# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001267602
**File Stem:** 0001267602-23-000002
**Filing Date:** 2023-1
**Character Count:** 76430
**Document Hash:** 28b74785195ab63e34629341bdce0ff5
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001267602-23-000002.hdr.sgml**: 20230110

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001267602-23-000002

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20230106

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Regulation FD Disclosure

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230110

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230110

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** ALIMERA SCIENCES INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001267602
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 200028718
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-34703
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23521427

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 6310 TOWN SQUARE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 400
- **CITY:** ALPHARETTA
- **STATE:** GA
- **ZIP:** 30005
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 678-990-5740

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 6310 TOWN SQUARE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 400
- **CITY:** ALPHARETTA
- **STATE:** GA
- **ZIP:** 30005

?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"? alim-20230106x8k

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT** 

**PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF**

**THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 6, 2023

## ALIMERA SCIENCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-34703** | **001-34703** | **20-0028718** |
| (State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| **6310 Town Square, Suite 400**<br>**Alpharetta, Georgia** | **6310 Town Square, Suite 400**<br>**Alpharetta, Georgia** | **30005**  | **30005**  |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | (Zip Code) |

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Registrant's telephone number, including area code: **(678) 990-5740**

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| |
|:---|
| **Not Applicable** |
| (Former name or former address if changed since last report.) |

---

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

□ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

□ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

□ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

□ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Title of each class | &nbsp;&nbsp;Name of each exchange on which registered |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;ALIM | &nbsp;&nbsp;The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC<br>(Nasdaq Global Market) |

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company □

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. □

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**Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.**

On January 9, 2023, Alimera Sciences, Inc. (the "Company") announced that the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") had elected Russell L. Skibsted, age 63, as the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President. The election occurred on January 6, 2023 and became effective as of January 9, 2023. Mr. Skibsted succeeds Richard S. Eiswirth, Jr., who had served as the Company's interim Chief Financial Officer since November 28, 2022. Immediately before Mr. Skibsted became the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Mr. Eiswirth resigned from his position as interim Chief Financial Officer and relinquished the roles of principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Company, which Mr. Skibsted has now assumed. Mr. Eiswirth will continue as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Before his appointment as the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Mr. Skibsted served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer of Rockwell Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMTI), a commercial healthcare company focused on providing life-sustaining products for patients suffering from blood disorders and diseases associated with the kidney, from September 2020 until November 2022. Previously, Mr. Skibsted served as Chief Financial Officer of AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE: AGE), a publicly-traded biotechnology company focused on cell therapy targeting the diseases of aging that was spun out of BioTime, Inc. (currently Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.), from July 2017 to May 2020. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of BioTime, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, from November 2015 to January 2019, where he simultaneously, from time to time, performed the role of Chief Financial Officer for several of BioTime's public and private subsidiaries, including AgeX Therapeutics, OncoCyte Corporation, a publicly-traded developer of novel, non-invasive tests for the early detection of cancer and a former subsidiary of BioTime, Inc., from November 2015 until November 2017, and Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering the field of regenerative medicine with clinical programs in spinal cord injury and oncology immunotherapy and a former subsidiary of BioTime, Inc., from March 2016 until November 2016. Mr. Skibsted holds a B.A. in Economics from Claremont McKenna College and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

**Skibsted Employment Agreement**

The terms and conditions of Mr. Skibsted's appointment will be governed by an employment agreement dated as of January 9, 2023, between the Company and Mr. Skibsted (the "Employment Agreement"). The Employment Agreement provides for a base salary of $400,000 and a potential annual bonus, which is subject to adjustment by the Board from time to time. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Skibsted's target annual bonus amount shall not be reduced to an amount below 40% of his then-current base salary.

The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Skibsted's employment with the Company is "at will." Mr. Skibsted is entitled to receive all other benefits generally available to the Company's executive officers. The Employment Agreement also provides certain severance and change in control-related benefits, including cash severance and vesting acceleration upon the occurrence of certain defined events, as described below.

***Severance and Change in Control Benefits***

*Acceleration Provisions for Unvested Options and Shares of Restricted Stock in the Event of a Change in Control*

The Employment Agreement includes acceleration provisions for unvested options and shares of restricted stock ("Restricted Shares") in the event of a change in control. Under these provisions, if change in control occurs, Mr. Skibsted will receive 12 months of additional vesting for any stock options and Restricted Shares that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of such transaction. In addition, Mr. Skibsted's unvested stock options and Restricted Shares will vest in full if (a) the Company is subject to a change in control before Mr. Skibsted's employment with the Company terminates and (b) within 12 months after the change in control, his employment with the Company is terminated by the Company (or its successor) without cause or he terminates his employment for good reason. Further, if the Company is a party to a merger or consolidation, Mr. Skibsted's unvested stock options and Restricted Shares will vest in full unless the agreement evidencing the merger or consolidation provides for one or more of the following: (a) the continuation of his stock options and Restricted Shares by the Company if the Company is the surviving corporation; (b) the assumption of his stock options and Restricted Shares by the surviving corporation or its parent; (c) the substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent of new stock

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options and Restricted Shares for his existing stock options and Restricted Shares; (d) full exercisability of outstanding stock options and full vesting of the Restricted Shares, followed by the cancellation of such stock options and Restricted Shares in the transaction; or (e) the cancellation of Mr. Skibsted's outstanding stock options and Restricted Shares and a payment to Mr. Skibsted equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the stock subject to such stock options and of the Restricted Shares (whether or not such stock options and Restricted Shares are then exercisable or vested, as applicable) as of the closing date of such merger or consolidation over (ii) the exercise price (for stock options).

*Termination without Cause/Resignation for Good Reason Not in Connection with a Change in Control*

In addition, the Employment Agreement provides that if the Company terminates Mr. Skibsted's employment without cause or if he resigns for good reason, either more than three months prior to a change in control or more than 18 months after a change in control, subject to the conditions in the Employment Agreement, Mr. Skibsted will be entitled to:

his earned but unpaid base salary plus 100% of his total annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time of termination paid in 12 monthly installments;

a cash payment equal to his bonus, determined based on the actual performance of the Company for the full fiscal year in which his employment terminates, that he would have earned for the year in which his employment terminates had he remained employed for the entire year, prorated based on the ratio of the number of days during such year he was employed to 365 (the "Earned Bonus"); and

payment of the premiums for medical insurance coverage for Mr. Skibsted and his dependents under COBRA for one year following the date of termination or, if earlier, until he is eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan by a subsequent employer.

*Termination without Cause/Resignation for Good Reason in Connection with a Change in Control*

The Employment Agreement provides that if the Company terminates Mr. Skibsted's employment without cause or if he resigns for good reason, either within three months prior to a change in control or within 18 months after a change in control, subject to the conditions in the Employment Agreement, Mr. Skibsted will be entitled to:

100% of the sum of (a) his total annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time of termination plus (b) his target bonus in effect at the time of termination, which will be paid in 12 equal monthly installments;

a cash payment equal to his Earned Bonus;

payment of the premiums for medical insurance coverage for Mr. Skibsted and his dependents under COBRA for 12 months or until he is eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan by a subsequent employer.

***Benefits upon Death or Disability***

*Death*

The Employment Agreement provides certain benefits if Mr. Skibsted's employment is terminated on account of his death. In that event, the Company is obligated to pay:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)his base salary through the end of the month in which his death occurred,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)a cash payment equal to his Earned Bonus through the date of death,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)any benefits he is entitled to under the terms of any applicable disability plans or other employee benefit plan, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)the premiums for medical insurance coverage for his dependents under COBRA for 12 months after the date of death or, if earlier, until his dependents are eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan.

In addition, all of Mr. Skibsted's remaining unvested equity awards will vest upon his death.

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*Disability*

The Employment Agreement provides certain benefits if Mr. Skibsted's employment is terminated on account of his disability. In that event, the Company is obligated to pay:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)his base salary through the end of the month in which the termination occurred,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)a cash payment equal to his Earned Bonus,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)any benefits he is entitled to under the terms of any applicable disability plans or other employee benefit plan, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)the premiums for medical insurance coverage for him and his dependents under COBRA for 18 months after the date of termination or, if earlier, until he is eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan by a subsequent employer.

In addition, all of Mr. Skibsted's remaining unvested equity awards will vest upon his disability.

A copy of the Employment Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this "Report") and is incorporated herein by reference. The above description of the Employment Agreement contained herein is qualified in its entirety by the full text of such exhibit.

**Skibsted Equity Awards**

In connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Mr. Skibsted received initial grants under the Company's 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan of (a) options to purchase 52,500 shares of the Company's common stock and (b) 17,500 Restricted Shares. The exercise price for each option was $2.82, the closing price of the Company's common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on January 9, 2023. The options are exercisable (x) with respect to 13,125 options, when Mr. Skibsted completes 12 months of continuous service with the Company, and (y) with respect to the remaining 39,375 options, in equal monthly installments over 36 months beginning one month after the vesting commencement date of January 9, 2024, so long as Mr. Skibsted's service as an employee of the Company is continuous through the applicable vesting date. The Restricted Shares vest in four equal annual installments beginning on January 9, 2024, so long as Mr. Skibsted's service as an employee of the Company is continuous through the applicable vesting date.

**Skibsted Indemnification Agreement**

Consistent with the Company's standard policy for its executive officers, Mr. Skibsted has entered into an indemnification agreement with the Company in the customary form for executive officers.

**No Other Arrangements or Understandings**

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Skibsted and any other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of the Company. There are no family relationships between Mr. Skibsted and any of the Company's directors or other executive officers, and Mr. Skibsted is not a party to any transaction, or any proposed transaction, required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

**Item 7.01. Regulation FD.**

On January 9, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Skibsted as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report and incorporated herein by reference.

‎

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**Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit**<br>**No.** | **Description** |
| 10.1 | [<u>Employment Agreement, dated January 9, 2023, by and between Alimera Sciences, Inc. and Russell L. Skibsted</u>](alim-20230106xex10_1.htm) |
| 99.1 | [<u>Press Release of Alimera Sciences, Inc. dated January 9, 2023 (furnished only)</u>](alim-20230106xex99_1.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document) |

---

 **‎** 

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**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | ALIMERA SCIENCES, INC. | ALIMERA SCIENCES, INC. |
| Dated: January 10, 2023 | By: | /s/ Richard S. Eiswirth, Jr. |
|  | Name: | Richard S. Eiswirth, Jr. |
|  | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |

---

## Exhibit 10.1

**Exhibit 10.1**

**EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH**

**ALIMERA SCIENCES, INC.**

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This Employment Agreement (this "***Agreement***") is entered into between Alimera Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "***Company***"), and Russell L. Skibsted ("***Executive***")*,* as of January 9, 2022 (the "***Effective Date***").

**RECITALS:**

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**WHEREAS**, the Company is engaged in the business of developing, marketing and selling ophthalmic pharmaceuticals in the United States and throughout the world;

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**WHEREAS**, Company and Executive desire that Executive provide the Company employment services upon the terms and conditions set forth below;

**WHEREAS**, the Company desires to enter into an Employment Agreement under which Executive will serve as its Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

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**NOW, THEREFORE**, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

**AGREEMENT:**

**SECTION 1. EFFECTIVE DATE**

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Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ Executive as its Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, and Executive agrees to be employed by the Company in such capacity as of the Effective Date*.*

**SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS**

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

"***Cause***" means

(1) Executive's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, including violation of any material policy of the Company that is not cured within 30 days after written notice thereof is given to Executive by the Company;

(2) Executive's conviction of, or entering a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a felony; or

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3) Executive engages in any material breach of the terms of this Agreement or fails to fulfill his responsibilities under this Agreement and such breach or failure, as the case may be, is not cured, or is not capable of being cured, within 30 days after written notice thereof is given to Executive by the Company.<br>

"***Change in Control***" means (i) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization own immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding securities of each of (A) the continuing or surviving entity and (B) any direct or indirect parent corporation of such continuing or surviving entity or (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company's securities immediately before such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless such transaction also qualifies as a "change in control event" as described in Treas. Reg. § l.409A-3(i)(5).

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"***Code***" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as currently and hereafter amended.

"***Competing Business***" means any business which develops, sells or markets ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.

"***Disability***" means a condition which renders Executive unable (as determined by the Board in good faith after consultation with a physician mutually selected by Executive or his duly empowered representative and the Board) to regularly perform his duties hereunder by reason of illness or injury for a period of more than six consecutive months with or without reasonable accommodation.

"***Earned Bonus***" means the bonus, determined based on the actual performance of the Company for the full fiscal year in which Executive's employment terminates, that Executive would have earned for the year in which his employment terminates had he remained employed for the entire year, prorated based on the ratio of the number of days during such year that Executive was employed to 365. Such Earned Bonus will be determined and paid to Executive no later than 2½ months after the close of the fiscal year in which the Earned Bonus was earned.

"***Equity***" means (i) all Stock, including restricted stock; (ii) all options and other rights to purchase Stock; (iii) all restricted stock units, performance units or phantom shares whose value is measured by the value of Stock; and (iv) all stock appreciation rights whose value is measured by increases in the value of Stock; and (v) any other award under an ISP.

"***Good Reason***" shall mean, for purposes of <u>Section 4(e)</u>, (i) a material diminution of Executive's authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a geographic relocation of the Company's

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headquarters, or Executive's primary business location, to a location that is more than 35 miles from the present location of the Company's corporate headquarters or Executive's primary business location, as the case may be; or (iii) any breach by the Company of this Agreement that is material and that is not cured within 30 days after written notice thereof to the Company from Executive.

"***Good Reason***" shall mean, for purposes of <u>Section</u> <u>5</u>, that Executive resigns within 12 months after one of the following conditions has come into existence without his consent: (i) a reduction in Executive's base salary from the amount set forth in <u>Section 4(a)</u>; (ii) a material adverse change in Executive's primary responsibilities or duties; (iii) a geographical relocation of the Company's corporate headquarters, or Executive's primary business location, to a location that is more than 35 miles from the present location of the Company's corporate headquarters or Executive's primary business location, as the case may be; (iv) any breach by the Company of this Agreement that is material and that is not cured, or is not capable of being cured, within 30 days after written notice thereof to the Company and the Board from Executive. A condition shall not be considered "Good Reason" unless Executive gives the Company written notice of such condition within 90 days after such condition comes into existence and the Company fails to remedy such condition within 30 days after receiving Executive's written notice.

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"***ISP***" means the Alimera Sciences, Inc., 2019 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time and any new equity incentive plan adopted by the Company.

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"***Restricted Period***" means the 12-month period beginning on and after Executive's employment with the Company is terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

"***Separation***" means a "separation from service," as defined in the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.

"***Stock***" means shares of the Company's common stock.

**SECTION 3. TITLE, POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

(a) <u>Title</u>. Executive shall be the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President.

(b) <u>Powers and Responsibilities</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) Executive in fulfilling his responsibilities shall (i) serve as the Company's principal financial oﬃcer and principal accounting oﬃcer under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) have such powers as are normally and customarily associated with a chief financial officer and a senior vice president in a company of similar size and operating in a similar industry, including the power to hire and fire employees and executives of the Company reporting to Executive, and (iii) have such other powers as are authorized by the Board.<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) Executive, as a condition to his employment under this Agreement, represents and warrants that he can assume and fulfill the responsibilities described in <u>Section 3(b)(1)</u> without any risk of violating any non-compete or other restrictive covenant or other agreement to which he is a party.<br>

(c) <u>Reporting Relationship</u>. Executive shall report to the Company's chief executive officer.

(d) <u>Full Time Basis.</u> Executive shall undertake to perform all his responsibilities and exercise all his powers in good faith and on a full-time basis.

**SECTION 4. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, ETC.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <u>Annual Base Salary</u>. Executive's base salary shall be $400,000 per year, which amount may be reviewed and increased from time to time at the discretion of the Board or any committee of the Board duly authorized to take such action. Executive's base salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company's standard payroll practices and policies for executives and shall be subject to such withholdings as are required by law or as are otherwise permissible under such practices or policies.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <u>Annual Bonus</u>. The Company shall pay an annual bonus for a fiscal year to Executive no later than 2½ months after the close of such fiscal year, in the amount, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Company's Management Cash Incentive Program (or any predecessor or successor cash incentive plan thereto), which may be reviewed at the discretion of the Board or any committee of the Board duly authorized to take such action. The determinations of the Board or its Compensation Committee with respect to such bonus shall be final and binding; *provided, however*, that Executive's target annual bonus amount shall not be reduced to an amount below 40% of Executive's then-current base salary.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <u>Employee Benefit Plans</u>. Executive shall be eligible to participate, on terms no less favorable to Executive than the terms for participation of any other executive of the Company at the same level within the Company as Executive, in the employee benefit plans, programs and policies maintained by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions to participate in such plans, programs and policies as in effect from time to time.<br>

(d) <u>Equity Awards</u>. Executive shall receive Equity awards at the discretion of the Board, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable ISP and any corresponding notice, agreement or certificate under the ISP.

(e) <u>Acceleration</u> <u>of Vesting of Equity</u>. The following terms shall apply to all of Executive's Equity outstanding as of the Effective Date, and to all future grants of Equity:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) The vested percentage of Executive's Equity shall be determined by adding 12 months to the actual period of service that Executive has completed with the Company if the Company is subject to a Change in Control before Executive's service with the Company terminates (*i.e.,* Executive's vesting shall be accelerated by an additional 12 <br>4 <br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;months). The remaining unvested Equity shall vest in the same amount per vesting period as prior to the Change in Control.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) Executive shall vest in 100% of the remaining unvested Equity if (a) the Company is subject to a Change in Control before Executive's employment with the Company terminates and (b) within 12 months after the Change in Control, Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the Company (or its successor) without Cause or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason.<br>

(3) If the Company is a party to a merger or consolidation, all outstanding Equity shall vest in full unless the agreement evidencing the merger or consolidation provides for one or more of the following:

(A) The continuation of such outstanding Equity by the Company (if the Company is the surviving corporation).

(B) The assumption of such outstanding Equity by the surviving corporation or its parent.

(C) The substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent of new Equity for such outstanding Equity.

(D) Full exercisability of outstanding Equity and full vesting of the Stock subject to such Equity, followed by the cancellation of such Equity. The full exercisability of such Equity and full vesting of such Stock, as applicable, may be contingent on the closing of such merger or consolidation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (E) The cancellation of outstanding Equity and a payment to Executive equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the Stock subject to such Equity (whether or not such Equity is then exercisable or vested, as applicable) as of the closing date of such merger or consolidation over (ii) the exercise price. Such payment shall be made in the form of cash, cash equivalents or securities of the surviving corporation or its parent with a fair market value equal to the required amount. Such payment may be made in installments and may be deferred until the date or dates when such Equity would have become exercisable or such Stock would have vested. Such payment may be subject to vesting based on Executive's continuing service, provided that the vesting schedule shall not be less favorable to Executive than the schedule under which such Equity would have become exercisable or such Stock would have vested. This provision is mandatory in the event that the Company is acquired by a private company for cash.<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4) Executive shall vest in 100% of the remaining unvested Equity in the event of Disability where a Separation occurs or death.<br>

(f) <u>Rights to Time Off Work</u><u>.</u> Executive shall have the same rights to vacation, sick days, holidays, and other time off work as other employees of the Company under Company policies.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (g) <u>Expense Reimbursements</u>. Executive shall have the right to expense reimbursements in accordance with the Company's standard policy on expense reimbursements. Any reimbursement shall (a) be paid promptly but not later than the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense was incurred, (b) not be affected by any other expenses that are eligible for reimbursement in any calendar year and (c) not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (h) <u>Indemnification</u>. The Company shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Company's governing documents, indemnify Executive and hold Executive harmless from and against any claim, loss or cause of action arising from or out of Executive's performance as an officer, director, manager or employee of the Company or in any other capacity in which Executive serves at the request of the Board. If any claim is asserted hereunder against Executive, the Company shall pay Executive's legal expenses (or cause such expenses to be paid) on a quarterly basis, provided that Executive shall reimburse the Company, in a timely manner, for such amounts if Executive shall be found by a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction not to be entitled to indemnification. The indemnification obligations of the Company in this paragraph shall survive any termination of this Agreement and shall be supplemental to any other rights to indemnification from the Company to which Executive is entitled. <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <u>Directors and Officers Liability Insurance</u>. The Company shall maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage covering Executive in amounts customary for similarly situated companies in the pharmaceutical industry and with insurers reasonably acceptable to Executive. All policies for such coverage shall provide for insurance on an "occurrence" basis, or if on a "claims-made" basis, with sufficient coverage for claims made after the date on which Executive's employment with the Company terminates.<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (j) <u>At-Will Employment</u>. Executive's employment with the Company shall be "at will," meaning that either Executive or the Company shall be entitled to terminate Executive's employment at any time and for any or no reason, with or without Cause or Good Reason. Any contrary representations that may have been made to Executive shall be superseded by this Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the full and complete agreement between Executive and the Company on the "at will" nature of Executive's employment, which may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company.<br>

**SECTION 5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <u>General</u>. If Executive is subject to a termination of employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason and a Separation occurs, then Executive will be entitled to the benefits described in this <u>Section 5</u>. However, Executive will not be entitled to any of the benefits described in this <u>Section 5</u> unless Executive has (i) returned all Company property in Executive's possession, (ii) resigned as a member of the Board and of the boards of directors of all of the Company's subsidiaries, to the extent applicable, and (iii) executed a general release of all claims that Executive may have against the Company or persons affiliated with the Company in a form <br>6 <br>

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prescribed by the Company (the "***Release***"). Executive must execute and return the Release on or before the date specified by the Company in the Release (the "***Release Deadline***"). The Release Deadline will in no event be later than fifty (50) days after Executive's Separation. If Executive fails to return the Release on or before the Release Deadline, or if Executive revokes the Release within seven (7) days after return of the executed Release, then Executive will not be entitled to the benefits described in this Section 5.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <u>Termination by Board without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason Not in Connection with Change in Control</u>. If the Board terminates Executive's employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason and a Separation occurs either more than three months prior to a Change in Control or more than 18 months after a Change in Control, the Company shall pay Executive his earned but unpaid base salary plus 100% of his current total annual base salary (subject to such withholdings as required by law) payable in twelve equal monthly installments. In addition, Executive shall be paid, no later than 2½ months following the close of the fiscal year of termination, his Earned Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Separation occurs. The salary continuation payments shall commence within 60 days after Executive's Separation and, once they commence, shall include any unpaid amounts accrued from the date of Separation. However, if such 60-day period spans two calendar years, then the payments will in any event begin in the second calendar year. In addition, the Company shall make any continuation coverage premium payments (for Executive and Executive's dependents) for continued health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("***COBRA***")*,* for the one-year period following the Separation or, if earlier, until Executive is eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan by a subsequent employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that it cannot provide the foregoing subsidy of COBRA coverage without potentially violating or causing the Company to incur additional expense as a result of noncompliance with applicable law (including Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company instead shall provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage in effect on the date of the Separation (which amount shall be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments (i) shall be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage, (ii) shall commence on the later of (A) the first day of the month following the month in which Executive experiences a Separation and (B) the effective date of the Company's determination of violation of applicable law, and (iii) shall end on the earliest of (x) the effective date on which Executive becomes covered by a medical, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer, and (y) the last day of the period one year after Separation. Executive shall have no right to an additional gross-up payment to account for the fact that such COBRA premium amounts are paid on an after-tax basis.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <u>Termination by Board without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason in Connection with Change in Control</u>. If the Board terminates Executive's employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason and a Separation occurs either within three months prior to a Change in Control or within 18 months after a Change in Control, the Company shall pay Executive his earned but unpaid base salary plus 100% of the sum of (i) his current total annual base salary plus (ii) his annual target bonus (subject to such withholdings as required by law), payable in twelve equal monthly installments (the "***Severance Payments***")*.* In addition, Executive shall be paid, no later than 2½ months following the close of the fiscal year of <br>7 <br>

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termination, his Earned Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Separation occurs. The Severance Payments shall commence within 60 days after Executive's Separation. However, if such 60-day period spans two calendar years, then the payments will in any event begin in the second calendar year. In addition, the Company shall make any continuation coverage premium payments (for Executive and Executive's dependents) for continued health insurance coverage under the COBRA for the 12-month period following the Separation or, if earlier, until Executive is eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan by a subsequent employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that it cannot provide the foregoing subsidy of COBRA coverage without potentially violating or causing the Company to incur additional expense as a result of noncompliance with applicable law (including Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company instead shall provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage in effect on the date of the Separation (which amount shall be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments (i) shall be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage, (ii) shall commence on the later of (A) the first day of the month following the month in which Executive experiences a Separation and (B) the effective date of the Company's determination of violation of applicable law, and (iii) shall end on the earliest of (x) the effective date on which Executive becomes covered by a medical, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer, and (y) the last day of the period 12 months after Separation. Executive shall have no right to an additional gross-up payment to account for the fact that such COBRA premium amounts are paid on an after-tax basis.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <u>Termination by the Board for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason</u>. If the Board terminates Executive's employment for Cause or Executive resigns without Good Reason, the Company's only obligation to Executive under this Agreement shall be to pay Executive his earned but unpaid base salary, if any, up to the date Executive's employment terminates, and Executive shall have no right to any Earned Bonus or any unpaid bonus payment whatsoever. The Company shall only be obligated to make such payments and provide such benefits under any employee benefit plan, program or policy in which Executive was a participant as are explicitly required to be paid to Executive by the terms of any such benefit plan, program or policy following the date on which Executive's employment terminates.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (e) <u>Termination for Disability</u>. The Board shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment on or after the date Executive has a Disability, and such a termination shall not be treated as a termination without Cause under this Agreement. If Executive's employment is terminated on account of a Disability and a Separation occurs, the Company shall:<br>

(1) pay Executive his base salary through the end of the month in which a Separation occurs as soon as practicable after the Separation,

(2) pay Executive his Earned Bonus for the fiscal year in which such Separation occurs; provided that the Earned Bonus shall in no event be paid later than 2½ months after the close of such fiscal year,

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(3) pay or cause the payment of benefits to which Executive is entitled under the terms of the disability plan(s) of the Company covering Executive at the time of such Disability,

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4) make such payments and provide such benefits as otherwise called for under the terms of the ISP and each other employee benefit plan, program and policy in which Executive was a participant; provided no payments made under <u>Section 5(e)(1)</u>, <u>Section</u> <u>5(e)(2)</u> or <u>Section 5(e)(3)</u> shall be taken into account in computing any payments or benefits described in this <u>Section 5(e)(4)</u>, and<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5) make any COBRA continuation coverage premium payments (for Executive and for Executive's dependents), for the 18-month period following the termination of Executive's employment or, if earlier, until Executive is eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan by a subsequent employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that it cannot provide the foregoing subsidy of COBRA coverage without potentially violating or causing the Company to incur additional expense as a result of noncompliance with applicable law (including Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company instead shall provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage in effect on the date of the Separation (which amount shall be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments shall be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage, shall commence on the later of (i) the first day of the month following the month in which Executive experiences a Separation and (ii) the effective date of the Company's determination of violation of applicable law, and shall end on the earliest of (x) the effective date on which Executive becomes covered by a medical, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer, and (y) the last day of the period 18 months after Separation. Executive shall have no right to an additional gross-up payment to account for the fact that such COBRA premium amounts are paid on an after-tax basis.<br>

(f) <u>Death</u>. If Executive's employment terminates because of his death, the Company shall:

(1) pay to Executive's estate his base salary through the end of the month of his death as soon as practicable after his death,

(2) pay to Executive's estate his Earned Bonus, when actually determined, for the year in which Executive's death occurs,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3) make such payments and provide such benefits as otherwise called for under the terms of the ISP and each other employee benefit plan, program and policy in which Executive was a participant; provided that no payments made under <u>Section 5(f)(l)</u> or <u>Section</u> <u>5(f)(2)</u> shall be taken into account in computing any payments or benefits described in this <u>Section 5(f)(3)</u>, and<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4) make any COBRA continuation coverage premium payments for Executive's dependents for the one-year period following Executive's death or, if earlier, until such dependents are eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that it cannot provide the foregoing subsidy of COBRA coverage without potentially violating or causing the Company to incur additional expense as a result of noncompliance with applicable law (including Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company instead shall provide a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive's dependents would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage in effect on the date of Executive's death (which amount shall be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments shall be made regardless of whether Executive's dependents elect COBRA continuation coverage, shall commence on the later of (i) the first day of the month following the month in which Executive dies and (ii) the effective date of the Company's determination of violation of applicable law, and shall end on the earliest of (x) the effective date on which Executive's dependents become covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan, and (y) the last day of the period one year after Executive's death. Executive's dependents shall have no right to an additional gross-up payment to account for the fact that such COBRA premium amounts are paid on an after-tax basis.<br>

**SECTION 6. COVENANTS BY EXECUTIVE**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <u>Company Property</u>. Upon the termination of Executive's employment for any reason or upon any earlier Company request, Executive shall promptly return all Company Property that had been entrusted or made available to Executive by the Company, where the term "***Property***" means all Company-related records, files, memoranda, reports, price lists, customer lists, drawings, plans, sketches, keys, codes, computer hardware and software and other property of any kind or description prepared, used or possessed by Executive during Executive's employment by the Company (and any duplicates of any such Property) together with any and all information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, and inventions and the like conceived, made, developed or acquired at any time by Executive individually or, with others during Executive's employment that relate to the Company or its products or services.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <u>Trade Secrets</u>. Executive agrees that Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity in perpetuity for the sole benefit of the Company and its affiliates and shall not directly or indirectly use or disclose any Trade Secret that Executive may have acquired (whether or not developed or compiled by Executive and whether or not Executive is authorized to have access to such information) during the term of Executive's employment by the Company or any of its predecessors for so long as such information remains a Trade Secret, where the term "***Trade Secret***" means information, including technical or non-technical data, a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing or a process that (1) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being generally readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its <br>10 <br>

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disclosure or use and (2) is the subject of reasonable efforts by the Company and any of its affiliates to maintain its secrecy. This <u>Section 6(b)</u> is intended to provide rights to the Company and its affiliates which are in addition to, not in lieu of, those rights the Company and its affiliates have under the common law or applicable statutes for the protection of trade secrets.<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <u>Confidential Information</u>. Executive while employed by the Company or its affiliates and for the three-year period thereafter shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the sole benefit of the Company and its affiliates, and shall not directly or indirectly use or disclose, any Confidential Information that Executive may have acquired (whether or not developed or compiled by Executive and whether or not Executive is authorized to have access to such information) during the term of and in the course of or as a result of Executive's employment by the Company or its predecessors without the prior written consent of the Board unless and except to the extent that such disclosure is (i) made in the ordinary course of Executive's performance of his duties under this Agreement or (ii) required by any subpoena or other legal process (in which event Executive will give the Company prompt notice of such subpoena or other legal process in order to permit the Company to seek appropriate protective orders). For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "***Confidential Information***" means any secret, confidential or proprietary information possessed by the Company or any of its affiliates, including Trade Secrets, customer or supplier lists, details of client or consultant contracts, current and anticipated customer requirements, pricing policies, price lists, market studies, business plans, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product flaws or development techniques, computer software programs (including object code and source code), data and documentation data, base technologies, systems, structures and architectures, inventions and ideas, past current and planned research and development, compilations, devices, methods, techniques, processes, financial information and data, business acquisition plans and new personnel acquisition plans (not otherwise included as a Trade Secret under this Agreement) that has not become generally available to the public, and the term "Confidential Information" may include future business plans, licensing strategies, advertising campaigns, information regarding customers or suppliers, executives and independent contractors and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the provisions of this <u>Section 6(c)</u> to the contrary, Executive shall be permitted to furnish this Agreement to a subsequent employer or prospective employer.<br>

(d) <u>Non-solicitation of Customers or Employees</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) Executive (i) while employed by the Company or any of its affiliates shall not, on Executive's own behalf or on behalf of any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or business organization, entity or enterprise (other than the Company or one of its affiliates), solicit business for a Competing Business from customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) during the Restricted Period shall not, on Executive's own behalf or on behalf of any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or business organization, entity or enterprise, solicit business for a Competing Business from customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its affiliates with whom Executive, in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) above, had or made material business contact with in the course of Executive's employment by the Company within the 24-month period immediately preceding the beginning of the Restricted Period.<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) Executive (i) while employed by the Company or any of its affiliates shall not, either directly or indirectly, call on, solicit or attempt to induce any other officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate his or her employment with such business and shall not assist any other person or entity in such a solicitation (regardless of whether any such officer, employee or independent contractor would commit a breach of contract by terminating his or her employment), and (ii) during the Restricted Period, shall not, either directly or indirectly, call on, solicit or attempt to induce any other officer, employee or independent contractor of such business with whom Executive had contact, knowledge of, or association in the course of Executive's employment with the Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates, as the case may be, during the 12-month period immediately preceding the beginning of the Restricted Period, to terminate his or her employment with the Company or any of its affiliates and shall not assist any other person or entity in such a solicitation (regardless of whether any such officer, employee or independent contractor would commit a breach of contract by terminating his or her employment). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing shall prohibit any person from contacting Executive about employment or other engagement during the Restricted Period, provided that Executive does not solicit the contact.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (e) <u>Non-competition Obligation</u>. Without the prior written consent of the Company, Executive, while employed by the Company or any of its affiliates and thereafter until the end of the Restricted Period, will not engage in any of the activities described in <u>Section</u> <u>3(b)(l)</u> hereof within the geographical area in which the Company or any of its affiliates is actively engaged in developing, marketing and selling ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, for himself or on behalf of any other person, partnership, corporation or other business entity that is a Competing Business for the purpose of competing with the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Executive will not be prohibited from owning less than 5% percent of any publicly traded corporation, whether or not such corporation is in a Competing Business.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (f) <u>Reasonable and Continuing Obligations</u>. Executive agrees that Executive's obligations under this <u>Section 6</u> are obligations which will continue beyond the date Executive's employment terminates and that such obligations are reasonable, fair and equitable in scope, terms and duration, are necessary to protect the Company's legitimate business interests and are a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (g) <u>Remedy for Breach</u>. Executive agrees that the remedies at law of the Company for any actual or threatened breach by Executive of the covenants in this <u>Section 6</u> would be inadequate and that the Company shall be entitled to specific performance of the covenants in this <u>Section 6</u>, including entry of a temporary restraining order in state or federal court, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against activities in violation of this <u>Section 6</u>, or both, or other appropriate judicial remedy, writ or order, in addition to any damages and legal expenses which the Company may be legally entitled to recover. The Company agrees, however, to give Executive and, if known, Executive's attorney reasonable advance notice of any legal proceeding, including any application for a temporary restraining order, relating to an attempt to enforce the covenants in this <u>Section 6</u> against Executive. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants in this <u>Section 6</u> shall be construed as agreements independent of any other provision of this Agreement <br>12 <br>

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or any other agreement between the Company and Executive, and that the existence of any claim or cause of action by Executive against the Company, whether predicated upon this Agreement or any other agreement, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of such covenants.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (h) <u>Termination of Restrictive Covenants</u>. In addition to any other right or remedy available to Executive, Executive shall no longer be bound by any of the restrictions set forth in this <u>Section 6</u> if the Company fails to pay or to provide Executive when due the amounts and benefits due hereunder or under any agreement ancillary hereto, and Executive's pursuit of such remedy shall not relieve the Company from its obligations to pay and to provide such amounts and benefits to Executive.<br>

(i) <u>Ownership of Inventions, Discoveries, Improvements, Etc</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) Executive shall promptly disclose and describe to the Company all inventions, improvements, discoveries and technical developments, whether or not patentable, made or conceived by Executive, either alone or with others, during such time as Executive is employed with the Company, and within one year after the date upon such employment terminates, that (i) are based in whole or in part upon Confidential Information or (ii) during such time as Executive is employed with the Company are along the lines of, useful in or related to the business of the Company or (iii) result from or are suggested by any work done by Executive for or on behalf of the Company ("***Inventions***"). Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company Executive's entire right, title and interest in and to such Inventions (the "***Assigned Inventions***"), and agrees to cooperate with the Company both during and after such time as Executive is employed with the Company in the procurement and maintenance, at the Company's expense and at its direction, of patents and copyright registrations and/or other protection of the Company's rights in such Inventions. Executive shall keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all such Inventions, which shall be and remain the property of the Company.<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) If a patent application, trademark registration or copyright registration is filed by Executive or on Executive's behalf, or a copyright notice indicating Executive's authorship is used by Executive or on Executive's behalf, within one year after the date on which Executive's employment with the Company terminates, that describes or identifies. any Invention within the scope of Executive's work for the Company or that otherwise related to a portion of the Company's business (or any division thereof) of which Executive had knowledge such time as Executive was employed with the Company, it is to be conclusively presumed that the Invention was conceived by Executive during the time as Executive was employed with the Company. Executive agrees to notify the Company promptly of any such application or registration and to assign to the Company Executive's entire right, title and interest in such Invention and in such application or registration.<br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3) If (i) Executive uses or discloses any of Executive's own or any third party's confidential information or intellectual property (collectively, "***Restricted*** <br>13 <br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***Materials***") when acting within the scope of Executive's employment (or otherwise on behalf of the Company), or (ii) any Assigned Invention cannot be fully made, used, reproduced or otherwise exploited without using or violating any Restricted Materials, Executive hereby grants and agrees to grant to the Company a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sublicensable right and license to exploit and exercise all such Restricted Materials and intellectual property rights therein. Executive will not use or disclose any Restricted Materials for which Executive is not fully authorized to grant the foregoing license. <br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4) To the extent allowed by applicable law, the terms of this <u>Section 6(i)</u> include all rights of paternity, integrity, disclosure and withdrawal and any other rights that may be known as or referred to as moral rights, artist's rights, droit moral or the like (collectively, "***Moral Rights***")*.* To the extent Executive retains any such Moral Rights under applicable law, Executive hereby ratifies and consents to any action that may be taken by or authorized by the Company with respect to such Moral Rights and agrees not to assert any Moral Rights with respect thereto. Executive will confirm any such ratification, consent or agreement from time to time as requested by the Company.<br>

#### SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) <u>Notices.</u> Notices and all other communications shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United States registered or certified mail. Notices to the Company shall be sent to:

Alimera Sciences, Inc.

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

6310 Town Square, Suite 400

Alpharetta, Georgia 30005

Notices and communications to Executive shall be sent to the address Executive most recently provided to the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <u>No Waiver</u>. Except for the notice described in <u>Section 7(a),</u> no failure by either the Company or Executive at any time to give notice of any breach by the other of, or to require compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement.<br>

(c) <u>Tax Matters</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall at all times be interpreted and operated in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code ("***Section 409A***"). Specifically, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of tax on Executive under Section 409A, payments payable upon a termination or separation shall be suspended until six (6) months and one day following the effective date of termination or separation, if, immediately prior to <br>14 <br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;Executive's termination or separation, Executive is a "specified employee" (within the meaning of Section 409A) and Section 409A would require the delay of such payment to avoid any penalties thereunder. Each payment hereunder shall be deemed a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. The parties intend that no payment pursuant to this Agreement shall give rise to any adverse tax consequences to either party pursuant to Section 409A; *provided, however*, that Executive acknowledges that the Company does not guarantee any particular tax treatment and that Executive is solely responsible for any taxes he incurs pursuant to Section 409A, if any, as a result of this Agreement.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) Certain payments, distributions, and acceleration of vesting for Executive made in connection with an acquisition of ownership or effective control of the Company or ownership of a substantial portion of the Company's assets (within the meaning of section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder), can be subject to certain tax penalties under sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. This includes amounts payable or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise. The excise tax on any such payments, determined under sections 280G and 4999 of the Code, generally applies if all of Executive' parachute payments together equal or exceed 300% of his average annual W-2 compensation from the Company. Executive is solely responsible for any taxes he incurs pursuant to sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <u>Georgia Law</u>. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of Georgia without regard to its provisions regarding choice of law or conflicts of law. Any litigation that may be brought by either the Company or Executive involving the enforcement of this Agreement or any rights, duties, or obligations under this Agreement, shall be brought exclusively in a Georgia state court or United States District Court in Georgia.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (e) <u>Assignment</u>. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor in interest to the Company. The Company may assign this Agreement to any affiliate or successor that acquires all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company or a majority of the voting interests of the Company and no such assignment shall be treated as a termination of Executive's employment under this Agreement. Executive's rights and obligations under this Agreement· are personal and shall not be assigned or transferred.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (f) <u>Other Agreements</u>. This Agreement replaces and merges any and all previous agreements and understandings regarding all the terms and conditions of Executive's employment relationship with the Company, and this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and Executive with respect to such terms and conditions.<br>

(g) <u>Amendment</u>. No amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the Company and by Executive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (h) <u>Invalidity</u>. If any part of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining part shall be unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect, and the invalid or otherwise unenforceable part shall be deemed not to be part of this Agreement.<br>

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(i) <u>Litigation</u>. If either party to this Agreement institutes litigation against the other party to enforce his or its respective rights under this Agreement, each party shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with such litigation.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (j) <u>I</u><u>nterpretation</u>. The recitals to this Agreement shall be taken into account in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The words "include," "includes" and "including" are deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation." The captions or headings of the Sections and other subdivisions of this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience or reference and have no effect on the meaning of the provisions of those Sections or subdivisions. If the provisions of this Agreement require judicial interpretation, the parties agree that the judicial body interpreting or construing the Agreement may not apply the assumption that the terms must be more strictly construed against one party by reason of the rule of construction that an instrument is to be construed more strictly against the party that itself or through its agents prepared the instrument. <br>

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(k) <u>S</u><u>urvival</u>. The respective indemnities, representations, warranties, agreements and covenants of the Company and Executive contained in this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect.

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**IN WITNESS WHEREOF**, the Company and Executive have executed this Agreement in multiple originals as of the Effective Date.

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**ALIMERA SCIENCES, INC.EXECUTIVE**

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By: <u>/s/ Richard S. Eiswirth, Jr.</u> By: <u>/s/ Russell L. Skibsted</u> 

Name: Richard S. Eiswirth, Jr.Name: Russell L. Skibsted

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Title: Chief Financial Officer and

Senior Vice President

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Date of Signature: <u>January 9, 2023</u> Date of Signature: <u>January 9, 2023</u> 

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## Exhibit 99.1

**Exhibit 99.1**

![A picture containing text Description automatically generated](alim-20230106xex99_1g001.jpg)

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

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**Alimera Sciences Appoints Industry Veteran**

**Russell L. Skibsted as Chief Financial Officer** 

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ATLANTA, January 9, 2022 -- Alimera Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALIM) ("Alimera"), a global pharmaceutical company whose mission is to be invaluable to patients, physicians, and partners concerned with retinal health and maintaining better vision longer, today announced the appointment of pharma financial veteran Russell L. Skibsted, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective today, January 9, 2023.

"We are extremely excited to have someone of Russell's caliber join us here at Alimera," said Rick Eiswirth, President and CEO of Alimera. "His extensive tenure in multiple pharma sectors as well as his broad experience in acquisitions and licensing, capital markets, investor relations, and financial operations will help us further achieve our goal of becoming the place to be in retina. We look forward to his engagement and expertise, leveraging his background from a variety of both public and private life sciences companies, in all stages of growth from start-up through commercial stability."

"I am really looking forward to working with the team here at Alimera and with the investment community," said Mr. Skibsted. "I believe ILUVIEN<sup>®</sup>is a tremendous asset in treating diabetic macular edema that helps patients see better longer, and I am thrilled to help Alimera continue its growth in the retina space".

Mr. Skibsted is a seasoned pharma executive with nearly 30 years of experience in financial management, global business development, capital raises, investor relations, and operations. He has worked with a variety of both public and private life sciences companies at all stages of development. Prior to joining Alimera, he served as Executive Vice President, CFO and Chief Business Officer at Rockwell Medical, a public company providing hemodialysis products.

Previously, Mr. Skibsted served as CFO of BioTime, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company which he joined in 2015, where he also performed the role of CFO at various times for several of BioTime's public and private subsidiaries, including Agex Therapeutics (NYSE American: AGE), OncoCyte Corporation (NYSE American: OCX), a developer of novel, non-invasive tests for the early detection of cancer (November 2015 through November 2017) and Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: AST), a biotechnology company pioneering the field of regenerative medicine

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with clinical programs in spinal cord injury and oncology immunotherapy (March 2016 through November 2016). Prior to BioTime, Mr. Skibsted served as CFO or Chief Business Officer for several public and private life science companies, including Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SPPI) and Hana Biosciences (NASDAQ:HNAB). He has also acted as a consulting CFO to various life science companies when he was the Managing Director of RSL Ventures.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Skibsted held roles as Portfolio Management Partner and CFO at Asset Management Company, one of the oldest and most respected venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, and Vice President for GE Capital Services Structured Finance Group. Mr. Skibsted holds a B.A. in Economics from Claremont McKenna College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

**About Alimera Sciences, Inc.**

Alimera Sciences is a global pharmaceutical company whose mission is to be invaluable to patients, physicians and partners concerned with retinal health and maintaining better vision longer. For more information, please visit www.alimerasciences.com.

**About ILUVIEN**

<u>www.ILUVIEN.com</u>

ILUVIEN is a sustained release intravitreal implant injected into the back of the eye. With its CONTINUOUS MICRODOSING™ technology, ILUVIEN is designed to release sub-microgram levels of fluocinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid, for 36 months, to reduce the recurrence of disease, enabling patients to maintain vision longer with fewer injections. ILUVIEN is approved in the U.S., Canada, Kuwait, Lebanon and the U.A.E. to treat diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure. In 17 European countries, ILUVIEN is indicated for the treatment of vision impairment associated with chronic DME considered insufficiently responsive to available therapies. In March 2019, ILUVIEN received approval in the 17 countries under the Mutual Recognition Procedure for prevention of relapse in recurrent non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. The 17 European countries include the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment indication for ILUVIEN was launched in Germany and the U.K. in late 2019, Belgium in 2021 and Ireland, Spain, and Italy in 2022. ILUVIEN is not approved for treatment of uveitis in the United States.

**For investor inquiries: For media inquiries:**

Scott Gordon Jules Abraham

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for Alimera Sciences for Alimera Sciences

scottg@coreir.com julesa@coreir.com

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