FIRST AMENDMENT TOSEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.40

EXECUTION COPY

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to the Severance Agreement, dated February 1, 2012, is entered into by and between MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and Timothy S. Nelson (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company entered into that certain Severance Agreement effective March 19, 2009 (the “Severance Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company have mutually agreed that it is in their best interest to amend the Severance Agreement pursuant to the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree that, effective as of the date hereof, the Severance Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

1.     Effective as of the date hereof, Subsection (iv) of the definition of “Good Reason” contained in Section 1(d) of the Severance Agreement shall be replaced and amended to read in its entirety as follows;

(iv) the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities that results in any diminution or adverse change of Executive’s position, status, circumstances of employment or scope of responsibilities;

2.     Except as hereby specifically amended or modified, the terms of the Severance Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect. This First Amendment may be executed by the parties hereto in two counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This First Amendment shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of California, without regard to the principles conflicts of laws.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this First Amendment to the Severance Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

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