EX-10.8



 Exhibit 10.8 

AMENDED & RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

THIS AMENDED & RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 26th day of October, 2016, by and between SEATTLE GENETICS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Company”) and Vaughn B. Himes (“Executive”). 

RECITALS: 
 A. The
Company desires that Executive perform services as Chief Technical Officer of the Company, having been duly appointed to such position. 

B. Executive desires to continue in such engagement. 

C. This Agreement contains other provisions applicable to the employment of Executive by the Company. 

D. The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that as of the date of this Agreement, this Agreement amends and restates and
supersedes the Executive Employment Agreement that was made and entered into as of April 1, 2009 by and between the Company and Executive (the “Prior Agreement”). 

In consideration of the above Recitals and the provisions of this Agreement, the Company and Executive agree as follows: 

I. DUTIES 
 1.1 Title and
Responsibilities. Executive shall serve as Chief Technical Officer of the Company, which title may be changed at any time in the sole discretion of the Company. Executive’s responsibilities and duties shall include those inherent
in Executive’s position with the Company and shall further include such other managerial responsibilities and executive duties consistent with such position as may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. Executive shall devote his best efforts and full business time to the business and interests of the Company. During the term of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive may serve on the board of directors of other
companies, manage personal investments, and engage in civic and charitable activities, provided that such activities shall not represent a conflict of interest with the Company and do not materially detract from fulfilling Executive’s
responsibilities and duties to the Company. 
 II. COMPENSATION 

2.1 Base Salary. Executive shall be paid a base salary (“Base Salary”) by the Company during the term of
Executive’s employment at the rate determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”), or as applicable, any 







 
individual authorized to approve the terms of employment of Executive. Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed annually and evaluated based on performance and salary levels of other
executives of comparable position within the industry and geographic location of the Company. Based upon such evaluation and review, Executive’s Base Salary may be adjusted from time to time as determined by the Compensation Committee, or
as applicable, any individual authorized to approve the terms of employment of Executive, in its or their sole discretion. 

2.2 Bonus. In addition to Base Salary, Executive may be eligible to receive an annual bonus (“Annual
Bonus”), based on a target percentage of Executive’s Base Salary determined by the Compensation Committee, or as applicable any individual authorized to approve the terms of employment of Executive. The amount of the annual bonus shall
be based upon performance criteria and financial and operational results of the Company as determined by the Compensation Committee, or as applicable, any individual authorized to approve the terms of employment of Executive. To the extent that
the Annual Bonus is earned and becomes payable in accordance with the terms under which it is offered and unless otherwise specified in a written document reflecting the bonus arrangement, any Annual Bonus earned by Executive will be paid to
Executive prior to two and one half (2  1⁄2) months following the year in which the Annual Bonus becomes payable as a result of Executive’s vesting in the
right to the Annual Bonus. 
 2.3 Equity Awards. Executive may be eligible to receive grants of stock options or other
equity awards from time to time in the future, on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Compensation Committee, or as applicable, any individual authorized to approve the terms of employment of Executive, shall determine as of the date of
any such grant and pursuant to the existing equity plan(s) of the Company.
 2.4 Other Benefits. 

(i) Executive shall be entitled to such employee benefits generally available to full-time salaried employees of the Company, including
without limitation, health insurance, paid vacation of not less than four (4) weeks per year, retirement plans and other similar benefits; provided, that Company reserves the right to amend, modify, terminate or make any other changes in such
benefits generally available to full-time salaried employees of the Company at any time in its sole discretion. 
 (ii) The Company shall
pay or reimburse Executive for all travel and entertainment expenses incurred by Executive in connection with Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company, subject to the reasonable approval of the Company. Executive shall only be entitled
to reimbursement to the extent that Executive follows the reasonable procedures established by the Company for reimbursement of such expenses which will include, but will not be limited to, providing satisfactory evidence of such expenditures. 

  
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 III. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT 

3.1 Termination of Employment and Severance Benefits. 

(a) Termination of Employment. This Agreement may be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events: 

(i) The Company’s determination in good faith that it is terminating Executive for Cause (as defined in Section 3.3 below)
(“Termination for Cause”); 
 (ii) The Company’s determination that it is terminating Executive without Cause, which
determination may be made by the Company at any time at the Company’s sole discretion, for any or no reason (“Termination Without Cause”); 

(iii) The effective date of a written notice sent to the Company from Executive stating that Executive is electing to terminate his
employment with the Company (“Voluntary Termination”); 
 (iv) A change in Executive’s status such that a
Constructive Termination (as defined in Section 3.2(d) below) has occurred; or 
 (v) Following Executive’s death or
Disability (as defined in Section 3.4 below). 
 3.2 Severance Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to
receive severance benefits upon termination of employment only as set forth in this Section 3.2 contingent upon resignation from all positions held by Executive and only if Executive executes a full release and waiver of claims within thirty (30)
days of Executive’s termination (and allows it to become effective in accordance with its terms): 
 (a) Voluntary
Termination. If Executive’s employment terminates by Voluntary Termination, then Executive shall not be entitled to receive payment of any severance benefits. Executive will receive payment(s) for all salary and unpaid
vacation accrued as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and Executive’s benefits will be continued under the Company’s then existing benefit plans and policies in accordance with such plans and policies in effect on
the date of termination and in accordance with applicable law. 
 (b) Involuntary Termination. If Executive’s
employment is terminated under Section 3.1(a)(ii) (Termination Without Cause) or 3.1(a)(iv) (Constructive Termination) above (such termination, an “Involuntary Termination”), Executive will be entitled to receive payment of
severance benefits equal to Executive’s regular monthly salary for twelve (12) months (the “Severance Period”). Such payments shall be made, at the Company’s option, in a lump sum within thirty (30) days after the
date of Executive’s Involuntary Termination or periodically over the Severance Period according to the Company’s standard payroll schedule, provided that such payments may not extend beyond two and one-half (2
 1⁄2) months following the end of the calendar year in which the date of Involuntary Termination occurs. Executive will also be entitled to receive
payment on the date of Involuntary Termination of the pro rata portion of any 

  
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Annual Bonus based on achievement of the specific corporate and individual performance targets established for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, payable prior to two and one-half
(2  1⁄2) months following the end of the calendar year in which the date of Involuntary Termination occurs. Executive will receive payment(s) for all
salary and unpaid vacation accrued as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and health insurance benefits will be continued through payment of Executive’s COBRA health insurance premiums by the Company over the Severance
Period so long as Executive timely elects to continue Executive’s health insurance coverage under COBRA and subject to COBRA’s terms, conditions and requirements.

(c) Termination for Cause. If Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, then Executive shall not be entitled to
receive payment of any severance benefits. Executive will receive payment(s) for all salary and unpaid vacation accrued as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and Executive’s benefits will be continued under the
Company’s then existing benefit plans and policies in accordance with such plans and policies in effect on the date of termination and in accordance with applicable law. 

(d) Constructive Termination. “Constructive Termination” shall be deemed to occur if (A) there is a
material reduction or change in job duties, responsibilities and requirements inconsistent with Executive’s position with the Company and prior duties, responsibilities and requirements, provided that neither a mere change in title alone nor
reassignment to a position that is substantially similar to the position held prior to the change in terms of job duties, responsibilities or requirements shall constitute a material reduction in job responsibilities; or (B) there is a
reduction in Executive’s then-current base salary by at least twenty percent (20%), provided that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all other senior executives by the same percentage amount as part of a general salary level
reduction shall not constitute such a salary reduction; or (C) Executive refuses to relocate to a facility or location more than 50 miles from the Company’s current location; provided, however, that in each case above, Executive must first
provide notice of the existence of the circumstances giving rise to a Constructive Termination within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of such circumstances and the Company must be provided with a period of thirty (30) days from the date of
receipt of such notice to cure the circumstances giving rise to a Constructive Termination; provided further that the Company may notify Executive at any time prior to expiration of the cure period that it will not cure the circumstances, in which
case the cure period shall end immediately upon such notification.
 (e) Termination by Reason of Death or Disability. In
the event that Executive’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of Executive’s death or Disability (as defined in Section 3.4 below), Executive or Executive’s estate or representative will receive all salary and
unpaid vacation accrued as of the date of Executive’s death or Disability and any other benefits payable under the Company’s then existing benefit plans and policies in accordance with such plans and policies in effect on the date of death
or Disability and in accordance with applicable law. In addition, Executive’s estate or representative will receive the amount of Executive’s Annual Bonus for the fiscal year in which the death or Disability occurs to the extent that
the Annual Bonus has been earned as of the date of Executive’s death or Disability, as determined by the Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee based on the specific corporate and individual performance targets established for such
fiscal year, which will be paid prior to two and one-half (2  1⁄2) months following the year of Executive’s death or Disability (subject to
Executive’s termination as a result of such Disability). 

  
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 3.3 Definition of Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause” for Executive’s termination will exist at any time after the happening of one or more of the following events: 

(a) An action or omission of Executive which constitutes a willful and intentional material breach of this Agreement or the Confidentiality
Agreement (defined below), including without limitation, Executive’s theft or other misappropriation of the Company’s proprietary information;

(b) Executive’s commitment of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds or breach of trust in connection with Executive’s
employment; or 
 (c) Executive’s conviction of any crime which involves dishonesty or a breach of trust, or gross negligence in
connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties. 
 3.4. Definition of Disability. For purposes of this
Agreement “Disability” shall mean any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12)
months and renders Executive unable to perform the duties of Chief Technical Officer. 
 IV. STOCK ACCELERATION 

4.1 Accelerated Vesting. Unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable equity award agreement, in addition to any
other right of acceleration that may be provided pursuant to any equity award plan or agreement pursuant to which Executive has been granted an equity award by the Company, if Executive’s employment is terminated due to an Involuntary
Termination, the vesting of any equity awards granted by the Company to Executive shall accelerate such that such equity awards shall become vested as to an additional twelve (12) months, effective as of the date of such Involuntary Termination, to
the extent that such equity awards are outstanding and unvested as of the date of such Involuntary Termination; provided that if such Involuntary Termination occurs within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control (as defined below), then
the vesting of all such equity awards shall be accelerated completely so that such equity awards shall become fully vested, effective as of the date of such Involuntary Termination, to the extent that such equity awards are outstanding and unvested
as of the date of such Involuntary Termination. For the avoidance of any doubt, this Section shall prevail over any provision in an equity award agreement providing that unvested equity awards shall terminate or be forfeited as of the date of
such termination, and any such provision shall be inoperative to the extent it is in conflict with this Section. 
 4.2 Definition of
Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) an acquisition of the Company by another entity by means of any transaction or
series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any reorganization, merger or consolidation but excluding any merger effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company), or (ii) a


  
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sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (collectively, a “Merger”), so long as in either case the Company’s stockholders of record immediately prior to
such Merger will, immediately after such Merger, hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring entity. 

V. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS 

5.1 Confidentiality Agreement. Executive shall sign, or has signed the Company’s form of Proprietary Information
and Inventions Agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”). Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that he has complied with all obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement and agrees to continue to abide
by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement and further agrees that the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement or of Executive’s employment relationship with the Company, including the
noncompetition provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement. 
 VI. OTHER PROVISIONS 

6.1 Limitation on Severance Benefits. In the event that any severance benefits provided for in this Agreement to
Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and (ii) but for this Section 6.1, would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive’s severance benefits under Section 3.2 shall be payable either: 
 (a) in full, or 

(b) as to such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code,

 whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999,
results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits under Section 3.2 notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Any determination required
under this Section 6.1 shall be made in writing by independent public accountants appointed by Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon
Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6.1, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good
faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a
determination under this Section 6.1. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6.1. If a reduced amount is to be paid under this Section 6.1,
reductions in payments and/or benefits shall occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments, (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock awards other than stock options, (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock
options and (4) reduction of other benefits (if any) paid to the Executive. 

  
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 6.2 Code Section 409A. This Agreement shall be interpreted to avoid any penalty
sanctions under Section 409A of the Code and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”). If any payment or benefit cannot be provided or made at the time specified herein without incurring
sanctions under Section 409A, then such benefit or payment shall be provided in full at the earliest time thereafter when such sanctions will not be imposed. All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may be
made only upon a “separation of service” under Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, Executive is a “specified employee”
within the meaning of Section 409A, and the deferral of the commencement of any severance payments or benefits otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement as a result of such termination of employment is necessary in order to prevent any
accelerated income recognition or additional tax under Section 409A(a)(1), then the Company will not commence any payment of any such severance payments or benefits otherwise required hereunder (but without any reduction in such payments or benefits
ultimately paid or provided to Executive) that (a) will not and may not under any circumstances, regardless of when such termination occurs, be paid in full by March 15 of the year following Executive’s termination (or two and one half (2  1⁄2) months after the close of the Company’s fiscal year, if later), and (b) are in excess of the lesser of (i) two (2) times Executive’s then annual
compensation or (ii) two (2) times the limit on compensation set forth in Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated and will not be paid by the end of the second calendar year following the year
in which the termination occurs, until the first payroll date that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following Executive’s “separation of service” with the Company (as defined under Code Section 409A). If any payments
are delayed due to such requirements, such amounts will be paid in a lump sum to Executive on the earliest of (x) Executive’s death following the date of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company or (y) the first payroll date
that occurs after the date that is six (6) months following Executive’s “separation of service” with the Company. For these purposes, each severance payment or benefit is designated as a separate payment or benefit and will not
collectively be treated as a single payment or benefit. This provision is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the
additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions
which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, to the
extent that any amendment to this Agreement with respect to the payment of any severance payments or benefits would constitute under Section 409A a delay or acceleration in a payment or a change in the form of payment, then such amendment must be
done in a manner that complies with Section 409A(a)(4)(C). 

  
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 6.3 Indemnification. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law and as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, from and against any expenses, including legal fees, and all judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings to which the Executive is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact the Executive is or was a director or officer of the
Company. 
 6.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, the indemnification agreement
between Executive and the Company and any agreement pertaining to Executive’s equity awards contain the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to Executive’s employment by the Company and compensation payable to
Executive by the Company and supersede all prior understandings, agreements and discussions, including the Prior Agreement. This Agreement may only be amended or modified by a written instrument executed by Executive and the Company pursuant to
authorization by any individual or individuals authorized to approve the compensation and other terms of employment of Executive. 

6.5 Notices. Any and all notices permitted or required to be given under this Agreement must be in writing. Notices will
be deemed given (i) on the first business day after having been sent by commercial overnight courier with written verification of receipt, or (ii) on the third business day after having been sent by registered or certified mail from a location on
the United States mainland, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, whichever occurs first, at the address set forth below or at any new address, notice of which will have been given in accordance with this Section 6.4: 

 

			
	If to the Company:        	  	Seattle Genetics, Inc.
		  	21823 30th Drive SE
		  	Bothell, WA 98021
		  	Attn: General Counsel
		
	If to Executive:	  	Vaughn B. Himes
		  	c/o Seattle Genetics, Inc.
		  	21823 30th Drive SE
		  	Bothell, WA 98021

 6.6 Non-Waiver. Failure to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement shall
not be interpreted to be a waiver of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this Agreement or the right of either party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. 

6.7 Separability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement is finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such
provision will not affect or impair the other provisions of this Agreement, all of which will continue to be in effect and will be enforceable, provided, however, that any such invalid provisions shall, to the extent possible, be reformed so as to
implement insofar as practicable the intentions of the parties. 

  
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 6.8 Term. The employment of Executive under this Agreement shall be for an
unspecified term. The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that Executive’s employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law, and that Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated by
either party at any time for any or no reason, and with or without notice. If Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages award or compensation other than as provided
in this Agreement. 
 6.9 Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.

 6.10 No Duty to Mitigate. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment
contemplated by this Agreement (whether by seeking new employment or in any other manner), nor, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source. 

6.11 Legal Fees. In the event either party breaches this Agreement, the nonbreaching party shall be entitled to recover from the
breaching party any and all damages, costs and expenses, including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and court costs, incurred by the nonbreaching party as a result of the breach. 

6.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which when taken together will constitute one
instrument. Any copy of this Agreement with the original signatures of all parties appended will constitute an original. 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above
written. 
  

			
	 COMPANY:

	
	 SEATTLE GENETICS, INC.

		
	By:	 	/s/ Clay B. Siegall
		
	Name:	 	Clay B. Siegall
		
	Title:	 	President & Chief Executive Officer
	
	 EXECUTIVE

	
	/s/ Vaughn B. Himes
	 Vaughn B. Himes




  
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