DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Exhibit 10.78
DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
April 2, 2013
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
[Personal ADDRESS]
Via email: [Personal EMAIL]
Re: | Executive Employment Terms |
Dear Xxxxx:
On behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Dynavax Technologies Corporation (the “Company”), I am pleased to offer you employment at the Company on the terms set forth in this offer letter agreement (the “Agreement”). Your employment shall commence on or before June 1, 2013.
Employment and Board Positions and Duties
You will be employed as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and you will report to the Board. You will have those duties and responsibilities as customary for a CEO and as may be directed by the Board. You will be based in, and work from, the Company’s corporate headquarters in Berkeley, California, and your position will entail business travel. On or promptly after the commencement of your employment, the Company will use its best efforts to appoint you as a member of the Board during your service as CEO. In the event of the termination of your employment for any reason (whether at your request or the Company’s request), or your removal from the position of CEO, you agree to promptly resign as a member of the Board, effective no later than such termination or removal date. During your employment with the Company, you will devote your full-time best efforts to the business of the Company.
Base Salary and Employee Benefits
Your base salary will be paid at the initial rate of $41,666.67 per month (an annual rate of $500,000), less standard payroll deductions and tax withholdings. You will be paid your base salary on a semi-monthly basis, on the Company’s normal payroll schedule. As an exempt salaried employee, you will be required to work the Company’s normal business hours, and such additional time as appropriate for your work assignments and positions. You will not be eligible for extra payment under the overtime laws.
As a regular full-time employee, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s standard employee benefits (pursuant to the terms and conditions of the benefit plans and applicable policies), including but not limited to: medical insurance, paid holidays, life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401(k) plan, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As a member of the Company’s executive team, you will not accrue vacation or paid time off, although you will be eligible to take paid time off under the Company’s Personal Time-Off Policy.
The Board will review your base salary for potential modification on an annual basis, provided that, the Board may not decrease your base salary except proportionately in connection with an across-the-board decrease of base salaries applicable to all senior executives of the Company.
Annual Discretionary Incentive Bonus
In this position, you will be eligible to earn an annual incentive bonus at the target amount of sixty percent (60%) of your base salary, as determined within the discretion of the Board. The incentive bonus will be based upon performance with respect to both corporate and individual milestones to be determined within the discretion of the Board. Following the close of each calendar year, the Board will determine whether you have earned an incentive bonus, and the amount of any incentive bonus. Generally, incentive bonuses are paid in the first quarter of the following year. You must be an employee in good standing on the bonus payment date to be eligible to receive a
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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bonus. Incentive bonuses are not guaranteed, with the exception that, with respect to the 2013 incentive bonus (to be paid in the first quarter of 2014), you will receive a 2013 incentive bonus payment calculated at the target amount and prorated for the period of your actual employment in 2013, if you remain an employee in good standing on the 2013 bonus payment date.
Relocation Bonus
You will receive a one-time cash bonus in the amount of $200,000 (the “Relocation Bonus”), subject to required payroll deductions and tax withholdings, to be paid on the first regular payroll date following your commencement of employment. As discussed, the Relocation Bonus is intended to be used for your costs incurred in connection with your relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area, including but not limited to moving expenses, flights, temporary housing, shipment of goods, legal fees, and tax advice. The Relocation Bonus is the only form of relocation assistance that the Company will provide you, regardless of whether your total costs exceed the amount of the Relocation Bonus, and you will not be eligible for any additional payments for reimbursement of expenses, tax assistance or equalization, or the like. In addition, if you voluntarily terminate your employment prior to the one-year anniversary of your start date, you are required to repay the full amount of the Relocation Bonus to the Company, to be paid within thirty (30) days after your resignation date.
Stock Options
The Company shall grant you stock options under the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) as follows: (a) an initial stock option grant to purchase 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Hire Option”) on or promptly following your hire date; and (b) a second stock option grant to purchase 750,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Second Option”) shall be made on the date of the first Board meeting of 2014 (provided that you continue in the position of CEO through such time). You will also be eligible for consideration by the Board of an additional “merit” stock option grant based upon your performance in 2013 (the “Merit Option”), provided that you remain employed through the date that annual merit grants are routinely considered by the Board.
If granted, the exercise prices for the Hire Option, Second Option, and Merit Option, will be set at the fair market value of the Common Stock as in effect on the date of each such grant, and each such Option will be subject to a four-year vesting period conditioned upon your “Continuous Service” (as defined in the Equity Plan), with twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares subject to each Option vesting on the one year anniversary of the applicable vesting commencement date, and one-forty-eighth (1/48th) of the shares subject to each Option vesting thereafter for each month of your Continuous Service. Your Options will be governed by the terms and conditions of the Equity Plan and your individual Option agreements.
In addition to the four-year vesting schedules discussed above, the Options will be subject to accelerated vesting under certain circumstances as provided in the Management Continuity and Severance Agreement between you and the Company (as provided further below).
Compliance With Proprietary Information Agreement and Company Policies
As a condition of employment, you must sign and comply with the Company’s standard form of Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (the “Proprietary Information Agreement”), enclosed with this letter. In addition, you will be expected to abide by the Company’s policies and procedures, as they may be modified from time to time within the Company’s discretion, and acknowledge in writing that you have read and will comply with the Company’s Employee Handbook (and provide additional such acknowledgements as the Handbook may be modified from time to time).
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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Protection of Third Party Information
In your work for the Company, you will be expected not to make any unauthorized use or disclosure of any confidential information or materials, including trade secrets, of any former employer or other third party; and not to violate any lawful agreement that you may have with any third party. By signing this letter, you represent that you are able to perform your job duties within these guidelines, and you are not in unauthorized possession or control of any confidential documents, information, or other property of any former employer. In addition, you represent that you have disclosed to the Company in writing any agreement you may have with any third party (e.g., a former employer) which may limit your ability to perform your duties to the Company or which could present a conflict of interest with the Company.
Outside Activities
Throughout your employment with the Company, you may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of your duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company. Subject to the restrictions set forth herein, and with prior written disclosure to and consent of the Board, you may serve as a director of other corporations and may devote a reasonable amount of your time to other types of business or public activities (including charitable activities) not expressly mentioned in this paragraph. The Board may rescind such consent, if the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that such activities compromise or threaten to compromise the Company’s business interests or conflict with your duties to the Company.
During your employment by the Company, you will not, without the express written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly serve as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, proprietor, investor, joint venturer, associate, representative or consultant of any person or entity engaged in, or planning or preparing to engage in, business activity competitive with any line of business engaged in (or planned to be engaged in) by the Company; provided, however, that you may purchase or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) one percent (1%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without participating in the activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange.
At-Will Employment Relationship
Your employment relationship with the Company is at-will. Accordingly, you may terminate your employment with the Company at any time and for any reason whatsoever simply by notifying the Company; and the Company may terminate your employment at any time with or without cause or prior notice.
Severance Benefits
You will be eligible for certain severance benefits in connection with the termination of your employment under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Management Continuity and Severance Agreement enclosed with this letter.
Dispute Resolution
To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise under or relate to this Agreement or your employment relationship, you and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, arising from or relating to the performance, enforcement, execution, or interpretation of this Agreement, your employment or the termination of your employment (collectively, “Claims”), shall be resolved to the fullest
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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extent permitted by law, by final, binding, and (to the extent permitted by law) confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) before a single arbitrator in San Francisco, California in accordance with the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures (which are available for review at xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx/). Claims subject to this arbitration provision shall include, but not be limited to: Claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law or statute, including (without limitation) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; the federal Fair Labor Standards Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; and Claims in contract, tort, or common law, including (without limitation) Claims for breach of contract or other promise, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation and/or emotional distress; provided, however, that this provision shall exclude Claims that by law are not subject to arbitration. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of all Claims and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision including the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. The Company shall pay all JAMS fees in excess of the amount of filing and other court-related fees you would have been required to pay if the Claims were asserted in a court of law. You and the Company acknowledge that, by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive the right to resolve any Claims through a trial by jury or judge or by administrative proceeding. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent either you or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Any awards or orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction.
Miscellaneous
As required by federal law, this offer is contingent upon satisfactory proof of your identity and right to work in the United States. As discussed, the Company anticipates that you will be able to obtain authorization to work in the United States pursuant to an O-Visa, and your employment shall commence at a mutually agreeable time reasonably promptly after the O-Visa (or other work authorization) is obtained. This Agreement, together with your Proprietary Information Agreement and Management Continuity and Severance Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive statement of your employment agreement with the Company. It supersedes any other agreements or promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written. Changes in your employment terms, other than those changes expressly reserved to the Board’s discretion in this Agreement, require a written modification approved by the Board and signed by you and a duly authorized member of the Board. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state of California, without reference to conflicts of law principles. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and such provision will be reformed, construed and enforced so as to render it valid and enforceable consistent with the general intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. With respect to the enforcement of this Agreement, no waiver of any right hereunder shall be effective unless it is in writing. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which shall be deemed to be part of one original, and facsimile signatures and signatures transmitted by PDF file, shall be equivalent to original signatures.
To accept employment at the Company under the terms described above, please sign and date this letter and return it to me no later than April 30, 2013. If it is not accepted by that date, our offer of employment will expire. Please let me know if you have any questions about the terms set forth in this letter.
We are delighted to be making this offer. The Board looks forward to your favorable reply and to a productive and enjoyable work relationship.
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx M.D. |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, M.D. |
Member, Board of Directors |
Reviewed, Understood, and Accepted:
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx |
April 3, 2013 | |||
Xxxxx Xxxx | Date |
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT
In consideration of my employment or continued employment by DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (the “Company”), and the compensation now and hereafter paid to me for such services, I hereby agree as follows:
Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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Mr. Xxxxx Xxxx
April 2, 2013
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EXHIBIT A
TO: | DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION | |
FROM: | Xxxxx Xxxx | |
Printed Name | ||
DATE: | April 3, 2013 | |
SUBJECT: | Previous Inventions |
1. Except as listed in Section 2 below, the following is a complete list of all inventions or improvements relevant to the subject matter of my employment by DYNAVAX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (the “Company”) that have been made or conceived or first reduced to practice by me alone or jointly with others prior to my employment by the Company:
x | No inventions or improvements. | |
¨ | See below: | |
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¨ | Additional sheets attached. |
Due to a prior confidentiality agreement, I cannot complete the disclosure under Section 1 above with respect to inventions or improvements generally listed below, the proprietary rights and duty of confidentiality with respect to which I owe to the following party(ies):
Invention or Improvement | Party(ies) | Relationship | ||||||
1. |
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2. |
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3. |
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¨ | Additional sheets attached. |
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx |
(Signature) |
EXHIBIT B
LIMITED EXCLUSION NOTIFICATION
THIS IS TO NOTIFY you in accordance with Sections 2870 and 2872 of the California Labor Code that the foregoing Agreement between you and the Company does not require you to assign or offer to assign to the Company any invention that you developed entirely on your own time without using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade-secret information except for those inventions that either:
(1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the Company’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company; or
(2) Result from any work performed by you for the Company.
To the extent a provision in the foregoing Agreement purports to require you to assign an invention otherwise excluded from the preceding paragraph, the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.
This limited exclusion does not apply to any patent or invention covered by a contract between the Company and the United States or any of its agencies requiring full title to such patent or invention to be in the United States.