Amendment to Employment Agreement Between Pharmos Corporation and Gad Riesenfeld (February 16, 2005)

Summary

Pharmos Corporation and Dr. Gad Riesenfeld have agreed to amend Dr. Riesenfeld's Employment Agreement. The amendment clarifies that a benefit account, originally set up in lieu of a split dollar life insurance policy, will vest and be payable to Dr. Riesenfeld at age 62. If his employment ends earlier due to death, disability, involuntary or voluntary termination, or a change in control, the benefit will vest at termination. However, in certain cases, payment will be delayed by six months to comply with tax regulations. All other terms of the original agreement remain unchanged.

EX-10.W 7 d62894_ex10w.htm
 
Exhibit 10(w)
 
Pharmos Corporation
99 Wood Avenue South, Suite 311
Iselin, NJ 08830
 
  February 16, 2005
   
Dr. Gad Riesenfeld
c/o Pharmos Corporation
99 Wood Ave South, Suite 311
Iselin, NJ 08830
   
  Re:          Amendment of Employment Agreement
   
Dear Gadi:
   
              I am writing to confirm our agreement about the following amendment to the Employment Agreement dated as of April 2, 2001 between Pharmos Corporation (the “Company”) and Gad Riesenfeld, as amended (the “Employment Agreement”). Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this letter shall have the same meaning as when used in the Employment Agreement. Except for the changes provided herein, the Employment Agreement remains in full force and effect.
   
  We have agreed as follows:
   
              Pursuant to a letter agreement dated as of April 2, 2001, we agreed to create a separate account into which we have been depositing each year an amount equal to the cost of premiums that otherwise would have been payable by us to obtain and maintain a “split dollar” life insurance policy on your life in the amount of $500,000, which policy we have not, with your permission, obtained. Such amounts have been held by your benefit and have earned interest thereon at the rate of 8% per annum (the “Benefit”).
 
              We have agreed that notwithstanding the original Employment Agreement or any amendment thereof, your right to receive the Benefit vests and is payable at age 62. However if you should terminate prior to age 62 due to death, disability, involuntary termination without Cause, voluntary termination or termination following a Change in Control, the Benefit will vest at termination. However, any distribution of the Benefit due to involuntary termination without Cause, voluntary termination or termination following a Change of Control but occurring more than 12 months after a Change of Control may not be made any sooner than six months after the date of termination (separation), in accordance with IRC Section 409A(2)(B)(i).
 
              Please acknowledge your acceptance of the foregoing by signing and returning a copy of this letter to us.
 
  PHARMOS CORPORATION
       
  By: /s/ HAIM AVIV
   
        Haim Aviv,
        Chairman of the Board and
        Chief Executive Officer
 
AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
 
/s/ GAD RIESENFELD

Gad Riesenfeld