Employment Agreement between SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. and Gregory A. Gould (Amended and Restated)
This agreement is between SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. and Gregory A. Gould, outlining the terms of Mr. Gould’s employment as Chief Financial Officer. It specifies his duties, compensation, and employment period, which is initially three years with automatic one-year renewals unless either party gives 60 days’ notice. The agreement requires approval by the Bankruptcy Court due to the company’s Chapter 11 proceedings. It also covers confidentiality, non-compete obligations, and severance terms if employment ends. The agreement supersedes all prior employment arrangements between the parties.
A. | The Company desires that the Executive be employed by the Company to carry out the duties and responsibilities described below, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. | ||
B. | The Executive desires to accept such employment on such terms and conditions. | ||
C. | This Agreement shall govern the employment relationship between the Executive and the Company from and after the Effective Date (as defined below) and supersedes and negates all previous agreements with respect to such relationship. |
1. | Retention and Duties. |
1.1. | Bankruptcy Court Approval. On March 22, 2006, the Company filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California (the Bankruptcy Court). The Companys case is No. 06-00510-11 (the Bankruptcy Case). The parties acknowledge that this Agreement shall not be effective unless and until approved by the Bankruptcy Court. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Effective Date means the date on which the Company receives Bankruptcy Court approval of this Agreement. | ||
1.2. | Retention. The Company does hereby hire, engage and employ the Executive for the Period of Employment (as defined in Section 2) on the terms and conditions expressly set forth in this Agreement. The Executive does hereby accept and agree to such hiring, engagement and employment, on the terms and conditions expressly set forth in this Agreement. | ||
1.3. | Duties. During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall serve the Company as its Chief Financial Officer and shall have such other duties and responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the CEO) or the |
Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) may determine from time to time. The Executive shall be subject to the published corporate policies of the Company as they are in effect from time to time throughout the Period of Employment (including, without limitation, the Companys business conduct and ethics policies, as they may change from time to time). During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall report to the CEO. | |||
1.4. | No Other Employment; Minimum Time Commitment. During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall both (i) devote substantially all of the Executives business time, energy and skill to the performance of the Executives duties for the Company, and (ii) hold no other employment. The Executives service on the boards of directors (or similar body) of other business entities, or the provision of other services thereto, is subject to the prior written approval of the Board. The Company shall have the right to require the Executive to resign from any board or similar body on which he may then serve if the Board reasonably determines that the Executives service on such board or body interferes with the effective discharge of the Executives duties and responsibilities to the Company or that any business related to such service is then in competition with any business of the Company or any of its affiliates, successors or assigns. Subject to the Companys rights pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Company expressly approves and acknowledges Executives service on the board of directors of CytoDyn, Inc. (CYDY), without the need for further Board action. | ||
1.5. | No Breach of Contract. The Executive hereby represents to the Company that, to the best of his knowledge and belief: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive and the Company and the performance by the Executive of the Executives duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or policy to which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound; (ii) the Executive has no information (including, without limitation, confidential information or trade secrets) relating to any other person or entity which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive entering into this Agreement or carrying out his duties hereunder; and (iii) the Executive is not bound by any confidentiality, trade secret or similar agreement (other than this Agreement and the Employee Confidentiality Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Confidentiality Agreement) and that certain Nondisclosure Agreement effective as of April 20, 2006 by and between Executive and Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.), with any other person or entity. | ||
1.6. | Location. The Executives principal place of employment shall be the Companys principal executive offices, as they may be located from time to time. The Executive agrees that he will be regularly present at the Companys principal executive offices. The Executive acknowledges that he may be required to travel from time to time in the course of performing his duties for the Company. |
2. | Period of Employment. The Period of Employment shall be a period of three (3) years commencing on the Effective Date and ending at the close of business on the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date (the Termination Date); provided, however, that this Agreement shall be automatically renewed, and the Period of Employment shall be automatically extended for one (1) additional year on the Termination Date and each anniversary of the Termination Date thereafter, unless either party gives notice, in writing, at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Period of Employment (including any renewal thereof) of such partys desire to terminate the Period of Employment. The term Period of Employment shall include any extension thereof pursuant to the preceding sentence. If the Company provides notice that the Period of Employment shall not be extended or further extended, as the case may be, the Executives employment by the Company shall terminate at the end of the Period of Employment then in effect and, in connection with such termination of employment and subject to Section 5.4, the Executive shall be entitled to all the severance benefits provided in Section 5.3(b)(i)-(iv). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Period of Employment is subject to earlier termination as provided below in this Agreement. | |
3. | Compensation. |
3.1. | Base Salary. The Executives base salary (the Base Salary) shall be paid in accordance with the Companys regular payroll practices in effect from time to time, but not less frequently than in monthly installments. The Executives Base Salary for the first twelve (12) months of the Period of Employment shall be at an annualized rate of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000). The Company will review the Executives Base Salary at least annually and may increase (but not decrease) the Executives Base Salary from the rate then in effect based on such review. | ||
3.2. | Incentive Bonus. For each fiscal year of the Company that ends during the Period of Employment, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus (Incentive Bonus) in an amount to be determined by the Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) in its sole discretion, based on the performance objectives established by the Board for that particular period. The Executives target Incentive Bonus amount for any such fiscal year shall be equal to least seventy five percent (75%) of the Executives Base Salary for that particular year, and there shall be no caps (other than any maximum amount provided under any applicable stockholder-approved incentive plan under which the particular bonus opportunity may be structured or any maximum amount that may be determined pursuant to any incentive compensation formula that may be adopted pursuant to the applicable incentive plan) on the total Incentive Bonus payable to Executive for any year. Any Incentive Bonus amount earned by the Executive pursuant to the terms of the applicable incentive plan shall be paid as soon as practicable after the amount of the bonus, if any, and the Executives right thereto have been determined and, if applicable, certified in accordance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code); provided, that any such earned bonus shall be paid not later than by the later of (i) the fifteenth day of the third month following |
the close of the calendar year in which the Executives right to such bonus vests (is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture) or (ii) the fifteenth day of the third month following the close of the Companys taxable year in which the Executives right to such bonus vests. | |||
3.3. | Signing Bonus. In consideration for the Executives execution of this Agreement and subject to the Executives actually commencing employment with the Company, the Executive shall be entitled to a cash payment in the amount of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) on or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date. | ||
3.4. | Stock Option Grants. Subject to this Section 3.4, on the Effective Date the Company will grant to the Executive a nonqualified stock option (the Option) to purchase 250,000 shares of the Companys common stock, no par value (the Common Stock). The exercise price per share of the Option will be equal to the fair market value of a share of the Common Stock on the Effective Date. The Board (or Compensation Committee thereof) will determine such fair market value in its reasonable, good faith discretion (it being intended that, if the Common Stock is then not publicly traded other than on the over-the-counter market, such fair market value shall be based on the last sales price for a share of Common Stock as quoted on the Pink Sheets unless such methodology does not, in the Boards reasonable, good faith discretion, produce an accurate fair market value in the circumstances). The Option will vest in substantially equal annual installments (equal installments except that the installments will be rounded to produce vesting installments of whole share increments) over the three-year period following the Effective Date. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Option Agreement referenced below, in each case, the vesting of each installment of the Option is subject to the Executives continued employment by the Company through the respective vesting date. The maximum term of the Option will be ten (10) years from the date of grant of the Option, subject to earlier termination upon the termination of the Executives employment with the Company, a change in control of the Company and similar events. The Option shall be subject to such further terms and conditions as set forth in a written stock option agreement to be entered into by the Company and the Executive to evidence the Option (the Option Agreement). The Option Agreement shall be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C. | ||
Executive shall also be eligible to participate in and receive additional grants commensurate with his position and level in any stock option plan and restricted stock plan or other equity-based or equity related compensation plan, programs or agreements of the Company made available generally to its senior executives; provided that the amount, timing, and other terms of any future grant shall be determined by the Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) in its sole discretion. |
3.5. | Compensation for the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. Notwithstanding Section 3.1, for the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 (the Salary Reduction Period): | ||
(a) The Executives Base Salary shall be at an annualized rate of $229,500, and shall be paid in cash in accordance with the Companys regular payroll practices in effect from time to time. |
(b) | (i) | The Executive shall receive, on each of July 1, 2009, October 1, 2009, January 4, 2010, and April 1, 2010 (each date, a Grant Date), shares of the Companys common stock equal in number to (A) 10,125, if the closing price per share of the Companys common stock on the applicable Grant Date, measured in U.S. dollars (the Applicable Share Price), is equal to or less than one (1) U.S. Dollar; or (B) $10,125.00 divided by the Applicable Share Price, if the Applicable Share Price is greater than one (1) U.S. dollar. The resulting share total shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share and any fractional amount shall be paid in cash. These shares shall be granted pursuant to the Companys 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. |
(ii) | Notwithstanding (b)(i) above, with respect to any Grant Date, the Company may in its discretion pay cash (in lieu of shares) equal to the actual fair market value of any portion or all of the shares to which the Executive is entitled under this Section 3.5(b). | ||
(iii) | For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may withhold from amounts otherwise payable under Section 3.5(a) during the quarter preceding each Grant Date such amounts as the Company in its discretion determines may be required to be withheld for tax purposes with respect to the delivery of shares (pursuant to this Section 3.5(b)) on such Grant Date; provided, that if for any reason the Companys withholdings during the quarter preceding a Grant Date are insufficient to provide for any required tax withholding with respect to shares or other amounts to be delivered on such Grant Date, the Executive shall upon request from the Company and prior to the delivery of such shares or other amounts promptly pay the Company, in cash, any shortfall in such required withholding. |
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executives employment is terminated for any reason during the Salary Reduction Period, in addition to the payment of Accrued Obligations pursuant to Section 5.3(a), the Company shall deliver to the Executive (or, in the event of his death, the Executives estate), an amount of shares of the Companys common stock equal to (i) the number of shares to which the Executive would have otherwise been entitled under Section 3.5(b) on the first Grant Date following the Severance Date (as that term is defined in Section 5.3) if the Executives employment had not been terminated, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the |
number of days prior to and including the Severance Date during the quarter in which the Severance Date occurs and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such quarter. The resulting share total shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share and any fractional amount shall be paid in cash. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion pay to the Executive the cash value of the shares to which the Executive is otherwise entitled under this Section 3.5(c), in lieu of such shares. The cash value of the shares shall be calculated based upon the closing price per share of the Companys common stock on the first Grant Date following the Severance Date. Any shares or cash payable under this Section 3.5(c) shall be paid on such first Grant Date following the Severance Date. | |||
(d) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if the Executives employment is terminated during the Salary Reduction Period by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in Section 5.5): |
(i) | the Severance Benefits described in Section 5.3(b)(i) shall be paid to the Executive in cash in its entirety, and | ||
(ii) | for purposes of Section 5.3(b)(i), the Base Salary in effect on the Severance Date shall equal the annualized base salary rate in effect immediately prior to the Salary Reduction Period. |
4. | Benefits. |
4.1. | Retirement, Welfare and Fringe Benefits. During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee pension and welfare benefit plans and programs, and fringe benefit plans and programs, made available by the Company to the Companys employees generally, in accordance with the eligibility and participation provisions of such plans and as such plans or programs may be in effect from time to time. | ||
4.2. | Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out the Executives duties for the Company under this Agreement and reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses the Executive incurs during the Period of Employment in connection with carrying out the Executives duties for the Company, subject to the Companys expense reimbursement policies in effect from time to time. Any such payment or reimbursement of such expenses that could constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be subject to the requirements that: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for payment or reimbursement during any calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other calendar year, (ii) the payment or reimbursement must be made if at all, not later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred, and (iii) any right that the Executive may have to reimbursement shall in no event be subject to |
liquidation or exchange for any other benefit, all as more fully described in the Companys 409A Reimbursement Policy in effect from time to time. | |||
4.3. | Vacation and Other Leave. During the Period of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to take vacation in accordance with the Companys vacation policies in effect from time to time. The Executive shall also be entitled to holidays and other leave in accordance with the Companys policies in effect from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, no accrual of any vacation, holiday or other leave pay shall occur. | ||
Notwithstanding the Companys vacation policies and other paid time off policies (if any) in effect from time to time, the Executive voluntarily agrees, in exchange for receiving his base salary (rather than the lower base salary that would otherwise have been paid to him) and shares of the Companys stock pursuant to Section 3.5(b), to finally relinquish any right to accrued vacation time and other leave pay as of April 1, 2009. | |||
4.4. | Relocation Costs. Upon commencement of the Period of Employment, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for his reasonable, documented relocation expenses, including but not limited to, real estate commissions, temporary housing and travel to and from Colorado, incurred in relocating his permanent residence to the area in which the Companys principal offices are located. To the extent that any such payment or reimbursement is taxable to the Executive, the Company shall pay the Executive a gross-up so the Executive has no after-tax costs with regard to such payment or reimbursement. In no event, however, will the Company have any such payment, reimbursement or other obligation to the Executive pursuant to this Section 4.4 (including, without limitation, as to any such gross-up payment) to the extent that such payments, reimbursements, or other obligations to the Executive pursuant to this Section 4.4 exceed One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($175,000) in the aggregate taking into account all such previous payments and reimbursements. Any such payment, reimbursement or benefit, to the extent it could constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, shall be subject to the same requirements as those applicable to the reimbursement of expenses under the last sentence of Section 4.2 above. |
5. | Termination. |
5.1. | Termination by the Company. The Executives employment by the Company, and the Period of Employment, may be terminated by the Company: (i) at any time with Cause (as defined in and subject to the provisions of Section 5.5), or (ii) with no less than thirty (30) days advance notice to the Executive, without Cause, (iii) in the event of the Executives death, or (iv) in the event that the Board determines in good faith that the Executive has a Disability (as defined in Section 5.5). |
5.2. | Termination by the Executive. The Executives employment by the Company, and the Period of Employment, may be terminated by the Executive with no fewer than thirty (30) days advance notice to the Company (and subject to the procedural requirements set forth in Section 5.5(d), in the case of a termination for Good Reason). | ||
5.3. | Benefits Upon Termination. If the Executives employment by the Company is terminated during the Period of Employment for any reason by the Company or by the Executive, or upon or following the expiration of the Period of Employment (in any case, the date that the Executives employment by the Company terminates is referred to as the Severance Date), the Company shall have no further obligation to make or provide to the Executive, and the Executive shall have no further right to receive or obtain from the Company, any payments or benefits except as follows: |
(a) | The Company shall pay the Executive (or, in the event of his death, the Executives estate) any Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 5.5); | ||
(b) | If, during the Period of Employment, the Executives employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in Section 5.5), the Company shall, subject to the following provisions of this Section 5.3 and the provisions of Section 5.4, pay (in addition to the Accrued Obligations) the Executive the following severance benefits (the Severance Benefits): |
(i) | The Company shall pay the Executive an amount, subject to tax withholding and other authorized deductions, equal to the sum of: |
(x) | one times the Executives Base Salary at the annual rate in effect on the Severance Date, plus | ||
(y) | a pro-rated amount of the Executives Incentive Bonus for the year in which such Severance Date occurs. For purposes of determining the pro-rated amount of the Incentive Bonus to be paid pursuant to this clause (y), the applicable performance objectives for the year in which the Severance Date occurs shall be pro-rated to reflect the portion of the year completed prior to the Severance Date and the Board shall in good faith determine the amount of the Incentive Bonus that would be paid if the applicable measurement criteria were such short-year objectives (by comparing actual performance for such short year against such pro-rated objectives). A pro-rated amount of such Incentive Bonus amount shall then be paid pursuant to this clause(y). (For purposes of illustration, if the Severance Date occurs half-way through the related fiscal year of the Company, and the Executives target Incentive Bonus for such fiscal year was 75% of his Base Salary for that year, and the Board |
determines that the related performance objectives (as pro-rated) were satisfied at target for such short year based on actual performance for the first half of that year, 37.5% of the target bonus amount (50% of 75%) would be paid.) |
However, in the event that the Executives Severance Date occurs upon or after the occurrence of both of the following events: (1) the occurrence of a Change in Control Event (as defined below) of the Company and (2) the Bankruptcy Effective Date (as such term is defined below), and the Executive is entitled to benefits pursuant to this Section 5.3(b), then the amount paid pursuant to clause (i)(x) shall equal one and one-half (1.5) times the Executives Base Salary at the annual rate in effect on the Severance Date (as opposed to, and not in addition to, the amount otherwise provided in clause (i)(x)). For purposes of this Agreement, Bankruptcy Effective Date means the effective date of the Companys plan of reorganization as approved by the Bankruptcy Court in the Bankruptcy Case proceedings. | |||
In the event that the Executives Severance Date occurs upon or after the occurrence of all of the following events: (1) the occurrence of a Change in Control Event of the Company, (2) the Bankruptcy Effective Date, and (3) the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and the Executive is entitled to benefits pursuant to this Section 5.3(b), then the amount otherwise payable pursuant to this clause (i) (as determined pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this clause (i)) shall be increased by one and one-half (1.5) times the Executives target Incentive Bonus for the year in which such Severance Date occurs. | |||
Subject to Section 21, the severance benefit determined pursuant to this clause (i) shall be paid by the Company in a single lump sum not later than thirty (30) days after the Executives Severance Date (or, if the terms of the release referred to in Section 5.4(a) are communicated to the Executive after the Severance Date, not later than thirty (30) days after the communication of such terms to the Executive); provided, that the payment of the severance benefits described in this Section 5.3(b) shall be conditioned on the Executives giving (and not having revoked) the release referred to in Section 5.4(a); and further provided, that in no event shall the severance benefit described in this Section 5.3(b)(i) be paid, if at all, later than by the later of (i) the fifteenth day of the third month following the close of the calendar year in which the Executives separation from service occurs, or (ii) the fifteenth day of the third month following the close of the Companys taxable year in which the Executives separation from service occurs. |
(ii) | The Company will pay or reimburse the Executive for his premiums charged to continue medical coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), at the same or reasonably equivalent medical coverage for the Executive (and, if applicable, the Executives eligible dependents) as in effect immediately prior to the Severance Date, to the extent that the Executive elects such continued coverage; provided that the Companys obligation to make any payment or reimbursement pursuant to this clause (ii) shall cease upon the first to occur of (a) the first anniversary of the Severance Date; (b) the Executives death; (c) the date the Executive becomes eligible for coverage under the health plan of a future employer; or (d) the date the Company or its affiliates ceases to offer any group medical coverage to its active executive employees or the Company is otherwise under no obligation to offer COBRA continuation coverage to the Executive. | ||
(iii) | The stock options granted to the Executive pursuant to Section 3.4 and any additional stock options or equity or equity-related compensation or grants that vest based on the passage of time and continued performance of services (to the extent outstanding and not otherwise vested as of the Severance Date, and exclusive of any grants that include performance-based vesting criteria) shall become fully vested immediately prior to such termination. Except as provided in this Section 5.3(b)(iii), the effect of a termination of the Executives employment on the Executives stock options (including any limited period to exercise such options) shall be determined under the terms of the award agreement evidencing such option. | ||
(iv) | Company shall reimburse Executive for amounts, not in excess of Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars ($36,000.00) in the aggregate taking into account all such expenses previously reimbursed, expended by Executive for executive outplacement services from a provider of his choice. Such submitted expenses shall be reimbursed by the Company within thirty (30) days after submission by the Executive of such expenses for reimbursement; provided, that no such reimbursement shall be paid later than December 31 of the second calendar year following the Severance Date. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.3, if the Executive materially breaches any of his obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement or under the Non-Competition Agreement (as defined in Section 6) at any time, from and after the date of such breach, the Executive will no longer be entitled to, and the Company will no longer be obligated to pay, any remaining unpaid portion of the Severance Benefits (and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any reimbursement obligation pursuant to clause (iii) or (iv) above shall terminate). |
The foregoing provisions of this Section 5.3 shall not affect: (i) the Executives receipt of benefits otherwise due terminated employees under group insurance coverage consistent with the terms of the applicable Company welfare benefit plan; (ii) the Executives rights under COBRA to continue participation in medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance coverage; or (iii) the Executives receipt of benefits otherwise due in accordance with the terms of the Companys 401(k) plan (if any). |
5.4. | Release; Exclusive Remedy. |
(a) | This Section 5.4 shall apply notwithstanding anything else contained in this Agreement, the Option Agreement or any other stock option, restricted stock or other equity-based award agreement to the contrary. As a condition precedent to any Company obligation to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.3(b) or any obligation to accelerate vesting of any equity-based award in connection with the termination of the Executives employment, the Executive shall, upon or promptly following his last day of employment with the Company, provide the Company with a valid, executed general release agreement in a form acceptable to the Company, and such release agreement shall have not been revoked by the Executive pursuant to any revocation rights afforded by applicable law. Such release shall be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (together with any changes thereto as the Company may determine necessary or appropriate to render the release enforceable to the fullest extent possible, any such change to be communicated to the Executive within ten (10) days of the last day of the Executives employment). The Company shall have no obligation to make any payment to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.3(b) (or otherwise accelerate the vesting of any equity-based award in the circumstances as otherwise contemplated by the applicable award agreement) unless and until the release agreement contemplated by this Section 5.4 becomes irrevocable by the Executive in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. | ||
(b) | The Company and the Executive acknowledge and agree that there is no duty of the Executive to mitigate damages under this Agreement. All amounts paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.3 shall be paid without regard to whether the Executive has taken or takes actions to mitigate damages. | ||
(c) | In the event of any termination of the Executives employment with the Company (regardless of the reason for such termination), Executive irrevocably resigns from the Board effective as of the time of such termination. |
5.5. | Certain Defined Terms. |
(a) | As used herein, Accrued Obligations means: |
(i) | any Base Salary that had accrued but had not been paid on or before the Severance Date; and | ||
(ii) | any Incentive Bonus payable pursuant to Section 3.2 with respect to any fiscal year that ends during the Period of Employment preceding the fiscal year in which the Severance Date occurs to the extent earned by but not previously paid to the Executive; and | ||
(iii) | any reimbursement due to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.2 or Section 4.4 for expenses incurred by the Executive on or before the Severance Date. |
Any payment of Accrued Obligations payable hereunder shall be made promptly and in all events within sixty (60) days of the Executives separation from service, subject, in the case of reimbursements, to the Executives delivery to the Company of such documentation as the Company may reasonably require in accordance with its normal reimbursement policies that the expenses were incurred and are reimbursable. | |||
(b) | As used herein, Cause shall mean, as reasonably determined by the Board (excluding the Executive, if he is then a member of the Board), (i) any act of willful personal dishonesty taken by the Executive in connection with his responsibilities as an employee of the Company which is intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Executive, (ii) the Executives conviction of, indictment for, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or entering a similar plea to, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony, (iii) fraud or willful and material misconduct by the Executive, (iv) a willful violation by the Executive of the Executives material obligations to the Company (including, without limitation, any willful refusal of the Executive to perform his duties for the Company) or other material breach by the Executive of this Agreement, (v) the Executive is found liable in any Securities and Exchange Commission or other civil or criminal securities law action, or (vi) a material breach by the Executive of the Confidentiality Agreement or of the Non-Competition Agreement. No act or failure to act by Executive shall be considered willful if such act is or was done (or is or was omitted to be done) in the good faith belief that it is or was in the best interests of the Company. Prior to any purported termination for Cause, the Company shall send a written notice of termination to the Executive indicating the specific provision in this Agreement on which such a claim of Cause would be based, and setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances on which such a claim would be based. In the event of any claim of Cause based on clause (iii) or (iv) of the foregoing definition of Cause, the Executive shall be given an opportunity (of not more than 30 days) to promptly cure such conduct (or lack thereof); provided, however, that the Company need not give the Executive the opportunity to cure conduct (or lack thereof) that is substantially similar to |
past conduct (or lack thereof) for which such a notice was provided within the preceding 18-month period. Further, before any actual termination of the Executives employment for Cause, the Executive shall be given an opportunity to be heard by the Board as to the circumstances purporting to constitute Cause and any determination to terminate the Executives employment for Cause shall be by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire Board (exclusive of the Executive if he is then a director). | |||
(c) | As used herein, Disability shall mean a physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his employment with the Company, even with reasonable accommodation that does not impose an undue hardship on the Company, for more than 180 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by federal or state law, in which case that longer period would apply. | ||
(d) | As used herein, Good Reason shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (i) without the Executives express written consent, a material reduction or material adverse change in the nature or scope of the Executives duties, authorities, titles, position or responsibilities relative to the Executives duties, authorities, titles, position or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or the removal of the Executive from such duties, authorities, titles, position or responsibilities (in no event, however, shall the Company ceasing to be a publicly-traded corporation, in and of itself, constitute Good Reason pursuant to this clause (i)); (ii) a material failure of the Company to provide Executive with the Base Salary and benefits in accordance with the terms of Sections 3 and 4 hereof; (iii) the relocation of the principal executive offices of the Company to a location that is more than 50 miles outside of West Bridgewater, MA; (iv) failure of the Company to obtain the agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement as required by Section 8; or (v) any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company; provided that Good Reason shall not exist unless (A) the Executive gives notice to the Company within ninety (90) days of the initial occurrence of the event or condition constituting Good Reason, setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of such Good Reason, (B) the Company fails to cure within thirty (30) days following such notice; and (C) Executive terminates his employment within thirty (30) days following the end of the 30-day cure period (if the Company fails to cure); further provided that the termination of the Executives employment shall occur within two (2) years of the initial existence of one or more conditions giving rise to such claim of Good Reason without the consent of the Executive. | ||
(e) | For purposes of this Agreement, including all associated agreements and instruments, Change in Control Event means any of the following: |
(i) | The dissolution or liquidation of the Company, other than in the context of a transaction that does not constitute a Change in Control Event under clause (ii) below. | ||
(ii) | Consummation of a merger, consolidation, or other reorganization, with or into, or the sale of all or substantially all of the Companys business and/or assets as an entirety to, one or more entities that are not Subsidiaries (a Business Combination), unless (A) as a result of the Business Combination at least 50% of the outstanding securities voting generally in the election of directors of the surviving or resulting entity or a parent thereof (the Successor Entity) immediately after the reorganization are, or will be, owned, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportions, by shareholders of the Company immediately before the Business Combination; and (B) no person (as defined in clause (iii) below, but excluding the Successor Entity or an Excluded Person) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Successor Entity, after giving effect to the Business Combination, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (C) at least 50% of the members of the board of directors of the entity resulting from the Business Combination were members of the Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board approving the Business Combination. | ||
(iii) | Any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) other than an Excluded Person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities entitled to then vote generally in the election of directors of the Company, other than as a result of (A) an acquisition directly from the Company, (B) an acquisition by the Company, (C) an acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Successor Entity, or an acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction which is expressly excluded under clause (ii) above. | ||
(iv) | During any period not longer than two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board cease to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Companys shareholders, of each new Board member was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Board members then still in office who were Board members at the beginning of such period (including for these purposes, new members whose election or nomination was so approved), but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs |
as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board. |
(f) | As used herein, Subsidiary means any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation. | ||
(g) | As used herein, Excluded Person means (1) any person described in and satisfying the conditions of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, (2) the Company, or (3) an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or the Successor Entity. | ||
(h) | For purposes of this Agreement, references to termination of employment, retirement, separation from service and similar or correlative terms mean a separation from service (as defined at Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations) from the Company and from all other corporations and trades or businesses, if any, that would be treated as a single service recipient with the Company under Section 1.409A-1(h)(3) of the Treasury Regulations. | ||
(i) | It is intended that the severance benefits described in this Agreement qualify for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and the provisions of the Agreement shall be construed and administered accordingly. If the Company nevertheless reasonably determines that, notwithstanding such intent, any amount payable hereunder by reason of the Executives separation from service is subject to the requirements of Section 409A and that at the relevant date Executive is or was a specified employee as hereinafter defined, any portion of such amount that would otherwise have been payable within six (6) months following such separation from service shall instead be accumulated and paid six (6) months following such separation from service. For purposes of the preceding sentence, specified employee means an individual who is determined by the Company to be a specified employee as defined in subsection (a)(2)(B)(i) of Section 409A of the Code. |
5.6. | Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executives employment under this Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of termination from the terminating party to the other party. The notice of termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of this Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination. | ||
5.7. | Section 280G. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Executive shall be covered by the provisions set forth in Exhibit D hereto, incorporated herein by this reference. |
6. | Confidential and Proprietary Information; Non-Solicitation. Concurrently with entering into this Agreement, the Executive will execute and deliver to the Company the |
Confidentiality Agreement. Concurrently with entering into this Agreement, the Executive will also execute and deliver to the Company the Non-Competition Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (the Non-Competition Agreement). | ||
7. | Withholding Taxes. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to this Agreement such federal, state and local income, employment, or other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. | |
8. | Assignment. This Agreement is personal in its nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect) by purchase, merger, consolidation, or transfer or sale of all or substantially all of its businesses or assets of the Company with or to any other individual(s) or entity, or otherwise, to assume, discharge and perform all of the promises, covenants, duties, and obligations of the Company hereunder. | |
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive shall die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Executive), all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid on the Executives behalf to the Executives executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executives estate. | ||
9. | Number and Gender. Where the context requires, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and any gender shall include all other genders. | |
10. | Section Headings. The section headings of, and titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in, this Agreement are for the purpose of convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation thereof. | |
11. | Governing Law. This Agreement, and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement, as well as the legal relations hereby created between the parties hereto, shall be governed by and construed under, and interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Massachusetts, notwithstanding any Massachusetts or other conflict of law provision to the contrary. | |
12. | Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications and to this end the provisions of this Agreement are declared to be severable. | |
13. | Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement and the Option Agreement, embodies the entire agreement of the parties hereto respecting the matters within its scope. Except as expressly set forth |
herein, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements of the parties hereto that directly or indirectly bears upon the subject matter hereof. Except as expressly set forth herein, any prior negotiations, correspondence, agreements, proposals or understandings relating to the subject matter hereof shall be deemed to have been merged into this Agreement, and to the extent inconsistent herewith, such negotiations, correspondence, agreements, proposals, or understandings shall be deemed to be of no force or effect. There are no representations, warranties, or agreements, whether express or implied, or oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof, except as expressly set forth herein. | ||
This Agreement shall not supersede the Modification of Award agreed to in the letter agreement between the Executive and the Company dated October 30, 2009, which agreement remains in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. | ||
14. | Modifications. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in part), except by a formal, definitive written agreement expressly referring to this Agreement, which agreement is executed by both of the parties hereto. | |
15. | Waiver. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver. | |
16. | Arbitration. Any controversy arising out of or relating to the Executives employment or membership on the Board (whether or not before or after expiration of the Period of Employment), any termination of the Executives employment or membership on the Board, this Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement, the Option Agreement, the enforcement or interpretation of any of such agreements, or because of an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of any such agreement, including (without limitation) any state or federal statutory claims, shall be submitted to arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts before a sole arbitrator mutually agreed upon by the Executive and the Company. In the event the parties can not mutually agree upon such an arbitrator, the dispute shall be heard by a panel of three arbitrators, one appointed by the Company, one appointed by the Executive, and the third heard by the other two arbitrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, provisional injunctive relief may, but need not, be sought in a court of law while arbitration proceedings are pending, and any provisional injunctive relief granted by such court shall remain effective until the matter is finally determined by the arbitrator (or arbitrators). The arbitration shall be administered by American Arbitration Association pursuant to its Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. |
The parties acknowledge and agree that they are hereby waiving any rights to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the parties against the other in connection with any matter whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with any of the matters referenced in the first sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 16. | ||
To the extent permitted by law, the prevailing party (if a prevailing party is determined to exist by the arbitrator or arbitrators) in any proceeding or action under this Section 16 shall be entitled, in addition to any other damages or relief awarded, to an award of reasonable legal and accounting fees, expenses and other out-of-pocket costs incurred by such party (including any costs and fees incurred by and payable to the arbitrator (or arbitrators) and any costs incurred in enforcing any such award), not to exceed such fees incurred by the non-prevailing party regardless of whether such proceeding or action proceeds to final judgment; provided, however, that the Company shall not be deemed a prevailing party for this purpose unless the arbitrator (or arbitrators) determines that the Executive did not have a reasonable good faith belief that he would prevail as to at least one material issue presented to the arbitrator (or arbitrators). | ||
Without limiting the remedies available to the parties and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 16, the Executive and the Company acknowledge that any breach of any of the covenants or provisions contained in the Confidentiality Agreement or in the Non-Competition Agreement could result in irreparable injury to either of the parties hereto for which there might be no adequate remedy at law, and that, in the event of such a breach or threat thereof, the non-breaching party shall be entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary injunction and a permanent injunction restraining the other party hereto from engaging in any activities prohibited by any covenant or provision in the Confidentiality Agreement or the Non-Competition Agreement, as applicable, or such other equitable relief as may be required to enforce specifically any of such covenants or provisions. | ||
17. | Insurance. The Company shall have the right at its own cost and expense to apply for and to secure in its own name, or otherwise, life, health or accident insurance or any or all of them covering the Executive, and the Executive agrees to submit to any usual and customary medical examination and otherwise cooperate with the Company in connection with the procurement of any such insurance and any claims thereunder. | |
18. | Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (i) delivered by hand, (ii) otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, or (iii) sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested. Any notice shall be duly addressed to the parties as follows: |
if to the Company: | ||
SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. 37 Birch Street Milford, MA 01757 Attn: Board of Directors | ||
if to the Executive, to the address most recently on file in the payroll records of the Company. | ||
Any party may alter the address to which communications or copies are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity with the provisions of this Section 18 for the giving of notice. Any communication shall be effective when delivered by hand, when otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, or five (5) business days after being mailed in accordance with the foregoing. | ||
19. | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories. Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose. | |
20. | Legal Counsel; Mutual Drafting. Each party recognizes that this is a legally binding contract and acknowledges and agrees that they have had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of their choice. Each party has cooperated in the drafting, negotiation and preparation of this Agreement. Hence, in any construction to be made of this Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis of that party being the drafter of such language. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that he has read and understands this Agreement, is entering into it freely and voluntarily, and has been advised to seek counsel prior to entering into this Agreement and has had ample opportunity to do so. The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for all expenses and costs (including fees for legal counsel), incurred by his relating to advice, drafting, negotiation, and preparation of this Agreement and any related agreements, up to a maximum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) in the aggregate. | |
21. | Code Section 409A. The payments and benefits described in this Agreement are intended to comply with the requirement of, or with the requirements for exemption from, Section 409A of the Code, and this Agreement shall be construed and administered accordingly. | |
22. | Indemnification, Liability Insurance. The Company agrees to indemnify the Executive and hold the Executive harmless to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and under the bylaws of the Company against and in respect to any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Executives good-faith |
performance of the Executives duties and obligations to the Company. The Company shall cover the Executive under directors and officers liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists (but in any case not for more than six years), after the term of this Agreement in substantially the same amount and on substantially the same terms as the Company covers its other active officers and directors. |
COMPANY SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation | ||||
By: | /s/ Susan Vogt | |||
Name: | Susan Vogt | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||
EXECUTIVE | ||||
/s/ Gregory A. Gould | ||||
Gregory A. Gould | ||||
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

West Bridgewater, MA 02379 Fax. (508)  ###-###-####
www.seracare.com
Re: | Confidentiality Agreement (Agreement) |
| technical information (whether or not subject to patent registration or protection), such as research and development, methods, trade secrets, data and know-how, formulas, compositions, testing protocols or test results, whether written or oral and whether technical or non-technical, as well as product sample. Processes and techniques or manufacturing information, business plans or projections, customer lists, agreements, discoveries, machines, inventions, ideas, computer programs (including software and data used in all such programs), drawings, specifications; | ||
| except to the extent publicly disclosed by SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. without any fault by you or any other person or entity, information relating to SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. patents, patent applications, and patent disclosures, together with all reissuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions, and reexaminations thereof, and all improvements and inventions related thereto; | ||
| business information, such as information concerning any products, customers, suppliers, production, developments, costs, purchasing, |
pricing, profits, markets, sales, accounts, customers, financing, acquisitions, strategic alliances or collaborations, expansions; and | |||
| other information relating to SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. business practices, strategies or policies. |
| solicit any other person or entity who is a customer of SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. and whose name, identity, or business habits are trade secrets to engage in any Competitive Business or to curtail or cease any business or business relationship with SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. or its employees or independent contractors; | ||
| solicit any other employee or independent contractor to terminate any employment or engagement with SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. and engage in a Competitive Business; or | ||
| disparage SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc., its employees, independent contractors or their services or products. |
Susan Vogt, Chief Executive Officer
By: | /s/ Gregory A. Gould Gregory A. Gould |
Schedule A-1 writing NONE if applicable)
AGREEMENT
By: | /s/ Gregory A. Gould Gregory A. Gould |
(a) | Executive shall not, anywhere outside of the United States, directly or indirectly, engage, without the express prior written consent of the Company, in any business or activity in direct or indirect competition with the Business, whether as an employee, consultant, partner, principal, agent, representative, equity holder or in any other individual, corporate or representative capacity (without limitation by specific enumeration of the foregoing), or render any services or provide any advice to any business, activity or person in direct or indirect competition (or seeking or contemplating to compete, directly or indirectly) with the Business (a Competing Business). | ||
(b) | Executive shall not, anywhere in the United States, directly or indirectly, engage, without the express prior written consent of the Company, in any business or activity in direct or indirect competition with the Business, whether as an employee, consultant, partner, principal, agent, representative, equity holder or in any other individual, corporate or representative capacity (without limitation by specific enumeration of the foregoing), or render any services or provide any advice to any Competing Business. | ||
(c) | Executive shall not, anywhere in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the state of Maryland, directly or indirectly, engage, without the express prior written consent of the Company, in any business or activity in direct or indirect competition with the Business, whether as an employee, consultant, partner, principal, agent, representative, equity holder or in any other individual, corporate or representative capacity (without limitation by specific enumeration of the foregoing), or render any services or provide any advice to any Competing Business. |
(a) | To the extent permitted by law, the prevailing party (if a prevailing party is determined to exist by the arbitrator) in any proceeding or action under this Section 2.2 shall be entitled, in addition to any other damages or relief awarded, to an award of reasonable legal and accounting fees, expenses and other out-of-pocket costs incurred by such party (including any costs and fees incurred by and payable to the arbitrator and any costs incurred in enforcing any such award), not to exceed such fees incurred by the non-prevailing party regardless of whether such proceeding or action proceeds to final judgment; provided, however, that the Company shall not be deemed a |
prevailing party for this purpose unless the arbitrator determines that the Executive did not have a reasonable good faith belief that the Executive would prevail as to at least one material issue presented to the arbitrator. | |||
(b) | Waiver of Trial by Jury. IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING HEREFROM, THE PARTIES HERETO CONSENT TO TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY HERETO OR ITS SUCCESSORS AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO OR ITS SUCCESSORS IN RESPECT OF ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION OR PROCEEDING. |
SERACARE LIFE SCIENCES, INC. | EXECUTIVE | |
/s/ Susan Vogt | /s/ Gregory A. Gould | |
Susan Vogt, Chief Executive Officer | Gregory A. Gould | |
Address | ||
7513 Blue Water Ct. | ||
Fort Collins, CO 80525 | ||
Facsimile Number |
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Number of Shares of Common Stock: 1 250,000 | Award Date: , 2006 | |
Exercise Price per Share: 1 $ | Expiration Date: 1,2 , 2016 |
PARTICIPANT | SERACARE LIFE SCIENCES, INC. | |||||
(a California corporation) | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Signature | ||||||
Its: | ||||||
Print Name | ||||||
Address | ||||||
City, State, Zip Code |
1 | Subject to adjustment under Section 4.1 of the Terms. | |
2 | Subject to early termination under Section 4.2 or 4.3 of the Terms. |
1. | Vesting; Limits on Exercise. |
| Cumulative Exercisability . To the extent that the Option is vested and exercisable, the Participant has the right to exercise the Option (to the extent not previously exercised), and such right shall continue, until the expiration or earlier termination of the Option. | ||
| No Fractional Shares . Fractional share interests shall be disregarded, but may be cumulated. | ||
| Minimum Exercise . No fewer than 100 1 shares of Common Stock may be purchased at any one time, unless the number purchased is the total number at the time exercisable under the Option. |
2. | Continuance of Employment Required; No Employment Commitment. |
3. | Exercise of Option. |
| delivery of an executed Exercise Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or such other form as from time to time may be required by the Corporation (the Exercise Agreement); | ||
| payment in full for the Exercise Price of the shares to be purchased in one of the forms set forth under Section 3.2; | ||
| satisfaction of the tax withholding provisions of Section 3.3 below; and | ||
| any written statements or agreements required pursuant to Section 3.4 below. |
| in cash or by electronic funds transfer; | ||
| by check payable to the order of the Corporation; | ||
| if authorized by the Corporation, by a cashless exercise pursuant to such rules as the Corporation may adopt; | ||
| by notice and third party payment in such manner as may be authorized by the Corporation; | ||
| subject to the proviso below and the approval of the Corporations Board of Directors (the Board) at the time, by the delivery of shares of Common Stock already owned by the Participant, provided that any shares of Common Stock delivered that were initially acquired from the Corporation upon exercise of a stock option must have been owned by the Participant at least six (6) months as of the date of delivery. |
(a) | if the stock is listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, the closing price of the stock on the Composite Tape, as published in the Western Edition of The Wall Street Journal, of the principal national securities exchange on which the stock is so listed or admitted to trade, on such date, or, if there is no trading of the stock on such date (or if the market has not closed at the applicable time), then the closing price of the stock as quoted on such Composite Tape on the next preceding date on which there was trading in such shares; | ||
(b) | if the stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, the last price for the stock, as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) through the NASDAQ Global Market Reporting System or a similar organization if the NASD is no longer reporting such information, on such date, or, if there is no trading of the stock on such date (or if the market has not closed at the applicable |
time), then the last price of the stock as so furnished on the next preceding date on which there was trading in such shares; or | |||
(c) | if the stock is not listed or admitted to trade on a national securities exchange and is not reported by the NASD through the NASDAQ Global Market Reporting System or a similar organization if the NASD is no longer reporting such information, the value as established by the Corporation at such time for purposes of this Option Agreement (if the price of the stock is furnished by the NASD through the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, the Corporations determination of Fair Market Value may be based on, without limitation, the last price and/or the mean between the bid and asked prices for the stock as of the relevant date or as of the last date that there was trading in the stock, as applicable). |
| require the Participant (or his personal representative or his beneficiary, in the case of the Participants disability or death, as the case may be) to pay or provide for payment of at least the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation may be required to withhold with respect to the Option event or payment; | ||
| deduct from any amount payable in cash the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation may be required to withhold with respect to such cash payment; or | ||
| reduce the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered by (or otherwise reacquire) the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock, valued at their then Fair Market Value, to satisfy such withholding obligation. |
4. | Adjustments; Early Termination. |
(a) | in any of such events, proportionately adjust any or all of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or the number and type of other securities that thereafter may be made the subject of the Option, and (ii) the Exercise Price of the Option, or | ||
(b) | in the case of a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, or other reorganization, spin-off or asset sale, make provision for a cash payment or for the substitution or exchange of the Option or the cash, securities or property deliverable to the Participant based upon the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the Common Stock upon or in respect of such event. |
5. | Non-Transferability and Other Restrictions. |
| transfers to the Corporation, | ||
| the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits in the event of the Participants death or, if the Participant has died, transfers to or exercise by the Participants beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution, | ||
| transfers pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order if approved or ratified by the Corporation, | ||
| if the Participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the Participant by his legal representative, |
| the authorization by the Corporation of cashless exercise procedures consistent with applicable laws and the express authorization of the Corporation, or | ||
| upon approval by the Corporation, transfers to certain persons or entities related to the Participant, subject to the condition that the Corporation receive evidence satisfactory to it that the transfer is being made for essentially estate and/or tax planning purposes on a gratuitous or donative basis and without consideration (other than nominal consideration or in exchange for an interest in a qualified transferee). |
6. | Privileges of Stock Ownership. |
7. | No Corporate Action Restriction. |
8. | Notices. |
9. | Entire Agreement. |
10. | Governing Law; Limited Rights. |
11. | Representations by the Participant. |
| The Participant is acquiring the Option and if and when he exercises the Option will acquire the shares of Common Stock solely for the Participants own account, for investment purposes only, and not with a view to or an intent to sell, or to offer for resale in connection with any unregistered distribution, all or any portion of the shares within the meaning of the Securities Act, the California Corporate Securities Law, or other applicable state securities laws. |
| The Participant is knowledgeable about the Corporation and has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Corporation. As a result of such relationship, he is familiar with, among other characteristics, its business and financial circumstances and has access on a regular basis to or may request the Corporations condensed consolidated balance sheet and condensed consolidated income statement setting forth information material to the Corporations financial condition, operations and prospects. | ||
| The Participant understands that neither this Option nor the Common Stock to be purchased upon exercise of this Option has been registered pursuant to the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and the offer and sale of the Common Stock to be purchased upon exercise of this Option is intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities laws, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Participants representations as expressed herein. | ||
| The Participant is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act. | ||
| At no time was an oral representation made to the Participant relating to the Option or the purchase of shares of Common Stock and the Participant was not presented with or solicited by any promotional meeting or material relating to the Option or the Common Stock. |
OPTION EXERCISE AGREEMENT
| the Purchaser hereby irrevocably elects to purchase shares of Common Stock, no par value per share (the Shares), of SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Corporation), and | ||
| such purchase shall be at the price of $ per share, for an aggregate amount of $ (subject to applicable withholding taxes pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Terms and Conditions of Option attached to the Option Agreement (the Terms)). |
PARTICIPANT | ACCEPTED BY: | |||||
SERACARE LIFE SCIENCES, INC. | ||||||
(a Delaware corporation) | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Signature | ||||||
Print Name: | ||||||
Print Name | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
Address | ||||||
(To be completed by the Corporation after the price (including | ||||||
City, State, Zip Code | applicable withholding taxes), value (if applicable) and receipt of funds is verified.) |
(1) | give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim; | ||
(2) | take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney selected by the Company; | ||
(3) | cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim; and | ||
(4) | permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; |
SERACARE LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
FORM OF RELEASE AGREEMENT
FORM OF RELEASE AGREEMENT
Executive | ||||||
Gregory A. Gould | ||||||
SERACARE LIFE SCIENCES, INC. | ||||||
By: | ||||||
LIST OF EQUITY-BASED AWARD GRANTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND WAIVER
GREGORY A. GOULD | |||