Exhibit 10.1

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January 5, 2007

Mr. Howard W. Robin

[Address]

Dear Howard,

On behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), I am pleased and excited to
offer you the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Nektar
Therapeutics (“Nektar” or the “Company”). In addition, should you accept this
offer, the Board will consider your appointment as a member of the Board at the
first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board after the date you start as a
full-time employee (“Start Date”). Accordingly, I present you with this offer
letter agreement setting forth certain terms and conditions of your employment.
Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings ascribed
to them in the Company’s Change of Control Severance Benefit Plan, as it may be
amended from time to time (the “COC Plan”).

As President and Chief Executive Officer, you shall have the general powers and
duties of management usually vested in the office of chief executive officer of
a corporation of the size and nature of Nektar. You shall report directly to the
Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be a non-executive chairman. Your
principal place of employment will be 150 Industrial Road, San Carlos, CA.

Your annual cash compensation will consist of two components: base salary and an
annual performance bonus. Your base salary will be $680,000 on an annual basis
and paid in accordance with Nektar’s regular payroll schedule. Your annual
performance bonus target each year will be at least 59% of your annual base
salary for each annual period and $400,000 for 2007 (“Target Annual Bonus”).
Your base salary and Target Annual Bonus shall be subject to annual performance
review by the Board for appropriate upward adjustment. The actual amount of your
annual performance bonus will range from 0% to 150% of the Target Annual Bonus
based on the Board’s assessment of your achievement of a combination of
corporate and personal objectives agreed upon by you and the Board at the
beginning of each annual performance period. Your annual performance bonus for
the prior year will be paid in the first calendar quarter of each year within
the period of time required to avoid taxes and penalties under Section 409A of
the Internal Revenue Code.

Subject to approval by the Board prior to and effective as of your Start Date,
you will be granted a stock option to purchase 600,000 shares of Nektar common
stock (the “Initial Option”, which together with any subsequent stock options
you may receive, are the “Stock Options”) under Nektar’s 2000 Equity Incentive
Plan (“2000 Plan”). The maximum number of shares subject to the Stock Options
will be granted as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code to the extent permissible under Section 10(d) of the
2000 Plan.

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The remainder of shares subject to the Stock Options will be granted as
non-statutory stock options. The exercise price will be set at the closing price
of Nektar’s common stock on Nasdaq on your Start Date in the case of the Initial
Option or at the date determined by the Board in the case of any subsequent
Stock Options. Your Start Date shall be no later than February 1, 2007. The
shares subject to the Initial Option will vest according to a 5-year vesting
schedule for so long as you provide Continuous Service (as defined in the 2000
Plan) to the Company with 20% of the shares subject to the Initial Option
vesting on the one year anniversary of your Start Date and the remainder vesting
monthly on a pro-rata basis over the following 4 years. You will be eligible for
annual equity awards, in the sole discretion of the Board, based on the Board’s
review of your individual performance and annual equity compensation levels of
non-founder chief executive officers of comparator companies as analyzed by a
reputable, nationally-recognized, independent compensation consultancy firm.

You will also be eligible to participate in Nektar’s executive benefits program
including medical, dental and vision insurance, term life insurance, 401(k), the
flexible health spending plan, short & long-term disability upon the terms
specified in those plans, and the COC Plan.

Your employment is by continued mutual agreement and may be terminated at will
with or without cause by either you or Nektar at any time with or without
advanced notice. You will also be required to enter into Nektar’s standard
Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto.

In the event of your death or Disability (as defined in the 2000 Plan), (a) 50%
of the unvested shares under your Stock Options will automatically vest,
(b) Nektar will pay to you or your estate, as applicable, all unreimbursed
expenses, all of your then accrued but unpaid base salary, and your target bonus
prorated for the portion of the last year in which you were employed by Nektar
prior to death or Disability, and (c) you and your dependents shall be entitled
to continued medical, dental, and vision insurance for yourself and your
dependents, at your or their expense, at the same level of coverage as was
provided to you and your dependents under Nektar’s insurance and benefits plans
immediately prior to the termination by electing COBRA continuation coverage in
accordance with applicable law.

In the event your employment is terminated for reasons not related to a Change
of Control (a) by the Company without Cause; or (b) by you for a Good Reason
Resignation, then you and the Company will meet in good faith to discuss the
terms of an appropriate separation. In any event, at a minimum, the Company will
enter into a severance arrangement with you which will include the following:
(i) a fully effective mutual waiver and release in such form as the Company may
reasonably require, (ii) a cash severance payment equal to your total annual
cash compensation target (defined as your current monthly base salary annualized
for 12 months, plus your 59% bonus target multiplied by the expected pay-out
percentage used by the Company for its GAAP financial statements in the previous
calendar quarter, but not to exceed 100%), payable in accordance with the
severance payment schedule described in the COC Plan and subject to such delay
in payment required for compliance with Section 409A, (iii) pro-rata vesting
credit (based on conversion of the vesting schedule to a monthly vesting
schedule) on your Initial Option through the date of termination if your
termination occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Start Date, based on
months completed since your Start Date, (iv) the exercise period for the vested
and unexercised portion of your Stock Options shall be 18 months following the
termination date and (v) the Company shall pay all applicable COBRA payments for
you and your family for one year after the termination date (such payments shall
cease in the event that you become eligible for comparable benefits with another
employer).

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In compliance with the terms of the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act,
you will be required to provide us with proof of authorization to work and proof
of identity.

The terms, compensation and benefits set forth in this letter, which shall be
governed by California law, without reference to principles of conflicts of
laws, may not be reduced without your prior written consent and shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of (a) your heirs, executors, and legal
representatives upon your death and (b) any person or entity which at any time,
whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all
or a majority of the assets, business, capital stock, or voting stock of the
Nektar. Any such person or entity shall be deemed substituted for the Nektar
under this letter for all purposes.

Howard, on behalf of the Board, I am delighted at the prospect of your
leadership at Nektar as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Please feel
free to call me if you have any questions and I look forward to working with
you.

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Michael A. Brown

Michael A. Brown

Chairman, Organization and Compensation

Committee of the Board of Directors

OFFER ACCEPTED:

 

/s/ Howard W. Robin

   

1/5/07

Howard W. Robin     Date

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EXHIBIT A

EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT

In consideration of my employment or continued employment by Nektar
Therapeutics, its subsidiaries or affiliates (collectively, the “Company”), I,
                             (name) residing at                             
(address), agree as of the date I was first employed by Company as follows:

1. Entire Agreement: This Agreement sets forth the complete and entire agreement
between Company and me and supersedes any and all previous oral or written
communications, discussions and agreements between Company and me with respect
to the subject of this Agreement.

2. Employment:

a. Duty of Loyalty. During the period of my employment by the Company, I shall
devote my full time and best efforts to the business of the Company, and I shall
neither pursue any business opportunity outside the Company nor take any
position with any organization other than as authorized in writing by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. While employed by the Company, I will avoid
all conflicts of interest and will not compete with the Company or undertake
other acts of disloyalty.

b. Change in Jobs. I agree that all of my obligations under this Agreement will
remain in full force and effect should I receive a promotion, demotion or
experience a change in job title or duties while employed by the Company.

c. Employment at Will. I agree that this Agreement does not guarantee my
continued employment with the Company. I acknowledge that, unless I enter into a
written employment agreement with the Company that provides for a specified
period of employment, I am employed “at-will,” meaning that either the Company
or I may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any or no
reason, with or without cause or prior notice.

3. Assignment of Developments:

a. Assignment to Company. If at any time or times during my employment or other
association with the Company, I shall (either alone or with others) make,
conceive, create, discover, invent or reduce to practice any development that
(i) relates to the business of the Company or any of the products or services
being explored, developed, manufactured or sold by the Company or which may be
used in relation therewith; or (ii) results from tasks assigned to me by the
Company; or (iii) results from the use of premises or personal property (whether
tangible or intangible) owned, leased or contracted for by the Company
(hereinafter collectively referred to as “Developments”), then all such
Developments and the benefits thereof are and shall immediately become the sole
and absolute property of the Company and its assigns, as works made for hire or
otherwise. I shall promptly disclose to the Company (or any persons

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designated by it) each such Development. I hereby assign all rights (including,
but not limited to, rights to inventions, patentable subject matter, copyrights
and trademarks) I may have or may acquire in the Developments, as well as all
benefits and/or rights resulting therefrom, to the Company and its assigns
without further compensation and shall communicate, without cost or delay, and
without disclosing to others the same, all available information relating
thereto (with all necessary plans and models) to the Company.

b. Requirement to Provide Assistance. I agree to assist the Company, or its
designee, at the Company’s expense, in every proper way to secure the Company’s
rights in the Developments and any copyrights, patents, trademarks, and trade
secret rights or other intellectual property rights in connection with any such
Developments in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company
of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all
applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments which
the Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights
and in order to assign and convey to the Company, its successors, assigns, and
nominees the sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such
Developments, and any copyrights, patents, trademark and other intellectual
property rights relating thereto. I further agree that my obligation to execute
or cause to be executed, when it is in my power to do so, any such instrument or
papers shall continue after the termination of this Agreement. If the Company is
unable, because of my mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason, to
secure my signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United
States or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Developments or
original works of authorship assigned to the Company as above, then I hereby
irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers
and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in my behalf and
stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully
permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent or
copyright registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if
executed by me.

c. Works Made For Hire. I will promptly disclose to the Company all material
which I produce, compose or write, individually or in collaboration with others,
which arises out of work delegated to me by the Company. I agree that all such
material constitutes a work for hire, and at the expense of the Company, I will
assign to the Company all my interest in such copyrightable material and will
sign all papers and do all other acts necessary to assist the Company to obtain
copyrights on such material in any and all countries.

d. Ongoing Notice Obligation. I agree that for a period of one (1) year
following the termination of my employment for any reason, I will notify the
Company immediately of any and all creations, discoveries, inventions or other
developments made by me (either alone or with others) that relate to the
business of the Company or relate to research and development in which I was
involved during the course of my employment by the Company. Any such creation,
discovery, invention or other development relating to the Company’s business
made by me (either alone or with others) within one (1) year following the
termination of my employment shall be presumed to be owned by the Company.

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e. Inventions Not Assigned to Company. I understand and acknowledge that the
assignment of Developments under this Agreement does not apply to an invention
which qualifies fully for protection under section 2870 California Labor Code
section, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A, which pertains to any rights
I may have acquired in connection with an invention, discovery or improvement
that was developed entirely on my own time for which no equipment, supplies,
facilities or trade secret information of the Company was used and (a) that does
not relate directly or indirectly to the business of the Company or to the
Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or
(b) that does not result from any work performed by me for the Company.

f. Disclosure of Prior Inventions. I represent that the creations, discoveries,
inventions or other developments identified in Appendix B attached hereto
(“Prior Developments”), if any, comprise all the Prior Developments that I made
or conceived prior to my employment by the Company, which Prior Developments are
excluded from this Agreement. I understand that it is only necessary to list the
title of such Prior Developments and the purpose thereof, but not details of the
Prior Development itself. IF THERE ARE ANY SUCH DEVELOPMENTS TO BE EXCLUDED, THE
UNDERSIGNED SHOULD INITIAL HERE; OTHERWISE IT WILL BE DEEMED THAT THERE ARE NO
SUCH EXCLUSIONS.

4. Nondisclosure of Confidential Information: I shall not at any time, whether
during or after the termination of my employment, reveal to any person or entity
any Confidential Information except to employees of the Company who need to know
such Confidential Information for the purposes of their employment, or as
otherwise authorized by the Company in writing. The term “Confidential
Information” shall include any information concerning the organization, business
or finances of the Company or of any third party which the Company is under an
obligation to keep confidential that is maintained by the Company as
confidential. Such Confidential Information shall include, but is not limited
to, trade secrets or confidential information respecting methods, know-how,
techniques, systems, processes, specifications, blueprints, formulae, devices,
models, software programs, works of authorship, customer lists, partner lists,
customer information, financial information, pricing or commission information,
business plans, projects, plans and proposals. I shall keep confidential all
matters entrusted to me and shall not use or attempt to use any Confidential
Information except as may be required in the ordinary course of performing my
duties as an employee of the Company, nor shall I use any Confidential
Information in any manner which may injure or cause loss or may be calculated to
injure or cause loss to the Company, whether directly or indirectly.

5. Nonsolicitation of Customers, Partners and Employees: I agree that the
Company has invested substantial time, effort and expense in compiling its
confidential and trade secret information and in assembling its present
personnel. In order to protect the confidentiality of the Company’s sensitive
information, I agree that, during my employment and for one (1) year thereafter,
I shall not do the following:

a. approach, contact or otherwise communicate in any way with any customer or
partner of the Company with the use or assistance of Confidential Information of
the Company that I obtained during my employment for the purpose of engaging in
or assisting in soliciting business from that customer or partner;

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b. solicit, approach, counsel or attempt to induce any person who is then in the
employ of the Company to leave the employ of the Company; or

c. aid, assist or counsel any other person, firm or corporation to do any of the
above.

6. Return of Property: I shall keep on Company’s premises (except when required
elsewhere in connection with the conduct of Company’s business) and shall
deliver to Company upon termination of my employment all writings related to the
business of Company, and all documents, equipment, materials and other personal
property belonging to Company. I further agree not to make or retain any copy,
duplication, facsimile, reproduction or replication of any of the foregoing
except as necessary to perform my duties as an employee of the Company.

7. No Violation Of Prior Trade Secret Or Non-Competition Agreements: I represent
that the performance of all the terms of this Agreement as an employee of this
Company will not conflict with, and will not breach, any other development
assignment agreement, confidentiality agreement, employment agreement or
non-competition agreement to which I am or have been a party. To the extent that
I have confidential information or materials of any former employer of mine, I
acknowledge that the Company has directed me to not disclose such confidential
information or materials to the Company or any of its employees, and that the
Company prohibits me from using said confidential information or materials in
any work that I may perform for the Company, and I will not bring with me to the
Company, and will not use or disclose any confidential, proprietary information,
or trade secrets acquired by me prior to my employment with the Company. I will
not disclose to the Company or any of its employees, or induce the Company or
any of its employees to use, any confidential or proprietary information or
material belonging to any previous employers or others, nor will I bring to the
Company or use in connection with my work for the Company copies of any
software, computer files, or any other copyrighted or trademarked materials
except those owned by or licensed to the Company. I am not a party to any other
agreement that will interfere with my full compliance with this Agreement. I
further agree not to enter into any agreement, whether written or oral, in
conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

8. Choice of Law: This Agreement shall be construed and governed by the laws of
the state in which I am primarily assigned to perform my job for, or engagement
with, the Company and shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced and
governed under the internal and domestic laws of such state.

9. No Waiver: The waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall not constitute a
waiver of subsequent similar of dissimilar breaches of this Agreement, or a
waiver of any of the obligations contained herein.

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10. Assignment: The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to its
successors and assigns, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by said successors and assigns.

11. Right to Notify: I recognize the right of Company to notify any third party
of the existence of this Agreement and/or its provisions and/or my agreeing to
it.

12. Severability: Should a provision or part of a provision of this Agreement be
found as a matter or law to be invalid, such finding shall not have the effect
of invalidating the remainder of this Agreement and the provision or part
thereof as to which such finding of invalidity is made shall be interpreted so
as to be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity without invalidating
the remainder of such provision or part thereof or any of the other provisions
of this Agreement.

13. Breach: I agree that any breach of this Agreement by me will cause
irreparable damage to the Company and that in the event of such breach the
Company shall have, in addition to any and all remedies of law, the right to an
injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent the
violation of my obligations hereunder. The Company may apply for such injunctive
relief in any court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of posting
any bond or other security.

 

EMPLOYEE:       NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS: Signed:           By:     Name:      
    Title:   Vice President, Human Resources Dated:           Dated:    

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APPENDIX A

Section 2870 of California Labor Code: Application of provision providing that
employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer.

a. Any provision and employment agreement which provides that an employee shall
assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or
her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed
entirely on his or her own time without using the employer’s equipment,
supplies, facilities or trade secret information except for those inventions
that either:

 

  1 Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention
to the employer’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or
development of the employer; or

 

  2 Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.

b. To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an
employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be
+assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of
this state and is unenforceable.

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APPENDIX B

PRIOR INVENTIONS