AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.8

AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 6, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Xxxxxxx Xxxx (“Executive”) and Ardelyx, Inc. (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive entered into that certain Executive Employment Agreement dated as of February 17, 2009 setting forth the terms of Executive’s employment by the Company as its Chief Executive Officer (the “Prior Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by Company as its Chief Executive Officer, and Company desires to have the continued benefit of Executive’s employment in such capacity, and Executive desires to continue to serve in such capacity, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Company and Executive intend that the Prior Agreement be superseded in all respects by this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Agreement, the following terms are defined as follows:

1.1. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

1.2. “Cause” means any of the following events described below:

(a) Executive’s theft, dishonesty or falsification of any employment or Company records that is non-trivial in nature;

(b) malicious or reckless disclosure of the Company’s confidential or proprietary information or any material breach by Executive of his obligations under the Confidential Information Agreement;

(c) the conviction of the Executive of a felony (excluding motor vehicle violations) or the commission of gross negligence or willful misconduct, where a majority of the non-employee members of the Board reasonably determines that such act or misconduct has (i) seriously undermined the ability of the Board or management of the Company to entrust Executive with important matters or otherwise work effectively with Executive, (ii) substantially contributed to the Company’s loss of significant revenues or business opportunities, or (iii) significantly and detrimentally affected the business or reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and/or

(d) the willful failure or refusal by Executive to follow the reasonable and lawful directives of the Board, provided such willful failure or refusal continues after Executive’s receipt of reasonable notice in writing of such failure or refusal and a reasonable opportunity of not less than 30 days to correct the problem.

For the purpose of this Agreement, no act, or failure to act, shall be considered “willful” unless undertaken by Executive with an absence of good faith that this act, or failure to act, was in the best interests of the Company.

1.3. “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended from time to time, provided that such event must also constitute a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

1.4. “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

1.5. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

1.6. “Company” means Ardelyx, Inc. or any successor thereto.

1.7. “Confidential Information Agreement” means the Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement entered into between Executive and the Company.

1.8. “Covered Termination” means (a) an Involuntary Termination Without Cause or (b) a voluntary termination for Good Reason, provided that the termination constitutes a Separation from Service.

1.9. “Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation as a result of a Good Reason Condition. In order to resign for Good Reason, Executive must provide written notice to the Company of the existence of the Good Reason Condition within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such Good Reason Condition. Upon receipt of such notice of the Good Reason Condition, the Company will be provided with a period of thirty (30) days during which it may remedy the Good Reason Condition and not be required to provide for the payments and benefits described in Section 4 as a result of such proposed resignation due to the Good Reason Condition specified in the notice. If the Good Reason Condition is not remedied within the period specified in the preceding sentence, Executive may resign for Good Reason based on the Good Reason Condition specified in the notice, provided that such resignation must occur within sixty (60) days after the initial existence of such Good Reason Condition.

1.10. “Good Reason Condition” means that any of the following are undertaken without Executive’s express written consent:

(a) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities which substantially reduces the nature or character of Executive’s position with the Company;

(b) a reduction by the Company of Executive’s Base Salary (as defined in Section 3.1 below) as in effect immediately prior to such reduction (disregarding any reduction in base salary that would give rise to Executive’s right to a resignation for Good Reason);

(c) a relocation of Executive’s principal office to a location more than fifty (50) miles from the location of Executive’s principal office as of immediately prior to such relocation, except for required travel by Executive on the Company’s business; or

(d) any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement which the Company does not cure within 30 days following written notice thereof from Executive.

1.11. “Involuntary Termination Without Cause” means Executive’s dismissal or discharge by the Company other than for Cause. The termination of Executive’s employment as a result of Executive’s death or inability to perform the essential functions of his job due to disability will not be deemed to be an Involuntary Termination Without Cause.

1.12. “Separation from Service” means Executive’s termination of employment or service constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

ARTICLE II

EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY

2.1. Position and Duties. Subject to terms set forth herein, Executive shall continue to serve in an executive capacity and shall continue to perform such duties as are customarily associated with the position of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as are assigned to Executive by the Board. During the term of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will devote Executive’s best efforts and substantially all of Executive’s business time and attention (except for vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacities permitted by the Company’s general employment policies or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement) to the business of the Company. As of the Effective Date, Executive shall continue to serve as a member of the Board.

2.2. Employment at Will. Both the Company and Executive shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment with the Company at any time, with or without Cause, and without prior notice. If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated, Executive will be eligible to receive severance benefits to the extent provided in this Agreement.

2.3. Employment Policies. The employment relationship between the parties shall also be governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company, including those relating to protection of confidential information and assignment of inventions, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.

ARTICLE III

COMPENSATION

3.1. Base Salary. As of the Effective Date, Executive shall receive for services to be rendered hereunder an annual base salary of $426,708 (“Base Salary”), payable on the regular payroll dates of the Company, subject to increase in the sole discretion of the Board.

3.2. Annual Bonus. Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus targeted at thirty percent (30%) of Base Salary, on such terms and conditions determined by the Board or a committee of the Board (the “Annual Bonus”). Annual Bonus payments for 2014, as well as for future years, will be determined in the discretion of the Board or a committee of the Board and will be (a) subject to achievement of any applicable bonus objectives and/or conditions determined by the Board or a committee of the Board, and (b) payable to Executive during the year following the end of the applicable calendar year at the same time as bonuses for other Company executives are paid.

3.3. Standard Company Benefits. Executive shall continue to be entitled to all rights and benefits for which Executive is eligible under the terms and conditions of the standard Company benefits and compensation practices that may be in effect from time to time and are provided by the Company to its executive employees generally.

3.4. Equity Awards. Executive shall continue to be eligible to be granted additional equity awards in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time.

ARTICLE IV

SEVERANCE AND CHANGE IN CONTROL BENEFITS

4.1. Severance Benefits. Upon Executive’s termination of employment, Executive shall receive any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and other accrued and unpaid compensation, including any Annual Bonus that has been earned with respect to a prior year, but remains unpaid as of the date of the termination. If the termination is due to a Covered Termination, provided that Executive first returns all Company property in his possession and, within sixty (60) days following the Covered Termination, executes and does not revoke an effective general release of all claims against the Company and its affiliates in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (a “Release of Claims”), Executive shall also be entitled to receive the following severance benefits described in this Section 4.1.

(a) Covered Termination Not Related to a Change in Control. If Executive’s employment terminates due to a Covered Termination which occurs more than three (3) months prior to a Change in Control or more than twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, Executive shall receive the following:

(i) An amount equal to twelve (12) months of Executive’s Base Salary payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies, less applicable withholdings, with such installments to commence as soon as administratively practicable following the date the Release of Claims is not subject to revocation and, in any event, within sixty (60) days following the date of the Covered Termination.

benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (ii) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments. After the Company ceases to pay premiums pursuant to this Section 4.1(a)(ii), Executive may, if eligible, elect to continue healthcare coverage at Executive’s expense in accordance the provisions of COBRA.

(iii) Each outstanding equity award, including, without limitation, each stock option and restricted stock award, held by Executive shall automatically become vested and, if applicable, exercisable and any forfeiture restrictions or rights of repurchase thereon shall immediately lapse, in each case, with respect to that number of shares that would have vested and, if applicable, become exercisable in the twelve (12) months immediately following Executive’s Covered Termination had Executive’s employment continued during such twelve (12) month period. To the extent vested after giving effect to the acceleration provided in the preceding sentence, each stock option held by Executive shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the original expiration date for such stock option or the first anniversary of Executive’s Covered Termination.

(b) Covered Termination Related to a Change in Control. If Executive’s employment terminates due to a Covered Termination that occurs within three (3) months prior to a Change in Control or during the twelve (12) month period after a Change in Control, Executive shall receive the following:

(i) Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to 1.5 multiplied by the sum of: (i) Executive’s Base Salary and (ii) Executive’s target Annual Bonus for the fiscal year of Executive’s termination, in each case, at the rate in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination of employment payable in a cash lump sum, less applicable withholdings, as soon as administratively practicable following the date the Release of Claims is not subject to revocation and, in any event, within sixty (60) days following the date of the Covered Termination.

(ii) If Executive elects to receive continued healthcare coverage pursuant to the provisions of COBRA, the Company shall directly pay, or reimburse Executive for, the premium for Executive and Executive’s covered dependents through the earlier of (i) the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and (ii) the date Executive and Executive’s covered dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s plan(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (ii) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments. After the Company ceases to pay premiums pursuant to this Section 4.1(b)(ii), Executive may, if eligible, elect to continue healthcare coverage at Executive’s expense in accordance the provisions of COBRA.

(iii) Each outstanding equity award, including, without limitation, each stock option and restricted stock award, held by Executive shall automatically become vested and, if applicable, exercisable and any forfeiture restrictions or rights of repurchase thereon shall immediately lapse, in each case, with respect to one hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject thereto. To the extent vested after giving effect to the acceleration provided in the preceding sentence, each stock option held by Executive shall remain exercisable until the earlier of the original expiration date for such stock option or the first anniversary of Executive’s Covered Termination.

4.2. 280G Provisions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or distribution Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (“Payment”) would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (b) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall either be (i) delivered in full, or (ii) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the largest payment, notwithstanding that all or some portion the Payment may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall perform the foregoing calculations. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The accounting firm shall provide its calculations to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. Any reduction in payments and/or benefits pursuant to this Section 4.2 will occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (4) reduction of other benefits payable to Executive.

4.3. Section 409A.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed at the time of his Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code which would subject Executive to a tax obligation under Section 409A of the Code, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 4.3(a) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

(b) Any reimbursements payable to Executive pursuant to the Agreement shall be paid to Executive no later than 30 days after Executive provides the Company with a written request for reimbursement, and to the extent that any such reimbursements are deemed to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (i) such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive promptly, but in no event later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense is incurred, (ii) the amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and (iii) Executive’s right to such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

(c) For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive installment payments under the Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

4.4. Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided under this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by another employer or by any retirement benefits received by Executive after the date of the Covered Termination, or otherwise.

ARTICLE V

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OBLIGATIONS

5.1. Agreement. Executive agrees to continue to abide by the Confidential Information Agreement.

5.2. Remedies. Executive’s duties under the Confidential Information Agreement shall survive termination of Executive’s employment with the Company and the termination of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of the Confidential Information Agreement, as well as Executive’s obligations pursuant to Section 6.2 and Article 7 below, would be inadequate, and Executive therefore agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief in case of any such breach or threatened breach.

ARTICLE VI

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

6.1. Other Activities.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1(b), Executive shall not, during the term of this Agreement undertake or engage in any other employment, occupation or business enterprise, other than ones in which Executive is a passive investor, unless he obtains the prior written consent of the Board.

(b) Executive may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder. In addition, Executive shall be allowed to serve as a member of the board of directors of up to two (2) other for profit entities at any time during the term of this Agreement, which service shall not materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder; provided, however, that the Board, in its discretion, may require that Executive resign from one or both of such director positions if it determines that such resignation(s) would be in the best interests of the Company.

6.2. Competition/Investments. During the term of Executive’s employment by the Company, except on behalf of the Company, Executive shall not directly or indirectly, whether as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, proprietor, associate, representative, consultant, or in any capacity whatsoever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by or have any business connection with any other person, corporation, firm, partnership or other entity whatsoever which were known by Executive to compete directly with the Company, throughout the world, in any line of business engaged in (or planned to be engaged in) by the Company; provided, however, that anything above to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive may own, as a passive investor, securities of any competitor corporation, so long as Executive’s direct holdings in any one such corporation shall not in the aggregate constitute more than 1% of the voting stock of such corporation.

ARTICLE VII

NONINTERFERENCE

In addition to Executive’s obligations under the Confidential Information Agreement, Executive shall not for a period of two (2) years following Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, either on Executive’s own account or jointly with or as a manager, agent, officer, employee, consultant, partner, joint venturer, owner or stockholder or otherwise on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit away from the Company any of its officers or employees or offer employment to any person who is an officer or employee of the Company; provided, however, that a general advertisement to which an employee of the Company responds shall in no event be deemed to result in a breach of this Article 7. Executive also agrees not to harass or disparage the Company or its employees, clients, directors or agents or divert or attempt to divert any actual or potential business of the Company. The provisions of this Article 7 shall survive the termination or expiration of the applicable Executive’s employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Article 7 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

8.1. Notices. Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and shall be deemed effective upon the earlier of personal delivery (including personal delivery by facsimile) or the third day after mailing by first class mail, to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at Executive’s address as listed on the Company payroll.

8.2. Tax Withholding. Executive acknowledges that all amounts and benefits payable under this Agreement are subject to deduction and withholding to the extent required by applicable law.

8.3. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.

8.4. Waiver. If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, they shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.

8.5. Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company and is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter, and will supersede all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, including without limitation, the Prior Agreement. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein or therein, and cannot be modified or amended except in a writing signed by an officer of the Company and Executive.

8.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

8.7. Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.

8.8. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign his rights or delegate his duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company.

8.9. Arbitration. Unless otherwise prohibited by law or specified below, all disputes, claims and causes of action, in law or equity, arising from or relating to this Agreement or its enforcement, performance, breach, or interpretation shall be resolved solely and exclusively by

final and binding arbitration held in Alameda County, California through Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services/Endispute (“JAMS”) in conformity with the then-existing JAMS employment arbitration rules and California law. The arbitrator shall: (a) provide adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision, to include the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. However, nothing in this section is intended to prevent either party from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. The Company shall bear the costs of any such arbitration.

8.10. Executive Acknowledgement. Executive acknowledges that (a) he has consulted with or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of his own choice concerning this Agreement, and has been advised to do so by the Company, and (b) that he has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on his own judgment.

8.11. Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the law of the State of California without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof.

[Signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.


ARDELYX, INC.

By:		/s/ XXXXX XXXX
		XXXXX XXXX

Title:		Director

Accepted and Agreed:

/s/ XXXXXXX XXXX

XXXXXXX XXXX

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AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

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