change in Control is defined in the Companys 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
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6.5 Expiration of Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, mere expiration pursuant to Section 1.1 of this Agreement, or at the end of any renewal Term, does not confer upon Executive any eligibility for severance benefits as described in this Section 6. Executive will not receive severance payments, or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on his participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of expiration and Executive shall be eligible for any benefit continuation or conversion rights provided by the provisions of a benefit plan or by law.
6.6 Termination by Virtue of Death or Disability of Executive.
(a) In the event of Executives death while employed pursuant to this Agreement, all obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate immediately, and the Company shall, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, pay to Executives legal representatives Executives accrued but unpaid salary through the date of death together with all legally required compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on Executives participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination.
(b) Subject to applicable state and federal law, the Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to Executive, to terminate this Agreement based on Executives Disability (as defined below). Termination by the Company of Executives employment based on Disability shall mean termination because Executive is unable due to a physical or mental condition to perform the essential functions of Executives position with or without reasonable accommodation for ninety (90) calendar days in the aggregate during any twelve (12) month period or based on the written certification by two licensed physicians of the likely continuation of such condition for such period. This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other applicable law. In the event Executives employment is terminated based on Executives Disability, Executive will not receive severance payments, or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Companys standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive based on Executives participation in any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement through the date of termination.
6.7 Notice; Effective Date of Termination.
(a) Termination of Executives employment pursuant to this Agreement shall be effective on the earliest of:
(i) immediately after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination, with or without Cause (except for a termination for Cause under Section 6.2(b)(iv)), unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date;
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(ii) thirty (30) days after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination for Cause under Section 6.2(b)(iv) and Executive fails to cure such breach;
(iii) immediately upon Executives death;
(iv) ten (10) days after the Company gives notice to Executive of Executives termination on account of Executives Disability, unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date, provided that Executive has not returned to the full time performance of Executives duties prior to such date; or
(v) thirty (30) days after Executive gives written notice to the Company of Executives resignation, provided that may set a termination date at any time between the date of notice and the date of resignation, in which case Executives resignation shall be effective as of such other date. Executive will receive compensation through any required notice period.
(b) In the event notice of a termination under subsections (a)(i), (iv), and (v) is given orally, at the other partys request, the party giving notice must provide written confirmation of such notice within five (5) business days of the request in compliance with the requirement of Section 7.1 below.
6.8 Cooperation With Company. During the Term of this Agreement and following termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall fully cooperate with the Company in all matters relating to the winding up of Executives pending work including, but not limited to, any litigation in which the Company is involved, and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to such other employees as may be designated by the Company.
6.9 Application of Section 409A. It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executives right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments
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and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed by the Company at the time of his Separation from Service to be a specified employee for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any of the payments upon Separation from Service set forth herein and/or under any other agreement with the Company are deemed to be deferred compensation, then if delayed commencement of any portion of such payments is required to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the related adverse taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the timing of the payments upon a Separation from Service will be delayed as follows: on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Executives Separation from Service, and (ii) the date of Executives death (such earlier date, the Delayed Initial Payment Date), the Company will (A) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon Separation from Service that Executive would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this paragraph, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth above. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.
6.10 Parachute Taxes.
(a) If any payment or benefit Executive would receive from the Company or otherwise in connection with a Change in Control or other similar transaction (Payment) would (i) constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then such Payment will be equal to the Reduced Amount. The Reduced Amount will be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount ((x) or (y)), after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Executives receipt of the greater economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a Reduced Amount will give rise to the greater after tax benefit, the reduction in the Payments will occur in the following order: (a) reduction of cash payments; (b) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (c) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (d) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. Within any such category of payments and benefits (that is, (a), (b), (c) or (d)), a reduction will occur first with respect to amounts that are not deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Executives equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant.
(b) The registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the event described in Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code will perform the foregoing calculations. If the registered public accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquirer
9
or is otherwise unable or unwilling to perform the calculations, the Company will appoint a nationally recognized firm that has expertise in these calculations to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such independent registered public accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within 30 calendar days after the date on which Executives right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as reasonably requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the independent registered public accounting firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.
7. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
7.1 Notices. Any notices required hereunder to be in writing shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by electronic mail or confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the Company, Attention Chairman of the Board, at its primary office location and to Executive at Executives address as listed on the Company payroll, or at such other address as the Company or Executive may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other.
7.2 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.
7.3 Waiver. If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, Executive or the Company shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.
7.4 Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter and supersedes any prior oral discussions or written communications and agreements. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein, and it cannot be modified or amended except in writing signed by Executive and an authorized officer of the Company. The parties have entered into a separate Non-Competition Agreement, a separate Confidential Information Agreement, and have or may enter into separate agreements related to stock awards. These separate agreements govern other aspects of the relationship between the parties, have or may have provisions that survive
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termination of Executives employment under this Agreement, may be amended or superseded by the parties without regard to this Agreement and are enforceable according to their terms without regard to the enforcement provision of this Agreement.
7.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
7.6 Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.
7.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign any of his duties hereunder and he may not assign any of his rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company, which shall not be withheld unreasonably.
7.8 Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the law of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to choice of law principles.
7.9 Resolution of Disputes. The parties recognize that litigation in federal or state courts or before federal or state administrative agencies of disputes arising out of Executives employment with the Company or out of this Agreement, or Executives termination of employment or termination of this Agreement, may not be in the best interests of either Executive or the Company, and may result in unnecessary costs, delays, complexities, and uncertainty. The parties agree that any dispute between the parties arising out of or relating to the negotiation, execution, performance or termination of this Agreement or Executives employment, including, but not limited to, any claim arising out of this Agreement, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1966, as amended, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and any similar federal, state or local law, statute, regulation, or any common law doctrine, whether that dispute arises during or after employment, shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association; provided however, that this dispute resolution provision shall not apply to any separate agreements between the parties that do not themselves specify arbitration as an exclusive remedy. The location for the arbitration shall be in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Any award made by such panel shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties for all purposes, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrators fees and expenses and all administrative fees and expenses associated with the filing of the arbitration shall be borne by the Company; provided however, that at Executives option, Executive may voluntarily pay up to one-half the costs and fees. The parties acknowledge and agree that their obligations to arbitrate under this Section survive the termination of this Agreement and continue
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after the termination of the employment relationship between Executive and the Company. The parties each further agree that the arbitration provisions of this Agreement shall provide each party with its exclusive remedy, and each party expressly waives any right it might have to seek redress in any other forum, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. By election arbitration as the means for final settlement of all claims, the parties hereby waive their respective rights to, and agree not to, sue each other in any action in a Federal, State or local court with respect to such claims, but may seek to enforce in court an arbitration award rendered pursuant to this Agreement. The parties specifically agree to waive their respective rights to a trial by jury, and further agree that no demand, request or motion will be made for trial by jury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Executive Employment Agreement on the day and year first written above.
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | EXECUTIVE: | |||||||
/s/ Martin Vogelbaum |
/s/ Josef Schoell | |||||||
(Signature) | (Signature) | |||||||
By: | Martin Vogelbaum | By: | Josef Schoell | |||||
Title: | Director |
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Exhibit A
EMPLOYEE NON-SOLICITATION
AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
EMPLOYEE
NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
In consideration of my employment or continued employment by CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC. its subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, successors and assigns (together, the Company) and the compensation now and hereafter paid to me, I hereby enter into this Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (the Agreement) and agree as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Exhibit B
Release Agreement
This Release Agreement (Release) is made by and between Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company) and Josef Schoell (you). You and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement dated (the Employment Agreement). You and the Company hereby further agree as follows:
1. A blank copy of this Release was attached to the Employment Agreement as Exhibit B.
2. Severance Payments. In connection with your separation from the Company, you are eligible for certain severance payments under Section 6 of the Employment Agreement for a [termination without Cause or Change in Control Termination]. In consideration for your execution, return and non-revocation of this Release, following the Release Date (as defined in Section 3 below) the Company will provide severance benefits, in accordance with Section 6 of the Employment Agreement, to you as follows: [described benefits and payment schedule].
3. Release by You. In exchange for the payments and other consideration under this Agreement, to which you would not otherwise be entitled, and except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, you hereby generally and completely release, acquit and forever discharge the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and its and their officers, directors, managers, partners, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors, assigns and affiliates (the Releasees), of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, both known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to and including the execution date of this Agreement, including but not limited to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way connected with your employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company, vacation pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form of compensation; claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law, statute, or cause of action; tort law; or contract law. The claims and causes of action you are releasing and waiving in this Agreement include, but are not limited to, any and all claims and causes of action that the Company, its parents and subsidiaries, and its and their respective officers, directors, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors, assigns or affiliates:
| has violated its personnel policies, handbooks, contracts of employment, or covenants of good faith and fair dealing; |
| has discriminated against you on the basis of age, race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, ancestry, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, entitlement to benefits, any union |
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activities or other protected category in violation of any local, state or federal law, constitution, ordinance, or regulation, including but not limited to: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (ADEA); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; 42 U.S.C. § 1981, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1866; the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Family Medical Leave Act; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended; Section 510 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; and the National Labor Relations Act; |
| has violated any statute, public policy or common law (including but not limited to claims for retaliatory discharge; negligent hiring, retention or supervision; defamation; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress and/or mental anguish; intentional interference with contract; negligence; detrimental reliance; loss of consortium to you or any member of your family and/or promissory estoppel). |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not releasing any right of indemnification you may have for any liabilities arising from your actions within the course and scope of your employment with the Company or within the course and scope of your role as a member of the Board of Directors and/or officer of the Company. Also excluded from this Agreement are any claims which cannot be waived by law. You are waiving, however, your right to any monetary recovery should any governmental agency or entity, such as the EEOC or the DOL, pursue any claims on your behalf. You acknowledge that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the ADEA, as amended. You also acknowledge that (i) the consideration given to you in exchange for the waiver and release in this Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which you were already entitled, and (ii) that you have been paid for all time worked, have received all the leave, leaves of absence and leave benefits and protections for which you are eligible, and have not suffered any on-the-job injury for which you have not already filed a claim. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this writing that: (a) your waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the execution date of this Agreement; (b) you have been advised hereby that you have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (c) you have twenty-one (21) days [in the event of a group release 21 days becomes 45 days] to consider this Agreement (although you may choose to voluntarily execute this Agreement earlier); (d) you have seven (7) days following your execution of this Agreement to revoke the Agreement; and (e) this Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired unexercised, which shall be the eighth day after this Agreement is executed by you provided the Company has also executed the Release on or before that date (the Release Date).
4. Return of Company Property. Within ten (10) days of the effective date of the termination of employment, you agree to return to the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property then in existence that you have had in your possession at any time, including, but not limited to, Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specifications, computer-recorded
2.
information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys; and, any materials of any kind that contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof). Receipt of the Severance described in paragraph 2 of this Release expressly conditioned upon return of all such Company Property.
5. Confidentiality. The provisions of this Release will be held in strictest confidence by you and will not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that: (a) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your immediate family; (b) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your attorney, accountant, auditor, tax preparer, and financial advisor; and (c) you may disclose this Release insofar as such disclosure may be required by law.
6. Proprietary Information and Post-Termination Obligations. Both during and after your employment you acknowledge your continuing obligations under your Employee Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement (Non-Competition Agreement) and your At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (Confidential Information Agreement) not to use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information of the Company and to refrain from certain solicitation and competitive activities.
7. Non-Disparagement. You agree not to disparage the Company, and the Companys attorneys, directors, managers, partners, employees, agents and affiliates, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation; provided that you may respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process.
8. No Admission. This Agreement does not constitute an admission by the Company of any wrongful action or violation of any federal, state, or local statute, or common law rights, including those relating to the provisions of any law or statute concerning employment actions, or of any other possible or claimed violation of law or rights.
9. Breach. You agree that upon any material breach of this Release you will forfeit all amounts paid or owing to you under this Release. Further, you acknowledge that it may be impossible to assess the damages caused by your material violation of the terms of paragraphs 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Release and further agree that any threatened or actual material violation or breach of those paragraphs of this Release will constitute immediate and irreparable injury to the Company. You therefore agree that any such breach of this Release is a material breach of this Agreement, and, in addition to any and all other damages and remedies available to the Company upon your breach of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction to prevent you from violating or breaching this Agreement.
10. Miscellaneous. This Release, together with your Non-Competition Agreement and your Confidential Information Agreement, constitute the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to this subject matter. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or
3.
representations. This Release may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Release will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Release is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified by the court so as to be rendered enforceable. This Release will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut as applied to contracts made and performed entirely within the State of Connecticut.
CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By: |
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| ||||
[Name and Title] | Date | |||||
EXECUTIVE | ||||||
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| |||||
Josef Schoell | Date |
4.