Document:

EX-10.16

 Exhibit 10.16 

 
 

 
 July 26, 2019 
 Andrew
D. Ashe 
 [**] 
 Dear Andrew: 

On behalf of Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (“Verve” or the “Company”), you for your excellent and ongoing work as the President and Chief
Operating Officer of Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Endcadia, Inc., “Verve” or the “Company”), the company you helped us to get up and running! It has been a pleasure to work with you and I look forward to working together on
Verve’s mission to offer patients throughout the world life-long protection against coronary artery disease. 
 Below are the terms that will apply to
your employment by Verve from and after the date of this letter. 
 Responsibilities: 

As President and Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership of the Company’s operational and administrative
functions. In light of your legal background, you will also serve as the Company’s Secretary and General Counsel and be responsible for all aspects of the Company’s legal and compliance functions. In your role, you will report directly to
me. All your duties are to be performed and discharged faithfully, diligently and to the best of your ability and in compliance with internal procedures and all applicable laws and regulations. 

Compensation: 
 As a full-time, exempt employee, you will
receive a monthly salary of $31,250.00 ($375,000 on an annualized basis), to be paid in accordance with Verve’s standard payroll practice. In addition to your base salary, you will be eligible for an annual bonus target of thirty-five percent
(35%) of your base salary. Bonus eligibility and amounts will be discretionary and determined based upon periodic assessments of performance and the achievement of specific individual and corporate objectives that will be determined by the Board,
after consultation with you, and provided to you in writing no later than January 31 of the applicable bonus year. Furthermore, please note that (i) you must be an employee on the last date of the applicable bonus year to receive the
applicable bonus, and (ii) the determination of whether a bonus is paid in any given year is subject to the approval of the Board. Any bonus will be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year to which the
bonus relates. 
  

					
	26 Landsdowne Street	  	Cambridge, MA 02139	  	617.603.0070

 Any compensation paid to you will be less applicable deductions, taxes, and other amounts required by
federal and state laws. 
 Stock Options: 
 Upon or
promptly after you sign and return this letter agreement, Verve will grant you an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.15 per share which is equal to the fair market value per share of the
common stock on the date of the grant. This option award will be subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”) or any successor plan and stock option agreements
on the Company’s standard form (as modified as appropriate to reflect the terms set forth herein) to be entered into by you and the Company following the grant (collectively, the “Equity Documents”), which in relevant part will
provide that such option (i) vests over a period of four years, with an initial 25% one-year cliff and monthly vesting thereafter, subject to your continued service relationship as an employee or a
consultant (“service relationship”) through each applicable vesting date; (ii) expires ten (10) years from the grant date, subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms of the Plan relating to mergers, changes in control,
dissolutions and liquidations and similar events; and (iii) may be exercised (as to the vested portion) for twenty four (24) months following the termination of your service relationship with the Company (including in the event the
termination of your service relationship is due to your death or Disability (as defined in the Plan)). 
 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
Equity Documents or in any other agreement, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), 100% of the unvested shares underlying all equity awards made hereunder, previously made to you or issued to you as of the date of such Change
in Control, shall immediately vest and, if applicable, become fully exercisable (or if restricted stock nonforfeitable). 
 Benefits: 

You will be eligible to participate in Verve’s employee benefits in the same manner provided generally to Verve’s exempt employees, including its
401(k) savings plan, health and dental insurance, and life and disability insurance, subject to the satisfaction of any eligibility requirements and subject to the terms of such benefit programs. You should note that the Company may modify or
terminate benefits from time to time as it deems necessary or appropriate. 
 Severance: 

In the event that your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined below) other than as a result of your death or Disability (as defined
in the Plan), or you resign for Good Reason (as defined below) (collectively, your “qualifying termination”) and provided that you execute and do not revoke a Separation and Release Agreement in a form attached as Exhibit A, but
with such changes as may be determined by the Company in good faith to be necessary or appropriate to reflect changes to applicable law and/or your then-current equity awards, that becomes effective and irrevocable within 60 days of your qualifying
termination date, then you will be entitled to the following severance benefits effective as of your termination date: 

  
  

2 

	 	•	 	 a lump-sum payment equal to your full annual base salary and target bonus
(less all applicable tax-related deductions); 

  

	 	•	 	 the Company will pay, for a period of twelve months following your termination date, or until you have secured
other employment, or the date on which you are no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the full employer and employee premium for benefits that you continue pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation
Act of 1984, as amended (“COBRA”), provided that you timely elect continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA, within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA; and 

 

	 	•	 	 immediate vesting and exercisability, or immediate release from the Company’s repurchase option, as
applicable, of the number of shares subject to any unvested stock options or restricted stock previously granted or issued to you that would have vested or been released, as applicable, had you remained an employee for twelve months following your
termination date (assuming no Change in Control (as defined under the Plan) occurred within such twelve month period), provided that a stock option will be subject to such accelerated vesting only if such stock option had commenced vesting (that is,
had reached at least its first scheduled vesting date) on or prior to such termination date. 

 Subject to the Section 409A-related
section of this offer letter, the amounts payable to you upon termination, to the extent taxable, shall be paid or commence to be paid within 60 days of your qualifying termination date; provided, however, that if the
60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such payments to the extent they qualify as “non-qualified deferred compensation”
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), shall be paid or commence to be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 60-day
period. 
 For the purposes of this offer letter and any stock option agreement: 

“Cause” shall mean, as determined by the Board pursuant to the process below: (i) your continued willful failure, as determined in the
reasonable good faith discretion of the Board, to perform your assigned duties or responsibilities as directed or assigned by the Board (other than due to death or Disability) after written notice thereof from the Board describing in reasonable
detail the failure to perform providing you a reasonable opportunity to address such alleged failure; (ii) engaging in knowing and intentional illegal conduct that was or is materially injurious to the Company or its affiliates; (iii) any
willful violation of a federal or state law or regulation directly or indirectly applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates, which violation was or is reasonably likely to be injurious to the Company or its affiliates; (iv) any
material breach of the terms of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement between you and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) being convicted of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or
committing any act of moral turpitude, dishonesty or fraud against the Company or its affiliates. No finding of Cause shall be effective unless and until the Board votes to terminate your employment for Cause at a Board meeting. 

  
  

3 

 “Good Reason” shall mean that you have complied with the “Good Reason Process”
(hereinafter defined) following the occurrence of any of the following events without your prior consent: (i) material reduction of your base salary; (ii) your removal from the Board or a change in your reporting structure such that you
are required to report to anyone other than the Board; (iii) material diminution in your authority, duties, or responsibilities with the Company; (iv) relocation of the Company’s offices more than 30 miles away from the current
location; or (v) any material breach by the Company or any successor thereto of this offer letter. “Good Reason Process” shall mean that (i) you have reasonably determined in good faith that a “Good Reason” condition
has occurred; (ii) you have notified the Company in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 90 days of the first occurrence of such condition; (iii) you have cooperated in good faith with the Company’s
efforts, for a period not less than 30 days following such notice (the “Cure Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) you terminate your
employment within 30 days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred. 

Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays: 
 Over the first year
of your employment commencing as of the date of this letter, you will accrue twenty (20) days of vacation. Thereafter, you will continue to accrue one additional day per year of employment in accordance with the Company’s vacation
policies, up to a maximum of thirty (30) days of vacation per year. All vacation is to be taken in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies. In addition, should you become ill, you will be allowed up to five (5) paid sick days,
provided that any unused sick days will not to be carried over from year to year and will not to be cashed out upon termination, unless otherwise required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company will offer employees at least ten (10) paid
holidays per year, as determined annually according to the Company calendar. 

Employment-At-Will: 

The Company is excited about your continued employment and looks forward to continuing this beneficial and fruitful relationship. Nevertheless, you should be
aware that your employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes at-will employment. As a result, the Company is free to terminate its employment relationship with you at any time, with
or without cause, and with or without notice you. Similarly, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason. However, given the importance of your position at the Company, we request that in the event of resignation, you give
the Company at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice. 
 Additional Documents and Company Policies: 

As a condition of your continued employment and your acceptance of the additional consideration offered to you hereunder, you will also be required to sign and
comply with another At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (the “Employee Agreement”), which requires, among other provisions, the assignment of
patent rights to any invention made during your employment at the Company, and non-disclosure of proprietary information. In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or arising out of our employment
relationship, you and the Company agree to resolve the matter through binding arbitration in which (i) you are waiving any and all rights to a jury trial, and (ii) a neutral arbitrator who shall issue a written opinion, as set forth more
fully in the Employee Agreement. 

  
  

4 

 You will also be expected to continue to abide by all other Company policies and procedures. 

Prior Agreements, Relationships and Conflicts: 
 If you
have not already done so, we ask that you disclose to the Company any and all agreements relating to your prior employment and consulting roles that may affect your eligibility to be employed by the Company or limit the manner in which you may be
employed. It is the Company’s understanding that any such agreements will not prevent you from performing the duties of your position and you represent that such is the case. Moreover, you agree that, during the term of your employment with the
Company, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting, or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of your employment without the prior
written consent of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board, nor will you engage in any other activities that conflict with your obligations to the Company. 

Section 409A: 
 Anything in this offer letter to the
contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of your separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Company determines that you are a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of
the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that you become entitled to under this offer letter on account of your separation from service constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation”
under Section 409A of the Code or the regulations and guidance thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”), such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six
months and one day after your separation from service, or (B) your death. If any such delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment
covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their
original schedule. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this offer letter is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.
All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this offer letter shall be provided by the Company or incurred by you during the time periods set forth in this offer letter. All
reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement
in any other taxable year. Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this offer
letter constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon your termination of employment, then such payments or
benefits shall be payable only upon your “separation from service.” Similarly, no 

  
  

5 

 
severance payable to you, if any, pursuant to this offer letter that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until you have a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. The determination of whether and when a separation from service has
occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A 1(h). The Company and you intend that this offer letter will be exempt from or otherwise comply with Section 409A so that none of
the severance or other payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and this offer letter will be administered in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any terms or
provision of this offer letter is ambiguous as to its exemption from or compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the term or provision, as applicable, shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder are exempt from or comply with
Section 409A. In no event will the Company have any obligation to reimburse you for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by you as a result of Section 409A. You and the Company agree to work together in good faith to
consider amendments to this offer and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to you under Section 409A. 

Acknowledgements: 
 In accepting this offer, you give us
your assurance that you have not relied on any agreements, promises or representations, express or implied, with respect to your employment that are not set forth expressly in this letter. This offer letter may not be modified or amended except in a
writing signed by both you and the me, as Chief Executive Officer. This letter, along with the Employee Agreement and the Equity Documents, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between you and Verve with respect to the subject matter
hereof and will supersede all prior oral or written agreements relating to such matters. 
 If this letter correctly sets forth our agreement on the subject
matter hereof, kindly sign and return this letter. 
 I look forward to our working together to create one of the great biotech companies of the 21st century! 
  

	
	Sincerely,
	
	 /s/ Sekar Kathiresan

	Sekar Kathiresan, M.D.
	Chief Executive Officer

  
  

6 

	
	Acknowledged and accepted:
	
	 /s/ Andrew D. Ashe

	Andrew D. Ashe

  
  

7EX-10.17

 Exhibit 10.17 

 
 

 
 July 26, 2019 
 Andrew
Bellinger 
 [**] 
 Dear Andrew: 

On behalf of Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (“Verve” or the “Company”), I would like to thank you for your excellent work as our Chief Medical
Adviser. In a short time, you have demonstrated your commitment to our mission to offer patients throughout the world life-long protection against coronary artery disease. Based on that commitment and the skill, expertise and “verve” you
have brought to the Company, I am pleased to present you with an offer to join us as our Chief Scientific Officer. The terms of our offer are as follows: 

Start Date and Responsibilities: 
 It is anticipated that
your employment will commence as soon as possible. The exact date will be determined by you and I following your acceptance of this offer and will be mindful of your need to thoughtfully transition out of your current role at Lyndra Therapeutics.

 As Chief Scientific Officer at Verve, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Company’s research and development
activities, including the Company’s product pipeline and research collaborations. In this role, you will report directly to me. All your duties are to be performed and discharged faithfully, diligently and to the best of your ability and in
compliance with internal procedures and all applicable laws and regulations. 
 Compensation: 

As a full-time, exempt employee, you will receive a monthly salary of $29,166.00 ($350,000 on an annualized basis), to be paid in accordance with Verve’s
standard payroll practice. In addition to your base salary, you will be eligible for an annual bonus target of thirty percent (30%) of your base salary. Bonus eligibility and amounts will be discretionary and determined based upon periodic
assessments of performance and the achievement of specific individual and corporate objectives that will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), after consultation with you, and provided to you in writing no
later than January 31 of the applicable bonus year. Furthermore, please note that (i) you must be an employee on the last date of the applicable bonus year to receive the applicable bonus, and (ii) the determination of whether a bonus
is paid in any given year is subject to the approval of the Board. Any bonus will be paid no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year to which the bonus relates. 

 

							
	26 Landsdowne Street	  	Cambridge, MA 02139	  	 	617.603.0070	 

 Any compensation paid to you will be less applicable deductions, taxes, and other amounts required by
federal and state laws. 
 Stock Options: 
 In addition,
following your start date and subject to formal approval by the Board, you will be granted (i) an option to purchase 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “First Employee Option”), and (ii) an option to
purchase an additional 400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Second Employee Option”), each at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value on the date of grant, as determined by the Board. Each of the First
Employee Option and the Second Employee Option will be subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), and stock option agreements on the Company’s standard
form (as modified as appropriate to reflect the terms set forth herein) to be entered into by you and the Company following the grant (collectively, the “Equity Documents”), which in relevant part will provide that each such option
(i) expires ten (10) years from the grant date, subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms of the Plan relating to mergers, changes in control, dissolutions and liquidations and similar events, and (ii) may be exercised (as
to the vested portion) for three (3) months following the termination of your status as a Service Provider (as defined in the Plan), including in the event the termination is due to your death or Disability (as defined in the Plan). 

Subject to your continued status as a Service Provider through each applicable vesting date, (i) the First Employee Option shall vest in 48 equal monthly
installments beginning on your first day as an employee of the Company, and (ii) the Second Employee Option shall vest over a period of four years following your first day as an employee of the Company, with an initial 25% one-year cliff and monthly vesting thereafter. No right to any stock is earned or accrued until such time that vesting occurs, nor does either option grant confer any right to continue vesting or to continued
retention as a Service Provider to the Company. In the event of any inconsistencies between this offer letter and the applicable Equity Documents, the terms of the applicable Equity Documents shall govern. 

Additional options may be granted over time as determined by the Board. Specifically, it is anticipated that the Board will consider one or more additional
option grants to you, as determined by the Board in its discretion, to adjust for dilution of your equity interest in the Company resulting from the completion (if applicable) of the Third Tranche Closing, as such term is defined under the Series A
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement among the Company and the investors listed therein, dated as of August 7, 2018, as amended. 
 Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in the Equity Documents or in any other agreement, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), 100% of the unvested shares underlying all equity awards made hereunder, previously made to you or issued to
you as of the date of such Change in Control, shall immediately vest and, if applicable, become fully exercisable (or, if in the form of restricted stock, become non-forfeitable). 

  
 2 

 Benefits: 

You will be eligible to participate in Verve’s employee benefits in the same manner provided generally to Verve’s exempt employees, including its

401(k) savings plan and health and dental insurance, subject to the satisfaction of any eligibility requirements and subject to the terms of such benefit programs. You should note that the Company may modify or terminate benefits from time to time
as it deems necessary or appropriate. 
 Severance: 
 In
the event that your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined below) other than as a result of your death or Disability (as defined in the Plan), or you resign for Good Reason (as defined below) (collectively, your
“qualifying termination”) and provided that you execute and do not revoke a Separation and Release Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company that becomes effective and irrevocable within 60 days of your qualifying
termination date, then you will be entitled to the following severance benefits effective as of your termination date: 
  

	 	•	 	 a lump-sum payment equal to
two-thirds of your base salary and target bonus (less all applicable tax-related deductions); 

 

	 	•	 	 the Company will pay, for a period of nine months following your termination date, or until you have secured
other employment, or the date on which you are no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the full employer and employee premium for benefits that you continue pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation
Act of 1984, as amended (“COBRA”), provided that you timely elect continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA, within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA; and 

 

	 	•	 	 immediate vesting and exercisability, or immediate release from the Company’s repurchase option, as
applicable, of the number of shares subject to any unvested stock options or restricted stock previously granted or issued to you that would have vested or been released, as applicable, had you remained an employee for nine months following your
termination date (assuming no Change in Control (as defined under the Plan) occurred within such nine month period), provided that a stock option will be subject to such accelerated vesting only if such stock option had commenced vesting (that is,
had reached at least its first scheduled vesting date) on or prior to such termination date. 

 Subject to the Section 409A-related
section of this offer letter, the amounts payable to you upon termination, to the extent taxable, shall be paid or commence to be paid within 60 days of your qualifying termination date; provided, however, that if the
60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, such payments to the extent they qualify as “non-qualified deferred compensation”
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), shall be paid or commence to be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such 60-day
period. 
 For the purposes of this offer letter and any stock option agreement: 

  
 3 

 “Cause” shall mean, as determined by the Board pursuant to the process below: (i) your
continued willful failure, as determined in the reasonable good faith discretion of the Board, to perform your assigned duties or responsibilities as directed or assigned by the Board (other than due to death or Disability) after written notice
thereof from the Board describing in reasonable detail the failure to perform providing you a reasonable opportunity to address such alleged failure; (ii) engaging in knowing and intentional illegal conduct that was or is materially injurious
to the Company or its affiliates; (iii) any willful violation of a federal or state law or regulation directly or indirectly applicable to the business of the Company or its affiliates, which violation was or is reasonably likely to be
injurious to the Company or its affiliates; (iv) any material breach of the terms of any confidentiality agreement or invention assignment agreement between you and the Company (or any affiliate of the Company); or (v) being convicted of,
or entering a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or committing any act of moral turpitude, dishonesty or fraud against the Company or its affiliates. No finding of Cause shall be effective unless and until the Board votes to terminate your
employment for Cause at a Board meeting. 
 “Good Reason” shall mean that you have complied with the “Good Reason Process” (hereinafter
defined) following the occurrence of any of the following events without your prior consent: (i) material reduction of your base salary; (ii) a change in your reporting structure such that you are required to report to anyone other than
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or any successor thereto; (iii) material diminution in your authority, duties, or responsibilities with the Company; provided, however, that a reduction in authority, duties, or responsibilities
primarily by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity whether as a subsidiary, business unit or otherwise (as, for example, when the Chief Scientific Officer of the Company remains as such following an acquisition where
the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the acquirer, but is not made the Chief Scientific Officer of the acquiring corporation) will not constitute “Good Reason”; (iv) relocation of the Company’s offices more than 30 miles
away from the current location; or (v) any material breach by the Company or any successor thereto of this offer letter. “Good Reason Process” shall mean that (i) you have reasonably determined in good faith that a “Good
Reason” condition has occurred; (ii) you have notified the Company in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 90 days of the first occurrence of such condition; (iii) you have cooperated in good faith with
the Company’s efforts, for a period not less than 30 days following such notice (the “Cure Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) you
terminate your employment within 30 days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred. 

Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays: 
 Over the first year
of your employment, you will accrue twenty (20) days of vacation. Thereafter, you will continue to accrue one additional day per year of employment in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies, up to a maximum of thirty
(30) days of vacation per year. All vacation is to be taken in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies. In addition, should you become ill, you will be allowed up to five (5) paid sick days, provided that any unused sick days
will not be carried over from year to year and will not to be cashed out upon termination, unless otherwise required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company will offer employees at least ten (10) paid holidays per year, as determined
annually according to the Company calendar. 

  
 4 

 Employment-At-Will:

 The Company is excited about your commencement of employment and looks forward to continuing a beneficial and fruitful relationship. Nevertheless, you
should be aware that your employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes at-will employment. As a result, the Company is free to terminate its employment relationship with you at any
time, with or without cause, and with or without notice to you. Similarly, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason. However, given the importance of your position at the Company, we request that in the event of
resignation, you give the Company at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice. 
 Additional Documents and Company Policies: 

As a condition of your employment, you will also be required to sign and comply with an At-Will Employment,
Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement (the “Employee Agreement”), which requires, among other provisions, the assignment of patent rights to any invention made during your employment at the Company, and non-disclosure of proprietary information. In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or arising out of our employment relationship, you and the Company agree to resolve the matter through binding arbitration
in which (i) you are waiving any and all rights to a jury trial, and (ii) a neutral arbitrator who shall issue a written opinion, as set forth more fully in the Employee Agreement. 

You will also be expected to continue to abide by all other applicable Company policies and procedures. 

Verification of Eligibility for Employment: 
 For purposes
of federal immigration law, you will be required to provide to the Company documentary evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. Such documentation must be provided to us within three (3) business days of
your date of hire, or our employment relationship with you may be terminated. 
 Prior Agreements, Relationships and Conflicts: 

If you have not already done so, we ask that you disclose to the Company any and all agreements relating to your prior employment and consulting roles that may
affect your eligibility to be employed by the Company or limit the manner in which you may be employed. It is the Company’s understanding that any such agreements will not prevent you from performing the duties of your position and you
represent that such is the case. Moreover, you agree that, during the term of your employment with the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting, or other business activity directly related to the business in which
the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of your employment without the prior written consent of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board, nor will you engage in any other activities that conflict with your
obligations to the Company. You agree not to bring any third-party confidential information to the Company, including that of your former employer, and that you will not in any way utilize any such information in performing your duties for the
Company. 

  
 5 

 Section 409A: 

Anything in this offer letter to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of your separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the
Code, the Company determines that you are a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that you become entitled to under this offer letter on account of
your separation from service constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code or the regulations and guidance thereunder (collectively,
“Section 409A”), such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six months and one day after your separation from service, or (B) your death. If any such
delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this
offer letter is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. All in-kind benefits provided and
expenses eligible for reimbursement under this offer letter shall be provided by the Company or incurred by you during the time periods set forth in this offer letter. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in
no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses
incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year. Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this offer letter constitutes
“non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon your termination of employment, then such payments or benefits shall be
payable only upon your “separation from service.” Similarly, no severance payable to you, if any, pursuant to this offer letter that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until you have a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred
shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A 1(h). The Company and you intend that this offer letter will be exempt from or otherwise comply with Section 409A so that none of the
severance or other payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and this offer letter will be administered in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any terms or
provision of this offer letter is ambiguous as to its exemption from or compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the term or provision, as applicable, shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder are exempt from or comply with
Section 409A. In no event will the Company have any obligation to reimburse you for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by you as a result of Section 409A. You and the Company agree to work together in good faith to
consider amendments to this offer letter and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to you under Section 409A. 

  
 6 

 Acknowledgements: 

In accepting this offer, you give us your assurance that you have not relied on any agreements, promises or representations, express or implied, with respect
to your employment that are not set forth expressly in this letter. This offer letter may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and me, as Chief Executive Officer. This letter, along with the Employee Agreement and the
Equity Documents, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between you and Verve with respect to the subject matter hereof and will supersede all prior oral or written agreements relating to such matters. You hereby agree and acknowledge
that, effective upon your first day as an employee of the Company, that certain Consulting Agreement, dated May 1, 2019, between you and the Company (the “Consulting Agreement”) shall be terminated and you shall cease to accrue
additional compensation thereunder, provided that Sections 4, 5, 7 and 8 of the Consulting Agreement shall survive such termination and remain in effect (notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Consulting Agreement). You further acknowledge
that the First Employee Option will be granted in lieu of, and in full replacement for, the Employee Option Grant referenced in the Consulting Agreement. 

If this letter correctly sets forth our agreement on the subject matter hereof, kindly sign and return this letter. 

Andrew ... I have very much enjoyed working with you over the past few months and I look forward to continuing that work to create one of the great biotech
companies of the 21st century! 
  

	
	Sincerely,
	
	 /s/ Sekar Kathiresan

	Sekar Kathiresan, M.D.,
	Chief Executive Officer

  

	
	Acknowledged and accepted:
	
	 /s/ Andrew Bellinger

	Andrew Bellinger

  
 7

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