svra-ex1017_97.htm



 

Exhibit 10.17

SEPARATION AGREEMENT
AND
GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS (hereinafter “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Shana Hood (hereinafter “Employee”) and Mast Therapeutics, Inc. (hereinafter “Mast” or the “Company”).  Employee and Mast hereinafter are collectively referred to as the “Parties” or individually referred to as a “Party.”

RECITALS

A.Mast is a corporation and is doing business in the State of California.

B.Employee’s employment with Mast as a General Counsel, Vice President & Secretary is expected to terminate as of the closing (the “Closing”) of the acquisition of Savara Inc. (the “Change of Control”), which is expected to occur on or about April 21, 2017 (such date of termination of employment the “Termination Date”).

C.In accordance with the terms of the Executive Severance Agreement, dated March 30, 2016, between Employee and Mast (the “Executive Severance Agreement”), Employee desires to settle and compromise any and all possible claims and disputes he/she has against any of the Releasees, as defined below, arising out of their relationship to date, and to provide for a general release of any and all such claims. 

AGREEMENT

1.Termination of Employment and Resignation of Positions.  Employee agrees that his/her employment with Mast will terminate as part of the Closing effective as of the Termination Date and he/she has complied, or will comply as of the Termination Date, as applicable, with the provisions of Section 1.3 of the Executive Severance Agreement.  Employee hereby resigns, effective as of the Termination Date, any and all other positions he/she holds with Mast and any of its subsidiaries, including positions as a director of Mast or any of its subsidiaries.  In the event that Employee’s employment with Mast is not terminated in connection with the Closing, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and no longer remain in force or effect without further obligation of either of the Parties. 

2.Separation Pay/Consideration.  In consideration of the covenants and releases given herein, upon termination of Employee’s employment on the Termination Date, and subject to non-revocation of this Agreement as set forth in Section 4.c. and execution of the Affirmation (as defined below), Employee will become eligible to receive the following consideration:

a.Separation Pay.  Mast will tender a check to Employee in an amount of Two Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred Ninety-One Dollars and Twenty-Nine Cents ($234,391.29), less applicable federal and California payroll tax deductions, which is the equivalent of (i) nine (9) months of Employee’s base salary and (ii) the amount equal to the premiums necessary to continue Employee’s health insurance coverage in effect for Employee and Employee’s covered dependents under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, for a period of nine (9) months; and

b.Unemployment Insurance Claim.  Mast will not oppose Employee’s claim for unemployment insurance benefits, and, if asked, will inform the California Employment Development Department that Employee was laid off by Mast as part of the Change in Control.  

3.Release.

a.Release.  Employee does hereby unconditionally, irrevocably and absolutely release and discharge Mast and its current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, professional employer organization or co-employer, 

 



 

insurers, trustees, divisions, and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns, (collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all loss, liability, claims, demands, causes of action or suits of any type, whether in law and/or in equity, related directly or indirectly, or in any way connected with any transactions, affairs or occurrences between them to date, including, but not limited to, Employee’s employment with Mast and the termination of said employment.  Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Releasees, other than consideration to which Employee may be entitled in respect of (i) a Change of Control, and (ii) unpaid wages, accrued and unused vacation and reimbursement for business expenses validly incurred prior to termination.  This Agreement specifically applies, without limitation, to any and all disputed wage claims, claims for unpaid expenses, contract claims, tort claims, claims for wrongful termination, and claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the California Labor Code, the California Business and Professions Code, and any and all federal or state statutes or laws governing employment and/or discrimination in employment.  In addition, this Agreement specifically applies to any claims for age discrimination harassment or retaliation in employment, including any claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or any other statutes or laws which govern age discrimination in employment.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to mean that Employee is releasing or waiving claims to enforce this Agreement, workers’ compensation claims, claims for unemployment insurance benefits, claims for any vested retirement, any claim for indemnification (including under the Company’s organizational documents or insurance policies) arising in connection with an action instituted by a third party against the Company or Employee, or claims that, by law, cannot be waived.

b.Section 1542 Waiver.  Employee does expressly waive all of the benefits and rights granted to him/her pursuant to California Civil Code section 1542, which reads as follows:

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know of or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.

Employee does certify that he/she has read all of this Agreement, including the release provisions contained herein and the quoted Civil Code section, and that he/she fully understands all of the same.  Employee hereby expressly agrees that this Agreement shall extend and apply to all unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated injuries and damages, as well as those that are now disclosed.

c.No Further Action.  Except as set forth in Section 5, Employee irrevocably and absolutely agrees that he/she will not prosecute nor allow to be prosecuted on his/her behalf, in any administrative agency, whether federal or state, or in any court, whether federal or state, any claim or demand of any type related to the matters released above, it being the intention of the Parties that with the execution by Employee of this release, the Releasees will be absolutely, unconditionally and forever discharged of and from all obligations to or on behalf of Employee related in any way to the matters discharged herein. 

4.Additional Provisions Regarding Release of Age Claims/OWBPA Provisions.  

a.ADEA Claims.  This section of the Agreement exclusively addresses issues relating to Employee’s release of claims arising under federal law involving discrimination on the basis of age in employment (age forty and above).  This section is provided separately, in compliance with federal law, including but not limited to the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (“OWBPA”), to ensure that Employee clearly understands his rights so that any release of age discrimination claims under federal law (the ADEA) is knowing and voluntary on the part of Employee.

b.Review Period/OWBPA Provisions.  In accordance with the provisions of the OWBPA, Employee is aware of the following:  Employee represents, acknowledges and agrees that Mast has advised him/her, in writing, (i) to discuss this Agreement with an attorney and to that extent, if any, that Employee has desired, Employee has done so; (ii) that Mast has given Employee forty-five (45) days from receipt of this Agreement to review and consider this Agreement before signing it, and Employee understands that he/she may use as much of this forty-

- 2 -



 

five (45) day period as he/she wishes prior to signing; (iii) that no promise, representation, warranty or agreements not contained herein have been made by or with anyone to cause him/her to sign this Agreement; (iv) that he/she has read this Agreement in its entirety, and fully understands and is aware of its meaning, intent, content and legal effect; (v) that he/she is executing this release voluntarily and free of any duress or coercion; (vi) that this Agreement includes rights and claims under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, and the federal OWBPA, as amended; and (vii) that this Agreement does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date Employee signs this Agreement.

c.Effective Date of Agreement.  The Parties acknowledge that for a period of seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement, Employee may revoke the Agreement, and the Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired.  This Agreement shall become effective eight (8) days after it has been signed by Employee and Mast, and in the event the parties do not sign on the same date, then this Agreement shall become effective eight (8) days after the date it is signed by Employee.

5.Protected Rights.  Employee understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Employee’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local government agency or commission (“Government Agencies”), including an Age Discrimination in Employment Act charge or complaint, although Employee may have no right to relief by reason of the claims Employee has released herein.  Employee further understands that this Agreement does not limit Employee’s ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to Mast.  Nothing in this Agreement shall restrict or limit any right Employee may have to receive a whistleblower award or bounty for information provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Employee is notified that an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official (directly or indirectly) or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if (and only if) such filing is made under seal. In addition, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the individual’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

6.No Cooperation.  Subject to Section 5 governing Employee’s Protected Rights, Employee agrees that he/she will not knowingly encourage, counsel, or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against the Company and its subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or as related directly to the ADEA waiver in this Agreement. Employee agrees both to promptly notify the Company and its successor corporations, upon receipt of any such subpoena or court order, and to furnish, within three (3) business days of its receipt, a copy of such subpoena or other court order. If approached by anyone for counsel or assistance in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints against the Company and its subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns, Employee shall state no more than that Employee cannot provide counsel or assistance.

7.Acknowledgements/Affirmations.  Employee acknowledges and affirms that he/she has been paid and/or has received all wages, bonuses, incentive compensation, accrued vacation and benefits to which Employee may be entitled, except for such wages, bonuses, incentive compensation, accrued vacation and benefits to which Employee may be entitled as a result of the Change of Control and/or termination of employment.  Employee also acknowledges and affirms that he/she has been provided information regarding his/her inability to continue to receive health insurance benefits as COBRA benefits after the termination of his/her employment due to Mast’s termination, in connection with the Change in Control, of the health insurance plans in which Employee has participated.  Employee further acknowledges and affirms that he/she has returned all documents and other items provided to Employee by the Company (with the exception of a copy of the Employee Handbook and personnel documents specifically relating to Employee), developed or obtained by Employee in connection with Employee’s employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company.

- 3 -



 

8.Confidentiality/Non-Disparagement.  Employee agrees that all matters relative to this Agreement shall remain confidential.  Accordingly, Employee hereby agrees that, with the exception of his/her spouse, counsel and tax advisors, he/she shall not discuss, disclose or reveal to any other persons, entities or organizations, whether within or outside of Mast, the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  The Parties acknowledge, however, that Mast may be required to file a copy of this Agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in which case, the terms and conditions of this Agreement will be accessible for review by the public.  Nothing in this section prevents Employee from disclosing to any third party that his/her employment with Mast terminated in connection with the Change in Control.  Employee agrees not to make any derogatory or adverse statements, written or verbal, regarding the Releasees to anyone, and agrees to refrain from knowingly interfering in any tortious manner with the contracts and relationships of the Company.  Mast agrees not to make any derogatory or adverse statements, written or verbal, regarding Employee to anyone.  Employee understands that the Company’s obligations under this paragraph extend only to the Company’s current executive officers and members of its Board of Directors and only for so long as each officer or member is an employee or Director of the Company.

9.Affirmation of Release and Waiver.  Prior to receipt of the consideration set forth in Section 2, Employee shall execute and deliver the Affirmation in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “Affirmation”). 

10.Reference Requests.  Any reference requests concerning Employee will be referred to the Human Resources Department.  The only information that will be provided in response to such a request will be Employee’s dates of employment, his/her title, confirmation of his/her rate of pay, a statement that Employee was terminated in connection with the Change in Control and would not have been terminated but for that company action, and a statement that it is Mast’s policy to only provide that information.

11.Tax Consequences.  The Company makes no representations or warranties with respect to the tax consequences of the payments and any other consideration provided to Employee or made on Employee’s behalf under the terms of this Agreement.  Employee agrees and understands that Employee is responsible for payment, if any, of local, state, and/or federal taxes on the payments and any other consideration provided hereunder by the Company and any penalties or assessments thereon.  

12.Entire Agreement.  The Parties further declare and represent that no promise, inducement or agreement not herein expressed has been made to them and that this Agreement together with the Executive Severance Agreement contain the full and entire agreement between and among the Parties, and that the terms of this Agreement are contractual and not a mere recital.

13.Applicable Law.  The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the laws of the State of California.

14.Dispute Resolution.  Except as set forth in Section 5, any dispute arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be resolved through binding arbitration through JAMS in San Diego, California, under the then current applicable rules of JAMS.  The arbitrator may grant injunctions and other relief in such disputes.  The arbitrator shall administer and conduct any arbitration in accordance with California law, including the California Code of Civil Procedure, and the arbitrator shall apply substantive and procedural California law to any dispute or claim, without reference to any conflict-of-law provisions of any jurisdiction.  To the extent that the JAMS rules conflict with California law, California law shall take precedence.  The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the parties to the arbitration.  Each party shall be responsible for its or his or her own costs and attorneys’ fees in connection with the arbitration, as well as half of the costs of the arbitration.  THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THEM RESOLVED IN A COURT OF LAW BY A JUDGE OR JURY.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section will not prevent either Party from seeking injunctive relief (or any other provisional remedy) from any court having jurisdiction over the Parties and the subject matter of their dispute relating to this Agreement.

15.Knowing and Voluntary Agreement.  Employee acknowledges that he/she has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions and effects of this Agreement.  Employee further acknowledges that he/she has been given the opportunity to consult with his/her own independent legal counsel and tax professional with respect to the matters referenced in this Agreement.  Employee acknowledges that he/she has fully discussed this Agreement with his/her attorney or has voluntarily chosen to sign this Agreement without consulting an attorney and/or tax 

- 4 -



 

professional, fully understanding the consequences of this Agreement.  Employee further acknowledges that he/she is entering into this Agreement without coercion or duress from any of the Releasees and that none of the Releasees have made any representations or promises concerning the terms or effects of this Agreement other than those set forth in this Agreement.

16.Complete Defense.  This Agreement may be pleaded as a full and complete defense and may be used as the basis for an injunction against any action, suit or proceeding which may be prosecuted, instituted or attempted by either party in breach thereof.

17.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and, if so executed, each such counterpart shall have the force and effect of an original.  A facsimile signature shall have the same force and effect as an original signature.

18.Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement, or part thereof, is held invalid, void or voidable as against public policy or otherwise, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions, or parts thereof, which may be given effect without the invalid provision or part.  To this extent, the provisions, and parts thereof, of this Agreement are declared to be severable.  

19.No Admission of Liability.  It is understood that this Agreement is not an admission of any liability by any person, firm, association or corporation but is in compromise of a disputed claim.

20.Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement on the dates shown below.

 


	
Dated:
	
4-10-17
	
 
	
/s/ Shana Hood

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
Shana Hood

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
Mast Therapeutics, Inc.

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
Dated:
	
April 13, 2017
	
 
	
By:
	
/s/ Brandi Roberts

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
Name:
	
Brandi Roberts

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
Title:
	
Chief Financial Officer




 




- 5 -



 

Affirmation

The undersigned hereby acknowledges his/her termination of employment with the Company as of April 27, 2017 (the “Termination Date”) and further affirms that terms of the Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims between the undersigned and Mast Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Agreement”) remain in full force and effect as of the Termination Date, including, but not limited to, the release, waivers and affirmations set forth in Sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Agreement.  

The undersigned acknowledges and affirms that he/she has been paid and/or has received all wages, bonuses, incentive compensation, accrued vacation and benefits to which the undersigned may be entitled, other than shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to settlement of the restricted stock unit award granted to the undersigned in January 2017 pursuant to the Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement between the undersigned and the Company (the “RSUs Agreement”).  Upon receipt of 6,479 shares of the Company’s common stock (which is the amount granted under the RSUs Agreement as adjusted for the 70-for-1 reverse stock split implemented by the Company on April 27, 2017) in the undersigned’s E*Trade account, the undersigned acknowledges and affirms that he/she will have received all shares of Company common stock due to the undersigned pursuant to the RSUs Agreement.  

 

Dated: April 27, 2017

 

 

/s/ Shana Hood

Shana Hood

 

- 6 -