OPTHEA US INC.
Exhibit 4.18
OPTHEA US INC.
October 24, 2023
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
00 0xx Xxxxxx
Apt. 10BF
New York, NY 10003
Re: Employment Terms
Dear Xxxxx:
On behalf of OPTHEA US, INC. (the “Company”), I am pleased to offer you employment at the Company on the terms set forth in this offer letter agreement (the “Agreement”). As discussed, the terms of this Agreement govern with respect to your employment, which is anticipated to start on October 27, 2023 (such actual date of your commencement of employment shall be referred to herein as the “Start Date”).
1. Employment by the Company.
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 2
2. Base Salary and Employee Benefits.
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 3
3. Expenses. The Company will reimburse you for reasonable travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred by you in furtherance of or in connection with the performance of your duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies and practices as in effect from time to time, provided that in all circumstances if cross-continental or international travel is required, then any travel shall, to ensure your are rested and able to perform your duties, be booked at a service level of business-class or higher.
4. Equity Awards.
5. Compliance with Confidentiality Information Agreement and Company Policies. In connection with your employment with the Company, you will receive and have access to Company confidential information and trade secrets. Accordingly, enclosed with this offer letter is an Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) which contains restrictive covenants and prohibits unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information and trade secrets, among other obligations. Please review the Confidentiality Agreement and only sign it after careful consideration. In addition, you are required to abide by the Company’s policies and procedures (including but not limited to the Company’s employee Handbook) to the extent applicable to all C-Suite executive level employees of the Company, as adopted or modified from time to time within the Company’s discretion, and acknowledge in writing that you have read and will comply with such
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 4
policies and procedures (and provide additional such acknowledgements as such policies and procedures may be modified from time to time to the extent such modifications are consistent with this Agreement and the other agreements and documents referenced in this Agreement); provided, however, that in the event the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, now or in the future, this Agreement shall control.
6. Protection of Third Party Information. By signing this Agreement, you are representing that you have full authority to accept this position and perform the duties of the position without conflict with any other obligations and that you are not involved in any situation that might create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest with respect to your loyalty to or duties for the Company. You specifically warrant that you are not subject to an employment agreement or restrictive covenant (if any) preventing full performance of your duties to the Company as contemplated under this Agreement. In addition, you agree not to bring to the Company or use in the performance of your responsibilities at the Company any materials or documents of a former employer that are not generally available to the public, unless you have obtained express written authorization from the former employer for their possession and use. You also agree to honor all post-termination obligations owed (if any) to former employers during your employment with the Company.
7. 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 advance notice provided that the pay, benefits, equity acceleration, and other remuneration contemplated herein, if applicable, are timely paid and effectuated by the Company through and including the effective date of such termination.
8. Severance in the Event of Qualifying Termination. If, at any time, the Company terminates your employment without Cause (including as a result of your death or Disability) or you resign for Good Reason (any such termination referred to as a “Qualifying Termination”), provided such termination or resignation constitutes a Separation from Service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), without regard to any alternative definition thereunder, a “Separation from Service”), then subject to Sections 10 (“Clawback and Recovery”), 12 (“Conditions to Receipt of Severance Benefits or Change of Control Payment (if applicable)”), 13 (“Return of Company Property” and Clause 18 “Exceptions”) below and your continued compliance with the material terms of this Agreement (including without limitation the Confidentiality Agreement), the Company will, subject to reduction due to any restrictions on the provision of such benefits arising under Australian law or the ASX Listing Rules to the extent they may apply (in which case clause 18 will apply), provide you with the following severance benefits (the “Severance Benefits”) in addition to your base salary and other remuneration, reimbursable expenses, and unused vacation through your last day of employment (if and as applicable):
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 5
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 6
9. Payment in Connection with a Change of Control. Subject to Sections 10 (“Clawback and Recovery”), 12 (“Conditions to Receipt of Severance Benefits or Change of Control Payment (if applicable)”), 13 (“Return of Company Property”) and Clause 18 “Exceptions”) below and your continued compliance with the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation the Confidentiality Agreement), then Company will, subject to any restrictions on the making of such payment arising under Australian law or the ASX Listing Rules which may apply, if applicable (in which case clause 18 will apply), pay you an amount equivalent to 50% of your annual base salary then in effect (provided that any reduction in salary, benefits, or other remuneration that served as the basis for a resignation for Good Reason shall be disregarded), within thirty (30) days following the closing of a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Payment”), less payroll deductions and withholdings where applicable. You must either remain employed through the closing date of such Change of Control, or have experienced a Qualifying Termination within thirty (30) days prior to such closing date, to receive the Change of Control Payment.
10. Clawback and Recovery. Any and all Severance Benefits or the Change of Control Payment provided under this Agreement will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company has adopted or is required to adopt pursuant to any applicable listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed (including the Australian Securities Exchange) or as is otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, including the U.S. Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law or rule or regulation thereunder.
11. Resignation Without Good Reason; Termination for Cause. If, at any time, you resign your employment without Good Reason, or the Company terminates your employment for Cause, you will receive your base salary accrued through your last day of employment, as well as all benefits, other remuneration, reimbursable expenses, and any unused vacation (if applicable) accrued through your last day of employment. Under these circumstances, you will not be entitled to any other form of compensation from the Company, including any Severance Benefits, other than your rights to the vested portion of your Option and any other rights to which you are entitled under the Company’s benefit programs.
12. Conditions to Receipt of Severance Benefits or Change of Control Payment (if applicable). Prior to and as a condition to your receipt of the Severance Benefits or the Change of Control Payment (if applicable), you shall execute and deliver to the Company an effective release of claims in favor of and in a form acceptable and the Company (the “Release”) within the timeframe set forth therein, but not later than forty-five (45) days following your Separation from Service date, or with respect to the Change of Control Payment, within forty-five (45) days after such Change of Control Payment) and allow the Release to become effective according to its terms (by not invoking any legal right to revoke it) within any applicable time period set forth therein (such latest permitted effective date, the “Release Deadline”).
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 7
13. Return of Company Property. Upon the termination of your employment for any reason, as a precondition to your receipt of the Severance Benefits, within ten (10) days after your Separation from Service Date (or earlier if requested by the Company), you must return to the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property in your possession, custody or control, including, but not limited to, Company files, notes, financial and operational information, password and account information, customer lists and contact information, prospect information, product and services information, research and development information, drawings, records, plans, forecasts, pipeline reports, sales reports or other reports, payroll information, spreadsheets, studies, analyses, compilations of data, proposals, agreements, sales and marketing information, personnel information, specifications, code, software, databases, computer-recorded information, tangible property and equipment (including, but not limited to, computers, facsimile machines, mobile telephones, tablets, handheld devices, and servers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys, and any materials of any kind which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company, and all reproductions thereof in whole or in part and in any medium. You further agree that you will make a single reasonably diligent search to locate any such documents, property and information and return them to the Company within the timeframe provided above. You also must provide the Company all passwords, log-ins, administrative access, and any other information or access for and relating to any Company computer or other device that you have used to access or use the Company’s network, as well as any Company database or Company accounts with third parties which you established, administered, or to which you had access, and must terminate your access to such network and accounts and otherwise comply with any Company requests regarding all such access and accounts. If requested, you shall deliver to the Company a signed statement certifying compliance with this Section prior to the receipt of the Severance Benefits.
14. Outside Activities. Throughout your employment with the Company, you may engage in personal financial and investment management, may maintain your securities/FINRA licenses with a registered broker-dealer for this purpose, may engage in civic activities, and may engage in not-for-profit activities, so long as any such activities do not interfere with the performance of your duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company. During your employment by the Company, except on behalf of the Company, you will not directly or indirectly become an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, proprietor, investor, joint venturer, associate, representative or consultant of any other person, corporation, firm, partnership or other entity whatsoever known by you to compete with the Company (or is planning or preparing to compete with the Company), anywhere in the world, in 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.
15. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Cause” for termination will mean your (a) commission or conviction (including a guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere) of any felony or any other crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (b) your commission or attempted commission of or participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty or misrepresentation against the Company; (c) material breach of your duties to the Company; (d) intentional damage to any property of the Company; (e) misconduct, or other violation of Company policy that causes harm; (f) your material violation of any written and fully executed contract or agreement between you and the Company, including without limitation, material breach of your Confidentiality Agreement, or of any
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 8
Company policy, or of any statutory duty you owe to the Company; or (g) conduct by you which in the good faith and reasonable determination of the Company demonstrates gross unfitness to serve. The determination that a termination is for Cause shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion acting in good faith.
“Change of Control” shall have the same meaning as “Corporate Control Event” as set forth in the Plan, excluding sections (b) and (h) of such definition; provided, however, that for purposes of the Change of Control Payment, a transaction that does not constitute a “change in control event” under Sections 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) or 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii) of the Treasury Regulations under Code Section 409A (together with any state law of similar effect, “Section 409A”)), will not constitute a Change of Control.
“Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Disability” shall mean your inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
You shall have “Good Reason” for resigning from employment with the Company if any of the following actions are taken by the Company without your prior written consent: (a) a material reduction in your base salary, which the parties agree is a reduction of at least 10% of your base salary (unless pursuant to a salary reduction program applicable generally to the Company’s similarly situated employees); (b) a material reduction in your duties (including responsibilities and/or authorities), provided, however, that a change in job position (including a change in title) shall not be deemed a “material reduction” in and of itself unless your new duties are materially reduced from the prior duties; or (c) relocation of your principal place of employment to a place that increases your one-way commute by more than fifty (50) miles as compared to your then-current principal place of employment immediately prior to such relocation, provided, however, that provided the Company fulfills all of its obligations under this Agreement, neither your transition from remote work to a Company office nor to remote work from a Company office will be considered a relocation of your principal place of employment with the Company for purposes of this definition. In order to resign for Good Reason, you must provide written notice to the Board within 30 days after the first occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason setting forth the basis for your resignation, allow the Company at least 30 days from receipt of such written notice to cure such event, and if such event is not reasonably cured within such period, you must resign from all positions you then hold with the Company not later than 30 days after the expiration of the cure period.
16. Compliance with Section 409A. It is intended that the Severance Benefits and Change of Control Payment set forth in this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9). For purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulations 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), your right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Company (or, if applicable, the successor entity thereto) determines that the Severance Benefits constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and you are, on the date of your Separation from Service, a
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 9
“specified employee” of the Company or any successor entity thereto, as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (a “Specified Employee”), then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the Severance Benefits shall be delayed until the earliest of: (i) the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day after your Separation from Service date, (ii) the date of your death, or (iii) such earlier date as permitted under Section 409A without the imposition of adverse taxation. Upon the first business day following the expiration of such applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments or benefits deferred pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum or provided in full by the Company (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable), and any remaining payments due shall be paid as otherwise provided herein. No interest shall be due on any amounts so deferred. If the Severance Benefits are not covered by one or more exemptions from the application of Section 409A and the Release could become effective in the calendar year following the calendar year in which you have a Separation from Service, the Release will not be deemed effective any earlier than the Release Deadline. The Severance Benefits are intended to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 409A or comply with its requirements to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted accordingly. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, a termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. With respect to reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided to you hereunder (or otherwise) that are not exempt from Section 409A, the following rules shall apply: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during any one of your taxable years shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefit to be provided in any other taxable year, (ii) in the case of any reimbursements of eligible expenses, reimbursement shall be made on or before the last day of your taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred, (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
17. Section 280G; Parachute Payments.
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 10
18. Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if this Agreement requires payment of an amount or provision of a benefit that is not able to be paid in compliance with any applicable Australian law or the ASX Listing Rules, then, to the extent such payment is not permitted by such applicable Australian law or ASX Listing Rules (if any), that obligation to make payment or provide the benefit will be reduced, but such reduction shall be minimized so that the payment or benefit is the maximum amount permitted under applicable law. If such payment may be made or benefit may be provided if approved by shareholders of the Company and/or the shareholders of Opthea Limited, the Company agrees: (i) upon your written request, seek such approval at the next general meeting of the Company or Opthea Limited as the case may be (and for the avoidance of doubt, there is no obligation on the Company or Opthea Limited to convene a general meeting for the purpose of seeking such approval); and (ii) to make that payment (provided the Company is otherwise obliged to make that payment) if the relevant shareholder approval is obtained.
19. Professional Insurance. You shall be provided the following:
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 11
(i) You will be designated as aninsured (in your capacity as Chief Financial Officer) on a directors' and officers' liability insurance the Company must have and maintain for your benefit with coverage levels consistent with those of other executive officers, which shall remain in effect throughout your employment and provide tail coverage to ensure you remain covered by this policy after termination of employment (consistent with those of other executive officers).
(ii) The Company will provide you, at the Company's expense, with a life insurance benefit plan on the same terms and conditions as apply to the Company’s other employees.
20. Dispute Resolution. To aid the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with your employment with the Company, and in exchange for the mutual promises contained in this offer letter, you and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this letter agreement, your employment with the Company, or the termination of your employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) or its successor, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the following web address: (i) xxxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx/) and (ii) xxxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx/) at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if JAMS is unavailable due to location or otherwise, or if the parties mutually agree, then the arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) or its successor, under AAA’s then applicable rules and procedures appropriate to the relief being sought (available upon request and also currently available at the following web address: xxxxx://xxx.xxx.xxx/xxxxx/xxxxxxx/xxxxx/XxxxxxxxxxXxxxx-Xxx.xxx), at a location closest to where you last worked for the Company or another mutually agreeable location. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, govern the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration agreement and any arbitration proceedings. This provision shall not be mandatory for any claim or cause of action to the extent applicable law prohibits subjecting such claim or cause of action to mandatory arbitration and such applicable law is not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act or otherwise invalid (collectively, the “Excluded Claims”), such as non-individual claims that cannot be waived under applicable law, claims or causes of action alleging sexual harassment or a nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact, or unemployment or workers’ compensation claims brought before the applicable state governmental agency. In the event you or the Company intend to bring multiple claims, including one of the Excluded Claims listed above, the Excluded Claims may be filed with a court, while any other claims will remain subject to mandatory arbitration. You acknowledge and agree that proceedings of any non-individual claim(s) under the California Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) that may be brought in court shall be stayed for the duration and pending a final resolution of the arbitration of any individual or individual PAGA claim. Nothing herein prevents you from filing and pursuing proceedings before a federal or state governmental agency, although if you choose to pursue a claim following the exhaustion of any applicable administrative remedies, that claim would be subject to this provision. In addition, with the exception of Excluded Claims arising out of 9 U.S.C. § 401 et seq., all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by you or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class, representative, or collective
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 12
proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. You acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both you and the Company waive all rights to have any dispute be brought, heard, administered, resolved, or arbitrated on a class, representative, or collective action basis. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. If a court finds, by means of a final decision, not subject to any further appeal or recourse, that the preceding sentences regarding class, representative, or collective claims or proceedings violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable as to a particular claim or request for relief, the parties agree that any such claim(s) or request(s) for relief be severed from the arbitration and may proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. All other claims or requests for relief shall be arbitrated. You will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. Questions of whether a claim is subject to arbitration and procedural questions which grow out of the dispute and bear on the final disposition are matters for the arbitrator to decide, provided however, that if required by applicable law, a court and not the arbitrator may determine the enforceability of this paragraph with respect to Excluded Claims. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a detailed and reasoned written statement and award signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that you or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. You and the Company shall equally share all arbitration administrative fees, or such fees shall be paid in such other manner to the extent required by, and in accordance with, applicable law or rules to effectuate your and the Company’s agreement to arbitrate. To the extent the arbitration service does not collect or you otherwise do not pay an equal share of all arbitration administrative fees, and the Company pays your share, you acknowledge and agree that the Company shall be entitled to recover from you in a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction half of the arbitration fees invoiced to the parties (less any amounts you paid to the arbitration service). Each party is responsible for its own attorneys’ fees, except as may be expressly set forth in your Confidentiality Agreement or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Nothing in this letter agreement is intended to prevent either you or the Company from obtaining injunctive, equitable, or declaratory 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.
21. Miscellaneous. This offer is contingent upon satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States. You agree to assist as needed and to complete any documentation at the Company’s request to meet this condition. This Agreement, together with your Confidentiality Agreement, your equity grant documents, agreements, and plans, as well as any other agreements and documents referenced herein, form 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 Company’s or the Board’s discretion in this Agreement, require a written modification approved by the Company and signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than you). This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
October 24, 2023
Page 13
manner consistent with the intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter. Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement, or rights hereunder, shall be in writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach or rights hereunder. This Agreement may be delivered and executed in wet ink, via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and executed and be valid and effective for all purposes.
Please sign and date this Agreement and the enclosed Confidentiality Agreement and return them to me on or before October 27, 2023 if you wish to accept employment at the Company under the terms described above. The offer of employment herein will expire if I do not receive this signed letter by that date. I would be happy to discuss any questions that you may have about these terms.
We are delighted to be making this offer and the Company looks forward to your favorable reply and to a productive and enjoyable work relationship.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Chairman |
Reviewed, Understood, and Accepted:
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx |
|
24/10/2023 |
Xxxxx X. Xxxx |
|
Date |
Exhibit A: Confidentiality Agreement