alny-ex101_195.htm



 

Exhibit 10.1

ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1.Purpose

The purpose of this 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is to advance the interests of the Company’s stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance‐based incentives that are intended to better align the interests of such persons with those of the Company’s stockholders.  Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” shall include any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”) and any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).

2.Eligibility

All of the Company’s employees, officers and directors are eligible to be granted options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other stock‐based awards (each, an “Award”) under the Plan.  Consultants and advisors to the Company (as such terms are defined and interpreted for purposes of Form S‐8 (or any successor form)) are also eligible to be granted Awards.  Each person who is granted an Award under the Plan is deemed a “Participant.”

3.Administration and Delegation

(a) Administration by Board of Directors.  The Plan will be administered by the Board.  The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable.  The Board may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award agreements entered into under the Plan.  The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency.  All decisions by the Board shall be made in the Board’s sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award.

(b) Appointment of Committees.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a “Committee”).  All references in the Plan to the “Board” shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board or the officers referred to in Section 3(c) to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee or officers.

(c) Delegation to Officers.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant Options and other Awards that constitute rights under Delaware law (subject to any limitations under the Plan) to employees or officers of the Company or any of its present or future subsidiary corporations and to exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Board may determine, provided that the Board shall fix the terms of the Awards to be granted by such officers (including the exercise price of the Awards, which may include a formula by which the exercise 

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price will be determined) and the maximum number of shares subject to such Awards that the officers may grant; provided further, however, that no officer shall be authorized to grant Awards to any “executive officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 3b‐7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) or to any “officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 16a‐1 under the Exchange Act, an “Executive Officer”).  The Board may not delegate authority under this Section 3(c) to grant restricted stock, unless Delaware law then permits such delegation.

(d) Awards to Non-employee Directors.  Discretionary Awards to directors who are not employees of the Company at the time of grant (“Non-employee Directors”) will only be granted and administered by a Committee, all of the members of which are independent as defined by the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”).  

4.Stock Available for Awards

(a) Number of Shares; Share Counting.

(1) Authorized Number of Shares.  Subject to adjustment under Section 10, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to the sum of (i) 3,500,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), (ii) the number of shares that remain available for grants under the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”) immediately prior to the Effective Date and (iii) shares of Common Stock underlying any awards granted under the 2009 Plan that expire, or are terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or are forfeited in whole or in part after the Effective Date and become available for issuance under the Plan in accordance with Section 4(a)(3).  No more than 18,980,000 shares may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options (as hereinafter defined).  Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

(2) Fungible Share Pool.  Subject to adjustment under Section 10, any Award that is not a Full‐Value Award shall be counted against the share limits specified in Sections 4(a)(1) and 4(b)(1) as one share for each share of Common Stock subject to such Award and any Award that is a Full‐Value Award shall be counted against the share limits specified in Sections 4(a)(1) and 4(b)(1) as 1.5 shares for each one share of Common Stock subject to such Full‐Value Award.  “Full‐Value Award” means any Restricted Stock Award or Other Stock‐Based Award (each as defined below).  To the extent a share that was subject to an Award under the Plan or an award under the 2009 Plan that counted as one share is returned to the Plan pursuant to Section 4(a)(3), each applicable share reserve will be credited with one share.  To the extent that a share that was subject to a Full‐Value Award under the Plan or the 2009 Plan that counted as 1.5 shares is returned to the Plan pursuant to Section 4(a)(3), each applicable share reserve will be credited with 1.5 shares.

(3) Share Counting.  For purposes of counting the number of shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan and under the sub‐limits contained in Section 4(b)(1), (i) all shares of Common Stock covered by independent SARs shall be counted against the number of shares available for the grant of Awards; provided, however, that independent SARs that may be settled only in cash shall not be so counted; (ii) if any Award under the Plan or any award outstanding under the 2009 Plan (A) expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or award being repurchased by the Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right) or (B) results in any Common Stock not being issued (including as a result of an independent SAR that was settleable either in cash or in stock actually being settled in cash), the unused Common Stock covered by such Award or award shall again be available for the grant of Awards; provided, however, in the case of Incentive Stock Options (as hereinafter defined), the foregoing shall be subject to any limitations under 

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the Code; and provided further, in the case of independent SARs, that the full number of shares subject to any stock‐settled SAR shall be counted against the shares available under the Plan and against the sub-limits listed in the first clause of this Section in proportion to the portion of the SAR actually exercised regardless of the number of shares actually used to settle such SAR upon exercise; (iii) shares of Common Stock delivered (by actual delivery, attestation, or net exercise) to the Company by a Participant to (A) purchase shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an Award or (B) satisfy tax withholding obligations (including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation) shall not be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of Awards; and (iv) shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Company on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an Award shall not increase the number of shares available for future grant of Awards.

(b) Sub‐limits.  Subject to adjustment under Section 10, the following sub‐limits on the number of shares subject to Awards shall apply:

(1) Limits on Awards to Non-employee Directors.  The maximum number of shares with respect to which Awards may be granted, in the aggregate, to Non-employee Directors shall be 10% of the maximum number of authorized shares set forth in Section 4(a)(1).  The maximum number of shares subject to Awards granted to an individual in connection with such individual’s initial appointment or election as a Non-employee Director shall be 36,000.  The maximum number of shares subject to Awards granted to a Non-employee Director in any calendar year in connection with such individual’s service on the Board (excluding for this purpose any shares subject to Awards granted under the preceding sentence) shall be 18,000.  

(c) Substitute Awards.  In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant awards in substitution for any options, stock or stock‐based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof.  Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Board deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards contained in the Plan.  Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 4(a)(1) or any sub-limits contained in the Plan, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.

(d) Minimum Vesting.  Except as provided in the following sentence, and notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, Awards granted to Participants shall not become exercisable and/or vested (as applicable) prior to the first year anniversary of the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Board may, in its discretion, either at the time of grant or at any time thereafter, impose a faster vesting schedule than the schedule prescribed by the preceding sentence in the following extraordinary circumstances:  death or disability of the Participant, or a change in control of the Company, and (ii) the vesting schedule prescribed by the preceding sentence shall not apply to Awards granted, in the aggregate, for up to 5% of the maximum number of authorized shares set forth in Section 4(a)(1).

5.Stock Options

(a) General.  The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an “Option”) and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers necessary or advisable.  An Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (as hereinafter defined) shall be designated a “Nonstatutory Stock Option”.

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(b) Incentive Stock Options.  An Option that the Board intends to be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) shall only be granted to employees of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., any of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.  The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or if the Company converts an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

(c) Exercise Price.  The Board shall establish the exercise price of each Option and specify the exercise price in the applicable option agreement.  The exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined below) on the date the Option is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an Option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.  “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock for purposes of the Plan will be determined as follows:

(1) if the Common Stock trades on a national securities exchange, the closing sale price (for the primary trading session) on the date of grant;

(2) if the Common Stock does not trade on any such exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as reported by an authorized OTCBB market data vendor as listed on the OTCBB website (otcbb.com) on the date of grant; or

(3) if the Common Stock is not publicly traded, the Board will determine the Fair Market Value for purposes of the Plan using any measure of value it determines to be appropriate (including, as it considers appropriate, relying on appraisals) in a manner consistent with the valuation principles under Section 409A of the Code, except as the Board or Committee may expressly determine otherwise.

For any date that is not a trading day, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock for such date will be determined by using the closing sale price or average of the bid and asked prices, as appropriate, for the immediately preceding trading day and with the timing in the formulas above adjusted accordingly.  The Board can substitute a particular time of day or other measure of “closing sale price” or “bid and asked prices” if appropriate because of exchange or market procedures or can, in its sole discretion, use weighted averages either on a daily basis or such longer period as complies with Section 409A of the Code.  The Board has sole discretion to determine the Fair Market Value for purposes of this Plan, and all Awards are conditioned on the Participants’ agreement that the Board’s determination is conclusive and binding even though others might make a different determination.

(d) Duration of Options.  Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable option agreement; provided, however, that no Option will be granted for a term in excess of 10 years.

(e) Exercise of Option.  Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any other form of notice (including electronic notice) approved by the Company, together with payment in full as specified in Section 5(f) for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.  Shares of Common Stock subject to the Option will be delivered by the Company as soon as practicable following exercise.

(f) Payment Upon Exercise.  Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:

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(1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;

(2) except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable option agreement, by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;

(3) except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable option agreement, by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value, provided (i) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Common Stock, if acquired directly from the Company, was owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Board in its discretion; (iii) such Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements and (iv) if the Participant is an Executive Officer, prior approval is obtained from the Board;

(4) with respect to Nonstatutory Options, and except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable option agreement, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, as a result of which the Participant would receive the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Option so exercised reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option divided by the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise; provided, if the Participant is an Executive Officer, prior approval is obtained from the Board;

(5) to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, in its sole discretion, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine; or

(6) by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.

(g) Limitation on Repricing.  Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders:  (1) no outstanding Option granted under the Plan may be amended to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then‐current exercise price per share of such outstanding Option (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 10) and (2) the Board may not cancel any outstanding option (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise price per share lower than the then‐current exercise price per share of the cancelled option or effect repricing by cancellation in exchange for cash.

6.Director Options

(a) Board Discretion.  The Board retains the specific authority to, from time to time, determine the number of shares subject to Options granted to Non-employee Directors under this Section 6, subject to the aggregate and individual limitations on the number of shares issuable to Non-employee Directors contained in Section 4(b)(1).  All Options granted to Non-employee Directors shall be Nonstatutory Stock Options.  The Board also retains the specific authority to issue SARs, Restricted Stock Awards or Other Stock‐Based Awards in lieu of Options, subject to the aggregate and individual limitations on the number of shares issuable to Non-employee Directors contained in Section 4(b)(1).  

(b) Terms of Director Options.  Options granted under this Section 6 shall (i) have an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, (ii) subject to Section 4(d) and except as 

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otherwise set forth in an option agreement, vest in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant provided that the individual is serving on the Board on such date (or, in the case of Options granted under Section 6(a) to a newly elected or appointed director, as to one‐third of the shares subject to the Option on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant); provided that no additional vesting shall take place after the Participant ceases to serve as a director and further provided that the Board may provide for accelerated vesting in the case of death, disability or change in control, (iii) expire on the earlier of 10 years from the date of grant or three months following cessation of service on the Board, provided that such three month period shall be extended to five years following cessation of service on the Board for any director with five or more years of continuous service on the Board, and (iv) contain such other terms and conditions as the Board shall determine.

7.Stock Appreciation Rights

(a) General.  The Board may grant Awards consisting of SARs entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount of Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Board) determined by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock over the measurement price established pursuant to Section 7(c).  The date as of which such appreciation is determined shall be the exercise date.

(b) Grants.  SARs may be granted in tandem with, or independently of, Options granted under the Plan.

(1) Tandem Awards.  When SARs are expressly granted in tandem with Options, (i) the SAR will be exercisable only at such time or times, and to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable (except to the extent designated by the Board in connection with a Reorganization Event and will be exercisable in accordance with the procedure required for exercise of the related Option; (ii) the SAR will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option, except to the extent designated by the Board in connection with a Reorganization Event and except that a SAR granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by an Option will not be reduced until the number of shares as to which the related Option has been exercised or has terminated exceeds the number of shares not covered by the SAR; (iii) the Option will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the exercise of the related SAR; and (iv) the SAR will be transferable only with the related Option.

(2) Independent SARs.  A SAR not expressly granted in tandem with an Option will become exercisable at such time or times, and on such conditions, as the Board may specify in the SAR Award.

(c) Measurement Price.  The Board shall establish the measurement price of each SAR and specify it in the applicable SAR agreement.  The measurement price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the SAR is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of a SAR with a measurement price to be determined on a future date, the measurement price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.

(d) Duration of SARs.  Each SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable SAR agreement; provided, however, that no SAR will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.

(e) Exercise of SARs.  SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any other form of notice (including electronic notice) approved by the Company, together with any other documents required by the Board.

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(f) Limitation on Repricing.  Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders:  (1) no outstanding SAR granted under the Plan may be amended to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then‐current exercise price per share of such outstanding SAR (other than adjustments pursuant to Section 10) and (2) the Board may not cancel any outstanding SAR (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise price per share lower than the then‐current exercise price per share of the cancelled SAR or effect repricing by cancellation in exchange for cash.

8.Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units

(a) General.  The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”), subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award.  Instead of granting Awards for Restricted Stock, the Board may grant Awards entitling the recipient to receive shares of Common Stock or cash to be delivered at the time such Award vests (“Restricted Stock Units”) (Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units are each referred to herein as a “Restricted Stock Award”).

(b) Terms and Conditions for All Restricted Stock Awards.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, Section 4(d)), the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for vesting and repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any.  

(c) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock.

(1) Dividends.  Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to dividends paid with respect to such shares; provided, however, with respect to any unvested share of Restricted Stock, dividends shall accrue during the vesting period but shall not be paid unless and until such share of Restricted Stock has vested.  Any such accrued dividends that are attributable to a share of Restricted Stock shall be paid to the Participant in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Board, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (on the date of distribution) equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the vesting of such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

(2) Stock Certificates.  The Company may require that any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock shall be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee).  At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death (the “Designated Beneficiary”).  In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, “Designated Beneficiary” shall mean the Participant’s estate.

(d) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock Units.

(1) Settlement.  Upon the vesting of and/or lapsing of any other restrictions (i.e., settlement) with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one share of Common Stock or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of one share 

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of Common Stock, as provided in the applicable Award agreement.  The Board may, in its discretion, provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.

(2) Voting Rights.  A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units.

(3) Dividend Equivalents.  To the extent provided by the Board, in its sole discretion, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide Participants with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”).  Dividend Equivalents shall be credited to an account for the Participants, shall be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock and may be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which paid, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Board shall establish, in each case to be set forth in the applicable Award agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any unvested Restricted Stock Unit, Dividend Equivalents shall accrue during the vesting period but shall not be paid unless and until such Restricted Stock Unit has vested.  Any such Dividend Equivalents that have accrued and are attributable to a Restricted Stock Unit shall be paid to the Participant in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Board, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (on the date of distribution) equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents, upon the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalents.

9.Other Stock‐Based Awards

(a) General.  Other Awards of shares of Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or other property, may be granted hereunder to Participants (“Other Stock‐Based‐Awards”), including without limitation Awards entitling recipients to receive shares of Common Stock to be delivered in the future.  Such Other Stock‐Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled.  Other Stock‐Based Awards may be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash, as the Board shall determine.

(b) Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, Section 4(d)), the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock‐Based Award, including any purchase price applicable thereto.  

10.Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events

(a) Changes in Capitalization.  In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin‐off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under the Plan, (ii) the sub‐limits, fungible pool and share counting rules set forth in Sections 4(a) and 4(b), (iii) the minimum vesting provisions set forth in Section 4(d), (iv) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding Option and each Option issuable under Section 6, (v) the share‐ and per‐share provisions and the measurement price of each SAR, (vi) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award and (vii) the share‐ and per‐share‐related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each outstanding Other Stock‐Based Award, shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner 

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determined by the Board.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an outstanding Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.

(b) Reorganization Events.

(1) Definition.  A “Reorganization Event” shall mean:  (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity where the stockholders of the Company immediately before the merger or consolidation would not, immediately after the merger or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, shares representing a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable), (b) any transfer or disposition of all of the Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(2) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards Other than Restricted Stock Awards.  In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock Awards on such terms as the Board determines:  (i) provide that Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, provide that the Participant’s unexercised Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event unless exercised by the Participant within a specified period following the date of such notice, (iii) provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such Reorganization Event, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to a Participant equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the Acquisition Price times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Participant’s Awards (to the extent the exercise price does not exceed the Acquisition Price) over (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Awards and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Awards, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing.  In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 10(b), the Board shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically.

For purposes of clause (i) above, an Option shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, the Option confers the right to purchase, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration 

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to be received upon the exercise of Options to consist solely of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) equivalent in value (as determined by the Board) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.

(3) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Restricted Stock Awards.  Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the repurchase and other rights of the Company under each outstanding Restricted Stock Award shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to the Common Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Award; provided, however, that the Board may provide for termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock Award or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, either initially or by amendment.  Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event involving the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock Award or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions and conditions on all Restricted Stock Awards then outstanding shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.

11.General Provisions Applicable to Awards

(a) Transferability of Awards.  Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Board may permit or provide in an Award for the gratuitous transfer of the Award by the Participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the Participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if, with respect to such proposed transferee, the Company would be eligible to use a Form S‐8 for the registration of the sale of the Common Stock subject to such Award under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; provided, further, that the Company shall not be required to recognize any such transfer until such time as the Participant and such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Award.  References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.

(b) Documentation.  Each Award shall be evidenced in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Board shall determine.  Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

(c) Board Discretion.  Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award.  The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly.

(d) Termination of Status.  The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award.

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(e) Withholding.  The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal, state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize ownership of Common Stock under an Award.  The Company may decide to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages.  If the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for withholding or have a broker tender to the Company cash equal to the withholding obligations.  Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will issue any shares on exercise or release from forfeiture of an Award or, if the Company so requires, at the same time as is payment of the exercise price unless the Company determines otherwise.  A Participant may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value; provided, however, that if the Participant is an Executive Officer, prior approval is obtained from the Board; provided further, that where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations, the total tax withholding cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income), unless withholding at a higher rate would not result in adverse accounting treatment (in which case such withholding shall not exceed maximum statutory withholding rates).  Shares used to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.

(f) Amendment of Award.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(d) with respect to the vesting of Awards or Section 12(d) with respect to actions requiring shareholder approval, the Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 10 hereof.

(g) Conditions on Delivery of Stock.  The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.

(h) Acceleration.  Except as otherwise provided in Sections 4(d) and 11(i), the Board may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the case may be.

12.Miscellaneous

(a) No Right To Employment or Other Status.  No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company.  The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award.

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(b) No Rights As Stockholder.  Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares.

(c) Effective Date and Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective on the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”).  No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the expiration of 10 years from the Effective Date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.

(d) Amendment of Plan.  The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time provided that (i) no amendment that would require stockholder approval under the NASDAQ rules may be made effective unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment; and (ii) if NASDAQ amends its corporate governance rules so that such rules no longer require stockholder approval of “material amendments” to equity compensation plans, then, from and after the effective date of such amendment to the NASDAQ rules, no amendment to the Plan (A) materially increasing the number of shares authorized under the Plan (other than pursuant to Sections 4(c) or 10), (B) expanding the types of Awards that may be granted under the Plan, or (C) materially expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the Plan shall be effective unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment.  In addition, if at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval.  Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 12(d) shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board determines that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan.  Options may be granted that are conditioned upon stockholder approval of any amendment adding shares of Common Stock to the Plan, but no such conditioned Options may be exercised until stockholder approval is obtained.  If stockholder approval is not obtained, all such conditioned Option grants shall be cancelled and be of no further force or effect.

(e) Authorization of Sub‐Plans.  The Board may from time to time establish one or more sub‐plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions.  The Board shall establish such sub‐plans by adopting supplements to the Plan containing (i) such limitations on the Board’s discretion under the Plan as the Board deems necessary or desirable or (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable.  All supplements adopted by the Board shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction and the Company shall not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Participants in any jurisdiction which is not the subject of such supplement.

(f) Non‐U.S. Participants.  Awards may be granted to Participants who are non‐U.S. citizens or residents employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Board, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy.  The Board also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Board’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for Participants on assignments outside their home country.  The Board may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose, and the Secretary or other appropriate officer of the Company may certify any such document as having been approved and adopted in the same manner as this Plan.

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(g) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  Except as provided in individual Award agreements initially or by amendment, if and to the extent any portion of any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to a Participant in connection with his or her employment termination is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Participant is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, as determined by the Company in accordance with its procedures, by which determination the Participant (through accepting the Award) agrees that he or she is bound, such portion of the payment, compensation or other benefit shall not be paid before the day that is six months plus one day after the date of “separation from service” (as determined under Section 409A of the Code) (the “New Payment Date”), except as Section 409A of the Code may then permit.  The aggregate of any payments that otherwise would have been paid to the Participant during the period between the date of separation from service and the New Payment Date shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum on such New Payment Date, and any remaining payments will be paid on their original schedule.  

The Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to the Participant or any other person if any provisions of or payments, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not to satisfy the conditions of that section.  The Company intends that any Award determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code complies with Section 409A of the Code.  To the extent that any provision of the Plan or of any Award agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that the Plan and such Award complies with Section 409A of the Code.  Accordingly, to the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Board from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

(h) Limitations on Liability.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument he or she executes in his or her capacity as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company.  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been or will be delegated, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Board’s approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning this Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.

(i) Governing Law.  The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding choice‐of‐law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.

(j) Clawback.  Grants made under this Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policies in effect from time to time.

 

 

 

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