Full Vest

EX-10.2 3 dex102.htm NOTICE OF GRANT AND INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT Notice of Grant and Incentive Stock Option Agreement

Exhibit 10.2

 

Notice of Grant of Stock Options

  Invitrogen Corporation
    ID: 33-0373077
    1600 Faraday Avenue
    Carlsbad, CA 92008

 

Name:

  David F. Hoffmeister   Option Number: 009367

Address:

  [As specified in Employment Agreement]   Plan: 2004
       

ID: ###-##-####

 

Effective October 13, 2004, you have been granted an Incentive Stock Option to buy approximately 7272 shares of Invitrogen Corporation common stock at $55.00 per share.

 

Shares will become fully vested in the amounts and on the dates shown below.

 

Shares


  

Full Vest


  

Expiration


1818

   10/13/2005    10/13/2014

455

   1/13/2006    10/13/2014

454

   4/13/2006    10/13/2014

455

   7/13/2006    10/13/2014

454

   10/13/2006    10/13/2014

455

   1/13/2007    10/13/2014

454

   4/13/2007    10/13/2014

455

   7/13/2007    10/13/2014

454

   10/13/2007    10/13/2014

455

   1/13/2008    10/13/2014

454

   4/13/2008    10/13/2014

455

   7/13/2008    10/13/2014

454

   10/13/2008    10/13/2014

 


INVITROGEN CORPORATION

 

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(U.S.)

 

THIS INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the “Option Agreement”) is made and entered into as of Date of Option Grant, by and between Invitrogen Corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”) and the individual (the “Optionee”) named in the attached Notice of Grant of Stock Options (the “Notice of Grant”).

 

Pursuant to the Invitrogen Corporation 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Employment Agreement (as defined below) the Company has granted to the Optionee an option to purchase certain shares of Stock, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Employment Agreement and this Option Agreement, including the Notice of Grant (the “Option”). The Option shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

1. Definitions and Construction.

 

1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

 

(a) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer stock options granted by the Company, “Board” shall also mean such Committee(s).

 

(b) “Cause” shall mean “Cause” as defined in, and determined under, the Employment Agreement.

 

(c) “Change-in-Control Agreement” means the Change-in-Control Agreement entered into between the Company and the Optionee dated as of October 13, 2004, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, and “Change in Control” means “Change in Control” as defined in the Change-in-Control Agreement.

 

(d) “Date of Option Grant” means the effective date shown in the Notice of Grant.

 

(e) “Disability” shall mean the Optionee is “Disabled” as such term is defined in, and determined under, the Employment Agreement.

 

(f) “Employment Agreement” means that certain employment agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Optionee effective as of October 13, 2004, as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.


(g) “Exercise Price” means the purchase price per share of Stock shown in the Notice of Grant, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.

 

(h) “Good Reason” shall mean “Good Reason” as defined in, and determined under, the Employment Agreement.

 

(i) “Number of Option Shares” means the number of shares of Stock shown in the Notice of Grant, as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 9.

 

(j) “Vested Shares” means, on any relevant date, the Number of Option Shares which are vested and unexpired as determined by applying the vesting schedule shown in the Notice of Grant to the period of Optionee’s continuous Service and giving effect to the provisions of Section 7.1.

 

(k) “Option Expiration Date” means the relevant Expiration date shown in the Notice of Grant.

 

1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

 

2. Tax Consequences.

 

2.1 Incentive Stock Option. This Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Option qualifies as such. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee’s own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements (NOTE: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or Disability), the Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code).

 

2.2 Incentive Stock Option Fair Market Value Limitation. To the extent that the Option (together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Optionee under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of Stock is determined as of the time the option with respect to such Stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 2.2, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date

 

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required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 2.2, the Optionee may designate which portion of such Option the Optionee is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Optionee shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option. (NOTE: If the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)

 

3. Administration. All questions of interpretation concerning this Option Agreement shall be determined by the Board. All good faith determinations by the Board that are consistent with this Agreement, the Employment Agreement, and the Change-in-Control Agreement shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any officer of the Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.

 

4. Exercise of the Option.

 

4.1 Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall be exercisable prior to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed the number of Vested Shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon exercise of the Option. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares.

 

4.2 Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be by written notice to the Company which must state the election to exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Optionee’s investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The written notice must be signed by the Optionee and must be delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, or other authorized representative of the Participating Company Group, prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6, accompanied by an arrangement for full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased and of any amounts due under Section 4.4 with respect to taxes; provided, however, that no such arrangement shall include a loan by the Company to Optionee. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice and the aggregate Exercise Price.

 

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4.3 Payment of Exercise Price.

 

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash, by check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company of whole shares of Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the Company without regard to any restrictions on transferability applicable to such stock by reason of federal or state securities laws or agreements with an underwriter for the Company) not less than the aggregate Exercise Price, (iii) by means of a Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(c), or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing.

 

(b) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock to the extent such tender of Stock would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. The Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

 

(c) Cashless Exercise. A “Cashless Exercise” means the assignment in a form acceptable to the Company of the proceeds of a sale with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option pursuant to a program, procedure or individual transaction approved by the Company (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to decline to approve or terminate any such program, procedure or individual transaction.

 

4.4 Tax Withholding. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the Optionee hereby authorizes withholding by the Company or any agent of the Company (i.e., bank, broker) from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Optionee, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the employee portion of any federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with any exercise of the Option, including, without limitation, obligations arising upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of the Option, (ii) the transfer, in whole or in part, of any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, (iii) the operation of any law or regulation providing for the imputation of interest, or (iv) the lapsing of any restriction with respect to any shares acquired upon exercise of the Option. Without limiting the foregoing, the Optionee shall have the right to satisfy, in whole or in part, the employee portion of any withholding tax obligation that may arise in connection with any exercise of the Option either by electing to have the Company withhold from the shares of Stock to be delivered upon exercise that number of shares, or by electing to deliver to the Company already-owned shares, in either case having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the amount necessary to satisfy the statutory minimum withholding amount due. The Optionee is cautioned that the Option is not exercisable unless the tax withholding obligations of the

 

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Participating Company Group are satisfied. Accordingly, the Optionee may not be able to exercise the Option when desired even though the Option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares or release such shares from any escrow provided for herein.

 

4.5 Certificate Registration. Except in the event the Exercise Price is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the Optionee or, if applicable, in the names of the Optionee and his/her spouse, or in the names of the heirs of the Optionee.

 

4.6 Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE OPTIONEE IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE OPTIONEE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. Questions concerning this restriction should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

4.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.

 

5. Nontransferability of the Option. The Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative and may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Optionee’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

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6. Termination of the Option. The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised on the first to occur of (a) the Option Expiration Date, (b) the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Optionee’s Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in the Change-in-Control Agreement.

 

7. Effect of Termination of Service.

 

7.1 Vesting Upon Termination of Service Under Certain Circumstances

 

(a) Death or Disability. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated because of the Disability or death of the Optionee, the Option shall become, upon such termination of Service, vested and exercisable with respect to the number of Option Shares for which the Option would have been vested and exercisable had the Optionee’s Service continued for an additional twelve (12) months. For purposes of this Section 7.1(a), the Optionee’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months after the Optionee’s termination of Service other than upon a termination for “Cause” and if the result is more favorable to the Optionee, with respect to vesting, than it would otherwise be.

 

(b) Termination Without Cause or With Good Reason. If the Optionee’s employment under the Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, or by the Optionee with Good Reason, the Option shall become, upon such termination of employment, vested and exercisable with respect to the number of Option Shares for which the Option would have been vested and exercisable had the Optionee’s employment continued for an additional eighteen (18) months.

 

7.2 Option Exercisability

 

(a) Disability. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, (after giving effect to the provisions of Section 7.1) may be exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

(b) Death. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated because of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated (after giving effect to the provisions of Section 7.1), may be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. For purposes of this Section 7.2(b), the Optionee’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months after the Optionee’s termination of Service other than upon a termination for “Cause” and if the result is more favorable to the Optionee, with respect to exercisability, than it would otherwise be.

 

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(c) Other Termination of Service. If the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated voluntarily by the Optionee without Good Reason (excluding for this purpose any termination due to Disability or death), the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee at any time within three (3) months (or such other longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion) after the date on which the Optionee’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. If the Optionee’s employment under the Employment Agreement is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, or by the Optionee with Good Reason, the Option to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which the Optionee’s employment terminated (after giving effect to the provisions of Section 7.1), may be exercised by the Optionee at any time within twelve (12) months (or such other longer period of time as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion) after the date on which the Optionee’s employment terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

7.3 Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.2 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option shall remain exercisable until three (3) months after the date the Optionee is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Company makes no representation as to the tax consequences of any such delayed exercise. The Optionee should consult with the Optionee’s own tax advisor as to the tax consequences to the Optionee of any such delayed exercise.

 

7.4 Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement, if the Optionee’s Service with the Participating Company Group is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable on the effective date of such termination of Service.

 

8. Effect of Change in Control on Options. This Option shall also become vested in the circumstances, and to the extent, provided in the Change-in-Control Agreement. Upon such vesting the Option shall continue to be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

9. Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and class of shares of stock subject to the Option. If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to the Option are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an Ownership Change Event) shares of another corporation (the “New Shares”), the Board may unilaterally amend the Option to provide that the Option is exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the Number of Option Shares and the Exercise Price shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any

 

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fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, as determined by the Board, and in no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The adjustments determined by the Board pursuant to this Section 9 shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

10. Rights as a Stockholder, Employee or Consultant. The Optionee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of a certificate for, or other valid delivery of, the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Optionee is an Employee, the Optionee understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in the Employment Agreement, the Optionee’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee, whether an Employee or Consultant, any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Optionee’s Service as an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time.

 

11. Legends. The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The Optionee shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Optionee in order to carry out the provisions of this Section.

 

12. Notice of Sales Upon Disqualifying Disposition. The Optionee shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, the Optionee shall promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Optionee disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1) year after the date the Optionee exercises all or part of the Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Option Grant and shall provide the Company with a description of the terms and circumstances of such disposition. Until such time as the Optionee disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Optionee shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Optionee’s name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Option Grant. At any time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Company’s stock to notify the Company of any such transfers. The obligation of the Optionee to notify the Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 

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13. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. No shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may be sold, exchanged, transferred (including, without limitation, any transfer to a nominee or agent of the Optionee), assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, including by operation of law, in any manner which violates any of the provisions of Section 12 of this Option Agreement, and any such attempted disposition shall be void. The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any shares which will have been transferred in violation of any of the provisions set forth in this Option Agreement or (b) to treat as owner of such shares or to accord the right to vote as such owner or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom such shares will have been so transferred.

 

14. Binding Effect. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. In the event of the Optionee’s death or a judicial determination of his incapacity, references to “the Optionee” in this Agreement shall be deemed, as appropriate, to be references to his heirs, estate or other legal representative(s).

 

15. Termination or Amendment. The Board may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that no such termination or amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof without the consent of the Optionee unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation or is required to enable the Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. No amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.

 

16. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in the manner set forth in the Employment Agreement.

 

17. Integrated Agreement. This Option Agreement, the Notice of Grant, the Plan, the Employment Agreement, together with its Exhibits and other documents referenced in the Employment Agreement, and the Change-in-Control Agreement constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Optionee and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein, and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Optionee and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter other than those as set forth or provided for herein or therein. To the extent contemplated herein or therein, the provisions of this Option Agreement shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of any conflict between this Option Agreement and the Notice of Grant, this Option Agreement shall control, and in the event of any conflict between the Employment Agreement and this Option Agreement or the Notice of Grant the Employment Agreement shall control.

 

18. Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California as such laws are applied to agreements between California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of California.

 

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19. Acceptance and Acknowledgement by Optionee. Optionee represents that Optionee is familiar with the terms and provisions of this Option Agreement, including the Notice of Grant, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under this Option Agreement. Without limitation of the foregoing, Optionee agrees that by executing the Notice of Grant Optionee acknowledges and agrees that:

 

19.1 Prospectus. Optionee has been provided with a copy or electronic access to a copy of the Prospectus for the Plan;

 

19.2 Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary in nature, and the Company may amend, cancel or terminate the Plan in its sole discretion at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law. The grant of stock options under the Plan is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of stock options or benefits in lieu of stock options in the future. Future grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company, including, but not limited to, the timing of any grant, the number of options, vesting provisions and the exercise price;

 

19.3 Voluntary Participation. Participation in the Plan is voluntary. The value of an Option is an extraordinary item of compensation outside the scope of any employment contract. As such, an Option is not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments. The future value of the underlying Stock is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty; and

 

19.4 Exclusion of Claims. Optionee acknowledges and agrees that, except as otherwise agreed upon in writing between Optionee and the Company, Optionee will have no entitlement to compensation or damages in consequence of the termination of Optionee’s employment with the Company or any subsidiary for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of contract, insofar as such entitlement arises or may arise from ceasing to have rights under or from ceasing to be entitled to exercise stock options (provided that any such cessation is in accordance with the Plan) as a result of such termination or from the loss or diminution in value of this Option, and, upon the grant of this Option, Optionee shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived any such entitlement.

 

OPTIONEE

/s/ David F. Hoffmeister


David F. Hoffmeister

 

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COMPANY

/s/ Joseph L. Rodriguez


Joseph L. Rodriguez

Sr. Vice President, Human Resources Invitrogen Corporation

 

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