EX-10.4 5 spro-ex10_4.htm EX-10.4 EX-10.4
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Consulting Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of July 15, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Spero Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business being 675 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 (the
“Company”) and Danforth Advisors, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability corporation, with its principal place of business being 91 Middle Road, Southborough, MA 01772 (“Danforth”). The Company and Danforth are herein sometimes referred to individually as a “Party” and
collectively as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, the Company possesses know-how and proprietary technology related to identifying, developing and commercializing novel treatments for multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections.; and
WHEREAS, Danforth has expertise in financial and corporate operations and strategy;
and
WHEREAS, Danforth desires to serve as an independent consultant for the purpose of providing the Company with certain strategic and financial advice and support services, as more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto, (the "Services"); and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to engage Danforth on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree and covenant as follows.
1.
Services of Consultant. Danforth will assist the Company with matters relating to the Services. The Services are more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto. Danforth and the Company will review the Services on a monthly basis to prioritize and implement the tasks listed on Exhibit A.
2.
Compensation for Services. In full consideration of Danforth’s full, prompt and faithful performance of the Services, the Company shall compensate Danforth a consulting fee more fully described in Exhibit A (the “Consulting Fee”). Danforth shall, on a monthly basis invoice the Company for Services rendered, and such invoice will be paid upon thirty (30) days of receipt. Danforth reserves the right to an annual increase in consultant rates of up to 10%, effective January 1 of each year; the foregoing notwithstanding, Danforth agrees that it will not increase consultant rates during 2023. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 3, no compensation or benefits of any kind as described in this Section 2 shall be payable or issuable to Danforth after the effective date of such termination In addition, the Company will reimburse Danforth for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses as outlined in Exhibit A.
All Danforth invoices and billing matters should be addressed to:
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Company Accounts Payable Contact: ***@***
All Company payments and billing inquiries should be addressed to:
Danforth Accounting: Betsy Sherr ***@***
(508) 277-0031
Danforth Advisors PO Box 335
Southborough, MA 01772
3.
Term and Termination. The term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and will continue until such time as either Party has given notice of termination pursuant to this paragraph 3 (the “Term”). This Agreement may be terminated by either Party hereto: (a) with Cause (as defined below), immediately upon notification by the Company to Danforth of the Company’s intent to terminate this Agreement; or (b) without cause upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other Party. For purposes of this Section 3, “Cause” shall include: (i) a breach of the terms of this Agreement which is not cured within fifteen (15) days of written notice of such default or (ii) the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or deliberate disregard of a rule or policy of the Company.
4.
Time Commitment. Danforth will devote such time to perform the Services under this Agreement as may reasonably be required by the Company.
5.
Place of Performance. Danforth will perform the Services at such locations upon which the Company and Danforth may mutually agree. Danforth will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, perform any of the Services at any facility or in any manner that might give anyone other than the Company any rights to or allow for disclosure of any Confidential Information (as defined below).
6.
Compliance with Policies and Guidelines. Danforth will perform the Services in accordance with all rules or policies adopted by the Company that the Company discloses in writing to Danforth.
7.
Confidential Information. Danforth acknowledges and agrees that during the course of performing the Services, the Company may furnish, disclose or make available to Danforth information, including, but not limited to, material, compilations, data, formulae, models, patent disclosures, procedures, processes, business plans, projections, protocols, results of experimentation and testing, specifications, strategies and techniques, and all tangible and intangible embodiments thereof of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any apparatus, biological or chemical materials, animals, cells, compositions, documents, drawings, machinery, patent applications, records and reports), which is owned or controlled by the Company and is marked or designated as confidential at the time of disclosure or is of a type that is customarily considered to be confidential information (collectively the “Confidential Information”). Danforth acknowledges that the Confidential Information or any part thereof is the exclusive
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property of the Company and shall not be disclosed to any third party without first
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obtaining the written consent of the Company. Danforth further agrees to take all practical steps to ensure that the Confidential Information, and any part thereof, shall not be disclosed or issued to its affiliates, agents or employees, except on like terms of confidentiality. The above provisions of confidentiality shall apply for a period of five
(5) years.
8.
Use of Name and Logo. The Company agrees to permit the use of its name and logo in a roster of Danforth clients, which may appear on the Danforth website in its marketing materials.
9.
Intellectual Property. Danforth agrees that all ideas, inventions, discoveries, creations, manuscripts, properties, innovations, improvements, know-how, designs, developments, apparatus, techniques, methods, and formulae that Danforth conceives, makes, develops or improves as a result of performing the Services, whether or not reduced to practice and whether or not patentable, alone or in conjunction with any other party and whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of the Company (all of the foregoing being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Inventions”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Danforth hereby agrees in consideration of the Company’s agreement to engage Danforth and pay compensation for the Services rendered to the Company and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged that Danforth shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, consult for, or become an employee of, any company which conducts business in the Field of Interest anywhere in the world. As used herein, the term “Field of Interest” shall mean the research, development, manufacture and/or sale of the products resulting from the Company’s technology. The limitations on competition contained in this Section 8 shall continue during the time that Danforth performs any Services for the Company, and for a period of three (3) months following the termination of any such Services that Danforth performs for the Company. If any part of this section should be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unreasonable in duration, geographic area, or scope, then this Section 8 is intended to and shall extend only for such period of time, in such area and with respect to such activity as is determined to be reasonable. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Danforth from consulting for or being employed by any other person or entity.
10.
Non Solicitation. All personnel representing Danforth are employees or contracted agents of Danforth. Accordingly, they are not retainable as employees or contractors by the Company and the Company hereby agrees not to solicit, hire or retain their services for so long as they are employees or contracted agents of Danforth and for one (1) year thereafter. Should the Company violate this restriction, it agrees to pay Danforth liquidated damages equal to fifty percent (50%) of the employee’s starting annual base salary for each Danforth contracted agent hired by the Company in violation of this Agreement, plus Danforth’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in enforcing this agreement should the Company fail or refuse to pay the liquidated damages amount in full within thirty (30) days following its violation. For purposes herein, “solicit” does not include broad-based recruiting efforts, including, without limitation, help wanted advertising and posting of open positions on a Party’s internet site.
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11.
Placement Services. In the event that Danforth refers a potential employee to the Company and that individual is hired, Danforth shall receive a fee equal to twenty percent (20%) of the employee’s starting annual base salary. This fee is due and owing whether an individual is hired, directly or indirectly on a permanent basis, as a result of Danforth’s efforts within one (1) year of the date applicant(s) are submitted to the Company. Such
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payment is due within thirty (30) days of the employee’s start date. Notwithstanding this provision, no fees will be owed to Danforth related to the hire of a new permanent CFO by Company, as such recruitment will be handled exclusively by a retained search firm.
12.
No Implied Warranty. Except for any express warranties stated herein, the Services are provided on an "as is" basis, and the Company disclaims any and all other warranties, conditions, or representations (express, implied, oral or written), relating to the Services or any part thereof. Further, in performing the Services Danforth is not engaged to disclose illegal acts, including fraud or defalcations, which may have taken place. The foregoing notwithstanding, Danforth will promptly notify the Company if Danforth becomes aware of any such illegal acts during the performance of the Services. Because the Services do not constitute an examination in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the “AICPA”), Danforth is precluded from expressing an opinion as to whether financial statements provided by the Company are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles or any other standards or guidelines promulgated by the AICPA, or whether the underlying financial and other data provide a reasonable basis for the statements.
13.
Indemnification. Each Party hereto agrees to indemnify and hold the other Party hereto, its directors, officers, agents and employees harmless against any claim based upon circumstances alleged to be inconsistent with such representations and/or warranties contained in this Agreement. Further, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Danforth and any of its subcontractors against any claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) that arise out of or are based on the Services performed hereunder, except for any such claims, losses, damages or liabilities arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Danforth or any of its subcontractors. Danforth agrees to indemnify Company for claims, damages, and other costs arising out of Danforth’s and Danforth’s employees’ and consultants’ willful misconduct or negligent performance or actions under this Agreement. The Company will endeavor to add Consultant and any applicable subcontractor to its insurance policies as additional insureds.
14.
D&O Insurance. The Company shall specifically include and cover, as a benefit for their protection, Danforth staff serving as directors or officers of the Company or affiliates from time to time with direct coverage as named insureds under the Company’s policy for directors’ and officers’ (“D&O”) insurance. The Company will maintain such D&O insurance coverage for the period through which claims can be made against such persons. The Company disclaims a right to distribution from the D&O insurance coverage with respect to such persons. In the event that the Company is unable to include Danforth under the Company’s policy or does not have first dollar coverage acceptable to Danforth in effect for at least $5 million (e.g., such policy is not reserved based on actions that have been or are expected to be filed against officers and directors alleging prior acts that may give rise to a claim), Danforth may, at its option, attempt to purchase a separate D&O policy that will cover the Danforth staff only. The cost of same shall be invoiced to the Company as an out -of -pocket cash expense. If Danforth is unable to purchase such D&O insurance, then Danforth reserves the right to terminate the Agreement upon delivery of written notice.
15.
Independent Contractor. Danforth is not, nor shall Danforth be deemed to be at any time
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during the term of this Agreement, an employee of the Company, and therefore Danforth shall not be entitled to any benefits provided by the Company to its employees, if applicable. Danforth’s status and relationship with the Company shall be that of an independent contractor and consultant. Danforth shall not state or imply, directly or indirectly, that Danforth is empowered to bind the Company without the Company's prior written consent. Nothing herein shall create, expressly or by implication, a partnership, joint venture or other association between the parties. Danforth will be solely responsible for payment of all charges and taxes arising from his or her relationship to the Company as a consultant.
16.
Records. Upon termination of Danforth’s relationship with the Company, Danforth shall deliver to the Company any property or Confidential Information of the Company relating to the Services which may be in its possession including products, project plans, materials, memoranda, notes, records, reports, laboratory notebooks, or other documents or photocopies and any such information stored using electronic medium.
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17.
Notices. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing (except in the case of verbal communications, emails and teleconferences updating either Party as to the status of work hereunder) and shall be deemed delivered upon personal delivery, one day after being sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service or two days after deposit in the mail or on the next business day following transmittal via facsimile. Notices under this Agreement shall be sent to the following representatives of the Parties:
If to the Company:
Name: Sath Shukla
Title: CFO
Address: 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: (857) 242-1600
E-mail: ***@***
CC: Attention: Legal Department If to Danforth:
Name: Gregg Beloff
Title: Managing Director
Address: 91 Middle Road Southborough, MA 01772
Phone: (617) 686-7679
E-mail: ***@***
18.
Assignment and Successors. This Agreement may not be assigned by a Party without the consent of the other which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except that each Party may assign this Agreement and the rights, obligations and interests of such Party, in whole or in part, to any of its Affiliates, to any purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets or to any successor corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation of such Party with or into such corporation.
19.
Debarment. Danforth represents and warrants that it has not been nor is currently: (1) debarred by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), or subject to any similar sanction of the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) or other applicable authority, or (2) the subject of an FDA investigation or proceeding of debarment, or the subject of any similar investigation or proceeding by the EMA or other applicable authority. Further, Danforth hereby represents and warrants that it shall not employ or use any individual or entity that has been or is currently so debarred or subject to such investigation or proceeding of debarment in performing the Services. Danforth will immediately notify Company if it, or any individual or entity it employs in performing the Services becomes debarred or subject to an investigating or proceeding of debarment.
20.
Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be liable for failure of or delay in performing
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obligations set forth in this Agreement, and neither shall be deemed in breach of its
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obligations, if such failure or delay is due to natural disasters or any causes beyond the reasonable control of either Party. In the event of such force majeure, the Party affected thereby shall use reasonable efforts to cure or overcome the same and resume performance of its obligations hereunder.
21.
Headings. The Section headings are intended for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
22.
Integration; Severability. This Agreement is the sole agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all other agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to the same. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid or is ruled invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction or is deemed unenforceable, it is the intention of the Parties that the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected.
23.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excluding choice of law principles. The Parties agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or related in any way to this Agreement shall be brought solely in a Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction sitting in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
24.
Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended or supplemented only by a written instrument duly executed by each of the Parties. No provision of this Agreement may be waived except by a written instrument signed by the Party hereto sought to be bound. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder or under applicable law will operate as a waiver thereof, and a waiver of a particular right or remedy on one occasion will not be deemed a waiver of any other light or remedy, or a waiver on any subsequent occasion.
25.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one agreement.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign where indicated below, whereupon this Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date.
DANFORTH ADVISORS, LLC SPERO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By: /s/ Chris Connors___________ By: /s/ Sath Shukla_______________
Print Name: Chris Connors Print Name: Sath Shukla
Title: Chief Executive Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer
Dated: Dated:
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EXHIBIT A
Description of Services and Schedule of Fees
Danforth will perform mutually agreed to finance and accounting functions which are necessary to support the management and operations of the Company, certain of which are set forth below.
Interim CFO Services
Function as the Company’s interim CFO, addressing those activities normally associated with the CFO position and as mutually agreed between the Company and the Consultant
CFO Services – Stephen DiPalma (“Consultant”) - $650/hr.
The Company will either provide on-site parking or reimburse Consultant for daily parking expenses, if needed. Consultant shall obtain advance authorization from the Company’s CFO for any other travel for which Consultant intends to seek reimbursement.
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