BIOVENTUS, INC. 2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.15
BIOVENTUS, INC.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
Bioventus, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Participant”) the number of Restricted Stock Units set forth below (the “RSUs”). The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”), the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in the Grant Notice and the Agreement.
Participant: | _____ | |||||||
| Grant Date: | _____ | |||||||
| Vesting Start Date: | _____ | |||||||
| Number of RSUs: | [ ] | |||||||
| Type of Shares Issuable: | Class A Common Stock | |||||||
| Vesting Schedule: | [ ] | |||||||
| Vesting Dates: | _____ | |||||||
Tax Withholding Obligations: Participant understands that, at the time the RSUs become vested and/or the underlying Shares are distributed, the Company may be required to withhold federal, state and local income and employment taxes. As described in more detail in Section 2.5 of the Agreement, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, satisfy such tax withholding obligations by effecting either (i) a net settlement, where the Company withholds Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant equal in value to the applicable tax withholding obligations, or (ii) a sell to cover transaction, where the Company arranges for the sale, by a broker of the Company’s choosing, of such number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant equal in value to the tax obligation required to be withheld (plus any applicable broker commission). Participant expressly authorizes the Company to use either such method of satisfying the applicable tax withholding obligations, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
[The Participant hereby represents and warrants that on the date hereof he or she (i) is not aware of any material, nonpublic information with respect to the Company or any securities of the Company, (ii) is not subject to any legal, regulatory or contractual restriction that would prevent the Agent from conducting a “sell to cover” transaction as described in Section 2.5(c) of the Agreement, (iii) does not have, and will not attempt to exercise, authority, influence or control over any sales of Shares effected by the Agent pursuant to the Agreement, and (iv) is entering into the Agreement and the resulting “sell to cover” instruction in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b5-1 (regarding trading of the Company’s securities on the basis of material nonpublic information) under the Exchange Act. It is the Participant’s intent that this election to “sell to cover” comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) under
the Exchange Act and be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act.]1
By accepting this Award electronically through the Plan service provider’s online grant acceptance policy, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and the Grant Notice. Participant has reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and the Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing the Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Grant Notice, the Agreement, and the Plan. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, the Grant Notice or the Agreement.
1 If the Participant has executed a Rule 10b5-1 Instruction that covers this Award, the language set forth in bold and square brackets in this paragraph will be deemed removed from this Grant Notice.
EXHIBIT A
TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, the Company has granted to Participant the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice.
| ARTICLE I. | ||
| GENERAL | ||
Section 1.1Defined Terms. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice. For purposes of this Agreement,
(a)“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with or of, such entity. The term “Control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “Controlled by” and “under common Control with”), as used with respect to any entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
(b)“Cause” shall mean, unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined by any employment agreement or offer letter between a Participant and a Participating Company, any of the following: (i) Participant’s material breach or substantial failure to perform any of the duties, responsibilities, representation, warranties, covenants or obligations under this Agreement (other than as a result of Participant’s death or disability), which failure continues unremedied and uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice from the Company requesting such remedy or cure by Participant, (ii) Participant’s conviction for, or plea of guilty or no contest to, or confession of guilt of, any felony or gross misdemeanor (excluding minor traffic violations or similar offenses), (iii) Participant’s commission of any act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement, theft or gross malfeasance with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their assets.
(c)“Cessation Date” shall mean the date of Participant’s Termination of Service (regardless of the reason for such termination).
(e)“Participating Company” shall mean the Company or any of its Affiliates.
(f)“Person” means an individual, corporation, joint venture, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint stock or other company, business trust, trust or other entity or organization, including any national, federal, state, territorial agency, local or foreign judicial, legislative, regulatory or administrative authority, commission, court, tribunal, any political or other subdivision, department or branch of any of the foregoing, and any self-regulatory organization or arbitrator.
Section 1.2Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The RSUs and the shares of Class A Common Stock issued to Participant hereunder (“Shares”) are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.
| ARTICLE II. | ||
| AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS | ||
Section 1.1Award of RSUs
(a)In consideration of Participant’s past and/or continued employment with or service to a Participating Company and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company has granted to Participant the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice, the Plan and this Agreement, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2 of the Plan. Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share at the times and subject to the conditions set forth herein. However, unless and until the RSUs have vested, Participant will have no right to the payment of any Shares subject thereto. Prior to the actual delivery of any Shares, the RSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable only from the general assets of the Company.
Section 1.2Vesting of RSUs.
(a)Subject to Participant’s continued employment with or service to a Participating Company on each applicable vesting date and subject to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 2.2(d), the RSUs shall vest in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.
(b)In the event Participant incurs a Termination of Service, except as may be otherwise provided herein or in the Plan or by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between Participant and the Company, Participant shall immediately forfeit any and all RSUs granted under this Agreement that have not vested or do not vest on or prior to the date on which such Termination of Service occurs, and Participant’s rights in any such RSUs that are not so vested shall lapse and expire.
(c)Notwithstanding the Grant Notice or the provisions of Section 2.2(a) and Section 2.2(b), in the event Participant incurs a Termination of Service for Cause, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between Participant and the Company, Participant shall immediately forfeit any and all RSUs granted under this Agreement (whether or not vested), and Participant’s rights in any such RSUs shall lapse and expire.
Section 1.3
Section 1.4 (a) Distribution or Payment of RSUs. Participant’s RSUs shall be distributed in Shares (either in book-entry form or otherwise) on or within two business days following each applicable vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay a distribution or payment in settlement of RSUs if it reasonably determines that such payment or distribution will violate federal securities laws or any other Applicable Law, provided that such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii), and provided further that no payment or distribution shall be delayed under this Section 2.3(a) if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A.
(b) All distributions shall be made by the Company in the form of whole Shares, and any fractional share shall be distributed in cash in an amount equal to the value of such fractional share determined based on the Fair Market Value as of the date immediately preceding the date of such distribution.
Section 1.5Conditions to Issuance of Certificates. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for any Shares or to cause any Shares to be held in book-entry form prior to the fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (a) the admission of the Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Shares are then listed, (b) the completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable, (c) the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable, (d) the receipt by the Company of full payment for such Shares, which may be in one or more of the forms of consideration permitted under Section 2.5, and (e) the receipt of full payment of any applicable withholding tax in accordance with Section 2.5 by the Participating Company with respect to which the applicable withholding obligation arises.
Section 1.6Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:
(a)As set forth in Section 10.2 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the RSUs. To satisfy such tax withholding obligations, the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to effect either a net settlement (as described in Section 2.5(b) below) or a sell to cover transaction (as described in Section 2.5(c) below). Participant expressly authorizes the Company to use either such method of satisfying the applicable tax withholding obligations, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
(b)If the Company elects to use a net settlement to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations, the Company will withhold Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant equal in value to the applicable tax withholding obligations, remit the corresponding cash value to the applicable taxing authorities, and deliver the remaining net Shares to the Participant.
(c)If the Company does not elect to use a net settlement to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations, the Company will effect a sell to cover transaction in accordance with this Section 2.5(c). The Participant therefore irrevocably agrees as follows:
(i)The Participant hereby appoints the Company’s transfer agent (together with any other party the Company determines necessary to execute the sell to cover transaction, the “Agent”) as the Participant’s agent and authorizes the Agent to (1) sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on the Participant’s behalf, as soon as practicable on or after the Shares are issued upon the vesting of the RSUs, that number (rounded up to the next whole number) of the Shares so issued necessary to generate proceeds to cover (x) any tax withholding obligations incurred with respect to such vesting or issuance and (y) all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto, and (2) apply such funds to the applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto and then remit the remaining funds to the Company for delivery to the applicable taxing authorities.
(ii)The Participant hereby authorizes the Company and the Agent to cooperate and communicate with one another to determine the number of Shares that must be sold pursuant to subsection (i) above.
(iii)The Participant understands that the Agent may effect sales as provided in subsection (i) above in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders will be assigned to the Participant’s account. In addition, the Participant acknowledges that it may not be possible to sell Shares as provided by subsection (i) above due to (1) a legal or contractual restriction applicable to the Participant or the Agent, (2) a market disruption, or (3) rules governing order execution priority on the national exchange where the Shares may be traded. The Participant further agrees and acknowledges that in the event the sale of Shares would result in material adverse harm to the Company, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, the Company may instruct the Agent not to sell Shares as provided by
subsection (i) above. In the event of the Agent’s inability to sell Shares, the Participant will continue to be responsible for the timely payment to the Company and/or its Affiliates of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required by applicable laws and regulations to be withheld, including but not limited to those amounts specified in subsection (i) above.
(iv)The Participant acknowledges that regardless of any other term or condition of this Section 2.5(c), the Agent will not be liable to the Participant for (1) special, indirect, punitive, exemplary, or consequential damages, or incidental losses or damages of any kind, or (2) any failure to perform or for any delay in performance that results from a cause or circumstance that is beyond its reasonable control.
(v)The Participant hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Section 2.5(c). The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of this Section 2.5(c).
(vi)This Section 2.5(c) shall terminate not later than the date on which all tax withholding obligations arising in connection with the vesting of the Award have been satisfied.
(d)The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any certificate representing Shares issuable with respect to the RSUs to, or to cause any such Shares to be held in book-entry form by, Participant or his or her legal representative unless and until Participant or his or her legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes applicable with respect to the taxable income of Participant resulting from the vesting or settlement of the RSUs or any other taxable event related to the RSUs.
(e)Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the RSUs, regardless of any action the Company or any other Participating Company takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the RSUs. No Participating Company makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or payment of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Participating Companies do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the RSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.
Section 1.7Rights as Stockholder. Neither Participant nor any Person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book-entry form) will have been issued and recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars and delivered to Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). Except as otherwise provided herein, after such issuance, recordation and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.
Section 1.8Restrictive Covenants; Forfeiture. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event the Participant breaches his or her Proprietary Information, Inventions, Non-Solicitation, and Non-Competition Agreement or Restrictive Covenant Agreement, as applicable, or any other written agreement between the Participant and any Participating Company, in addition to any other damages available at law or in equity, then, (i) any portion of the Award that has not been distributed to the Participant prior to the date of such violation shall thereupon be forfeited and (ii) the Participant shall be required to pay to the Company the amount of all RSU Gain (as defined below). “RSU Gain” shall mean an amount equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that are distributed pursuant to this RSU Award and (ii) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date of such distribution.
| ARTICLE III. | ||
| OTHER PROVISIONS | ||
Section 1.1Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested Persons. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, no member of the Committee or the Board will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement.
Section 1.2RSUs Not Transferable. The RSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the Shares underlying the RSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed. No RSUs or any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the consent of the Administrator, the RSUs may be transferred to Permitted Transferees, pursuant to any such conditions and procedures the Administrator may require.
Section 1.3Adjustments. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of all or a portion of the RSUs in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. Participant acknowledges that the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan, including Section 12.2 of the Plan.
Section 1.4Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to Participant shall be addressed to Participant at Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 3.4, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service or similar foreign entity.
Section 1.5Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
Section 1.6Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.
Section 1.7Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement, are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the RSUs are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement, shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.
Section 1.8Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the RSUs in any material way without the prior written consent of Participant.
Section 1.9Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 3.2 and the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
Section 1.10Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the RSUs, the Grant Notice and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
Section 1.11Not a Contract of Employment. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of any Participating Company or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of any Participating Company, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent (i) expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between a Participating Company and Participant or (ii) where such provisions are not consistent with applicable foreign or local laws, in which case such applicable foreign or local laws shall control.
Section 1.12Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 1.13Section 409A. The intent of the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith.
Section 1.14Agreement Severable. In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.
Section 1.15Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the RSUs.
Section 1.16Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
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