Program/ Indication
EX-10.10 19 a12108orexv10w10.txt EXHIBIT 10.10 EXHIBIT 10.10 SEPARATION AGREEMENT June 14, 2005 Neill Giese Dear Neill: This letter sets forth the substance of the separation agreement (the "Agreement") that STRUCTURAL GENOMIX, INC., (the "Company") is offering to you to aid in your employment transition. 1. SEPARATION. Your last day of work with the Company and your employment termination date will be June 14, 2005 (the "Separation Date"). 2. ACCRUED SALARY AND VACATION. On the Separation Date, the Company will pay you all accrued salary, and all accrued and unused vacation earned through the Separation Date, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings. You are entitled to these payments by law. 3. SEVERANCE PAYMENT. If you sign this Agreement, the Company will pay you severance in the form of salary continuation for 12 months following the Separation Date. These payments will be made on the Company's regular payroll cycle beginning on the first regularly-scheduled payroll date following the Effective Date (as defined in paragraph 14 below), and will be subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings. 4. HEALTH INSURANCE. To the extent provided by the federal COBRA law or, if applicable, state insurance laws, and by the Company's current group health insurance policies, you will be eligible to continue your group health insurance benefits at your own expense following the Separation Date. Later, you may be able to convert to an individual policy through the provider of the Company's health insurance, if you wish. You will be provided with a separate notice describing your rights and obligations under COBRA. If you elect continued coverage under COBRA, the Company, as part of this Agreement, will pay your COBRA premiums through June 30, 2006. 5. STOCK OPTIONS. Under the terms of your stock option agreement and the applicable plan documents, vesting of your stock options will cease as of the Separation Date. Your right to exercise any vested shares, and all other rights and obligations with respect to your stock options(s), will be as set forth in your stock option agreement, grant notice and applicable plan documents. 6. OTHER COMPENSATION OR BENEFITS. You acknowledge that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, you will not receive any additional compensation, severance, or benefits after the Separation Date. 7. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS. You agree that, within ten (10) days of the Separation Date, you will submit your final documented expense reimbursement statement reflecting all business expenses you incurred through the Separation Date, if any, for which you seek reimbursement. The Company will reimburse you for these expenses pursuant to its regular business practice. 8. RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. By the Separation Date, you agree to return to the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property that you have had in your possession at any time, including, but not limited to, Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specifications, computer-recorded information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges, and keys; and, any materials of any kind that contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of the Company (and all reproductions thereof). Your timely return of all such Company documents and other property is a condition precedent to your receipt of the severance benefits provided under this Agreement. 9. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OBLIGATIONS. You acknowledge your continuing obligations under your Employment, Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A. 10. CONFIDENTIALITY. The provisions of this Agreement will be held in strictest confidence by you and the Company and will not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever; provided, however, that: (a) you may disclose this Agreement in confidence to your immediate family; (b) the parties may disclose this Agreement in confidence to their respective attorneys, accountants, auditors, tax preparers, and financial advisors; (c) the Company may disclose this Agreement as necessary to fulfill standard or legally required corporate reporting or disclosure requirements; and (d) the parties may disclose this Agreement insofar as such disclosure may be necessary to enforce its terms or as otherwise required by law. In particular, and without limitation, you agree not to disclose the terms of this Agreement to any current or former Company employee. 11. NONDISPARAGEMENT. You agree not to disparage the Company, its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, and agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to its or their business, business reputation, or personal reputation; provided that you will respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process. 12. NO ADMISSIONS. You understand and agree that the promises and payments in consideration of this Agreement shall not be construed to be an admission of any liability or obligation by the Company to you or to any other person, and that the Company makes no such admission. 13. RELEASE OF CLAIMS. In exchange for the consideration under this Agreement, you hereby generally and completely release the Company and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date you sign this Agreement. This general release includes, but is not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to your employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to your compensation or benefits from the Company, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys' fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended ("ADEA"), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended). 14. ADEA WAIVER. You acknowledge that you are knowingly and voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the ADEA ("ADEA Waiver"). You also acknowledge that the consideration given for the ADEA Waiver is in addition to anything of value to which you were already entitled. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (a) your ADEA Waiver does not apply to any rights or claims that arise after the date you sign this Agreement; (b) you should consult with an attorney prior to signing-this Agreement; (c) you have twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement (although you may choose to voluntarily sign it sooner); (d) you have seven (7) days following the date you sign this Agreement to revoke the ADEA Waiver (in a written revocation sent to me); and (e) the ADEA Waiver will not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which will be the eighth day after you sign this Agreement (the "Effective Date"). Nevertheless, your general release of claims, except for the ADEA Waiver, is effective immediately and not revocable. 15. SECTION 1542 WAIVER. In granting the release herein, which includes claims which may be unknown to you at present, you acknowledge that you have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code: "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR." You hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law or legal principle of similar effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the releases granted herein, including but not limited to the release of unknown and unsuspected claims granted in this Agreement. 16. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement, including Exhibit A, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to its subject matter. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations. This Agreement shall supersede and extinguish all prior employment agreements, express or implied, verbal or written, between you and the Company; provided, however, that this Agreement shall have no effect on the Employment, Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, previously signed by you. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified so as to be rendered enforceable. This Agreement will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California as applied to contracts made and to be performed entirely within California. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter. Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and facsimile signatures will suffice as original signatures. If this Agreement is acceptable to you, please sign below and return the original to me. We wish you the best in your future endeavors. Sincerely, STRUCTURAL GENOMIX. INC. By: /s/ Mike Grey --------------------------------- MIKE GREY PRESIDENT AND CEO I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE FULLY TO THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT: /s/ Neill Giese - -------------------------------------- NEILL GIESE Date: 6/30/05 --------------------------------- EXHIBIT A STRUCTURAL GENOMIX, INC. EMPLOYMENT, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT As a condition of my employment with Structural GenomiX, Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors or assigns (together the "Company"), and in consideration of my employment with the Company and my receipt of the compensation now and hereafter paid to me by Company, I agree to the following: 1. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT. The Company and Employee acknowledge that Employee's employment hereunder is and shall continue to be at-will (as defined under applicable law), and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, at the option of either party. If Employee's employment terminates for any reason, Employee shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as specifically provided by this Agreement, or as may otherwise be available pursuant to other written agreements entered into by and between the Company and the Employee. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon Employee a right to continue as an employee of the Company. 2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) COMPANY INFORMATION. I agree at all times during the term of my employment and thereafter, to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company, or to disclose to any person, firm or corporation without written authorization of the Board of Directors of the Company, any Confidential Information of the Company. I understand that "Confidential Information" means any Company proprietary information, technical data, trade secrets or know-how, including, but not limited to, research, product plans, products, services, customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, customers of the Company on whom I called or with whom I became acquainted during the term of my employment), markets, software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration information, marketing, finances or other business information disclosed to me by the Company either directly or indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or observation of parts or equipment. I further understand that Confidential Information does not include any of the foregoing items which has become publicly known and made generally available through no wrongful act of mine or of others who were under confidentiality obligations as to the item or items involved. (b) FORMER EMPLOYER INFORMATION. I agree that I will not, during my employment with the Company, improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former or concurrent employer other person or entity and that I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or proprietary information belonging to any such employer, person, or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity. 1. (c) THIRD PARTY INFORMATION. I recognize that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company's part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. I agree to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to use it except as necessary in carrying out my work for the Company consistent with the Company's agreement with such third party. 3. INVENTIONS. (a) INVENTIONS RETAINED AND LICENSED. I have attached hereto, as EXHIBIT A, a list describing all inventions, original works of authorship, developments, improvements, and trade secrets which were made by me prior to my employment with the Company (collectively referred to as "Prior Inventions"), which belong to me, which relate to the Company's proposed business, products or research and development, and which are not assigned to the Company hereunder; or, if no such list is attached, I represent that there are no such Prior Inventions. If in the course of my employment with the Company, I incorporate into a Company product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by me or in which I have an interest, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product, process or machine. (b) ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS. I agree that I will promptly make full written disclosure to the Company, will hold in trust for the sole right and benefit of the Company, and hereby assign to the Company, or its designee, all my right, title, and interest in and to any and all inventions, original works of authorship, developments, concepts, improvements or trade secrets, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, which I may solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, or cause to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, during the period of time I am in the employ of the Company (collectively referred to as "Inventions"), except as provided in Section 3(f) below. I further acknowledge that all original works of authorship which are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of and during the period of my employment with the Company and which are protectable by copyright are "works made for hire," as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act. (c) INVENTIONS ASSIGNED TO THE UNITED STATES. I agree to assign to the United States government all my right, title, and interest in and to any and all Inventions whenever such full title is required to be in the United States by a contract between the Company and the United States or any of its agencies. (d) MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all Inventions made by me (solely or jointly with others) during the term of my employment with the Company. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, and any other format that may be specified by the Company. The records will be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times. 2. (e) PATENT AND COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS. I agree to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company's expense, in every proper way to secure the Company's rights in the Inventions and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and other instruments which the Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns, and nominees the sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto. I further agree that my obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in my power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall continue after the termination of this Agreement. If the Company is unable because of my mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason to secure my signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Inventions or original works of authorship assigned to the Company as above, then I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further prosecution and issuance of letters patent or copyright registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me. (f) EXCEPTION TO ASSIGNMENTS. I understand that the provisions of this Agreement requiring assignment of Inventions to the Company do not apply to any invention which qualifies fully under the provisions of California Labor Code Section 2870 (attached hereto as EXHIBIT B). I will advise the Company promptly in writing of any inventions that I believe meet the criteria in California Labor Code Section 2870 and not otherwise disclosed on EXHIBIT A. 4. CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT. I agree that, during the term of my employment with the Company, I will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of my employment, nor will I engage in any other activities that conflict with my obligations to the Company. 5. RETURNING COMPANY DOCUMENTS. I agree that, at the time of leaving the employ of the Company, I will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in my possession, recreate or deliver to anyone else) any and all devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items developed by me pursuant to my employment with the Company or otherwise belonging to the Company, its successors or assigns. In the event of the termination of my employment, I agree to sign and deliver the "Termination Certification" attached hereto as EXHIBIT C. 6. NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER. In the event that I leave the employ of the Company, I hereby grant consent to notification by the Company to my new employer about my rights and obligations under this Agreement. 3. 7. SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES. I agree that for a period of twelve (12) months immediately following the termination of my relationship with the Company for any reason, whether with or without cause, I shall not either directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company's employees to leave their employment, or take away such employees, or attempt to solicit, induce, recruit, encourage or take away employees of the Company, either for myself or for any other person or entity. 8. REPRESENTATIONS. I agree to execute any proper oath or verify any proper document required to carry out the terms of this Agreement. I represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict herewith. 9. ARBITRATION AND EQUITABLE RELIEF. (a) ARBITRATION. Except as provided in Section 9(b) below, I agree that any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to any interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, shall be settled by arbitration to be held in San Diego, California, in accordance with the rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's decision in any court having jurisdiction. The Company and I shall each pay one-half of the costs and expenses of such arbitration, and each of us shall separately pay our counsel fees and expenses. (b) EQUITABLE REMEDIES. I agree that it would be impossible or inadequate to measure and calculate the Company's damages from any breach of the covenants set forth in Sections 2, 3, and 5 herein. Accordingly, I agree that if I breach any of such Sections, the Company will have available, in addition to any other right or remedy available, the right to obtain an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction restraining such breach or threatened breach and to specific performance of any such provision of this Agreement. I further agree that no bond or other security shall be required in obtaining such equitable relief and I hereby consent to the issuance of such injunction and to the ordering of specific performance. 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS. (a) GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California. I hereby expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in California for any lawsuit filed there against me by the Company arising from or relating to this Agreement. (b) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the ENTIRE agreement and understanding between the Company and me relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between us. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this agreement, will be effective unless in writing signed by the party 4. to be charged. Any subsequent change or changes in my duties, salary or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement. (c) SEVERABILITY. If one or more of the provisions in this Agreement are deemed void by law, then the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. (d) ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party hereto, except that the Company may assign this Agreement in connection with (1) a merger or consolidation of the Company, (2) a sale or assignment of substantially all its assets, or (3) any other transaction which results in another entity or person owning substantially all of the assets of the Company; provided that the entity or person receiving or succeeding to the assets of the Company assumes the Company's obligations. 5. (d) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives and will be for the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns. Date: 04/09/04 --------------- Signature /s/ Neill Giese Name of Employee (typed or printed) Neill Giese Witness 6. EXHIBIT A LIST OF PRIOR INVENTIONS AND ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP
___ No inventions or improvements ___ Additional Sheets Attached Signature of Employee: ------------------------------ Print Name of Employee: ------------------------- Date: --------------------- EXHIBIT B CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2870 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS; ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS "(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either: (1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer. (2) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer. (b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable." EXHIBIT C STRUCTURAL GENOMIX, INC. TERMINATION CERTIFICATION This is to certify that I do not have in my possession, nor have I failed to return, any devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings, blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items belonging to Structural GenomiX, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors or assigns (together, the "Company"). I further certify that I have complied with all the terms of the Company's Employment Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement signed by me, including the reporting of any inventions and original works of authorship (as defined therein), conceived or made by me (solely or jointly with others) covered by that agreement. I further agree that, in compliance with the Employment, Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, I will preserve as confidential all trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data or other proprietary information relating to products, processes, know-how, designs, formulas, developmental or experimental work, computer programs, data bases, other original works of authorship, customer lists, business plans, financial information or other subject matter pertaining to any business of the Company or any of its employees, clients, consultants or licensees. I further agree that for twelve (12) months from this date, I will not hire any employees of the Company and I will not solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company's employees to leave their employment. Date: 6/30/05 (Employee's Signature) /s/ Neill Giese (Type/Print Employee's Name) Neill Giese
