EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement made effective the 1st day of February, 2005. |
E-103
|
BETWEEN:
a
body
corporate duly arranged pursuant
to
the
laws of the Province of Alberta
(hereinafter
referred to as “ViRexx”),
-
and
-
Macaraig
Canton,
of
the
City of Markham, in the Province of Ontario
(hereinafter
referred to as “Canton”)
WHEREAS
ViRexx
carries on the business of a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
and
commercializing therapeutic products for the treatment of chronic hepatitis
B,
hepatitis C and selected solid tumors (hereinafter called the
“Business”);
WHEREAS
ViRexx
and Canton (hereinafter sometimes referred
to as the “Parties” or singularly as a “Party”) acknowledge mutual benefit in
entering into this employment agreement (hereinafter called the
“Agreement”).
NOW
THEREFORE in
consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein contained, the
parties
hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
- SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT
1.1 ViRexx
hereby employs and appoints Canton to the position of President and Chief
Operating Officer (“COO”) which employment and position is based in ViRexx’s
Edmonton, Alberta office. Canton hereby accepts such employment.
1.2 Canton
shall serve ViRexx and shall perform on behalf of ViRexx such reasonable
duties
consistent with the position of COO as may from time to time be required
or
authorized by ViRexx, without restricting the generality of the foregoing,
shall
include:
(a)
|
discharging
those duties and responsibilities set out in the Employee Services
&
Obligations attached as Schedule “A”, which may be amended from time to
time by ViRexx, so long as those amended duties and responsibilities
are
consistent with the duties of a COO;
and
|
(b)
|
using
his best efforts to promote the interests and goodwill of
ViRexx.
|
1.3 Canton
shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of ViRexx (“CEO”). Canton shall
report fully on all matters arising from his duties and responsibilities
as COO
and advise, to the best of his ability,
and in
accordance with reasonable business standards, on business matters that may
arise from time to time during the term of this Agreement.
1.4 During
the term of this Agreement, Canton shall not provide any services to any
other
biopharmaceutical business, industry or other enterprise, or enter into any
contracts requiring the use of his associations with persons relating to
the
Business, his abilities or any other matter whatsoever relating to his knowledge
and reputation, insofar as it relates to any activity or undertaking of
whatsoever nature or kind similar to the Business, without the express written
consent of ViRexx first had and obtained.
ARTICLE
2
- EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF EMPLOYMENT
2.1 This
Agreement shall be effective as and from February 1st, 2005 (the “Effective
Date”), and the employment of Canton shall continue until January 31, 2008,
unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of Article
10
hereof.
This Agreement shall automatically continue in full force and effect for
successive renewal periods of one (1) year after January 31, 2008
unless
terminated by either party hereto by giving written notice to the other party
at
least one hundred eighty (180) days prior to January 31, 2008 or the next
succeeding automatic renewal date of the Agreement. In the event such notice
of
termination is given, this Agreement shall terminate on the day immediately
after such automatic renewal date and ViRexx shall not be obliged to provide
any
further termination notice or payment of remuneration to Canton except
remuneration earned to the date of termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
3
- EXCLUSIVE SERVICE
3.1 During
the term of his employment with ViRexx, Canton shall well and faithfully
serve
ViRexx and devote the whole of his time and attention during business hours
to
the business of ViRexx, and shall not, without the consent in writing of
ViRexx:
(a)
|
directly
or indirectly engage in any other business or occupation, or become
a
director, owner, employee or agent of any other company, firm,
joint
venture, individual or other entity whatsoever, which is involved,
related
to or interested in any business similar to or in competition,
directly or
indirectly, with the Business in the Territory (as defined in Section
11.1
herein); or
|
(b)
|
directly
or indirectly engage in or become concerned in or interested in
any other
business of any kind which may interfere with, restrict or conflict
with
his duties hereunder.
|
ARTICLE
4
- POLICY, PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
4.1 Canton
shall comply with and carry out all reasonable orders given to him, as COO,
by
the CEO and work closely and co-ordinate the performance of his duties and
responsibilities with the CEO. Canton will carry out his duties and
responsibilities to ViRexx faithfully and diligently, and will cause the
business activities of ViRexx that are committed to his direction or control
to
be conducted reasonably, and in accordance with the policies and procedures
of
ViRexx applicable from time to time, including those policies and procedures
set
out by ViRexx’s Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
5 -
COMPENSATION
5.1 The
base
salary payable to Canton for his service hereunder shall be two hundred thousand
($200,000.00) dollars per annum, exclusive of benefits and other compensation
(the "Base Compensation"), and shall be payable in twenty-four (24) equal
monthly installments throughout the term hereof, or in such other manner
as may
be mutually agreed upon by Canton and ViRexx, less any deductions or
withholdings as required by law.
5.2 Canton’s
Base Compensation may be adjusted annually as part of the annual compensation
review processes undertaken by ViRexx for all employees. ViRexx may or may
not
increase Canton’s Base Compensation after this review process and any increase
in his Base Compensation shall be at the sole and arbitrary discretion of
ViRexx. Any increase in Canton’s Base Compensation shall reflect the same
financial influences considered by ViRexx for all of its employees.
5.3 Canton
may be entitled to receive discretionary or variable compensation in an amount
up to thirty (30%) percent of his Annual Salary, subject to the achievement
of
personal and corporate goals to be provided by the Chairman of the Board
of
Directors and the CEO by no later than March 31, 2005 with the Chairman and
CEO’s providing the assessment as to whether such goals have been achieved.
ARTICLE
6 -
STOCK OPTION
6.1 ViRexx
will grant to Canton an option to purchase three hundred thousand (300,000)
common shares of ViRexx at an option exercise price per share equal to the
closing price of ViRexx’s common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on January
31, 2005 (the “Stock Option”), subject to the provisions of ViRexx’s stock
option agreement and all applicable regulations and laws. The three hundred
thousand (300,000) Options shall vest as follows:
(a)
|
One
Hundred Thousand (100,000) Options upon the signing of this
Agreement;
|
(b)
|
One
Hundred Thousand (100,000) Options on February 1, 2006;
and
|
(c)
|
One
Hundred Thousand (100,000) Options on February 1,
2007.
|
Page
2 of
15
ARTICLE
7-
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
7.1 Canton
shall be entitled to participate fully in any benefit plans provided by ViRexx
for its employees, including medical benefit plans and any other employee
benefit plans ViRexx may implement (collectively referred to as the “Plans”).
ViRexx will waive all qualification periods for these Plans.
7.2 During
the first year of Canton’s employment, Canton shall be entitled to three (3)
weeks of paid vacation, (with vacation pay equaling 6% of Base Compensation)
to
be taken at such times as may be agreed upon between Canton and the CEO,
taking
into account the project activity and staffing requirements of ViRexx and
the
need for the timely performance of Canton’s responsibilities. Thereafter, Canton
shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation (with vacation pay equaling
8% of Base Compensation), to be taken in the manner previously stipulated.
Any
further increase in Canton’s vacation entitlement is at the sole and absolute
discretion of the Board of Directors.
7.3 Canton
shall be provided with a relocation package to include the
following:
(a)
|
total
relocation costs of household goods including three (3) family
vehicles
during the 2005 calendar year;
|
(b)
|
maximum
of two (2) months stay by Canton at a reasonably priced hotel in
Edmonton
to assist him in locating an appropriate personal
residence;
|
(c)
|
air
fare between Edmonton and Toronto for Canton and his immediate
family
members;
|
(d)
|
real
estate fees for the sale of Canton’s personal residence in Toronto;
and
|
(e)
|
miscellaneous
fees as required (eg. miscellaneous household expenses; costs and
expenses
incurred while traveling or other in transit
expenses);
|
(collectively
the “Relocation Package”)
The
Relocation Package, to a maximum of $75,000, shall be paid by ViRexx upon
receipt of appropriate documentation, evidencing such expenditures, from
Canton.
ARTICLE
8
- REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES
8.1 Canton
shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in the course
of
carrying out his duties as COO.
ARTICLE
9
- CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS
9.1 Canton
shall not, either during the term of his employment with ViRexx or anytime
thereafter, disclose or cause to be disclosed, to any person or entity
whatsoever, unless required by law, any secrets or Confidential Information
(as
defined in the Employee Confidentiality Agreement attached as Schedule
“B” hereto),
concerning the business, affairs or financial performance or position of
ViRexx,
or any entity with which ViRexx is, or may hereafter, become affiliated.
The
parties herein agree that concurrent with their execution of this Agreement,
they shall enter into and execute the Employee Confidentiality Agreement
in the
form attached as Schedule “B” hereto.
ARTICLE
10 -
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
10.1 Subject
to earlier termination pursuant to this Article, Canton’s employment with ViRexx
shall terminate upon the earlier of:
(a)
|
his
death; or
|
(b)
|
his
attaining the age of sixty-five (65)
years.
|
Page
3 of
15
10.2 In
the
event Canton is unable to fulfill his regular duties and responsibilities
as COO
for an aggregate of one hundred and eighty (180) days during any twelve (12)
month period (“Permanent Disability”), ViRexx shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement upon providing Canton with sixty (60) days notice in writing
and
the payment of six (6) months salary, the value of benefits that would otherwise
be received during the same period and any accrued vacation pay as full and
final settlement of ViRexx’s obligations to Canton pursuant to this
Agreement.
10.3 The
Board
of Directors shall have the right by majority decision in its absolute
discretion to terminate Canton’s employment for cause (“Cause Termination”)
forthwith, without notice or payment in lieu of notice, which cause shall,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, include the occurrence
of one
or more of the following events:
(a)
|
in
the event Canton fails or refuses to comply with the policies,
standards
and regulations from time to time established by ViRexx, provided
always
that such policies, standards and regulations are documented in
writing
and communicated to Canton, and are reasonably consistent with
the best
interests of ViRexx;
|
(b)
|
in
the event Canton fails or refuses to comply with the reasonable
directions
of the Board of Directors;
|
(c)
|
in
the event Canton displays fraudulent, dishonest or other misconduct
or
negligence in the performance of services rendered and duties performed
on
behalf of ViRexx;
|
(d)
|
in
the event Canton engages in any criminal or unethical conduct which,
is
judged by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion
to
seriously impair Canton’s ability to perform his duties hereunder, or
would or could impair the business reputation of ViRexx, including,
but
not limited to, where Canton is convicted of any indictable criminal
offence;
|
(e)
|
in
the event Canton commits any material breach of the provisions
of this
Agreement; and
|
(f)
|
in
the event Canton is adjudged
bankrupt.
|
10.4 ViRexx
may, at its option, terminate Canton’s employment without cause upon the
following terms:
(a)
|
ViRexx
shall provide Canton with written notification of his termination,
which
notification shall specify the final date of his employment (“the
Termination Date”);
|
(b)
|
ViRexx
shall provide Canton with six (6) months severance remuneration
during the
first full year of Canton’s employment and twelve (12) months severance
remuneration thereafter (the “Paid Notice Period”) to be paid in three (3)
equal monthly payments commencing twenty (20) days following the
Termination Date and continuing thereafter on the last day of each
month
of the Paid Notice Period. These monthly payments shall be the
equivalent
of Canton’s Base Compensation in effect as at the Termination Date, less
any deductions or withholdings as required by law (the “Monthly
Payments”). The Parties agree that the said Monthly Payments and Paid
Notice Period are reasonable and constitute full satisfaction of
any
notice or severance entitlements Canton may have, under statute,
common
law or otherwise, upon his
termination;
|
(c)
|
all
benefits and allowances set out in Article 5, Article 6
and
Article 7 above shall cease as of the Termination Date,
subject to
any conversion rights available to Canton under ViRexx’s group benefit
plan; and
|
(d)
|
Canton’s
employment shall end as of the Termination
Date.
|
10.5 The
parties herein agree that Canton may resign from his employment with ViRexx
at
any time following the Effective Date of this Agreement on the following
terms:
(a)
|
Canton
shall provide to ViRexx three (3) months prior written notice of
his
resignation, or such shorter period as the parties may mutually
agree (the
“Working Notice Resignation Period”), or such notice as ViRexx in its sole
and absolute discretion may waive in full or in part, and should
ViRexx
terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Working
Notice
Resignation Period, ViRexx shall be under no further obligation
to Canton
for any reason;
|
(b)
|
during
the Working Notice Resignation Period, Canton shall continue to
use his
best efforts to discharge his duties and responsibilities as COO
in
compliance with this Agreement;
|
Page
4 of
15
(c)
|
Canton’s
employment shall terminate on the last day of the Working Notice
Resignation Period unless terminated early by ViRexx in accordance
with
paragraph 10.5(a);
and
|
(d)
|
all
benefits and allowances set out in Article
5,
Article
6
and Article
7
above shall cease as of the last day of the Working Notice Resignation
Period, subject to any conversion rights available to Canton under
the
Plans.
|
10.6 Canton
acknowledges and agrees that the only circumstance, which will constitute
constructive dismissal during the term of this Agreement, shall be a decrease
in
his Base Compensation or a materially adverse unilaterally imposed change
of his
duties and responsibilities.
10.7 For
the
purposes of Sections 10.7
and
10.8, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a)
|
“Change
of Control” shall mean the occurrence of the acquisition or continuing
ownership of securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or
representing the right to acquire shares of the Corporation and/or
shares
of the Corporation as a result of which a person, group or persons,
or
persons acting jointly or in concert, or persons associated or
affiliated
within the meaning of the Business
Corporations Act
(Alberta) or such person, group of persons or any such persons
acting
jointly and in concert (collectively “acquirers”) beneficially owns shares
in the Corporation and/or convertible securities such that, assuming
only
the conversion, exchange or exercise of convertible securities
beneficially owned by the acquirers, the acquirers would beneficially
own
shares which would entitle the holders thereof to cast more than
fifty
(50%) percent of the votes attached to the shares of the capital
of the
Corporation that may be cast to elect Directors of the Corporation;
and
|
(b)
|
“Control
Change Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and
ending on Canton’s normal retirement
date.
|
10.8 ViRexx
shall have the following obligations in the event that Canton elects to
terminate his employment (excluding any termination of Canton’s employment that
occurs pursuant to Sections 10.1
through
to 10.6)
due to
a Change of Control during the Control Change Period:
(a)
|
ViRexx
shall pay to the order of Canton by no more than two (2) lump sum
payments
in cash or certified cheque within ten (10) days of the termination,
the
aggregate of the following amounts (less any deduction that is
required by
law):
|
(i)
|
an
amount equal to the Paid Notice Period;
and
|
(ii)
|
the
value of the present value of the benefits to be provided to or
on behalf
of Canton during the twelve (12) months immediately following the
date of
his termination; and
|
(b)
|
all
of Canton’s stock options shall vest
immediately.
|
Provided
that Canton makes his election to terminate his employment within ninety
(90)
days of the Change of Control, then this Section 10.8 shall be paramount
other
than termination pursuant to Section 10.3.
ARTICLE
11-
NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION
11.1 Canton
understands that he occupies a position of high fiduciary trust and confidence
within ViRexx and has acquired skills, experience and knowledge relating
to
ViRexx, the Business and the customers, clients, suppliers, sub-contractors,
competitors and services of ViRexx. It is the express intent and agreement
of
Canton that such knowledge and experience shall be used solely and exclusively
in the furtherance, or for the benefit, of the operations of ViRexx. Canton
agrees that in the event of his retirement or other termination of his
employment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Canton shall not, directly
or indirectly, for a period of twelve (12) months following his retirement
or
other termination of his employment with ViRexx, be engaged as an employee,
consultant, owner, employer, agent, principal, partner, co-venturer,
shareholder, proprietor, investor, financier or in any other individual or
representative capacity whatsoever, in any practice or business similar to
or in
competition, directly or indirectly, with the Business, anywhere or any region
in which ViRexx or its affiliates are active at the time of Canton's termination
of his employment with ViRexx (“the Territory”).
Page
5 of
15
11.2 Canton
further agrees and acknowledges that he shall not, for a period of twelve
(12)
months following his retirement or other termination of his employment with
ViRexx, directly or indirectly, either as employer, consultant, agent,
principal, partner, co-venturer, shareholder, proprietor, investor, financier,
employee, director or in any other individual or representative capacity
whatsoever:
(a)
|
solicit,
encourage or facilitate clients or customers of ViRexx, or any
of their
respective affiliates, to alter, modify, vary, diminish or cease
their
client or customer relationships with ViRexx, or any of their respective
affiliates; or
|
(b)
|
solicit,
induce, encourage or facilitate any employees, consultants, suppliers
or
sub-contractors of ViRexx or any of their respective affiliates
to leave
the employment of, or the consulting, supply or sub-contractor
relationship with, ViRexx or any of their respective
affiliates.
|
11.3 Canton
acknowledges and agrees that the covenants contained in this Agreement are
reasonably required to protect the interests of ViRexx and their affiliates,
and
do not materially impact, or affect, Canton’s ability to obtain other
employment. Canton hereby irrevocably waives (and irrevocably agrees not
to
raise) as a defence any issue of reasonableness in any proceeding to enforce
Article 11 of this Agreement, the intent of the parties hereto to provide
for
the legitimate and reasonable protection of ViRexx by providing, without
limitation, for the broadest scope, the longest duration and the broadest
territory allowable by law.
11.4 The
parties further agree that in the event that any portion of the covenant
contained in this Article, or its application to any circumstance, shall
be held
to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of the covenant
or
its application to any circumstances, other than that to which it has been
held
to be invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby and shall be
valid
and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law, it being the intent
of
this provision that if any of the foregoing covenant is found to be unreasonable
to any extent by a Court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating upon the
validity of this covenant, whether as to the scope of the restriction, the
area
of restriction or the duration of the restriction, then such restriction
shall
be reduced to that which is in fact declared reasonable by such Court, or
a
subsequent Court of competent jurisdiction requested to make such a
declaration.
11.5 Notwithstanding
the above Sections of Article 11, Canton shall be able to own up to
five
(5%) percent of the issued and outstanding shares of any public corporation
that
is in a business that is similar to the Business or is in competition, directly
or indirectly, with the Business. Canton, as of the Effective Date, shall
advise
ViRexx as to which of these public corporation he owns greater than five
(5%)
per cent of the issued and outstanding shares and shall within a reasonable
period of time hereafter sell down such holdings to five (5%) per cent or
less.
ARTICLE
12
- RETURN OF MATERIALS
12.1 Canton
acknowledges that all items of any and every nature or kind created or used
by
him pursuant to the employment under this Agreement, or furnished by ViRexx
to
Canton, and all equipment, credit cards, books, records, reports, files,
manuals, literature, confidential information or other materials shall remain
and be considered the exclusive property of ViRexx at all times and shall
be
surrendered to ViRexx, in good condition, promptly on the cessation or
termination of the Employee's employment irrespective of the time, manner
or
cause of the termination
ARTICLE
13-
LEGAL ADVICE
13.1 Canton
hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants to ViRexx that he has had the
time
to review, and has reviewed, this Agreement and that he has been encouraged
by
ViRexx to seek independent legal advice prior to the execution and delivery
of
this Agreement, and in the event that he did not avail himself of that
opportunity, he did so voluntarily, without any undue pressure, and agrees
that
his failure to obtain independent legal advice shall not be used by him as
a
defense to the enforcement of his obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE
14
- NOTICES
14.1 Any
notice required to be given hereunder by any party shall be deemed to have
been
well and sufficiently given if:
(a)
|
personally
delivered to the party to whom it is intended, or if such party
is a
corporation, to an officer of that corporation;
or
|
(b)
|
mailed
by pre-paid registered mail, transmitted by facsimile, or delivered,
to
the address or facsimile number of the party to whom it is intended
as
follows:
|
Page
6 of
15
(i)
|
if
to ViRexx, then:
|
0000
Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention:
CEO
(ii)
|
If
to Canton, then:
|
00
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
ARTICLE
15-
ASSIGNMENT
15.1 This
Agreement and the rights and obligations of Canton hereunder shall not be
assignable by Canton to any other person, firm, or corporation without the
express written consent of ViRexx first had and obtained, which consent may
be
unreasonably and arbitrarily withheld. This Agreement may, at the discretion
of
ViRexx be fully assigned to any purchaser of the Business, and Canton
acknowledges and agrees that any such assignment does not operate as a
fundamental amendment to this Agreement.
ARTICLE
16
- GOVERNING LAW AND SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION
16.1 This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the
Province of Alberta, and the parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction of
the
Courts in the Province of Alberta.
ARTICLE
17
- UNENFORCEABLE TERMS
17.1 If
any
term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or the application thereof
to any
Party or circumstance shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the
remainder of this Agreement or application of such term, covenant or condition,
to a Party or circumstance, other than those to which it is held invalid
or
unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby and each remaining term, covenant
or condition of this Agreement shall be valid and shall be enforceable to
the
fullest extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE
18
- ENTIRE AGREEMENT
18.1 This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties hereto relating
to the subject matter hereof and supercedes all prior and contemporaneous
agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether verbal
or
written, of the Parties, and there are no warranties, representations or
other
agreements between the Parties in connection with the subject matter hereof
except as specifically set forth herein.
ARTICLE
19
- NO WAIVER
19.1 No
consent or waiver, express or implied, by either Party to or of any breach
of
default by the other Party in the performance by the other Party of his or
its
obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver
to
or of any other breach or default in the performance of the obligations
hereunder by such Party hereunder. Failure on the part of either Party to
complain of any act or failure to act of the other Party, or to declare the
other Party in default, regardless of how long such failure continues, shall
not
constitute a waiver by such Party of his or its rights hereunder.
ARTICLE
20
- HEADINGS
20.1 The
headings in this Agreement have been inserted for reference and as a matter
of
convenience only, and in no way define, limit or enlarge the scope or meaning
of
this Agreement or any provision herein.
ARTICLE
21
- SINGULAR, PLURAL AND GENDER
21.1 Whenever
the singular, plural, masculine or feminine is used throughout this Agreement,
the same shall be construed as meaning the plural, singular, masculine,
feminine, neuter, body politic or body corporate, where the fact or context
so
requires.
Page
7 of
15
ARTICLE
22
- ENUREMENT
22.1 This
Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding on the Parties hereto
and
their respective heirs, executors, administrators and other legal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
ARTICLE
23
- MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT
22.1 Any
modification to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by the Parties
herein or it shall have no effect and shall be void.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement, effective
as
of the day and year first above written.
|
||
Per:
|
(signed)
“Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx”
|
SIGNED,
SEALED AND DELIVERED in the presence of:
|
)
|
|
)
|
||
)
|
||
(signed)
“Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx”
|
)
|
(signed)
“Macaraig Canton”
|
WITNESS
|
)
|
MACARAIG
CANTON
|
Page
8 of
15
SCHEDULE
“A”
EMPLOYEE
SERVICES & OBLIGATIONS
DRAFT
JOB
SPECIFICATIONS FOR VIREXX
Position: Chief
Operating Officer
Reports
to: Chief
Executive Officer
Direct
Reports: Senior
Management Team, ViRexx
Responsibilities:
As
a
member of the Executive team of ViRexx, the Chief Operating Officer is
responsible for providing innovative leadership and direction to the senior
management team while working with the Chief Executive Officer to promote
the
goals and values of ViRexx.
Ensuring
the staffing structure of the company meets the requirements of the company’s
goals and objectives as well as providing leadership on possible expansion
of
the company’s future.
Ensuring
the daily operations of the company is handled in a productive, cooperative
way
with contemporary management, enabling the staff of ViRexx to meet expectations,
goals and flourish in a team setting. Also, ensuring that all members of
the
senior management team have a clear understanding of what is expected of
them,
and have clearly defined responsibility statements, goals and
objectives.
Working
closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer will
promote ViRexx and its goals to the external clients of the company. This
entails meetings with shareholders and the investment community, marketing
the
company, expanding the existing network of professionals associated with
the
growth of the company and attending/presenting at conferences and meetings
in
the life sciences and investment community.
Ensuring
thorough and diligent planning takes place for all significant activities
to be
carried out in the company, as well as establish acceptable budgets for the
senior management team.
Ensuring
progress against major company goals are carefully tracked at the Executive
level and any significant deviations are resolved or communicated to the
Chief
Executive Officer. Ensuring the senior management team is kept fully informed
of
significant developments that may be material to the company.
Assisting
the Chief Executive Officer with Board meetings and interfacing with the
Board.
Acting
as
a role model in upholding the value and direction of the company to the staff
as
well as all external clients.
SCHEDULE
“B”
THIS
AGREEMENT made effective as of made
as
at the 1st
day of
February, 2005.
BETWEEN:
a
corporation arranged pursuant to the
laws
of
Alberta,
(hereinafter
referred to as "ViRexx"),
OF
THE
FIRST PART
-
and
-
MACARAIG
CANTON
of
the
City of Markham
in
the
Province of Ontario
(hereinafter
referred to as the "Employee"),
OF
THE
SECOND PART
EMPLOYEE
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
(hereinafter
referred to as the "Agreement")
WHEREAS
the Employee is presently employed, or is about to be employed pursuant to
an
Employment Agreement (“Employment Agreement”) dated concurrently herewith, by
ViRexx in a position of confidence and trust and under conditions where he
has
or may have access to technical, confidential and secret information regarding
existing or contemplated business of ViRexx;
AND
WHEREAS the Employee recognizes that as a part of the duties of his employment,
certain ideas and suggestions of interest to ViRexx, conceived or made by
the
Employee while he is retained or employed by ViRexx shall be immediately
made
available to and become the property of ViRexx without any further
consideration;
AND
WHEREAS ViRexx desires to receive from the Employee specific covenants relating
to the non-disclosure of confidential information and ownership of Intellectual
Property, and the employment contract with the Employee is conditional on
ViRexx
receiving these covenants.
IN
CONSIDERATION of the premises set forth and the remuneration paid by ViRexx
to
the Employee, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definition
of Confidential Information and Intellectual Property
1.1 For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "Confidential Information", shall mean
all
information, whether or not reduced to writing and whether or not patentable
or
protected by copyright, which the Employee receives, received access to,
conceived or developed, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in
connection with the Employee's relationship with ViRexx, and includes, but
is
not limited to:
(i)
|
information
concerning bioinformatics, medinformatics and cheminformatics software,
databases and services, including but not limited to, source codes,
object
codes, flowcharts and programs and other materials whatsoever (tangible
or
intangible and machine readable or human
readable);
|
(ii)
|
information
concerning products and services provided to the global community
to
bridge the gap between biology in
vitro
(in the test tube) and biology in
silico
(in the computer);
|
(iii) |
information
concerning the handling and analysis of DNA and protein xxxxxxxx
xxxx;
|
(iv)
|
information
concerning drug development and development processes, including
but not
limited to, designing optimal drug molecules for treating
diseases;
|
(v)
|
information
concerning pre-clinical, analytical and formulation
services;
|
(vi)
|
technology
developed for high throughput screening of new chemical entities
or drug
levels;
|
(vii)
|
discoveries
relating to, and developments of, patented in-house
formulations;
|
(viii)
|
information
concerning research, development and commercialization of vaccines
and
antibodies for preventative or therapeutic use including, without
restriction, those based upon peptide-synthetic carrier protection
vaccine
formulations for infectious
disease;
|
(ix)
|
formulations,
including but not limited to, the development of new formulations
for
existing drugs, assessments of current formulations and the development
of
strategies for formulations of new drug chemical entities
(NCE);
|
(x)
|
information,
drugs, delivery systems, devices or models under a patent, or potential
or
pending patent, whether or not such a patent is in fact obtained
or
expires;
|
(xi)
|
test
results, clinical studies, clinical trial results, and all research
whatsoever;
|
(xii)
|
products
and devices developed, patents, discoveries, concepts, compilations
and
ideas of any nature whatsoever including, without limitation, the
nature
and results of research and development activities, the software,
molecular and analytical tools to facilitate research in the fields
of
biology, medicine and pharmaceutical science, and processes, formulas,
inventions, technology, techniques, computer programs and models,
designs,
drawings, and specifications;
|
(xiii)
|
production
processes, marketing techniques and arrangements, marketing materials,
promotions, demos and publications, mailing lists, purchasing information,
pricing policies, quoting procedures, financial information, customer
and
prospect names and requirements, Employee, customer, supplier and
distributor data and other materials or information relating to
ViRexx's
business and activities and the manner in which ViRexx does business,
including but not limited to the names of drug firms, biotechnology
firms,
contact research organizations (CRO), generic drug manufacturers,
pharmaceutical companies, pre-clinical clients, principal investigators
and alliances with whom ViRexx has or may have a business relationship
with,
|
(xiv)
|
any
other materials or information related to, or that is or may be
used in,
the business, trade or activities of ViRexx
which:
|
(a)
|
are
not generally known to others engaged in similar business or activities;
|
(b)
|
has
an economic value from not being generally known;
and
|
(c)
|
is
the subject of efforts that are reasonable in the circumstances
to
maintain its secrecy; and
|
(xiiv)
|
any
financial information or information relating to the day to day
business
of ViRexx
|
1.2 Failure
to xxxx any of the Confidential Information as confidential, proprietary
or
protected shall not affect its status as part of the Confidential Information
under the terms of this Agreement.
1.3 For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "Confidential Information" shall not
include information which:
(i)
|
has
been in the possession of the Employee prior to the date of the
commencement of the Employee's employment with ViRexx including,
without
limitation, information pertaining to the matters set out in Section
1.1,
if any;
|
(ii)
|
has
been publicly available prior to coming into the possession of
ViRexx;
and
|
(iii)
|
becomes
publicly available without a breach by the Employee of: i) this
Agreement;
ii) any other agreement between the Employee and ViRexx; or iii)
any
lawful duty owed by the Employee to
ViRexx.
|
2
The
information described in paragraph 1.3(i) above is hereinafter called the
"Employee Information".
1.4 For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Intellectual Property”, shall mean all
copyrights, registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names, logos,
licenses, patent and patent applications, trade secrets, computer software,
know-how and all other intellectual property owned by, licensed to or used
by
ViRexx.
2. Treatment
of Information
2.1 The
Employee acknowledges that in his position, or in any other position the
Employee may hold, in and as a result of the Employee's relationship with
ViRexx, the Employee shall, or may be making use of, acquiring or adding
to
Confidential Information about certain matters and things which are confidential
to ViRexx and which information is the exclusive property of
ViRexx.
2.2 As
a
material inducement for ViRexx to retain the services of the Employee, the
Employee agrees that during his term as an Employee with ViRexx, and for
a term
of five (5) years following the date of expiry or termination of the Employment
Agreement or expiry or termination of any extension or renewal thereof, the
Employee shall not, except with the prior written consent of ViRexx, which
consent may be arbitrarily withheld, or except if the Employee is acting
in the
course of his duties on behalf and for the benefit of ViRexx in connection
with
ViRexx's business practices and policies, directly or indirectly, disclose,
divulge, reveal, report, publish, transfer or use for any purpose, or cause
to
be disclosed, divulged, revealed, reported, published, transferred or used
for
any purpose, the Confidential Information which has been obtained, created,
learned or disclosed by, or to, the Employee.
2.3 Disclosure
of any Confidential Information of ViRexx by the Employee shall not be
prohibited if the disclosure is directly pursuant to a valid and existing
order
of a governing court or other governmental body or agency within Canada;
provided, however that:
(i)
|
the
Employee shall first provide immediate written notice to ViRexx
of any
possible or prospective order, or proceeding pursuant to which
any order
may result; and
|
(ii)
|
ViRexx
shall have been afforded a reasonable opportunity to prevent or
limit any
disclosure.
|
3. Ownership
of Virexx Intellectual Property and Confidential
Information
3.1 The
Employee agrees that all right, title and interest in any Confidential
Information and any Intellectual Property pertaining to the business of ViRexx
shall be and shall remain the exclusive property of ViRexx.
3.2 The
Employee agrees immediately to disclose in writing to ViRexx all Confidential
Information and any Intellectual Property pertaining to the business of Virexx
developed in whole or in part by the Employee during the term of the Employee's
relationship with ViRexx and does hereby assign to ViRexx, any right, title
or
interest the Employee may have in the Confidential Information or the
Intellectual Property. The Employee agrees to execute any instruments and
to do
all other things reasonably requested by ViRexx, in order to vest more fully
in
ViRexx, all ownership rights in those items transferred by the Employee to
ViRexx.
3.3 All
notes, data, tapes, reference items, sketches, drawings, memoranda, computer
information, memory, and all disks, records, inventions, technology and all
intellectual property and other materials in any way relating to any of the
Confidential Information or to the business of ViRexx shall belong exclusively
to ViRexx and the Employee does hereby transfer any interest he may have
in it
and agrees to turn it over to ViRexx including but not limited to all originals
and all copies of the materials in, or that at any time whatsoever were in,
the
Employee's possession, power or control, at the request of ViRexx, or in
the
absence of a request, on the termination of the Employee's relationship with
ViRexx, howsoever the Employee's termination occurs, including but not limited
to, the Employee's retirement or death.
4. Injunctive
Relief
4.1 The
Employee understands and agrees that ViRexx shall suffer irreparable harm
in the
event that the Employee breaches any of the Employee's obligations under
this
Agreement and that monetary damages shall be inadequate to compensate ViRexx
for
the breach. Accordingly the Employee agrees that, in the event of a breach
or
threatened or potential breach by the Employee of any of the provisions of
this
Agreement, Virexx, in addition to and not in limitation of any other rights,
remedies or damages available to ViRexx at law or in equity, shall be entitled
to an interim injunction, interlocutory injunction, and permanent injunction,
in
order to prevent or to restrain any such breach by the Employee, or by any
or
all of the Employee's partners, co-venturers, ViRexx's servants, agents,
representatives and any and all persons directly or indirectly acting for,
on
behalf of, or with the Employee.
3
5. Accounting
for Profits and Indemnification
5.1 The
Employee agrees that if the Employee shall violate any of the Employee's
covenants under this Agreement, ViRexx shall be entitled to an accounting
and
repayment of all profits, compensation, royalties, commissions, remunerations
or
benefits which the Employee directly or indirectly shall have realized or
may
realize relating to, growing out of, or in connection with any violations
of
this Agreement. This remedy shall be in addition to and not in limitation
of any
injunctive relief at law or in equity or otherwise under this
Agreement.
5.2 The
Employee agrees to defend, hold harmless and indemnify ViRexx against and
in
respect of:
(i)
|
any
and all losses and damages resulting from, relating or incident
to, or
arising out of any misrepresentation or breach by the Employee
of any
warranty or covenant made or contained in this
Agreement;
|
(ii)
|
any
and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims demands, judgments,
costs, and
expenses (including all legal fees, on a solicitor and his own
client
basis), incident to the foregoing.
|
6. Severability
6.1 In
the
event that any provision or part of any provision of this Agreement shall
be
deemed to be void or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining
provisions or parts shall be and remain in full force and effect. The Employee
agrees that the breach or alleged breach by ViRexx of:
(i)
|
any
covenant contained in another agreement (if any) between ViRexx
and the
Employee or;
|
(ii)
|
any
obligation owed to the Employee by
ViRexx;
|
shall
not
affect the validity or enforceability of the covenants and agreements of
the
Employee set forth in this Agreement.
7. No
Prior Agreements
7.1 The
Employee represents to the best of the Employee's knowledge that the Employee's
performance of all the terms of this Agreement do not and shall not breach
any
fiduciary or other duty or any covenant, agreement or understanding (including
any agreement relating to any proprietary information, knowledge or data
acquired by the Employee in confidence, trust or otherwise prior to the
Employee's employment by ViRexx) to which the Employee is a party or by the
terms of which the Employee may be bound. The Employee covenants and agrees
that
the Employee shall not disclose to ViRexx, or induce ViRexx to use any
proprietary information, knowledge or data belonging to any previous employer
or
others. The Employee further covenants and agrees not to enter into any
agreement or understanding, either written or oral, in conflict with the
provisions of this Agreement.
8. Employee's
Status
8.1 Nothing
in this Agreement shall be construed as constituting a commitment, guarantee,
agreement or understanding of any kind or nature that ViRexx shall continue
to
employ the Employee. No change of the Employee's duties as an Employee of
ViRexx
shall result in, or be deemed to be, a modification of the terms of this
Agreement.
9. Successors
9.1 This
Agreement shall be binding on and shall enure to the benefit of ViRexx and
the
Employee, and their respective heirs, personal and legal representatives,
successors and assigns. As used in this Agreement, the term "ViRexx" shall
also
include any corporation or entity which is a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate
of
ViRexx. The Employee consents to the enforcement of any and all provisions
of
this Agreement by or for the benefit of ViRexx as to any other corporation
or
entity regarding any of the Confidential Information.
10. Governing
Law
10.1 This
Agreement shall at all times and in all respects be governed by the laws
of the
Province of Alberta and all parties hereto shall irrevocably attorn to the
courts of competent jurisdiction of the Province of Alberta.
4
11. Notices
11.1 Any
notice required or permitted to be given to the Employee shall be sufficiently
given if delivered to the Employee personally or if mailed by registered
mail to
the Employee's address last known to ViRexx.
11.2 Any
notice required or permitted to be given to ViRexx shall be sufficiently
given
if delivered personally or faxed or if mailed by registered mail
to:
0000
Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx
X0X
0X0 Fax:
(000) 000-0000
or
at
such other address as the Employer may advise the Employee in
writing.
11.3 Any
notice given by mail shall be deemed to have been given forty eight (48)
hours
after the time it is posted. Any notice given by personal delivery or fax
shall
be deemed to have been given on the day of personal delivery or
faxing.
11.4 Either
one of the parties may advise the other, in the manner aforesaid, of any
change
of address for the giving of notices.
12. Entire
Agreement
12.1
It is
acknowledged that the parties are parties to an employment agreement and
that
this Agreement and the employment agreement along with any future agreement
respecting options or warrants contain the entire agreements and understandings
by and between ViRexx and the Employee with respect to the subject matter,
and
no representations, promises, agreements or understandings, written or oral,
express or implied shall be valid or binding unless the same is in writing
and
signed by the party intended to be bound. No waiver of any provision of this
Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by the party
against
whom the waiver is sought to be enforced; moreover, no valid waiver of any
provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision
of
this Agreement at the time or shall be deemed a valid waiver of the provision
at
any other time.
13. Assignment
13.1 This
Agreement is assignable by ViRexx without the prior consent of the
Employee.
13.2 As
this
Agreement is personal in nature with respect to the Employee, it is not
assignable by the Employee under any circumstance.
14. Gender
14.1 Whenever
the singular is used, it shall be deemed to extend to and include the plural.
Where one gender is used, it shall include all genders.
15. Headings
15.1 The
headings and other captions in this Agreement are for convenience and reference
only and are not to be construed in any way as additions or limitations of
the
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement.
5
16.1 This
Agreement is effective as of the date and year first above mentioned and
indicated herein.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, ViRexx and the Employee have duly executed this Agreement,
where applicable by their respective corporate officers hereunto duly
authorized.
|
||||
Per:
|
(signed)
“Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx”
|
|||
Per:
|
||||
SIGNED,
SEALED AND DELIVERED
|
)
|
|||
in
the presence of:
|
)
|
|||
)
|
(signed)
“Macaraig Canton”
|
|||
)
|
MACARAIG
CANTON
|
|||
(signed)
“Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx”
|
)
|
|||
WITNESS
|
)
|
6