EXHIBIT 10.10
SEVERANCE, RELEASE AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Severance, Release and Consulting Agreement ("AGREEMENT") is made
and entered into effective as of February 25, 2003, by and between Presby Corp.,
a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, M.D., PhD., an
individual resident of Dallas County, Texas ("CONSULTANT").
RECITALS
A. The Company is a medical device company based in Dallas, Texas.
The Company is engaged in the research and development of surgical treatments
for various human eye disorders. The Company has also used its research and
development efforts, and understanding of the human eye, to develop technology
that is the subject of domestic and international patent protection directed to
the treatment of various eye disorders and commercial optical lens applications.
B. Consultant is an internationally recognized ophthalmologist and
physicist and has substantial experience in fields in which the Company
operates.
C. From the inception of the Company, Consultant has served as an
officer, director, employee and Chairman of the Board of the Company. The
Company has requested that Consultant resign as Chairman of the Board, director,
Chief Scientist and employee of, and from all other positions with, the Company
and its subsidiaries (except as a stockholder) effective upon the closing and
initial funding of at least $2.5 million of the transactions ("RPO") set forth
in that certain Amended and Restated Summary of Terms and Conditions for Merger
and Private Placement, dated as of February 3, 2003, by and between the Company
and Verus Support Services, Inc. (the "RPO TERM SHEET"), a copy of which has
been previously provided to Consultant.
D. In the performance of his past duties for the Company,
Consultant has developed or had access to confidential and proprietary
information, including intellectual property, of the Company.
E. The Company desires to retain the benefit of Consultant's
knowledge, expertise and experience on behalf of the Company and its affiliates
and strategic partners.
F. Consultant is willing to perform certain consulting services for
the Company and its affiliates and strategic partners consistent with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the mutual benefits to be derived from this
Agreement and the covenants and agreements set forth herein, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and confessed by the execution and
delivery hereof, the parties, agreeing to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:
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1. RESIGNATIONS. Consultant hereby resigns as an officer, director,
employee and Chairman of the Board of the Company and from all positions he
holds with the Company (except as a stockholder) effective as of the date of the
closing and initial funding of at least $2.5 million of the RPO (the "RPO
CLOSING"), and the Company hereby accepts such resignations effective as of the
RPO Closing; provided, however, that unless and until the RPO Closing shall
occur, the foregoing resignations shall not be effective. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "COMPANY" refers to Presby Corp. and its subsidiaries and
their respective successors and assigns, including, without limitation, Pubco
(as defined in the RPO Term Sheet). The parties hereto hereby agree and
acknowledge that the employment agreement by and between the Company and
Consultant, dated as of April 24, 1998, as amended (the "EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT"),
shall expire and shall have no further force or effect upon the RPO Closing or,
if earlier, pursuant to its terms, except as specifically set forth in this
Agreement.
2. APPOINTMENT. The Company appoints Consultant to act as a
consultant of the Company, and Consultant accepts such appointment and
undertakes to advise and consult with the Company upon the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement.
3. TERM AND TERMINATION.
3.1 TERM. The services of Consultant under this Agreement
shall commence (the "COMMENCEMENT DATE") on the last to occur of (a) the RPO
Closing, (b) the payment of all amounts of Base Salary (at the current annual
rate of $295,000) due to Consultant under the Employment Agreement from and
after January 16, 2002 through the Commencement Date, and (c) the payment of all
sums due under the month-to-month lease of the Xxxxxxx facility, and shall
continue thereafter until the earlier of: (i) Consultant's receipt of $1.75
million aggregate amount from the Company under SECTION 7.1 hereof or (ii) the
fifth anniversary of the RPO Closing, unless earlier terminated as provided in
this Agreement (the "TERM"); provided, however, that if the Company fails to pay
Consultant the full amounts due and owing under this Agreement by the fifth
anniversary of the RPO Closing, the Company's obligations to pay Consultant such
amounts shall remain in full force and effect until paid in full.
3.2 TERMINATION. Consultant's services may only be
terminated by the Company for "Cause" after prior written notice to Consultant
of any event that the Company contends constitutes "Cause" under this Agreement,
describing in reasonable detail the nature of such Cause, and the failure or
refusal by Consultant to cure such alleged defect within fifteen (15) days of
receipt of such written notice. In this event, the Company shall have no further
obligation to pay Consultant any compensation under SECTION 7 and any other
amounts payable hereunder and Consultant shall immediately execute and deliver
to the Company a proper instrument or instruments: (i) acknowledging the release
and termination of the security interests created by SECTION 7.4 of this
Agreement and the Security Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and (ii) assigning
and transferring to the Company those certain assets of the Company that were
assigned or transferred to Consultant pursuant to SECTION 7.3 hereof; provided,
however, that if Consultant in good faith disputes the termination for Cause and
seeks legal redress to challenge such termination, Consultant shall be required
to undertake the obligations in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) only upon a
final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction that such termination
was proper. The parties' rights upon termination for Cause under this
SECTION 3.2 are in addition to any other rights and
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remedies available to them at law or in equity. For purposes of this SECTION 3,
"CAUSE" shall mean: (i) a material breach by Consultant of this Agreement or
(ii) a commission by Consultant of an intentional, grossly negligent, or
reckless act or omission that has a material detriment to the Company; provided,
however, that any breach or alleged breach by Consultant of the provisions of
SECTION 4.1(a) shall not constitute "Cause" hereunder.
4. DUTIES OF THE CONSULTANT.
4.1 GENERAL DUTIES. During the Term of this Agreement,
Consultant shall consult with and advise the Company with respect to and assist
the Company in the conduct of its business. In his activities under this
Agreement, Consultant shall report to and be directed by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. Consultant's duties and obligations hereunder shall be
determined from time to time by mutual agreement between the Company and
Consultant, and shall include the following:
(a) identifying, developing a prototype and
determining the technical feasibility of a viable surgical procedure for age
related macular degeneration ("ARMD") consistent with, related to or novel to
the Intellectual Property (as hereinafter defined) and the IP Portfolio (as
hereinafter defined), including, providing assistance with selected pre-clinical
studies;
(b) performing the duties and obligations set forth
in SECTION 5.4 hereof;
(c) reporting to the Company the progress of
Consultant's activities as often as reasonably requested by the Company or
needed to fulfill Consultant's obligations regarding the performance of
consulting services; and
(d) observing and complying with all reasonable
resolutions and regulations of the Company relevant to Consultant's duties.
4.2 RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. In performing his services
under this Agreement, Consultant shall be an independent contractor and at all
times identify himself as an independent consultant for the Company and shall
not hold himself out as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Company,
except as authorized in writing by the Company. The Company shall not be
responsible for withholding, collection or payment of income taxes or for other
taxes of any nature on behalf of Consultant. Nothing contained in this Agreement
shall make Consultant the agent, employee, joint venturer or partner of the
Company. Subject to SECTIONS 5.4 and 7.3, nothing contained in this Agreement
shall provide Consultant with the power or authority to bind the Company to any
contract, agreement or arrangement with any individual or entity except with the
prior written approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Additionally, this Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement establishing
a partnership or other form of business entity, nor an employment relationship.
Consultant shall not be entitled to participate in any modified or future
employee benefit plan, arrangement, distribution, or other similar benefits that
may be provided by the Company to its employees, nor shall Consultant be treated
as an employee for purposes of workers' compensation benefits, or for purposes
of any employee benefit plan from the date of the RPO Closing, unless expressly
permitted by the Company in writing.
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5. COVENANTS.
5.1 NONCOMPETITION.
(a) Consultant hereby covenants and agrees that,
during the Term of this Agreement, he shall not, directly or indirectly or in
any capacity (whether as a promoter, proprietor, partner, joint venturer,
employee, agent, consultant, director, officer, manager, stockholder, except as
a stockholder holding less than three percent (3%) of a publicly traded
company's issued and outstanding capital stock, or otherwise), work for, act as
a consultant to, lend money or expertise to or own any interest in any direct
competitor of the Company. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
SECTION 5.1 to the contrary, the Company agrees and acknowledges that Consultant
shall not be prohibited from engaging in activities that directly or indirectly
relate to the development of ARMD technology to the extent set forth herein and
any other areas of medicine, science, technology or ophthalmology that are not
related to the treatment of presbyopia, treatment for glaucoma, treatment for
ocular hypertension or applications for the single element variable focus lens
("SEVFL") technology. In the event of a material breach of SECTION 7 of this
Agreement by the Company, which remains uncured for a period of fifteen (15)
days after receipt by the Company of written notice describing in reasonable
detail the nature of such material breach, or a petition, voluntarily or
involuntarily, is filed seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief in
respect of Presby Corp. or its successors and assigns or its respective debts,
or of a substantial part of its respective assets, under any federal, state or
foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in
effect, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue
undismissed for fifteen (15) days, or in the case of an involuntary petition for
bankruptcy, sixty (60) days, or an order or decree approving or ordering any of
the foregoing shall be entered, SECTION 5.1 hereof shall become null and void
and of no further force and effect.
(b) Consultant acknowledges and agrees that the
covenants set forth above are ancillary to an otherwise enforceable agreement
and supported by independent valuable consideration. Consultant further
acknowledges and agrees that the limitations as to time (the term of this
Agreement), geographic area (the areas in which the Company holds enforceable
patents), and scope of activity to be restrained by this Agreement (as set forth
herein) are reasonable and acceptable to Consultant, and do not impose any
greater restraint than is reasonably necessary to protect the business interests
of the Company.
(c) If, at some later date, a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that the covenants set forth herein are unenforceable,
the parties covenant and agree that these paragraphs may be reformed by the
court and enforced to the maximum extent permitted under law of the State of
Texas.
5.2 INFLUENCE ON COMPANY; NONSOLICITATION. Consultant
further covenants and agrees that, during the Term of this Agreement, he (i)
will not solicit, entice, influence, persuade, induce or attempt to solicit,
entice, influence, persuade or induce, either directly or indirectly, any client
or customer of the Company to terminate, alter or refrain from extending or
renewing any contractual or other relationship of such client or customer with
the Company or, where such relationship with the Company is one of an exclusive
nature (excluding any employment relationship), to commence a similar or
substantially similar relationship with, any of his affiliates or
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any direct competitor of the Company and (ii) for a period of sixty (60) days
following the RPO Closing, provided that the Company is not in breach of its
obligations to pay salaries, including stay-on bonuses, to its current employees
or has not previously terminated their employment, he will not recruit, hire, or
attempt to recruit or hire, directly or indirectly, any employees of the
Company, nor shall he contact or communicate with any employees of the Company
for the purpose of inducing employees to terminate their employment with the
Company. The Consultant further covenants and agrees that he will not cooperate
with or assist, either directly or indirectly, any person or entity engaged in
any of the actions prohibited under this SECTION 5.2. For purposes of this
SECTION 5.2, the term "EMPLOYEE" shall refer to an employee who is employed by
the Company at the time of the purported attempt to recruit or hire.
5.3 NONDISCLOSURE, CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISPARAGEMENT.
(a) Consultant understands that he has developed and
been exposed to, and may develop or be exposed to, highly confidential
information and trade secrets of the Company ("CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"), and
that maintenance by the Company of its proprietary Confidential Information to
the fullest extent possible is extremely important to the Company. Consultant
acknowledges and agrees that, except with the prior written consent of the
Company, he shall at all times keep confidential and not divulge, furnish or
make accessible to anyone (except the Company's authorized representatives), any
Confidential Information to which Consultant has been or shall become privy
relating to the business of the Company. The provisions of this SECTION 5.3
shall not apply to any information to the extent that (i) it is or shall become
generally known to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by
Consultant, his affiliates or anyone controlled by Consultant, (ii) it is or
shall become available to Consultant on a non-confidential basis from a person
other than the Company or its attorneys, officers, directors, employees, agents
or strategic partners, provided that Consultant does not believe such person is
bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or prohibited in any
manner from transmitting information to Consultant, or (iii) Consultant is
required by law to disclose such information to any person. In the event that
Consultant is requested pursuant to, or required by, applicable law or
regulation or legal process to disclose any Confidential Information or any
other information concerning the Company, Consultant agrees to provide the
Company with prompt notice of such request(s) or the receipt of legal process to
enable the Company to seek an appropriate protective order and to consult with
the Company with respect to taking steps to resist or narrow the scope of such
request or process.
(b) In addition to, and without limiting, the
foregoing, pursuant to that certain License Agreement, dated as of March 6,
2002, by and between the Company and CIBA Vision (as amended, modified and
supplemented from time to time, the "CIBA VISION/PRESBY LICENSE"), Consultant
hereby agrees, from and after the Commencement Date, not to issue any press
release or other public statement, whether oral or in written form, relating to
the CIBA Vision/Presby License, the Products (as defined in the CIBA
Vision/Presby License) or the Patent Rights (as defined in the CIBA
Vision/Presby License) without the prior written consent of the Company and CIBA
Vision.
(c) Consultant and the Company each agree that, from
and after the Commencement Date, each will not say, publish or do any act or
thing that disparages or casts the other, or, in the case of the Company, its
current or past officers, directors, employees, agents,
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representatives, stockholders and/or strategic partners, in an unfavorable
light, or that could result in injury to any such person's or entity's
reputation; provided, however, that any statement or act with respect to a
stockholder of the Company shall not be deemed to violate this section so long
as such statement or act does not relate to such stockholder's relationship with
the Company but to any other relationship independent of the Company; and
provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may say,
publish or do any act or thing, even though such statements or acts may be
disparaging or cast an unfavorable light on the other party or cause injury to
other party's reputation, so long as such statements or acts are both truthful
and required to be published or done pursuant to any applicable local, state or
federal law or regulation, or by any court or tribunal. In the absence of a
court judgment or order confirming a violation of this SECTION 5.3(c), an
alleged violation of this SECTION 5.3(c) shall not serve as a basis to relieve
the other party from its obligations arising under this Agreement.
5.4 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PORTFOLIO. Consultant acknowledges
and agrees that the Company is the exclusive owner of (except as otherwise
expressly set forth herein) and its primary asset is an intellectual property
portfolio. The intellectual property portfolio includes, without limitation, all
trade secret, trademark, copyright, patent and other intangible property rights
developed by, derived through, emanating from or otherwise relating to the
Company's business (collectively, the "IP PORTFOLIO"). The Company and
Consultant hereby agree and acknowledge that the most valuable aspect of the IP
Portfolio is a domestic and international patent portfolio. To the extent any of
the provisions of this SECTION 5.4 shall conflict with SECTION 4.1 hereof, this
SECTION 5.4 shall control.
(a) NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY DEFICIENCY. Effective as of
the RPO Closing, Consultant represents that he has no knowledge of any material
deficiency or weakness in the IP Portfolio. Effective as of the RPO Closing,
Consultant represents that a general description of any and all non-material
deficiencies and weaknesses in the IP Portfolio that Consultant is aware of as
of the date of the RPO Closing, if any, is attached as EXHIBIT A hereto.
(b) AFFIRMATION OF PRIOR STATEMENTS. Consultant has
worked actively and directly with the Company's attorneys to develop the IP
Portfolio, particularly the patent portfolio. Effective as of the RPO Closing,
Consultant acknowledges and ratifies all prior statements made, whether written
or oral, concerning the IP Portfolio, including the scope and content of all
patent applications, the scope and content of the known prior art, the veracity
of the amendments, arguments and remarks put forth during the prosecution of the
patent applications, and the veracity of any affidavit or other document
executed during the preparation, filing, prosecution, issuance, maintenance or
enforcement of any patent application or issued patent.
(c) AGREEMENT TO ASSIST. In addition to, and without
limiting, the covenants set forth in SECTION 5.5 hereof, Consultant agrees to
execute and deliver, and will execute and deliver, any and all truthful papers,
instruments or other documents, including assignments, and do any and all other
lawful acts that may be desirable in the opinion of the Company to secure,
establish and maintain title in the Company to any and all aspects of the IP
Portfolio, and give the Company the full benefit of the IP Portfolio. In
addition to, and without limiting, the covenants set forth in SECTION 5.5
hereof, Consultant hereby further agrees to cooperate with the Company or CIBA
Vision in connection with the patent portfolio development, maintenance and
exploitation,
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including, without limitation, the preparation, prosecution, maintenance,
assertion and/or defense by the Company or CIBA Vision with respect to any
patent application, trade secret, copyright, issued patent or other intangible
property owned or controlled by the Company. The Company hereby agrees to
reimburse Consultant for reasonable travel expenses and personal expenses, if
necessary, incurred at the request and with the prior approval of the Company.
(d) OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Consultant
acknowledges and agrees that any know-how, invention, work of authorship, trade
secret, confidential information or other information or thing ("INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY") relating to the treatment of presbyopia, treatment for glaucoma,
treatment for ocular hypertension, treatment of ARMD (as set forth and
controlled by SECTION 7.3) or applications for the SEVFL technology and relating
to Consultant's activities while working for the Company and conceived or made
by Consultant, alone or with others, after termination of the employment
relationship and during the Term of this Agreement, may have been conceived in
significant part while working for the Company. The Company and Consultant agree
that such Intellectual Property is presumed to have been conceived during the
employment relationship or during the Term of this Agreement and is to be
assigned to the Company unless and until Consultant conclusively establishes the
contrary, any and all such Intellectual Property is subject to the provisions of
this Agreement.
(e) NON-DISPARAGEMENT. The Company and Consultant
agree that the intrinsic value of the IP Portfolio is inextricably tied to the
maintenance of the domestic and international patents and the continued and
consistent prosecution of the domestic and international patent applications
that remain pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and
various foreign patent offices. In addition to, and without limiting, the
covenants set forth in SECTION 5.3(c) above, upon the RPO Closing, Consultant
agrees, absent a material breach of this Agreement by the Company that remains
uncured after notice and the expiration of any applicable cure period, not to
make any statement (provided that Consultant may make a statement so long as
such statement is both truthful and required to be made pursuant to any
applicable local, state or federal law or regulation, or by any court or
tribunal.), orally or in writing, or engage in any other conduct that would,
directly or indirectly, reasonably be expected to cause any harm or damage to
the Company, including, but not limited to, directly or indirectly:
(i) Making any derogatory statement
whatsoever with regard to the validity or enforceability of any aspect of the IP
Portfolio, including any of the claims of any of the Company's patents or, more
specifically, stating or representing to any person that any of the Company's
patents, patent applications, or any of the claims of any of the Company's
patents, are invalid or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever;
(ii) Promoting, instigating, encouraging,
cooperating or assisting in any claim or proceeding (judicial or administrative,
including any proceeding in or before the United States Patent and Trademark
Office or any foreign patent office) in any way contesting or challenging the
enforceability or validity of any aspect of the IP Portfolio, including any of
the Company's patents, patent applications, or any of the claims of any of the
Company's patents for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any
request for reissue or reexamination of any patent of the Company, in whole or
in part; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant may
do any of the foregoing so long as his statements or acts are both truthful and
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required to be done pursuant to any applicable local, state or federal law or
regulation, or by any court or tribunal.
(iii) Challenging or contesting in any way or
manner whatsoever, either judicially or administratively (including any request
for reissue or reexamination of any patent of the Company in or to the United
States Patent and Trademark Office or any foreign patent office), the validity
or enforceability of any aspect of the IP Portfolio, including any of the
Company's patents, patent applications, or any of the claims of any of the
Company's patents; or
(iv) Interfering with the Company's
agreements or prospective agreements (i.e. agreements that have a reasonable
probability of consummation) with any third party regarding any aspect of the IP
Portfolio, other than any act or omission that in the Consultant's reasonable
and good faith belief was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
Company.
(f) POWER OF ATTORNEY. To effectuate the terms of
this SECTION 5.4, following the occurrence of a material breach under this
Agreement by or the death or other incapacity of Consultant, Consultant hereby
names, irrevocably constitutes and appoints Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, any other person
acting under his direct supervision or, in the event of the death or disability
of Xx. Xxxxx, any other member of his law firm to:
(i) Make, constitute, and appoint any
representative of the Company, as the Company may select, in its sole
discretion, as Consultant's true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power to
endorse Consultant's name on all applications, documents, papers, and
instruments necessary or desirable for the Company to give effect to the
provisions of this SECTION 5.4; and
(ii) Take any other actions with respect to
the IP Portfolio, consistent with this Agreement, as the Company deems in the
best interest of itself.
5.5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COOPERATION.
(a) Effective upon the RPO Closing, Consultant
agrees not to seek, and to decline any nomination, to be elected or appointed as
a member of the Board, either as voting or non-voting member.
(b) Upon execution of this Agreement, Consultant
hereby agrees to cooperate with and provide support for the Board of the Company
and to comply fully with all reasonable, legal and truthful actions required by
the Board and/or officers of the Company in support of the RPO and transactions
contemplated by the RPO Term Sheet, including, without limitation, by providing
his signature on all agreements establishing stockholder lock-out provisions as
outlined in the RPO Term Sheet.
(c) Immediately following the closing of a bridge
loan to the Company aggregating at least $250,000 principal amount, Consultant
agrees to cooperate with and provide support to expand the Board from six (6) to
seven (7) members, and such increase in the number of members of the Board shall
remain in effect until the RPO Closing. The Company and Consultant
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agree and acknowledge that Xxxxx Xxxxx shall be appointed to the Board upon the
closing of the aforementioned bridge loan and that he will only be entitled to
vote on matters related to the RPO and transactions contemplated by the RPO Term
Sheet.
(d) During the Term, the Company shall continue to
provide Consultant sufficient data and information regarding the Company and its
operations, as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion, to
facilitate the conduct of Consultant's services. The failure of Consultant to
perform any of his duties in this Agreement as a result of the Company's failure
or refusal to provide Consultant with such data and information shall not
constitute "Cause" for termination under this Agreement.
(e) During the Term, Consultant agrees to fully
cooperate in good faith with the Company and its counsel in its defense of, or
other participation in, any administrative, judicial or other proceedings
arising from any charge, complaint or other action that has or may be filed
relating to events that occurred, in whole or in part, during Consultant's
tenure of employment with the Company. During the Term, Consultant shall comply
with all reasonable requests to provide information to and assist the Company in
preparing, responding to or complying with any discovery, inquiries,
investigations, requests for information, or subpoenas by or filings with an
opposing party or any federal, state or local government agency (further
including, without limitation, the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
stock exchange or quotation organization). However, Consultant shall not be
required to do or take any action in this regard that would require the waiver
of his constitutional rights, applicable privileges or any affirmative defenses.
(f) Upon the execution of this Agreement, Consultant
hereby delivers lock-up letters, in the form of EXHIBIT E attached hereto,
pursuant to which the owners of the Family Shares (as hereinafter defined) agree
to be subject to and bound by the agreements establishing stockholder lock-out
provisions as outlined in the RPO Term Sheet.
5.6 REMEDIES. The parties hereto expressly recognize and
agree that the covenants contained in this SECTION 5 are reasonable and
necessary, and that a breach of any of said covenants may cause serious harm,
loss and damage to either party. The parties agree that the remedy at law for
any real or threatened breach of this Agreement may be inadequate and that, in
addition to any other remedies they may have, each party will be entitled to
seek temporary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent the breach or
attempted breach of this Agreement, without the necessity of proving actual
damages and, to the extent that either party is required to post bond or other
security, the parties hereto agree and stipulate that $10,000 is sufficient for
such bond or other security. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as
prohibiting the parties from pursuing any other remedies as may be available to
them at law or in equity for such breach, including, but not limited to, the
recovery of damages.
6. RELEASE.
6.1 RELEASE BY CONSULTANT. Effective as of the Commencement
Date, Consultant, for and on behalf of himself, individually, and his heirs,
executors, trustees, administrators, representatives and assigns, if any, hereby
fully, finally, completely, and forever releases, discharges, acquits, and
relinquishes, the Company, its predecessors, successors, parent entities,
subsidiaries,
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attorneys, officers, directors, employees, stockholders, agents and assigns,
jointly and/or severally, from any and all claims, actions, demands,
liabilities, promises, obligations, damages and/or causes of action of whatever
kind or character, joint or several, whether known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, asserted or unasserted, under any federal or state statute and
common law, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act;
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; THE
AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967 (29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq.);
the Texas Payday law, Tex. Lab. Code section 61.001; claims based on alleged
breach of an obligation or duty arising in contract or tort, including, but not
limited to, any and all claims arising under the Employment Agreement or
otherwise relating to any alleged breach of any oral or written promise or
employment contract, any and all claims for unpaid or withheld wages, bonuses,
benefits, stock or stock options, deferred compensation, commissions, or
profit-sharing, any claims for wrongful discharge, retaliation or termination,
breach of contract, promissory estoppel, fraud, breach of any implied covenants,
assault, battery, negligent hiring, negligent retention, defamation, invasion of
privacy, slander or intentional infliction of emotional distress, harassment,
negligence, gross negligence, and strict liability; any alleged unlawful act;
any and all claims by Consultant, directly or derivatively, in his capacity as a
stockholder against the Company or its officers or directors for breach of any
duty owed to the stockholders of the Company; or any other claim regardless of
the forum in which it might be brought, if any, that he has, might have, or
might claim to have against the Company, for any and all injuries, harm,
damages, penalties, costs, losses, expenses, attorneys' fees, and/or liability
or other detriment, if any, whatsoever and whenever incurred, suffered, or
claimed by Consultant as a result of any and all alleged acts, omissions, or
events, up to the Commencement Date but not thereafter. It is expressly agreed
and understood by Consultant that this release includes, but is not limited to,
any and all claims, actions, demands, and causes of action, if any, arising from
or in any way connected with any and all, if any, communications, negotiations,
dealings, compensation, employment relationships, and separations of employment
between Consultant and the Company, including any claim of discrimination,
wrongful termination, breach of contract, and/or tortious conduct. This
SECTION 6.1 does not constitute a release or waiver of any rights of Consultant
arising under this Agreement, including for breach hereof or use by the Company
of the proxies described in SECTION 8 below in violation of this Agreement or
(ii) after the Commencement Date, except as provided in this Agreement.
Moreover, nothing in this Agreement shall constitute a release or waiver of any
of Consultant's rights of defense and indemnification set forth in SECTION 9
below.
6.2 RELEASE BY COMPANY. Effective as of the Commencement
Date, the Company, for and on behalf of itself and its current and past
officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents, parent companies,
subsidiaries, and their respective heirs, successors and assigns, in their
individual capacity or corporate capacities, hereby fully, finally, completely
and forever releases, discharges, acquits and relinquishes Consultant, and his
heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, representatives and assigns, in
their individual or corporate capacity, from any and all claims, actions,
demands, liabilities, promises, obligations, damages and/or causes of action of
whatever kind or character, joint or several, whether known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, asserted or unasserted, arising prior to or existing
at the time of Commencement Date that they may have or might claim to have
against Consultant in any form, including but not limited for violation of any
federal or state law or common law claim, whether in tort, contract, or
otherwise, including but not limited to, for discrimination, retaliation,
harassment, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty,
10
promissory estoppel, fraud, breach of any implied covenants, assault, battery,
negligent hiring, retention, and supervision, defamation, invasion of privacy,
slander or intentional infliction of emotional distress, harassment, negligence,
gross negligence, and strict liability; any alleged unlawful act, including for
any act or omission of Consultant during the term of his employment under the
Employment Agreement. This SECTION 6.2 shall not release or waive any claim or
cause of action that the Company or they might have or that may arise against
Consultant, in his official or individual capacity, (i) under the terms of this
Agreement, (ii) after the Commencement Date or (iii) in any stockholder
derivative litigation.
6.3 LITIGATION. The Company and Consultant hereby agree
that, except as otherwise permitted in this Agreement, during the Term, each of
them will not initiate, induce and/or support any litigation against the other
party or their respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns, or, in
the case of the Company, its current and past officers, directors, employees,
agents, representatives, stockholders and/or strategic partners and Pubco, for
any claim they may have or might claim to have against the other. However,
nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the prosecution or defense of any claim
or dispute between Consultant and any of the Company's (including parent,
subsidiary or successor entities) current or past officers, directors,
employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, and stockholders regarding any
matter(s) wholly unrelated to the Company and its business or operations.
Moreover, in the event any other stockholder initiates any litigation that is
otherwise not in violation of this SECTION 6.3 against the Company (including
any parent, subsidiary or successor entities) and/or its/their officers,
directors, and/or employees, whether if the form of a class action, derivative
action, or otherwise, (i) nothing in this Agreement shall affect any of
Consultant's rights to share in any recovery in such litigation, and he shall be
treated the same as any other stockholder for such purposes, and (ii) in the
case of a stockholder derivative action, the Company shall not be in violation
of this section solely by virtue of such action having been brought in the name
of the Company. Additionally, this section shall not preclude either party from
bringing suit to enforce the terms of this Agreement, including for misuse of
the proxies described in SECTION 8 below.
6.4 OWNERSHIP OF CLAIMS. The Company and Consultant hereby
represent and warrant to each other that each is the owner and holder of all
claims being released herein, and that neither has transferred, assigned or
conveyed any such claim being released herein.
7. COMPENSATION.
7.1 ANNUAL COMPENSATION. As compensation for the consulting
services under this Agreement and in consideration for other promises and
covenants of Consultant, the Company shall pay to Consultant the following
annual amounts:
(a) Beginning on the Commencement Date, the amount
of $550,000 for the first year during the Term of this Agreement shall be paid
by the Company to Consultant, payable monthly on or prior to the tenth (10th)
day of each month; provided, however, such payments shall be prorated for the
remaining days beginning with the Commencement Date in the first month and any
other partial month during such period.
(b) Beginning on the date of the first anniversary
of the Commencement
11
Date, the amount of $400,000 for the next succeeding year during the Term of
this Agreement shall be paid by the Company to Consultant, payable monthly on or
prior to the tenth (10th) day of each month; provided, however, such payments
shall be prorated for the remaining days beginning with the anniversary of the
Commencement Date in the first month and any other partial month during such
period.
(c) Beginning on the date of each of the second and
third anniversaries of the Commencement Date, the amount equal to the lesser of
$400,000 or 3.5% of the Company's Net Income (as defined below) for each of the
two annual periods, shall be paid by the Company to Consultant as follows:
(i) the minimum amount of $250,000 for each
such annual period shall be paid by the Company to Consultant, payable monthly
(subject to the limitation set forth in SECTION 7.1(d) below) on or prior to the
tenth (10th) day of each month (the "MONTHLY PAYMENTS"); provided, however, such
payments shall be prorated for any partial month during such annual period; plus
(ii) within forty five (45) days after the
end of each calendar quarter that relates to such annual period, the Company
shall pay Consultant the amount equal to (A) 3.5% of the Company's Net Income
for such calendar quarter, pro rated for the number of days elapsed during such
quarter that relate to the applicable annual period (the "CONSULTANT'S SHARE OF
NET INCOME") less (B)(1) the amount of Monthly Payments paid to Consultant
during such calendar quarter (or applicable portion thereof), and (2) any
credits from prior quarterly periods (a "Quarterly Payment"). If the
Consultant's Share of Net Income for such calendar quarter (or applicable
portion thereof) is less than the aggregate amount of Monthly Payments paid to
Consultant during such calendar quarter (or applicable portion thereof), such
deficiency shall be a credit against any future payments of Consultant's Share
of Net Income due for such annual period. So long as this Agreement remains in
effect, Consultant shall receive not less than $250,000, or more than $400,000,
annually during the third and fourth years of this agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained above to the
contrary, the aggregate amount of the Monthly Payments and the Quarterly
Payments during either of the annual periods contemplated in SECTION 7.1(c)
above shall not exceed the lesser of $400,000 or 3.5% of the Company`s Net
Income for such annual period (subject to the minimum annual payment of
$250,000). On the other hand, if the aggregate amount of the Monthly Payments
and the Quarterly Payments during either or both of the annual periods
contemplated in SECTION 7.1(c) above shall be less than $400,000 (the "NET
INCOME DEFICIENCY"), the aggregate amount of such Net Income Deficiency shall be
due and payable to Consultant beginning on the date of the fourth anniversary of
the Commencement Date and ending on the day prior to the fifth anniversary of
the Commencement Date, and shall be paid by the Company to Consultant, payable
in twelve equal amounts monthly on or prior to the tenth (10th) day of each
month; provided, however, such payments shall be prorated for any partial month
during such period. So long as Consultant has performed all obligations required
to be performed by him under this Agreement, Consultant shall receive not less
than $1.75 million during the full Term hereof.
(e) For purposes of this SECTION 7.1, the term "NET
INCOME" shall mean the
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net income of the Company applicable to common stockholders, as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and consistent with the
Company's reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
7.2 SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION. The Company shall pay to
Consultant a monthly cash payment, payable on or prior to the tenth (10th) day
of each month beginning in the first full month following the Commencement Date,
equal to $500 for the first forty-eight (48) full calendar months during the
Term of this Agreement; provided, however, the Company shall be entitled to pay
the monthly amounts contemplated by this SECTION 7.2 in advance for twelve (12)
full calendar months if the Company pays the Consultant $6,000 prior to the
tenth (10th) day of the first full calendar month following the Commencement
Date or anniversary thereof. At the termination of this Agreement, provided
Consultant has been paid in full amounts as required under this Agreement,
Consultant shall serve as an expert witness as needed for the Company at the
Company's sole discretion and shall be paid at an hourly rate of $300 with a
daily maximum of $3600.00, payable monthly, provided that Consultant is not
otherwise conflicted or prohibited from such activity.
7.3 ASSIGNMENT OF NON-UNITED STATES ARMD PATENTS.
(a) As further compensation for the consulting
services under this Agreement and in further consideration for other promises
and covenants of Consultant, the Company shall, effective upon the RPO Closing,
assign and transfer to Consultant the full and exclusive right, title and
interest in and to all of the non-United States patent applications and foreign
Letters Patent directed to the treatment of ARMD, as well as any non-United
States continuation, division, renewal, substitute or foreign reissue thereof
for the full term or terms for which the same may be granted, a complete list of
which the Company represents is attached as EXHIBIT B hereto. The Company shall
retain the full and exclusive right, title and interest in and to all of the
United States patent applications and domestic Letters Patent, as well as any
United States continuation, division, renewal, substitute or domestic reissue
thereof for the full term or terms for which the same may be granted. The
Company shall designate from time to time, in its sole discretion, a United
States law firm responsible for maintaining all patent applications and Letters
Patent directed to the treatment of ARMD. The Company shall bear only the costs
related to legal fees and expenses associated with the United States patent
applications and domestic Letters Patent. Effective as of the RPO Closing,
Consultant, at his sole and exclusive discretion, shall have the right, but not
the obligation, to bear the costs related to all legal fees and expenses
associated with the non-United States patent applications and foreign Letters
Patent, including all costs of foreign counsel and foreign agents, and all other
costs directly associated with maintaining the non-United States patent
applications and foreign Letters Patent, including PCT-based patent
applications. Consultant agrees during the Term to cooperate with the Company
and the designated United States law firm to maintain all ARMD Letters Patent
and to assist in the continued and consistent prosecution of all ARMD patent
applications.
(b) With reference to any new patent applications
for ARMD as discussed in SECTION 4.1, Consultant agrees that during the first
two (2) years of the Term, any new inventions and all related United States
patent applications for ARMD (collectively, "WORK PRODUCT", including any
domestic Letters Patent to issue thereon) will belong exclusively to the
Company, and, to the
13
maximum extent possible, will be considered a "work made for hire," as defined
in 17 U.S.C. Section 101 (Section 101 of the Copyright Act of 1976), for the
Company. To the extent any such Work Product is determined not to be a work made
for hire for the Company, Consultant agrees during the first two (2) years of
the Term to assign such Work Product, and will and does automatically assign, at
the time of creation of any such Work Product, without a requirement of further
consideration, and regardless of any right, title or interest Consultant may
have in any such Work Product, to the Company for the United States. Consultant
agrees to promptly communicate and disclose, in writing, to the management of
the Company any and all Work Product that Consultant authors, conceives,
creates, develops, makes, modifies or otherwise invents, either solely or
jointly with others, during the first two (2) years of the Term and subject to
SECTION 5 hereof. Consultant agrees to and does hereby assign, grant and convey
to the Company Consultant's entire right, title and interest in and to any and
all such Work Product in the United States. The Company acknowledges and agrees
that, from and after the Commencement Date, Consultant retains the exclusive
right, title and interest in and to any and all such Work Product outside the
United States, including any foreign Letters Patent that may issue thereon. The
Consultant acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Commencement Date,
the Company retains the exclusive right, title and interest in and to any and
all Work Product in the United States, including any domestic Letters Patent
that may issue thereon, for any and all enhancements to or modifications of any
United States patent applications or domestic Letters Patent relating to ARMD
existing as of the date hereof and necessitating a claim of priority thereto.
The Parties acknowledge and agree that, from and after the first two (2) years
of the Term, any and all Work Product, including any Letters Patent that may
issue thereon, relating to ARMD and not necessitating a claim of priority to any
United States patent applications or domestic Letters Patent existing as of the
date hereof shall belong exclusively to Consultant.
(c) COMPANY RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
(i) In the event that Consultant (A)
receives a bona fide offer for the purchase or license of all or a part of the
non-United States patent applications and foreign Letters Patent directed to the
treatment of ARMD, as well as any continuation, division, renewal, substitute or
reissue thereof (or any rights or interests therein) that Consultant wishes to
accept (the "OFFERED NON-US PATENTS"), or (B) determines to cease to bear the
costs to maintain or otherwise determines to abandon all or any part of the
non-United States patent applications and foreign Letters Patent directed to the
treatment of ARMD, as well as any continuation, division, renewal, substitute or
reissue thereof (or any rights or interests therein) (the "ABANDONED NON-US
PATENTS"), Consultant agrees to give written notice of such offer or abandonment
to the Company. In the case of an offer, the notice must set forth the name of
the proposed transferee, the price, and all other terms and conditions of the
proposed transfer, and must be accompanied by a copy of such bona fide offer. In
the case of an abandonment, the notice must set forth the costs required to be
paid to maintain such patents and the dates by which such payments are required,
which dates must be no sooner than forty-five (45) days after the date of the
notice, unless such notice is not possible through no fault of Consultant, in
which case, such notice shall be given as soon as is practicable.
(ii) Upon receipt of the notice with respect
to an offer, the Company will have the exclusive right and option, exercisable
at any time during a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, to
purchase any of the Offered Non-US Patents upon the same terms and conditions as
contained in the offer from the third party. If the offer from the third party
is
14
for consideration other than money, the Company may substitute, for such other
consideration, an amount of money that would have a fair market value equivalent
to such other consideration as determined under the provisions set forth in
SECTION 7.3(e) below. If the Company decides to exercise its option to purchase
any of the Offered Non-US Patents, it will give written notice to that effect to
Consultant.
(iii) If the Company elects to purchase less
than all of the Offered Non-US Patents, the Company will give written notice to
that effect to Consultant, and Consultant will have the right to transfer all of
the Offered Non-US Patents not elected to be purchased by the Company to the
third party purchaser, pursuant to the terms of the offer. In the event that the
third party fails to purchase the Offered Non-US Patents not elected to be
purchased by the Company within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice from
the Company that all or a portion of the Offered Non-US Patents will not be
purchased by the Company, the Company shall not be obligated to purchase the
Offered Non-US Patents that it elected to purchase and any subsequent offers for
such must be made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(iv) Upon receipt of the notice with respect
to an abandonment, the Company will have the exclusive right and option,
exercisable at any time during a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the
notice, to purchase any of the Abandoned Non-US Patents by agreeing to assume
all the costs of the maintenance thereof. If the Company decides to exercise its
option to purchase any of the Abandoned Non-US Patents, it will give written
notice to that effect to Consultant.
(v) Notwithstanding anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary, the RPO and transactions contemplated by the RPO
Term Sheet shall not constitute a bona fide offer for the purchase of all or a
part of the non-United States patent applications and foreign Letters Patent
directed to the treatment of ARMD, as well as any continuation, division,
renewal, substitute or reissue thereof (or any rights or interests therein).
(d) CONSULTANT RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.
(i) In the event that the Company (A)
receives a bona fide offer for the purchase or license of all or a part of the
United States patent applications and domestic Letters Patent directed to the
treatment of ARMD, as well as any continuation, division, renewal, substitute or
reissue thereof (or any rights or interests therein) during the Term that the
Company wishes to accept (the "OFFERED US PATENTS"), or (B) determines to cease
to bear the costs to maintain or otherwise determines to abandon all or any part
of the United States patent applications and domestic Letters Patent directed to
the treatment of ARMD, as well as any continuation, division, renewal,
substitute or reissue thereof (or any rights or interests therein) (the
"Abandoned US Patents"), the Company agrees to give written notice of such offer
or abandonment to Consultant. In the case of an offer, the notice must set forth
the name of the proposed transferee, the price, and all other terms and
conditions of the proposed transfer, and must be accompanied by a copy of such
bona fide offer. In the case of an abandonment, the notice must set forth the
costs required to be paid to maintain such patents and the dates by which such
payments are required, which dates must be no sooner than
15
forty-five (45) days after the date of the notice, unless such notice is not
possible through no fault of the Company, in which case such notice shall be
given as soon as is practicable.
(ii) Upon receipt of the notice with respect
to an offer, Consultant will have the exclusive right and option, exercisable at
any time during a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, to
purchase any of the Offered US Patents upon the same terms and conditions as
contained in the offer from the third party. If the offer from the third party
is for consideration other than money, the Consultant may substitute, for such
other consideration, an amount of money that would have a fair market value
equivalent to such other consideration as determined under the provisions set
forth in SECTION 7.3(e) below. If Consultant decides to exercise its option to
purchase any of the Offered US Patents, it will give written notice to that
effect to the Company.
(iii) If Consultant elects to purchase less
than all of the Offered US Patents, Consultant will give written notice to that
effect to the Company, and the Company will have the right to transfer all of
the Offered US Patents not elected to be purchased by Consultant to the third
party purchaser, pursuant to the terms of the offer. In the event that the third
party fails to purchase the Offered US Patents not elected to be purchased by
Consultant within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice from Consultant
that all or a portion of the Offered US Patents will not be purchased by
Consultant, Consultant shall not be obligated to purchase the Offered US Patents
that it elected to purchase and any subsequent offers for such must be made
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(iv) Upon receipt of the notice with respect
to an abandonment, Consultant will have the exclusive right and option,
exercisable at any time during a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the
notice, to purchase any of the Abandoned US Patents by agreeing to assume all
the costs of the maintenance thereof. If Consultant decides to exercise his
option to purchase any of the Abandoned US Patents, he will give written notice
to that effect to the Company.
(v) Notwithstanding anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary, the RPO and transactions contemplated by the RPO
Term Sheet shall not constitute a bona fide offer for the purchase of all or a
part of the United States patent applications and domestic Letters Patent
directed to the treatment of ARMD, as well as any continuation, division,
renewal, substitute or reissue thereof (or any rights or interests therein).
(e) If either the Company or the Consultant receive
an offer from a third party to purchase all or a portion of the patent rights
described in SECTIONS 7.3 (c)(ii) OR (d)(ii) for consideration other than money,
the parties shall first attempt to agree upon an amount that represents the fair
market value in money for such patent rights. If the parties are unable to reach
such an agreement with ten days of the date of the notice to the other party
advising of such non-monetary offer, the parties shall each designate (and pay
for) an appropriately credentialed and licensed appraiser to appraise the fair
market value of the consideration being offered. If the two designated
appraisers are unable to reach an agreement on the fair market value of the
consideration being appraised within twenty days from the date notice of the
option is given by the selling party, the two designated appraisers shall pick a
third appraiser to appraise the fair market value of the
16
consideration at issue and that person's appraisal shall be binding on both
parties as fair market value of the consideration being appraised.
(f) In the event that the Company sells or abandons
all of the United States patent applications and domestic Letters Patent for
ARMD, the Company's obligation to pay costs related to legal fees and expenses
associated with the United States law firm will terminate immediately and
completely.
(g) Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, following the occurrence of a material breach of this
Agreement by Consultant and a termination of this Agreement for Cause, all
assets of the Company that were assigned or transferred to Consultant pursuant
to this SECTION 7.3 shall be automatically assigned and transferred back to the
Company, without the requirement of further consideration, and this SECTION 7.3
shall then become null and void and of no further force and effect; provided,
however, that if Consultant in good faith disputes the termination for Cause
(and material breach allegations) and seeks legal redress to challenge such
termination (and alleged material breach), the foregoing provision shall be
effective only upon a final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction
that such termination was proper and a material breach occurred.
7.4 SECURITY INTEREST. On the RPO Closing date, the Company
hereby agrees, as security for the payment of the amounts contemplated in
SECTION 7.1, to grant to Consultant a security interest in certain patent rights
of the Company relating to the single element variable focus lens and ARMD
devices and patent applications pursuant to and as set forth in that certain
Security Agreement, a copy of which is attached as EXHIBIT C hereto (the
"SECURITY AGREEMENT"). Consultant's security interest rights under this SECTION
7.4 and in the Security Agreement are in addition to an not in lieu of any other
legal rights and remedies of Consultant in the event the Company breaches this
Agreement and/or is placed in any bankruptcy proceeding. Consultant may perfect
such security interest at his own expense, should he choose to do so.
8. LIMITED PROXY.
8.1 Effective on the date hereof, Consultant hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
(as elected or appointed from time to time by the Board), as Consultant's sole
and exclusive and true and lawful attorney-in-fact, agent and proxy, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution: (i) to vote all of the shares of
capital stock of the Company owned or controlled by Consultant (the "SHARES"),
at all annual, special and other meetings of the stockholders of the Company
solely in connection with the RPO (or by written consent in lieu thereof) and at
any other time the Shares are required to or may be voted; and (ii) to give or
withhold or cause to be withheld written consent with respect to the Shares,
solely in connection with the RPO and the following related transactions as
described in the RPO Term Sheet: approval, adoption or ratification of the
following actions: the pre-merger reverse split of common shares of the Company;
the Company's amended and restated stock option plan; the merger of the Company
with a subsidiary of Refocus Group, Inc. ("Refocus"), and the related merger
agreement; any amendment to the certificate of incorporation of Refocus to
change the corporate name following the merger; election of directors of Refocus
as named in the RPO Term Sheet; establishment of a classified board of directors
for Refocus; and appointment of Deloitte & Touche as the auditors of Refocus
17
(collectively, the "RPO Transactions"). Subject to the foregoing sentence, such
power to act shall include, but not be limited to, the exercise of all rights to
call meetings, give notice for any purpose permitted by the certificate of
incorporation, bylaws or resolutions of the Company, and any other rights
granted to the stockholders by the certificate of incorporation, bylaws,
resolutions or applicable corporate law to participate in the affairs of the
Company. However, such proxy is expressly limited to the RPO Transactions and
for no other purpose whatsoever.
8.2 Upon execution of this Agreement, Consultant hereby
delivers Limited Proxies, each in the form attached as EXHIBIT D hereto, that
constitute and appoint the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (as elected or
appointed from time to time by the Board), as their sole and exclusive and true
and lawful attorney-in-fact, agent and proxy, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution: (i) to vote all of the shares of capital stock of the
Company owned, beneficially or otherwise, by Consultant's immediate family or
held or controlled by executors, trustees, custodians, administrators,
representatives or in other similar capacities for the benefit of Consultant or
his immediate family ("FAMILY SHARES"), at all annual, special and other
meetings of the stockholders of the Company (or by written consent in lieu
thereof) and at any other time the Family Shares are required to or may be voted
solely in connection with the RPO; and (ii) to give or withhold or cause to be
withheld written consent with respect to the Family Shares, solely in connection
with the RPO Transactions. Subject to the foregoing sentence, such power to act
shall include, but not be limited to, the exercise of all rights to call
meetings, give notice for any purpose permitted by the certificate of
incorporation, bylaws or resolutions of the Company, and any other rights
granted to the stockholders by the certificate of incorporation, bylaws,
resolutions or applicable corporate law to participate in the affairs of the
Company. However, such proxy is expressly limited to the RPO Transactions and
for no other purpose whatsoever. If the RPO Closing does not occur by March 31,
2003, the proxies for the Consultant's shares and the Family Shares, from and
after that date, shall be void and of no further force and effect whatsoever for
any purpose.
8.3 The appointments and limited proxies granted to the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to this SECTION 8 solely in
connection with the RPO Transactions are coupled with an interest and thereby
made irrevocable under applicable Delaware law and shall survive the death,
incompetence, disability, liquidation or dissolution of Consultant and the
person, entity or organization who grants such with respect to the Family
Shares. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the proxies granted
hereby shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the approval of all of the RPO
Transactions or (ii) the date ninety (90) days following the RPO Closing. At
such time, all proxies shall revert back to Consultant and his family and shall
be of no further force and effect whatsoever for any purpose.
8.4 Consultant hereby waives, and covenants and agrees to
use his best efforts to cause any person, entity or organization who grants said
appointment or limited proxy pursuant to SECTION 8.2 hereof to waive, any
argument that the coupled interest is insufficient to make the appointments and
limited proxies granted pursuant to this SECTION 8 unenforceable.
9. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company agrees that it will
indemnify Consultant against claims, lawsuits and investigations (collectively,
"CLAIMS") that have been or may be asserted against him by third parties or
government agencies including but not limited to any class actions or
stockholders derivative suits relating to the Company or successor or assigns
arising out of the
18
conduct of the business of the Company by Consultant, and will pay the
reasonable expenses of defense of such Claims incurred by Consultant, (i) in his
capacity as an officer or director of the Company prior to the date of this
Agreement to the extent provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
of the Company in effect on the date hereof, and (ii) in his capacity as a
consultant to the Company from and after the date of the Agreement, in each case
to the extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent
with the scope of indemnification and procedures provided under the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws applicable to officers or directors of
the Company in existence as of the date of demand for indemnification.
Consultant agrees to permit the Company's counsel to handle the defense of such
Claims (and Consultant agrees to sign such agreements and/or consents of such
counsel to provide joint representation as may be required under any Code of
Professional Responsibility), except in such situations where the Company's
counsel reasonably determines that Consultant's interests and defenses in such
Claims are so divergent from those of the Company so as to warrant separate
representation by independent counsel, in which case Consultant may retain
separate counsel at the Company's expense. Consultant agrees to cooperate with
the Company in the defense of the Claims, including, but not limited to, claims
arising from litigation filed or threatened against the Company as of the date
hereof and other matters. Such cooperation shall include, but not be limited to,
Consultant making himself available in the preparation of the Company's defense,
as a witness for depositions, and trial of such Claims at no charge to the
Company (except for reasonable travel expenses if necessary, incurred at the
request and with the prior approval of the Company). In the event the Company
claims that the Company is not required to indemnify Consultant pursuant hereto,
the Company shall provide Consultant, within ten (10) days of Consultant making
such claim for indemnification, with written notice to such effect, and setting
forth in reasonable detail the grounds therefor.
10. WAIVER OF RE-EMPLOYMENT. Consultant agrees not to knowingly seek
employment with, or to submit an application to, the Company at any time in the
future.
11. ASSIGNMENT. Consultant shall not assign, without the Company's
prior written consent, this Agreement, or any right or obligation hereunder, and
any and all assignments without such prior written consent shall be null and
void. The Company may assign the entirety of this Agreement to any person, firm,
corporation or other business organization with the consent of Consultant, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, at any time.
12. RETURN OF PROPERTY. Consultant acknowledges that all computers,
credit cards, telephones, pagers, PDA's, equipment, memoranda, notes, records,
reports, manuals, handbooks, drawings, blueprints, books, papers, letters,
formulas, client and customer lists, contracts, products, product samples,
software programs, instruction books, catalogs, information and records, lines
of code, technical manuals and documentation, drafts of instructions, guides and
manuals, maintenance manuals, sales information and aids relating to the
Company's business, certain assets of the Company temporarily stored and/or
located at the Xxxxxxx site or other sites, and any and all other documents
containing Confidential Information furnished to Consultant by any
representative of the Company or otherwise acquired or developed by Consultant
in connection with his employment with the Company or his services hereunder,
other than such property directly related to the assets assigned to Consultant
pursuant to SECTION 7.3 hereof (collectively, "RECIPIENT MATERIALS"), shall at
all times be the property of the Company. If the Company so requests, within
seven (7) days of such request, Consultant shall
19
make available to the Company any Recipient Materials which are in his
possession, custody or control, including Recipient Materials retained by
Consultant in his office, automobile or home. If any such information,
documentation, or material is stored on the Consultant's personal computer or
disk drive, this fact should be disclosed to the Company within seven (7) days
of the request by the Company for the Recipient Materials so that an appropriate
course of action may be taken.
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
13.1 NOTICES. Any notice to be given hereunder is to be given
in writing by either party to the other and delivered or sent by prepaid airmail
post, any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or facsimile transmission
addressed to the address set forth opposite each party's name below or such
other address as may be notified by one party to the other for such purposes and
shall be deemed to be served, in the case of airmail post, three days after
posting; in the case of courier guaranteeing overnight delivery, the next
business day if timely delivered to such courier; and in the case of facsimile
transmission, immediately upon successful transmission.
13.2 HEADINGS; PRONOUNS. The headings of the paragraphs of
this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be
considered and construed in this Agreement. When the context so requires in this
Agreement, the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter, and the
singular number includes the plural, and vice versa.
13.3 SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.
13.4 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas except to the
extent they are preempted or superceded by the laws of the United States, and
the parties agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of Texas with venue
for any dispute in Dallas, Texas.
13.5 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, all of which shall be deemed originals, but which counterparts
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
13.6 BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs,
representatives, successors and assigns. Whenever a reference to any party is
made herein, such reference shall be deemed to include a reference to the heirs,
executors, representatives, successors and assigns of such party, and in the
case of the Company, specifically including any parent, subsidiary or successor
entities.
13.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including the exhibits
attached hereto or otherwise executed in connection herewith, contains the
entire agreement between the parties hereto
20
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreement
with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. No
variations, modifications or changes herein or hereof shall be binding upon any
party unless set forth in a document duly executed by or on behalf of such
party.
13.8 MEDIATION. If it is not possible to resolve matters
informally and a party has a legal claim against the other, the Company and
Consultant will be required to engage in a one (1) day external mediation before
they can commence litigation. The mediation will occur under the auspices of
JAMS/Endispute, a for-profit organization established in 1981 ("JAMS") unless
the parties agree otherwise. The parties hereto agree to participate in the
mediation in good faith. The Company will pay the cost of the one (1) day
mediation. If either party chooses to be represented by counsel, each party will
be responsible for his or its own attorneys' fees; provided, however, a mediated
settlement may include reasonable attorneys' fees as agreed upon by the parties.
13.10 FREE WILL. The Company and Consultant acknowledge that
each has had an opportunity to consult with his or its respective attorneys or
advisors concerning the meaning, import, and legal significance of this
Agreement, and each has read this Agreement, as signified by their signatures
hereto, and are voluntarily executing same after advice of counsel or advisors
for the purposes and consideration herein expressed.
13.11 GOOD FAITH PERFORMANCE. The Company and Consultant
hereby agree to perform all their obligations under this Agreement in good
faith.
* * * *
21
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day
and year above first written.
CONSULTANT:
ADDRESS: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxx --------------------------------------
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, M.D., PhD.
Fax: (000)000-0000
COMPANY:
PRESBY CORP.
ADDRESS:
Presby Corp.
10300 North Central Expressway By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
Suite 104 -----------------------------------
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 Name: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000 Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
22
EXHIBIT A
Description of Non-Material Deficiencies in the IP Portfolio
NONE
00
XXXXXXX X
XXX-XXXXXX XXXXXX PATENT APPLICATIONS AND FOREIGN LETTERS
PATENT DIRECTED TO THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR
DEGENERATION
SERIAL NO./ FILING DATE/
PUBLICATION. PUBLICATION
TITLE COUNTRY NO./ PATENT NO. DATE /ISSUE DATE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT PCT PCT/US99/25655 11/02/99
OF MACULAR DEGENERATION WO 00/25703 05/11/00
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Argentina 99-105570 11/03/99
DEGENERATION AND OTHER EYE DISORDERS
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Taiwan 88119102 11/03/99
DEGENERATION AND OTHER EYE DISORDERS NI-139969 09/11/01
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Australia 13357/00 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Brazil 9914997-4 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Canada 2,349,175 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR China (not yet assigned) 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR XXX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 0000-0000 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Europe 99956830.6 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Eurasia 200100497 11/02/99
DEGENERATION 002534 06/27/02
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Hungary P0104081 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Indonesia 200100984 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Israel 142950 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Japan 2000-579150 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Mexico 1004384 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR New Zealand 511491 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Norway 20012160 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Poland P-347942 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Singapore 200102530-3 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR South Korea 2001-7005602 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR India IN/PCT/2001,00384/DEL 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR South Africa 2001/3579 11/02/99
DEGENERATION 2001/3579 01/30/02
24
DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR Hong Kong 02101217.3 11/02/99
DEGENERATION
25
EXHIBIT C
SECURITY AGREEMENT
26
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF LIMITED PROXY
27
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER
28
