EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.66
THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of December 6, 2006 (as the same may be amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time hereafter, this
“Agreement”), is entered into by and between Columbia
Laboratories, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation having its corporate offices at 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000 (the “Company”), and Xxxxx Xxxx
(“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
the Company wishes to employ Executive on the terms and conditions set forth
in
this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
the Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement so the rights,
duties, benefits, and obligations of each regarding Executive’s employment for
and by the Company will be fully set forth under the terms and conditions stated
within this Agreement;
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings hereunder,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term.
The
term of this Agreement shall commence on the date first written above and
continue through March 31, 2008, unless this Agreement is earlier terminated
in
accordance with Section 6 or 8 hereof. The term shall be automatically extended
without further action of either party for additional one-year periods, unless
written notice of either party’s intention not to extend has been given to the
other party hereto at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the
then
effective term.
2. Title;
Duties.
(a) Executive
shall be the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
of
the Company. Executive will perform duties
customarily associated with such position,
including, but not limited to, duties relating to the management of the
financial affairs of the Company and its affiliates, investor relations
matters,
and such
other duties commensurate with the job description as
may be
assigned to him from time to time by the chief executive officer of the Company
(the “Company CEO”). Executive
shall be
employed at the Company’s offices located in Livingston, New Jersey.
Executive
will report to the Company CEO.
(b) Executive
agrees to devote his
entire business time and attention to the performance of his duties under this
Agreement.
He
shall perform his duties to the best of his ability and shall use his best
efforts to further the interests of the Company. Executive shall perform his
duties and will be required to travel as reasonably necessary to perform the
services required of him under this Agreement. Executive represents and warrants
to the Company that he is able to enter into this Agreement and that his ability
to enter into this Agreement and to fully
perform his duties hereunder are not limited to or restricted by any agreements
or understandings between Executive and any other person. For the purposes
of
this Agreement, the term “person” means any natural person, corporation,
partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or any
other entity of any nature. It shall not be a violation of this Agreement for
Executive to serve on corporate boards or committees (it being agreed that
in no
event shall Executive serve on the board of directors or advisory board of
more
than two other corporations and the acceptance of any new directorship after
the
date hereof shall be subject to the approval of the Company (which shall not
be
unreasonably withheld), so long as such activities do not unreasonably interfere
with the performance of Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the
Company in accordance with this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it
is
agreed and acknowledged that Executive presently serves on advisory boards
of
two other corporations,
(c) Executive
will observe the reasonable rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
which
the Company may now or hereafter establish governing the conduct of its
business, except to the extent that any such rules, regulations, policies and/or
procedures may be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, in which case
the terms of this Agreement shall control.
3. Employment
Contract.
The
Company and Executive acknowledge that the terms of his employment are set
forth
in this Agreement. If Executive’s employment terminates for any reason,
Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, award or
compensation other than as provided in this Agreement, or as may otherwise
be
available in accordance with the Company’s established written plans and written
policies at the time of termination.
4 Compensation.
(a) Subject
to tax withholdings and deductions to cover Executive contributions to, and
payments under, applicable executive benefit and welfare plans and programs,
the
Company will pay Executive an annual base compensation of $260,000 per year
to
be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices during the
term of this Agreement (“Base Salary”). The Company’s Board of Directors (the
“Board”) or Compensation Committee of the Board (or any committee of the Board
that shall replace such committee) shall review annually Executive’s
compensation for increases during the term of this Agreement in
conjunction with the Company’s regular review of the salaries of other executive
level employees and in consultation with the Company CEO.
At such
time, the Company will consider (without any obligation to implement) upward
adjustments to Executive’s compensation under this Agreement in a manner
consistent with the Company’s practices in effect from time to time.
(b) In
addition to Base Salary, Executive also will be eligible to receive an annual
performance bonus as the Board or Compensation Committee of the Board (or any
committee of the Board that shall replace such committee) shall, in its sole
discretion, deem appropriate
based
upon the parameters and criteria contained in the Company’s bonus plan and in
consultation with the Company CEO.
He shall
be eligible for a Target Annual Bonus of 35% of his Base Salary as then in
effect. This bonus, if any, shall be paid to the Executive within seventy-five
(75) days of the end of each calendar year.
(c) Executive
also shall be eligible in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation
Committee of the Board (or any committee of the Board that shall replace such
committee) to participate in the Company’s stock option plan as is from time to
time in effect, subject to the terms and conditions of such plan. The
Executive shall receive on his first day of employment with the Company an
initial grant of 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s stock which
shares are to vest at the rate of one-quarter on each of the first four
anniversaries of the grant date. The Executive shall receive on his first day
of
employment with the Company an initial grant of 10,000 restricted shares of
the
Company’s stock which shares are to vest upon the determination by the
Compensation Committee of the Board that the Company has obtained analyst
coverage by at least two independent
or sell-side research providers to ensure that the Company has broader market
awareness.
5. Benefits.
(a) Executive
and
Executive’s eligible dependents shall
be
eligible for all employee benefit programs (including any
pension, 401K, group life insurance, group medical and dental, vision, and
short-term and long-term disability policies, plans, and programs)
generally available to other executive level employees of the Company during
the
term of this Agreement,
in
accordance with the terms of those benefit plans.
(b) Executive
shall be entitled to accrue paid time off (“PTO”) during the term of this
Agreement in accordance with the Company’s standard policy and in an amount
commensurate with other executive
level employees of the Company.
(c) In
accordance with the policies of the Company in effect from time to time,
Executive will be entitled to reimbursement for approved ordinary and necessary
business expenses incurred by him during the term of this Agreement commensurate
with other executive level employees of the Company.
6. Termination.
(a) Death.
Executive’s employment shall terminate immediately upon his death.
(b) Disability.
Executive’s employment shall terminate upon Executive having a “Disability.” For
purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means a determination by Company in
accordance with applicable law that, as a result of a physical or mental
illness, Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his job
with
or without reasonable accommodation for a period of six (6) months.
(c) Termination
by Company for Cause.
Upon
delivery of written notice of termination for “Cause” from Company to Executive,
Executive’s employment shall terminate. Termination for “Cause” shall mean
termination based on (i) Executive’s failure or refusal to perform, in any
material respect, his duties faithfully and diligently in accordance with this
Agreement; (ii) gross negligence, recklessness or malfeasance in the
performance of Executive’s duties; (iii) Executive committing any criminal
act; (iv) Executive committing any act of fraud or other material misconduct
resulting or intending to result directly or indirectly in gain or personal
enrichment at the expense of Company; (v) Executive willfully engaging in
any conduct relating to the business of Company that could reasonably be
expected to have a materially detrimental effect on the business or financial
condition of the Company; (vi) misconduct which materially discredits or
damages Company, or violates Company’s policies or procedures, after Company has
notified Executive of the actions Company deems to constitute non-compliance;
(vii) Executive materially breaches his obligations under Sections 9 and 10
below, relating to confidential information, non-solicitation and
non-competition.
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Termination
for Cause pursuant to subsections (i), (ii), (iv), or (v) of this Paragraph
(c)
of Section 6 shall not take effect unless and until the Company complies with
the provisions of this paragraph. Executive shall be given written notice by
the
Company of its intention to terminate him for Cause, stating in detail the
particular act(s) or failure(s) to act that constitute the grounds on which
the
proposed termination for Cause is based. That written notice shall be given
to
Executive within ninety (90) days of the Company’s learning of such act(s) or
failure(s) to act. Executive shall then have thirty (30) days after receipt
of
such written notice to cure such conduct, to the extent such cure is possible.
If Executive fails to cure such conduct on or before the end of the thirty
(30)
day period, Executive shall be terminated for Cause. If Executive’s conduct is
not curable, no notice need be given by the Company before terminating Executive
for Cause.
(d) Resignation
for Good Reason.
Executive may terminate his employment with “Good Reason” (as defined below)
upon no fewer than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company
specifying the reason(s) for the termination. Upon receipt of Executive’s notice
of intent to terminate his employment for Good Reason, Company shall have a
right to cure the alleged breach or other conduct alleged by Executive to
constitute Good Reason within the thirty (30) day period. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Good Reason” means (i) Company materially breaches this
Agreement; (ii) Company assigns duties to Executive which are materially
inconsistent with his duties as set forth in Section 2 or which materially
impair his ability to perform the services contemplated hereunder; or
(iii) Company has, without Executive’s consent, relocated Executive’s
office more than 100 miles from its location at the commencement of this
Agreement
or (iv)
Company substantially reduces the Executive’s job title, responsibilities, or
level of authority from that customary for the Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, and Treasurer of a specialty pharmaceutical
company.
(e) Resignation
Without Good Reason.
Executive may terminate his employment without Good Reason upon no fewer than
thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company. Without Good Reason as
used in this Agreement refers to any reason not included as a Good Reason in
section 6(d).
(f) Termination
by Company Without Cause.
Executive’s employment shall terminate thirty (30) days after written notice
delivered to Executive of Company’s termination of Executive’s employment for
reason other than Death, Disability or Cause.
7. Compensation
Upon Termination (Other than a Change in Control)
(a) If
Executive’s employment is terminated by Company for Cause, by Death or
Disability, or if Executive resigns Without Good Reason, Executive shall be
entitled to receive:
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(i) the
Base
Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) reimbursement
for any previously unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred and
documented by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior to the date
of
Executive’s termination; and
(iii)
such
Employee Benefits, if any, as to which Executive may be entitled under the
employee benefit plans of the Company.
(b) If
Executive’s Employment is terminated by Company without Cause or by Executive
with Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to:
(i) the
Base
Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) reimbursement
for any previously unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred and
documented by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior to the date
of
Executive’s termination;
(iii) receive
a
lump sum payment equal to (1) one times Executive’s Annual Base Salary at the
rate immediately in effect before Executive’s Termination Date; and (2) the
greater of (A) the cash bonus paid to Executive in the preceding year pursuant
to the
Company’s bonus plan or
(B)
the Executive’s target bonus in effect at the time of the
termination.
(iv) for
a
period of twelve (12) months following his Termination Date, continue to receive
the medical and dental coverage in effect on his Termination Date (or generally
comparable coverage) for himself and, where applicable, his spouse and
dependents, as the same may be changed from time to time for employees
generally, as if Executive had continued in employment during such period;
or,
as an alternative, the Company may elect to pay Executive cash in lieu of such
coverage in an amount equal to Executive’s after-tax cost of continuing such
coverage, where such coverage may not be continued (or where such continuation
would adversely affect the tax status of the plan pursuant to which the coverage
is provided). The COBRA health care continuation coverage period under Section
4980B of the Code, shall run concurrently with the foregoing twelve (12) month
benefit period.
(c) If
Executive’s Employment is terminated as a result of Company providing written
notice to Executive pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement of Company’s
intention not to extend the term of the Agreement, Executive shall be entitled
to:
(i) the
Base
Salary through the end of the term;
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(ii) reimbursement
for any previously unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred and
documented by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior to the end
of
the term;
(iii) receive
a
lump sum payment equal to (1) one times Executive’s Annual Base Salary at the
rate immediately in effect before the end of the term.
8. Change
in Control.
(a) In
the
event of “Change in Control” of Company, as defined in the Executive Change in
Control Severance Agreement to be executed on the date hereof (the “Change in
Control Agreement”) between the Company and Executive and attached hereto as
Exhibit A and incorporated
by reference as if fully set forth herein,
Executive shall be entitled solely to the benefits, if any, available to him
pursuant to the Change in Control Agreement, and the benefits otherwise
available under this Agreement shall not apply.
9. Restrictive
Covenants.
(a) During
Executive’s employment and for a period of one (1) year following the
termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive will not compete
directly with the Company anywhere in the world by rendering services or
providing assistance for himself or on behalf of any other person or entity,
in
any line of business
substantially similar to, or competitive with, the business
in which
the Company is engaged or has made preparations to engage, as of the termination
date of Executive’s employment with the Company.
(b) Executive
agrees that during the period stated in subsection (a) above, he will not
(i) directly solicit or encourage in any manner the resignation of any
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) directly or
indirectly solicit or divert customers, vendors, or business of the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries (provided
that
Executive may deal with any such customers or vendors in any manner which does
not violate the provisions of subsection (a) above); or (iii) attempt to
influence, directly or indirectly, any person or entity to cease, reduce, alter,
or rearrange any business relationship with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
(c) Executive
acknowledges and agrees that he considers the restrictions set forth in this
Section 9 to be reasonable both individually and in the aggregate and that
the
duration, geographic scope, extent and application of these restrictions are
no
greater than is necessary for the protection of the Company’s legitimate
interests. It is the desire and intent of Executive and the Company that the
provisions of this Section 9 shall be enforced to the fullest extent possible
under the laws and public policies of the State of New Jersey. The Company
and
Executive further agree that if any particular provision or portion of this
Section 9 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such adjudication
shall apply only with respect to the operation of such provision in the
particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. The Company and
Executive further agree that in the event that any restriction herein shall
be
found to be void or unenforceable but would be valid or enforceable if some
part
or parts thereof were deleted or the period or area of application reduced,
such
restriction shall apply with modification as may be necessary to make it valid
and Executive and the Company empower a court of competent jurisdiction to
modify, reduce or otherwise reform such provision(s) in such fashion as to
carry
out the parties’ intent to grant the Company the maximum allowable protection
consistent with the applicable law and facts and the express exceptions
contained herein.
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(d) Without
limiting the foregoing, Executive will not be deemed to be in competition with
the Company by reason of his employment by an enterprise (“Subsequent Employer”)
whose businesses include both (i) activities that involve the Company
Technology (“Covered Business”); and (ii) activities that do not involve
the Company Technology (“Excluded Business”) upon satisfaction of the following
conditions: (A) Executive delivers to the Subsequent Employer a copy of
this Agreement or an extract thereof setting forth fully and completely the
restrictions set forth in this Section 9; (B) the Subsequent Employer
executes and delivers to the Company a written agreement in which, as a
condition to Executive’s employment, the Subsequent Employer
(1) acknowledges receipt of such restriction, (2) agrees to employ
Executive only in the Excluded Business, (3) agrees to cause the executive
in charge of the Covered Business to acknowledge such restrictions in writing
and agree that Executive will not be permitted to participate in the Covered
Business, (4) agrees to establish reasonable internal policies and
procedures to prevent violation of such restrictions or disclosure by Executive
to personnel engaged in the Covered Business, and (5) agrees that the
Company shall be entitled to enforce such agreement directly against the
Subsequent Employer; and (C) Executive and the Subsequent Employer perform
their obligations pursuant to this Agreement and such agreement.
10. Confidentiality.
The
Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement to be executed on
the
date hereof, between
the Company and Executive and attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated
by
reference as if fully set forth herein.
11. Cooperation:
Executive agrees to cooperate on a reasonable basis in the truthful and honest
prosecution and/or defense of any claim in which the Company, its affiliates,
and/or its subsidiaries may have an interest (subject to reasonable limitations
concerning time and place), which may include without limitation making himself
available on a mutually agreed, reasonable basis to participate in any
proceeding involving the Company, its affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries,
allowing himself to be interviewed by representatives of the Company, its
affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries without asserting or claiming any privilege
against the Company, its affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries, appearing for
depositions and testimony without requiring a subpoena and without asserting
or
claiming any privilege against the Company, its affiliates, and/or its
subsidiaries, and producing and/or providing any documents or names of other
persons with relevant information without asserting or claiming any privilege
against the Company, its affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries; provided that,
if
such services are required after the end of any period during which he is
eligible for severance benefits, if any, the Company, its affiliates, and/or
its
subsidiaries shall provide Executive with reasonable compensation for the time
actually expended in such endeavors and shall pay his reasonable expenses
incurred at the prior and specific request of the Company, its affiliates,
and/or its subsidiaries.
12. Remedies.
Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company’s remedy at law for a breach
or threatened breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be inadequate
and, in recognition of this fact, in the event of a breach or threatened breach
by Executive of any provision of this Agreement, it is agreed that, in addition
to any available remedy at law, the Company shall be entitled to, without
posting any bond, specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary
or permanent injunction, or any other equitable relief or remedy which may
then
be available; provided, however, nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve
the
Company of its burden to prove grounds warranting such relief nor preclude
Executive from contesting such grounds or facts in support thereof. Nothing
herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing
any
other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach
hereof.
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13. Applicable
Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction.
The
validity, construction, interpretation, and enforceability of this Agreement
shall be determined and governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey without
giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. For the purpose of
litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, the parties hereby
consent to exclusive jurisdiction of, and agree that such litigation shall
be
conducted in, any state or federal court located in the State of New
Jersey.
14. Severability.
The
provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions
are
determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the
remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable. The Parties
agree that the covenants set forth herein are reasonable. Without
limiting the foregoing, it is the intent of the parties that the covenants
set
forth herein be enforced to the maximum degree permitted by applicable law.
As
such, the
parties ask that if any court of competent jurisdiction were to consider any
provision of this Agreement to be overly broad based on the circumstances at
the
time enforcement is requested, that such court “blue pencil” the provision and
enforce the provision to the full extent that such court deems it to be
reasonable in scope.
15. Indemnification. The
Indemnification Agreement executed on the date hereof, between
the Company and Executive, is attached hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated
by
reference as if fully set forth herein.
16. Miscellaneous;
Waiver.
Executive further agrees that this Agreement, together with the Exhibits
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, sets forth the entire
employment agreement between the Company and Executive, supersedes any and
all
prior agreements between the Company and Executive, and shall not be amended
or
added to except in writing signed by the Company and Executive. Executive
understands that he may not assign his duties and obligations under this
Agreement to any other party and that the Company may, at any time and without
further action by or the consent of Executive, assign this Agreement to any
of
its affiliated companies.
17. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the
same agreement.
18. Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall be binding on the successors and heirs of Executive and shall
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.
8
19. Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
sufficiently given if personally delivered or if sent by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested, addressed: (a) in the
case
of the Company, to Columbia Laboratories, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000, attn.: General Counsel, and (b) in the case of
Executive, to Executive's last known address as reflected in the Company's
records, or to such other address as Executive shall designate by written notice
to the Company. Any notice given hereunder shall be deemed given at the time
of
receipt thereof by the person to whom such notice is given.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates set
forth below.
EXECUTIVE
/S/ Xxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx
Date: December
6,
2006
|
COLUMBIA LABORATORIES, INC.
/S/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Chairman
Date: December
6,
2006
|
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Exhibit
A
EXECUTIVE
CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS
EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT dated as of December 6, 2006
(as
the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time
to time hereafter, this “Agreement”), is entered into between Columbia
Laboratories, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation having its corporate offices at 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx (“Columbia”
or the
“Company”), and Xxxxx Xxxx (“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to create a greater incentive for Executive to remain in
the
employ of the Company, particularly in the event of any possible change or
threatened change in control of the Company; and
NOW
THEREFORE, in partial consideration of Executive’s future services to the
Company and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereby agree
as
follows:
1. Termination
Following A Change in Control
(a) Qualifying
Termination.
Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits listed in Paragraph
1(b), in addition to compensation and benefits to which Executive would
otherwise be entitled as of the date of termination, if Executive’s employment
with the Company is terminated either (i) by the Company for any reason other
than for Cause or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, in each case within
90
days
before a Change in Control or within one
year
following the occurrence of any Change in Control or successive Change of
Control that occurs and Executive properly executes, and does not revoke or
attempt to revoke, a valid and reasonable release of claims against the Company,
its affiliates and their employees and agents.
(b) Compensation
and Benefits.
Within
ten business days after a Qualified Event (or the last day of any period during
which any release may be revoked by Executive), the Company shall make a lump
sum cash payment to Executive, subject to any mandatory tax withholding, equal
to one times Executive’s Base Salary and Bonus for the year prior to the Change
in Control plus a lump sum payment equal to the value of the Fringe Benefits
provided to Executive for the year prior to the Change in Control.
2. Definitions.
(a) Bonus.
“Bonus”
shall mean the greater of (i) the bonus, if any, paid to Executive in the year
prior to the Qualifying Termination, (ii) the bonus, if any, paid to Executive
in the year prior to the Change in Control, or (iii) the Executive’s target
bonus at the time of the Change in Control.
10
(b) Base
Salary.
“Base
Salary” shall mean the greater of (i) the annual rate of base salary in effect
for Executive at the time of the Qualifying Termination or (ii) the annual
rate
of base salary in effect for Executive at the time of the Change in
Control.
(c) Cause.
“Cause”
shall mean termination based on (i) gross negligence, recklessness or
malfeasance in the performance of Executive’s duties; (ii) Executive
committing any criminal act; (iii) Executive committing any act of fraud or
other material misconduct resulting or intending to result directly or
indirectly in gain or personal enrichment at the expense of Company;
(iv) Executive willfully engaging in any conduct relating to the business
of Company that could reasonably be expected to have a materially detrimental
effect on the business or financial condition of the Company;
(v) misconduct which materially discredits or damages Company, or violates
Company’s policies or procedures, after Company has notified Executive of the
actions Company deems to constitute non-compliance; (vi) Executive
materially breaches Executive’s obligations relating to confidential
information, non-solicitation and non-competition.
(d) Change
In Control. “Change
in Control” shall have occurred if (a) there shall have consummated
(i) any consolidation or merger of Company in which Company is not the
continuing or surviving entity or pursuant to which shares of Company’s common
stock would be converted to cash, securities or other property, other than
a
merger of Company in which the holders of Company’s common stock immediately
prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of
the
surviving entity immediately after the merger, or (ii) any sale, lease,
exchange or transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions)
of
all, or substantially all, of the assets of the company; or (b) the
stockholders of the Company approve a plan or proposal for the liquidation
or
dissolution of the Company; or (c) any person (as that term is used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(z) of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended
(the
“Exchange Act”)) shall become a beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule
13d-2 under the Exchange Act) of 40% or more of Company’s outstanding common
stock; or (d) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who
at the beginning of such period constitute the entire Board shall cease for
any
reason to constitute a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination
for election by Company’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a
vote of at least 60% of the directors eligible to vote who were directors at
the
beginning of the period.
(e) Good
Reason.
“Good
Reason” means (i) a material reduction in Executive’s level of duties or
responsibilities or the nature of Executive’s functions; (ii) a reduction in
Executive’s Base Salary; or (ii) Company has, without Executive’s consent,
relocated Executive’s office more than 100 miles from its location at the
commencement of this Agreement.
3. Applicable
Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction.
The
validity, construction, interpretation, and enforceability of this Agreement
shall be determined and governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey without
giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. For the purpose of
litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, the parties hereby
consent to exclusive jurisdiction of, and agree that such litigation shall
be
conducted in, any state or federal court located in the State of New
Jersey.
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4. Severability.
The
provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions
are
determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the
remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
6. Miscellaneous;
Waiver.
Executive further agrees that this Agreement sets forth the entire Agreement
between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter herein,
supersedes any and all prior agreements between the Company and Executive with
respect to the subject matter herein, and shall not be amended or added to
except in writing signed by the Company and Executive. Executive understands
that Executive may not assign Executive’s duties and obligations under this
Agreement to any other party and that the Company may, at any time and without
further action by or the consent of Executive, assign this Agreement to any
of
its affiliated companies.
6. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the
same agreement.
7. Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall be binding on the successors and heirs of Executive and shall
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.
8. Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
sufficiently given if personally delivered or if sent by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested, addressed: (a) in the
case
of the Company, to Columbia Laboratories, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx, attn.: General Counsel, and (b) in the case of
Executive, to Executive's last known address as reflected in the Company's
records, or to such other address as Executive shall designate by written notice
to the Company. Any notice given hereunder shall be deemed given at the time
of
receipt thereof by the person to whom such notice is given.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first
set forth above.
EXECUTIVE
/S/ Xxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx
|
COLUMBIA LABORATORIES, INC.
/S/
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
By: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Its: President
and Chief
Executive Officer
|
12
Exhibit
B
EMPLOYEE
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
AND
INVENTIONS AGREEMENT
This
Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (the "Agreement")
is
made as of December 6, 2006, between Xxxxx
Xxxx
(referred to below as “I”, “My”, “Myself”, or “Me”) and Columbia Laboratories,
Inc., having an office at 000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (referred
to below together with its subsidiaries and affiliates as the
"Company").
RECITALS
A. The
Company is engaged in a continuous program of research, development, production,
distribution, and marketing with respect to its present and future business;
and
B. I
understand that My employment with the Company creates a relationship of
confidence and trust between the Company and Me with respect to any information:
(a) applicable to the business of the Company, or (b) applicable to the business
of any client or customer of the Company, that may be made known to Me by the
Company, any client or customer of the Company, or learned by Me during the
period of My employment. I understand that this information constitutes a very
valuable asset of the Company.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of My employment by the Company and the salary
and
other employee benefits I will receive from the Company for My service, which
in
all cases are subject to Section 10(a) of this Agreement, I hereby agree as
follows:
1. Proprietary
Information.
The
Company possesses and will come to possess information that has been created,
discovered or developed, or has otherwise become known to the Company (including
without limitation, information created, discovered, developed or made known
by
or to Me arising out of My employment by the Company), and/or in which property
rights have been assigned or otherwise conveyed to the Company, which
information has commercial value in the business in which the Company is
engaged. All of the aforementioned information is hereinafter called
"Proprietary Information." Any information disclosed to Me or to which I have
access (whether I or others originated it) during the time I am employed by
the
Company, that the Company or I reasonably consider Proprietary Information
or
that the Company treats as Proprietary Information, will be presumed to be
Proprietary Information.
By
way of
illustration, but not limitation, Proprietary Information includes trade
secrets, processes, formulae, data and know-how, improvements, inventions,
techniques, marketing plans, strategies, forecasts, customer lists, and finance
and business systems.
(a) Company
as Sole Owner.
I agree
and acknowledge that all Proprietary Information, and all Inventions (defined
below in Section 6(a) of this Agreement), shall be the sole property of the
Company and its assigns, and the Company and its assigns shall be the sole
owner
of all patents and trade secrets and any other rights in connection
therewith.
13
(b) Assignment
of Rights; Obligation of Confidentiality.
I
hereby assign to the Company any rights I may have or acquire in all Proprietary
Information. At all times during My employment by the Company and at all times
after termination of such employment, I will keep in confidence and trust all
Proprietary Information and, except as I may be authorized to make disclosure
in
the ordinary course of performing My duties as an employee of the Company,
I
will not disclose, sell, use, lecture upon or publish any Proprietary
Information or anything relating to it without the prior written consent of
the
Company.
2. No
Competition.
I agree
that during the period of My employment by the Company I will not, without
the
Company's prior written consent, engage in any employment or other activity
for
any person, company or entity engaged in any business that is competitive with
the Company's business.
3. Other
Proprietary Rights.
All
documents, data, records, apparatus, equipment, chemicals, molecules, organisms,
and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Proprietary
Information, furnished to Me by the Company or produced by Me or others in
connection with My employment shall be and remain the sole property of the
Company and shall be returned promptly to the Company as and when requested
by
the Company. Should the Company not so request, I shall return and deliver
all
such property upon termination of My employment by Me or the Company for any
reason and I will not take with Me any such property or any reproduction of
such
property upon such termination.
4. No
Solicitation.
I agree
that for a period of one (1) year following termination of My employment, I
will
not solicit or in any manner encourage any employee of the Company to leave
the
Company's employ.
6. Obligations
Regarding Inventions.
(a) I
will
promptly disclose to the Company, or any persons designated by it, and will
not
use Myself or disclose to anyone else at any time during or after My employment
without the prior written consent of the Company, all improvements, inventions,
formulae, processes, techniques, know-how and data (whether or not they can
be
patented, trademarked or copyrighted), made, conceived, reduced to practice
or
learned by Me, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of My
employment, which are related to or useful in the business of the Company,
or
which the Company would be interested in, or result from tasks assigned to
Me by
the Company, or result from use of any premises owned, leased or contracted
for
by the Company (all said improvements, inventions, formulae, processes,
techniques, know-how, and data initiated or developed during My employment
shall
be collectively hereinafter called "Inventions"); such disclosure shall continue
after termination of My employment with the Company with respect to any
Invention, which in all cases are subject to Section 6(c) of this
Agreement.
14
(b) Company
Sole Owner of Patent Rights.
I will
promptly and fully disclose the existence and describe the nature of any such
Invention to the Company in writing and without request. I agree that all
Inventions shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns, and the
Company and its assigns shall be the sole owner of all patents, copyrights,
trade secrets, and other intellectual property rights (collectively, "Patent
Rights") in connection therewith. I will, with respect to any such Invention,
keep current, accurate and complete records that will belong to the Company
and
will be kept stored on the Company premises while I am employed by the Company
and shall be turned over to the Company immediately upon termination of My
employment.
(c) Assignment
of Inventions and Patent Rights; Duty to Cooperate.
I
hereby assign to the Company any rights I may have or acquire in all Inventions.
I further agree as to all Inventions and Proprietary Information to assist
the
Company in every proper way (but at the Company's expense) to obtain and from
time to time enforce Patent Rights regarding the Inventions or Proprietary
Information in any and all countries, and to that end I will execute all
documents for use in applying for and obtaining such patents or copyrights
thereon and enforcing same, as the Company may desire, together with any
assignments thereof to the Company or entities or persons designated by it.
I
agree further that these obligations to assist the Company in obtaining and
enforcing Patent Rights in any and all countries shall continue beyond the
termination of My employment, in return for which assistance after termination
the Company shall compensate Me at a reasonable rate for time actually spent
by
Me at the Company's request on such assistance.
6. Prior
Inventions List.
[Please
initial one of the following two entries.]
_____
As
a matter of record, I have attached hereto a complete list of all inventions
or
improvements relevant to the subject matter of My employment by the Company
which have been made or conceived or first reduced to practice by Me alone
or
jointly with others prior to My employment by the Company which I desire to
remove from the operation of this Agreement; and I warrant that such list is
complete.
X No such list is attached to this
Agreement, and I represent that I have made no such inventions or improvements
at the time of signing this Agreement.
7. No
Breach of Confidentiality.
I
represent that My performance of all terms of this Agreement and that My
employment by the Company does not and will not breach any obligation of
confidentiality that I have to others, which existed prior to My employment
by
the Company. I have not brought or used, and will not bring with Me to the
Company or use any equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information
of
any former employer or any other person, which information is not generally
available to the public, unless I have obtained written authorization for their
possession and use, and promptly provided such written authorization to the
Company. I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any
agreement either written or oral in conflict with this Agreement.
8. Injunctive
Relief.
I
acknowledge and agree that the Company’s remedy at law for a breach or
threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement would be inadequate
and, in recognition of that fact, in the event of any such breach or threatened
breach, I agree that, in addition to its remedy at law, the Company shall be
entitled to equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary
restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable
remedy that may then be available. Nothing herein contained shall be construed
as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to it
for
such breach or threatened breach.
15
9. Not
Debarred.
I
warrant and represent that I have never been, and am not currently an individual
who has been, debarred by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)
pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §336a (a) or (b) (“Debarred Individual”) from providing
services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending drug
product application. I further warrant and represent that I have no knowledge
of
any FDA investigations of, or debarment proceedings against, Me or any person
or
entity with which I am, or have been, associated, and I will immediately notify
the Company if I become aware of any such investigations or proceedings during
the term of My employment with the Company.
10. Miscellaneous
Provisions.
(a) Employment.
Nothing
in this Agreement shall alter My at will employee status or be construed to
create a specific term of employment or a promise of continued employment.
Either I or the Company may terminate the employment relationship for any reason
at any time, with or without notice.
(b) Enforceability.
If one
or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason,
be
held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity, subject or otherwise, so
as
to be unenforceable at law, such provision or provisions shall be construed
by
the appropriate judicial body by limiting or reducing it or them, so as to
be
enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with then applicable law. If any
provision of this Agreement shall be declared invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
such provision shall be severed and all remaining provisions shall continue
in
full force and effect.
(c) Assignment.
This
Agreement is not assignable by Me without the written consent of the Company,
which consent may be withheld for any reason or no reason. In light of the
very
personal and critical nature of this Agreement, I recognize that it is unlikely
such consent would ever be granted.
(d) Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement between Me and the Company with respect
to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior or
contemporaneous oral or written agreements, statements, representations, or
understandings between Me and the Company, or any employee of the Company.
This
Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by Me and the
Company.
(e) Effective
Date.
This
Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of My employment by the
Company, as affirmed or reaffirmed by my signature below.
(f) Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon Me, My heirs, executors, assigns and
administrators and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors
and
assigns.
16
(g) Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
State of New Jersey without regard to its rules on conflicts of
law.
COLUMBIA LABORATORIES, INC.
By: /S/
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx
Title: President
& Chief Executive
Officer
|
EMPLOYEE
/S/
Xxxxx
Xxxx
Signature
Xxxxx
Xxxx
|
17
Exhibit
C
INDEMNIFICATION
AGREEMENT
This
Agreement is made and entered into this 6th
day of
December, 2006 (“Agreement”) by and between Columbia Laboratories, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (“Corporation”) and Xxxxx Xxxx (“Indemnitee”).
WHEREAS
the Board of Directors (the “Board”) has determined that the best interests of
the Corporation require that persons serving as directors of, and in other
capacities for, the Corporation receive better protection from the risk of
claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities
on behalf of such corporations; and
WHEREAS,
this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of Article VI of the
amended and restated by-laws of the Corporation, any rights granted by the
Certification of Incorporation of the Corporation and any resolutions adopted
pursuant thereto and shall not be deemed to be a substitute therefore nor to
diminish or abrogate any rights of the Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS,
Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and take on additional service
for or on behalf of the Corporation on the condition that Indemnitee be
indemnified according to the terms of this Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein,
the Corporation and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as
follows:
Section
1. Definitions.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Change
in Control” shall
be
deemed to have occurred if (a) there shall have consummated (i) any
consolidation or merger of Company in which Company is not the continuing or
surviving entity or pursuant to which shares of Company’s common stock would be
converted to cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of Company
in which the holders of Company’s common stock immediately prior to the merger
have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving entity
immediately after the merger, or (ii) any sale, lease, exchange or transfer
(in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or
substantially all, of the assets of the company; or (b) the stockholders of
the Company approve a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of
the
Company; or (c) any person (as that term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d)(z) of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended (the “Exchange Act”))
shall become a beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-2 under the
Exchange Act) of 40% or more of Company’s outstanding common stock; or
(d) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the entire Board shall cease for any reason
to constitute a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination for
election by Company’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote
of at least 50% of the directors eligible to vote who were directors at the
beginning of the period.
18
(b) “Disinterested
Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to
the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by
Indemnitee.
(c) “Effective
Date” means the date first written above.
(d) “Expenses”
mean all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs,
fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing
and
binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other
disbursements and expenses of the type customarily incurred in connection with
prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, or
being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.
(e) “Independent
Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in
matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years
has been, retained to represent: (i) the Corporation or Indemnitee in any
other matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other party to the
Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who,
under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would
have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or Indemnitee
in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
(f) “Proceeding”
means an action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism,
investigation, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, except one initiated by an Indemnitee
pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under
this Agreement.
Section
2. Services by Indemnitee.
Indemnitee
agrees to serve as an officer or director of the corporation, and, at its
request, as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of certain other
corporations and entities. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign
from any such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any
obligation imposed by operation of law).
Section
3. Indemnification - General.
The
Corporation shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee as provided
in
this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in effect
on
the date hereof and to such greater extent as applicable law may thereafter
from
time to time permit. The rights of Indemnitee provided under the preceding
sentence shall include, but shall not be limited to, the rights set forth in
the
other Sections of this Agreement.
Section
4. Proceeding Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the
Corporation.
Indemnitee
shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section
if,
by reason of Indemnitee’s employment or service as an officer or director,
Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending
or completed Proceeding, other than a Proceeding brought by or in the right
of
the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section,
Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines
and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonable incurred by Indemnitee
or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding if Indemnitee
acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in
or
not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to
any
criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was
unlawful.
19
Section
5. Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation.
Indemnitee
shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section
if,
by reason of his Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made,
a
party to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding brought by or in the
right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this
Section, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses, judgments, penalties,
fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by
Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding if
Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed
to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect
of any claim, issue or matter in any such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation if applicable law
prohibits such indemnification unless the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware, or the court in which such Proceeding shall have been brought or
is
pending, shall determine that indemnification against Expenses may nevertheless
be made by the Corporation.
Section
6. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly
Successful.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by
reason of Indemnitee’s employment or service as an officer or director, a party
to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, Indemnitee
shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred
by
Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is
not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or
otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in
such
Proceeding, the Corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in
connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For the
purposes of this Section and without limiting the foregoing, the termination
of
any claim, issue or matter in any such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without
prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or
matter.
Section
7. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by
reason of Indemnitee’s employment or service as an officer or director, a
witness in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in
connection therewith.
20
Section
8. Advancement of Expenses.
The
Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee
in
connection with any Proceeding within thirty (30) days after the receipt by
the
Corporation of a statement or statement from Indemnitee requesting such advance
or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition
of
such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the
Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied
by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced
if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified against such Expenses.
Section
9. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to
Indemnification.
(a) To
obtain
indemnification under this Agreement in connection with any Proceeding, and
for
the duration thereof, Indemnitee shall submit to the Corporation a written
request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information
as is
reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine
whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The
Secretary of the Corporation shall, promptly upon receipt of any such request
for indemnification, advise the board in writing that Indemnitee has requested
indemnification.
(b) Upon
written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(a)
hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to
Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in such case: (i) if a
Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel (unless Indemnitee
shall request that such determination be made by the Board or the stockholders
in the manner provided for in clauses (ii) or (iii) or this Section 9(b)) in
written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee;
(ii) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board
by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors, or
(B) if a quorum of the Board consisting of Disinterested Directors is not
obtainable, or even if such quorum is obtainable, if such quorum of
Disinterested Directors so directs, either (x) by Independent Counsel in a
written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee,
or (y) by the stockholders of the Corporation, as determined by such quorum
of Disinterested Directors, or a quorum of the Board, as the case may be; or
(iii) as provided in Section 10(b) of this Agreement. If it is so
determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee
shall be made within thirty (30) days after such determination. Indemnitee
shall
cooperate with the persons or entity making such determination with respect
to
Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such persons
or entity upon request any documentation or information which is not privileged
or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to
Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses
(including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so
cooperating with the persons or entity making such determination shall be borne
by the Corporation (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s
entitlement to indemnification) and the Corporation hereby indemnifies and
agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
21
(c) If
required, Independent Counsel shall be selected as follows: (i) if a Change
of Control shall not have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by
the
Board by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors
and
the Corporation shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee
of
the identity of Independent Counsel so selected; or (ii) if a Change of
Control shall have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee
(unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board,
in
which event (i) shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the
Corporation advising it of the identity of Independent Counsel so selected.
In
either event, Indemnitee or the Corporation, as the case may be, may, within
seven (7) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given,
deliver to the Corporation or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written
objection to such selection. Such objection may be asserted only on the ground
that Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of
“Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the
objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such
assertion. If such written objection is made, Independent Counsel so selected
may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until a court has determined
that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after
submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant
to
Section 9(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not
objected to, either the Corporation or Indemnitee may petition the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware, or any court in the State of New Jersey
in
which such petition would be cognizable, for resolution of any objection which
shall have been made by the Corporation or Indemnitee to the other’s selection
of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of
a
person selected by such court or by such other person as such court shall
designate, and the person with respect to whom an objection is so resolved
or
the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 9(b)
hereof. The Corporation shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses
incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with its actions pursuant
to
this Agreement, and the Corporation shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses
incident to the procedures of this Section 9(c) regardless of the manner in
which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed. Upon the due
commencement date of any judicial proceeding pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii)
of
this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any
further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards
of
professional conduct then prevailing).
Section
10. Presumptions and Effects of Certain Proceedings.
(a) If
a
Change in Control shall have occurred, in making a determination with respect
to
entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making
such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification
in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement, and the Corporation shall
have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the
making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that
presumption.
(b) The
person or entity empowered or selected under Section 8 of this Agreement shall
make the determination of whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification
as
soon as practicable after receipt by the Corporation of the request therefore.
22
(c) The
termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by
judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere
or its
equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement)
of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create
a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which
Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of
the Corporation or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee
had
reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
Section
11. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In
the
event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 9 or 10 of this
Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this
Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to
Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) the determination of entitlement to
indemnification is made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 9 of this
Agreement and such determination shall not have been made and delivered in
a
written opinion within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Corporation of
the
request for indemnification, (iv) or (iv) payment of indemnification
is not made within thirty (30) days after such determination has been made
that
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to
have been made pursuant to Sections 9 or 10 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall
be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware
or the State of New Jersey , of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification
or advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking
an
adjudication or an award within one hundred eighty (180) days following the
date
on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant
to
this Section 11(a).
(b) In
the
event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9 of this
Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial
proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section shall be conducted in all respects
as a de
novo
trial
and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by any reason of that adverse
determination. If a Change of Control shall have occurred, in any judicial
proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section the Corporation shall have the
burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or
advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.
(c) If
a
determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to
Section 9 or 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any
judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section, absent (i) a
misstatement by Indemnitee or Indemnitee’s representative of a material fact, or
an omission of any material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s or Indemnitee’s
representative’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the
request for indemnification, or (ii) prohibition of such indemnification
under applicable law.
(d) The
Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding
commenced pursuant to this Section that the procedures and presumptions of
this
Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any
such
court that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this
Agreement.
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(e) In
the
event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section, seeks a judicial adjudication
of Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this
Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Corporation and
shall be indemnified by the Corporation against, any and all expenses (of the
kinds described in the definition of Expenses) actually and reasonably incurred
by Indemnitee in such judicial adjudication, but only if Indemnitee prevails
therein. If it shall be determined that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part
but not all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the
expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication
shall be appropriately prorated.
Section
12. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance
Subrogation.
(a) The
rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided
by
this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the certificate
of
incorporation or by-laws of the Corporation, any agreement, a vote of
stockholders or resolution of directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration
or repeal of this Agreement or any provision hereof shall be effective as to
any
Indemnitee with respect to any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in
Indemnitee’s employment or service as an officer or director prior to such
amendment, alteration or repeal.
(b) To
the
extent that the corporation maintains an insurance policy or policies providing
liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries
of
the corporation or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person serves at the
request of the Corporation, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or
policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the
coverage available for any such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary
under such policy or policies.
(c) In
the
event of any payment under this Agreement, the Corporation shall be subrogated
to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee
who
shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such
rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the
Corporation to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(d) The
Corporation shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of
amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee
has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy,
contract, agreement or otherwise.
Section
13. Duration of Agreement.
This
Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) ten
(10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a
director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation or of any
other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
or
other enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Corporation;
(b) the final termination of all pending Proceedings in respect of which
Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses
hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11
of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Corporation and
its
successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and
Indemnitee’s heirs.
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Section
14. Severability.
If
any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such
provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself
invalid, illegal unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this
Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this
Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall
be
construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
Section
15. Exception to Right of Indemnification or Advancement of
Expenses.
Except
as
provided in Section 11(e), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification
or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding,
or any claim therein, brought or made by Indemnitee against the Corporation.
For
the purposes of this Section 15, a Proceeding in the right of the Corporation
shall not be deemed to constitute a Proceeding brought or made by the
Corporation.
Section
16. Identical Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
for
all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by
the
party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence
the
existence of this Agreement.
Section
17. Headings.
The
headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the
construction thereof.
Section
18. Modification and Waiver.
No
supplement, modification or amendment to this Agreement shall be binding unless
executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of
any
other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver
constitute a continuing waiver.
25
Section
19. Notice by Indemnitee.
Indemnitee
agrees promptly to notify the Corporation in writing upon being served with
any
summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other
document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to
indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder.
COLUMBIA LABORATORIES, INC. | |
/S/ Xxxxx Xxxx | By: /S/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
Xxxxx Xxxx, Indemnitee
|
Name: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title: President,
and Chief
Executive Officer
|
I,
Xxxxxxx XxXxxxx, Secretary, certify that the Board of Directors has authorized
the Corporation to enter into this Agreement by a resolution adopted at a
meeting on November 30, 2006.
/S/
Xxxxxxx
XxXxxxx
Xxxxxxx
XxXxxxx
Secretary
|
26