Executive Employment Agreement
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EX-10.14 3 w26776exv10w14.htm EX-10.14 exv10w14
Exhibit 10.14
Executive Employment Agreement
This executive employment agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of July 1, 2006 by and between Micromet, Inc. (hereinafter Company) and Matthias Alder (hereinafter Executive).
Whereas, Company desires to employ Executive to provide personal services to Company, and wishes to provide Executive with certain compensation and benefits in return for his services; and
Whereas, Executive wishes to be employed by Company and provide personal services to Company in return for certain compensation and benefits;
Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Employment by Company
1.1 Position. Subject to terms set forth herein, Company agrees to employ Executive in the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and Executive hereby accepts such employment. During his employment with Company, Executive will devote his best efforts and substantially all of his business time and attention to the business of Company, except for vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacities permitted by Companys general employment policies.
1.2 Duties. Executive will serve in an executive capacity and will perform such duties as are customarily associated with his then current title, consistent with the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of Company, and as required by the board of directors of Company (the Board), including, without limitation, the performance of activities as an officer of Company or Companys subsidiaries. Executive will report directly to the Upon termination of the employment pursuant to Section 7, Executive agrees to resign from all functions which he exercised or assumed on the basis of or in connection with Executives employment by Company.
1.3 Location.
(a) Executive understands that Companys current headquarter offices are located in Carlsbad, CA, and that Company anticipates that it will move its headquarter offices to an East Coast location. As of the date of this Agreement, Executives primary office location will be in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Unless Companys permanent headquarter offices are in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Company will pay the reasonable cost of a satellite office at Executives primary office location (e.g. Regus Group or a similar organization leasing temporary office space) and Executives expenses for travel, lodging and incidentals incurred in connection with Executives travel to Companys permanent headquarter offices. Further, Company reserves the right to reasonably require Executive to perform his duties at places other than at his primary office location from time to time, and to require reasonable business travel.
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(b) If Companys permanent headquarter offices are not in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, then Company may request that Executive relocate his primary office location to Companys permanent headquarter offices, and Executive will effect such relocation within six months following such request. Company will reimburse Executive for the cost of renting an apartment in the area of Companys headquarter offices for the period commencing upon Executives relocation and ending on the earlier to occur of the purchase of the family home in the area of Companys headquarter offices or six months from the date of relocation; provided that Company will not be required to reimburse any such rental costs in excess of $15,000.
(c) In the event of any relocation of Executives primary office location, Company will pay all of Executives reasonable expenses for the relocation of Executive, his family and household to the area of Companys headquarter offices. In addition, if the sale of Executives then-current home at the original primary office location occurs after the lease or purchase of Executives new home in the area of Companys headquarter offices, Company will reimburse the mortgage payments for Executives then-current home during the period starting on the date on which it is first offered for sale and ending on the date of closing of the sale, but in no event for longer than six (6) months; provided that Executive will use good faith efforts to effect the sale as soon as practicable, and provided further that Company will not be required to reimburse any such mortgage payments in excess of $25,000.
1.4 Term. The term of this Agreement will commence on July 1, 2006 and will continue from that date until June 30, 2010 (the Initial Term), and will be extended automatically for consecutive one (1) year periods (each an Extension Term, and collectively with the Initial Term referred to herein as the Employment Term). If Company or Executive decides not to extend the Initial Term or any Extension Term, it or he may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice of termination in accordance with Section 7.2 or 7.4, respectively, and the terms of Section 7.2 or 7.4 will apply with respect to any such termination by Company or Executive, respectively. In addition, the Employment Term terminates upon termination of employment pursuant to Section 7 below.
1.5 Policies and Procedures. In addition to the terms of this Agreement, the employment relationship between the parties will be governed by the general employment policies and practices of Company, including those relating to protection of confidential information and assignment of inventions. If the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with Companys general employment policies or practices, this Agreement will control.
2. Compensation
2.1 Base Salary. For services rendered hereunder by Executive during the Employment Term, Executive will receive an annualized base salary of three hundred US dollars (US$ 300,000) (the Base Salary), payable in accordance with Companys regular payroll schedule (but not less frequently than monthly), less any payroll withholding and deductions due on such salary in accordance with applicable law and Companys general employment policies or practices. Such Base Salary will be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board and may be increased at its discretion. The Base Salary covers all overtime.
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2.2 Transition Compensation. To assist Executive in his transition from his current partnership position at Cooley Godward, for the period from July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006, Executive will receive additional compensation of US$ 16,666 per month, payable in accordance with the Companys payroll policies and subject to customary deductions and withholdings, as required by law.
2.3 Bonus. Executive will participate in Companys Management Incentive Compensation Plan adopted by Company from time to time or in such other bonus plan as the Board may approve for the senior executive officers of Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Executives participation in and benefits under any such plan will be on the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the governing document of the particular plan.
2.4 Equity Compensation.
(a) On the date of this Agreement or as soon as practicable thereafter, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the date of this Agreement Executive will be granted an option to purchase up to 250,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company (the Initial Stock Options). The Initial Stock Options will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Companys Common Stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board. The Initial Stock Options will be granted as incentive stock options to the maximum extent permitted by law, and otherwise will be non-qualified stock options. The Initial Stock Options will be subject to the Micromet, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the Plan) and the Companys standard form of stock option agreement, which Executive will be required to execute as a condition to this grant. The Initial Stock Options will vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the shares subject to the Initial Stock Options vesting after 12 months of the date of this Agreement, and 1/48 of the shares subject to the options vesting on a monthly basis thereafter.
(b) In addition to the Initial Stock Options, Executive will participate in any equity or other employee benefit plan that is generally available to senior executive officers, as distinguished from general management, of Company, including, without limitation, Companys current Equity Incentive Award Plan. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Executives participation in and benefits under any such plan will be on the terms and subject to the conditions specified in the governing document of the particular plan.
2.5 Acceleration of Vesting. The provisions concerning vesting pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 2.5 will be cumulative, and are hereby deemed to be a part of all stock options, including the Initial Stock Options, restricted stock and such other awards granted pursuant to Companys stock option and equity incentive award plans or agreements and any shares of stock issued upon exercise thereof, (each a Stock Award) and to supersede any less favorable provision in any agreement or plan regarding such Stock Award.
(a) Subject to any additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in subsection (d) below), fifty percent (50%) of Executives outstanding unvested Stock Awards will be automatically vested and exercisable on the date of first closing of any transaction or the stockholder vote resulting in such Change of Control.
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(b) If Executives employment is terminated by Company without Cause, by Executive for Good Reason, or as a result of Executives death or Permanent Disability, Executives outstanding unvested Stock Awards that would have vested over the twelve (12) month period following the date of termination had Executive remained continuously employed by Company during such period, will be automatically vested and exercisable on the date of termination.
(c) If Executives employment is terminated by Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason within six (6) months prior to or twelve (12) months following a Change of Control, all of Executives outstanding unvested Stock Awards will be automatically vested and exercisable on the later of (i) the date of termination or (ii) the date of first closing of any transaction or the stockholder vote resulting in such Change of Control. If the employment is terminated prior to the Change of Control, Company will inform Executive in writing of any Change of Control occurring within six (6) months of such termination, and will offer to Executive any of Executives Stock Awards that had not vested at the time of termination.
(d) Change of Control means and includes each of the following events:
(i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9), 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the rules thereunder) of beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (Voting Securities) of Company that represent fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of Companys then outstanding Voting Securities, other than:
(1) an acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Company or any person controlled by Company or by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Company or any person controlled by Company, or
(2) an acquisition of Voting Securities by Company or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly by the stockholders of Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of Company, or
(3) an acquisition of Voting Securities pursuant to a transaction described in clause (iii) below that would not be a Change of Control under clause (iii);
Provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the following event will not constitute an acquisition by any person or group for purposes of this subsection (i): an acquisition of Companys securities by Company (the Securities Repurchase) which causes Companys Voting Securities beneficially owned by a person or group to represent fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of Companys then outstanding Voting Securities, except that such Securities Repurchase will constitute a Change of Control if and when such person or group, after such Securities Repurchase, becomes the beneficial owner of any additional Voting Securities of Company;
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(ii) if, during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than any director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with Company to effect a transaction described in clauses (i) or (iii) of this Section 2.5(d) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved), cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof;
(iii) the consummation by Company (whether directly involving Company or indirectly involving Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of Companys assets or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than:
(1) a transaction which results in Companys Voting Securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of Companys assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of Company (Company or such person, the Successor Entity) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entitys outstanding Voting Securities immediately after the transaction, and
(2) a transaction after which no person or group beneficially owns Voting Securities representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group will be treated for purposes of this clause (2) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.
2.6 Standard Company Benefits. Executive will be entitled to all rights and benefits for which he is eligible under the terms and conditions of the standard benefits and compensation practices which may be in effect from time to time and provided by Company to its employees generally, as may be adopted, amended or discontinued in its discretion, consistent with then applicable law. Until such time as Company has established its own health insurance for which Executive is eligible, Company will reimburse Executive for his payments for a continuation of his current health insurance pursuant to COBRA.
2.7 Business Expenses. Company will reimburse Executive for Company-related travel, entertainment and other expenses reasonably incurred by Executive on behalf of Company pursuant to Companys expense reimbursement policy for its employees.
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3. Insurance and Indemnification
3.1 AD&D, Long-Term Care and Life Insurance.
(a) Company will reimburse Executive for the cost of his AD&D, long-term care and life insurance in place as of the date of this Agreement, or corresponding insurance coverage by different insurers at comparable or lesser cost.
(b) Company will have the right to take out life, health, accident, key-man or other insurance covering Executive, in the name of Company and at Companys expense in any amount deemed appropriate by Company. Executive will assist Company in obtaining such insurance, including, without limitation, submitting to any required examinations and providing information and data required by insurance companies.
3.2 D&O Insurance. Company will obtain and maintain at Companys expense during the Employment Term and for six (6) years thereafter liability insurance for the directors and officers of Company (D&O insurance) in the amount of at least US$ 10 million.
3.3 Indemnification. Company and Executive will enter into a separate indemnification agreement, and Company will indemnify Executive in accordance with the terms of such agreement.
4. Vacation
Executive is entitled to an annual, paid vacation in accordance with Companys standard policies and as otherwise provided for senior executive officers, but in no event less than twenty (20) working days. Working days are all calendar days with the exception of Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in the greater Munich metropolitan area. Executive will coordinate the date of vacation reasonably in advance with the other executive officers of Company, and the timing of such vacation will be subject to the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer.
5. Outside Activities During Employment
5.1 Exclusive Employment. Executive agrees not to become engaged in any other business activity which, in the reasonable judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, is likely to interfere with Executives ability to discharge his duties and responsibilities to Company. Executive may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities, and participate in industry associations so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder. Executive agrees that he will not join any boards, other than community and civic boards and boards of industry associations which do not interfere with his duties to Company, without the prior approval of the Board.
5.2 No Adverse Interests. Except as permitted by Section 5.3, Executive agrees not to acquire, assume or participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment or interest known by him to be adverse or antagonistic to Company, its business or prospects, financial or otherwise.
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5.3 Non-Competition during Employment Term. During the Employment Term, except on behalf of Company or as expressly authorized by the Board, Executive will not directly or indirectly, whether as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, proprietor, associate, representative, consultant, or in any capacity whatsoever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by or have any business connection with any other person, corporation, firm, partnership or other entity whatsoever which were known by him to compete directly with Company, throughout the world, in any line of business engaged in (or planned to be engaged in) by Company; provided, however, that anything above to the contrary notwithstanding, he or his immediate family may own, as a passive investor, securities of any competitor corporation, so long as his direct holdings in any one such corporation will not in the aggregate constitute more than one percent (1%) of the voting stock of such corporation.
6. Proprietary Information Obligations
As a condition of employment, Executive agrees to execute and abide by the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.
7. Termination Of Employment
7.1 Termination by Company for Cause
(a) Company may terminate Executives employment with Company at any time for Cause, determined in the Boards discretion, upon written notice to Executive.
(b) Cause means: (i) a material breach of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Executive and Company; (ii) Executives gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties; (iii) the commission of any act or omission constituting dishonesty or fraud that has a material adverse impact on Company or any successor or affiliate thereof; (iv) any conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony; (v) conduct by Executive which in the good faith and reasonable determination of the Board demonstrates gross unfitness to serve; (vi) failure to attempt in good faith to implement a clear and reasonable directive of the Companys Chief Executive Officer after written notice of such failure, and failure by Executive to cure the same within fifteen (15) business days after receipt of such notice; (vii) persistent unsatisfactory performance of job duties after written notice of such and failure to cure the same after having been provided with a reasonable opportunity to cure if deemed curable; or (viii) breach of fiduciary duty; provided, however, that prior to the determination that Cause under this subsection (b) has occurred, Company will (1) provide to Executive in writing, in reasonable detail, the reasons for the determination that such Cause exists, (2) afford Executive a reasonable opportunity to remedy any such breach except with respect to clause (vi) above which specifies the applicable period of time for Executive to remedy his breach, (3) provide the Executive an opportunity to be heard prior to the final decision to terminate the Executives employment hereunder for such Cause, and (4) make any decision that such Cause exists in good faith.
(c) In connection with a termination of the employment pursuant to this Section 7.1, Executive will not be entitled to receive any Severance Benefits (as defined in Section 7.2 below), unpaid bonuses or other compensation, other than accrued Base Salary plus other amounts to which Executive is entitled under any bonus or compensation plan or practice of Company through the date of termination.
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7.2 Termination by Company without Cause.
(a) Company may terminate Executives employment with Company at any time without Cause.
(b) In the event Company terminates Executives employment without Cause, Company will pay Executive the Base Salary due the Executive through the date of termination, plus other amounts to which Executive is entitled under any bonus or compensation plan or practice of Company at the time of termination. In addition, and provided that Executive executes and does not revoke a release as provided in Section 8, Company will pay or grant Executive in lieu of any other severance benefits or any other compensation the following as severance benefits (Severance Benefits):
(i) an amount that is the greater of (1) the equivalent to the Base Salary for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of termination, less any payroll withholding and deductions due on such salary in accordance with applicable law, or (2) the benefits under Company severance benefit plan applicable to Executive, if any, in effect on the termination date; and
(ii) an amount equal to Executives Bonus (as defined below) for the year in which the employment is terminated prorated for the period during such year Executive was employed prior to the date of termination (or the full amount of the Bonus if Executives employment is terminated within six (6) months prior to or twelve (12) months following a Change of Control). As used in this Agreement, Bonus means the average of the bonuses awarded to Executive for each of the three (3) fiscal years prior to the date of termination, or such lesser number of years as may be applicable if Executive has not been employed for three (3) full years on the date of termination. For purposes of determining Executives Bonus, to the extent Executive received no bonus in a year due to a failure to meet the applicable performance objectives, such year will still be taken into account (using zero (0) as the applicable bonus) in determining Executives Bonus for purposes of this subsection (ii), and if any portion of the bonuses awarded to Executive consisted of securities or other property, the fair market value thereof will be determined in good faith by the Board; and
(iii) acceleration of vesting of Stock Awards pursuant to Section 2.5(b) or 2.5(c), as applicable; and
(iv) for the period beginning on the date of termination and ending on the date which is twelve (12) full months (or eighteen (18) months if Executives employment is terminated within six (6) months prior to or twelve (12) months following a Change of Control) following the date of termination (or, if earlier, the date on which the applicable continuation period under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA) expires), (1) reimburse Executive for the costs associated with continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA for Executive and his eligible dependents who were covered under Companys health plans as of the date of Executives termination (provided that Executive will be solely responsible for all matters relating to his continuation of coverage pursuant to COBRA, including, without limitation, his election of such coverage and his timely payment of premiums), or for any health insurance premiums of Executives health insurance paid by Company prior to termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7.2 for which continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA is not available, and (2) pay for and provide Executive and such eligible dependents with life insurance benefits coverage to the extent such Executive and/or such dependents were receiving such benefits prior to the date of Executives termination;
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(v) executive-level outplacement services at Companys expense, not to exceed $15,000, by a firm selected by Executive from a list compiled by Company.
(c) The Severance Benefits due pursuant to Section 7.2(b)(i) and (b)(ii) will be payable as a lump sum payment or in equal installments over a twelve (12) month period, as determined by the Board in its discretion.
(d) Company will have the right to withhold further payments of unpaid Severance Benefits, upon its notice to Executive of the Boards good faith reasonable belief, and the basis for the reasonable belief, that Executive has breached any of his post-termination obligations to Company.
7.3 Termination by Executive for Good Reason.
(a) Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment for Good Reason by notifying Company in writing, within ten (10) days after obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of a Good Reason, that Executive intends to terminate his employment for Good Reason.
(b) Good Reason means: (i) the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities which result in the material diminution of Executives position; (ii) a reduction by Company in Executives annual Base Salary; (iii) a relocation of Executives place of employment to a location other than Companys permanent headquarters on the East Coast established following the relocation of the headquarters from Carlsbad; (iv) any material breach by Company of this Agreement after written notice of such breach and failure by Company to cure the breach within fifteen (15) business days after receipt of such notice; (v) any purported termination of Executives employment for Cause by Company that is not in accordance with the definition of Cause set forth in this Agreement; (vi) any failure to pay Executive the earned bonus for any period under any management incentive compensation plan adopted by Company, if a majority of other officers of Company or any successor or affiliate have been paid bonuses for such period under such plan; or (vii) any failure by Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successor or assign of Company.
(c) In the event Executive terminates his employment under circumstances which constitute Good Reason, and provided that Executive executes and does not revoke a release as provided in Section 8, Company will pay or grant Executive the Severance Benefits according to Section 7.2(b), provided that Company will have the right to withhold further payments of unpaid Severance Benefits, upon its notice to Executive of the Boards good faith reasonable belief, and the basis for the reasonable belief, that Executive has breached any of his post-termination obligations to Company.
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7.4 Termination by Executive Without Good Reason.
(a) Executive may terminate the employment with Company at any time without Good Reason.
(b) In connection with a termination of the employment pursuant to this Section 7.4, Executive will not be entitled to receive any Severance Benefits, unpaid bonuses or other compensation, except that Company will pay Executive the Base Salary due the Executive through the date of termination, plus other amounts to which Executive is entitled under any bonus or compensation plan or practice of Company at the time of termination.
7.5 Termination for Death.
(a) The Employment Term will terminate immediately upon Executives death. Upon such termination, Company will pay to any beneficiaries designated by Executive in writing in Exhibit C (the Death Benefits Recipients), or in the absence of such designation, to Executives estate, in lieu of any other severance benefits or any other compensation:
(i) the Base Salary due the Executive through the date of Executives death, plus other amounts to which Executive is entitled under any bonus or compensation plan or practice of Company at the time of Executives death;
(ii) Executives annual Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of death, payable over the twelve (12) month period commencing on the date of death in equal monthly installments;
(iii) an amount equal to Executives Bonus for the year in which Executives death occurs, payable over the twelve (12) month period commencing on the date of death in equal monthly installments.
(b) In addition, for the period beginning on the date of death and ending on the date which is twelve (12) full months following the date of death (or, if earlier, the date on which the applicable continuation period under COBRA expires), Company will reimburse Executives eligible dependents for the costs associated with continuation coverage for such eligible dependents pursuant to COBRA) (provided that Executives dependents will be solely responsible for all matters relating to such continuation of coverage pursuant to COBRA, including, without limitation, election of such coverage and the timely payment of premiums), or for any health insurance premiums of Executives health insurance paid by Company prior to termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7.5 for which continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA is not available.
(c) Executive may change the Death Benefits Beneficiaries by written notice to Company.
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7.6 Termination for Permanent Disability.
(a) Company may terminate Executives employment by written notice at any time for Permanent Disability (as defined in subsection (c) below). Upon such termination, Company will pay Executive (i) the Base Salary due Executive through the date of termination, plus other amounts to which Executive is entitled under any bonus or compensation plan or practice of Company at the time of termination, and (ii) provided that Executive executes and does not revoke a release as provided in Section 8, the Severance Benefits.
(b) The payments and Severance Benefits due the Executive under subsection (a) above are in lieu of any other severance benefits or any other compensation. The Severance Benefits due pursuant to Section 7.2(b)(i) and 7.2(b)(ii) will be payable as a lump sum payment or in equal installments over a twelve (12) month period, as determined by the Board in its discretion.
(c) Permanent Disability will be deemed to have occurred if Executive was physically or mentally incapacitated or disabled or otherwise unable fully to discharge his duties hereunder for (i) a period in excess of ninety (90) consecutive days, or (ii) a period in excess of one hundred twenty (120) days in the aggregate in any consecutive one hundred eighty (180) day period. This definition will be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and other applicable law. The existence of Executives Permanent Disability will be determined by Company on the advice of a physician chosen by Company and Executive (or in the event of mental disability, Executives Death Benefits Recipients) and Company reserves the right to have the Executive examined by such physician at Companys expense.
7.7 Cooperation Obligations.
(a) Transition Activities. After delivery or receipt of any notice of termination by Executive, and for a reasonable period following any termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive will fully cooperate with Company in all matters relating to the winding up of Executives pending work and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to such other employees as may be designated by Company.
(b) Return of Companys Property. If Executives employment is terminated for any reason Company will have the right, at its option, to require Executive to vacate his offices prior to or on the effective date of termination and to cease all activities on Companys behalf. Upon the termination of his employment in any manner, as a condition to the Executives receipt of any post-termination benefits described in this Agreement, Executive will immediately surrender to Company all lists, books and records of, or in connection with, Companys business, and all other property belonging to Company, it being distinctly understood that all such lists, books and records, and other documents, are the property of Company. Executive will deliver to Company a signed statement certifying compliance with this Section 7.7 prior to the receipt of any post-termination benefits described in this Agreement
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(c) Litigation. After the Employment Term, Executive will cooperate with Company in responding to the reasonable requests of Companys Chairman of the Board, CEO or General Counsel, in connection with any and all existing or future litigation, arbitrations, mediations or investigations brought by or against Company, or its or their respective affiliates, agents, officers, directors or employees, whether administrative, civil or criminal in nature, in which Company reasonably deems Executives cooperation necessary or desirable. In such matters, Executive agrees to provide Company with reasonable advice, assistance and information, including offering and explaining evidence, providing sworn statements, and participating in discovery and trial preparation and testimony. Executive also agrees to promptly send Company copies of all correspondence (for example, but not limited to, subpoenas) received by Executive in connection with any such legal proceedings, unless Executive is expressly prohibited by law from so doing.
(d) Expenses and Fees. Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive as a result of his cooperation with the obligations described in this Section 7.7, within thirty (30) days of the presentation of appropriate documentation thereof, in accordance with Companys standard reimbursement policies and procedures. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, Executive will not be entitled to any compensation for activities performed pursuant to this Section 7.7 during the period in which Executive receives any Severance Benefits. Thereafter, Company will pay Executive a compensation for activities performed pursuant to this Section 7.7 based on an hourly rate of 160th of Executives monthly Base Salary immediately preceding the termination of employment (the Fees). In performing obligations under this Section 7.7 following termination of the employment, Executive agrees and acknowledges that he will be serving as an independent contractor, not as a Company employee, and he will be entirely responsible for the payment of all income taxes and any other taxes due and owing as a result of the payment of Fees, will not be eligible to participate in any Company benefit plans while performing such services.
7.8 Surviving Clauses. Sections 2.5, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 (including the definitions of any defined terms referenced therein) will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
8. Release
As a condition precedent to receipt of any Severance Benefits, Executive will provide Company with an executed and effective general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the Release), or a release in such other form as the parties may agree upon at the time.
9. Non-Competition
Executive will not, for a period of twelve (12) months from the end of the Employment Term, for Executives own account, or as owner, manager, officer, shareholder, consultant, director, representative or employee of a company, participate in the research or development of (i) antibodies against the EpCAM target molecule, or (ii) BiTE molecules or active agents which trigger the same mechanism as BiTE molecules (collectively, the Non-Compete Field). The Board may, in its discretion, reduce the scope of the Non-Compete Field.
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10. Non-Solicitation
While employed by Company, and for six (6) months immediately following the date of termination of the employment, Executive will not interfere with the business of Company by (a) soliciting, attempting to solicit, inducing, or otherwise causing any employee of Company to terminate employment in order to become an employee, consultant or independent contractor to or for any other person or entity; or (b) directly or indirectly causing any third party that provides services to Company to terminate such business relationship.
11. General Provisions
11.1 Notices. Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed effective upon the earlier of personal delivery or receipt if delivered by mail or courier service, to Company at its primary office location and to Executive at his address as listed on Company payroll or the Executives then current place of abode.
11.2 Confidentiality. Executive will hold the provisions of this Agreement in strictest confidence and will not publicize or disclose this Agreement in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that Executive may disclose this Agreement: (a) to Executives immediate family; (b) in confidence to his attorneys, accountants, auditors, tax preparers, and financial advisors; (c) insofar as such disclosure may be necessary to enforce its terms or as otherwise permitted or required by law. In particular, and without limitation, Executive agrees not to disclose the terms of this Agreement to any current or former employee of Company.
11.3 Reasonableness of Restrictions. Executive acknowledges and agrees that (a) he has read this entire Agreement and understands it, (b) the limitations imposed in this Agreement do not prevent him from earning a living or pursuing his career following the termination of the employment, and (c) the restrictions contained in this Agreement are reasonable, proper, and necessitated by Companys legitimate business interests. Executive represents and agrees that he is entering into this Agreement freely and with knowledge of its contents with the intent to be bound by the Agreement and the restrictions contained in it.
11.4 Remedies. Executive agrees that it may be impossible to assess the damages caused by Executives violation of this Agreement or any of its terms. Executive agrees that any threatened or actual violation of this Agreement or any of its terms will constitute immediate and irreparable injury to Company and Company will have the right to enforce this Agreement and any of its provisions by injunction, specific performance or other relief, without bond and without prejudice to any other rights and remedies that Company may have for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.
11.5 Severability. In the event that a court finds this Agreement, or any of its restrictions, to be ambiguous, unenforceable, or invalid, the parties agree that the court will read the Agreement as a whole and interpret the restriction(s) at issue to be enforceable and valid to the maximum extent allowed by law. If the court declines to enforce this Agreement in the manner provided in this Section 11.5, Executive and Company agree that this Agreement will be automatically modified to provide Company with the maximum protection of its business interests allowed by law and Executive agrees to be bound by this Agreement as modified.
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In case any one or more of the provisions, subsections, or sentences contained in this Agreement will, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement will be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
11.6 Waiver. If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement or fail to enforce performance by the other party, he or it will not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach or performance of the same or any other provision of this Agreement. Any such waiver will be effective only if made in writing and signed by the Party waiving such breach or performance.
11.7 Complete Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement and its Exhibits, constitute the entire agreement between Executive and Company and it is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter. This Agreement replaces all previous agreements regarding the service relationship of Executive with Company. After commencement of the Agreement Executive does not have any further claim to compensation, including bonuses which were agreed in the contract replaced by this Agreement, except outstanding due amounts. Without limiting the preceding sentence, this Agreement supersedes the offer letter by and between Executive and Company dated as of May 31, 2006. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein. This Agreement cannot be modified or amended except in a writing signed by an authorized representative of Company and Executive.
11.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.
11.9 Assignment; Assumption by Successor; Non-transferability of Interest.
(a) Company may assign this Agreement, without the consent of Executive, to any business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly, acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of Company. Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of Company expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place; provided, however, that no such assumption will relieve Company of its obligations hereunder. As used in this Agreement, the Company will mean Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
(b) None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement will be assignable or transferable except through a testamentary disposition or by the laws of descent and distribution upon the death of Executive. Any attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition (other than as aforesaid) of any interest in the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation to be made by Company pursuant to this Agreement will be void.
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11.10 Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and will not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.
11.11 Construction. The language in all parts of this Agreement will in all cases be construed simply, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the parties hereto. Without limitation, there will be no presumption against any party on the ground that such party was responsible for drafting this Agreement or any part thereof.
11.12 Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as applicable to contracts made and wholly performed within the State of Delaware by residents of that State.
11.13 Arbitration. Except for claims relating to the breach of Section 9 or 10, or the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A which may be pursued in any court of applicable jurisdiction, any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or Executives employment by Company will be settled by binding arbitration in New York, New York, in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Each party will select one arbitrator and the two arbitrators so chosen will select a third arbitrator who will act as the sole arbitrator of any dispute. Each party will pay the fees of its own attorneys, the expenses of its witnesses and all other expenses connected with presenting its case; however, Executive and Company agree that, to the extent permitted by law, the arbitrator may, in his or her discretion, award reasonable attorneys fees to the prevailing party. Other costs of the arbitration, including the cost of any record or transcripts of the arbitration, administrative fees, the fee of the sole arbitrator, and all other fees and costs, will be borne by Company.
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In Witness Whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
Micromet, Inc.
/s/ Christian Itin | ||
Title: President & CEO | ||
/s/ Matthias Alder |
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