EXHIBIT 10.36
VISTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
RECITALS
A. The Board has adopted the Plan for the purpose of retaining the
services of selected Employees, non-employee members of the Board or the board
of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary and consultants who provide services to
the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
B. Optionee is to render valuable services to the Corporation (or a
Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is executed pursuant to, and is
intended to carry out the purposes of, the Plan in connection with the
Corporation's grant of an option to Optionee.
C. All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning
assigned to them in the attached Appendix.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, as
of the Grant Date, an option to purchase up to the number of Option Shares
specified in the Grant Notice. The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time
to time during the option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the Exercise Price.
2. OPTION TERM. This option shall have a term of ten (10) years
measured from the Grant Date and shall accordingly expire at the close of
business on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with
Paragraph 5, 6 or 17.
3. LIMITED TRANSFERABILITY. This option shall be neither
transferable nor assignable by Optionee other than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution following Optionee's death and may be exercised, during
Optionee's lifetime, only by Optionee. However, if this option is designated a
Non-Statutory Option in the Grant Notice, then this option may also be assigned
in whole or in part during Optionee's lifetime in accordance with the terms of a
Qualified Domestic Relations Order. The assigned position shall be exercisable
only by the person or persons who acquire a proprietary interest in the option
pursuant to such Qualified Domestic Relations Order. The terms applicable to
the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for this option
immediately prior to such assignment and shall be set forth in such documents
issued to the assignee as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.
4. DATES OF EXERCISE. This option shall become exercisable for the
Option Shares in one or more installments as specified in the Grant Notice. As
the option becomes exercisable for such installments, those installments shall
accumulate and the option shall remain exercisable for the accumulated
installments until the Expiration Date or sooner termination of the option term
under Paragraph 5, 6 or 17.
5. CESSATION OF SERVICE. The option term specified in Paragraph 2
shall terminate (and this option shall cease to be outstanding) prior to the
Expiration Date should any of the following provisions become applicable:
(a) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service for any reason
(other than death or Disability) while this option is outstanding, then Optionee
shall have a period of three (3) months (commencing with the date of such
cessation of Service) during which to exercise this option, but in no event
shall this option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.
(b) Should Optionee die while this option is outstanding, then
the personal representative of Optionee's estate or the person or persons to
whom the option is transferred pursuant to Optionee's will or in accordance with
the laws of descent and distribution shall have the right to exercise this
option. Such right shall lapse and this option shall cease to be outstanding
upon the EARLIER of (i) the expiration of the twelve (12)- month period measured
from the date of Optionee's death or (ii) the Expiration Date.
(c) Should Optionee cease Service by reason of Disability while
this option is outstanding, then Optionee shall have a period of six (6) months
(commencing with the date of such cessation of Service) during which to exercise
this option. However, should such Disability be deemed to constitute Permanent
Disability, then the period during which this option is to remain exercisable
shall be extended by an additional six (6) months so that the exercise period
shall be the twelve (12)-month period following the date of Optionee's cessation
of Service by reason of such Permanent Disability. In no event shall this
option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.
NOTE: Exercise of this option on a date later than three (3) months
following cessation of Service due to Disability will result in loss
of favorable Incentive Option treatment, UNLESS such Disability
constitutes Permanent Disability. In the event that Incentive Option
treatment is not available, this option will be taxed as a
Non-Statutory Option upon exercise.
(d) During the limited period of post-Service exercisability,
this option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of
vested Option Shares for which the option is exercisable at the time of
Optionee's cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of such limited exercise
period or (if earlier) upon the Expiration Date, this option shall terminate and
cease to be outstanding for any vested Option Shares for
2.
which the option has not been exercised. To the extent Optionee is not vested
in the Option Shares at the time of Optionee's cessation of Service, this option
shall immediately terminate and cease to be outstanding with respect to those
shares.
6. SPECIAL TERMINATION OF OPTION.
(a) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, this option shall
terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the
successor corporation or parent thereof in connection with such Corporate
Transaction.
(b) If this option is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction, then this option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after
such Corporate Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which
would have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of such Corporate
Transaction had the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate
Transaction, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise
Price, PROVIDED the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same.
(c) This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the
Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
7. ADJUSTMENT IN OPTION SHARES. Should any change be made to the
Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock 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 (i) the total number
and/or class of securities subject to this option and (ii) the Exercise Price in
order to reflect such change and thereby preclude a dilution or enlargement of
benefits hereunder.
8. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. The holder of this option shall not have any
shareholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall
have exercised the option, paid the Exercise Price and become a holder of record
of the purchased shares.
9. MANNER OF EXERCISING OPTION.
(a) In order to exercise this option with respect to all or any
part of the Option Shares for which this option is at the time exercisable,
Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) must take the
following actions:
(i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a Purchase
Agreement for the Option Shares for which the option is exercised.
3.
(ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased
shares in one or more of the following forms:
(A) cash or check made payable to the Corporation; or
(B) a promissory note payable to the Corporation, but
only to the extent authorized by the Plan Administrator in accordance
with Paragraph 14.
Should the Common Stock be registered under Section 12(g) of the
1934 Act at the time the option is exercised, then the Exercise Price
may also be paid as follows:
(C) in shares of Common Stock held by Optionee (or any
other person or persons exercising the option) for the requisite
period necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for
financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the
Exercise Date; or
(D) to the extent the option is exercised for vested
Option Shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure
pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising
the option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable written
instructions (a) to a Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect
the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the
Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement
date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable
for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal, state and local
income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation
by reason of such exercise and (b) to the Corporation to deliver the
certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm
in order to complete the sale.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is
utilized in connection with the option exercise, payment of the
Exercise Price must accompany the Purchase Agreement delivered to the
Corporation in connection with the option exercise.
(iii) Furnish to the Corporation appropriate
documentation that the person or persons exercising the option (if other
than Optionee) have the right to exercise this option.
(iv) Execute and deliver to the Corporation such
written representations as may be requested by the Corporation in order
4.
for it to comply with the applicable requirements of Federal and state
securities laws.
(v) Make appropriate arrangements with the Corporation
(or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) for the
satisfaction of all Federal, state and local income and employment tax
withholding requirements applicable to the option exercise.
(b) As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the
Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other person or
persons exercising this option) a certificate for the purchased Option Shares,
with the appropriate legends affixed thereto.
(c) In no event may this option be exercised for any fractional
shares.
10. REPURCHASE RIGHTS. ALL OPTION SHARES ACQUIRED UPON THE EXERCISE
OF THIS OPTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE CORPORATION AND ITS
ASSIGNS TO REPURCHASE THOSE SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SPECIFIED IN THE
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
11. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
(a) The exercise of this option and the issuance of the Option
Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and
Optionee with all applicable requirements of law relating thereto and with all
applicable regulations of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if
applicable) on which the Common Stock may be listed for trading at the time of
such exercise and issuance.
(b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from any
regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary to
the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this option shall
relieve the Corporation of any liability with respect to the non-issuance or
sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been obtained.
The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all such
approvals.
12. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except to the extent otherwise provided
in Paragraphs 3 and 6, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns
and Optionee, Optionee's assigns and the legal representatives, heirs and
legatees of Optionee's estate.
13. NOTICES. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the
Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed
to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to
be given or delivered
5.
to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee at the address
indicated below Optionee's signature line on the Grant Notice. All notices
shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the U.S.
mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified.
14. FINANCING. The Plan Administrator may, in its absolute
discretion and without any obligation to do so, permit Optionee to pay the
Exercise Price for the purchased Option Shares by delivering a promissory note.
The terms of any such promissory note (including the interest rate, the
requirements for collateral and the terms of repayment) shall be established by
the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion.(1)
15. CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement and the option evidenced hereby are
made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and
subject to the terms of the Plan. All decisions of the Plan Administrator with
respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan or this Agreement shall
be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this option.
16. GOVERNING LAW. The interpretation, performance and enforcement
of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California
without resort to that State's conflict-of-laws rules.
17. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
(a) The grant of this option is subject to approval of the Plan
by the Corporation's shareholders within twelve (12) months after the adoption
of the Plan by the Board. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO
THE CONTRARY, THIS OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNTIL SUCH
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL IS OBTAINED. In the event that such shareholder approval
is not obtained, then this option shall terminate in its entirety and Optionee
shall have no further rights to acquire any Option Shares hereunder.
(b) If the Option Shares covered by this Agreement exceed, as of
the Grant Date, the number of shares of Common Stock which may without
shareholder approval be issued under the Plan, then this option shall be void
with respect to such excess shares, unless shareholder approval of an amendment
sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the
Plan is obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
18. ADDITIONAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO AN INCENTIVE OPTION. In the event
this option is designated an Incentive Option in the Grant Notice, the following
terms and conditions shall also apply to the grant:
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(1) Authorization of payment of the Exercise Price by a promissory note may,
under currently proposed Treasury Regulations, result in the loss of incentive
stock option treatment under the Federal tax laws.
6.
(a) This option shall cease to qualify for favorable tax
treatment as an Incentive Option if (and to the extent) this option is exercised
for one or more Option Shares: (i) more than three (3) months after the date
Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Permanent
Disability or (ii) more than twelve (12) months after the date Optionee ceases
to be an Employee by reason of Permanent Disability.
(b) This option shall not become exercisable in the calendar
year in which granted if (and to the extent) the aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined at the Grant Date) of the Common Stock for which this option would
otherwise first become exercisable in such calendar year would, when added to
the aggregate value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of
the Common Stock and any other securities for which one or more other Incentive
Options granted to Optionee prior to the Grant Date (whether under the Plan or
any other option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) first
become exercisable during the same calendar year, exceed One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate. To the extent the exercisability of this
option is deferred by reason of the foregoing limitation, the deferred portion
shall become exercisable in the first calendar year or years thereafter in which
the One Hundred Thousand Dollar ($100,000) limitation of this Paragraph 18(b)
would not be contravened, but such deferral shall in all events end immediately
prior to the effective date of a Corporate Transaction in which this option is
not to be assumed, whereupon the option shall become immediately exercisable as
a Non-Statutory Option for the deferred portion of the Option Shares.
(c) Should Optionee hold, in addition to this option, one or
more other options to purchase Common Stock which become exercisable for the
first time in the same calendar year as this option, then the foregoing
limitations on the exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be
applied on the basis of the order in which such options are granted.
7.
APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:
A. AGREEMENT shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.
B. BOARD shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.
C. CODE shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
D. COMMON STOCK shall mean the Corporation's common stock.
E. CORPORATE TRANSACTION shall mean either of the following
shareholder-approved transactions to which the Corporation is a party:
(i) a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
Corporation's outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons
different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to
such transaction, or
(ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the Corporation's assets in complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Corporation.
F. CORPORATION shall mean Vista Medical Technologies, Inc., a California
corporation.
G. DISABILITY shall mean the inability of Optionee to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or
mental impairment and shall be determined by the Plan Administrator on the basis
of such medical evidence as the Plan Administrator deems warranted under the
circumstances. Disability shall be deemed to constitute PERMANENT DISABILITY in
the event that such Disability is expected to result in death or has lasted or
can be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve (12) months or more.
H. DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER shall mean any judgment, decree or order
(including approval of a property settlement agreement) which provides or
otherwise conveys, pursuant to applicable State domestic relations laws
(including community property laws), marital property rights to any spouse or
former spouse of the Optionee.
A-1.
I. EMPLOYEE shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.
J. EXERCISE DATE shall mean the date on which the option shall have been
exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.
K. EXERCISE PRICE shall mean the exercise price per share as specified in
the Grant Notice.
L. EXPIRATION DATE shall mean the date on which the option expires as
specified in the Grant Notice.
M. FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall
be determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq National
Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per
share of Common Stock on the date in question, as the price is reported by
the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National
Market or any successor system. If there is no closing selling price for
the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall
be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such
quotation exists.
(ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock Exchange,
then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of
Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange determined by
the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as
such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on
such exchange. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock
on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing
selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii) If the Common Stock is at the time neither listed on any Stock
Exchange nor traded on the Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market
Value shall be determined by the Plan Administrator after taking into
account such factors as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.
X. XXXXX DATE shall mean the date of grant of the option as specified in
the Grant Notice.
A-2.
X. XXXXX NOTICE shall mean the Notice of Grant of Stock Option
accompanying the Agreement, pursuant to which Optionee has been informed of the
basic terms of the option evidenced hereby.
P. INCENTIVE OPTION shall mean an option which satisfies the requirements
of Code Section 422.
Q. 1934 ACT shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
R. NON-STATUTORY OPTION shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the
requirements of Code Section 422.
S. OPTION SHARES shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock subject
to the option.
T. OPTIONEE shall mean the person to whom the option is granted as
specified in the Grant Notice.
U. PARENT shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time
of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations
in such chain.
V. PLAN shall mean the Corporation's 1995 Stock Option Plan.
W. PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean either the Board or a committee of Board
members, to the extent the committee is at the time responsible for the
administration of the Plan.
X. PURCHASE AGREEMENT shall mean the stock purchase agreement in
substantially the form of Exhibit B to the Grant Notice.
Y. QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER shall mean a Domestic Relations
Order which substantially complies with the requirements of Code Section 414(p).
The Plan Administrator shall have the sole discretion to determine whether a
Domestic Relations Order is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order.
Z. SERVICE shall mean the Optionee's performance of services for the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in the capacity of an Employee, a
non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant.
AA. STOCK EXCHANGE shall mean the American Stock Exchange or the New York
Stock Exchange.
A-3.
AB. SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each
corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the
time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.
A-4.
