Stock Options (a) Subject to Section 5.5(b), at the Effective Time, all rights with respect to Company Common Stock under each Company Option then outstanding shall be converted into and become rights with respect to Parent Common Stock, and Parent shall assume each such Company Option in accordance with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code (as in effect as of the date of this Agreement) and the terms of the stock option plan under which it was issued and the stock option agreement by which it is evidenced. From and after the Effective Time, (i) each Company Option assumed by Parent may be exercised solely for shares of Parent Common Stock, (ii) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock subject to each such Company Option shall be equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, rounding down to the nearest whole share (with cash, less the applicable exercise price, being payable for any fraction of a share), (iii) the per share exercise price under each such Company Option shall be adjusted by dividing the per share exercise price under such Company Option by the Exchange Ratio and rounding up to the nearest cent and (iv) any restriction on the exercise of any such Company Option shall continue in full force and effect and the term, exercisability, vesting schedule and other provisions of such Company Option shall otherwise remain unchanged; provided, however, that each Company Option assumed by Parent in accordance with this Section 5.5(a) shall, in accordance with its terms, be subject to further adjustment as appropriate to reflect any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction subsequent to the Effective Time.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.5, in lieu of assuming outstanding Company Options in accordance with Section 5.5(a), Parent may, at its election, cause such outstanding Company Options to be replaced by issuing equivalent replacement stock options in substitution therefor that are substantially the same.
(c) The Company shall take all action that may be necessary (under the plans pursuant to which Company Options are outstanding and otherwise) to effectuate the provisions of this Section 5.5 and to ensure that, from and after the Effective Time, holders of Company Options have no rights with respect thereto other than those specifically provided in this Section 5.5.
