VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS, INC. EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Executive Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) by and between Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (“Executive”) is effective as of September 19, 2022 (the “Effective Date”).
1. Duties and Scope of Employment.
(a) Positions, Authority and Duties. Executive will serve as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Executive will have the authority, responsibilities and duties as are customary for the Chief Executive Officer of a publicly traded company in the United States, and such additional authority, responsibilities and duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to Executive by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The period of Executive’s employment from the Effective Date is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”
(b) Board Membership. Executive shall be appointed to the Board as of the Effective Date and shall serve as a member of the Board during the Employment Term, subject to any required shareholder approval. For each annual meeting of the shareholders at which Executive’s term expires that occurs during the Employment Term, Executive will be nominated for re-election as a member of the Board.
(c) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive shall perform Executive’s duties faithfully and to the best of Executive’s ability and shall devote substantially all of Executive’s business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect remuneration which would conflict or interfere with the performance of such services without the prior approval of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may participate fully in social, charitable, civic and investment activities (including service as an officer or a director of an entity related to such activities). In addition to being permitted to engage in such social, charitable, civic and investment activities, Executive shall have the right, with the prior written consent of the Board, to serve as a member of the board of directors or comparable governing bodies (including any board committees) of up to two for-profit businesses, one of which shall be satisfied by Executive’s continued service on the board of GenPharm.
(d) Work Location. Executive’s primary work location will be his home office in New Hampshire. Executive shall allocate sufficient time working in person at the Company’s headquarters in Cardiff, California, while incorporating considerations such as pandemic lockdowns, travel restrictions, social distancing measures, virtual conferences and internet-based meetings against business impact and timely execution on deliverables. To such an end, Executive shall dedicate a minimum of a third (1/3rd) of his time on a quarterly basis for the conduct of on-site work-related endeavors, including, but not limited to working at the Company’s headquarters, medical, scientific and investor conferences, fund raising, clinical trials and vendor related activities as well as travel related thereto.
(e) At-Will Employment. The parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice. Executive understands and agrees that neither Executive’s job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of Executive’s employment with the Company. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending on the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company.
2. Compensation.
(a) Base Compensation. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual salary of five hundred eighty thousand six hundred fifty Dollars ($580,650.00) as compensation for Executive’s services (the “Base Salary”), which will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practice, subject to Section 19. Executive’s salary will be subject to review and adjustments may be made in the Company’s sole discretion, except that Executive’s Base Salary may not be reduced without notice and written consent of Executive.
(b) Sign on Bonus and Relocation Reimbursement.
(i) Sign on Bonus. Executive will be paid a sign-on bonus of $100,000 (the “Sign-on Bonus”), subject to Section 19. The Sign-on Bonus will be paid within 30 business days following the Effective Date. If Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company, other than for Good Reason, before the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Effective Date, Executive agrees to repay to the Company a prorated portion of the amount of the Sign-on Bonus within (thirty) 30 days following his last day with the Company. The amount of such repayment would represent the portion of the Sign-on Bonus received by Executive that has not been earned as of the date of the voluntary termination. For clarity, the Sign-on Bonus will be earned based on the number of days that Executive has been employed by the Company divided by the number of days in the (eighteen) 18-month period beginning on the Effective Date.
(ii) Relocation Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable and bona fide costs for up to three (3) exploratory trips to the San Diego, California metropolitan area, for Executive and his family (namely, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇), up to a combined maximum of $7,500. If (x) Executive notifies the Company during the first twelve (12) months of the Employment Term of his intent to relocate his current principal place of residence to the San Diego, California metropolitan area and (y) so relocates his current principle place of residence no later than the date that is (eighteen) 18 months after the Effective Date, subject to Section 19, the Company will reimburse reasonable qualified relocation costs of temporary housing and a rental car for up to three (3) months (the “Relocation Reimbursement”).
If Executive voluntarily terminates Executive’s employment with the Company other than for Good Reason before the first anniversary of the start of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive agrees to repay to the Company 100% of the amount of the Relocation Reimbursement within thirty (30) days following the Executive’s last day with the Company. If Executive voluntarily terminates Executive’s employment with the Company other than for Good Reason after the first anniversary but before the second anniversary of the start of the Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive agrees to repay to the Company a prorated portion of 50% of the amount of the Relocation Reimbursement within thirty (30) days following the Executive’s last day with the Company. The amount of such repayment would represent the portion of the Relocation Reimbursement received by Executive that has not been earned as of the date of the voluntary termination. For clarity, the Relocation Reimbursement will be earned based on the number of days that Executive has been employed by the Company divided by the number of days in the two-year period beginning on the date Executive’s employment begins.
After the first anniversary of the employment start date, Executive will have to make a special request to the Board for any financial assistance with respect to relocation.
(c) Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other senior executives of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan, group medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and flexible-spending account plans, if any, pursuant to the terms and conditions of such plans. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time.
(d) Paid Time Off/Vacation. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to accrue twenty-five (25) days of paid time-off/vacation annually, in accordance with the Company’s paid-time off policies. Accrued and unused vacation will carry over from year to year, as required by applicable California law, up to a cap of no more than 30 days. Notwithstanding such policies, (i) Executive’s full twenty-five (25) days of paid time-off/vacation for Executive’s first year of employment will accrue on the Effective Date; and (ii) paid time-off/vacation to be used at the discretion of the Executive, subject to business needs and approval of the Board Chairman.
(e) Target Bonus. During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to fifty-five percent (55%) of Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), subject to Section 19, upon achievement of performance objectives to be determined by the Board or an authorized committee thereof (the “Committee”) in its sole discretion but in consultation with Executive. Any bonus payable (the “Actual Bonus”) will be paid as soon as practicable after the Board or Committee determines such bonus has been earned, but in no event will any such bonus be paid after March 15 following the calendar year in which such bonus is earned. Except as set forth in Section 5 below, in order to earn any bonus, Executive must be employed by the Company on the date the bonus is paid. Except as set forth in Section 5 below, Executive will not be eligible for a bonus if Executive’s employment with the Company terminates prior to the payment date, regardless of whether Executive or the Company initiates the termination, and independent of whether the termination is with or without cause. For the Company’s 2022 fiscal year, Executive is guaranteed not less than the Target Bonus, prorated for the portion of the year that the Executive was employed by the Company.
3. Equity.
(a) Inducement Option. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date, subject to approval by the Compensation Committee of the Board, as a material inducement to Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company, Executive will be granted a non-statutory stock option to purchase 1,375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price per share equal to the per share fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “Initial Option”). The Initial Option will be granted pursuant to the Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. 2021 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the “Option Plan”). The Initial Option will vest with respect to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to the Initial Option on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and with respect to one-forty-eighth (1/48) of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to the Initial Option on the last day of each one-month period of Executive’s service to the Company thereafter. The Initial Option will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Option Plan and any form of stock option agreement issued thereunder, provided that in the event of any conflict between the terms of thereof and this Agreement, including with respect to the acceleration rights described in Section 5, this Agreement shall prevail.
(b) Additional Equity Awards. Executive will be eligible to receive additional awards of stock options, restricted stock units, or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time. The Board or the Committee will determine in its discretion whether Executive will be granted any such equity awards and the terms of any such award in accordance with the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time.
4. Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time, subject to the following:
(a) Air Travel. Business class, or first class if business class is not available, may be used for domestic air travel outside of California, Arizona, and Nevada.
(b) Train Travel. All train travel may be booked in business class.
(c) Lodging. Guidelines for reimbursable lodging expenses, including taxes, target a maximum of $375 per night except in high priced cities (i.e., New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Vancouver) and outside of North America where they should target a maximum of $475 per night.
(d) Business Meals. Reasonable business-related travel dining expenses (including taxes and gratuity not to exceed 20%) are reimbursable. Costs of providing meals to actual or prospective customers, suppliers, applicants, candidates, or other non-Company individuals for business purposes are reimbursable. Personal meals and incidental expenses incurred while traveling on business are reimbursable, including taxes and tips, up to the following daily maximums: $150 (North America/Europe/Latina America); $200 (Asia Pacific, not including Japan); and $225 (Japan/UK).
5. Severance Benefits; Change in Control Benefits.
(a) Non-CIC Qualified Termination. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company outside of the Change in Control Period (as defined below) other than for Cause (as defined below), death or Disability (as defined in the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)), or Executive resigns from Executive’s employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined below) (such a termination, a “Qualified Termination”), then, subject to Section 6, Executive will be entitled to the following:
(i) continued payment of Executive’s annual Base Salary, at the level in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination date, for a period of fifteen (15) months following the date of the Qualified Termination, with the first payment payable through the Company payroll within thirty (30) days following the effective date of the Release (as defined below) (and to include any amounts that otherwise would have been paid between the termination date and the payment date);
(ii) reimbursement by the Company for the cost of premiums for Executive and Executive’s covered dependents, if any, for group health insurance continuation coverage under Title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) for up to fifteen (15) months following Executive’s termination of employment (the “COBRA Premium Reimbursement”), provided that (x) Executive and Executive’s covered dependents timely elect and remain eligible for continued coverage under COBRA and (y) such COBRA Premium Reimbursement does not result in excise tax penalties for the Company under applicable laws (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act). Notwithstanding the preceding, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide COBRA reimbursement benefits without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company will instead provide the Executive a taxable payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that the Executive would be required to pay to continue the Executive’s group health coverage in effect on the date of termination of employment (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether the Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage and will commence in the month following the month of the termination date and continue for the period of months indicated in this section;
(iii) payment of any Actual Bonus with respect to a fiscal year of the Company preceding the termination date that has not been paid as of the termination with the payment paid on the first Company payroll date following the effective date of the Release;
(iv) payment of the Target Bonus for the fiscal year of the Company in which the termination date occurs, at the level in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination date, pro-rated to reflect the number of days in such fiscal year that Executive provided service, payable in a lump sum on the first Company payroll date following the effective date of the Release; and
(v) the right to exercise Executive’s stock options granted by the Company until the close of business on the date that is the earlier of (x) twelve (12) months after executive’s termination date or (y) the term/expiration date of the stock option.
(b) CIC Qualified Termination. Upon a Qualified Termination occurring during the period beginning three (3) months prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) and ending twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (the “Change in Control Period”), then, in lieu of the severance benefits described in Section 5(a) above and subject to Section 6, Executive will be entitled to the following:
(i) a lump sum payment equal to eighteen (18) months of Executive’s annual Base Salary, at the level in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination date, paid on the first Company payroll date following the effective date of the Release (as defined below);
(ii) COBRA Premium Reimbursement for up to eighteen (18) months following Executive’s termination of employment, provided that (x) Executive and Executive’s covered dependents timely elect and remain eligible for continued coverage under COBRA and (y) such COBRA Premium Reimbursement does not result in excise tax penalties for the Company under applicable laws (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act). Notwithstanding the preceding, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide COBRA reimbursement benefits without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company will instead provide the Executive a taxable payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that the Executive would be required to pay to continue the Executive’s group health coverage in effect on the date of termination of employment (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether the Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage and will commence in the month following the month of the termination date and continue for the period of months indicated in this section;
(iii) payment of any Actual Bonus with respect to a fiscal year of the Company preceding the termination date that has not been paid as of the termination, payable through the Company payroll within thirty (30) days following the effective date of the Release;
(iv) payment of 150% of the Target Bonus for the fiscal year of the Company in which the termination date occurs, at the level in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination date, payable in a lump sum on the first Company payroll date following the effective date of the Release; and
(v) 100% of the unvested portion of any stock options or other equity award held by Executive that remain outstanding as of immediately prior to the date of such Qualified Termination shall immediately vest and become exercisable (but, in no case, will more than 100% of the shares subject to any award vest and become exercisable); provided, however, that any stock options or other equity award held by Executive that, at any time such equity award is outstanding, is subject to performance-based vesting, will vest assuming target performance. For purposes of clarity, any stock options or other equity award held by Executive as of any Qualified Termination not within the Change in Control Period will remain outstanding for not less than three (3) months following such Qualified Termination (or, if longer, the period described in Section 5(a)(v)) in order to give effect to this provision.
(c) Non-Duplication of Payment or Benefits. For purposes of clarity, in the event of that a Change in Control occurs within three (3) months following a Qualified Termination, any severance payments and benefits to be provided to the Executive under Section 5(b) will be reduced by any amounts that already were provided to the Executive under Section 5(a).
(d) Termination for Cause, Death or Disability; Voluntary Resignation without Good Reason. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates voluntarily by Executive for any reason (except upon resignation for Good Reason), for Cause by the Company or due to Executive’s death or Disability, then (i) all vesting will terminate immediately with respect to Executive’s outstanding equity awards and (ii) all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive hereunder will terminate immediately (except as to amounts already earned, as described in Section 5(e); provided, however,, if Executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to Executive’s death or Disability, then Executive or his estate will receive a payment equal to the Target Bonus in the year of termination, pro-rated to reflect the number of days in the fiscal year of termination that Executive provided service, and paid with the first payroll date following the date of termination, and such termination shall be considered a Qualified Termination for purposes of Section 5(a)(v) or 5(b)(v), as applicable.
(e) Amounts Payable on All Terminations. If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason, Executive shall be entitled to received, in addition to the amounts set forth above, all amounts already earned, including (i) Base Salary through the date of termination, (ii) vacation and paid time off earned but unused through the date of termination, (iii) reimbursement of expenses properly incurred prior to termination, and (iv) any benefits paid or provided upon or following termination pursuant to any employee benefit plan or policy in accordance with the terms thereof. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Executive’s rights with respect to the Initial Option and any other equity awards shall be governed by the terms of the applicable plan and award agreement.
6. Conditions to Receipt of Payments; No Duty to Mitigate.
(a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any payments or benefits pursuant to Section 5, other than the amounts described in Section 5(e), will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”) and provided that such Release becomes effective and irrevocable no later than sixty (60) days following the termination date (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be required to accept a Release that (i) extends the post-employment restrictive covenants applicable to Executive, (ii) waives rights to seek indemnification under any D&O policy, indemnification agreement between the parties, or the Company’s bylaws or (iii) waives rights as a shareholder of the Company. If the Release does not become effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance or benefits under this Agreement, other than as provided in Section 5(e). In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, other than as provided in Section 5(e).
(b) Limitation on Payments.
(i) In the event that the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement or other payments and benefits payable or provided to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 6(b), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive’s payments and benefits under this Agreement or other payments or benefits (the “280G Amounts”) will be either:
(x) delivered in full, or
(y) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such payments and benefits being subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, results in Executive’s receipt on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of 280G Amounts, notwithstanding that all or some portion of the 280G Amounts may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code.
(ii) Reduction Order. In the event that a reduction of 280G Amounts is being made in accordance with this Section 6(b), the reduction will occur, with respect to the 280G Amounts considered parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, in the following order:
(1) reduction of cash payments in reverse chronological order (that is, the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced);
(2) cancellation of equity awards that were granted “contingent on a change in ownership or control” within the meaning of Code Section 280G, or the vesting of which is based in whole or part on the attainment of performance goals, in the reverse order of date of grant of the awards (that is, the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first);
(3) reduction of the accelerated vesting of equity awards that vest solely based on continued employment, in the order of the portion of such awards that constitutes a parachute payment (that is, the awards the largest portion of which constitutes a parachute payment will be reduced first); and
(4) reduction of employee benefits in reverse chronological order (that is, the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced).
In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payments or benefits.
(iii) Firm. Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 6(b) will be made in writing by a nationally recognized accounting or valuation firm (the “Firm”) selected by the Company, whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6(b), the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company will bear all costs and make all payments for the Firm’s services relating to any calculations contemplated by this Section 6(b).
(c) Section 409A.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) (together, the “Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.
(ii) Any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement that would be considered Deferred Compensation Severance Benefits will be paid on, or, in the case of installments, will not commence until, the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service. Any installment payments that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60) day period immediately following Executive’s separation from service but for the preceding sentence will be paid to Executive on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s separation from service and the remaining payments shall be made as provided in this Agreement.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s termination (other than due to death), then the Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement, including the portion of the Executive’s Base Salary that is paid on each payroll date pursuant to Section 5(a)(i), is intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.
(iv) Any amount paid under this Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not constitute Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits for purposes of clause (i) above.
(v) Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits for purposes of clause (i) above.
(vi) The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A. In no event will the Company have any liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless Executive (or any other person) for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by Executive (or any other person) as a result of Section 409A.
(d) Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with the terms of Confidential Information Agreement (as defined in Section 8).
(e) No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment.
7. Definitions.
(a) Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as: (i) an act of dishonesty made by Executive in connection with Executive’s responsibilities as an employee that materially discredits, or is materially detrimental to, the Company; (ii) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving fraud, embezzlement or any other act of moral turpitude; (iii) a willful or reckless act made by Executive in connection with Executive’s responsibilities as an employee that involves (A) physical violence or the threat of physical violence, (B) sexual harassment, (C) damage to property, and (D) the influence of alcohol or drugs; (iv) Executive’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom Executive owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of Executive’s relationship with the Company; (v) Executive’s material breach of any obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company; or (vi) Executive’s willful, continued failure to perform Executive’s assigned employment duties after Executive has received a written demand of performance from the Company with specifically sets forth the factual basis for the Company’s belief that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties and has failed to cure such non-performance to the Company’s satisfaction within thirty (30) business days after receiving such notice.
(b) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s consent: (i) the assignment to Executive of any duties, or the reduction of Executive’s duties, either of which results in a material diminution of Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; (ii) the Board fails to appoint the Executive to the Board, or to nominate Executive for election or reelection to the Board; (iii) a material reduction of Executive’s Base Salary (in other words, a reduction of more than 10% of Executive’s Base Salary in any one year, unless pursuant to a salary reduction program applicable generally to the Company’s executives); (iv) a reduction of Executive’s Target Bonus; (v) the failure of the Company to obtain assumption of this Agreement by any acquirer or successor; or (vi) the failure of the Compensation Committee to approve the Initial Option on the terms set forth in Section 3(a). Executive will not resign for Good Reason without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date of such notice. Executive must resign effective not later than sixty (60) days after the end of the Company cure period in the even such event(s), condition(s), or conduct is uncured.
(c) Section 409A Limit. For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A Limit” will mean two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Company’s taxable year preceding the Company’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.
8. Confidential Information; Restrictive Covenants. Executive agrees to enter into and abide by the Company’s standard Confidential Information, Invention Assignment and Arbitration Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) entered into on or about the Effective Date. Executive acknowledges that such Confidential Information Agreement will provider for, subject to the limits per applicable law, (i) a twelve (12) month non-competition provision applicable to Executive, (ii) a twelve (12) month non-solicitation provision applicable to Executive, and (iii) a mutual non-disparagement provision.
9. Cooperation. The parties agree that certain matters in which the Executive will be involved during the Employment Term may necessitate the Executive’s cooperation in the future. Accordingly, following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, to the extent reasonably requested by the Company, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in connection with matters arising out of the Executive’s service to the Company; provided that, the Company shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption of the Executive’s other activities. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation.
10. Representation of the Executive. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:
(a) The Executive is not, as of the Effective Date, currently employed or engaged as an independent contractor with any other entity, and Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not conflict with or result in a violation of, a breach of, or a default under any contract, agreement or understanding to which he is a party or is otherwise bound.
(b) The Executive’s acceptance of employment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not violate any non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer.
11. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death and (b) any successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.
12. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (ii) one (1) day after being sent by a well-established commercial overnight service, or (iii) four (4) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing:
If to the Company:
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Chairman of the Board of Directors
If to Executive:
at the last residential address known by the Company.
13. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision. The parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by law. The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them.
14. Professional Fees. Company will reimburse Executive’s reasonable attorneys’ fees relating to the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and any other agreement relating to Executive joining the Company not to exceed $15,000 in the aggregate.
15. Arbitration. Executive agrees that any and all controversies, claims, or disputes with anyone (including the Company and any employee, officer, director, shareholder or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from Executive’s service to the Company, will be subject to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Confidential Information Agreement.
16. Integration. This Agreement, together with the Option Plan, option agreement thereunder, the Confidential Information Agreement, and the Indemnification Agreement (as defined in Section 23) represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of the parties by a written instrument executed by the parties that is designated as an amendment to this Agreement.
17. Modification: Waiver of Breach. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by the Board or its designee. The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement, which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.
18. Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
19. Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.
20. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).
21. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that Executive has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from Executive’s private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.
22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
23. Indemnification Agreement. The parties shall enter into an indemnification agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Indemnification Agreement”).
24. Survival. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Agreement, and of the Employment Period for any reason, to the extent necessary to enable the parties to enforce their respective rights hereunder.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement (in the case of the Company, by a duly authorized officer or director), effective as of the Effective Date.
| COMPANY: |
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| By: |
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, M.D. |
Date: September 15, 2022 | ||||||
| Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, M.D. |
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| Title: Chairman of the Board |
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| EXECUTIVE: |
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| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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| /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
Date: September 15, 2022 | |||||||
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]
EXHIBIT A
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AGREEMENT
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AND ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
As a condition of my employment with Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), and in consideration of my employment with the Company and my receipt of the compensation now and hereafter paid to me by the Company, I agree to the following provisions of this Confidential Information, Invention Assignment and Arbitration Agreement (this “Agreement”):
1. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT
I UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY IS FOR NO SPECIFIED TERM AND CONSTITUTES “AT-WILL” EMPLOYMENT. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNAUTHORIZED AND NOT VALID UNLESS IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OR CEO OF THE COMPANY. ACCORDINGLY, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP MAY BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE OR FOR ANY OR NO CAUSE, AT MY OPTION OR AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE. I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE COMPANY MAY MODIFY JOB TITLES, SALARIES, AND BENEFITS FROM TIME TO TIME AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
A. Definition of Company Confidential Information. “Company Confidential Information” means information (including any and all combinations of individual items of information) that the Company has or will develop, acquire, create, compile, discover or own, that has value in or to the Company’s business which is not generally known and which the Company wishes to maintain as confidential. Company Confidential Information includes both (i) information created by others that I learn or that becomes available to me through the Company or its agents; and (ii) information I create that the Company owns pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement. By way of example, and without limitation, Company Confidential Information includes any and all non-public information that relates to the actual or anticipated business and/or products, research or development of the Company, or to the Company’s technical data, trade secrets, or know-how, including, but not limited to, research, product plans, or other information regarding the Company’s products or services and markets therefor, customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, customers of the Company on which I called or with which I may become acquainted during the term of my employment), software, developments, inventions, discoveries, ideas, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration information, marketing, finances, and other business information disclosed by the Company either directly or indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or inspection of premises, parts, equipment, or other Company property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company Confidential Information does not include general knowledge, skill, and experience I have acquired during the course of or in connection with my employment with the Company or a former employer. In addition, Company Confidential Information shall not include any such information which I can establish (i) was publicly known or made generally available prior to the time of disclosure by the Company to me; (ii) becomes publicly known or made generally available after disclosure by the Company to me through no wrongful action or omission by me; or (iii) is in my rightful possession, without confidentiality obligations, at the time of disclosure by the Company as shown by my then-contemporaneous written records; provided that any combination of individual items of information shall not be deemed to be within any of the foregoing exceptions merely because one or more of the individual items are within such exception, unless the combination as a whole is within such exception.
B. Nonuse and Nondisclosure. During and after my employment with the Company, I will hold in the strictest confidence and take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of Company Confidential Information. I will not (i) use Company Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever other than for the benefit of the Company in the course of my employment, or (ii) disclose Company Confidential Information to any third party without the prior written authorization of the President, CEO, or the Board of Directors of the Company. Prior to disclosure, when compelled by applicable law, I shall provide prior written notice to the President, CEO, and General Counsel of the Company (as applicable). I agree that I obtain no title to any Company Confidential Information, and that the Company retains all Confidential Information as the sole property of the Company. I understand that my unauthorized use or disclosure of Company Confidential Information during my employment may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including, immediate termination and legal action by the Company. I understand that my obligations under this section shall continue after termination of my employment and also that nothing in this Agreement prevents me from engaging in protected conduct, as described in the Protected Activity Not Prohibited section below.
C. Former Employer Confidential Information. I agree that during my employment with the Company, I will not improperly use, disclose, or induce the Company to use any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity with which I have an obligation to keep such proprietary information or trade secrets in confidence. I further agree that I will not bring onto the Company’s premises or transfer onto the Company’s technology systems any unpublished document, proprietary information, or trade secrets belonging to any such third party unless disclosure to, and use by, the Company has been consented to, in writing, by such third party and the Company.
D. Third Party Information. I recognize that the Company has received, and in the future may receive, from third parties (for example, customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, partners, and collaborators) as well as its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Associated Third Parties”), information which the Company is required to maintain and treat as confidential or proprietary information of such Associated Third Parties (“Associated Third Party Confidential Information”), and I agree to use such Associated Third Party Confidential Information only as directed by the Company and to not use or disclose such Associated Third Party Confidential Information in a manner that would violate the Company’s obligations to such Associated Third Parties. By way of example, Associated Third Party Confidential Information may include the habits or practices of Associated Third Parties, the technology of Associated Third Parties, requirements of Associated Third Parties, and information related to the business conducted between the Company and such Associated Third Parties. I agree at all times during my employment with the Company and thereafter, that I owe the Company and its Associated Third Parties a duty to hold all such Associated Third Party Confidential Information in the strictest confidence, and not to use it or to disclose it to any person, firm, corporation, or other third party except as necessary in carrying out my work for the Company consistent with the Company’s agreement with such Associated Third Parties. I further agree to comply with any and all Company policies and guidelines that may be adopted from time to time regarding Associated Third Parties and Associated Third Party Confidential Information. I understand that my unauthorized use or disclosure of Associated Third Party Confidential Information or violation of any Company policies during my employment may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including, immediate termination and legal action by the Company.
3. OWNERSHIP
A. Assignment of Inventions. As between the Company and myself, I agree that all right, title, and interest in and to any and all copyrightable material, notes, records, drawings, designs, logos, inventions, improvements, developments, discoveries, ideas and trade secrets conceived, discovered, authored, invented, developed or reduced to practice by me, solely or in collaboration with others, during the period of time I am in the employ of the Company (including during my off-duty hours), or with the use of the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or Company Confidential Information, and any copyrights, patents, trade secrets, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating to the foregoing, except as provided in Section 3.G below (collectively, “Inventions”), are the sole property of the Company. I also agree to promptly make full written disclosure to the Company of any Inventions, and to deliver and assign and hereby irrevocably assign fully to the Company all of my right, title and interest in and to Inventions. I agree that this assignment includes a present conveyance to the Company of ownership of Inventions that are not yet in existence. I further acknowledge that all original works of authorship that are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of and during the period of my employment with the Company and that are protectable by copyright are “works made for hire,” as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act. I understand and agree that the decision whether or not to commercialize or market any Inventions is within the Company’s sole discretion and for the Company’s sole benefit, and that no royalty or other consideration will be due to me as a result of the Company’s efforts to commercialize or market any such Inventions.
B. Pre-Existing Materials. I will inform the Company, in writing, before incorporating any inventions, discoveries, ideas, original works of authorship, developments, improvements, trade secrets and other proprietary information or intellectual property rights owned by me or in which I have an interest prior to, or separate from, my employment with the Company, including, without limitation, any such inventions that meet the criteria set forth herein under Section 3.G, (“Prior Inventions”) into any Invention or otherwise utilizing any Prior Invention in the course of my
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employment with the Company; and the Company is hereby granted a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable worldwide license (with the right to grant and authorize sublicenses) to make, have made, use, import, offer for sale, sell, reproduce, distribute, modify, adapt, prepare derivative works of, display, perform, and otherwise exploit such incorporated or utilized Prior Inventions, without restriction, including, without limitation, as part of or in connection with such Invention, and to practice any method related thereto. I will not incorporate any inventions, discoveries, ideas, original works of authorship, developments, improvements, trade secrets and other proprietary information or intellectual property rights owned by any third party into any Invention without the Company’s prior written permission. I have attached hereto, as Exhibit A a list describing all Prior Inventions that relate to the Company’s current or anticipated business, products, or research and development or, if no such list is attached, I represent and warrant that there are no such Prior Inventions. Furthermore, I represent and warrant that if any Prior Inventions are included on Exhibit A, they will not materially affect my ability to perform all obligations under this Agreement.
C. Moral Rights. Any assignment to the Company of Inventions includes all rights of attribution, paternity, integrity, modification, disclosure and withdrawal, and any other rights throughout the world that may be known as or referred to as “moral rights,” “artist’s rights,” “droit moral,” or the like (collectively, “Moral Rights”). To the extent that Moral Rights cannot be assigned under applicable law, I hereby waive and agree not to enforce any and all Moral Rights, including, without limitation, any limitation on subsequent modification, to the extent permitted under applicable law.
D. Maintenance of Records. I agree to keep and maintain adequate, current, accurate, and authentic written records of all Inventions made by me (solely or jointly with others) during the term of my employment with the Company. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, electronic files, reports, or any other format that may be specified by the Company. As between the Company and myself, the records are and will be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times.
E. Further Assurances. I agree to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company’s expense, in every proper way to secure the Company’s rights in the Inventions in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments, and all other instruments that the Company shall deem proper or necessary in order to apply for, register, obtain, maintain, defend, and enforce such rights, and in order to deliver, assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns, and nominees the sole and exclusive rights, title, and interest in and to all Inventions, and testifying in a suit or other proceeding relating to such Inventions. I further agree that my obligations under this Section 3.E shall continue after the termination of this Agreement.
F. Attorney-in-Fact. I agree that, if the Company is unable because of my unavailability, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason to secure my signature with respect to any Inventions, including, without limitation, for the purpose of applying for or pursuing any application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright registrations covering the Inventions assigned to the Company in Section 3.A, then I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on my behalf to execute and file any papers and oaths, and to do all other lawfully permitted acts with respect to such Inventions to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright and mask work registrations with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me. This power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest, and shall be irrevocable.
G. Exception to Assignments. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT REQUIRING ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS (AS DEFINED UNDER SECTION 3.A ABOVE) TO THE COMPANY DO NOT APPLY TO ANY INVENTION FOR WHICH NO EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES, FACILITY, OR TRADE SECRET INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY WAS USED AND WHICH WAS DEVELOPED ENTIRELY ON MY OWN TIME (AN “OTHER INVENTION”) EXCEPT FOR THOSE OTHER INVENTIONS THAT RELATE: (A) DIRECTLY TO THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY; (B) TO THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL OR DEMONSTRABLY ANTICIPATED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT; OR (C) RESULT FROM ANY WORK I PERFORM FOR THE COMPANY. I WILL NOT INCORPORATE, OR PERMIT TO BE INCORPORATED, ANY OTHER INVENTION OWNED BY ME OR IN WHICH I HAVE AN INTEREST INTO A COMPANY PRODUCT, PROCESS OR SERVICE WITHOUT THE COMPANY’S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. I WILL ADVISE THE COMPANY PROMPTLY IN WRITING OF ANY INVENTIONS THAT I BELIEVE MEET THE ABOVE CRITERIA AND ARE NOT OTHERWISE DISCLOSED ON EXHIBIT A TO PERMIT A DETERMINATION OF OWNERSHIP BY THE COMPANY. ANY SUCH DISCLOSURE WILL BE RECEIVED IN CONFIDENCE.
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4. CONFLICTING OBLIGATIONS
A. Current Obligations. I agree that during the term of my employment with the Company, I will not engage in or undertake any other employment, occupation, consulting relationship, or commitment that is directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved or has plans to become involved, nor will I engage in any other activities that conflict with my obligations to the Company.
B. Prior Relationships. Without limiting Section 4.A, I represent and warrant that I have no other agreements, relationships, or commitments to any other person or entity that conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, my obligations to the Company under this Agreement, or my ability to become employed and perform the services for which I am being hired by the Company. I further agree that if I have signed a confidentiality agreement or similar type of agreement with any former employer or other entity, I will comply with the terms of any such agreement to the extent that its terms are lawful under applicable law. I represent and warrant that after undertaking a careful search (including searches of my computers, cell phones, electronic devices, and documents), I have returned all property and confidential information belonging to all prior employers (and/or other third parties I have performed services for in accordance with the terms of my applicable agreement). Moreover, I agree to fully indemnify the Company, its directors, officers, agents, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns for all verdicts, judgments, settlements, and other losses incurred by any of them resulting from my breach of my obligations under any agreement with a third party to which I am a party or obligation to which I am bound, as well as any reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs if the plaintiff is the prevailing party in such an action, except as prohibited by law.
5. RETURN OF COMPANY MATERIALS
A. Definition of Electronic Media Equipment and Electronic Media Systems. “Electronic Media Equipment” includes, but is not limited to, computers, external storage devices, thumb drives, mobile devices (including, but not limited to, smart phones, tablets, and e-readers), telephone equipment, and other electronic media devices. “Electronic Media Systems” includes, but is not limited to, computer servers, messaging and email systems or accounts, applications for computers or mobile devices, and web-based services (including cloud-based information storage accounts).
B. Return of Company Property. I understand that anything that I created or worked on for the Company while working for the Company belongs solely to the Company and that I cannot remove, retain, or use such information without the Company’s express written permission. Accordingly, upon separation from employment with the Company or upon the Company’s request at any other time, I will immediately deliver to the Company, and will not keep in my possession (or custody or control), recreate, or deliver to anyone else, any and all Company property, including, but not limited to, Company Confidential Information, Associated Third Party Confidential Information, all Company equipment including all Electronic Media Equipment that was provided to me by or that I used on behalf of the Company, all tangible embodiments of the Inventions, all electronically stored information and passwords to access such information, Company credit cards, records, data, notes, notebooks, reports, files, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, photographs, charts, any other documents and property, and reproductions of any of the foregoing items including, without limitation, those records maintained pursuant to Section 3.D. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I understand that I am allowed to keep a copy of the Company’s employee handbook and personnel records relating to my employment.
C. Return of Company Information on Company Electronic Media Equipment. In connection with my obligation to return information to the Company, I agree that I will not copy, delete, or alter any information, including personal information voluntarily created or stored, contained in Company Electronic Media Equipment before I return the information or property to the Company.
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D. Return of Company Information on Personal Electronic Media Equipment or Personal Electronic Media Systems. If I have used any personal Electronic Media Equipment or personal Electronic Media Systems to create, receive, store, review, prepare, or transmit any Company information, including, but not limited to, Company Confidential Information, I agree to make a prompt and reasonable search for such information in good faith, including reviewing any personal Electronic Media Equipment or personal Electronic Media Systems to locate such information and, if I locate such information, I agree to notify the Company of that fact and then provide the Company with a computer-useable copy of all such Company information from those equipment and systems. I agree to cooperate reasonably with the Company to verify that the necessary copying is completed (including upon request providing a sworn declaration confirming the return of property and deletion of information), and, upon confirmation of compliance by the Company, I agree to delete and expunge all Company information.
E. No Expectation of Privacy in Company Property. I understand that I have no expectation of privacy in Company property, and I agree that any Company property is subject to inspection by Company personnel at any time with or without further notice. As to any personal Electronic Media Equipment or personal Electronic Media Systems that I have used for Company purposes, I agree that the Company, at its sole discretion, may have reasonable access, as determined by the Company in good faith, to such personal Electronic Media Equipment or personal Electronic Media Systems to review, retrieve, destroy, or ensure the permanent deletion of Company information from such equipment or systems or to take such other actions necessary to protect the Company or Company property, as determined by the Company reasonably and in good faith. I also consent to an exit interview and an audit to confirm my compliance with this Section 5, and I will certify in writing that I have complied with the requirements of this Section 5.
6. TERMINATION CERTIFICATION
Upon separation from employment with the Company, I agree to immediately sign and deliver to the Company the “Termination Certification” attached hereto as Exhibit C.
7. NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER
In the event that I leave the employ of the Company, I hereby grant consent to notification by the Company to my new employer about my obligations under this Agreement. I also agree to keep the Company advised of my home and business address for a period of three (3) years after termination of my employment with the Company, so that the Company can contact me regarding my continuing obligations provided by this Agreement.
8. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AND NO SOLICITATION
A. Covenant Not to Compete. I agree that during the course of my employment, and for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company if I resign voluntarily without Good Reason or if I am terminated by the Company involuntarily with ▇▇▇▇▇, I will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, whether paid or not: (i) serve as a partner, principal, licensor, licensee, employee, consultant, officer, director, manager, agent, representative, advisor, promoter, associate, investor, or otherwise for (except for passive ownership of one percent (1%) or less of any entity whose securities have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended); (ii) directly or indirectly, own, purchase, organize or take preparatory steps for the organization of; or (iii) build, design, finance, acquire, lease, operate, manage, control, invest in, work or consult for or otherwise join, participate in any business whose business, products or operations are in any respect involved in the Covered Business. For purposes of this Agreement, “Covered Business” shall mean any business in which the Company is engaged or in which the Company has plans to be engaged, or any service that the Company provides or has plans to provide. The foregoing covenant shall cover my activities in every part of the Territory. “Territory” shall mean (i) all counties in the State of New Hampshire; (ii) all other states of the United States of America in which the Company provided goods or services, had customers, or otherwise conducted business at any time during the two-year period prior to the date of the termination of my relationship with the Company; and (iii) any other countries from which the Company provided goods or services, had customers, or otherwise conducted business at any time during the two-year period prior to the date of the termination of my relationship with the Company. Should I obtain other employment during my employment with the Company, or within twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company if this Section 8.A is in effect, I agree to provide written notification to the Company as to the name and address of my new employer, the position that I expect to hold, and a general description of my duties and responsibilities, at least three (3) business days prior to starting such employment.
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B. No Solicitation.
(1) Non-Solicitation of Customers. I agree that for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company, whether I resign voluntarily or am terminated by the Company involuntarily, I shall not contact, or cause to be contacted, directly or indirectly, or engage in any form of oral, verbal, written, recorded, transcribed, or electronic communication with any Customer for the purposes of conducting business that is competitive or similar to that of the Company or for the purpose of disadvantaging the Company’s business in any way. For purposes of foregoing, “Customer” means all persons or entities that have purchased, used or inquired of the Company’s products or services at any time during the two-year period preceding the termination of my employment with the Company and with whom I had material contact during such period. For purposes of the foregoing, “material contact” means (A) I dealt with such Customer on behalf of the Company; (B) such Customer’s dealings with the Company were coordinated or supervised by me, in whole or in part; or (C) I obtained confidential information regarding such Customer, including, without limitation any Company Confidential Information or Associated Third-Party Confidential Information. I acknowledge and agree that the Customers did not use or inquire of the Company’s services solely as a result of my efforts, and that the efforts of other Company personnel and resources are responsible for the Company’s relationship with the Customers. I further acknowledge and agree that the identity of the Customers is not readily ascertainable or discoverable through public sources, and that the Company’s list of Customers was cultivated with great effort and secured through the expenditure of considerable time and money by the Company.
(2) Non-Solicitation of Employees. I agree that for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company, whether I resign voluntarily or am terminated by the Company involuntarily, I will not directly or indirectly hire, solicit, or recruit, or attempt to hire, solicit, or recruit, any employee of the Company to leave their employment with the Company, nor will I contact any employee of the Company, or cause an employee of the Company to be contacted, for the purpose of leaving employment with the Company. For purposes of the foregoing, the term “employee” shall be limited to those employees with whom I interacted during the last two (2) years of my employment with the Company or about whom I obtained personnel information or other Company Confidential Information about such employee as a result of my position with the Company during the last two (2) years of my employment with the Company.
(3) Non-Solicitation of Others. I agree that for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company, whether I resign voluntarily or am terminated by the Company involuntarily, I will not solicit, encourage, or induce, or cause to be solicited, encouraged or induced, directly or indirectly, any Business Partner to terminate or adversely modify any business relationship with the Company or not to proceed with, or enter into, any business relationship with the Company, nor shall I otherwise interfere with any business relationship between the Company and any Business Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, “Business Partner” means any business partner, franchisee, joint venture, supplier, vendor or contractor who conducted business with the Company at any time during the two-year period preceding the termination of my employment with the Company and with whom I had material contact during such period. For purposes of the foregoing, “material contact” means (A) I dealt with such Business Partner on behalf of the Company; (B) such Business Partner’s dealings with the Company were coordinated or supervised by me, in whole or in part; or (C) I obtained confidential information regarding such Business Partner, including, without limitation, Company Confidential Information or Associated Third-Party Confidential Information.
C. Acknowledgements. I acknowledge that I will derive significant value from the Company’s agreement to provide me with Company Confidential Information to enable me to optimize the performance of my duties to the Company. I further acknowledge that my fulfillment of the obligations contained in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, my obligation neither to disclose nor to use Company Confidential Information other than for the Company’s exclusive benefit and my obligations not to compete and not to solicit contained in subsections (A) and (B) above, is necessary to protect Company Confidential Information and, consequently, to preserve the value and goodwill of the Company. I also acknowledge the time, geographic and scope limitations of my obligations under subsections (A) and (B) above are fair and reasonable in all respects, especially in light of the Company’s need to protect Company Confidential Information and the scope and nature of the Company’s business, and that I will not be precluded from gainful employment if I am obligated not to compete with the Company or solicit its customers, employees, or others during the period and
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within the Territory as described above. In the event of my breach or violation of this Section 8, or good faith allegation by the Company of my breach or violation of this Section 8, to the maximum extent permitted by law the restricted periods set forth in this Section 8 shall be tolled until such breach or violation, or dispute related to an allegation by the Company that I have breached or violated this Section 8, has been duly cured or resolved, as applicable. I agree that nothing in this Section 8 shall affect my continuing obligations under this Agreement during and after this twelve (12) month period, including, without limitation, my obligations under Section 2.
D. Separate Covenants. The covenants contained in subsections (A) and (B) above shall be construed as a series of separate covenants, one for each city, county and state of any geographic area in the Territory. Except for geographic coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms to the covenant contained in subsections (A) and (B) above. If, in any judicial or arbitral proceeding, a court or arbitrator refuses to enforce any of such separate covenants (or any part thereof), then such unenforceable covenant (or such part) shall be revised, or if revision is not permitted it shall be eliminated from this Agreement, to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate covenants (or portions thereof) to be enforced. In the event that the provisions of subsections (A) and (B) above are deemed to exceed the time, geographic or scope limitations permitted by applicable law, then such provisions shall be reformed to the maximum time, geographic or scope limitations, as the case may be, then permitted by such law. In the event that the applicable court or arbitrator does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, I and the Company agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term.
9. CONFLICT OF INTEREST GUIDELINES
I agree to diligently adhere to all policies of the Company, including the Company’s ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ policies and the Company’s Conflict of Interest Guidelines. A copy of the Company’s current Conflict of Interest Guidelines is attached as Exhibit D hereto, but I understand that these Conflict of Interest Guidelines may be revised from time to time during my employment.
10. REPRESENTATIONS
Without limiting my obligations under Section 3.E above, I agree to execute any proper oath or verify any proper document required to carry out the terms of this Agreement. I represent and warrant that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to maintain the confidentiality of information acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I hereby represent and warrant that I have not entered into, and I will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict herewith.
11. AUDIT
I acknowledge that I have no reasonable expectation of privacy in any Company Electronic Media Equipment or Company Electronic Media Systems. All information, data, and messages created, received, sent, or stored in Company Electronic Media Equipment or Company Electronic Media Systems are, at all times, the property of the Company. As such, the Company has the right to audit and search all such items and systems, without further notice to me, to ensure that the Company is licensed to use the software on the Company’s devices in compliance with the Company’s software licensing policies, to ensure compliance with the Company’s policies, and for any other business-related purposes in the Company’s sole discretion. I understand that I am not permitted to add any unlicensed, unauthorized, or non-compliant applications to the Company’s technology systems, including, without limitation, open source or free software not authorized by the Company, and that I shall refrain from copying unlicensed software onto the Company’s technology systems or using non-licensed software or websites. I understand that it is my responsibility to comply with the Company’s policies governing use of the Company’s documents and the internet, email, telephone, and technology systems to which I will have access in connection with my employment. In addition, as to any personal Electronic Media Equipment or personal Electronic Media Systems or other personal property that I have used for Company purposes, I agree that the Company may have reasonable access to such personal Electronic Media Equipment or personal Electronic Media Systems or other personal property to review, retrieve, destroy, or ensure the permanent deletion of Company information from such equipment or systems or property or take such other actions that are needed to protect the Company or Company property, as determined by the Company reasonably and in good faith.
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I am aware that the Company has or may acquire software and systems that are capable of monitoring and recording all Company network traffic to and from any Company Electronic Media Equipment or Company Electronic Media Systems. The Company reserves the right to access, review, copy, and delete any of the information, data, or messages accessed through Company Electronic Media Equipment or Company Electronic Media Systems, with or without notice to me and/or in my absence. This includes, but is not limited to, all e-mail messages sent or received, all website visits, all chat sessions, all news group activity (including groups visited, messages read, and postings by me), and all file transfers into and out of the Company’s internal networks. The Company further reserves the right to retrieve previously deleted messages from e-mail or voicemail and monitor usage of the Internet, including websites visited and any information I have downloaded. In addition, the Company may review Internet and technology systems activity and analyze usage patterns, and may choose to publicize this data to assure that technology systems are devoted to legitimate business purposes.
12. ARBITRATION AND EQUITABLE RELIEF
A. Arbitration. IN CONSIDERATION OF MY EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, THE COMPANY’S PROMISE TO ARBITRATE ALL EMPLOYMENT-RELATED DISPUTES WITH ME, AND MY RECEIPT OF COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS PAID OR PROVIDED TO ME BY THE COMPANY AT PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE, I AGREE THAT ANY AND ALL CONTROVERSIES, CLAIMS, OR DISPUTES THAT I MAY HAVE WITH THE COMPANY (INCLUDING ANY COMPANY EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, OR BENEFIT PLAN OF THE COMPANY, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUCH OR OTHERWISE), ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR RESULTING FROM MY EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY OR THE TERMINATION OF MY EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, INCLUDING ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT (9 U.S.C. SEC. 1 ET SEQ.) (THE “FAA”). THE FAA’S SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS SHALL EXCLUSIVELY GOVERN AND APPLY WITH FULL FORCE AND EFFECT TO THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ITS ENFORCEMENT. ANY STATE COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION SHALL STAY PROCEEDINGS PENDING ARBITRATION OR COMPEL ARBITRATION IN THE SAME MANNER AS A FEDERAL COURT UNDER THE FAA. I FURTHER AGREE THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, I MAY BRING ANY ARBITRATION PROCEEDING ONLY IN MY INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF, REPRESENTATIVE, OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING. I AGREE TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL COMMON LAW AND/OR STATUTORY CLAIMS UNDER LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS UNDER THE NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW AGAINST DISCRIMINATION; THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT; TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT, THE WORKER ADJUSTMENT AND RETRAINING NOTIFICATION ACT, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT, THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AND THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT, CLAIMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT STATUS, COMPENSATION (CASH, EQUITY, BONUS, OR OTHERWISE), OR CLASSIFICATION, AND CLAIMS OF HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, RETALIATION, WRONGFUL TERMINATION, AND BREACH OF CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, I ALSO AGREE TO ARBITRATE ANY AND ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INTERPRETATION OR APPLICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE, BUT NOT DISPUTES ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY, REVOCABILITY OR VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE OR THE CLASS, COLLECTIVE, AND REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING WAIVER HEREIN. WITH RESPECT TO ALL SUCH CLAIMS AND DISPUTES THAT I AGREE TO ARBITRATE, I HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREE TO WAIVE, AND DO WAIVE, ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE ALSO APPLIES TO ANY DISPUTES THAT THE COMPANY MAY HAVE WITH ME. I UNDERSTAND THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT REQUIRES ME TO ARBITRATE CLAIMS THAT CANNOT BE ARBITRATED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, SUCH AS THE ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ ACT.
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B. Administration of Arbitration. I AGREE THAT ANY ARBITRATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY JAMS, PURSUANT TO ITS EMPLOYMENT ARBITRATION RULES & PROCEDURES (THE “JAMS EMPLOYMENT RULES”), WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT ▇▇▇▇://▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇/▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇/ AND FROM THE COMPANY. IF THE JAMS EMPLOYMENT RULES CANNOT BE ENFORCED AS TO THE ARBITRATION, THEN THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THEY WILL ARBITRATE THIS DISPUTE UTILIZING THE JAMS COMPREHENSIVE ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUCH RULES AS THE ARBITRATOR MAY DEEM MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THE DISPUTE (THE RULES UNDER WHICH THE ARBITRATION IS ADMINISTERED, WHETHER THE JAMS EMPLOYMENT RULES OR OTHERWISE, ARE REFERRED TO HEREIN AS THE “JAMS RULES”). IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THIS SECTION 12 AND THE JAMS RULES, THIS SECTION 12 SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE. I AGREE THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE ANY MOTIONS BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY TO THE ARBITRATION, INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND/OR ADJUDICATION, AND MOTIONS TO DISMISS, APPLYING THE STANDARDS SET FORTH FOR SUCH MOTIONS UNDER APPLICABLE NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW, INCLUDING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES. I AGREE THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN DECISION ON THE MERITS. I ALSO AGREE THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO AWARD ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, AND THAT THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS TO THE PREVAILING PARTY, WHERE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. I AGREE THAT THE DECREE OR AWARD RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR MAY BE ENTERED AS A FINAL AND BINDING JUDGMENT IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION THEREOF. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMPANY WILL PAY FOR ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OR HEARING FEES CHARGED BY THE ARBITRATOR OR JAMS EXCEPT THAT I SHALL PAY ANY FILING FEES ASSOCIATED WITH ANY ARBITRATION THAT I INITIATE, BUT ONLY SO MUCH OF THE FILING FEES AS I WOULD HAVE INSTEAD PAID HAD I FILED A COMPLAINT IN A COURT OF LAW THAT WOULD HAVE HAD JURISDICTION OVER SUCH COMPLAINT. I AGREE THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL APPLY SUBSTANTIVE NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW TO ANY DISPUTE OR CLAIM. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE JAMS RULES CONFLICT WITH SUBSTANTIVE NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW, NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE. I AGREE THAT ANY ARBITRATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
C. Remedy. EXCEPT FOR THE PURSUIT OF ANY PROVISIONAL REMEDY PERMITTED UNDER THE FAA, OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THIS AGREEMENT, I AGREE THAT ARBITRATION SHALL BE THE SOLE, EXCLUSIVE, AND FINAL REMEDY FOR ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN ME AND THE COMPANY. WHETHER IN ARBITRATION OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONAL REMEDIES PERMITTED UNDER THE FAA, AND WHERE DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE JUDGE OR ARBITRATOR, BOTH PARTIES CONSENT TO THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION (INCLUDING IN THE EVENT OF ANY BREACH OR THREATENED BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL CAUSE IRREPARABLE INJURY AND FOR WHICH MONEY DAMAGES ALONE WILL NOT PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE REMEDY), WHICH, IN THE CASE OF A PARTY ALLEGING OR CLAIMING A VIOLATION OF AN AGREEMENT REGARDING TRADE SECRETS, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, NONCOMPETITION OR NONSOLICITATION, SHALL BE ISSUED WITHOUT THE POSTING OF A BOND. IN THE EVENT EITHER PARTY SEEKS SUCH INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER REASONABLE COSTS AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES.
D. Administrative Relief. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT PROHIBIT ME FROM PURSUING AN ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIM WITH A LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE BODY OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO ENFORCE OR ADMINISTER LAWS RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD. THIS AGREEMENT DOES, HOWEVER, PRECLUDE ME FROM PURSUING A COURT ACTION REGARDING ANY SUCH CLAIM, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.
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E. Voluntary Nature of Agreement. I ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT I AM EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT ANY DURESS OR UNDUE INFLUENCE BY THE COMPANY OR ANYONE ELSE. I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT I HAVE ASKED ANY QUESTIONS NEEDED FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THE TERMS, CONSEQUENCES, AND BINDING EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND IT, INCLUDING THAT I AM WAIVING MY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL. I AGREE THAT I HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY OF MY CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.
13. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Governing Law; Consent to Personal Jurisdiction. With the exception of the arbitration requirements set forth in Section 12 above (which are governed by the FAA), this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire without regard to New Hampshire’ conflicts-of-law rules that may result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than New Hampshire. To the extent that any lawsuit is permitted under this Agreement, I hereby expressly consent to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in New Hampshire for any lawsuit filed against me by the Company.
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ of Trial by Jury. TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY LAWSUIT IS PERMITTED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, I IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE MY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVING MY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY.
C. Mutual Non-Disparagement. Subject to the Protected Activity Not Prohibited section, I agree that following the termination of my relationship with the Company, whether I resign voluntarily or am terminated by the Company involuntarily, I shall refrain from any disparagement of the Company. The Company agrees that, following the termination of my relationship with the Company, it shall refrain from making any disparaging statements about me. I understand that the Company’s obligations under this Section 13.C extend only to the Company’s executive officers and members of its Board of Directors at the time of my separation from the Company and only for so long as each officer or member is an employee or Director of the Company.
D. Assignability. This Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, executors, assigns, administrators, and other legal representatives, and will be for the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns. The Associated Third Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries to this Agreement with respect to my obligations in Section 2.D. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any successor to all, or substantially all, of the Company’s relevant assets, whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, sale of assets or stock, or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s successors and assigns are authorized to enforce the Company’s rights under this Agreement.
E. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Exhibits herein and any executed written offer letter between me and the Company, to the extent such materials are not in conflict with this Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and me with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior written and oral agreements, discussions, or representations between us, including, but not limited to, any representations made during my interview(s) or relocation negotiations. I represent and warrant that I am not relying on any statement or representation not contained in this Agreement. Any subsequent change or changes in my duties, salary, compensation, conditions or any other terms of my employment will not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.
F. Headings. Headings are used in this Agreement for reference only and shall not be considered when interpreting this Agreement.
G. Severability. If a court or other body of competent jurisdiction finds, or the parties to this Agreement mutually believe, any provision of this Agreement, or portion thereof, to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the parties, and the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect.
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H. Modification, Waiver. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in a writing signed by the President or CEO of the Company and me. Waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.
I. Survivorship. The rights and obligations of the parties to this Agreement will survive termination of my employment with the Company.
14. PROTECTED ACTIVITY NOT PROHIBITED
I understand that nothing in this Agreement limits or prohibits me from filing and/or pursuing a charge or complaint with, or otherwise communicating or cooperating with 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”), including disclosing documents or other information as permitted by law, without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. In addition, I understand that nothing in this Agreement, including its definition of Company Confidential Information, (i) limits employees’ rights to discuss or disclose the terms, wages, and working conditions of their employment, nor (ii) prevents me from discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that I have reason to believe is unlawful. Notwithstanding the preceding, I agree to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any Company trade secrets, proprietary information, or confidential information that does not involve unlawful acts in the workplace or the activity otherwise protected herein. I further understand that I am not permitted to disclose the Company’s attorney-client privileged communications or attorney work product. In addition, I hereby acknowledge that the Company has provided me with notice in compliance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 regarding immunity from liability for limited disclosures of trade secrets. The full text of the notice is attached in Exhibit B.
| Date: September 19, 2022 |
| |||||
| Signature | ||||||
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | ||||||
| Name of Employee (typed or printed) | ||||||
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EXHIBIT A
LIST OF PRIOR INVENTIONS
AND ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP
| Title |
Date |
Identifying Number or Brief Description |
| ☒ | No inventions or improvements |
| ☐ | Additional Sheets Attached |
| Date: September 19, 2022 |
| |||||
| Signature | ||||||
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | ||||||
| Name of Employee (typed or printed) | ||||||
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EXHIBIT B
SECTION 7 OF THE DEFEND TRADE SECRETS ACT OF 2016
“ . . . An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that—(A) is made—(i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. . . . 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 attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual—(A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.”
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EXHIBIT C
TERMINATION CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that I do not have in my possession, custody, or control, nor have I failed to return, any devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, any other documents or property, or reproductions of any and all aforementioned items belonging to Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, I understand that I may keep a copy of the Company’s employee handbook and personnel records relating to me.
I further certify that I have complied with all the terms of the Company’s Confidential Information, Invention Assignment and Arbitration Agreement (the “Agreement”) signed by me, including the reporting of any inventions and original works of authorship (as defined therein) conceived or made by me (solely or jointly with others), as covered by that Agreement.
I understand that pursuant to the Agreement, and subject to its protected activity exclusion, I am obligated to preserve, as confidential, all Company Confidential Information and Associated Third Party Confidential Information, including trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data, or other proprietary information relating to products, processes, know-how, designs, formulas, developmental or experimental work, computer programs, databases, other original works of authorship, customer lists, business plans, financial information, or other subject matter pertaining to any business of the Company or any of its employees, clients, consultants, or licensees.
I also acknowledge that under the Agreement, for twelve (12) months from this date, I will not engage in the activities prohibited by Section 8 or Section 13.C of the Agreement. After leaving the Company’s employment, I will be employed by _______________________________________________________________ in the position of _______________________________________________________________.
| Date: _____________________________________ |
|
| ||||
| Signature | ||||||
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | ||||||
| Name of Employee (typed or printed) | ||||||
| Address for Notifications: |
| |||||
|
| ||||||
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EXHIBIT D
CONFLICT OF INTEREST GUIDELINES
It is the policy of Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) to conduct its affairs in strict compliance with the letter and spirit of the law and to adhere to the highest principles of business ethics. Accordingly, all officers, employees, and independent contractors must avoid activities that are in conflict, or give the appearance of being in conflict, with these principles and with the interests of the Company. The following are potentially compromising situations that must be avoided:
1. Revealing confidential information to outsiders or misusing confidential information. Unauthorized divulging of information is a violation of this policy whether or not for personal gain and whether or not harm to the Company is intended. (The Confidential Information, Invention Assignment and Arbitration Agreement (“Confidentiality Agreement”), to which this Exhibit D was attached, elaborates on this principle and is a binding agreement.)
2. Accepting or offering substantial gifts, excessive entertainment, favors, or payments that may be deemed to constitute undue influence or otherwise be improper or embarrassing to the Company.
3. Participating in civic or professional organizations that might involve divulging confidential information of the Company.
4. Initiating or approving personnel actions affecting reward or punishment of employees or applicants where there is a family relationship or is, or appears to be, a personal or social involvement.
5. Initiating or approving any form of personal or social harassment of employees.
6. Investing or holding outside directorship in suppliers, customers, or competing companies, including financial speculations, where such investment or directorship might influence in any manner a decision or course of action of the Company.
7. Borrowing from or lending to employees, customers, or suppliers.
8. Acquiring real estate of interest to the Company.
9. Improperly using or disclosing to the Company any proprietary information or trade secrets of any other employer or other person or entity with whom obligations of confidentiality exist.
10. Unlawfully discussing prices, costs, customers, sales, or markets with competing companies or their employees.
11. Making any unlawful agreement with distributors with respect to prices.
12. Improperly using or authorizing the use of any inventions that are the subject of patent claims of any other person or entity.
13. Engaging in any conduct that is not in the best interest of the Company.
Each officer, employee, and independent contractor must take every necessary action to ensure compliance with these guidelines and to bring problem areas to the attention of higher management for review. Violations of this conflict of interest policy may result in immediate termination of employment.
Nothing in these guidelines limits or prohibits employees from engaging in any protected activities described in the section of the Confidentiality Agreement entitled “Protected Activity Not Prohibited.”
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EXHIBIT B
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of September 19, 2022, by and between Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.(formerly known as Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the “Indemnitee”).
RECITALS
The Company and Indemnitee recognize the increasing difficulty in obtaining liability insurance for directors, officers and key employees, the significant increases in the cost of such insurance and the general reductions in the coverage of such insurance. The Company and Indemnitee further recognize the substantial increase in corporate litigation in general, subjecting directors, officers and key employees to expensive litigation risks at the same time as the availability and coverage of liability insurance has been severely limited. Indemnitee does not regard the current protection available as adequate under the present circumstances, and Indemnitee and agents of the Company may not be willing to continue to serve as agents of the Company without additional protection. The Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, and to indemnify its directors, officers and key employees so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
1. Indemnification.
(a) Third Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, by reason of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee while an officer or director or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding by or in the right of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, by reason of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee while an officer or director or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), in each case to the extent actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company in the performance of Indemnitee’s duty to the Company and its stockholders unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.
(c) Mandatory Payment of Expenses. To the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1(a) or Section 1(b) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.
2. No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.
3. Expenses; Indemnification Procedure.
(a) Advancement of Expenses. The Company shall advance all expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section l(a) or Section 1(b) hereof (including amounts actually paid in settlement of any such action, suit or proceeding). Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized hereby.
(b) Notice/Cooperation by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to his or her right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the Company shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(d) below. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitee’s power.
(c) Procedure. Any indemnification and advances provided for in Section 1 and this Section 3 shall be made no later than twenty (20) days after receipt of the written request of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. If a claim under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification, is not paid in full by the Company within twenty (20) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of bringing such action. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Company and Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive interim payments of expenses pursuant to Section 3(a) unless and until such defense may be finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists. It is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(d) Notice to Insurers. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(e) Selection of Counsel. In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 3(a) hereof to pay the expenses of any proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such proceeding, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.
4. Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity.
(a) Scope. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute. In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.
(b) Nonexclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though he or she may have ceased to serve in any such capacity at the time of any action, suit or other covered proceeding.
5. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the expenses, judgments, fines or penalties actually or reasonably incurred in the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such expenses, judgments, fines or penalties to which Indemnitee is entitled.
6. Mutual Acknowledgment. Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, Federal law or public policy may override applicable state law and prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. For example, the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has taken the position that indemnification is not permissible for liabilities arising under certain federal securities laws, and federal legislation prohibits indemnification for certain ERISA violations. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the SEC to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
7. Officer and Director Liability Insurance. The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage. In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company.
8. Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable as provided in this Section 8. If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
9. Exceptions. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:
(a) Claims Initiated by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, but such indemnification or advancement of expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate;
(b) Lack of Good Faith. To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to any proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous;
(c) Insured Claims. To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) to the extent such expenses or liabilities have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance maintained by the Company; or
(d) Claims under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses or the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
10. Construction of Certain Phrases.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
11. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action, unless as a part of such action, the court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action
were not made in good faith or were frivolous. In the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee in defense of such action (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless as a part of such action the court determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflict of law.
(b) Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
(c) Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any one of the parties hereto.
(d) Notices. Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by telegram or forty-eight (48) hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.
(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, legal representatives and assigns.
(g) Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.
The parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth on the first page of this Agreement.
| VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, M.D. | |
| Title: |
Chairman of the Board | |
| Address: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ | ||
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | ||
| AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED: | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |