Document:

QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.10  

 
 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT    
    

        THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into effective as of this 22nd day of May, 2003 (the "Effective Date"), by and between NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and James D. McChesney, Ph.D. ("Executive"). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meaning set forth in
Paragraph 17 of this Agreement. 

RECITALS  

        A.    WHEREAS,
Executive is currently employed by the Company pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2001; and 

        B.    WHEREAS,
the Company and Executive desire to amend the terms of the Employment Agreement. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

        In consideration of the respective covenants and agreements of the parties contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows: 

        1.     Employment Services. The Company hereby agrees to engage Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to
perform services for the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. During the Employment Period (as defined below), the Company and Executive agree that Executive will serve as
an executive officer of the Company in the position of Vice President, Natural Products Chemistry with the duties, responsibilities and authority as set forth on Schedule A, or will have such
other executive title and such other executive duties, responsibilities and authority as Executive and the Company may agree upon from time to time, and will perform such services of an executive and
administrative character to the Company and its present or future Subsidiaries consistent with the duties of the Company's other executive officers, as the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board")
may from time to time direct (the "Employment Services") or the Bylaws of the Company may provide. The Employment Services shall commence on the Effective Date of this Agreement, and terminate as
provided in Paragraph 6 (the "Employment Period"). 

        2.     Performance.

        (a)   Executive
shall report to the Chief Executive Officer (or person acting in a similar capacity if the Company has no Chief Executive Officer), and Executive shall devote
his best efforts to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Executive shall devote 24 hours per week to the business of the Company. Executive may engage in independent activities in
areas unrelated to the Company's business or the Company's actual or demonstrably anticipated business. Executive shall perform his duties and responsibilities to the best of his abilities in a
diligent, trustworthy, businesslike and professional manner. Executive shall not accrue paid vacation time, but shall be entitled to paid time off for all Company vacation days. 

        (b)   Executive
shall perform the Employment Services at the Company's executive offices or from his home (currently in Mississippi), traveling on Company business or from
other locations. Executive shall not be required to perform the Employment Services away from his home for more than two weeks in any month. 

        3.     Compensation.

        (a)   During
the Employment Period, the Company will pay Executive for the Employment Services a base salary (the "Base Salary.") From the Effective Date through
September 1, 2003, the Base Salary shall be at the annual rate of one hundred fifty five thousand dollars ($155,000). From September 1, 2003 on, the Base Salary shall be at the annual
rate of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or such other increased rate as the compensation committee of the Board or

 
Board committee performing equivalent functions (the "Compensation Committee") (or if the Board has no Compensation Committee at the time, then the Board) may designate from time to time, such salary
to be paid at such periods as salary is paid to other executive officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee (or the Board, if applicable) shall review the Base Salary of the Executive at least
annually on the anniversary of the Effective Date and may, in its sole discretion, increase (but not decrease) such Base Salary from time to time. Payment of the Base Salary shall be subject to the
customary withholding tax and other employment taxes as required with respect to compensation paid by a corporation to an employee. 

        (b)   Executive
may receive an annual bonus in such amount, if any, as the Compensation Committee (or if the Board has no Compensation Committee at the time, then the Board),
in its discretion, may award to Executive, based upon Executive's and the Company's performance during each year of the Employment Period. 

        (c)   The
Executive shall be entitled to receive such stock options during the Employment Period as determined from time to time by the Compensation Committee (or if the Board
has no Compensation Committee at the time, then the Board). 

        4.     Reimbursement for Expenses. The Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his duties under this Agreement, subject to the Company's reasonable requirements with respect to reporting
and documentation of such expenses. 

        5.     Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to all fringe benefits offered by the Company and to
participate in all of the Company's employee benefit programs both on the same basis as available to executives of the Company, and shall be entitled to such other benefits as may from time to time be
made available to Executive. The Company shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain and keep directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage in effect in an amount equivalent to
that of a well-insured, similarly-situated company; provided, however, that the failure to obtain and keep such insurance in effect after the Company has exercised such commercially
reasonable best efforts shall not be a breach of the Company's obligations under this Agreement. 

        6.     Term and Termination.

        (a)   Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Employment Period shall terminate upon the earlier of: 

        (i)    two years
from October 1, 2001 hereof (the "Initial Term"); provided, however, that the Employment Period shall be extended by one year after the Initial
Term and each year thereafter on the anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement (each such extension, a "Renewal Term") unless either Executive or the Board shall have given written notice to
the other party no later than 180 days prior to the commencement of any Renewal Term of his or its desire to terminate the Employment Period on the date prior to the commencement of such
Renewal Term; 

        (ii)   Executive's
incapacity or permanent disability (which in either case shall be deemed to occur only in the event Executive is unable to perform the Employment Services
for 180 days in any 12-month period) or death; 

        (iii)  termination
by Executive voluntarily or for Good Reason (as defined below); 

        (iv)  termination
by the Company with or without Cause (as defined below). 

        (b)   If
(i) the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause, (ii) the Company fails to renew this Agreement, or (iii) Executive resign
for Good Reason, and provided that Executive has not breached the provisions of Paragraphs 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, or 16 hereof in a

 
manner that could adversely affect the Company, the Company shall make the following payments to Executive within 15 days after the Termination Effective Date (as defined below), subject in
each case to any applicable payroll or other taxes required to be withheld: (i) a lump sum amount equal to one hundred fifty five thousand dollars ($155,000); and (ii) a lump sum amount
in cash equal to any accrued but unpaid salary and bonus through the Termination Effective Date. In addition, under the circumstances specified in this Paragraph 6(b), all stock options granted
to the Executive prior to October 1, 2001, that have not expired but otherwise would not be exercisable as of the Termination Effective Date because of vesting requirements, shall be deemed
fully vested and shall become fully exercisable as of the Termination Effective Date under the terms of the applicable stock option plan under which such stock options originally were granted. At
Executive's election, the Company shall continue to provide Executive medical, dental and any other health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and disability
protection no less favorable to Executive and Executive's dependents covered thereby (including that Executive shall remain obligated to continue to pay any costs or expenses which Executive would
otherwise be obligated to pay pursuant to such insurance or other protections provided pursuant to Paragraph 5 as in existence on the Termination Effective Date) until the first to occur of
(i) the date of Executive's re-employment and subsequent opportunity to participate in any health insurance program with comparable coverage provided by such new employer, including
without limitation, coverage with respect to any pre-existing conditions or (ii) eighteen months after such Termination Effective Date. 

        (c)   If
a Change of Control (as defined below) occurs or is anticipated, and (i) the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause,
(ii) Executive resigns for Good Reason, or (iii) the Company fails to renew this Agreement, and provided that Executive has not breached the provisions of Paragraphs 9, 10, 12, 13, 14,
or 16 hereof in a manner that could adversely affect the Company, then the Company shall make the following payments to Executive within 15 days after the Termination Effective Date (as defined
below), subject in each case to any applicable payroll or other taxes required to be withheld: (i) a lump sum amount equal to two hundred seventy one thousand, two hundred fifty dollars
($271,250); and (ii) a lump sum amount in cash equal to any accrued but unpaid salary and bonus through the Termination Effective Date. At Executive's election, the Company shall continue to
provide Executive medical, dental and any other health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and disability protection no less favorable to Executive and Executive's
dependents covered thereby (including that Executive shall remain obligated to continue to pay any costs or expenses which Executive would otherwise be obligated to pay pursuant to such insurance or
other protections provided pursuant to Paragraph 5 as in existence on the date of such termination) until the first to occur of (i) the date of Executive's re-employment and
subsequent opportunity to participate in any health insurance program with comparable coverage provided by such new employer, including without limitation, coverage with respect to any
pre-existing conditions or (ii) eighteen months after such Termination Effective Date. 

        (d)   Except
as provided in Paragraphs 6(b) or (c), upon termination of the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive only accrued but unpaid salary and
bonus through the date of such termination. 

        (e)   For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) the conviction (or plea of nolo contendere) of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the
commission of any other act which has an adverse effect on the Company and which involves dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) conduct
bringing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries into substantial public disgrace or disrepute, including, without limitation, such conduct resulting from repeated acts of alcohol or drug abuse,
(iii) continued failure by Executive to substantially perform his duties as reasonably directed by the Board for a period of 15 days

 
after the Board has made a written demand for substantial performance which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that Executive has not substantially performed his duties, or
(iv) gross negligence or misconduct not in good faith with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that materially and adversely affects the Company, or (v) any other material
breach of this Agreement which is not cured within 15 days after Executive's receipt of written notice thereof. 

        (f)    For
purposes of this Agreement, termination of the Employment Period by Executive for "Good Reason" shall mean termination by Executive (i) within 90 days
after Executive has been assigned, without Executive's consent, to any duties substantially inconsistent with Executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company as contemplated
in Paragraph 1 of this Agreement; (ii) following a reduction of Executive's Base Salary in anticipation of or following a Change of Control; or (iii) upon a material breach of
this Agreement by the Company which is not cured within 30 days after the Company's receipt of written notice thereof. Executive shall provide written notice to the
Company of any and all grounds that Executive alleges constitute "Good Reason" and the Company shall have 30 days after receipt of such written notice to cure any such alleged grounds for "Good
Reason". If, following the expiration of such 30 day period, Executive still believes that "Good Reason" exists for Executive's termination of Employment, the provisions of Paragraph 7
shall apply. 

        (g)   For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall mean (i) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving or
continuing corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Company's common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which the holders of
the Company's common stock immediately prior to the merger have (directly or indirectly) at least an 80% ownership interest in the outstanding common stock of the surviving corporation immediately
after the merger, (ii) the acquisition by any person, together with all affiliates and associates of such person, of beneficial ownership of securities of the Company that represent twenty five
percent (25%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, other than an acquisition of newly-issued voting securities directly from the Company in a single transaction or series of
related transactions as a result of which the holders of the Company's voting securities immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction or series of related transactions continue to hold
securities representing a majority of the voting power of all of the Company's outstanding voting securities, (iii) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series
of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company, (v) as a result of, or in connection with, any cash tender offer, exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of assets, or an accumulation, directly or indirectly, by
any person or group (other than the Company, any Subsidiary, or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, or any trustee of such plan acting as trustee) of
securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities, the members of the Board immediately prior to the first public
announcement relating to such event shall thereafter cease to constitute a majority of the Board, or (vi) as a result of, or in connection with, any proxy or consent solicitation or contested
election, one or more members of the Board are elected in opposition to the nominees of the Board. 

        (h)   Promptly
(but in any event within 20 days) following any termination of the Employment Period, and as of that date, the Company will notify Executive of the
itemized and aggregate cash value of the payments and benefits, as determined under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), received or to be received by Executive in connection
with the termination of Executive's employment (whether payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise). At the same time, the Company shall advise Executive of the portion of such
payments or benefits

 
which constitute parachute payments within the meaning of the Code and which may subject Executive to the payment of excise taxes pursuant to Section 4999 and the expected amount of such taxes
(such payments or benefits being hereinafter referred to as "Parachute Payments"). 

        (i)    Notwithstanding
the provisions of Paragraph 6(c) hereof, if all or any portion of the payments or benefits provided under
Paragraph 6(c) either alone or together with other payments or benefits which Executive has received or is then entitled to receive from the Company and any of its Subsidiaries
would constitute Parachute Payments, such payments or benefits provided to Executive under Paragraph 6(c) shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion thereof shall be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; but only if, by reason of such reduction, Executive's net after tax benefit shall exceed the net after tax benefit if such
reduction were not made. "Net after tax benefit" for purposes of this Paragraph 6(i) shall mean the sum of (i) the total amount payable to Executive under
Paragraph 6(c) hereof, plus (ii) all other payments and benefits which Executive has received or is then entitled to receive from the Company and any of its subsidiaries that
would constitute a Parachute Payment, less (iii) the amount of federal income taxes payable with respect to the payment and benefits described in (i) and (ii) above calculated at
the maximum marginal income tax rate for each year in which such payments and benefits shall be paid to Executive (based upon the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code at the
Termination Date), less (iv) the amount of excise taxes imposed with respect to the payments and benefits described in (i) and (ii) above by Section 4999 of the Code. 

        For
purposes of this Paragraph 6(i), Executive's base amount, the present value of the Parachute Payments, the amount of the excise tax and all other appropriate matters shall be
determined by the Company's independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Section 280G of the Code and based upon the advice of tax counsel selected by the Company, which tax
counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Executive, provided, however, that the applicable federal rate used for the purposes of calculating the present value of the Parachute Payments shall be the
federal rate in effect on the date of this Agreement. 

        7.     Notice of Certain Termination. In the event that either (i) the Company shall terminate
Executive for Cause or (ii) Executive shall terminate for Good Reason, then any such termination shall be communicated by written notice to the other party hereto. Any such notice shall specify
(x) the effective date of termination of the Employment Period, which, except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 6(f), shall not be more than 30 days after the date the notice is
delivered (the "Termination Effective Date") and (y) in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances underlying a determination that the termination is for Cause or for Good Reason, as the
case may be. If within 15 days after any notice of termination of Executive for Cause by the Company is given, or if within 15 days after the Company's 30 day cure period under
Paragraph 6(f) has expired, the party receiving such notice notifies the other party that a good faith dispute exists concerning the characterization of the termination, the Termination
Effective Date shall be the date on which such dispute is finally resolved either by written agreement of the parties or by binding arbitration conducted pursuant to the rules of the American
Arbitration Association. Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Company shall continue Executive and Executive's dependents as participants in all medical, dental and any other health
insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and disability protection plans of the Company in which Executive and Executive's dependents were participating when the notice
giving rise to the dispute was given, until the dispute is finally resolved. Benefits provided under this Paragraph 7 are in addition to all other amounts due under this Agreement and shall not
be offset against, or reduce any other amounts due under, this Agreement. 

        8.     Insurance. The Company may, at its election and for its benefit, insure Executive against
accidental death, and Executive shall submit to such physical examination and supply such information as may be required in connection therewith.

 

        9.     Non-disclosure of Confidential Information.

        (a)   Unless
Executive first secures written consent from the Company pursuant to procedures implemented by Company after the date hereof, Executive shall not disclose or use
at any time, either during the Employment Period or thereafter, any Confidential Information (as defined in Paragraph 17) except to the extent Executive reasonably believes is necessary to
disclose or use such Confidential Information in performing the Employment Services. Executive further agrees that Executive will use Executive's commercial best efforts to safeguard the Confidential
Information and protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft, including, without limitation, causing recipients of Confidential Information to enter into non-disclosure
agreements with the Company. Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 10 and 13, nothing herein shall be construed to prevent Executive from using Executive's general knowledge and skill after
termination of this agreement, whether Executive acquired such knowledge or skill before or during the Employment Period. 

        (b)   In
the event the Company has entered into confidentiality agreements with third parties (not including Company employees) which contain provisions different from those
set forth in this Agreement, Executive agrees, in addition to the provisions of Paragraph 9(a), to comply with any such different provisions of which Executive is notified by the Company. 

        10.   Company Ownership of Intellectual Property. Executive hereby assigns to the Company all right,
title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property (as defined in Paragraph 17) contributed to or conceived or made by Executive during the Employment Period and prior to the Employment
Period during the period Executive was employed by or engaged in research or development activities for or with the Company or its predecessors and affiliates (whether alone or jointly with others) to
the extent such Intellectual Property is not owned by the Company as a matter of law. Executive shall promptly and fully communicate to the Company all Intellectual Property conceived, contributed to
or made by Executive and shall cooperate with the Company to protect the Company's interests in such Intellectual Property including, without limitation, providing assistance in securing patent
protection and copyright registrations and signing all documents reasonably requested by the Company, even if such request occurs after the Employment Period. The Company shall pay Executive's
reasonable expenses of cooperating with the Company in protecting the Company's interests in such Intellectual Property unless the subject matter of the requested cooperation is related to actions
taken or failed to be taken by Executive wrongfully or otherwise not in good faith. 

        11.   Executive's Rights. Paragraph 10 of this Agreement does not apply to an invention for
which no equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on Executive's own time, unless (a) the invention relates
(i) to the business of the Company, or (ii) to the Company's actual or demonstrably anticipated material research or development, or (b) the invention results from any work
performed by Executive for the Company. 

        12.   Return of Materials. Upon Termination of the Employment Period, or at any time reasonable
requested by the Company, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all copies of Confidential Information in Executive's possession and control, including written records, manuals, lab
notebooks, customer and supplier lists and all other materials containing any Confidential Information. If the Company requests, Executive shall provide written confirmation that Executive has
returned all such materials. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Paragraph 11, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, upon
termination of the Employment Period, the Company, at Executive's request, shall promptly return to Executive any equipment or other materials owned by Executive then being used by or then in the
possession of the Company. 

        13.   Non-Competition. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive is considered to be
part of the professional, managerial and executive staff of the Company whose duties include the formulation and execution of management policy, and that in the course of Executive's duties, Executive
is

 
permitted access to Intellectual Property, which includes, among other things, trade secrets of the Company that the Company seeks to protect from dissemination and disclosure. Executive acknowledges
and agrees that during the Employment Period and for a period of five years thereafter (the "Non-compete Period"), Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the
Company, directly or indirectly, provide products or services substantially similar to the Employment Services to any business or entity that provides or offers or demonstrably plans to provide or
offer, products or services that (i) are the same as or substantially similar to the products or services provided by the Company at any time during the Employment Period, (ii) relate to
the Company's Intellectual Property (whether the Company acquired such Intellectual Property pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise), or (iii) relate to any subject matter of the Company's
actual or demonstrably anticipated material research and development during the Employment Period, including without limitation, taxol, taxanes and any other compounds, within any geographical area in
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries provide or plan to provide such products or services. 

        14.   Non-Solicitation. Executive acknowledges and agrees that during the
Non-compete Period, Executive will not (a) solicit, induce or attempt to induce, directly or indirectly, any employee of the Company to leave the employment of the Company to work
for Executive or for any other person, firm or corporation or (b) hire any employee of the Company. 

        15.   Acknowledgment of Reasonableness. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the limitations set
forth in Paragraphs 13 and 14 are reasonable with respect to scope, duration and geographic area and are properly required for the protection of the legitimate business interest of the Company. 

        16.   Further Assistance. During the Non-compete Period, Executive will not make any
disclosure or other communication to any person, issue any public statements or otherwise cause to be disclosed any information which is designed, intended or might reasonably be anticipated to
discourage any persons from doing business with the Company or otherwise have a negative impact or adverse effect on the Company, except to the extent such disclosure is required by law. During the
Non-compete Period, Executive will provide assistance reasonably requested by the Company in connection with actions taken by Executive during the Employment Period, including but not
limited to assistance in connection with any lawsuits or other claims against the Company arising from events during the Employment Period, provided that the Company shall reimburse all reasonable
expenses (including without limitation, reasonable loss of compensation from other sources resulting from such assistance during normal business hours). 

        17.   Certain Definitions.

        "Affiliate" and "Associate" have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in
Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on the date of this Agreement (the "Exchange Act Rules"), and
"Beneficial Ownership" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act Rules. 

        "Confidential Information" means all information (whether or not specifically labeled or identified as confidential), in any form or
medium, that is disclosed to, or developed or learned by Executive during the Employment Period and prior to the Employment Period during the period Executive was employed by or engaged in research or
development activities for or with the Company or its predecessors and affiliates or that relates to the business, products, services, customers, research or development of the Company, its
Subsidiaries, its Affiliates, or third parties with whom the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates does business or from whom the Company or its Affiliates receives information. Confidential
Information shall not include any information that (i) has become publicly known through no wrongful act or breach of any obligation of confidentiality, as evidenced by written records or
documents; or (ii) was rightfully received by Executive on a non-confidential basis from a third party (provided that such third party

 
is not known to Executive to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or another party), as evidenced by written records or documents. 

        "Intellectual Property" means any idea, invention, design, development, device, method or process (whether or not patentable or reduced to
practice or including Confidential Information) and all related patents and patent applications, any copyrightable work or mask work (whether or not including Confidential Information) and all related
registrations and applications for registration, and all other proprietary rights. 

        "Subsidiaries" means any corporation of which the securities having a majority of the voting power in electing directors are, at the time
of determination, owned by the Company, directly or through one of more Subsidiaries. 

        18.   Executive Representations. Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to
which Executive is a party or by which he is bound, and (b) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of
Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms. 

        19.   Company Representations. The Company hereby represents and warrants to Executive that (a) the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not and will not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which
Company is a party or by which it is bound, and (b) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable in accordance with its terms. 

        20.   Severability and Modification. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or declared to be illegal, invalid or
unenforceable, such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as
though such provision had not been contained in this Agreement. If the scope of any provision in this Agreement is found to be broad to permit enforcement of such provision to its full extent,
Executive consents to judicial modification of such provision and enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law. 

        21.   Notices. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, all notices, requests and other communications to be
given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given (and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be deemed to have been duly
given if so given) when delivered if given in person or by telegram, three days after being mailed by first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one
day after being sent prepaid via reputable overnight courier to the parties at the following addresses (or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by like notice;  provided, however, that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt): 

        Notices to Executive  

James
D. McChesney

[c/o NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc.

6304 Spine Road, Unit A

Boulder, Colorado 80301] 

 

        Notices to Company  

NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc.

6304 Spine Road, Unit A

Boulder, Colorado 80301 

Attn
VP, General Counsel 

        22.   Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes any previous understandings or agreements, whether written or oral, regarding such subject matter. 

        23.   Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretations of this
Agreement will be governed by the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Colorado. 

        24.   Survival. Paragraphs 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16 and any other provision of this Agreement
which by its terms could survive termination of the Employment Period shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding any termination of the Employment Period. 

        25.   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 and the same agreement. 

        26.   Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by Executive, the Company and their respective successors and assigns; provided that in no event shall Executive's obligations under this Agreement be delegated or transferred by
Executive, nor shall Executive's rights be subject to encumbrance or to the claims of Executive's creditors. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and shall not create any
rights in third parties other than Executive's spouse or beneficiary as expressly set forth herein. 

        27.   Remedies. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, (i) each of the parties to this
Agreement will be entitled to enforce its rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights to
which it may be entitled and (ii) disputes under this Agreement not finally resolved in writing by the parties within sixty days after one party gives notice in good faith to the other
party that a bona fide dispute exists shall be resolved pursuant to binding arbitration conducted in Denver, Colorado in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The
prevailing party in any such arbitration shall be entitled to have its costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses) relating to such arbitration paid by the other party if
the arbitrator(s) conducting such arbitration so determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for breach of the
provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive relief in order to
enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement. The prevailing party in any suit shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees and costs from the other party. 

        28.   Modifications and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, altered or amended
except by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto. No waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the other party hereto of any term or provision of this Agreement to be performed
by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar terms or provisions at the time or at any prior or subsequent time. 

        29.   Headings. The headings contained herein are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of
this Agreement and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. 

        30.   Notification of Subsequent Employer. Executive agrees that the Company may present a copy of this
Agreement to any third party.

 

        31.   UNDERSTAND AGREEMENT. EXECUTIVE REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT (a) EXECUTIVE HAS READ AND
UNDERSTOOD EACH AND EVERY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, (b) EXECUTIVE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN ADVICE FROM LEGAL COUNSEL OF EXECUTIVE'S CHOICE, OTHER THAN COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY (WHO IS
NOT REPRESENTING THE EXECUTIVE), IN ORDER TO INTERPRET ANY AND ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, (c) EXECUTIVE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE COMPANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY
OF SUCH QUESTIONS EXECUTIVE HAS ASKED HAVE BEEN ANSWERED TO EXECUTIVE'S SATISFACTION, AND (d) EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN GIVEN A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT. 

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

	

 	
 	

EXECUTIVE
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

	

 	
 	

NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

QuickLinks

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTQuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.21  

 
 

NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
  Schedule Required by Instruction 2 to Item 601
  of Regulation S-K    
    

	Name of Director or Officer Who Delivered Signed Waiver Letter
 
	 	Date of Waiver Letter

	Sterling K. Ainsworth	 	September 11, 2003
	Kai P. Larson	 	September 10, 2003
	Gordon Link	 	September 10, 2003
	Patricia A. Pilia, Ph.D. 	 	September 10, 2003
	Leonard P. Shaykin	 	September 12, 2003

 

September             ,
2003 

NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc.

4840 Pearl East Circle

Suite 300W

Boulder, Colorado 80301

Attn: VP, General Counsel 

	Re:
	Employment
Agreement dated as of October 1, 2001 (the "Agreement") 

Gentlemen: 

        I
refer you to section 6(f) of the Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined in this letter have the meanings given them in the Agreement. 

        Please
be advised that the undersigned Executive hereby unconditionally waives any right to assert that he or she has Good Reason to resign from employment with the Company if the
Company fails to comply with section 6(f)(ii) of the Agreement. This waiver is limited in its application solely to the anticipation or occurrence of the company's announced agreement on
August 26, 2003 to sell its worldwide generic injectable paclitaxel business to Faulding Pharmaceuticals Co. and shall not apply to any other transaction that could be deemed to be a Change of
Control. 

	Very truly yours,	 	 
	

Executive	
 	

 
	

/s/        
	
 	

 

QuickLinks

NAPRO BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. Schedule Required by Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00062-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00062-of-00352.parquet"}]]