CERES, INC. STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

EX-10.5 6 y91150b3exv10w5.htm EX-10.5 exv10w5

Exhibit 10.5

CERES, INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

RECITALS

A. The Board has adopted the Plan for the purpose of retaining the services of selected Employees, non-employee members of the Board or the board of directors of any Parent or Subsidiary and consultants and other independent advisors in the service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

B. Optionee is to render valuable services to the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is executed pursuant to, and is intended to carry out the purposes of, the Plan in connection with the Corporation’s grant of an option to Optionee.

C. All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to them in the attached Appendix.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

1. Grant of Option. The Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, as of the Grant Date, an option to purchase up to the number of Option Shares specified in the Grant Notice. The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time to time during the option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the Exercise Price.

2. Option Term. This option shall have a term of ten (10) years measured from the Grant Date and shall accordingly expire at the close of business on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with Paragraph 5 or 6.

3. Limited Transferability. During Optionee’s lifetime, this option shall be exercisable only by Optionee and shall not be assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution following Optionee’s death.

4. Dates of Exercise. This option shall become exercisable for the Option Shares in one or more installments as specified in the Grant Notice. As the option becomes exercisable for such installments, those installments shall accumulate, and the option shall remain exercisable for the accumulated installments until the Expiration Date or sooner termination of the option term under Paragraph 5 or 6.

5. Cessation of Service. The option term specified in Paragraph 2 shall terminate (and this option shall cease to be outstanding) prior to the Expiration Date should any of the following provisions become applicable:

(a) Should Optionee cease to remain in Service for any reason (other than death, Disability or Misconduct) while this option is outstanding, then Optionee shall have a period of three (3) months (commencing with the date of such cessation of

Service) during which to exercise this option, but in no event shall this option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.

(b) Should Optionee die while this option is outstanding, then the personal representative of Optionee’s estate or the person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to Optionee’s will or in accordance with the laws of inheritance shall have the right to exercise this option. Such right shall lapse, and this option shall cease to be outstanding, upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the twelve (12) month period measured from the date of Optionee’s death or (ii) the Expiration Date.

(c) Should Optionee cease Service by reason of Disability while this option is outstanding, then Optionee shall have a period of twelve (12) months (commencing with the date of such cessation of Service) during which to exercise this option. In no event shall this option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.

Note: Exercise of this option on a date later than three (3) months following cessation of Service due to Disability will result in loss of favorable Incentive Option treatment, unless such Disability constitutes Permanent Disability. In the event that Incentive Option treatment is not available, this option will be taxed as a Non-Statutory Option upon exercise.

(d) During the limited period of post-Service exercisability, this option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of Option Shares in which Optionee is, at the time of Optionee’s cessation of Service, vested pursuant to the Vesting Schedule specified in the Grant Notice or the special vesting acceleration provisions of Paragraph 6. Upon the expiration of such limited exercise period or (if earlier) upon the Expiration Date, this option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested Option Shares for which the option has not been exercised. To the extent Optionee is not vested in one or more Option Shares at the time of Optionee’s cessation of Service, this option shall immediately terminate and cease to be outstanding with respect to those shares.

(e) Should Optionee’s Service be terminated for Misconduct, then this option shall terminate immediately and cease to remain outstanding.

6. Accelerated Vesting.

(a) In the event of any Corporate Transaction, the Option Shares at the time subject to this option but not otherwise vested shall automatically vest in full so that this option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, become exercisable for all of the Option Shares as fully vested shares and may be exercised for any or all of those Option Shares as vested shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any option that is subject to Section 409A of the Code and payment or settlement of the option is to be accelerated in connection with the Corporate Transaction, no Corporate Transaction will be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the Plan and any option agreement unless such event(s) also constitutes a “change in the ownership”, “change in the effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a

substantial portion of the assets” of the Corporation as defined under Section 409A of the Code. In addition, the Option Shares shall not vest on such an accelerated basis if and to the extent: (i) this option is assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) in the Corporate Transaction and the Corporation’s repurchase rights with respect to the unvested Option Shares are assigned to such successor corporation (or parent thereof) or (ii) this option is to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing on the unvested Option Shares at the time of the Corporate Transaction (the excess of the Fair Market Value of those Option Shares over the Exercise Price payable for such shares) and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same Vesting Schedule applicable to those unvested Option Shares as set forth in the Grant Notice.

(b) Immediately following the Corporate Transaction, this option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) in connection with the Corporate Transaction.

(c) If this option is assumed in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then this option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same.

(d) Should there occur an Involuntary Termination of Optionee’s Service within twelve (12) months following a Corporate Transaction in which the Option Shares do not otherwise vest on an accelerated basis pursuant to Paragraph 6(a), then all the Option Shares subject to this option at the time of such Involuntary Termination but not otherwise vested shall automatically vest and the Corporation’s repurchase rights with respect to those shares shall terminate so that this option shall immediately become exercisable for all the Option shares as fully-vested shares, to the extent that such acceleration and termination of repurchase rights would not give rise to adverse tax consequences to the Optionee under Section 409A of the Code. The option shall remain exercisable for any or all of those vested Option Shares until the earlier of (1) the Expiration Date or (ii) the expiration of the one (1) year period measured from the date of the Involuntary Termination.

(e) This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

7. Adjustment Option Shares. Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, merger, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made to (i) the total number, kind and/or class of securities subject to this option and (ii) the Exercise Price in order to reflect such change and thereby preclude a dilution or enlargement of benefits hereunder.

8. Stockholder Rights. The holder of this option shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall have exercised the option, paid the Exercise Price and become the record holder of the purchased shares.

9. Manner of Exercising Option.

(a) In order to exercise this option with respect to all or any part of the Option Shares for which this option is at the time exercisable, Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) must take the following actions:

(i) Execute and deliver to the Corporation a Purchase Agreement for the Option Shares for which the option is exercised.

(ii) Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:

(A) cash or check made payable to the Corporation; or

(B) a promissory note payable to the Corporation, but only to the extent authorized by the Plan Administrator in accordance with Paragraph 14.

Should the Common Stock be registered under Section 12 of the 1934 Act at the time the option is exercised, then the Exercise Price may also be paid as follows:

(C) in shares of Common Stock held by Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date; or

(D) to the extent the option is exercised for vested Option Shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (a) to a Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal, state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) to the Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.

Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is utilized in connection with the option exercise, payment of the Exercise Price must accompany the Purchase Agreement delivered to the Corporation in connection with the option exercise.

(iii) Furnish to the Corporation appropriate documentation that the person or persons exercising the option (if other than Optionee) have the right to exercise this option.

(iv) Execute and deliver to the Corporation such written representations as may be requested by the Corporation in order for it to comply with the applicable requirements of Federal and state securities laws.

(v) Make appropriate arrangements with the Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) for the satisfaction of all Federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding requirements applicable to the option exercise.

(b) As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising this option) a certificate for the purchased Option Shares, with the appropriate legends affixed thereto.

10. REPURCHASE RIGHTS. ALL OPTION SHARES ACQUIRED UPON THE EXERCISE OF THIS OPTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE CORPORATION AND ITS ASSIGNS TO REPURCHASE THOSE SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SPECIFIED IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

11. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.

(a) The exercise of this option and the issuance of the Option Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and Optionee with all applicable requirements of law relating thereto and with all applicable regulations of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which the Common Stock may be listed for trading at the time of such exercise and issuance.

(b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from any regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this option shall relieve the Corporation of any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been obtained. The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all such approvals.

(c) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this agreement, if any provision of the Plan or this agreement contravenes any regulations or guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code or could cause an option to be subject to the interest and penalties under Section 409A of the Code, such provision may be modified by the Company without consent of the Optionee to maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. Moreover,

any discretionary authority that the Board or Committee may have pursuant to the Plan shall not be applicable to an option that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent such discretionary authority will contravene Section 409A of the Code or the regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

12. Successors and Assigns. Except to the extent otherwise provided in Paragraphs 3 and 6, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and Optionee, Optionee’s assigns and the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of Optionee’s estate.

13. Notices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee at the address indicated below Optionee’s signature line on the Grant Notice. All notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified.

14. Financing. The Plan Administrator may, in its absolute discretion and without any obligation to do so, permit Optionee to pay the Exercise Price for the purchased Option Shares by delivering a full-recourse, interest-bearing promissory note secured by those Option Shares, provided that Optionee is not a member of the Board or an officer of the Corporation. The payment schedule in effect for any such promissory note shall be established by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion.

15. Construction. This Agreement and the option evidenced hereby are made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and subject to the terms of the Plan. All decisions of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan or this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this option.

16. Governing Law. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without resort to that State’s conflict-of-laws rules.

17. Stockholder Approval. If the Option Shares covered by this Agreement exceed, as of the Grant Date, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan as last approved by the stockholders, then this option shall be void with respect to such excess shares, unless stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan is obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

18. Additional Terms Applicable to an Incentive Option. In the event this option is designated an Incentive Option in the Grant Notice, the following terms and conditions shall also apply to the grant:

(a) This option shall cease to qualify for favorable tax treatment as an Incentive Option if (and to the extent) this option is exercised for one or more Option Shares: (i) more than three (3) months after the date Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Permanent Disability or (ii) more than twelve (12) months after the date Optionee ceases to be an Employee by reason of Permanent Disability.

(b) This option shall not become exercisable in the calendar year in which granted if (and to the extent) the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Grant Date) of the Common Stock for which this option would otherwise first become exercisable in such calendar year would, when added to the aggregate value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of the Common Stock and any other securities for which one or more other Incentive Options granted to Optionee prior to the Grant Date (whether under the Plan or any other option plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) first become exercisable during the same calendar year, exceed the ISO Limit (as defined in the Plan). To the extent the exercisability of this option is deferred by reason of the foregoing limitation, the deferred portion shall become exercisable in the first calendar year or years thereafter in which the One Hundred Thousand Dollar ($100,000) limitation of this Paragraph 18(b) would not be contravened, but such deferral shall in all events end immediately prior to the effective date of a Corporate Transaction in which this option is not to be assumed, whereupon the option shall become immediately exercisable as a Non-Statutory Option for the deferred portion of the Option Shares. Should Optionee hold, in addition to this option, one or more other options to purchase Common Stock which become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year as this option, then the foregoing limitations on the exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such options are granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Incentive Option shall become exercisable as of its respective vesting dates and to the extent the ISO Limit is exceeded, the portion of the option that becomes exercisable because of vesting in excess of the ISO Limit shall be treated as a Non-Statutory Option under the Federal tax laws.

APPENDIX

The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:

A. Agreement shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.

B. Board shall mean the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

C. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

D. Common Stock shall mean the Corporation’s common stock.

E. Corporate Transaction shall be deemed to have occurred when:

(i) Any Person is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, whether or not the Corporation is then subject to the terms of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing twenty (20%) percent or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then-outstanding securities; or

(ii) The following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who constitute the Board as of December 31, 2009 and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Corporation) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or

(iii) There is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation, other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, at least sixty (60%) percent of the combined voting power of the securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Corporation (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Corporation or its affiliates other than in connection with the securities acquired directly from the Corporation or its

affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by the Corporation or its affiliates of a business) representing twenty (20%) percent or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding securities; or

(iv) The shareholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to an entity, at least sixty (60%) percent of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporation immediately prior to such sale.

F. Corporation shall mean Ceres, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of Ceres, Inc. which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.

G. Disability shall mean the inability of Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment and shall be determined by the Plan Administrator on the basis of such medical evidence as the Plan Administrator deems warranted under the circumstances. Disability shall be deemed to constitute Permanent Disability in the event that such Disability is expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve (12) months or more.

H. Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance.

I. Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the option shall have been exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.

J. Exercise Price shall mean the exercise price payable per Option Share as specified in the Grant Notice.

K. Expiration Date shall mean the date on which the option expires as specified in the Grant Notice.

L. Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as the price is reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National Market. If there is no closing selling price for the

Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

(ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

(iii) If the Common Stock is at the time neither listed on any Stock Exchange nor traded on the Nasdaq National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Plan Administrator after taking into account such factors as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.

M. Grant Date shall mean the date of grant of the option as specified in the Grant Notice.

N. Grant Notice shall mean the Notice of Grant of Stock Option accompanying the Agreement, pursuant to which Optionee has been informed of the basic terms of the option evidenced hereby.

O. Incentive Option shall mean an option which satisfies the requirements of Code Section 422.

P. Involuntary Termination shall mean the termination of Optionee’s Service which occurs by reason of:

(i) Optionee’s dismissal or discharge by the Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or

(ii) Optionee’s voluntary resignation following (A) a change in Optionee’s position with the Corporation (or Parent or subsidiary employing Optionee) which materially reduces the Optionee’s level of responsibility, (B) a reduction in Optionee’s level of compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and target bonuses under any corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than fifteen percent (15%) in the aggregate or (C) a relocation of Optionee’s place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles from Optionee’s place of employment immediately prior to the Corporate Transaction, provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by the Corporation without Optionee consent;

provided, however, that in no circumstances shall an event constitute an Involuntary Termination if it would create an inappropriate acceleration of payment that could give rise to adverse tax consequences to an Optionee under Section 409A of the Code.

Q. Misconduct shall mean the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by Optionee, any unauthorized use or disclosure by Optionee of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by Optionee adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge of Optionee or any other individual in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).

R. 1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

S. Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.

T. Option Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option.

U. Optionee shall mean the person to whom the option is granted as specified in the Grant Notice.

V. Parent shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

W. Person shall mean any person, entity or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, except that such term shall not include (i) the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation.

X. Plan shall mean the Corporation’s 2010 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as may be amended from time to time.

Y. Plan Administrator shall mean either the Board or a committee of the Board acting in its capacity as administrator of the Plan.

Z. Purchase Agreement shall mean the stock purchase agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B to the Grant Notice.

AA. Service shall mean the Optionee’s performance of services for the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in the capacity of an Employee, a non-employee member of the board of directors or an independent consultant.

AB. Stock Exchange shall mean the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange.

AC. Subsidiary shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

AD. Vesting Schedule shall mean the vesting schedule specified in the Grant Notice pursuant to which the Optionee is to vest in the Option Shares in a series of installments over his or her period of Service.