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Exhibit 4.3  






ABIOMED, Inc.  


2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN  











 
 

Table of Contents    
  



	SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS	 	4
	

SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; COMMITTEE AUTHORITY TO SELECT PARTICIPANTS AND DETERMINE AWARDS	
 	

5
	 	(a) Committee	 	5
	 	(b) Powers of Committee	 	5
	

SECTION 3. SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION	
 	

6
	 	(a) Shares Issuable	 	6
	 	(b) Limitation on Awards	 	6
	 	(c) Stock Dividends, Mergers, etc.	 	6
	 	(d) Substitute Awards	 	6
	

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY	
 	

7
	

SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS	
 	

7
	 	(a) Exercise Price	 	7
	 	(b) Option Term	 	7
	 	(c) Exercisability; Rights of a Shareholder	 	7
	 	(d) Method of Exercise	 	8
	 	(e) Non-transferability of Options	 	8
	 	(f) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options	 	8
	 	(g) Form of Settlement	 	8
	

SECTION 6. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS	
 	

8
	 	(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Award	 	8
	 	(b) Acceptance of Award	 	9
	 	(c) Rights as a Shareholder	 	9
	 	(d) Restrictions	 	9
	 	(e) Vesting of Restricted Stock	 	9
	 	(f) Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends	 	9
	

SECTION 7. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS	
 	

9
	 	(a) Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock	 	9
	 	(b) Restrictions on Transfers	 	9
	

SECTION 8. PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS	
 	

9
	 	(a) Nature of Performance Shares	 	9
	

SECTION 9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS	
 	

10
	

SECTION 10. TERMINATION OF STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS	
 	

10
	 	(a) Incentive Stock Options:	 	10
	 	(b) Non-Statutory Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights	 	11
	

SECTION 11. TAX WITHHOLDING	
 	

11
	 	(a) Payment by Participant	 	11
	 	(b) Payment in Shares	 	11
	

SECTION 12. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC	
 	

11
	

SECTION 13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION	
 	

12
	

SECTION 14. STATUS OF PLAN	
 	

12
	

SECTION 15. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS	
 	

12
	 	(b) "Change of Control"	 	12






 

	

SECTION 16. GENERAL PROVISIONS	
 	

13
	 	(a) No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements	 	13
	 	(b) Delivery of Stock Certificates	 	13
	 	(c) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights	 	13
	

SECTION 17. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN	
 	

13
	

SECTION 18. GOVERNING LAW	
 	

13




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ABIOMED, Inc.    
  


 
  2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN    
  



 SECTION 1. General Purpose of the Plan; Definitions.  




        The name of the plan is the ABIOMED, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose of the Plan
is to encourage and enable officers, directors, and employees of ABIOMED, Inc. (the "Company") and its Subsidiaries and other persons to acquire
a proprietary interest in the Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company's welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of
the Company and its shareholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company's behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company. 


        The
following terms shall be defined as set forth below: 


        "Award" or "Awards", except where referring to a particular category of grant under the
Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Statutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Performance Share Awards and Stock Appreciation Rights. 


        "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. 


        "Cause" means (i) any material breach by the participant of any agreement to which the participant and the Company are both
parties, and (ii) any act or omission justifying termination of the participant's employment for cause, as determined by the Committee. 



        "Change of Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15. 


        "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations. 


        "Conditioned Stock Award" means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6. 


        "Committee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2. 


        "Disability" means disability as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. 


        "Effective Date" means the date on which the Plan is approved by stockholders as set forth in Section 17. 


        "Eligible Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4. 



        "Fair Market Value" on any given date means the price per share of the Stock on such date as reported by a nationally recognized stock
exchange, or, if the Stock is not listed on such an exchange, as reported by NASDAQ, or, if the Stock is not quoted on NASDAQ, the fair market value of the Stock as determined by the Committee. 


        "Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422
of the Code. 


        "Non-Statutory Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option. 



        "Normal Retirement" means retirement from active employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with the retirement
policies of the Company and its Subsidiaries then in effect. 


        "Outside Director" means any director who (i) is not an employee of the Company or of any "affiliated group," as such term is
defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code, which includes the Company (an
"Affiliate"), (ii) is not a former employee of the Company or any Affiliate who is receiving compensation for prior services (other than benefits
under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the Company's or any Affiliate's taxable year, (iii) has not been an officer of the Company or any Affiliate and (iv) does not receive
remuneration from the Company or any Affiliate, either directly or indirectly, 





 




in any capacity other than as a director. "Outside Director" shall be determined in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code and the Treasury
regulations issued thereunder. 


        "Option" or "Stock Option" means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant
to Section 5. 


        "Performance Share Award" means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8. 


        "Stock" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3. 



        "Stock Appreciation Right" means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9. 


        "Subsidiary" means a subsidiary as defined in Section 424 of the Code. 


        "Unrestricted Stock Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 7. 


        SECTION 2. Administration of Plan; Committee Authority to Select Participants and Determine Awards.



        (a)    Committee.    The Plan shall be administered by a committee of the Board (the
"Committee") consisting of not less than two (2) Outside Directors, but the authority and validity of any act taken or not taken by the Committee
shall not be affected if any person administering the Plan is not an "Outside Director." The Board of Directors may act as the Committee at any time.
Except as specifically reserved to the Board under the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final
authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan on behalf of the Company. Action by the Committee shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all members thereof. The Board may establish
an additional single-member committee (consisting of an executive officer) that shall have the power and authority to grant Awards to non-executive officers and to make all other determinations under
the Plan with respect thereto. 


        (b)    Powers of Committee.    The Committee shall have the power and authority to grant and modify Awards consistent
with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority: 




          (i)  to
select the persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted; 


        (ii)  to
determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Statutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Unrestricted Stock,
Performance Shares and Stock Appreciation Rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more participants; 


        (iii)  to
determine the number of shares to be covered by any Award; 


        (iv)  to
determine and modify the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may
differ among individual Awards and participants, and to approve the form of written instruments evidencing the Awards; provided, however, that no such action shall adversely affect rights under any
outstanding Award without the participant's consent; 


        (v)  to
accelerate the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award; 


        (vi)  subject
to the provisions of Section 5(b), to extend the period in which any outstanding Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; 


      (vii)  to
determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or
at the election of the participant and whether and to what extent the Company shall pay or credit amounts equal to interest (at rates determined by the Committee) or dividends or deemed dividends on
such deferrals; and 




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      (viii)  to
adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to
interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all
disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. 





        All
decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants. 



 SECTION 3. Shares Issuable under the Plan; Mergers; Substitution.  




        (a)    Shares Issuable.    The maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which Awards (including Stock
Appreciation Rights) may be granted under the Plan shall be seven hundred thousand (700,000). For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Awards which are forfeited, cancelled,
reacquired by the Company or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan so long as the
participants to whom such Awards had been previously granted received no benefits of ownership of the underlying shares of Stock to which the Award related. Subject to such overall limitation, any
type or types of Award may be granted with respect to shares, including Incentive Stock Options. Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or shares reacquired by the Company. 


        (b)    Limitation on Awards.    In no event may any Plan participant be granted Awards under this Plan (including
Stock Appreciation Rights) with respect to more than two hundred thousand (200,000) shares of Stock in any calendar year. The number of shares of Stock relating to an Award granted to a Plan
participant in a calendar year that is subsequently forfeited, cancelled or otherwise terminated shall continue to count toward the foregoing limitation in such calendar year. In addition, if the
exercise price of an Award is subsequently reduced, the transaction shall be deemed a cancellation of the original Award and the grant of a new one so that both transactions shall count toward the
maximum shares issuable in the calendar year of each respective transaction. 


        (c)    Stock Dividends, Mergers, etc.    In the event that after approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the
Company in accordance with Section 17, the Company effects a stock dividend, stock split or similar change in capitalization affecting the Stock, the Committee shall make appropriate
adjustments in (i) the number and kind of shares of stock or securities with respect to which Awards may thereafter be granted (including without limitation the limitations set forth in
Section 3(a) and Section 3(b) above), (ii) the number and kind of shares remaining subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the option or purchase price in respect of such
shares. In the event of any merger, consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Committee in its sole discretion may, as to any outstanding Awards, make such substitution or
adjustment in the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under
the Plan and in the number and purchase price (if any) of shares subject to such Awards as it may determine and as may be permitted by the terms of such transaction, or accelerate, amend or terminate
such Awards upon such terms and conditions as it shall provide (which, in the case of the termination of the vested portion of any Award, shall require payment or other consideration which the
Committee deems equitable in the circumstances), subject, however, to the provisions of Section 15. 



        (d)    Substitute Awards.    The Committee may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock based
awards held by employees of another corporation who concurrently become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the
Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the employing corporation. The Committee may direct that the substitute awards 


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be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee considers appropriate in the circumstances. Shares which may be delivered under such substitute awards may be in addition to the maximum
number of shares provided for in Section 3(a). 



 SECTION 4. Eligibility.  




        Awards may be granted to officers, directors, and employees of and consultants and advisers to the Company or its Subsidiaries ("Eligible
Persons"). 



 SECTION 5. Stock Options.  




        The Committee may grant to Eligible Persons options to purchase stock. 


        Any
Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve. 


        Stock
Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options (subject to compliance with applicable law) or Non-Statutory Stock Options. Unless otherwise so designated, an
Option shall be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. To the extent that any option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall constitute a Non-Statutory Stock Option. 



        No
Incentive Stock Option shall be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board, or (ii) the date
on which the Plan is approved by the stockholders as set forth in Section 17. 


        The
Committee in its discretion may determine the effective date of Stock Options, provided, however, that grants of Incentive Stock Options shall be made only to persons who are, on the
effective date of the grant, employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and the terms
and conditions of Section 13 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable. 


        (a)    Exercise Price.    The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to
this Section 5(a) shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant but shall be, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, not less than one hundred percent (100%) of Fair Market Value
on the date of grant. If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the option price shall be not less than one hundred ten
percent (110%) of Fair Market Value on the grant date. 


        (b)    Option Term.    The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option
shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date the option is granted. If an employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the
Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee,
the term of such option shall be no more than five (5) years from the date of grant. 


        (c)    Exercisability; Rights of a Shareholder.    Stock Options shall become vested and exercisable at such time or
times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Committee at or after the grant date. The Committee may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any
Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options. 


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        (d)    Method of Exercise.    Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by delivering written notice of
exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods: 




          (i)  In
cash or by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Committee; 


        (ii)  If
permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, in the form of shares of Stock that are not then subject to restrictions and that have been owned by the optionee for
a period of at least six months. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date; or 


        (iii)  By
the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company
cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker
shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure. The Company need not act
upon such exercise notice until the Company receives full payment of the exercise price; or 


        (iv)  By
any other means (including, without limitation, by delivery of a promissory note of the optionee payable on such terms as are specified by the Committee) which the
Committee determines are consistent with the purpose of the Plan and with applicable laws and regulations. 





        The
delivery of certificates representing shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the Optionee (or a purchaser
acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the
Stock Option or imposed by applicable law. 


        (e)    Non-transferability of Options.    Except as the Committee may provide with respect to a Non-Statutory Stock
Option, no Stock Option shall be transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee's lifetime, only by the
optionee. 


        (f)    Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options.    To the extent required for "incentive stock option" treatment under
Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Stock with respect to which incentive stock options granted under this Plan and any other
plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. 



        (g)    Form of Settlement.    Shares of Stock issued upon exercise of a Stock Option shall be free of all restrictions
under the Plan, except as otherwise provided in this Plan. 



 SECTION 6. Restricted Stock Awards.  




        (a)    Nature of Restricted Stock Award.    The Committee in its discretion may grant Restricted Stock Awards to any
Eligible Person, entitling the recipient to acquire, for a purchase price determined by the Committee, shares of Stock subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee may determine at the
time of grant ("Restricted Stock"), including continued employment and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. 


8







   
        (b)    Acceptance of Award. A participant who is granted a Restricted Stock Award shall have no rights
with respect to such Award unless the participant shall have accepted the Award within sixty (60) days (or such shorter date as the Committee may specify) following the award date by making
payment to the Company of the specified purchase price, of the shares covered by the Award and by executing and delivering to the Company a written instrument that sets forth the terms and conditions
applicable to the Restricted Stock in such form as the Committee shall determine. 


        (c)    Rights as a Shareholder.    Upon complying with Section 6(b) above, a participant shall have all the
rights of a shareholder with respect to the Restricted Stock, including voting and dividend rights, subject to non-transferability restrictions and Company repurchase or forfeiture rights described in
this Section 6 and subject to such other conditions contained in the written instrument evidencing the Restricted Award. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing
shares of Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares are vested as provided in Section 6(e) below. 


        (d)    Restrictions.    Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise
encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein. In the event of termination of employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including death, Disability, Normal
Retirement and for Cause), the Company shall have the right, at the discretion of the Committee, to repurchase shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which conditions have not lapsed at their
purchase price, or to require forfeiture of such shares to the Company if acquired at no cost, from the participant or the participant's legal representative. The Company must exercise such right of
repurchase or forfeiture within ninety (90) days following such termination of employment (unless otherwise specified in the written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award). 


        (e)    Vesting of Restricted Stock.    The Committee at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the
attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Stock and the Company's right of repurchase or forfeiture shall
lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such preestablished performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no
longer be Restricted Stock and shall be deemed "vested." The Committee at any time may accelerate such date or dates and otherwise waive or, subject to Section 13, amend any conditions of the
Award. 


        (f)    Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends.    The written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award
may require or permit the immediate payment, waiver, deferral or investment of dividends paid on the Restricted Stock. 



 SECTION 7. Unrestricted Stock Awards.  




        (a)    Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock.    The Committee in its discretion may grant or sell to any Eligible
Person shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the Plan ("Unrestricted Stock") at a purchase price determined by the Committee. Shares of
Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold as described in the preceding sentence in respect of past services or other valid consideration. 



        (b)    Restrictions on Transfers.    The right to receive unrestricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred,
pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. 



 SECTION 8. Performance Share Awards.  




        (a)    Nature of Performance Shares. A Performance Share Award is an award entitling the recipient to
acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals. The Committee may make Performance Share Awards independent of or in connection with the granting of 


9





 


any other Award under the Plan. Performance Share Awards may be granted under the Plan to any Eligible Person. The Committee in its discretion shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share
Awards shall be made, the performance goals applicable under each such Award, the periods during which performance is to be measured, and all other limitations and conditions applicable to the awarded
Performance Shares. 



 SECTION 9. Stock Appreciation Rights.  




        The Committee in its discretion may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to any Eligible Person (i) alone, or (ii) simultaneously with the grant of a
Stock Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto. A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the participant upon exercise thereof to receive from the Company, upon written
request to the Company at its principal offices (the "Request"), a number
of shares of Stock (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), an amount of cash, or any combination
of Stock and cash, as specified in the Request (but subject to the approval of the Committee in its sole discretion, at any time up to and including the time of payment, as to the making of any cash
payment), having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the product of (i) the excess of Fair Market Value, on the date of such Request, over the exercise price per share of Stock specified in
such Stock Appreciation Right or its related Option, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Stock for which such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Committee may specify at the time of grant of any Stock Appreciation Right that such Stock Appreciation Right may be exercisable solely for cash and not for Stock. 



 SECTION 10. Termination of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.  




        (a) Incentive Stock Options:    




          (i)  Termination by Death. If any participant's employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries
terminates by reason of death, any Incentive Stock Option owned by such participant may thereafter be exercised to the extent exercisable at the date of death, by the legal representative or legatee
of the participant, for a period of two (2) years (or such other period as the Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of death, or until the expiration of the stated term of the
Incentive Stock Option, if earlier. 


        (ii)  Termination by Reason of Disability or Normal Retirement.    



        (A)  Any
Incentive Stock Option held by a participant whose employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries has terminated by reason of Disability may thereafter be exercised,
to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, for a period of one (1) year (or such other period as the Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of such
termination of employment, or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier. 


        (B)  Any
Incentive Stock Option held by a participant whose employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries has terminated by reason of Normal Retirement may thereafter be
exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, for a period of ninety (90) days (or such other period as the Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of
such termination of employment, or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier. 



        (C)  The
Committee shall have sole authority and discretion to determine whether a participant's employment has been terminated by reason of Disability or Normal Retirement. 





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        (D)  Except
as otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant, the death of a participant during a period provided in this Section 10(a)(ii) for the
exercise of an Incentive Stock Option shall extend such period for two (2) years from the date of death, subject to termination on the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier. 




        (iii)  Termination for Cause. If any participant's employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries has been terminated for
Cause, any Incentive Stock Option held by such participant shall immediately terminate and be of no further force and effect; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide
that such Option can be exercised for a period of up to thirty (30) days from the date of termination of employment or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier. 



        (iv)  Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a participant's employment by the Company and its
Subsidiaries terminates for any reason other than death, Disability, Normal Retirement or for Cause, any Incentive Stock Option held by such participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it
was exercisable on the date of termination of employment, for ninety (90) days (or such other period as the Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of termination of employment or
until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier. 





        (b)    Non-Statutory Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.    Any Non-Statutory Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to its termination as the Committee, in its discretion, may from time to time determine. 



 SECTION 11. Tax Withholding.  




        (a)    Payment by Participant.    Each participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or
of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the participant for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory
to the Committee regarding payment of any Federal, state, local and/or payroll taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to
the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the participant. 



        (b)    Payment in Shares.    A Participant may elect, with the consent of the Committee, to
have such tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to an Award a number of shares with an
aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount due with respect to such Award, or (ii) transferring to the Company
shares of Stock owned by the participant for a period of at least six months and with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the minimum withholding is effected) that would satisfy the
withholding amount due. 



 SECTION 12. Transfer, Leave of Absence, Etc.  




        For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment: 




          (i)  a
transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; 



        (ii)  an
approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee's right to re-employment is guaranteed
either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing. 




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 SECTION 13. Amendments and Termination.  




        The Board may at any time amend or discontinue the Plan and the Committee may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding Award (or provide substitute Awards at
the same or reduced exercise or purchase price or with no exercise or purchase price, but such price, if any, must satisfy the requirements which would apply to the substitute or amended Award if it
were then initially granted under this Plan) for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award
without the holder's consent. However, no such amendment, unless approved by the stockholders of the Company, shall be effective if it would cause the Plan to fail to satisfy the incentive stock
option requirements of the Code. 



 SECTION 14. Status of Plan.  




        With respect to the portion of any Award which has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a participant, a
participant shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Committee shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole
discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company's obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that
the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the provision of the foregoing sentence. 



 SECTION 15. Change of Control Provisions.  




        Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined in this Section 15: 




          (i)  subject
to the provisions of clause (iii) below, after the effective date of such Change of Control, each holder of an outstanding Stock Option, Restricted Stock
Award, Performance Share Award or Stock Appreciation Right shall be entitled, upon exercise of such Award, to receive, in lieu of shares of Stock (or consideration based upon the Fair Market Value of
Stock), shares of such stock or other securities, cash or property (or consideration based upon shares of such stock or other securities, cash or property) as the holders of shares of Stock received
in connection with the Change of Control; 


        (ii)  the
Committee may accelerate the time for exercise of, and waive all conditions and restrictions on, each unexercised and unexpired Stock Option, Restricted Stock
Award, Performance Share Award and Stock Appreciation Right, effective upon a date prior or subsequent to the effective date of such Change of Control, specified by the Committee; or 


        (iii)  each
outstanding Stock Option, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Share Award and Stock Appreciation Right may be cancelled by the Committee as of the effective date
of any such Change of Control provided that (x) notice of such cancellation shall be given to each holder of such an Award and (y) each holder of such an Award shall have the right to
exercise such Award to the extent that the same is then exercisable or, in full, if the Committee shall have accelerated the time for exercise of all such unexercised and unexpired Awards, during the
thirty (30) day period preceding the effective date of such Change of Control. 





        (b)    "Change of Control"    shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events: 




          (i)  any
"person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Act) becomes a
"beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of stock of the Company), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty 




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percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or 


        (ii)  the
stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which
would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation; or 


        (iii)  the
stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets. 




 SECTION 16. General Provisions.  




        (a)    No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements.    The Committee may require each person acquiring shares
pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof. 


        No
shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all applicable securities laws and other legal and stock exchange requirements have been satisfied. The Committee may
require the placing of such stop orders and restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as it deems appropriate. 


        (b)    Delivery of Stock Certificates.    Delivery of stock certificates to participants under this Plan shall be
deemed effected for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have delivered such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the participant, at the
participant's last known address on file with the Company. 



        (c)    Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights.    Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the
Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally
applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan or any Award under the Plan does not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or any
Subsidiary. 



 SECTION 17. Effective Date of Plan.  




        The Plan shall become effective upon approval by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock of the Company present or represented and entitled to
vote at a meeting of stockholders. 



 SECTION 18. Governing Law.  




        This Plan shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of
conflicts of laws. 


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ABIOMED, Inc.

2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN