Resignation and Severance Agreement between Pedro Lichtinger and Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Summary

Pedro Lichtinger resigns as both officer and director of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective upon the board's acceptance. His resignation will be treated as a termination without cause for employment purposes, entitling him to related benefits. However, if a court later determines he engaged in conduct that would disqualify him from indemnification under the company's by-laws, he agrees to repay any benefits received. The agreement is accepted by the company through its Compensation and Governance/Nominating Committee Chairman.

EX-10.1 3 a13-6116_1ex10d1.htm EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

February 26, 2013

 

Board of Directors of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,

101 Hudson Street, Suite 3501,

Jersey City, NJ 07302.

 

Fellow Members of the Board,

 

I defer to your decision to appoint Hank McKinnell as Chief Executive Officer and, subject to your acceptance, resign as both an officer and director of Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

This letter confirms the understanding that my resignation will be treated for purposes of my employment arrangements with Optimer as a termination without cause.  In addition, I recognize that events occurring during my tenure at Optimer are under heightened scrutiny.  I therefore confirm that I will repay any amounts and benefits I receive as a result of such treatment of my resignation in the event that it is finally determined by a court that I engaged in any act for which I would not be entitled to indemnification under Section 8.1 of Optimer’s by-laws.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Pedro Lichtinger

 

 

Pedro Lichtinger

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accepted and Agreed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Anthony E. Altig

 

 

Anthony E. Altig

 

 

Chairman, Compensation and Governance/

 

 

Nominating Committee