Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement
AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of March 6, 2018 (this “Amendment”), to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 14, 2017 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2017, Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of June 2, 2017 Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of February 5, 2018, and as otherwise amended, supplemented and modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among NGL Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Parent”), NGL Energy Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Borrowers’ Agent”), each subsidiary of the Parent identified as a “Borrower” under the Credit Agreement (together with the Borrowers’ Agent, each, a “Borrower” and collectively, the “Borrowers”), each subsidiary of Parent identified as a “Guarantor” under the Credit Agreement (together with the Parent, each, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”) Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as technical agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Technical Agent”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (“DBTCA”), as administrative agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) and each financial institution identified as a “Lender” or an “Issuing Bank” under the Credit Agreement (each, a “Lender” and together with the Technical Agent, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, the “Secured Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested certain amendments to the Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement solely upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1.Defined Terms.  Unless otherwise noted herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

2.Amendment to Section 1.1 (Certain Defined Terms) of the Credit Agreement.  Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new defined terms in their respective alphabetical order therein: 

““Initial Sawtooth Disposition” has the meaning assigned to such term in clause (i) of the definition of “Sawtooth Disposition.”
““Sawtooth” means Sawtooth NGL Caverns, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.”
““Sawtooth Disposition” means (i) the sale of approximately 32.43% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Sawtooth, to Magnum Liquids, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and certain affiliates of Magnum Liquids, LLC for cash consideration of approximately $45,000,000 together with certain other contributed consideration (the “Initial Sawtooth Disposition”) and (ii) the subsequent sales of additional remaining outstanding Equity Interests of Sawtooth through the exercise two separate purchase options, one for approximately 21.62% of the Equity Interests of Sawtooth and the final one for the remaining roughly 45.95% of the Equity Interests of Sawtooth for additional consideration of approximately $175,000,000.”

““Sawtooth Entities” means Sawtooth and NGL Supply Terminal Solution Mining, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.”
3.Representations and Warranties; No Default.  To induce the Lenders to enter into this Amendment, each Credit Party that is a party hereto (by delivery of its respective counterpart to this Amendment) hereby (i) represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that after giving effect to this Amendment, its representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof with the same effect as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); (ii) represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that it (x) has the requisite power and authority to make, deliver and perform this Amendment; (y) has taken all necessary corporate, limited liability company, limited partnership or other action to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment, and (z) has duly executed and delivered this Amendment and (iii) certifies that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Credit Agreement (after giving effect to this Amendment) or will result from the making of this Amendment.

4.Effectiveness of Amendments.  This Amendment shall become effective upon the first date on which each of the following conditions has been satisfied:

(a)Amendment Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by each of the Credit Parties, and by Lenders constituting the Required Lenders. 
 
(b)Proceedings and Documents.  All corporate and other proceedings pertaining directly to this Amendment and all documents, instruments directly incident to this Amendment shall be satisfactory to the required Lenders and their respective counsel and the Technical Agent shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as the Technical Agent may reasonably request.

5.Sawtooth Entity Releases; Net Proceeds Application; Contribution to Consolidated EBITDA.  By executing this Amendment, each Lender party hereto consents, subject to the consummation of the Initial Sawtooth Disposition, to the release of (and authorizes the Collateral Agent to release) each Sawtooth Entity (i) as a Guarantor under its Guaranty, (ii) as a “Grantor” under the Security Agreement, (iii) as a direct or indirect “Subsidiary” of any Credit Party under any Loan Document, and (iv) with respect to any other obligations under the Loan Documents.  The Credit Parties hereby agree to use the Net Proceeds of each Sawtooth Disposition to pay down existing Indebtedness no later than five (5) Business Days after the consummation of such Sawtooth Disposition.  For the avoidance of doubt, on and after the Initial Sawtooth Disposition, the determination of “Consolidated EBITDA” for a given period shall not include the value of any Sawtooth Entity, except that cash distributions from a Sawtooth Entity received by a Credit Party during such period may be included in the determination of “Consolidated EBITDA” for such period. 

6.Limited Effect.  Except as expressly provided hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect.  The amendments contained herein shall not be construed as a waiver or amendment of any other provision of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for any purpose, except as expressly set forth herein, or a consent to any further or future action on the part of any Credit Party that would require the waiver or consent of the Lenders.  This Amendment shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

7.GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

8.Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Amendment by signing any such counterpart.  Delivery of an executed counterpart hereof by facsimile or email transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

9.Headings.  Section or other headings contained in this Amendment are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Amendment.

10.Guarantor Acknowledgement.  Each Guarantor party hereto hereby (i) consents to the modifications to the Credit Agreement contemplated by this Amendment and (ii) acknowledges and agrees that its guaranty pursuant to Section 10.18 of the Credit Agreement is, and shall remain, in full force and effect after giving effect to the Amendment; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, each Sawtooth Entity, shall cease to be a Guarantor on and after the consummation of the Initial Sawtooth Disposition as provided in this Amendment.

11.Lender Acknowledgement.  Each undersigned Lender, by its signature hereto, hereby authorizes and directs DBTCA in its capacity as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent to execute this Amendment and to release the Sawtooth Entities from their respective obligations under the Loan Documents consistent with this Amendment.  
[Signature Pages Follow]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written. 

BORROWERS’ AGENT AND BORROWER:

NGL ENERGY OPERATING LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company

By: /s/ Robert W. Karlovich III             
       Name: Robert W. Karlovich III    
       Title: Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President 

PARENT:

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP,
a Delaware limited partnership

 By: /s/ Robert W. Karlovich III                 
        Name: Robert W. Karlovich III     
         Title: Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement

GUARANTORS:
ANTICLINE DISPOSAL, LLC
CENTENNIAL ENERGY, LLC
CENTENNIAL GAS LIQUIDS ULC
CHOYA OPERATING, LLC
GRAND MESA PIPELINE, LLC
HICKSGAS, LLC
HIGH SIERRA ENERGY, LP
NGL CRUDE CUSHING, LLC
NGL CRUDE LOGISTICS, LLC
NGL CRUDE PIPELINES, LLC
NGL CRUDE TERMINALS, LLC
NGL CRUDE TRANSPORTATION, LLC
NGL ENERGY EQUIPMENT, LLC
NGL ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
NGL ENERGY HOLDINGS II, LLC
NGL ENERGY LOGISTICS, LLC
NGL ENERGY OPERATING LLC
NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP
NGL LIQUIDS, LLC
NGL-MA, LLC
NGL-MA REAL ESTATE, LLC
NGL MARINE, LLC
NGL MILAN INVESTMENTS, LLC
NGL-NE REAL ESTATE, LLC
NGL PROPANE, LLC
NGL SUPPLY TERMINAL COMPANY, LLCNGL SUPPLY TERMINAL SOLUTION MINING, LLC
NGL SUPPLY WHOLESALE, LLC
NGL WATER SOLUTIONS, LLC
NGL WATER SOLUTIONS BAKKEN, LLC
NGL WATER SOLUTIONS DJ, LLC
NGL WATER SOLUTIONS EAGLE FORD, LLC
NGL WATER SOLUTIONS PERMIAN, LLC
OPR, LLC
OSTERMAN PROPANE, LLC
SAWTOOTH NGL CAVERNS, LLC
TRANSMONTAIGNE LLC
TRANSMONTAIGNE PRODUCT SERVICES LLC
TRANSMONTAIGNE SERVICES LLC

By: /s/ Robert W. Karlovich III            
       Name: Robert W. Karlovich III     
       Title: Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement

SECURED PARTIES:

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as 
Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent

By: /s/ Chris Chapman                    
       Name: Chris Chapman    
       Title: Director

By: /s/ Shai Bandner                    
       Name: Shai Bandner        
       Title: Director    

DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as a Lender, as Swingline Lender, as an Issuing Bank and as 
Technical Agent

By: /s/ Chris Chapman                
       Name: Chris Chapman    
       Title: Director

By: /s/ Shai Bandner                    
       Name: Shai Bandner        
       Title: Director    

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Jason S. York                
       Name: Jason S. York        
       Title:  Authorized Signatory    

BNP PARIBAS,
as a Lender and Issuing Bank

By: /s/ Delphine Gaudiot                    
       Name: Delphine Gaudiot        
       Title: Director    

By: /s/ Redi Meshi                    
       Name: Redi Meshi         
       Title: Vice President    

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Stephen Monto                    
       Name: Stephen Monto        
       Title: SVP    

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Nicholas Guzzardo                    
       Name: Nicholas Guzzardo        
       Title: Assistant Vice President

Signature Page to Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement

ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Darrell Holley                    
       Name: Darrell Holley        
       Title: Managing Director

By: /s/ Anna C. Ferreira                    
       Name: Anna C. Ferreira        
       Title: Vice-President
    

TORONTO DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH, 
as a Lender

By: /s/ Annie Dorval                    
       Name: Annie Dorval        
       Title: Authorized Signatory
    

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Jacob L. Osterman                    
       Name: Jacob L. Osterman    
       Title: Director
    

MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Leon Mo                    
       Name: Leon Mo        
       Title: Authorized Signatory
    

Signature Page to Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement

UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Houssem Daly                    
       Name: Houssem Daly        
       Title: Associate Director
    
By: /s/ Darlene Arias                    
       Name: Darlene Arias        
       Title: Director

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Nupur Kumar                    
       Name: Nupur Kumar        
       Title: Authorized Signatory
    
By: /s/ ChristopherZybrick                    
       Name: Christopher Zybrick        
       Title: Authorized Signatory
    

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Chris Lam                    
       Name: Chris Lam        
       Title: Authorized Signatory

MACQUARIE BANK LIMITED,
as a Lender
By: /s/ Andrew Herring                    
       Name: Andrew Herring        
       Title: Division Director

By: /s/ Paul Weston                    
       Name: Paul Weston        
       Title: Associate Director
    

Signature Page to Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement

RAYMOND JAMES BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender
By: /s/ Scott G. Axelrod                    
       Name: Scott G. Axelrod        
       Title: Senior Vice President
    

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Scott Donaldson                    
       Name: Scott Donaldson        
       Title: Senior Vice President
    

Signature Page to Amendment No. 4 to Credit AgreementExhibit 10.3

 

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

 

This
Consulting Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of March 8, 2018 by and between Anika Therapeutics,
Inc. (the “Company”) and Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D. (the “Consultant”).

 

The Consultant is retiring as the Chief Executive
Officer and a director of the Company, effective as of 5 p.m., Eastern standard time, on March 9, 2018 (the “Retirement
Date”). The Company desires to have the benefit of the Consultant’s advice and counsel for a period time after
the Retirement Date in order to assist with the transition of his role as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer to his successor.
The Consultant is willing to provide such transitional services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Now,
Therefore, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Consultant agree as follows:

 

1.      
Retirement. As of the Retirement Date, the Consultant shall be considered to have retired from (a) his employment
with the Company, (b) all officer positions with the Company (including the position of Chief Executive Officer) and its subsidiaries,
(c) any fiduciary, administrative or other committees, including with respect to any employee benefit plans of the Company,
and (d) all positions as a member of the Board of Directors (or similar governing body) of the Company and its subsidiaries.
The Consultant’s departure on the Retirement Date shall be considered by the Board of Directors of the Company to be a retirement
from the Company in good standing (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company as administrator under the Anika Therapeutics,
Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Anika Therapeutics, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan)
for purposes of all of the Consultant’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the Company’s
equity compensation plans. As of the Retirement Date, the Consultant’s salary shall cease, and any entitlement the Consultant
may have under a Company-provided benefit plan, program, contract or practice will terminate, except as provided in the Release
Agreement or as required by federal or state law or under the terms of the applicable plan regarding vested benefits.

 

2.      
Consulting Services. During the period from March 10, 2018 through February 28, 2019 (or earlier in the event of
The Consultant’s death) (the “Consulting Period”), the Consultant shall stand ready and shall furnish
to the Company such reasonable services of an advisory or consulting nature with respect to the transition of the Consultant’s
role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to his successor as the Company may reasonably call upon him to furnish and
his health and other business commitments may permit, it being understood by the parties that (a) the Consultant shall be
available during the Consulting Period upon reasonable written notice and at reasonable times for periodic consultations by telephone,
(b) the Consultant shall not be required to render such services during reasonable vacation periods or times of illness, disability
or other incapacity, and (c) the Consultant shall be expected to devote no more than an average of 40 hours per month to performance
of such services. The parties agree that the Consultant’s threshold hourly commitment is less than 20% of the average level
of services the Consultant performed as an employee in the 36 months prior to his separation from employment with the Company.
It is understood that Consultant is free to engage in other consulting arrangements or become employed as long as such subsequent
consulting or employment does not conflict with the performance of the Consultant’s obligations under this Agreement. In
providing the consulting services, the Consultant shall be an independent contractor of the Company and as such shall have no authority
to bind the Company to any agreement or obligation of any type or nature, and shall have no decision-making authority on behalf
of the Company. The Consultant shall act in accordance with such independent contractor status and not hold himself out as an officer
or employee of the Company or speak on behalf of the Company, nor shall the Consultant make any claim based on any right or privilege
applicable to the Company’s employees. The Consultant shall be responsible for all costs of self-employment, including social
security liabilities and federal, state and local income tax payments, and shall pay such costs when and as due. Nothing herein
shall be deemed to create any form of partnership, principal-agent relationship, employer-employee relationship or joint venture
between the parties hereto with respect to the consulting services.

 

     

    

    

 

3.      
Compensation for Consulting Services. In consideration for the consulting services during the Consulting Period,
the Company shall provide the Consultant with the following compensation:

 

(a)   
The Company shall pay to the Consultant, on the last day of each calendar month (or, if such day is not a business day,
then the immediately succeeding business day) from March 2018 through February 2019, a cash consulting fee in the amount of
$25,000.00, provided that in the event of the death of the Consultant during the Consulting Period, then, upon the Chief
Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company becoming aware of such event, no further monthly cash consulting
fees shall be payable under this Section 3(a) and instead the Company shall promptly pay to the Consultant’s surviving
spouse, or if no surviving spouse to the Consultant’s estate, an amount equal to $300,000.00 less the aggregate amount of
fees previously paid to the Consultant under this Section 3(a).

 

(b)  
The Company shall pay to the Consultant in cash, by March 31, 2018, a one-time benefits continuation payment in the amount
of $60,000.00.

 

(c)   
The Consultant shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in performing
services hereunder during the Consulting Period, in accordance with the Company’s standard expense reimbursement policies
and procedures as then in effect. In addition, the Company will provide the Consultant with expense reimbursement, in accordance
with the Company’s standard expense reimbursement policies and procedures, (i) up to $1,500.00 per month (pro rated
for any partial month) for reasonable expenses for the maintenance of an office outside of Bedford, Massachusetts during all or
part of the Consulting Period and (ii) up to $10,000 for reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by the Consultant in
March 2018 in connection with the negotiation and review of this Agreement.

 

In order to be eligible to receive any of such compensation, the
Consultant must first execute and not revoke the form of release attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A by no later than
March 30, 2018.

 

4.      
Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. From the date hereof through March 9, 2020, the Consultant:

 

		(a)	will not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, shareholder, consultant, agent, employee,
co-venturer or otherwise, engage, participate, assist or invest in any business conducted anywhere in the world that develops,
manufactures or markets any products, or performs any services, that are competitive with or similar to the products or services
of the Company or the products and services that the Company has under development or that are the subject of active planning at
any time during the Consultant; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Consultant may own up to one percent of
the outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation that constitutes or is affiliated with such a business;

 

		(b)	will refrain from directly or indirectly employing, attempting to employ, recruiting or otherwise
soliciting, inducing or influencing any person to leave employment with the Company; and

 

    	2

    

    

 

		(c)	will refrain from directly or indirectly calling upon, soliciting or encouraging any customer,
potential customer or supplier to terminate or otherwise modify adversely its business relationship with the Company.

 

The Consultant understands that the restrictions set forth in this
Section 4 are intended to protect the Company’s interest in its confidential and proprietary information and its established
employee, customer and supplier relationships and goodwill, and the Consultant agrees that such restrictions are reasonable and
appropriate for these purposes.

 

5.      
Miscellaneous.

 

(a)   
Except as otherwise expressly stated herein or in the release attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A, (i) this
Agreement and such release contain all the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties hereto regarding the subject matter
of this Agreement and (ii) any prior agreements, promises, negotiations, or representations, either oral or written, relating
to the subject matter of this Agreement are of no force and effect.

 

(b)  
This Agreement is intended to comply, to the extent applicable, with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), and shall, to the extent practicable, be construed in accordance
with such section. For purposes of this Agreement, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided will be construed as a separate
identified payment for purposes of Section 409A, and any payments that are due within the “short term deferral period”
as defined in Section 409A will not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise.

 

(c)   
None of the provisions, terms, or clauses of this Agreement may be changed except if made in writing signed by both the
Consultant and the Company. Any waiver of any term or provision of this Agreement must be in writing and be signed by the party
granting the waiver. If any of the provisions, terms, or clauses of this Agreement are declared illegal, unenforceable, or ineffective,
those provisions, terms, and clauses shall be deemed severable, such that all other provisions, terms and clauses of this Agreement
shall remain valid and binding upon both parties.

 

(d)  
 The Consultant acknowledges that he is currently subject to, and shall remain bound by, the post-employment covenants set
forth in his Employment Agreement with the Company dated October 17, 2008, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated December
8, 2010 and as further modified in this Agreement.

 

(e)   
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but both of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature
complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart
so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

(f)   
For purposes of this Agreement:

 

		(i)	headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed a part of this Agreement;

 

		(ii)	the words “include” and “including” shall not be construed so as to exclude
any other thing not referred to or described;

 

    	3

    

    

 

		(iii)	unless the context otherwise requires, (A) references to an agreement, instrument or other document
(including this Agreement) mean such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to
time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and (B) references to a statute mean such statute as amended from time to
time and include any successor legislation thereto and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and

 

		(iv)	this Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction
or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted.

 

(g)   
This is a Massachusetts contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of such Commonwealth. With respect to any disputes concerning
federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied by the United
States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

 

In Witness
Whereof, the Company has caused this Agreement to be signed by its duly authorized officer and the Consultant has hereunto
set his hand, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

	Anika Therapeutics, Inc.	 	Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D.
	 	 	 
	By: 	/s/ Joseph G. Darling	 	/s/ Charles H. Sherwood
	 	President	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 

 

 

 

    	4

    

    

 

EXHIBIT A

 

RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

 

March 8, 2018

 

Dr. Charles
H. Sherwood 

169 Marlboro
Road

Sudbury, Massachusetts
01776-1347

 

Re: Release Agreement

 

Dear Chuck:

 

This letter agreement (this “Release Agreement”)
confirms your retirement as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”),
effective as of 5 p.m., Eastern standard time, on March 9, 2018 (the “Retirement Date”).

 

Entitlements and Obligations

 

Your execution and delivery of this Release Agreement is a condition
to the effectiveness of certain provisions of the Consulting Agreement dated as of March 8, 2018 by and between the Company and
you (the “Consulting Agreement”). Without regard to the effectiveness of provisions of the Consulting Agreement,
Anika confirms that it will:

 

		·	pay you compensation that accrues to you through the Retirement Date;

 

		·	pay you for all accrued but unused vacation time due to you through the Retirement Date;

 

		·	provide you with the right to continue group health, dental and vision care coverage for 18 months
after the Retirement Date under the law known as “COBRA,” which will be described in a separate written notice;

 

		·	treat outstanding equity incentive awards from the Company (the “Equity Grants”)
under the terms of the applicable equity plan and award agreements; and

 

		·	reimburse you for any outstanding, reasonable business expenses that you have incurred on the Company’s
behalf through the Retirement Date, after the Company’s timely receipt of appropriate documentation pursuant to the Company’s
standard expense reimbursement policies and procedures.

 

Regardless of whether you enter into this Release Agreement with
the Company, you are subject to continuing obligations under your Employment Agreement with the Company dated October 17, 2008,
as amended (the “Employment Agreement”), including your obligations to maintain the confidentiality of Company
confidential information, return Company documents and other property, and, for eighteen months after employment ends, refrain
from certain competition and solicitation activities.

 

Agreement

 

The purpose of this Release Agreement is to establish an amicable
arrangement for the cessation of your employment relationship, including releasing the Company and related persons or entities
from any claims and permitting you to receive the severance benefits set forth in Section 1 hereof and compensation for consulting
services and related benefits referenced in the Consulting Agreement.

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 2

 

With those understandings and in exchange for the promises of you
and the Company set forth below, you and the Company agree as follows:

 

		1.	Severance Benefits

 

The Company shall pay you severance benefits in an amount
equal to 1.5 times the sum of your base salary and your target annual bonus for the current fiscal year, in the full amount of
$1,691,640. This amount shall be paid in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice
over 18 months beginning at the next payroll period following the expiration of the seven-day revocation period referenced in Section 14
hereof (the “Severance Period”). As set forth above, you shall have the right to continued health, dental and
vision plan coverage under and subject to COBRA. For the avoidance of doubt, you shall be responsible for copayment of the premium
amounts at the active employees’ rate and the Company will pay the employer portion of the premium. You understand that your
participation in all other employee benefit plans will end due to the resignation of your employment in accordance with the terms
of those plans.

 

		2.	Release of Claims by You

 

In consideration for, among other terms, the Consulting
Agreement, payments made under this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which you hereby acknowledge,
you and your representatives, agents, estate, heirs, successors and assigns (“You”) voluntarily, absolutely
and unconditionally hereby release, remise, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliated and
related entities, its and their respective predecessors, successors and assigns, its and their respective employee benefit plans
and fiduciaries of such plans, and the current and former officers, directors, shareholders, trustees, investors, shareholders/stockholders,
employees, attorneys, accountants and agents of the Company, all of the foregoing both in their official and individual capacities
(collectively referred to as the “Releasees”) generally from any and all actions or causes of action, suits,
complaints, claims, demands, agreements, promises, contracts, torts, debts, damages, controversies, judgments, rights, and liabilities
of every name and nature, whether existing or contingent, known or unknown (“Claims”) that, as of the date when you
sign this Release Agreement, you have, ever had, now claim to have or ever claimed to have had against any or all of the Releasees.
This release includes any and all Claims:

 

		·	arising out of, in connection with, or relating to your employment, change in employment status,
and/or termination of employment with the Company;

 

		·	arising out of or in connection with any relationship between You and the Company;

 

		·	of wrongful discharge;

 

		·	based on any federal, state or local law, constitution or regulation regarding either securities,
employment, employment benefits, or employment discrimination and/or retaliation including those laws or regulations concerning
discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, sexual/gender identity,
marital status, pregnancy or familial status, physical or mental disability or handicap, unfavorable military discharge, national
origin, ancestry, veteran status or any military service or application for military service, or any other characteristic protected
by law (including Claims of age discrimination or retaliation under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Claims of disability
discrimination or retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Claims of discrimination or retaliation under Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964);

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 3

 

		·	based on any contract whether oral or written, express or implied (including the Employment Agreement);

 

		·	under any other federal or state statute (including Claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act);

 

		·	of any torts;

 

		·	of common law statutory or equitable claims including actions in defamation, intentional infliction
of emotional distress, misrepresentation, fraud, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and
fair dealing, unfair competition and any claims to any non-vested ownership interest in the Company;

 

		·	of violation of public policy;

 

		·	for wages, bonuses, incentive compensation, stock options, vacation pay or any other compensation
or benefits, either under the Massachusetts Wage Act, M.G.L. c. 149, §§148-150C, or otherwise; and

 

		·	for damages or other remedies of any sort, including compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive
relief and attorney’s fees.

 

This release is intended by you to be all encompassing
and to act as a full and total release of any Claims, whether specifically enumerated herein or not, that you may have or have
had up to the effective date of this Release Agreement as determined pursuant to Section 14 hereof, provided that this Release
Agreement shall not affect (a) your rights under the Company’s Section 401(k) Plan, the Equity Grants or this Release
Agreement, (b) your rights to any other vested benefits, (c) any of your rights that cannot be released by law, or (d) any
claims for indemnification in your capacity as an officer or director of the Company under the Company’s Articles of Organization
or Bylaws, any written agreement to which you are a party providing for director or officer indemnification (including any director
and officer insurance policy), or applicable law.

 

You agree that you shall not seek or accept damages of
any nature, other equitable or legal remedies for your own benefit, attorney’s fees, or costs from any of the Releasees with
respect to any Claim. As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Release Agreement, You represent that you have
not assigned to any third party and you have not filed with any agency or court any Claim released by this Release Agreement.

 

Nothing in this Release Agreement shall bar or prohibit
you from contacting, seeking assistance from or participating in any proceeding before any federal or state administrative agency
to the extent permitted by applicable federal, state and/or local law. You nevertheless will be prohibited to the fullest extent
authorized by law from obtaining monetary damages in any agency proceeding in which you do so participate.

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 4

 

		3.	Release by Company of You

 

In consideration for, among other terms, the obligations
set forth in this Release Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
you hereby acknowledge, the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliated and related entities, its and their respective predecessors,
successors and assigns, and its and their representatives, agents, successors and assigns (collectively referred to as the “Releasors”)
voluntarily, absolutely and unconditionally hereby release, remise, discharge, indemnify and hold you harmless from any and all
Claims that, as of the date this Release Agreement is signed, that Releasors have, ever had, now claim to have or ever claimed
to have had against you. This release includes any and all Claims:

 

		·	arising out of, in connection with, or relating to your employment, change in employment status,
and/or termination of employment with the Company;

 

		·	arising out of or in connection with any relationship between You and the Company;

 

		·	based on any federal, state or local law, constitution or regulation regarding either securities,
employment, employment benefits, or employment discrimination and/or retaliation;

 

		·	based on any contract whether oral or written, express or implied (including the Employment Agreement);

 

		·	under any other federal or state statute;

 

		·	of any torts; and

 

		·	of common law statutory or equitable claims including actions in defamation, intentional infliction
of emotional distress, misrepresentation, fraud, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach
of fiduciary duty, and unfair competition.

 

It is understood that this Release Agreement does not
affect any claim of any Releasor that cannot be released by law, or claims to enforce this Agreement, or claims based on any gross
misconduct or gross negligence by you.

 

		4.	Accord and Satisfaction

 

The payments set forth in this Release Agreement and
the Consulting Agreement shall be complete and unconditional payment, settlement, accord and/or satisfaction with respect to all
obligations and liabilities of the Releasees to You and with respect to all Claims that could be asserted by You against the Releasees
regarding your employment with, change in employment status, and/or termination of employment from, the Company, including all
Claims for back wages, salary, vacation pay, sick pay, draws, incentive pay, bonuses, stock and stock options, equity, commissions,
severance pay, any and all other forms of compensation or benefits, attorney’s fees, or other costs or sums.

 

		5.	No Liability or Wrongdoing

 

The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that this Release
Agreement is intended only to resolve any disputes between the parties and nothing contained in this Release Agreement, nor any
of its terms and provisions, nor any of the negotiations or proceedings connected with it, constitutes, will be construed to constitute,
will be offered in evidence as, received in evidence as and/or deemed to be evidence of an admission of liability or wrongdoing
by any and/or all of the parties, and any such liability or wrongdoing is hereby expressly denied by each of the parties.

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 5

 

		6.	Nondisparagement

 

		(a)	You agree not to take any action or make any statement, written or oral, that disparages or criticizes
the Company or any of its affiliates or current or former officers, directors, shareholders, management, employees, agents, or
any other parties involved in a business relationship with the Company, or its practices, or that disrupts or impairs its normal
operations, including actions that would (i) harm the reputation of the Company with its current and prospective customers,
distributors, suppliers, other business partners, or the public or (ii) interfere with existing contractual or employment
relationships with current and prospective customers, suppliers, distributors, other business partners or Company employees. You
further agree not to take any actions or conduct yourself in any way that would reasonably be expected to affect adversely the
reputation or goodwill of the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its current or former officers, directors, shareholders,
employees or agents.

 

		(b)	The Company agrees that it will instruct its directors and its officers and executive officers
(as defined in Rules 16a-1(f) and 3b-7, respectively, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)) not to make any statements that
could reasonably be interpreted as disparaging of or defamatory to you, personally or professionally. You understand and agree
that it will not be a violation of this Section 6(b) for the above-referenced individuals to generally discuss for legitimate
internal business purposes the performance of the Company and individuals under your supervision during your employment with Anika.

 

		7.	Standstill Agreement.

 

		(a)	Unless approved in advance in writing by the Board of Directors of the Company, you agree that
neither you nor any of your representatives acting on behalf of or in concert with you will, for a period of two years after the
date of this Release Agreement, directly or indirectly:

 

		(i)	make any statement or proposal to the Board of Directors of the Company, any of the Company’s
representatives or any of the Company’s stockholders regarding, or make any public announcement, proposal or offer (including
any “solicitation” of “proxies” as such terms are defined or used in Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) with respect to, or otherwise solicit, seek, or offer to effect (including, for the avoidance of doubt, indirectly
by means of communication with the press or media) (A) any business combination, merger, tender offer, exchange offer, or similar
transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) any restructuring, recapitalization, liquidation, or similar
transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (C) any acquisition of any of the Company's loans, debt securities,
equity securities or assets, or rights or options to acquire interests in any of the Company's loans, debt securities, equity securities,
or assets, (D) any proposal to seek representation on the Board of Directors of the Company or otherwise seek to control or influence
the management, Board of Directors, or policies of the Company, or (E) any proposal, arrangement, or other statement that is inconsistent
with the terms of this Agreement, including this Section 7(a);

 

		(ii)	instigate, encourage, or assist any third party (including forming a “group” with any
such third party) to do, or enter into any discussions or agreements with any third party with respect to, any of the actions set
forth in Section 7(a);

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 6

 

		(iii)	take any action that would reasonably be expected to require the Company or any of its affiliates
to make a public announcement regarding any of the actions set forth in Section 7(a); or

 

		(iv)	acquire (or propose or agree to acquire), of record or beneficially, by purchase or otherwise,
any loans, debt securities, equity securities, or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or rights or options to acquire
interests in any of the Company’s loans, debt securities, equity securities, or assets, except in accordance with the exercise
or vesting of the Equity Grants, provided that the foregoing restrictions in this Section 7(a)(iv) shall not apply to any
of your representatives effecting or recommending transactions in securities: (A) in the ordinary course of its business as an
investment advisor, broker, dealer in securities, market maker, specialist, or block positioner; and (B) not at the direction or
request of you or any of your affiliates.

 

		(b)	The restrictions set forth in Section 7(a) above shall terminate and be of no further force and
effect if the Company enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, or publicly announces that it plans to enter into, a
transaction involving all or a controlling portion of the Company’s equity securities or all or substantially all of the
Company’s assets (whether by merger, consolidation, business combination, tender or exchange offer, recapitalization, restructuring,
sale, equity issuance, or otherwise).

 

		8.	Enforcement

 

		(a)	You and the Company hereby agree that the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to consider any matters
related to your employment with the Company or this Release Agreement, including any Claim for violation of this Release Agreement.
With respect to any such court action, you (i) submit to the jurisdiction of such courts, (ii) consent to service of
process, and (iii) waive any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court or otherwise) with respect to personal
jurisdiction or venue.

 

		(b)	This Release Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, without regard to conflict of law principles. In the event of any dispute, this Release Agreement is intended by
the parties to be construed as a whole, to be interpreted in accordance with its fair meaning, and not to be construed strictly
for or against either you or the Company or the “drafter” of all or any portion of this Release Agreement.

 

		9.	Successors and Assigns

 

You may not assign this Release Agreement. The Company
may assign this Release Agreement. The benefits of this Release Agreement shall inure to the successors and assigns of the Company.
In the event of your death during the Severance Period, then, upon the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of
the Company becoming aware of such event, the remaining severance payments pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall be paid to your surviving
spouse, or if no surviving spouse, to your estate.

 

		10.	Severability

 

If one or more of the provisions contained in this Release
Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity, subject or otherwise so as to be unenforceable
at law, such provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting or reducing it or them, so
as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 7

 

		11.	Entire Agreement

 

Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Release
Agreement or in the Consulting Agreement, (a) this Release Agreement and the Consulting Agreement contain all the terms and
conditions agreed upon by the parties hereto regarding the subject matter of this Release Agreement and (b) any prior agreements,
promises, negotiations, or representations, either oral or written, relating to the subject matter of this Release Agreement are
of no force and effect. This Release Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified, altered or rescinded except upon the express
written consent of both you and an authorized Company officer. Any waiver of any provision of this Release Agreement shall not
constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Release Agreement unless expressly so indicated otherwise.

 

		12.	Construction

 

		(a)	This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but both
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf
or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method
and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

		(b)	For purposes of this Agreement:

 

		(i)	headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose,
be deemed a part of this Agreement;

 

		(ii)	the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall not be
construed so as to exclude any other thing not referred to or described; and

 

		(iii)	unless the context otherwise requires, (A) references to an agreement, instrument or other document
(including this Agreement) mean such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to
time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and (B) references to a statute mean such statute as amended from time to
time and include any successor legislation thereto and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

		13.	Waiver of Rights and Claims Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

 

Since you are 40 years of age or older, you have been
informed that you have or might have specific rights and/or other Claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
(“ADEA”) and you agree that:

 

		(a)	In consideration for the amount described in Section 1 of this Release Agreement, you specifically
waive such rights and/or other Claims under the ADEA to the extent that such rights and/or Claims arose prior to or on the date
this Release Agreement was executed.

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 8

 

		(b)	You understand that rights and/or other Claims under the ADEA that may arise after the date this
Release Agreement is executed are not waived by you.

 

		(c)	You acknowledge that you have been advised of your right to consult with your counsel of choice
prior to executing this Release Agreement and you have not been subject to any undue or improper influence interfering with the
exercise of your free will in deciding whether to consult with counsel.

 

		(d)	You have carefully read and fully understand all of the provisions of this Release Agreement, you
knowingly and voluntarily agree to all of the terms set forth in this Release Agreement, and you acknowledge that in entering into
this Release Agreement, you are not relying on any representation, promise or inducement made by the Company or its attorneys with
the exception of those promises contained in this document.

 

		(e)	When the Company presented you with this Release Agreement, you were informed that you have at
least 21 days to review this Release Agreement and consider its terms before signing it.

 

		(f)	The 21-day review period will not be affected or extended by any revisions, whether material or
immaterial, that might be made to this Release Agreement.

 

		14.	Time for Consideration; Effective Date

 

As set forth above, you have the opportunity to consider
this Release Agreement for 21 days before signing it. To accept this Release Agreement, you must return a signed original or PDF
copy of this Release Agreement so that it is received by the Company’s Vice President of Human Resources at or before the
expiration of this 21-day period. If you sign this Release Agreement within fewer than 21 days of the date of its delivery to you,
you must also sign the acknowledgement page to the Release Agreement that such decision was entirely voluntary and that you had
the opportunity to consider this Release Agreement for the entire 21-day period. For the period of seven days from the date when
this Release Agreement becomes fully executed, you have the right to revoke this Release Agreement by written notice to the Company’s
Vice President of Human Resources. For such a revocation to be effective, it must be delivered so that it is received by the Company’s
Vice President of Human Resources at or before the expiration of the seven-day revocation period. This Release Agreement shall
not become effective or enforceable during the revocation period, but rather shall become effective on the first business day following
the expiration of the revocation period.

 

*           *           *

 

Please indicate your agreement to the terms of this Release Agreement
by signing and returning to the Company’s Vice President of Human Resources your executed copy of this Release Agreement
within the time period set forth above.

 

Very truly yours,

 

	Anika Therapeutics, Inc.	 	
	 	 	 
	By: 	/s/ Joseph G. Darling	 	
	 	President	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 

 

    

    

    

Dr. Charles H. Sherwood

March 8, 2018

Page 9

 

I, CHARLES H. SHERWOOD, REPRESENT THAT I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING
RELEASE AGREEMENT, THAT I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH RELEASE AGREEMENT AND THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY EXECUTING
THE SAME. IN ENTERING INTO THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, I DO NOT RELY ON ANY REPRESENTATION, PROMISE OR INDUCEMENT MADE BY THE RELEASEES
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CONSIDERATION DESCRIBED IN THE CONSULTING AGREEMENT AND THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT.

 

ACCEPTED:

 

	 	 	 
	/s/
Charles H. Sherwood	    March 8, 2018	
	Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D.	 	 
	 		 	 	 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

 

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO USE THE 21-DAY PERIOD,

PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW AND SIGN THIS DOCUMENT

 

I, Charles H. Sherwood, acknowledge that I
was informed and understand that I have 21 days within which to consider the attached Release Agreement and, having been advised
of my right to consult with an attorney regarding such Release Agreement and have considered carefully every provision of the Release
Agreement, and that after having engaged in those actions, I prefer to and have requested that I enter into the Release Agreement
prior to the expiration of the 21-day period.

 

	 	 	 
	/s/
Charles H. Sherwood	    March 8, 2018	
	Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D.

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