Form of Non-U.S. Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement (2020 Equity Incentive Plan)

EX-10.26 7 pcvx-ex10_26.htm EX-10.26 EX-10.26

Exhibit 10.26

Vaxcyte, Inc.
Stock Option Grant Notice – Non-U.S.
(2020 Equity Incentive Plan)

Vaxcyte, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), has granted to you (“Optionholder”) an option to purchase the number of shares of the Common Stock set forth below (the “Option”). Your Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Plan, and the Stock Option Agreement (the definition of which shall include any special terms and conditions for your country of residence and/or work set forth in the appendix attached hereto (the “Appendix”)) and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, as applicable.

 

Optionholder:

 

Date of Grant:

 

Vesting Commencement Date:

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock Subject to Option:

 

Exercise Price (Per Share) (US$):

 

Total Exercise Price (US$):

 

Expiration Date:

 

Type of Grant: Nonstatutory Stock Option

Exercise and

Vesting Schedule: Subject to the Optionholder’s Continuous Service through each applicable vesting date, the Option will vest as follows:

[__________]

Optionholder Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:

The Option is governed by this Stock Option Grant Notice, and the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement (together, the “Option Agreement”) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.
You consent to receive this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan, the Prospectus and any other Plan-related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.
You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise and the Prospectus. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in this Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control except as expressly amended or overridden in the Stock Option Agreement.

The Option Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of other equity awards previously granted to you and any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this Option.
Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

Vaxcyte, Inc.

By:_____________________________________

Signature

Title:____________________________________

Date:____________________________________

 

Optionholder:

________________________________________

Signature

Date:___________________________________

 


 

Vaxcyte, Inc.
2020 Equity Incentive Plan

Stock Option Agreement – Non-U.S.

As reflected by your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) Vaxcyte, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Option”). Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable. The terms of your Option as specified in the Grant Notice and this Stock Option Agreement (the definition of which shall include any special terms and conditions for your country of residence and/or work set forth in the appendix attached hereto (the “Appendix”)), constitute your Option Agreement.

The general terms and conditions applicable to your Option are as follows:

1.
Governing Plan Document. Your Option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan. Your Option is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the Option Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control except as expressly amended or overridden in this Option Agreement.
2.
Exercise.
(a)
You may generally exercise the vested portion of your Option for whole shares of Common Stock at any time during its term by delivery of payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes and social security and other required documentation to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the exercise procedures established by the Plan Administrator, which may include an electronic submission. Please review the Plan, which may restrict or prohibit your ability to exercise your Option during certain periods.
(b)
To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, you may pay your Option exercise price as follows:
(i)
cash, check, bank draft or money order;
(ii)
subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, pursuant to a “cashless exercise” program as further described in the Plan if at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded;
(iii)
subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, by delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock as further described in the Plan; or
(iv)
subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement as further described in the Plan.
3.
Term. You may not exercise your Option before the commencement of its term or after its term expires. The term of your option commences on the Date of Grant and expires upon the earliest of the following:

 

1.


 

(a)
immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;
(b)
three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, Disability or death;
(c)
12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability;
(d)
18 months after your death if you die during your Continuous Service;
(e)
immediately upon a Corporate Transaction if the Board has determined that the Option will terminate in connection with a Corporate Transaction,
(f)
the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or
(g)
the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you die during the period provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c) above, the term of your Option shall not expire until the earlier of (i) eighteen months after your death, (ii) upon any termination of the Option in connection with a Corporate Transaction, (iii) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice, or (iv) the day before the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant. Additionally, the Post-Termination Exercise Period of your Option may be extended as provided in the Plan.

4.
Withholding Obligations. As further provided in the Plan: (a) you may not exercise your Option unless the applicable tax and social security withholding obligations are satisfied, and (b) at the time you exercise your Option, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax and social security withholding obligations, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your Option in accordance with the withholding procedures established by the Company. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your Option even though the Option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to your Option, unless and until such obligations are satisfied. In the event that the amount of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s withholding obligation in connection with your Option was greater than the amount actually withheld, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company and any applicable Affiliate harmless from any failure by the Company or applicable Affiliate to withhold the proper amount.
5.
Intentionally Omitted
6.
Transferability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, your Option is not transferable, except to your personal representative on your death and is exercisable during your life only by you or your personal representative after your death.
7.
Corporate Transaction. Your Option is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

 

2.


 

8.
No Liability for Taxes. As a condition to accepting the Option, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax or social security liabilities arising from the Option or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax and social security consequences of the Option and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, if you are subject to United States taxation, you acknowledge that the Option is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise price is at least equal to the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Option. Additionally, as a condition to accepting the Option, you agree not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that such exercise is less than the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
9.
Obligations; Recoupment. You hereby acknowledge that the grant of your Option is additional consideration for any obligations (whether during or after employment) that you have to the Company not to compete, not to solicit its customers, clients or employees, not to disclose or misuse confidential information or similar obligations. Accordingly, if the Company reasonably determines that you breached such obligations, in addition to any other available remedy, the Company may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, recoup any income realized by you with respect to the exercise of your Option within two years of such breach. In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this right to recoupment by the Company applies in the event that your employment is terminated for Cause or if the Company reasonably determines that circumstances existed that it could have terminated your employment for Cause.
10.
Severability. If any part of this Option Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Option Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Option Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
11.
Indebtedness to the company. In the event that you have any loans, draws, advances or any other indebtedness owing to the Company or any Affiliate at the time of exercise of all or a portion of the Option, the Company may deduct and not deliver that number of shares of Common Stock with a Fair Market Value subject to the Option equal to such indebtedness to satisfy all or a portion of such indebtedness, to the extent permitted by law and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, if applicable.
12.
Other Documents. You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Trading Policy.
13.
Questions. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your Option, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.
14.
Option not a Service Contract. By accepting your Option, you acknowledge, understand and agree that:

 

3.


 

(a)
your Option is not an employment or service contract, and, if you are an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate, nothing in your Option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue as an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your Option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, or their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate;
(b)
the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature, and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted under the Plan;
(c)
the grant of your Option is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options (whether on the same or different terms), or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted in the past;
(d)
your Option and any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan on exercise of your Option, and the income and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for any purpose, including, without limitation, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, vacation, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;
(e)
the future value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;
(f)
neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of your Option or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the exercise of your Option or the subsequent sale of any shares of Common Stock received;
(g)
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, for the purposes of the Option, your Continuous Service will be considered terminated as of the date you are no longer actively providing services to the Company or one of its Affiliates (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or are otherwise providing services, or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any), provided that, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Option Agreement or determined by the Company, the vesting of your Option will not continue during any notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or where you are otherwise providing services, or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any (regardless, in each case, of whether or not you are providing services to the Company or one of its Affiliates during such notice period, garden leave period, or similar period); and the Board shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when you are no longer actively providing services for purposes of the Option (including whether you may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence); and
(h)
no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of this Option resulting from the termination of your Continuous Service (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or are otherwise providing services, or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of this Option to which you are otherwise not entitled, you irrevocably agree never to institute any claim against the Company or any Affiliate, waive your ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and release the Company and any Affiliate from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the

 

4.


 

foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, you shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agree to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.
15.
No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding your participation in the Plan, or your acquisition or sale of the underlying shares of Common Stock. You should consult with your own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your participation in the Plan before taking any action.
16.
Data Privacy.
(a)
To the extent that the processing of your personal data by the Company or its Affiliates under and/or in connection with this Option Agreement falls within the territorial scope of (i) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27th April 2016 (the “EU GDPR”), (ii) the EU GDPR as it forms part of UK law by virtue of section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended (the “UK GDPR”), and/or (iii) equivalent legislation and/or legislation implementing and/or supplementing the EU GDPR or UK GDPR in any member state of the European Economic Area or the UK or Switzerland, Company and/or its Affiliates will carry out such processing in accordance with their EEA/UK privacy notice from time to time in force, the latest version of which has been provided to you.
(b)
Except where (a) above applies, you explicitly and unambiguously acknowledge and consent to the collection, use, transfer and other processing of your personal data as described in this paragraph (b) by the Company and its Affiliates for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan. You understand that the Company and its Affiliates hold certain personal data about you, including, but not limited to, your name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security number (or other identification number), salary, nationality, job title, any shares of stock or directorships held by you in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares of Common Stock awarded, cancelled, purchased, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan. You understand that this personal data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.
17.
Language. You acknowledge that you are sufficiently proficient in the English language, or have consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow you to understand the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement. If you have received this Option Agreement, or any other document related to your Option and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
18.
Foreign Asset/Account, Exchange Control and Tax Reporting. You may be subject to foreign asset/account, exchange control and/or tax reporting requirements as a result of the acquisition, holding and/or transfer of shares of Common Stock or cash (including dividends and the proceeds arising from the sale of shares of Common Stock) derived from your participation in the Plan in, to and/or from a brokerage/bank account or legal entity located outside your country of residence. The applicable laws in your country of residence may require that you report such accounts, assets and balances therein, the value thereof and/or the transactions related thereto to the applicable authorities in such country. You may also be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of your participation in the Plan to your country of residence through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to be compliant with such regulations and you are encouraged to consult with your personal legal advisor for any details.

 

5.


 

19.
Applicable Law. In the event applicable laws prevent or hinder the consummation of the actions and transactions contemplated in this Option Agreement or the Plan, the Company may in its sole discretion agree to vary the terms of the Plan and/or this Option Agreement so that you receive substantially the same economic result as contemplated herein, such as through a cashless sell to cover exercise (provided that at the time of exercise the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded or otherwise liquid), a cash bonus or phantom stock.
20.
Appendix. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Option Agreement, your Option shall be subject to the special terms and conditions for your country of residence and/or work set forth in the Appendix attached to this Option Agreement which, where applicable, shall prevail in the event of conflict between such terms and conditions and the terms of this Option Agreement, Grant Notice, and/or the Plan. Moreover, if you relocate to one of the countries included therein, the terms and conditions for such country will apply to you to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Appendix constitutes part of this Option Agreement.
21.
Choice of Law. The provisions of the Plan relating to choice of law shall apply to this Option Agreement and the Option.

 

* * * *

 

6.


 

APPENDIX TO OPTION AGREEMENT

This Appendix includes special terms and conditions that govern the Option granted to you under the Plan if you reside and/or work in one of the countries listed below.

The information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to your particular situation, and you are advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in your country may apply to your situation. If you are a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which you are currently working and/or residing, transfer employment and/or residency to another country after the Date of Grant, are a consultant, change employment status to a consultant position, or are considered a resident of another country for local law purposes, the Company shall, in its discretion, determine the extent to which the special terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to you. References to your employer shall include any entity that engages your services.

Switzerland

Data Privacy. The Company is part of an international group of companies. For purposes of properly administrating the Plan within the Company, it may be necessary for the Company to transmit your personal data to Affiliates of the Company or third-party service providers within or outside Switzerland. By accepting the grant of your Option and participating in the Plan you explicitly consent to the transfer of your personal data to the aforementioned countries and acknowledge and agree that there is a risk, in particular, that the rights provided for by Swiss and EU data protection laws may not or only be guaranteed to a limited extent and that foreign authorities (particularly U.S. intelligence services) may gain access to your personal data with or without your knowledge and/or any means of legal redress against such access. Such access may also result in further observations and processing of your personal data by such foreign authorities.

 

1.