8-K
0001348911--04-30false00013489112023-06-082023-06-08
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 08, 2023 |
KALVISTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Delaware |
001-36830 |
20-0915291 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
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55 Cambridge Parkway Suite 901E |
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Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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02142 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
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Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 857 999-0075 |
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class
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Trading Symbol(s) |
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share |
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KALV |
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The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Effective June 8, 2023, KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into the Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with the Company’s President, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Benjamin L. Palleiko, dated June 8, 2023 (the “Agreement”). The Agreement amends and restates the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Palleiko dated June 26, 2019 (the “Existing Agreement”). The Agreement provides that Mr. Palleiko shall receive, in addition to the benefits currently provided for in the Existing Agreement, a base salary increased to an annual rate of $565,000 (the “Base Salary”) and shall have a target bonus opportunity increased to 50% of his Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) during his Term of Employment. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the same meanings as ascribed to them in the Agreement.
Further, the severance benefits have been amended such that should Mr. Palleiko’s Term of Employment be terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due Mr. Palleiko’s death or Disability) or by Mr. Palleiko for Good Reason, in either case prior to the date of a Change in Control or more than two years after a Change in Control, Mr. Palleiko shall be entitled to, in addition to the benefits currently provided for in the Existing Agreement, (i) a lump sum payment equal to 15 months of Mr. Palleiko’s then-current Base Salary; and (ii) provided that Mr. Palleiko timely elects continued coverage under COBRA, the Company will reimburse Mr. Palleiko for the monthly COBRA cost of continued health and dental coverage of Mr. Palleiko and his qualified beneficiaries paid by Mr. Palleiko under the health and dental plans of the Company, less the amount that Mr. Palleiko would be required to contribute for health and dental coverage if Mr. Palleiko were an active employee of the Company, for 15 months (or, if less, for the duration that such COBRA coverage is available to Mr. Palleiko). Notwithstanding the above, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA benefits described herein without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company shall in lieu thereof provide Mr. Palleiko with a taxable lump sum payment in an amount equal to the then-unreimbursed monthly COBRA premiums.
Additionally, if Mr. Palleiko’s employment is terminated by the Company (or any entity to which the obligations and benefits under the Agreement have been assigned pursuant to Section 9(b)) of the Agreement without Cause or by Mr. Palleiko for Good Reason, in either case during the two year period immediately following a Change in Control, then Mr. Palleiko shall be entitled to, in addition to the benefits currently provided for in the Existing Agreement, (i) a lump sum payment equal to 21 months of Mr. Palleiko’s then-current Base Salary; and (ii) provided that Mr. Palleiko timely elects continued coverage under COBRA, the Company will reimburse Mr. Palleiko for the monthly COBRA cost of continued health and dental coverage of Mr. Palleiko and his qualified beneficiaries paid by Mr. Palleiko under the health and dental plans of the Company, less the amount that Mr. Palleiko would be required to contribute for health and dental coverage if Mr. Palleiko were an active employee of the Company, for 21 months (or, if less, for the duration that such COBRA coverage is available to Mr. Palleiko). Notwithstanding the above, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA benefits described herein without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company shall in lieu thereof provide Mr. Palleiko with a taxable lump sum payment in an amount equal to the then-unreimbursed monthly COBRA premiums. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall provide Mr. Palleiko with a taxable lump sum payment in an amount equal to the then-unreimbursed monthly COBRA premiums for months 19-21.
The above description of the Agreement and does not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of such Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On June 14, 2023, in connection with the effectiveness of new Securities and Exchange Commission rules regarding universal proxy cards, certain recent changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and a periodic review of the bylaws of KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) approved and adopted the Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), which became immediately effective.
Among other things, the amendments effected by the Amended and Restated Bylaws:
•revise certain provisions relating to adjournment procedures and lists of stockholders entitled to vote at stockholder meetings, in each case to conform to recent amendments to the DGCL;
•update certain provisions related to the conduct of stockholder meetings, including clarifying that the presiding person of a stockholder meeting may set additional attendance or other procedures for meeting attendees and Rule 14a-8 proponents;
•revise the procedures and disclosure requirements set forth in the advance notice bylaw provisions, including (1) requiring additional information, representations and disclosures from proposing stockholders, proposed nominees and other persons related to a stockholder’s solicitation of proxies and (2) restricting the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a meeting to the number of directors to be elected at such meeting;
•address matters relating to Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Universal Proxy Rules”) (e.g., providing that stockholders delivering a notice of nomination certify to the Company in writing that they have complied with the Universal Proxy Rules requirements, providing the Company a remedy if a stockholder fails to satisfy the Universal Proxy Rules requirements, requiring that a stockholder providing notice pursuant to the advance notice bylaws to inform the Company if a stockholder no longer plans to solicit proxies in accordance with the Universal Proxy Rules, and requiring stockholders intending to use the Universal Proxy Rules to provide reasonable evidence of the satisfaction of the requirements under the Universal Proxy Rules at least five business days before the meeting, etc.);
•require that a stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders use a proxy card color other than white;
•require that a stockholder intending to authorize a qualified representative to act for such stockholder as a proxy to present a nomination or proposal at such meeting to give notice of such authorization to the Company at least three business days before the applicable meeting;
•amend the notice provisions to reflect amendments to the DGCL relating to electronic transmission of notices to stockholders;
•add an emergency bylaw provision to provide clarity and authority to directors and certain officers during an emergency situation that would otherwise prevent a quorum of the Board or a Board committee from being achieved; and
•provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the Company or on behalf of the Company, (b) any action or proceeding asserting a claim that is based upon a breach of a duty owed by a current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (c) any action or proceeding arising or asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL (or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery) or any provision of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, any designation relating to any outstanding to any series of preferred stock, or the Amended and Restated Bylaws, (d) any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws, or (e) any action or proceeding asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
The Amended and Restated Bylaws also incorporate ministerial, clarifying and conforming changes, including changes to align with the language used in certain provisions of the DGCL and the Universal Proxy Rules.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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KALVISTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. |
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Date: |
June 14, 2023 |
By: |
/s/ Benjamin L. Palleiko |
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Benjamin L. Palleiko President, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
EX-3.1
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
KALVISTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (Formerly known as CARBYLAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.)
Amended and Restated on June 14, 2023
Section 1.1.Annual Meeting.
An annual meeting of the stockholders of KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”) for the election of directors to succeed those whose term expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, on the date and at the time that the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) shall each year fix. Unless stated otherwise in the notice of the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, such annual meeting shall be at the principal office of the Corporation.
Section 1.2.Advance Notice of Nominations and Proposals of Business.
(a)Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and proposals for other business to be transacted by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (iii) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice contemplated in Section 1.2(b) (the “Record Stockholder”), (B) is entitled to vote at such meeting and (C) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.2. Subject to Section 1.2(a)(i) and except as otherwise required by law, clause (iii) of this Section 1.2(a) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business (other than nominations and proposals properly brought pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended from time to time, the “Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder) before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(b)Except as otherwise required by law, for nominations or proposals to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a Record Stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 1.2(a), (i) the Record Stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation with the information contemplated by Section 1.2(c); (ii) the business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”); (iii) (A) the Proposing Person (as defined in Section 1.2(k)) must have provided the Corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as defined in Section 1.2(k)), in the case of a proposal other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board, the Proposing Person must have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal and must have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice or (B) if the Proposing Person has delivered a notice of nomination or nominations the Proposing Person must certify to the Corporation in writing, that it has complied with and will comply with the requirement of Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Act, if applicable, and the Proposing Person shall deliver, no later than five (5) business days prior to the annual meeting or any adjournment, rescheduling, postponement or other delay thereof, reasonable evidence that it has complied with such requirements; and (iv) in the case of a proposal other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board, if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this Section 1.2, the Proposing Person proposing such business must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section 1.2.
(c)To be timely for purposes of Section 1.2(b), (i) a Record Stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation on a date not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting or if there was no annual meeting in the prior year or if the date of the current year’s annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or after the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting,
on or before ten (10) days after the day on which the date of the current year’s annual meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement, (ii) in the case of a proposal of the nomination of person for election to the Board, the Record Stockholder shall have complied in all respects with the requirements of Section 14 of the Act, including, without limitation, if applicable, the requirements of rule 14a-19 (as such rule and regulations may be amended from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including any Securities and Exchange Commission Staff interpretations relating thereto) and (iii) in the case of a proposal for the nomination of persons for election to the Board, the Board or an executive officer designated thereby shall have determine that the Record Stockholder has satisfied the requirements of this Section 1.2. In no event shall any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling (or the public announcement thereof) of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the delivery of such notice. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 1.2 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least ten (10) days prior to the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice in accordance with the first sentence of this paragraph, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 1.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(d)Such notice from a Record Stockholder must state (i) as to each nominee that the Proposing Person proposes for election or reelection as a director, (A) all information relating to such nominee that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominee as a director pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Act and such nominee’s written consent to being named as a nominee in any proxy materials relating to the Corporation’s next meeting, (B) the class, series and number of any shares of stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned or owned of record by such person or any Associated Person (as defined in Section 1.2(k)) (B) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary arrangements, agreements or understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationship, if any, between or concerning such Proposing Person, or any of their respective affiliates or associates, on the one hand, and the proposed nominee or any of his or her affiliates or associates, on the other hand, (C) a description of any position of such person as an officer or director of any Competitor (as defined in Section 1.2(k)) within the three years preceding the submission of the notice and (D) a statement whether such person, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person’s election or reelection, an irrevocable resignation effective upon such person’s failure to receive the required vote for reelection at any future meeting at which such person would face reelection and acceptance of such resignation by the Board, in accordance with the Corporation’s policies; (ii) as to each proposal that the Record Stockholder seeks to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such proposal, the reasons for making the proposal at the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment) and any material interest that the Record Stockholder has in the proposal; and (iii) (A) the name and address of the Record Stockholder giving the notice on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (B) the class (and, if applicable, series) and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by the Proposing Person, (C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (each, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially or of record by such Proposing Person and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of stock of the Corporation of the Proposing Person, (D) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Proposing Person has a right to vote any securities of the Corporation, (E) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such Proposing Person is a general partner or beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, an interest in a general partner, (F) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such Proposing Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of the shares of stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, (G) any other information relating to such Proposing Person, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Act and the rules and
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regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, (H) a representation that the Proposing Person is a holder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (I) a certification as to whether or not the Proposing Person has complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the Proposing Person’s acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and the Proposing Person’s acts or omissions as a stockholder (or beneficial owner of securities) of the Corporation, (J) whether either the Proposing Person intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal (an affirmative statement of such intent being a “Solicitation Notice” or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a representation the Proposing Person intends to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19, and the name of each participant (as defined in Item 4 of the Act Schedule 14A) in such solicitation and (K) a complete and accurate description of any pending or, to the Proposing Person’s knowledge, threatened legal proceeding in which the Proposing Person is a party or participant involving the Corporation or, to the Proposing Person’s knowledge, any current or former officer, director, affiliate or associate of the Corporation. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee. The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 1.2(c) shall be provided as of the date of such notice. The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 1.2(c) shall not include any ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is directed to prepare and submit the notice required by this Section 1.2(c) on behalf of a beneficial owner of the shares held of record by such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who is not otherwise affiliated or associated with such beneficial owner.
(e)A Record Stockholder providing written notice required by this Section 1.2 shall update such notice, and any other information provided to the Corporation, in writing, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct in all material respects as of (i) the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and (ii) 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the tenth (10th) business day prior to the meeting or any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof. In the case of an update pursuant to clause (i) of the foregoing sentence, such update shall be received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and in the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (ii) of the foregoing sentence, such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting and, if practicable, any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Proposing Person no longer plans to solicit proxies in accordance with its representation pursuant to Section 1.2(d)(iii)(J), the Proposing Person shall inform the Corporation of this change by delivering a writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no later than two (2) business days after the occurrence of such change. Such Proposing Person shall also update its notice so that the information required by Section 1.2(d)(iii)(J) is current through the date of the meeting or any adjournment, postponement, or rescheduling thereof, and such update shall be delivered in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no later than two (2) business days after the occurrence of any material change to the information previously disclosed pursuant to Section 1.2(d)(iii)(J). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update as set forth in this paragraph shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by such Proposing Person, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or nomination or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and/or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders. If a Record Stockholder providing written notice required by this Section 1.2 fails to provide any written update in accordance with this Section 1.2, the information as to which such written update relates may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with these Bylaws.
(f)If any information submitted pursuant to this Section 1.2 is inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect (as determined by the Board or a committee thereof), such information shall be deemed not to have been provided in
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accordance with these Bylaws. A Record Stockholder shall notify the Secretary in writing at the principal executive offices of the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change in any information submitted within two (2) business days after becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change, and any such notification shall clearly identify the inaccuracy or change, it being understood that no such notification will cure any deficiencies or inaccuracies with respect to any prior submission by such Record Stockholder. Upon written request of the Secretary on behalf of the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof), the Record Stockholder shall provide, within seven (7) business days after delivery of such request (or such longer period as may be specified in such request), (1) written verification, reasonably satisfactory to the Board, any committee thereof, or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted and (2) a written affirmation of any information submitted as of an earlier date. If the Record Stockholder fails to provide such written verification or affirmation within such period, the information as to which written verification or affirmation was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with these Bylaws.
(g)Subject to the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), this Section 1.2 and applicable law, only persons nominated in accordance with procedures stated in this Section 1.2 shall be eligible for election as and to serve as members of the Board of Directors and the only business that shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders is the business that has been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.2. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a meeting of stockholders (or in the case of a Record Stockholder giving the notice on behalf of another Proposing Person, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the meeting on behalf of such Proposing Person) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such meeting. The presiding person of the meeting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any proposal has been made according to the procedures stated in this Section 1.2 (including satisfying the information requirements set forth herein with accurate and complete information) and, if any nomination or proposal does not comply with this Section 1.2, unless otherwise required by law, the nomination or proposal shall be disregarded (and any such nominee shall be disqualified), including that if a stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Act and subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Act, including the provision to the Corporation of notices required thereunder in a timely manner, then the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such stockholder’s director nominees (and any such nominee shall be disqualified).
(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business such nomination may be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1.2, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders. If a stockholder has given timely notice as required herein to make a nomination or bring a proposal of other business before any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and intends to authorize a qualified representative to act for such stockholder as a proxy to present the nomination or proposal at such meeting, the stockholder shall give notice of such authorization in writing to the Secretary not less than three (3) business days before the date of such meeting, including the name and contact information for such person. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 1.2, unless otherwise required by law, no stockholder shall solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees unless such stockholder has complied with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Act in connection with the solicitation of such proxies, including the provision to the Corporation of notices required thereunder in a timely manner
(i)Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 1.2
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is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.2. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if (A) the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (b) of this Section 1.2 shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting, (B) the stockholder has complied in all respects with the requirements of Section 14 of the Act, including, without limitation, if applicable, the requirements of Rule 14a-19 (as such rule and regulations may be amended from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including any Securities and Exchange Staff interpretations relating thereto) and (C) the Board or an executive officer designated thereby has determined that the stockholder has satisfied the requirements of Section 1.2. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or rescheduling (or the public announcement thereof) of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
(j)All provisions of this Section 1.2 are subject to, and nothing in this Section 1.2 shall in any way limit the exercise, or the method or timing of the exercise of, the rights of any person granted by the Corporation to nominate directors, which rights may be exercised without compliance with the provisions of this Section 1.2.
Section 1.3.Special Meetings; Notice.
Subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies. Notice of every special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and the individual or group calling such meeting shall have exclusive authority to determine the business included in such notice.
Section 1.4.Notice of Meetings.
Notice of the place, if any, date and time of all meetings of stockholders of the Corporation, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed present and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of all special meetings of stockholders, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, shall be given, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which such meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting.
The Corporation may postpone or cancel any previously called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation by making a Public Announcement (as defined in Section 1.2(k)) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. When a previously called annual or special meeting is postponed to another time, date or place, if any, notice of the place (if any), date and time of the postponed meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed present and vote at such postponed meeting, shall be given in conformity with this Section 1.4 unless such meeting is postponed to a date that is not more than sixty (60) days after the date that the initial notice of the meeting was provided in conformity with this Section 1.4.
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present and vote at such adjourned meeting are (i) announced at the meeting at which the
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adjournment is taken, (ii) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy holders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication or (iii) set forth in the notice of meeting given in accordance with Section 222(a) of the DGCL; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, or if after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in conformity herewith and such notice shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that may have been transacted at the original meeting.
At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“Voting Stock”), present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number is required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation. If a separate vote by one or more classes or series is required, the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the shares of the class or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter.
If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time.
Section 1.6.Organization.
The chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, the person whom the Board of Directors designates or, in the absence of that person or the failure of the Board of Directors to designate a person, the President of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, the person chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be the person the chairman appoints.
Section 1.7.Conduct of Business.
The presiding person of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall determine the order of business and the rules of procedure for the conduct of such meeting, including the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as he or she determines to be in order. The person presiding of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the presiding person of the meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to adjourn the meeting (including an adjournment taken to address a technical failure to convene or continue a meeting using remote communication), to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (vi) restricting the use of audio/visual recording devices and cell phones; (vii) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security; (viii) procedures (if any) requiring attendees to provide the Corporation advance notice of their intent to attend the meeting; and (ix) any additional attendance or other procedures or requirements for proponents submitting a proposal pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Act. The presiding person of the meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be
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appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination or matter of business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered.
Section 1.8.Proxies; Inspectors.
(a)At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by applicable law.
(b)Prior to a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the Corporation shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by applicable law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before beginning the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of inspectors. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by applicable law.
Except as otherwise required by the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation or pursuant to any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, all matters, including election of directors other than a contested election (an “uncontested election”) shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively or negatively at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present, provided that if, as of the tenth (10th) day preceding the date the Corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders of the Corporation, or at any time thereafter, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected (a “Contested Election”), the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast. For purposes of this Section 1.9, a majority of votes cast shall mean that the number of votes cast “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director’s election (with “abstentions” and “broker nonvotes” not counted as a vote cast either “for” or “against” that director’s election).
Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for exclusive use by the Board of Directors.
Section 1.10.Action by Written Consent.
Except as otherwise may be provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.
A complete list of stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of such stockholder, shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder, for any purpose germane to a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, for a period of no later than the tenth (10th) day before the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth (10th) day before such meeting date. Nothing in this Section 1.11 shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list.
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In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the sole evidence of the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting and the number of shares held by each stockholder.
Section 1.12.Emergency Bylaws. This Section 1.12 shall be operative during any emergency condition as contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL (an “Emergency”), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provisions in these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL. In the event of any Emergency the director or directors in attendance at a meeting of the Board or a standing committee thereof shall constitute a quorum. Such director or directors in attendance may further take action to appoint one or more of themselves or other directors to membership on any standing or temporary committees of the Board as they shall deem necessary and appropriate. In the event that no directors are able to attend a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof in an Emergency, then the Designated Officers in attendance shall serve as directors, or committee members, as the case may be, for the meeting and will have full powers to act as directors, or committee members, as the case may be, of the Corporation. Except as the Board may otherwise determine, during any Emergency, the Corporation and its directors and officers, may exercise any authority and take any action or measure contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL.
For purposes of this Section 1.12, the term “Designated Officer” means an officer identified on a numbered list of officers of the Corporation who shall be deemed to be, in the order in which they appear on the list up until a quorum is obtained, directors of the Corporation, or members of a committee of the Board, as the case may be, for purposes of obtaining a quorum during an Emergency, if a quorum of directors or committee members, as the case may be, cannot otherwise be obtained during such Emergency, which list of Designated Officers shall be approved by the Board from time to time but in any event prior to such time or times as an Emergency may have occurred.
SECTION 2 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 2.1.General Powers and Qualifications of Directors.
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities these bylaws expressly confer upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by the DGCL or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation to be qualified for election or service as a director of the Corporation.
Section 2.2.Number of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Subject to any rights of holders of any series of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors unless the Certificate of Incorporation fixes the number of directors. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
Section 2.3.Removal; Resignation.
Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, but only with cause, by the holders of at least 66 2⁄3% of the voting power of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing, including by electronic transmission, to the Corporation. If an incumbent director fails, in an uncontested election, to receive the vote required to be elected in accordance with Section 1.9, then such director shall tender his or her resignation in accordance with the procedures determined by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board. The Nomination and Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation, nominate a replacement, or recommend any other related action be taken.
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Section 2.4.Regular Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the place (if any), on the date and at the time as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of a regular meeting, the date of which has been so publicized, shall not be required.
Section 2.5.Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by two or more directors then in office. Notice of the place, if any, date and time of each special meeting shall be given to each director either (a) by mailing written notice thereof not less than five (5) days before the meeting, or (b) by telephone, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission providing notice thereof not less than twenty-four hours before the meeting. Any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting of the Board of Directors.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date or time, without further notice or waiver thereof.
Section 2.7.Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone or Other Communications Equipment.
Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other director, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 2.8.Conduct of Business.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in the order and manner that the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present, provided a quorum is present at the time such matter is acted upon, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws or required by applicable law. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may take action without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings, or electronic transmission or electronic transmissions, are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 2.9.Compensation of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall be authorized to fix the compensation of directors. The directors of the Corporation shall be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be reimbursed a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors, paid an annual retainer or paid other compensation, including equity compensation, as the Board of Directors determines. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees shall have their expenses, if any, of attendance of each meeting of such committee reimbursed and may be paid compensation for attending committee meetings or being a member of a committee.
Section 3.1.Committees of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may designate committees of the Board of Directors, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and shall, for those committees,
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appoint a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member. All provisions of this Section 3.1 are subject to, and nothing in this Section 3.1 shall in any way limit the exercise, or method or timing of the exercise of, the rights of any person granted by the Corporation with respect to the existence, duties, composition or conduct of any committee of the Board of Directors.
The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President and Chief Executive Officer, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a Chief Financial Officer and other officers as may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The compensation of officers appointed by the Board of Directors shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof or by the officers as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these bylaws and to the direction of the Board of Directors, he or she shall have the responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. He or she shall have the power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation that are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation.
Section 4.3.Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents.
Each Senior Vice President and Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President. One Senior Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.
Section 4.4.Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.
The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. He or she shall have charge of the corporate books and shall perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.
Section 4.5.Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers.
The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall
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perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. The President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
Section 4.6.Delegation of Authority.
The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
The Board of Directors may remove any officer of the Corporation at any time, with or without cause.
Section 4.8.Action with Respect to Securities of Other Companies.
Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President, or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the President, shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders or equityholders of, or with respect to any action of, stockholders or equityholders of any other entity in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other entity.
Section 5.1.Certificates of Stock.
Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided in the DGCL. Stock certificates shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (i) the chairman of the Board (if any) or the vice-chairman of the Board (if any), or the President or a Senior Vice President, and (ii) the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Chief Financial Officer, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder. Any signatures on a certificate may be by facsimile.
Section 5.2.Transfers of Stock.
Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation (within or without the State of Delaware) or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation.
Section 5.3.Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.
In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of the loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or indemnity, if deemed appropriate.
The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock of the Corporation shall be governed by other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date
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upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
SECTION 6 - INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
Section 6.1.Indemnification.
The Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (an “Indemnitee”) who was or is made, or is threatened to be made, a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or, while a director or an officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, nonprofit entity or other enterprise (including, but not limited to, service with respect to employee benefit plans) (any such entity, an “Other Entity”), against all liability and loss suffered (including, but not limited to, expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding); provided such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner that the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnitee only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnitee was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or the Proceeding (or part thereof) relates to the enforcement of the Corporation’s obligations under this Section 6.1.
Section 6.2.Advancement of Expenses.
The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay, on an as-incurred basis, all expenses (including, but not limited to attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition. Such advancement shall be unconditional, unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay any expenses advanced; provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an unsecured undertaking by the Indemnitee to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6 or otherwise.
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If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such proceeding) or advancement of expenses under this Section 6 is not paid in full within sixty (60) days after a written claim therefor by the Indemnitee has been received by the Corporation, the Indemnitee may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.
The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, employee, member, trustee or agent of the Corporation, or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of an Other Entity, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Section 6 or the DGCL.
Section 6.5.Non-Exclusivity of Rights.
The rights conferred on any Indemnitee by this Section 6 are not exclusive of other rights arising under any bylaw, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders or otherwise, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of such Indemnitee.
Section 6.6.Amounts Received from an Other Entity.
Subject to Section 6.7, the Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Indemnitee who was or is serving at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of an Other Entity shall be reduced by any amount such Indemnitee may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such Other Entity.
Section 6.7.Amendment or Repeal.
Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses of any Indemnitee arising hereunder shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal of this Section 6 after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit, proceeding or other matter for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.
Section 6.8.Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
This Section 6 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.
Indemnitees who after the date of the adoption of this Section 6 become or remain an Indemnitee described in Section 6.1 will be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advancement of expenses and other rights contained in this Section 6 in entering into or continuing the service. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 6 will apply to claims made against any Indemnitee described in Section 6.1 arising out of acts or omissions that occurred or occur either before or after the adoption of this Section 6 in respect of service as a director or officer of the corporation or other service described in Section 6.1.
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Section 6.10.Successful Defense.
In the event that any proceeding to which an Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against the Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that the Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such proceeding for purposes of Section 145(c) of the DGCL. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
Except as otherwise required by law, notice may be given in writing directed to a stockholder’s mailing address as it appears on the records of the Corporation and shall be given: (a) if mailed, when notice is deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid; and (b) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address. So long as the Corporation is subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proxy rules set forth in Regulation 14A under the Act, notice shall be given in the manner required by such rules. To the extent permitted by such rules, or if the Corporation is not subject to Regulation 14A, notice may be given by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, and if so given, shall be given when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or such notice is prohibited by Section 232(e) of the DGCL. If notice is given by electronic mail, such notice shall comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 232(a) and 232(d) of the DGCL. Notice may be given by other forms of electronic transmission with the consent of a stockholder in the manner permitted by Section 232(b) of the DGCL and shall be deemed given as provided therein.
A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder or director, or a waiver by electronic transmission by such person or entity, whether given before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such person or entity. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in the waiver. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the sole purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
SECTION 8 - MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1.Corporate Seal.
The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary of the Corporation. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer or the Chief Financial Officer.
Section 8.2.Reliance upon Books, Reports, and Records.
Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books and records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers, agents or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person or entity as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s or entity’s professional or expert competence and that has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
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The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.4.Time Periods.
In applying any provision of these bylaws that requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days before an event or that an act be done during a specified number of days before an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.
These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.
SECTION 10 - EXCLUSIVE FORUM
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Act, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant named in such complaint, and (ii) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the Corporation or on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action or proceeding asserting a claim that is based upon a breach of a duty owed by a current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action or proceeding arising or asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL (or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery) or any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, any designation relating to any outstanding to any series of preferred stock, or these Bylaws, (d) any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, or (e) any action or proceeding asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. For the avoidance of doubt, this Article X is intended to benefit and may be enforced by us, our officers and directors, the underwriters to any offering giving rise to such complaint, and any other professional entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying the offering.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 10.
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CERTIFICATION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
KALVISTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
I, Benjamin L. Palleiko, certify that I am the President, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer of KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), that I am duly authorized to make and deliver this certification, that the attached bylaws are a true and complete copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation in effect as of the date of this certificate.
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Dated: June 14, 2023 |
/s/ Benjamin S. Palleiko |
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Benjamin L. Palleiko |
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President, Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
EX-10.1
Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into on this 8th day of June, 2023 by and between KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Benjamin L. Palleiko (hereinafter, the “Executive”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company;
WHEREAS, the terms of Executive’s employment with the Company are set forth in an Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive previously entered into on the 26th day of June, 2019 (the “Prior Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive now desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee intend that this Agreement shall supersede and replace the Prior Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Executive and the Executive desires to continue to be employed by the Company on the terms herein described.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
1.Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company during the Term of Employment on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2.Compensation and Benefits.
(a)Base Salary. The Executive shall receive a Base Salary at the annual rate of $565,000, effective as of May 1, 2023, during the Term of Employment, with such Base Salary payable in installments consistent with the Company’s normal payroll schedule, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes. The Base Salary shall be reviewed, at least annually, for merit increases and may, by action and in the discretion of the Board (or its Compensation Committee), be increased at any time or from time to time, but may not be decreased from the then current Base Salary.
(b)Bonuses. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall participate in the Company’s annual incentive compensation plan, program and/or arrangements applicable to senior-level executives, as established and modified from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board in its sole discretion. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall have a target bonus opportunity under such plan or program equal to 50% of his current Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), based on satisfaction of performance criteria to be established by the Compensation Committee of the Board within the first three months of each fiscal year that begins during the Term of Employment. Payment of annual incentive compensation awards shall be made in the same manner and at the same time that other senior-level executives receive their annual incentive compensation awards, but in no event later than 2 ½ months following the last day of the applicable Company fiscal year, and, except as otherwise provided herein, will be subject to the Executive’s continued employment through the last day of the applicable Company fiscal year.
(c)Compensation/Benefit Programs. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all medical, dental, hospitalization, accidental death and dismemberment, disability, travel and life insurance plans, and any and all other plans as are presently and hereinafter offered by the Company to its executive personnel, including savings, pension, profit-sharing and deferred compensation plans, subject to the general eligibility and participation provisions set forth in such plans.
(d)Equity Awards. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be eligible to be granted Equity Awards. The number and type of such Equity Awards, and the terms and conditions thereof, shall be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its discretion
(e)Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to 25 days of paid vacation each calendar year during the Term of Employment, subject to the terms of the Company’s then effective vacation or paid time off policy.
(f)Reimbursement of Reasonable Business Expenses. Subject to submission of proper substantiation by the Executive, and subject to such rules and guidelines as the Company may from time to time adopt with respect to the reimbursement of reasonable business expenses of executive personnel, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses actually paid or incurred by the Executive during the Term of Employment in the course of and pursuant to the business of the Company. The Executive shall account to the Company in writing for all expenses for which reimbursement is sought and shall supply to the Company copies of all relevant invoices, receipts or other evidence reasonably requested by the Company.
(a)General. The Term of Employment shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the Executive’s death, (ii) a termination by the Company by reason of the Executive’s Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company with or without Cause, or (iv) a termination by Executive with or without Good Reason. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, the Executive shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships or any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any of its Related Entities.
(b)Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to terminate the Term of Employment for Cause. In no event shall a termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause occur unless the Company gives written notice to the Executive in accordance with this Agreement stating with reasonable specificity the events or actions that constitute Cause. In the event that the Term of Employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations.
4.Position and Duties of Executive. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be employed and serve as the President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of the Company, and shall have such duties typically associated with such titles, including, without limitation supervising operations and management of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Executive shall faithfully and diligently perform all services as may be assigned to him by the CEO, and shall exercise such power and authority as may from time to time be delegated to him by the CEO. The Executive shall devote his full business time, attention and efforts to the performance of his duties under this Agreement, render such services to the best of his ability, and use his reasonable best efforts to promote the interests of the Company. The Executive shall not engage in any other business or occupation during the Term of Employment, including, without limitation, any activity that (i) conflicts with the interests of the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) interferes with the proper and efficient performance of his duties for the Company, or (iii) interferes with the exercise of his judgment in the Company’s best interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, it shall not be a breach or violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (w) serve on up to two outside corporate or scientific advisory
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boards with prior notice to the Company, (x) serve on civic or charitable boards or committees, (y) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements, or (z) manage personal investments, so long as any such activities do not interfere with or detract from the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company in accordance with this Agreement.
(a)Disability. The Company shall have the option, in accordance with applicable law, to terminate the Term of Employment upon written notice to the Executive at any time during which the Executive is suffering from a Disability. In the event that the Term of Employment is terminated due to the Executive’s Disability, the Executive shall be entitled to (i) the Accrued Obligations and (ii) any insurance benefits to which he and his beneficiaries are entitled as a result of his Disability.
(b)Death. In the event that the Term of Employment is terminated due to the Executive’s death, the Executive’s estate shall be entitled to (i) the Accrued Obligations and (ii) any insurance benefits to which he and his beneficiaries are entitled as a result of his death.
(c)Termination Without Cause outside of a Change in Control of the Company or Resignation With Good Reason outside of a Change in Control of the Company. The Company may terminate the Term of Employment without Cause, and the Executive may terminate the Term of Employment for Good Reason, at any time upon written notice. If the Term of Employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to the Executive’s death or Disability) or by the Executive for Good Reason, in either case prior to the date of a Change in Control or more than two years after a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to the following:
(i)The Accrued Obligations;
(ii)A lump sum payment equal to 15 months of Executive’s then-current Base Salary;
(iii)Provided that the Executive timely elects continued coverage under COBRA, the Company will reimburse the Executive for the monthly COBRA cost of continued health and dental coverage of the Executive and his qualified beneficiaries paid by the Executive under the health and dental plans of the Company, less the amount that the Executive would be required to contribute for health and dental coverage if the Executive were an active employee of the Company, for 15 months (or, if less, for the duration that such COBRA coverage is available to Executive). Notwithstanding the above, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA benefits described herein without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company shall in lieu thereof provide Executive with a taxable lump sum payment in an amount equal to the then-unreimbursed monthly COBRA premiums.
(d)Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment without Good Reason by providing the Company 30 days’ written notice of such termination. In the event of a termination of employment by the Executive under this Section 4(f), the Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. In the event of termination of the Executive’s employment under this Section 4(f), the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written notice, accelerate such date of termination and still have it treated as a termination without Good Reason.
(e)Termination Without Cause in connection with a Change in Control of the Company or Resignation With Good Reason in connection with a Change in Control of the Company. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (or any entity to which the obligations and benefits under this Agreement have been assigned pursuant to Section 9(b)) without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, in either case during the two year period immediately following a Change in Control, then the Executive shall be entitled to the following:
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(i)The Accrued Obligations;
(ii)A lump sum payment equal to 21 months of Executive’s then-current Base Salary;
(iii)A lump sum payment equal to the Executive’s full Target Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs;
(iv)Provided that the Executive timely elects continued coverage under COBRA, the Company will reimburse the Executive for the monthly COBRA cost of continued health and dental coverage of the Executive and his qualified beneficiaries paid by the Executive under the health and dental plans of the Company, less the amount that the Executive would be required to contribute for health and dental coverage if the Executive were an active employee of the Company, for 21 months (or, if less, for the duration that such COBRA coverage is available to Executive). Notwithstanding the above, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA benefits described herein without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company shall in lieu thereof provide Executive with a taxable lump sum payment in an amount equal to the then-unreimbursed monthly COBRA premiums. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall provide Executive with a taxable lump sum payment in an amount equal to the then-unreimbursed monthly COBRA premiums for months 19-21.
(v)All then-unvested Equity Awards will vest in full.
(f)Release. All rights, payments and benefits due to the Executive under this Section 4 (other than the Accrued Obligations) shall be conditioned on the Executive’s execution of a general release of claims against the Company and its affiliates substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Release”) and on that Release becoming irrevocable within 60 days following the Termination Date. The severance described in this Section 4 (other than Accrued Obligations) shall be paid no later than the first business day following the sixtieth (60th) day following the termination of employment of Executive and in compliance with the timeframe required under Section 409A as set forth herein, and the first payment will include the payments due and owing prior to that payment date but for the application of this sentence. If the Straddle Period (as defined below) spans two (2) calendar years, then the cash payments under this Section 4 (other than Accrued Obligations) shall first be made on the first business day in the second calendar year that occurs after the expiration of the sixty (60)-day period in which the Release must be delivered and effective, as described in this Section 4. The “Straddle Period” shall mean the sixty (60)-day period following a termination of employment in which the Release is to be executed and become irrevocable pursuant to this Section 4.
(g)Section 280G Certain Reductions of Payments by the Company.
(1)Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), would be nondeductible by the Company for Federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Code, then the aggregate present value of amounts payable or distributable to or for the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement (such payments or distributions pursuant to this Agreement are hereinafter referred to as “Agreement Payments”) shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be an amount expressed in present value that avoids any Payment being nondeductible by the Company because of Section 280G of the Code. To the extent necessary to avoid imposition of the Excise Tax, the amounts payable or benefits to be provided to the Executive shall be reduced such that the reduction of compensation to be provided to the Executive is minimized. In applying this principle, the reduction shall be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and where two economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but payable at different times, such amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis (but not below zero). Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Reduced Amount is zero and it is determined further that any
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Payment which is not an Agreement Payment would nevertheless be nondeductible by the Company for Federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Code, then the aggregate present value of Payments which are not Agreement Payments shall also be reduced (but not below zero) to an amount expressed in present value which maximizes the aggregate present value of Payments without causing any Payment to be nondeductible by the Company because of Section 280G of the Code. If a reduction of any Payment is required pursuant to this Section 4(i), such reduction shall occur to the amounts in the order that results in the greatest economic present value of all payments and benefits actually made or provided to the Executive. For purposes of this Section 4(i), present value shall be determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
(2)All determinations required to be made under this Section 4(i) shall be made by a tax or compensation consulting firm of national reputation selected by the Company (the “Consulting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 20 business days of the date of termination or such earlier time as is requested by the Company and an opinion to the Executive that he has substantial authority not to report any excise tax on his Federal income tax return with respect to any Payments. Any such determination by the Consulting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. Within five business days thereafter, the Company shall pay to or distribute to or for the benefit of the Executive such amounts as are then due to the Executive under this Agreement. All fees and expenses of the Consulting Firm incurred in connection with the determinations contemplated by this Section 4(i) shall be borne by the Company.
(3)As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Consulting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Payments will have been made by the Company which should not have been made (“Overpayment”) or that additional Payments which will not have been made by the Company could have been made (“Underpayment”), in each case, consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Consulting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Executive which the Consulting Firm believes has a high probability of success, determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such Overpayment paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive shall be promptly repaid to the Company by the Executive. In the event that the Consulting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
(h)Cooperation. Following the Term of Employment, the Executive shall give his assistance and cooperation willingly, upon reasonable advance notice with due consideration for his other business or personal commitments, in any matter relating to his position with the Company, or his expertise or experience as the Company may reasonably request, including his attendance and truthful testimony where deemed appropriate by the Company, with respect to any investigation or the Company’s defense or prosecution of any existing or future claims or litigations or other proceedings relating to matters in which he was involved or potentially had knowledge by virtue of his employment with the Company. In no event shall his cooperation materially interfere with his services for a subsequent employer or other similar service recipient. To the extent permitted by law, the Company agrees that (i) it shall promptly reimburse the Executive for his reasonable and documented expenses in connection with his rendering assistance and/or cooperation under this Section 4(j) upon his presentation of documentation for such expenses and (ii) the Executive shall be reasonably compensated for any continued material services as required under this Section 4(j).
(i)Return of Company Property. Following the Termination Date, the Executive or his personal representative shall return all Company property in his possession, including but not limited to all computer equipment (hardware and software), telephones, facsimile machines, cell phones and other communication devices, credit cards, office keys, security access cards, badges, identification cards and all copies
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(including drafts) of any documentation or information (however stored) relating to the business of the Company, its customers and clients or its prospective customers and clients.
(j)Compliance with Section 409A.
(i)General. It is the intention of both the Company and the Executive that the benefits and rights to which the Executive could be entitled pursuant to this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder (“Section 409A”), to the extent that the requirements of Section 409A are applicable thereto, and the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with that intention.
(ii)Distributions on Account of Separation from Service. If and to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, no payment or benefit required to be paid under this Agreement on account of termination of the Executive’s employment shall be made unless and until the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.
(iii)Six Month Delay for Specified Employees. If the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code), then no payment or benefit that is payable on account of the Executive’s “separation from service”, as that term is defined for purposes of Section 409A, shall be made before the date that is six months after the Executive’s “separation from service” (or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death) if and to the extent that such payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation (or may be nonqualified deferred compensation) under Section 409A and such deferral is required to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. Any payment or benefit delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be paid out or provided in a single lump sum at the end of such required delay period in order to catch up to the original payment schedule.
(iv)Treatment of Each Installment as a Separate Payment. For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A to this Agreement, each separately identified amount to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. In addition, any series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(v)Taxable Reimbursements and In-Kind Benefits.
(A)Any reimbursements by the Company to the Executive of any eligible expenses under this Agreement that are not excludable from the Executive’s income for Federal income tax purposes (the “Taxable Reimbursements”) shall be made by no later than the last day of the taxable year of the Executive following the year in which the expense was incurred.
(B)The amount of any Taxable Reimbursements, and the value of any in-kind benefits to be provided to the Executive, during any taxable year of the Executive shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year of the Executive.
(C)The right to Taxable Reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(vi)Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not make any representation to the Executive that the payments or benefits provided under this Agreement are exempt from, or satisfy, the requirements of Section 409A, and the Company shall have no liability or other obligation to indemnify or hold harmless the Executive or any beneficiary of the Executive for any tax, additional tax, interest or penalties that the Executive or any beneficiary of the Executive may incur in the event that any provision of
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this Agreement, or any amendment or modification thereof, or any other action taken with respect thereto, is deemed to violate any of the requirements of Section 409A.
(a)Confidential Information. The Executive shall execute and agree to be bound by the terms of the Company’s Employee Invention Assignment, Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement (the “EIIA”) as provided therein.
(b)Insider Trading Policies. Executive agrees that he shall comply with and be bound by the Company’s insider trading policies with respect to the securities of the Company as now in effect or hereafter adopted or amended.
(c)Clawback Provisions. All incentive and equity awards and payments shall be subject to the clawback policy of the Company, as now in effect or hereafter adopted or amended, and all applicable laws and rules and regulations of the stock exchanges and public market on which the securities of the Company are traded.
(d)Injunction. It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto that a breach by the Executive of any of the covenants contained in this Section 5 or the EIIA may cause irreparable harm and damage to the Company, and its Related Entities, the monetary amount of which may be virtually impossible to ascertain. As a result, the Executive recognizes and hereby acknowledges that the Company and its Related Entities shall be entitled to seek an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining any violation of any or all of the covenants contained in this Section 5 or the EIIA by the Executive or any of his affiliates, associates, partners or agents, either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies the Company may possess.
6.Representations and Warranties of Executive. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:
(a)The Executive’s employment will not conflict with or result in his breach of any agreement to which he is a party or otherwise may be bound;
(b)The Executive has not violated, and in connection with his employment with the Company will not violate, any non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer by which he is or may be bound; and
(c)In connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, he will not use any confidential or proprietary information that he may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer; and
7.Indemnification. Subject to limitations imposed by law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against any and all claims, damages, expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and all other liabilities incurred or paid by him in connection with the investigation, defense, prosecution, settlement or appeal of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and to which the Executive was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of anything done or not done by the Executive in any such capacity or capacities, provided that the Executive acted in good faith, in a manner that was not grossly negligent or constituted willful misconduct and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
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best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
8.Definitions. When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a)Accrued Obligations” means:
(i)all accrued but unpaid Base Salary through the end of the Term of Employment;
(ii)any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred in accordance with Company policy to the extent incurred during the Term of Employment;
(iii)any accrued but unpaid benefits provided under the Company’s employee benefit plans, subject to and in accordance with the terms of those plans;
(iv)any unpaid Bonus with respect to any completed fiscal year that has ended on or prior to the end of the Term of Employment; and
(v)any accrued but unused vacation pay.
(b)“Base Salary” means the salary provided for in Section 3(a) hereof or any increased salary granted to Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.
(c)“Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(d)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e)“Bonus” means any bonus payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof.
(f)“Cause” means any of the following:
(i)Executive’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or to any crime involving moral turpitude;
(ii)willful misconduct or gross negligence by the Executive resulting, in either case, in material economic or reputational harm to the Company or any of Related Entities;
(iii)a willful failure by the Executive to carry out the reasonable and lawful directions of the CEO and failure by the Executive to remedy the failure within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice of same, by the CEO;
(iv)fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty of a material nature by the Executive against the Company or any Related Entity, or a willful material violation by the Executive of a policy or procedure of the Company or any Related Entity, resulting, in any case, in material, reputational or economic harm to the Company or any Related Entity; or
(v) a willful material breach by the Executive of this Agreement and failure by the Executive to remedy the material breach within 30 days after receipt of written notice of same, by the CEO.
(g)“CEO” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
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(h)“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then-outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this subclause (i) the acquisition of additional securities by any one Person who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the securities of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control; (ii) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; (iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iv) a change in the effective control of the Company that occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members of the Board whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purpose of this subclause (iv), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control. For purposes of this definition, Persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
(i)“COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended from time to time.
(j)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(k)“Commencement Date” means the date of this Agreement.
(l)“Disability” means the Executive’s inability, or failure, to perform the essential functions of his position, with or without reasonable accommodation, for any period of six months or more in any 12 month period, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.
(m)“Equity Awards” means any stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock or other equity based awards granted by the Company to the Executive.
(n)“Excise Tax” means any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, together with any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to any such excise tax.
(o)“Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions, without the Executive’s express written consent:
(i)a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities, provided, however, that the mere acquisition or merger of the Company by itself shall not constitute a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
(ii)a material reduction by the Company in the Executive’s annual Base Salary (which for purposes hereof is deemed to constitute a reduction of greater than 10%, unless such reduction applies as part of a salary reduction program and such program includes similar reductions to all of the Executive’s direct reports); or
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(iii)the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than 50 miles from the Executive’s principal place of employment immediately prior to the Executive’s termination.
With respect to each of subsection (i), (ii) and (iii) above, the Executive must provide notice to the Company of the condition giving rise to “Good Reason” within 30 days of the initial existence of such condition, and the Company will have 30 days following such notice to remedy such condition. The Executive must resign the Executive’s employment no later than 30 days following the Company’s failure to cure the Good Reason or written notice to the Executive that it will decline to do so.
(p)“Group” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(q)“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.
(r)“Related Entity” means any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. For this purpose, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise, including (without limitation) the ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar body governing the affairs of such Person.
(s)“Target Bonus” has the meaning described in Section 3(b).
(t)“Term of Employment” means the period during which the Executive shall be employed by the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which period shall begin on the Commencement Date and continue until terminated in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(u)“Termination Date” means the date on which the Term of Employment ends.
9.Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a)Taxes. All payments or transfers of property made by the Company to the Executive or his estate or beneficiaries shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(b)Assignment. The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation or other entity with or into which the Company may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Company may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said corporation or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Company hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.
(c)Governing Law. Except as expressly set forth herein, this letter agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws.
(d)Arbitration and Class Action Waiver. Executive and the Company agree to submit to mandatory binding arbitration any and all claims arising out of or related to Executive’s employment with the
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Company and the termination thereof, including, but not limited to, claims for unpaid wages, wrongful termination, torts, stock or stock options or other ownership interest in the Company, and/or discrimination (including harassment), except as set forth below, based upon any federal, state or local ordinance, statute, regulation or constitutional provision except that each party may, at its, his or her option, seek injunctive relief in court related to the improper use, disclosure or misappropriation of a party’s private, proprietary, confidential or trade secret information (collectively, “Arbitrable Claims”). Further, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Executive and the Company agree that no class or collective actions can be asserted in arbitration or otherwise. All claims, whether in arbitration or otherwise, must be brought solely in Executive’s or the Company’s individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or collective proceeding.
THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO ARBITRABLE CLAIMS. THE PARTIES FURTHER WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO PURSUE OR PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS OR COLLECTIVE ACTION PERTAINING TO ANY ARBITRABLE CLAIMS BETWEEN YOU AND THE COMPANY.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Arbitration and Class Action Waiver section restricts Executive’s right to pursue claims in court (a) on a representative action basis under applicable law or (b) for any alleged sexual harassment or any alleged unlawful discriminatory practices related to sexual harassment.
This Agreement does not restrict Executive’s right to file administrative claims Executive may bring before any government agency where, as a matter of law, the parties may not restrict the employee’s ability to file such claims (including, but not limited to, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor). However, the parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for the subject matter of such administrative claims. The arbitration shall be conducted in Boston, Massachusetts through JAMS before a single neutral arbitrator, in accordance with the JAMS employment arbitration rules then in effect. The JAMS rules may be found and reviewed at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration. If Executive is unable to access these rules, please let the Company know and Executive will be provided with a hardcopy. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that contains the essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based. Executive and the Company agree that this Arbitration and Class Action Waiver Provision shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. Should any portion of this provision be found unenforceable, it shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
(e)Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the exhibit attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the patties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, upon its effectiveness, shall supersede all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements, both oral and written, between the Executive and the Company (or any of its Related Entities) with respect to such subject matter. This Agreement may not be modified in any way unless by a written instrument signed by both the Company and the Executive.
(f)Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered by courier, sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or sent by confirmed facsimile transmission addressed as set forth herein. Notices personally delivered, sent by facsimile or sent by overnight courier shall be deemed given on the date of delivery and notices mailed in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed given upon receipt by the addressee, as evidenced by the return receipt thereof. Notice shall be sent (i) if to the Company, addressed to the Company’s headquarters, Attention: the Company’s CEO, and (ii) if to the Executive, to his address as reflected on the payroll records of the Company, or to such other address as either party shall request by notice to the other in accordance with this provision.
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(g)Benefits; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be for the benefit of and binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, legal representatives, successors and, where permitted and applicable, assigns, including, without limitation, any successor to the Company, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise.
(h)Right to Consult with Counsel. The Executive acknowledges having read and considered all of the provisions of this Agreement carefully, and having had the opportunity to consult with counsel of his own choosing, and, given this, the Executive agrees that the obligations created hereby are not unreasonable.
(i)Severability. The invalidity of any one or more of the words, phrases, sentences, clauses, provisions, sections or articles contained in this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining portions of this Agreement or any part thereof, all of which are inserted conditionally on their being valid in law, and, in the event that any one or more of the words, phrases, sentences, clauses, provisions, sections or articles contained in this Agreement shall be declared invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid word or words, phrase or phrases, sentence or sentences, clause or clauses, provisions or provisions, section or sections or article or articles had not been inserted. If such invalidity is caused by length of time or size of area, or both, the otherwise invalid provision will be considered to be reduced to a period or area which would cure such invalidity.
(j)Waivers. The waiver by either party hereto of a breach or violation of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation.
(k)Damages; Attorneys’ Fees. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the Company or the Executive from seeking and recovering from the other damages sustained by either or both of them as a result of its or his breach of any term or provision of this Agreement. Each party shall bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees.
(l)No Set-off or Mitigation. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or others. In the event of any termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, he shall be under no obligation to seek other employment or otherwise in any way to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for hereunder.
(m)Section Headings. The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(n)No Third Party Beneficiary. The Related Entities are intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement. Otherwise, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon or give any person other than the Company, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
(o)Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and agreement.
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.
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Company KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. /s/ T. Andrew Crockett Print Name: T. Andrew Crockett Title: CEO |
Executive /s/ Benjamin L. Palleiko Benjamin L. Palleiko |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement]
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Exhibit B
General Release of Claims
1. Benjamin L. Palleiko (“Executive”), for himself and his family, heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and their respective successors and assigns, in exchange for the consideration received pursuant to Section [4(e)] [4(g)] of the Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Severance Benefits”) to which this release is attached as Exhibit B (the “Employment Agreement”), does hereby release and forever discharge KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), its subsidiaries, affiliated companies, successors and assigns, and its current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders or agents in such capacities (collectively with the Company, the “Released Parties”) from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, controversies, claims and demands whatsoever, for or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, whether known or unknown including, but not limited to, all claims under any applicable laws arising under or in connection with Executive’s employment or termination thereof, whether for tort, breach of express or implied employment contract, wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or defamation or injuries incurred on the job or incurred as a result of loss of employment. Without limiting the generality of the release provided above, Executive expressly waives any and all claims under Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) that he may have as of the date hereof. Executive further understands that, by signing this General Release of Claims, he is in fact waiving, releasing and forever giving up any claim under the ADEA as well as all other laws within the scope of this paragraph 1 that may have existed on or prior to the date hereof. Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 1 to the contrary, this General Release of Claims shall not apply to (i) any rights to receive any payments or benefits to which the Executive is entitled under COBRA, (ii) any rights or claims that may arise as a result of events occurring after the date this General Release of Claims is executed, (iii) any indemnification and advancement rights Executive may have as a former employee, officer or director of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies (including any rights under Section 7 of the Employment Agreement), (iv) any claims for benefits under any directors’ and officers’ liability policy maintained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies in accordance with the terms of such policy, (v) rights to vested benefits under the Company’s 401(k) plan, and (vi) any rights as a holder of equity securities of the Company.
2. Executive understands that nothing in this Release shall in any way limit or prohibit Executive from engaging in any Protected Activity. For purposes of this Release, “Protected Activity” shall mean filing a charge, complaint, or report with, or otherwise communicating, cooperating, or participating in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by, any federal, state or local government agency or commission, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Labor Relations Board (“Government Agencies”). Executive understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Executive is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information to any parties other than the Government Agencies. Executive further understands that “Protected Activity” does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications. In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive is notified that an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official (directly or indirectly) or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if (and only if) such filing is made under seal. In addition, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court
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order. This Release does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies.
3. Executive represents that he has not filed against the Released Parties any complaints, charges, or lawsuits arising out of his employment, or any other matter arising on or prior to the date of this General Release of Claims, and covenants and agrees that he will never individually or with any person file, or commence the filing of any lawsuits, complaints or proceedings with any governmental agency, or against the Released Parties with respect to any of the matters released by Executive pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof; provided, that nothing herein shall prevent Executive from filing a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or similar federal or state agency or the Executive’s ability to participate in any investigation or proceeding conducted by such agency. Nothing in this paragraph shall serve to limit, restrain or impair Executive’s rights under paragraph 2 above.
4. Executive acknowledges that, in the absence of his execution of this General Release of Claims, the Severance Benefits would not otherwise be due to him.
5. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he received adequate consideration in exchange for agreeing to the covenants contained in Section 5 of the Employment Agreement and the EIAA (as defined therein), that such covenants remain reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company and its affiliates and that he will continue to comply with those covenants.
6. Executive hereby acknowledges that the Company has informed him that he has up to 21 days to sign this General Release of Claims and he may knowingly and voluntarily waive that 21 day period by signing this General Release of Claims earlier. Executive also understands that he shall have seven days following the date on which he signs this General Release of Claims within which to revoke it by providing a written notice of his revocation to the Company.
7. Executive acknowledges and agrees that this General Release of Claims will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Massachusetts applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such State.
8. Executive acknowledges that he has read this General Release of Claims, that he has been advised that he should consult with an attorney before he executes this general release of claims, and that he understands all of its terms and executes it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance and the consequences thereof.
9. This General Release of Claims shall become irrevocable on the eighth day following Executive’s execution of this General Release of Claims, unless previously revoked in accordance with paragraph 6, above.
Intending to be legally bound hereby, Executive has executed this General Release of Claims on June 8, 2023.
Executive
/s/ Benjamin L. Palleiko
Benjamin L. Palleiko
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