Employment Letter, dated November 25, 2023, by and between Robert Smith and the Registrant

Contract Categories: Human Resources - Employment Agreements
EX-10.15 3 goss-20231231xexx1015xempl.htm EX-10.15 Document
Exhibit 10.15

Gossamer Bio Services, Inc.
3013 Science Park Road
San Diego, CA 92112


November 25, 2023

Robert Smith
30211 Fairway Ash
Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas    78015
    
Dear Bob:

    This letter agreement (this “Agreement”) confirms the terms of your employment with Gossamer Bio Services, Inc. (the “Company”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gossamer Bio, Inc. (the “Parent”). This Agreement is effective as of December 11, 2023 (the “Effective Date”).

    1.    Title and Duties.

        (a)    Title and Duties. You will be employed by the Company, on a full-time basis, as its Chief Commercial Officer and to serve as an officer with that same position of Parent, working remotely for the headquarters located in San Diego, California. You shall have all the duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate with these positions, subject to the supervision of, and reporting directly to, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “Supervising Officer”). For the avoidance of doubt, all references in this Agreement to your “employment with the Company” shall include your employment with the Company and any of its affiliates and subsidiaries, as applicable.

        (b)    Time Commitment; Outside Activities. You agree to perform the duties and responsibilities of your positions, and such other duties and responsibilities as shall from time to time be mutually agreed upon between you and the Supervising Officer. You agree that, while employed by the Company, you will devote substantially all of your business time and your best efforts, business judgment, skill and knowledge exclusively to the advancement of the business and interests of the Company and to the discharge of your duties and responsibilities for it; provided, however, it is agreed that you may participate in outside charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry activities to the extent such activities do not individually or in the aggregate interfere with your duties and responsibilities to the Company or create an actual or potential conflict of interest with the Company’s business; provided, further, that your service on any outside boards (whether for profit or non-profit) shall require the prior consent of the Supervising Officer. You agree to abide by the rules, regulations, instructions, personnel practices and policies of the Company, as adopted and amended from time to time by the Company.

    2.    Compensation.

        (a)    Base Salary. You will receive an annual base salary of $450,000, payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company in effect from time to time. Your performance will be reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Board”) or the Supervising Officer on an annual basis in conjunction with an annual salary review.

        (b)    Annual Bonus. Commencing with calendar year 2024, you will be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive bonus with a target amount equal to 40% of your then-current annual base salary (the “Target Bonus”). Your bonus in respect of 2024, and any future bonuses, will be subject to the terms of the applicable bonus plan developed and approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board. Any bonus awarded will be paid on or before March 15 of the calendar year immediately following the year for which the bonus was awarded, subject to your employment at the end of the calendar year for which the bonus is due,
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Exhibit 10.15

except as otherwise expressly provided for herein. To the extent your employment commenced following January 1, your annual bonus will be pro-rated to reflect your service during that year.

(c)    Sign-on Bonus. You will be provided with a sign-on bonus of $175,000 paid in two installments. The first installment of the sign-on bonus in the amount of $100,000 will be paid to you by the second regular pay period of your employment and the second installment of $75,000 will be paid in the month following your first anniversary of employment. These payments will be paid and treated as taxable compensation and will be subject to any withholding tax and payroll deductions required by law. The sign-on bonus is subject to repayment in the event you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company without Good Reason (as defined below) or if the Company terminates your employment for Cause (as defined below), in either event within the first year of your employment with the Company. Repayment of the sign-on bonus shall be forgiven on the first anniversary of your commencement of employment with the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the definitions outlined in Section 3 below shall apply.
(d)    Stock Options. Subject to approval of the Company’s board of directors, you will be granted an option to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (as may be adjusted from time to time hereafter for stock splits, combinations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) with an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “Stock Options”). The Stock Options may be granted pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan (the “Plan”) or may be granted outside the Plan as an inducement grant, at the election of the Company. The Stock Options will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan or inducement plan, as applicable, and your stock option agreement. The Stock Options will vest over a four-year period (with 25% of the grant vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and monthly vesting of the balance in equal increments over the remaining 36 months).
(e)    Benefits. You will be eligible to participate in any and all benefit programs that the Company establishes and makes available to its employees from time to, time, provided that you are eligible under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Benefits are subject to change at any time in the Company’s sole discretion.

        (f)    Expense Reimbursements. The Company will reimburse you for all reasonable business expenses incurred by you in the performance of your duties, subject to the Company’s expense reimbursement policies applicable to senior executives in effect from time to time.

        (g)    Paid Time Off. You will be entitled to paid time off in accordance with the policies of the Company.

    3.    At-Will Employment; Termination.

        (a)    At-Will Employment; Notice of Resignation. This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement, either express or implied, to employ you for any stated term, and shall in no way alter the Company’s policy of employment at-will, under which both the Company and you remain free to end the employment relationship for any reason, at any time, with or without cause or notice. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at-will” nature of your employment may only be changed by a written agreement signed by you and an executive officer of the Company, which expressly states the intention to modify the at-will nature of your employment. Similarly, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement, either express or implied, to pay you any compensation or grant you any benefit beyond the end of your employment with the Company, except as otherwise explicitly set forth herein.
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Exhibit 10.15


        (b)    Termination Payment. In the event your employment with the Company ever terminates, on your last day of employment, you will receive your accrued but unpaid base salary and all accrued but unused paid time off through the last day of your employment, in accordance with the Company’s then-current payroll policies and practices (the “Termination Payment”).

        (c)    Termination Without Cause or Resignation For Good Reason Prior to a Change in Control or More Than 12 Months Following a Change in Control. Without otherwise limiting the “at-will” nature of your employment, in the event your employment is terminated at any time by the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, as applicable, or any of their respective successors or assigns) without Cause (as defined below) (excluding by reason of your death and Disability (as defined below)) or by you for Good Reason in each case prior to a Change in Control (as defined below) or more than twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, then, in addition to the Termination Payment, the Company shall provide the following payments and benefits (“Severance Benefits”): (i) continued payment of your base salary at the then-current rate per pay period for a period of nine (9) months following your termination date, in accordance with the Company’s then-current payroll policies and practices; and (ii) provided you timely elect and remain eligible for coverage pursuant to Part 6 of Title I of ERISA, or similar state law (collectively, “COBRA”), payment or reimbursement to you of an amount equal to the full monthly premium for COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s medical plans as in effect on the date of your termination with respect to the level of coverage in effect for you and your eligible dependents as of the date of your termination, on a monthly basis on the first business day of the calendar month next following the calendar month in which the applicable COBRA premiums were paid, with respect to the period from the date of your termination until the earlier of (x) nine (9) months following such date and (y) the date you become eligible for coverage under a subsequent employer’s medical plan.

        (d)    Termination Without Cause or Resignation For Good Reason Within 12 Months Following a Change in Control. In the event your employment is terminated at any time by the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, as applicable, or any of their respective successors or assigns) without Cause (excluding by reason of your death and Disability) or by you for Good Reason, in each case on or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, then, in addition to the Termination Payment, the Company shall provide the following payments and benefits (“Change in Control Severance Benefits”): (i) continued payment of your base salary at the then-current rate per pay period for a period of twelve (12) months following your termination date, in accordance with the Company’s then-current payroll policies and practices; (ii) payment of your Target Bonus for the calendar year during which your date of termination occurs, on the Payment Date; (iii) full vesting of any unvested portion of any equity awards then held by you, which shall no longer be subject to any restrictions or forfeiture, and full exercisability with respect to stock options and similar awards; and (iv) provided you timely elect and remain eligible for coverage pursuant to COBRA, payment or reimbursement to you of an amount equal to the full monthly premium for COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s medical plans as in effect on the date of your termination with respect to the level of coverage in effect for you and your eligible dependents as of the date of your termination, on a monthly basis on the first business day of the calendar month next following the calendar month in which the applicable COBRA premiums were paid, with respect to the period from the date of your termination until the earlier of (x) twelve (12) months following such date and (y) the date you become eligible for coverage under a subsequent employer’s medical plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary and for the avoidance of doubt, any Change in Control Severance Benefits paid to you shall be instead of, and not in addition to, any Severance Benefits that may be paid to you.

        (e)    Death or Disability. In the event your employment is terminated at any time by the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, as applicable, or any of their respective successors or assigns) by reason of your death or Disability, then, in addition to the Termination Payment, the Company shall provide that the greater of (i) fifty percent (50%) of the unvested portion of any equity awards then held by you immediately prior to such termination or (ii) the portion of such equity awards that would have otherwise vested in the nine (9) month
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Exhibit 10.15

period following the date of such termination of employment, shall vest and shall no longer be subject to restrictions or forfeiture on the date of such termination (“Qualified Accelerated Vesting”).

        (f)    Release. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, you will not be entitled to receive any Severance Benefits, Change in Control Severance Benefits or Qualified Accelerated Vesting, as applicable (to the extent applicable, the “Termination Benefits”) unless, within sixty (60) days following the date of termination, you, or in the event of your death or Disability, your legal representatives, have executed a general release of all known and unknown claims and covenant not to sue in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (with such changes to such form to help ensure enforceability under applicable law) (the “Release”), and any revocation period thereunder has lapsed without exercise by you (or your legal representatives) of such revocation right.

        (g)    Payment Timing. The Termination Benefits shall be paid or provided or shall commence on the first payroll period following the date the Release becomes effective (the “Payment Date”) and the first payment shall include all accrued amounts from the date of termination, provided that if the period during which you may deliver the Release required hereunder spans two (2) calendar years, the Payment Date shall be no earlier than January 1 of the second calendar year.

        (h)    Definitions.

            (i)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the equity plan adopted by Parent in connection with its initial public offering.

            (ii)    As used herein, “Cause” means: (A) a willful and material act of dishonesty by you in connection with the performance of your duties as an employee of the Company; (B) your conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony, or any crime involving fraud or embezzlement that the Board reasonably determines has had or is reasonably likely to have a materially detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business; (C) your gross misconduct in the performance of your duties as an employee of the Company; (D) your willful and material unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom you owe an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of your relationship with the Company; (E) your willful and material breach of any obligations under any written agreement or written covenant with the Company; or (F) your continued willful and substantial failure to perform your material employment duties that are lawfully assigned to you in good faith by your reporting superior (other than as a result of your death or Disability) after written notice. Cause shall not exist unless, in any case, you have first received a written notice from the Board that sets forth the factual basis for the Board’s determination as to any behavior or occurrence claimed as Cause and you fail to cure such claimed behavior or occurrence, if curable, to the reasonable satisfaction of a majority of the Board within ten (10) business days after receiving such written notice, in which case your termination date will be the expiration date of the cure period, if any. For purposes of this paragraph, no act or failure to act on your part shall be considered “willful” unless it is done or omitted to be done by you in bad faith and without reasonable belief that the act or failure to act was in the best interest of the Company.

            (iii)    As used herein, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of one or more of the following, without your written consent: (A) a material reduction in your base salary or target annual bonus; (B) a material diminution of your title, duties, responsibilities or reporting lines; (C) a material change in the principal geographic location at which you must perform services, more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s head office; (D) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement. Any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until you have provided the Company with written notice thereof no later than sixty (60) days following the initial occurrence of such event and the Company shall have failed to remedy such event (if capable of being remedied) within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice, and you
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Exhibit 10.15

must terminate your employment with the Company within sixty (60) days after the expiration of such thirty (30)-day remedial period.

            (iv)    As used herein, “Disability” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as it may be amended from time to time.

        (i)    Section 409A of the Code. Any severance payments to you under this Agreement shall begin only after the date of your “separation from service” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Section 409A”) and determined as set forth below, which occurs on or after date of the termination of your employment, and shall be subject to the following provisions:

        (i)    The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from Section 409A and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. For purposes of Section 409A, your right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Neither the Company nor you shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A.

         (ii)    If, as of the date of your “separation from service” from the Company, you are not a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then each installment of the severance payments shall be made on the dates and terms set forth in this Agreement.

        (iii)    If, as of the date of your “separation from service” from the Company, you are a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then:

                (A)     Each installment of the severance payments that, in accordance with the dates and terms set forth in this Agreement, will in all circumstances, regardless of when the “separation from service” occurs, be paid within the short-term deferral period (as defined in Section 409A) shall be treated as a “short-term deferral” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(b)(4) to the maximum extent permissible under Section 409A and shall be paid on the dates and terms set forth in this Agreement; and

            (B)     Each installment of the severance payments that is not described in clause (iii)(A) above and that would, absent this clause (B), be paid within the six-month period following your “separation from service” from the Company shall not be paid until the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day after such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, your death), with any such installments that are required to be delayed being accumulated during the six-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following your “separation from service” and any subsequent installments, if any, being paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this clause (B) shall not apply to any installment of severance payments if and to the maximum extent that that such installment is deemed to be paid under a separation pay plan that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-l(b)(9)(iii) (relating to separation pay upon an involuntary separation from service). Any installments that qualify for the exception under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(b)(9)(iii) must be paid no later than the last day of your second taxable year following the taxable year in which the “separation from service” occurs.

        (iv)    The determination of whether and when your “separation from service” from the Company has occurred shall be made in a manner consistent with, and based on the presumptions set forth in, Treasury Regulation Section l.409A-1(h). Solely for purposes of this paragraph (iv), “Company” shall include all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code.

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        (v)    All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (A) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during your lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (B) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (C) the reimbursement of any eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (D) the right to reimbursement is not subject to set off or liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

        (vi)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to you or to any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, that section. If either you or the Company reasonably determines that any payment to you will violate Section 409A, you and the Company agree to use reasonable best efforts to restructure the payment in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with Section 409A to the extent that the restructuring is consistent with the original economic intent of the parties. You and the Company agree to execute any and all amendments to this Agreement (or any other applicable agreement) that are consistent with the original economic intent of the parties and promote compliance with the distribution provisions of Section 409A in an effort to avoid or minimize, to the extent allowable by law, the tax (and any interest or penalties thereon) associated with Section 409A. If it is determined that a payment to you was (or may be) made in violation of Section 409A, the Company will cooperate, to the extent commercially reasonable, with any effort by you to mitigate the tax consequences of such violation, including cooperation with your participation in any IRS voluntary compliance program or other correction procedure under Section 409A that may be available to you; provided, that such correction is consistent with the commercial intent of the parties hereunder; provided, further, that in no event shall the Company be obligated to incur any material cost in connection with its obligations under this sentence.

    (vii)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control would give rise to a payment or settlement event with respect to any payment or benefit that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation,” the transaction or event constituting the Change in Control must also constitute a “change in control event” (as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)) in order to give rise to the payment or settlement event for such payment or benefit, to the extent required by Section 409A.

    4.    Section 280G of the Code.

        (a)    Best Pay Provision. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent that any of the payments and benefits provided for under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement between the Company and you (collectively, the “Payments”) (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this paragraph, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of such Payments retained by you shall be subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code; provided, however, such reduction shall only occur if after taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, such reduction results in your receipt on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code; provided, further, that this sentence shall not apply if, immediately before the change in ownership or control on which such Payment is contingent or otherwise relates, no stock in the Company is readily tradeable on an established securities market or otherwise (as determined in accordance with Treasury Reg. Section 1.280G-1 Q&A 6). In the event of a determination that such reduction is to take place, reduction shall occur in the following order: first, reduction of cash payments, which shall occur in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; second, cancellation of
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Exhibit 10.15

accelerated vesting of equity awards, which shall occur in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced first); and third, reduction of employee benefits, which shall occur in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. If two or more equity awards are granted on the same date, each award will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.

        (b)    Stockholder Approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Payments would not be subject to such excise tax if the stockholder approval requirements of Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code are satisfied, subject to your waiver of the rights to such Payments in accordance with Section 280G of the Code with respect to any portion of the Payments that would otherwise be subject to excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (before giving effect to any reduction in Payments contemplated in the two preceding sentences), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such payments to be submitted for such approval prior to the event giving rise to such payments. To the extent the Company submits any payment or benefit payable to you under this Agreement or otherwise to the Company’s stockholders for approval in accordance with Treasury Reg. Section 1.280G-1 Q&A 7, the foregoing provisions shall not apply following such submission and such payments and benefits will be treated in accordance with the results of such vote, except that any reduction in, or waiver of, such payments or benefits required by such vote will be applied without any application of discretion by you and in the order prescribed in the preceding paragraph. In no event shall you have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions.

        (c)    Calculations. Unless you and the Company otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this paragraph shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants immediately preceding the change in ownership or control on which such Payments are contingent or otherwise relate (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon you and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 4, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely in reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and you shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this paragraph. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this paragraph. If the limitation set forth in Section 4(a) is applied to reduce an amount payable to you, and the Internal Revenue Service successfully asserts that, despite the reduction, you have nonetheless received payments which are in excess of the maximum amount that could have been paid to you without being subjected to any excise tax, then, unless it would be unlawful for the Company to make such a loan or similar extension of credit to you, you may repay such excess amount to the Company as though such amount constitutes a loan to you made at the date of payment of such excess amount, bearing interest at 120% of the applicable federal rate (as determined under Section 1274(d) of the Code in respect of such loan).

    5.    Restrictive Covenants.

        (a)    No Other Agreements. You represent that you are not bound by any employment contract, restrictive covenant or other restriction preventing you from entering into employment with or carrying out your responsibilities for the Company, or which is in any way inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.

        (b)    PIIA. You have previously executed the Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit B (“PIIA”), and you hereby reaffirm your agreements and obligations thereunder.

(c)    Defend Trade Secrets Act Notice of Immunity Rights. You acknowledge that the Company has provided you with the following notice of immunity rights in compliance with the requirements of the Defend Trade Secrets Act: (i) you shall not be held
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criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of Proprietary Information (as defined in the PIIA) that is made in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; (ii) you shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of Proprietary Information that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal; and (iii) if you file a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, you may disclose the Proprietary Information to your attorney and use the Proprietary Information in the court proceeding, if you file any document containing the Proprietary Information under seal, and do not disclose the Proprietary Information, except pursuant to court order.

    6.    Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally or one (1) business day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, charges prepaid. Notices also may be given electronically via PDF and shall be effective on the date transmitted if confirmed within 48 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in the preceding sentence. Notice to you shall be sent to your most recent residence and personal email address on file with the Company. Notice to the Company shall be sent to its physical address set forth on the first page hereto and addressed to the Chairperson of the Board at the email address provided by the Company for such person.

    7.    Entire Agreement; Miscellaneous. This Agreement, together with any documents relating to the Company equity held by you, any stock grant notices or stock agreements referenced herein and the PIIA, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral. The terms of this Agreement may only be modified in a specific writing signed by you and an authorized representative of the Company. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which will remain in full force and effect. The terms in this Agreement may only be modified in writing and signed by you and an executive officer of the Company. In the event of any conflict between any of the terms in this Agreement and the terms of any other agreement between you and the Company, the terms of this Agreement will control. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument. Execution and delivery of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic signature is legal, valid and binding for all purposes. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by you and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that you may not assign any of your duties hereunder and you may not assign any of your rights hereunder, without the written consent of the Company, which shall not be withheld unreasonably.

    8.    Governing Law. Your employment and this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California, without reference to conflicts of laws principles which would result in the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.

    9.    Arbitration. To aid in the rapid and economical resolution of any disputes that may arise in the course of the employment relationship, you and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or demands in any way arising out of or relating to the terms of this Agreement, Company equity held by you, your employment relationship with the Company, or the termination of your employment relationship with the Company, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration in San Diego, California, conducted before a single neutral arbitrator selected and administered in accordance with the employment arbitration rules & procedures or then applicable equivalent rules of JAMS (the “JAMS Rules”) and the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sec. 1, et seq. A copy of the JAMS rules may be found on the JAMS website at www.jamsadr.com and will be provided to you by the Company upon request. BY AGREEING TO THIS ARBITRATION PROCEDURE, YOU AND THE COMPANY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO RESOLVE ANY SUCH DISPUTE, CLAIM OR DEMAND THROUGH A TRIAL BY JURY OR JUDGE OR BY ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION. You will have the right to be
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represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding, at your expense. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be available under applicable law in a court proceeding and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The arbitrator shall administer and conduct any arbitration in accordance with California law and shall apply substantive and procedural California law to any such dispute, claim or demand, without reference to any conflict-of-law provisions of any jurisdiction. To the extent that the JAMS Rules conflict with California law, California law shall take precedence. The parties agree that the prevailing party in any arbitration shall be entitled to injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration award. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either you or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief (or any other provisional remedy) in any court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281.8 to prevent irreparable harm (including, without limitation, pending the conclusion of any arbitration). The Company shall pay the arbitrator’s fees, arbitration expenses and any other costs unique to the arbitration proceeding (recognizing that each side shall bear its own deposition, witness, expert and attorney’s fees and other expenses to the same extent as if the matter were being heard in court).

    10.    Withholding and other Deductions. All compensation payable to you hereunder shall be subject to such deductions as the Company is from time to time required to make pursuant to law, governmental regulation or order.

    Please acknowledge your acceptance of the terms of this Agreement by returning a signed copy of this Agreement.

                    Very truly yours,                     
                    Gossamer Bio Services, Inc.

                    By: /s/ Faheem Hasnain
                    Name: Faheem Hasnain
                    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President                     
Agreed and Accepted:
    I have read and understood this Agreement and hereby acknowledge, accept and agree to the terms as set forth above.
/s/ Robert Smith        Date: November 26, 2023
Robert Smith












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Exhibit 10.15

Exhibit A

Form of Release


In consideration of the Termination Benefits (as defined in the Agreement) provided and to be provided to me by Gossamer Bio Services, Inc., or any affiliate or successor thereof (the “Company”) pursuant to my Agreement with Company dated December 11, 2023, the “Agreement”), and in connection with the termination of my employment, the Company and I agree to the following, including a general release as specified below (the “Release”).

1.On behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, I hereby fully and forever generally release and discharge Company, its current, former and future parents, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, related entities, employee benefit plans and their fiduciaries, predecessors, successors, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees and assigns (collectively, the “Company Releasees”) from any and all claims, causes of action, and liabilities up through the date of my execution of the Release (except with respect to Termination Benefits under the Agreement and any other rights that I have accrued under the employee benefit plans and equity award plans of the Company). The claims subject to this release include, but are not limited to, those relating to my employment with Company and/or any predecessor to the Company and the termination of such employment. All such claims (including related attorneys’ fees and costs) are barred without regard to whether those claims are based on any alleged breach of a duty arising in statute, contract or tort. This expressly includes waiver and release of any rights and claims arising under any and all laws, rules, regulations and ordinances, including, but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”); the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (if applicable); the provisions of the California Labor Code (if applicable); the Equal Pay Act of 1963; and any similar law of any other state or governmental entity.
2.The parties agree to apply California law in interpreting the Release. Accordingly, I further waive any rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California or any similar state statute. Section 1542 states:
“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which, if known to him or her, must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”
This Release does not extend to, and has no effect upon, (a) any benefits that have previously accrued, and to which I have become vested or otherwise entitled to, under any agreement, employee benefit plan, program or policy sponsored or maintained by the Company; (b) my right to indemnification and/or contribution, advancement or payment of related expenses by the Company under any written indemnification or other agreement between the parties; (c) my right to continued coverage by the Company’s director’s and officer’s insurance, other insurance policies of the Company, COBRA or any similar state law; (d) any claims for breach of this Release or the Agreement; (e) any claims that may not be released by private agreement; and (f) any claims arising after the date I sign the Release.
3.In understanding the terms of the Release and my rights, I have been advised to consult with an attorney of my choice prior to executing the Release. I understand that nothing in the Release will prohibit me from exercising legal rights that are, as a matter of law, not subject to waiver, such as: (a) my rights under applicable workers’ compensation laws; (b) my right, if any, to seek state disability or unemployment benefits; (c) my right to indemnity under California Labor Code section 2802 or other applicable state-law right to indemnity; (d) my right to file a
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Exhibit 10.15

charge or complaint with a government agency such as but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or other applicable state agency; and (e) my right to communicate or cooperate with any governmental agency and to receive awards from or by a government agency for providing information. Moreover, I will continue to be indemnified for my actions taken while employed by the Company to the same extent as other then-current or former directors and officers of the Company under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Indemnification Agreement between me and the Company, if any, and I will continue to be covered by the Company’s directors and officers liability insurance policy as in effect from time to time to the same extent as are other then-current or former directors and officers of the Company, each subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.
4.I understand and agree that Company will not provide me with the Termination Benefits unless I execute the Release. I also understand that I have received or will receive, regardless of the execution of the Release, all wages owed to me together with any accrued but unused paid time off, less applicable withholdings and deductions, earned through my termination date.
5.In my existing and continuing obligations to Company, I have returned to Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property that I have had in my possession at any time, including but not limited to Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specification, computer-recorded information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers, laptops, pagers, etc.), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys and any materials of any kind which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of Company (and all reproductions thereof). I understand that, even if I did not sign the Release, I am still bound by any and all confidential/proprietary/trade secret information, non-disclosure and inventions assignment agreement(s) signed by me in connection with my employment with Company, or with a predecessor or successor of Company pursuant to the terms of such agreement(s).
6.I represent and warrant that I am the sole owner of all claims relating to my employment with Company and/or with any predecessor of Company and that I have not assigned or transferred any claims relating to my employment to any other person or entity.
7.I agree to keep the Termination Benefits and the provisions of the Release confidential and not to reveal its contents to anyone except my lawyer, my accountant, my spouse or other immediate family member and/or my financial consultant, or as required by legal process or applicable law or otherwise responding accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information or documents, including, without limitation, in any criminal, civil, or regulatory proceeding or investigation, or as necessary in any action for enforcement or claimed breach of this Release or any other legal dispute with the Company. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit me from reporting or disclosing information under the terms of the Company’s Reporting Suspected Violations of Law Policy or such similar policy as the Company may have in effect from time to time.
8.I understand and agree that the Release will not be construed at any time as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by either the Company Releasees or me.
9.I agree that I will not make any negative or disparaging statements or comments, either as fact or as opinion, about the Company, its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, vendors, products or services, business, technologies, market position or performance. The Company agrees that it shall not, and shall cause its directors, executive officers, employees and representatives not to, make any negative or disparaging statements or comments, either as fact or as opinion, about you. Nothing in this paragraph will prohibit me or the Company from providing truthful information in response to a subpoena or other legal process.
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Exhibit 10.15

10.Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating this Release, its enforcement or interpretation, or because of an alleged breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any of its provisions, will be submitted to arbitration consistent with the terms of the Agreement.
11.As a condition of my receipt of the Termination Benefits, I agree that, upon reasonable notice (after taking into account, to the extent reasonably practicable, my other personal and business commitments) and without the necessity of Company obtaining a subpoena or court order, I will provide reasonable cooperation to Company in connection with any suit, action or proceeding (or any appeal from any suit, action or proceeding), or the decision to commence on behalf of the Company any suit, action or proceeding, any investigation and/or any defense of any claims asserted against the Company or any of the Company’s current or former directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing, and any ongoing or future investigation or dispute or claim of any kind involving the Company that relates to events occurring during my employment as to which I may have relevant information and any other matter for which I was responsible or had knowledge of through date of my termination of employment. Such cooperation may include, but will not be limited to, providing background information within my knowledge; aiding in the drafting of declarations; executing declarations or similar documents; testifying or otherwise appearing at investigation interviews, depositions, arbitrations or court hearings; and preparing for the above-described or similar activities. Upon the reasonable request of Company, I agree to cooperate with the transition of my job responsibilities on any termination of employment and cooperate in providing information on matters on which I was involved while an employee.
12.As provided in the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, I am hereby advised and agree that:
    (a)    I have had at least twenty-one (21) calendar days in which to consider whether to execute the Release, no one hurried me into executing the Release during that period and no one coerced me into executing the Release. If I signed this Release prior to the expiration of the twenty-one (21) day period, I did so voluntarily and waive the balance of the twenty-one (21) day period. I understand that the offer of the Termination Benefits and the Release will expire on the twenty-second (22nd) calendar day after my employment termination date if I have not accepted it by that time.
    (b)    I am hereby advised to consult with a lawyer before signing this Agreement.
    (c)    This Release provides for consideration in addition to any amount I am otherwise entitled to receive without signing this Release.
    (d)    This Release does not release any claims arising out of events occurring after I sign this Release
    (e)    I may revoke this Agreement within the seven (7) day period following the date on which I signed this Release. I understand that if I revoke this release, the Company will not be obligated to provide the Termination Benefits. I further understand that Company’s obligations under the Release will not become effective or enforceable until the eighth (8th) calendar day after the date I sign the Release provided that I have timely delivered it to Company (the “Release Effective Date”) and have not timely revoked it. I understand that the Termination Benefits will become available to me at such time after the Release Effective Date.
13.In executing the Release, I acknowledge that I have not relied upon any statement made by Company, or any of its representatives or employees, with regard to the Release unless the representation is specifically included herein. Furthermore, the Release contains our entire understanding regarding eligibility for Termination Benefits and supersedes any or all prior representations and agreements regarding the subject matter of the Release. However, the Release does not modify, amend or supersede written Company agreements that are consistent with enforceable provisions of the Release such as my Agreement, confidential information and
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Exhibit 10.15

invention assignment agreement, and any stock, stock option and/or stock purchase agreements between Company and me. Once effective and enforceable, this Release can be changed only by another written agreement signed by me and an authorized representative of Company.
14.Should any provision of the Release be determined by an arbitrator, court of competent jurisdiction or government agency to be wholly or partially invalid or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining parts, terms or provisions are intended to remain in full force and effect. Specifically, should a court, arbitrator or agency conclude that a particular claim may not be released as a matter of law, it is the intention of the parties that the general release and the waiver of unknown claims above will otherwise remain effective to release any and all other claims. I acknowledge that I have obtained sufficient information to intelligently exercise my own judgment regarding the terms of the Release before executing the Release.
15.The Termination Benefits provided and to be provided to me by the Company consist of the applicable benefits and payments in accordance with the Agreement.
16.The Release may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument. Execution and delivery of the Release by facsimile or other electronic signature is legal, valid and binding for all purposes.
17.The Release will be governed by and enforced under California law, without regard to its conflict of law rules that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
[Signature page follows]


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Exhibit 10.15

EMPLOYEE’S ACCEPTANCE OF RELEASE


BEFORE SIGNING MY NAME TO THE RELEASE, I STATE THE FOLLOWING: I HAVE READ THE RELEASE, I UNDERSTAND IT AND I KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS. I HAVE OBTAINED SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO INTELLIGENTLY EXERCISE MY OWN JUDGMENT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT I SHOULD CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING IT, AND I HAVE SIGNED THE RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.


EFFECTIVE UPON EXECUTION BY EMPLOYEE AND THE COMPANY.


Executed this ____ day of _____, 20__



_____________________________________



Agreed and Accepted:


Gossamer Bio Services, Inc.


___________________________
By:
Title:
Date:

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Exhibit 10.15

Exhibit B

Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement



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