4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. Employment Agreement
Exhibit 10.11
4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of January 15, 2019, is made by and between 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with any successor thereto, the “Company”), and Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, M.D. (“Executive”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties” or individually referred to as a “Party”).
WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by the Company as its Senior Vice President, Clinical Translational R&D Program Leader, Retina Therapeutic Area, and the Company shall promote Executive as of the Effective Date (as defined below) to its Chief Medical Officer on the terms and conditions provided hereunder and upon Executive’s execution of this Agreement, the Prior Agreement (as defined below) shall be superseded and no longer of any force or effect;
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Company to assure itself of the continued services of the Executive following the Effective Date and thereafter on the terms herein provided by entering into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of Executive to provide continued services to the Company following the Effective Date and thereafter on the terms herein provided.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, including the respective covenants and agreements set forth below, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
| 1. | Employment. |
(a) General. Effective as of January 15, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), the Company shall employ Executive and Executive shall remain in the employ of the Company, for the period and in the positions set forth in this Section 1, and subject to the other terms and conditions herein.
(b) Employment Term. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the date this Agreement is terminated under Section 3 below.
(c) Positions. Executive shall serve as the Chief Medical Officer of the Company with such responsibilities, duties and authority normally associated with such position and as may from time to time be reasonably assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive shall report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. At the Company’s request, Executive shall serve the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates in such other capacities in addition to the foregoing as the Company shall designate, provided that such additional capacities are consistent with Executive’s position as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer. If Executive serves in any one or more of such additional capacities, Executive’s compensation shall not automatically be increased on account of such additional service.
(d) Duties. Executive shall devote substantially all of Executive’s working time, attention and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company (which shall include service to its affiliates), except during any paid vacation or other excused absence periods. Executive shall not engage in outside business activities (including serving on outside boards or committees) without the prior written consent of the Board, as defined below (which shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided that Executive shall be permitted to (i) manage Executive’s personal, financial and legal affairs, (ii) participate in trade
associations and charitable and community affairs, (iii) continue to serve on the board of directors or advisory boards of the companies/organizations set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, if any, and (iv) provide not more than one day per week of clinical ophthamology services in Oregon, in each case, subject to compliance with this Agreement and provided that such activities do not materially interfere with Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder or violate the terms of that certain Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement previously entered into by and between Executive and the Company (the “Confidentiality Agreement”). Executive agrees to observe and comply with the rules and policies of the Company as adopted by the Company from time to time, in each case as amended from time to time, as set forth in writing, and as delivered or made available to Executive (each, a “Policy”).
(e) Location. The Company acknowledges that Executive resides in Portland, Oregon; however, the parties agree that to the extent feasible, Executive shall perform his/her duties hereunder at the offices of the Company located in Emeryville, California. In addition, the parties agree that from time to time Executive may be required to travel to other locations in the proper conduct of Executive’s responsibilities under this Agreement.
| 2. | Compensation and Related Matters. |
(a) Annual Base Salary. During the Term and effective as of the Effective Date, Executive shall receive a base salary at a rate of $325,000 per annum, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company and shall be pro-rated for partial years of employment. Such annual base salary shall be reviewed from time to time by the Board (such annual base salary, as it may be adjusted from time to time, the “Annual Base Salary”).
(b) Annual Bonus. During the Term and commencing for the full calendar year 2019, Executive will be eligible to participate in such annual incentive program established by the Board. Executive’s annual incentive compensation under such incentive program (the “Annual Bonus”) shall be targeted at thirty five percent (35%) of Executive’s Annual Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). The Annual Bonus payable under the incentive program shall be based on the achievement of performance goals to be determined by the Board. The payment of any Annual Bonus pursuant to the incentive program will be made on or before March 15th of the year following the year in which such Annual Bonus is earned.
(c) Benefits. During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements as the Company may from time to time offer to provide to its executives, consistent with the terms thereof and as such plans, programs and arrangements may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein is intended, or shall be construed, to require the Company to institute or continue any, or any particular, plan or benefit. In no event shall Executive be eligible to participate in any severance plan or program of the Company, except as set forth in Section 4 below. In no event shall Executive be eligible to participate in any severance plan or program of the Company, except as set forth in Section 4 below,
(d) Vacation; Holidays. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation per calendar year (pro-rated for partial years) in accordance with the Policies. Any vacation shall be taken at the reasonable and mutual convenience of the Company and Executive. In addition, the Company offers employees time off for standard Company holidays in accordance with the Policies.
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(e) Business Expenses. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement Policy, including reasonable airfare between the Bay Area and Portland and reasonable lodging and dinner expenses while working from the Company’s Emeryville offices.
(f) Equity Awards.
(i) Promotion Option. As soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date, Executive shall be granted, subject to approval by the Board, an option to purchase 146,680 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Option”), with an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion), provided that Executive is employed by the Company on the date of grant. The Option shall vest and become exercisable as to 1/48th of the shares subject to the Option on each monthly anniversary of the Effective Date, or if no such date exists, on the last day of calendar month, (each such date, a “Vesting Date”) such that the Option will be fully vested and exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company through the applicable Vesting Date.
(ii) Previous Equity Awards. Executive’s existing equity awards shall continue in accordance with their current terms and conditions.
(iii) Generally. The Option and Executive’s existing equity awards, and any shares acquired upon exercise, will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s equity incentive plan and award agreements to be entered into between Executive and the Company. Executive’s equity awards, including the Option, shall also have the accelerated vesting as provided in Section 4 below.
| 3. | Termination. |
(a) At-Will Employment. The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment is and shall continue to be “at-will,” as defined under applicable law. This means that it is not for any specified period of time and can be terminated by Executive or by the Company at any time, with or without advance notice, and for any or no particular reason or cause. It also means that Executive’s job duties, title, and responsibility and reporting level, work schedule, compensation, and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may be changed with prospective effect, with or without notice, at any time in the sole discretion of the Company (subject to any ramification such changes may have under Section 4 below). This “at-will” nature of Executive’s employment shall remain unchanged during Executive’s tenure as an employee and may not be changed, except in an express writing signed by Executive and a duly-authorized representative of the Company. If Executive’s employment terminates for any lawful reason, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, award, or compensation other than as provided in this Agreement.
(b) Circumstances. Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company or Executive, as applicable, without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:
(i) Death. Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon Executive’s death.
(ii) Disability. If Executive has incurred a Disability, as defined below, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment.
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(iii) Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause, as defined below.
(iv) Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause.
(v) Resignation from the Company with Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment with the Company with Good Reason, as defined below.
(vi) Resignation from the Company without Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than Good Reason or for no reason.
(c) Notice of Termination. During the Term, any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or by Executive under this Section 3 (other than termination pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) above) shall be communicated by a written notice (a “Notice of Termination”) to the other Party hereto (i) indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, if applicable, and (iii) specifying a Date of Termination (as defined below). The failure by either party to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance shall not waive any right of the party hereunder or preclude the party from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the party’s rights hereunder.
(d) Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” shall mean the date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, which, if Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Executive’s death, will be the date of Executive’s death, and otherwise shall be the date specified in a Notice of Termination.
(e) Deemed Resignation. Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships, if any, then held with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
| 4. | Obligations upon a Termination of Employment. |
(a) Company Obligations upon Termination. Upon termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to any of the circumstances listed in Section 3(b) above, Executive (or Executive’s estate) shall be entitled to receive the sum of: (i) the portion of Executive’s Annual Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination, but not yet paid to Executive; (ii) any accrued but unpaid paid vacation owed to Executive pursuant to Section 2(d) above, if applicable; (iii) any expenses owed to Executive pursuant to Section 2(e) above; and (iv) any amount accrued and arising from Executive’s participation in, or benefits accrued under any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements, which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements (collectively, the “Company Arrangements”). Except as otherwise expressly required by law or as specifically provided in a Company Arrangement or herein, all of Executive’s rights to salary, severance, benefits, bonuses and other compensatory amounts hereunder (if any) shall cease upon the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder.
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(b) Executive’s Obligations upon Termination.
(i) Cooperation. Executive shall provide Executive’s reasonable cooperation in connection with any action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) which relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment hereunder; provided the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive with respect to any such cooperation and reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable costs and expenses (including legal counsel selected by Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Company) and such cooperation shall not unreasonably burden Executive or unreasonably interfere with any subsequent employment that Executive may undertake.
(ii) Return of Company Property. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that all Personal Property (as defined below) and equipment furnished to, or prepared by, Executive in the course of, or incident to, Executive’s employment, belongs to the Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of Executive’s employment (and will not be kept in Executive’s possession or delivered to anyone else). For purposes of this Agreement, “Personal Property” includes, without limitation, all books, manuals, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other documents, or materials, or copies thereof (including computer files), keys, building card keys, company credit cards, telephone calling cards, computer hardware and software, laptop computers, docking stations, cellular and portable telephone equipment, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices and all other proprietary information relating to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Following termination, Executive shall not retain any written or other tangible material containing any proprietary information of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(c) Severance Payments upon a Termination without Cause or Resignation with Good Reason. If, during the Term (whether before or after a Change in Control), Executive’s employment terminates pursuant to Section 3(a)(iv) above due to the Company’s termination without Cause or pursuant to Section 3(a)(v) above due to Executive’s resignation with Good Reason, then, subject to Executive’s delivery to the Company of an executed waiver and release of claims in a form approved by the Company (the “Release”) that becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with Section 9(m)(vi) below, and Executive’s continued compliance with Section 5 below, Executive shall receive, in addition to payments and benefits set forth in Section 4(a) above, the following:
(i) an amount in cash equal to nine (9) months of Executive’s then-existing Annual Base Salary, payable, less applicable withholdings and deductions, in a single lump sum cash payment on the first regular payroll date following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable or as otherwise provided in Section 9(m)(vi) below; and
(ii) during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the nine (9) month anniversary thereof or, if earlier, the date on which Executive becomes eligible for comparable replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s group health plan (in any case, the “COBRA Period”), subject to Executive’s valid election to continue healthcare coverage under Section 4980B of the Code and the regulations thereunder, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, either (A) continue to provide to Executive and Executive’s dependents, at the Company’s sole expense, or (B) reimburse Executive and Executive’s dependents for coverage under its group health plan (if any), at the same levels and costs in effect on the Date of Termination (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars); provided, however, that if (1) any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the continuation coverage period to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), (2) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive or Executive’s dependents under its
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group health plans or (3) the Company cannot provide the benefit without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in any such case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments over the COBRA Period (or remaining portion thereof).
(d) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control during the Term, the vesting and, if applicable, exercisability of Executive’s then outstanding and unvested equity awards shall accelerate (and, if applicable, all restrictions and rights of repurchase on such awards shall lapse) as of immediately prior to such a Change in Control in respect of one hundred percent (100%) of the then-unvested shares of Company common stock subject thereto (excluding any such awards that vest in whole or in part based on the attainment of performance-vesting conditions, which shall be governed by the terms of the applicable award agreement).
(e) No Requirement to Mitigate; Survival. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or in any other manner. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment shall not impair the rights or obligations of any Party.
(f) Certain Reductions. The Company shall reduce Executive’s severance benefits under this Agreement, in whole or in part, by any other severance benefits, pay in lieu of notice, or other similar benefits payable to Executive by the Company in connection with Executive’s termination, including but not limited to, payments or benefits pursuant to (i) any applicable legal requirement, including, without limitation, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or (ii) any Company policy or practice providing for Executive to remain on the payroll without being in active service for a limited period of time after being given notice of the termination of Executive’s employment. The benefits provided under this Agreement are intended to satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, any and all statutory obligations that may arise out of Executive’s termination of employment. Such reductions shall be applied on a retroactive basis, with severance benefits previously paid being recharacterized as payments pursuant to the Company’s statutory obligation.
(g) Survival. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions of Sections 5 through 9 of this Agreement will survive the termination of Executive’s employment and the termination of the Term.
| 5. | Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality. |
Executive will continue to abide by and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement will survive the termination of Executive’s employment and the termination of the Term for the periods set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement.
| 6. | Assignment and Successors. |
The Company may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its affiliates or to any successor to all or substantially all of the business or the assets of the Company (by merger or otherwise). This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, Executive and their respective successors, assigns, personnel and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees, as applicable. None of Executive’s rights or obligations may be
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assigned or transferred by Executive, other than Executive’s rights to payments hereunder, which may be transferred only by will or operation of law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under applicable law and applicable Company Arrangements, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive compensation hereunder following Executive’s death by giving written notice thereof to the Company.
| 7. | Certain Definitions. |
(a) Board. The “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company or an authorized committee of the Board.
(a) Cause. “Cause” shall mean (i) Executive’s material failure to perform Executive’s principal assigned duties or responsibilities as a Service Provider (as defined in the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan) (other than a failure resulting from Executive’s Disability) provided, that, the failure of Executive to achieve certain results, such as the Company’s business plan, in and of itself, would not constitute “Cause”; (ii) Executive’s engaging in any act of dishonesty, fraud or material misrepresentation; (iii) Executive’s violation of any federal or state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates which results in or could reasonably be expected to result in harm or creates material risk to the Company, as determined by the Board; (iv) Executive’s breach of the Confidentiality Agreement, any other confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement, or any other material contract between Executive and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company) or violation of any of the written policies of the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) Executive’s being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, any crime or committing any act of moral turpitude. The Company shall not terminate Executive for Cause pursuant to clause “(i)” above without first providing Executive with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for such termination and if in the reasonable judgment of the Company such failure may be cured within thirty (30) days, expiration of a reasonable cure period not to exceed thirty (30) days following the date of such notice.
(b) Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the version of the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan in effect on the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5).
(c) Code. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.
(d) Disability. “Disability” shall mean a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as it may be amended from time to time.
(e) Good Reason. For the sole purpose of determining Executive’s right to severance payments and benefits as described above, “Good Reason” shall mean Executive’s voluntary termination of Executive’s employment following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s express written consent and the failure of the Company to cure such Good Reason, all pursuant to this paragraph:
(i) the Company’s offices move more than fifty (50) miles away from their current location;
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(ii) any material and adverse change including any material diminution in Executive’s title, duties, authority or responsibilities, but excluding changes in Executive’s title, duties, authority, responsibilities, and reporting relationships in the event of a Change in Control; provided Executive’s remaining duties and responsibilities are consistent with industry norms for the title at companies, subsidiaries or divisions of similar size and circumstances;
(iii) the assignment to Executive of duties materially inconsistent with Executive’s position with the Company;
(iv) a reduction in Executive’s Annual Base Salary or Target Bonus other than pursuant to a reduction in compensation that applies to all executive and senior officers; and
(v) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement.
The Board will be given not less than thirty (30) days’ written notice by Executive (within twenty (20) days of the occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason) of Executive’s intention to terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, such notice to state in detail the particular act or acts or failure or failures to act that constitute the grounds on which the proposed termination for Good Reason is based and proposed actions to provide a sufficient cure of such act or acts, or failure or failures to act, and such termination shall be effective at the expiration of such notice period only if the Company has not materially cured such act or acts or failure or failures to act that give rise to Good Reason during such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company in its sole election may waive any cure periods and Executive’s termination will be effective on such earlier date determined by the Board.
| 8. | Parachute Payments. |
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any Company Arrangement, in the event that any payment or benefit by the Company or otherwise to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under Section 4 above, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), would be subject (in whole or in part) to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (in the order provided in Section 8(b) below) to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the Excise Tax on the Total Payments, but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income and employment taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments), is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income and employment taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of the Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).
(b) The Total Payments shall be reduced in the following order: (i) reduction on a pro-rata basis of any cash severance payments that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), (ii) reduction on a pro-rata basis of any non-cash severance payments or benefits that are exempt from Section 409A, (iii) reduction on a pro-rata basis of any other payments or benefits that are exempt from Section 409A, and (iv) reduction of any payments or benefits otherwise payable to Executive on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies with Section 409A; provided, in case of subclauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), that reduction of any payments attributable to the acceleration of vesting of Company equity awards shall be first applied to Company equity awards that would otherwise vest last in time.
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(c) The Company will select an adviser with experience in performing calculations regarding the applicability of Section 280G of the Code and the Excise Tax, provided that the adviser’s determination shall be made based upon “substantial authority” within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code, (the “Adviser”) to make determinations regarding the application of this Section 8. The Adviser shall provide its determination, together with detailed supporting calculations and documentation, to Executive and the Company within fifteen (15) business days following the date on which Executive’s right to the Total Payments is triggered, if applicable, or such other time as requested by Executive (provided, that Executive reasonably believes that any of the Total Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax) or the Company. The costs of obtaining such determination and all related fees and expenses (including related fees and expenses incurred in any later audit) shall be borne by the Company. Any good faith determinations of the Adviser made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive.
(d) In the event it is later determined that to implement the objective and intent of this Section 8, (i) a greater reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be returned promptly by Executive to the Company or (ii) a lesser reduction in the Total Payments should have been made, the excess amount shall be paid or provided promptly by the Company to Executive, except to the extent the Company reasonably determines would result in imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A.
| 9. | Miscellaneous Provisions. |
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with its express terms, and otherwise in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of California without reference to the principles of conflicts of law of the State of California or any other jurisdiction that would result in application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of California, and where applicable, the laws of the United States.
(b) Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(c) Notices. Any notice, request, claim, demand, document and other communication hereunder to any Party shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt) and shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by facsimile or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, as follows:
(i) If to the Company, to the Board at the Company’s headquarters,
(ii) If to Executive, to the last address that the Company has in its personnel records for Executive, or
(iii) At any other address as any Party shall have specified by notice in writing to the other Party.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement. Signatures delivered by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed effective for all purposes.
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(e) Entire Agreement. The terms of this Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, any indemnification agreement between the Company and Executive and any equity award agreement between the Company and Executive are intended by the Parties to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, including without limitation that certain prior offer letter between Executive and the Company dated as of July 28, 2016 (the “Prior Agreement”); provided that the equity acceleration provisions in this Agreement shall supersede the provisions of any equity award agreement between the Company and Executive. The Parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of their terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding to vary the terms of this Agreement.
(f) Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Executive and a duly authorized representative of Company. By an instrument in writing similarly executed, Executive or a duly authorized representative of the Company may waive compliance by the other Party with any specifically identified provision of this Agreement that such other Party was or is obligated to comply with or perform; provided, however, that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.
(g) No Inconsistent Actions. The Parties hereto shall not voluntarily undertake or fail to undertake any action or course of action inconsistent with the provisions or essential intent of this Agreement. Furthermore, it is the intent of the Parties hereto to act in a fair and reasonable manner with respect to the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Agreement.
(h) Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both the Parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against any Party shall not apply. The headings in this Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation. Any references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections or subsections are to those parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, (i) the plural includes the singular and the singular includes the plural; (ii) “and” and “or” are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (iii) “any,” “all,” “each,” or “every” means “any and all,” and “each and every”; (iv) “includes” and “including” are each “without limitation”; (v) “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other similar compounds of the word “here” refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section or subsection; and (vi) all pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the entities or persons referred to may require.
(i) Arbitration. Any controversy, claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, shall be settled solely and exclusively by a binding arbitration process administered by JAMS/Endispute in Alameda County, California. Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the then-existing JAMS/Endispute Rules of Practice and Procedure, before a sole arbitrator pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The rules can be found at xxxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx/, or a copy will be provided upon request. The arbitrator shall: (i) provide adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute; and (ii) issue a written arbitration decision, to include the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. Except to the extent of filing fees Executive would incur were the matter to be litigated in court, the Company shall be responsible for the JAMS/Endispute administrative fees and the arbitrator’s fees and costs. The arbitrator shall award the prevailing Party attorneys’ fees and expert fees, if any. The Parties agree to abide by all
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decisions and awards rendered in such proceedings. Such decisions and awards rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and conclusive. All such controversies, claims or disputes shall be settled in this manner in lieu of any action at law or equity; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as precluding the bringing of an action for injunctive relief or specific performance as provided in this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement. This dispute resolution process and any arbitration hereunder shall be confidential and neither any Party nor the neutral arbitrator shall disclose the existence, contents or results of such process without the prior written consent of all Parties, except where necessary or compelled in a court to enforce this arbitration provision or an award from such arbitration or otherwise in a legal proceeding. If JAMS/Endispute no longer exists or is otherwise unavailable, the Parties agree that the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) shall administer the arbitration in accordance with its then-existing rules as modified by this subsection. In such event, all references herein to JAMS/Endispute shall mean AAA. Executive and the Company understand that by agreement to arbitrate any claim pursuant to this Section 9(i), they will not have the right to have any claim decided by a jury or a court, but shall instead have any claim decided through arbitration. Executive and the Company waive any constitutional or other right to bring claims covered by this Agreement other than in their individual capacities. Except as may be prohibited by applicable law, the foregoing waiver includes the ability to assert claims as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive and the Company each have the right to resolve any issue or dispute over intellectual property rights by court action instead of arbitration.
(j) Enforcement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the Term, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.
(k) Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement any federal, state, local or foreign withholding or other taxes or charges that the Company is required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any questions as to the amount or requirement of withholding shall arise.
(l) Whistleblower Protections and Trade Secrets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any United States governmental agency or entity in accordance with the provisions of and rules promulgated under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 806 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, or any other whistleblower protection provisions of state or federal law or regulation (including the right to receive an award for information provided to any such government agencies). Furthermore, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1833, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) Executive shall not be in breach of this Agreement, and shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law (A) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (B) for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; and (ii) if Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the trade secret to Executive’s attorney, and may use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Executive files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
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(m) Section 409A.
(i) General. The intent of the Parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A, no payment hereunder shall be accelerated or deferred unless such acceleration or deferral would not result in additional tax or interest pursuant to Section 409A.
(ii) Separation from Service. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A and is designated under this Agreement as payable upon Executive’s termination of employment shall be payable only upon Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A (a “Separation from Service”).
(iii) Specified Employee. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is deemed by the Company at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with the Company or (B) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Section 409A period, all payments deferred pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries), and any remaining payments due to Executive under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.
(iv) Expense Reimbursements. To the extent that any reimbursements under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, any such reimbursements payable to Executive shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; provided, that Executive submits Executive’s reimbursement request promptly following the date the expense is incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, other than medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code, and Executive’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(v) Installments. Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement, including without limitation any continuation salary payments that are payable on Company payroll dates, shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment as permitted under Section 409A.
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(vi) Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any payments due under this Agreement as a result of Executive’s termination of employment are subject to Executive’s execution and delivery of a Release, (A) the Company shall deliver the Release to Executive within ten (10) business days following Executive’s Date of Termination, and the Company’s failure to deliver a Release prior to the expiration of such ten (10) business day period shall constitute a waiver of any requirement to execute a Release, (B) if Executive fails to execute the Release on or prior to the Release Expiration Date (as defined below) or timely revokes Executive’s acceptance of the Release thereafter, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits otherwise conditioned on the Release, and (C) in any case where Executive’s Date of Termination and the Release Expiration Date fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Executive that are conditioned on the Release and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year. For purposes hereof, “Release Expiration Date” shall mean (1) if Executive is under 40 years old as of the Date of Termination, the date that is seven (7) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Executive, or such shorter time prescribed by the Company, and (2) if Executive is 40 years or older as of the Date of Termination, the date that is twenty-one (21) days following the date upon which the Company timely delivers the Release to Executive, or, in the event that Executive’s termination of employment is “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967), the date that is forty-five (45) days following such delivery date. To the extent that any payments of nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) due under this Agreement as a result of Executive’s termination of employment are delayed pursuant to this Section 9(m)(vi), such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum on the first payroll date following the date that Executive executes and does not revoke the Release (and the applicable revocation period has expired) or, in the case of any payments subject to Section 9(m)(vi)(C), on the first payroll period to occur in the subsequent taxable year, if later.
| 10. | Prior Employment. |
Executive represents and warrants that the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder will not breach any duty owed by Executive to any prior employer or other person. Executive further represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the performance of Executive’s obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between Executive and any other person, firm, organization, or other entity; (b) Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by Executive entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and (c) Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement will not require Executive to, and Executive shall not, rely on in the performance of Executive’s duties or disclose to the Company or any other person or entity or induce the Company in any way to use or rely on any trade secret or other confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer of Executive.
| 11. | Executive Acknowledgement. |
Executive acknowledges that Executive has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Executive’s own judgment.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.
| 4D MOLECULAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxx | |
| Name: Xxxxx Xxxx | ||
| Title: CEO | ||
| EXECUTIVE |
| /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx |
| Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, M.D. |
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
CURRENT SERVICE
[Note to Draft: List any current service by Executive that has been approved by the Company, such as clinical work.]
