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Exhibit 10.29
NEITHER THIS AGREEMENT NOR THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR QUALIFIED UNDER ANY
STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED
UNLESS THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH
SECURITIES, OR THE HOLDER RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THE
SECURITIES SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER,
ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS
DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER STATE
LAW.
THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND
CERTAIN REPURCHASE RIGHTS AS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN,
A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE OFFICES OF THE COMPANY.
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC.
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
Optionee's Name and Address: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
You have been granted an option to purchase shares of Common Stock
of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement, as follows:
Grant Number: 1
Date of Grant: April 12, 1999
Vesting Commencement Date: October 15, 1999
Exercise Price per Share: $2.00
Total Number of Shares Granted: 200,000
Total Exercise Price: $400,000
Type of Option: Non-Qualified Stock Option
Term/Expiration Date: March 1, 2009
Grant of Option: Star Scientific, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
hereby grants to the Optionee (the "Optionee") named in the Notice of Stock
Option Grant (the "Notice"), an option (this "Option") to purchase the total
number of shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice, at the
exercise price per share set forth in the Notice (the "Exercise Price")
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subject to stockholder approval of the Plan (as such term is defined below) and
the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated 1998
Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated
herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the
Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement and Notice.
FORFEITURE. Upon the occurrence of the first to occur of (a) the effective date
of termination (the "Company Termination Date") of that certain Employment
Agreement dated as of April 12, 1999 between the Company and the Optionee (the
"Employment Agreement") by the Company for cause (as that term is defined in the
Employment Agreement); (b) the effective date of termination (the "Executive
Termination Date") of the Employment Agreement by the Optionee without Good
Reason (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreement); or (c) in the
event that the Company shall provide to the Optionee a notice that, in the good
faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Optionee has
breached his covenant not to compete contained in the Employment Agreement (the
"Notice of Breach"), as of the Employment Termination Date or the date of such
Notice of Breach, as the case may be, this Option shall immediately terminate
and revert to the Company (including all Shares subject to this Option that are
then fully vested but as to which this Option remains unexercised).
REPURCHASE RIGHT. In addition, all Shares issued upon exercise of this Option on
or prior to the Company Termination Date, the Executive Termination Date, or the
date of such Notice of Breach, as the case may be, shall be subject to the
Company's right to repurchase any such Shares for a price equal to the price the
Optionee paid for such Shares (the "Repurchase Right"). All Shares issued prior
to the end of the twelve (12) month period following termination of the
Optionee's status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall bear a legend,
satisfactory to the Company, indicating that such Shares are nontransferable and
that they may be subject to the Repurchase Right.
VESTING SCHEDULE. Subject to other limitations set forth in this Option
Agreement, this Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with
the following schedule:
The Shares subject to this Option shall be fully vested on October
15, 1999.
TERMINATION PERIOD:
(a) TERMINATION OF STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT
(OTHER THAN AS A RESULT OF OPTIONEE'S RETIREMENT, DISABILITY OR DEATH). Subject
to the limitations set forth in this Option Agreement, in the event of
termination of the Optionee's status as an Employee, Director or Consultant
(other than termination by reason of the Optionee's retirement in good standing
for reason of age, or the Optionee's death or disability), this Option may be
exercised (to the extent this Option is vested on the date of termination) at
any time after the date of termination but in no event shall this Option be
exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above. In the event of
the Optionee's change in status from Employee or Director to Consultant or
Consultant to Employee or Director, this Option Agreement shall remain in
effect.
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(b) TERMINATION OF STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT
AS A RESULT OF OPTIONEE'S RETIREMENT IN GOOD STANDING. Subject to the
limitations set forth in this Option Agreement, in the event of termination of
the Optionee's status as an Employee, Director or Consultant as a result of the
Optionee's retirement in good standing for reason of age but not due to
disability, this Option may be exercised (to the extent this Option is vested on
the date of termination) at any time after the date of termination, but in no
event shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as
provided above.
(c) TERMINATION OF STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT
AS A RESULT OF OPTIONEE'S DEATH OR DISABILITY. Subject to the limitations set
forth in this Option Agreement, in the event of termination of the Optionee's
status as an Employee, Director or Consultant as a result of the Optionee's
death or disability, this Option may be exercised (to the extent this Option is
vested on the date of termination) at any time after the date of termination,
but in no event shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration
Date as provided above.
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
A. RIGHT TO EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable
at any time during its term in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In the event of
termination of Optionee's status as an Employee, Director or
Consultant, this Option shall be exercisable in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. This
Option shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6(j) of the
Plan relating to the exercisability or termination of the Option in
the event of a Change in Control.
b. METHOD OF EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable
only by delivery of an Exercise Notice (attached as Exhibit A) which
shall state the election to exercise this Option, the whole number
of Shares in respect of which this Option is being exercised, such
other representations and agreements as to the holder's investment
intent with respect to such Shares and such other provisions as may
be required by the Compensation Committee. Such Exercise Notice
shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or
by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company accompanied by
payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be
exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice
accompanied by the Exercise Price.
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this
Option unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all
Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes,
the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the
date on which this Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
c. TAXES. No Shares will be issued to the Optionee or
other person pursuant to the exercise of this Option until the
Optionee or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the
Compensation Committee for the satisfaction of foreign, federal,
state and local income and employment tax withholding obligations.
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2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by
any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee;
provided, however, that such exercise method does not then violate an Applicable
Law:
a. cash;
b. check;
c. surrender of shares of Common Stock of the Company
(including withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise
of this Option) which have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which this
Option is being exercised (but only to the extent that such exercise
of this Option would not result in an accounting compensation charge
with respect to the shares used to pay the exercise price unless
otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee);
d. delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice
together with such other documentation as the Compensation Committee
and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise
of this Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan
proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price;
e. delivery of an interest-bearing, unsecured,
full-recourse promissory note of the Optionee in favor of the
Company in the principal amount equal to the Exercise Price of the
Shares as to which this Option is being exercised, which promissory
note shall be inform and substance satisfactory to the Compensation
Committee;
f. delivery of an interest-bearing, fully-secured,
non-recourse promissory note of the Optionee in favor of the Company
in the principal amount equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as
to which this Option is being exercised, together with a duly
executed security agreement of the Optionee in favor of the Company
covering such type and amount of collateral satisfactory to the
Compensation Committee, which collateral shall not include any
Shares with respect to which this Option is being exercised, and
which promissory note and security agreement shall be in form and
substance satisfactory to the Compensation Committee; or
g. application of such amount of the Optionee's
accrued and unpaid salary then outstanding that is equal to the
Exercise Price of the Shares as to which this Option is being
exercised.
3. RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE. This Option may not be exercised if
the issuance of the Shares subject to this Option upon such exercise would
constitute a violation of any Applicable Laws.
4. TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP. In the event the Optionee's
status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates, the Optionee may, to
the extent otherwise so entitled at the date
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of such termination (the "Termination Date"), exercise this Option during the
Termination Period set out in the Notice (but in no event later than the
Term/Expiration Date). Except as provided in Sections 5, 6 and 7 below, to the
extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option on the
Termination Date, or if the Optionee does not exercise this Option within the
Termination Period, this Option shall terminate.
5. RETIREMENT IN GOOD STANDING OF OPTIONEE. In the event the
Optionee's status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result
of the Optionee's retirement in good standing for reason of age but not due to
disability, the Optionee may, to the extent otherwise so entitled on the
Termination Date, exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in
the Notice (but in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date). To the extent
that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option on the Termination
Date, or if the Optionee does not exercise this Option to the extent so entitled
within the time specified herein, this Option shall terminate.
6. DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. In the event the Optionee's status as
an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result of the Optionee's
disability, the Optionee may, to the extent otherwise so entitled on the
Termination Date, exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in
the Notice (but in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date). To the extent
that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option on the Termination
Date, or if the Optionee does not exercise this Option to the extent so entitled
within the time specified herein, this Option shall terminate.
7. DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event the Optionee's status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result of the Optionee's death,
this Option may, only to the extent the Optionee could have exercised this
Option on the Termination Date, be exercised during the Termination Period set
out in the Notice (but in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date). This
Option may be exercised by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the
right to exercise this Option by bequest or inheritance. To the extent that the
Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option on the Termination Date, or if
this Option is not exercised to the extent so entitled within the time specified
herein, this Option shall terminate.
8. TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. This Option shall not be
transferred by the Optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by
the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and this
Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee
or such Optionee's guardian or legal representative. The terms of this Option
shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs and successors of the
Optionee.
9. TERM OF OPTION. This Option may be exercised only within the
term set out in the Notice, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.
10. TAX CONSEQUENCES. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the
date of this Option Agreement of some of the federal and state tax consequences
of exercise of this Option and
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disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX
LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX
ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
a. EXERCISE OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION. This Option is
a Nonqualified Stock Option and there may be a regular federal
income tax liability and/or state income tax liability upon the
exercise of this Option. The Optionee will be treated as having
received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates)
equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares
on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If the Optionee is
an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from the Optionee's compensation or collect from the
Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in
cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time
of exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to
deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not delivered at the
time of exercise.
b. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE REPURCHASE RIGHT. For Shares
encumbered by the Repurchase Right as of the date of exercise, the
Optionee will generally not be treated as having received
compensation income immediately upon exercise of the Option and the
receipt of the Shares. Instead, the Optionee will be treated as
having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax
rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the
Shares on the date the Repurchase Right lapses over the Exercise
Price. The Optionee may elect, however, to recognize the full amount
of the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of
exercise over the Exercise Price as compensation income. This would
be in lieu of postponing the recognition event to the date the
Repurchase Right lapses. The Optionee would make such an election by
promptly filing an appropriate election form with governmental
taxing authorities. THE OPTIONEE IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR
HER OWN TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THIS ELECTION; THE OPTIONEE IS
EXPRESSLY CAUTIONED THAT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FILING THIS ELECTION
CAN EXPIRE AS EARLY AS THIRTY (30) DAYS FOLLOWING THE EXERCISE OF
THE OPTION.
c. APPLICATION OF ACCRUED SALARY. An Optionee who
elects to exercise an Option by tendering an amount of accrued
salary that had not been previously includable in his gross income
will recognize income in an amount equal to the accrued salary so
tendered. The Optionee would be required to satisfy any withholding
tax liability the Company incurs which is attributable to such
recognition of income.
d. DISPOSITION OF SHARES. If Shares are held for at
least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will
be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income
tax purposes.
11. OPTIONEE'S REPRESENTATIONS. By receipt of this Option, by its
execution, and by its exercise in whole or in part, the Optionee represents to
the Company that:
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a. The Optionee acknowledges that both this Option and
any Shares purchased upon its exercise are securities, the issuance
by the Company of which requires compliance with federal and state
securities laws;
b. The Optionee acknowledges that these securities are
made available to the Optionee only on the condition that the
Optionee makes the representations contained in this
Section 11 to the Company;
c. The Optionee has made a reasonable investigation of
the affairs of the Company sufficient to be well informed as to the
rights and the value of these securities;
d. The Optionee understands that to the extent that
the securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), or any applicable state law, such
securities have been made available to the Optionee in reliance upon
one or more specific exemptions contained in the Act and any
applicable state law, which may include reliance on Rule 701
promulgated under the Act, if available, or which may depend upon
(i) the Optionee's bona fide investment intention in acquiring these
securities; (ii) the Optionee's intention with respect to these
securities in compliance with federal and state securities laws;
(iii) the Optionee having no present intention of selling or
transferring any part thereof (recognizing that the Option is not
transferable) in violation of applicable federal and state
securities laws; and (iv) there being certain restrictions on
transfer of the Shares subject to the Option;
e. The Optionee understands that, to the extent that
the Shares are not registered under the Act, the Shares subject to
this Option, in addition to other restrictions on transfer, must be
held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and
any applicable state law, or unless an exemption from registration
is available; that Rule 144, the usual exemption from registration
under the Act, is only available after the satisfaction of certain
holding periods and in the presence of a public market for the
Shares; that there is no certainty that a public market for the
Shares will exist, and that otherwise it will be necessary that the
Shares be sold pursuant to another exemption from registration which
may be difficult to satisfy; and
f. The Optionee understands that the certificate
representing the Shares will bear a legend prohibiting their
transfer in the absence of their registration or an opinion of
counsel for the Company that registration is not required.
12. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE. In addition to the
restrictions set forth in Section 3 above, this Option may not be exercised if
the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such Shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation. As a condition to the
exercise of this Option, the Company may require the Optionee to make any
representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable
law or regulation.
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13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: GOVERNING LAW. The Plan is incorporated
herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the
Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified
adversely to the Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the
Company and the Optionee. This Option Agreement is governed by Delaware law
except for that body of law pertaining to conflict of laws.
14. HEADINGS. The captions used in this Option are inserted for
convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Option for construction or
interpretation.
15. INTERPRETATION. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of
this Option Agreement shall be submitted by the Optionee or by the Company
forthwith to the Board or the Compensation Committee which administers the Plan,
which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of
such dispute by the Board or the Compensation Committee shall be final and
binding on all persons.
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC.
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President and General
------------------------------------
Counsel
------------------------------------
Date: October 27, 1999
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THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING SERVICE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR
CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE
ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER).
THE OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR
IN THE COMPANY'S 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY
REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON THE OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUED
SERVICE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY
BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR
THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY
TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and
represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby
accepts this Option Agreement subject to all of the terms and provisions
thereof. The Optionee (i) has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in
their entirety, (ii) has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel
prior to executing this Option Agreement, (iii) is not relying on the Company
for tax advice in connection with the receipt and exercise of this Option, and
(iv) fully understands all provisions of the Option Agreement. The Optionee
hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or
interpretations of the Compensation Committee upon any questions arising under
the Plan or this Option Agreement. The Optionee further agrees to notify the
Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Dated: April 12, 1999 Signed: /s/ Xxxxx X. XxXxxxx
----------------------- ---------------------
XXXXX X. XxXXXXX
Residence Address:
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
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CONSENT OF SPOUSE
The undersigned spouse of the Optionee to the foregoing Stock Option
Agreement acknowledges on his/her own behalf that: I have read the foregoing
Stock Option Agreement and I know its contents. I hereby consent to and approve
of the provisions of the Stock Option Agreement, and agree that the Shares
issued upon exercise of the Options covered thereby and my interest in them are
subject to the provisions of the Stock Option Agreement and that I will take no
action at any time to hinder operation of the Stock Option Agreement on those
Shares or my interest in them.
/s/ Xxxx XxXxxxx
------------------------------------
[SPOUSE OF OPTIONEE]
SPOUSE OF: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxx
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EXHIBIT A
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC.
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
EXERCISE NOTICE
Star Scientific, Inc.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
1. EXERCISE OF OPTION. Effective as of today, the undersigned
(the "Optionee") hereby elects to exercise the Optionee's option to purchase
____________ (_________) shares of the Common Stock (the "Shares") of Star
Scientific, Inc. (the "Company") under and pursuant to the Company's 1998 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement dated ________________
(the "Option Agreement").
2. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE OPTIONEE. The Optionee acknowledges
that the Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option
Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
3. RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. Until the stock certificate evidencing
such Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote
or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with
respect to the Common Stock subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise
of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock
certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made
for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the
stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 7 of the Plan.
4. DELIVERY OF PAYMENT. The Optionee herewith delivers to the
Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares.
5. TAX CONSULTATION. The Optionee understands that the Optionee
may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Optionee's purchase or
disposition of the Shares. The Optionee represents that the Optionee has
consulted with any tax consultants the Optionee deems advisable in connection
with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that the Optionee is not
relying on the Company for any tax advice.
6. TAXES. The Optionee agrees to satisfy all applicable federal,
state and local income and employment tax withholding obligations and herewith
delivers to the Company the full amount of such obligations.
7. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The Company may assign any of its
rights under this Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this
Exercise Notice shall inure to the benefit
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of the successors and assigns of the Company. This Exercise Notice shall be
binding upon the Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns.
8. HEADINGS. The captions used in this Exercise Notice are
inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Exercise Notice
for construction or interpretation.
9. INTERPRETATION. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of
this Exercise Notice shall be submitted by the Optionee or by the Company
forthwith to the Company's Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee
which administers the Plan, which shall review such dispute at its next regular
meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Board or the Compensation
Committee shall be final and binding on all persons.
10. GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. This Exercise Notice shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision
of this Exercise Notice be determined by a court of law to be illegal or
unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and
shall remain enforceable.
11. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be
given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or
upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees
prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its
signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from
time to time to the other party.
12. FURTHER INSTRUMENTS. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this Exercise Notice.
13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Plan and the Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Exercise Notice, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and the Optionee with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee's interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and the Optionee.
Submitted by:
OPTIONEE
--------------------------
(Name of Optionee)
----------------------------
----------------------------
(Address of Optionee)
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Accepted by:
STAR SCIENTIFIC, INC.
By:
---------------------------
Name:
---------------------------
Title:
---------------------------
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
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