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EXHIBIT 4.8    
    

 
 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT    
    

This
agreement is made as of the 16th day of July 2001. 

	Between:	 	 
	

 	
 	
DR. GREGORY N. BEATCH, of

3393 West 27th Avenue,

Vancouver, B.C. V6S 1P5
	

 	
 	

(the "Employee")
	

 	
 	

and
	

 	
 	
CARDIOME PHARMA CORP., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and having its registered office at Suite 1400, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver B.C.
V6E 2E9
	

 	
 	

(the "Company")

WHEREAS:  

A.
The Company is engaged in pharmaceutical research and development (the "Business"); 

B.
The Company and the Employee previously entered into an agreement dated 24th day of November 1998 (the "First Agreement"); 

C.
The parties wish by this agreement (the "Agreement") to record the terms and conditions on which the Employee has agreed to serve as Vice President, External Scientific Affairs for the Company. 

NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 

1.     Employment  

Scope  

	1.1
	Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, the Company agrees to employ, and the Employee agrees to serve the Company as Vice President, External Scientific Affairs during the Term
(hereinafter defined). 

Term  

	1.2
	The
term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence on July 16, 2001 (the "Date of Commencement") and shall continue until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with
Part 4 or Part 5.2. 

Reporting  

	1.3
	The
Employee shall report and be directly responsible to the Company's Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). 

2.     Compensation  

Salary  

	2.1
	The
Company agrees to pay the Employee and the Employee agrees to accept as remuneration for his services an annual salary in the amount of Cdn $140,000, payable
semi-monthly in arrears. The 

 

salary
will be reviewed annually. "Annual salary" shall not include any other compensation such as bonus, stock options or benefits. 

Incentive Compensation  

	2.2
	The
Employee may be eligible for an annual bonus, if certain objectives agreed between the Company and the Employee are met, of up to Cdn $10,000. The amount of bonus, if any, will be
determined by the Board based on the recommendation of the Chief Scientific Officer and the President and CEO. 

Benefits  

	2.3
	The
Employee may participate in all employee benefit programs maintained by the Company, including any group disability insurance plan, medical and dental plans, on the same terms and
conditions as provided to other senior officers of the Company. 

Vacation  

	2.4
	The
Employee shall be entitled to three weeks paid vacation annually to be scheduled when mutually agreed by the parties. 

Expenses  

	2.5
	The
Company shall reimburse the Employee for all reasonable out of pocket expenses actually, necessarily and properly incurred by him in the normal discharge of his duties for the
Company. Reimbursement shall be paid against an itemized statement of expenses together with supporting invoices where applicable. 

3.     Obligations of the Employee  

Duties  

	3.1
	The
Employee shall perform such duties as are consistent with the job description set out in Schedule "A" and shall perform, observe and conform to such duties and instructions as
from time to time are reasonably assigned or communicated to him by the CSO or by such senior officer as designated by the CSO or the President and CEO. 

Authority  

	3.2
	The
Employee is authorized, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement to do all acts and things that the Employee in his discretion deems necessary or desirable to carry out
his duties provided that the Employee will not make purchases or authorize work without the Company's approval unless the expenditure has been authorized in a budget approved by the President and CEO,
or the expenditure arises in circumstances which constitute an emergency requiring immediate action for the protection of the Company. 

Books and Records  

	3.3
	The
Employee will cause to be maintained accurate and complete books and records of the Business, preserving all accounts, records, invoices, receipts, vouchers, books, files and
other documents in an orderly and organized manner available for inspection at any time by any member of the Board. 

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Access to Information  

	3.4
	The
Company will provide the Employee with all information and access to documents and premises as are available and are requested by the Employee to enable him to perform his duties. 

Indemnity by the Company  

	3.5
	The
Company will indemnify the Employee against any and all claims, losses, actions, lawsuits and other proceedings, judgements and awards, and costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees) arising by the Employee carrying out his duties or authority, except those which arise from fraudulent acts or omissions by the Employee. This indemnity shall survive
termination of this Agreement. 

Imported Intellectual Property  

	3.6
	The
Employee agrees that he will not use or bring to the Company any technical information, data, trade secrets, processes, products, formulae, investigations, or other intellectual
property which is the property of any other previous employer. 

Ownership of Work Product  

	3.7
	Any
discoveries, ideas and suggestions, reports, documents, concepts, products, inventions and improvements, technology, formulae and processes together with the nature and results of
research and development activities, any marketing schemes, business, joint venture or marketing contacts, or any business opportunities prepared, produced, developed or acquired at the Employee's
direction or by the Employee, related to the company's present and or interested business, whether or not conceived or made during normal working hours and whether or not the Employee is specifically
instructed to make or develop the same (collectively, the "Work Product") shall belong to the Company. 

Disclosure  

	3.8
	The
Employee will disclose and transfer to the Company all Work Product and execute and deliver to the Company all instruments or papers necessary to perfect and enforce the exclusive
ownership and enjoyment of the Work Product by the Company in all countries. 

4.     Termination  

By the Employee  

	4.1
	The
Employee may terminate this Agreement and his employment by giving the Company 30 days written notice. Monies owed by the Employee to the Company up to the date of
termination shall then be paid by the Employee to the Company. 

By the Company for Cause  

	4.2
	The
Company may terminate this Agreement and the employment of the Employee summarily without notice or payment in lieu of notice:

	a.
	for
cause that would, at common law, permit the Company to terminate the Employee without notice. Examples of conduct which may constitute "cause" include the following: willful breach
or non-observance of this Agreement in a matter of substance, negligent performance of duties in a matter of substance, or insubordination in a matter of substance; and

	b.
	if
the Employee files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or files any petition or answer seeking any reorganization, arrangement, 

3

 

composition,
readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any present or future statute or law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other relief for debtors. 

By the Company without Cause  

	4.3
	The
Company may terminate the employment of the Employee without cause, the Company shall pay to the Employee a severance amount (the "Severance Amount"), at the rate in effect on the
date of the Notice of Termination equal to twelve months of salary. 

The
severance amount shall be accepted by the Employee in full and complete satisfaction of any claims to severance pay, pay in lieu of notice or damages for dismissal, termination pay, any redundancy
payment to which the Employee may then be entitled, and any other compensation or payment to which the Employee may be entitled pursuant to any claim that he may have on the grounds of constructive,
wrongful or unfair dismissal or any other claim the Employee may have pursuant to any statutory or common law provision, and shall be paid in full on the date of termination. The Employee
acknowledges, agrees, and accepts these terms, as conditions of this Agreement. 

Notice of Termination  

	4.4
	The
Company shall communicate termination by written Termination Advice. "Termination Advice" means a notice which indicates the specific termination of this Agreement relied upon and
sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances to provide a basis for the termination. No purported Termination shall be effective without a Termination Advice. 

Duties Upon Termination  

	4.5
	If
this employment is terminated, the Employee agrees to deliver to the Company:

	a.
	a
final accounting, reflecting the balance of expenses incurred on behalf of the Company as of the effective date of termination; and

	b.
	all
documents pertaining to the Company or this Agreement, including but not limited to all books of account, records, formulae and processes, correspondence and contracts which may be
in the Employee's possession or control. 

Mitigation  

	4.6
	The
Employee shall mitigate any payments provided in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, or the amount of any payment created by this clause shall be reduced by
any compensation earned by the Employee through employment permitted by this Agreement with another employer after the date of termination or otherwise. 

Competition  

	4.7
	The
Employee agrees not to compete with the Company in any way for the longer of:

	a.
	The
period in respect of which he is receiving compensation on termination as set out in clause 4.5; or

	b.
	Twelve
(12) months following the date of termination of his employment, 

without
the written consent of the Company. This means the Employee will not individually or in partnership or conjunction with any other person or persons, firm or corporation as employee, principal,
officer, agent, shareholder or in any other manner whatsoever directly or indirectly carry on or be engaged or concerned with or interested in or advise or act as consultant for, lend money 

4

 

to,
guarantee the debts or obligations of, or otherwise provide financial assistance for, or permit his name to be used in any research or otherwise in competition with the Company. 

Solicitation  

	4.8
	During
employment and for a period of one year following termination of the Agreement the Employee shall not recruit, solicit or induceany employee to terminate his or her employee
with the Company for the purposes of employment in any business related to or competitive with the business of the Company. 

5.     Change of Control  

Definition  

	5.1
	Change
of Control is defined under this Agreement as when:

	i)
	there
is an occurrence of an event whereby any person or entity becomes the beneficial owner of shares representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities of
the Company, or

	ii)
	there
is a merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more corporations as a result of which, immediately following such merger or consolidation, the shareholders of the
Company as a group will hold less than a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the surviving corporation. 

Termination Arrangement  

	5.2
	Upon
a Change of Control of the Company, if Employee is terminated, constructively dismissed, or if the Employee is not terminated for cause then the Employee will be compensated
under the provisions defined under Section 5.3 hereof. 

Compensation on Termination  

	5.3
	The
Company agrees to pay the Employee and the Employee agrees to accept the following compensation package upon a Change of Control:

	i.
	A
cash compensation equivalent to eighteen months of salary, payable on the effective date of termination;

	ii.
	All
outstanding options shall be vested immediately upon the Change of Control;

	iii.
	The
expiry date of all of the options outstanding shall be extended for 5 years from the date of Change of Control irrespectable whether the Employee stay in the new entity or
not. The extension of expiry date shall not exceed the maximum term allowed under the Company's Stock Option Plan that options must be exercised no later than 10 years from the date of grant;
and

	iv.
	All
coverage of medical and life insurance benefits, other than key man insurance, for the Employee shall continue for the period defined by the salary payment, or until they are
employed elsewhere, whichever is earlier. 

The
afore-mentioned compensation package shall be accepted by the Employee in full and complete satisfaction of any claims to other severance pay, termination pay, any redundancy payment or any other
payment to which the Employee may then be entitled pursuant to a Change of Control of the Company, and any claim the Employee may have pursuant to any statutory or 

5

 

common
law provision, and shall be paid in full on the date of termination. The Employee acknowledges, agrees, and accepts these terms, as conditions of this Agreement. 

Compensation for Continued Employment  

	5.4
	Should
the Employee elect to remain with the new entity on a permanent basis, the Employee shall do so under terms negotiated between the new entity and the Employee at that time. 

6.     Dispute Resolution  

	6.1
	All
questions or matters in dispute shall be resolved by mediation by a mutually agreed party and, if mediation is not successful within thirty (30) days, be finally determined
by arbitration using a single arbitrator following the rules of the British Columbia Center for Commercial Arbitration. 

7.     Miscellaneous  

	7.1
	The
laws of British Columbia and Canada shall govern this Agreement.

	7.2
	This
Agreement is not assignable by either party.

	7.3
	This
Agreement shall endure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Employee's legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, and successors. If the Employee should die
while any amounts are still payable to him under this Agreement, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to his legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, or, if there be no such designee, to the his estate.

	7.4
	This
Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Employee and the Company concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes any previous oral or written communications,
representations, understandings or agreements with the Company or any officer or agent thereof.

	7.5
	Notices
shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given and deemed to have been received upon personal delivery or, if mailed, upon the first to occur of actual receipt or
forty-eight (48) hours after being mailed in Canada, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the Company or the Employee at the address shown on
page one of this Agreement or at such other address as may be specified in writing to the other party, but notice of a change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if there is an interruption in postal service, all notices shall be personally delivered during the period of interruption.

	7.6
	Waiver
by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

	7.7
	Time
shall be of the essence.

	7.8
	Unless
stated otherwise, all references herein to dollar amounts refer to Canadian funds.

	7.9
	The
recitals are an integral part of the Agreement and incorporated by reference. 

8.     Agreement of Voluntary and Equitable  

	8.1
	Each
of the parties acknowledge and declare that they have carefully reviewed and understand this Agreement including the Employee's rights upon termination and the restrictions on
the Employee after termination, and acknowledge and agree that the terms are mutually fair and equitable. Each party was fully and plainly instructed to obtain independent legal and tax advice and
each of them acknowledge that they have executed voluntarily understanding the nature and effect of this Agreement after receiving such advice. 

6

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company has caused it corporate seal to be affixed by and in response of its duly authorized officers on that behalf and the
Employee has set his hand and seal as of the day and year first above written. 

	SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED	)	 	 
	by the Employee in the presence of:	)	 	 
	 	)	 	 
	"Christina Yip"
	)	 	 
	Signature	)	 	 
	 	)	 	 
	Christina Yip
	)	 	 
	Name	)	 	"Gregory N. Beatch"
	 	)	 	

	 	)	 	EMPLOYEE'S SIGNATURE
	7081 Golden Street
	)	 	 
	Address	)	 	 
	Burnaby, BC
	)	 	 
	

CARDIOME PHARMA INC.	

 	
 	
"Bob Rieder"
	 	 	 	
 AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY

7

  

 
 

Schedule "A"
  
    Duties and Responsibilities of the Vice-President, External Scientific Affairs    
    

Services  

The
Employee's services shall be provided to the Company on a full time basis. 

The
Employee's primary duties will relate to the management of external scientific relationships, licensing activities and opportunities. These activities will be carried out in close collaboration
with the Vice-President of Research, the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), and other employees or consultants of the Company as assigned by the CSO or the President. 

Specifically
the Employee will: 

	1.
	Identify,
evaluate and advise the Company in regard to external R&D, in-licensing, or other pharmaceutical opportunities;

	2.
	Identify,
engage and manage external research resources, both commercial and academic;

	3.
	Under
the direction of the CSO, manage the intellectual property protection activities of the company, including IP strategy development and implementation;

	4.
	Lead
the scientific interaction with company's that may become licensees of Cardiome technologies or products;

	5.
	In
conjunction with the CEO, CSO and director (or VP) of business development, assist in negotiation of licensing agreements for Cardiome technology;

	6.
	In
conjunction with the CSO, research, develop, and recommend clinical development strategies for the company;

	7.
	Participate
in development of pre-clinical experiment protocols and in analysis of resulting data;

	8.
	As
a member of the senior management team, contribute to:

	i)
	business
strategy development and implementation;

	ii)
	development
and implementation of operating tactics;

	iii)
	all
other decision-making and implementation activities of the company.

	9.
	Perform
all other duties normally incident to the office of the Vice-President, External Scientific Affairs, execute all documents required to discharge his duties as the
Vice-President, External Scientific Affairs, including but not limited to agreements, requisitions, orders for the supply of equipment or services, reports, etc. and exercise such other
powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the CSO, the President and CEO and the Board. 

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EXHIBIT 4.8

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

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EXHIBIT 4.9    
    

This
Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of January 6, 2003, 

	Between:	 	 
	 	 	CARDIOME PHARMA CORP., a corporation incorporated under the

laws of Canada and having its head office at 3650 Wesbrook Mall,

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6S 2L2
	

 	
 	

(the "Company")
	And:	 	 
	 	 	CHRISTINA YIP, residing at 7081 Golden Street, Burnaby,

British Columbia, V5A 1N3
	

 	
 	

(the "Employee")

WHEREAS:  

A.
the Company wishes to terminate its employment agreement with the Employee dated October 15, 2001 and enter into a new employment agreement with the Employee; and 

B.
the Employee has agreed to supply his service in the capacity of Vice President, Finance and Administration of the Company on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement, which shall
supersede and replace all prior agreements, if any, between the parties; 

THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals, the following covenants and the payment of one dollar made by each party to the other, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is acknowledged by each party, the parties agree on the following terms: 

ARTICLE 1. Employment  

1.1    Employment:    The Company hereby employs the Employee as Vice President, Finance and Administration
and the Employee accepts such employment, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. 

1.2    Initial Term:    The initial term of this Agreement shall be three years commencing on the date of
this Agreement, unless terminated prior to such date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The initial term will be automatically renewed for further successive three year terms unless the
Company or the Employee provides written notice of termination to the other party at least 60 days prior to the end of the applicable term. If the Company provides such written notice, the
Employee will be entitled to receive the severance payment set out in subsection 4.3(a). 

1.3    Duties:    The Employee shall perform such duties as are customarily associated with his title or
titles, consistent with the Bylaws of the Company and as required by the Company. Such duties shall initially be as set out on Schedule "A" and shall be subject to change from time to time. Said
duties shall be performed at such place or places as the Company shall reasonably designate or as shall be reasonably appropriate and necessary to the discharge of the Employee's duties in connection
with his employment. 

1.4    Hours:    During the term of the Employee's employment with Company, the Employee will devote his
best efforts and substantially all of his business time and attention to the performance of his duties hereunder and to the business and affairs of the Company, except for vacation periods as set
forth herein and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacities permitted by Company's general employment policies. The Employee will duly, punctually and faithfully observe the Company's general
employment policies and practices, including, without limitation, any and all rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures which the Company may now or hereafter establish governing the conduct of
its business. 

 

1.5    Reporting:    The Employee shall report to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. 

ARTICLE 2. Compensation  

2.1    Salary:    Subject to section 2.2, for his services hereunder, the Employee shall receive a
salary, payable in such regular intervals as shall be determined by the Company, which shall be at the rate of CDN$135,000 per year ("Salary"). 

2.2    Salary Increases:    The rate of Salary provided for in section 2.1 shall be reviewed by the
Company annually and shall be increased from time to time and in such amount as the Company, in its discretion, may determine. 

2.3    Withholding:    All payments of salary, bonuses and other compensation pursuant to this Agreement
shall be subject to the customary withholding taxes as required by law. 

2.4    New Stock Options:    The Company will grant the Employee options to purchase up to 15,000 common
shares in the capital of the Company as soon as practicable following the execution of this Agreement by the Employee. The options will expire seven years from the date of grant and will vest to the
Employee with 7,500 shares vesting immediately and the remaining 7,500 shares vesting on or before the first anniversary of the date of grant. The options will be exercisable at a price of Cdn.$3.32
per share. 

ARTICLE 3. Fringe Benefits  

3.1    Participation in Plans:    The Employee shall be entitled to all additional fringe benefits,
including, but not limited to, life, health and disability insurance programs that may be generally available to other employees of the Company. All matters of eligibility for coverage of benefits
under any plan or plans of health, hospitalization, life, disability or other insurance provided by the Company shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the insurance policies. If the
Company is not able to obtain life, health and disability insurance coverage for the Employee from its regular provider, it will obtain a different provider to ensure that such benefits are provided
to the Employee. The Company shall not be liable to the Employee, or his beneficiaries or successors, for any amount payable or claimed to be payable under any plan of insurance, which is not paid to
any of the Company's other employees. In addition, the Employee is entitled to receive annually a full diagnostic check paid for by the Company, including a complete physical and MRI exam. 

3.2    Holidays and Sick Leave:    The Employee shall be entitled to such paid holidays and sick leave, and
other benefit programs, as and to the extent that the Company generally provides from time to time to other executive employees. 

3.3    Vacation and Professional Leave:    The Employee shall be entitled to vacation each year during this
Agreement as permitted under the employment practices of the Company in effect at such time. The Employee shall be entitled to four weeks paid vacation for each fiscal year of the Company. The
Employee may not take in a fiscal year any of the four weeks paid vacation earned but not taken in previous fiscal years. 

3.4    Business Expenses:    The parties acknowledge that the Employee shall incur, from time to time, for
the benefit of the Company and in furtherance of the Company's business, various business expenses. The Company agrees that it shall either pay such expenses directly, advance sums to the Employee to
be used for payment of such expenses, or reimburse the Employee for such expenses incurred by him. The Employee agrees to submit to the Company such documentation as may be reasonably necessary to
substantiate that all expenses paid or reimbursed hereunder were reasonably related to the performance of his duties. The Company agrees to reimburse duplicate housing costs if the Employee is
requested to work at more than one corporate location. 

2

 

ARTICLE 4. Termination of Employment  

4.1    The Employee's Right to Terminate:    The Employee may terminate his obligations under this Agreement 

	(a)
	at
any time upon providing 60 days' notice in writing to the Company; or

	(b)
	upon
a material breach or default of any term of this Agreement by the Company if such material breach or default has not been remedied within 30 days after written notice of
the material breach or default has been delivered by the Employee to the Company. 

4.2    Company's Right to Terminate:    The Company may terminate the Employee's employment under this
Agreement at any time upon the occurrence of any of the following events: 

	(a)
	the
Employee acting unlawfully, dishonestly, in bad faith or negligently with respect to the business of the Company to the extent that it has a material and adverse effect on the
Company, or acting in any way which would permit the Company to terminate the Agreement "for cause" at common law;

	(b)
	the
conviction of the Employee of any crime or fraud against the Company or its property or any felony offense or crime reasonably likely to bring discredit upon the Employee or the
Company, or the Employee filing a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or being adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or filing any petition or answer under any present or future statute or law relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency or other relief for debtors;

	(c)
	a
material breach or default of any term of this Agreement by the Employee if such material breach or default has not been remedied within 30 days after written notice of the
material breach or default has been delivered by the Company to the Employee; or

	(d)
	at
the discretion of the Company without cause. 

4.3    Severance Payment:    

	(a)
	In
the event of the termination of the Employee's employment pursuant to subsections 4.1(b) or 4.2(d) of this Agreement, the Company shall:

	(i)
	pay
to the Employee on the date of such termination the full amount of compensation accrued pursuant to section 2.1 of this Agreement as of the date of termination and all
expenses incurred by the Employee up to the date of termination pursuant to section 3.4 of this Agreement,

	(ii)
	pay
to the Employee within 60 days of such termination a severance payment of twelve months of his then current Salary,

	(iii)
	cause
all outstanding options of the Employee to immediately vest, and

	(iv)
	extend
the then current life, health and disability insurance programs to the Employee until the earlier of one year from the date of termination or until the Employee finds new
employment. The Company shall either continue the Employee on the Company's life, health and disability insurance programs or otherwise secure such benefits for the Employee for the applicable period.
No other benefits shall be continued.

	(b)
	In
the event of the termination of the Employee's employment under this Agreement in circumstances other than those set out in subsections 4.3(a) of this Agreement, the Company shall
pay to the Employee on the date of such termination, the full amount of compensation accrued pursuant to section 2.1 of this Agreement as of the date of termination and all expenses incurred by
the Employee up to the date of termination pursuant to section 3.4 of this Agreement. 

3

 

4.4    Material Breach:    For the purposes of this Article 4, the determination of when a material
breach has occurred shall be resolved by arbitration pursuant to section 7.7 of this Agreement. 

ARTICLE 5. Confidential Information and Intellectual Property  

5.1    Confidential Information:    "Confidential Information" shall mean information disclosed to the
Employee, known by the Employee, or developed by the Employee (alone or with others) as a consequence of or through his employment by the Company or his relationship with the Company's subsidiaries,
which information is not generally known in the industry in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries are or may become engaged, about the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
including but not limited to information relating to trade secrets of the Company or its subsidiaries, existing or potential customers, business plans and strategies, research methods and products,
pricing and billing methods and marketing methods. Without regard to whether any of such matters would be deemed confidential, proprietary or material as a matter of law, the parties hereto stipulate
that, as between them, such matters are confidential, proprietary, and material and unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination would seriously affect the effective and successful conduct of the
business and interests of the Company or its subsidiaries, and its goodwill, and that any breach of the terms of this Article is a material breach of this Agreement. 

5.2    Prohibition on Disclosure:    Except as required in his duties to the Company, the Employee shall
not, directly or indirectly use, disseminate or disclose any Confidential Information. If in the course of fulfilling his responsibilities, the Employee has to communicate some Confidential
Information to people in other companies, he will inform them of the confidential nature of the information and make them aware of their responsibility of keeping such information confidential and use
every reasonable effort to see that they do keep such information confidential. 

5.3    Return of Confidential Information Upon Termination:    Upon termination of his employment with the
Company, the Employee shall return to the Company all documents, records, notebooks and electronic media containing Confidential Information, including all copies thereof, whether prepared by the
Employee or others. 

5.4    Cooperation in Protecting Confidentiality:    The Employee shall provide all reasonable assistance to
the Company and its subsidiaries to protect the confidentiality of any such Confidential Information that Employee may have directly or indirectly disclosed, published or made available to third
parties in breach of this Agreement. The Employee shall take all reasonable steps requested by the Company to prevent the recurrence of such unauthorized access, use, possession or knowledge. If, at
any time, the Employee becomes aware of any unauthorized access, use, possession, or knowledge of any Confidential Information by any third party, the Employee shall immediately notify the Company. 

5.5    Imported Intellectual Property:    The Employee agrees that he will not use or bring to the Company
any technical information, data, trade secrets, processes, products, formulae, investigations or other intellectual property which is the property of any previous employer. 

5.6    Ownership of Work Product:    Any discoveries, ideas and suggestions, reports, documents, concepts,
products, inventions and improvements, technology, formulae and processes together with the nature and results of research and development activities, any marketing schemes, business, joint venture or
marketing contacts, or any business opportunities prepared, produced, developed, or acquired at the Employee's direction or by the Employee, whether or not conceived or made during normal working
hours and whether or not the Employee is specifically instructed to make or develop the same (collectively, the "Work Product") shall belong to the Company. 

5.7    Disclosure:    The Employee will disclose and transfer to the Company all Work Product and execute
and deliver to the Company all instruments or papers necessary to perfect and enforce the exclusive ownership and enjoyment of the Work Product by the Company in all countries. 

4

 

5.8    Covenants Reasonable:    The Employee confirms that the provisions in this Article 5 are
reasonable and valid based upon the businesses that are carried on by the Company, and based on the fiduciary and sensitive position the Employee will occupy with the Company. 

ARTICLE 6. Non-Competition  

6.1    Competition:    The Employee agrees not to compete with the Company in any way for the longer of: 

	(a)
	the
period in respect of which he is receiving compensation on termination as set out in Article 4; or

	(b)
	12 months
following the date of termination of his employment, 

without
the written consent of the Company. This means the Employee will not individually or in partnership or conjunction with any other person or persons, firm or corporation as employee, principal,
officer, agent, shareholder or in any other manner whatsoever directly or indirectly carry on or be engaged or concerned with or interested in or advise or act as consultant for, lend money to,
guarantee the debts or obligations of, or otherwise provide financial assistance for, or permit his name to be used in any research activity or otherwise in competition with the Company. 

6.2    Non-Solicitation of Customers:    During the term of this Agreement and for a period of
12 months after the termination of the Employee's employment, the Employee shall not, either directly or indirectly and either alone or with others, canvass or solicit orders for any product or
service or both which is or has been researched, developed, manufactured, produced, provided, marketed, distributed or otherwise dealt in by the Company from any person, firm or company which has been
at any time within the previous 24 month period a customer or supplier of the Company or a prospective customer or supplier of the Company with which the Employee is or was actively concerned
during his employment. 

6.3    Non-Solicitation of Employees:    During the term of this Agreement and for a period of
12 months after the termination of the Employee's employment, the Employee shall not, either directly or indirectly and either alone or with others canvass or solicit any person who is an
employee of the Company to leave or terminate such employment for the purpose of establishing a business to carry out research and development of, or to offer, any product or service or both which is
of a type similar to any product or service which is or has been researched, developed, manufactured, produced, provided, marketed, distributed or otherwise dealt in by the Company. 

6.4    Survival:    The parties agree that the obligations imposed by this Article and Article 5
shall survive termination or expiration of this Agreement, and shall bind the Employee for a period of 15 years after such termination or expiration. 

ARTICLE 7. Miscellaneous  

7.1    Irreparable Injury:    The Employee expressly recognizes and agrees that his obligations under
Articles 5 and 6 of this Agreement are important and material and seriously affect the effective and successful conduct of the business and interests of the Company and its goodwill, and therefore the
breach of any obligations under such Articles will constitute an irreparable injury to the Company, for which damages, although available, will not be an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, the
Employee expressly consents to the issuance of injunctive relief to enforce the obligations of this Agreement. The parties agree that service of process may be made by certified mail at the address
first listed above. The provisions of this Article are not intended to limit the remedies and relief otherwise available to the Company for breaches by the Employee of Articles of this Agreement other
than Articles 5 and 6. 

5

 

7.2    Assignment Prohibited:    This Agreement is personal to the Employee hereto and he may not assign or
delegate any of his rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the Company. The Company may not assign this Agreement without the written consent of the Employee
except in connection with a merger or amalgamation of the Company (in which case the merged or amalgamated entity shall remain fully liable for the obligations of the Company under this Agreement). 

7.3    Amendments:    No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and
signed by the party against whom enforcement of such amendment or addition is sought. 

7.4    Paragraph Headings:    The paragraph headings used in this Agreement are included solely for
convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement. 

7.5    Legal Expenses of Enforcement:    If either party commences a legal action or other proceeding for
enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled
to reasonable attorney's fees and other costs incurred in connection with the action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled. 

7.6    Severability:    If any provision of this Agreement is declared invalid by any tribunal, then such
provision shall be deemed automatically modified to conform to the requirements for validity as declared at such time, and as so modified, shall be deemed a provision of this Agreement as though
originally included herein. In the event that the provision invalidated is of such a nature that it cannot be so modified, the provision shall be deemed deleted from this Agreement as though the
provision had never been included herein. In either case, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect. 

7.7    Arbitration:    Any controversy, claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its
construction and interpretation shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the British Columbia Commercial Arbitration Act, and judgment upon the award rendered in such arbitration may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. In addition, any controversy, claim or dispute concerning the scope of this arbitration clause or whether a particular dispute falls within this
arbitration clause shall also be settled by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the British Columbia Commercial Arbitration Act. 

7.8    Choice of Law:    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the Province of British Columbia. 

7.9    Entire Agreement:    This Agreement constitutes the entire, final and complete and exclusive
agreement between the parties and supersedes all previous agreements or representations, written or oral, with respect to employment. 

7.10    Change, Modification, Waiver:    No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless
it is in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is sought
to be enforced. The failure of a party of insist upon strict performance of any provision of this Agreement in any one or more instances shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of the
right to insist upon strict compliance with such provision in the future. 

7.11    Notices:    All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered
in person or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid to each party at the address first written above or at such other address as provided in writing. 

7.12    Binding Effect:    This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties,
their heirs, successors and assigns. 

6

 

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

	CARDIOME PHARMA CORP.	 	 
	

Per:	
 	

 
	
"Bob Rieder"
 Authorized Signatory	
 	

 
	
"Christina Yip"
 Christina Yip	
 	

 

7

 
 

Schedule "A"
  
    Duties and Responsibilities of the Vice President, Finance and Administration    
    

The
VP, Finance and Administration's primary duties will relate to the management of financial resources, financial reporting and planning, regulatory compliance, information technology, human
resources, and general administration of the Company. The Employee will also act as the Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Company. These activities will be carried out in
close collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and other employees or consultants of the Company as assigned by the CEO. 

Specifically
the Employee will: 

	1.
	assist
the CFO in all corporate finance activities including but not limited to financing and merger and acquisition;

	2.
	establish
financial models and provide relevant financial analysis to the Executive Management of the Company;

	3.
	manage
the process of internal and external financial reporting;

	4.
	manage
the process of regulatory compliance;

	5.
	manage
all internal control systems relating to finances, cash management and cash flow pertaining to the operation of the Company's business;

	6.
	establish
budgets, financial plans and financial controls or assist the Company in obtaining such services for the review and approval of the CFO;

	7.
	promptly
report any material change to budgets, financial plans and financial controls and provide recommendation thereon to the CFO,

	8.
	attend
to the purchase and sale of capital assets of the Company;

	9.
	manage
and supervise the information technology, human resources and general administration departments;

	10.
	establish
and maintain strong relationship with investors and potential investors;

	11.
	manage
the process of corporate disclosure to ensure compliance to the Company's standard operating procedures;

	12.
	participate
in the Company's public relations and communication campaigns;

	13.
	provide
administrative supports to the Chairman, President, Corporate Secretary and the Board of Directors;

	14.
	hire,
train and discipline as and when required the employees and other personnel the VP, Finance and Administration considers reasonable and necessary for the accounting, corporate
finance, information technology, human resources and general administration departments;

	15.
	give
general business and technical advice concerning the corporate finance, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and the affairs of the Company and long term planning,
development and realization of strategy development;

	16.
	Perform
all other duties normally incident to the office of the VP, Finance and Administration, execute all documents required to discharge his duties as the VP, Finance and
Administration, including but not limited to agreements, requisitions, orders for the supply of equipment or services, reports, etc. and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned to him by the CFO, the President and CEO and the Board. 

QuickLinks

EXHIBIT 4.9

Schedule "A" Duties and Responsibilities of the Vice President, Finance and Administration

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