UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Explanatory Note
On October 19, 2023, the Delaware corporation formerly known as “Talaris Therapeutics, Inc.” completed its previously announced merger transaction in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. (“Talaris”), Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (“Tourmaline”) and Terrain Merger Sub, Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Talaris (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Tourmaline, with Tourmaline surviving as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the surviving corporation of the merger (the “Merger”). Additionally, as a result of the Merger, (i) Tourmaline changed its name from “Tourmaline Bio, Inc.” to “Tourmaline Sub, Inc.”, and (ii) Talaris changed its name from “Talaris Therapeutics, Inc.” to “Tourmaline Bio, Inc.” (the “Company”). See Item 2.01 for additional information regarding completion of the Merger.
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
As a result of the Merger, the following agreements of Tourmaline effectively became the agreements of the Company:
Indemnifications Agreements
In connection with the Merger, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its new directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides for indemnification and advancements by the Company of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits or proceedings arising from each individual’s service to the Company as an officer or director, as applicable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of indemnification agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Offer Letters
To the extent required by Item 1.01 of Form 8-K, the information set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the executive offer letters is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
As previously disclosed, on October 19, 2023, Talaris, Merger Sub and Tourmaline entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Tourmaline, with Tourmaline surviving as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the surviving corporation of the Merger. On October 19, 2023, the Company, Merger Sub and Tourmaline consummated the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Effective at 4:00 p.m. eastern time on October 19, 2023, the Company effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). Effective at 4:02 p.m. eastern time on October 19, 2023, the Company completed the Merger, and effective at 4:03 p.m. eastern time on October 19, 2023, the Company changed its name to “Tourmaline Bio, Inc.” (the “Name Change”). Following the completion of the Merger, the business conducted by the Company became primarily the business conducted by Tourmaline, which is a late-stage clinical biotechnology company developing transformative medicines that dramatically improve the lives of patients with life-altering immune diseases. Unless noted otherwise, all references to share and per share amounts in this Current Report on Form 8-K reflect the Reverse Stock Split.
Under the terms of the Merger, immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, each share of Tourmaline’s preferred stock was converted into one share of Tourmaline’s common stock. At the effective time of the Merger, the Company issued an aggregate of approximately 15,877,090 shares of its common stock to Tourmaline’s stockholders, based on an exchange ratio of 0.7977 (without giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split) shares of the Company’s common stock for each share of Tourmaline common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger, including those shares of common stock issued upon conversion of the Tourmaline preferred stock and those shares of Tourmaline common stock issued in the Tourmaline pre-closing financing transaction which closed on October 19, 2023, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger (the “Tourmaline pre-closing financing”) (but excluding shares to be canceled pursuant to the Merger Agreement and excluding any dissenting shares), resulting in approximately 20,336,773 shares of the Company’s common stock being issued and outstanding immediately following the effective time of the Merger. Immediately following the Merger, Company securityholders as of immediately prior to the Merger owned approximately 21.9% of the outstanding shares of the Company and Tourmaline securityholders, including those who purchased shares in the Tourmaline pre-closing financing, owned approximately 78.1% of the outstanding shares of the Company.
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The issuance of the shares of the Company’s common stock issued to the former stockholders of Tourmaline was registered with the SEC on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-273335), as amended.
The shares of the Company’s common stock listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, previously trading through the close of business on Thursday, October 19, 2023 under the ticker symbol “TALS,” is expected to commence trading on The Nasdaq Global Market on a post-Reverse Stock Split adjusted basis under the ticker symbol “TRML” on October 20, 2023. The Company’s common stock is represented by a new CUSIP number, 89157D 105.
The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement contained herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 on the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 22, 2023.
Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
To the extent required by Item 3.03 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
As previously disclosed, at a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders held on October 17, 2023 (the “Special Meeting”), the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split. On October 19, 2023, the Company amended its amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split, effective as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on October 19, 2023.
As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every 10 shares of the Company’s common stock held by a stockholder immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split, including shares of the Company’s common stock issued to former Tourmaline stockholders in connection with the Merger, were combined and reclassified into one share of the Company’s common stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split were rounded down to the nearest whole number, and each Company stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of common stock upon the Reverse Stock Split (after aggregating all fractions of a share to which such stockholder would otherwise be entitled) is entitled to receive a cash payment in lieu thereof at a price equal to the fraction to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on October 19, 2023. No fractional shares of Company common stock were issuable to Tourmaline stockholders pursuant to the Merger, and no certificates or scrip for any such fractional shares were issued, with no cash being paid for any fractional share eliminated by such rounding.
In addition, on October 19, 2023, the Company amended its amended and restated certificate of incorporation to provide for the exculpation of officers of the Company, effective as of 4:01 p.m. eastern time on October 19, 2023.
On October 19, 2023, the Company also amended its amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect the Name Change, effective as of 4:03 p.m. eastern time on October 19, 2023.
The foregoing descriptions of the certificates of amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company are not complete and are subject in their entirety by reference to the certificates of amendment, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1, Exhibit 3.2 and Exhibit 3.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant.
The information set forth in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the Merger and the information set forth in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the Company’s board of directors and executive officers following the Merger are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Resignation of Directors
In accordance with the Merger Agreement, immediately prior to and effective upon the closing of the Merger, Sandip Agarwala, Suzanne T. Ildstad, M.D., Geoff MacKay, Francois Nader, M.D., Gaurav D. Shah, M.D. and Karen L. Smith, M.D. resigned from the Company’s board of directors and committees of the board of directors on which they respectively served, which resignations were not the result of any disagreements with the Company relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
Appointment of Directors
The Merger Agreement provides that at or immediately after the closing of the Merger, the size of the Company’s board of directors will be fixed at seven members consisting of two members designated by the Company (formerly Talaris Therapeutics, Inc.), who are Mark D. McDade and Sapna Srivastava, Ph.D., and five members designated by Tourmaline. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger on October 19, 2023, the board of directors and its committees were reconstituted, with Aaron Kantoff and Caley Castelein appointed as Class I directors, whose terms expire at the Company’s 2025 annual meeting, Sandeep Kulkarni, Mark McDade and Parvinder Thiara appointed as Class II directors, whose terms expire at the Company’s 2026 annual meeting, and Cariad Chester and Sapna Srivastava appointed as Class III directors, whose terms expire at the Company’s 2024 annual meeting. In addition, Caley Castelein, Mark D. McDade and Sapna Srivastava were appointed to the audit committee of the board of directors, and Sapna Srivastava was appointed the chair of the audit committee. Aaron Kantoff, Mark D. McDade, and Parvinder Thiara were appointed to the compensation committee of the board of directors, and Aaron Kantoff was appointed the chair of the compensation committee. Caley Castelein, Cariad Chester, Aaron Kantoff and Sapna Srivastava were appointed to the nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors, and Caley Castelein was appointed the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
Other than pursuant to the Merger Agreement, there were no arrangements or understandings between the Company’s newly appointed directors and any person pursuant to which they were elected. There are no family relationships between the Company’s newly appointed directors and any director or executive officer of the Company. None of the Company’s newly appointed directors has a direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Caley Castelein, M.D. has served as a member of Tourmaline’s board of directors since September 2022. Dr. Castelein co-founded Tourmaline. Since March 2006, he has served as a Managing Director and founder of Kearny Venture Partners, L.P., a healthcare venture capital fund. Additionally, he founded KVP Capital, L.P. in 2013 and manages the fund, which invests in small and mid-cap healthcare companies. Since January 2008, Dr. Castelein has served as a member of the board of directors of ViewRay, Inc., and since March 2015, he has served as a director at NewBridge Pharmaceuticals FZ, LLC, a specialty therapeutics company. Since February 2017, Dr. Castelein has served as a member of the board of directors of Aerpio Therapeutics, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company, which merged with Aadi Bioscience, Inc. in August 2021, where he now serves as Chair. Dr. Castelein served as a member of the board of directors for Boreal Genomics, Inc., a diagnostics company, from October 2010 until its successful sale in September 2021; Waterstone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from March 2015 to March 2018; AliveCor, Inc., a medical device company, from April 2015 to March 2020; Wellpartner, Inc., a pharmaceutical distribution solutions company, from March 2015 to November 2017; and Neos Therapeutics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, from March 2015 to July 2015. Dr. Castelein holds an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco. The Company believes Dr. Castelein is qualified to serve on its board of directors due to his extensive investment expertise in the healthcare industry and experience as a director of numerous biopharmaceutical companies.
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Cariad Chester has served as a member of Tourmaline’s board of directors since May 2023. Since February 2021, Mr. Chester has served as a Partner at The Column Group Crossover, a science-driven investment firm (“TCGX”). Prior to TCGX, from January 2015 to December 2021, Mr. Chester served as Managing Director of Aquilo Capital, where he led investments in biotechnology companies developing human therapeutics. Since February 2022, Mr. Chester has served as a member of the board of directors of Plexium, a target protein degradation company. Mr. Chester also serves as a member of the board of directors of Obsidian Therapeutics, a clinical biotechnology company, since September 2021. Mr. Chester earned his B.A. from Swarthmore College, where he double majored in Neuroscience and Comparative Religious Studies. The Company believes Mr. Chester is qualified to serve on its board of directors due to his significant clinical research experience and investment expertise.
Aaron Kantoff has served as a member of the Tourmaline’s board of directors since April 2022. Mr. Kantoff has served as Managing Member of Scion Life Sciences, a Petrichor affiliate since January 2022. From May 2020 until September 2021, Mr. Kantoff served as a venture partner of Medicxi Ventures, an investment firm focused on the life sciences sector, where he served on the board of directors of Centessa Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CNTA) from January 2021 to July 2022. Prior to joining Medicxi, from August 2011 to April 2019, Mr. Kantoff was a partner at Apple Tree Partners (“ATP”), a NYC-based life science venture capital firm. While at ATP, Mr. Kantoff served on the boards of several portfolio companies, including Akero Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AKRO) from May 2018 to April 2019, Corvidia Therapeutics (acquired by Novo Nordisk) from January 2016 to April 2019, and Syntimmune (acquired by Alexion) from October 2014 to November 2018, as well as other privately-held and publicly traded biotechnology companies. Prior to joining ATP in 2011, Mr. Kantoff held roles in private equity and investment banking. He also serves on the board of directors for RayzeBio, Inc., a targeted radiopharmaceutical company in which he was a co-founder. Mr. Kantoff earned a B.S. in Finance and International Business from New York University’s Stern’s School of Business. The Company believes Mr. Kantoff is qualified to serve on its board of directors due to his experience as a seasoned investor and operator in the life sciences industry.
Sandeep Kulkarni, M.D. has served as Tourmaline’s co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and a member of its board of directors since September 2021. Since March 2022, Dr. Kulkarni has served as a member of the board of directors of Zura Bio Limited. Dr. Kulkarni was a Managing Director at KVP Capital from August 2020 to June 2022. Prior to KVP Capital, Dr. Kulkarni served in multiple roles at Roivant Sciences from July 2018 to June 2020, including as the Chief Operating Officer of lmmunovant, Inc, Vice President Special Projects, and Ombudsman to the Investment Committee. From September 2017 to February 2018, Dr. Kulkarni was Senior Investment Analyst at Consonance Capital, a healthcare investment firm, and Investment Analyst on the Life Sciences team at QVT Financial LP from April 2013 to August 2017. Dr. Kulkarni earned a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College and an M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco. The Company believes Dr. Kulkarni is qualified to serve on its board of directors due to his extensive industry knowledge and substantial experience in the life sciences industry.
Mark D. McDade has served as a member of the Company’s board of directors since November 2018. Since January 2017, Mr. McDade has been Managing Partner of the Qiming US Healthcare Fund, a venture capital firm based in Seattle and formed in January 2017. Prior to Qiming, from April 2008, Mr. McDade was Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, and from January 2009, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, at UCB S.A. (OTC: UCBJF), a Belgian biopharmaceutical company, until his retirement from UCB in October 2016. From November 2002 to September 2007, Mr. McDade served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of PDL BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDLI), a biotechnology company. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. McDade was Chief Executive Officer of Signature BioScience, Inc., a drug discovery company. Previously, Mr. McDade also served on the board of directors of Dermira, Inc. (Nasdaq: DERM), and as chairman of the board of Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIMT), until both companies were acquired by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Nestle SA (OTC: NSRGY), respectively, in March and October 2020. Previously, Mr. McDade also served on the board of directors of publicly traded companies Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II, Inc. and Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FPRX). Mr. McDade received a B.A. in History from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. The Company believes that Mr. McDade is qualified to serve on its board of directors due to his executive management, leadership and investing experience in the life sciences industry, as well as his extensive experience as a director of public biopharmaceutical companies.
Sapna Srivastava, Ph.D., has served as a member of the Company’s board of directors since January 2021. Dr. Srivastava has over 20 years of experience as a senior executive in the biopharmaceutical industry. From March 2021 to October 2021, she served as interim Chief Financial Officer at eGenesis Bio. From September 2017 to January
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2019, Dr. Srivastava served as the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at Abide Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that was acquired by H. Lundbeck A/S in 2019. From April 2015 to December 2016, Dr. Srivastava served as the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTLA), a gene editing company. Previously, for nearly 15 years, Dr. Srivastava was a senior biotechnology analyst at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and ThinkEquity Partners, LLC. She began her career as a research associate at JP Morgan. Dr. Srivastava currently serves on the board of directors of Nuvalent, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUVL), Aura Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: AURA), SQZ Biotechnologies Company (Nasdaq: SQZ), Innoviva (Nasdaq: INVA), Alumis Inc. and Asclepix Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Srivastava holds a Ph.D. from NYU University School of Medicine and a B.S. from St. Xavier’s College, University of Bombay. The Company believes Dr. Srivastava is qualified to serve as a member of its board of directors due to her extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including her prior experience as a chief financial officer and in other management positions.
Parvinder Thiara has served as a member of Tourmaline’s board of directors since September 2022. Mr. Thiara founded Athanor Capital in January 2017, a New York-based hedge fund manager, and currently serves as its Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Thiara also serves as a member of the board of directors of Zura Bio Limited. Previously, Mr. Thiara held various roles at D.E. Shaw & Co., including most recently as a Senior Vice President. Mr. Thiara earned a B.A. degree in Chemistry from Harvard College and an M.Sc. degree in Theoretical Chemistry from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. The Company believes Mr. Thiara is qualified to serve on its board of directors due to his medical and scientific background, combined with his significant experience as a manager and investor in the life sciences industry.
Departure of Officers
Effective on October 19, 2023, immediately prior to and effective upon the closing of the Merger, Mary Kay Fenton resigned from all of her offices with the Company, including as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Interim Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer).
Appointment of Officers
On October 19, 2023, the board of directors of the Company appointed the following persons to serve as officers of the Company until their respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal:
Name |
Title | |
Sandeep Kulkarni | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
Yung Chyung | Chief Medical Officer | |
Brad Middlekauff | Chief Business Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |
Susan Dana Jones | Chief Technology Officer | |
Kevin Johnson | Chief Regulatory Officer |
On October 18, 2023, the board of directors of Tourmaline appointed Ryan Robinson, Vice President, Finance and Controller, to serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Tourmaline and the Company. Post closing of the Merger, the board of the Company is expected to ratify Mr. Robinson as Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) of the Company.
Each of the persons above was designated by the board of directors as an “officer” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and an “executive officer” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
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There are no family relationships among any of the Company’s newly appointed principal officers and any director or executive officer of the Company. None of the Company’s newly appointed principal officers has a direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Sandeep Kulkarni, M.D. Dr. Kulkarni’s biographical information is disclosed in the section above under the heading “Directors.”
In connection with and effective as of the closing of the Merger, on October 19, 2023, Tourmaline entered into a confirmatory offer letter with Dr. Kulkarni. Dr. Kulkarni’s confirmatory offer letter provides for at-will employment and no specific term.
Pursuant to Dr. Kulkarni’s confirmatory offer letter, his annual base salary was increased from $425,000 to $585,000, and he will be eligible to receive an annual target cash incentive payment of up to 40% of his annual base salary for fiscal year 2023, and up to 50% of his annual base salary beginning in fiscal year 2024. In addition, subject to approval by the board of directors of the Company, Dr. Kulkarni will be granted an option to purchase a number of shares of Company common stock equal to 3,186,744 shares of Tourmaline common stock, to be adjusted pursuant to the exchange ratio, Reverse Stock Split and any other actions taken by the Company or Tourmaline in connection with the Merger, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement. The option will have an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Company common stock on the date of grant, as reported at the closing time on the Nasdaq Global Market. One fourth (25%) of this option will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and the remainder will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to Dr. Kulkarni’s “continuous service” (as defined in the Tourmaline Bio, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”)) through each such date. The specific terms of this option will be governed by the terms of the 2023 Plan and form award agreement thereunder.
Dr. Kulkarni’s confirmatory offer letter provides that in the event the Dr. Kulkarni’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of his death or disability (and such disability qualifies as a “disability” pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder), Dr. Kulkarni’s heirs (in the case of his death) or Dr. Kulkarni (in the case of his disability) will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three months of Dr. Kulkarni’s base salary in effect at the time of such separation from service.
Brad Middlekauff has served as Tourmaline’s Chief Business Officer and General Counsel since June 2022. Prior to joining Tourmaline, Mr. Middlekauff served as Chief Legal Officer of Castle Creek Biosciences, Inc. from May 2021 to May 2022, and as General Counsel and Secretary of lmmunovant, Inc from April 2019 to November 2020. From October 2015 to April 2019, Mr. Middlekauff served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of PDS Biotechnology (f/k/a Edge Therapeutics, Inc.) Mr. Middlekauff earned a B.A. in Political Science from Brown University and a J.D. degree from Yale Law School.
In connection with and effective as of the closing of the Merger, on October 19, 2023, Tourmaline entered into a confirmatory offer letter with Mr. Middlekauff. Mr. Middlekauff’s confirmatory offer letter provides for at-will employment and no specific term.
Pursuant to Mr. Middlekauff’s confirmatory offer letter, his annual base salary was increased from $400,000 to $425,000, and he will be eligible to receive an annual target cash incentive payment of up to 35% of his annual base salary for fiscal year 2023, and up to 40% of his annual base salary beginning in fiscal year 2024. In addition, subject to approval by the board of directors of the Company, Mr. Middlekauff will be granted an option to purchase a number of shares of Company common stock equal to 586,361 shares of Tourmaline common stock, to be adjusted pursuant to the exchange ratio, Reverse Stock Split and any other actions taken by the Company or Tourmaline in connection with the Merger, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement. The option will have an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Company common stock on the date of grant, as reported at the closing time on the Nasdaq Global Market. One fourth (25%) of this option will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and the remainder will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to Mr. Middlekauff’s “continuous service” (as defined in the 2023 Plan) through each such date. The specific terms of this option will be governed by the terms of the 2023 Plan and form award agreement thereunder.
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Mr. Middlekauff’s confirmatory offer letter provides that in the event Mr. Middlekauff’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of his death or disability (and such disability qualifies as a “disability” pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder), Mr. Middlekauff’s heirs (in the case of his death) or Mr. Middlekauff (in the case of his disability) will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three months of Mr. Middlekauff’s base salary in effect at the time of such separation from service.
Susan D. Jones, Ph.D. has served as the Tourmaline’s Chief Technology Officer since January 2023 and previously served as Tourmaline’s Chief of Technical Operations from June 2022 through January 2023. Prior to joining Tourmaline, Dr. Jones served as Senior Vice President, Product Development for Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company, from June 2017 to May 2022. Dr. Jones served as Vice President and Principal Consultant with BioProcess Technology Consultants Inc., a biologics chemistry, manufacturing, and controls consulting firm (acquired by BDO USA, LLP in April 2019), from December 2002 through December 2018. Dr. Jones earned a B.A. in Biochemistry from Harvard University and received her Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of California, San Francisco.
In connection with and effective as of the closing of the Merger, on October 19, 2023, Tourmaline entered into a confirmatory offer letter with Dr. Jones. Dr. Jones’ confirmatory offer letter provides for at-will employment and no specific term.
Pursuant to Dr. Jones’ confirmatory offer letter, her annual base salary was increased from $375,000 to $400,000, and she will be eligible to receive an annual target cash incentive payment of up to 35% of her annual base salary for fiscal year 2023, and up to 40% of her annual base salary beginning in fiscal year 2024. In addition, subject to approval by the board of directors of the Company, Dr. Jones will be granted an option to purchase a number of shares of Company common stock equal to 586,361 shares of Tourmaline common stock, to be adjusted pursuant to the exchange ratio, Reverse Stock Split and any other actions taken by the Company or Tourmaline in connection with the Merger, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement. The option will have an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Company common stock on the date of grant, as reported at the closing time on the Nasdaq Global Market. One fourth (25%) of this option will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and the remainder will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to Dr. Jones’ “continuous service” (as defined in the 2023 Plan) through each such date. The specific terms of this option will be governed by the terms of the 2023 Plan and form award agreement thereunder.
Dr. Jones’ confirmatory offer letter provides that in the event the Dr. Jones’ employment with the Company terminates as a result of her death or disability (and such disability qualifies as a “disability” pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder), Dr. Jones’ heirs (in the case of her death) or Dr. Jones (in the case of her disability) will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three months of Dr. Jones’ base salary in effect at the time of such separation from service.
Ryan Robinson, has served as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer since October 2023 and as Vice President of Finance, Controller and Treasurer since July 2023. Prior to joining Tourmaline, Mr. Robinson served as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at Korro Bio, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on RNA editing, from July 2020 to July 2023. Mr. Robinson served as Corporate Controller for Jounce Therapeutics, Inc., a public clinical-stage immunotherapy company, from January 2019 to August 2020 and as Jounce’s Assistant Corporate Controller from April 2017 to December 2018. Mr. Robinson earned a B.S. in Management and an M.S. in Accounting from Boston College and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.
On June 7, 2023, Tourmaline entered into an offer letter with Mr. Robinson. Mr. Robinson’s offer letter provides for at-will employment and no specific term.
Pursuant to Mr. Robinson’s offer letter, his annual base salary is $325,000 and he is eligible to receive an annual target cash incentive payment of up to 30% of his base salary for fiscal year 2023, which will not be prorated based on length of service for 2023. Mr. Robinson received a signing bonus of $40,000 which is subject to a right of repayment in favor of Tourmaline through the one-year anniversary of Mr. Robinson’s employment with Tourmaline. In addition, Mr. Robinson was granted an option to purchase a number of shares equal to 504,100 shares of Tourmaline common stock, which will be adjusted to represent shares of Company common stock, pursuant to the exchange ratio, Reverse Stock Split and any other actions taken by the Company or Tourmaline in connection with the Merger, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement. The option has an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Tourmaline common stock on the date of the grant. One fourth (25%) of this option will vest on the one-year anniversary of Mr. Robinson’s employment commencement date, and the remainder will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to Mr. Robinson’s “continuous service” (as defined in the 2022 Plan) through each such date. The specific terms of this option are governed by the terms of the 2022 Plan and form award agreement thereunder.
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The above descriptions of the employment related agreements for Dr. Kulkarni, Mr. Middlekauff, Dr. Jones and Mr. Robinson do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the copies of the employment related agreements for Dr. Kulkarni, Mr. Middlekauff, Dr. Jones and Mr. Robinson included as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding transactions between the Company and the newly appointed directors and executive officers is included in the definitive proxy statement / prospectus filed by the Company with the SEC on September 15, 2023 (as amended or supplemented thereafter) (the “Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by reference.
Compensatory Plans
2022 Equity Incentive Plan
The Company assumed, effective as of the closing of the Merger, the 2022 Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, as well as the outstanding awards granted thereunder, the award agreements evidencing the grants of such awards and the remaining shares available under the 2022 Plan, including any awards granted to the Company’s named executive officers, in each case subject to applicable adjustments in the manner set forth in the Merger Agreement to such awards.
2023 Equity Incentive Plan
At the Special Meeting, the Company’s stockholders considered and approved the 2023 Plan, which became effective at the closing of the Merger and following the Reverse Stock Split. As of the effective time of the Merger, there were 2,033,677 shares of the Company’s common stock available for grant under the 2023 Plan. In addition, the share reserve is subject to annual increases each January 1 for the first ten years following approval of the 2023 Plan of up to 5% of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding (or a lesser number determined by the Company’s board of directors).
A more complete summary of the terms of the 2023 Plan is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the section titled “Proposal 4: The 2023 Plan Proposal” and is incorporated by reference herein. That summary and the foregoing description of the 2023 Plan do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the 2023 Plan, forms of option grant notice and option agreement and forms of restricted stock unit grant notice and unit award agreement, copies of which are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibits 10.7, 10.8 and 10.9 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
At the Special Meeting, the Company’s stockholders considered and approved the Company’s 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2023 ESPP”) which became effective at the closing of the Merger and following the Reverse Stock Split. As of the effective time of the Merger, there were 203,367 shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance under the 2023 ESPP. In addition, the share reserve is subject to annual increases each January 1 for the first ten years following approval of the 2023 ESPP of the lesser of (a) 1% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, (b) 610,101 shares of the Company’s common stock, or (3) such lesser number of shares of the Company’s common stock as determined by the Company’s board of directors.
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A more complete summary of the terms of the 2023 ESPP is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the section titled “Proposal 4: The ESPP Proposal” and is incorporated by reference herein. That summary and the foregoing description of the 2023 ESPP do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the 2023 ESPP, a copy of which is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.10 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
To the extent required by Item 5.03 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Item 2.01 and Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein.
Commencing on October 20, 2023, the Company expects the trading symbol for its common stock, which is currently listed and will continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, to change from “TALS” to “TRML.” The change in trading symbol is related solely to the Name Change.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On October 19, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing, among other things, the closing of the Merger. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired
The Company’s audited and unaudited historical financial statements and related notes thereto set under the caption “Tourmaline Bio, Inc. Index to Financial Statements” on pages F-1 through F-40 of the Proxy Statement are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma financial information and related notes thereto set forth under the caption “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” on pages 380 through 392 of the Proxy Statement are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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* | Filed herewith |
** | Previously filed. |
# | Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
TOURMALINE BIO, INC. | ||||||
Date: October 19, 2023 | By: | /s/ Sandeep Kulkarni | ||||
Name: | Sandeep Kulkarni | |||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
TALARIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Pursuant to Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
Talaris Therapeutics, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Corporation), hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. The date of the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was October 30, 2018 (the Original Certificate). The name under which the Corporation filed the Original Certificate was Regenerex, Inc. The Corporation filed a Certificate of Conversion along with a Certificate of Incorporation converting from a limited liability company to a corporation under the name of Regenerex, Inc. on October 30, 2018. The Corporation filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation under the name Regenerex, Inc. on November 1, 2018. The name of the Corporation was further changed to Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. on March 6, 2019. A Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 22, 2020. A Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 11, 2021 (the Charter). Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (DGCL), this Certificate of Amendment (this Amendment) amends certain provisions of the Charter.
2. The Board of Directors of the Corporation duly adopted resolutions approving the Amendment, declaring the Amendment to be advisable and recommending for its approval by the stockholders of the Corporation at the Corporations special meeting of the stockholders in lieu of an annual meeting.
3. On October 17 , 2023, the Corporations special meeting of the stockholders in lieu of an annual meeting was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the DGCL, at which meeting the required number of shares were voted in favor of the Amendment.
4. Article IV of the Charter is hereby amended to add thereto the following:
Effective upon filing this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Effective Time) pursuant to Section 242 of the DGCL, each ten (10) shares of the Corporations Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of such Common Stock, be reclassified, combined, converted and changed into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock, subject to the treatment of fractional share interests as described below (the Reverse Stock Split). Any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split and held by a single record stockholder shall be aggregated. No fractional shares shall be issued as a
result of the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, any stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Stock Split shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the product of such resulting fractional interest in one share of Common Stock multiplied by the closing trading price on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC of a share of Common Stock on the last trading day immediately prior to the date on which the Effective Time occurs. Each certificate or book entry share that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (Old Certificates), shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by the Old Certificate shall have been combined, subject to the elimination of fractional share interests as described above.
5. This Amendment shall become effective at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 19, 2023.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Amendment has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation as of October 19, 2023.
By: | /s/ Mary Kay Fenton | |
Name: Mary Kay Fenton | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President |
Exhibit 3.2
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
TALARIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Pursuant to Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
Talaris Therapeutics, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Corporation), hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. The date of the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was October 30, 2018 (the Original Certificate). The name under which the Corporation filed the Original Certificate was Regenerex, Inc. The Corporation filed a Certificate of Conversion along with a Certificate of Incorporation converting from a limited liability company to a corporation under the name of Regenerex, Inc. on October 30, 2018. The Corporation filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation under the name Regenerex, Inc. on November 1, 2018. The name of the Corporation was further changed to Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. on March 6, 2019. A Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 22, 2020. A Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 11, 2021 (the Charter). Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL), this Certificate of Amendment (this Amendment) amends certain provisions of the Charter.
2. The Board of Directors of the Corporation duly adopted resolutions approving the Amendment, declaring the Amendment to be advisable and recommending for its approval by the stockholders of the Corporation at the Corporations special meeting of the stockholders in lieu of an annual meeting.
3. On October 17, 2023, the Corporations special meeting of the stockholders in lieu of an annual meeting was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the DGCL, at which meeting the required number of shares were voted in favor of the Amendment.
4. The Charter is hereby amended by adding a new Article X to read in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE X.
To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, an Officer (as defined below) of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty as an officer of the Corporation, except for liability (a) for any breach of the Officers duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) for any transaction from which the Officer derived an improper personal benefit, or (d) arising from any action brought by or in the right of the Corporation. If the DGCL is amended after the effective date of this Certificate to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of Officers, then the liability of an Officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. For purposes of this Article X, Officer shall mean an individual who has been duly appointed as an officer of the Corporation.
1. Amendment or Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this ARTICLE X by either of (i) the stockholders of the Corporation or (ii) an amendment to the DGCL, shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring before such amendment, repeal or modification of a person serving as an Officer at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
5. This Amendment shall become effective at 4:01 p.m. Eastern Time on October 19, 2023.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Amendment has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation as of October 19, 2023.
By: | /s/ Mary Kay Fenton | |
Name: Mary Kay Fenton | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President |
Exhibit 3.3
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
TALARIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Pursuant to Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
Talaris Therapeutics, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Corporation), hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. The date of the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was October 30, 2018 (the Original Certificate). The name under which the Corporation filed the Original Certificate was Regenerex, Inc. The Corporation filed a Certificate of Conversion along with a Certificate of Incorporation converting from a limited liability company to a corporation under the name of Regenerex, Inc. on October 30, 2018. The Corporation filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation under the name Regenerex, Inc. on November 1, 2018. The name of the Corporation was further changed to Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. on March 6, 2019. A Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 22, 2020. A Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 11, 2021 (as amended, the Charter). Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL), this Certificate of Amendment (this Amendment) amends certain provisions of the Charter.
2. The Board of Directors of the Corporation duly adopted resolutions approving the Amendment and declaring the Amendment to be advisable.
3. Article I of the Charter is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
The name of the corporation is Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (the Corporation).
4. All other references to Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. in the Charter shall be replaced with Tourmaline Bio, Inc.
5. This Amendment shall become effective at 4:03 p.m. Eastern Time on October 19, 2023.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Amendment has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation as of October 19, 2023.
By: | /s/ Mary Kay Fenton | |||
Name: | Mary Kay Fenton | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer and President |
Exhibit 10.2
Tourmaline Bio, Inc.
October 18, 2023
Sandeep Kulkarni
Via Email
Re: | Confirmatory Offer Letter |
Dear Sandeep,
On June 22, 2023, Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (Legacy Tourmaline) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. (Talaris), and Terrain Merger Sub, Inc. (Merger Sub). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, among other matters, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Legacy Tourmaline, with Legacy Tourmaline continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Talaris and the surviving corporation of the merger (the Merger and the closing date of the Merger, the Closing Date). As a result of the Merger, Legacy Tourmaline will change its name to Tourmaline Sub, Inc. (the Company), and Talaris will change its name to Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (referred to herein as Tourmaline).
We are pleased to memorialize the terms of your continued employment with the Company. The effective date of this confirmatory offer letter (this Agreement) will be the Closing Date (the Effective Date). This Agreement is contingent upon the Merger closing, and if the Merger does not close, this Agreement will have no effect, will not be binding on the Company or any of its affiliates or on you, and neither you nor the Company or any of its affiliates shall have any rights or obligations hereunder. This Agreement is intended to replace and supersede any previously executed agreement covering the subject matter herein including but not limited to your Executive Employment Agreement dated June 22, 2022 (the Prior Agreement).
1. | Position. You will continue to serve in a full-time capacity as Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors. The Company may change your position, duties, and work location from time to time in its discretion. |
2. | Cash Compensation and Benefits. |
As of the Effective Date, your salary will be at the rate of USD $585,000 on an annualized basis (Base Salary), which will be paid in accordance with the Companys normal payroll procedures and subject to applicable payroll withholdings and deductions. Your salary is subject to review and adjustment by the Company in its sole discretion.
In addition, you will be eligible for an annual, discretionary performance bonus with a target of 40% of your Base Salary for calendar year 2023, and commencing with calendar year 2024 you will be eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus with a target of 50% of your Base Salary (the Annual Performance Bonus), subject to attainment of certain corporate goals (the Performance Goals) to be established by Tourmalines Board of Directors (the Tourmaline Board) and your individual performance during the applicable year. The Annual Performance Bonus and the applicable Performance Goals are subject to review and adjustment by the
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Tourmaline Board annually. The decision to award the Annual Performance Bonus and the amount of the Annual Performance Bonus, if awarded, will be determined at the sole discretion of the Tourmaline Board upon the Tourmaline Boards good faith review of the satisfaction of the Performance Goals and your individual performance in the applicable year. The amount of an Annual Performance Bonus for the previous year, if awarded, will be determined by the Tourmaline Board in the first quarter of each fiscal year, and if awarded, the Annual Performance Bonus for a given year will be paid in the next payroll cycle following the Tourmaline Boards determination of the amount of the Annual Performance Bonus. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, you must be employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company on the date of payment of such Annual Performance Bonus, and such Annual Bonus is not earned until paid.
As a full-time, regular employee of the Company, you will remain eligible for Company benefits in accordance with the Companys applicable benefit plans and policies for similarly situated employees, subject to plan terms, generally applicable Company policies, and any applicable waiting periods.
The Company may change your compensation and benefits from time to time in its discretion.
3. | Equity. Subject to approval by the Tourmaline Board, following the Closing, you will be granted an option to purchase a number of shares of Tourmaline common stock equal to 3,186,744 shares of Legacy Tourmaline common stock, as adjusted pursuant to the exchange ratio, reverse stock split and any other actions taken by the Company or Tourmaline in connection with the go-public transaction, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement (the Option). One fourth (25%) of the Option will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and the remainder will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to your Continuous Service (as defined in Tourmalines 2023 Equity Incentive Plan) through each such date. The Option will have an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Tourmaline common stock on the date of grant, as reported at the closing time on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. The specific terms of the Option will be governed by the terms of Tourmalines 2023 Equity Incentive Plan and form award agreement thereunder. |
In addition, you have previously been granted one or more equity awards by the Company, which shall continue to be governed in all respects by the terms of the applicable equity agreements, grant notices, and equity plans, except to the extent superseded by the Prior Agreement, the Severance Plan (as defined above) and your participation agreement under the Severance Plan.
4. | Company Policies. You will continue to be expected to abide by Company policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time. |
5. | At-Will Employment. Your employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes at-will employment. Accordingly, you may terminate your employment with the Company at any time simply by notifying the Company, and the Company may terminate your employment at any time for any reason, with or without advance notice. |
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6. | Severance. You will be eligible to participate in the Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan (the Severance Plan), subject to the Tourmaline Board or Compensation Committee adopting the Severance Plan following the Closing Date. The Severance Plan has been designed to enhance your severance eligibility as compared to what is set forth in any Prior Agreement. In order to participate in the Severance Plan, you will be required to timely (i) execute the Participation Agreement attached to the Severance Plan, and (ii) execute and comply with the Companys updated Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement enclosed (the CIIA). |
In addition to your participation in the Severance Plan, in the event you die during the period of your employment with Tourmaline or become permanently disabled during the period of your employment with Tourmaline, and such disability qualifies as a Disability pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder (Section 409A), your service with the Company shall terminate on the date of your death, or the date upon which, in the sole determination of the Compensation Committee, you have become permanently disabled as set forth in Section 409A. In the event of your separation from service (as defined in Section 409A) set forth in the immediately prior sentence, your heirs (in the case of your death) or you (in the case of your Disability) shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three months of your base salary in effect at the time of such separation from service, with such payment payable no later than sixty (60) days following your separation from service. The payment contemplated by this paragraph is intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and in the event such payment is not exempt, such payment, and the terms of this paragraph, shall be administered to be in compliance with Section 409A.
7. | No Prior Conflicts and Duty of Loyalty. You confirm that you are able to carry out your duties without breaching any legal restrictions imposed by a current or former employer or other third party to whom you have contractual obligations. You also agree that, during the term of your employment with the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of your employment, nor will you engage in any other activities that conflict with the performance of your duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company. |
8. | Arbitration. To aid the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with your employment with the Company, and in exchange for the mutual promises contained in this offer letter, you and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this letter agreement, your employment with the Company, or the termination of your employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS, Inc. (JAMS) or its successor, under JAMS then applicable rules and procedures appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the following web address: (i) https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/) and (ii) https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-comprehensive-arbitration/) at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if JAMS is unavailable due to location or otherwise, or if the parties mutually agree, then the arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or its |
3
successor, under AAAs then applicable rules and procedures appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the following web address: https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/EmploymentRules-Web.pdf), at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, govern the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration agreement and any arbitration proceedings. This provision shall not be mandatory for any claim or cause of action to the extent applicable law prohibits subjecting such claim or cause of action to mandatory arbitration and such applicable law is not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act or otherwise invalid (collectively, the Excluded Claims), such as non-individual claims that cannot be waived under applicable law, claims or causes of action alleging sexual harassment or a nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact, or unemployment or workers compensation claims brought before the applicable state governmental agency. In the event you or the Company intend to bring multiple claims, including one of the Excluded Claims listed above, the Excluded Claims may be filed with a court, while any other claims will remain subject to mandatory arbitration. Nothing herein prevents you from filing and pursuing proceedings before a federal or state governmental agency, although if you choose to pursue a claim following the exhaustion of any applicable administrative remedies, that claim would be subject to this provision. In addition, with the exception of Excluded Claims arising out of 9 U.S.C. § 401 et seq., all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by you or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class, representative, or collective proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive all rights to have any dispute be brought, heard, administered, resolved, or arbitrated on a class, representative, or collective action basis. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. If a court finds, by means of a final decision, not subject to any further appeal or recourse, that the preceding sentences regarding class, representative, or collective claims or proceedings violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable as to a particular claim or request for relief, the parties agree that any such claim(s) or request(s) for relief be severed from the arbitration and may proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. All other claims or requests for relief shall be arbitrated. You will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. Questions of whether a claim is subject to arbitration and procedural questions which grow out of the dispute and bear on the final disposition are matters for the arbitrator to decide, provided however, that if required by applicable law, a court and not the arbitrator may determine the enforceability of this paragraph with respect to Excluded Claims. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrators essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that you or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. You and the Company shall equally share all arbitration administrative fees, or such fees shall be paid in such other manner to the extent required by, and in accordance with, applicable law or rules to effectuate your and the |
4
Companys agreement to arbitrate. To the extent the arbitration service does not collect or you otherwise do not pay an equal share of all arbitration administrative fees, and the Company pays your share, you acknowledge and agree that the Company shall be entitled to recover from you in a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction half of the arbitration fees invoiced to the parties (less any amounts you paid to the arbitration service). Each party is responsible for its own attorneys fees, except as may be expressly set forth in your CIIA or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Nothing in this letter agreement is intended to prevent either you or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Any awards or orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction. |
You acknowledge and agree that upon your execution of this letter agreement, you will no longer be eligible for, nor entitled to, any compensation or benefits (including without limitation, any severance or change in control benefits) under any prior employment terms, offer letter or employment agreement you may have entered into or discussed with the Company, including but not limited to your Prior Agreement. This letter agreement, together with your CIIA, equity agreements, the Severance Plan and other agreements referenced herein, forms the complete and exclusive agreement regarding the subject matter hereof. It supersedes any other representations, promises, or agreements, whether written or oral, including the Prior Agreement. Modifications or amendments to this letter agreement, other than those changes expressly reserved to the Companys discretion herein, must be made in a written agreement signed by you and an officer of the Company (other than you).
If any provision of this letter agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any other provision of this letter agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. This letter may be delivered and executed via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and executed and be valid and effective for all purposes.
Please sign below and return this letter to me no later than the end of the day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, to indicate your agreement with its terms.
Very truly yours, | ||
Tourmaline Bio, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Brad Middlekauff | |
Brad Middlekauff | ||
Chief Business Officer and General Counsel |
I have read and accept these terms of employment.
/s/ Sandeep Kulkarni |
10/18/2023 | |||||
Sandeep Kulkarni | DATE |
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Exhibit 10.3
Tourmaline Bio, Inc.
October 18, 2023
Bradford Middlekauff
Via Email
Re: Confirmatory Offer Letter
Dear Brad,
On June 22, 2023, Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (Legacy Tourmaline) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. (Talaris), and Terrain Merger Sub, Inc. (Merger Sub). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, among other matters, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Legacy Tourmaline, with Legacy Tourmaline continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Talaris and the surviving corporation of the merger (the Merger and the closing date of the Merger, the Closing Date). As a result of the Merger, Legacy Tourmaline will change its name to Tourmaline Sub, Inc. (the Company), and Talaris will change its name to Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (referred to herein as Tourmaline).
We are pleased to memorialize the terms of your continued employment with the Company. The effective date of this confirmatory offer letter (this Agreement) will be the Closing Date (the Effective Date). This Agreement is contingent upon the Merger closing, and if the Merger does not close, this Agreement will have no effect, will not be binding on the Company or any of its affiliates or on you, and neither you nor the Company or any of its affiliates shall have any rights or obligations hereunder. This Agreement is intended to replace and supersede any previously executed agreement covering the subject matter herein including but not limited to your Executive Employment Agreement dated May 30, 2022 (the Prior Agreement).
1. | Position. You will continue to serve in a full-time capacity as Chief Business Officer and General Counsel, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. The Company may change your position, duties, and work location from time to time in its discretion. |
2. | Cash Compensation and Benefits. |
As of the Effective Date, your salary will be at the rate of USD $425,000 on an annualized basis (Base Salary), which will be paid in accordance with the Companys normal payroll procedures and subject to applicable payroll withholdings and deductions. Your salary is subject to review and adjustment by the Company in its sole discretion.
In addition, you will be eligible for an annual, discretionary performance bonus with a target of 40% of your Base Salary for January and February 2023, 35% of your Base Salary for the remainder of calendar year 2023, and commencing with calendar year 2024 you will be eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus with a target of 40% of your Base Salary (the Annual Performance Bonus), subject to attainment of certain corporate goals (the Performance Goals) to be established by Tourmalines Board of Directors (the Tourmaline Board) and your individual performance during the applicable year. The Annual Performance
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Bonus and the applicable Performance Goals are subject to review and adjustment by the Tourmaline Board annually. The decision to award the Annual Performance Bonus and the amount of the Annual Performance Bonus, if awarded, will be determined at the sole discretion of the Tourmaline Board upon the Tourmaline Boards good faith review of the satisfaction of the Performance Goals and your individual performance in the applicable year. The amount of an Annual Performance Bonus for the previous year, if awarded, will be determined by the Tourmaline Board in the first quarter of each fiscal year, and if awarded, the Annual Performance Bonus for a given year will be paid in the next payroll cycle following the Tourmaline Boards determination of the amount of the Annual Performance Bonus. To the extent the Tourmaline Board delegates one or more of its authorities with respect to the Annual Performance Bonus and Performance Goals set forth in this paragraph to the Compensation Committee of the Tourmaline Board (the Compensation Committee), references to the Tourmaline Board in this paragraph shall mean the Compensation Committee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, you must be employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company on the date of payment of such Annual Performance Bonus, and such Annual Bonus is not earned until paid.
As a full-time, regular employee of the Company, you will remain eligible for Company benefits in accordance with the Companys applicable benefit plans and policies for similarly situated employees, subject to plan terms, generally applicable Company policies, and any applicable waiting periods.
The Company may change your compensation and benefits from time to time in its discretion.
3. | Equity. Subject to approval by the Compensation Committee, following the Closing, you will be granted an option to purchase a number of shares of Tourmaline common stock equal to 586,361 shares of Legacy Tourmaline common stock, as adjusted pursuant to the exchange ratio, reverse stock split and any other actions taken by the Company or Tourmaline in connection with the go-public transaction, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement (the Option). One fourth (25%) of the Option will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and the remainder will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to your Continuous Service (as defined in Tourmalines 2023 Equity Incentive Plan) through each such date. The Option will have an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Tourmaline common stock on the date of grant, as reported at the closing time on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. The specific terms of the Option will be governed by the terms of Tourmalines 2023 Equity Incentive Plan and form award agreement thereunder. |
In addition, you have previously been granted one or more equity awards by the Company, which shall continue to be governed in all respects by the terms of the applicable equity agreements, grant notices, and equity plans, except to the extent superseded by the Prior Agreement, the Severance Plan (as defined above) and your participation agreement under the Severance Plan.
4. | Company Policies. You will continue to be expected to abide by Company policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time. |
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5. | At-Will Employment. Your employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes at-will employment. Accordingly, you may terminate your employment with the Company at any time simply by notifying the Company, and the Company may terminate your employment at any time for any reason, with or without advance notice. |
6. | Severance. You will be eligible to participate in the Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan (the Severance Plan), subject to the Tourmaline Board or Compensation Committee adopting the Severance Plan following the Closing Date. The Severance Plan has been designed to enhance your severance eligibility as compared to what is set forth in any Prior Agreement. In order to participate in the Severance Plan, you will be required to timely (i) execute the Participation Agreement attached to the Severance Plan, and (ii) execute and comply with the Companys updated Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement enclosed (the CIIA). |
In addition to your participation in the Severance Plan, in the event you die during the period of your employment with Tourmaline or become permanently disabled during the period of your employment with Tourmaline, and such disability qualifies as a Disability pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder (Section 409A), your service with the Company shall terminate on the date of your death, or the date upon which, in the sole determination of the Compensation Committee, you have become permanently disabled as set forth in Section 409A. In the event of your separation from service (as defined in Section 409A) set forth in the immediately prior sentence, your heirs (in the case of your death) or you (in the case of your Disability) shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three months of your base salary in effect at the time of such separation from service, with such payment payable no later than sixty (60) days following your separation from service. The payment contemplated by this paragraph is intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and in the event such payment is not exempt, such payment, and the terms of this paragraph, shall be administered to be in compliance with Section 409A.
7. | No Prior Conflicts and Duty of Loyalty. You confirm that you are able to carry out your duties without breaching any legal restrictions imposed by a current or former employer or other third party to whom you have contractual obligations. You also agree that, during the term of your employment with the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of your employment, nor will you engage in any other activities that conflict with the performance of your duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company. |
8. | Arbitration. To aid the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with your employment with the Company, and in exchange for the mutual promises contained in this offer letter, you and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this letter agreement, your employment with the Company, or the termination of your employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS, Inc. (JAMS) or its successor, under JAMS then applicable rules and procedures appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the |
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following web address: (i) https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/) and |
(ii) https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-comprehensive-arbitration/) at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if JAMS is unavailable due to location or otherwise, or if the parties mutually agree, then the arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or its successor, under AAAs then applicable rules and procedures appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the following web address: https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/EmploymentRules-Web.pdf), at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, govern the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration agreement and any arbitration proceedings. This provision shall not be mandatory for any claim or cause of action to the extent applicable law prohibits subjecting such claim or cause of action to mandatory arbitration and such applicable law is not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act or otherwise invalid (collectively, the Excluded Claims), such as non-individual claims that cannot be waived under applicable law, claims or causes of action alleging sexual harassment or a nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact, or unemployment or workers compensation claims brought before the applicable state governmental agency. In the event you or the Company intend to bring multiple claims, including one of the Excluded Claims listed above, the Excluded Claims may be filed with a court, while any other claims will remain subject to mandatory arbitration. Nothing herein prevents you from filing and pursuing proceedings before a federal or state governmental agency, although if you choose to pursue a claim following the exhaustion of any applicable administrative remedies, that claim would be subject to this provision. In addition, with the exception of Excluded Claims arising out of 9 U.S.C. § 401 et seq., all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by you or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class, representative, or collective proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive all rights to have any dispute be brought, heard, administered, resolved, or arbitrated on a class, representative, or collective action basis. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. If a court finds, by means of a final decision, not subject to any further appeal or recourse, that the preceding sentences regarding class, representative, or collective claims or proceedings violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable as to a particular claim or request for relief, the parties agree that any such claim(s) or request(s) for relief be severed from the arbitration and may proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. All other claims or requests for relief shall be arbitrated. You will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. Questions of whether a claim is subject to arbitration and procedural questions which grow out of the dispute and bear on the final disposition are matters for the arbitrator to decide, provided however, that if required by applicable law, a court and not the arbitrator may determine the enforceability of this paragraph with respect to Excluded Claims. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each |
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claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrators essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that you or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. You and the Company shall equally share all arbitration administrative fees, or such fees shall be paid in such other manner to the extent required by, and in accordance with, applicable law or rules to effectuate your and the Companys agreement to arbitrate. To the extent the arbitration service does not collect or you otherwise do not pay an equal share of all arbitration administrative fees, and the Company pays your share, you acknowledge and agree that the Company shall be entitled to recover from you in a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction half of the arbitration fees invoiced to the parties (less any amounts you paid to the arbitration service). Each party is responsible for its own attorneys fees, except as may be expressly set forth in your CIIA or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Nothing in this letter agreement is intended to prevent either you or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Any awards or orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction. |
You acknowledge and agree that upon your execution of this letter agreement, except as otherwise set forth herein, you will no longer be eligible for, nor entitled to, any compensation or benefits (including without limitation, any severance or change in control benefits) under any prior employment terms, offer letter or employment agreement you may have entered into or discussed with the Company, including but not limited to your Prior Agreement. This letter agreement, together with your CIIA, equity agreements, the Severance Plan and other agreements referenced herein, forms the complete and exclusive agreement regarding the subject matter hereof. Except as set forth in your participation agreement to the Severance Plan, this letter supersedes any other representations, promises, or agreements, whether written or oral, including the Prior Agreement. Modifications or amendments to this letter agreement, other than those changes expressly reserved to the Companys discretion herein, must be made in a written agreement signed by you and an officer of the Company (other than you).
If any provision of this letter agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any other provision of this letter agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. This letter may be delivered and executed via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and executed and be valid and effective for all purposes.
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Please sign below and return this letter to me no later than the end of the day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, to indicate your agreement with its terms.
Very truly yours, | ||
Tourmaline Bio, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Sandeep Kulkarni | |
Sandeep Kulkarni | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
I have read and accept these terms of employment. | ||||
/s/ Bradford Middlekauff |
10/18/2023 | |||
Bradford Middlekauff | DATE |
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Exhibit 10.4
Tourmaline Bio, Inc.
October 18, 2023
Susan Dana Jones
Via Email
Re: Confirmatory Offer Letter
Dear Susan,
On June 22, 2023, Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (Legacy Tourmaline) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. (Talaris), and Terrain Merger Sub, Inc. (Merger Sub). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, among other matters, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Legacy Tourmaline, with Legacy Tourmaline continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Talaris and the surviving corporation of the merger (the Merger and the closing date of the Merger, the Closing Date). As a result of the Merger, Legacy Tourmaline will change its name to Tourmaline Sub, Inc. (the Company), and Talaris will change its name to Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (referred to herein as Tourmaline).
We are pleased to memorialize the terms of your continued employment with the Company. The effective date of this confirmatory offer letter (this Agreement) will be the Closing Date (the Effective Date). This Agreement is contingent upon the Merger closing, and if the Merger does not close, this Agreement will have no effect, will not be binding on the Company or any of its affiliates or on you, and neither you nor the Company or any of its affiliates shall have any rights or obligations hereunder. This Agreement is intended to replace and supersede any previously executed agreement covering the subject matter herein including but not limited to your Offer Letter dated April 27, 2022 (the Prior Agreement).
1. | Position. You will continue to serve in a full-time capacity as Chief Technology Officer, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. You will work from your home office in Killington, Vermont, with business travel as requested by the Company. The Company may change your position, duties, and work location from time to time in its discretion. |
2. | Cash Compensation and Benefits. |
As of the Effective Date, your salary will be at the rate of USD $400,000 on an annualized basis (Base Salary), which will be paid in accordance with the Companys normal payroll procedures and subject to applicable payroll withholdings and deductions. Your salary is subject to review and adjustment by the Company in its sole discretion.
In addition, you will be eligible for an annual, discretionary performance bonus with a target of 35% of your Base Salary for calendar year 2023, and commencing with calendar year 2024 you will be eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus with a target of 40% of your Base Salary (the Annual Performance Bonus), subject to attainment of certain corporate goals (the Performance Goals) to be established by Tourmalines Board of Directors (the Tourmaline
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Board) and your individual performance during the applicable year. The Annual Performance Bonus and the applicable Performance Goals are subject to review and adjustment by the Tourmaline Board annually. The decision to award the Annual Performance Bonus and the amount of the Annual Performance Bonus, if awarded, will be determined at the sole discretion of the Tourmaline Board upon the Tourmaline Boards good faith review of the satisfaction of the Performance Goals and your individual performance in the applicable year. The amount of an Annual Performance Bonus for the previous year, if awarded, will be determined by the Tourmaline Board in the first quarter of each fiscal year, and if awarded, the Annual Performance Bonus for a given year will be paid in the next payroll cycle following the Tourmaline Boards determination of the amount of the Annual Performance Bonus. To the extent the Tourmaline Board delegates one or more of its authorities with respect to the Annual Performance Bonus and Performance Goals set forth in this paragraph to the Compensation Committee of the Tourmaline Board (the Compensation Committee), references to the Tourmaline Board in this paragraph shall mean the Compensation Committee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, you must be employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company on the date of payment of such Annual Performance Bonus, and such Annual Bonus is not earned until paid.
As a full-time, regular employee of the Company, you will remain eligible for Company benefits in accordance with the Companys applicable benefit plans and policies for similarly situated employees, subject to plan terms, generally applicable Company policies, and any applicable waiting periods.
The Company may change your compensation and benefits from time to time in its discretion.
3. | Equity. Subject to approval by the Compensation Committee, following the Closing, you will be granted an option to purchase a number of shares of Tourmaline common stock equal to 586,361 shares of Legacy Tourmaline common stock, as adjusted pursuant to the exchange ratio, reverse stock split and any other actions taken by the Company or Tourmaline in connection with the go-public transaction, as more fully described in the Merger Agreement (the Option). One fourth (25%) of the Option will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and the remainder will vest in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to your Continuous Service (as defined in Tourmalines 2023 Equity Incentive Plan) through each such date. The Option will have an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying Tourmaline common stock on the date of grant, as reported at the closing time on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. The specific terms of the Option will be governed by the terms of Tourmalines 2023 Equity Incentive Plan and form award agreement thereunder. |
In addition, you have previously been granted one or more equity awards by the Company, which shall continue to be governed in all respects by the terms of the applicable equity agreements, grant notices, and equity plans, except to the extent superseded by the Prior Agreement, the Severance Plan (as defined above) and your participation agreement under the Severance Plan.
4. | Company Policies. You will continue to be expected to abide by Company policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time. |
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5. | At-Will Employment. Your employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes at-will employment. Accordingly, you may terminate your employment with the Company at any time simply by notifying the Company, and the Company may terminate your employment at any time for any reason, with or without advance notice. |
6. | Severance. You will be eligible to participate in the Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan (the Severance Plan), subject to the Tourmaline Board or Compensation Committee adopting the Severance Plan following the Closing Date. The Severance Plan has been designed to enhance your severance eligibility as compared to what is set forth in any Prior Agreement. In order to participate in the Severance Plan, you will be required to timely (i) execute the Participation Agreement attached to the Severance Plan, and (ii) execute and comply with the Companys updated Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement enclosed (the CIIA). |
In addition to your participation in the Severance Plan, in the event you die during the period of your employment with Tourmaline or become permanently disabled during the period of your employment with Tourmaline, and such disability qualifies as a Disability pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder (Section 409A), your service with the Company shall terminate on the date of your death, or the date upon which, in the sole determination of the Compensation Committee, you have become permanently disabled as set forth in Section 409A. In the event of your separation from service (as defined in Section 409A) set forth in the immediately prior sentence, your heirs (in the case of your death) or you (in the case of your Disability) shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three months of your base salary in effect at the time of such separation from service, with such payment payable no later than sixty (60) days following your separation from service. The payment contemplated by this paragraph is intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and in the event such payment is not exempt, such payment, and the terms of this paragraph, shall be administered to be in compliance with Section 409A.
7. | No Prior Conflicts and Duty of Loyalty. You confirm that you are able to carry out your duties without breaching any legal restrictions imposed by a current or former employer or other third party to whom you have contractual obligations. You also agree that, during the term of your employment with the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of your employment, nor will you engage in any other activities that conflict with the performance of your duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company. |
8. | Arbitration. To aid the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with your employment with the Company, and in exchange for the mutual promises contained in this offer letter, you and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this letter agreement, your employment with the Company, or the termination of your employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS, Inc. (JAMS) or its successor, under JAMS then applicable rules and procedures |
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appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the following web address: (i) https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration/) and (ii) https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-comprehensive-arbitration/) at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if JAMS is unavailable due to location or otherwise, or if the parties mutually agree, then the arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or its successor, under AAAs then applicable rules and procedures appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the following web address: https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/EmploymentRules-Web.pdf), at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, govern the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration agreement and any arbitration proceedings. This provision shall not be mandatory for any claim or cause of action to the extent applicable law prohibits subjecting such claim or cause of action to mandatory arbitration and such applicable law is not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act or otherwise invalid (collectively, the Excluded Claims), such as non-individual claims that cannot be waived under applicable law, claims or causes of action alleging sexual harassment or a nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact, or unemployment or workers compensation claims brought before the applicable state governmental agency. In the event you or the Company intend to bring multiple claims, including one of the Excluded Claims listed above, the Excluded Claims may be filed with a court, while any other claims will remain subject to mandatory arbitration. Nothing herein prevents you from filing and pursuing proceedings before a federal or state governmental agency, although if you choose to pursue a claim following the exhaustion of any applicable administrative remedies, that claim would be subject to this provision. In addition, with the exception of Excluded Claims arising out of 9 U.S.C. § 401 et seq., all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by you or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class, representative, or collective proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive all rights to have any dispute be brought, heard, administered, resolved, or arbitrated on a class, representative, or collective action basis. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. If a court finds, by means of a final decision, not subject to any further appeal or recourse, that the preceding sentences regarding class, representative, or collective claims or proceedings violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable as to a particular claim or request for relief, the parties agree that any such claim(s) or request(s) for relief be severed from the arbitration and may proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. All other claims or requests for relief shall be arbitrated. You will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. Questions of whether a claim is subject to arbitration and procedural questions which grow out of the dispute and bear on the final disposition are matters for the arbitrator to decide, provided however, that if required by applicable law, a court and not the arbitrator may determine the enforceability of this paragraph with respect to Excluded Claims. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the |
4
arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrators essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that you or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. You and the Company shall equally share all arbitration administrative fees, or such fees shall be paid in such other manner to the extent required by, and in accordance with, applicable law or rules to effectuate your and the Companys agreement to arbitrate. To the extent the arbitration service does not collect or you otherwise do not pay an equal share of all arbitration administrative fees, and the Company pays your share, you acknowledge and agree that the Company shall be entitled to recover from you in a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction half of the arbitration fees invoiced to the parties (less any amounts you paid to the arbitration service). Each party is responsible for its own attorneys fees, except as may be expressly set forth in your CIIA or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Nothing in this letter agreement is intended to prevent either you or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Any awards or orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction. |
___________ By my signature here, I understand that this agreement contains an agreement to arbitrate. After signing this document, I understand that I will not be able to bring a lawsuit concerning any dispute that may arise which is covered by the arbitration agreement, unless it involves a question of constitutional or civil rights. Instead, I agree to submit any such dispute to an impartial arbitrator as described above.
You acknowledge and agree that upon your execution of this letter agreement, except as otherwise set forth herein, you will no longer be eligible for, nor entitled to, any compensation or benefits (including without limitation, any severance or change in control benefits) under any prior employment terms, offer letter or employment agreement you may have entered into or discussed with the Company, including but not limited to your Prior Agreement. This letter agreement, together with your CIIA, equity agreements, the Severance Plan and other agreements referenced herein, forms the complete and exclusive agreement regarding the subject matter hereof. Except as set forth in your participation agreement to the Severance Plan, this letter supersedes any other representations, promises, or agreements, whether written or oral, including the Prior Agreement. Modifications or amendments to this letter agreement, other than those changes expressly reserved to the Companys discretion herein, must be made in a written agreement signed by you and an officer of the Company (other than you).
If any provision of this letter agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any other provision of this letter agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. This letter may be delivered and executed via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and executed and be valid and effective for all purposes.
Please sign below and return this letter to me no later than the end of the day on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, to indicate your agreement with its terms.
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Very truly yours, | ||
Tourmaline Bio, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Sandeep Kulkarni | |
Sandeep Kulkarni | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
I have read and accept these terms of employment.
/s/ Susan Dana Jones |
10/18/2023 | |||||
Susan Dana Jones | DATE |
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Exhibit 10.5
OFFER LETTER
June 7, 2023
Ryan Robinson
Re: | Employment Terms Dear Ryan: |
Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (Tourmaline) is pleased to offer you the full-time position of Vice President, Finance and Controller on the following terms:
| Reporting: You will report to Tourmalines Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Should you join Tourmaline prior to the company hiring a CFO, you will report to Tourmalines Chief Business Officer and General Counsel on an interim basis (i.e., until a CFO has been hired). In addition to the Vice President and Controller role, you will serve as Tourmalines Treasurer. |
| Office Location(s): You will work remotely from your home but will be expected to work from Tourmalines offices located in New York, New York periodically (approximately 3 concurrent days per month) as reasonably requested by your supervisor or Tourmalines Chief Executive Officer (CEO). From time to time, additional travel may be required, as reasonably requested by your supervisor or Tourmalines Chief Executive Officer (CEO). |
| Salary: Annual salary of $325,000, paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of Tourmaline, and subject to all applicable taxes and withholdings. As a professional, this position is exempt from applicable overtime pay requirements under state and federal law, including the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. |
| Bonus: Annual discretionary performance bonus targeted at 30% of your annual salary, based on achievement of individual and company goals established by Tourmaline. Whether to award a bonus for any year, and if so, in what amount, will be determined by Tourmaline. You must remain employed by Tourmaline through the date on which the bonus is paid for a given year to receive any bonus for that year. Your annual discretionary performance bonus will not be prorated for the calendar year 2023. |
| Signing Bonus: Within 30 days after the date you start employment at Tourmaline, Tourmaline will pay you a signing bonus of $40,000 (the Signing Bonus). Should you resign your position at Tourmaline, for any reason, prior to the one-year anniversary of the date you start employment at Tourmaline, you will be obligated to repay the Signing Bonus, in full, within 15 days of such resignation. Should Tourmaline decide to offer success bonuses in connection with the proposed reverse merger currently under consideration, you will be eligible for a success bonus consistent with the approved conditions of such program. |
| Benefits: You shall be entitled to all benefits to which other employees of Tourmaline at the same level of the organization are entitled, on terms comparable thereto. |
| Equity Participation: Subject to approval by Tourmalines Board of Directors (Board), Tourmaline will grant you an option to purchase that number of shares of Tourmaline common stock representing 0.30% of Tourmalines fully diluted shares outstanding as of your employment commencement date (the Option). One fourth of the Option will vest on the first anniversary of the date you start employment at Tourmaline, and 1/48th of the Option will vest each month over the following 36 months thereafter, so long as you remain employed by Tourmaline through each such vesting date. The Option exercise price will equal the fair market value on the date of grant, as determined by the Board. We expect that your options will be granted soon following the date you start employment at Tourmaline. The Option will be subject to Tourmalines Equity Incentive Plan, and additional terms and conditions applicable to the Option will be set forth in a related option grant agreement to be entered into between you and Tourmaline. |
| Policies: As a Tourmaline employee, you will be expected to abide by company policies, rules and regulations. Also, you must sign and comply with the Tourmaline Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, which requires, among other things, assignment of patent rights to any invention made during your employment at Tourmaline and non-disclosure of proprietary information. |
| AT-WILL Employment: Your employment relationship with Tourmaline is at-will. You may terminate your employment with Tourmaline at any time and for any reason whatsoever simply by notifying Tourmaline. Likewise, Tourmaline may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause or advance notice. |
This letter, together with your Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive statement of your employment agreement with Tourmaline. The employment terms in this letter supersede any other agreements or promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written. This letter agreement cannot be changed except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of Tourmaline, provided that Tourmaline may modify your position, duties, work location, compensation and benefits from time to time as it deems necessary.
As required by law, this offer is subject to satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States.
Please sign and date this letter, and return it to Tourmaline by June 8, 2023, if you wish to accept employment at Tourmaline under the terms described above. If you accept our offer, we would like you to start on or about July 5, 2023.
We look forward with enthusiasm to your favorable reply and to a productive and enjoyable working relationship.
Sincerely, |
/s/ Sandeep Kulkarni |
Name: Sandeep Kulkarni |
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
Accepted: | ||||||
/s/ Ryan Robinson |
June 7, 2023 | |||||
Ryan Robinson | Date |
Attachment(s): Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement
Exhibit 10.7
TOURMALINE BIO, INC.
2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: JUNE 22, 2023
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: OCTOBER 17, 2023
1. GENERAL.
(a) Plan Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of Employees, Directors and Consultants, to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by which such persons may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.
(b) Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) SARs; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) RSU Awards; (vi) Performance Awards; and (vii) Other Awards.
(c) Adoption Date; Effective Date. The Plan will come into existence on the Adoption Date, but no Award may be granted prior to the Effective Date.
2. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Share Reserve. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(c) and any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards will not exceed a number of shares of Common Stock equal to ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding determined as of immediately after the Effective Time (the Initial Share Reserve). In addition, subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2033, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding determined as of the day prior to such increase; provided, however that the Board may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock.
(b) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2(a) and subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is three (3) multiplied by the Initial Share Reserve.
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(c) Share Reserve Operation.
(i) Limit Applies to Common Stock Issued Pursuant to Awards. For clarity, the Share Reserve is a limit on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards and does not limit the granting of Awards, except that the Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy its obligations to issue shares pursuant to such Awards. Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by, as applicable, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, NYSE American Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(ii) Actions that Do Not Constitute Issuance of Common Stock and Do Not Reduce Share Reserve. The following actions do not result in an issuance of shares under the Plan and accordingly do not reduce the number of shares subject to the Share Reserve and available for issuance under the Plan: (1) the expiration or termination of any portion of an Award without the shares covered by such portion of the Award having been issued; (2) the settlement of any portion of an Award in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than Common Stock); (3) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award; or (4) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.
(iii) Reversion of Previously Issued Shares of Common Stock to Share Reserve. The following shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant to an Award and accordingly initially deducted from the Share Reserve will be added back to the Share Reserve and again become available for issuance under the Plan: (1) any shares that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, (2) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award, and (3) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.
3. ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS.
(a) Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to the terms of the Plan, Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.
(b) Specific Award Limitations.
(i) Limitations on Incentive Stock Option Recipients. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code).
(ii) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or any Option otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
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(iii) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options Granted to Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder may not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless (1) the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Option and (2) the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant of such Option.
(iv) Limitations on Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs. Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants unless the stock underlying such Awards is treated as service recipient stock under Section 409A or unless such Awards otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
(c) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is the number of shares specified in Section 2(b).
(d) Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any period commencing on the date of the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a particular year and ending on the day immediately prior to the date of the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the next subsequent year (the Annual Period), including Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director, will not exceed (1) $750,000 in total value or (2) in the event such Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board during such Annual Period, $1,000,000 in total value, in each case, calculating the value of any equity awards based on the grant date fair value of such equity awards for financial reporting purposes. The limitations in this Section 3(d) shall apply commencing with the Annual Period that begins on the Companys first Annual Meeting of Stockholders following the Effective Date.
4. OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Each Option and SAR will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. Each Option will be designated in writing as an Incentive Stock Option or Nonstatutory Stock Option at the time of grant; provided, however, that if an Option is not so designated or if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then such Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and the shares purchased upon exercise of each type of Option will be separately accounted for. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents. The terms and conditions of separate Options and SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option Agreement and SAR Agreement will conform (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) Term. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant of such Award or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.
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(b) Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and, if applicable, 424(a) of the Code.
(c) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Exercise Price for Options. In order to exercise an Option, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the procedures specified in the Option Agreement or otherwise provided by the Company. The Board has the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and as determined by the Board, by one or more of the following methods of payment to the extent set forth in the Option Agreement:
(i) by cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;
(ii) pursuant to a cashless exercise program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the Participant free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such delivery is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment, (3) such delivery would not violate any Applicable Law or agreement restricting the redemption of the Common Stock, (4) any certificated shares are endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate, and (5) such shares have been held by the Participant for any minimum period necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment as a result of such delivery;
(iv) if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a net exercise arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) such shares used to pay the exercise price will not be exercisable thereafter and (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such net exercise is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment; or
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(v) in any other form of consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and permissible under Applicable Law.
(d) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Appreciation Distribution for SARs. In order to exercise any SAR, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the SAR Agreement. The appreciation distribution payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR will not be greater than an amount equal to the excess of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents that are vested and being exercised under such SAR, over (ii) the strike price of such SAR. Such appreciation distribution may be paid to the Participant in the form of Common Stock or cash (or any combination of Common Stock and cash) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the SAR Agreement.
(e) Transferability. Options and SARs may not be transferred to third party financial institutions for value. The Board may impose such additional limitations on the transferability of an Option or SAR as it determines. In the absence of any such determination by the Board, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply, provided that except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration and provided, further, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer:
(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Board may permit transfer of an Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participants request, including to a trust if the Participant is considered to be the sole beneficial owner of such trust (as determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while such Option or SAR is held in such trust, provided that the Participant and the trustee enter into a transfer and other agreements required by the Company.
(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the execution of transfer documentation in a format acceptable to the Company and subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order.
(f) Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option or SAR as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Options and SARs will cease upon termination of the Participants Continuous Service.
(g) Termination of Continuous Service for Cause. Except as explicitly otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participants Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participants Options and SARs will terminate and be forfeited immediately upon such
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termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising any portion (including any vested portion) of such Awards on and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in such forfeited Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the forfeited Award, or any consideration in respect of the forfeited Award.
(h) Post-Termination Exercise Period Following Termination of Continuous Service for Reasons Other than Cause. Subject to Section 4(i), if a Participants Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR to the extent vested, but only within the following period of time or, if applicable, such other period of time provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)):
(i) three months following the date of such termination if such termination is a termination without Cause (other than any termination due to the Participants Disability or death);
(ii) 12 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participants Disability;
(iii) 18 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participants death; or
(iv) 18 months following the date of the Participants death if such death occurs following the date of such termination but during the period such Award is otherwise exercisable (as provided in (i) or (ii) above).
Following the date of such termination, to the extent the Participant does not exercise such Award within the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period (or, if earlier, prior to the expiration of the maximum term of such Award), such unexercised portion of the Award will terminate, and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the terminated Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the terminated Award, or any consideration in respect of the terminated Award.
(i) Restrictions on Exercise; Extension of Exercisability. A Participant may not exercise an Option or SAR at any time that the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participants Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause and, at any time during the last thirty days of the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period, to the extent permitted by Section 409A: (i) the exercise of the Participants Option or SAR would be prohibited solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law, or (ii) the immediate sale of any shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise would violate the Companys Trading Policy, then the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period will be extended to the last day of the calendar month that commences following the date the Award would otherwise expire, with an additional extension of the exercise period to the last day of the next calendar month to apply if any of the foregoing restrictions apply at any time during such extended exercise period, generally without limitation as to the maximum permitted number of extensions); provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)).
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(j) Non-Exempt Employees. No Option or SAR granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, will be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, any vested portion of such Award may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant of such Award in the event of (i) such Participants death or Disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which such Award is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) such Participants retirement (as such term may be defined in the Award Agreement or another applicable agreement or, in the absence of any such definition, in accordance with the Companys then current employment policies and guidelines). This Section 4(j) is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.
(k) Whole Shares. Options and SARs may be exercised only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock or their equivalents.
5. AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award and RSU Award will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement and RSU Award Agreement will conform (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:
(i) Form of Award.
(1) Restricted Stock Awards: To the extent consistent with the Companys Bylaws, at the Boards election, shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may be (A) held in book entry form subject to the Companys instructions until such shares become vested or any other restrictions lapse, or (B) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant will have voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award.
(2) RSU Awards: An RSU Award represents a Participants right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units subject to the RSU Award. As a holder of an RSU Award, a Participant is an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Companys unfunded obligation, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock in settlement of such Award and nothing contained in the Plan or any RSU Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or any other person. A Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any RSU Award (unless and until shares are actually issued in settlement of a vested RSU Award).
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(ii) Consideration.
(1) Restricted Stock Awards: A Restricted Stock Award may be granted in consideration for (A) cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of consideration (including future services) as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.
(2) RSU Awards: Unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time of grant, an RSU Award will be granted in consideration for the Participants services to the Company or an Affiliate, such that the Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company (other than such services) with respect to the grant or vesting of the RSU Award, or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the RSU Award. If, at the time of grant, the Board determines that any consideration must be paid by the Participant (in a form other than the Participants services to the Company or an Affiliate) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock in settlement of the RSU Award, such consideration may be paid in any form of consideration as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.
(iii) Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards will cease upon termination of the Participants Continuous Service.
(iv) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participants Continuous Service terminates for any reason, (1) the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant under his or her Restricted Stock Award that have not vested as of the date of such termination as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the Restricted Stock Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award, or any consideration in respect of the Restricted Stock Award and (2) any portion of his or her RSU Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon such termination and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the RSU Award, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the RSU Award, or any consideration in respect of the RSU Award.
(v) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award, as determined by the Board and specified in the Award Agreement.
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(vi) Settlement of RSU Awards. An RSU Award may be settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or cash (or any combination thereof) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the RSU Award Agreement. At the time of grant, the Board may determine to impose such restrictions or conditions that delay such delivery to a date following the vesting of the RSU Award.
(b) Performance Awards. With respect to any Performance Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, the other terms and conditions of such Award, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be determined by the Board.
(c) Other Awards. Other forms of Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards provided for under Section and the preceding provisions of this Section . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete discretion to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Awards.
6. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan, and the maximum number of shares by which the Share Reserve may annually increase pursuant to Section 2(a); (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section ; and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and exercise price, strike price or purchase price of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock shall be created in order to implement any Capitalization Adjustment. The Board shall determine an appropriate equivalent benefit, if any, for any fractional shares or rights to fractional shares that might be created by the adjustments referred to in the preceding provisions of this Section.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Companys right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Companys repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may determine to cause some or all Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.
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(c) Corporate Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction except as set forth in Section 11 unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of an Award.
(i) Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporations parent company) may assume or continue any or all Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar awards for Awards outstanding under the Plan (including but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or the successors parent company, if any), in connection with such Corporate Transaction. A surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an Award or substitute a similar award for only a portion of an Award, or may choose to assume or continue the Awards held by some, but not all Participants. The terms of any assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board.
(ii) Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction (referred to as the Current Participants), the vesting of such Awards (and, with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the time when such Awards may be exercised) will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction), and such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction). With respect to the vesting of Performance Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and that have multiple vesting levels depending on the level of performance, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, the vesting of such Performance Awards will accelerate at 100% of the target level upon the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction in which the Awards are not assumed in accordance with Section 6(c)(i). With respect to the vesting of Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and are settled in the form of a cash payment, such cash payment will be made no later than 30 days following the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction or such later date as required to comply with Section 409A.
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(iii) Awards Held by Persons other than Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by persons other than Current Participants, such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Corporate Transaction.
(iv) Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an Award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Corporate Transaction, the Board may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such Award may not exercise such Award but will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value, at the effective time, to the excess, if any, of (1) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Award (including, at the discretion of the Board, any unvested portion of such Award), over (2) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.
(d) Appointment of Stockholder Representative. As a condition to the receipt of an Award under this Plan, a Participant will be deemed to have agreed that the Award will be subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on the Participants behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.
(e) No Restriction on Right to Undertake Transactions. The grant of any Award under the Plan and the issuance of shares pursuant to any Award does not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Companys capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, rights or options to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
7. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in subsection (c) below.
(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
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(i) To determine from time to time (1) which of the persons eligible under the Plan will be granted Awards; (2) when and how each Award will be granted; (3) what type or combination of types of Award will be granted; (4) the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person will be permitted to receive an issuance of Common Stock or other payment pursuant to an Award; (5) the number of shares of Common Stock or cash equivalent with respect to which an Award will be granted to each such person; (6) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award; and (7) the terms of any Performance Award that is not valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock, including the amount of cash payment or other property that may be earned and the timing of payment.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.
(iv) To accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award Agreement stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.
(v) To prohibit the exercise of any Option, SAR or other exercisable Award during a period of up to 30 days prior to the consummation of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock including any Corporate Transaction, for reasons of administrative convenience.
(vi) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not Materially Impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.
(vii) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable; provided, however, that stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the extent required by Applicable Law. Except as provided above, rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan will not be Materially Impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
(viii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.
(ix) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that, a Participants rights under any Award will not be Materially Impaired by any such amendment unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
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(x) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.
(xi) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit and facilitate participation in the Plan by, or take advantage of specific tax treatment for Awards granted to, Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement to ensure or facilitate compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).
(xii) To effect, at any time and from time to time, subject to the consent of any Participant whose Award is Materially Impaired by such action, (1) the reduction of the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR; (2) the cancellation of any outstanding Option or SAR and the grant in substitution therefor of (A) a new Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Other Award, under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company, covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (B) cash and/or (C) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board); or (3) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.
(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to another Committee or a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Each Committee may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee or subcommittee to which it has delegated its authority hereunder and may, at any time, revest in such Committee some or all of the powers previously delegated. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with any Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance. To the extent an Award is intended to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act that is available under Rule 16b-3, the Award will be granted by the Board or a Committee that consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act and thereafter any action establishing or modifying the terms of the Award will be approved by the Board or a Committee meeting such requirements to the extent necessary for such exemption to remain available.
(d) Effect of Boards Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board or any Committee in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
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(e) Delegation to an Officer. The Board or any Committee may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, other types of Awards) and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the resolutions or charter adopted by the Board or any Committee evidencing such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will be granted on the applicable form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Board or the Committee, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the Board nor any Committee may delegate to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) the authority to determine the Fair Market Value.
8. TAX WITHHOLDING
(a) Withholding Authorization. As a condition to acceptance of any Award under the Plan, a Participant authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to such Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including), any sums required to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance contribution withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award, as applicable. Accordingly, a Participant may not be able to exercise an Award even though the Award is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, unless and until such obligations are satisfied.
(b) Satisfaction of Withholding Obligation. To the extent permitted by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; (v) by allowing a Participant to effectuate a cashless exercise pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; or (vi) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes; No Liability to Claims. Except as required by Applicable Law the Company has no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Award. Furthermore, the Company has no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award and will not be liable to any holder of an Award for any adverse tax consequences to such holder in connection with an Award. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant (i) agrees to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its
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Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from such Award or other Company compensation and (ii) acknowledges that such Participant was advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, financial and legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Award and has either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, each Participant acknowledges any Option or SAR granted under the Plan is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise or strike price is at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Award. Additionally, as a condition to accepting an Option or SAR granted under the Plan, each Participant agrees not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that such exercise price or strike price is less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
(d) Withholding Indemnification. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, in the event that the amount of the Companys and/or its Affiliates withholding obligation in connection with such Award was greater than the amount actually withheld by the Company and/or its Affiliates, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company and/or its Affiliates harmless from any failure by the Company and/or its Affiliates to withhold the proper amount.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
(b) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(c) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action approving the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
(d) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award is reflected in the records of the Company.
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(e) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that a Participant may have with respect to any Award (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultants agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state or foreign jurisdiction in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be. Further, nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award will constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or service or confer any right or benefit under the Award or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of the Award Agreement and/or Plan.
(f) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participants regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board may determine, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced.
(g) Execution of Additional Documents. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, the Participant agrees to execute any additional documents or instruments necessary or desirable, as determined in the Plan Administrators sole discretion, to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award, or facilitate compliance with securities and/or other regulatory requirements, in each case at the Plan Administrators request.
(h) Electronic Delivery and Participation. Any reference herein or in an Award Agreement to a written agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Companys intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access). By accepting any Award the Participant consents to receive documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through any on-line electronic system established and maintained by the Plan Administrator or another third party selected by the Plan Administrator. The form of delivery of any Common Stock (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.
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(i) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Companys securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Law and any clawback policy that the Company otherwise adopts, to the extent applicable and permissible under Applicable Law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a Participants right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a resignation for good reason, or for a constructive termination or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.
(j) Securities Law Compliance. A Participant will not be issued any shares in respect of an Award unless either (i) the shares are registered under the Securities Act; or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Each Award also must comply with other Applicable Law governing the Award, and a Participant will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with Applicable Law.
(k) Transfer or Assignment of Awards; Issued Shares. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the form of Award Agreement, Awards granted under the Plan may not be transferred or assigned by the Participant. After the vested shares subject to an Award have been issued, or in the case of Restricted Stock and similar awards, after the issued shares have vested, the holder of such shares is free to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares provided that any such actions are in compliance with the provisions herein, the terms of the Trading Policy and Applicable Law.
(l) Effect on Other Employee Benefit Plans. The value of any Award granted under the Plan, as determined upon grant, vesting or settlement, shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating any Participants benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Companys or any Affiliates employee benefit plans.
(m) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may also establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals will be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.
(n) Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to
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Section 409A, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A is a specified employee for purposes of Section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a Separation from Service will be issued or paid before the date that is six months and one day following the date of such Participants Separation from Service or, if earlier, the date of the Participants death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
(o) CHOICE OF LAW. This Plan and any controversy arising out of or relating to this Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in any application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.
10. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) Compliance with Law. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency, as may be deemed to be necessary, having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary or advisable for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant is not eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any Applicable Law.
11. ADDITIONAL RULES FOR AWARDS SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A.
(a) Application. Unless the provisions of this Section of the Plan are expressly superseded by the provisions in the form of Award Agreement, the provisions of this Section shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Award Agreement for a Non-Exempt Award.
(b) Non-Exempt Awards Subject to Non-Exempt Severance Arrangements. To the extent a Non-Exempt Award is subject to Section 409A due to application of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, the following provisions of this subsection (b) apply.
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(i) If the Non-Exempt Award vests in the ordinary course during the Participants Continuous Service in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Award Agreement, and does not accelerate vesting under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, in no event will the shares be issued in respect of such Non-Exempt Award any later than the later of: (i) December 31st of the calendar year that includes the applicable vesting date, or (ii) the 60th day that follows the applicable vesting date.
(ii) If vesting of the Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with the Participants Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award as of the date of grant, then the shares will be earlier issued in settlement of such Non-Exempt Award upon the Participants Separation from Service in accordance with the terms of the Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, but in no event later than the 60th day that follows the date of the Participants Separation from Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued the Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to specified employees, as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of such Participants Separation from Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participants death that occurs within such six month period.
(iii) If vesting of a Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with a Participants Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were not in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are not a part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award on the date of grant, then such acceleration of vesting of the Non-Exempt Award shall not accelerate the issuance date of the shares, but the shares shall instead be issued on the same schedule as set forth in the Grant Notice as if they had vested in the ordinary course during the Participants Continuous Service, notwithstanding the vesting acceleration of the Non-Exempt Award. Such issuance schedule is intended to satisfy the requirements of payment on a specified date or pursuant to a fixed schedule, as provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(a)(4).
(c) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Employees and Consultants. The provisions of this subsection (c) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of any Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction if the Participant was either an Employee or Consultant upon the applicable date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award.
(i) Vested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Vested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction:
(1) If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the settlement of the Vested Non-Exempt Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Alternatively, the Company may instead provide that the Participant will receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control.
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(2) If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute each Vested Non-Exempt Award. The shares to be issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entitys discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of the Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.
(ii) Unvested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Unvested Non-Exempt Award unless otherwise determined by the Board pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section.
(1) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Acquiring Entity shall assume, continue or substitute any Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entitys discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.
(2) If the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue any Unvested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then such Award shall automatically terminate and be forfeited upon the Corporate Transaction with no consideration payable to any Participant in respect of such forfeited Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Board may in its discretion determine to elect to accelerate the vesting and settlement of the Unvested Non-Exempt Award upon the Corporate Transaction, or instead substitute a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant, as further provided in subsection (e)(ii) below. In the absence of such discretionary election by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be forfeited without payment of any consideration to the affected Participants if the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue the Unvested Non-Exempt Awards in connection with the Corporate Transaction.
(3) The foregoing treatment shall apply with respect to all Unvested Non-Exempt Awards upon any Corporate Transaction, and regardless of whether or not such Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control.
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(d) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Non-Employee Directors. The following provisions of this subsection (d) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of a Non-Exempt Director Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction.
(i) If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the vesting and settlement of any Non-Exempt Director Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued to the Participant in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award. Alternatively, the Company may provide that the Participant will instead receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control pursuant to the preceding provision.
(ii) If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Non-Exempt Director Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entitys discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.
(e) If the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt Award, then the provisions in this Section 11(e) shall apply and supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement with respect to the permitted treatment of such Non-Exempt Award:
(i) Any exercise by the Board of discretion to accelerate the vesting of a Non-Exempt Award shall not result in any acceleration of the scheduled issuance dates for the shares in respect of the Non-Exempt Award unless earlier issuance of the shares upon the applicable vesting dates would be in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.
(ii) The Company explicitly reserves the right to earlier settle any Non-Exempt Award to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, including pursuant to any of the exemptions available in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).
(iii) To the extent the terms of any Non-Exempt Award provide that it will be settled upon a Change in Control or Corporate Transaction, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Change in Control or Corporate Transaction event triggering settlement must also constitute a Section 409A Change in Control. To the extent the terms of a Non-Exempt Award provides that it will be settled upon a termination of employment or termination of Continuous Service, to the extent it is required for
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compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the termination event triggering settlement must also constitute a Separation from Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued to a Participant in connection with a Separation from Service such Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to specified employees, as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of the Participants Separation from Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participants death that occurs within such six month period.
(iv) The provisions in this subsection (e) for delivery of the shares in respect of the settlement of an RSU Award that is a Non-Exempt Award are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that the delivery of the shares to the Participant in respect of such Non-Exempt Award will not trigger the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be so interpreted.
12. SEVERABILITY.
If all or any part of the Plan or any Award Agreement is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any portion of the Plan or such Award Agreement not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of the Plan or any Award Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
13. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of: (i) the Adoption Date, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the Companys stockholders. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
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14. DEFINITIONS.
As used in the Plan, the following definitions apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) Acquiring Entity means the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) in connection with a Corporate Transaction.
(b) Adoption Date means the date the Plan is first approved by the Board or Compensation Committee.
(c) Affiliate means, at the time of determination, any parent or subsidiary of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board may determine the time or times at which parent or subsidiary status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(d) Applicable Law means any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (including under the authority of any applicable self-regulating organization such as the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
(e) Award means any right to receive Common Stock, cash or other property granted under the Plan (including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, an RSU Award, a SAR, a Performance Award or any Other Award).
(f) Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award. The Award Agreement generally consists of the Grant Notice and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Award and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice.
(g) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company (or its designee). Any decision or determination made by the Board shall be a decision or determination that is made in the sole discretion of the Board (or its designee), and such decision or determination shall be final and binding on all Participants.
(h) Capitalization Adjustment means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Award after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
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(i) Cause has the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between a Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Participants dishonest statements or acts with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any current or prospective customers, suppliers, vendors or other third parties with which such entity does business; (ii) the Participants commission of (A) a felony or (B) any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; (iii) the Participants failure to perform the Participants assigned duties and responsibilities to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company which failure continues, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, after written notice given to the Participant by the Company; (iv) the Participants gross negligence, willful misconduct or insubordination with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; or (v) the Participants material violation of any provision of any agreement(s) between the Participant and the Company relating to noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure and/or assignment of inventions. The determination that a termination of the Participants Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Board with respect to Participants who are executive officers of the Company and by the Companys Chief Executive Officer with respect to Participants who are not executive officers of the Company. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.
(j) Change in Control or Change of Control means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Companys securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the Subject Person) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;
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(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the Acquiring Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the Acquiring Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;
(iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv) individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.1
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply, and (C) with respect to any nonqualified deferred compensation that becomes payable on account of the Change in Control, the transaction or event described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) also constitutes a Section 409A Change in Control if required in order for the payment not to violate Section 409A of the Code.
(k) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(l) Committee means the Compensation Committee and any other committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board or Compensation Committee in accordance with the Plan.
(m) Common Stock means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
(n) Company means Tourmaline Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
1 | Subject to ongoing review by Terrain. |
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(o) Compensation Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(p) Consultant means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a Consultant for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Companys securities to such person.
(q) Continuous Service means that the Participants service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participants service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participants Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, such Participants Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in that partys sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or Chief Executive Officer of the Company, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Companys leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law. In addition, to the extent required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A, the determination of whether there has been a termination of Continuous Service will be made, and such term will be construed, in a manner that is consistent with the definition of separation from service as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(r) Corporate Transaction means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
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(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Corporate Transaction shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, (B) the definition of Corporate Transaction (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Corporate Transaction or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply, and (C) with respect to any nonqualified deferred compensation that becomes payable on account of the Corporate Transaction, the transaction or event described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) also constitutes a Section 409A Change in Control if required in order for the payment not to violate Section 409A.
(s) Director means a member of the Board.
(t) determine or determined means as determined by the Board or the Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion.
(u) Disability means, with respect to a Participant, such Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
(v) Effective Date means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, provided that this Plan is approved by the Companys stockholders prior to such date.
(w) Effective Time has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.
(x) Employee means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an Employee for purposes of the Plan.
(y) Employer means the Company or the Affiliate of the Company that employs the Participant.
(z) Entity means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.
(aa) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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(bb) Exchange Act Person means any natural person, Entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that Exchange Act Person will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities.
(cc) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the value of the Common Stock (as determined on a per share or aggregate basis, as applicable) determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.
(ii) If there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, or if otherwise determined by the Board, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(dd) Governmental Body means any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (iii) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (iv) self-regulatory organization (including the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
(ee) Grant Notice means the notice provided to a Participant that he or she has been granted an Award under the Plan and which includes the name of the Participant, the type of Award, the date of grant of the Award, number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award or potential cash payment right, (if any), the vesting schedule for the Award (if any) and other key terms applicable to the Award.
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(ff) Incentive Stock Option means an option granted pursuant to Section of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(gg) Materially Impair means any amendment to the terms of the Award that materially adversely affects the Participants rights under the Award. A Participants rights under an Award will not be deemed to have been Materially Impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participants rights. For example, the following types of amendments to the terms of an Award do not Materially Impair the Participants rights under the Award: (i) imposition of reasonable restrictions on the minimum number of shares subject to an Option or SAR that may be exercised, (ii) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, (iii) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option in a manner that disqualifies, impairs or otherwise affects the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code, (iv) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with or qualify it for an exemption from, Section 409A, or (v) to comply with other Applicable Laws.
(hh) Merger Agreement means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2023, among Talaris Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Terrain), Terrain Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Terrain, and Tourmaline Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(ii) Non-Employee Director means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (Regulation S-K)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a non-employee director for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(jj) Non-Exempt Award means any Award that is subject to, and not exempt from, Section 409A, including as the result of (i) a deferral of the issuance of the shares subject to the Award which is elected by the Participant or imposed by the Company, or (ii) the terms of any Non-Exempt Severance Agreement.
(kk) Non-Exempt Director Award means a Non-Exempt Award granted to a Participant who was a Director but not an Employee on the applicable grant date.
(ll) Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement means a severance arrangement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company that provides for acceleration of vesting of an Award and issuance of the shares in respect of such Award upon the Participants termination of employment or separation from service (as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code (and without regard to any alternative definition thereunder) (Separation from Service) and such severance benefit does not satisfy the requirements for an exemption from application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(9) or otherwise.
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(mm) Nonstatutory Stock Option means any option granted pursuant to Section of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(nn) Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(oo) Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(pp) Option Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of the Option grant. The Option Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Option and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Option and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(qq) Optionholder means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
(rr) Other Award means an award valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant) that is not an Incentive Stock Option, Nonstatutory Stock Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Performance Award.
(ss) Other Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Award grant. Each Other Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(tt) Own, Owned, Owner, Ownership means that a person or Entity will be deemed to Own, to have Owned, to be the Owner of, or to have acquired Ownership of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(uu) Participant means an Employee, Director or Consultant to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.
(vv) Performance Award means an Award that may vest or may be exercised or a cash award that may vest or become earned and paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and which is granted under the terms and conditions of Section pursuant to such terms as are approved by the Board. In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash or other property may be used in payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock.
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(ww) Performance Criteria means the one or more criteria that the Board selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; total stockholder return; return on equity or average stockholders equity; return on assets, investment, or capital employed; stock price; margin (including gross margin); income (before or after taxes); operating income; operating income after taxes; pre-tax profit; operating cash flow; sales or revenue targets; increases in revenue or product revenue; expenses and cost reduction goals; improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; economic value added (or an equivalent metric); market share; cash flow; cash flow per share; share price performance; debt reduction; customer satisfaction; stockholders equity; capital expenditures; debt levels; operating profit or net operating profit; workforce diversity; growth of net income or operating income; billings; financing; regulatory milestones; stockholder liquidity; corporate governance and compliance; intellectual property; personnel matters; progress of internal research; progress of partnered programs; partner satisfaction; budget management; partner or collaborator achievements; internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; investor relations, analysts and communication; implementation or completion of projects or processes; employee retention; number of users, including unique users; strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property); establishing relationships with respect to the marketing, distribution and sale of the Companys products; supply chain achievements; co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; individual performance goals; corporate development and planning goals; and other measures of performance selected by the Board or Committee whether or not listed herein.
(xx) Performance Goals means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of
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the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Companys bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board may establish or provide for other adjustment items in the Award Agreement at the time the Award is granted or in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established. In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Cash Award.
(yy) Performance Period means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participants right to vesting or exercise of an Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.
(zz) Plan means this Tourmaline Bio, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
(aaa) Plan Administrator means the person, persons, and/or third-party administrator designated by the Company to administer the day to day operations of the Plan and the Companys other equity incentive programs.
(bbb) Post-Termination Exercise Period means the period following termination of a Participants Continuous Service within which an Option or SAR is exercisable, as specified in Section 4(h).
(ccc) Restricted Stock Award or RSA means an Award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section .
(ddd) Restricted Stock Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. The Restricted Stock Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Restricted Stock Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(eee) RSU Award or RSU means an Award of restricted stock units representing the right to receive an issuance of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section .
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(fff) RSU Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of an RSU Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an RSU Award. The RSU Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the RSU Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the RSU Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each RSU Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ggg) Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(hhh) Rule 405 means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(iii) Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder.
(jjj) Section 409A Change in Control means a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Companys assets, as provided in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(kkk) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(lll) Share Reserve means the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in Section 2(a).
(mmm) Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section .
(nnn) SAR Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a SAR evidencing the terms and conditions of a SAR grant. The SAR Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the SAR and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the SAR and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each SAR Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ooo) Subsidiary means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.
(ppp) Ten Percent Stockholder means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
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(qqq) Trading Policy means the Companys policy permitting certain individuals to sell Company shares only during certain window periods and/or otherwise restricting the ability of certain individuals to transfer or encumber Company shares, as in effect from time to time.
(rrr) Unvested Non-Exempt Award means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had not vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of any Corporate Transaction.
(sss) Vested Non-Exempt Award means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of a Corporate Transaction.
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Exhibit 10.8
TOURMALINE BIO, INC.
Stock Option Grant Notice
(2023 Equity Incentive Plan)
Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (the Company), pursuant to its 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), has granted to you (Optionholder) an option to purchase the number of shares of the Common Stock set forth below (Option). Your Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Plan, and the Stock Option Agreement and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, as applicable.
Optionholder: |
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Date of Grant: |
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Vesting Commencement Date: |
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Number of Shares of Common Stock Subject to Option: |
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Exercise Price (Per Share): |
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Total Exercise Price: |
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Expiration Date: |
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Type of Grant: | [Incentive Stock Option]1 OR [Nonstatutory Stock Option] | |
Exercise and Vesting Schedule: | Subject to the Optionholders Continuous Service through each applicable vesting date, the Option will vest as follows: | |
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OPTIONHOLDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:
| The Option is governed by this Stock Option Grant Notice, and the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement (together, the Option Agreement) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. |
| [If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options granted to you) cannot be first exercisable for more than $100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over $100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.]1 |
| You consent to receive this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan, the Prospectus and any other Plan-related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. |
1 | If this is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options) cannot be first exercisable for more than $100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over $100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option. |
| You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise and the Prospectus. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in this Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control. |
| The Option Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of other equity awards previously granted to you and any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this Option. |
| Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. |
TOURMALINE BIO, INC. | OPTIONHOLDER: | |||||||
By: |
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Signature | Signature | |||||||
Title: |
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Date: |
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Date: |
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ATTACHMENTS: Stock Option Agreement, 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, Notice of Exercise
Tourmaline Bio, Inc.
2023 Equity Incentive Plan
Stock Option Agreement
As reflected by your Stock Option Grant Notice (Grant Notice), Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (the Company) has granted you an option under its 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice (the Option). Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable. The terms of your Option as specified in the Grant Notice and this Stock Option Agreement constitute your Option Agreement.
The general terms and conditions applicable to your Option are as follows:
1. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your Option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to the provisions in:
(a) Section 6 regarding the impact of a Capitalization Adjustment, dissolution, liquidation, or Corporate Transaction on your Option;
(b) Section 9(e) regarding the Companys retained rights to terminate your Continuous Service notwithstanding the grant of the Option; and
(c) Section 8(c) regarding the tax consequences of your Option.
Your Option is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the Option Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.
2. VESTING. Your Option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice, subject to the provisions contained herein and the terms of the Plan. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.
3. EXERCISE.
(a) You may generally exercise the vested portion of your Option for whole shares of Common Stock at any time during its term by delivery of payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes and other required documentation to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the exercise procedures established by the Plan Administrator, which may include an electronic submission. Please review Sections 4(i), 4(j) and 7(b)(v) of the Plan, which may restrict or prohibit your ability to exercise your Option during certain periods.
(b) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, you may pay your Option exercise price as follows:
(i) cash, check, bank draft or money order;
(ii) pursuant to a cashless exercise program as further described in Section 4(c)(ii) of the Plan if at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded;
(iii) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, by delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock as further described in Section 4(c)(iii) of the Plan; or
(iv) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a net exercise arrangement as further described in Section 4(c)(iv) of the Plan.
(c) By accepting your Option, you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the Lock-Up Period); provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 3(c) will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 3(c). The underwriters of the Companys stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 3(c) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
4. TERM. You may not exercise your Option before the commencement of its term or after its term expires. The term of your Option commences on the Date of Grant and expires, subject to the provisions of Section 4(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:
(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;
(b) three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death;
(c) twelve (12) months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability;
(d) eighteen (18) months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;
(e) immediately upon a Corporate Transaction if the Board has determined that the Option will terminate in connection with a Corporate Transaction;
(f) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or
(g) the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant.
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If your Option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of your Options exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your Option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your Option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your Option more than three (3) months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.
5. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan: (a) you may not exercise your Option unless the applicable tax withholding obligations are satisfied, and (b) at the time you exercise your Option, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a cashless exercise pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your Option in accordance with the withholding procedures established by the Company. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your Option even though the Option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to your Option, unless and until such obligations are satisfied. In the event that the amount of the Companys withholding obligation in connection with your Option was greater than the amount actually withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.
6. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION DISPOSITION REQUIREMENT. If your Option is an Incentive Stock Option, you must notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your Option that occurs within two years after the date of your Option grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your Option.
7. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(e) of the Plan, your Option is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.
8. CORPORATE TRANSACTION. Your Option is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.
9. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your Option unless the Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your Option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your Option, and you may not exercise your Option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
10. NO LIABILITY FOR TAXES. As a condition to accepting the Option, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the Option or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Option and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, you acknowledge that the Option is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise price
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is at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Option. Additionally, as a condition to accepting the Option, you agree not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that such exercise is less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
11. SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Option Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or Governmental Body to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Option Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Option Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
12. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your Option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your Option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment or service. In addition, nothing in your Option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective shareholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.
13. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your Option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your Option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your Option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control. In addition, your Option (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your Option) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law.
14. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the document containing Plan information specified in Section 10(a) of the Securities Act (the Prospectus). In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Companys Insider Trading Policy.
15. QUESTIONS. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your Option, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.
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2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
TOURMALINE BIO, INC.
Tourmaline Bio, Inc. | ||||||
27 West 24th Street, Suite 702 | ||||||
New York, New York 10010 | ||||||
Date of Exercise: |
This constitutes notice to Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (the Company) that I elect to purchase the below number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the Shares) by exercising my Option for the price set forth below. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Notice of Exercise but defined in the Grant Notice, Option Agreement or 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) shall have the meanings set forth in the Grant Notice, Option Agreement or Plan, as applicable. Use of certain payment methods is subject to Company and/or Committee consent and certain additional requirements set forth in the Option Agreement and the Plan.
Type of option (check one): | Incentive ☐ | Nonstatutory ☐ | ||||||
Stock option dated: |
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Number of Shares as to which option is exercised: |
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Certificates to be issued in name of: |
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Total exercise price: | $ |
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$ |
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Cash payment delivered herewith: |
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$ |
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[Value of ________ Shares delivered herewith: | $ |
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$ |
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[Value of ________ Shares pursuant to net exercise]: | $ |
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$ |
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[Regulation T Program (cashless exercise): | $ |
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$ |
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By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the Plan, (ii) to satisfy the tax withholding obligations, if any, relating to the exercise of this Option as set forth in the Option Agreement, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an incentive stock option, to notify you in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the Shares issued upon exercise of this Option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such Shares are issued upon exercise of this Option.
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I further agree that I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company that I hold, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the Lock-Up Period); provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. I further agree that in order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to shares of Common Stock that I hold until the end of such period. I also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company that I hold will be bound by this paragraph. The underwriters of the Companys stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this paragraph and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
Very truly yours, | ||
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Exhibit 10.9
TOURMALINE BIO, INC.
RSU AWARD GRANT NOTICE
(2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)
Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (the Company) has awarded to you (the Participant) the number of restricted stock units specified and on the terms set forth below in consideration of your services (the RSU Award). Your RSU Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Companys 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) and the Award Agreement (the Agreement), which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Agreement.
Participant: |
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Date of Grant: |
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Vesting Commencement Date: |
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Number of Restricted Stock Units: |
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Vesting Schedule: | Subject to the Participants Continuous Service through each applicable vesting date, the RSU Award will vest as follows: | |
[ ]. | ||
Issuance Schedule: | One share of Common Stock will be issued for each restricted stock unit which vests at the time set forth in Section 6 of the Agreement. |
Participant Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:
| The RSU Award is governed by this RSU Award Grant Notice (this Grant Notice), and the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Agreement (together, the RSU Award Agreement) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. |
| You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the RSU Award Agreement and the document containing the Plan information specified in Section 10(a) of the Securities Act (the Prospectus). In the event of any conflict between the provisions in the RSU Award Agreement, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control. |
| You consent to receive this Grant Notice, the RSU Award Agreement, the Plan, the Prospectus and any other Plan-related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. |
| The RSU Award Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of: (i) other equity awards previously granted to you, and (ii) any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this RSU Award. |
| Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. |
TOURMALINE BIO, INC. | PARTICIPANT: | |||||||
By: |
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Signature | Signature | |||||||
Title: |
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Date: |
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ATTACHMENTS: RSU Award Agreement, 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
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TOURMALINE BIO, INC.
2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
AWARD AGREEMENT (RSU AWARD)
As reflected by your Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (Grant Notice) Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (the Company) has granted you a RSU Award under its 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) for the number of restricted stock units as indicated in your Grant Notice (the RSU Award). The terms of your RSU Award as specified in this Award Agreement for your RSU Award (this Agreement) and the Grant Notice constitute your RSU Award Agreement. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable.
The general terms applicable to your RSU Award are as follows:
1. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your RSU Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to the provisions in:
(a) Section 6 of the Plan regarding the impact of a Capitalization Adjustment, dissolution, liquidation, or Corporate Transaction on your RSU Award;
(b) Section 9(e) of the Plan regarding the Companys retained rights to terminate your Continuous Service notwithstanding the grant of the RSU Award; and
(c) Section 8(c) of the Plan regarding the tax consequences of your RSU Award.
Your RSU Award is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the RSU Award Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. Your RSU Award (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your RSU Award) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a resignation for good reason, or for a constructive termination or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.
2. GRANT OF THE RSU AWARD. This RSU Award represents your right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of the Companys Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units indicated in the Grant Notice as modified to reflect any Capitalization Adjustment and subject to your satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth therein (the Restricted Stock Units). Any additional Restricted Stock Units that become subject to the RSU Award pursuant to Capitalization Adjustments as set forth in the Plan and the provisions of Section 4 below, if any, shall be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other Restricted Stock Units covered by your RSU Award.
3. VESTING. Your Restricted Stock Units will vest, if at all, in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice, subject to the provisions contained herein and the terms of the Plan. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service and the Restricted Stock Units that were not vested on the date of such termination will be forfeited at no cost to the Company and you will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSU Award or the Common Stock to be issued in respect of such portion of the RSU Award.
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4. DIVIDENDS. You may become entitled to receive payments equal to any cash dividends and other distributions paid with respect to a corresponding number of shares of Common Stock to be issued in respect of the Restricted Stock Units covered by your RSU Award. Any such dividends or distributions shall be subject to the same forfeiture restrictions as apply to the Restricted Stock Units and shall be paid at the same time that the corresponding shares are issued in respect of your vested Restricted Stock Units, provided, however that to the extent any such dividends or distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock, then you will automatically be granted a corresponding number of additional Restricted Stock Units subject to the RSU Award (the Dividend Units), and further provided that such Dividend Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture restrictions and restrictions on transferability, and same timing requirements for issuance of shares, as apply to the Restricted Stock Units subject to the RSU Award with respect to which the Dividend Units relate.
5. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for, any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise in connection with your RSU Award (the Withholding Obligation) in accordance with the withholding procedures established by the Company. Unless the Withholding Obligation is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock in respect of the RSU Award. In the event the Withholding Obligation of the Company arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Stock or it is determined after the delivery of Common Stock to you that the amount of the Withholding Obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.
6. DATE OF ISSUANCE.
(a) The issuance of shares in respect of the Restricted Stock Units is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner. Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligation, if any, in the event one or more Restricted Stock Units vests, the Company shall issue to you one (1) share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under Section 4 above, and subject to any different provisions in the Grant Notice). Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an Original Issuance Date.
(b) If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day. In addition, if:
(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an open window period applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Companys then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Companys policies (a 10b5-1 Arrangement) or under such other policy expressly approved by the Company), and
(ii) either (1) a Withholding Obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Withholding Obligation by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to you under this Award, and (B) not to permit you to enter into a same day sale commitment with a broker-dealer (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Withholding Obligation in cash,
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(iii) then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of the Companys Common Stock in the open public market or on such other date determined by the Company, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the applicable year following the year in which the shares of Common Stock under this RSU Award are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).
(c) To the extent the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt Award, the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan shall apply.
7. LOCK-UP PERIOD. By accepting your RSU Award, you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the Lock-Up Period); provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 7 will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 7. The underwriters of the Companys stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 7 and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
8. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, your RSU Award is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution.
9. CORPORATE TRANSACTION. Your RSU Award is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.
10. RSU AWARD NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT.
(a) Nothing in this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the vesting of your RSU Award or the issuance of the shares in respect of your RSU Award), the Plan or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in this Agreement or the Plan shall: (i) confer upon you any right to continue in the employ or service of, or affiliation with, the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or affiliation; (iii) confer any right or benefit under this Agreement or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of this Agreement or Plan; or (iv) deprive the Company of the right to terminate you at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that you may have.
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(b) By accepting this RSU Award, you acknowledge and agree that the right to continue vesting in the RSU Award pursuant to the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice may not be earned unless (in addition to any other conditions described in the Grant Notice and this Agreement) you continue as an employee, director or consultant at the will of the Company and affiliate, as applicable (not through the act of being hired, being granted this RSU Award or any other award or benefit) and that the Company has the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a reorganization). You acknowledge and agree that such a reorganization could result in the termination of your Continuous Service, or the termination of Affiliate status of your employer and the loss of benefits available to you under this Agreement, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the RSU Award. You further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, the Plan, the transactions contemplated hereunder and the vesting schedule set forth herein or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in any of them do not constitute an express or implied promise of continued engagement as an employee or consultant for the term of this Agreement, for any period, or at all, and shall not interfere in any way with the Companys right to terminate your Continuous Service at any time, with or without your cause or notice, or to conduct a reorganization.
11. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. You may not be issued any Common Stock under your RSU Award unless the Common Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units are either (i) then registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Your RSU Award must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the RSU Award, and you shall not receive such Common Stock if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.
12. NO LIABILITY FOR TAXES. As a condition to accepting the RSU Award, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the RSU Award or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the RSU Award and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.
13. SEVERABILITY. If any part of this RSU Award Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or Governmental Body to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this RSU Award Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this RSU Award Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
14. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Companys Insider Trading Policy.
15. HEADINGS. The headings of the Sections in this RSU Award Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this RSU Award Agreement or to affect the meaning of this RSU Award Agreement.
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16. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. This RSU Award is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code, including but not limited to by reason of complying with the short-term deferral rule set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the RSU Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise not exempt from, and determined to be deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, this RSU Award shall comply with Section 409A to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal tax consequences and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. If it is determined that the RSU Award is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and you are a Specified Employee (within the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of your Separation from Service (as defined in Section 409A), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of your Separation from Service or within the first six (6) months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six (6) months and one day after the date of the Separation from Service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of adverse taxation on you in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code. Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
17. QUESTIONS. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your RSU Award, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.
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Exhibit 10.10
TOURMALINE BIO, INC.
2023 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: JUNE 22, 2023
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: OCTOBER 17, 2023
1. GENERAL; PURPOSE.
(a) The Plan provides a means by which Eligible Employees of the Company and certain Designated Companies may be given an opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock. The Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, the Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees that do not meet the requirements of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(b) The Plan includes two components: a 423 Component and a Non-423 Component. The Company intends (but makes no undertaking or representation to maintain) the 423 Component to qualify as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The provisions of the 423 Component, accordingly, will be construed in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. In addition, this Plan authorizes grants of Purchase Rights under the Non-423 Component that do not meet the requirements of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or determined by the Board, the Non-423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the 423 Component. In addition, the Company may make separate Offerings which vary in terms (provided that such terms are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or the requirements of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan to the extent the Offering is made under the 423 Component), and the Company will designate which Designated Company is participating in each separate Offering.
(c) The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of Eligible Employees, to secure and retain the services of new Employees and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Related Corporations.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section .
(b) The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine how and when Purchase Rights will be granted and the provisions of each Offering (which need not be identical).
(ii) To designate from time to time (A) which Related Corporations of the Company will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated 423 Companies, (B) which Related Corporations or Affiliates will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated Non-423 Companies, (C) which Affiliates or Related Corporations may be excluded from participation in the Plan, and (D) which Designated Companies will participate in each separate Offering (to the extent that the Company makes separate Offerings).
(iii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Purchase Rights, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.
(iv) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Purchase Rights granted under the Plan.
(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time as provided in Section .
(vi) To amend the Plan at any time as provided in Section .
(vii) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as it deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and its Related Corporations and to carry out the intent that the Plan be treated as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan with respect to the 423 Component.
(viii) To adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit or facilitate participation in the Plan by Employees who are foreign nationals or employed or located outside the United States. Without limiting the generality of, and consistent with, the foregoing, the Board specifically is authorized to adopt rules, procedures, and sub-plans regarding, without limitation, eligibility to participate in the Plan, the definition of eligible earnings, handling and making of Contributions, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold Contributions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of share issuances, any of which may vary according to applicable requirements, and which, if applicable to a Designated Non-423 Company, do not have to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.
(c) The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan and any applicable Offering Document to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Further, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may, from time to time, delegate some or all of its authority under the Plan to one or more officers of the Company or other persons or groups of persons as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable under conditions or limitations that it may set at or after the time of the delegation. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated. Whether or not the Board has delegated administration of the Plan to a Committee, the Board will have the final power to determine all questions of policy and expediency that may arise in the administration of the Plan.
(d) All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
3. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan will not exceed a number of shares of Common Stock equal to one percent (1%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding determined as of immediately after the Effective Time) (the Initial Share Reserve), plus the number of shares of Common Stock that are automatically added on January 1st of each year for a period
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of up to ten years commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2033, in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) one percent (1%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding determined as of the day prior to such increase and (y) a number of shares equal to three times the Initial Share Reserve. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the first day of any calendar year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the share reserve for such calendar year or that the increase in the share reserve for such calendar year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. For the avoidance of doubt, up to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved under this Section 3(a) may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Stock under the 423 Component and any remaining portion of such maximum number of shares may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Stock under the Non-423 Component.
(b) If any Purchase Right granted under the Plan terminates without having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not purchased under such Purchase Right will again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c) The stock purchasable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market.
4. GRANT OF PURCHASE RIGHTS; OFFERING.
(a) The Board may from time to time grant or provide for the grant of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Offering (consisting of one or more Purchase Periods) on an Offering Date or Offering Dates selected by the Board. Each Offering will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate, and with respect to the 423 Component, will comply with the requirement of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code that all Employees granted Purchase Rights will have the same rights and privileges. The terms and conditions of an Offering shall be incorporated by reference into the Plan and treated as part of the Plan. The provisions of separate Offerings need not be identical, but each Offering will include (through incorporation of the provisions of this Plan by reference in the document comprising the Offering or otherwise) the period during which the Offering will be effective, which period will not exceed 27 months beginning with the Offering Date, and the substance of the provisions contained in Sections through , inclusive.
(b) If a Participant has more than one Purchase Right outstanding under the Plan, unless he or she otherwise indicates in forms delivered to the Company or a third party designated by the Company (each, a Company Designee): (i) each form will apply to all of his or her Purchase Rights under the Plan, and (ii) a Purchase Right with a lower exercise price (or an earlier-granted Purchase Right, if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised to the fullest possible extent before a Purchase Right with a higher exercise price (or a later-granted Purchase Right if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised.
(c) The Board will have the discretion to structure an Offering so that if the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first Trading Day of a new Purchase Period within that Offering is less than or equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Offering Date for that Offering, then (i) that Offering will terminate immediately as of that first Trading Day, and (ii) the Participants in such terminated Offering will be automatically enrolled in a new Offering beginning on the first Trading Day of such new Purchase Period.
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5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Purchase Rights may be granted only to Employees of the Company or, as the Board may designate in accordance with Section , to Employees of a Related Corporation or an Affiliate. Except as provided in Section or as required by Applicable Law, an Employee will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights unless, on the Offering Date, the Employee has been in the employ of the Company, the Related Corporation or the Affiliate, as the case may be, for such continuous period preceding such Offering Date as the Board may (unless prohibited by Applicable Law) require, but in no event will the required period of continuous employment be equal to or greater than two years. In addition, the Board may provide that no Employee will be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights under the Plan unless, on the Offering Date, such Employees customary employment with the Company, the Related Corporation, or the Affiliate is more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year or such other criteria as the Board may determine consistent with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component. The Board may also exclude from participation in the Plan or any Offering Employees who are highly compensated employees (within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code) of the Company or a Related Corporation or a subset of such highly compensated employees.
(b) The Board may provide that each person who, during the course of an Offering, first becomes an Eligible Employee will, on a date or dates specified in the Offering which coincides with the day on which such person becomes an Eligible Employee or which occurs thereafter, receive a Purchase Right under that Offering, which Purchase Right will thereafter be deemed to be a part of that Offering. Such Purchase Right will have the same characteristics as any Purchase Rights originally granted under that Offering, as described herein, except that:
(i) the date on which such Purchase Right is granted will be the Offering Date of such Purchase Right for all purposes, including determination of the exercise price of such Purchase Right;
(ii) the period of the Offering with respect to such Purchase Right will begin on its Offering Date and end coincident with the end of such Offering; and
(iii) the Board may provide that if such person first becomes an Eligible Employee within a specified period of time before the end of the Offering, he or she will not receive any Purchase Right under that Offering.
(c) No Employee will be eligible for the grant of any Purchase Rights under the 423 Component if, immediately after any such Purchase Rights are granted, such Employee owns stock possessing five percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Related Corporation. For purposes of this Section , the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code will apply in determining the stock ownership of any Employee, and stock which such Employee may purchase under all outstanding Purchase Rights and options will be treated as stock owned by such Employee.
(d) As specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, an Eligible Employee may be granted Purchase Rights under the 423 Component only if such Purchase Rights, together with any other rights granted under all Employee Stock Purchase Plans of the Company and any Related Corporations, do not permit such Eligible Employees rights to purchase stock of the Company or any Related Corporation to accrue at a rate which, when aggregated, exceeds $25,000 of Fair Market Value of such stock (determined at the time such rights are granted, and which, with respect to the Plan, will be determined as of their respective Offering Dates) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time.
(e) Officers of the Company and any Designated Company, if they are otherwise Eligible Employees, will be eligible to participate in Offerings under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may (unless prohibited by Applicable Law) provide in an Offering that Employees who are highly compensated Employees within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code will not be eligible to participate.
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(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5 to the contrary, in the case of an Offering under the Non-423 Component, an Eligible Employee (or group of Eligible Employees) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering if the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, that participation of such Eligible Employee(s) is not advisable or practical for any reason.
6. PURCHASE RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE.
(a) On each Offering Date, each Eligible Employee, pursuant to an Offering made under the Plan, will be granted a Purchase Right to purchase up to that number of shares of Common Stock purchasable either with a percentage or with a maximum dollar amount, as designated by the Board during the period that begins on the Offering Date (or such later date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date stated in the Offering, which date will be no later than the end of the Offering.
(b) The Board will establish one or more Purchase Dates during an Offering on which Purchase Rights granted for that Offering will be exercised and shares of Common Stock will be purchased in accordance with such Offering.
(c) In connection with each Offering made under the Plan, the Board may specify (i) a maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by any Participant on any Purchase Date during such Offering, (ii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all Participants pursuant to such Offering and/or (iii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all Participants on any Purchase Date under the Offering. If the aggregate purchase of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Purchase Rights granted under the Offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then, in the absence of any Board action otherwise, a pro rata (based on each Participants accumulated Contributions) allocation of the shares of Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) available will be made in as nearly a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.
(d) The purchase price of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to Purchase Rights will be specified by the Board prior to commencement of an Offering and will not be less than the lesser of:
(i) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the Offering Date; or
(ii) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the applicable Purchase Date.
7. PARTICIPATION; WITHDRAWAL; TERMINATION.
(a) An Eligible Employee may elect to participate in an Offering and authorize payroll deductions as the means of making Contributions by completing and delivering to the Company or a Company Designee, within the time specified in the Offering, an enrollment form provided by the Company or Company Designee. The enrollment form will specify the amount of Contributions not to exceed the maximum amount specified by the Board. Each Participants Contributions will be credited to a bookkeeping account for such Participant under the Plan and will be deposited with the general funds of the Company except where Applicable Law requires that Contributions be deposited with a third party. If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may begin such Contributions with the first payroll occurring on or after the Offering Date (or, in the case of a payroll date that occurs after the end of the prior Offering but before the Offering Date of the next new Offering, Contributions from such payroll will be included in the new Offering). If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may thereafter reduce (including to zero) or increase his or her Contributions. If required under Applicable Law or if specifically provided in the Offering and to the extent permitted by Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component, in addition to or instead of making Contributions by payroll deductions, a Participant may make Contributions through payment by cash, check or wire transfer prior to a Purchase Date.
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(b) During an Offering, a Participant may cease making Contributions and withdraw from the Offering by delivering to the Company or a Company Designee a withdrawal form provided by the Company. The Company may impose a deadline before a Purchase Date for withdrawing. Upon such withdrawal, such Participants Purchase Right in that Offering will immediately terminate and the Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such Participant all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions and such Participants Purchase Right in that Offering shall thereupon terminate. A Participants withdrawal from that Offering will have no effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any other Offerings under the Plan, but such Participant will be required to deliver a new enrollment form to participate in subsequent Offerings.
(c) Unless otherwise required by Applicable Law, Purchase Rights granted pursuant to any Offering under the Plan will terminate immediately if the Participant either (i) is no longer an Employee for any reason or for no reason (subject to any post-employment participation period required by Applicable Law) or (ii) is otherwise no longer eligible to participate. The Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such individual all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions.
(d) Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between the Company and a Designated Company or between Designated Companies will not be treated as having terminated employment for purposes of participating in the Plan or an Offering; however, if a Participant transfers from an Offering under the 423 Component to an Offering under the Non-423 Component, the exercise of the Participants Purchase Right will be qualified under the 423 Component only to the extent such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a Participant transfers from an Offering under the Non-423 Component to an Offering under the 423 Component, the exercise of the Purchase Right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Component. The Board may establish different and additional rules governing transfers between separate Offerings within the 423 Component and between Offerings under the 423 Component and Offerings under the Non-423 Component.
(e) During a Participants lifetime, Purchase Rights will be exercisable only by such Participant. Purchase Rights are not transferable by a Participant, except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or, if permitted by the Company, by a beneficiary designation as described in Section .
(f) Unless otherwise specified in the Offering or as required by Applicable Law, the Company will have no obligation to pay interest on Contributions.
8. EXERCISE OF PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a) On each Purchase Date, each Participants accumulated Contributions will be applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock, up to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock permitted by the Plan and the applicable Offering, at the purchase price specified in the Offering. No fractional shares will be issued unless specifically provided for in the Offering.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in the Offering, if any amount of accumulated Contributions remains in a Participants account after the purchase of shares of Common Stock and such remaining amount is less than the amount required to purchase one share of Common Stock on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will be held in such Participants account for the purchase of shares of Common Stock under the next Offering under the Plan, unless such Participant withdraws from
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or is not eligible to participate in such next Offering, in which case such amount will be distributed to such Participant after the final Purchase Date without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law). If the amount of Contributions remaining in a Participants account after the purchase of shares of Common Stock is at least equal to the amount required to purchase one (1) whole share of Common Stock on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will be distributed in full to such Participant after the final Purchase Date of such Offering without interest (unless otherwise required by Applicable Law).
(c) No Purchase Rights may be exercised to any extent unless the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise under the Plan are covered by an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the Plan is in material compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state, foreign and other securities, exchange control and other laws applicable to the Plan. If on a Purchase Date the shares of Common Stock are not so registered or the Plan is not in such compliance, no Purchase Rights will be exercised on such Purchase Date, and, subject to Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component, the Purchase Date will be delayed until the shares of Common Stock are subject to such an effective registration statement and the Plan is in material compliance, except that the Purchase Date will in no event be more than 27 months from the Offering Date. If, on the Purchase Date, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible, the shares of Common Stock are not registered and the Plan is not in material compliance with all Applicable Laws, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, no Purchase Rights will be exercised and all accumulated but unused Contributions will be distributed to the Participants without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law).
9. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
The Company will seek to obtain from each U.S. federal or state, foreign or other regulatory commission, agency or other Governmental Body having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Purchase Rights and issue and sell shares of Common Stock thereunder unless the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that doing so is not practical or would cause the Company to incur costs that are unreasonable. If, after commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the grant of Purchase Rights or the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, and at a commercially reasonable cost, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to grant Purchase Rights and/or to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Purchase Rights.
10. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.
(a) The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit a Participant to submit a form designating a beneficiary who will receive any shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions from the Participants account under the Plan if the Participant dies before such shares and/or Contributions are delivered to the Participant. The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit the Participant to change such designation of beneficiary. Any such designation and/or change must be on a form approved by the Company.
(b) If a Participant dies, and in the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, the Company will deliver any shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant. If no executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its sole discretion, may deliver such shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions, without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law) to the Participants spouse, dependents or relatives, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.
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11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
(a) In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section , (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each year pursuant to Section , (iii) the class(es) and number of securities subject to, and the purchase price applicable to outstanding Offerings and Purchase Rights, and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities that are the subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing Offering. The Board will make these adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.
(b) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then: (i) any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporations parent company) may assume or continue outstanding Purchase Rights or may substitute similar rights (including a right to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the Corporate Transaction) for outstanding Purchase Rights, or (ii) if any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such Purchase Rights or does not substitute similar rights for such Purchase Rights, then the Participants accumulated Contributions will be used to purchase shares of Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) within ten business days (or such other period specified by the Board) prior to the Corporate Transaction under the outstanding Purchase Rights, and the Purchase Rights will terminate immediately after such purchase.
12. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) The Board may amend the Plan at any time in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable. However, except as provided in Section relating to Capitalization Adjustments, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment of the Plan for which stockholder approval is required by Applicable Law.
(b) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Purchase Rights may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(c) Any benefits, privileges, entitlements and obligations under any outstanding Purchase Rights granted before an amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan will not be materially impaired by any such amendment, suspension or termination except (i) with the consent of the person to whom such Purchase Rights were granted, (ii) as necessary to facilitate compliance with any laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 423 of the Code and the regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder relating to Employee Stock Purchase Plans) including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued or amended after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain favorable tax, listing, or regulatory treatment. To be clear, the Board may amend outstanding Purchase Rights without a Participants consent if such amendment is necessary to ensure that the Purchase Right and/or the Plan complies with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component or with respect to other Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Offering Document to the contrary, the Board will be entitled to: (i) establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars; (ii) permit Contributions in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for mistakes in the Companys processing of properly completed Contribution elections; (iii) establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participants Contributions; (iv) amend any outstanding Purchase Rights or clarify any ambiguities regarding the terms of any Offering to enable the Purchase Rights to qualify under and/or comply with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component; and (v) establish other limitations or procedures as the Board determines in its sole discretion advisable that are consistent with the Plan. The actions of the Board pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair any Purchase Rights granted under an Offering as they are part of the initial terms of each Offering and the Purchase Rights granted under each Offering.
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13. TAX QUALIFICATION; TAX WITHHOLDING.
(a) Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify a Purchase Right for special tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment, the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain special or to avoid unfavorable tax treatment, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan. The Company will be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on Participants.
(b) Each Participant will make arrangements, satisfactory to the Company and any applicable Related Corporation, to enable the Company or the Related Corporation to fulfill any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items. Without limitation to the foregoing, in the Companys sole discretion and subject to Applicable Law, such withholding obligation may be satisfied in whole or in part by (i) withholding from the Participants salary or any other cash payment due to the Participant from the Company or a Related Corporation; (ii) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company; or (iii) any other method deemed acceptable by the Board. The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.
(c) The 423 Component is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted to so be exempt from Section 409A of the Code. The Non-423 Component is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under the short-term deferral exception and any ambiguities shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. In furtherance of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Committee determines that an option granted under the Plan may be subject to Section 409A of the Code or that any provision in the Plan would cause an option under the Plan to be subject to Section 409A, the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan and/or of an outstanding option granted under the Plan, or take such other action the Committee determines is necessary or appropriate, in each case, without the Participants consent, to exempt any outstanding option or future option that may be granted under the Plan from or to allow any such options to comply with Section 409A of the Code, but only to the extent any such amendments or action by the Committee would not violate Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to a Participant or any other party if the option under the Plan that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee with respect thereto.
14. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan will become effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the Effective Date. No Purchase Rights will be exercised unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval must be within 12 months before or after the date the Plan is adopted (or if required under Section 12(a) above, materially amended) by the Board.
15. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Purchase Rights will constitute general funds of the Company.
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(b) A Participant will not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, shares of Common Stock subject to Purchase Rights unless and until the Participants shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of Purchase Rights are recorded in the books of the Company (or its transfer agent).
(c) The Plan and Offering do not constitute an employment contract. Nothing in the Plan or in the Offering will in any way alter the at will nature of a Participants employment or amend a Participants employment contract, if applicable, or be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on the part of any Participant to continue in the employ of the Company or a Related Corporation or an Affiliate, or on the part of the Company, a Related Corporation or an Affiliate to continue the employment of a Participant.
(d) The provisions of the Plan will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without resort to that states conflicts of laws rules.
(e) If any particular provision of the Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such provision will not affect the other provisions of the Plan, but the Plan will be construed in all respects as if such invalid provision were omitted.
(f) If any provision of the Plan does not comply with Applicable Law, such provision shall be construed in such a manner as to comply with Applicable Law.
16. DEFINITIONS.
As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) 423 Component means the part of the Plan, which excludes the Non-423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.
(b) Affiliate means any entity, other than a Related Corporation, whether now or subsequently established, which is at the time of determination, a parent or subsidiary of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Board may determine the time or times at which parent or subsidiary status is determined within the foregoing definition.
(c) Applicable Law means shall mean the Code and any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (or under the authority of the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Market or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
(d) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) Capitalization Adjustment means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Purchase Right after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
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(f) Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(g) Committee means a committee of one or more members of the Board to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(h) Common Stock means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
(i) Company means Tourmaline Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(j) Contributions means the payroll deductions and other additional payments specifically provided for in the Offering that a Participant contributes to fund the exercise of a Purchase Right. A Participant may make additional payments into his or her account if specifically provided for in the Offering, and then only if the Participant has not already had the maximum permitted amount withheld during the Offering through payroll deductions and, with respect to the 423 Component, to the extent permitted by Section 423.
(k) Corporate Transaction means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
(l) Designated 423 Company means any Related Corporation selected by the Board as participating in the 423 Component.
(m) Designated Company means any Designated Non-423 Company or Designated 423 Company, provided, however, that at any given time, a Related Corporation participating in the 423 Component shall not be a Related Corporation participating in the Non-423 Component.
(n) Designated Non-423 Company means any Related Corporation or Affiliate selected by the Board as participating in the Non-423 Component.
(o) Director means a member of the Board.
(p) Effective Date means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
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(q) Effective Time shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.
(r) Eligible Employee means an Employee who meets the requirements set forth in the document(s) governing the Offering for eligibility to participate in the Offering, provided that such Employee also meets the requirements for eligibility to participate set forth in the Plan.
(s) Employee means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is employed for purposes of Section 423(b)(4) of the Code by the Company or a Related Corporation or solely with respect to the Non-423 Component, an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an Employee for purposes of the Plan.
(t) Employee Stock Purchase Plan means a plan that grants Purchase Rights intended to be options issued under an employee stock purchase plan, as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.
(u) Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in such source as the Board deems reliable. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith in compliance with Applicable Laws and regulations and, to the extent applicable as determined in the sole discretion of the Board, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
(w) Governmental Body means any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (d) self-regulatory organization (including the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Stock Market and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
(x) Merger Agreement means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 22, 2023, among Talaris Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Terrain), Terrain Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Terrain, and Tourmaline Bio, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(y) Non-423 Component means the part of the Plan, which excludes the 423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that are not intended to satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.
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(z) Offering means the grant to Eligible Employees of Purchase Rights, with the exercise of those Purchase Rights automatically occurring at the end of one or more Purchase Periods. The terms and conditions of an Offering will generally be set forth in the Offering Document approved by the Board for that Offering.
(aa) Offering Date means a date selected by the Board for an Offering to commence.
(bb) Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Corporation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(cc) Participant means an Eligible Employee who holds an outstanding Purchase Right.
(dd) Plan means this Tourmaline Bio, Inc. 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended from time to time, including both the 423 Component and the Non-423 Component.
(ee) Purchase Date means one or more dates during an Offering selected by the Board on which Purchase Rights will be exercised and on which purchases of shares of Common Stock will be carried out in accordance with such Offering.
(ff) Purchase Period means a period of time specified within an Offering, generally beginning on the Offering Date or on the first Trading Day following a Purchase Date, and ending on a Purchase Date. An Offering may consist of one or more Purchase Periods.
(gg) Purchase Right means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(hh) Related Corporation means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company whether now or subsequently established, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.
(ii) Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(jj) Tax-Related Items means any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items arising out of or in relation to a Participants participation in the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise of a Purchase Right and the receipt of shares of Common Stock or the sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan.
(kk) Trading Day means any day on which the exchange(s) or market(s) on which shares of Common Stock are listed, including but not limited to the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or any successors thereto, is open for trading.
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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-266875 on Form S-3 and Registration Statements Nos. 333-255835, 333-263647, and 333-271033 on Forms S-8, of Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (formerly, Talaris Therapeutics, Inc.) of our report dated June 9, 2023, relating to the financial statements of Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (now known as Tourmaline Sub, Inc.) appearing in the definitive proxy statement filed by Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 19, 2023.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP |
Morristown, New Jersey |
October 19, 2023 |
Exhibit 99.1
Tourmaline Bio Announces Closing of Merger with Talaris Therapeutics and Concurrent Private Placement of $75 Million
Tourmaline will be focused on advancing TOUR006, its differentiated anti-IL-6 antibody, to treat thyroid eye disease (TED), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other diseases
Post-transaction cash, cash equivalents and investments of approximately $218 million expected to fund operations through 2026, including key data readouts from the Phase 2b trial in TED and the Phase 2 trial in ASCVD
Shares to trade on Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol TRML commencing on October 20, 2023
NEW YORK., October 19, 2023 Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (Tourmaline) (Nasdaq: TRML), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company developing transformative medicines to dramatically improve the lives of patients with life-altering immune diseases, today announced the completion of its previously announced merger with Talaris Therapeutics, Inc. (Talaris). The combined company will operate under the name, Tourmaline Bio, Inc., and its shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on October 20, 2023 under the ticker symbol TRML.
Concurrent with the merger, Tourmaline completed a $75 million private placement with a syndicate of new and existing institutional life sciences investors including Acuta Capital Partners, Affinity Asset Advisors, Braidwell LP, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Deep Track Capital, Great Point Partners, LLC, KVP Capital, Logos Capital, Paradigm BioCapital, Qiming Venture Partners USA, RA Capital Management, LP, StemPoint Capital LP, TCGX, Vivo Capital, and other undisclosed investors. Following the transactions, Tourmalines cash, cash equivalents and investments of approximately $218 million, before payment of final transaction-related expenses, is expected to fund operations through 2026.
We are thrilled to close this transaction and move Tourmaline into its next phase as a public company, leading an IL-6 renaissance and continuing to accelerate TOUR006 through late-stage clinical trials in TED, ASCVD and other diseases, said Sandeep Kulkarni, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Tourmaline. We believe our strong balance sheet will allow us to reach key value-creating milestones through 2026, including advancing enrollment in our Phase 2b spiriTED trial of TOUR006 for the treatment of TED this year, obtaining topline TED clinical data expected in the first half of 2025, and initiating our Phase 2 ASCVD trial in 2024.
Tourmalines lead program for TOUR006, an anti-IL-6 antibody that exhibits differentiated properties including high binding affinity to IL-6 and a naturally long half-life, is in TED. TOUR006 is currently in a Phase 2b spiriTED study in TED, an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and disfigurement around the eye which can be sight-threatening in severe cases. Off-label use of IL-6 pathway inhibitors in TED has been well-documented in literature, demonstrating strong evidence of ability to reduce inflammation, eye-bulging, and key biomarkers such as pathogenic autoantibodies. Tourmaline also plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial of TOUR006 in ASCVD in 2024. ASCVD continues to be a leading cause of death globally despite the wide availability of oral therapies and IL-6 has been implicated as a promising drug target for addressing ASCVD by over two decades of clinical, genetic, and experimental research. Tourmaline plans to pursue additional opportunities for TOUR006 to treat other indications from among the wide array of diseases where IL-6 inhibition has been validated.
Transaction Details
In connection with the closing of the merger, Talaris enacted a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its common stock and issued a special cash dividend to Talaris shareholders of record as of October 16, 2023 that continue to hold their eligible shares of Talaris until market open on October 20, 2023, the ex-dividend date in respect of such special cash dividend. Following the reverse stock split and the closing of the merger, there are approximately 20,336,773 shares of the combined companys common stock outstanding, with prior Talaris stockholders owning approximately 21.9% and prior Tourmaline stockholders (including investors in the private placement) holding approximately 78.1% of the combined companys outstanding common stock.
Cooley LLP served as legal counsel to Tourmaline and Jefferies, Piper Sandler, Guggenheim Securities, and Truist Securities served as placement agents to Tourmaline in the private placement. Leerink Partners served as exclusive financial advisor and Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Talaris.
About Tourmaline Bio
Tourmaline Bio is a late-stage clinical biotechnology company driven by its mission to develop transformative medicines that dramatically improve the lives of patients with life-altering immune diseases. Tourmalines lead program, TOUR006, is an anti-IL-6 antibody that exhibits differentiated properties including high binding affinity to IL-6 and a naturally long half-life. To date, TOUR006 has been studied in over 400 autoimmune patients across six clinical trials. Tourmaline plans to develop TOUR006 in thyroid eye disease (TED) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as its first two indications, with additional indications under consideration.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, express or implied statements regarding the potential of, and expectations regarding, Tourmalines product candidates, including TOUR006; expectations regarding the sufficiency of the combined companys capital resources and cash runway; statements by Tourmalines Chief Executive Officer; and other statements that are not historical fact. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued, and were based on the then-current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections, as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Tourmaline will be those that have been anticipated.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Tourmalines control. Tourmalines actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to (i) the uncertainties associated with Tourmalines platform technologies, as well as risks associated with the clinical development and regulatory approval of product candidates, including potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical trials; (ii) risks related to the inability of the combined company to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance its product candidates and its preclinical programs; (iii) uncertainties in obtaining successful clinical results for product candidates of the combined company and unexpected costs that may result therefrom; (iv) risks related to the failure to realize any value from product candidates and preclinical programs being developed and anticipated to be developed by the combined company in light of inherent risks and difficulties involved in successfully bringing product candidates to market; and (v) risks associated with the possible failure to realize certain anticipated benefits of the merger, including with respect to future financial and operating results. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including the factors described in the section titled Risk Factors in Tourmalines (formerly Talaris) most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC as well as the final prospectus on Form 424(b)(3) filed with the SEC on September 15, 2023. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements. Except as may be required under applicable law, Tourmaline expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. This press release does not purport to summarize all of the conditions, risks and other attributes of an investment in Tourmaline.
Contact:
Lee M. Stern
Meru Advisors
lstern@meruadvisors.com