Form of Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. Stock Option Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

AVENUE THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2015 INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the 2015 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) shall have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Agreement.

The undersigned Optionee has been granted an Option to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

Vesting Schedule:

This Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, according to the following vesting schedule: [__________]; provided, however, that vesting of each of the foregoing tranches is and will be subject to Optionee’s Continuous Service to the Company as of each such vesting date.

1.             Grant of Option. The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the “Optionee”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to Section 13 of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), this Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option (“NSO”). To the extent this Option is not designated as an ISO in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, the Option is an NSO.

2.             Exercise of Option.

(a)       Right to Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule and prior to the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant above.

(b)       Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice in the form attached as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Notice”) which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by the aggregate Exercise Price. Optionee may exercise the Option only for whole Shares.

No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.

3.             Optionee’s Representations. In the event the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), at the time this Option is exercised, the Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

4.             Lock-Up Period. Optionee hereby agrees that, if so requested by the Company or any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such other period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “Market Standoff Period”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act. Such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period.

5.             Method of Payment. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

(a)            cash or check;

(b)           if the fair market value of one Share is greater than the Exercise Price (at the date of calculation as set forth below), the Optionee may elect to receive Shares equal to the value (as determined below) of this Option (or the portion thereof being exercised) via a cashless exercise, in which event the Company shall issue to the Optionee a number of Shares computed using the following formula:

X = Y (A-B)

        A

B =          Exercise Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation)

For purposes of the above calculation, the “fair market value” of one Share shall be that price determined by the Company’s Board of Directors in good faith; provided, however, if the Company is trading in the over the counter market or on a recognized exchange, fair market value shall be the last sales price on the day prior to exercise.; or

(c)           surrender of other Shares which, (i) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the exercised Shares.

6.             Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised until such time as the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, or if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any Applicable Law.

7.             Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

8.             Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.

9.             Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date of this Option of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY DISCUSSION OF STATE OR LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

(a)           Exercise of ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there will be no regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an item of adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes in the year of exercise and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax. If the Option qualifies as an ISO and is exercised through a cashless exercise process as described in Section 5(b) above, the exercise may be treated as a Disqualifying Disposition as to the Shares surrendered such that the difference between the fair market value of the Shares surrendered over the Exercise Price for those Shares will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates).

(b)           Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. If this Option does not qualify as an ISO, there may be a regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option. The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price and the Company will qualify for a deduction in the same amount, subject to the requirement that the compensation be reasonable. If Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee’s compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise.

(c)           Disposition of Shares. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are held for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. In the case of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of before the later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one year after the date of exercise (such disposition a “Disqualifying Disposition”), any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) in an amount equal to the excess of the lesser of (1) the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price of the Shares over the Exercise Price paid for those Shares. The Company will also be allowed a deduction equal to any such amount recognized, subject to the requirement that the compensation be reasonable.

(d)           Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Option is designated as an ISO, then in the event of a Disqualifying Disposition, the Optionee shall immediately, and in any event not later than fifteen (15) days after such disposition, notify the Company in writing of such disposition.

10.           Withholding Obligations. At the time Optionee exercises the Option (in whole or in part), or at the time of a Disqualifying Disposition in the case of an ISO, Optionee may incur tax obligations under federal, state, local, and/or foreign law, which the Company may be required to withhold from Optionee’s compensation or otherwise collect from Optionee. Optionee agrees that the Company may satisfy such withholding by any of the following means or by a combination of such means, in the Company’s discretion: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to the Optionee by the Company; (ii) causing the Optionee to tender a cash payment; or (iii) withholding from the Shares otherwise issuable to Optionee upon exercise of the Option the number of Shares with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date the tax withholding obligations are to be determined) equal to the amount of such tax withholding; provided, however, that the number of such Shares so withheld will not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Shares as a liability for financial accounting purposes). Optionee understands that all matters with respect to the total amount of taxes to be withheld in respect of such compensation income will be determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion. Optionee further understands that, although the Company will pay withheld amounts to the applicable taxing authorities, the Optionee remains responsible for payment of all taxes due as a result of income arising under the Agreement.

11.           Entire Agreement; Governing Law. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one agreement. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the state of Delaware (with the exception of its conflict of law provisions).

12.           No Guarantee of Continued Service. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE OR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

[Signature Page Follows]

Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

EXHIBIT A

2015 INCENTIVE PLAN

EXERCISE NOTICE

Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.

________________________

________________________

Attention: Corporate Secretary

1.             Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, __________, _____, the undersigned (“Optionee”) hereby elects to exercise Optionee’s option to purchase __________ shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the 2015 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated __________, _____ (the “Option Agreement”).

2.             Delivery of Payment (check one).

3.             Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

4.             Rights as Stockholder. Until the issuance of the Shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares shall be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after the Option is exercised in accordance with the Option Agreement. No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

5.             Company’s Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Optionee or any transferee (either being sometimes referred to herein as the “Holder”) may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 5 (the “Right of First Refusal”).

(a)           Notice of Proposed Transfer. The Holder of the Shares shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (i) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (iii) the number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder proposes to transfer the Shares (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer the Shares at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).

(b)           Exercise of Right of First Refusal. At any time within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may, by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (c) below.

(c)           Purchase Price. The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section 5 shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.

(d)           Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times set forth in the Notice.

(e)           Holder’s Right to Transfer. If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 5, then the Holder may sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price; provided that such sale or other transfer is consummated within 120 days after the date of the Notice, that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and that the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 5 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise transferred.

(f)            Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5 notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all of the Shares during the Optionee’s lifetime or on the Optionee’s death by will or intestacy to the Optionee’s immediate family or a trust for the benefit of the Optionee’s immediate family shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section 5. “Immediate Family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the provisions of this Section 5, and there shall be no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 5.

(g)           Termination of Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to any Shares upon the earlier of (i) the first sale of Common Stock of the Company to the general public, or (ii) a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) in which the successor corporation has equity securities that are publicly traded.

6.             Tax Consultation. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

7.             Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.

(a)           Legends. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state or federal securities laws:

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE UNDERWRITTEN PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF BY THE HOLDER WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COMPANY OR THE MANAGING UNDERWRITER.

(b)           Stop-Transfer Notices. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.

(c)           Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Exercise Notice or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.

8.             Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this Exercise Notice shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be binding upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

9.             Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Exercise Notice shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the administrator of the Plan which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the administrator of the Plan shall be final and binding on all parties.

10.           Governing Law; Severability. This Exercise Notice is governed by the internal substantive laws but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Delaware. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Exercise Notice will continue in full force and effect.

11.           Entire Agreement. The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference. This Exercise Notice, the Plan, the Option Agreement and the Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee.

Submitted by: Accepted by:

EXHIBIT B

INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT

In connection with the purchase of the above-listed securities, I, the Optionee, represent to the Company the following.

1.           Optionee is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the securities. Optionee is purchasing the securities for investment for Optionee’s own account only, and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2.           Optionee understands that the securities have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Optionee’s investment intent as expressed herein.

3.           Optionee further understands that the securities must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or unless an exemption from registration is available. Moreover, Optionee understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the securities. In addition, Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the securities will be imprinted with a legend that prohibits the transfer of the securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.

4.           Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701, promulgated under the Securities Act, that permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer thereof (or from an affiliate of such issuer) in a nonpublic offering, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.

In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold by the Optionee 90 days thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144, including the sale being made through a broker in an unsolicited “broker’s transaction” or in transactions directly with a market maker (as that term is defined under the Exchange Act) and, in the case of an affiliate, the availability of certain public information about the Company, and the amount of securities being sold during any three month period not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), if applicable.

If the purchase of the securities does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of purchase, then the securities may be resold by the Optionee in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which require: (a) the availability of certain public information about the Company; (b) the resale occurring not less than six months after the party has purchased, and made full payment (within the meaning of Rule 144) for, the securities to be sold; and (c) in the case of an affiliate, the sale being made through a broker in an unsolicited “broker’s transaction” or in transactions directly with a market maker (as that term is defined under the Exchange Act) and the amount of securities being sold during any three-month period not exceeding the specified limitations. If all of the requirements of Rule 144 are not satisfied, Optionee may be able to sell the securities without registration pursuant to the exemption contained in Rule 144, provided that the resale occurs not less than one year after the party has purchased, and made full payment (within the meaning of Rule 144) for, the securities.

5.           Optionee further understands that at the time Optionee wishes to sell the securities there may be no public market upon which to make such a sale, and that, even if such a public market then exists, the Company may not be satisfying the current public information requirements of Rules 144 or 701, and that, in such event, Optionee may be precluded from selling the securities under Rules 144 or 701 even if the relevant holding periods have been satisfied.

6.             Optionee further understands that in the event all of the applicable requirements of Rules 144 or 701 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities Act or some registration exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144 and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such persons and their brokers who participate in such transactions do so at their own risk.