METASTAT, INC. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into on September 15, 2013 (the “Effective Date”) by and between MetaStat, Inc. (the “Company”) and Xxxxxxx X’Xxxxxx (“Employee”). The Company and Employee are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”, and individually referred to as a “Party”.
Recitals
A. The Company desires assurance of the association and services of Employee in order to retain Employee’s experience, skills, abilities, background and knowledge, and is willing to engage Employee’s services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
B. Employee desires to be in the employ of the Company, and is willing to accept such employment on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Agreement
In consideration of the foregoing Recitals and the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Employment.
1.1 Title. Effective as of the Effective Date, Employee’s position shall be Principal Scientist, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
1.2 Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and shall continue until it is terminated pursuant to Section 4 herein (the “Term”).
1.3 Duties. Employee shall do and perform all services, acts or things necessary or advisable to manage and conduct the business of the Company and that are normally associated with the position of Principal Scientist. Employee shall report to the Company’s Chief Employee Officer.
1.4 Policies and Practices. The employment relationship between the Parties shall be governed by this Agreement and by the policies and practices established by the Company and/or the Board of Directors (“Board”), or any designated committee thereof. In the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s policies or practices or the Company’s Employee Handbook, this Agreement shall control.
1.5 Location. Unless the Parties otherwise agree in writing, during the Term Employee shall perform the services that he is required to perform pursuant to this Agreement from the Company’s offices in Montclair, New Jersey, or such other location as the Parties may mutually agree; provided, however, that the Company may from time to time require him to travel temporarily for short-term visits to other locations in connection with the Company’s business.
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2. Loyalty; Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation.
2.1 Loyalty. During Employee’s employment by the Company, Employee shall devote Employee’s full business energies, interest, abilities and productive time to the proper and efficient performance of Employee’s duties under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise agreed to in writing, Employee shall have the right to perform such incidental services as are necessary in connection with (a) his private passive investments, (b) his charitable or community activities, (c) his participation in trade or professional organizations, and (d) his service on the board of directors (or comparable body) of any third-party corporate entity that is not a Competitive Entity (as defined in Section 2.3), so long as these activities do not interfere with Employee’s duties hereunder and, with respect to (d), Employee obtains prior Company consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
2.2 Agreement not to Participate in Company’s Competitors. During the Term, Employee agrees not to acquire, assume or participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment or interest known by Employee to be adverse or antagonistic to the Company, its business, or prospects, financial or otherwise, or in any company, person, or entity that is, directly or indirectly, in competition with the business of the Company or any of its Affiliates (as defined below). Ownership by Employee, in professionally managed funds over which the Employee does not have control or discretion in investment decisions, or as a passive investment, of less than two percent (2%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any corporation with one or more classes of its capital stock listed on a national securities exchange or publicly traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market shall not constitute a breach of this Section. For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate,” means, with respect to any specific entity, any other entity that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified entity.
2.3 Covenant not to Compete. During the Term and for a period of three (3) months thereafter, or in the event the Employee is terminated or resigns pursuant to the terms of Section 4.5.4 hereof, for a period of six (6) months thereafter (the “Restricted Period”), Employee shall not engage in competition with the Company and/or any of its Affiliates, either directly or indirectly, in any manner or capacity, as adviser, principal, agent, affiliate, promoter, partner, officer, director, employee, stockholder, owner, co-owner, consultant, or member of any association or otherwise, in any phase of the area of Mena biology or any proprietary targets of the Company discovered during Executive’s employment (a “Competitive Entity”), except with the prior written consent of the Board.
2.4 Nonsolicitation. During the Restricted Period, Employee shall not: (i) solicit or induce, or attempt to solicit or induce, any employee of the Company or its Affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or such Affiliate; or (ii) solicit or attempt to solicit the business of any client or customer of the Company or its Affiliates with respect to products, services, or investments similar to those provided or supplied by the Company or its Affiliates.
2.5 Acknowledgements. Employee acknowledges and agrees that his services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement are unique and extraordinary and that in the course of performing such services Employee shall have access to and knowledge of significant confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information belonging to the Company. Employee agrees that the covenant not to compete and the nonsolicitation obligations imposed by this Section 2 are reasonable in duration, geographic area, and scope and are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its goodwill, its confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information, and its investment in the unique and extraordinary services to be provided by Employee pursuant to this Agreement. If, at the time of enforcement of this Section 2, a court holds that the covenant not to compete and/or the nonsolicitation obligations described herein are unreasonable or unenforceable under the circumstances then existing, then the Parties agree that the maximum duration, scope, and/or geographic area legally permissible under such circumstances will be substituted for the duration, scope and/or area stated herein.
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3. Compensation of the Employee.
3.1 Base Salary. The Company shall pay Employee a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the annualized rate of One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($110,000), less payroll deductions and all required withholdings, payable in regular periodic payments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The Base Salary shall be prorated for any partial year of employment on the basis of a 365-day fiscal year.
3.2 Annual Milestone Bonus. At the sole discretion of the Board or the compensation committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), following each calendar year of employment, Employee shall be eligible to receive an additional cash bonus (the “Annual Milestone Bonus”), based (in whole or in part) on Employee’s attainment of certain financial, clinical development, and/or business milestones (the “Milestones”) to be established annually by the Board or the Compensation Committee. The determination of whether Employee has met the Milestones, and if so, the bonus amount (if any) that will be paid, shall be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. Any Annual Milestone Bonuses shall be paid in cash as either single lump-sum payments or in installments, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee. Employee shall also be entitled to any other bonuses at the sole discretion of the Board.
3.3 Stock Options. Promptly following the Effective Date and subject to the terms of the Company’s 2012 Amended and Restated Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company shall issue to the Employee 30,000 stock options (the “Stock Options”). The Stock Options or any other securities will be governed by the Plan and the exercise price per share of the Stock Options or any other stock options will be equal to the fair market value of a single share of common stock of the Company on the issuance date in accordance with the Plan. The Stock Options shall vest upon achieving the milestones set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto. In addition, at the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee and subject to the terms of the Plan, Employee shall be entitled to receive additional stock options or other securities pursuant to the Plan.
3.4 Expense Reimbursements. The Company will reimburse Employee for all reasonable business expenses Employee incurs in conducting his duties hereunder, pursuant to the Company’s usual expense reimbursement policies, but in no event later than ninety days after the end of the calendar month following the month in which such expenses were incurred by Employee; provided that Employee supplies the appropriate substantiation for such expenses no later than the end of the calendar month following the month in which such expenses were incurred by Employee.
3.5 Changes to Compensation. Employee’s compensation will be reviewed at least on an annual basis and the Base Salary may be increased from time to time in the Company’s sole discretion. Employee’s Base Salary also may be reduced in connection with any Company-wide decrease in Employee compensation.
3.6 Employment Taxes. All of Employee’s compensation shall be subject to customary withholding taxes and any other employment taxes as are commonly required to be collected or withheld by the Company.
3.7 Benefits. The Employee shall, in accordance with Company policy and the applicable plan documents, be eligible to participate in benefits under any benefit plan or arrangement, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance programs, that may be in effect from time to time and made available to the Company’s senior management employees, subject to the terms and conditions of those benefit plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, the Parties agree that in lieu of any medical benefits to be received by the Employee, the Employee may elect to have the Company pay to the Employee an amount in cash equal to the amount saved by the Company as a result of the Employee not participating in the Company’s medical plan.
3.8 Holidays; Vacation; Personal and Sick Days. Employee shall receive no less than four (4) weeks of paid vacation per year, which cannot be taken in one four (4) week increment, but which shall accrue if not used in any year and be paid to Employee or carried forward to subsequent years consistent with Company policy and will receive paid Company holidays in accordance with Company policy. The Employee shall also be entitled to an unlimited number of sick and/or personal days.
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4. Termination.
4.1 Termination by the Company. Employee’s employment with the Company is at will and may be terminated by the Company at any time and for any reason, or for no reason, including, but not limited to, under the following conditions:
4.1.1 Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement for “Cause” (as defined below) by delivery of written notice to Employee. Any notice of termination given pursuant to this Section 4.1.1 shall effect termination as of the date of the notice, or as of such other date as specified in the notice.
4.1.2 Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time and for any reason, or for no reason. Such termination shall be effective on the date Employee is so informed, or as otherwise specified by the Company.
4.2 Termination by Resignation of Employee. Employee’s employment with the Company is at will and may be terminated by Employee at any time and for any reason, or for no reason, including via a resignation for Good Reason in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.6.3 below.
4.3 Termination for Death or Complete Disability. Employee’s employment with the Company shall automatically terminate effective upon the date of Employee’s death or Complete Disability (as defined below).
4.4 Termination by Mutual Agreement of the Parties. Employee’s employment with the Company may be terminated at any time upon a mutual agreement in writing of the Parties. Any such termination of employment shall have the consequences specified in such agreement.
4.5 Compensation Upon Termination.
4.5.1 Death or Complete Disability. If, during the Term of this Agreement, Employee’s employment shall be terminated by death or Complete Disability, the Company shall pay to Employee, his estate, or his heirs, as applicable, any Base Salary owed to Employee, expenses reimbursement amounts owed to Employee, all unpaid amounts of any Annual Milestone Bonus(es) Employee earned prior to the termination date, and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. In addition, subject to Employee (or his estate or heirs, as applicable) furnishing to the Company an executed waiver and release of claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (or in such other form as may later be specified by the Company) (the “Release”) within the time period specified therein, and allowing the Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, then Employee, his estate, or his heirs, as applicable, shall also be entitled to: (1) continuation of Employee’s salary (at the Base Salary rate in effect at the time of termination) for a period of ninety (90) days following the termination date; and (2) partial accelerated vesting of each of Employee’s outstanding stock options such that, on the effective date of the Release (as defined therein), Employee shall receive immediate accelerated vesting of each option with respect to the same number of shares that would have vested if Employee had continued in employment with the Company through the next anniversary of the grant date for such option, in accordance with the vesting schedule applicable to such option, provided, however, that if the termination date falls on an anniversary of the grant date of any stock option, no accelerated vesting will be provided for such stock option. All stock options that have vested in connection with Employee’s termination under this Section 4.5.1 shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days following such termination. The Base Salary payments will be subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings and will be made on the Company’s regular payroll cycle, provided, however, that any payments otherwise scheduled to be made prior to the effective date of the Release shall accrue and be paid in the first payroll period that follows such effective date.
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4.5.2 Termination For Cause or Resignation without Good Reason. If, during the Term of this Agreement, Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or Employee resigns his employment hereunder without Good Reason, the Company shall pay Employee any Base Salary owed to Employee, expenses reimbursement amounts owed to Employee, all unpaid amounts of any Annual Milestone Bonus(es) Employee earned prior to the termination date by meeting the conditions set forth in Section 3.3, and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. The Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to Employee under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided by law.
4.5.3 Termination Without Cause or Resignation For Good Reason Not In Connection with a Change of Control. If the Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause, or if Employee resigns for Good Reason, at any time other than upon the occurrence of, or within the six (6) months following, the effective date of a Change of Control (as defined below), the Company shall pay Employee any Base Salary owed to Employee, expenses reimbursement amounts owed to Employee, all unpaid amounts of any Annual Milestone Bonus(es) Employee earned prior to the termination date, and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. In addition, subject to Employee furnishing to the Company an executed Release within the time period specified therein, and allowing the Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, Employee shall be entitled to: (1) severance in the form of continuation of his salary (at the Base Salary rate in effect at the time of termination) for a period of three (3) months following the termination date; and (2) accelerated vesting of each of Employee’s outstanding stock options such that, on the effective date of the Release, Employee shall receive immediate accelerated vesting of each option with respect to the same number of shares that would have vested if Employee had continued in employment with the Company through the next anniversary of the grant date for such option, in accordance with the vesting schedule applicable to such option, provided, however, that if the termination date falls on an anniversary of the grant date of any stock option, no accelerated vesting will be provided for such stock option. All stock options that have vested in connection with Employee’s termination under this Section 4.5.3 shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days following such termination. These payments will be subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings and will be made on the Company’s regular payroll cycle, provided, however, that any payments otherwise scheduled to be made prior to the effective date of the Release shall accrue and be paid in the first payroll period that follows such effective date.
4.5.4 Termination Without Cause or Resignation For Good Reason In Connection with a Change of Control. If the Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause, or if Employee resigns for Good Reason, upon the occurrence of, or within the six (6) months following, the effective date of a Change of Control, the Company shall pay Employee any Base Salary owed to Employee, expenses reimbursement amounts owed to Employee, all unpaid amounts of any Annual Milestone Bonus(es) Employee earned prior to the termination date, and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. In addition, subject to Employee furnishing to the Company an executed Release within the time period specified therein, and allowing the Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, then Employee shall be entitled to: (1) severance in the form of continuation of his salary (at the Base Salary rate in effect at the time of termination) for a period of six (6) months following the termination date; and (2) immediate accelerated vesting of any unvested shares subject to any outstanding stock option(s), such that, on the effective date of the Release, the Employee shall be vested in one hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject to such option(s). The Base Salary payments will be subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings and will be made on the Company’s regular payroll cycle, provided, however, that any payments otherwise scheduled to be made prior to the effective date of the Release shall accrue and be paid in the first payroll period that follows such effective date.
4.6 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
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4.6.1 Complete Disability. A termination for “Complete Disability” shall occur: (i) when the Board has provided a written termination notice to Employee supported by a written statement from a reputable independent physician to the effect that Employee is or shall have become so physically or mentally incapacitated as to be unable to resume, within the ensuing six (6) months, his employment under this Agreement by reason of such physical or mental illness or injury; or (ii) upon rendering of a written termination notice by the Board after the Board determines, in its sole and complete discretion, that Employee has been unable to substantially perform his job duties hereunder for sixty (60) or more consecutive days, or more than one hundred and twenty (120) days in any consecutive twelve (12) month period, by reason of any physical or mental illness or injury. For purposes of this Section, at the Company’s request Employee agrees to make herself available and to cooperate in a reasonable examination by a reputable independent physician retained by the Company.
4.6.2 Cause. “Cause” for the Company to terminate Employee’s employment hereunder shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, as determined by the Company and/or the Board in its and/or their sole and absolute discretion:
(i) The willful failure, disregard or refusal by Employee to perform his material duties or obligations under this Agreement which, to the extent it is curable by the Employee, is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof is given to Employee by the Company;
(ii) Any willful, intentional or grossly negligent act by Employee having the effect of materially injuring (whether financially or otherwise) the business or reputation of the Company or any of its Affiliates, including but not limited to, any senior officer, director or Employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates;
(iii) Willful misconduct by Employee with respect to any of the material duties or obligations of Employee under this Agreement, including, without limitation, willful insubordination with respect to lawful directions received by Employee from the Board which, to the extent it is curable by the Employee, is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof is given to Employee by the Company;
(iv) Employee’s indictment of any felony involving moral turpitude (including entry of a nolo contendere plea);
(v) The determination, after a reasonable and good-faith investigation by the Company, that the Employee engaged in some form of harassment or discrimination prohibited by law (including, without limitation, age, sex or race harassment or discrimination);
(vi) Employee’s material misappropriation or embezzlement of the property of the Company or its Affiliates (whether or not a misdemeanor or felony); or
(vii) Material breach by Employee of any of the provisions of this Agreement, of any Company policy, and/or of his Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement.
For purposes of this definition, the Parties agree that any breach of Sections 2 or 5 of this Agreement shall be deemed a material breach that is not capable of cure by Employee.
4.6.3 Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, and subject to the caveat at the end of this Section, “Good Reason” for Employee to terminate his employment hereunder shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events without Employee’s consent:
(i) a material reduction by the Company of Employee’s Base Salary as initially set forth herein or as the same may be increased from time to time, provided, however, that if such reduction occurs in connection with a Company-wide decrease in Employee compensation, such reduction shall not constitute Good Reason for Employee to terminate his employment;
(ii) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company; or
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(iii) a material adverse change in Employee’s duties, authority, or responsibilities relative to Employee’s duties, authority, or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction.
Provided, however, that, any such termination by Employee shall only be deemed for Good Reason pursuant to this definition if: (1) Employee gives the Company written notice of his intent to terminate for Good Reason within thirty (30) days following the first occurrence of the condition(s) that he believes constitute(s) Good Reason, which notice shall describe such condition(s); (2) the Company fails to remedy such condition(s) within thirty (30) days following receipt of the written notice (the “Cure Period”); and (3) Employee voluntarily terminates his employment within thirty (30) days following the end of the Cure Period.
4.6.4 Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events (excluding in any case transactions in which the Company or its successors issues securities to investors primarily for capital raising purposes):
(i) the acquisition by a third party of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction;
(ii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not own at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving entity (or that entity’s parent) in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction;
(iii) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or
(iv) the sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
4.7 Survival of Certain Sections. Sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17 and 19 of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement.
4.8 Parachute Payment. If any payment or benefit the Employee would receive pursuant to this Agreement (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “Parachute Payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion of the Payment, which such amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in the Employee’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting Parachute Payments is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments; (ii) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (iii) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (iv) reduction of other benefits paid to Employee. Within any such category of payments and benefits (that is, (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv)), a reduction shall occur first with respect to amounts that are not “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (as defined in Section 4.9 below) and then with respect to amounts that are. In the event that acceleration of compensation from Employee’s equity awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be canceled, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, in the reverse order of the date of grant.
In the event it is subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service that some portion of the Reduced Amount (as determined pursuant to clause (x) in the preceding paragraph) is subject to the Excise Tax, Employee agrees to promptly return to the Company a sufficient amount of the Payment so that no portion of the Reduced Amount is subject to the Excise Tax. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Reduced Amount is determined in accordance with clause (y) in the preceding paragraph, Employee will have no obligation to return any portion of the Payment pursuant to the preceding sentence.
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Unless Employee and the Company agree on an alternative accounting, law or consulting firm, the accounting firm then engaged by the Company for general tax compliance purposes shall perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting, law or consulting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting, law or consulting firm required to be made hereunder.
The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts such that the accounting, law or consulting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to Employee and the Company within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Employee’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Employee or the Company) or such other time as requested by the Employee or the Company.
4.9 Application of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement (the “Severance Benefits”) that constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively “Section 409A”) shall not commence in connection with Employee’s termination of employment unless and until Employee has also incurred a “separation from service” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (“Separation From Service”), unless the Company reasonably determines that such amounts may be provided to Employee without causing Employee to incur the additional 20% tax under Section 409A.
It is intended that each installment of the Severance Benefits payments provided for in this Agreement is a separate “payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i). For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that payments of the Severance Benefits set forth in this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9). However, if the Company (or, if applicable, the successor entity thereto) determines that the Severance Benefits constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and Employee is, on the termination of service, a “specified employee” of the Company or any successor entity thereto, as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the Severance Benefit payments shall be delayed until the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after Employee’s Separation From Service, or (ii) the date of Employee’s death (such applicable date, the “Specified Employee Initial Payment Date”), the Company (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable) shall (A) pay to Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Severance Benefit payments that Employee would otherwise have received through the Specified Employee Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payment of the Severance Benefits had not been so delayed pursuant to this Section and (B) commence paying the balance of the Severance Benefits in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth in this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, Employee shall receive the Severance Benefits described above, if and only if Employee duly executes and returns to the Company within the applicable time period set forth therein, but in no event more than forty-five days following Separation From Service, a separation agreement containing the Company’s standard form of release of claims in favor of the Company (attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A) and other standard provisions, including without limitation, those relating to non-disparagement and confidentiality (the “Separation Agreement”), and permits the release of claims contained therein to become effective in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding any other payment schedule set forth in this Agreement, none of the Severance Benefits will be paid or otherwise delivered prior to the effective date of the Separation Agreement. Except to the extent that payments may be delayed until the Specified Employee Initial Payment Date pursuant to the preceding paragraph, on the first regular payroll pay day following the effective date of the Separation Agreement, the Company will pay Employee the Severance Benefits Employee would otherwise have received under the Agreement on or prior to such date but for the delay in payment related to the effectiveness of the Separation Agreement, with the balance of the Severance Benefits being paid as originally scheduled. All amounts payable under the Agreement will be subject to standard payroll taxes and deductions.
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5. Confidential And Proprietary Information.
As a condition of employment Employee agrees to execute and abide by the Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (“PIIA”).
6. Assignment and Binding Effect.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee and Employee’s heirs, executors, personal representatives, assigns, administrators and legal representatives. Because of the unique and personal nature of Employee’s duties under this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations under this Agreement shall be assignable by Employee. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors, assigns and legal representatives. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or other business entity which at any tie, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company.
7. Notices.
All notices or demands of any kind required or permitted to be given by the Company or Employee under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be personally delivered (and receipted for) or faxed during normal business hours or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: CEO
If to Employee:
Xxxxxxx X’Xxxxxx
[______________]
[______________]
Any such written notice shall be deemed given on the earlier of the date on which such notice is personally delivered or three (3) days after its deposit in the United States mail as specified above. Either Party may change its address for notices by giving notice to the other Party in the manner specified in this Section.
8. Choice of Law.
This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
9. Integration.
This Agreement, including Exhibit A and the PIIA, contains the complete, final and exclusive agreement of the Parties relating to the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment and the termination of Employee’s employment, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral and written employment agreements or arrangements between the Parties.
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10. Amendment.
This Agreement cannot be amended or modified except by a written agreement signed by Employee and the Company.
11. Waiver.
No term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or any breach thereof shall be deemed waived, except with the written consent of the Party against whom the wavier is claimed, and any waiver or any such term, covenant, condition or breach shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other term, covenant, condition or breach.
12. Severability.
The finding by a court of competent jurisdiction of the unenforceability, invalidity or illegality of any provision of this Agreement shall not render any other provision of this Agreement unenforceable, invalid or illegal. Such court shall have the authority to modify or replace the invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision, which most accurately represents the Parties’ intention with respect to the invalid or unenforceable term, or provision.
13. Interpretation; Construction.
The headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. This Agreement has been drafted by legal counsel representing the Company, but the Employee has been encouraged to consult with, and has consulted with, Employee’s own independent counsel and tax advisors with respect to the terms of this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that each Party and its counsel has reviewed and revised, or had an opportunity to review and revise, this Agreement, and any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.
14. Representations and Warranties.
Employee represents and warrants that Employee is not restricted or prohibited, contractually or otherwise, from entering into and performing each of the terms and covenants contained in this Agreement, and that Employee’s execution and performance of this Agreement will not violate or breach any other agreements between the Employee and any other person or entity.
15. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, all of which together shall contribute one and the same instrument. Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by fax, by email in “portable document format” (“.pdf”) or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of this Agreement shall have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing original signature.
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16. Arbitration.
To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with the Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, arising from or relating to Employee’s employment, or the termination of that employment, will be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act in New York, New York conducted by the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services/Endispute, Inc. (“JAMS”), or its successors, under the then current rules of JAMS for employment disputes; provided that the arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision including the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. Accordingly, Employee and the Company hereby waive any right to a jury trial. Both Employee and the Company shall be entitled to all rights and remedies that either Employee or the Company would be entitled to pursue in a court of law. The Company shall pay any JAMS filing fee and shall pay the arbitrator’s fee. The arbitrator shall have the discretion to award attorneys fees to the party the arbitrator determines is the prevailing party in the arbitration. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either Employee or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee and the Company each have the right to resolve any issue or dispute involving confidential, proprietary or trade secret information, or intellectual property rights, by Court action instead of arbitration.
17. Indemnification.
The Company shall defend and indemnify Employee in his capacity as Principal Scientist of the Company to the fullest extent permitted under the Nevada Private Corporations Law. The Company shall also maintain a policy for indemnifying its officers and directors, including but not limited to the Employee, for all actions permitted under the Nevada Private Corporations Law taken in good faith pursuit of their duties for the Company, including but not limited to maintaining an appropriate level of Directors and Officers Liability coverage and maintaining the inclusion of such provisions in the Company’s by-laws or articles of incorporation, as applicable and customary. The rights to indemnification shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
18. Trade Secrets Of Others.
It is the understanding of both the Company and Employee that Employee shall not divulge to the Company and/or its subsidiaries any confidential information or trade secrets belonging to others, including Employee’s former employers, nor shall the Company and/or its Affiliates seek to elicit from Employee any such information. Consistent with the foregoing, Employee shall not provide to the Company and/or its Affiliates, and the Company and/or its Affiliates shall not request, any documents or copies of documents containing such information.
19. Advertising Waiver.
Employee agrees to permit the Company, and persons or other organizations authorized by the Company, to use, publish and distribute advertising or sales promotional literature concerning the products and/or services of the Company, or the machinery and equipment used in the provision thereof, in which Employee’s name and/or pictures of Employee taken in the course of Employee’s provision of services to the Company appear. Employee hereby waives and releases any claim or right Employee may otherwise have arising out of such use, publication or distribution.
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In Witness Whereof, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Its: Chief Executive Officer
Dated: _____________________
Employee:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X'Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X’Xxxxxx
Dated: ____________________
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EXHIBIT A
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS
TO BE SIGNED ON OR FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION DATE ONLY
In consideration of the payments and other benefits set forth in the Employment Agreement effective as of September 15, 2013, to which this form is attached, I, Xxxxxxx X’Xxxxxx, hereby furnish MetaStat, Inc. (the “Company”), with the following release and waiver (“Release and Waiver”).
In exchange for the consideration provided to me by the Employment Agreement that I am not otherwise entitled to receive, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its current and former directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring prior to or on the date that I sign this Agreement (collectively, the “Released Claims”). The Released Claims include, but are not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company, or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or benefits from the Company including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misclassification, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended) (the “ADEA”), the fair employment practices statutes of the state or states in which I have provided services to the Company and/or any other federal, state or local law, regulation or other requirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following are not included in the Released Claims (the “Excluded Claims”): (a) any rights or claims for indemnification I may have pursuant to any written indemnification agreement with the Company to which I am a party, the charter, bylaws, or operating agreements of the Company, or under applicable law; (b) any rights or claims to unemployment compensation, funds accrued in my 401k account, or any vested equity incentives; (c) any rights that are not waivable as a matter of law; or (d) any claims arising from the breach of this Agreement. I hereby represent and warrant that, other than the Excluded Claims, I am not aware of any claims I have or might have against any of the Released Parties that are not included in the Released Claims.
I expressly waive and relinquish any and all rights and benefits under any applicable law or statute providing, in substance, that a general release does not extend to claims which a party does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him would have materially affected the terms of such release.
I acknowledge that, among other rights, I am waiving and releasing any rights I may have under ADEA, that this Release and Waiver is knowing and voluntary, and that the consideration given for this Release and Waiver is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled as an Employee of the Company. If I am 40 years of age or older upon execution of this Release and Waiver, I further acknowledge that I have been advised, as required by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, that: (a) the release and waiver granted herein does not relate to claims under the ADEA which may arise after this Release and Waiver is executed; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release and Waiver; and (c) I have twenty-one (21) days from the date of termination of my employment with the Company in which to consider this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily to execute this Release and Waiver earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the execution of this Release and Waiver to revoke my consent to this Release and Waiver; and (e) this Release and Waiver shall not be effective until the seven (7) day revocation period has expired without my having previously revoked this Release and Waiver.
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I acknowledge my continuing obligations under my Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. Pursuant to the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement I understand that among other things, I must not use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information of the Company and I must immediately return all Company property and documents (including all embodiments of proprietary information) and all copies thereof in my possession or control. I understand and agree that my right to the severance pay I am receiving in exchange for my agreement to the terms of this Release and Waiver is contingent upon my continued compliance with my Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement.
This Release and Waiver constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company and me with regard to the subject matter hereof. I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated herein. This Release and Waiver may only be modified by a writing signed by both me and a duly authorized officer of the Company.
Date: __________________ By: ___________________
Xxxxxxx X’Xxxxxx
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EXHIBIT B
MILESTONES
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Vesting of Stock Options:
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One-third to vest upon reaching milestone #1 below.
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One-third to vest upon reaching milestone #2 below.
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One-third to vest upon reaching milestone #3 below.
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Milestone #1:
Completion of logistical planning for research, including laboratory setup and essential hires.
Milestone #2:
Completion of screening for new alternatively spliced targets using in silico databases and completion of validation studies for first tier of alternatively spliced targets.
Milestone #3:
Completion of screening for new alternatively spliced targets using acquired resistance models and completion of validation studies for second tier of targets. Completion of HTS for any targets validated in tier 1.
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