NOVAN, INC.2016 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN


Exhibit 10.1
2016 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE AND
(Awarding Restricted Stock Units)

Novan, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to the Novan, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (the “Participant”), an award of restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs”). Each vested RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s Common Stock (“Share”). This award of RSUs is subject to all of the terms and conditions set in this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”) and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, and the grant of RSUs is further conditioned upon Participant’s compliance with any Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement and/or Noncompete Agreement existing or entered into in connection herewith (the “Restrictive Covenants Agreement[s]”). Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Agreement.
Participant:
Grant Date:
Number of RSUs:
Vesting Commencement Date:
Vesting Schedule:
Termination:
[To be specified in individual award agreements]
If Participant experiences a Termination of Service [for any reason other than Participant’s death, Disability, or an involuntary termination without Cause], all RSUs that have not become vested on or prior to the date of such Termination of Service will thereupon be automatically forfeited by the Participant without payment of any consideration therefor.]
By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Grant Notice, the Agreement, the Plan, and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement[s]. Participant has reviewed this Grant Notice, the Agreement, the Plan, and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement[s] in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Agreement, the Plan, and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement[s]. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under this Grant Notice, the Agreement, the Plan, or the Restrictive Covenants Agreement[s].
NOVAN, INC.PARTICIPANT
By:
Name:[Participant Name]
Title:





EXHIBIT A
TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE


Pursuant to the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, the Company has granted to Participant an RSU under the Plan on such terms and condition set forth in the Grant Notice.
Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice or, if not defined in the Grant Notice, in the Plan.
Article I.
GENERAL
1.1Award of RSUs and Dividend Equivalents.
(a)The Company has granted the RSUs to Participant effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”). Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share or, at the option of the Company, an amount of cash, in either case, as set forth in this Agreement. Participant will have no right to the distribution of any Shares or payment of any cash until the time (if ever) the RSUs have vested.
(b)The Company hereby grants to Participant, with respect to each RSU, a Dividend Equivalent for ordinary cash dividends paid to substantially all holders of outstanding Shares with a record date after the Grant Date and prior to the date the applicable RSU is settled, forfeited or otherwise expires. Each Dividend Equivalent entitles Participant to receive the equivalent value of any such ordinary cash dividends paid on a single Share. The Company will establish a separate Dividend Equivalent bookkeeping account (a “Dividend Equivalent Account”) for each Dividend Equivalent and credit the Dividend Equivalent Account (without interest) on the applicable dividend payment date with the amount of any such cash paid.
1.2Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.
1.3Unsecured Promise. The RSUs and Dividend Equivalents will at all times prior to settlement represent an unsecured Company obligation payable only from the Company’s general assets.
Article II.
VESTING; FORFEITURE AND SETTLEMENT
2.1    Vesting; Forfeiture. The RSUs will vest according to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice except that any fraction of an RSU that would otherwise be vested will be accumulated and will vest only when a whole RSU has accumulated. In the event of Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, all unvested RSUs will immediately and automatically be cancelled and forfeited, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator or provided in a binding written agreement between Participant and the Company. Dividend Equivalents (including any Dividend Equivalent Account balance) will vest or be forfeited, as applicable, upon the vesting or forfeiture of the RSU with respect to which the Dividend Equivalent (including the Dividend Equivalent Account) relates.
2.2    Settlement.
(a)RSUs and Dividend Equivalents (including any Dividend Equivalent Account balance) will be paid in Shares or cash at the Company’s option as soon as administratively practicable after the vesting of the applicable RSU, but in no event more than sixty (60) days after the RSU’s vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay any payment under this Agreement that the


Company reasonably determines would violate Applicable Law until the earliest date the Company reasonably determines the making of the payment will not cause such a violation (in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii)), provided the Company reasonably believes the delay will not result in the imposition of excise taxes under Section 409A.
(b)If an RSU is paid in cash, the amount of cash paid with respect to the RSU will equal the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day immediately preceding the payment date. If a Dividend Equivalent is paid in Shares, the number of Shares paid with respect to the Dividend Equivalent will equal the quotient, rounded down to the nearest whole Share, of the Dividend Equivalent Account balance divided by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day immediately preceding the payment date.
Article III.
TAXATION AND TAX WITHHOLDING
3.1    Representation. Participant represents to the Company that Participant has reviewed with Participant’s own tax advisors the tax consequences of this Award and the transactions contemplated by the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents.
3.2    Tax Withholding.
(a) Subject to Section 3.2(b) herein, payment of the applicable withholding tax obligations with respect to the RSUs may be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, as determined by [Participant or the Administrator / the Company in its sole discretion]:

(i) cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or check;

(ii) by delivery of Shares, including Shares delivered by attestation, then-owned by Participant valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of delivery;

(iii) by the Company withholding of Shares otherwise issuable in respect of the RSUs in satisfaction of any applicable withholding tax obligations, valued at their Fair Market Value on the applicable date;

(iv) with the consent of the Administrator, by delivery of a promissory note or other property that the Administrator determines is good and valuable consideration; or

(v) by any combination of (i) - (iv) above.

(b) Unless [Participant or the Administrator / the Company] otherwise determines, payment of the withholding tax obligations with respect to the RSUs shall be by [delivery (including electronically or telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to satisfy the applicable tax withholding obligations] / [delivery (including electronically or telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) by Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company that Participant has placed a market sell order with such broker with respect to Shares then-issuable upon settlement of the RSUs, and that the broker has been directed to deliver promptly to the Company funds sufficient to satisfy the applicable tax withholding obligations; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator].

(c) The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered pursuant to Section 3.2(a) or (b) above shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum individual statutory withholding rates in Participant’s applicable jurisdictions for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such taxable income, in accordance with the Plan.



(d) Participant acknowledges that Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the RSUs, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the RSUs. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or affiliate makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the grant, vesting or payment of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the RSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.
Article IV.
OTHER PROVISIONS
4.1 Adjustments. Participant acknowledges that the RSUs, the Shares subject to the RSUs and the Dividend Equivalents are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan.
4.2 Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company must be in writing and addressed to the Company in care of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal office or the Secretary’s then-current email address or facsimile number. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to Participant must be in writing and addressed to Participant at Participant’s last known mailing address, email address, or facsimile number in the Company’s personnel files. By a notice given pursuant to this Section, either party may designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice will be deemed duly given when actually received, when sent by email, when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service, when delivered by a nationally recognized express shipping company or upon receipt of a facsimile transmission confirmation.
4.3    Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
4.4    Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice, and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws and, to the extent Applicable Laws permit, will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws.
4.5    Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
4.6    Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement, the RSUs, and the Dividend Equivalents will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, this Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
4.7    Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice, and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.
4.8    Agreement Severable. In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the provision will be severable from, and the illegality or invalidity of the provision will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.


4.9    Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the RSUs and Dividend Equivalents, and rights no greater than the right to receive cash or the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the RSUs and Dividend Equivalents, as and when settled pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
4.10    Not a Contract of Employment. Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice, or this Agreement confers upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.
4.11    Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Law, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument.
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Filed: May 16th, 2022