EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.2
This
Agreement by and between Keryx
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
("Keryx"), a Delaware corporation having an address at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, and Xxxx
X. Xxxxxx,
an
individual residing at 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
(“Xxxxxx”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
the Corporation desires to employ Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx desires to be employed
by
the Corporation as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance
Officer and Secretary of Keryx, all pursuant to the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth;
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises and
covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:
1. |
EMPLOYMENT
DUTIES
|
Keryx
hereby engages and employs Xxxxxx, and Xxxxxx accepts engagement and employment,
as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and
Secretary of Keryx, to direct, supervise and have responsibilities for the
legal, compliance and human resource matters of Keryx and for any other
appropriate areas and tasks which may be assigned to her including, without
limitation those associated with her role as corporate secretary. Xxxxxx will
devote her entire business time, energy, abilities and experience to the
performance of her duties, effectively and in good faith. Further, during the
Term, Xxxxxx shall not render services as an employee, consultant or otherwise,
whether or not during regular business hours, for pay to any other party other
than the Corporation without the written permission of the Chief Executive
Officer. Xxxxxx acknowledges and agrees that the performance by Xxxxxx of her
duties hereunder may require significant domestic and international travel
by
Xxxxxx.
2. |
TERM
|
This
Agreement shall commence on April 18, 2007 (the “Effective Date”) and shall
continue unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided in Paragraph 8 (the
“Term”).
3. |
COMPENSATION
|
(a) As
compensation for the performance of her duties on behalf of Keryx, Xxxxxx shall
be compensated as follows:
(i) Base
Salary and Annual Increases. Xxxxxx
shall receive an annual gross base salary of three hundred thousand dollars
($300,000) per year (the “Base Salary”) payable in accordance with the
Corporation’s payroll policies and subject to standard payroll deductions and
withholdings; provided that Xxxxxx’x Base Salary may be increased annually in
accordance with corporate policy.
(ii) Bonus.
Xxxxxx
shall be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus of up to 50% of the Base
Salary (the “Annual Cash Incentive Pay” or “ACIP”) based on annual target
performance objectives to be agreed upon by the Corporation’s Chief Executive
Officer (the “CEO”), and Xxxxxx not later than the end of the first quarter of
the fiscal year for which the ACIP shall be applicable, except for the annual
target performance objectives in the first year of this agreement, which shall
be agreed upon on or before May 30. The primary performance measures for Xxxxxx
shall be the Corporate goals and objectives approved by the Compensation
Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year. Each year, the CEO will evaluate
the performance of Xxxxxx and recommend to the Compensation Committee a personal
evaluation measure which may decrease the ACIP or increase by the way of a
special performance bonus recommendation. ACIP and bonuses are paid in
accordance with the Corporations bonus policy (typically in March of the year
following the year in which the bonus is earned) and Xxxxxx must be an employee
of the Corporation when the bonus is paid to be entitled to receive a bonus.
In
2007, Xxxxxx will be eligible for up to the full potential bonus.
(iii) Options.
Pursuant
to the General Counsel Incentive Plan (the “GC Plan”), Xxxxxx shall receive
options (the “Options”) to purchase shares of common stock of the Corporation as
outlined on Exhibit B. From time to time, at the discretion of the Board of
Directors, Xxxxxx may be eligible for additional stock option grants, including,
without limitation, on annual basis Xxxxxx shall be eligible for additional
stock option grants of up to 25% of Xxxxxx’x initial Options as set forth in
Exhibit B based on the achievement of annual target performance objectives
as
set forth in 3(a)(ii) above.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Options described in Exhibit
B
will all accelerate and vest upon your termination without Cause, your
resignation for a Good Reason or in the event of a Change in Control (as those
terms are defined herein and in Exhibit A). Additionally, regardless of such
termination, your stock Options shall remain exercisable until the earlier
of:
(i) 2 years following such termination and (ii) for the full term of such
Options. Such vesting and extension of exercisability provisions shall be
conditioned on the execution by Xxxxxx of a waiver and release of claims
substantially in the form set forth in Attachment B, attached
hereto.
(iv) Restricted
Stock. Xxxxxx
shall receive 15,000 restricted shares (the “Restricted Shares”) of common stock
of the Corporation granted under, and pursuant to the terms and conditions
of,
the Company’s 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Restricted Shares shall vest
one-third (1/3) on the second anniversary, one-third (1/3) on the third
anniversary and one -third (1/3) on the fourth anniversary of the Effective
Date, assuming Xxxxxx is an employee on such date. Notwithstanding anything
to
the contrary, the Restricted Shares will all accelerate and vest upon your
termination without Cause, your resignation for a Good Reason or in the event
of
a Change in Control (as those terms are defined herein and in Exhibit A). Such
vesting provisions shall be conditioned on the execution by Xxxxxx of a waiver
and release of claims substantially in the form set forth in Attachment B,
attached hereto.
(b) Expenses.
Keryx
shall reimburse Xxxxxx for all normal, usual and necessary expenses incurred
by
Xxxxxx in furtherance of the business and affairs of Keryx, including travel
and
entertainment and professional fees associated with your maintaining your legal
credentials (e.g. registration fees, bar association fees and CLE costs),
against receipt by Keryx of appropriate vouchers or other proof of Xxxxxx'x
expenditures and otherwise in accordance with such Expense Reimbursement Policy
as may from time to time be adopted by the Board of Directors of
Keryx.
(c) Annual
Leave and Holidays. Xxxxxx
shall be entitled to twenty (20) business days of leave per calendar year.
Any
leave not taken in a particular calendar year will be forfeited and not carried
forward into the next calendar year. In addition, Xxxxxx shall be entitled
to
those holidays set forth, from time to time, by the Company.
2
(d) Employee
Benefits.
During
the Term of her employment, Xxxxxx shall be entitled to participate in all
employee and fringe benefit plans and programs generally offered to other
members of the Corporation’s management who are similarly situated, including,
without limitation, any pension, profit sharing, incentive, retirement,
insurance, health and disability benefits and plans, to the extent that Xxxxxx
is eligible under and subject to the provisions of such plans. The Corporation
reserves its right to modify or terminate any of its employee and fringe benefit
plans and programs at any time.
4. |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES BY XXXXXX AND
KERYX
|
(a) Xxxxxx
hereby represents and warrants to Keryx as follows:
(i)
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance by Xxxxxx
of
her duties and other obligations hereunder violate any statute, law,
determination or award, or conflict with or constitute a default under (whether
immediately, upon the giving of notice or lapse of time or both) any prior
employment agreement, contract, or other instrument to which Xxxxxx is a party
or by which she is bound.
(ii) Xxxxxx
has the full right, power and legal capacity to enter and deliver this Agreement
and to perform her duties and other obligations hereunder. This Agreement
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Xxxxxx enforceable
against her in accordance with its terms. No approvals or consents of any
persons or entities are required for Xxxxxx to execute and deliver this
Agreement or perform her duties and other obligations hereunder.
(b) Keryx
hereby represents and warrants to Xxxxxx as follows:
(i) Keryx
is
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware, with all requisite corporate power and authority to own
its
properties and conduct its business in the manner presently
conducted.
(ii) Keryx
has
the full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to incur and
perform its obligations hereunder.
(iii) The
execution, delivery and performance by Keryx of this Agreement does not conflict
with or result in a material breach or violation of or constitute a material
default under (whether immediately, or upon the giving of notice or lapse of
time or both) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Keryx, or any
agreement or instrument to which Keryx is a party or by which Keryx or any
of
its properties may be bound or affected.
5. |
CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION
|
Xxxxxx
agrees to sign and comply with the Corporation’s Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreement, annexed hereto as Attachment A.
6. |
NON-COMPETITION
|
(a) Xxxxxx
understands and recognizes that her services to Keryx are special and unique
and
agrees that, during the Term, and for a period of 12 months from the date of
termination of her employment hereunder, she shall not in any manner, directly
or indirectly, on behalf of herself or any person, firm, partnership, joint
venture, corporation or other business entity ("Person"), enter into or engage
in any business “Directly Competitive” with Keryx's business, either as an
individual for her own account, or as a partner, joint venturer, treasurer,
agent, consultant, salesperson, employee, officer, director or shareholder
of a
Person operating or intending to operate within the area that Keryx is, at
the
date of termination, conducting its business (the "Restricted Businesses")
without the prior written consent of Keryx; provided, however, that nothing
herein will preclude Xxxxxx from holding one percent (1%) or less of the stock
of any publicly traded corporation. For a business to be Directly Competitive,
it would have to be developing a drug in the same class and for the same
indication as the drugs under development at that the end of the Term. For
example, a company developing a GAG for Diabetic Nephropathy would be considered
Directly Competitive by this clause, however, a company developing a GAG for
another disease or developing a drug other than a GAG for Diabetic Nephropathy
would not be deemed Directly Competitive.
3
(b) In
the
event that Xxxxxx breaches any provisions of this Section 6 or there is a
threatened breach, then, in addition to any other rights which Keryx may have,
Keryx shall be entitled, without the posting of a bond or other security, to
injunctive relief to enforce the restrictions contained herein. In the event
that an actual proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the provisions of
this
Section 6, Xxxxxx shall not argue as a defense that there is an adequate remedy
at law nor shall Keryx be prevented from seeking any other remedies that may
be
available.
7. |
NON-SOLICITATION
AND NON-INTERFERENCE
|
During
the Term, and for 12 months thereafter, Xxxxxx shall not, directly or
indirectly, without the prior written consent of Keryx:
(a) solicit
or induce any employee of Keryx or any subsidiary, parent, affiliate or
successor (“Affiliate”) of Keryx to leave the employ of Keryx or any Affiliate
or hire for any purpose any employee of Keryx or any Affiliate or any employee
who has left the employment of Keryx or any Affiliate within six months of
the
termination of said employee's employment with Keryx; or
(b) interfere
with or disrupt or attempt to disrupt Keryx's or its Affiliates’ business
relationship with any of their partners, service providers, clients, customers
and/or suppliers.
8. |
TERMINATION
|
(a) Either
party may terminate Xxxxxx’x employment with the Corporation any time upon
ninety (90) days’ notice, provided, however that if such termination occurs
without Cause or for Good Reason in the first twelve (12) months following
the
Effective Date, the Corporation shall pay Xxxxxx her full salary and
reimbursement of the cost of COBRA to maintain health benefits (excluding bonus)
until the first anniversary of the Effective Date, as a lump-sum payment within
30 days of such termination. The Corporation shall have the right, in its sole
discretion, to require Xxxxxx to continue working for the Corporation during
the
notice period.
(b) If
Xxxxxx’x employment is terminated without Cause or Xxxxxx terminates for Good
Reason in anticipation of or within 12 months following a Qualified Change
in
Control then Xxxxxx shall be entitled to a lump-sum payment equal to: (i) one
(1) year's Base Salary; plus (ii) any earned and unpaid bonus as of the date
of
termination, payable
within 30-days of such termination.
4
(c) Such
payment, contained in 8(b), shall be conditioned on the execution by Xxxxxx
of a
waiver and release of claims substantially in the form set forth in Attachment
B, attached hereto
(d) In
the
event Xxxxxx’x employment is terminated by her death or disability, she shall be
entitled to continue to receive her base salary for three (3) months following
her last day of actual employment by the Corporation. (For purposes of this
section, “disability” shall be deemed to have occurred if Xxxxxx is unable, due
to any physical or mental disease or condition, to perform her normal duties
of
employment for 120 consecutive days or 180 days in any twelve-month period.)
In
addition, the Board of Directors shall take the necessary steps so that the
period during which the Employee shall be permitted to exercise such Options
shall be extended to the earlier of: (A) two (2) years from the effective date
of her termination and (B) the expiration date of such Options. Should the
Employee’s employment be terminated as a result of her death, the benefits
granted herein, shall be granted instead to her lawful heir or heirs. In either
case (disability or death), extended exercise of the options will only be
granted if Xxxxxx or, in the case of her death, her legal successor, together
with her lawful heir or heirs, execute a waiver and release of claims
substantially in the form set forth in Attachment B hereto.
(e) “Cause.”
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may terminate Xxxxxx immediately
and without prior notice (for “Cause’) in the following circumstances: (a) a
material breach of Xxxxxx’x obligations and/or warranties pursuant to Sections
4(a), 5, 6 and/or 7; (b) a material breach by Xxxxxx of any other provision
of
this Agreement, which is not cured by Xxxxxx within fifteen (15) days after
receiving notice thereof from the Corporation containing a description of the
breach or breaches alleged to have occurred; (c) the habitual neglect or gross
failure by Xxxxxx to adequately perform the duties of her position, unless
cured
within 15 days after receiving notice thereof; (d) any act of moral turpitude
or
criminal action connected to her employment with the Corporation or her place
of
employment; or (e) Xxxxxx’x repetitive refusal to comply with or her violation
of lawful instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors,
unless cured within 15 days after receiving notice thereof.
(f) “Good
Reason”. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Xxxxxx may resign for a “Good Reason”
within 90 days of the occurrence of one of the following circumstances in the
following circumstances: (A) a material diminution in her duties, or the
assignment to her of duties materially inconsistent with her authority,
responsibilities and reporting requirements as set forth in Section 1 of this
Agreement; or (B) a material breach by the Corporation of its obligations to
you
under the terms of this Agreement.
Anything hereinabove to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event you elect
to
terminate your employment for Good Reason, you agree to provide the Corporation
with thirty (30) days prior written notice of your intent to leave the
Corporation and the alleged condition or breach constituting Good Reason. In
the
event the Corporation cures such condition or breach within thirty (30) days
following receipt of such notice, any such termination based on such alleged
breach or condition shall not be considered a termination by you for Good
Reason.
(g) In
the
event that Xxxxxx’x employment has been terminated for Cause by the Corporation
or without Good Reason by Xxxxxx, then Xxxxxx shall not be entitled to receive
any of the benefits set forth in Section 8(a) above.
9. |
INDEMNIFICATION
|
The
Corporation shall take whatever steps are necessary to establish a policy of
indemnifying its officers, including, but not limited to Xxxxxx, for all actions
taken in good faith in pursuit of their duties and obligations to the
Corporation. Such steps shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited
to,
the obtaining of an appropriate level of Directors and Officers Liability
coverage.
5
10. |
NOTICES
|
Any
notice or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall
be deemed to have been given when delivered personally against receipt thereof;
two (2) business days after being sent by Federal Express or similar
internationally recognized courier service; or seven (7) business days after
being mailed registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, to either party at the address set forth above, and to:
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
00
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
or
to
such other address as such party shall give by notice hereunder to the other
party.
11. |
SEVERABILITY
OF PROVISIONS
|
If
any
provision of this Agreement shall be declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced in whole
or
in part, the remaining conditions and provisions or portions thereof shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect and enforceable to the extent
they
are valid, legal and enforceable, and no provision shall be deemed dependent
upon any other covenant or provision unless so expressed herein.
12. |
ENTIRE
AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION
|
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject
matter hereof, and the parties hereto have made no agreements, representations
or warranties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement that are not
set
forth herein. No modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless made
in
writing and signed by the parties hereto.
13. |
BINDING
EFFECT
|
The
rights, benefits, duties and obligations under this Agreement shall inure to,
and be binding upon, Keryx, its successors and assigns, including in the event
of a change of control of Keryx by way of a merger, acquisition of, or a
majority investment in Keryx, and upon Xxxxxx and her legal representatives.
This Agreement constitutes a personal service agreement, and the performance
of
Xxxxxx'x obligations hereunder may not be transferred or assigned by Xxxxxx.
14. |
NON-WAIVER
|
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 said 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.
6
15. |
GOVERNING
LAW
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of
conflicts of law. Additionally, the prevailing party in any litigation shall
be
entitled to an additional award of its attorney fees, cost and
expenses.
16. |
REMEDIES
FOR BREACH
|
Xxxxxx
understands and agrees that any breach of Sections 4(a) 5, 6 and/or 7 of this
Agreement by her could cause irreparable damage to Keryx and to the Affiliates,
and that monetary damages alone would not be adequate and, in the event of
such
breach, Keryx shall have, in addition to any and all remedies of law, the right
to an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent
or
redress the violation of Keryx's rights under such Sections.
17. |
HEADINGS
|
The
headings of paragraphs are inserted for convenience and shall not affect any
interpretation of this Agreement.
18. |
LEGAL
REPRESENTATION
|
The
Corporation shall reimburse Xxxxxx up to $7,500 for legal costs associated
with
the review and execution of this Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day
and year first above written.
EMPLOYEE:
By:
/s/ Xxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
KERYX
BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
|
7
Exhibit
A
Certain
Definitions
A
“Change
in Control,”
shall
mean either: (i) a Merger (as defined below), except for a transaction the
principal purpose of which is to change the State of incorporation, (ii) the
sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of
the Corporation; or (iii) any other corporate reorganization or business
combination (including, but not limited to, a merger in which the Corporation
is
the surviving entity) in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the
Corporation’s then outstanding voting stock is transferred to different holders
in a single transaction or a series of related transactions.
A
“Merger”
shall
mean a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation
or
entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing
to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty (50%) percent of the total
voting power represented by the voting securities of the Corporation or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation.
A
“Qualified
Change in Control”
shall
be a Change in Control which places a value on the Corporation of in excess
of
$1.5 billion.
8
Exhibit
B
The
Corporation will xxxxx Xxxxxx options (the “Options”) to purchase a total of
150,000 shares of the common stock of the Corporation (the “Initial Grant”) at
an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Corporation’s Common Stock
on Nasdaq on the date the grant is approved by the Compensation Committee (the
“Exercise Price”), which options shall be exercisable, only after vesting, for a
period of ten (10) years from the date of issuance. Xxxxxx'x Options will be
granted under the GC Plan (the "Plan") and will be subject to the terms and
conditions thereof, including any stock option agreement entered into by Xxxxxx
and the Corporation thereunder; provided, however, that if any provisions of
this Agreement are inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan and
any such stock option agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
In
accordance with the Plan, should any change be made to the Common Stock by
reason of any stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change
affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s
receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to (A) the
total
number and/or class of securities subject to such options and (B) the Exercise
Price in order to reflect such change and thereby preclude a dilution or
enlargement under such options. The Initial Grant shall vest as follows
(provided that Xxxxxx is employed as a service provider (as defined in the
plan)
on the date of vesting):
Months
of Employment
|
Number
of Options Vested
|
12
|
37,500
|
15
|
9,375
|
18
|
9,375
|
21
|
9,375
|
24
|
9,375
|
27
|
9,375
|
30
|
9,375
|
33
|
9,375
|
36
|
9,375
|
39
|
9,375
|
42
|
9,375
|
45
|
9,375
|
48
|
9,375
|
9
ATTACHMENT
A
Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement
In
consideration of my employment or continued employment by Keryx
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (together with any subsidiary of Keryx
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., the “Company”), and the compensation now and hereafter
paid to me, I hereby agree as follows:
1.
Recognition of Company’s Rights; Nondisclosure.
At all
times during the term of my employment and thereafter, I will hold in strictest
confidence and will not disclose, use, lecture upon or publish any of the
Company’s Proprietary Information (defined below), except as such disclosure,
use or publication may be required in connection with my work for the Company,
or unless an officer of the Company expressly authorizes such in
writing.
The
term
“Proprietary Information” shall mean trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data
or any other proprietary information of the Company. By way of illustration
but
not limitation, “Proprietary Information” includes (a) inventions, mask works,
trade secrets, ideas, processes, formulas, source and object codes, data,
programs, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries,
developments, designs and techniques (hereinafter collectively referred to
as
“Inventions”); and (b) information regarding plans for research, development,
new products, regulatory matters, marketing and selling, business plans, budgets
and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers
and
customers; and information regarding the skills and compensation of other
employees of the Company. “Proprietary Information” shall not include anything
which has become or shall become public except through my breach of this
agreement.
2.
Third Party Information.
I
understand, in addition, that the Company has received, and in the future will
receive, from third parties confidential or proprietary information (“Third
Party Information”) subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the
confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited
purposes. During the term of my employment and thereafter, I will hold Third
Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone
(except in connection with my work for the Company), unless expressly authorized
by an officer of the Company in writing. “Third Party Information” shall not
include anything which has become or shall become public except through my
breach of this agreement.
3.
Assignment of Inventions
3.1
Assignment
(a)
I
hereby assign to the Company all my right, title and interest in and to any
and
all Inventions and all patent rights, copyrights, mask work rights, trademarks,
trade secret rights, all other rights throughout the world in connection
therewith, and the goodwill associated with all of the foregoing (collectively,
“Proprietary Rights”), whether or not patentable or registrable under patent,
copyright, trademark or similar statutes, made or conceived or reduced to
practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with others, during the
period of my employment with the Company. Inventions assigned to, or as directed
by, the Company under this Paragraph 3 are hereinafter referred to as “Company
Inventions”. I agree, upon request, to execute, verify and deliver assignments
of the Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designee and I hereby appoint
the Company my attorney-in-fact with respect to the Proprietary Rights for
the
purpose of effecting any or all of the Company’s rights to the Proprietary
Rights.
10
3.1
Government.
I also
agree to assign to or as directed by the Company all my right, title and
interest in and to any and all Inventions, full title to which is required
to be
assigned to the United States of America by a contract between the Company
and
United States of America or any of its agencies.
3.2
Works for hire.
I
acknowledge that all original works of authorship which are made by me (solely
or jointly with others) within the scope of my employment and which are
protectable by copyright are “works made for hire”, as that term is defined in
the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101).
4.
Enforcement of Proprietary Rights.
From
time to time, I will assist the Company in every proper way to obtain and
enforce United States and foreign Proprietary Rights relating to Company
Inventions in any and all countries. My obligation to assist the Company with
respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Company Inventions in any and
all
countries shall continue beyond the termination of my employment, but the
Company shall compensate me at a reasonable rate after my termination for the
time and expenses actually spent by me at the Company’s request on such
assistance.
I
hereby
waive and quitclaim to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever,
which I now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights
assigned hereunder to the Company.
5.
Obligation to Keep Company Informed.
During
the period of my employment, I will promptly disclose all Inventions to the
Company fully and in writing and will hold such Inventions in trust for the
sole
right and benefit of the Company. In addition, after termination of my
employment, I will promptly disclose all patent applications filed by me within
a year after termination of employment with regard to Inventions.
6.
Prior Inventions.
Inventions, if any, patented or unpatented, which I made prior to the
commencement of my employment with the Company are excluded from the scope
of
this Agreement. To preclude any possible uncertainty, I have set forth in
Exhibit A attached hereto a complete list of all Inventions (i) that I have,
alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice or
caused to be conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the
commencement of my employment with the Company, (ii) that I consider to be
my
property or the property of third parties and (iii) that I wish to have excluded
from the scope of this Agreement. If disclosure of any such Invention on Exhibit
A would cause me to violate any prior confidentiality agreement, I understand
that I am not to list such Inventions in Exhibit A but am to inform the Company
that all such Inventions have not been listed for that reason.
7.
No Improper Use of Materials.
During
my employment by the Company, I will not improperly use or disclose any
confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or
any
other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality, and I will not
bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property
belonging to any former employer or any other person to whom I have an
obligation of confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former
employer or person.
8.
No Conflicting Obligation.
I
represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement and my
performance of my duties as an employee of the Company do not and will not
breach any agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by me in
confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I have not entered
into, and I agree I will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral
in
conflict herewith.
11
9.
Return of Company Documents.
When I
leave the employ of the Company, I will deliver to the Company any and all
drawings, notes, memoranda, specifications, devices, formulas, molecules, cells,
storage media, including software, documents and computer printouts, together
with all copies thereof, and any other material containing or disclosing any
Company Inventions, Third Party Information or Proprietary Information of the
Company. I further agree that any property situated on the Company’s premises
and owned by the Company, including disks and other storage media, filing
cabinets or other work areas, is subject to inspection by Company personnel
at
any time with or without notice. Prior to leaving, I will cooperate with the
Company in completing and signing the Company’s termination statement for
technical and management personnel.
10.
Legal and Equitable Remedies. Because
my services are personal and unique and because I may have access to and may
become acquainted with the Proprietary Information of the Company, the Company
shall have the right to enforce this Agreement and any of its provisions by
injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief, without bond,
without prejudice to any other rights and remedies that the Company may have
for
a breach of this Agreement, and I waive the claim or defense that the Company
has an adequate remedy at law. I shall not, in any action or proceeding to
enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, assert the claim or defense
that such an adequate remedy at law exists.
11.
Notices. Any
notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given to me at the address
specified below
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
00
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
or
at
such other address as I shall specify in writing. Such notice shall be deemed
given upon personal delivery to the appropriate address or if sent by certified
or registered mail, three days after the date of mailing.
12. |
General
Provisions.
|
12.1
Governing Law. This
Agreement is executed under seal and will be governed by and construed according
to the laws of the State of New York.
12.2
Entire Agreement. This
Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and merges all prior
discussions between us. No modification or amendment of this Agreement, nor
any
waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in writing,
signed by the party to be charged. Any subsequent change or changes in my
duties, salary or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of this
Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the period of my employment includes
any
time during which I may be retained by the Company as a consultant.
12.3
Severability. If
one or
more of the provisions in this Agreement are deemed unenforceable by law, then
the remaining provisions will continue in full forced and effect.
12
12.4
Successors and Assigns. This
Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and other
legal representatives and will be for the benefit of the Company, its
successors, and its assigns. I may not assign any of my rights, or delegate
any
of my obligations, under this Agreement.
12.5
Survival. The
provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment
and
the assignment of this Agreement by the Company to any successor in interest
or
other assignee.
12.6
Employment. I
agree
and understand that nothing in this Agreement shall confer on me any right
with
respect to continuation of my employment with the Company, or shall it interfere
in any way with my right or the Company’s right to terminate my employment at
any time, with or without cause.
12.7
Waiver. No
waiver
by the Company of any breach of this Agreement shall be a waiver of any
preceding or succeeding breach. No waiver by the Company of any right under
this
Agreement shall be construed as a wavier of any other right. The Company shall
not be required to give notice to enforce strict adherence to all terms of
this
Agreement.
12.8
Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall for
all
purposes constitute one Agreement, binding on each of the parties hereto
notwithstanding that each such party shall not have signed the same
counterpart.
12.9
Jurisdiction and Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial. In
case
of any dispute hereunder, the parties will submit to the exclusive jurisdiction
and venue of any court of competent jurisdiction sitting in New York County,
New
York, and will comply with all requirements necessary to give such court
jurisdiction over the parties and the controversy. EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES
ANY
RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND TO CLAIM OR RECOVER PUNITIVE DAMAGES.
12.10
Disclosure. I
shall
disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement to any employer or other
person that I may work for or be engaged by after the termination of my
employment or engagement at the Company. I agree that the Company may, after
notification to me, provide a copy of this Agreement to any business or
enterprise (i) which I may directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, finance,
join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing,
or control of, or (ii) with which I may be connected with as an officer,
director, employee, partner, principal, agent, representative, consultant or
otherwise, or in connection with which I may use or permit my name to be used.
I
will provide the names and addresses of any of such persons or entities as
the
Company may from time to time reasonably request.
This
Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of my employment with the
Company, namely April 18, 2007.
I
UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT AFFECTS MY RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS I MAKE DURING
MY
EMPLOYMENT, AND RESTRICTS MY RIGHTS TO DISCLOSE OR USE THE COMPANY’S
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION DURING OR SUBSEQUENT TO MY
EMPLOYMENT.
13
I
HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS.
Signature:
/s/
Xxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
Date:
April 26, 2006
ACCEPTED
AND AGREED TO:
Keryx
Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
14
ATTACHMENT
B
Employee
Agreement And Release
Except
for the consideration, compensation and benefits to which I am or may become
entitled, including my right to indemnification, directors and officers
insurance and any vested equity or equity that will vest as otherwise set forth
in the Employment Agreement dated April 18, 2007, this Employee Agreement and
Release (the "Agreement") between the undersigned and Keryx Biopharmaceuticals,
Inc. (the "Corporation"), hereby releases, acquits and forever dischargesthe
Corporation, its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, and their officers,
directors, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, shareholders, successors,
assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands,
causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, damages, indemnities and
obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, known and
unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out
of or
in any way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior
to
and including the execution date of this Agreement, including but not limited
to: all such claims and demands directly or indirectly arising out of or in
any
way connected with my employment with the Corporation or the termination of
that
employment; claims or demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, stock,
stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Corporation, vacation
pay, fringe benefits, expense reimbursements, severance pay, or any other form
of compensation; claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law, statute,
or
cause of action including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act
of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et
seq.,
the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et
seq.
(“ADEA”), the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101
et seq.,
and the
New York Human Rights Law, N.Y. Exec. Law, Art. 15, § 290 et seq.
and the
New York City Human Rights Law, N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 8-101 et seq.,
all as
amended, and all claims arising out of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C.
§ 1681 et seq.,
the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1001
et seq.;
tort
law; contract law; wrongful discharge; discrimination; harassment; retaliation;
fraud; defamation; emotional distress; and breach of the implied covenants
of
good faith and fair dealing.
I
acknowledge that I am knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights
I may have under ADEA. I also acknowledge that the consideration given for
the
waiver and release in the preceding paragraph hereof is in addition to anything
of value to which I was already entitled. I further acknowledge that I have
been
advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that; (a) my waiver and
release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the execution
date of this Agreement; (b) I have been advised hereby that I have the right
to
consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (c) I have
twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement (although I may choose to
voluntarily execute this Agreement earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following
the execution of this Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; and
(e)
this Agreement shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation
period had expired, which shall be the eighth day after this Agreement is
executed by me.
In
giving
this release, which includes claims that may be unknown to me at present, I
hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under any law
of
any jurisdiction with respect to my release of any such presently unknown claims
I may have against the Corporation.
/s/
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Dated:
April 26, 2007
15