Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.14
Execution Copy    

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 29, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Novan, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Durham County, North Carolina (the “Company”), and Paula Brown Stafford (“Executive”). 

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Executive has been employed by the Company since March 20, 2017, under the terms of an offer letter dated March 13, 2017, as amended on October 11, 2017 and May 13, 2018 (collectively referred to herein as the “Offer Letter”);

WHEREAS, Executive is also subject to the terms of the Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement and the Noncompetition Agreement, both executed by Executive on March 20, 2017 (collectively the “Restrictive Covenants Agreements”);
WHEREAS, Executive has been serving as the President and Chief Operating Officer;

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to continue to employ Executive, and Executive desires to accept such continued employment with the Company, on the terms described herein; and

WHEREAS, effective as of the Effective Date, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement which shall supersede the Offer Letter in its entirety;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual promises herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, including the employment of Executive by the Company and the compensation received by Executive from the Company from time to time, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows.

1.EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such continued employment. Executive shall serve as the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The initial term of employment under this Agreement (the “Initial Term”) shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the first (1st) anniversary thereof, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 4. This Agreement shall automatically be extended for successive one­year periods (each, an “Extension Term” and, collectively with the Initial Term, the “Term”) unless either party gives notice of non­extension to the other no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then applicable Term.

2.DUTIES; EXCLUSIVE SERVICE.

(a)During the Term, Executive shall faithfully discharge her responsibilities and perform all duties prescribed to her by the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) of the Company, as well as any duties as are set forth in the Bylaws of the Company related to Executive’s position. In addition, Executive expressly agrees that her services include but are not limited to attendance at scheduled meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), if and as requested by the CEO or the Board, and all other normal duties associated with the responsibilities of a President and COO. Executive agrees to comply with all Company policies, standards and regulations now existing or hereafter promulgated. Executive further agrees to devote all of her working time and attention to the performance of her duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Company and in furtherance of its best interests; provided, however, that the Company acknowledges and agrees that Executive will be involved in outside activities, including a consulting business and book promotion, that are not expected to affect Executive’s performance of her obligations hereunder. Executive agrees to immediately resign from the board of any company that engages in any business that competes with or represents a conflict with the business of the Company as determined in the sole discretion of the Board. Executive agrees that she will not serve on more than two outside boards.

3. COMPENSATION. Executive’s compensation shall be paid as follows:

(a)Base Salary. During the Term, Executive shall receive as compensation a base salary at an annual rate of Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000.00) (the “Base Salary”), less any federal, state and local payroll taxes and other withholdings legally required or properly requested by Executive. Base Salary shall be payable semi-monthly in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices and procedures. Executive’s Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Company’s CEO. All full­time employees may be eligible for additional compensation based on performance and may receive additional stock option grants as approved by the Board in its sole discretion.

(b)Annual Bonus. For each calendar year that ends during the Term, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual performance based cash bonus, upon achievement of the annual bonus objectives established by the CEO and/or Board of Directors (the “Annual Bonus”) pursuant to the Company’s Executive Annual Incentive Plan or another bonus plan established by the Company, with a target Annual Bonus equal to fifty percent (50%) of Base Salary for achievement of 100% of the performance objectives. Executive’s success in achieving the objectives and the amount of the Annual Bonus will be determined by the CEO and/or Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board in their reasonable discretion. Upon the recommendation of the President and/or CEO, Executive’s annual Bonus may exceed fifty percent (50%) of Base Salary.

(c)Equity Incentive Plans.  Executive will be eligible to participate in Company’s incentive award plans as may be approved by the Board from time-to-time, including the Novan, In. 2016 Incentive Award Plan and the Tangible Stockholder Return Plan, at such level and on such terms as shall be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion. 

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(d)Paid Leave. Executive is entitled to receive the maximum amount of paid-time-off (“PTO”) allowed under the Company’s policies, which is accrued and used in accordance with the Company’s policies.

(e)Benefits. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company as are provided generally from time to time to all other similarly situated employees of the Company. All such benefits are subject to the provisions of their respective plan documents in accordance with their terms and are subject to amendment or termination by the Company without Executive’s consent.

(f)Business Expenses. During the Term, the Company will reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of her duties to the Company, provided Executive complies with the Company’s policies and procedures for reimbursement or advance of business expenses established by the Company. 

(g)Life Insurance. During the Term, Company shall pay Executive’s cost, or at Executive’s election reimburse Executive for the cost required, to purchase term life insurance in the face amount of $1,000,000 to be effective as of the Effective Date or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable. The term of the policy will be for no less than five (5) years, with an annual payment term. The Company will pay the premium during the term of the agreement and any period during which Executive is receiving payments following separation from service under Section 6.
 
4.EMPLOYMENT AT WILL; TERMINATION. Subject to the terms of Section 6 of this Agreement, Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement shall continue until terminated by either party. Executive’s employment with the Company is at­will, and either party can terminate the employment relationship and/or this Agreement at any time, for any or no cause or reason, and with or without prior notice.

5.EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Upon termination of Executive’s employment hereunder by either party regardless of the cause or reason, the Company shall pay Executive only accrued, unpaid wages through the termination date, reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by the Executive, which shall be subject to and paid in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy (the “Accrued Amounts”). The final payment of wages, less any withholdings required by law or properly requested by Executive, shall be made on the next regular payday of the Company following the termination, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll procedures. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6 of this Agreement, no other payments, benefits or other remuneration shall be due or payable to Executive.

6.SEVERANCE PROVISIONS.

(a)Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall be defined as set out below:

i.“Cause” shall be determined in good faith by the Board (excluding Executive if then a director) and shall mean:

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a.Executive’s conviction of, or plea of no contest to, any crime (whether or not involving the Company) that constitutes a felony in the jurisdiction in which Executive is charged, or that involves moral turpitude;

b.Any act of theft, fraud or embezzlement, or any other willful misconduct or materially dishonest behavior by Executive;

c.Executive’s failure or refusal to perform her reasonably assigned duties, provided that such failure or refusal is not corrected as promptly as practicable, and in any event within ten (10) calendar days after Executive shall have received written notice from the Company stating the nature of such failure or refusal;

d.Executive’s willful or material violation of any of her obligations contained in any agreement between Executive and the Company, including but not limited to Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement and Non­Competition Agreement executed by Executive;

e.Conduct by Executive that constitutes willful gross neglect or willful gross misconduct in carrying out her duties under this Agreement that results or that may result, as determined by the Company, in material harm to the Company, including harm to its reputation; and/or 

f.Any material failure by Executive to comply with the Company’s written policies or rules, as they may be in effect from time to time, if such failure causes material/reputational or financial harm to the Company.

ii.“Change In Control” shall have the same meaning given to such term in Section 2.9 of the Company’s 2016 Incentive Award Plan, as amended or restated from time to time.  The Board shall have sole discretion to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and all incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

iii.“Disability” shall mean Executive’s inability due to a physical or mental impairment to perform the essential functions of her job, with or without reasonable accommodation, for a period of at least ninety (90) consecutive or non-consecutive days in any twelve (12) month period.

iv.“Effective Release” is defined as a general release of claims in favor of the Company in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company’s counsel that is executed after the Separation Date and within any consideration period required by applicable law and that is not revoked by Executive within any legally­prescribed revocation period; provided, however, a release shall not be considered an Effective Release unless, in addition to the foregoing conditions, the release is executed and not revoked, and the legally­prescribed revocation period ends by the sixtieth (60th) day following the Separation Date. Failure to provide and have in effect an Effective Release 

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within the sixty (60)­day period following the Separation Date shall result in forfeiture of any benefits conditioned upon the existence of an Effective Release.

v.“Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Term without the Executive’s consent:

a.a material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary or Annual Bonus eligibility (other than in both cases a diminution that is in connection with an across the board reduction in the base salaries or bonus eligibility of the management level employees of the Company);

b.a material, adverse change in Executive’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities (other than temporarily while Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law), taking into account the Company’s size, status as a public company, and capitalization as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) Good Reason shall not exist based on:  (i) Executive’s appointment to similar positions of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company; or (ii) a diminishment in Executive’s title, authority, duties, or responsibilities arising as the result of the Company’s acquisition by or merger into a larger company;

c.a material change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform services for the Company, not to include regular business travel; or

d.any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by the Company.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, “Good Reason” shall not include an event or condition unless (A) Executive notifies the Company within sixty (60) days of the initial existence of one of the adverse events described above, (B) Executive provides the Company with at least thirty (30) days’ written notice of her intent to resign for Good Reason, and (C) the Company fails to correct the adverse event within thirty (30) days of such notice.

vi. “Separation Date” shall mean the date that Executive’s employment is terminated.

(b)Compensation upon Separation without “Cause” or for “Good Reason” Not Due to a Change in Control.  Upon termination of employment by the Company without Cause or upon the nonrenewal by the Company of the Term under Section 1, or by Executive for Good Reason, under circumstances that are not covered by Section 6(c), conditioned upon the existence of an Effective Release and Executive’s continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants Agreements and the terms thereunder, and subject to Section 8, Executive shall be entitled to, in lieu of any other separation payment or severance benefit available under any plan or otherwise:

i.Payment of an amount equal to twelve (12) months of her Base Salary, plus a prorated Annual Bonus (calculated at 100% achievement of Executive’s annual objectives), based on the percentage of the calendar year actually worked by Executive as of the Separation Date, minus applicable withholdings required by law or authorized by Executive, to be paid in installments pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll practices and procedures, during the period beginning 

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on the Company’s next regular pay day occurring sixty (60) days following the Separation Date and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Separation Date; and

ii.Vesting as of the Separation Date of any then unvested time-based options to purchase Company common stock that would have otherwise vested during the twelve (12) month period following the Separation Date, such options to be subject to the other terms and conditions of the applicable Company incentive award plan(s) and individual award agreement(s).

iii.If Executive timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the difference between the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for herself and her dependents and the monthly premium amount paid by similarly situated active executives. Such reimbursement shall be paid to Executive on the 10th business day of the month immediately following the month in which the Executive timely remits the premium payment. The Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (i) the twelve-month anniversary of the Separation Date; (ii) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company’s making payments under this Section 6(b)(iii) would violate the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered plans under the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”), or result in the imposition of penalties under the ACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), the parties agree to reform this Section 6(b)(iii) in a manner as is necessary to comply with the ACA.

(c)Compensation upon Separation due to Change in Control. Upon termination of employment by the Company without Cause or upon the nonrenewal by the Company of the Term under Section 1, or by Executive for Good Reason, within six (6) months after a Change in Control, and conditioned upon the existence of an Effective Release and Executive’s continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenants Agreements and the terms thereunder, Executive shall be entitled to, in lieu of any other separation payment or severance benefit available under any plan or otherwise (including but not limited to the severance benefits provided for in Section 6(b) hereof):

i.Payment of an amount equal to twelve (12) months of her Base Salary, plus Executive’s Annual Bonus, calculated at 100% achievement of Executive’s annual objectives, minus applicable withholdings required by law or authorized by Executive, to be paid in installments pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll practices and procedures, during the period beginning on the Company’s next regular pay day occurring sixty (60) days following the Separation Date and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Separation Date; and
 
ii.Accelerated vesting of the remaining unvested portion of any and all granted options to purchase Company common stock on the Separation Date, such options to be subject to the other terms and conditions of the applicable Company incentive award plan(s) and individual award agreement(s).

iii.If Executive timely and properly elects health continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the difference between the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for herself and her dependents and the monthly premium 

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amount paid by similarly situated active executives. Such reimbursement shall be paid to Executive on the 10th business day of the month immediately following the month in which the Executive timely remits the premium payment. The Executive shall be eligible to receive such reimbursement until the earliest of: (i) the twelve-month anniversary of the Separation Date; (ii) the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; and (iii) the date on which Executive becomes eligible to receives substantially similar coverage from another employer or other source. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company’s making payments under this Section 6(c)(iii) would violate the nondiscrimination rules applicable to non-grandfathered plans under the ACA, or result in the imposition of penalties under the ACA and the related regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder), the parties agree to reform this Section 6(c)(iii) in a manner as is necessary to comply with the ACA.

(d)Other Termination of Employment. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment by Executive, other than for Good Reason, or due to Executive’s death or Disability, or by the Company for Cause, Executive shall not be entitled to additional compensation under this Agreement beyond the Accrued Amounts. 

7.SECTION 409A.

(a)Intent of the Parties.  The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that all benefits or payments provided by the Company to Executive pursuant to this Agreement are intended either to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or to be in compliance with Section 409A, and the Agreement shall be interpreted to the greatest extent possible to be so exempt or in compliance and to incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A. If there is an ambiguity in the language of the Agreement, or if Section 409A guidance indicates that a change to the Agreement is required or desirable to achieve exemption or compliance with Section 409A, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company reserves the right (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Executive for failure to do so) to (i) adopt such amendments to this Agreement and or adopt such other policies and procedures, including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect, that the Company determines to be necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by this Agreement, to preserve the economic benefits of this Agreement and to avoid less favorable accounting or tax consequences for the Company and/or (ii) take such other actions as the Company determines to be necessary or appropriate to exempt the amounts payable hereunder from Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and thereby avoid the application of penalty taxes thereunder. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed to transfer any liability for failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A from the Executive or any other individual to the Company or any of its affiliates, employees or agents.

(b)Installments.  If any severance or other payments that are required by the Agreement are to be paid in a series of installment payments, each individual payment in the series shall be considered a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. To the extent that any reimbursement of expenses or in­kind benefits constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, such reimbursement or benefit shall be provided no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year. The amount of 

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any in­kind benefits provided in one year shall not affect the amount of in­kind benefits provided in any other year.

(c)Delay.  If any severance compensation or other benefit provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A is considered to be paid on account of “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, and Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, no payments of any of such severance or other benefit shall made for six (6) months plus one (1) day after the Separation Date (the “New  Payment Date”). Amounts payable under this Agreement shall be deemed not to be “nonqualified deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation § § 1.409A­1(b)(4) (“short­term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Section 409A. The aggregate of any such payments that would have otherwise been paid during the period between the Separation Date and the New Payment Date shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum on the New Payment Date. 

8.EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENTS. In the event amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise are contingent on a change in control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, and it is determined by a public accounting firm or legal counsel authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service selected by the Company that any payment or benefit made or provided to Executive in connection with this Agreement or otherwise (“Payment” or collectively, the “Payments”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Parachute Tax”), the Payments under this Agreement shall be payable in full or, if applicable, in such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such Payments being subject to the Parachute Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Parachute Tax, results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of Payments under this Agreement.  If Payments are reduced pursuant to this paragraph, cash severance payments under Sections 6(b)(i) or 6(c)(i), as applicable, shall first be reduced, and the other benefits under this Agreement shall thereafter be reduced, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Payments is subject to the Parachute Tax. 

9.NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing (a) either by actual delivery of the notice into the hands of the party thereto entitled, by messenger, by fax or by over-night delivery service or (b) by the mailing of the notice in the United States mail, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, all postage pre-paid and addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be given at the party’s respective address set forth below, or such other address as the parties may from time to time designate by written notice as herein provided.
    
	
			
	If to Executive:
	 
	Paula Brown Stafford

	 
	 
	[***]

	 
	 
	 

	If to the Company:
	 
	Novan, Inc.

	 
	 
	4105 Hopson Road

	 
	 
	Morrisville, NC 27560

	 
	 
	(Fax) (919) 237-9212

	 
	 
	Attn: CEO

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The notice shall be deemed to be received, if sent per subsection (a), on the date of its actual receipt by the party entitled thereto and, if sent per subsection (b), on the third day after the date of its mailing.

10.RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. Upon Executive’s separation from employment from the Company for any reason, Executive shall return to Company all personal property belonging to Company (“Company Property”) that is in Executive’s possession or control as of the Separation Date, including, without limitation, all records, papers, drawings, notebooks, specifications, marketing materials, software, reports, proposals, equipment, or any other device, document or possession, however obtained, whether or not such Company Property contains confidential information belonging to the Company. Such Company Property shall be returned in the same condition as when provided to Executive, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

11.EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIONS.

(a)Executive represents that her performance of all of the terms of this Agreement does not and will not breach any arrangement to keep in confidence information acquired by Executive in confidence or in trust prior to Executive’s employment by the Company. Executive represents that she has not entered into, and agrees not to enter into, any agreement either oral or written in conflict herewith.

(b)Executive understands as part of the consideration for this Agreement and for Executive’s employment or continued employment by the Company, that Executive has not brought and will not bring with Executive to the Company, or use in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities for the Company or otherwise on its behalf, any materials or documents of a former employer or other owner which are generally not available to the public, unless Executive has obtained written authorization from the former employer or other owner for their possession and use and has provided the Company with a copy thereof.

(c)Executive understands that during her employment for the Company she is not to breach any obligation of confidentiality that Executive has to a former employer or any other person or entity and agrees to comply with such understanding.

12.INDEMNIFICATION. Executive agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in settlement, incurred by any of them in connection with any claim by any of Executive’s prior employers that the termination of Executive’s employment with such employer, Executive’s employment by the Company, or use of any skills and knowledge by the Company is a violation of contract or law or otherwise violates the rights thereof.

13.SEVERABILITY. Executive hereby agrees that each provision herein shall be treated as a separate and independent clause, and the unenforceability of any one clause shall in no way impair the enforceability of any of the other clauses herein.

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14.WAIVER. Any waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of such provision or any other provision hereof.

15.AFFILIATES; ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT. The term “Company” shall also include any of the Company’s subsidiaries, subdivisions or affiliates. The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to its successors and assigns, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by said successors or assigns. Executive may not assign any of her rights or delegate any of her duties under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto, and to their respective heirs, representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
 
16.ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The terms of this Agreement (together with any other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby or referred to herein) are intended by the parties hereto to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous agreement (including, without limitation, the Offer Letter, any term sheet or offer letter). The parties hereto further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of its terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative or other legal proceeding to vary the terms of this Agreement. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto.

17.GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed in accordance with and by North Carolina law and the applicable provisions of federal law (“Applicable Federal Law”).  Any and all claims, controversies, and causes of action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or statute, shall be governed by the laws of the state of North Carolina, including its statutes of limitations, except for Applicable Federal Law, without giving effect to any North Carolina conflict-of-laws rule that would result in the application of the laws of a different jurisdiction. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge and agree that the state or federal courts located in North Carolina have personal jurisdiction over them and over any dispute arising under this Agreement, and both Executive and the Company irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. 

18.COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one agreement. Counterparts may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile or electronic mail. The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures shall have the same force and effect as manually signed originals and shall be binding on the parties to the same extent as a manually signed original thereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement effective as of the day and year first above written.

	
				
	NOVAN, INC.

	 

	/s/ G. Kelly Martin

	G. Kelly Martin

	Chief Executive Officer

	 
	 
	 
	 

	PAULA BROWN STAFFORD

	 
	 
	 
	 

	/s/ Paula Brown Stafford

 

11Exhibit

Exhibit 10.16
Execution Copy    

SEPARATION AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT

This Separation and General Release Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 29th day of January, 2019, by and between Novan, Inc. (the “Company”) and Jeff N. Hunter (“Executive”).  Throughout the remainder of this Agreement, the Company and Executive may be collectively referred to as the “Parties” and individually referred to as a “Party.”
WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed pursuant to an Employment Agreement between the Parties, dated April 15, 2018 (the “Employment Agreement”); 
WHEREAS, Executive is also subject to the terms of the Confidentiality and Assignment of Inventions Agreement, executed by Employee on October 9, 2009, and the Amended and Restated Noncompetition Agreement, executed by Employee on May 11, 2016 (collectively the “Restrictive Covenants Agreements”);
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to terminate the Employment Agreement and the employment relationship as of January 31, 2019;
WHEREAS, the Parties are executing simultaneously herewith a Consulting Agreement under which Executive shall provide services to the Company as a consultant; and
WHEREAS, the Parties have reached agreement on the terms and conditions of Executive’s separation from employment and wish to enter into this Agreement and a Consulting Agreement, to memorialize such terms; and
WHEREAS, Executive represents that he has carefully read this entire Agreement, understands its consequences, and voluntarily enters into it.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual promises set forth below, Executive and the Company agree as follows:
1.SEPARATION.  Executive’s resignation from employment with the Company is effective as of January 31, 2019 (“Separation Date”).  As of the Separation Date, Executive hereby resigns from all officer positons with the Company.
2.SEVERANCE BENEFITS. In consideration of the release of claims and other promises contained herein and on the condition that Executive fully complies with his obligations under this Agreement, and the Restrictive Covenants Agreements, the Company will: 
(a)    pay Executive severance pay in the amount of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 ($350,000) (less all applicable withholdings), to be paid in installment payments over the twelve (12) month period following the Separation Date in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule, commencing on the first payroll date occurring ten (10) days after this Agreement has become effective as provided in Section 11; 

(b)    pay Executive a lump sum equal to Sixty One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty and 00/100 Dollars ($61,250) (less applicable withholdings), to be paid on the same payroll date on which severance pay under Section 2(i) commences; and 
(c)    reimburse Executive for the additional costs of continuing Executive’s Company sponsored group medical, dental and vision coverage under COBRA applicable to the type of medical, dental and vision coverage in effect for Executive (e.g., family coverage vs. employee-only coverage) as of the Separation Date for the 12-month period following the Separation Date, or until Executive is eligible for new group healthcare coverage, whichever is shorter.  Reimbursements shall be made to Executive on a monthly basis within 30 days of Executive providing documentation of the costs, commencing in the month after this Agreement has become effective as provided in Section 11.  
Nothing in this Agreement constitutes a guarantee of COBRA continuation coverage or benefits or a guarantee of eligibility for health benefits and Executive bears full responsibility for applying for COBRA continuation coverage. As of the Separation Date, Executive shall not be entitled to group disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefits, or any other employee benefits, and shall not be a participant in the Company’s 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) or any other plan of any type.  For clarification and the avoidance of doubt, Executive will not be eligible to contribute to Executive’s 401(k) plan from any post-termination payments made under this Section 2 nor receive matching funds from the Company under related policies. Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall be deemed to limit Executive’s continuation coverage rights under COBRA or Executive’s vested rights, if any, under the 401(k) Plan or other Company plan, and the terms of those plans shall govern.
3.EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AGREEMENTS. Executive acknowledges and agrees the Employment Agreement is hereby terminated, but that Executive shall continue to be fully bound by the terms of the Restrictive Covenants Agreements.  In consideration of the benefits under this Agreement, and in light of Executive’s continuing role as a consultant following the Separation Date under the Consulting Agreement, Executive and the Company hereby amend the Restrictive Covenants Agreements as follows:  (a) the Restrictive Covenants Agreements shall apply to the services provided by Executive as a consultant under the Consulting Agreement as if Executive was still employed during the Consulting Term (as defined in the Consulting Agreement), (b) the one-year post-employment Restricted Period, as defined in Executive’s Noncompetition Agreement, shall be extended so that it ends on the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Consulting Term ends under the Consulting Agreement; and (c) the following companies shall be added to Exhibit A to Executive’s Noncompetition Agreement:  KNOW Bio, LLC, Vast Therapeutics, Inc., and any of their affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures.

4.EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. By signing this Agreement, Executive represents that (a) he has been properly paid for all time worked and received all salary, expense reimbursement, and all other amounts of any kind due to him from the Company with the exceptions of (i) Executive’s final paycheck for work during the final payroll period in which the Separation Date occurs, , and will include payment of unused paid-time-off through December 31, 2018, per Company policy, in the amount of $26,923.08 (less applicable withholdings, and (ii) the pay under Section 2 of this Agreement, and (b) that the payments set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement constitute all post-termination or severance payments or benefits to which Executive is entitled to 

receive, and he is not entitled to any other compensation, payments or benefits of any nature as the result of the termination of his employment.

5.COMPANY PROPERTY.  Executive agrees to deliver to the Company immediately: (i) all Company records, memoranda, data, documents and other property of any description which refer or relate in any way to trade secrets or confidential information, including all copies thereof, which are in his possession, custody or control, except for what the Company agrees is needed by Executive to provide Services under the Consulting Agreement; and (ii) all Company property (including, but not limited to, keys, credit cards, computers, client files, contracts, proposals, work in process, manuals, forms, computer stored work in process and other computer data, research materials, other items of business information concerning any Company customer or client or potential prospect to purchase some or all of the Company’s assets, or Company business or business methods, including all copies thereof) which is in his possession, custody or control; provided, however, that the Company agrees that it will sell to Executive his current laptop for $500 once the laptop has been returned to the Company and cleansed of Company information. Executive also agrees that he will fully cooperate with the Company in winding up his work and transferring that work to other individuals designated by the Company.  

6.ADEQUACY OF CONSIDERATION. Executive acknowledges that the benefits available to him under this Agreement are significant, would not be available to him if he did not sign this Agreement, and constitute adequate consideration for the releases of claims, under Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement.

7.RELEASE.  In consideration of the benefits conferred by this AGREEMENT,  EMPLOYEE (ON BEHALF OF HIMSELF, HIS FAMILY MEMBERS, HEIRS, ASSIGNS, EXECUTORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES) RELEASES THE COMPANY AND ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, AND ITS AND/OR THEIR PREDECESSORS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AND ITS AND/OR THEIR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OWNERS, INVESTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, ADMINISTRATORS, BUSINESS UNITS, EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (TOGETHER WITH ALL PLAN ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, FIDUCIARIES AND INSURERS) AND AGENTS (“RELEASEES”) FROM ALL CLAIMS AND WAIVES ALL RIGHTS KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, HE MAY HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE IN EACH CASE RELATING TO HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, OR HIS SEPARATION THEREFROM arising before the execution of this Agreement by Executive, including but not limited to claims: (i) for discrimination, harassment or retaliation arising under any federal, state or local laws, or the equivalent applicable laws of a foreign country, prohibiting age (including but not limited to claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, and the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (OWBPA) (“OWBPA”) (the release of ADEA and OWBPA claims shall collectively be referred to herein as the “ADEA Release”)), sex, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status or other protected class discrimination, the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended (FMLA), harassment or retaliation for protected activity; (ii) for compensation, commission payments, bonus payments and/or benefits including but not limited to claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA), as amended, the Executive Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended (FMLA), and similar federal, state, and local laws; (iii) under federal, state or local law, of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to constitutional, statutory; and common law; (iv) under his Employment Agreement, and (v) for attorneys’ fees. Executive specifically waives his right to bring or participate in any class or collective action against the 

Company. Provided, however, that this release does not apply to claims by Executive: (aa) for workers’ compensation benefits or unemployment benefits filed with the applicable state agencies; (bb) for vested pension or retirement benefits including under the Company’s 401(k) plan; (cc) to continuation coverage under COBRA, or equivalent applicable law; (dd) to rights that cannot lawfully be released by a private settlement agreement; (ee) to claims or rights that arise or accrue after Executive’s execution of this Agreement; or (ff) to enforce, or for a breach of, this Agreement (the “Reserved Claims”). For the purpose of implementing a full and complete release and discharge, Executive expressly acknowledges that this Agreement is intended to include in its effect, without limitation, all claims which he does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of execution hereof, and that this Agreement contemplated the extinguishment of any such claim or claims.

8.COVENANT NOT TO SUE.  In consideration of the benefits offered to Executive, Executive will not sue Releasees on any of the released claims or on any matters relating to his employment arising before the execution of this Agreement other than with respect to the Reserved Claims, including but not limited to claims under the ADEA, or join as a party with others who may sue Releasees on any such claims; provided, however, this paragraph will not bar a challenge under the OWBPA to the enforceability of the waiver and the ADEA Release set forth in this Agreement, the Reserved Claims, or where otherwise prohibited by law. If Executive does not abide by this paragraph, then (i) he will return all monies received under this Agreement and indemnify the Company for all expenses incurred in defending the action, and (ii) the Company will be relieved of its obligation hereunder.  

9.RIGHT TO REVIEW.  The Company delivered the ADEA Release (as defined in Section 7 above) contained in this Agreement to Executive to Executive on January 24, 2019 (the “ADEA Release Notification Date”) and informs him that it desires that he have adequate time and opportunity to review and understand the consequences of entering into the ADEA Release. Accordingly, the Company advises Executive as follows:  (i) Executive should consult with his attorney prior to executing the ADEA Release; and (ii) Executive has 21 days from the Notification Date within which to consider the ADEA Release. Executive must return an executed copy of this Agreement to the Company on or before the 22nd day following the Notification Date. Executive acknowledges and understands that he is not required to use the entire 21-day review period and may execute and return this Agreement at any time before the 22nd day following the Notification Date, but in no event may this Agreement be signed or returned by Executive before the Separation Date. If, however, Executive does not execute and return an executed copy of this Agreement on or before the 22nd day following the Notification Date, this Agreement shall become null and void. This executed Agreement shall be returned to: Kelly Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Novan, Inc., 4105 Hopson Road, Morrisville, NC 27560.

10.REVOCATION.  Executive may revoke this Agreement during the seven (7) day period immediately following his execution of this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor the Consulting Agreement, will not become effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired. To revoke this Agreement, a written notice of revocation must be delivered to: Kelly Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Novan, Inc., 4105 Hopson Road, Morrisville, NC 27560.

11.AGENCY CHARGES/INVESTIGATIONS.  Nothing in this Agreement prohibits or prevents Executive from filing a charge with or participating, testifying, or assisting in any investigation, hearing, whistleblower proceeding or other proceeding before any federal, state, or local government agency (e.g. EEOC, NLRB, SEC., etc.) (“Government Agency”), nor does anything in this Agreement preclude, prohibit, or otherwise limit, in any way, Executive’s rights 

and abilities to contact, communicate with, report matters to, or otherwise participate in any whistleblower program administered by any such agencies. Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive's or the Company’s ability to communicate with any Government Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency in connection with reporting a possible securities law violation, or other violation of law, without notice to the Company. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement limits Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agency/SEC staff.

12.NONDISPARAGEMENT.  Executive agrees that he shall not at any time make, publish or communicate to any person or entity or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or statements concerning the Company, or any of its employees, officers or directors, and existing and prospective customers, suppliers, investors and other associated third parties, now or in the future. The Company shall instruct its officers and directors not to knowingly engage in any conduct that involves the making or publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or good will of Executive.  This Section does not, in any way, restrict or impede Executive from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance.

13.REFERENCES.  Executive agrees that all requests for references will be in writing and will be directed to the Company’s Human Resources department. Consistent with the Company’s practices, prospective employers will only be provided with verification of the dates of Executive’s employment with the Company and job title.

14.DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY.  Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed as either an admission of liability or admission of wrongdoing on the part of either Party, each of which denies any liabilities or wrongdoing on its part.

15.GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed in accordance with and by North Carolina law and the applicable provisions of federal law (“Applicable Federal Law”).  Any and all claims, controversies, and causes of action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, or statute, shall be governed by the laws of the state of North Carolina, including its statutes of limitations, except for Applicable Federal Law, without giving effect to any North Carolina conflict-of-laws rule that would result in the application of the laws of a different jurisdiction. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge and agree that the state or federal courts located in North Carolina have personal jurisdiction over them and over any dispute arising under this Agreement, and both Executive and the Company irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. 

16.ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  Except for the Restrictive Covenant Agreements, as amended herein, the Consulting Agreement, the Indemnification Agreement (referred to in Section 20) and as expressly provided herein, this Agreement: (i) supersedes and cancels all other understandings and agreements, oral or written, with respect to Executive’s employment with the Company; (ii) supersedes all other understandings and agreements, oral or written, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement; and (iii) constitutes the sole agreement between the Parties with respect to this subject matter. Each Party acknowledges that: (i) no 

representations, inducements, promises or agreements, oral or written, have been made by any Party or by anyone acting on behalf of any Party, which are not embodied in this Agreement; and (ii) no agreement, statement or promise not contained in this Agreement shall be valid. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the Parties unless such change or modification is in writing and is signed by the Parties.  This Agreement shall be in addition to and, except as expressly provided herein, shall not affect the provisions of any employee benefit or other plan or program of the Company and any award agreement between the Company and Executive.

17.SEVERABILITY.  If any portion, provision, or part of this Agreement is held, determined, or adjudicated by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, void, or voidable for any reason whatsoever, each such portion, provision, or part shall be severed from the remaining portions, provisions, or parts of this Agreement, and such determination or adjudication shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such remaining portions, provisions, or parts. 

18.COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and delivered by facsimile, PDF or other electronic copy, and each counterpart when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and production of an originally executed, facsimile, PDF or other electronic copy, of each counterpart execution page will be sufficient for purposes of proof of execution and delivery of this Agreement.  Any Party hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.  

19.WAIVER OF BREACH.  A waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement or any subsequent breach of this Agreement.

20.INDEMNIFICATION; DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COVERAGE. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect or diminish either the Executive’s or the Company’s rights and obligations under the Indemnification Agreement, dated September 26, 2016, and such Indemnification Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder.  For clarification and the avoidance of doubt, such Indemnification Agreement shall apply to Proceedings (as defined in the Indemnification Agreement) regardless of whether such Proceedings commence prior to or after the Separation Date.

21.SUCCESSORS; BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and to their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives.
 
22.SECTION 409A OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

a.Parties’ Intent.  The Parties intend that no payments or benefits hereunder shall constitute non-qualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the regulations thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”) and all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with such intention. If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A, the Company shall, upon the specific request of Executive, use its 

reasonable business efforts to in good faith reform such provision to be exempt from, or comply with, Code Section 409A; provided, that to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and the Company of the applicable provision shall be maintained, and the Company shall have no obligation to make any changes that could create any material additional economic cost or loss of material benefit to the Company. The Company shall timely use its reasonable business efforts to amend any plan or program in which Executive participates to bring it under an exemption from, or in compliance with, Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability with regard to any failure to comply with Section 409A so long as it has acted in good faith with regard to compliance therewith.

b.Separation from Service. A termination of employment or separation from service shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment or separation from service unless such termination also constitutes a “Separation from Service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment,” “separation from service” or like terms shall mean Separation from Service.

c.Separate Payments. Each installment payment required under this Agreement shall be considered a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.

d.Delayed Distribution to Specified Executives. If the Company determines in accordance with Sections 409A and 416(i) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, in the Company’s sole discretion, that Executive is a Specified Executive of the Company on the date he experiences a separation from service with the Company and that a delay in benefits provided under this Agreement is necessary to comply with Code Section 409A(A)(2)(B)(i), then any post separation payments and any continuation of benefits or reimbursement of benefit costs provided by this Agreement, and not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, shall be delayed for a period of six (6) months following the date of Executive’s separation from service (the “409A Delay Period”). In such event, any post separation payments and the cost of any continuation of benefits provided under this Agreement that would otherwise be due and payable to Executive during the 409A Delay Period shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum cash amount in the month following the end of the 409A Delay Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Specified” shall mean an employee who, on an Identification Date (“Identification Date” shall mean each December 31) is a key employee as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to paragraph (5) thereof. 
[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the day and year written below.

	
				
	JEFF N. HUNTER
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	/s/ Jeff N. Hunter
	 
	Date: 1/25/2019

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	NOVAN, INC.
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 

	/s/ G. Kelly Martin
	 
	 

	By:
	G. Kelly Martin
	 
	 

	Title:
	CEO

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