CONSULTING AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.29
This Consulting Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on February 1, 2017, by and between Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Nevada corporation, with its principal place of business being Xxxx-Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxx 00, 00000 Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx (the “Company”) and Xxxxxxxx Advisors, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability corporation, with its principal place of business being 00 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (“Xxxxxxxx”). The Company and Xxxxxxxx are herein sometimes referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, the Company is a U.S. publicly traded company that possesses know-how and proprietary technology related to the field of Anticalin® brand proteins; and
WHEREAS, Xxxxxxxx has expertise in financial and corporate operations and strategy, including financial reporting requirements for U.S. publicly traded companies; and
WHEREAS, Xxxxxxxx desires to serve as an independent consultant for the purpose of providing the Company with certain strategic and financial advice and support services, as more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto, (the “Services”); and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to engage Xxxxxxxx on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree and covenant as follows.
1. Services of Consultant. Xxxxxxxx will assist the Company with matters relating to the Services commencing on the date that Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx is appointed as the Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “Effective Date”). The Services are more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto. Xxxxxxxx and the Company will review the Services on a monthly basis to prioritize and implement the tasks listed on Exhibit A.
2. Compensation for Services. In full consideration of Xxxxxxxx’x full, prompt and faithful performance of the Services, the Company shall compensate Xxxxxxxx a consulting fee more fully described in Exhibit A (the “Consulting Fee”). Xxxxxxxx shall, from time to time, but not more frequently than twice per calendar month, invoice the Company for Services rendered, and such invoice will be paid upon fifteen (15) days of receipt. Each month the Parties shall evaluate jointly the current fee structure and scope of Services. Xxxxxxxx reserves the right to an annual increase in consultant rates of up to 4%, effective January 1 of each year. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3, no compensation or benefits of any kind as described in this Section 2 shall be payable or issuable to Xxxxxxxx after the effective date of such termination. In addition, the Company will reimburse Xxxxxxxx for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses, including but not limited to travel and parking, incurred by Xxxxxxxx in performing the Services hereunder, upon submission by Xxxxxxxx of supporting documentation reasonably acceptable to the Company. Any such accrued expenses in any given three (3) month period that exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be submitted to the Company for its prior written approval.
All Xxxxxxxx invoices and billing matters should be addressed to:
| Company Accounts Payable Contact: | [NAME] | |
| [EMAIL ADDRESS] | ||
| [PHONE NUMBER] | ||
| [ADDRESS] |
All Company payments and billing inquiries should be addressed to:
| Xxxxxxxx Accounting: | Xxxxxxxx Advisors | |||
| XX Xxx 000 | ||||
| Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
3. Term and Termination. The term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and will continue through the anniversary of such date in the next calendar year (the “Term”). This Agreement may be extended for an additional period by mutual written agreement. This Agreement may be terminated by either Party hereto: (a) with Cause (as defined below), upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other Party; or (b) without cause upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other Party. For purposes of this Section 3, “Cause” shall include: (i) a breach of the terms of this Agreement which is not cured within thirty (30) days of written notice of such default or (ii) the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or deliberate disregard of a rule or policy of the Company.
4. Time Commitment. Xxxxxxxx will devote such time to perform the Services under this Agreement as may reasonably be required.
5. Place of Performance. Xxxxxxxx will perform the Services at such locations upon which the Company and Xxxxxxxx may mutually agree. Xxxxxxxx will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, perform any of the Services at any facility or in any manner that might give anyone other than the Company any rights to or allow for disclosure of any Confidential Information (as defined below).
6. Compliance with Policies and Guidelines. Xxxxxxxx will perform the Services in accordance with all rules or policies adopted by the Company that the Company discloses in writing to Xxxxxxxx.
7. Confidential Information. Xxxxxxxx acknowledges and agrees that during the course of performing the Services, the Company may furnish, disclose or make available to Xxxxxxxx information, including, but not limited to, material, compilations, data, formulae, models, patent disclosures, procedures, processes, business plans, projections, protocols, results of experimentation and testing, specifications, strategies and techniques, and all tangible and intangible embodiments thereof of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any apparatus, biological or chemical materials, animals, cells, compositions, documents, drawings, machinery, patent applications, records and reports), which is owned or controlled by the Company and is marked or designated as confidential at the time of disclosure or is of a type that is customarily considered to be confidential information (collectively the “Confidential Information”). Xxxxxxxx acknowledges that the Confidential Information or any part thereof is the exclusive property of the Company and shall not be disclosed to any third party without first
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obtaining the written consent of the Company. Xxxxxxxx further agrees to take all practical steps to ensure that the Confidential Information, and any part thereof, shall not be disclosed or issued to its affiliates, agents or employees, except on like terms of confidentiality. The above provisions of confidentiality shall apply for a period of five (5) years.
8. Intellectual Property. Xxxxxxxx agrees that all ideas, inventions, discoveries, creations, manuscripts, properties, innovations, improvements, know-how, inventions, designs, developments, apparatus, techniques, methods, and formulae that Xxxxxxxx conceives, makes, develops or improves as a result of performing the Services, whether or not reduced to practice and whether or not patentable, alone or in conjunction with any other party and whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of the Company (all of the foregoing being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Inventions”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Xxxxxxxx hereby agrees in consideration of the Company’s agreement to engage Xxxxxxxx and pay compensation for the Services rendered to the Company and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged that Xxxxxxxx shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, consult for, or become an employee of, any company which conducts business in the Field of Interest anywhere in the world. As used herein, the term “Field of Interest” shall mean the research, development, manufacture and/or sale of the products resulting from the Company’s technology. The limitations on competition contained in this Section 8 shall continue during the time that Xxxxxxxx performs any Services for the Company, and for a period of three (3) months following the termination of any such Services that Xxxxxxxx performs for the Company. If any part of this section should be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unreasonable in duration, geographic area, or scope, then this Section 8 is intended to and shall extend only for such period of time, in such area and with respect to such activity as is determined to be reasonable. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Xxxxxxxx from consulting for or being employed by any other person or entity.
9. Non Solicitation. All personnel representing Xxxxxxxx are employees or contracted agents of Xxxxxxxx. As such, they are obligated to provide the Services to the Company and are obligated to Xxxxxxxx under confidentiality, non-compete, and non-solicitation agreements. Accordingly, they are not retainable as employees or contractors by the Company and the Company hereby agrees not to solicit, hire or retain their services for so long as they are employees or contracted agents of Xxxxxxxx and for two (2) years thereafter. Should the Company violate this restriction, it agrees to pay Xxxxxxxx liquidated damages equal to equal to thirty percent (30%) of the employee’s starting annual base salary and target annual bonus for each Xxxxxxxx contracted agent hired by the Company in violation of this Agreement, plus Xxxxxxxx’x reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in enforcing this agreement should the Company fail or refuse to pay the liquidated damages amount in full within thirty (30) days following its violation.
10. Placement Services. In the event that Xxxxxxxx refers a potential employee to the Company and that individual is hired, Xxxxxxxx shall receive a fee equal to ten percent (10%) of the employee’s starting annual base salary. This fee is due and owing whether an individual is hired, directly or indirectly on a permanent basis or on a contract or consulting basis by the Company, as a result of Xxxxxxxx’x efforts within one (1) year of the date applicant(s) are submitted to the Company. Such payment is due within thirty (30) days of the employee’s start date.
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11. No Implied Warranty. Except for any express warranties stated herein, the Services are provided on an “as is” basis, and the Company disclaims any and all other warranties, conditions, or representations (express, implied, oral or written), relating to the Services or any part thereof. Further, in performing the Services Xxxxxxxx is not engaged to disclose illegal acts, including fraud or defalcations, which may have taken place. The foregoing notwithstanding, Xxxxxxxx will promptly notify the Company if Xxxxxxxx becomes aware of any such illegal acts during the performance of the Services. Because the Services do not constitute an examination in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the “AICPA”), Xxxxxxxx is precluded from expressing an opinion as to whether financial statements provided by the Company are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles or any other standards or guidelines promulgated by the AICPA, or whether the underlying financial and other data provide a reasonable basis for the statements.
12. Indemnification. Each Party hereto agrees to indemnify and hold the other Party hereto, its directors, officers, agents and employees harmless against any claim based upon circumstances alleged to be inconsistent with such representations and/or warranties contained in this Agreement. Further, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Xxxxxxxx and any of its subcontractors against any claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) that arise out of or are based on the Services performed hereunder, except for any such claims, losses, damages or liabilities arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Xxxxxxxx or any of its employees or subcontractors. The Company will endeavor to add Xxxxxxxx and any applicable employee or subcontractor to its insurance policies as additional insureds, including without limitation the Company’s Directors and Officers liability insurance.
13. Independent Contractor. Xxxxxxxx and its employees and subcontractors are not, nor shall any of them be deemed to be at any time during the term of this Agreement, an employee of the Company, and therefore neither Xxxxxxxx nor its employees or subcontractors shall be entitled to any benefits provided by the Company to its employees. Xxxxxxxx’x status and relationship with the Company shall be that of an independent contractor and consultant. Xxxxxxxx shall not state or imply, directly or indirectly, that Xxxxxxxx is empowered to bind the Company without the Company’s prior written consent. Nothing herein shall create, expressly or by implication, a partnership, joint venture or other association between the parties. Xxxxxxxx will be solely responsible for payment of all federal, state and local taxes and contributions imposed or required on income, and for all unemployment insurance, social security contributions and all other charges and taxes arising from this Agreement and the use of any of Xxxxxxxx’x employees or subcontractors to perform services under this Agreement.
14. Records. Upon termination of Xxxxxxxx’x relationship with the Company, Xxxxxxxx shall deliver to the Company any property or Confidential Information of the Company relating to the Services which may be in its possession including products, project plans, materials, memoranda, notes, records, reports, laboratory notebooks, or other documents or photocopies and any such information stored using electronic medium.
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15. Notices. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing (except in the case of verbal communications, emails and teleconferences updating either Party as to the status of work hereunder) and shall be deemed delivered upon personal delivery, one day after being sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service or two days after deposit in the mail or on the next business day following transmittal via facsimile. Notices under this Agreement shall be sent to the following representatives of the Parties:
If to the Company:
| Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxx |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
| Address: | Xxxx-Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxx 00 00000 Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
| Phone: |
| E-mail: |
If to Xxxxxxxx:
| Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
| Title: | Managing Director |
| Address: |
| Phone: |
| E-mail: |
16. Assignment and Successors. This Agreement may not be assigned by a Party without the consent of the other which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except that each Party may assign this Agreement and the rights, obligations and interests of such Party, in whole or in part, to any of its Affiliates, to any purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets or to any successor corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation of such Party with or into such corporation.
17. Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be liable for failure of or delay in performing obligations set forth in this Agreement, and neither shall be deemed in breach of its obligations, if such failure or delay is due to natural disasters or any causes beyond the reasonable control of either Party. In the event of such force majeure, the Party affected thereby shall use reasonable efforts to cure or overcome the same and resume performance of its obligations hereunder.
18. Headings. The Section headings are intended for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
19. Integration; Severability. This Agreement is the sole agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all other agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to the same. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid or is ruled invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction or is deemed unenforceable, it is the intention of the Parties that the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected.
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20. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excluding choice of law principles. The Parties agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or related in any way to this Agreement shall be brought solely in a Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction sitting in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one agreement.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign where indicated below, whereupon this Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date.
| XXXXXXXX ADVISORS, LLC | PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | |||||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||||
| Print Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx | Print Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||||
| Title: | Managing Director | Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||||
| Date: | 1/24/17 | Date: | 27 January 2017 | |||||
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EXHIBIT A
Description of Services and Schedule of Fees
Xxxxxxxx will perform mutually agreed to finance and accounting functions (the “Services”) which are necessary to support the management and operations of the Company, certain of which are set forth below.
CFO Services:
| • | Ensure compliance with SEC filing and other regulatory requirements, and manage related systems |
| – | Preparation and/or review of periodic SEC filings |
| – | Certification of SEC filings, as the principal financial officer and principal accounting officer commencing with the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 |
| • | Leadership of investor relations activities |
| – | Participation in quarterly earnings calls |
| – | Participation in drafting investor communications (press releases, annual report, etc.) |
| – | Meetings/calls with investor community and analysts, as appropriate |
| – | Develop and execute strategy for improving liquidity of Pieris’ stock |
| • | Oversee the finance and accounting functions |
| – | Management of accounting and finance team |
| – | Establish priorities |
| – | Review of internal control procedures, systems and resources to ensure propriety and adequacy |
| • | Board, Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance committee meeting preparation, support and attendance |
| • | Management of treasury function |
| – | Currency matters |
| – | Banking relationships |
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| – | Investment policy |
| – | Risk management and insurance |
| • | Participate in longer-term strategic planning process |
| • | Provide financial support for strategic business planning and business development/licensing opportunities |
| • | Participate in financing activities, including additional capital raises and/or debt and equity restructurings |
| • | Perform financial modeling, planning and analysis |
| • | Strategic opportunity assessment |
| • | Stock option plan management |
The Services provided above will be provided by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx who shall be appointed as Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Recognizing the need to prioritize activities and refine the definition and scope of the Services to be provided, Xxxxxxxx shall review the list of Services with the Company’s CEO on a periodic basis to ensure alignment and establish clear expectations.
Financial Terms:
Xxxxxxxx will provide the Services outlined for an hourly fee, as follows:
CFO: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx $300/hour
The Services shall be provided for a minimum of six months, beginning on the Effective Date.
Travel time will be charged at $150 per hour, and in no event will travel time be charged for more than six hours per day. In additional, the Company will reimburse Xxxxxxxx for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses to the extent set forth in Section 2 of the Agreement.
Equity Compensation: To Be Discussed
The Company shall in the sole discretion of its Board of Directors consider whether or not to grant equity to Xxxxxxxx in an amount commensurate with similar positions at similar companies, and reflective of the duration of the assignment.
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