SIPEX CORPORATION STAND-ALONE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 4.1
SIPEX CORPORATION
| I. | NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT | |
| «First» «MI» «Last» | ||
| «Address1» | ||
| «City», «ST» «Zip» |
You have been granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as follows:
| Date of Grant | «Grantdate» | |||
| Vesting Commencement Date | «VestBaseDate» | |||
| Exercise Price per Share | $«OptionPrice» | |||
| Total Number of Shares Granted | «SharesGranted» | |||
| Total Exercise Price | $«TotalOption» | |||
| Term/Expiration Date: | «ExpireDatePeriod1» |
This Option shall vest and may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service Provider on such dates:
| «VestDatePeriod1» | «SharesPeriod1» shares | |||
| «VestDatePeriod2» | «SharesPeriod2» shares | |||
| «VestDatePeriod3» | «SharesPeriod3» shares | |||
| «VestDatePeriod4» | «SharesPeriod4» shares |
Termination Period
This Option may be exercised for three (3) months after Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider in accordance with Section 7 of this Agreement. Upon the death or Disability of the
Optionee, this Option may be exercised for one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Optionee
ceases to be a Service Provider in accordance with Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement. In no
event shall this Option be exercised later that the Term/Expiration Date provided. This Option
shall terminate and immediately cease to be exercisable on the date Optionee receives notice of
termination for Cause in accordance with Section 10 of this Agreement.
II. AGREEMENT
(a) “Agreement” means this stock option agreement between the Company and Optionee
evidencing the terms and conditions of this Option.
(b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of stock
options under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any
stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable
laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction that may apply to this Option.
(c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee of the Board
that has been designated by the Board to administer this Agreement.
(d) “Cause” means conduct involving one or more of the following: (i) the substantial
and continuing failure of the Optionee, after notice thereof, to render services to the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary in accordance with the terms or requirements of Optionee’s employment or
business relationship; (ii) gross negligence, willful misconduct, dishonesty, fraud or breach of
fiduciary duty to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary; (iii) the commission of an act of
embezzlement or fraud; (iv) deliberate disregard of the rules or policies of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary, or breach of an employment or other agreement with the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary, either of which results in significant direct or indirect loss, damage or injury to
the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary; (v) the unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or
confidential information of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary; or (vi) the commission of an
act which constitutes unfair competition with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or which
induces any customer or supplier to breach a contract with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.
(e) “Change in Control” means
(1) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or
becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing sixty percent (60%) or more of the total
voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or
(2) a change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result
of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors”
will mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of June 7, 2005, or (B) are
elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority
of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an
individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest
relating to the election of directors to the Company); or
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(3) the date of the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation that has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
voting securities of the surviving entity) more than sixty percent (60%) of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan
of complete liquidation of the Company; or
(4) the date of the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all the Company’s assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not include any transaction or
series of transactions involving the Company’s issuance of any equity or debt securities to third
parties for capital raising purposes.
(f) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(g) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(h) “Company” means SIPEX Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
(i) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a
Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.
(j) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(k) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3)
of the Code.
(l) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an
Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between
locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute “employment” by the Company.
(m) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(n) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as
follows:
(1) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market
system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of
The Nasdaq Stock Market, or is actively traded over-the-counter, its Fair Market Value shall be the
closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on
such exchange or system on the date of grant, or if unavailable, for the
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last market trading day prior to date of grant, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(2) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling
prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked
prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination; or
(3) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value
thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
(o) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(p) “Notice of Grant” means a written notice, in Part I of this Agreement, evidencing
certain the terms and conditions of this Option grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option
Agreement.
(q) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(r) “Option” means this stock option.
(s) “Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to this Option.
(t) “Optionee” means the person named in the Notice of Xxxxx or such person’s
successor.
(u) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as
defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(v) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(w) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section
11 of this Agreement.
(x) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing,
as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
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(a) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with
the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of this
Agreement.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice,
in the form attached as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Notice”), which shall state the election
to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the
“Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the
Company. The Exercise Notice shall be completed by the Optionee and delivered to the Secretary of
the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price
as to all Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the
Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price.
(c) Legal Compliance. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this
Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance,
for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the
date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.
(d) Buyout Provisions. The Board may at any time offer to buy out for a payment in
cash or Shares an Option previously granted based on such terms and conditions as the Board shall
establish and communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
(a) cash or check;
(b) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the
Company;
(c) surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an
option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and
(ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the
Exercised Shares.
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this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant) to the extent that the Option is vested on
the date of such termination. To the extent that the Optionee does not exercise this Option within
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(a) Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of
Common Stock and class of securities covered by this Option, as well as the price per share of
Common Stock covered by this Option and the vesting schedule, shall be proportionately adjusted (or
a substituted option may be granted) for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of
Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash
dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares,
liquidation, spin-off, split-up or other similar event or reclassification of the Common Stock, or
any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without
receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible
securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of
consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board or its designated committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided
herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to this Option.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, the Board or its designated committee shall notify Optionee as soon as
practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Board or its designated
committee in its discretion may provide for the Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her
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Option until fifteen (15) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock
covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. To
the extent it has not been previously exercised, the Option will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed
(c) Merger or Change in Control. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, or a Change in Control, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.
In the event that the successor corporation in a merger or Change in Control refuses to assume or
substitute for the Option, then the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the
Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be
vested or exercisable. If the Option is not assumed or substituted in connection with a
merger or Change in Control, the Board or its designated committee shall notify the Optionee in
writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15)
days from the date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such
period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following
the merger or Change in Control, the option confers the right to purchase or receive, for each
Share subject to the Option immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration
(whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or Change in Control
by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if
holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of
a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in
the merger or Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its
Parent, the Board or its designated committee may, with the consent of the successor corporation,
provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal
in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of common stock in the
merger or Change in Control.
(a) Exercising the Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal income tax
liability upon exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option (an “NSO”). 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 Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate
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(b) Disposition of Shares. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at least one year,
any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for
federal income tax purposes.
14. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. This 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 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 Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the
choice of law rules, of California.
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By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company
agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Optionee has reviewed this Agreement in its entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice
of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands all provisions of this
Agreement. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or
interpretations of the Board upon any questions relating to this Agreement. Optionee further
agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
OPTIONEE
|
SIPEX CORPORATION | |
Signature
|
By: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, President & CEO | |
«First» «MI» «Last» |
||
«Address1» |
||
«City», «ST» «Zip» |
||
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EXHIBIT A
SIPEX CORPORATION
EXERCISE NOTICE
Attention:
Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ___, 200_, the undersigned
(“Purchaser”) hereby elects to purchase ___shares (the “Shares”) of the Common Stock of
SIPEX Corporation (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement dated
___(the “Option Agreement”). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $___, as
required by the Option Agreement.
Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax
consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser
represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in
connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the
Company for any tax advice.
Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Option Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference. This Agreement, 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 Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not
be modified adversely to the Purchaser’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the
Company and Purchaser. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the
choice of law rules, of California.
Submitted by:
|
Accepted by: | |
OPTIONEE
|
SIPEX CORPORATION | |
Signature |
||
Print Name |
||
Address:
|
Address: | |
| 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Milpitas, CA 95053 | ||
| Date Received: |
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