(Savient Letterhead)

EX-10.1 2 r16177_ex10-1.htm LETTER AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JANUARY 17, 2009, BY AND BETWEEN SAVIENT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND CHRISTOPHER G. CLEMENT.

 

(Savient Letterhead)

 

 

January 17, 2009

 

Mr. Christopher G. Clement

15 Winchester Lane

Holmdel, New Jersey 07733

 

Re:

Separation and Release

 

Dear Chris:

 

The purpose of this letter (the “Letter Agreement”) is to clarify the terms of your separation from employment with Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), to release the Company from all claims, to permit you to receive severance pay and related benefits as if your termination were an involuntary termination by the Company without Cause and to provide that payments to you either (a) do not constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Section 409A”) or (b) are payments that comply with the requirements of Section 409A. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2002, between you and the Company, as amended on July 12, 2004 and on February 15, 2008 (as so amended, the “Employment Agreement”), which is attached as Exhibit A. With these understandings and in exchange for the promises by you and the Company as set forth below, you and the Company agree as follows:

 

You hereby resign as an employee of the Company, including from your positions as President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as all other offices of the Company and its subsidiaries that you currently hold. Accordingly, effective as of January 17, 2009 (for purposes of the Employment Agreement, the “Effective Date of Termination”), you shall no longer be employed by the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, the Company hereby exercises its right to require you to leave the Company immediately upon your receipt of this Letter Agreement.

 

For purposes of the Employment Agreement, you and the Company agree that your termination shall be deemed to be an involuntary termination by the Company without Cause. As a result, you will be entitled to the compensation and benefits set forth in the Employment Agreement in the event of an involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, which provisions are hereby incorporated by reference. Without limiting the compensation and benefits to which you are entitled under the Employment Agreement as a result of such involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, the Company hereby agrees that (i) promptly following the Effective Date of Termination, it will pay to you compensation for your unused vacation days equal to 1/26th of your annual base salary as in effect on the Effective Date of Termination, and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any equity compensation plan or stock option award agreement, your

 



stock options will remain exercisable, and will continue to vest, until July 17, 2009, after which they will cease to further vest or to be exercisable. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the vesting and exercisability of your equity awards will be as set forth in the respective equity compensation plans and award agreements, including any provisions therein addressing your involuntary termination by the Company without Cause.

Provided that you sign this Letter Agreement and timely sign and do not revoke the Additional Release attached as Exhibit B, and in consideration of the undertakings, promises and consideration recited in this Letter Agreement, the Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably remises, releases and forever discharges you, and your heirs and administrators, of and from any and all suits, claims, demands, interest, costs (including attorney fees and costs actually incurred), expenses, actions and causes of action, rights, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, losses and debts, of any nature whatsoever, which the Company now has, or at any time heretofore ever had, or could have had, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, arising out of your employment with the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph prevents the Company from filing a claim arising under the Employment Agreement or this Letter Agreement.

In consideration of the undertakings, promises and consideration recited in this Letter Agreement, which you acknowledge you would not otherwise be entitled to receive, you hereby fully, forever, irrevocably and unconditionally release, remise and discharge the Company, its officers, directors, stockholders, corporate affiliates, subsidiaries, parent companies, agents and employees (each in their individual and corporate capacities) (hereinafter, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, charges, complaints, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, debts, sums of money, costs, accounts, reckonings, covenants, contracts, agreements, promises, doings, omissions, damages, executions, obligations, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and costs), of every kind and nature that you ever had or now have against the Released Parties, including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or relating to your employment with and/or separation from the Company, including, but not limited to, all claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., the Family and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq., Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq., Executive Order 11246, Executive Order 11141, Section 806 of the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. 1514(A), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq., the New Jersey Family Leave Act, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 34:11B-1 et seq., the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act, N.J. Stat. Ann.  § 34:19-1 et seq., the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:6-1, et. seq., and N.J. Stat. Ann. § 34:11-56.1 et seq. (New Jersey equal pay law), all as amended, all common law claims including, but not limited to, actions in defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, misrepresentation, fraud, wrongful discharge and breach of contract, all claims to any non-vested ownership interest in the Company, contractual or otherwise, including, but not limited to, claims to stock or stock options, and any claim or damage arising out of your employment with and/or separation from the Company (including a claim for retaliation) under any common law theory or any federal, state or local statute or ordinance not expressly referenced above; provided, however, that nothing in this Letter Agreement prevents you from filing a charge with, cooperating with, or participating in any proceeding before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a state

 



fair employment practices agency (except that you acknowledge that you waive the right to recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such claim, charge or proceeding) or from filing a claim arising out of the Employment Agreement or this Letter Agreement.

Nothing in this Letter Agreement shall preclude you from exercising your rights, if any, under (a) under Section 601-608 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, popularly known as COBRA, or (b) the Company’s 401(k) plan.

You and the Company acknowledge and agree that at, and not before, the close of business on January 17, 2009, you and the Company shall each execute the Additional Release attached as Exhibit B.

You affirm that on or prior to January 19, 2009, except as set forth in the next paragraph, you will return to the Company all keys, files, records (and copies thereof), equipment (including, but not limited to, computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones, pagers, etc.), Company identification, Company vehicles and any other Company-owned property in your possession or control and will leave intact all electronic Company documents, including but not limited to those which you developed or helped develop during your employment. You further affirm that, on or prior to January 19, 2009, you will cancel all accounts for your benefit, if any, in the Company’s name, including but not limited to, credit cards, telephone charge cards, cellular phone and/or pager accounts and computer accounts.

The Company has agreed to sell to you, effective on January 17, 2009, your current Company-owned mobile telephone, Blackberry device, and laptop and desktop personal computers, in exchange for a payment by you equal to the current book value at which such equipment is maintained by the Company. Such purchase price will be paid by the Company’s deducting such amount from its first payment to you pursuant to the Employment Agreement.

In consideration of the undertakings, promises and consideration recited in this Letter Agreement, which you acknowledge you would not otherwise be entitled to receive, you understand and agree that, from and after the date of this Letter Agreement, you shall not make any false, disparaging or defamatory statements to any media outlet, industry group, financial institution or current or former employee, consultant, client or customer of, or any current, former or potential investor in, the Company regarding the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives or about the Company’s business affairs and financial condition. From and after the date of this Letter Agreement, neither the directors on the Board of Directors of the Company nor employees of the Company who have knowledge of this Letter Agreement shall make any false, disparaging or defamatory statements to any potential employer, media outlet, industry group, financial institution or current or former employee, consultant, client or customer of the Company regarding you.

You agree that from and after the date of this Letter Agreement, you will provide all reasonable cooperation to the Company in defending against and/or prosecuting any litigation or threatened litigation. The Company agrees to provide you a fee of $750 per day and to reimburse you for any reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred by you as a result of such cooperation.

 



 

This Letter Agreement shall be binding upon you and the Company and may not be modified in any manner, except by an instrument in writing of concurrent or subsequent date signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto. This Letter Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective agents, assigns, heirs, executors, successors and administrators.

To the extent permitted by law, you and the Company understand and agree that as a condition for the consideration provided herein, the terms and contents of this Letter Agreement, and the contents of the negotiations and discussions resulting in this Letter Agreement, shall be maintained as confidential by you and your agents and representatives and by the Company’s Board of Directors and Company employees with knowledge of this Letter Agreement, and shall not be disclosed to anyone other than to the parties’ respective accountants, attorneys, and tax and financial advisors, and in the case of the Company, to other individuals as the Company deems appropriate for the operation of its business (including, without limitation, potential investors in the Company), except to the extent required by federal or state law or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.

You affirm that no promises or agreements of any kind have been made to or with you by any person or entity whatsoever to cause you to sign this Letter Agreement other than those set forth herein, and that you fully understand the meaning and intent of this Letter Agreement, including Exhibit B. You state and represent that you have been given a reasonable amount of time to review this Letter Agreement and have had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this Letter Agreement with an attorney. You further state and represent that you have carefully read this Letter Agreement, including Exhibit B, understand the contents herein, freely and voluntarily assent to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and sign your name of you own free act.

This Letter Agreement shall be interpreted and construed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to conflict of laws provisions.

You and the Company hereby acknowledge and agree that the letter, dated November 18, 2008, from the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company to you, be, and it hereby is, revoked.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Letter Agreement on the date first above written.

 

SAVIENT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

By: /s/ Stephen O. Jaeger

Name: Stephen O. Jaeger

Title:

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Date:

January 17, 2009

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

/s/ Christopher G. Clement

Christopher G. Clement

Date: January 17, 2009

 

 



 

Exhibit A

Amendment to Employment Agreement

 

This Amendment is made, entered into, and is effective as of the Amendment Date, by and between the Company and Executive.

 

Article 1.             Definitions

 

1.0

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Article 2 of the Employment Agreement.

 

 

1.1

“Amendment” shall mean this Amendment to the Employment Agreement.

 

 

1.2

“Amendment Date” shall mean February 15, 2008.

 

 

1.3

“Employment Agreement” shall mean that certain agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Executive as of May 14, 2002, as subsequently amended on July 12, 2004, and which subsequently thereto was filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

Article 2.             Amendments

 

2.0

The Employment Agreement is hereby amended, as of the Amendment Date, as set forth in Section 2.1.

 

 

2.1

Section 7.4(e) of the Employment Agreement is rewritten to read in its entirety as follows:

 

 

 

(e)

Payment of all but forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) of the benefits described in Section 7.4(b)(1), and payment of all of the benefits described in Section 7.4(b)(2) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in equal bi-weekly installments over a period of consecutive months equal to the Service Multiple times twelve (12) and beginning on the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1. The forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) which was withheld shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the end of the twelve (12) month restrictive period set forth in Sections 13.2 (as so renumbered) and 13.3 (as so renumbered) of this Agreement.

   

2.2

Section 7.4(f) of the Employment Agreement is deleted and Sections 7.4(g), (h), and (i) are renumbered as Sections 7.4(f), (g), and (h), respectively.

 

 

2.3

Section 7.4(f) (as so renumbered) is rewritten to read in its entirety as follows:

 

(f)            Except as specifically provided in Section 7.4(e), all other payments due to the Executive upon termination of employment shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such applicable plans or programs.

 

2.4

Section 7.6 (g) of the Employment Agreement is rewritten to read in its entirety as follows:

 

 



 

(g)            Payment of all but forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) of the benefits described in Section 7.6(d)(1) and payment of all of the benefits described in Section 7.6(d)(2) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in equal bi-weekly installments over a period of consecutive months equal to the Service Multiple times twelve (12) and beginning on the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1. The forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) which was withheld shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the end of the twelve (12) month restrictive period set forth in Sections 13.2 (as so renumbered) and 13.3 (as so renumbered) of this Agreement.

 

2.5

Section 8.4 of the Employment Agreement is rewritten to read in its entirety as follows:

 

8.4           Form and Timing of Severance Benefit. Payment of all of the benefits described in Sections 8.3(a) through (c) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following the Effective Date of Termination, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1. All other payments due to the Executive upon termination of employment shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such applicable plans or programs.

 

2.6

The following new Articles 9 and 10 are added immediately following Section 8.5, and all subsequent articles and section references in the Agreement are adjusted accordingly:

 

 

Article 9.                Compliance with IRC Section 409A.

9.1

(a)           The following rules shall apply with respect to distribution of the payments and benefits, if any, to be provided to the Executive under Articles 7 or 8, as applicable:

 

(i)            It is intended that each installment of the payments and benefits provided under Articles 7 or 8 shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and the guidance issued thereunder (“Section 409A”). Neither the Company nor the Executive shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A.

 

(ii)           If, as of the date of the “separation from service” of the Executive from the Company (determined as set forth below), the Executive is not a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then each installment of the payments and benefits shall be made on the dates and terms set forth in Articles 7 or 8, as applicable.

 

(iii)          If, as of the date of the “separation from service” of the Executive from the Company, the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then:

 

1.             Each installment of the payments and benefits due under Articles 7 or 8, as applicable, that, in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein, will in all circumstances, regardless of when the separation from service occurs, be paid within the Short-Term Deferral Period (as hereinafter defined) shall be treated as a short-term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(4) to the maximum extent permissible under Section 409A. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Short-Term Deferral Period” means the period ending on the later of the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Executive’s tax year

 



in which the separation from service occurs and the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s tax year in which the separation from service occurs; and

 

2.             Each installment of the payments and benefits due under Articles 7 or 8 that is not described in clause (1), above, and that would, absent this subsection, be paid within the six-month period following the “separation from service” of the Executive from the Company shall not be paid until the date that is six months and one day after such separation from service (or, if earlier, the Executive’s death), with any such installments that are required to be delayed being accumulated during the six-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day following the Executive’s separation from service and any subsequent installments, if any, being paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this sentence shall not apply to any installment of payments and benefits if and to the maximum extent that that such installment is deemed to be paid under a separation pay plan that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (relating to separation pay upon an involuntary separation from service). Any installments that qualify for the exception under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) must be paid no later than the last day of the Executive’s second taxable year following his taxable year in which the separation from service occurs.

 

(b)            The determination of whether and when a separation from service of the Executive from the Company has occurred shall be made and in a manner consistent with, and based on the presumptions set forth in, Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h). Solely for purposes of this Section 4.4(b), “Company” shall include all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code.

 

(c)            All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Section 409A.

 

(d)            The parties acknowledge and agree that the interpretation of Section 409A and its application to the terms of this Agreement is uncertain and may be subject to change as additional guidance and interpretations become available. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, all benefits or payments provided by the Company to the Executive that would be deemed to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A are intended to comply with Section 409A. If, however, any such benefit or payment is deemed to not comply with Section 409A, the Company and Executive agree to renegotiate in good faith any such Severance Benefit or CIC Severance Benefit (including, without limitation, as to the timing of any such payment payable hereof) so that either (i) Section 409A will not apply or (ii) compliance with Section 409A will be achieved; provided, however, that any resulting renegotiated terms shall provide to Executive the after-tax economic equivalent of what otherwise has been provided to Executive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and provided further, that any deferral of payments or other benefits shall be only for such time period as may be required to comply with Section 409A.

 

(e)            If, notwithstanding the preceding provisions of Sections 7.4, 7.6 or 8.4, any Severance Benefit or CIC Severance Benefit (or any acceleration thereof) (the “Payments”) made or provided to the Executive or for his benefit in connection with this Agreement or the Executive’s employment with the Company or the termination thereof, are determined to be subject to the tax imposed by Section 409A(a)(1)(B) or any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (such

 



taxes, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Section 409A Tax”), then the Company will promptly pay to the Executive an additional amount (a “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount the Executive retains after paying any applicable Section 409A Tax and any federal, state or local income or FICA taxes on such Gross-Up Payment shall be equal to the amount the Executive would have received if the Section 409A Tax were not applicable to the Payments. All determinations of the Section 409A Tax and Gross-Up Payment, if any, will be made by tax counsel or other tax advisers designated by or acceptable to the Executive. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, if any, the Executive will be deemed to pay federal income tax at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Payments are made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence on the date the Payments are made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. If the Section 409A Tax is determined by the Internal Revenue Service, on audit or otherwise, to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder in calculating the Gross-Up Payment (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company must make another Gross-Up Payment with respect to such excess (plus any interest, penalties or additions payable by the Executive with respect to such excess) within ten (10) calendar days immediately following the date that the amount of such excess is finally determined. The Company and the Executive must each reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the existence or amount of liability for Section 409A Tax with respect to the total Payments.

 

Article 10.         Creation of Rabbi Trust

10.1

In the event that a CIC Severance Payment is required to be made on the day that is six months and one day from the Executive’s “separation from service” pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(iii), the Company shall deposit the full amount of such CIC Severance Payment in cash in a rabbi trust for the benefit of the Executive as soon as reasonably practicable following the Executive’s “separation from service”. The rabbi trust shall be governed by the terms of a trust agreement reasonably acceptable to the parties, shall be irrevocable and shall provide that the Company, or any successor thereto, may not, directly or indirectly, use or recover any assets of the rabbi trust until such time as the assets of the trust have been paid to the Executive hereunder, subject only to the claims of creditors of the Company in the event of its insolvency or bankruptcy. The assets held by the rabbi trust shall be transferred to Executive one day following the six-month anniversary of the Executives “separation from service” from the Company (the “Payment Date”). The assets delivered to Executive pursuant to the rabbi trust shall reflect any investment gain or loss (as the case may be) on the CIC Severance Benefit from the date the assets comprising the CIC Severance Benefit were deposited into such rabbi trust until the Payment Date. The Company, or any successor thereto, shall deliver and pay over to the appropriate taxing authorities if and when due all amounts subject to withholding with respect to the transfer of the CIC Severance Benefit to the rabbi trust and the transfer of the assets of the rabbi trust to Executive (as adjusted for any investment gain or loss) on the Payment Date, and shall instruct the trustee to transfer to the Executive such assets (in such form and asset class as has been deposited initially into the rabbi trust), without any further reduction for withholding for federal, state and local taxes other than any additional amounts required to be withheld on any amounts transferred to the Executive that were not included in the initial computation of the CIC Severance Benefit.

 

 



 

Article 3.           Miscellaneous

 

 

 

3.0

Except for those provisions of the Employment Agreement specifically amended as set forth in Article 2 of this Amendment, the remaining terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as set forth therein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, through its duly authorized representative, and the Executive have executed this Amendment as of the Amendment Date.

 

Executive

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

/s/ Christopher G. Clement

/s/ Philip K. Yachmetz

 

Christopher G. Clement

Philip K. Yachmetz

 

 

Executive Vice President

& Chief Business Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Amendment to Employment Agreement

 

This Amendment is made, entered into, and is effective as of the Amendment Date, by and between the Company and Executive.

 

Article 1.            Definitions

 

1.0

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Article 2 of the Employment Agreement.

 

 

1.1

“Amendment” shall mean this Amendment to the Employment Agreement.

 

 

1.2

“Amendment Date” shall mean July 12, 2004.

 

 

1.3

“Employment Agreement” shall mean that certain agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Executive as of May 14, 2002, and which subsequent thereto was filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

Article 2.             Amendments

 

2.0

The Employment Agreement is hereby amended, as of the Amendment Date, as set forth in Section 2.1.

 

 

2.1

Section 3.1 of the Employment Agreement is rewritten to read in its entirety as follows:

 

 

 

3.1

During the term of this Agreement, the Executive agrees to serve as President & Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company or in such other position which Executive shall agree to accept or to which Executive shall be promoted during the Term and Executive shall report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company, and shall maintain the level of duties and responsibilities as in effect as of the Amendment Date, or such higher level of duties and responsibilities as Executive may be assigned during the Term (the “Position”)

   

2.2

Section 5.1 of the Employment Agreement is rewritten to read in its entirety as follows:

   

 

5.1

Base Salary: The Company shall pay the Executive a Base Salary in an amount which shall be established from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Board’s designee; provided, however, that such Base Salary shall not be less than FOUR-HUNDRED-THOUSAND-DOLLARS (US400,000) per year.

 

(a) This Base Salary shall be paid to the Executive in equal installments throughout the year, consistent with the normal payroll practices of the Company.

(b) The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually following the Effective Date of this Agreement, while this Agreement is in force, to ascertain whether, in the judgment of the Board or the Board’s designee, such Base Salary should be increased based primarily on the performance of the Executive during the year.

 



If so increased, the Base Salary as stated above shall, likewise, be increased for all purposes of this Agreement and shall not, in any event, be decreased in any year.

 

2.3

Section 5.7 of the Employment Agreement is rewritten to read in its entirety as follows:

   

 

5.7

Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to such paid vacation as is customary for the Position in corporate institutions of similar size and character, but in any event not less than twenty-five (25) paid vacation days during each calendar year (subject to pro-ration in calendar year 2004); provided, however, that without prior written approval, Executive may carry forward into the next year no more than ten (10) unused vacation days from the current year.

 

Article 3.            Miscellaneous

 

3.0

Except for those provisions of the Employment Agreement specifically amended as set forth in Article 2 of this Amendment, the remaining terms of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as set forth therein.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, through its duly authorized representative, and the Executive have executed this Amendment as of the Amendment Date.

Executive

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

/s/ Christopher G. Clement

/s/ Philip K. Yachmetz

Christopher G. Clement

Philip K. Yachmetz

 

Senior Vice President & General Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

BIO-TECHNOLOGY GENERAL CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Agreement

for

Christopher G. Clement

President & Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Contents

 

 

Article 1. Term of Employment

 

Article 2.

Definitions

 

Article 3.

Position & Responsibilities

 

Article 4.

Standard of Care

 

Article 5.

Compensation

 

Article 6.

Expenses

 

Article 7.

Employment Terminations

 

Article 8.

Change in Control

 

Article 9.

Assignment

 

Article 10.

Legal Fees & Notice

 

Article 11.

Confidentiality & Noncompetition

Article 12.

Outplacement Assistance

 

Article 13.

Miscellaneous

 

Article 14.

Governing Law

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Employment Agreement

 

This Agreement is made, entered into, and is effective as of the Effective Date, by and between the Company and the Executive.

 

 

Article 1.            Term of Employment

 

 

 

1.1

The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein, for a period of three (3) years, commencing as of the Effective Date.

   

1.2

Commencing on the third (3 rd) anniversary of the Effective Date, and each anniversary thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one (1) additional year, unless at least ninety (90) days prior to such anniversary, the Company or the Executive shall have given notice in accordance with Section 10.2 hereof that it or he does not wish to extend the term of the Agreement.

   

 

Article 2.             Definitions

 

 

 

2.1

“Agreement” means this Employment Agreement.

   

2.2

“Annual Bonus” means the annual bonus to be paid to the Executive in accordance with the Company’s annual bonus program as described in Section 5.3 herein.

   

2.3

Base Salary” means the salary of record paid to the Executive as annual salary, pursuant to Section 5.2, excluding amounts received under incentive or other bonus plans, whether or not deferred.

   

2.4

“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act.

   

2.5

“Beneficiary” means the persons or entities designated or deemed designated by the Executive pursuant to Section 13.6 herein.

   

2.6

“Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

   

2.7

“Cause” means:

   

 

(a)

Executive materially breached any of the terms of this Agreement and failed to correct such breach within fifteen (15) days after written notice thereof from the Company;

   

 



 

 

(b)

Executive has been convicted of a criminal offense involving a felony giving rise to a sentence of imprisonment;

   

 

(c)

Executive has breached a fiduciary trust for the purpose of gaining a personal profit, including, without limitation, embezzlement; or

   

 

(d)

Despite adequate warnings, Executive intentionally and willfully failed to perform reasonably assigned duties within the normal and customary scope of the Position.

   

2.8

“Change in Control” or “CIC” of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions is satisfied:

   

 

(a)

Any consolidation or merger in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving entity or pursuant to which shares of the Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities, or other property, other than (i) a merger of the Company in which the holders of the Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger, or (ii) a consolidation or merger which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (by being converted into voting securities of the continuing or surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the continuing or surviving entity immediately after such consolidation or merger and which would result in the members of the Board immediately prior to such consolidation or merger (including for this purpose any individuals whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of such members) constituting a majority of the Board (or equivalent governing body) of the continuing or surviving entity immediately after such consolidation or merger;

   

 

(b)

Any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the Company’s assets;

   

 

(c)

The Company’s stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

   

 

(d)

Any Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of forty (40) percent or more of the Common Stock other than pursuant to a plan or arrangement entered into by such Person and the Company; or

   

 

(e)

During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the entire Board of Directors shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board unless the election or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders of each new director was approved by a vote of at lest two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period

 

 

 



 

2.9

“CIC Severance Benefits” means the payment of severance compensation associated with a Qualifying Termination occurring subsequent to a Change in Control, as described in Section 8.3.

   

2.10

“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

   

2.11

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $.01 par value.

   

2.12

“Compensation Committee” means the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board, or any other committee appointed by the Board to perform the functions of such committee.

   

2.13

Company” means Bio-Technology General Corp., a Delaware corporation, or any Successor Company thereto as provided in Section 9.1 herein.

   

2.14

Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

   

2.15

“Disability” or “Disabled” means for all purposes of this Agreement, the meaning ascribed to such term in the Company’s long-term disability plan, or in any successor to such plan.

   

2.16

“Effective Date” means May 14, 2002.

   

2.17

“Effective Date of Termination” means the date on which a termination of the Executive’s employment occurs.

   

2.18

Employment Date” means May 14, 2002.

   

2.19

“Executive” means Christopher G. Clement who, as of the Effective Date, resides at 25 Ford’s Crossing, Norwell, MA  02061.

   

2.20

“Good Reason” shall mean, without the Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

   

 

(a)

Reducing the Executive’s Base Salary;

   

 

(b)

Failing to maintain Executive’s amount of benefits under or relative level of participation in the Company’s employee benefit or retirement plans, policies, practices, or arrangements in which the Executive participates as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, including any perquisite program; provided, however, that any such change that applies consistently to all executive officers of the Company or is required by applicable law shall not be deemed to constitute Good Reason;

   

 

(c)

Failing to require any Successor Company to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations hereunder;

   

 

(d)

The occurrence of any one or more of the following events on or after the announcement of the transaction which leads to the CIC and up to twenty–four (24) calendar months following the effective date of a CIC:

 

 



 

 

(1)

Requiring Executive to be based at a location that requires the Executive to travel at least an additional thirty-five (35) miles per day;

   

 

(2)

Requiring Executive to report to a position which is at a lower level than the highest level to which Executive reported within the six (6) months prior to the CIC;

   

 

(3)

Demoting Executive to a level lower than Executive’s level in the Company as of the Effective Date.

   

2.21

“Notice of Termination” means a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provisions so indicated, and, where applicable, shall specifically include notice pursuant to Section 1.2 that Company has elected not to renew this Agreement.

   

2.22

“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

   

2.23

“Position” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.1.

   

2.24

“Qualifying Termination” means any of the events described in Section 8.2 herein, the occurrence of which triggers the payment of CIC Severance Benefits hereunder.

   

2.25

“Securities Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

   

2.26

“Service Multiple” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.4(c).

 

 

2.27

“Severance Benefits” means the payment of severance compensation as provided in Sections 7.4 and 7.6 herein, and not payable due to a Change in Control of the Company.

   

2.28

“Successor Company” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 9.1.

   

2.29

“Term” shall mean that period of time commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Effective Date of Termination.  

 

 

Article 3.             Position and Responsibilities

 

 

 

3.1

During the term of this Agreement, the Executive agrees to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company or in such other position which Executive shall agree to accept or to which Executive shall be promoted during the Term and Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or such other position which is at a higher position or level in the Company than Executive and as shall be determined by the Chief Executive Officer in his sole discretion, and shall maintain the level of duties and responsibilities as in

 

 



effect as of the Effective Date, or such higher level of duties and responsibilities as Executive may be assigned during the Term (the “Position”).

 

Article 4.             Standard of Care

 

 

 

4.1

During the term of this Agreement, the Executive agrees to devote substantially his full time, attention, and energies to the Company’s business and shall not be engaged in any other business activity, whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit, or other pecuniary advantage unless such business activity is approved by the Compensation Committee (or, in the event the Compensation Committee ceases to exist, the Board).  However, subject to Article 11 herein and approval by the Compensation Committee (or the Board, as the case may be), the Executive may serve as a director of other companies so long as such service is not injurious to the Company.

   

 

Article 5.             Compensation

 

 

 

5.1

As remuneration for all services to be rendered by the Executive during the term of this Agreement, and as consideration for complying with the covenants herein, the Company shall pay and provide to the Executive those items set forth in Sections 5.2 through 5.8.

   

5.2

Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive a Base Salary in an amount which shall be established from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Board’s designee; provided, however, that such Base Salary shall not be less than THREE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS (US$325,000) per year.

   

 

(a)

This Base Salary shall be paid to the Executive in equal installments throughout the year, consistent with the normal payroll practices of the Company.

   

 

(b)

The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually following the Effective Date of this Agreement, while this Agreement is in force, to ascertain whether, in the judgment of the Board or the Board’s designee, such Base Salary should be increased based primarily on the performance of the Executive during the year. If so increased, the Base Salary as stated above shall, likewise, be increased for all purposes of this   Agreement and shall not, in any event, be decreased in any year.

 

 

5.3

Annual Bonus. In addition to his Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s annual short-term incentive program, as such program may exist from time to time, at a level commensurate with the Position.  The percentage of Base Salary targeted as annual short-term incentive compensation shall be established for the Position by the Company’s Compensation Committee in its sole discretion (the “targeted Annual Bonus award”). Executive acknowledges that the amount of annual short-term incentive, if any, to be awarded shall be at the sole discretion of the Company’s Compensation Committee, may be less or more than the targeted Annual bonus award, and will be based on a number of factors set in advance by the Compensation Committee for each calendar year, including the Company’s performance and the Executive’s individual performance. Nothing in this

 

 



Section 5.3 shall be construed as obligating the Company or the Board to refrain from changing, and/or amending the short-term incentive program, so long as such changes are equally applicable to all executive employees in the Company.

 

5.4

Long-Term Incentives. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive plan, as such shall be amended or superseded from time to time provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.4 shall be construed as obligating the Company or the Board to refrain from changing, and/or amending the long-term incentive plan, so long as such changes are equally applicable to all executive employees in the Company.

   

5.5

Retirement Benefits. The Company shall provide to the Executive participation in any Company qualified defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans as may be established during the term of this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.5 shall be construed as obligating the Company to refrain from changing, and/or amending the nonqualified retirement programs, so long as such changes are equally applicable to all executive employees in the Company.

   

5.6

Employee Benefits. During the Term, and as otherwise provided within the provisions of each of the respective plans, the Company shall provide to the Executive all benefits to which other executives and employees of the Company are entitled to receive, as commensurate with the Position, subject to the eligibility requirements and other provisions of such arrangements as applicable to executives of the Company generally.

   

 

(a)

Such benefits shall include, but shall not be limited to, group term life insurance, comprehensive health and major medical insurance, dental and life insurance, and short-term and long-term disability.

   

 

(b)

The Executive shall likewise participate in any additional benefit as may be established during the term of this Agreement, by standard written policy of the Company.  

 

 

5.7

Vacation.   The Executive shall be entitled to such paid vacation as is customary for the Position in corporate institutions of similar size and character, but in any event not less than twenty (20) paid vacation days during each calendar year; provided, however, that without prior written approval, Executive may carry forward into the next year no more than ten (10) unused vacation days from the current year.

   

5.8

Perquisites. The Company shall provide to the Executive, at the Company’s expense, all perquisites which the Board may determine from time to time to provide; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.8 shall be construed as obligating the Company or the Board to refrain from changing, and/or amending the perquisite program, so long as such changes are equally applicable to all executive employees in the Company.

   

5.9

Right to Change Plans. The Company shall not be obligated to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any benefit plan, program, or perquisite, so long as such changes are equally applicable to all executive employees in the Company.

   

 

Article 6.            Expenses

 



 

6.1

Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay, or reimburse the Executive for all ordinary and necessary expenses, in a reasonable amount, which the Executive incurs in performing his duties under this Agreement including, but not limited to, travel, entertainment, professional dues and subscriptions, and all dues, fees, and expenses associated with membership in various professional, business, and civic associations and societies.

   

 

Article 7.            Employment Terminations

 

 

 

7.1

Termination Due to Death. In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated while this Agreement is in force by reason of death, the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall immediately expire. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Executive the following:

   

 

(a)

Base Salary through the Effective Date of Termination;

   

 

(b)

An amount equal to the Executive’s unpaid targeted Annual Bonus award, established for the fiscal year in which such termination is effective, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of completed days in the then-existing fiscal year through the Effective Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365);

   

 

(c)

All outstanding long-term incentive awards shall be subject to the treatment provided under the applicable long-term incentive plan of the Company;

   

 

(d)

Accrued but unused vacation pay through the Effective Date of Termination; and

   

 

(e)

All other rights and benefits the Executive is vested in, pursuant to other plans and programs of the Company.

   

 

(f)

The benefits described in Sections 7.1(a) and (d) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event beyond thirty (30) days from such date. All other payments due to the Executive upon termination of employment, including those in Sections 7.1(b) and (c), shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such applicable plans or programs.

   

 

(g)

With the exception of the covenants contained in Articles 9 and 14 and Sections 7.1(f), 13.3, 13.5, and 13.7 herein (which shall survive such termination), the Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

   

7.2

Termination Due to Disability.   In the event that the Executive becomes Disabled during the term of this Agreement and is, therefore, unable to perform his duties herein for more than one hundred eighty (180) total calendar days during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, or in the event of the Board’s reasonable expectation that the Executive’s Disability will exist for more than a period of one hundred eighty (180)

 

 



calendar days, the Company shall have the right to terminate the Executive’s active employment as provided in this Agreement.

 

 

(a)

The Board shall deliver written notice to the Executive of the Company’s intent to terminate for Disability at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the Effective Date of Termination.

   

 

(b)

Such Disability to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company upon receipt of and in reliance on competent medical advice from one (1) or more individuals, selected by the Board, who are qualified to give such professional medical advice.

   

 

(c)

A termination for Disability shall become effective upon the end of the thirty (30) day notice period. Upon the Effective Date of Termination, the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall immediately expire.

   

 

(d)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Executive the following:

   

 

(1)

Base Salary through the Effective Date of Termination;

   

 

(2)

An amount equal to the Executive’s unpaid targeted Annual Bonus award, established for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of completed days in the then-existing fiscal year through the Effective Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365);

 

 

 

(3)

All outstanding long-term incentive awards shall be subject to the treatment provided under the applicable long-term incentive plan of the Company;

   

 

(4)

Accrued but unused vacation pay through the Effective Date of Termination; and

   

 

(5)

All other rights and benefits the Executive is vested in, pursuant to other plans and programs of the Company.

   

 

(e)

The benefits described in Sections 7.2(d)(1) and (d)(4) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event beyond thirty (30) days from such date. All other payments due to the Executive upon termination of employment, including those in Sections 7.2(d)(2) and (d)(3), shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such applicable plans or program.

   

 

(f)

With the exception of the covenants contained in Articles 8, 9, 11, and 14 and Sections 7.2(e), 13.3, 13.5, and 13.7 herein (which shall survive such termination), the Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

   

7.3

Voluntary Termination by the Executive. The Executive may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving Notice of Termination to the Board of Directors of the Company, delivered at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the Effective Date of Termination.

 

 



 

 

(a)

The termination automatically shall become effective upon the expiration of the fourteen (14) day notice period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may waive the fourteen (14) day notice period; however, the Executive shall be entitled to receive all elements of compensation described in Sections 5.1 through 5.6 for the fourteen (14) day notice period, subject to the eligibility and participation requirements of any qualified retirement plan.

   

 

(b)

Upon the Effective Date of Termination, following the expiration of the fourteen (14) day notice period, the Company shall pay the Executive his full Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation pay, at the rate then in effect, through the Effective Date of Termination, plus all other benefits to which the Executive has a vested right at that time (for this purpose, the Executive shall not be paid any Annual Bonus with respect to the fiscal year in which voluntary termination under this Section occurs).

   

 

(c)

With the exception of the covenants contained in Articles 8, 9, 11, and 14 and Sections 13.3, 13.5, and 13.7 herein (which shall survive such termination), the Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

   

7.4

Involuntary Termination by the Company without Cause. At all times during the Term, the Board may terminate the Executive’s employment for reasons other than death, Disability, or for Cause, by providing to the Executive a Notice of Termination, at least sixty (60) calendar days (ninety (90) calendar days when termination is due to non-renewal of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 1.2) prior to the Effective Date of Termination; provided, however, that such notice shall not preclude the Company from requiring Executive to leave the Company immediately upon receipt of such notice.

 

 

 

(a)

Such Notice of Termination shall be irrevocable absent express, mutual consent of the parties.

   

 

(b)

Upon the Effective Date of Termination (not a Qualifying Termination), following the expiration of the sixty (60) day notice period (90 days in the case of non-renewal), the Company shall pay and provide to the Executive:

 

 

 

(1)

An amount equal to the Service Multiple times the Executive’s annual Base Salary established for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs;

 

 

 

(2)

An amount equal to the Service Multiple times the Executive’s targeted Annual Bonus award established for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs; provided, however, that no payment shall be made under this Section 7.4(b)(2) if the Effective Date of Termination is less than twelve (12) months after the Employment Date;

 

 

 

(3)

A continuation of the welfare benefits of health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance coverage (or if continuation under the Company’s then current plans is not allowed, then provision at the Company’s expense but subject to payment by Executive of those payments which Executive would have been obligated to make under the Company’s then current plan, of substantially similar welfare benefits from one or more third party providers) after the Effective Date of Termination for a number of months equal to the Service

 

 



Multiple times twelve (12). These benefits shall be provided to the Executive at the same coverage level as in effect as of the Effective Date of Termination, and at the same premium cost to the Executive which was paid by the Executive at the time such benefits were provided. However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of coverage shall change for all employees of the Company, or for management employees with respect to supplemental benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall change for the Executive in a corresponding manner. The continuation of these welfare benefits shall be discontinued if prior to the expiration of the period, the Executive has available substantially similar benefits at a comparable cost to the Executive from a subsequent employer, as determined by the Compensation Committee (or, in the event the Compensation Committee ceases to exist, the Board);

 

 

(4)

All outstanding long-term incentive awards shall be subject to the treatment provided under the applicable long-term incentive plan of the Company;

 

 

 

(5)

An amount equal to the Executive’s unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation pay through the Effective Date of Termination; and

 

 

 

(6)

All other benefits to which the Executive has a vested right at the time, according to

 

the provisions of the governing plan or program.

 

 

(c)

For purposes of this Section 7.4, the term “Service Multiple” shall be equal to the quotient resulting from a formula the numerator of which is the lesser of (a) full number

 

of completed months that have elapsed since the Employment Date (but not less than 6 months) and (b) twenty-four (24) and the denominator of which is twelve (12);

 

 

(d)

In the event that the Board terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause on or after the date of the announcement of the transaction which leads to a CIC, the Executive shall be entitled to the CIC Severance Benefits as provided in Section 8.3 in lieu of the Severance Benefits outlined in this Section 7.4.

 

 

 

(e)

Payment of all of the benefits described in Section 7.4(b)(1) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in equal bi-weekly installments over a period of consecutive months equal to the Service Multiple times twelve (12) and beginning on the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs.

 

 

 

(f)

Payment of all but forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) of the benefits described in Section 7.4(b)(2) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event beyond thirty (30) days from such date.  The forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) which was withheld shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the end of the twelve (12) month restrictive period set forth in Sections 11.2 and 11.3 of this Agreement.

 

 

 

(g)

Except as specifically provided in Section 7.4(e) and (f), all other payments due to the Executive upon termination of employment shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such applicable plans or programs.

   

 



 

 

(h)

With the exception of the covenants contained in Articles 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 and Sections 7.4, 13.3, 13.5, and 13.7 (which shall survive such termination), the Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

 

(i)

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company’s payment obligations under this Section 7.4 shall be offset by any amounts that the Company is required to pay to the Executive under a national statutory severance program applicable to such Executive.

 

 

7.5

Termination for Cause. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Board from terminating the Executive’s employment under this Agreement for Cause.

 

 

 

(a)

To be effective, the Notice of Termination must set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such termination for Cause.

 

 

 

(b)

In the event this Agreement is terminated by the Board for Cause, the Company shall pay the Executive his Base Salary and accrued vacation pay through the Effective Date of Termination, and the Executive shall immediately thereafter forfeit all rights and benefits (other than vested benefits) he would otherwise have been entitled to receive under this Agreement. The Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement with the exception of the covenants contained in Articles 9, 10, 11, and 14 and Sections 13.3, 13.5, and 13.9 herein (which shall survive such termination).

 

 

7.6

Termination for Good Reason. Except where Section 2.20(d) is applicable, this Section 7.6 shall only become effective when at least twelve (12) months have elapsed since the Employment Date.   Prior to this Section 7.6 becoming effective, any notice of termination by Executive may only be given pursuant to Section 7.3.  The Executive shall have sixty (60) days from the date he learns of action taken by the Company that allows the Executive to terminate his employment for Good Reason to provide the Board with a Notice of Termination.

   

 

(a)

The Notice of Termination must set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such Good Reason termination.

 

 

 

(b)

The Company shall have thirty (30) days to cure such Company action following receipt of the Notice of Termination.

 

 

 

(c)

The Executive is required to continue his employment for the sixty (60) day period following the date in which he provided the Notice of Termination to the Board. The Company may waive the sixty (60) day notice period; however, the Executive shall be entitled to receive all elements of compensation described in Sections 5.1 through 5.6 for the sixty (60) day notice period, subject to the eligibility and participation requirements of any qualified retirement plan.

 

 

 

(d)

Upon a termination of the Executive’s employment for Good Reason during the Term, and following the expiration of the sixty (60) day notice period, the Company shall pay and provide to the Executive the following:

 

 

 



 

 

(1)

An amount equal to two (2) times the Executive’s annual Base Salary established for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs;

 

 

 

(2)

An amount equal to two (2) times the Executive’s targeted Annual Bonus award established for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs;

 

 

 

(3)

A continuation of the welfare benefits of health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance coverage for two (2) years after the Effective Date of Termination (or if continuation under the Company’s then current plans is not allowed, then provision at the Company’s expense but subject to payment by Executive of those payments which Executive would have been obligated to make under the Company’s then current plan, of substantially similar welfare benefits from one or more third party providers). These benefits shall be provided to the Executive at the same coverage level, as in effect as of the Effective Date of Termination and at the same premium cost to the Executive which was paid by the Executive at the time such benefits were provided. However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of coverage shall change for all employees of the Company, or for management employees with respect to supplemental benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall change for the Executive in a corresponding manner. The continuation of these welfare benefits shall be discontinued prior to the end of the two (2) year period in the event the Executive has available substantially similar benefits at a comparable cost to the Executive from a subsequent employer, as determined by the Compensation Committee (or, in the event the Compensation Committee ceases to exist, the Board);

 

 

 

(4)

All outstanding long-term incentive awards shall be subject to the treatment provided under the applicable long-term incentive plan of the Company;

 

 

 

(5)

An amount equal to the Executive’s unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation pay through the Effective Date of Termination; and

 

 

 

(6)

All other benefits to which the Executive has a vested right at the time, according to the provisions of the governing plan or program.

 

 

 

(e)

In the event of termination of Executive’s employment for Good Reason on or after the date of the announcement of the transaction which leads to the CIC and up to twenty-four (24) months following the date of the CIC, the Executive shall be entitled to the CIC Severance Benefits as provided in Section 8.3 in lieu of the Severance Benefits outlined in this Section 7.6.

 

 

 

(f)

The Executive’s right to terminate employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness unless such incapacity is determined to constitute a Disability as provided herein.

 

 

 

(g)

Payment of all but forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) of the benefits described in Section 7.6(d)(1) and payment of all of the benefits described in Section 7.6(d)(2) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event beyond thirty (30) days from such date. The forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) which was withheld shall be paid in cash

 

 



to the Executive in a single lump sum at the end of the twelve (12) month restrictive period set forth in Sections 11.2 and 11.3 of this Agreement.

 

 

(h)

Except as specifically provided in Section 7.6(g), all other payments due to the Executive upon termination of employment shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such applicable plans or programs.

 

 

 

(i)

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company’s payment obligations under this Section 7.6 shall be offset by any amounts that the Company is required to pay to the Executive under a national statutory severance program applicable to such Executive.

 

 

 

(j)

With the exceptions of the covenants contained in Articles 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 and Sections 7.6, 13.3, 13.5, and 13.7 (which shall survive such termination) herein, the Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

   

Article 8.            Change in Control

 

 

8.1

Employment Termination Following a Change in Control. The Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company CIC Severance Benefits if a Notice of Termination for a Qualifying Termination of the Executive has been delivered; provided, that:

 

 

 

(a)

The Executive shall not be entitled to receive CIC Severance Benefits if he is terminated for Cause (as provided in Section 7.5 herein), or if his employment with the Company ends due to death, or Disability, or due to voluntary termination of employment by the Executive without Good Reason.

 

 

 

(b)

CIC Severance Benefits shall be paid in lieu of all other benefits provided to the Executive under the terms of this Agreement.

 

 

8.2

Qualifying Termination. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events on or after the date of the announcement of the transaction which leads to the CIC and up to twenty-four (24) months following the date of the CIC shall trigger the payment of CIC Severance Benefits to the Executive under this Agreement:

 

 

 

(a)

An involuntary termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for reasons other than Cause, death, or Disability, as evidenced by a Notice of Termination delivered by the Company to the Executive;

 

 

 

(b)

A voluntary termination by the Executive for Good Reason as evidenced by a Notice of Termination delivered to the Company by the Executive;

 

 

 

(c)

Failure to renew this Agreement (if the Agreement would expire unless renewed within such period), as evidenced by a Notice of Termination delivered by the Company to the Executive; or

 

 

 



 

 

 

(d)

The Company or any Successor Company materially breaches any material provision of this Agreement and does not cure such breach within thirty (30) days of receiving a written notice from the Executive with such notice explaining in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for the Executive’s claim.

 

 

8.3

Severance Benefits Paid upon a Qualifying Termination. In the event the Executive becomes entitled to receive CIC Severance Benefits, the Company shall pay to the Executive and provide him the following:

   

 

(a)

An amount equal to two and one half (2.5) times the Executive’s annual Base Salary established for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date of Termination occurs;

 

 

 

(b)

An amount equal to two and one half (2.5) times the Executive’s targeted Annual Bonus award established for the fiscal year in which the Executive’s Effective Date of Termination occurs;

 

 

 

(c)

An amount equal to the Executive’s unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unused vacation pay through the Effective Date of Termination;

 

 

 

(d)

All outstanding long-term incentive awards shall be subject to the treatment provided under the applicable long-term incentive plan of the Company;

 

 

 

(e)

A continuation of the welfare benefits of health care, life and accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance coverage for two and one half (2.5) full years after the Effective Date of Termination (or if continuation under the Company’s then current plans is not allowed, then provision at the Company’s expense but subject to payment by Executive of those payments which Executive would have been obligated to make under the Company’s then current plan, of substantially similar welfare benefits from one or more third party providers).

 

 

 

(1)

These benefits shall be provided to the Executive at the same coverage level, as in effect as of the Effective Date of Termination or, if greater, as in effect sixty (60) days prior to the date of the Change in Control, and at the same premium cost to the Executive which was paid by the Executive at the time such benefits were provided.

 

 

 

(2)

In the event the premium cost and/or level of coverage shall change for all employees of the Company, or for management employees with respect to supplemental benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall change for the Executive in a corresponding manner.

 

 

 

(3)

The continuation of these welfare benefits shall be discontinued prior to the end of the two and one half year period in the event the Executive has available substantially similar benefits at a comparable cost to the Executive from a subsequent employer, as determined by the Compensation Committee (or, in the event the Compensation Committee ceases to exist, the Board).

 

 

 

8.4

Form and Timing of Severance Benefit Payment of all of the benefits described in Sections 8.3(a) through (c) shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event beyond

 

 



thirty (30) days from such date. All other payments due to the Executive upon termination of employment shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such applicable plans or programs.

 

8.5

Excise Tax. In the event that the Executive becomes entitled to Severance Benefits or any other payment or benefit under this Agreement, or under any other agreement with, or plan of the Company (in the aggregate, the “Total Payments”), if any of the Total Payments will be subject to the tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed), the Company shall pay to the Executive, in cash, an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by the  

 

Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax upon the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income tax and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment provided for by this Section 8.5 (including FICA and FUTA), shall be equal to the Total Payments. Such payment shall be made by the Company to the Executive as soon as practical following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event beyond thirty (30) days from such date.

 

 

(a)

For purposes of determining whether any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amounts of such Excise Tax:

 

 

 

(1)

Any payments or benefits received or to be received by the Executive in connection with a Change in Control or the Executive’s termination of employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the Company, or with any person (which shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) therein) whose actions result in a Change in Control or any person affiliated with the Company or such persons) shall be treated as “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of tax counsel as supported by the Company’s independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the Executive, such other payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments, or unless such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code in excess of the base amount within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax;

 

 

 

(2)

The amount of the Total Payments which shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of: (i) the total amount of the Total Payments; or (ii) the amount of excess parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) (after applying clause (a) above); and

 

 

 

(3)

The value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.

 

 

 

(b)

For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, and state

 

 



and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence on the Effective Date of Termination, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.

 

 

(c)

In the event the Internal Revenue Service subsequently adjusts the excise tax computation herein described, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the full amount necessary to make the Executive whole (less any amounts received by the Executive that he would not have received had the computation initially been computed

 

as subsequently adjusted), including the value of benefits that were erroneously limited, the value of any overpaid excise tax, and any related interest and/or penalties due to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

8.6

With the exceptions of the covenants contained in Articles 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 and Sections 13.3, 13.5, and 13.7 (which shall survive such termination) herein, the Company and the Executive thereafter shall have no further obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

Article 9.            Assignment

 

 

9.1

Assignment by Company. This Agreement may and shall be assigned or transferred to, and shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any Successor Company, with Successor Company for purposes of this Agreement being defined as a company that (i) acquires greater than fifty percent (50%) of the assets of the Company or (ii) acquires greater than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding stock of the Company, or (iii) is the surviving entity in the event of a CIC.

 

 

 

(a)

Any such Successor Company shall be deemed substituted for all purposes of the “Company” under the terms of this Agreement.

 

 

 

(b)

Failure of the Company to obtain the agreement of any Successor Company to be bound by the terms of this Agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement, and shall immediately entitle the Executive to benefits from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to receive in the event of a termination of employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 7.7 (failure not related to a Change in Control) or Section 8.3 (if the failure of assignment follows or is in connection with a Change in Control).

 

 

 

(c)

Except as herein provided, this Agreement may not otherwise be assigned by the Company.

 

 

9.2

Assignment by Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees.

 

 

 

(a)

If the Executive dies while any amount would still be payable to him pursuant to this Agreement had he continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided

 

 



herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to the Executive’s Beneficiary.

 

 

(b)

If the Executive has not named a Beneficiary, then such amounts shall be paid to the Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.

 

 

Article 10.         Legal Fees and Notice

 

 

10.1

Payment of Legal Fees. To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall pay all legal fees, costs of litigation, prejudgment interest, and other expenses incurred by Executive in contesting a termination, if Executive prevails.

 

 

10.2

Notice. Any notices, requests, demands, or other communications provided by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent by registered or certified mail to the Executive at the last address he has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its principal offices to the attention of the General Counsel.

 

 

Article 11.         Confidentiality and Noncompetition

 

 

11.1

Disclosure of Information. The Executive recognizes that he has access to and knowledge of confidential and proprietary information of the Company that is essential to the performance of his duties under this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(a)

The Executive will not, during and for five (5) years after the term of his employment by the Company, in whole or in part, disclose such information to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor shall he make use of any such information for his own purposes, so long as such information has not otherwise been disclosed to the public or is not otherwise in the public domain except as required by law or pursuant to administrative or legal process.

 

 

11.2

Covenants Regarding Other Employees. During the term of this Agreement, and for a period of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, the Executive agrees not to actively solicit any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company or to interfere in a similar manner with the business of the Company.

 

 

11.3

Non-compete Following a Termination of Employment. From the Effective Date of this Agreement until six (6) months following the Executive’s Effective Date of Termination for any reason, the Executive will not: (a) directly or indirectly own any equity or proprietary interest in (except for ownership of shares in a publicly traded company not exceeding three percent (3%) of any class of outstanding securities), or be an employee, agent, director, advisor, or consultant to or for any competitor of the Company, whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any person; or (b) undertake any action to induce or cause any customer or client to discontinue any part of its business with the Company.

 

 



 

11.4

Waiver of Covenants Upon a Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Executive shall be released from each of the covenants set forth in Sections 11.2 and 11.3, , if such Executive is terminated by the Company without Cause or if the

 

or if the Executive terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason.

 

Article 12.         Outplacement Assistance

 

 

12.1

Following a termination of employment, other than for Cause, the Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for the costs of all outplacement services obtained by the Executive within the two and one half (2.5) year period after the Effective Date of Termination; provided, however, that the total reimbursement shall be limited to an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Executive’s Base Salary as of the effective date of termination.

 

 

Article 13.         Miscellaneous

 

 

13.1

Entire Agreement. With the exception of the Company’s Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement previously executed by Executive, this Agreement supersedes any prior agreements (specifically, the offer letter dated March 14, 2001), or understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto or between the Executive and the Company, with respect to the subject matter hereof, and constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect thereto.

 

 

13.2

Modification. This Agreement shall not be varied, altered, modified, canceled, changed, or in any way amended except by mutual agreement of the parties in a written instrument executed by the parties hereto or their legal representatives.

 

 

13.3

Severability. In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

13.4

Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

 

13.5

Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any benefits payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city, or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

 

13.6

Beneficiaries. To the extend allowed by law, any payments or benefits hereunder due to the Executive at the time of his death shall nonetheless be paid or provided and the Executive may designate one or more persons or entities as the primary and/or contingent beneficiaries of any amounts to be received under this Agreement. Such designation must be in the form of a signed writing acceptable to the Board or the Board’s designee. The Executive may make or change such designation at any time.

 

 



 

13.7

Payment Obligation Absolute. Absent actions deliberately or willfully taken by the Executive to materially injure the Company, the Company’s obligation to make the payments and the arrangement provided for herein shall be absolute and unconditional, and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any offset, counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other right which the Company may have against the Executive or anyone else.

 

 

 

(a)

All amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid without notice or demand. Subject to the provisions set forth in Sections 7.4 and 7.6, and Article 11, each and every payment made hereunder by the Company shall be final, and the Company shall not seek to recover all or any part of such payment from the Executive or from whomsoever may be entitled thereto, for any reasons whatsoever.

 

 

 

(b)

With the exception of the Company’s willful material breach of its payment obligations under Articles 7 and 8 of this Agreement (provided, however, that no such breach shall be deemed to have occurred until the Executive has provided the Board with written notice of such breach and a reasonable opportunity for cure), the restrictive covenants contained in Article 11 are independent of any other contractual obligations in this Agreement or otherwise owed by the Company to the Executive. Except as provided in this paragraph, the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether based on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not create a defense to the enforcement by the Company of any restrictive covenant contained herein.

 

 

13.8

The Executive shall not be obligated to seek other employment in mitigation of the amounts payable or arrangements made under any provision of this Agreement, and the obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event effect any reduction of the Company’s obligations to make the payments and arrangements required to be made under this Agreement.

 

 

13.9

Previous Obligations.

 

 

 

(a)

Executive agrees and confirms that Executive’s acceptance of this Agreement and performance of his duties hereunder will not in any way require or place Executive in a position that may require or potentially may require the use or disclosure of any third party’s trade secrets or proprietary information.

 

 

 

(b)

Executive confirms that Executive has disclosed to the Company all agreements Executive has with any third party that incorporate confidentiality restrictions or a covenant not to compete.

 

 

 

(c)

Executive believes that he is under no obligations to any third party, including any confidentiality agreements, covenants not compete or the like, which will in any way restrict the Executive’s ability to perform his duties hereunder.

 

 

 

(d)

Executive agrees and confirms that in the event Executive is ever asked to participate in any activity or perform any job duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company which the Executive believes may involve the utilization or dissemination of   information a third party has identified as its proprietary information or a trade secret or which may fall under a previously executed covenant not to compete, Executive will

 

 



immediately notify the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel and will not undertake to participate in any activities which require or could possibly require Executive to utilize or rely upon such proprietary information or trade secret.

 

13.10

Review by Counsel.  Prior to executing this Agreement, Executive agrees that he has consulted with his attorney who represents his interests and who has fully and completely explained the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the obligations created herein.

 

 

Article 14.         Governing Law

 

 

14.1

To the extent not preempted by federal law, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of New Jersey.

 

 

Article 15.         Relocation

 

 

15.1

Executive hereby agrees to relocate to the Iselin, New Jersey metropolitan area within six months of the Employment Date.  Executive hereby acknowledges that the Company is entering into this Agreement in reliance upon Executive’s covenant to relocate to the Iselin, New Jersey metropolitan area within six months of the Employment Date.  Executive hereby agrees that prior to his relocation to the Iselin, New Jersey metropolitan area, he will spend that number of days each week at the Company’s executive offices as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company may direct.  Prior to Executive’s relocation to the Iselin, New Jersey metropolitan area, the Company will reimburse Executive for his out-of-pocket cost of commuting between Boston, Massachusetts and Iselin, New Jersey each week, as well as Executive’s reasonable out-of-pocket hotel costs while working at the Company’s Iselin, New Jersey headquarters.

 

 

15.2

The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable documented out-of-pocket moving expenses incurred by Executive in relocating from the Boston, Massachusetts/San Diego metropolitan area to the Iselin, New Jersey metropolitan area.  In addition, the Company will reimburse Executive for all reasonable documented out-of-pocket move-related expenses, up to a maximum of $20,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company, through its duly authorized representative, and the Executive have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 

Executive:

 

 

 

/s/

Christopher G. Clement

 

 

 

Christopher G. Clement

 

 

 

 

 

Company:

 

 

 

Bio-Technology General Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sim Fass

 

 

 

Sim Fass

 

 

Chairman & CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Exhibit B

RELEASE

In consideration of the promises set forth in the Letter Agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) between Christopher G. Clement (the “Executive”) and Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), to which this Exhibit B is attached, which the Executive acknowledges he would not otherwise be entitled to receive, the Executive hereby fully, forever, irrevocably and unconditionally releases, remises and discharges the Company, its officers, directors, stockholders, corporate affiliates, subsidiaries, parent companies, agents and employees (each in their individual and corporate capacities) (hereinafter, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, charges, complaints, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, debts, sums of money, costs, accounts, reckonings, covenants, contracts, agreements, promises, doings, omissions, damages, executions, obligations, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and costs), of every kind and nature that the Executive ever had or now has against the Released Parties, including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or relating to the Executive’s employment with and/or separation from the Company, including, but not limited to, all claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq.; the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., the Family and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq., the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq., Executive Order 11246, Executive Order 11141, Section 806 of the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. 1514(A), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq., the New Jersey Family Leave Act, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 34:11B-1 et seq., the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act, N.J. Stat. Ann.  § 34:19-1 et seq., the New Jersey Civil Right Act, N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:6-1, et. seq., and N.J. Stat. Ann. § 34:11-56.1 et seq. (New Jersey equal pay law), all as amended, all common law claims including, but not limited to, actions in defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, misrepresentation, fraud, wrongful discharge and breach of contract, all claims to any non-vested ownership interest in the Company, contractual or otherwise, including, but not limited to, claims to stock or stock options, and any claim or damage arising out of the Executive’s employment with and/or separation from the Company (including a claim for retaliation) under any common law theory or any federal, state or local statute or ordinance not expressly referenced above; provided, however, that nothing in this Release (Exhibit B) prevents the Executive from filing a charge with, cooperating with, or participating in any proceeding before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a state fair employment practices agency (except that the Executive acknowledges that he waives his right to recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such claim, charge or proceeding) or from filing a claim arising under the Employment Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2002, between Executive and the Company, as amended on July 12, 2004 and on February 15, 2008 (as so amended, the “Employment Agreement”), or the Letter Agreement.

Nothing in this Release (Exhibit B) shall preclude Executive from exercising his rights, if any, under (a) under Section 601-608 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, popularly known as COBRA, or (b) the Company’s 401(k) plan.

The Executive acknowledges that he has been reimbursed by the Company for all business expenses incurred by him in conjunction with his employment with the Company and that no other reimbursements are owed to him. The Executive further acknowledges that he has been provided

 



with all compensation and benefits due to him as of the date of this Release (Exhibit B), including, but not limited to, any and all wages, expense reimbursements, and any accrued but unused vacation time, and that he is not entitled to receive any additional consideration beyond that provided for in Section 7.4 of the Employment Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Release (Exhibit B) prevents the Company from filing a claim arising under the Employment Agreement or the Letter Agreement.

In consideration of the undertakings, promises and consideration recited in the Letter Agreement, the Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably remises, releases and forever discharges the Executive, and his heirs and administrators, of and from any and all suits, claims, demands, interest, costs (including attorney fees and costs actually incurred), expenses, actions and causes of action, rights, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, losses and debts, of any nature whatsoever, which the Company now has, or at any time heretofore ever had, or could have had, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, arising out of the Executive’s employment with the Company.

The Executive acknowledges that he has been given at least 21 days to consider this Release (Exhibit B), and that the Company advised him to consult with an attorney of his own choosing prior to signing this Release (Exhibit B). The Executive understands that he may revoke this Release (Exhibit B) for a period of seven days after he signs it, and the Release (Exhibit B) shall not be effective or enforceable until the expiration of the seven-day revocation period.

The Executive understands and agrees that by signing Release (Exhibit B) he is waiving any and all rights or claims he might have under The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, and that he has received consideration beyond that to which he was previously entitled.

The Executive affirms that no other promises or agreements of any kind have been made to or with him by any person or entity whatsoever to cause him to sign this Release (Exhibit B), and that you fully understand the meaning and intent of this Release (Exhibit B). The Executive states and represents that he has had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this Release (Exhibit B) with an attorney. He further states and represents that he has carefully read this Release (Exhibit B), understands the contents herein, freely and voluntarily assents to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and signs his name of his own free act.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Release on the date first above written.

 

SAVIENT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

By: /s/ Stephen O. Jaeger

Stephen O. Jaeger

Title:

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Date:

January 17, 2009

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

/s/ Christopher G. Clement

Christopher G. Clement

Date:

January 17, 2009