Exhibit 4.3
AZITRA, INC.
2023 Stock INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
Azitra, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Option”). The Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, the Plan 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 Option Agreement will have the same definitions as in the Plan or the Option Agreement. If there is any conflict between the terms in this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.
| Optionholder: | ||
| Date of Grant: | ||
| Vesting Commencement Date: | ||
| Number of Shares Subject to Option: | ||
| Exercise Price (Per Share): | ||
| Expiration Date: |
| Type of Grant: | ☐ | Incentive Stock Option | ☐ | Nonstatutory Stock Option |
Vesting Schedule: [ ].
Exercise Schedule: [ ].
Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding this Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of (i) options previously granted and delivered to Optionholder, (ii) any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable law and (iii) any written employment or severance arrangement that would provide for vesting acceleration of this Option upon the terms and conditions set forth therein. By accepting this Option, Optionholder consents to receive such 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.
AZITRA, INC.: |
OPTIONHOLDER: | |||
| By: | By: | |||
| Title: | Title: | |||
| Date: | Date: | |||
ATTACHMENTS: Option Agreement, 2023 Stock Incentive Plan and Notice of Exercise
ATTACHMENT I
AZITRA, INC.
2023 Stock Incentive Plan
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
(Incentive Stock Option or Non-Statutory Stock Option)
Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, Azitra, Inc. (the “Corporation”) has granted you an option (the “Option”) under its 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The Option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.
This Option Agreement will be deemed to be signed by you upon the signing by you of the Grant Notice to which it is attached.
The details of your Option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, the Option to purchase all or any part of the Shares, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. The Option and the Shares granted and issued pursuant to this Agreement have been granted and issued under, and are subject to the terms of, the Plan. The terms of the Plan are incorporated by reference in this Agreement in their entirety, and the Optionee, by acceptance of the Option Grant Notice, acknowledges having received a copy of this Agreement and the Plan. The provisions of this Agreement will be interpreted as to be consistent with the Plan, and any ambiguities in this Agreement will be interpreted by reference to the Plan. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will prevail. All capitalized terms not herein defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them by the Plan.
2. OPTION PERIOD. The Option shall vest and become exercisable at any time during the period commencing on the dates set forth in the Option Grant Notice, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement and Section 9 of the Plan.
3. METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Option shall be exercisable by Optionee by delivery of the Notice of Exercise to the Corporation of the election to purchase and of the number of Shares Optionee elects to purchase, such notice to be accompanied by such other executed instruments or documents as may be required by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement or the Plan, and unless otherwise directed by the Corporation, Optionee shall at the time of such exercise tender the purchase price of the Shares Optionee has elected to purchase. Optionee may purchase less than the total number of Shares for which the Option is exercisable, provided that a partial exercise of an Option may not be for less than one hundred (100) Shares. If Optionee shall not purchase all of the Shares which Optionee is entitled to purchase under the Option, Optionee’s right to purchase the remaining unpurchased Shares shall continue until expiration of the Option. The Option shall be exercisable with respect of whole Shares only, and fractional Share interests shall be disregarded.
4. AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price (“Exercise Price”) per Share for each Share which Optionee is entitled to purchase under the Option shall be the Exercise Price set forth in Option Grant Notice.
5. PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. Except as the Corporation may allow in accordance with the Plan, at the time of Optionee’s notice of exercise of the Option, Optionee shall tender in cash or by certified or bank cashier’s check payable to the Corporation, the Exercise Price for all Shares then being purchased.
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6. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP. If Optionee’s employment or other relationship with the Corporation (or a subsidiary) terminates, the effect of the termination on the Optionee’s rights to acquire Shares shall be as set forth in Section 9 of the Plan.
7. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. The Option shall not be transferable, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except as provided in Section 12.3 of the Plan.
8. TIME OF GRANTING OPTION. The time the Option shall be deemed granted, sometimes referred to herein as the “date of grant,” shall be as set forth in the Option Grant Notice.
9. PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP. Optionee shall not be entitled to the privileges of stock ownership as to any Shares not actually issued and delivered to Optionee. No Shares shall be purchased upon the exercise of any Option unless and until, in the opinion of the Corporation’s counsel, any then applicable requirements of any laws, or governmental or regulatory agencies having jurisdiction, and of any exchanges upon which the stock of the Corporation may be listed shall have been fully complied with.
10 SECURITIES LAWS COMPLIANCE. The Corporation will diligently endeavor to comply with all applicable securities laws before any stock is issued pursuant to the Option. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Corporation may require from the Optionee such investment representation or such agreement, if any, as counsel for the Corporation may consider necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, and may require that the Optionee agree that any sale of the Shares will be made only in such manner as is permitted by the Corporation. The Corporation may in its discretion cause the Shares underlying the Option to be registered under the Securities Act by filing a Form S-8 Registration Statement covering the Option and the Shares underlying the Option. Optionee shall take any action reasonably requested by the Corporation in connection with registration or qualification of the Shares under federal or state securities laws.
11. INTENDED TREATMENT AS AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. The Option Grant Notice will state whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or a Non-Statutory Stock Option. If the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, this Agreement and the Option shall be construed to implement that intent. If the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, and all or any part of the Option shall not conform to the requirements for incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, the Option shall nevertheless be valid and carried into effect and treated as a Non-Statutory Stock Option. The following provisions of this Section 11 shall apply to the Option only if it is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
11.1 Limitation on Amount. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan and any other incentive stock option plans of the Corporation or any subsidiary or parent corporation of the Corporation (within the meaning of the Code)) exceeds $100,000 (or such other amount as may be prescribed by the Code from time to time), such excess Incentive Stock Option will be treated as a Non-Statutory Stock Option in the manner set forth in the Plan.
11.2 Limitation on Exercisability; Disposition of Option Shares. Any Incentive Stock Option that remains unexercised more than one year following termination of employment by reason of Disability or more than three months following termination for any reason other than death or Disability will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. In addition, in the event that a disposition (as defined in Section 424(c) of the Code) of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option occurs prior to the expiration of two years after its date of grant or the expiration of one year after its date of exercise (a “disqualifying disposition”), such Incentive Stock Option will, to the extent of such disqualifying disposition, be treated in a manner similar to a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
11.3 No Representation or Warranty. Section 422 of the Code and the rules and regulations thereunder are complex, and neither the Plan nor this Agreement purports to summarize or otherwise set forth all of the conditions that need to be satisfied in order for the Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. In addition, the Option may contain terms and conditions that allow for exercise of the Option beyond the periods permitted by Section 422 of the Code. Accordingly, the Corporation makes no representation or warranty regarding whether the exercise of the Option will qualify as the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, and the Corporation recommends that the Optionee consult with the Optionee’s own advisors before making any determination regarding the exercise of the Option or the sale of the Shares.
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12. SHARES SUBJECT TO LEGEND. If deemed necessary by the Corporation’s counsel, all certificates issued to represent Shares purchased upon exercise of the Option shall bear such appropriate legend conditions as counsel for the Corporation shall require.
13. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. THE CORPORATION’S OBLIGATION TO ISSUE SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTION IS EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE COMPLETION BY THE CORPORATION OF ANY REGISTRATION OR OTHER QUALIFICATION OF SUCH SHARES UNDER ANY STATE AND/OR FEDERAL LAW OR RULINGS OR REGULATIONS OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL REGULATORY BODY, OR THE MAKING OF SUCH INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIONS AND UNDERTAKINGS BY THE OPTIONEE OR ANY PERSON ENTITLED TO EXERCISE THE OPTION IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM ANY SUCH REGISTRATION OR OTHER QUALIFICATION OF SUCH SHARES WHICH THE CORPORATION SHALL, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, DEEM NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE. SUCH REQUIRED REPRESENTATIONS AND UNDERTAKINGS MAY INCLUDE REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS THAT THE OPTIONEE OR ANY PERSON ENTITLED TO EXERCISE THE OPTION (i) IS NOT PURCHASING SUCH SHARES FOR DISTRIBUTION AND (ii) AGREES TO HAVE PLACED UPON THE FACE AND REVERSE OF ANY CERTIFICATES A LEGEND SETTING FORTH ANY REPRESENTATIONS AND UNDERTAKINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE CORPORATION OR A REFERENCE THERETO.
14. NO RIGHTS TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR RELATIONSHIP. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall obligate the Corporation to employ or have another relationship with Optionee for any period or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation to reduce Optionee’s compensation or to terminate the employment of or relationship with Optionee at any time.
15. MISCELLANEOUS.
15.1 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the successors, assigns, transferees, agents, personal representatives, heirs and legatees of the respective parties.
15.2 Further Acts. Each party agrees to perform any further acts and execute and deliver any documents which may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
15.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by the written agreement of the Corporation and the Optionee.
15.4 Syntax. Throughout this Agreement, whenever the context so requires, the singular shall include the plural, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders. The headings and captions of the various Sections hereof are for convenience only and they shall not limit, expand or otherwise affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
15.5 Choice of Law. The parties hereby agree that this Agreement has been executed and delivered in the State of Delaware and shall be construed, enforced and governed by the laws thereof. This Agreement is in all respects intended by each party hereto to be deemed and construed to have been jointly prepared by the parties and the parties hereby expressly agree that any uncertainty or ambiguity existing herein shall not be interpreted against either of them.
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15.6 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
15.7 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email prior to 3:30 p.m. (Eastern time) on any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be a federal legal holiday in the United States (“Business Day”),
(b) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 3:30 p.m. (Eastern time) on any Business Day, (c) the 2nd Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. All notices and demands to Optionee shall be given to Optionee at the address for the Optionee held on the books of the Corporation. All notices and demands to the Corporation shall be given to the Corporation at its executive offices, to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer. Either party may designate in writing from time to time such other place or places that such notices and demands may be given.
15.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, as governed by and interpreted in accordance with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings of the parties, and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof except as set forth or referred to herein. No supplement, modification or waiver or termination of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
15.9 Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any party to this Agreement institutes any action or proceeding, including, but not limited to, litigation or arbitration, to preserve, to protect or to enforce any right or benefit created by or granted under this Agreement, the prevailing party in each respective such action or proceeding shall be entitled, in addition to any and all other relief granted by a court or other tribunal or body, as may be appropriate, to an award in such action or proceeding of that sum of money which represents the attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by the prevailing party therein in filing or otherwise instituting and in prosecuting or otherwise pursuing or defending such action or proceeding, and, additionally, the attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by such prevailing party in negotiating any and all matters underlying such action or proceeding and in preparation for instituting or defending such action or proceeding.
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ATTACHMENT II
AZITRA, INC.
2023 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
| 1. | Purpose of Plan. |
The purpose of this Azitra, Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests of Azitra, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals through opportunities for equity participation in the Company, and to reward those individuals who contribute to the Company’s achievement of its economic objectives.
| 2. | Definitions. |
The following terms will have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly otherwise requires:
2.1. “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.
2.2. “Broker Exercise Notice” means a written notice pursuant to which a Participant, upon exercise of an Option, irrevocably instructs a broker or dealer to sell a sufficient number of shares or loan a sufficient amount of money to pay all or a portion of the exercise price of the Option and/or any related withholding tax obligations and remit such sums to the Company and directs the Company to deliver stock certificates to be issued upon such exercise directly to such broker or dealer or their nominee.
2.3. “Cause” means (i) dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or deliberate injury or attempted injury, in each case related to the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any unlawful or criminal activity of a serious nature, (iii) any intentional and deliberate breach of a duty or duties that, individually or in the aggregate, are material in relation to the Participant’s overall duties, (iv) any material breach of any confidentiality or noncompete agreement entered into with the Company or any Subsidiary, or (v) with respect to a particular Participant, any other act or omission that constitutes “cause” as may be defined in any employment, consulting or similar agreement between such Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary.
2.4. “Change in Control” means an event described in Section 11.1 of the Plan.
2.5. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2.6. “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or its delegates who are administering the Plan, as provided in Section 3 of the Plan, or, if no such committee is designated by the Board, the Board. At any time there is no Committee to administer the Plan, any references in this Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to refer to the Board.
2.7. “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share, or the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which such Common Stock may be changed in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan
2.8. “Disability” means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the service provider’s inability to perform the duties of his or her position or any substantially similar position, where such impairment can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
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2.9. “Effective Date” means January 26, 2023, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be awarded unless the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.
2.10. “Eligible Recipients” means all employees, officers, consultants and directors of the Company or any Subsidiary, and any person who has a relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.
2.11. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.12. “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to the Common Stock, as of any date: (i) the mean between the reported high and low sale prices of the Common Stock at the end of the regular trading session if the Common Stock is listed, admitted to unlisted trading privileges, or reported on any national securities exchange or on the NASDAQ Global Select or Global Market on such date (or, if no shares were traded on such day, as of the next preceding day on which there was such a trade); or (ii) if the Common Stock is not so listed, admitted to unlisted trading privileges, or reported on any national exchange or on the NASDAQ Global Select or Global Market, the closing bid price as of such date at the end of the regular trading session, as reported by the Nasdaq Capital Market, OTC Bulletin Board, The OTC Market, or other comparable service; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not so listed or reported, such price as the Committee determines in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion.
2.13. “Incentive Award” means an Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Award granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to the Plan.
2.14. “Incentive Stock Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan that qualifies as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2.15. “Non-Statutory Stock Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.16. “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
2.17. “Participant” means an Eligible Recipient who receives one or more Incentive Awards under the Plan.
2.18. “Performance Awards” means an award of Common Stock or cash granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan and with respect to which shares of Common Stock or cash will be transferred to the Eligible Recipient in accordance with the provisions of such Section 8 and any agreement evidencing a Performance Award.
2.19. “Performance Period” means, in respect of a Performance Award, a period of time established by the Committee within which any performance criteria relating to such Performance Award are to be achieved.
2.20. “Previously Acquired Shares” means shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the Participant or, with respect to any Incentive Award, that are to be issued upon the grant, exercise or vesting of such Incentive Award.
2.21. “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that is subject to the restrictions on transferability and the risk of forfeiture imposed by the provisions of such Section 7.
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2.22. “Restricted Stock Unit” means an award granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that represents a contractual obligation on the part of the Company to issue shares of Common Stock to the Participant upon the satisfaction of any specified performance criteria and/or the completion of a specified period of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries.
2.23. “Retirement” means normal or approved early termination of employment or service.
2.24. “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.25. “Subsidiary” means any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Committee.
| 3. | Plan Administration. |
3.1. The Committee. The Plan will be administered by the Committee. So long as the Company has a class of its equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Committee will consist solely of two or more members of the Board who are “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Committee, if established, will act by majority approval of the members (unanimous approval with respect to action by written consent), and a majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a quorum. To the extent consistent with applicable corporate law of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation, the Committee may delegate to any officers of the Company the duties, power and authority of the Committee under the Plan pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Committee may establish; provided, however, that only the Committee may exercise such duties, power and authority with respect to Eligible Recipients who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Committee may exercise its duties, power and authority under the Plan in its sole and absolute discretion without the consent of any Participant or other party, unless the Plan specifically provides otherwise. Each determination, interpretation or other action made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, and no member of the Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Incentive Award granted under the Plan.
3.2. Authority of the Committee.
(a) In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the authority to determine all provisions of Incentive Awards as the Committee may deem necessary or desirable and as consistent with the terms of the Plan, including, without limitation, the following: (i) the Eligible Recipients to be selected as Participants; (ii) the nature and extent of the Incentive Awards to be made to each Participant (including the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each Incentive Award, any exercise price, the manner in which Incentive Awards will vest or become exercisable and whether Incentive Awards will be granted in tandem with other Incentive Awards) and the form of written agreement, if any, evidencing such Incentive Award; (iii) any performance criteria applicable to any Incentive Awards; (iv) the time or times when Incentive Awards will be granted and, where applicable, settled; (v) the duration of each Incentive Award; (vi) the restrictions and other conditions to which the payment or vesting of Incentive Awards may be subject. In addition, the Committee will have the authority under the Plan in its sole discretion to pay the economic value of any Incentive Award in the form of cash, Common Stock or any combination of both.
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(b) Subject to Section 3.2(d), below, the Committee will have the authority under the Plan to amend or modify the terms of any outstanding Incentive Award in any manner, including, without limitation, the authority to modify the number of shares or other terms and conditions of an Incentive Award, extend the term of an Incentive Award, accelerate the exercisability or vesting or otherwise terminate any restrictions relating to an Incentive Award, accept the surrender of any outstanding Incentive Award or, to the extent not previously exercised or vested, authorize the grant of new Incentive Awards in substitution for surrendered Incentive Awards; provided, however that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect and that any Participant adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented to such amendment or modification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Performance Award (or any other Incentive Award) that is subject to the requirements and restrictions of Section 409A of the Code may be amended in a manner that would violate Section 409A of the Code.
(c) In the event of (i) any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, extraordinary dividend or divestiture (including a spin-off) or any other change in corporate structure or shares; (ii) any purchase, acquisition, sale, disposition or write-down of a significant amount of assets or a significant business; (iii) any change in accounting principles or practices, tax laws or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results; or (iv) any other similar change, in each case with respect to the Company or any other entity whose performance is relevant to the grant or vesting of an Incentive Award, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) may, without the consent of any affected Participant, amend or modify the vesting criteria (including performance criteria) of any outstanding Incentive Award that is based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any Subsidiary or division or other subunit thereof) or such other entity so as equitably to reflect such event, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating such financial performance of the Company or such other entity will be substantially the same (in the sole discretion of the Committee or the board of directors of the surviving corporation) following such event as prior to such event; provided, however, that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then in effect.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan other than Section 4.3, the Committee may not, without prior approval of the Company’s stockholders, seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted, “underwater” Option by: (i) amending or modifying the terms of the Option to lower the exercise price; (ii) canceling the underwater Option and granting either (A) replacement Options having a lower exercise price; (B) Restricted Stock Awards; or (C) Performance Awards in exchange; or (iii) repurchasing the underwater Options and granting new Incentive Awards under this Plan. For purposes of this Section 3.2(d) and Section 11.4, an Option will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock is less than the exercise price of the Option.
| 4. | Shares Available for Issuance. |
4.1. Maximum Number of Shares Available; Certain Restrictions on Awards. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 of the Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the Plan will be 2,000,000 , and the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance in connection with Incentive Stock Options is 2,000,000. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may, at the election of the Committee, be either treasury shares or shares authorized but unissued, and, if treasury shares are used, all references in the Plan to the issuance of shares will, for corporate law purposes, be deemed to mean the transfer of shares from treasury.
4.2. Accounting for Incentive Awards. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under the Plan or that are subject to outstanding Incentive Awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that shares subject to an Incentive Award that lapses, expires, is forfeited (including issued shares forfeited under a Restricted Stock Award) or for any reason is terminated unexercised or unvested or is settled or paid in cash or any form other than shares of Common Stock will automatically again become available for issuance under the Plan. To the extent that the exercise price of any Option and/or associated tax withholding obligations are paid by tender or attestation as to ownership of Previously Acquired Shares, or to the extent that such tax withholding obligations are satisfied by withholding of shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, only the number of shares of Common Stock issued net of the number of shares tendered, attested to or withheld will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan.
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4.3.Adjustments to Shares and Incentive Awards. In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) will make appropriate adjustment (which determination will be conclusive) as to the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) available for issuance or payment under the Plan and, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants, the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to outstanding Incentive Awards and the exercise price of outstanding Options.
| 5. | Participation. |
Participants in the Plan will be those Eligible Recipients who, in the judgment of the Committee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected to contribute to the achievement of economic objectives of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Eligible Recipients may be granted from time to time one or more Incentive Awards, singly or in combination or in tandem with other Incentive Awards, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Incentive Awards will be deemed to be granted as of the date specified in the grant resolution of the Committee, which date will be the date of any related agreement with the Participant.
| 6. | Options. |
6.1. Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Options under the Plan, and such Options will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may designate whether an Option is to be considered an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option. To the extent that any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Incentive Stock Option will continue to be outstanding for purposes of the Plan but will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
6.2. Exercise Price. The per share price to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of an Option will be determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time of the Option grant; provided, however, that such price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant (110% of the Fair Market Value with respect to an Incentive Stock Option if, at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company).
6.3. Exercisability and Duration. An Option will become exercisable at such times and in such installments and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant (including without limitation (i) the achievement of one or more of the performance criteria and/or (ii) that the Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period); provided, however, that if the Committee does not specify the expiration date of the Option, the expiration date shall be 10 years from the date on which the Option was granted. In no case may an Option may be exercisable after 10 years from its date of grant (five years from its date of grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company).
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6.4. Payment of Exercise Price. The total purchase price of the shares to be purchased upon exercise of an Option will be paid entirely in cash (including check, bank draft or money order); provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, may allow such payments to be made, in whole or in part, by tender of a Broker Exercise Notice, by tender, or attestation as to ownership, of Previously Acquired Shares that have been held for the period of time necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and that are otherwise acceptable to the Committee, or by a combination of such methods. For purposes of such payment, Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued at their Fair Market Value on the exercise date.
6.5. Manner of Exercise. An Option may be exercised by a Participant in whole or in part from time to time, subject to the conditions contained in the Plan and in the agreement evidencing such Option, by delivery in person, by facsimile or electronic transmission or through the mail of written notice of exercise to the Company at its legal department and by paying in full the total exercise price for the shares of Common Stock to be purchased in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Plan.
| 7. | Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units. |
7.1. Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, and such Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to the vesting of such Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, (i) the achievement of one or more of any performance criteria and/or (ii) that the Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period.
7.2. Rights as a Stockholder; Transferability. Except as provided in Sections 7.1, 7.3, 7.4 and 12.3 of the Plan, a Participant will have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to shares of Common Stock issued to the Participant as a Restricted Stock Award or pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit under this Section 7 upon the Participant becoming the holder of record of such shares as if such Participant were a holder of record of shares of unrestricted Common Stock.
7.3. Dividends and Distributions. Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion (either in the agreement evidencing the Restricted Stock Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of the Restricted Stock Award), any dividends or distributions (other than regular quarterly cash dividends) paid with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to the unvested portion of a Restricted Stock Award will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate. The Committee will determine in its sole discretion whether any interest will be paid on such dividends or distributions. A Participant to whom Restricted Stock Units have been granted will have no rights to receive any dividends or distributions with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units unless and until the Restricted Stock Units is settled and the Participant becomes the holder of record of any shares of Common Stock delivered in settlement of such Restricted Stock Units.
7.4. Enforcement of Restrictions. To enforce the restrictions referred to in this Section 7, the Committee may place a legend on the stock certificates referring to such restrictions and may require the Participant, until the restrictions have lapsed, to keep the stock certificates, together with duly endorsed stock powers, in the custody of the Company or its transfer agent, or to maintain evidence of stock ownership, together with duly endorsed stock powers, in a certificateless book-entry stock account with the Company’s transfer agent.
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| 8. | Performance Awards. |
8.1. Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Performance Awards under the Plan, and such Performance Awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, if any, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to the vesting of such Performance Awards as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, (i) the achievement of one or more of any performance criteria and/or (ii) that the Participant remain in the continuous employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period.
8.2 Performance Periods. The Performance Period with respect to each Performance Award will be such period of time commencing with the date of grant as is determined by the Committee on the date of grant.
8.3 Specification of Performance Criteria. Any grant of Performance Awards will specify any performance criteria that, if achieved, will result in payment or early payment of the Performance Award, and each grant may specify in respect of such specified performance criteria a minimum acceptable level of achievement and shall set forth a formula for determining the amount of the Performance Award that will be earned if performance is at or above the minimum level, but falls short of full achievement of the specified performance criteria.
8.4. Settlement – Time of Payment.
(a) At the time any Performance Award is granted, the agreement evidencing the Performance Award will specify the time at which the vested portion of the Performance Award will be settled. In no event may the time of payment be changed after the Performance Award is granted.
(b) The agreement may specify that settlement will be made upon vesting or the settlement will occur with respect to all vested Performance Awards as of a specified time.
(c) To the extent the agreement does not provide for the settlement of vested Performance Awards on or before the date that is 2-1/2 months after the end of the year in which the Performance Award (or the relevant portion thereof) vests, the agreement will provide for payment to occur: (a) upon the Eligible Recipient’s separation from service, death or disability; (b) upon a Change in Control of the Company; or (c) upon a specified date or pursuant to a specified schedule. In all cases in which payment is to be made in accordance with this Section 8.4(c), the times specified for payment will be interpreted and administered in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any applicable regulations or guidance issued in connection with that Code section.
8.5. Settlement – Form of Payment. As specified in the agreement evidencing the Performance Award, or some other written agreement between the Company and the Eligible Recipient, vested Performance Awards will be settled in cash or shares of Common Stock.
8.6. Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant holding a Performance Award shall have no rights as a holder of Common Stock unless and until the Performance Award is settled and shares of Common Stock are delivered to the Participant in such settlement.
8.7. Dividends and Distributions. Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion (either in the agreement evidencing the Performance Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of the Performance Award), the Participant shall not be entitled to receive dividends or distributions with respect to the shares subject to a Performance Award unless and until the Performance Award is settled and shares of Common Stock are delivered to the Participant in such settlement.
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8.8. Unfunded and Unsecured Obligation of the Company. A Performance Award represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company to make payment to a Participant in accordance with the terms of this Plan or an award agreement. The Participant’s rights with respect to a Performance Award shall be those of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
| 9. | Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service. |
9.1. Termination Due to Death or Disability. In the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of death or Disability:
(a) All outstanding Options then held by the Participant will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable in accordance with their terms for a period of twelve (12) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option), provided, however, that any incentive stock option exercised later than three months after the date of termination shall be treated as a non-statutory stock option; and
(b) All Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; and
(c) All outstanding Performance Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited.
9.2. Voluntary Termination. Subject to Section 9.4 of the Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason other than death or Disability or Cause:
(a) All outstanding Options then held by the Participant will, to the extent exercisable as of such termination, remain exercisable in full for a period of three (3) months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option); and
(b) All Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; and
(c) All outstanding Performance Awards then held by the Participant that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited.
9.3. Modification of Rights Upon Termination. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 9, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised in connection with the grant or after the date of grant, including following such termination), determine that upon a Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries, any Options (or any part thereof) then held by such Participant may become or continue to become exercisable and/or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service, and Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards then held by such Participant may vest and/or continue to vest or become free of restrictions and conditions to issuance, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee.
9.4. Effects of Actions Constituting Cause. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event that a Participant is determined by the Committee, acting in its sole discretion, to have committed any action which would constitute Cause as defined in Section 2.3, irrespective of whether such action or the Committee’s determination occurs before or after termination of such Participant’s employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary, all rights of the Participant under the Plan and any agreements evidencing an Incentive Award then held by the Participant shall terminate and be forfeited without notice of any kind. The Company may defer the exercise of any Option or the vesting of any Restricted Stock Award or Performance Award for a period of up to ninety (90) days in order for the Committee to make any determination as to the existence of Cause.
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9.5. Determination of Termination of Employment or Other Service. Unless the Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion, a Participant’s employment or other service will, for purposes of the Plan, be deemed to have terminated on the date recorded on the personnel or other records of the Company or the Subsidiary for which the Participant provides employment or service, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion based upon such records.
| 10. | Payment of Withholding Taxes. |
10.1. General Rules. The Company is entitled to (a) make arrangements for the collection of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all federal, foreign, state and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements attributable to an Incentive Award, including, without limitation, the grant, exercise or vesting of, or payment of dividends with respect to, an Incentive Award or a disqualifying disposition of stock received upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Incentive Award.
10.2. Special Rules. The Committee may, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, any withholding or employment-related tax obligation described in Section 10.1 of the Plan by electing to tender, or by attestation as to ownership of, Previously Acquired Shares that have been held for the period of time necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and that are otherwise acceptable to the Committee, by delivery of a Broker Exercise Notice or a combination of such methods. For purposes of satisfying a Participant’s withholding or employment-related tax obligation, Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued at their Fair Market Value.
| 11. | Change in Control. |
11.1. A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs has occurred:
(a) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer, directly or indirectly, of substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) to any Successor;
(b) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(c) any Successor (as defined in Section 11.2 below), other than a Bona Fide Underwriter (as defined in Section 11.2 below), becomes after the effective date of the Plan the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of (i) 25% or more, but not 50% or more, of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless the transaction resulting in such ownership has been approved in advance by the Continuity Directors (as defined in Section 11.2 below), or (ii) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the Continuity Directors);
(d) a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to effective date of such merger or consolidation have “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation, of securities of the surviving corporation representing (i) 50% or more, but not more than 80%, of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors, unless such merger or consolidation has been approved in advance by the Continuity Directors, or (ii) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the Continuity Directors); or
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(e) the Continuity Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least 50% or more of the Board.
11.2. Change in Control Definitions. For purposes of this Section 11:
(a) “Continuity Directors” of the Company will mean any individuals who are members of the Board on the effective date of the Plan and any individual who subsequently becomes a member of the Board whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Continuity Directors (either by specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such individual is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination).
(b) “Bona Fide Underwriter” means an entity engaged in business as an underwriter of securities that acquires securities of the Company through such entity’s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of 40 days after the date of such acquisition.
(c) “Successor” means any individual, corporation, partnership, group, association or other “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d) or Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, any “affiliate” (as defined below) or any benefit plan(s) sponsored by the Company or any affiliate that succeeds to, or has the practical ability to control (either immediately or solely with the passage of time), the Company’s business directly, by merger, consolidation or other form of business combination, or indirectly, by purchase of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at the election of directors or all or substantially all of its assets or otherwise. For this purpose, an “affiliate” is (i) any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors is owned directly or indirectly by the Company; (ii) any other form of business entity in which the Company, by virtue of a direct or indirect ownership interest, has the right to elect a majority of the members of such entity’s governing body or (iii) any entity that at the time of the approval of this Plan owns in excess of 10% of the Company’s common stock and its affiliates.
11.3. Acceleration of Vesting. Without limiting the authority of the Committee under Sections 3.2 and 4.3 of the Plan, if a Change in Control of the Company occurs, then, if approved by the Committee in its sole discretion either in an agreement evidencing an Incentive Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an Incentive Award: (a) all Options that have been outstanding for at least six months will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable in accordance with their terms; and (b) all Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units that have been outstanding for at least six months will become immediately fully vested and non-forfeitable; and (c) any conditions to the issuance of cash or shares of Common Stock pursuant to Performance Awards that have been outstanding for at least six months will lapse.
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11.4. Cash Payment. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs, then the Committee, if approved by the Committee in its sole discretion either in an agreement evidencing an Incentive Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an Incentive Award, and without the consent of any Participant affected thereby, may determine that:
(a) Some or all Participants holding outstanding Options will receive, with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Options (“Option Shares”), either (i) as of the effective date of any such Change in Control, cash in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Option Shares on the last business day prior to the effective date of such Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such Option Shares, (ii) immediately prior to such Change in Control, a number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Option Shares as of the last business day prior to the effective date of such Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such Option Shares; or (iii) any combination of cash or shares of Common Stock with the amount of each component to be determined by the Committee not inconsistent with the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), as proportionally adjusted; and
(b) any Options which, as of the effective date of any such Change in Control, are “underwater” (as defined in Section 3.2(d)) shall terminate as of the effective date of any such Change in Control; and
(c) some or all Participants holding Performance Awards will receive, with respect to some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Performance Awards that remain subject to issuance based upon the future achievement of any performance criteria or other future event as of the effective date of any such Change in Control of the Company, cash in an amount equal the Fair Market Value of such shares immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control.
11.5. Limitation on Change in Control Payments. Notwithstanding anything in Section 11.3 or 11.4 of the Plan to the contrary, if, with respect to a Participant, the acceleration of the exercisability of an Option as provided in Section 11.3 or the payment of cash or shares of Common Stock in exchange for all or part of an Option as provided in Section 11.4 (which acceleration or payment could be deemed a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), together with any other “payments” that such Participant has the right to receive from the Company or any corporation that is a member of an “affiliated group” (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to Section 1504(b) of the Code) of which the Company is a member, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the “payments” to such Participant pursuant to Section 11.3 or 11.4 of the Plan will be reduced to the largest amount as will result in no portion of such “payments” being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; provided, however, that if a Participant is subject to a separate agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary which specifically provides that payments attributable to one or more forms of employee stock incentives or to payments made in lieu of employee stock incentives will not reduce any other payments under such agreement, even if it would constitute an excess parachute payment, or provides that the Participant will have the discretion to determine which payments will be reduced in order to avoid an excess parachute payment, then the limitations of this Section 11.4 will, to that extent, not apply.
| 12. | Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability. |
12.1. Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan will interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of any Eligible Recipient or Participant at any time, nor confer upon any Eligible Recipient or Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary.
12.2. Rights as a Stockholder. As a holder of Incentive Awards (other than Restricted Stock Awards), a Participant will have no rights as a stockholder unless and until such Incentive Awards are exercised for, or paid in the form of, shares of Common Stock and the Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares.
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Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no adjustment will be made for dividends or distributions with respect to such Incentive Awards as to which there is a record date preceding the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares, except as the Committee may determine in its discretion.
12.3. Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) Except pursuant to testamentary will or the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly permitted by subsections (b) and (c) below, no right or interest of any Participant in an Incentive Award prior to the exercise (in the case of Options) or vesting (in the case of Restricted Stock Awards) or settlement (in the case of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards) of such Incentive Award will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien, during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise.
(b) A Participant will be entitled to designate a beneficiary to receive an Incentive Award upon such Participant’s death, and in the event of such Participant’s death, payment of any amounts due under the Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan) may be made by, such beneficiary. If a deceased Participant has failed to designate a beneficiary, or if a beneficiary designated by the Participant fails to survive the Participant, payment of any amounts due under the Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan) may be made by, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs and legatees. If a deceased Participant has designated a beneficiary and such beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before complete payment of all amounts due under the Plan or exercise of all exercisable Options, then such payments will be made to, and the exercise of such Options may be made by, the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of the beneficiary.
(c) Upon a Participant’s request, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a transfer of all or a portion of a Non-Statutory Stock Option, other than for value, to such Participant’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, any person sharing such Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which any of the foregoing have more than fifty percent of the beneficial interests, a foundation in which any of the foregoing (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than fifty percent of the voting interests. Any permitted transferee will remain subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to the Participant prior to the transfer. A permitted transfer may be conditioned upon such requirements as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine, including, but not limited to execution and/or delivery of appropriate acknowledgements, opinion of counsel, or other documents by the transferee.
12.4. Non-Exclusivity of the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan is intended to modify or rescind any previously approved compensation plans or programs of the Company or create any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such additional or other compensation arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or desirable.
| 13. | Securities Law and Other Restrictions. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under this Plan, and a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Incentive Awards granted under the Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such shares a registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of a state or foreign jurisdiction or an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit from any other U.S. or foreign regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the parties involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing shares of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company in order to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.
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| 14. | Plan Amendment, Modification and Termination. |
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, and may amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable in order that Incentive Awards under the Plan will conform to any change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect the Board may deem to be in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no such amendments to the Plan will be effective without approval of the Company’s stockholders if: (i) stockholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code or the rules of any stock exchange or the NASDAQ Global Select, Global or Capital Market or similar regulatory body; or (ii) such amendment seeks to modify Section 3.2(d) hereof. No termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Incentive Award without the consent of the affected Participant; provided, however, that this sentence will not impair the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Sections 3.2(c), 4.3 and 11 of the Plan.
| 15. | Effective Date and Duration of the Plan. |
The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date. The Plan will terminate at midnight on January 26, 2033 and may be terminated prior to such time by Board action. No Incentive Award will be granted after termination of the Plan. Incentive Awards outstanding upon termination of the Plan may continue to be exercised, or become free of restrictions, according to their terms.
| 16. | Miscellaneous. |
16.1. Governing Law. Except to the extent expressly provided herein or in connection with other matters of corporate governance and authority (all of which shall be governed by the laws of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation), the validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan and any rules, regulations and actions relating to the Plan will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdictions.
16.2. Successors and Assigns. The Plan will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the Participants.
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ATTACHMENT III
AZITRA, INC.
2023 Stock Incentive Plan NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION EXERCISE
Date: __________1
Azitra, Inc.
21 Business Park Drive
Branford, CT 06405
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am the holder of________2 Stock Option granted to me under the Azitra, Inc. (the “Company”) 2023 Stock Incentive Plan on___________3 for the purchase of __________4 shares of Common Stock of the Company at a purchase price of $ __________5 per share.
I hereby exercise my option to purchase __________6 shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”), for which I have enclosed __________7 in the amount of __________8. Please register my stock certificate as follows:
| Name(s): | _________________________9 | |
| ___________________________ | ||
Address: |
_______________________ | |
| Tax I.D. #: | _______________________10 |
I represent, warrant and covenant as follows:
| 1 | Enter the date of exercise. |
| 2 | Enter either “an Incentive” or “a Nonstatutory.” |
| 3 | Enter the date of grant. |
| 4 | Enter the total number of shares of Common Stock for which the option was granted. |
| 5 | Enter the option exercise price per share of Common Stock. |
| 6 | Enter the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased upon exercise of all or part of the option. |
| 7 | Enter “cash”, “personal check” or if permitted by the option or Plan, “stock certificates No. XXXX and XXXX”. |
| 8 | Enter the dollar amount (price per share of Common Stock times the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased), or the number of shares tendered. Fair market value of shares tendered, together with cash or check, must cover the purchase price of the shares issued upon exercise. |
| 9 | Enter name(s) to appear on stock certificate: (a) Your name only; (b) Your name and other name (i.e., John Doe and Jane Doe, Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship); or (c) In the case of a Nonstatutory option only, a Child’s name, with you as custodian (i.e., Jane Doe, Custodian for Tommy Doe). Note: There may be income and/or gift tax consequences of registering shares in a Child’s name. |
| 10 | Social Security Number of Holder(s). |
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1. I am purchasing the Shares for my own account for investment only, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution of the Shares in violation of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), or any rule or regulation under the Securities Act.
2. I have had such opportunity as I have deemed adequate to obtain from representatives of the Company such information as is necessary to permit me to evaluate the merits and risks of my investment in the Company.
3. I have sufficient experience in business, financial and investment matters to be able to evaluate the risks involved in the purchase of the Shares and to make an informed investment decision with respect to such purchase.
4. I can afford a complete loss of the value of the Shares and am able to bear the economic risk of holding such Shares for an indefinite period.
| Very truly yours, | |
| (Signature) |
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