First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Letter Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2021, by and between the Registrant and Rahul D. Ballal, Ph.D

Exhibit10.1

November 5, 2021

Rahul D. Ballal, Ph.D.

Dear Rahul,

You are a key member of the senior management team of Imara Inc. (the “Company”).  As a result, the Company would like to amend that certain letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”), dated September 23, 2019, setting forth the terms of your employment with the Company.

This first amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the Letter Agreement, is effective as of the date set forth above (the “Amendment Effective Date”) and shall update the terms of your employment with the Company as set forth below.

“(b)(I) If the Company terminates your employment for any reason other than Cause (except for termination due to your death or Disability,) or you resign for Good Reason (in either case, a “Qualifying Termination”) and such Qualifying Termination occurs outside of the Change of Control Period, you will receive the Accrued Benefits, and, based upon satisfaction of the criteria in Section 5(d) below, including without limitation your execution and delivery of the separation and release agreement described therein and the lapse of any applicable revocation period without the release being revoked, you shall be eligible to receive the following severance benefits: (i)  continuation of your base salary in effect as of the Termination Date for a period of twelve (12) months, less standard deductions, payable in accordance with the Company’s then regular pay policies commencing on or before the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, provided, that the first such payment shall include any amounts that would have been paid to you hereunder had the release become effective upon the Termination Date; and (ii) following the Termination Date, if you are eligible for and elect to continue your health insurance coverage pursuant to your rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or any state equivalent (“COBRA”), then the Company shall reimburse you for your premiums under COBRA on a monthly basis until the earlier of (x) twelve (12) months following the Termination Date, or (y) the date upon which you

Advancing New Sickle Cell Therapies

commence full-time employment (or employment that provides you with eligibility for healthcare benefits substantially comparable to those provided by the Company) with an entity other than the Company. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if the 60-day period following the Termination Date would end in a calendar year subsequent to the year in which the Termination Date occurs, the payments under this Section 5(b)(I) will not be paid or commence before the first payroll of the subsequent calendar year.

(II)  If you experience a Qualifying Termination during the Change of Control Period, you will receive the Accrued Benefits, and, based upon satisfaction of the criteria in Section 5(d) below, including without limitation your execution and delivery of the separation and release agreement described therein and the lapse of any applicable revocation period without the release being revoked, you shall be eligible to receive the following severance benefits: (i) continuation of your base salary in effect as of the Termination Date for a period of eighteen (18) months, less standard deductions, payable in accordance with the Company’s then regular pay policies commencing on or before the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date (“COC Base Salary Severance”), provided, that the first such payment shall include any amounts that would have been paid to you hereunder had the release become effective upon the Termination Date, (ii) one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of your annual bonus target amount for the year in which the Termination Date occurred in a lump sum on the date the first installment of COC Base Salary Severance is paid and (iii) following the Termination Date, if you are eligible for and elect to continue your health insurance coverage pursuant to your rights under COBRA, then the Company shall reimburse you for your premiums under COBRA on a monthly basis until the earlier of (x) eighteen (18) months following the Termination Date, or (y) the date upon which you commence full-time employment (or employment that provides you with eligibility for healthcare benefits substantially comparable to those provided by the Company) with an entity other than the Company. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if the 60-day period following the Termination Date would end in a calendar year subsequent to the year in which the Termination Date occurs, the payments under this Section 5(b)(II) will not be paid or commence before the first payroll of the subsequent calendar year.”

2

Please accept all of the terms as set forth herein by signing and returning this First Amendment.

Sincerely,

3