ITEM 1. BUSINESS

EXHIBIT 10.23

BLUE ZONE INC. 1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION AWARD

     You have been granted an option to purchase shares of Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions of this Notice of Stock Option Award (the “Notice”), the Blue Zone Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) attached hereto, as follows. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Notice.

     Vesting Schedule:

     Subject to Grantee’s Continuous Service and other limitations set forth in this Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement, the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

     25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest on the Vesting Commencement Date, an additional 25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest 12 months after the Vesting Commencement Date, an additional 25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest 24 months after the Vesting Commencement Date and the remaining Shares subject to the Option shall vest 36 months after the Vesting Commencement Date.

     During any authorized leave of absence, the vesting of the Option as provided in this schedule shall cease after the leave of absence exceeds a period of ninety (90) days. Vesting of the Option shall resume upon the Grantee’s termination of the leave of absence and return to service to the Company or a Related Entity.

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     In the event of the Grantee’s change in status from Employee to Consultant or from an Employee whose customary employment is 20 hours or more per week to an Employee whose customary employment is fewer than 20 hours per week, vesting of the Option shall continue only to the extent determined by the Administrator as of such change in status.

     In the event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service for Cause, the Grantee’s right to exercise the Option shall terminate concurrently with the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Notice of Stock Option Award and agree that the Option is to be governed by the terms and conditions of this Notice, the Plan, and the Option Agreement.

THE GRANTEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE SHARES SUBJECT TO THE OPTION SHALL VEST, IF AT ALL, ONLY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THE OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE GRANTEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE, THE OPTION AGREEMENT, OR THE PLAN SHALL CONFER UPON THE GRANTEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE AWARDS OR CONTINUATION OF GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE GRANTEE’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF THE GRANTEE’S EMPLOYER TO TERMINATE GRANTEE’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

     The Grantee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the Option Agreement, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof and thereof. The Grantee has reviewed this Notice, the Plan, and the Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Notice, and fully understands all provisions of this Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement. The Grantee hereby agrees that all disputes arising out of or relating to this Notice, the Plan and the Option Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with Section 12 of the Option Agreement. The Grantee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated in this Notice.

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Award Number: ___________

BLUE ZONE INC. 1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT

Grant of Option. Blue Zone Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Grantee (the “Grantee”) named in the Notice of Stock Option Award (the “Notice”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the Total Number of Shares of Common Stock subject to the Option (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice, at the Exercise Price per Share set forth in the Notice (the “Exercise Price”) subject to the terms and provisions of the Notice, this Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement. The Option shall be a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

Exercise of Option.

     (a)     Right to Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice and with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. The Option shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan relating to the termination of the Option in the event of a Corporate Transaction or Related Entity Disposition. No partial exercise of the Option may be for less than the lesser of five percent (5%) of the total number of Shares subject to the Option or the remaining number of Shares subject to the Option. In no event shall the Company issue fractional Shares.

     (b)     Method of Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable only by delivery of an Exercise Notice (attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the whole number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, such other representations and agreements as to the holder’s investment intent with respect to such Shares and such other provisions as may be required by the Administrator. The Exercise Notice shall be signed by the Grantee and shall be delivered in person, by certified mail, or by such other method as determined from time to time by the Administrator to the Company accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay the Exercise Price provided in Section 3(c), below.

     (c)     Taxes. No Shares will be delivered to the Grantee or other person pursuant to the exercise of the Option until the Grantee or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the Administrator for the satisfaction of applicable income tax, employment tax, and social security tax withholding obligations. Upon exercise of the Option, the Company or the Grantee’s employer may offset or withhold (from any amount owed by the Company or the Grantee’s employer to the Grantee) or collect from the Grantee or other person an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations and/or the employer’s withholding obligations.

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Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Grantee; provided, however, that such exercise method does not then violate any Applicable Law :

     (d)     cash, payable in U.S. dollars;

     (e)     check, payable in U.S. dollars;

     (f)     payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure, if available, pursuant to which the Grantee (i) shall provide written instructions to a Company designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of some or all of the purchased Shares and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased Shares and (ii) shall provide written directives to the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction.

Restrictions on Exercise. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of the Shares subject to the Option upon such exercise would constitute a violation of any Applicable Laws.

Termination or Change of Continuous Service. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous Service terminates, other than for Cause, the Grantee may, to the extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”), exercise the Option during the Post-Termination Exercise Period. In the event of termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service for Cause, the Grantee’s right to exercise the Option shall, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, terminate concurrently with the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service. In no event shall the Option be exercised later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice. In the event of the Grantee’s change in status from Employee, Director or Consultant to any other status of Employee, Director or Consultant, the Option shall remain in effect and, except to the extent otherwise determined by the Administrator, continue to vest. Except as provided in Sections 6 and 7 below, to the extent that the Grantee is not entitled to exercise the Option on the Termination Date, or if the Grantee does not exercise the Option within the Post-Termination Exercise Period, the Option shall terminate.

Disability of Grantee. In the event the Grantee’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of his or her Disability, the Grantee may, but only within twelve (12) months from the Termination Date (and in no event later than the Expiration Date), exercise the Option to the extent he or she was otherwise entitled to exercise it on the Termination Date. To the extent that the Grantee is not entitled to exercise the Option on the Termination Date, or if the Grantee does not exercise the Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

Death of Grantee. In the event of the termination of the Grantee’s Continuous Service as a result of his or her death, or in the event of the Grantee’s death during the Post-Termination Exercise Period or during the twelve (12) month period following the Grantee’s Termination of Continuous Service as a result of his or her Disability, the Grantee’s estate may exercise the Option, but only to the extent the Grantee could exercise the Option at the date of termination, within twelve (12) months from the date of death (but in no event later than the Expiration Date). To the extent that the Grantee is not entitled to exercise the Option on the date of death, or if the

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Option is not exercised to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

Transferability of Option. The Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner and may be exercised during the Grantee’s lifetime only by the Grantee, provided that upon the death of the Grantee the Option may be exercised by the Grantee’s estate.

Term of Option. The Option may be exercised no later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice or such earlier date as otherwise provided herein.

Entire Agreement: Governing Law. The Notice, 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 the Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Grantee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Grantee. Nothing in the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement (except as expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any persons other than the parties. The Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement are to be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice of law or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the State of New York to the rights and duties of the parties. Should any provision of the Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

Headings. The captions used in the Notice and this Option Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of the Option for construction or interpretation.

Dispute Resolution The provisions of this Section 12 shall be the exclusive means of resolving disputes arising out of or relating to the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement. The Company, the Grantee, and the Grantee’s assignees pursuant to Section 8 (the “parties”) shall attempt in good faith to resolve any disputes arising out of or relating to the Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement by negotiation between individuals who have authority to settle the controversy. Negotiations shall be commenced by either party by notice of a written statement of the party’s position and the name and title of the individual who will represent the party. Within thirty (30) days of the written notification, the parties shall meet at a mutually acceptable time and place, and thereafter as often as they reasonably deem necessary, to resolve the dispute. If the dispute has not been resolved by negotiation, the parties agree that any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement shall be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (or should such court lack jurisdiction to hear such action, suit or proceeding, in a New York State court in the County of New York) and that the parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of such court. The parties irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection the party may have to the laying of venue for any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court. THE PARTIES ALSO EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY HAVE OR MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. If any one or more

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provisions of this Section 12 shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, it is the specific intent of the parties that such provisions shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application valid and enforceable.

Rights as Stockholder. Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (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 Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of the Plan.

Grantee’s Representations. The Grantee understands that neither the granting of the Option nor the Shares which may be obtained upon exercise of the Option have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any United States securities laws. In the event the Shares purchasable pursuant to the exercise of the Option have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time the Option is exercised, the Grantee shall, if requested by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of all or any portion of the Option, execute and deliver to the Company an “investment representation statement” in a form acceptable to the Company. The Grantee understands and agrees that, if the Shares purchasable pursuant to the exercise of the Option have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 , as amended, at the time the Option is exercised, 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”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

Lock-up Agreement. The Grantee, if requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of the Common Stock or other securities of the Company (the “Lead Underwriter”), hereby irrevocably agrees not to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of any interest in any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock (except Common Stock included in such public offering or acquired on the public market after such offering) during the 180-day period following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or such shorter period of time as the Lead Underwriter shall specify. The Grantee further agrees to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agrees that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such Common Stock subject until the end of such period. The Company and the Grantee acknowledge that each Lead

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Underwriter of a public offering of the Company’s Stock or other securities, during the period of such offering and for the 180-day period thereafter, is an intended beneficiary of this Section 15. During the period from identification as a Lead Underwriter in connection with any public offering of the Company’s Common Stock until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the lock-up period specified in this section in connection with such offering or (ii) the abandonment of such offering by the Company and the Lead Underwriter, the provisions of this Section 15 may not be amended or waived except with the consent of the Lead Underwriter.

Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail (if the party is within the United States), Canada Post (if the party is within Canada) or upon deposit for delivery by an internationally recognized express mail courier service (for international delivery of notice), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown beneath its signature in the Notice, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

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EXHIBIT A

BLUE ZONE INC. 1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

EXERCISE NOTICE

Blue Zone, Inc.

Attention: Secretary

Exercise of Option. Effective as of today,                     , the undersigned (the “Grantee”) hereby elects to exercise the Grantee’s option to purchase                     shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Blue Zone Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) and the Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) and Notice of Stock Option Award (the “Notice”) dated                     ,                     . Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Exercise Notice.

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

Rights as Stockholder. Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (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 Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of the Plan.

Delivery of Payment. The Grantee herewith delivers to the Company the full Exercise Price for the Shares, which, to the extent selected, shall be deemed to be satisfied by use of the broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure to pay the Exercise Price provided in Section 3(c) of the Option Agreement.

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

Taxes. The Grantee acknowledges that federal, state, provincial, territorial and local income and employment tax withholding requirements may apply in respect of this Notice of Exercise and authorizes the Company or the Grantee’s employer to make such withholdings and remittances as are required by Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Grantee agrees to satisfy all applicable federal, state, provincial, territorial and local income and employment tax withholding obligations and herewith delivers to the Company the full amount

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of such obligations or has made arrangements acceptable to the Company to satisfy such obligations.

Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. This Exercise Notice shall be binding upon the Grantee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns.

Headings. The captions used in this Exercise Notice are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this agreement for construction or interpretation.

Dispute Resolution. The provisions of Section 12 of the Option Agreement shall be the exclusive means of resolving disputes arising out of or relating to this Exercise Notice.

Governing Law; Severability. This Exercise Notice is to be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the State of New York to the rights and duties of the parties. Should any provision of this Exercise Notice be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be enforced to the fullest extent allowed by law and the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, (if the party is within the United States), by Canada Post (if the party is within Canada) or upon deposit for delivery by an internationally recognized express mail courier service (for international delivery of notice) with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.

Entire Agreement. The Notice, the Plan, and the Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, and together with this Exercise Notice 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 the Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Grantee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Grantee. Nothing in the Notice, the Plan, the Option Agreement and this Exercise Notice (except as expressly provided therein) is intended to confer any rights or remedies on any persons other than the parties.

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