Exhibit
10.16


 


EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT


 


This
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), entered into on December 3, 2021 with the commencement of employment
to begin as of December 6, 2021 (the “Commencement Date”), is by and between MATINAS BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS, INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Thomas Hoover (the “Executive”).


 


W
I T N E S S E T H:


 


WHEREAS,
the Company desires to employ the Executive as its Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer and the Executive desires to accept
such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and


 


WHEREAS,
the Company and the Executive have mutually agreed that, as of the Commencement Date, this Agreement shall govern the terms of employment
between the Executive and the Company.


 


NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby,
agree as follows:


 


ARTICLE
1

Employment;TERM OF AGREEMENT


 


Section
1.1. Employment and Acceptance. During the Term (as defined in Section 1.2), the Company shall employ the Executive, and
the Executive shall accept such employment and serve the Company, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.


 


Section
1.2. Term. The employment relationship hereunder shall be for the period commencing on the Commencement Date and continue until
it is terminated by either the Company or the Executive in accordance with ARTICLE 4 (the “Term”). In the event
that the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, the Company’s obligation to continue to pay, after the Termination
Date (as defined in Section 4.2(b)), Base Salary (as defined in Section 3.1(a)), Annual Bonus (as defined in Section
3.1(b)) and other unaccrued benefits shall terminate, except as may be provided for in ARTICLE 4.


 


ARTICLE
2

TITLE; DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS; LOCATION


 


Section
2.1. Title. The Company shall employ the Executive to render exclusive and full-time services to the Company. The Executive shall
serve in the capacity of Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer.


 




    	 



     


    

 


Section
2.2. Duties. The Executive shall report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The Executive
agrees to perform to the best of his ability, experience and talent those acts and duties, consistent with his position as the CEO shall
from time to time direct. During the Term, the Executive also shall serve in such other executive-level positions or capacities as may,
from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Company including, without limitation (subject to election, appointment, re-election
or re-appointment, as applicable) as (a) an officer of any of the Company’s subsidiaries or other Affiliates, and/or (b) a member
of any committee of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries or other Affiliates, in each case, for no additional compensation. As
used in this Agreement, “Affiliate” of any individual or entity means any other individual or entity that directly
or individual controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the individual or entity.


 


Section
2.3. Compliance with Policies, etc. During the Term, the Executive shall be bound by, and comply fully with, all of the Company’s
policies and procedures for employees and officers in place from time to time, including, but not limited to, all terms and conditions
set forth in the Company’s employee handbook, compliance manual, codes of conduct and any other memoranda and communications applicable
to the Executive pertaining to the policies, procedures, rules and regulations, as currently in effect and as may be amended from time
to time. These policies and procedures include, among other things and without limitation, the Executive’s obligations to comply
with the Company’s rules regarding confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets.


 


Section
2.4. Time Commitment. During the Term, the Executive shall use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Company (including
its subsidiaries and other Affiliates) and shall devote all of his business time, ability and attention to the performance of his duties
for the Company and shall not, directly or indirectly, render any services to any other person or organization, whether for compensation
or otherwise, except with the Board’s prior written consent or as specified on Exhibit C of the Covenants Agreement (as defined
in Section 5.1), provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Executive from (i) participating in charitable, civic, educational,
professional, community or industry affairs, or (ii) managing the Executive’s passive personal investments, so long as, in each
case, such activities individually or in the aggregate do not materially interfere or conflict with the Executive’s duties hereunder
or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict (in each case, as determined by the Board).


 


Section
2.5. Location. The Executive’s principal place of business for the performance of his duties under this Agreement shall
be remote at his home in Massachusetts but he will periodically commute to the principal executive office of the Company, currently located
in Bedminster, NJ. Notwithstanding, the foregoing, the Executive shall be required to travel as necessary to perform his duties hereunder.


 


ARTICLE
3

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS; EXPENSES


 


Section
3.1. Compensation and Benefits. For all services rendered by the Executive in any capacity during the Term (including, without
limitation, serving as an officer, director or member of any committee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other Affiliates),
the Executive shall be compensated as follows (subject, in each case, to the provisions of Article
4 below):


 


(a) Base Salary. The Company
shall pay the Executive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the annualized rate of $412,000, which shall be subject to customary
withholdings and authorized deductions and be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices
in place from time to time. The Executive’s Base Salary shall be subject to periodic adjustments as the Board and/or the Compensation
Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) shall in its/their discretion deem appropriate. As used in this Agreement,
the term “Base Salary” shall refer to Base Salary as may be adjusted from time to time. 


 




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(b)
Annual Bonus. For each calendar year ending during the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the “Annual
Bonus”) with a target amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the Base Salary earned by the Executive for such calendar year
(the “Target Annual Bonus”). The actual amount of each Annual Bonus will be based upon the level of achievement of
the Company’s corporate objectives and the Executive’s individual objectives, in each case, as established by the Board or
the Compensation Committee for the calendar year with respect to which such Annual Bonus relates. The determination of the level of achievement
of the corporate objectives and the Executive’s individual performance objectives for a year shall be made by the Board or the
Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion. Each Annual Bonus for a calendar year, to the extent earned, will be paid in a lump sum
in the following calendar year, within the first 75 days of such following year. The Annual Bonus shall not be deemed earned until the
date that it is paid. Accordingly, in order for the Executive to receive an Annual Bonus, the Executive must be actively employed by
the Company at the time of such payment.


 


(c)
Equity Compensation. Subject to the approval of the Board or the Compensation Committee, the Company will recommend a grant to
the Executive of options to purchase up to 850,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2013 Equity
Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (the “2013 Plan”), on the terms and conditions determined by the Compensation
Committee (the “Option”). The Option shall vest over four (4) years as follows: 25% of the shares subject to the Option
shall vest on the one-year anniversary of the Commencement Date, and the remaining 75% of the shares subject to the Option will vest
in equal monthly installments over the following thirty-six (36) months. During the Term, subject to the terms and conditions established
within the 2013 Plan or any successor equity compensation plan as may be in place from time to time and separate Award Agreements (as
defined in the 2013 Plan), the Executive also shall be eligible to receive from time to time additional Stock Options, Stock Unit Awards,
Performance Shares, Performance Units, Incentive Bonus Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards and/or Other Stock-Based Awards (as such capitalized
terms are defined in the 2013 Plan), in amounts, if any, to be approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its discretion.


 


(d)
Benefit Plans. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans and programs (excluding severance
plans, if any) generally made available by the Company to senior executives of the Company, to the extent permissible under the general
terms and provisions of such plans or programs and in accordance with the provisions thereof. The Company may amend, modify or rescind
any employee benefit plan or program and/or change employee contribution amounts to benefit costs without notice in its discretion.


 


(e)
Paid Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation days in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies
in effect from time to time for its executive team; provided, however, that the Executive shall be entitled to no less than fifteen (15)
paid vacation days per calendar year during the Term.


 




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Section
3.2. Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive during the Term, in accordance with the Company’s
expense reimbursement policies in place from time, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by the Executive in the
performance of his duties hereunder (including without limitation all reasonable and preapproved expenses for commuting between the Executive’s
home in Massachusetts and the Company’s offices in New Jersey). In order to receive such reimbursement, the Executive shall furnish
to the Company documentary evidence of each such expense in the form required to comply with the Company’s policies in place from
time to time.


 


ARTICLE
4

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT


 


Section
4.1. Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.


 


(a)
The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability)
upon five (5) days prior written notice to the Executive. Executive may terminate his employment hereunder for Good Reason upon written
notice to the Company in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 4.1(c).


 


(b)
As used in this Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) a material act, or act of fraud, committed by the Executive that is
intended to result in the Executive’s personal enrichment to the detriment or at the expense of the Company or any of its Affiliates;
(ii) the Executive is convicted of a felony; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Executive, or failure by the Executive
to perform the duties or obligations reasonably assigned to the Executive by the Board or the CEO from time to time, which is not cured
upon ten (10) days prior written notice (unless such negligence, misconduct or failure is not susceptible to cure, as determined in the
reasonable discretion of the Board); or (iv) the Executive violates the Covenants Agreement (as defined in Section 5.1 below).


 


(c)
As used in this Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) a material breach by the
Company of the terms of this Agreement; (2) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary; or (3) a material change by the
Company in the geographic location at which the Executive performs services for the Company; provided, however, that the Executive must
notify the Company within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions that he considers it to be a “Good
Reason” condition and provide the Company with at least thirty (30) days in which to cure the condition. If the Executive fails
to provide this notice and cure period prior to his resignation, or resigns more than six (6) months after the initial existence of the
condition, his resignation will not be deemed to be for “Good Reason.”


 




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(d)
If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(a) other than during the Post-Change in Control Period
(as defined in Section 4.1(e)), the Executive shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive,
be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to pay or
provide to the Executive, the following:


 


(i)
the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 4.2(b)); and


 


(ii)
subject to Section 4.4 and Section 4.5:


 


(A)
payments equal to twelve (12) months of the Executive’s Base Salary (at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Termination
Date) (less applicable withholdings and authorized deductions), to be paid in equal installments bimonthly in accordance with the Company’s
customary payroll practices, commencing sixty (60) days following the Termination Date (the “Pre-CIC Severance Payments”);
and


 


(B)
if the Executive then participates in the Company’s medical and/or dental plans and the Executive timely elects to continue and
maintain group health plan coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”),
the Company will pay monthly, on the Executive’s behalf, a portion of the cost of such coverage for the twelve (12) months after
the Termination Date, which payments will be equal to the amount of the monthly premium for such coverage, less the amount that the Executive
would have been required to pay if the Executive had remained an active employee of the Company (the “Pre-CIC COBRA Assistance”);
provided, however, that if and to the extent that the Company may not provide such Pre-CIC COBRA Assistance without incurring
tax penalties or violating any requirement of the law, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to provide substantially
similar assistance in an alternative manner provided that the cost of doing so does not exceed the cost that the Company would have incurred
had the Pre-CIC COBRA Assistance been provided in the manner described above or cause a violation of Section 409A (as defined in Section
5.16).


 


(e)
If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(a) during the twelve (12) months immediately following
a Change in Control (as defined below) (the “Post-Change in Control Period”), the Executive shall, in full discharge
of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive (and in lieu of any payments and benefits set forth in Section 4.1(d)),
be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to pay or
provide to the Executive, the following:


 


(i)
the Accrued Obligations;


 


(ii)
full accelerated vesting of all of the Executive’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock and other equity incentive awards;
and


 


(iii)
subject to Section 4.4 and Section 4.5:


 


(A)
payments equal to twelve (12) months of the Executive’s Base Salary (at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Termination
Date) (less applicable withholdings and authorized deductions), to be paid in equal installments bimonthly in accordance with the Company’s
customary payroll practices, commencing sixty (60) days following the Termination Date (the “Post-CIC Base Severance”);



 




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(B)
if the Executive then participates in the Company’s medical and/or dental plans and the Executive timely elects to continue and
maintain group health plan coverage pursuant to COBRA, the Company will pay monthly, on the Executive’s behalf, a portion of the
cost of such coverage for twelve (12) months after the Termination Date, which payments will be equal to the amount of the monthly premium
for such coverage, less the amount that the Executive would have been required to pay if the Executive had remained an active employee
of the Company (the “Post-CIC COBRA Assistance”); provided, however, that if and to the extent that the Company
may not provide such Post-CIC COBRA Assistance without incurring tax penalties or violating any requirement of the law, the Company shall
use its commercially reasonable best efforts to provide substantially similar assistance in an alternative manner provided that the cost
of doing so does not exceed the cost that the Company would have incurred had the Post-CIC COBRA Assistance been provided in the manner
described above or cause a violation of Section 409A; and


 


(C)
a payment equal to the Executive’s Target Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, payable in a
lump sum on the 60th day following the Termination Date (such payment, together with the Post-CIC Base Severance, the “Post-CIC
Severance Payments”).


 


(f)
As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” means (x) a change in ownership of the Company under clause (i) below
or (y) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under clause (ii) below:


 


(i)
Change in the Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company shall occur on the date that any one person,
or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in clause (iii) below), acquires ownership of capital stock of the Company that,
together with capital stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting
power of the capital stock of the Company. However, if any one person or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own
more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the capital stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional
capital stock by the same person or persons shall not be considered to be a change in the ownership of the Company. An increase in the
percentage of capital stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company
acquires capital stock in the Company in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this paragraph.


 




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(ii)
Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion
of the Company’s assets shall occur on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in clause
(iii) below), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or
persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 80 percent of the total gross fair market
value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market
value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities
associated with such assets. There is no Change in Control under this clause (ii) when there is a transfer to an entity that is controlled
by the shareholders of the Company immediately after the transfer, as provided below in this clause (ii). A transfer of assets by the
Company is not treated as a change in the ownership of such assets if the assets are transferred to (a) a shareholder of the Company
(immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its capital stock, (b) an entity, 50 percent or more of the
total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (c) a person, or more than one person acting as
a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding capital stock
of the Company, or (d) an entity, at least 50 percent of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by
a person described in clause (ii)(c) of this paragraph. For purposes of this clause (ii), a person’s status is determined immediately
after the transfer of the assets.


 


(iii)
Persons Acting as a Group. For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) above, persons will not be considered to be acting as a group
solely because they purchase or own capital stock or purchase assets of the Company at the same time. However, persons will be considered
to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of assets
or capital stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations
that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of assets or capital stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder
is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation only with respect to the ownership in that corporation
before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. For purposes
of this paragraph, the term “corporation” shall have the meaning assigned such term under Treasury Regulation section 1.280G-1,
Q&A-45.


 


(iv)
Each of clauses (i) through (iii) above shall be construed and interpreted consistent with the requirements of Section 409A and any Treasury
Regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.


 


Section
4.2. Termination for Cause; Voluntary Termination.


 


(a)
The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time for Cause upon written notice to the Executive. The
Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder at any time without Good Reason upon sixty (60) days prior written notice
to the Company; provided, however, the Company reserves the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to accept the
Executive’s notice of resignation and to accelerate such notice and make the Executive’s resignation effective immediately,
or on such other date prior to Executive’s intended last day of work as the Company deems appropriate. It is understood and agreed
that the Company’s election to accelerate Executive’s notice of resignation shall not be deemed a termination by the Company
without Cause for purposes of Section 4.1 of this Agreement or otherwise or constitute Good Reason (as defined in Section 4.1)
for purposes of Section 4.1 of this Agreement or otherwise.



 




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(b)
If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.2(a), the Executive shall, in full discharge of all of
the Company’s obligations to the Executive, be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation under this Agreement
or otherwise shall be to pay or provide to the Executive, the following (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”):


 


(i)
the Executive’s earned, but unpaid, Base Salary through the final date of the Executive’s employment by the Company (the
“Termination Date”), payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices;


 


(ii)
the Executive’s accrued, but unused, vacation (in accordance with the Company’s policies);


 


(iii)
expenses reimbursable under Section 3.2 above incurred on or prior to the Termination Date but not yet reimbursed; and


 


(iv)
any amounts or benefits that are vested amounts or vested benefits or that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan,
program, policy or practice (with the exception of those, if any, relating to severance) on the Termination Date, in accordance with
such plan, program, policy, or practice.


 


Section
4.3. Termination Resulting from Death or Disability.


 


(a)
As the result of any Disability suffered by the Executive, the Company may, upon five (5) days prior notice to the Executive, terminate
the Executive’s employment under this Agreement. The Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate upon his death.


 


(b)
“Disability” means a determination by the Company in accordance with applicable law that as a result of a physical
or mental injury or illness, the Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his job with or without reasonable accommodation
for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days; or (ii) one hundred twenty (120) days during any twelve (12) month period.


 


(c)
If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.3(a), the Executive or the Executive’s estate, as
the case may be, shall be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to
pay or provide to the Executive or the Executive’s estate, as the case may be, the Accrued Obligations.


 


Section
4.4. Release Agreement. In order to receive the Pre-CIC Severance Payments or the Post-CIC Severance Payments (collectively referred
to herein as the “Severance Payments”) or the Pre-CIC COBRA Assistance or the Post-CIC COBRA Assistance (collectively
referred to herein as the “COBRA Assistance”) set forth in Section 4.1 (if eligible), the Executive must timely
execute (and not revoke) a separation agreement and general release (the “Release Agreement”) in a form as is determined
to be necessary by the Company in its discretion. If the Executive is eligible for Severance Payments and COBRA Assistance pursuant to
Section 4.1, the Company will deliver the Release Agreement to the Executive within seven (7) calendar days following the Termination
Date. The Severance Payments and COBRA Assistance are subject to the Executive’s execution of such Release Agreement within 21
days of the Executive’s receipt of the Release Agreement and the Executive’s non-revocation of such Release Agreement.


 




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Section
4.5. Post-Termination Breach. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company’s obligations
to provide the Severance Payments and the COBRA Assistance will immediately cease if the Executive breaches any of the provisions of
the Covenants Agreement, the Release Agreement or any other agreement the Executive has with the Company.


 


Section
4.6. Removal from any Boards and Position. If the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason under this Agreement,
he shall be deemed (without further action, deed or notice) to resign (i) if a member, from the Board or board of directors (or similar
governing body) of any Affiliate of the Company or any other board to which he has been appointed or nominated by or on behalf of the
Company and (ii) from all other positions with the Company or any subsidiary or other Affiliate of the Company, including, but not limited
to, as an officer of the Company and any of its subsidiaries or other Affiliates.


 


ARTICLE
5

GENERAL PROVISIONS


 


Section
5.1. Company Non-Disclosure and Invention Assignment Agreement. The Executive agrees to sign and be bound by the Company’s
Non-Disclosure and Invention Assignment Agreement signed contemporaneously with this Agreement (the “Covenants Agreement”),
the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Covenants Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and
the Executive’s employment by the Company for the applicable period(s) set forth therein.


 


Section
5.2. Expenses. Each of the Company and the Executive shall bear its/his own costs, fees and expenses in connection with the negotiation,
preparation and execution of this Agreement.


 


Section
5.3. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Covenants Agreement contain the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment during the Term and activities following termination of this Agreement
and the Executive’s employment with the Company and supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings, whether written
or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement or the Covenants Agreement. Each party hereto
acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, whether oral or in writing, have been made by any party, or
on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein or in the Covenants Agreement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company
has fully satisfied, and has no further, obligations to the Executive arising under, or relating to, any other employment or consulting
arrangement or understanding (including, without limitation, any claims for compensation or benefits of any kind) or otherwise. No agreement,
promise or statement not contained in this Agreement or the Covenants Agreement shall be valid and binding, unless agreed to in writing
and signed by the parties sought to be bound thereby.


 




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Section
5.4. No Other Contracts. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Executive nor the performance by the Executive of the Executive’s obligations hereunder, shall constitute a default
under or a breach of the terms of any other agreement, contract or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which the Executive
is a party or by which the Executive is bound, nor shall the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive nor the performance
by the Executive of his duties and obligations hereunder give rise to any claim or charge against either the Executive, the Company or
any Affiliate, based upon any other contract or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which the Executive is a party or by which
the Executive is bound. The Executive further represents and warrants to the Company that he is not a party to or subject to any restrictive
covenants, legal restrictions or other agreement, contract or arrangement, whether written or oral, in favor of any entity or person
which would in any way preclude, inhibit, impair or limit the Executive’s ability to perform his obligations under this Agreement,
including, but not limited to, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements or confidentiality agreements. The Executive shall
defend, indemnify and hold the Company harmless from and against all claims, actions, losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorney’s fees and amounts paid in settlement in good faith) arising from or relating to any breach of the
representations and warranties made by the Executive in this Section 5.4.


 


Section
5.5. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally
or sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service (with next business day delivery requested). Any such notice or communication
shall be deemed given and effective, in the case of personal delivery, upon receipt by the other party, and in the case of a courier
service, upon the next business day, after dispatch of the notice or communication. Any such notice or communication shall be addressed
as follows:


 


If
to the Company, to:


 


Matinas
BioPharma Holdings, Inc.


1545
Route 206 South, Suite 302


Bedminster
NJ 07921


Attn:
Chief Executive Officer


 


With
a copy to:


 


Lowenstein
Sandler LLP


1251
Avenue of the Americas


New
York, New York 10020


Attn:
Michael J. Lerner, Esq.


 


If
to the Executive, to:


 


Thomas
Hoover


141
Southfield Rd.


Concord,
MA 01742









 


With
a copy to:


 


___________________




____________________



 






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Any
person named above may designate another address or fax number by giving notice in accordance with this Section to the other persons
named above.


 


Section
5.6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State
of New Jersey, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Any and all actions arising out of this Agreement or Employee’s
employment by Company or termination therefrom shall be brought and heard in the state and federal courts of the State of New Jersey
and the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such courts. The
Company and the Executive HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
AND ALL MATTERS ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY HEREFROM AND REPRESENT THAT THEY HAVE CONSULTED WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR CHOICE OR HAVE CHOSEN
VOLUNTARILY NOT TO DO SO SPECIFICALLY WITH RESEPCT TO THIS WAIVER.


 


Section
5.7. Waiver. Either party hereto may waive compliance by the other party with any provision of this Agreement. The failure of
a party to insist on strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that
party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No waiver of any provision
shall be construed as a waiver of any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing.


 


Section
5.8. Severability. If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall be determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions
of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated and the parties will
attempt to agree upon a valid and enforceable provision which shall be a reasonable substitute for such invalid and unenforceable provision
in light of the tenor of this Agreement, and, upon so agreeing, shall incorporate such substitute provision in this Agreement. In addition,
if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be construed, by limiting or reducing it, so
as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with then applicable law.


 



Section
                                            5.9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and
                                            each such duplicate counterpart shall constitute an original, any one of which may be introduced
                                            in evidence or used for any other purpose without the production of its duplicate counterpart.
                                            Moreover, notwithstanding that any of the parties did not execute the same counterpart, each
                                            counterpart shall be deemed for all purposes to be an original, and all such counterparts
                                            shall constitute one and the same instrument, binding on all of the parties hereto.


 


Section
5.10. Advice of Counsel. This Agreement was prepared by Lowenstein Sandler LLP in its capacity as legal counsel to the Company.
Both parties hereto acknowledge that they have had the opportunity to seek and obtain the advice of counsel before entering into this
Agreement and have done so to the extent desired, and have fully read the Agreement and understand the meaning and import of all the
terms hereof.



 




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Section
5.11. Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns (including, without
limitation, the purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets) and shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
This Agreement is personal to the Executive, and the Executive shall not assign or delegate his rights or duties under this Agreement,
and any such assignment or delegation shall be null and void.


 


Section
5.12. Agreement to Take Actions. Each party to this Agreement shall execute and deliver such documents, certificates, agreements
and other instruments, and shall take all other actions, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perform his or its obligations
under this Agreement.


 


Section
5.13. No Attachment. Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation,
commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation or to execution, attachment, levy or similar
process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null, void and
of no effect; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.13 shall preclude the assumption of such rights
by executors, administrators or other legal representatives of the Executive or the Executive’s estate and their assigning any
rights hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto.


 


Section
5.14. Source of Payment. Except as otherwise provided under the terms of any applicable employee benefit plan, all payments provided
for under this Agreement shall be paid in cash from the general funds of Company. The Company shall not be required to establish a special
or separate fund or other segregation of assets to assure such payments, and, if the Company shall make any investments to aid it in
meeting its obligations hereunder, the Executive shall have no right, title or interest whatever in or to any such investments except
as may otherwise be expressly provided in a separate written instrument relating to such investments. Nothing contained in this Agreement,
and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship,
between Company and the Executive or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from Company
hereunder, such right, without prejudice to rights which employees may have, shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor
of Company. The Executive shall not look to the owners of the Company for the satisfaction of any obligations of the Company under this
Agreement.


 


Section
5.15. Tax Withholding. The Company or other payor is authorized to withhold from any benefit provided or payment due hereunder, the amount
of withholding taxes due any federal, state or local authority in respect of such benefit or payment and to take such other action as
may be necessary in the opinion of the Board to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Executive will
be solely responsible for all taxes assessed against him with respect to the compensation and benefits described in this Agreement, other
than typical employer-paid taxes such as FICA, and the Company makes no representations as to the tax treatment of such compensation
and benefits.


 




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Section
5.16. 409A Compliance. All payments under this Agreement are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section
409A of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”). As used in this Agreement, the “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. To the extent permitted under applicable regulations and/or other guidance of general
applicability issued pursuant to Section 409A, the Company reserves the right to modify this Agreement to conform with any or all relevant
provisions regarding compensation and/or benefits so that such compensation and benefits are exempt from the provisions of 409A and/or
otherwise comply with such provisions so as to avoid the tax consequences set forth in Section 409A and to assure that no payment or
benefit shall be subject to an “additional tax” under Section 409A. To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is
ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A, or to the extent any provision in this Agreement must be modified to comply with Section
409A, such provision shall be read in such a manner so that no payment due to the Executive shall be subject to an “additional
tax” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. If necessary to comply with the restriction in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)
of the Code concerning payments to “specified employees,” any payment on account of the Executive’s separation from
service that would otherwise be due hereunder within six (6) months after such separation shall be delayed until the first business day
of the seventh month following the Termination Date and the first such payment shall include the cumulative amount of any payments (without
interest) that would have been paid prior to such date if not for such restriction. Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall
be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the
calendar year of payment. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements
of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s
lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during
a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible
expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the
right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of Section 4.1 unless
the Executive would be considered to have incurred a “termination of employment” from the Company within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation §1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that
may be imposed on the Executive by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.


 



Section
                                            5.17. 280G Modified Cutback.


 


(a)
If any payment, benefit or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable, provided or to be
provided, or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, the “Parachute
Payments”) would subject the Executive to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”),
the Parachute Payments shall be reduced so that the maximum amount of the Parachute Payments (after reduction) shall be one dollar ($1.00)
less than the amount which would cause the Parachute Payments to be subject to the Excise Tax; provided that the Parachute Payments shall
only be reduced to the extent the after-tax value of amounts received by the Executive after application of the above reduction would
exceed the after-tax value of the amounts received without application of such reduction. For this purpose, the after-tax value of an
amount shall be determined taking into account all federal, state, and local income, employment and excise taxes applicable to such amount.
Unless the Executive shall have given prior written notice to the Company to effectuate a reduction in the Parachute Payments if such
a reduction is required, which notice shall be consistent with the requirements of Section 409A to avoid the imputation of any tax, penalty
or interest thereunder, then the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Parachute Payments by first reducing or eliminating accelerated
vesting of stock options or similar awards, then reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in
the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments; provided, that no such reduction
or elimination shall apply to any non-qualified deferred compensation amounts (within the meaning of Section 409A) to the extent such
reduction or elimination would accelerate or defer the timing of such payment in manner that does not comply with Section 409A.



 




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(b)
An initial determination as to whether (x) any of the Parachute Payments received by the Executive in connection with the occurrence
of a change in the ownership or control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall
be subject to the Excise Tax, and (y) the amount of any reduction, if any, that may be required pursuant to the previous paragraph, shall
be made by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”) prior to the consummation
of such change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the
Company. The Executive shall be furnished with notice of all determinations made as to the Excise Tax payable with respect to the Executive’s
Parachute Payments, together with the related calculations of the Accounting Firm, promptly after such determinations and calculations
have been received by the Company.


 


(c)
For purposes of this Section 5.17, (i) no portion of the Parachute Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall
have effectively waived in writing prior to the date of payment of the Parachute Payments shall be taken into account; (ii) no portion
of the Parachute Payments shall be taken into account which in the opinion of the Accounting Firm does not constitute a “parachute
payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code; (iii) the Parachute Payments shall be reduced only to the extent
necessary so that the Parachute Payments (other than those referred to in the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii)) in their entirety
constitute reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code or are otherwise
not subject to disallowance as deductions, in the opinion of the auditor or tax counsel referred to in such clause (ii); and (iv) the
value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Parachute Payments shall be determined by the Company’s
independent auditors based on Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code and the regulations for applying those sections of the Code, or on substantial
authority within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code.


 


[Signature
Page Follows]


 




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


 


	 	COMPANY
	 	 
	 	Matinas BioPharma
    Holdings, Inc.
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/
                                            Jerome D. Jabbour

	 	Name: 	Jerome D. Jabbour
	 	Title: 	Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE
	 	 	 
	 	 	 /s/
    Thomas Hoover
	 		Thomas Hoover


 


[Signature
Page to Employment Agreement]