SIPEX CORPORATION STAND-ALONE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 4.4
SIPEX CORPORATION
STAND-ALONE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION XXXXX
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
You have been granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as follows:
| Date of Grant | 1/17/2006 | |||
| Vesting Commencement Date | 1/17/2006 | |||
| Exercise Price per Share | $2.075 | |||
| Total Number of Shares Granted | 125,000 | |||
| Total Exercise Price | $259,375.00 | |||
| Term/Expiration Date: | 1/17/2016 | |||
| Vesting Schedule: |
This Option shall vest and may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service Provider on such dates:
| 1/17/2007 | 1/4th shares | |
| 2/17/2007 | 1/48 vesting monthly thereafter |
Termination Period
This Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the above schedule, but is
subject to acceleration of vesting and other provisions, including but not limited to change of
control provisions, pursuant to an Offer Letter from Sipex
Corporation effective April 5,
2004.
II. AGREEMENT
1. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Agreement” means this stock option agreement between the Company and Optionee
evidencing the terms and conditions of this Option.
(b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock
options under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any
stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable
laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction that may apply to this Option.
(c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee of the Board
that has been designated by the Board to administer this Agreement.
(d) “Cause” means conduct involving one or more of the following: (i) the substantial
and continuing failure of the Optionee, after notice thereof, to render services to the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary in accordance with the terms or requirements of Optionee’s employment or
business relationship; (ii) gross negligence, willful misconduct, dishonesty, fraud or breach of
fiduciary duty to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary; (iii) the commission of an act of
embezzlement or fraud; (iv) deliberate disregard of the rules or policies of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary, or breach of an employment or other agreement with the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary, either of which results in significant direct or indirect loss, damage or injury to
the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary; (v) the unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or
confidential information of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary; or (vi) the commission of an
act which constitutes unfair competition with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or which
induces any customer or supplier to breach a contract with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.
(e) “Change in Control” means
(1) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or
becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing sixty percent (60%) or more of the total
voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or
(2) a change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result
of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors”
will mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of June 7, 2005, or (B) are
elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority
of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an
individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest
relating to the election of directors to the Company); or
(3) the date of the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation that has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
voting securities of the surviving entity) more than sixty percent (60%) of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the Company or such
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surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the
stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company; or
(4) the date of the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all the Company’s assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not include any transaction or
series of transactions involving the Company’s issuance of any equity or debt securities to third
parties for capital raising purposes.
(f) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(g) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(h) “Company” means SIPEX Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
(i) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a
Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.
(j) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(k) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3)
of the Code.
(l) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an
Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between
locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute “employment” by the Company.
(m) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(n) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as
follows:
(1) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market
system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of
The Nasdaq Stock Market, or is actively traded over-the-counter, its Fair Market Value shall be the
closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on
such exchange or system on the date of grant, or if unavailable, for the last market trading day
prior to date of grant, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Administrator deems reliable;
(2) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling
prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked
prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination; or
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(3) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value
thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
(o) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(p) “Notice of Grant” means a written notice, in Part I of this Agreement, evidencing
certain the terms and conditions of this Option grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option
Agreement.
(q) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(r) “Option” means this stock option.
(s) “Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to this Option.
(t) “Optionee” means the person named in the Notice of Xxxxx or such person’s
successor.
(u) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as
defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(v) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(w) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section
11 of this Agreement.
(x) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing,
as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
2. Grant of Option. The Board hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of
Grant attached as Part I of this Agreement the Option to purchase the number of Shares, as set
forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the
“Exercise Price”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3. Exercise of Option.
(a) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with
the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of this
Agreement.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice,
in the form attached as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Notice”), which shall state the election
to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the
“Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the
Company. The Exercise Notice shall be completed by the Optionee and delivered to the Secretary of
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the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise
Price as to all Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the
Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price.
(c) Legal Compliance. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this
Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance,
for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the
date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.
(d) Buyout Provisions. The Board may at any time offer to buy out for a payment in
cash or Shares an Option previously granted based on such terms and conditions as the Board shall
establish and communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
4. Method of Payment. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the
following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
(a) cash or check;
(b) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the
Company;
(c) surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an
option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and
(ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the
Exercised Shares.
5. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in any manner
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the
lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon the
executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
6. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the
Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in no event shall this Option be
exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date provided.
7. Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If the Optionee ceases to be a
Service Provider (other than for death or Disability), this Option may be exercised for a period of
three (3) months after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration date
of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) to the extent that the Option is vested on the
date of such termination. To the extent that the Optionee does not exercise this Option within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
8. Disability of Optionee. If the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a
result of the Optionee’s Disability, this Option may be exercised for a period of one hundred and
eighty (180) days after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration
date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) to the extent that the Option is vested on
the date of such
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termination. To the extent that Optionee does not exercise this Option within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
9. Death of Optionee. If the Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option may
be exercised at any time within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date of death (but
in no event later than the expiration date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by
the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or
inheritance, but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the
date of death. If, after death, the Optionee’s estate or a person who acquired the right to
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
10. Termination for Cause. If the Optionee is terminated for Cause, this Option shall
terminate immediately upon the Optionee’s receipt of written notice of such termination and shall
thereafter not be exercisable to any extent whatsoever.
11. Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale.
(a) Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of
Common Stock and class of securities covered by this Option, as well as the price per share of
Common Stock covered by this Option and the vesting schedule, shall be proportionately adjusted (or
a substituted option may be granted) for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of
Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash
dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares,
liquidation, spin-off, split-up or other similar event or reclassification of the Common Stock, or
any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without
receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible
securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of
consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board or its designated committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided
herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to this Option.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, the Board or its designated committee shall notify Optionee as soon as
practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Board or its designated
committee in its discretion may provide for the Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her
Option until fifteen (15) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered
thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. To the extent
it has not been previously exercised, the Option will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed
(c) Merger or Change in Control. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, or a Change in Control, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor
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corporation. In the event that the successor corporation in a merger or Change in Control
refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, then the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the
right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would
not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If the Option is not assumed or substituted in connection
with a merger or Change in Control, the Board or its designated committee shall notify the Optionee
in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen
(15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such
period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following
the merger or Change in Control, the option confers the right to purchase or receive, for each
Share subject to the Option immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration
(whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or Change in Control
by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if
holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of
a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in
the merger or Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its
Parent, the Board or its designated committee may, with the consent of the successor corporation,
provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal
in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of common stock in the
merger or Change in Control.
12. Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be addressed to the Company at its then current principal executive office or to such other
address as the Company may hereafter designate to the Optionee by notice as provided in this
Section. Any notice to be given to the Optionee hereunder shall be addressed to the Optionee at
the address set forth beneath his signature hereto, or at such other address as the Optionee may
hereafter designate to the Company by notice as provided herein. A notice shall be deemed to have
been duly given when personally delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail to the party
entitled to receive it.
13. Tax Consequences. Some of the federal tax consequences relating to this Option,
as of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND
THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER
BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(a) Exercising the Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal income tax
liability upon exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option (an “NSO”). The Optionee will be treated as
having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if
any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate
Exercise Price. If the Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required
to withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing
authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of
exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding
amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.
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(b) Disposition of Shares. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at least one year,
any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for
federal income tax purposes.
14. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. This Agreement constitute the entire agreement
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior
undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by
the Company and Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the
choice of law rules, of California.
15. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE
VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE
PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN
OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS
AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUES ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE
VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE
COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR
WITHOUT CAUSE.
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By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company
agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Optionee has reviewed this Agreement in its entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice
of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands all provisions of this
Agreement. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or
interpretations of the Board upon any questions relating to this Agreement. Optionee further
agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
OPTIONEE
|
SIPEX CORPORATION | |||||
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
||||||
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EXHIBIT A
SIPEX CORPORATION
EXERCISE NOTICE
Attention:
1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, , 200_, the undersigned
(“Purchaser”) hereby elects to purchase shares (the “Shares”) of the Common Stock of
SIPEX Corporation (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement dated
(the “Option Agreement”). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $___, as
required by the Option Agreement.
2. Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the full purchase
price for the Shares.
3. Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Xxxxxxxxx has received,
read and understood the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and
conditions.
4. Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry
on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the Shares,
no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect
to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall be
issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance,
except as provided in Section 11 of the Option Agreement.
5. Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax
consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser
represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in
connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the
Company for any tax advice.
6. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this
Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this Exercise Notice shall inure to the
benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer
herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
7. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Exercise Notice
shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Administrator which shall review
such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator
shall be final and binding on all parties.
8. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Option Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference. This Agreement, and the Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings
and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not
be modified adversely to the Purchaser’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the
Company and Purchaser. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the
choice of law rules, of California.
Submitted by:
|
Accepted by: | |||||
OPTIONEE
|
SIPEX CORPORATION | |||||
| 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||||||
| Milpitas, CA 95053 | ||||||
| Date Received: | ||||||
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