Letter Agreement, by and between the registrant and Camilla V. Simpson, dated October 11, 2017
Exhibit 10.19
October 11, 2017
Camilla Simpson
Re: Member of the Board of Directors
Dear Camilla:
This letter confirms our understanding regarding the terms of your service as Member of the Board of Directors (the Board) of Spruce Biosciences. Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company) beginning on October 19, 2017. This letter sets forth our understanding regarding such services to be performed in such capacity, and nothing in this letter nor the services rendered hereunder are meant, or shall be construed in any way or manner, to create between you and the Company a relationship of employer and employee.
Subject to the approval of the Board, you will be granted a stock option to purchase 105,000 shares of the Companys common stock (the Option), which as of the date hereof represents approximately 0.35% of the Companys outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis. This Option will be a non-statutory stock option and will have an exercise price per share that will be equal to the fair market value of the Companys common stock as determined by the Board. The Option will generally be subject to the terms and conditions applicable to options granted under the Companys 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the Plan), as described in the Plan and the applicable stock option agreement, and will vest in forty-eight equal monthly installments subject to your continuous service to the Company as a director through each such vesting date. However, it during your service to the Company, the Company completes a Change in Control (within the meaning of the Plan), 100% of any shares subject to this Option that remain unvested shall immediately vest and become exercisable as of immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or Change in Control.
As a member of the Board, pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) and related case law you will owe fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders, including the duty of care (directors must act in good faith, with the care of a prudent person, and in the best interest of the corporation), duty of loyalty (directors must refrain from self-dealing, usurping corporate opportunities and receiving improper personal benefits) and the duty of disclosure (directors must disclose all material information to their fellow directors and, when stockholder action is sought, to the corporations stockholders). Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that, as a director, you will be entitled to indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, and, upon your becoming a member of the Board, we will enter into the Companys standard form of indemnification agreement with you. We would be happy to arrange a conference with our outside counsel, Cooley LLP, if you have any questions about the indemnification agreement or your duties in general under Delaware law.
As a member of the Board, you will be reimbursed for any reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with your services on the Board. Please keep copies of all bills, receipts, or other written documentation of such reimbursable expenses and submit such documentation with your requests for reimbursement.
We look forward with enthusiasm to your service as a Member of the Spruce Biosciences Board of Directors. If the foregoing terms are acceptable to you, please sign one copy of this letter and return it to me.
Sincerely,
/s/ Alexis Howerton
Alexis Howerton
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spruce Biosciences, Inc.
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED: | ||
Signature: | /s/ Camilla Simpson | |
Camilla Simpson | ||
Date: | 15 Oct 2017 |