First Amendment to Lease, dated as of October 15, 2021, by and among Blade Therapeutics, Inc. and Bayside Acquisition, LLC

Exhibit 10.21

FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE (“First Amendment”) is made and entered into as of October 15, 2021, by and between BAYSIDE ACQUISITION, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”), and BLADE THERAPEUTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Tenant”).

R E C I T A L S:

A. Landlord and Tenant are parties to the Lease dated April 28, 2016 (the “Lease”), pursuant to which Tenant leases approximately 24,351 rentable square feet of space (the “Premises”) consisting of the entire building (the “Building”) located at 442 Littlefield Avenue, South San Francisco, California.

B. The parties desire to amend the Lease on the terms and conditions set forth in this First Amendment.

A G R E E M E N T:

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Terms. All capitalized terms when used herein shall have the same respective meanings as are given such terms in the Lease unless expressly provided otherwise in this First Amendment.

2. Condition of the Premises. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that Tenant has been occupying the Premises pursuant to the Lease, and therefore Tenant continues to accept the Premises in its presently existing, “as is” condition. Landlord shall not be obligated to provide or pay for any improvement work or services related to the improvement of the Premises. Tenant also acknowledges that neither Landlord nor any agent of Landlord has made any representation or warranty regarding the condition of the Premises, the Building, or the Project or with respect to the suitability of the same for the conduct of Tenant’s business.

3. Lease Term.

3.1 Extended Lease Term. Pursuant to the Lease, the Lease Term is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2022. Landlord and Tenant hereby agree to extend the Lease Term for a period of five (5) years, from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2027 (the “Extended Term”), on the terms and conditions set forth in the Lease, as hereby amended by this First Amendment, unless sooner terminated as provided in the Lease.

3.2 No Further Right to Extend Lease Term. Landlord and Tenant hereby acknowledge that Tenant exercised its right to extend the Lease Term set forth in Section 2.2 of the Lease pursuant to that certain notice dated August 17, 2021, and accordingly Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that the Extended Term provided herein represents such exercise of Tenant’s one (1) option to extend the Lease Term as provided in Section 2.2 of the Lease, and therefore, effective as of the date of this First Amendment, Section 2.2 of the Lease shall be deleted and of no further force or effect and Tenant shall have no further express rights to extend the Lease Term.

4. Rent.

4.1 Base Rent. During the Extended Term, Tenant shall pay monthly installments of Base Rent for the Premises as follows, and otherwise shall pay Base Rent in accordance with the terms of the Lease:

4.2 Direct Expenses. Prior to and during the Extended Term, Tenant shall continue to be obligated to pay Tenant’s Share of the Direct Expenses in accordance with the terms of the Lease.

5. Brokers. Landlord and Tenant hereby warrant to each other that they have had no dealings with any real estate broker or agent in connection with the negotiation of this First Amendment other than CBRE, Inc. and JLL (the “Brokers”), and that they know of no other real estate broker or agent who is entitled to a commission in connection with this First Amendment. Each party agrees to indemnify and defend the other party against and hold the other party harmless from any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, lawsuits, judgments, costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) with respect to any leasing commission or equivalent compensation alleged to be owing on account of any dealings with any real estate broker or agent, other than the Brokers, occurring by, through, or under the indemnifying party. The terms of this Section 5 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of the term of the Lease, as hereby amended.

6. Judicial Reference. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN THE LEASE, THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE LEASE. IF THE JURY WAIVER PROVISIONS OF THE LEASE ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW, THEN THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS SHALL APPLY. IT IS THE DESIRE AND INTENTION OF THE PARTIES TO AGREE UPON A MECHANISM AND PROCEDURE UNDER WHICH CONTROVERSIES AND DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF THE LEASE OR RELATED TO THE PREMISES WILL BE RESOLVED IN A PROMPT AND EXPEDITIOUS MANNER. ACCORDINGLY, EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO ACTIONS FOR UNLAWFUL OR FORCIBLE DETAINER OR WITH RESPECT TO THE PREJUDGMENT REMEDY OF ATTACHMENT, ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER PARTY HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER (AND/OR AGAINST ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATED ENTITIES) ON ANY MATTERS WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE LEASE, TENANT’S USE OR OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES AND/OR ANY CLAIM OF INJURY OR DAMAGE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHER WISE, SHALL BE HEARD AND RESOL YEO BY A REFEREE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, SECTIONS 638 — 645.1, INCLUSIVE (AS SAME MAY BE AMENDED, OR ANY SUCCESSOR STATUTE(S) THERETO) (THE “REFEREE SECTIONS”). ANY FEE TO INITIATE THE JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROCEEDINGS AND ALL FEES CHARGED AND COSTS INCURRED BY THE REFEREE SHALL BE PAID BY THE PARTY INITIATING SUCH PROCEDURE (EXCEPT THAT IF A REPORTER IS REQUESTED BY EITHER PARTY, THEN A REPORTER SHALL BE PRESENT AT ALL PROCEEDINGS WHERE REQUESTED AND THE FEES OF SUCH REPORTER – EXCEPT FOR COPIES ORDERED BY THE OTHER PARTIES – SHALL BE BORNE BY THE PARTY REQUESTING THE REPORTER); PROVIDED HOWEVER, THAT ALLOCATION OF THE COSTS AND FEES, INCLUDING ANY INITIATION FEE, OF SUCH PROCEEDING SHALL BE ULTIMATELY DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEASE. THE VENUE OF THE PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE PREMISES ARE LOCATED. WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS OF RECEIPT BY ANY PARTY OF A WRITTEN REQUEST TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION 6, THE PARTIES SHALL AGREE UPON A SINGLE REFEREE WHO SHALL TRY ALL ISSUES, WHETHER OF FACT OR LAW, AND REPORT A FINDING AND JUDGMENT ON SUCH ISSUES AS REQUIRED BY THE REFEREE SECTIONS. IF THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO AGREE UPON A REFEREE WITHIN SUCH TEN (10) DAY PERIOD, THEN ANY PARTY MAY THEREAFTER FILE A LAWSUIT IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE PREMISES ARE LOCATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPOINTMENT OF A REFEREE UNDER THE REFEREE SECTIONS. IF THE REFEREE IS APPOINTED BY THE COURT, THE REFEREE SHALL BE A NEUTRAL AND IMPARTIAL RETIRED JUDGE WITH SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE IN THE RELEVANT MATTERS TO BE DETERMINED, FROM JAMS, THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION OR SIMILAR MEDIATION/ARBITRATION ENTITY. THE PROPOSED REFEREE MAY BE CHALLENGED BY ANY PARTY FOR ANY OF THE GROUNDS LISTED IN THE REFEREE SECTIONS. THE REFEREE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE ALL ISSUES OF FACT AND LAW AND REPORT HIS OR HER DECISION ON SUCH ISSUES, AND TO ISSUE ALL RECOGNIZED REMEDIES AVAILABLE AT LAW OR IN EQUITY FOR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION THAT IS BEFORE THE REFEREE, INCLUDING AN AWARD OF ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEASE. THE REFEREE SHALL NOT, HOWEVER, HAVE THE POWER TO AWARD PUNITIVE DAMAGES, NOR ANY OTHER DAMAGES WHICH ARE NOT PERMITTED BY THE EXPRESS PROVISIONS OF THE LEASE, AND THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO RECOVER ANY SUCH DAMAGES. THE PARTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CONDUCT ALL DISCOVERY AS PROVIDED IN THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, AND THE REFEREE SHALL OVERSEE DISCOVERY AND MAY ENFORCE ALL DISCOVERY ORDERS IN THE SAME MANNER AS ANY TRIAL COURT JUDGE, WITH RIGHTS TO REGULATE DISCOVERY AND TO ISSUE AND ENFORCE SUBPOENAS, PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS ON DISCOVERY AVAILABLE UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW. THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAW (INCLUDING THE RULES OF EVIDENCE), AND IN ALL REGARDS, THE REFEREE SHALL FOLLOW CALIFORNIA LAW APPLICABLE AT THE TIME OF THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING. THE PARTIES SHALL PROMPTLY AND DILIGENTLY COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND THE REFEREE, AND SHALL PERFORM SUCH ACTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A PROMPT AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS SECTION 6. IN THIS REGARD, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE PARTIES AND THE REFEREE SHALL USE BEST EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT (A) DISCOVERY BE CONDUCTED FOR A PERIOD NO LONGER THAN SIX (6) MONTHS FROM THE DATE THE REFEREE IS APPOINTED, EXCLUDING MOTIONS REGARDING DISCOVERY, AND (B) A TRIAL DATE BE SET WITHIN NINE (9) MONTHS OF THE DATE THE REFEREE IS APPOINTED. IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 644 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, THE DECISION OF THE REFEREE UPON THE WHOLE ISSUE MUST STAND AS THE DECISION OF THE COURT, AND UPON THE FILING OF THE STATEMENT OF DECISION WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT, OR WITH THE JUDGE IF THERE IS NO CLERK, JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED THEREON IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF THE ACTION HAD BEEN TRIED BY THE COURT. ANY DECISION OF THE REFEREE AND/OR JUDGMENT OR OTHER ORDER ENTERED THEREON SHALL BE APPEALABLE TO THE SAME EXTENT AND IN THE SAME MANNER THAT SUCH DECISION, JUDGMENT, OR ORDER WOULD BE APPEALABLE IF RENDERED BY A JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT IN WHICH VENUE IS PROPER HEREUNDER. THE REFEREE SHALL IN HIS/HER STATEMENT OF DECISION SET FORTH HIS/HER FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW. THE PARTIES INTEND THIS GENERAL REFERENCE AGREEMENT TO BE SPECIFICALLY ENFORCEABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 6 SHALL PREJUDICE THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO OBTAIN PROVISIONAL RELIEF OR OTHER EQUITABLE REMEDIES FROM A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AS SHALL OTHERWISE BE AVAILABLE UNDER THE CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND/OR APPLICABLE COURT RULES.

7. Signatures. The parties hereto consent and agree that this First Amendment may be signed and/or transmitted by facsimile, e-mail of a .pdf document or using electronic signature technology (e.g., via DocuSign or similar electronic signature technology), and that such signed electronic record shall be valid and as effective to bind the party so signing as a paper copy bearing such party’s handwritten signature. The parties further consent and agree that (1) to the extent a party signs this First Amendment using electronic signature technology, by clicking “SIGN’’, such party is signing this First Amendment electronically, and (2) the electronic signatures appearing on this First Amendment shall be treated, for purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility, the same as handwritten signatures.

8. California Required Disclosures. For purposes of Section 1938 of the California Civil Code, Landlord hereby discloses to Tenant, and Tenant hereby acknowledges that the Common Areas and the Premises have not undergone inspection by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp). As required by Section l938(e) of the California Civil Code, Landlord hereby states as follows: “A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can inspect the subject premises and determine whether the subject premises comply with all of the applicable construction-related accessibility standards under state law. Although state law does not require a CASp inspection of the subject premises, the commercial property owner or lessor may not prohibit the lessee or tenant from obtaining a CASp inspection of the subject premises for the occupancy or potential occupancy of the lessee or tenant, if requested by the lessee or tenant. The parties shall mutually agree on the arrangements for the time and manner of the CASp inspection, the payment of the fee for the CASp inspection, and the cost of making any repairs necessary to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards within the premises.” In furtherance of the foregoing, Landlord and Tenant hereby agree as follows: (a) any CASp inspection requested by Tenant shall be conducted, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, by a CASp reasonably approved in advance by Landlord; and (b) the cost for making any repairs within the Premises to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards shall be as set forth in the Lease.

9. No Further Modification; Conflict. Except as specifically set forth in this First Amendment, all of the terms and provisions of the Lease shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Lease and this First Amendment, the terms of this First Amendment shall prevail.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this First Amendment has been executed as of the day and year first above written.