ALPHARMA INC.  CHANGE IN CONTROL PLAN 

 

Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of the Alpharma Inc. Change in Control Plan, effective March 11, 2002 (the "Plan"), is to provide certain executive Employees with benefits that will assist them with their transition following a Change in Control. 

This Plan represents an amendment and restatement of all prior change in control plans, practices or policies in effect at  Alpharma  or any of its Subsidiaries as of the effective date hereof, and supersedes any and all such prior change in control plans, practices and policies.  Except as otherwise specified in the Plan all such prior change in control plans, practices and policies are hereby discontinued and terminated, to the extent permitted by law.

Wherever any words are used herein in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever any words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply. 

 

SECTION I - DEFINITIONS

The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Plan:

1.1    "Acquiring Company" - Has the meaning provided in the definition of Change in Control.

1.2    "Alpharma" - Alpharma Inc., a Delaware Company.

1.3    "Automobile and Financial Planning Allowance" - The automobile and financial planning allowance an Executive Participant is receiving immediately preceding his Termination Date.

1.4    "Benefit Continuation Period" -In the case of a  an Executive who receives a Change in Control Benefit, his Benefit Continuation Period will be determined based on the number of months used in Section 4.2 to compute the  Executive's Change in Control Benefit.

1.5    "Board" - The Board of Directors of  Alpharma.

1.6    "Change in Control" -  (i) The acquisition by any person, entity or "group" (Acquiring Company") within the meaning of Section 13(d) (3) or 14(d) (2) of the Exchange Act (excluding, for this purpose,  Alpharma or its Subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan of   Alpharma or its Subsidiaries which acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of  Alpharma) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of shares of Common Stock of Alpharma sufficient to elect a majority of directors; (ii) persons who, as of the date of this  Plan, constitute the Board  (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board , provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by  Alpharma's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; (iii) approval by the stockholders of  Alpharma or a reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the stockholders of  Alpharma immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, beneficially own shares sufficient to elect a majority of directors in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company; or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of  Alpharma (other than pursuant to the United States Bankruptcy Code) or the conveyance, transfer or leasing of all or substantially all of the assets of  Alpharma to any person; provided, however, that for the purposes of clauses (i) - (iv) above, the terms "person", "entity" and "group" shall not include (x) A.L. Industrier ASA ("Industrier"), (y) the stockholders of Industrier in the case of a distribution of shares of capital stock of  Alpharma beneficially owned by Industrier to the shareholders of Industrier, unless a Change in Control of Industrier has occurred or occurs concurrently with such a distribution, or in series of related transaction of which such distribution is part, (determined without regard to this clause (y) of this proviso) or (z) E.W. Sissener, his spouse, any heir or descendant of Mr. Sissener or the spouse of any such heir or descendant of the estate of Mr. Sissener (each, an "EWS Party"), or any trust or other similar arrangement for the benefit of any EWS Party or any corporation or other person or entity controlled by one or more EWS Party or any group of which any EWS Party is a member. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a "liquidation" or "dissolution" shall not be deemed to include any transfer of Alpharma property solely to any persons identified in clauses (x), (y) and (z) of the proviso of such sentence.

 

1.7    "Change in Control Benefits" - Has the meaning provided in Section 4.2.

1.8     "Chief Executive Officer" - Chief Executive Office of Alpharma 

1.9    "Committee" - The committee appointed by the Chief Executive Officer  to administer the Plan which shall consist of three (3) employees: the Executive Vice President, Human Resources, who shall act as chairman, and two other  Executives.

1.10     "Company" - Alpharma Inc. and its US Subsidiaries and any non-US Subsidiary whose Board of Directors (or similar governing body) has adopted this plan, or any successor by merger, consolidation or sale of assets.

1.11    "Constructive Termination" - A voluntary resignation following a Change in Control and following an action initiated by  Alpharma, a Subsidiary or an Acquiring Company  which results in (i) a reduction in the Executive's compensation or a reduction in the basis upon which such  Executive's  bonus or commission is determined, (ii) the Executive's relocation to a base office or site which is more than 50 miles from the location of the  Executive's office or site prior to the Change in Control, (iii) the assignment of duties substantially inconsistent with, or a substantial diminution of, the duties, responsibilities or status of the position that the Executive held prior to the Change in Control,  (iv) a reduction in benefits, or (v) a change in reporting relationship which is detrimental to the  Executive (including, without limitation, a detrimental change in the position to which the  Executive reports and not including, without limitation, the termination or change in the person who held the position to whom the  Executive  reported prior to the Change in Control). 

1.12    "Employee" - A full-time permanent salaried or hourly employee of  the Company, as determined by the Committee. An Employee shall not include any individual classified by the Company as either a temporary employee, a leased employee or an independent contractor (regardless of whether such individual is classified or retroactively reclassified as an employee of the Company by any person, entity or agency).

1.13    "Executive" - An Employee who is providing services to the Company in one of the following capacities: the Chief Executive Officer, a member of the Leadership Team, an Employee holding the title of Vice President or Director of the Company or its Operating Divisions, or any other individual deemed by the Committee to be an Executive.

1.14    "Executive Bonus Plan" - The Alpharma Inc. Executive Bonus Plan (effective January 1, 2002), as amended from time to time, or such other bonus plan setting forth the Executives' annual awards of cash bonuses.

1.15    "Incentive Award" -  An Executive's annual target bonus award immediately preceding  the date of the Change in Control event as set forth in the Executive Bonus Plan (as such agreement may be revised from time to time), assuming 100% funding of the bonus pool thereunder, provided however, that upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the target annual bonus award may not be reduced.  

1.16    "Involuntary Termination of Employment" - A Termination of Employment which was initiated by the Company other than a Termination for Cause.  The Committee shall have complete discretion to determine whether an Involuntary Termination of Employment has occurred. 

1.17    "Leadership Team" - Those officers of the Company that report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and such other employees who the Chief Executive Officer, in his sole discretion, determines is eligible to be classified as a member of the Leadership Team for purposes of this Plan. 

1.18    "Non Qualifying Sale" - A sale of (i) the stock or assets of a Subsidiary or the assets of an Operating Division or (ii) assets (other than substantially all the assets of  the Company).

1.19.1  ** ** Operating Division" - The Company's operating divisions, which for management or financial purposes are reported as individual business segments.

1.20    "Plan" - The Alpharma Inc. Change in Control Plan.

1.21    "Salary" - An Executive's annual base salary immediately preceding his Termination Date.  In the United States, Salary shall include amounts contributed on behalf of the  Executive to a cafeteria plan or a cash or deferred arrangement and not includable in compensation under Section 125 or 402(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Salary shall exclude the following:  commissions; incentive compensation; bonuses; overtime; extended workweek premiums; cost-of-living allowances; shift premiums; other premiums; deferred compensation; payments under consulting agreements; payments under advisory agreements; any other special payments, fees, or allowances. 

1.22    "Subsidiary" - Any corporation in which  Alpharma owns either directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting stock.

1.23    "Termination Date" - The date   an Executive's active employment with the Company terminates as a result of an Involuntary Termination of Employment or a Constructive Termination.

1.24    "Termination for Cause" - A Termination of Employment for reasons such as a conviction of a felony, habitual excessive use of drugs or alcohol, unsatisfactory attendance, substantial and willful neglect of job duties, failure or inability to adequately perform job duties, disclosure of confidential information regarding the  Company or its operations, or the aiding or assisting of any person or entity which is competitive with the Company  or its successors.  The determination of whether an  Executive is terminated for cause or not for cause shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion and shall be final and conclusive.

1.25    "Termination of Employment" - A termination of employment with the Company for any reason other than by reason of retirement, death or disability provided that a transfer of employment to the Acquired Company or any of its affiliates shall not be a Termination of Employment unless it constitutes a Constructive Termination.

1.26    "US Employee" -  An Employee whose primary place of employment is in the United States.

1.27    "US Subsidiary" -  Any Subsidiary incorporated in the United States.

1.28    "Waiver and Release" - A form of waiver and release provided by the Company which has the effect of releasing the Company, its affiliates, officers, directors and employees from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, expenses and liabilities, whether known or unknown, which the  Executive has or may later have against the Company which relate in any way to his employment by the Company, or his separation from employment with the Company, or any other matter at the time of Termination of Employment.  

ARTICLE II - ELIGIBILITY

2.1    Eligibility for Change in Control Benefits.Subject to Section 3.1, an Executive shall be eligible to receive Change in Control Benefits specified under Article IV if concurrently with or within the 24-month period following the Change in Control he has either (i) an Involuntary Termination of Employment or (ii) a Constructive Termination.
An Executive shall not be eligible for Change in Control Benefits if he is subject to a collective bargaining agreement or comparable  labor agreement or is otherwise not permitted to participate pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction where he is employed.
A Non Qualifying Sale shall not be deemed a Change in Control and an Executive shall not be eligible to receive Change in Control Benefits upon a Non Qualifying Sale.  

2.2	Committee Discretion.  The Committee shall have full discretion to determine eligibility to receive benefits under this Plan.  Such discretion shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions set forth herein and in a uniform and non-discriminatory fashion.

 
**ARTICLE III - CONDITIONS

3.1    Change in Control Benefits Conditions. The following are conditions to an Executive receiving Change in Control Benefits: 
- Termination Date on or after March 11, 2002;
- Termination Date does not immediately follow a period during which the  Executive has not been actively at work due to leave of absence, layoff or salary continuance, unless the Committee specifically designates the condition as not applicable to the  Executive; 
- To the extent, an Executive claims that Constructive Termination has occurred, such claim shall be made in writing to the Committee within 90 days following the Constructive Termination event;
- If requested by the Company or Acquiring Company, the  Executive shall remain employed with the Company or the Acquiring Company for up to  six months following the Change in Control; and 
-  Executive executes a Waiver and Release and does not revoke it within seven (7) days after the execution thereof.  

To the extent the duration of the Change in Control Benefits is longer than any notice period required under the laws of the jurisdiction in which an Executive is employed, then such Change in Control Benefits shall be in lieu of such notice period.

 
**ARTICLE IV - CHANGE IN CONTROL BENEFITS

4.1    General.
Subject to Section 6.1, an Executive  who is eligible under Section 2.1 to receive Change in Control Benefits and who satisfies the conditions in Section 3.1 shall receive the amount of Change in Control Benefits specified under Section 4.2 payable in accordance with Article VII and those other benefits as specified in Article V.

4.2    Amount of Change in Control Benefits.

	An Executive who satisfies the eligibility requirements under Section 2.1 shall be entitled to receive Change in Control benefits ("Change in Control Benefits") equal to the following:
- In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, Salary  and Automobile and Financial Planning Allowance during each of the 36 months following the Termination Date.  Additionally, he shall receive an Incentive Award for such 36 month period;
- In the case of a member of the Leadership Team , Salary  and Automobile and Financial Planning Allowance during each of the 30 months following the Termination Date.  Additionally, he shall receive an Incentive Award for such 30 month period;
- In the case of a Vice President, Salary during each of the 18 months following the Termination Date; and

(iv)	In the case of a Director, Salary during each of the 12 months following the Termination Date.

4.3    Incentive Awards.

Any Incentive Award payable under the terms of this Plan shall be in addition to any Incentive Award otherwise payable under the Executive Bonus Plan during the year in which the Change in Control event occurs.
** 

ARTICLE V - OTHER BENEFIT PROVISIONS******