Document:

EXHIBIT 4.10

 

 

RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

and

 

                ,
AS WARRANT AGENT

 

FORM OF DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

DATED AS OF                

 

 

RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

FORM OF DEBT SECURITIES WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

DEBT SECURITIES WARRANT
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of
                    
between RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.,  a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and
                    ,
a [corporation] [national banking association] organized and existing under the
laws of                     
and having a corporate trust office in
                    ,
as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has
entered into an indenture dated as of
[                     
(the “Senior Indenture”), with
                    ,
as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, herein called the
“Senior Trustee”), providing for the issuance from time to time of its
unsubordinated debt securities, to be issued in one or more series as provided
in the Senior Indenture (the “Debt Securities”);]
[                    
(the “Subordinated Indenture”), with
                    ,
as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, herein called the
“Subordinated Trustee”), providing for the issuance from time to time of its
subordinated debt securities, to be issued in one or more series as provided in
the Subordinated Indenture (the “Debt Securities”);]

 

WHEREAS, the Company
proposes to sell title of other securities being offered (the “Other Securities”)
with] warrant certificates evidencing one or more warrants (the “Warrants” or,
individually, a “Warrant”) representing the right to purchase [title of Debt
Securities purchasable through exercise of Warrants] (the “Warrant Debt
Securities”), such warrant certificates and other warrant certificates issued
pursuant to this Agreement being herein called the “Warrant Certificates”; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company
desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant
Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, registration,
transfer, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrant Certificates, and
in this Agreement wishes to set forth, among other things, the form and
provisions of the Warrant Certificates and the terms and conditions on which
they may be issued, registered, transferred, exchanged, exercised and replaced.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS AND EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF
WARRANT CERTIFICATES

 

1.1          Issuance of Warrants. [If Warrants alone—Upon issuance, each
Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more Warrants.] [If Other Securities
and Warrants—Warrant Certificates shall be [initially] issued in connection
with the issuance of the Other Securities [but shall be separately transferable
on and after                     
(the “Detachable Date”)]
[and shall not 

 

 

be separately
transferable] and each Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more
Warrants.] Each Warrant evidenced thereby shall represent the right, subject to
the provisions contained herein and therein, to purchase one Warrant Debt
Security. [If Other Securities and Warrants—Warrant Certificates shall be
initially issued in units with the Other Securities and each Warrant
Certificate included in such a unit shall evidence                     
Warrants for each
[$                
principal amount]
[            
shares] of Other Securities included in such unit].

 

1.2          Execution and Delivery of Warrant
Certificates.
Each Warrant Certificate, whenever issued, shall be in registered form
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, shall be dated
the date of its countersignature by the Warrant Agent and may have such
letters, numbers, or other marks of identification or designation and such
legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the
officers of the Company executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be
conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or
with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or
regulation of any securities exchange on which the Warrants may be listed, or
to conform to usage. The Warrant Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the
Company by any of its present or future chief executive officers, presidents,
senior vice presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officers, chief legal
officers, treasurers, assistant treasurers, controllers, assistant controllers,
secretaries or assistant secretaries under its corporate seal reproduced
thereon. Such signatures may be manual or facsimile signatures of such
authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant
Certificates. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof
and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant
Certificates.

 

No Warrant Certificate shall
be valid for any purpose, and no Warrant evidenced thereby shall be
exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been countersigned by the
manual signature of the Warrant Agent. Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon
any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence
that the Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder.

 

In case any officer of the
Company who shall have signed any of the Warrant Certificates either manually
or by facsimile signature shall cease to be such officer before the Warrant
Certificates so signed shall have been countersigned and delivered by the
Warrant Agent, such Warrant Certificates may be countersigned and delivered
notwithstanding that the person who signed such Warrant Certificates ceased to
be such officer of the Company; and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on
behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution
of such Warrant Certificate, shall be the proper officers of the Company,
although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not
such officer.

 

The term “holder” or “holder
of a Warrant Certificate” as used herein shall mean any person in whose name at
the time any Warrant Certificate shall be registered upon the books to be maintained
by the Warrant Agent for that purpose [If Other Securities and Warrants are not
immediately detachable—or upon the registration of the Other Securities prior
to the Detachable Date. Prior to the Detachable Date, the Company will, or will
cause the registrar of the Other Securities to, make available at all times to
the Warrant Agent such information as to holders of the Other Securities as may
be necessary to keep the Warrant Agent’s records up to date].

 

 

1.3          Issuance of Warrant Certificates. Warrant Certificates evidencing the
right to purchase Warrant Debt Securities may be executed by the Company and
delivered to the Warrant Agent upon the execution of this Warrant Agreement or
from time to time thereafter. The Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of Warrant
Certificates duly executed on behalf of the Company, countersign such Warrant
Certificates and shall deliver such Warrant Certificates to or upon the order
of the Company.

 

ARTICLE 2

WARRANT PRICE, DURATION AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

 

2.1          Warrant Price. During the period specified in Section 2.2,
each Warrant shall, subject to the terms of this Warrant Agreement and the
applicable Warrant Certificate, entitle the holder thereof, to purchase the
principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities specified in the applicable Warrant
Certificate at an exercise price of                     % of the principal amount thereof [plus
accrued amortization, if any, of the original issue discount of the Warrant
Debt Securities] [plus accrued interest, if any, from the most recent date from
which interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities or, if no
interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities, from the date of
their initial issuance.] [The original issue discount ($          for each $1,000 principal amount of
Warrant Debt Securities) will be amortized at a          % annual rate, computed on a[n] [semi-]
annual basis [using a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months].] Such
purchase price for the Warrant Debt Securities is referred to in this Agreement
as the “Warrant Price.”

 

2.2          Duration of Warrants. Each Warrant may be exercised in whole
or in part at any time, as specified herein, on or after [the date thereof] [                    ] and at or before [                    ] p.m., [City] time, on                      or such later date as the Company may
designate by notice to the Warrant Agent and the holders of Warrant
Certificates mailed to their addresses as set forth in the record books of the
Warrant Agent (the “Expiration Date”). Each Warrant not exercised at or before
[             ] p.m., [City] time, on the
Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights of the holder of the Warrant
Certificate evidencing such Warrant under this Agreement shall cease.

 

2.3          Exercise Of Warrants.

 

(a)           During the period specified in Section 2.2, the
Warrants may be exercised to purchase a whole number of Warrant Debt Securities
in registered form by providing certain information as set forth on the reverse
side of the Warrant Certificate and by paying in full, in lawful money of the
United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check
in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately
available funds] the Warrant Price for each Warrant Debt Security with respect
to which a Warrant is being exercised to the Warrant Agent at its corporate
trust office, provided that such exercise is subject to receipt within five
business days of such payment by the Warrant Agent of the Warrant Certificate with
the form of election to purchase Warrant Debt Securities set forth on the
reverse side of the Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed.
The date on which payment in full of the Warrant Price is received by the
Warrant Agent shall, subject to receipt of the Warrant Certificate as
aforesaid, be deemed to be the date on which the Warrant is exercised; 

 

 

provided, however, that
if, at the date of receipt of such Warrant Certificates and payment in full of
the Warrant Price, the transfer books for the Warrant Debt Securities
purchasable upon the exercise of such Warrants shall be closed, no such receipt
of such Warrant Certificates and no such payment of such Warrant Price shall be
effective to constitute the person so designated to be named as the holder of
record of such Warrant Debt Securities on such date, but shall be effective to
constitute such person as the holder of record of such Warrant Debt Securities
for all purposes at the opening of business on the next succeeding day on which
the transfer books for the Warrant Debt Securities purchasable upon the
exercise of such Warrants shall be opened, and the certificates for the Warrant
Debt Securities in respect of which such Warrants are then exercised shall be
issuable as of the date on such next succeeding day on which the transfer books
shall next be opened, and until such date the Company shall be under no duty to
deliver any certificate for such Warrant Debt Securities. The Warrant Agent
shall deposit all funds received by it in payment of the Warrant Price in an
account of the Company maintained with it and shall advise the Company by
telephone at the end of each day on which a payment for the exercise of
Warrants is received of the amount so deposited to its account. The Warrant Agent
shall promptly confirm such telephone advice to the Company in writing.

 

(b)           The Warrant Agent shall, from time to time, as
promptly as practicable, advise the Company of (i) the number of Warrant
Debt Securities with respect to which Warrants were exercised, (ii) the
instructions of each holder of the Warrant Certificates evidencing such
Warrants with respect to delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities to which such
holder is entitled upon such exercise, (iii) delivery of Warrant
Certificates evidencing the balance, if any, of the Warrants for the remaining
Warrant Debt Securities after such exercise, and (iv) such other
information as the Company or the [Senior] [Subordinated] Trustee shall
reasonably require.

 

(c)           As soon as practicable after the exercise of any
Warrant, the Company shall issue, pursuant to the Indenture, in authorized
denominations, to or upon the order of the holder of the Warrant Certificate
evidencing such Warrant, the Warrant Debt Securities to which such holder is
entitled, in fully registered form, registered in such name or names as may be
directed by such holder. If fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by such
Warrant Certificate are exercised, the Company shall execute, and an authorized
officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver, a new
Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants for the number of Warrant Debt
Securities remaining unexercised.

 

(d)           The Company shall not be required to pay any stamp or
other tax or other governmental charge required to be paid in connection with
any transfer involved in the issue of the Warrant Debt Securities, and in the
event that any such transfer is involved, the Company shall not be required to
issue or deliver any Warrant Debt Securities until such tax or other charge
shall have been paid or it has been established to the Company’s satisfaction
that no such tax or other charge is due.

 

(e)           Prior to the issuance of any Warrants there shall have
been reserved, and the Company shall at all times through the Expiration Date
keep reserved, out of its authorized but unissued Warrant Debt Securities, a number of shares sufficient to
provide for the exercise of the Warrants.

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF
WARRANT CERTIFICATES

 

3.1          No Rights As Holders of Warrant Debt
Securities Conferred By Warrants or Warrant Certificates. No Warrant Certificate or Warrant
evidenced thereby shall entitle the holder thereof to any of the rights of a
holder of Warrant Debt Securities, including, without limitation, the right to
receive the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any,
on the Warrant Debt Securities or to enforce any of the covenants in the
Indenture.

 

3.2          Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed
Warrant Certificates. Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory
to it and the Company of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of any Warrant Certificate and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory
to the Warrant Agent and the Company and, in the case of mutilation, upon
surrender of the mutilated Warrant Certificate to the Warrant Agent for
cancellation, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Warrant
Agent that such Warrant Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser,
the Company shall execute, and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall
manually countersign and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of the lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant Certificate, a new Warrant Certificate
of the same tenor and evidencing Warrants for a like principal amount of
Warrant Debt Securities. Upon the issuance of any new Warrant Certificate under
this Section 3.2, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Warrant
Agent) in connection therewith. Every substitute Warrant Certificate executed
and delivered pursuant to this Section 3.2 in lieu of any lost, stolen or
destroyed Warrant Certificate shall represent an additional contractual
obligation of the Company, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant
Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled
to the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all
other Warrant Certificates duly executed and delivered hereunder. The
provisions of this Section 3.2 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement of
mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificates.

 

3.3          Holder Of Warrant Certificate May Enforce
Rights.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement, any holder of any
Warrant Certificate, without the consent of the Warrant Agent, the [Senior]
[Subordinated] Trustee, the holder of any Warrant Debt Securities or the holder
of any other Warrant Certificate, may, in such holder’s own behalf and for such
holder’s own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action
or proceeding against the Company suitable to enforce, or otherwise in respect
of, such holder’s right to exercise the Warrants evidenced by such holder’s
Warrant Certificate in the manner provided in such holder’s Warrant
Certificates and in this Agreement.

 

3.4          Merger, Sale, Conveyance or Lease. In case of (a) any share exchange,
merger or similar transaction of the Company with or into another person or
entity (other than a share exchange, merger or similar transaction in which the
Company is the acquiring or surviving 

 

 

corporation) or (b) the
sale, exchange, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety (in any such
case, a “Reorganization Event”), then, as a condition of such Reorganization
Event, lawful provisions shall be made, and duly executed documents evidencing
the same from the Company’s successor shall be delivered to the holders of the
Warrants, so that such successor shall succeed to and be substituted for the
Company, and assume all the Company’s obligations under, this Agreement and the
Warrants. The Company shall thereupon be relieved of any further obligation
hereunder or under the Warrants, and the Company as the predecessor corporation
may thereupon or at any time thereafter be dissolved, wound up or liquidated.
Such successor or assuming entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may
issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the
Warrants issuable hereunder which heretofore shall not have been signed by the
Company, and may execute and deliver securities in its own name, in fulfillment
of its obligations to deliver Warrant Debt Securities upon exercise of the
Warrants. All the Warrants so issued shall in all respects have the same legal
rank and benefit under this Agreement as the Warrants theretofore or thereafter
issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as though all of such
Warrants had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In any case of
any such Reorganization Event, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in
substance) may be made in the Warrants thereafter to be issued as may be
appropriate.

 

3.5          Notice To Warrantholders. In case the Company shall (a) effect
any Reorganization Event or (b) make any distribution on or in respect of
the [title of Warrant Debt Securities] in connection with the dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Company, then the Company shall mail to each
holder of Warrants at such holder’s address as it shall appear on the books of
the Warrant Agent, at least ten days prior to the applicable date hereinafter
specified, a notice stating the date on which such Reorganization Event,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the
date as of which it is expected that holders of [title of Warrant Debt
Securities] of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of [title of
Warrant Debt Securities] for securities or other property deliverable upon such
Reorganization Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. No failure to
mail such notice nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect
any such transaction.

 

ARTICLE 4

EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES

 

4.1          Exchange and Transfer of Warrant Certificates. [If Other Securities with Warrants which
are immediately detachable—Upon] [If Other Securities with Warrants which are
not immediately detachable—Prior to the Detachable Date, a Warrant Certificate
may be exchanged or transferred only together with the Other Security to which
the Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and only for the purpose of
effecting or in conjunction with an exchange or transfer of such Other
Security. Prior to any Detachable Date, each transfer of the Other Security shall
operate also to transfer the related Warrant Certificates. After the Detachable
Date, upon] surrender at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent,
Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants may be exchanged for Warrant
Certificates in other denominations evidencing such Warrants or the transfer
thereof may be registered in whole or in part; provided that such other Warrant
Certificates evidence Warrants for the same aggregate principal amount of
Warrant Debt Securities as the Warrant Certificates so surrendered. The Warrant
Agent shall 

 

 

keep, at its corporate
trust office, books in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, it shall register Warrant Certificates and exchanges and transfers
of outstanding Warrant Certificates, upon surrender of the Warrant Certificates
to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust office for exchange or registration
of transfer, properly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of
registration of transfer and written instructions for transfer, all in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent. No service charge shall be
made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrant Certificates, but
the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other
tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
such exchange or registration of transfer. Whenever any Warrant Certificates
are so surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, an authorized
officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver to the
person or persons entitled thereto a Warrant Certificate or Warrant
Certificates duly authorized and executed by the Company, as so requested. The
Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any exchange or registration of
transfer which will result in the issuance of a Warrant Certificate evidencing
a Warrant for a fraction of a Warrant Debt Security or a number of Warrants for
a whole number of Warrant Debt Securities and a fraction of a Warrant Debt Security.
All Warrant Certificates issued upon any exchange or registration of transfer
of Warrant Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company,
evidencing the same obligations and entitled to the same benefits under this
Agreement as the Warrant Certificate surrendered for such exchange or
registration of transfer.

 

4.2          Treatment of Holders of Warrant
Certificates. [If
Other Securities and Warrants are not immediately detachable—Prior to the
Detachable Date, the Company, the Warrant Agent and all other persons may treat
the owner of the Other Security as the owner of the Warrant Certificates
initially attached thereto for any purpose and as the person entitled to
exercise the rights represented by the Warrants evidenced by such Warrant
Certificates, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding. After the Detachable
Date and prior to due presentment of a Warrant Certificate for registration of
transfer, the] [The] Company, the Warrant Agent and all other persons may treat
the registered holder of a Warrant Certificate as the absolute owner thereof
for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented
by the Warrants evidenced thereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

4.3          Cancellation of Warrant Certificates. Any Warrant Certificate surrendered for
exchange, registration of transfer or exercise of the Warrants evidenced
thereby shall, if surrendered to the Company, be delivered to the Warrant Agent
and all Warrant Certificates surrendered or so delivered to the Warrant Agent
shall be promptly canceled by the Warrant Agent and shall not be reissued and,
except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, no Warrant Certificate shall
be issued hereunder in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof. The Warrant Agent
shall deliver to the Company from time to time or otherwise dispose of canceled
Warrant Certificates in a manner satisfactory to the Company.

 

ARTICLE 5

CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT

 

5.1          Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints
                      
as Warrant Agent of the Company in respect of the Warrants and the Warrant
Certificates upon the terms and 

 

 

subject to the conditions
herein set forth, and
                      
hereby accepts such appointment. The Warrant Agent shall have the powers and
authority granted to and conferred upon it in the Warrant Certificates and
hereby and such further powers and authority to act on behalf of the Company as
the Company may hereafter grant to or confer upon it. All of the terms and
provisions with respect to such powers and authority contained in the Warrant
Certificates are subject to and governed by the terms and provisions hereof.

 

5.2          Conditions of Warrant Agent’s
Obligations. The
Warrant Agent accepts its obligations herein set forth upon the terms and
conditions hereof, including the following to all of which the Company agrees
and to all of which the rights hereunder of the holders from time to time of
the Warrant Certificates shall be subject:

 

(a)           Compensation and Indemnification. The Company agrees promptly to pay the
Warrant Agent the compensation to be agreed upon with the Company for all
services rendered by the Warrant Agent and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred
without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct by the Warrant Agent in
connection with the services rendered hereunder by the Warrant Agent. The
Company also agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless
against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct on the part of the Warrant Agent, arising out of or in
connection with its acting as Warrant Agent hereunder, including the reasonable
costs and expenses of defending against any claim of such liability.

 

(b)           Agent for the Company. In acting under this Warrant Agreement
and in connection with the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent is acting
solely as agent of the Company and does not assume any obligations or
relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the holders of Warrant
Certificates or beneficial owners of Warrants.

 

(c)           Counsel. The Warrant Agent may consult with
counsel satisfactory to it, which may include counsel for the Company, and the
written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in accordance with the advice of such counsel.

 

(d)           Documents. The Warrant Agent shall be protected
and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken or omitted
by it in reliance upon any Warrant Certificate, notice, direction, consent,
certificate, affidavit, statement or other paper or document reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to have been presented or signed by the proper
parties.

 

(e)           Certain Transactions. The Warrant Agent, and its officers,
directors and employees, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in,
Warrants, with the same rights that it or they would have if it were not the Warrant
Agent hereunder, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, it or they may
engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company
and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or body
of holders of Warrant Debt Securities or other obligations of the Company as freely as if
it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder. Nothing in this Warrant Agreement
shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as [Senior]
[Subordinated] Trustee under the 

 

 

[Senior] [Subordinated]
Indenture.

 

(f)            No Liability for Interest. Unless otherwise agreed with the
Company, the Warrant Agent shall have no liability for interest on any monies
at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement
or of the Warrant Certificates.

 

(g)           No Liability for Invalidity. The Warrant Agent shall have no
liability with respect to any invalidity of this Agreement or any of the
Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agent’s countersignature
thereon).

 

(h)           No Responsibility for
Representations.
The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any of the recitals or
representations herein or in the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant
Agent’s countersignature thereon), all of which are made solely by the Company.

 

(i)            No Implied Obligations. The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to
perform only such duties as are herein and in the Warrant Certificates
specifically set forth and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into
this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates against the Warrant Agent. The
Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder
which may tend to involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which
within a reasonable time is not, in its reasonable opinion, assured to it. The
Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for
the use by the Company of any of the Warrant Certificates authenticated by the
Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or
for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the Warrant Certificates.
The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default
by the Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained
herein or in the Warrant Certificates or in the case of the receipt of any
written demand from a holder of a Warrant Certificate with respect to such
default, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty
or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or
otherwise or, except as provided in Section 6.2 hereof, to make any demand
upon the Company.

 

5.3          Resignation , Removal and Appointment
of Successors.

 

(a)           The Company agrees, for the benefit of the holders
from time to time of the Warrant Certificates, that there shall at all times be
a Warrant Agent hereunder until all the Warrants have been exercised or are no
longer exercisable.

 

(b)           The Warrant Agent may at any time resign as agent by
giving written notice to the Company of such intention on its part, specifying
the date on which its desired resignation shall become effective; provided that
such date shall not be less than three months after the date on which such
notice is given unless the Company otherwise agrees. The Warrant Agent
hereunder may be removed at any time by the filing with it of an instrument in
writing signed by or on behalf of the Company and specifying such removal and
the intended date when it shall become effective. Such resignation or removal
shall take effect upon the appointment by the Company, as hereinafter provided,
of a successor Warrant Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company authorized
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization to exercise corporate
trust powers) and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Warrant 

 

 

Agent. The obligation of
the Company under Section 5.2(a) shall continue to the extent set
forth therein notwithstanding the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent.

 

(c)           In case at any time the Warrant Agent shall resign, or
shall be removed, or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a
bankrupt or insolvent, or shall commence a voluntary case under the Federal
bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or under any other applicable
Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or shall consent to the
appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, custodian, liquidator,
assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Warrant Agent
or its property or affairs, or shall make an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally
as they become due, or shall take corporate action in furtherance of any such
action, or a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the
premises shall have been entered in respect of the Warrant Agent in an
involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter
constituted, or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar law, or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the
premises shall have been entered for the appointment of a receiver, custodian,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the
Warrant Agent or of its property or affairs, or any public officer shall take
charge or control of the Warrant Agent or of its property or affairs for the
purpose of rehabilitation, conservation, winding up or liquidation, a successor
Warrant Agent, qualified as aforesaid, shall be appointed by the Company by an
instrument in writing, filed with the successor Warrant Agent. Upon the
appointment as aforesaid of a successor Warrant Agent and acceptance by the
successor Warrant Agent of such appointment, the Warrant Agent shall cease to
be Warrant Agent hereunder.

 

(d)           Any successor Warrant Agent appointed hereunder shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an
instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Warrant
Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations
of such predecessor with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent
hereunder, and such predecessor, upon payment of its charges and disbursements
then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to transfer, deliver and pay
over, and such successor Warrant Agent shall be entitled to receive, all
monies, securities and other property on deposit with or held by such
predecessor, as Warrant Agent hereunder.

 

(e)           Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent hereunder
may be merged or converted or any corporation with which the Warrant Agent may
be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any corporation
to which the Warrant Agent shall sell or otherwise transfer all or
substantially all the assets and business of the Warrant Agent, provided that
it shall be qualified as aforesaid, shall be the successor Warrant Agent under
this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act
on the part of any of the parties hereto.

 

ARTICLE 6

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1          Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the
parties hereto, without the 

 

 

consent of the holder of
any Warrant Certificate, for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing,
correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein, or making
any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this
Agreement as the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable;
provided that such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests
of the holders of the Warrant Certificates.

 

6.2          Notices and Demands to the Company and
Warrant Agent. If
the Warrant Agent shall receive any notice or demand addressed to the Company
by the holder of a Warrant Certificate pursuant to the provisions of the
Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent shall promptly forward such notice or
demand to the Company.

 

6.3          Addresses. Any communication from the Company to
the Warrant Agent with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to                     , Attention:                       and any communication from the Warrant
Agent to the Company with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2411 Stanwell Drive, Concord, California, 94520,
Attention: General Counsel (or such other address as shall be specified in
writing by the Warrant Agent or by the Company).

 

6.4          Governing Law. This Agreement and each Warrant
Certificate issued hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

 

6.5          Delivery Of Prospectus. The Company shall furnish to the Warrant
Agent sufficient copies of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Warrant Debt Securities
deliverable upon exercise of the Warrants (the “Prospectus”), and the Warrant
Agent agrees that upon the exercise of any Warrant, the Warrant Agent will
deliver to the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant, prior
to or concurrently with the delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities issued upon
such exercise, a Prospectus. The Warrant Agent shall not, by reason of any such
delivery, assume any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of such
Prospectus.

 

6.6          Obtaining of Governmental Approvals. The Company will from time to time take
all action which may be necessary to obtain and keep effective any and all
permits, consents and approvals of governmental agencies and authorities and
securities act filings under United States Federal and state laws (including
without limitation a registration statement in respect of the Warrants and
Warrant Debt Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), which
may be or become requisite in connection with the issuance, sale, transfer, and
delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities issued upon exercise of the Warrants,
the issuance, sale, transfer and delivery of the Warrants or upon the
expiration of the period during which the Warrants are exercisable.

 

6.7          Persons Having Rights Under Warrant
Agreement.
Nothing in this Agreement shall give to any person other than the Company, the
Warrant Agent and the holders of the Warrant Certificates any right, remedy or
claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

6.8          Headings. The descriptive headings of the several
Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and
shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the
provisions hereof.

 

 

6.9          Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which as so executed shall be deemed to be an
original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.

 

6.10        Inspection of Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be
available at all reasonable times at the principal corporate trust office of
the Warrant Agent for inspection by the holder of any Warrant Certificate. The
Warrant Agent may require such holder to submit his Warrant Certificate for
inspection by it.

 

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

 

	
   

  	
   

  	
  RIGEL
  PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  By

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Its

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Attest:

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  WARRANT
  AGENT

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  By

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Its

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Attest:

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  

 

[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO DEBT SECURITIES WARRANT AGREEMENT]

 

 

EXHIBIT A 

FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE

[FACE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]

 

	
  [[Form if
  Warrants are attached to Other Securities and are not immediately
  detachable.]

  	
   

  	
  [Prior
  to
                      ,
  this Warrant Certificate cannot be transferred or exchanged unless attached
  to a [Title of Other Securities].]

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  [Form of
  Legend if Warrants are not immediately exercisable.]

  	
   

  	
  [Prior
  to
                      ,
  Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate cannot be exercised.]

  

 

EXERCISABLE
ONLY IF COUNTERSIGNED BY THE WARRANT AGENT AS PROVIDED HEREIN

 

VOID
AFTER [        ] P.M., [CITY]
TIME, ON
                    ,

 

 

RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

WARRANT CERTIFICATE REPRESENTING 

WARRANTS TO PURCHASE 

[TITLE OF WARRANT DEBT SECURITIES]

 

No.                                                                                                                                                                                         Warrants

 

This certifies that                                
or registered assigns is the registered owner of the above indicated number of
Warrants, each Warrant entitling such owner [If Warrants are attached to Other
Securities and are not immediately detachable —, subject to the registered
owner qualifying as a “Holder” of this Warrant Certificate, as hereinafter
defined)] to purchase, at any time [after
[          ] p.m.,
[City] time, on
                               
and] on or before [        ] p.m.,
[City] time, on
                               ,
$        principal amount of [Title of
Warrant Debt Securities] (the “Warrant Debt Securities”), of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), issued or to be issued under the
Indenture (as hereinafter defined), on the following basis: during the period
from
                               ,
through and including
                               ,
each Warrant shall entitle the Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of
this Agreement, to purchase the principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities
stated in the Warrant Certificate at the warrant price (the “Warrant Price”) of
       % of the principal amount thereof
[plus accrued amortization, if any, of the original issue discount of the
Warrant Debt Securities] [plus accrued interest, if any, from the most recent
date from which interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities
or, if no interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities, from
the date of their original issuance]. [The original issue discount
($          for each $1,000
principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities) will be amortized at a
          % annual rate,
computed on a[n] [semi-]annual basis [using a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months]. The Holder may exercise the Warrants evidenced hereby by
providing certain information set forth on the back hereof and by paying in
full, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified
check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire
transfer in immediately available funds], the Warrant Price for each Warrant
Debt Security with respect to which this Warrant is exercised to the Warrant
Agent (as hereinafter defined) and by surrendering this Warrant Certificate,
with the purchase form on the back hereof duly executed, at the corporate trust
office of [name of Warrant Agent], or its successor as warrant agent (the “Warrant
Agent”), which is, on the date hereof, at the address specified on the reverse
hereof, and upon compliance with and subject to the conditions set forth herein
and in the Warrant Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

 

The term “Holder” as used
herein shall mean [If Warrants are attached to Other Securities and are not
immediately detachable—, prior to                            ,
            (the “Detachable
Date”), the registered owner of the Company’s [title of Other Securities] to
which this Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and after such
Detachable Date,] the person in whose name at the time this Warrant Certificate
shall be registered upon the books to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for
that purpose pursuant to Section 4 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

The Warrants evidenced by
this Warrant Certificate may be exercised to purchase Warrant Debt Securities
in the principal amount of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof in
registered form. Upon any exercise of fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced
by this Warrant 

 

 

Certificate,
there shall be issued to the Holder hereof a new Warrant Certificate evidencing
Warrants for the aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities
remaining unexercised.

 

This Warrant Certificate is
issued under and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement dated as of
                       ,
          (the “Warrant Agreement”),
between the Company and the Warrant Agent and is subject to the terms and
provisions contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and
provisions the Holder of this Warrant Certificate consents by acceptance
hereof. Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned
office of the Warrant Agent.

 

The Warrant Debt Securities
to be issued and delivered upon the exercise of Warrants evidenced by this
Warrant Certificate will be issued under and in accordance with an Indenture,
[dated as of
                     ,
             
(the “Senior Indenture”), between the Company and 
                               ,
as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, the “Senior
Trustee”)] [dated as of
                               ,
                               ,
(the “Subordinated Indenture”), between the Company and
                               ,
as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, the “Subordinated
Trustee”)] and will be subject to the terms and provisions contained in the
Warrant Debt Securities and in the Indenture. Copies of the [Senior]
[Subordinated] Indenture, including the form of the Warrant Debt Securities,
are on file at the corporate trust office of the Trustee.

 

[If Warrants are attached to
Other Securities and are not immediately detachable—Prior to the Detachable
Date, this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged or transferred only together
with the [Title of Other Securities] (the “Other Securities”) to which this
Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and only for the purpose of
effecting or in conjunction with, an exchange or transfer of such Other
Security. Additionally, on or prior to the Detachable Date, each transfer of
such Other Security on the register of the Other Securities shall operate also
to transfer this Warrant Certificate. After such date, transfer of this] [If
Warrants are attached to Other Securities and are immediately
detachable—Transfer of this] Warrant Certificate may be registered when this Warrant
Certificate is surrendered at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent
by the registered owner or such owner’s assigns, in the manner and subject to
the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement.

 

[If Other Securities with
Warrants which are not immediately detachable-Except as provided in the
immediately preceding paragraph, after] [If Other Securities with Warrants
which are immediately detachable or Warrants alone—After] countersignature by
the Warrant Agent and prior to the expiration of this Warrant Certificate, this
Warrant Certificate may be exchanged at the corporate trust office of the
Warrant Agent for Warrant Certificates representing Warrants for the same
aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities.

 

This Warrant Certificate
shall not entitle the Holder hereof to any of the rights of a holder of the
Warrant Debt Securities, including, without limitation, the right to receive
payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the
Warrant Debt Securities or to enforce any of the covenants of the Indenture.

 

Reference is hereby made to
the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse
hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as
if set 

 

 

forth
at this place.

 

This Warrant Certificate
shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until countersigned by the
Warrant Agent.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has
caused this Warrant to be executed in its name and on its behalf by the
facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

	
  Dated:

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  RIGEL
  PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  By

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Its

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Attest:

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Countersigned:

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  As
  Warrant Agent

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  By

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Authorized
  Signature

  

 

 

 

[REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]

 

(Instructions
for Exercise of Warrant)

 

To exercise any Warrants
evidenced hereby for Warrant Debt Securities (as hereinafter defined), the
Holder must pay, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by
certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by
bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], the Warrant Price in full
for Warrants exercised, to [Warrant Agent] [address of Warrant Agent],
Attn: 
                       ,
which payment must specify the name of the Holder and the number of Warrants
exercised by such Holder. In addition, the Holder must complete the information
required below and present this Warrant Certificate in person or by mail
(certified or registered mail is recommended) to the Warrant Agent at the
appropriate address set forth above. This Warrant Certificate, completed and
duly executed, must be received by the Warrant Agent within five business days
of the payment.

 

(To
be executed upon exercise of Warrants)

 

The undersigned hereby
irrevocably elects to exercise
                  
Warrants, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to purchase
$            principal
amount of the [Title of Warrant Debt Securities] (the “Warrant Debt Securities”)
of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and represents that he has tendered payment
for such Warrant Debt Securities, in lawful money of the United States of
America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York
Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds],
to the order of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., c/o [insert name and address
of Warrant Agent], in the amount of
$             in
accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that said principal
amount of Warrant Debt Securities be in fully registered form in the authorized
denominations, registered in such names and delivered all as specified in
accordance with the instructions set forth below.

 

If the number of Warrants
exercised is less than all the Warrants evidenced hereby, the undersigned
requests that a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants for the
aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities remaining unexercised be
issued and delivered to the undersigned unless otherwise specified in the
instructions below.

 

 

	
  Dated

  	
   

  	
   

  	
  Name

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Please
  Print

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Address:

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  (Insert
  Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Holder)

  	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
  Signature Guaranteed

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Signature

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
							

 

 

(Signature
must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of this
Warrant Certificate and must bear a signature guarantee by a bank, trust
company or member broker of the New York, Midwest or Pacific Stock Exchange).

 

This
Warrant may be exercised at the following addresses:

 

 

	
  By
  hand at

  	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
  By
  mail at

  	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  

 

[Instructions
as to form and delivery of Warrant Debt Securities and, if applicable, Warrant
Certificates evidencing Warrants for the number of Warrant Debt Securities
remaining unexercised—complete as appropriate.]

 

 

ASSIGNMENT

 

[Form of
assignment to be executed if Warrant Holder desires to transfer Warrant]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,
                    
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto:      

 

	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  (Please print name and
  address including zip code)

  	
   

  	
  Please print Social
  Security or other identifying number

  

 

the
right represented by the within Warrant to purchase
$            aggregate
principal amount of [Title of Warrant Debt Securities] of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
to which the within Warrant relates and appoints
                    
attorney to transfer such right on the books of the Warrant Agent with full
power of substitution in the premises.

 

	
  Dated

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Signature

  

 

(Signature
must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the
Warrant)

 

	
  Signature
  GuaranteedExhibit 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is entered into as of February 4, 2009 (the “Effective  Date”), by and between Vitesse
Semiconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Vitesse”) and Christopher Gardner (the “Executive”) and amends and restates the
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 27, 2007.

 

RECITALS

 

A.                                  Executive
serves as Vitesse’s Chief Executive Officer as of the date of this Agreement.

 

B.                                    Vitesse
and Executive desire to set forth in this Agreement the terms and conditions
upon which the Executive shall continue to serve as Vitesse’s Chief Executive
Officer.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which hereby are acknowledged, Vitesse and Executive
hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                      POSITION
AND COMPENSATION

 

It is hereby agreed that Executive shall continue to be employed by
Vitesse in the position of Chief Executive Officer at a base salary of $350,000
per year.  Vitesse and Executive further
agree that Executive’s base salary shall be reviewed not less than once per
year from the Effective Date of this Agreement. 
Changes in Executive’s compensation shall be recorded in a Compensation
Adjustment form signed and dated by Vitesse and Executive.  In addition to salary, Executive shall also
be eligible to participate in Vitesse’s bonus plan for senior executives as
from time to time in effect.

 

2.                                      EMPLOYEE
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Executive shall be eligible to receive equity compensation grants
under  the Vitesse Semiconductor
Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (“SIP”) as
determined by the Board of Directors of Vitesse or any duly authorized
committee thereof (the “Board”)
and consistent with his position as Chief Executive Officer.

 

3.                                      BENEFITS

 

Employment benefits shall be provided to Executive in accordance with
the programs of Vitesse then available to its senior executives, as amended
from time to time.

 

1

 

4.                                      VACATION

 

Executive shall be entitled to five weeks of paid vacation per
year.  Unused vacation time may be
carried forward only to the extent consistent with Vitesse’s then current
policy with respect to vacation time.

 

5.                                      TERMINATION
OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Vitesse and Executive understand and agree that Executive’s employment
may be terminated under the circumstances and in accordance with the terms set
forth below:

 

A.                                  By
mutual agreement at any time with or without notice; provided that such
agreement must be stated in writing and signed and dated by Executive and an
authorized agent of Vitesse.

 

B.                                    By
either Vitesse or Executive at any time and for any reason, with or without
prior notice.

 

C.                                    By
Vitesse For Cause.  A termination of
employment “For  Cause” is defined as termination by
reason of (i) Executive’s conviction of a felony or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony; (ii) Executive’s
intentional failure or refusal to perform his employment duties and
responsibilities; (iii) Executive’s intentional misconduct that injures
Vitesse’s business; (iv) Executive’s intentional violation of any other
material provision of this Agreement or Vitesse’s code of business conduct and
ethics; or (v) as provided in Section 8 of this Agreement.  Executive’s inability to perform his duties
because of death or Disability shall not constitute a basis for Vitesse’s
termination of Executive’s employment For Cause.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s
employment shall not be subject to termination For Cause without Vitesse’s
delivery to Executive of a written notice of intention to terminate.  Such notice must describe the reasons for the
proposed employment termination For Cause, and must be delivered to Executive
at least fifteen (15) days prior to the proposed termination date (the “Notice Period”).  Executive shall be provided an opportunity
within the Notice Period to cure any such breach (if curable) giving rise to
the proposed termination, and shall be provided an opportunity to be heard
before the Board.  Thereafter, the Board
shall deliver to Executive a written notice of termination after the expiration
of the Notice Period stating that a majority of the members of the Board have
found that Executive engaged in the conduct described in this Paragraph 5.C.

 

D.                                   Vitesse
may terminate Executive’s employment immediately upon his death or upon Vitesse’s
provision to Executive of not less than fifteen (15) days written notice to
Executive that Vitesse has determined that Executive is unable to continue to
perform his job duties due to Disability. 
“Disability” means a
physical or mental impairment of Executive as certified in a written statement
from a licensed physician selected or approved by the Board that renders Executive
unable to perform his duties under this Agreement (after reasonable
accommodation, if necessary, by Vitesse that does not impose an undue hardship 

 

2

 

on Vitesse) for one hundred and fifty (150)
consecutive days or for at least two hundred and ten (210) days (regardless of
whether such days are consecutive) during any period of three hundred
sixty-five (365) consecutive days.  In
conjunction with determining the existence of a Disability, Executive consents
to any reasonable medical examinations (at Vitesse’s expense) that the Board
determines are relevant to a determination of Executive’s Disability, and
agrees that Vitesse is entitled to receive the written results of such
examinations.  Executive agrees to waive
any applicable physician-patient privilege which may arise with respect to such
examinations.

 

6.                                      SEVERANCE
PAY AND CHANGE IN STATUS

 

If Executive’s employment is terminated (i) by mutual agreement, (ii) by
Vitesse For Cause (iii) by Executive for other than Good Reason (as
defined below) or (iv) because of Executive’s Disability or death,
Executive (or Executive’s estate in the case of Executive’s death) shall
receive Executive’s base salary and any vested bonus prorated through Executive’s
final day of employment, but shall not be eligible to receive any Severance Pay
(as defined below), Change in Status (as defined below) or any other
compensation, unless agreed upon by both parties.  Executive’s right to receive any of the
benefits under this Section 6 shall be conditioned upon Executive’s
execution of Vitesse’s then standard form of waiver and release of claims.

 

If Executive’s employment is terminated by Vitesse other than For Cause
or by Executive for Good Reason, Executive shall receive his base salary and
any vested bonus prorated through Executive’s final day of employment,
Severance Pay and a Change in Status.

 

“Good Reason”
means, without Executive’s written consent, the occurrence of any of the
following actions unless the action is fully corrected (if possible) within
fifteen (15) days after the Board receives written notice from Executive of
such action (which notice shall have been provided by Executive within thirty
(30) days of the occurrence of such action), and provided that Executive
actually terminates employment within thirty (30) days following the end of
such fifteen (15) day period:  (a) Vitesse’s
material reduction in Executive’s base salary; (b) Vitesse’s failure to
pay Executive any material amount that is expressly required to be paid under
this Agreement; (c) Vitesse’s material and adverse reduction of the nature
of Executive’s duties and responsibilities, disregarding mere changes in title;
(d)  Vitesse’s requirement that Executive perform his principal employment
duties at an office that is more than thirty-five (35) miles from Camarillo,
California; or (e) a Change of Control Event (as defined below).

 

“Change of Control Event”
shall have the same meaning as in Vitesse’s SIP.

 

“Severance Pay”
means twenty four (24) months of Executive’s base salary plus two times the
average of the maximum target bonus (whether earned or not) for the two most
recent  fiscal years prior to the
termination payable in a lump sum on the date of termination of employment.

 

“Change In Status”
means Executive shall continue to perform services as a Consultant for Vitesse
and receive compensation at a guaranteed rate of not less than Three Thousand
Dollars ($3,000) per month for a period not to exceed three (3) years
following the termination

 

3

 

of Executive’s employment. 
Vitesse agrees that Executive shall not be required to perform more than
ten (10) hours of services per month as a Consultant, and shall receive
additional compensation at the rate of Three Hundred Dollars ($300) per hour
for all services performed in excess of ten (10) hours per month.  Executive’s guaranteed monthly compensation
for consulting shall expire on the earlier of either three (3) years after
the date of termination of his employment or one year after Vitesse has an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect
to the shares to be issued upon exercise of options granted to Executive under
Vitesse’s SIP.  Executive will continue
to vest normally in all existing options during his services as a Consultant.
All existing options will be exercisable until the earlier of 90 days following
termination of Executive’s services as a Consultant and the normal expiration
date of such options.

 

7.                                      EMPLOYMENT DUTIES

 

Executive will report to Vitesse’s Board and shall perform all duties
assigned to him by the Board.  Executive’s
duties may be conveyed to him through a job description, or through other
written or verbal instructions from Vitesse’s Board.  Executive’s duties are expected to involve
travel from time to time to various locations and events, and are expected to
involve significant unpaid overtime.

 

8.                                      COMPLIANCE
WITH VITESSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

As a member of Vitesse management, Executive will be expected to comply
with all provisions of the Vitesse Policies and Procedures Manual and Employee
Handbook, as amended from time to time. 
Executive acknowledges, by signature on this Agreement, that failure to
comply with and ensure enforcement of Vitesse’s policies, procedures and all
federal/state laws relating to business operations may result in immediate
termination of employment For Cause.

 

9.                                      CONFLICT
OF INTEREST

 

Executive acknowledges that his position is a full-time position and
agrees to devote his entire productive time, ability and attention to Vitesse’s
business.  Executive further agrees that
while employed by Vitesse, he will not directly or indirectly engage in outside
employment, consulting or other business activities unless he has obtained
written consent from the Vitesse Board.

 

10.                               NO
SOLICITATION OF CUSTOMERS

 

Executive promises and agrees that during the
term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years thereafter,
Executive will not, directly or indirectly, individually or as a consultant to,
or as an employee, officer, stockholder, director or other owner or participant
in any business, influence or attempt to influence customers, vendors,
suppliers, joint venturers, associates, consultants, agents, or partners of Vitesse,
either directly or indirectly, to divert their business away from Vitesse, to
any individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity then in
competition with the business of Vitesse, and he will not otherwise materially
interfere with any business relationship of Vitesse.

 

4

 

11.                               SOLICITATION
OF EMPLOYEES

 

Executive promises and agrees that during the
term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years thereafter,
Executive will not, directly or indirectly, individually or as a consultant to,
or as an employee, officer, stockholder, director or other owner of or
participant in any business, solicit (or assist in soliciting) any person who
is then, or at any time within six (6) months prior thereto was, an
employee of Vitesse who earned annually $25,000 or more as an employee of
Vitesse during the last six (6) months of his or her own employment to
work for (as an employee, consultant or otherwise) any business, individual,
partnership, firm, corporation, or other entity whether or not engaged in
competitive business with Vitesse.

 

12.                               OBLIGATION
TO RETURN BONUS PAYMENTS

 

Executive agrees to disgorge to the Company
certain bonus payments and profits if the Company is required to prepare an accounting
restatement to correct an accounting error on an interim or annual financial
statement included in a report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, due to
material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the
federal securities laws, and the Board determines that misconduct by the
Executive has occurred and caused such restatement.  ‘Misconduct’ shall
refer to any definition included in the applicable statute(s) or
applicable judicial precedents The amounts that shall be disgorged shall be (i) any
bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation received by
Executive from the Company during the 12-month period following the first
public issuance or filing with the SEC (whichever first occurs) of the
financial document embodying such error; and (ii)any net profits realized by
Executive from the sale of the Company’s stock during that 12-month
period.  In any dispute between the Company and Executive regarding such
misconduct, Executive will continue to be entitled to any indemnification or
reimbursement for legal representation available to Executive pursuant to any
statute, charter provision, By-law, contract or other arrangement that insures
or indemnifies Executive.

 

13.                               LIMITATION
ON PAYMENTS

 

                                                In
the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement
or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments”
within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the “Code”), and
(ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code (the “Excise Tax”),
then Executive’s benefits under this Agreement shall be either (a) delivered
in full, or (b) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in
no portion of such benefits being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the
foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local
income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive on an
after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all
or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the
Code.  The payments or benefits subject
to any such reduction shall be reduced by Vitesse in its reasonable discretion
in the following order: (i) reduction of any payments and benefits
otherwise payable to Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the
Code, and (ii) reduction of any other payments and benefits otherwise
payable to Executive on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies
with Section 409A of the Code, as determined by Vitesse.

 

Unless Vitesse and Executive otherwise agree
in writing, any determination required under this section shall be made in
writing by Vitesse’s independent public accountants

 

5

 

(the “Accountants”), whose determination
shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and Vitesse for all
purposes.  For purposes of making the
calculations required by this section, the Accountants may make reasonable
assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on
reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G
and 4999 of the Code.  Vitesse and
Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as
the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under
this section.  Vitesse shall bear all
costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations
contemplated by this section.

 

14.                               SECTION 409A

 

Vitesse makes no representations or warranties
to Executive with respect to any tax, economic or legal consequences of this
letter or any payments or other benefits provided hereunder, including without
limitation under Section 409A of the Code. 
However, the parties intend that this Agreement and the payments and
other benefits provided hereunder be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A
of the Code to the maximum extent possible, whether pursuant to the short-term
deferral exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4),
the involuntary separation pay plan exception described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii),
or otherwise.  To the extent Section 409A
of the Code is applicable to this Agreement (and such payments and benefits),
the parties intend that this Agreement (and such payments and benefits) comply
with the deferral, payout and other limitations and restrictions imposed under Section 409A
of the Code.  Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall be interpreted,
operated and administered in a manner consistent with such intentions.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, with respect to any payments and benefits under this letter to which Section 409A
of the Code applies, all references in this letter to the termination of
Executive’s employment are intended to mean Executive’s “separation from
service,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the
Code.  In addition, if Executive is a “specified
employee,” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the
Code, then to the extent necessary to avoid subjecting Executive to the
imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, amounts
that would otherwise be payable under this Agreement during the six-month
period immediately following Executive’s “separation from service,” within the
meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code, will not be paid to
Executive during such period, but will instead be accumulated and paid to
Executive (or, in the event of Executive’s death, Executive’s estate) in a lump
sum on the first business day following the earlier of (a) the date that
is six months after Executive’s separation from service or (b) Executive’s
death.  It is intended that each
installment, if any, of any severance payments (including any payments due to
Change in Status) shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A.

 

15.                               ARBITRATION

 

Any controversy arising out of or relating to
Executive’s employment, any termination of Executive’s employment, this
Agreement or because of an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in
connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, including (without
limitation) any state or federal statutory claims, shall be submitted to final
and binding arbitration, to be held in Ventura County, California before a sole
neutral arbitrator.  The 

 

6

 

arbitration
shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and
Procedures.  Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction.  The parties acknowledge
and agree that they are hereby waiving any rights to trial by jury in any
action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the parties against the
other in connection with any matter whatsoever arising out of or in any way
connected with any of the matters referenced in this Section 15.  The parties agree that in any proceeding with
respect to such matters, each party shall bear its own attorney’s fees and
costs.

 

16.                               TERM

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, the term
of this Agreement shall end on July 27, 2009.

 

17.                               PARTIAL
INVALIDITY

 

It is the desire and intent of Vitesse and Executive that the
provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under applicable federal, state and municipal laws.  Accordingly, if any specific provision or
portion of this Agreement are determined to be invalid or unenforceable within
the particular jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought, that portion of the
Agreement will be considered as deleted for the purposes of adjudication.  All other portions of this Agreement will be
considered valid and enforceable within that jurisdiction.

 

18.                               ENTIRE
AGREEMENT

 

Vitesse and Executive understand and agree that this Agreement
constitutes the full and complete understanding and agreement between them
regarding the terms of Executive’s employment and supersedes all prior
understandings, representations, and agreements with respect to the
employment.  Vitesse and Executive
understand that the Vitesse SIP and the Compensation Adjustment forms (if any)
referred to in this Agreement shall be fully incorporated into this Agreement
by reference.  The parties rights and
obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the consent of each party
hereto, except that Vitesse may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to
any successor entity.  Executive agrees
that following a Change in Control Event, “Vitesse” shall refer to any
successor entity.

 

[Remainder
of Page Intentional Left Blank]

 

7

 

19.                               EXECUTIVE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

Executive acknowledges that he has read and understands this Employment
Agreement and agrees to the terms and conditions contained herein.  Executive agrees that he has had the
opportunity to confer with legal counsel of his choosing regarding this
Agreement.  Executive further
acknowledges that this Agreement has not been executed by Executive in reliance
upon any representation or promise except those contained herein, and that
Vitesse has made no guarantee regarding Executive’s employment other than those
specified in this Agreement.

 

 

	
   

  	
   

  	
  “Executive”

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Dated

  	
  2-25-09

  	
   

  	
  /s/ Christopher Gardner

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Christopher Gardner

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION,

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  a Delaware Corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Dated

  	
  2-26-09

  	
   

  	
  By

  	
  /s/ Willow B. Shire

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
  Willow B. Shire

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
  Chairperson of the Compensation Committee

  

 

8

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