EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT
(the
“AGREEMENT”),
dated
June —, 2008 by and between SFH
I Acquisition Corp.
(the
“COMPANY”),
and
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Siugh (the
“EXECUTIVE”).
W
I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the
Company desires to employ the Executive as its Chief Executive Officer upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement;
and
WHEREAS,
the
Company is currently has
acquired
all of the issued and outstanding equity interest in Protech Biosystems Pvt.
Ltd
(“Protech”); and
WHEREAS,
the
Executive currently was
serving
as the
Chief Executive Officer of Protech; and
WHEREAS,
subject
to the closing of the acquisition of Protech, the Company desires to retain
the
services of the Executive as the Company’s chief executive officer.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1.
Employment.
(a)
Services. The Executive will be employed by the Company as its Chief Executive
Officer. The Executive will be primarily responsible for the operations
of the Company and oversee the
operations of Protech. The Executive will report to the Board of Directors
of
the Company (the “Board”) and shall perform such duties as are consistent with
the position as Chief Executive Officer (the “Services”). The Executive agrees
to perform such duties faithfully, to devote all of his working time, attention
and energies to the business of the Company, and while he remains employed,
not
to engage in any other business activity that is in conflict with your duties
and obligations to the Company. The
executive will receive not receive any compensation as a result of any services
provided for and on behalf of Protech.
(b)
Acceptance. Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to render the
Services.
2.
Term.
The
Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence as of
the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined) and shall continue for a term of
two
(2) years, unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions of
this Agreement governing protection of Confidential Information shall continue
in effect as specified in Section 6 hereof and survive the expiration or
termination hereof. The Term may be extended for additional one (1) year periods
upon mutual written consent of the Executive and the
Board.
3.
Best Efforts; Place of Performance.
(a)
The
Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time, attention and
energies to the business and affairs of the Company and shall use his best
efforts to advance the best interests of the Company and shall not during the
Term be actively engaged in any other business activity, whether or not such
business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage,
that
will interfere with the performance by the Executive of his duties hereunder
or
the Executive’s availability to perform such duties or that will adversely
affect, or negatively reflect upon, the Company.
(b)
The
duties to be performed by the Executive hereunder shall be performed primarily
at Protech’s corporate offices, or such other place as the Board may reasonably
designate.
4.
Directorship.
The
Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Executive to be elected as
a
member of its Board of Directors throughout the Term and shall include him
in
the management slate for election as a director at every stockholders meeting
during the Term at which his term as a director would otherwise expire. The
Executive agrees to accept election, and to serve during the Term, as director
of the Company, without any additional compensation therefor other than as
specified in this Agreement.
5.
Compensation.
As
full
compensation for the performance by the Executive of his duties under this
Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive as follows:
(a)
Base
Salary. The Company shall pay Executive a salary (the “Base Salary”) equal to
$84,000 per year. Payment shall be made monthly, on the last day of each
calendar month or as agreed between the Company and the Executive. Said payment
shall be in lieu of any other compensation currently being paid to the Executive
by Protech. No payments will be made to the Executive as compensation in
connection with any services provided as an officer or director of
SFH.
(b)
Discretionary Bonus. At the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Company, the Executive shall receive an additional annual bonus based upon
his
performance on behalf of the Company during the prior year. Factors to be
considered by the Board of Directors shall include, but not be limited to,
the
growth and profitability of Protech. The Discretionary Bonus shall be payable
either as a lump-sum payment or in installments as determined by the Board
of
Directors of the Company in its sole discretion. In addition, the Board of
Directors of the Company shall annually review the Bonus to determine whether
an
increase in the amount thereof is warranted.
(c)
Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all normal, usual and
necessary expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of the business
and
affairs of the Company, including reasonable travel and entertainment, upon
timely receipt by the Company of appropriate vouchers or other proof of the
Executive’s expenditures and otherwise in accordance with any expense
reimbursement policy as may from time to time be adopted by the
Company.
(d)
Executive shall receive a housing allowance not to exceed $1,500 per month
in
connection with any hotel or accommodation expense incurred by the Employee
in
connection with any travel. In addition, the Executive shall be reimbursed
for
all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of the
Executive’s job.
(e)
Executive shall be entitled to medical coverage to the same extent that other
employees of the Company are offered medical coverage. Executive shall be
entitled to up to 6 weeks absence for medical emergencies. The Company may
require in its sole discretion, proof of medical emergency or
necessity.
(f)
Executive shall, during the Term, be entitled to two weeks vacation per annum,
in addition to holidays observed by the Company, The Executive shall not be
entitled to carry any vacation forward to the next year of employment and shall
not receive any compensation for unused vacation days.
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6.
Confidential Information and Inventions.
(a)
The
Executive recognizes and acknowledges that in the course of his duties he is
likely to receive confidential or proprietary information owned by the Company,
its affiliates or third parties with whom the Company or any such affiliates
has
an obligation of confidentiality. Accordingly, during and after the Term, the
Executive agrees to keep confidential and not disclose or make accessible to
any
other person or use for any other purpose other than in connection with the
fulfillment of his duties under this Agreement, any Confidential and Proprietary
Information (as defined below) owned by, or received by or on behalf of, the
Company or any of its affiliates. “Confidential and Proprietary Information”
shall include, but shall not be limited to, business plans (both current and
under development), client lists, promotion and marketing programs, trade
secrets, or any other confidential or proprietary business information relating
to business operations of the Company The Executive expressly acknowledges
the
trade secret status of the Confidential and Proprietary Information and that
the
Confidential and Proprietary Information constitutes a protectable business
interest of the Company. The Executive agrees:(i) not to use any such
Confidential and Proprietary Information for himself or others; and (ii) not
to
take any Company material or reproductions (including but not limited to
writings, correspondence, notes, drafts, records, invoices, technical and
business policies, computer programs or disks) thereof from the Company’s
offices at any time during his employment by the Company, except as required
in
the execution of the Executive’s duties to the Company. The Executive agrees to
return immediately all Company material and reproductions (including but not
limited, to writings, correspondence, notes, drafts, records, invoices,
technical and business policies, computer programs or disks) thereof in his
possession to the Company upon request and in any event immediately upon
termination of employment.
(b)
Except with prior written authorization by the Company, the Executive agrees
not
to disclose or publish any of the Confidential and Proprietary Information,
or
business information of any other party to whom the Company or any of its
affiliates owes an obligation of confidence, at any time during or after his
employment with the Company.
7.
Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Non-Disparagement.
(a)
The
Executive understands and recognizes that his services to the Company are
special and unique and that in the course of performing such services the
Executive will have access to and knowledge of Confidential and Proprietary
Information (as defined in Section 6) and the Executive agrees that, during
the
Term and for a period of six (6) months thereafter, he shall not in any manner,
directly or indirectly, on behalf of himself or any person, firm, partnership,
joint venture, corporation or other business entity (“PERSON”), enter into or
engage in any business which is engaged in any business directly or indirectly
competitive with the business of the Company, either as an individual for his
own account, or as a partner, joint venture, owner, executive, employee,
independent contractor, principal, agent, consultant, salesperson, officer,
director or shareholder of a Person in a business competitive with the Company
within the geographic area of the Company’s business, which is deemed by the
parties hereto to be the United States. The Executive acknowledges that, due
to
the unique nature of the Company’s business, the loss of any of its clients or
business flow or the improper use of its Confidential and Proprietary
Information could create significant instability and cause substantial damage
to
the Company and its affiliates and therefore the Company has a strong legitimate
business interest in protecting the continuity of its business interests and
the
restriction herein agreed to by the Executive narrowly and fairly serves such
an
important and critical business interest of the Company. For purposes of this
Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to be actively engaged in the business
of
developing generic drugs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained
in
this Section 7(a) shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from (i) acquiring
or holding, solely for investment, publicly traded securities of any
corporation, some or all of the activities of which are competitive with the
business of the Company so long as such securities do not, in the aggregate,
constitute more than three percent (3%) of any class or series of outstanding
securities of such corporation.
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(b)
During the Term and for a period of 6 months thereafter, the Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the
Company:
(i)
solicit or induce any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave
the employ of the Company or any such affiliate; or hire for any purpose any
employee of the Company or any affiliate or any employee who has left the
employment of the Company or any affiliate within one year of the termination
of
such employee’s employment with the Company or any such affiliate or at any time
in violation of such employee’s non-competition agreement with the Company or
any such affiliate; or
(ii)
solicit or accept employment or be retained by any Person who, at any time
during the term of this Agreement, was an agent, client or customer of the
Company or any of its affiliates where his position will be related to the
business of the Company or any such affiliate; or (iii) solicit or accept the
business of any agent, client or customer of the Company or any of its
affiliates with respect to products, services or investments similar to those
provided or supplied by the Company or any of its affiliates.
(c)
The
Company and the Executive each agree that both during the Term and at all times
thereafter, neither party shall directly or indirectly disparage, whether or
not
true, the name or reputation of the other party or any of its affiliates,
including but not limited to, any officer, director, employee or shareholder of
the Company or any of its affiliates.
(d)
In
the event that the Executive breaches any provisions of Section 6 or this
Section 7 or there is a threatened breach, then, in addition to any other rights
which the Company may have, the Company shall (i) be entitled, without the
posting of a bond or other security, to injunctive relief to enforce the
restrictions contained in such Sections and (ii) have the right to require
the
Executive to account for and pay over to the Company all compensation, profits,
monies, accruals, increments and other benefits (collectively ‘BENEFITS”)
derived or received by the Executive as a result of any transaction constituting
a breach of any of the provisions of Sections 6 or 7 and the Executive hereby
agrees to account for and pay over such Benefits to the Company.
(e)
Each
of the rights and remedies enumerated in Section 7(d) shall be independent
of
the others and shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other rights
and
remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. If any of the covenants
contained in this Section 7, or any part of any of them, is hereafter construed
or adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the
remainder of the covenant or covenants or rights or remedies which shall be
given fill effect without regard to the invalid portions. If any of the
covenants contained in this Section 7 is held to be invalid or unenforceable
because of the duration of such provision or the area covered thereby, the
parties agree that the court making such determination shall have the power
to
reduce the duration and/or area of such provision and in its reduced form such
provision shall then be enforceable. No such holding of invalidity or
unenforceability in one jurisdiction shall bar or in any way affect the
Company’s right to the relief provided in this Section 7 or otherwise in the
courts of any other state or jurisdiction within the geographical scope of
such
covenants as to breaches of such covenants in such other respective states
or
jurisdictions, such covenants being, for this purpose, severable into diverse
and independent covenants.
(f)
The
provisions of this Section 7 shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.
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8.
Representations and Warranties by the Executive.
The
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
(i)
Neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the performance by
the
Executive of his duties and other obligations hereunder violate or will violate
any statute, law, determination or award, or conflict with or constitute a
default or breach of any covenant or obligation under (whether immediately,
upon
the giving of notice or lapse of time or both) any prior employment agreement,
contract, or other instrument to which the Executive is a party or by which
he
is bound.
(ii)
The
Executive has the full right, power and legal capacity to enter and deliver
this
Agreement and to perform his duties and other obligations hereunder. This
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Executive
enforceable against him in accordance with its terms. No approvals or consents
of any persons or entities are required for the Executive to execute and deliver
this Agreement or perform his duties and other obligations
hereunder.
9.
Termination.
The
Executive’s employment hereunder shall be terminated upon the Executive’s death
and may be terminated as follows;
(a)
The
Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Board of Directors of
the Company for Cause. Any of the following actions by the Executive shall
constitute “CAUSE”:
(i)
The
willful failure, disregard or refusal by the Executive to perform his duties
hereunder
(ii)
Any
willful, intentional or grossly negligent act by the Executive having the effect
of injuring, in a material way (whether financial or otherwise and as determined
in good-faith by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company), the
business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates, including but
not limited to, any officer, director, executive or shareholder of the Company
or any of its affiliates;
(iii)
Willful misconduct by the Executive in respect of the duties or obligations
of
the Executive under this Agreement, including, without limitation,
insubordination with respect to directions received by the Executive from the
Board of Directors of the Company;
(iv)
The
Executive’s indictment of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
(including entry of a nolo contendere plea);
(v)
The
determination by the Company, after a reasonable and good-faith investigation
by
the Company following a written allegation by another employee of the Company,
that the Executive engaged in some form of harassment prohibited by law
(including, without limitation, age, sex or race discrimination), unless the
Executive’s actions were specifically directed by the Board of Directors of the
Company;
(vi)
Any
misappropriation or embezzlement of the property of the Company or its
affiliates (whether or not a misdemeanor or felony);
(vii)
Breach by the Executive of any of the provisions of Sections 6, 7 or 8 of this
Agreement and (viii) Breach by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement
other than those contained in Sections 6, 7 or 8 which is not cured by the
Executive within thirty (30) days after notice thereof is given to the Executive
by the Company.
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(b)
The
Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Board of Directors of
the Company due to the Executive’s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, a
termination for “DISABILITY”
shall
occur (i) when the Board of Directors of the Company has provided a written
termination notice to the Executive supported by a written statement from a
reputable independent physician to the effect that the Executive shall have
become so physically or mentally incapacitated as to be unable to resume, within
the ensuing twelve (12) months, his employment hereunder by reason of physical
or mental illness or injury, or (ii) upon rendering of a written termination
notice by the Board of Directors of the Company after the Executive has been
unable to substantially perform his duties hereunder for 90 or more consecutive
days, or more than 120 days in any consecutive twelve month period, by reason
of
any physical or mental illness or injury. For purposes of this Section 9(b),
the
Executive agrees to make himself available and to cooperate in any reasonable
examination by a reputable independent physician retained by the
Company.
(c)
The
Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Executive for Good
Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “GOOD REASON’ shall mean any of the
following: (i) the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with
the
Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities, titles or offices as described
herein, (ii) any material reduction by the Corporation
of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities or (iii) any reduction by the
Corporation of the Executive’s compensation or benefits payable hereunder (it
being understood that a reduction of benefits applicable to all employees of
the
Corporation, including the Executive, shall not be deemed a reduction of the
Executive’s compensation package for purposes of this definition).
10.
Compensation upon Termination.
(a) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of his death or Disability, the
Company shall pay to the Executive or to the Executive’s estate, as applicable,
(x) his Base Salary and any accrued but unpaid Bonus and expense reimbursement
amounts through the date of his Death or Disability. All Stock Options that
are
scheduled to vest by the end of the calendar year in which such termination
occurs shall be accelerated and deemed to have vested as of the termination
date. All Stock Options that have not vested (or been deemed pursuant to the
immediately preceding sentence to have vested) as of the date of termination
shall be deemed to have expired as of such date.
(b)If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Board of Directors of the Company
for Cause, then the Company shall pay to the Executive his Base Salary through
the date of his termination and the Executive shall have no further entitlement
to any other compensation or benefits from the Company. All Stock Options that
have not vested as of the date of termination shall be deemed to have expired
as
of such date. Any Stock Options that have vested as of the date of the
Executive’s termination for Cause shall remain exercisable for a period of 90
days.
(c) If
the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than as a result of
the Executive’s death or Disability and other than for reasons specified in
Sections 10(b) then the Company shall (i) continue to pay to the lesser of
the
Executive’s Base Salary for a period of one year following such termination or
the remaining term under his employment agreement, and (ii) pay the Executive
any expense reimbursement amounts owed through the date of termination. The
Company’s obligation under clauses (i) and (ii) in the preceding sentence shall
be subject to offset by any amounts otherwise received by the Executive from
any
employment during the one year period following the termination of his
employment. All Stock Options that are scheduled to vest by the end of the
calendar year in which such termination occurs shall be accelerated and deemed
to have vested as of the termination date. All Stock Options that have not
vested (or been deemed pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence to have
vested) as of the date of termination shall be deemed to have expired as of
such
date. My Stock Options that have vested as of the date of the Executive’s
termination shall remain exercisable for a period of 90 days.
6
(d)This
Section 10 sets forth the only obligations of the Company with respect to the
termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, and the Executive
acknowledges that, upon the termination of his employment, he shall not be
entitled to any payments or benefits which are not explicitly provided in
Section 10.
(e) The
provisions of this Section 10 shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.
11.
Miscellaneous.
(a) This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to its principles
of conflicts of laws.
(b) Any
dispute arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement or the breach thereof
(other than Sections 6 or 7 hereof); or regarding the interpretation thereof,
shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted in Palm Beach County, Florida
in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in
effect before a single arbitrator appointed in accordance with such rules.
Judgment upon any award rendered therein may be entered and enforcement obtained
thereon in any court having jurisdiction. The arbitrator shall have authority
to
grant any form of appropriate relief, whether legal or equitable in nature,
including specific performance. For the purpose of any judicial proceeding
to
enforce such award or incidental to such arbitration or to compel arbitration
and for purposes of Sections 6 and 7 hereof, the parties hereby submit to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in and for Dade County, Florida
and agree that service of process in such arbitration or court proceedings
shall
be satisfactorily made upon it if sent by registered mail addressed to it at
the
address referred to in paragraph (g) below. The costs of such arbitration shall
be borne proportionate to the finding of fault as determined by the arbitrator.
Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered by any court of competent
jurisdiction.
(c)
This
Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be
assigned by the Executive. The Company may assign its rights, together with
its
obligations, hereunder in connection with any sale, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all of its business or assets.
(d)
This
Agreement cannot be amended orally, or by any course of conduct or dealing,
but
only by a written agreement signed by the parties hereto.
(e)
The
failure of either party to insist upon the strict performance of any of the
terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as
a
waiver or relinquishment of future compliance therewith, and such terms,
conditions and provisions shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver
of
any term or condition of this Agreement on the part of either party shall be
effective for any purpose whatsoever unless such waiver is in writing and signed
by such party.
(f)
All
notices, requests, consents and other communications, required or permitted
to
be given hereunder, shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or
by
an overnight courier service or sent by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed given when so delivered
personally or by overnight courier, or, if mailed, five days after the date
of
deposit in the United States mails.
(g)
This
Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements,
arrangements and understandings, written or oral, relating to the subject matter
hereof. No representation, promise or inducement has been made by either party
that is not embodied in this Agreement, and neither party shall be bound by
or
liable for any alleged representation, promise or inducement not so set
forth.
(h)
As
used in this Agreement, “affiliate” of a specified Person shall mean and include
any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the specified
Person.
(i)
The
section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall
not
in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(j)
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and
the
same instrument.
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date
first above written.
SFH1
Acquisition Corp.
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
———————————
By:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, President
Executive:
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
———————————
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Singh
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