MannKind Corporation Change of Control Agreement
Exhibit 99.1
MannKind Corporation
This Change of Control Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated and effective as of April 6, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), is between MannKind Corporation, a Delaware corporation (together with its affiliates, the “Company”), and [ ] (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to ensure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in Section 1 hereof) of the Company.
AND WHEREAS the Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive arising from the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control, to encourage the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with reasonable compensation and benefit arrangements upon a Change of Control.
NOW THEREFORE, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
1. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings:
(a) | “Accrued Obligations” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1; |
(b) | “Change of Control” shall have the Definition set forth in Appendix A hereto, which is hereby incorporated by reference; |
(c) | Change of Control Date” shall mean the first date on which a Change of Control occurs; |
(d) | “Change of Control Period” shall mean the two (2) year period commencing on the Change of Control Date and ending on the second anniversary of such date; |
(e) | “Incumbent Directors” includes only those persons who are: |
(i) | serving as directors of the Company on the date of this Agreement or, |
(ii) | elected by a majority of the directors who then constitute Incumbent Directors or selected by a majority of such directors to be nominated for election by the stockholders and are elected. |
In no event, however, shall any director whose election to office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents on behalf of a person or entity other than the Board be an Incumbent Director.
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(f) | “Person”, “Acquisition”, “Beneficial Ownership” and “Group.” The term “person” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the terms “beneficial ownership,” “acquisition,” and “group” shall have the meanings set forth in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Rules of the Security and Exchange Commission adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 except that shares which a person or group has the right to acquire shall not be deemed beneficially owned until the right is exercised and the shares are so acquired. |
(g) | “Three-Year Average Annual Bonus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. |
2. TERM
The term of this Agreement (“Term”) shall be for a period of two (2) years from the Effective Date; provided, however, that the Term shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year renewal periods (which also shall be referred to herein as the “Term”), unless notice of non-renewal is given by either party to the other party at least ninety (90) days prior to end of the initial Term or the end of any renewal period. If such notice is given, this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Term or the then current renewal Term without further action by either the Company or the Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change of Control occurs during the Term, the Term shall automatically extend for the duration of the Change of Control Period and shall automatically terminate at the end of the Change of Control Period.
3. EMPLOYMENT
3.1 | Change of Control Period |
During the Change of Control Period, the Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ or in the employ of its affiliated companies, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company or its affiliated companies, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that either the Company or the Executive may terminate the employment relationship during the Change of Control Period subject to the terms of this Agreement.
3.2 | Position and Duties |
During the Change of Control Period, the Executive’s position, authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held immediately preceding the Change of Control Date.
3.3 | Location |
During the Change of Control Period, the Executive’s services shall be performed at the location of the Executive’s assigned worksite as of the Change of Control Date.
3.4 | Employment at Will |
The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as otherwise provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company or its affiliated companies is “at will” and may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company or its affiliated companies at any time with or without
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Cause (as defined below). Moreover, if prior to the Change of Control Date, the Executive’s employment with the Company or its affiliated companies terminates for any reason, then the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may not avoid liability for any termination payments that would have been required during the Change of Control Period pursuant to Section 8 hereof by terminating the Executive prior to the Change of Control Period where such termination is carried out in anticipation of a Change of Control and the principal motivating purpose is to avoid liability for such termination payments.
4. ATTENTION AND EFFORT
During the Change of Control Period, and excluding any periods of paid time-off to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive will devote all of his or her productive time, ability, attention and effort to the business and affairs of the Company and the discharge of the responsibilities assigned to him or her hereunder, and will use his or her reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. It shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (a) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (b) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, (c) manage personal investments, or (d) engage in activities permitted by the policies of the Company or as specifically permitted by the Company, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the full time performance of the Executive’s responsibilities in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Change of Control Period, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) during the Change of Control Period shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
5. COMPENSATION
As long as the Executive remains employed by the Company during the Change of Control Period, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, and the Executive agrees to accept in exchange for the services rendered hereunder by him or her, the following compensation:
5.1 | Salary |
The Executive shall receive an annual base salary (the “Annual Base Salary”), at least equal to the annual salary established by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) or the Chief Executive Officer for the fiscal year in which the Change of Control Date occurs. The Annual Base Salary shall be paid in substantially equal installments and at the same intervals as the salaries of other executives of the Company are paid. The Board or the Compensation Committee or the Chief Executive Officer shall review the Annual Base Salary at least annually and shall determine in good faith and consistent with any generally applicable Company policy any increases for future years.
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5.2 | Bonus |
In addition to the Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be offered the opportunity to earn, for each fiscal year ending during the Change of Control Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) payable, if the performance criteria for the bonus are satisfied, in cash in an amount at least equal to the Three-Year Average Annual Bonus. The performance criteria shall be set so that, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof, the Executive has approximately the same probability of earning at least the same amount as the Annual Bonus as his or her Three-Year Average Annual Bonus. “Three-Year Average Annual Bonus” shall mean the average of bonuses paid or payable to the Executive by the Company for each of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the year in which the Change of Control occurs (including the annualized amount of any such bonus paid or payable for any partial year, but excluding stock options or stock awards, deferred compensation earned during any of those years and any sign-on or other one-time-only bonus). If the Executive has not been an executive officer of the Company during the entire three year period referred to above or was not paid a bonus during any of those years, then the Three-Year Average Annual Bonus shall be calculated for such shorter time that he or she was an executive officer of the Company and had been offered a bonus. If the Executive had been offered an opportunity to earn a bonus for the year in which the Change of Control occurs and not in anticipation of the Change of Control, the Three-Year Average Annual Bonus shall exceed the maximum he or she could have earned under that bonus arrangement if all performance criteria were satisfied. Each Annual Bonus, if earned, shall be paid no later than March 15th of the calendar year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive and the Company agree to defer the receipt of the Annual Bonus.
6. BENEFITS
6.1 | Incentive, Retirement and Welfare Benefit Plans; Vacation |
During the Change of Control Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate, subject to and in accordance with applicable eligibility requirements, in such fringe benefit programs as shall be generally made available to other comparable executives of the Company and its affiliated companies from time to time during the Change of Control Period by action of the Board (or any person or committee appointed by the Board to determine fringe benefit programs and other emoluments), including, without limitation, paid vacations; any stock purchase, savings or retirement plan, practice, policy or program; and all welfare benefit plans, practices, policies or programs (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, executive life, group life accidental death and travel accident insurance plans or programs) to the extent such fringe benefits are made available to other comparable executives of the Company.
6.2 | Expenses |
During the Change of Control Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable employment expenses incurred by him or her in accordance with the policies, practice and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the executives of the Company and its affiliated companies during the Change of Control Period.
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7. TERMINATION
During the Change of Control Period, employment of the Executive may be terminated as follows, but, in any case, the nondisclosure provisions set forth in Section 10 hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company:
7.1 | By the Company or the Executive |
At any time during the Change of Control Period, the Company may terminate the employment of the Executive with or without Cause (as defined below), and the Executive may terminate his or her employment for Good Reason (as defined below) or for any reason, upon giving the Notice of Termination (as defined below).
7.2 | Automatic Termination – Death or Disability |
This Agreement and the Executive’s employment during the Change of Control Period shall terminate automatically upon the death or Disability of the Executive. The term “Disability” as used herein shall mean the Executive’s inability to perform the duties set forth in Section 3.2 hereof for a period or periods aggregating twelve (12) weeks in any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period as result of physical or mental illness, injury or impairment, loss of legal capacity or any other cause, subject to the Company’s rights and obligations under applicable law. The Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that the duties specified in Section 3.2 hereof are essential to the Executive’s position and that the Executive’s ability to perform those duties is the essence of this Agreement.
7.3 | Notice of Termination |
Any termination by the Company or by the Executive during the Change of Control Period shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party given in accordance with Section 11 hereof. The term “Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice that (a) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and (b) to the extent applicable, sets forth briefly the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated. The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company hereunder to preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in connection with any enforcement of the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
7.4 | Date of Termination |
During the Change of Control Period, “Date of Termination” means (a) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, (b) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Disability, immediately upon a determination by the Company of the Executive’s Disability, and (c) in all other cases, upon the giving of the Notice
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of Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the party giving the notice in the case of clause (c) above will have the right, but not the obligation, to specify that the Date of Termination shall be a date later than the date of, or upon the expiration of any period specified in the Notice of Termination and, in any such event, the Executive’s employment and performance of services will continue during such specified period unless the other party (the Company in the event of a termination by the Executive or the Executive in the case of a termination by the Company) elects thereafter to terminate the employment of the Executive pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof and gives notice to the other party that such termination is effective as of an earlier date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, upon notice to the Executive and without reducing the Executive’s compensation during such period, excuse the Executive from any or all of his or her duties during such period prior to the Date of Termination.
8. TERMINATION PAYMENTS
In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment during the Change of Control Period, Executive shall be entitled to compensation and benefits only as specifically provided in this Section 8.
8.1 | Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason |
If during the Change of Control Period the Company terminates the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or the Executive terminates his or her employment for Good Reason or pursuant to a Window Program, the Executive shall be entitled to:
(a) | Payment of the following accrued obligations (the “Accrued Obligations”): |
(i) | the Executive’s then current Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid; and |
(ii) | any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with accrued interest or earnings thereon, if any) and any accrued paid time-off that would be payable under the Company’s standard policy, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid. |
(b) | Payment as follows: |
(i) | if the performance criteria for earning the annual bonus for the full fiscal year of termination have been fully satisfied as of the Date of Termination (excluding any requirement that the Executive be employed by the Company at the end of the fiscal year), the product of (x) the amount of the annual bonus for that year and (y) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365); |
(ii) | if the performance criteria for earning the annual bonus for the full fiscal year of termination have not been fully satisfied as of the Date of Termination and the Board determines that all such criteria could not have been satisfied if the Executive remained employed for the full fiscal year, no amount for the annual bonus; and |
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(iii) | if neither (i) nor (ii) apply, the product of (x) the Three-Year Average Annual Bonus and (y) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365). |
(c) | For eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination or until the Executive qualifies for comparable medical and dental insurance benefits from another employer or is no longer eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first (the “COBRA Payment Period”), the Company shall pay the Executive’s premiums for |
(i) | If Executive elects such continuation coverage, health insurance benefit continuation for the Executive and his or her family members, if applicable, that the Company provides to the Executive under the provisions of the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), to the extent that the Company would have paid such premiums had the Executive remained employed by the Company (such continued payment is hereinafter referred to as “COBRA Continuation”); and |
(ii) | additional health coverage (such as BeniComp Select), life, accidental death and disability and other insurance programs for the Executive and his or her family members, if applicable, (the “Additional Coverage”) to the extent such programs existed on the Change of Control. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot provide the COBRA Continuation and/or Additional Coverage premium benefits without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then in lieu of paying COBRA premiums on the Executive’s behalf, the Company will instead pay to the Executive on the last day of each remaining month of the COBRA Payment Period a fully taxable cash payment equal to the COBRA Continuation premium and/or the Additional Coverage Premium, as applicable, for that month, subject to applicable tax withholding (such amount, the “Special Severance Payment”), such Special Severance Payment to be made without regard to Executive’s election of COBRA coverage or additional coverage or payment of COBRA premiums or additional coverage premiums and without regard to Executive’s continued eligibility for COBRA coverage or coverage for Additional Coverage during the COBRA Payment Period. Such Special Severance Payment shall end upon expiration of the COBRA Payment Period.
(d) | Continuation of the payment of the Annual Base Salary for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs for a period of eighteen (18) months after the Date of Termination. |
(e) | An amount equal to one and one-half times the Three-Year Average Annual Bonus. |
(f) | Immediate vesting of all outstanding equity awards previously granted to the Executive by the Company. |
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(g) | The provision in any agreement evidencing any outstanding stock option causing the option to terminate upon the expiration of three (3) months (or any other period relating to termination of employment) after termination of employment shall be of no force or effect, except that nothing herein shall extend any such option beyond its original maximum contractual term or shall affect its termination for any reason other than termination of employment. |
(h) | Executive’s entitlement to any and all compensation and benefits under the foregoing Sections 8.1(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) is expressly conditioned on Executive’s execution and delivery to the Company (and the expiration of any revocation period) of a general release and settlement agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “Release”) within the time period set forth therein (but in no event later than forty-five (45) days after the Date of Termination), which shall be material to the Company’s obligation to provide any such compensation and benefits. |
8.2 | Termination for Cause or Other Than for Good Reason |
If during the Change of Control Period the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive for other than Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company to the Executive, other than the Accrued Obligations, or otherwise as required by law.
8.3 | Expiration of Term |
In the event the Executive’s employment is not terminated prior to expiration of the Term and notice of nonrenewal is given pursuant to Section 2, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company to the Executive, except to the extent Executive is entitled to compensation and benefits under Section 8.1 hereof in the event he or she terminates his or her employment for Good Reason or pursuant to a Window Program.
8.4 | Termination Because of Death or Disability |
Upon the Executive’s death or Disability, this Agreement shall terminate automatically without further obligation on the part of the Company to the Executive or his or her legal representatives under this Agreement other than the Accrued Obligations or otherwise as required by law.
8.5 | Payment Schedule |
All payments of Accrued Obligations, or any portion thereof payable pursuant to this Section 8, shall be made to the Executive within ten (10) working days after the Date of Termination except that
(a) | on the first regular payroll date following the effective date of the Executive’s Release, the Company shall (1) pay the Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the benefit payments that the Executive would otherwise have received through such payroll date but for the delay in payment related to the effectiveness of the Release and (2) commence paying the balance, if any, of the benefits in accordance with the applicable payment schedule; |
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(b) | any amount payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) or Section 8.1(e) shall be paid to Executive when his or her bonus would have been paid if he or she was still employed; and |
(c) | any payments payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 8.1(d) hereof shall be made to the Executive in the form of salary continuation payable at normal payroll intervals during the eighteen (18) month severance period on the dates when the Executive would have received his or her payments of salary if he or she was still employed and in the amounts he or she would have received. |
8.6 | Application of Code Section 409A |
All severance benefits provided under this Agreement are intended to satisfy the requirements for an exemption from application of Section 409A of the Code and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement that constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively “Section 409A”) shall not commence in connection with Executive’s termination of employment unless and until the Executive has also incurred a “separation from service,” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h) (“Separation from Service”), unless the Company reasonably determines that such amounts may be provided to the Executive without causing the Executive to incur the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A. Compensation and benefits payable under the Agreement, to the extent of payments made from the date of Executive’s termination through March 15th of the calendar year following such termination, are intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations and thus payable pursuant to the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations; to the extent such payments are made following said March 15th, they are intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations made upon an involuntary termination from service and payable pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations, to the maximum extent permitted by said provision, with any excess amount being regarded as subject to the distribution requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), including, without limitation, the requirement of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code that payment to Executive be delayed until 6 months after Separation from Service if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the aforesaid section of the Code at the time of such Separation from Service. Additionally, if the Company determines that any payments or benefits provided under this Agreement constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, and the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs at a time during the calendar year when the Release could become effective in the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, then regardless of when the Release is returned to the Company and becomes effective, the Release will not be deemed effective any earlier than the latest permitted effective date for purposes of determining the timing of payment of severance benefits.
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8.7 | Cause |
For purposes of this Agreement, termination of Executive’s employment shall be for “Cause” if it is for any of the following:
(a) | A refusal of the Executive to carry out any material lawful duties of the Executive or any directions or instructions of the Board or senior management of the Company which are reasonably consistent with those duties; |
(b) | Failure to perform satisfactorily any lawful duties of the Executive that are consistent with those duties hereof or any directions or instructions of the Board or senior management that are consistent with those duties, provided, however, that the Executive has been given notice and has failed to correct any such failure within ten (10) days thereafter (unless any such correction by its nature cannot be done in ten (10) days, in which event the Executive will have a reasonable time to correct the failure) and provided further that the Company shall have no such obligation to give notice and the Executive shall have no such opportunity to correct failures more than two times in any twelve (12) calendar month period; |
(c) | Violation by the Executive of a local, state or federal law involving the commission of a crime, other than minor traffic violations, or any other criminal act involving moral turpitude; |
(d) | The Executive’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of his or her duty to the Company involving self-dealing or personal profit; |
(e) | Current abuse by the Executive of alcohol or controlled substances; deception, fraud, misrepresentation or dishonesty by the Executive; or any incident materially compromising the Executive’s reputation or ability to represent the Company with investors, customers or the public; |
(f) | Any other material violation of any provision of this Agreement by the Executive not described in (a) or (b) above, subject to the same notice and opportunity-to-correct provisions as are set forth in (b) above or |
(g) | The Executive reaching a mandatory retirement age established by the Company before the Change in Control and not in anticipation thereof. |
8.8 | Good Reason |
For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means:
(a) | Any material diminution in Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 3.2 hereof or any other action by the Company that results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; |
(b) | The Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location that is more than fifty (50) miles from the location of the Executive’s assigned worksite immediately prior to the Change of Control Date and Executive’s residence at the time any such requirement is imposed; or |
(c) | Any other material violation of any provision of this Agreement by the Company, including, but not limited to any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 5 or Section 6 hereof. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no basis for a termination for Good Reason will be deemed to exist unless (a) the Executive notifies the Company in writing, within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of one of the foregoing events, that he or she intends to terminate his or her
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employment no earlier than thirty (30) days after providing such notice; (b) the Company does not cure such condition within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such notice or states unequivocally in writing that it does not intend to attempt to cure such condition; and (c) the Executive resigns from employment within twelve (12) months following the end of the period within which the Company was entitled to remedy the condition constituting Good Reason but failed to do so.
8.9 | Window Program |
For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive may terminate his or her employment pursuant to a Window Program by terminating during the thirty- (30-) day period following receipt of a notice of non-renewal given by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
8.10 | Withholding Taxes |
Any payments provided for in this Agreement shall be paid net of any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law.
8.11 | WARN ACT |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 8.1 through 8.5, in the event the Executive is entitled, by operation of any act or law, to unemployment compensation benefits or benefits under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act of 1988 (known as the “WARN Act” or any state law of similar nature to the WARN Act in connection with the termination of his or her employment in addition to those required to be paid to him or her under this Agreement, then to the extent permitted by applicable law governing severance payments or notice of termination of employment, the Company shall be entitled to offset against the amounts payable hereunder the amounts of any such mandated payments.
8.12 | Termination Before Change of Control |
In the case of termination of employment prior to the Change of Control Date as contemplated by Section 3.4, the Date of Termination shall be deemed to be the Change of Control Date, except that, if any of the benefits referred to in Section 8.1 have been paid or provided for all or any portion of the period between the Date of Termination and the Change of Control Date, the amount of benefits which would otherwise be paid or provided shall be reduced by the amount of the benefits paid or provided for the period prior to the Change of Control Date.
9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement, the Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution nor the performance of this Agreement by the Executive will violate or conflict in any way with any other agreement by which the Executive may be bound.
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10. NONDISCLOSURE; RETURN OF MATERIALS; NONSOLICITATION
10.1 | Nondisclosure |
Except as required by his or her employment with the Company, the Executive will not, at any time during the term of employment by the Company, or at any time thereafter, directly, indirectly or otherwise, use, communicate, disclose, disseminate, lecture upon or publish articles relating to any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information of the Company or any third party provided to the Company in confidence without the prior written consent of the Company. The Executive understands that the Company will be relying on this Agreement in continuing the Executive’s employment, paying him or her compensation, granting him or her any promotions or raises, or entrusting him or her with any information that helps the Company compete with others.
10.2 | Return of Materials |
All documents, records, notebooks, notes, memoranda, drawings, computer files or other documents, in any form or media (whether paper, electronic or otherwise), made, compiled or received by the Executive at any time, or otherwise in his or her possession, including any and all copies thereof, shall be the property of the Company and shall be held by the Executive in trust and solely for the benefit of the Company, and shall be delivered to the Company by the Executive upon termination of employment or at any other time upon request by the Company.
10.3 | Nonsolicitation |
During the period that Executive is receiving payments described in Section 8.1(d), he or she will not actively solicit any employees of the Company or its Affiliates to accept employment from any other person or entity. “Affiliate” is defined as any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with, the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Security and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933.
11. FORM OF NOTICE
Every notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing by serving the same upon the party to whom it was addressed personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at the address set forth below or at such other address as may hereafter lie designated by notice given in compliance with the terms hereof:
If to the Executive: |
Address on file with Human Resources | |
If to the Company: |
MannKind Corporation ATTN: President 00000 Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
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or such other address as shall be provided in accordance with the terms hereof. If notice is mailed, such notice shall be effective upon mailing. Notices sent in any other manner specified above shall be effective upon receipt.
12. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement is personal to the Executive and shall not be assignable by the Executive.
The Company shall assign to and require any successor (whether by purchase of assets, merger or consolidation) to all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean MannKind Corporation and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
13. WAIVERS
No delay or failure by any party hereto in exercising, protecting or enforcing any of its rights, titles, interests or remedies hereunder, and no course of dealing or performance with respect thereto, shall constitute a waiver thereof. The express waiver by a party hereto of any right, title, interest or remedy in a particular instance or circumstance shall not constitute a waiver thereof in any other instance or circumstance. All rights and remedies shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies.
14. AMENDMENTS IN WRITING
No amendment, modification, waiver, termination or discharge of any provision of this Agreement, or consent to any departure therefrom by either party hereto, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing, specifically identifying this Agreement and the provision intended to be amended, modified, waived, terminated or discharged and signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Executive, and each such amendment, modification, waiver, termination or discharge shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No provision of this Agreement shall be varied, contradicted or explained by any oral agreement, course of dealing or performance or any other matter not set forth in an agreement in writing and signed by the Company and the Executive.
15. APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement shall in all respects, including all matters of construction, validity and performance, be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without regard to any rules governing conflicts of laws.
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16. ARBITRATION
Except in connection with enforcing Section 10 hereof, for which legal and equitable remedies may be sought in a court of law, to ensure the timely and economical resolution of disputes that arise in connection with this Agreement, the Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance or interpretation of this Agreement (collectively, “Claims”) shall be resolved to the fullest extent permitted by law by final and binding arbitration. The arbitration proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable employment rules of JAMS and conducted by one (1) arbitrator either mutually agreed upon or selected in accordance with the applicable JAMS rules. The arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles County, California, under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles office of JAMS, and shall be conducted in accordance with the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules (a copy of which can be downloaded at xxxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx/ or will be provided to Executive by the Company upon request). All Claims, pleadings, discovery materials, evidence, proceedings, rulings, awards and other matters regarding the arbitration shall be kept confidential by the parties to the extent permitted by law. Prior to filing any Claims with JAMS, and not later than the date(s) such Claims may be asserted under applicable statutes of limitations, the claimant shall give notice to the other party of the facts and circumstances of such Claims in sufficient detail to apprise the other party of the substance and basis of the Claims, and meet and confer in good faith with the other party to resolve the Claims for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the notice date, unless a shorter or longer period is agreed in writing between the parties. By agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both the Executive and the Company waive their rights to resolve any Claims through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding.
The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the Claims and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; (b) have the authority to interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement; and (c) issue a written arbitration decision, to include the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award any or all remedies that the Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. The arbitrator shall have no authority to add to, subtract from or otherwise modify the terms of this Agreement.
The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding, and each party agrees to be bound by the arbitrator’s award, subject only to an appeal therefrom in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Either party may obtain judgment upon the arbitrator’s award in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either the Executive or the Company from obtaining temporary or preliminary injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.
The Company shall pay all arbitration fees in excess of the amount of court fees that the Executive would be required to pay if the Claims were filed and adjudicated in a court of law.
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17. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement other than a Release shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, for any reason, including, without limitation, the duration of such provision, its geographical scope or the extent of the activities prohibited or required by it, then, to the full extent permitted by law, (a) all other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and shall be liberally construed in order to carry out the intent of the parties hereto as nearly as may be possible, (b) such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision hereof, and (c) any court or arbitrator having jurisdiction thereover shall have the power to reform such provision to the extent necessary for such provision to be enforceable under applicable law.
18. COORDINATION WITH SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
[For Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxxx only:
[The agreement regarding the Executive’s employment with the Company that the parties have entered into on October 10, 2007 provides for certain forms of severance and benefit payments in the event of termination of the Executive’s employment under certain conditions (the “Severance Agreement”). This Agreement is in addition to the Severance Agreement and in no way supersedes or nullifies that agreement. Nevertheless, it is possible for termination of employment to fall within the scope of both agreements. In such event, payments made to the Executive under this Agreement shall be coordinated with payments made to the Executive under the Severance Agreement to ensure that the Executive is entitled to receive the benefits under this Agreement without duplicating coverage provided by the Severance Agreement, including with respect to Section 8.1 hereof as follows:
(a) | the obligations under Section 5.1(a) of the Severance Agreement shall be paid first, in which case the Accrued Obligations under this Agreement need not be paid; |
(b) | COBRA Continuation under this Agreement need not be provided to the extent COBRA Continuation is provided under the Severance Agreement; |
(c) | the severance payments required under Sections 8.1(c) and 8.1(d) hereof shall be paid first, in which case any severance payments required under Sections 5.1(c) and 5.1(d) of the Severance Agreement need not be provided; and |
(d) | the obligations under Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(e) hereof shall be paid first, in which case any severance payments required under Sections 5.1(b) and 5.1(e) of the Severance Agreement need not be provided.]] |
[For all other executive officers:
[Unless otherwise agreed upon by the Executive and the Company, this Agreement shall be in addition to any agreement regarding the Executive’s employment with the Company that provides for certain forms of severance and benefit payments in the event of termination of the Executive’s employment that may be entered into after the date hereof (such agreement, the “Severance Agreement”), and this Agreement in no way is it intended to supersede or nullify the Severance Agreement. Nevertheless, it is possible for termination of employment to fall within
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the scope of both agreements. In such event, payments made to the Executive under this Agreement shall be coordinated with payments made to the Executive under the Severance Agreement to ensure that the Executive is entitled to receive the benefits under this Agreement without duplicating coverage provided by the Severance Agreement.]]
19. EXCESS PARACHUTE LIMITATION
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any portion of the payments or benefits under this Agreement, taken together with any other agreement or benefit plan of the Company (including stock options) (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be either (a) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (b) the Payment or a portion thereof after payment of the applicable Excise Tax, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the Payment. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall first be made to the bonus payments referred to in Section 8.1(b)(i), (ii) or (iii), whichever is applicable, then to the salary continuation payments referred to in Section 5.1(d) and then to the salary payments under Section 8.1(a). The Company’s shall engage an outside accounting or consulting firm which will make all determinations hereunder and shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within 15 calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. If the accounting or consulting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and Executive with an opinion reasonably acceptable to Executive that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment. The Company shall be entitled to rely upon the accounting or consulting firm’s determinations, which shall be final and binding on all persons.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
Except as described in Section 18 hereof, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof, and all prior or contemporaneous oral or written communications, understandings or agreements between the Company and the Executive with respect to such subject matter [(including but not limited to the Change of Control Agreement dated October 10, 2007)] are hereby superseded and nullified in their entireties, except that the agreement relating to proprietary information and inventions between the Company and the Executive shall continue in full force and effect.
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21. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and entered into this Agreement effective on the date first set forth above.
MANNKIND CORPORATION | EXECUTIVE | |||||||
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APPENDIX A
For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred, if any one of the following events occurs:
(a) | the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, or, if there are then outstanding any other voting securities of the Company, such acquisition of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, except for an acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Stock or other voting securities of the Company by the Company or any Employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company; |
(b) | the Company sells all or substantially all of its assets (or consummates any transaction having a similar effect) or the Company merges or consolidates with another entity or completes a reorganization unless the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the transaction own immediately after the transaction in approximately the same proportions 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the entity purchasing the assets or surviving the merger or consolidation or the voting securities of its parent company, or, in the case of a reorganization, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company; |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any purchase or redemption of outstanding shares of Common Stock or other voting securities by the Company resulting in an increase in the percentage of outstanding shares or other voting securities beneficially owned by any person or group shall be deemed to constitute a reorganization;
(c) | the Company is liquidated; or |
(d) | the Board (if the Company continues to own its business) or the board of directors or comparable governing body of any successor owner of its business (as a result of a transaction which is not itself a Change of Control) consists of a majority of directors or members who are not Incumbent Directors. |
For purposes of this Agreement, (A) “voting securities” means securities whose holders are entitled to vote in the election of all or a majority of the authorized number of directors at the time the determination of ‘voting securities” status is being made and (B) 50% or more of the combined voting power shall refer to the voting power to elect a majority of the authorized number of directors determined at that time. “Voting securities” shall not include preferred stock or other securities whose holders are entitled to vote in the election of all or a majority of the authorized number of directors upon the occurrence of some event or circumstance which has not occurred and such rights to vote are not in effect at the time of the determination of “voting securities” status. Preferred stock and other securities whose holders are then entitled to vote for less than a majority of the authorized number of directors, shall not be considered “voting securities.”
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EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
The parties to this General Release and Settlement Agreement (“Release”) between (“Executive”) and MannKind Corporation (“the Company”) (collectively, the “Parties”) state that:
In connection with the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Parties desire to finally discharge, compromise, settle, and resolve any and all claims, controversies, demands, actions or causes of action that Executive may have against Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, it is hereby agreed by and between the Parties as follows:
1. | In exchange for the compensation, benefits and other consideration to be provided to Executive under the Change of Control Agreement between Executive and the Company dated [date] (the “Agreement”) that Executive is not otherwise entitled to receive, Executive does generally and completely release the Company and all affiliates of the Company, and its and their current and former directors, officers, employees, stockholders, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring prior to Executive’s signing this Release (collectively, the “Released Claims”).The Released Claims include, but are not limited to: (1) all claims arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment with the Company or its affiliates, and the termination of that employment; (2) all claims related to Executive’s compensation or benefits, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company or its affiliates; (3) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (4) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (5) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended) (the “ADEA”), the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended), the California Labor Code, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following are not included in the Released Claims (the “Excluded Claims”): (1) any rights or claims for indemnification Executive may have pursuant to any written indemnification agreement with the Company to which Executive is a party, the charter, bylaws, or operating agreements of the Company, or under applicable law; (2) any rights which are not waivable as a matter of law; (3) any rights Executive may have to file or pursue a claim for workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance; or (4) any claims for breach of the Agreement or this Release. |
2. | Executive understands that nothing in this Release limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health |
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Administration, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”). Executive further understand this Release does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. While this Release does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Executive understands and agrees that, to maximum extent permitted by law, Executive is otherwise waiving any and all rights Executive may have to individual relief based on any claims that have been released herein. |
3. | Executive acknowledges that Executive is knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights Executive may have under the ADEA. Executive also acknowledges that the consideration given for the Released Claims is in addition to anything of value to which Executive was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges that Executive has been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (a) the Released Claims do not apply to any rights or claims that arise after the date Executive signs this Release; (b) Executive should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release (although Executive may choose voluntarily not to do so); (c) Executive has twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release (although Executive may choose to voluntarily sign it sooner); (d) Executive has seven (7) days following the date Executive signs this Release to revoke the Release by providing written notice to an officer of the Company; and (e) the Release will not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired unexercised, which will be the eighth day after Executive signs this Release (“Effective Date”). |
4. | Executive acknowledges that Executive has read and understands Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditors does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”Executive expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims hereunder. |
5. | Executive acknowledges that, except as expressly provided in the Agreement, Executive has not earned, will not earn by the Date of Termination, and will not receive from the Company any additional compensation, severance, or benefits on or after the Date of Termination, with the exception of any vested right Executive may have under the express terms of a written ERISA-qualified benefit plan (e.g., 401(k) account). By way of example, Executive acknowledges that Executive has not earned and is not owed any equity, bonus, incentive compensation, or commissions, and that Executive will not continue to vest in or earn any additional equity, bonus, incentive compensation, or commissions after the Date of Termination. |
6. | Executive represents that Executive has been paid all compensation owed and for all hours worked, Executive has received all the leave and leave benefits and protections for which Executive is eligible, and Executive has not suffered any on the job injury for which Executive has not already filed a workers’ compensation claim. |
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7. | Executive understands and agrees that the promises and payments in consideration of this Release shall not be construed to be an admission of any liability or obligation by the Company to Executive or to any other person, and that the Company makes no such admission. |
8. | Executive represents that Executive has complied fully with the provisions of Section 7.2 of the Agreement, and further agrees to continue to abide by Executive’s [Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement]. |
9. | Executive agrees not to disparage the Company, or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders or agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to its or their business, business reputation, or personal reputation; provided, however, that Executive will respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process. |
10. | Executive agrees not to seek reemployment with the Company or any of its affiliates. |
11. | This Release shall be deemed to have been entered into and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California as applied to contracts made and to be performed entirely within California. In the event of any dispute concerning the interpretation, breach or enforcement of this Release, such dispute(s) shall be resolved pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of the Agreement. |
12. | If any provision of this Release is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Release and the provision in question will be modified so as to be rendered enforceable. |
13. | Executive understands that this Release, together with the Agreement, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company, affiliates of the Company and Executive with regard to this subject matter. Executive is not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated in this Release, or the Agreement. Certain capitalized terms used in this Release are defined in the Agreement. This Release may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company. |
14. | Executive acknowledges that to become effective, Executive must sign and return this release to the Company on of after , so that it is received not later than twenty-one (21) days following the date it is provided to Executive, and Executive must not revoke it thereafter. |
AGREED AND ACCEPTED this day of , :
MANNKIND CORPORATION | EXECUTIVE | |||||||
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