Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: May 18, 2016

APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS:  August 10, 2016

TERMINATION DATE: May 17, 2026

 

1.                                      GENERAL.

 

(a)                                 Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plan.  The Plan is intended as the successor to and continuation of the Liquidia Technologies, Inc. Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “Prior Plan”).  Following the Effective Date, no additional option awards will be granted under the Prior Plan.  All Awards granted on or after the Effective Date will be granted under this Plan.  All option awards granted under the Prior Plan will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan.  Any shares that would otherwise remain available for future grants under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date will cease to be available under the Prior Plan at such time.

 

(b)                                 Eligible Stock Award Recipients.  Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Stock Awards.

 

(c)                                  Available Stock Awards.  The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards and (vi) Other Stock Awards.

 

(d)                                 Purpose.  The Plan, through the grant of Stock Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.

 

2.                                      ADMINISTRATION.

 

(a)                                 Administration by the Board.  The Board will administer the Plan.  The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

 

(b)                                 Powers of the Board.  The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)                                    To determine (A) who will be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award will be granted; (C) what type of Stock Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, a Stock Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

 

(ii)                                To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Stock Awards.  The 

 

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Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.

 

(iii)                            To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.

 

(iv)                             To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which a Stock Award may be exercised or vest (or the time at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).

 

(v)                                 To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.  Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair a Participant’s rights under the Participant’s then-outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.

 

(vi)                             To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or bringing the Plan or Stock Awards granted under the Plan into compliance with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or ensuring that they are exempt from, or compliant with, the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. If required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Stock Awards available for issuance under the Plan.  Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent.

 

(vii)                         To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code regarding Incentive Stock Options.

 

(viii)                     To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that a Participant’s rights under any Stock Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Stock Award as an 

 

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Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Stock Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws.

 

(ix)                             Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Stock Awards.

 

(x)                                 To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Stock Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

 

(xi)                             To effect, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Stock Award; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Stock Award and the grant in substitution therefor of a new (1) Option or SAR, (2) Restricted Stock Award, (3) Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) Other Stock Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, with any such substituted award (x) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock as the cancelled Stock Award and (y) granted under the Plan or another equity or compensatory plan of the Company; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(c)                                  Delegation to Committee.  The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees.  If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable).  Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable).  The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

 

(d)                                 Delegation to an Officer.  The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Stock Awards, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself.  Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Stock Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority.  The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(t) below.

 

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(e)                                  Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

3.                                      SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a)                                 Share Reserve.

 

(i)                                    Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards from and after the Effective Date will not exceed 1,612,504 shares (the “Share Reserve”).

 

(ii)                                For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan.  Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a).

 

(b)                                 Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.  If a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan.  If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.  Any shares reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Stock Award or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will again become available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(c)                                  Incentive Stock Option Limit.  Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be a number of shares of Common Stock equal to three multiplied by the Share Reserve.

 

(d)                                 Source of Shares.  The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

 

4.                                      ELIGIBILITY.

 

(a)                                 Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code).  Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction), (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has 

 

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determined that such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)                                 Ten Percent Stockholders.  A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

 

(c)                                  Consultants.   A Consultant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the offer or sale of the Company’s securities to such Consultant is not exempt under Rule 701 because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, because the Consultant is not a natural person, or because of any other provision of Rule 701, unless the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.

 

5.                                      PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

 

Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate.  All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option.  If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(a)                                 Term.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Exercise Price.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Stock Award is granted.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award if such Stock Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code.  Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

 

(c)                                  Purchase Price for Options.  The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below.  The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment.  The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

 

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(i)                                    by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

 

(ii)                                pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

 

(iii)                            by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

 

(iv)                             if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued.  Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations;

 

(v)                                 according to a deferred payment or similar arrangement with the Optionholder; provided, however, that interest will compound at least annually and will be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (A) the imputation of interest income to the Company and compensation income to the Optionholder under any applicable provisions of the Code, and (B) the classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes; or

 

(vi)                             in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Exercise and Payment of a SAR.  To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such SAR.  The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date.  The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.

 

(e)                                  Transferability of Options and SARs.  The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine.  In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:

 

(i)                                    Restrictions on Transfer.  An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant.  The Board may permit transfer 

 

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of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

 

(ii)                                Domestic Relations Orders.  Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2).  If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

(iii)                            Beneficiary Designation.  Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.  In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.  However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

 

(f)                                   Vesting Generally.  The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal.  The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of performance goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate.  The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary.  The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

 

(g)                                 Termination of Continuous Service.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than 30 days if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause) and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.  If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR will terminate.

 

(h)                                 Extension of Termination Date.  If the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.  In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s 

 

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Stock Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

(i)                                    Disability of Participant.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.  If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(j)                                    Death of Participant.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.  If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

 

(k)                                 Termination for Cause.  Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service.

 

(l)                                    Non-Exempt Employees.  If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Stock Award may vest prior to such date).  Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, 

 

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or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant.  The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.

 

(m)                             Early Exercise of Options.  An Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option.  Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate.  Provided that the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l) is not violated, the Company will not be required to exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless the Board otherwise specifically provides in the Option Agreement.

 

(n)                                 Right of Repurchase.  Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), the Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to repurchase all or any part of the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR.

 

(o)                                 Right of First Refusal.  The Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Participant of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR.  Such right of first refusal will be subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l).  Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(o) or in the Stock Award Agreement, such right of first refusal will otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the bylaws of the Company.

 

6.                                      PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.

 

(a)                                 Restricted Stock Awards.  Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate.  To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board.  The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical.  Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

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(i)                                    Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)                                Vesting.  Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

 

(iii)                            Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service.  If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

(iv)                             Transferability.  Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

(v)                                 Dividends.  A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

 

(b)                                 Restricted Stock Unit Awards.  Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the will Board deem appropriate.  The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical.  Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

(i)                                    Consideration.  At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award.  The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

 

(ii)                                Vesting.  At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

(iii)                            Payment.  A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

 

(iv)                             Additional Restrictions.  At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the 

 

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delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

(v)                                 Dividend Equivalents.  Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.  At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board.  Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

 

(vi)                             Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service.  Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

(vii)                         Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan that is not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall contain such provisions so that such Restricted Stock Unit Award will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  Such restrictions, if any, shall be determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing such Restricted Stock Unit Award.  For example, such restrictions may include, without limitation, a requirement that any Common Stock that is to be issued in a year following the year in which the Restricted Stock Unit Award vests must be issued in accordance with a fixed pre-determined schedule.

 

(c)                                  Other Stock Awards.  Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

 

7.                                      COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

 

(a)                                 Availability of Shares.  The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.

 

(b)                                 Securities Law Compliance.  The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award.  If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for 

 

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failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

 

(c)                                  No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes.  The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award.  Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised.  The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.

 

8.                                      MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)                                 Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock.  Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

 

(b)                                 Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards.  Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant.  In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents.

 

(c)                                  Stockholder Rights.  No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

 

(d)                                 No Employment or Other Service Rights.  Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

(e)                                  Change in Time Commitment.  In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Stock Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole 

 

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discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares subject to any portion of such Stock Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Stock Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Stock Award that is so reduced or extended.

 

(f)                                   Incentive Stock Option Limitations.  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

 

(g)                                 Investment Assurances.  The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that the Participant is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock.  The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws.  The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

 

(h)                                 Withholding Obligations.  Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.

 

(i)                                    Electronic Delivery.  Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).

 

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(j)                                    Deferrals.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants.  Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company.  The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

 

(k)                                 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  To the extent that the Board determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.  To the extent applicable, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan (and unless the Stock Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding a Stock Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.

 

(l)                                    Repurchase Limitation.  The terms of any repurchase right will be specified in the Stock Award Agreement.  The repurchase price for vested shares of Common Stock will be the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase.  The repurchase price for unvested shares of Common Stock will be the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase or (ii) their original purchase price.  However, the Company will not exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following delivery of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Award, unless otherwise specifically provided by the Board.

 

9.                                      ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

 

(a)                                 Capitalization Adjustments.  In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and  proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards.  The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

 

(b)                                 Dissolution or Liquidation.  Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards

 

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(other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

 

(c)                                  Corporate Transaction.   The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award.  In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

 

(i)                                    arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);

 

(ii)                                arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

 

(iii)                            accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Corporate Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Corporate Transaction;

 

(iv)                             arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

 

(v)                                 cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate;

 

(vi)                             cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, without the payment of consideration; and

 

(vii)                         make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of

 

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the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.  For clarity, this payment may be zero ($0) if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price.  Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.

 

The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants.  The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.

 

(d)                                 Change in Control.  A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

 

10.                               PLAN TERM; EARLIER TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

 

(a)                                 Plan Term.  The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.  Unless terminated sooner by the Board, the Plan will automatically terminate on the day before the 10th anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company.  No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

(b)                                 No Impairment of Rights.  Suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan.

 

11.                               EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

 

This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.

 

12.                               CHOICE OF LAW.

 

The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

 

13.                               DEFINITIONS.   As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” of the Company, as such terms are defined in Rule 405.  The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

(b)                                 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(c)                                  “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization,

 

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recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

 

(d)                                 “Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events:  (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) such Participant’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) such Participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such Participant’s gross misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion.  Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

 

(e)                                  “Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)                                    any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (C) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;

 

(ii)                                there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same

 

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proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; or

 

(iii)                            there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include (i) a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company or (ii) to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.

 

(f)                                   “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

 

(g)                                 “Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

 

(h)                                 “Common Stock” means the Class A Voting Common Stock of the Company.

 

(i)                                    “Company” means Liquidia Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j)                                    “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services.  However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(k)                                 “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated.  A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate.  For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service.  To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the

 

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case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

 

(l)                                    “Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

 

(i)                                    a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                a sale or other disposition of at least 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;

 

(iii)                            a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

 

(iv)                             a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

 

(m)                             “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(n)                                 “Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

 

(o)                                 “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the earlier of (i) the date that this Plan is first approved by the Company’s stockholders, and (ii) the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

(p)                                 “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate.  However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

 

(q)                                 “Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

 

(r)                                  “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(s)                                   “Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the

 

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Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

 

(t)                                    “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined by the Board in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

 

(u)                                 “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(v)                                 “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(w)                               “Officer” means any person designated by the Company as an officer.

 

(x)                                 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(y)                                 “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant.  Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(z)                                  “Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

(aa)                          “Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).

 

(bb)                          “Other Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant.  Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(cc)                            “Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership”  A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

 

(dd)                          “Participant” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

 

(ee)                            “Plan” means this 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

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(ff)                              “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

 

(gg)                          “Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant.  Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(hh)                          “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

 

(ii)                                “Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant.  Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(jj)                                “Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(kk)                          “Rule 701” means Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(ll)                                “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(mm)                  “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

 

(nn)                          “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant.  Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(oo)                          “Stock Award” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right or any Other Stock Award.

 

(pp)                          “Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant.  Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(qq)                          “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.

 

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(rr)                            “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

22

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

AMENDMENT NO.1 TO 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

December 8, 2016

 

WHEREAS, Liquidia Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) is the sponsor of the Liquidia Technologies, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan to provide for a more flexible “net exercise” arrangement as a method to exercise stock options;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, effective as of December 7, 2016, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1.                                      Section 5(c)(iv) of the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“subject to such limits and approvals as the Board may impose from time to time, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent there remains any balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations.”

 

2.                                      Except as set forth in this Amendment, the Plan shall be unaffected hereby and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Signature Page Immediately Follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first set forth above.

 

	
 
    	
LIQUIDIA   TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Timothy Albury
    
	
 
    	
Name: Timothy Albury
    
	
 
    	
Title: Chief Financial   Officer
    

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 1]

 

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

AMENDMENT NO.2 TO 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

February 2, 2018

 

WHEREAS, Liquidia Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) is the sponsor of the Liquidia Technologies, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Plan”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, Section 2(b)(vi) of the Plan permits the Board to amend the Plan in whole or in part at any time; provided, however, that any Plan amendment that materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan is made subject to shareholder approval of such amendment;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, effective as of February 2, 2018, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

 

1.                                      Section 3(a)(i) of the Plan is deleted and replaced with the following:

 

Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards shall not exceed 22,811,308  shares (the “Share Reserve”).

 

2.                                      Except as set forth in this Amendment, the Plan shall be unaffected hereby and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Signature Page Immediately Follows]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first set forth above.

 

	
 
    	
LIQUIDIA   TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Neal F. Fowler
    
	
 
    	
Name: Neal F. Fowler
    
	
 
    	
Title: Chief Executive   Officer
    

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2]

 

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE
 (2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

 

Liquidia Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby awards to Participant a Restricted Stock Unit Award for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Award”).  The Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Award Agreement”), both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety.  Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Award Agreement will have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement.  Except as explicitly provided herein or in the Award Agreement, in the event of any conflict between the terms in the Award and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

	
Participant:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date of Grant:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Number of restricted   stock units (“RSUs”):
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Consideration:
    	
Participant’s Services
    	
 
    

 

	
Vesting Schedule:
    	
 
    	
Participant will receive a benefit with respect to   the RSUs only if the RSUs vest. The time and service-based requirement (the “Service-Based Requirement”) must   be satisfied in order for a RSU to vest.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Service-Based Requirement:
    	
 
    	
 

The Service-Based Requirement will be satisfied in   installments as to the RSUs as follows: [  ]% of the total number   of RSUs awarded will satisfy the Service-Based Requirement on the first   anniversary of the Date of Grant and the remaining [  ]% of RSUs   awarded will satisfy the Service-Based Requirement in equal monthly   installments of [  ]% through the [  ] anniversary of the   Date of Grant, subject to the Participant’s Continuous Service on each such   date, such that if the Participant’s Continuous Service remains uninterrupted   through the fourth anniversary of the Date of Grant, all of the RSUs awarded   under this Award will have satisfied the Service-Based Requirement. For   purposes of calculating the number of shares which have satisfied the   Service-Based Requirement for any particular period, such number shall be   equal to the total number of RSUs granted under this Award which have   satisfied the Service-Based Requirement as of the end of such particular   period less the number of RSU’s granted under this Award which had previously   satisfied the Service-Based Requirements as of the start of such particular   period (rounding down to the nearest whole RSU).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Settlement:
    	
 
    	
If an RSU vests as provided for above, then the   Company will deliver one share of Common Stock (or its cash equivalent, at   the discretion of the Company) for each Vested RSU. The shares will be issued   in accordance with the issuance schedule set forth in Section 6 of the   Award Agreement.
    

 

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements:  The undersigned Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan.  Participant further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the Award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject, with the exception of (i) restricted stock units or other stock awards previously granted and delivered to Participant, (ii) any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable law and (iii) any written employment or severance arrangement that would provide for vesting acceleration of this Award upon the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

 

Notices may be delivered to the Participant by electronic transmission by email and in such instance, such notices shall be sent to the electronic mail address set forth below the Participant’s signature or to such other electronic mail address as shall be designated by the Participant in a written notice sent to the Company.

 

This consent applies to any and all notices required to be given to the Participant for any purposes relating to this Award, Participant’s RSU or any Common Stock issuable upon vesting of the RSU.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 

By accepting this Award, the undersigned Participant acknowledges having received and read this Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in these documents.  Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

 

	
LIQUIDIA   TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    	
 
    	
PARTICIPANT:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature
    	
 
    	
Signature
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Date:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Designated Email   Address:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
						

 

ATTACHMENTS:  Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

 

1

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) and in consideration of your services, Liquidia Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) has awarded you a Restricted Stock Unit Award (the “Award”) under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the number of restricted stock units set forth on the Grant Notice.  Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement will have the same meanings given to them in the Plan or the Grant Notice, as applicable.  Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, in the event of any conflict between the terms in this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

The details of your Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows.

 

1.             GRANT OF THE AWARD.    This Award represents your right to be issued on a future date (as described below) the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units indicated in the Grant Notice (the “RSUs”).  As of the Date of Grant, the Company will credit to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company for your benefit (the “Account”) the number of RSUs subject to the Award.  This Award was granted in consideration of your services to the Company.  Except as otherwise provided herein, you will not be required to make any payment to the Company (other than past and future services to the Company) with respect to your receipt of the Award, the vesting of the RSUs or the delivery of the Common Stock to be issued in respect of the Award.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to issue you the cash equivalent of Common Stock, in part or in full satisfaction of the delivery of Common Stock upon vesting of your RSUs, and, to the extent applicable, references in this Agreement and the Grant Notice to Common Stock issuable in connection with your RSUs will include the potential issuance of its cash equivalent pursuant to such right.

 

2.             VESTING.    Subject to the limitations contained herein, your Award will vest, if at all, in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice.

 

3.             NUMBER OF RSUS AND SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.

 

(a)           The number of RSUs subject to your Award may be adjusted from time to time for Capitalization Adjustments, as provided in the Plan.

 

(b)           Any additional RSUs, shares, cash or other property that become subject to the Award pursuant to this Section 3, if any, will be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other RSUs covered by your Award.

 

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(c)           Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock will be created pursuant to this Section 3.  The Board will, in its discretion, determine an equivalent benefit for any fractional shares or fractional shares that might be created by the adjustments referred to in this Section 3.

 

4.             SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE.  You may not be issued any shares of Common Stock in respect of your Award unless either (i) the shares are registered under the Securities Act; or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Your Award also must comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Award, and you will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.  To the extent the Company is unable to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4, the Company may issue you the cash equivalent of such Common Stock as provided in Section 6(a).

 

5.             TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.  Your Award is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable securities laws, you agree not to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in any of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award until the shares are issued to you in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement.  After the shares have been issued to you, you cannot assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares except in compliance with the Company’s Bylaws or any other agreement required to be entered into by you and provided that any such actions are in compliance with the provisions herein, any applicable Company policies (including, but not limited to, insider trading and window period policies) and applicable securities laws.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, you may designate a third party who, in the event of your death, will thereafter be entitled to receive any distribution of Common Stock to which you were entitled at the time of your death pursuant to this Agreement.

 

6.             DATE OF ISSUANCE.

 

(a)           Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Taxes set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement, the Company will deliver to you a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested RSUs subject to your Award, including any additional RSUs received pursuant to Section 3 above that relate to those vested RSUs, on the applicable vesting date.  However, if a scheduled delivery date falls on a date that is not a business day, such delivery date will instead fall on the next following business day.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent applicable at a vesting date when shares are registered under the Securities Act, in the event that (i) any shares covered by your Award are scheduled to be delivered on a day (the “Original Distribution Date”) that does not occur: (A) during an open “window period” applicable to you under the Company’s policy permitting officers, directors and other designated individuals to sell shares only during certain “window” periods, in effect from time to time (the “Policy”), (B) on a day on which you are permitted to sell shares of Common Stock pursuant to a written plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Policy, or (C) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on the open market, and (ii) the Company elects not to satisfy its obligations for 

 

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Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 10) by withholding shares from your distribution or withholding from other compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company, then such shares will not be delivered on such Original Distribution Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day of the next occurring open “window period” applicable to you pursuant to such Policy (regardless of whether you are still providing Continuous Service at such time) or the next business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of Common Stock in the open market, but in no event later than the later of (i) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which the applicable shares covered by the Award vest or (ii) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the applicable shares covered by the Award vest (the “Issuance Deadline”).  Delivery of the shares pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6(a) is intended to comply with the requirements for the short-term deferral exemption available under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such manner.  The form of such delivery of the shares (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) will be determined by the Company.

 

(b)           If the Company elects to issue you cash in part or in full satisfaction of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon vesting of your RSUs, then the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(a) will not apply and such cash will be paid to you in a lump sum at any time on or after the vesting date of your RSUs, but in no event later than the Issuance Deadline.

 

7.             DIVIDENDS.   You will receive no benefit or adjustment to your Award with respect to any cash dividend, stock dividend or other distribution that does not result from a Capitalization Adjustment as provided in the Plan; provided, however, that this sentence will not apply with respect to any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to you in connection with your Award after such shares have been delivered to you.

 

8.             RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS.  The shares issued in respect of your Award will be endorsed with appropriate legends determined by the Company.

 

9.             AWARD NOT AN EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE CONTRACT.

 

(a)           Your Continuous Service with the Company or an Affiliate is not for any specified term and may be terminated by you or by the Company or an Affiliate at any time, for any reason, with or without cause and with or without notice.  Nothing in this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the vesting of your Award pursuant to the schedule set forth in the Grant Notice herein or the issuance of the shares in respect of your Award), the Plan or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in this Agreement or the Plan will:  (i) confer upon you any right to continue in the employ of, or affiliation with, the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or affiliation; (iii) confer any right or benefit under this Agreement or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of this Agreement or Plan; or (iv) deprive the Company or an Affiliate of the right to terminate you at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that you may have.

 

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(b)           By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree that the right to continue vesting in the Award pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in Section 2 and in the Grant Notice is earned only by continuing as an employee, director or consultant at the will of the Company or an Affiliate (not through the act of being hired, being granted this Award or any other award or benefit) and that the Company has the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a “reorganization”).  You further acknowledge and agree that such a reorganization could result in the termination of your Continuous Service, or the termination of Affiliate status of your employer and the loss of benefits available to you under this Agreement, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the Award.  You further acknowledge and agree that this Agreement, the Plan, the transactions contemplated hereunder and the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice or any covenant of good faith and fair dealing that may be found implicit in any of them do not constitute an express or implied promise of continued engagement as an employee or consultant with the Company or an Affiliate for the term of this Agreement, for any period, or at all, and will not interfere in any way with your right or the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate your Continuous Service at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

 

(c)           Your Award is made at the discretion of the Company and the Plan may be suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.  The grant of an Award in one year or at one time does not in any way entitle you to an Award in the future.  The Plan is wholly discretionary and is not to be considered part of your normal or expected compensation subject to severance, resignation, redundancy or similar compensation.  The value of your Award is an extraordinary item of compensation which is outside the scope of your service contract (if any).

 

10.          RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES.

 

(a)           On or before the time you receive a distribution of the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs or a cash payment, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize any required withholding from the Common Stock issuable to you or the cash payment and/or otherwise agrees to make adequate provision in cash for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any Affiliate that arise in connection with the Award (the “Withholding Taxes”).  Subject to Section 10(d) of this Agreement, if applicable, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy all or any portion of the Withholding Taxes obligation relating to the Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means:  (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to you by the Company; (ii) causing you to tender a cash payment; (iii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to you in connection with the RSUs with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued pursuant to Section 6) equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes; provided, however, that the number of such shares of Common Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income (or such greater amount permitted under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation —Stock Compensation, for equity-classified awards); or (iv) withholding cash from the Award settled in cash.

 

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(b)           Unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock or make a cash payment.

 

(c)           In the event the Company’s obligation to withhold arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Stock or the cash payment or it is determined after the delivery of Common Stock or the cash payment to you that the amount of the Company’s withholding obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.

 

(d)           If specified in the Grant Notice, you may direct the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued pursuant to Section 6) equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes; provided, however, that the number of such shares of Common Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income.

 

11.          TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.  In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable laws and the restrictions in Section 10, as applicable, you will not sell, assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the shares subject to your Award or any interest in such shares except in compliance with this Agreement (including without limitation Sections 8 and 13), the Company’s bylaws and applicable securities laws.

 

12.          DATA TRANSFER.  You explicitly and unambiguously consent to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of your personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, your employer, and the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.  You understand that the Company, its Affiliates and your employer hold certain personal information about you, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number (or other identification number), salary, nationality, job title, any shares of stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares of stock awarded, canceled, purchased, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan (“Data”).  You understand that the Data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in your country or elsewhere and that the recipient country may have different data privacy laws and protections than your country.  You may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Stock Plan Administrator at the Company (the “Stock Plan Administrator”).  You authorize the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data, as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom you may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the vesting of the Award.  You understand that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage participation in the Plan.  You may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments 

 

5

 

to the Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting the Stock Plan Administrator in writing.  You understand that refusing or withdrawing consent may affect your ability to participate in the Plan.  For more information on the consequences of refusing to consent or withdrawing consent, you may contact the Stock Plan Administrator.

 

13.          UNSECURED OBLIGATION.  Your Award is unfunded, and as a holder of a vested Award, you will be considered an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s obligation, if any, to issue shares pursuant to this Agreement.  You will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement until such shares are issued to you pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement.   Upon such issuance, you will obtain full voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company.  Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between you and the Company or any other person.

 

14.          NOTICES.  Any notices provided for in your Award or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this Award by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means.  By accepting this Award you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

15.          LANGUAGE. If you have received this Agreement, or any other document related to this Award and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

 

16.          INSIDER TRADING RESTRICTIONS/MARKET ABUSE LAWS.  You acknowledge that, depending on your country, you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect your ability to acquire or sell the shares of Common Stock or rights to the shares of Common Stock under the Plan during such times as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in your country or any country in which the Company’s shares of Common Stock are registered or listed).  Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy.  You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to comply with any applicable restrictions, and you are advised to speak to your personal advisor on this matter.

 

17.          IMPOSITION OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on your participation in the Plan, on any shares of Common Stock 

 

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acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal administrative reasons, and to require you to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

18.          MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)           The rights and obligations of the Company under your Award may be transferred to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. Your rights and obligations under your Award may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.

 

(b)           You agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of your Award.

 

(c)           You acknowledge and agree that you have reviewed your Award in its entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting your Award, and fully understand all provisions of your Award.

 

(d)           This Agreement will be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

(e)           All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

19.          GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT.  Your Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of your Award and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.  In addition, to the extent applicable, your Award (and any compensation paid or shares issued under your Award) is subject to recoupment in accordance with The Dodd—Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any clawback policy adopted by the Company and any compensation recovery policy otherwise required by applicable law.

 

20.          SEVERABILITY.  If all or any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

 

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21.          EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.  The value of the Award subject to this Agreement will not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating the Employee’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s employee benefit plans.

 

22.          AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by you and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended solely by the Board by a writing which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement, so long as a copy of such amendment is delivered to you, and provided that no such amendment adversely affecting your rights hereunder may be made without your written consent. Without limiting the foregoing, the Board reserves the right to change, by written notice to you, the provisions of this Agreement in any way it may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the grant as a result of any change in applicable laws or regulations or any future law, regulation, ruling, or judicial decision, provided that any such change will be applicable only to rights relating to that portion of the Award which is then subject to restrictions as provided herein.

 

23.          NO OBLIGATION TO MINIMIZE TAXES.  The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences to you of this Award and will not be liable to you for any adverse tax consequences to you arising in connection with this Award.  You are hereby advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and/or legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of this Award and by signing the Grant Notice, you have agreed that you have done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

 

24.          COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE.  This Award is intended to comply with the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and any state law of similar effect (collectively, “Section 409A”), and if you are a “Specified Employee” (within the meaning set forth Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of your separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of the separation from service or within the first six months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day after the date of the separation from service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of taxation on you in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code.  Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a “separate payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).

 

*              *              *

 

This Agreement will be deemed to be signed by you upon the signing by you of the Grant Notice to which it is attached.

 

8

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE
 (2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below.  This option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this notice, in the Option Agreement, the Plan and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety.  Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Option Agreement will have the same definitions as in the Plan or the Option Agreement. If there is any conflict between the terms in this notice and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

	
Optionholder:
    	
 
    
	
Date of Grant:
    	
 
    
	
Vesting Commencement   Date:
    	
 
    
	
Number of Shares   Subject to Option:
    	
 
    
	
Exercise Price (Per   Share):
    	
$
    
	
Total Exercise Price:
    	
$
    
	
Expiration Date:
    	
 
    

 

 

	
Type of Grant:
    	
o
    	
Incentive Stock Option
    	
o   Nonstatutory Stock Option
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Exercise Schedule:
    	
o
    	
Same as Vesting   Schedule
    	
o   Early Exercise Permitted
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Vesting Schedule (for new hire):
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Payment:
    	
By one or a combination   of the following items (described in the Option Agreement):
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
o
    	
By cash, check, bank   draft or money order payable to the Company
    
	
 
    	
o
    	
Pursuant to a   Regulation T Program if the shares are publicly traded
    
	
 
    	
o
    	
By delivery of   already-owned shares if the shares are publicly traded
    
	
 
    	
o
    	
Subject to such limits   as the Board may impose from time to time, by a “net exercise” arrangement
    

 

 

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements:  Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Option Agreement may not be modified, amended or revised except as provided in the Plan.  Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding this option award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of (i) options previously granted and delivered to Optionholder, and (ii) the following agreements only.

 

	
OTHER AGREEMENTS:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    

 

By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

	
LIQUIDIA   TECHNOLOGIES, INC.  
    	
 
    	
[NAME] 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By: 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature
    	
 
    	
Signature
    
	
Title: 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Date:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
						

 

ATTACHMENTS:  Option Agreement, 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and Notice of Exercise

 

 

ATTACHMENT I

 

OPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

OPTION AGREEMENT
 (INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)

 

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice.  The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”).  If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

 

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

 

1.             VESTING.  Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice.  Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

 

2.             NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE.  The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

 

3.             EXERCISE RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES.  If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

 

4.             EXERCISE PRIOR TO VESTING (“EARLY EXERCISE”).  If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

 

(a)           a partial exercise of your option will be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

 

(b)           any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise will be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

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(c)           you will enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

 

(d)           if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

 

5.             METHOD OF PAYMENT.  You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise.  You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

 

(a)           Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds.  This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise”, “same day sale”, or “sell to cover”.

 

(b)           Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.  “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company.  You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

 

(c)           Subject to such limits as the Board may impose from time to time, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations.

 

6.             WHOLE SHARES.  You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

 

7.             SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE.  In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such

 

2

 

laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

 

8.             TERM.  You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term.  The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

 

(a)           immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

 

(b)           three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d) below); provided, however, that if during any part of such three month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three months after the termination of your Continuous Service; provided further, that if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three months after the termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;

 

(c)           12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d)) below;

 

(d)           18 months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;

 

(e)           the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

 

(f)            the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

 

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability.  The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

 

9.             EXERCISE.

 

(a)           You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Company’s Secretary, stock plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

 

3

 

(b)           By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

 

(c)           If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

 

(d)           By exercising your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period.  You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.  In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period.  You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 9(d).  The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

 

10.          TRANSFERABILITY.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

 

(a)           Certain Trusts.  Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust.  You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

 

(b)           Domestic Relations Orders.  Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer.  You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement.  If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

4

 

(c)           Beneficiary Designation.  Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.  In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

 

11.          RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL. Shares of Common Stock that you acquire upon exercise of your option are subject to any right of first refusal that may be described in the Company’s bylaws in effect at such time the Company elects to exercise its right; provided, however, that if there is no right of first refusal described in the Company’s bylaws at such time, the right of first refusal described below will apply.  The Company’s right of first refusal will expire on the first date upon which any security of the Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on a national securities exchange or quotation system (the “Listing Date”).

 

(a)           Prior to the Listing Date, you may not validly Transfer (as defined below) any shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of your option, or any interest in such shares, unless such Transfer is made in compliance with the following provisions:

 

(i)            Before there can be a valid Transfer of any shares of Common Stock or any interest therein, the record holder of the shares of Common Stock to be transferred (the “Offered Shares”) will give written notice (by registered or certified mail) to the Company.  Such notice will specify the identity of the proposed transferee, the cash price offered for the Offered Shares by the proposed transferee (or, if the proposed Transfer is one in which the holder will not receive cash, such as an involuntary transfer, gift, donation or pledge, the holder will state that no purchase price is being proposed), and the other terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer.  The date such notice is mailed will be hereinafter referred to as the “Notice Date” and the record holder of the Offered Shares will be hereinafter referred to as the “Offeror.”  If, from time to time, there is any stock dividend, stock split or other change in the character or amount of any of the outstanding Common Stock which is subject to the provisions of your option, then in such event any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which you are entitled by reason of your ownership of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of your option will be immediately subject to the Company’s Right of First Refusal (as defined below) with the same force and effect as the shares subject to the Right of First Refusal immediately before such event.

 

(ii)           For a period of 30 calendar days after the Notice Date, or such longer period as may be required to avoid the classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes, the Company will have the option to purchase all (but not less than all) of the Offered Shares at the purchase price and on the terms set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) (the Company’s “Right of First Refusal”).  In the event that the proposed Transfer is one involving no payment of a purchase price, the purchase price will be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Offered Shares as determined in good faith by the Board in its discretion.  The Company may exercise its Right of First Refusal by mailing (by registered or certified mail) written notice of exercise of its Right of First Refusal to the Offeror prior to the end of said 30 days (including any extension required to avoid classification of the option as a liability for financial accounting purposes).

 

(iii)         The price at which the Company may purchase the Offered Shares pursuant to the exercise of its Right of First Refusal will be the cash price offered for the Offered Shares by the proposed transferee (as set forth in the notice required under Section 11(a)(i)), or the Fair Market Value as determined by the Board in the event no purchase price is involved.  To the extent consideration

 

5

 

other than cash is offered by the proposed transferee, the Company will not be required to pay any additional amounts to the Offeror other than the cash price offered (or the Fair Market Value, if applicable).  The Company’s notice of exercise of its Right of First Refusal will be accompanied by full payment for the Offered Shares and, upon such payment by the Company, the Company will acquire full right, title and interest to all of the Offered Shares.

 

(iv)          If, and only if, the option given pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) is not exercised, the Transfer proposed in the notice given pursuant to Section 11(a)(i) may take place; provided, however, that such Transfer must, in all respects, be exactly as proposed in said notice except that such Transfer may not take place either before the 10th calendar day after the expiration of the 30 day option exercise period or after the ninetieth 90th calendar day after the expiration of the 30 day option exercise period, and if such Transfer has not taken place prior to said 90th day, such Transfer may not take place without once again complying with this Section 11(a).  The option exercise periods in this Section 11(a)(iv) will be adjusted to include any extension required to avoid the classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes.

 

(b)           As used in this Section 11, the term “Transfer” means any sale, encumbrance, pledge, gift or other form of disposition or transfer of shares of Common Stock or any legal or equitable interest therein; provided, however, that the term Transfer does not include a transfer of such shares or interests by will or intestacy to your Immediate Family (as defined below).  In such case, the transferee or other recipient will receive and hold the shares of Common Stock so transferred subject to the provisions of this Section, and there will be no further transfer of such shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.  As used herein, the term “Immediate Family” will mean your spouse, the lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister, child, adopted child, grandchild or adopted grandchild of you or your spouse, or the spouse of any child, adopted child, grandchild or adopted grandchild of you or your spouse.

 

(c)           None of the shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of your option will be transferred on the Company’s books nor will the Company recognize any such Transfer of any such shares or any interest therein unless and until all applicable provisions of this Section 11 have been complied with in all respects.  The certificates of stock evidencing shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of your option will bear an appropriate legend referring to the transfer restrictions imposed by this Section 11.

 

(d)           To ensure that the shares subject to the Company’s Right of First Refusal will be available for repurchase by the Company, the Company may require you to deposit the certificates evidencing the shares that you purchase upon exercise of your option with an escrow agent designated by the Company under the terms and conditions of an escrow agreement approved by the Company.  If the Company does not require such deposit as a condition of exercise of your option, the Company reserves the right at any time to require you to so deposit the certificates in escrow.  As soon as practicable after the expiration of the Company’s Right of First Refusal, the agent will deliver to you the shares and any other property no longer subject to such restriction.  In the event the shares and any other property held in escrow are subject to the Company’s exercise of its Right of First Refusal, the notices required to be given to you will be given to the escrow agent, and any payment required to be given to you will be given to the escrow agent.  Within 30 days after payment by the Company for the Offered Shares, the escrow agent will deliver the Offered Shares that the Company has repurchased to the Company and will deliver the payment received from the Company to you.

 

12.          OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT.  Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to

 

6

 

continue your employment.  In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

 

13.          WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

 

(a)           At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

 

(b)           If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes).  If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option.  Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise.  Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

 

(c)           You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied.  Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

 

14.          TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

7

 

15.          NOTICES.  Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means.  By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

16.          GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT.  Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan.  If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

 

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ATTACHMENT II

 

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED

 

 

ATTACHMENT III

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

Liquidia Technologies, Inc.

419 Davis Dr.

Morrisville, North Carolina 27560

 

	
 
    	
Date of   Exercise:
    	
 
    

 

This constitutes notice to LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (the “Company”) under my stock option that I elect to purchase the below number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Shares”) for the price set forth below.

 

	
Type of option (check one):
    	
 
    	
Incentive o
    	
 
    	
Nonstatutory o
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Stock option dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Number of Shares as to which option is exercised:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Certificates to be issued in name of:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Total exercise price:
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Cash payment delivered herewith:
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Regulation T Program (cashless exercise(1))
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
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Value of             Shares delivered   herewith(2):
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    

 

By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an incentive stock option, to notify you in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the Shares issued upon exercise of this option that occurs within two years after the date of grant of this option or within one year after such Shares are issued upon exercise of this option.

 

I hereby make the following certifications and representations with respect to the number of Shares listed above, which are being acquired by me for my own account upon exercise of the option as set forth above:

 

(1)  Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option agreement.

 

(2)  Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the option.  Shares must be valued in accordance with the terms of the option being exercised, and must be owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests.  Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate.

 

 

I acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are deemed to constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 701 and Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.  I warrant and represent to the Company that I have no present intention of distributing or selling said Shares, except as permitted under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

 

I further acknowledge that I will not be able to resell the Shares for at least 90 days after the stock of the Company becomes publicly traded (i.e., subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) under Rule 701 and that more restrictive conditions apply to affiliates of the Company under Rule 144.

 

I further acknowledge that all certificates representing any of the Shares subject to the provisions of the option shall have endorsed thereon appropriate legends reflecting the foregoing limitations, as well as any legends reflecting restrictions pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and/or applicable securities laws.

 

I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company shall request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation) (the “Lock-Up Period”).  I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto.  In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.

 

	
 
    	
Very truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Signature)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name (Please Print)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address of Record:Exhibit 10.23

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into effective January 31, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Neal Fowler (the “Executive”) and Liquidia Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).  Each of the Company and Executive is a “Party” and, collectively, they are the “Parties.”

 

The Company and Executive entered into an Executive Employment Agreement effective March 10, 2008 (the “Prior Agreement”); and

 

The Company and Executive have agreed to amend and restate the Prior Agreement as set forth in this Agreement to reflect certain adjustments to Executive’s employment relationship with the Company.

 

Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the Parties agree to the following:

 

1.                                      EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY.

 

1.1                               At-Will Employment.  Executive shall be employed by the Company on an “at will” basis, meaning either the Company or Executive may terminate Executive’s employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. Any contrary representations that may have been made to Executive shall be superseded by this Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the full and complete agreement between Executive and the Company on the “at will” nature of Executive’s employment with the Company, which may be changed only in an express written agreement signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company. Executive’s rights to any compensation following a termination shall be only as set forth in Section 6.

 

1.2                               Position.  Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company agrees to employ Executive in the position of Chief Executive Officer, and Executive hereby accepts such employment.  Executive will report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and/or such board members or committees designated by the Board.  The Company shall use its best efforts to cause Executive to be elected to the Board during Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

1.3                               Duties.  Executive shall faithfully perform all duties of the Company related to the position or positions held by Executive, including but not limited to all duties set forth in this Agreement and in the Bylaws of the Company related to the position or positions held by Executive, and all additional duties that are reasonably prescribed from time to time by the Board or other designated officers of the Company. Executive shall devote Executive’s full business time and attention to the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Company and in furtherance of its best interests.  Executive shall perform Executive’s duties under this Agreement principally out of the Company’s corporate headquarters in North Carolina.  In addition, Executive shall make such business trips at the Company’s expense to such places as may be necessary or advisable for the efficient operations of the Company.

 

 

1.4                               Company Policies.  Executive shall comply with all Company written policies, standards, rules and regulations (a “Company Policy” or collectively, the “Company Policies”) and all applicable government laws, rules and regulations that are now or hereafter in effect. Executive acknowledges receipt of copies of all written Company Policies that are in effect as of the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.

 

2.                                      COMPENSATION.

 

2.1                               Salary.  Executive shall receive a base salary of $480,000 on an annualized basis, payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices (“Base Salary”).  Executive’s Base Salary may be increased from time to time by the Board. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Base Salary may be reduced if the Board determines such reduction is necessary and justified by the financial condition of the Company and implements an equal percentage reduction in the base salaries of all of the Company’s executive officers, but in no event will such reduction be greater than ten percent (10%) of the Base Salary. A reduction in Executive’s Base Salary in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall not constitute a material diminution in Base Salary as described in Section 6.4(b) of this Agreement.

 

2.2                               Bonus. During the period Executive is employed with the Company, Executive shall be eligible to earn for Executive’s services to be rendered under this Agreement a discretionary annual cash bonus target equal to 50% of Base Salary (“Bonus Target”), subject to review and adjustment by the Company in its sole discretion, payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements.  Whether or not Executive earns any bonus will be dependent upon (a) Executive’s continuous performance of services to the Company through the date any bonus is paid, except as set forth in Section 6.1(b) and Section 6.6 below; and (b) the actual achievement by Executive and the Company of the applicable performance targets and goals set by the Board in advance of, or within the first quarter of, each calendar year.  The annual period over which performance is measured for purposes of this bonus is January 1 through December 31.  The Board will determine in its reasonable discretion the extent to which Executive and the Company have achieved the performance goals upon which the bonus is based and the amount of the bonus, which could be above or below the Bonus Target (and may be zero).  Any bonus shall be subject to the terms of any applicable incentive compensation plan adopted by the Company.  Any bonus, if earned, will be paid to Executive within the time period set forth in the incentive compensation plan, or if no such time period was established, within two and one-half months following the end of the year during which the bonus is earned.

 

2.3                               Benefits.  Executive will be eligible to participate on the same basis as similarly situated employees in the Company’s benefit plans in effect from time to time during Executive’s employment.  All matters of eligibility for coverage or benefits under any benefit plan shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of such plan.  The Company reserves the right to change, alter, or terminate any benefit plan in its sole discretion.

 

2.4                               Expense Reimbursement.  The Company shall reimburse Executive for all customary and appropriate business-related expenses actually incurred and documented in

 

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accordance with Company Policy, as in effect from time to time.  In addition, during Executive’s employment, the Company agrees that it will provide Executive with payments related to his personal financial and estate planning in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per year (“Financial Services Reimbursements”) which amount(s) shall be subject to applicable withholding and employment taxes and shall be paid within thirty (30) days after Executive provides proper documentation of such expenses.  For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that any reimbursements or (including but not limited to the Financial Services Reimbursements) payable to Executive are subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”): (a) any such reimbursements will be paid no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, (b) the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year will not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and (c) the right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

3.                                      PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, INVENTIONS, NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION OBLIGATIONS.  The Parties have entered into a Confidentiality, Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”), which may be amended by the Parties from time to time without regard to this Agreement.  The Confidential Information Agreement contains provisions that are intended by the Parties to survive and do survive termination of this Agreement.

 

3.1                               Permissible Communications.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Confidential Information Agreement, Executive acknowledges that nothing in the Confidential Information Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Executive from (a) filing a charge or complaint with, or participating in any proceeding before, a government agency authorized to enforce and investigate suspected violations of federal anti-discrimination laws, labor relations laws, occupational health and safety laws, wage and hour laws, and such similar state or local laws; (b) reporting possible violations of federal securities laws to the appropriate government enforcing agency and make such other disclosures that are expressly protected under such laws, or (c) responding truthfully to inquiries from, or otherwise cooperating with, any governmental or regulatory investigation (the activities set forth in clauses (a) through (c) are collectively referred to as the “Protected Activities”).  Executive understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Executive is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company; provided, however, that Executive agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Proprietary Information under the Confidential Information Agreement to any parties other than the appropriate government agencies. Executive further understands that “Protected Activity” does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications, and that any such disclosure without the Company’s written consent shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

 

3.2                               Defend Trade Secrets Act.  Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive acknowledges that Executive will not have criminal or civil liability under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (a) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in

 

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a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. In addition, if Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the trade secret to Executive’s attorney and may use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Executive (x) files any document containing the trade secret under seal and (y) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

4.                                      OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES DURING EMPLOYMENT.  Except with the prior written consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, Executive will not, while employed by the Company, undertake or engage in any other employment, occupation or business enterprise that would interfere with Executive’s responsibilities and the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, except for (i) reasonable time devoted to volunteer services for or on behalf of such religious, educational, non-profit and/or other charitable organization as Executive may wish to serve, (ii) reasonable time devoted to activities in the non-profit and business communities consistent with Executive’s duties, (iii) reasonable time devoted to service on the board of directors of up to two (2) companies that are not competitive with the Company, and (iv) such other activities as may be specifically approved by the Company. This restriction shall not, however, preclude Executive from owning less than one percent (1%) of the total outstanding shares of a publicly traded company, or employment or service in any capacity with Affiliates of the Company.  As used in this Agreement, “Affiliates” means an entity under common management or control with the Company.

 

5.                                      NO CONFLICT WITH EXISTING OBLIGATIONS.  Executive represents that Executive’s performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an executive of the Company do not and will not breach any agreement or obligation of any kind made prior to Executive’s employment by the Company, including agreements or obligations Executive may have with prior employers or entities for which Executive has provided services.  Executive has not entered into, and Executive agrees that Executive will not enter into, any agreement or obligation, either written or oral, in conflict herewith.

 

6.                                      TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  The Parties acknowledge that Executive’s employment relationship with the Company is at-will.  The provisions in this Section govern the amount of compensation, if any, to be provided to Executive upon termination of employment and do not alter this at-will status.

 

6.1                               Termination by the Company Without Cause.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to this Section 6.1 at any time without “Cause” (as defined in Section 6.2(b) below) by giving thirty (30) days’ advance notice as described in Section 7.1 of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may elect for you to be on leave or to perform modified duties at any time between the date of notice and the date of termination.  A termination pursuant to Sections 6.3 and 6.5 below is not a termination without “Cause” for purposes of receiving the benefits described in this Section 6.1.

 

(b)                                 If the Company terminates Executive’s employment at any time without Cause and provided that such termination constitutes a “separation from service” (as defined

 

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under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) a “Separation from Service”), then Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations (defined below) and, subject to Executive’s compliance with the obligations in Section 6.1(c) below, then Executive shall also be entitled to receive (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”):

 

(i)                                     an amount equal to Executive’s then current Base Salary for twelve (12) months (the “Severance Period”), less all applicable withholdings and deductions, paid in equal installments beginning on the Company’s first regularly scheduled payroll date following the Release Effective Date (as defined in Section 6.1(c) below), with the remaining installments occurring on the Company’s regularly scheduled payroll dates thereafter;

 

(ii)                                  an amount equal to the bonus that Executive would have earned pursuant to Section 2.2 if Executive had remained employed through the end of the applicable fiscal year in which the termination date occurs, pro-rated based on the number of days that Executive was employed with the Company during the applicable fiscal year, payable on the date that such bonus is paid to the Company’s other executives; and

 

(iii)                               payment of the employer portion of the premiums required to continue Executive’s group health care coverage under the applicable provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), provided that Executive timely elects to continue coverage under COBRA, until the earliest of (A) the close of the Severance Period, (B) the expiration of Executive’s eligibility for the continuation coverage under COBRA, or (C) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment (such period from the termination date through the earliest of (A), (B) or (C), the “COBRA Payment Period”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company determines in its sole discretion that the payment of the COBRA premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Code, or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including but not limited to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing the COBRA premiums, the Company will instead pay Executive on the last day of each remaining month of the COBRA Payment Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the COBRA premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings for the remainder of the COBRA Payment Period, regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA coverage (the “Special Severance Payment”).  Executive may, but is not obligated to, use such Special Severance Payment toward the cost of COBRA premiums. If Executive becomes eligible for coverage under another employer’s group health plan or otherwise ceases to be eligible for COBRA during the COBRA Payment Period, Executive must immediately notify the Company of such event, and all payments and obligations under this clause will cease.

 

(c)                                  Executive will be paid all of the Accrued Obligations on the Company’s first payroll date after Executive’s date of termination from employment or earlier if required by law.  Executive shall receive the Severance Benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) of this Agreement if: (i) Executive signs and delivers to the Company an effective, general release of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates and representatives, in a form acceptable to the Company (the “Release”), by the 60th day following the termination date or such earlier date as set forth in the Release, which cannot be revoked in whole or part (if applicable) by such date or such earlier

 

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date as set forth in the Release (the date that the Release can no longer be revoked is referred to as the “Release Effective Date”); (ii) if Executive holds any other positions with the Company, Executive resigns such position(s) to be effective no later than the date of Executive’s termination date (or such other date as requested by the Board);  (iii) Executive returns all Company property in proper order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, (including, but not limited to, all books, documents, papers, materials and any other property or assets relating to the business or affairs of the Company which may be in Executive’s possession or under his control but excluding copies of records related to Executive’s compensation from the Company and any equity ownership in the Company); (iv) Executive complies with all post-termination obligations under this Agreement and the Confidential Information Agreement; and (v) Executive complies with the terms of the Release, including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained in the Release.  Upon termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason by either Party, Executive shall also be deemed to have resigned as a member of the Board.  To the extent that any Severance Benefits are deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, and are not otherwise exempt from the application of Section 409A, then, if the period during which Executive may consider and sign the Release spans two calendar years, the payment of Severance Benefits will not be made or begin until the later calendar year.

 

(d)                                 For purposes of this Agreement, “Accrued Obligations” are (i) Executive’s accrued but unpaid salary through the date of termination, (ii) any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by Executive payable in accordance with the Company’s standard expense reimbursement policies, and (iii) benefits owed to Executive under any qualified retirement plan or health and welfare benefit plan in which Executive was a participant in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of such plan.

 

(e)                                  The Severance Benefits provided to Executive pursuant to this Section 6.1 is in lieu of, and not in addition to, any benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled under any Company severance plan, policy or program.

 

(f)                                   Any damages caused by the termination of Executive’s employment without Cause would be difficult to ascertain; therefore, the Severance Benefits for which Executive is eligible pursuant to Section 6.1(b) above in exchange for the Release is agreed to by the Parties as liquidated damages, to serve as full compensation, and not a penalty.

 

6.2                               Termination by the Company for Cause.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Section 6.2(c) below, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment with the Company at any time for Cause by giving notice as described in Section 7.1 of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 “Cause” for termination shall mean that Executive has engaged in any of the following: (i) any material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Executive, or the willful failure of Executive to diligently and properly perform Executive’s material duties for the Company; (ii) Executive’s misappropriation or unauthorized use of the Company’s tangible or intangible property that causes or is likely to cause material harm to the Company or its reputation, or material breach of the Confidential Information Agreement or any other similar agreement

 

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regarding confidentiality, intellectual property rights, non-competition or non-solicitation; (iii) any material failure to comply with the Company Policies or any other policies and/or directives of the Board; (iv) Executive’s use of illegal drugs or any illegal substance, or Executive’s use of alcohol in any manner that materially interferes with the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement; (v) any dishonest or illegal action (including, without limitation, embezzlement) or any other action, whether or not dishonest or illegal, by Executive which is willful and materially detrimental to the interest and well-being of the Company, including, without limitation, harm to its reputation; (vi) Executive’s failure to fully disclose any material conflict of interest Executive may have with the Company in a transaction between the Company and any third party which is materially detrimental to the interest and well-being of the Company; (vii) any willful adverse action or omission by Executive which would be required to be disclosed pursuant to public securities laws or which would limit the ability of the Company or any entity affiliated with the Company to sell securities under any Federal or state law or which would disqualify the Company or any affiliated entity from any exemption otherwise available to it; or (viii) Executive’s material violation of the Company’s Policies prohibiting unlawful harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or workplace violence; provided, however, that prior to any termination of Executive for “Cause,” if the grounds for such Cause are reasonably capable of cure by Executive, the Company shall provide Executive with written notice of the grounds for Cause and provide Executive with thirty (30) business days in which to cure such Cause.  Provided further that no act or failure to act on Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless the Board determines it was done, or was omitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith or in a manner that Executive could not have reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Company.

 

(c)                                  In the event Executive’s employment is terminated at any time for Cause, Executive will not receive Severance Benefits or any other severance compensation or benefits, except that, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations.

 

6.3                               Resignation by Executive.

 

(a)                                 Executive may resign from Executive’s employment with the Company at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ advance notice as described in Section 7.1, provided that the Company may set a termination date at any time between the date of notice and the date of resignation, in which case Executive’s resignation shall be effective as of such other date.  Executive will receive compensation through any required notice period.

 

(b)                                 In the event Executive resigns from Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason (other than a resignation for Good Reason as described in Section 6.4 below), Executive will not receive Severance Benefits or any other severance compensation or benefits, except that, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations.

 

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6.4                               Resignation by Executive for Good Reason.

 

(a)                                 Provided Executive has not previously been notified of the Company’s intention to terminate Executive’s employment, Executive may resign from employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined in Section 6.4(b) below).

 

(b)                                 “Good Reason” for resignation shall mean the occurrence of any of the following without Executive’s prior consent:  (i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary or Bonus Target; (iii) a requirement that Executive report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Board; (iv) Executive’s principal place of employment is relocated by more than twenty-five (25) miles from the Company’s present location in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; or (v) the Company materially breaches its obligations under this Agreement.  In addition to any requirements set forth above, in order for any of the above events to constitute “Good Reason,” Executive must (X) inform the Company of the existence of the event within sixty (60) days of the initial existence of the event, after which date the Company shall have no less than thirty (30) days to cure the event which otherwise would constitute “Good Reason” hereunder and (Y) Executive must terminate his employment with the Company for such “Good Reason” no later than ninety (90) days after the initial existence of the event which prompted Executive’s termination. Any actions taken by the Company to accommodate a disability of Executive or pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act shall not be a Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  In the event Executive resigns from Executive’s employment for Good Reason, and provided that such termination constitutes a Separation from Service, then subject to Executive’s compliance with the obligations in Section 6.1(c) above, Executive shall be eligible to receive the same Severance Benefits as described in Section 6.1 and on the same terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.1(c) and Section 6.1(e) as if Executive had been terminated by the Company without Cause.

 

(d)                                 Any damages caused by the termination of Executive’s employment for Good Reason would be difficult to ascertain; therefore, the Severance Benefits for which Executive is eligible pursuant to Section 6.1(b) above in exchange for the Release is agreed to by the Parties as liquidated damages, to serve as full compensation, and not a penalty.

 

6.5                               Termination by Virtue of Death or Disability of Executive.

 

(a)                                 In the event of Executive’s death while employed pursuant to this Agreement, all obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate immediately, and the Company shall, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, pay to Executive’s legal representatives all Accrued Obligations.

 

(b)                                 Subject to applicable state and federal law, the Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to Executive, to terminate this Agreement based on Executive’s Disability.  Termination by the Company of Executive’s employment based on “Disability” shall mean termination because a qualified medical doctor mutually acceptable to the Company and Executive or Executive’s personal representative has certified in writing that:

 

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(A) Executive is unable, because of a medically determinable physical or mental disability, to perform the essential functions of Executive’s job, with or without a reasonable accommodation, for more than one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days measured from the last full day of work; or (B) by reason of mental or physical disability, it is unlikely that Executive will be able, within one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days, to resume the essential functions of Executive’s job, with or without a reasonable accommodation, and to otherwise discharge Executive’s duties under this Agreement.  This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other applicable law. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated based on Executive’s Disability, Executive will not receive Severance Benefits or any other severance compensation or benefit, except that, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the Accrued Obligations.

 

6.6                               Change in Control Benefits.  In the event the Company (or any surviving or acquiring corporation) terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined under the Liquidia Technologies, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time by the Company (the “Plan”)), then Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations and, provided that Executive complies with the obligations in Section 6.1(c) of this Agreement (including the requirement to provide an effective Release), Executive shall be eligible to receive the same Severance Benefits as described in Section 6.1(b) and on the same conditions as if Executive had been terminated by the Company without Cause; provided, however, that (a) the Severance Period shall be increased to eighteen (18) months; (b) the bonus set forth in Section 6.1(b)(ii) shall instead equal 50% of Base Salary multiplied by 1.5; and (c) in the event that Executive’s outstanding equity as of the closing of the Change in Control is assumed or continued (in accordance with its terms) by the surviving entity in a Change in Control, then 100% of the unvested portion of such equity shall become vested.

 

6.7                               Cooperation With Company After Termination of Employment.  Following termination of Executive’s employment for any reason and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, Executive agrees to cooperate (a) with the Company in (i) the defense of any legal matter involving any matter that arose during Executive’s employment with the Company, and (ii) all matters relating to the winding up of Executive’s pending work and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to such other employees as may be designated by the Company; and (b) with all government authorities on matters pertaining to any investigation, litigation or administrative proceeding pertaining to the Company.  The Company will reimburse Executive for any reasonable travel and out of pocket expenses incurred by Executive in providing such cooperation.  The Company will also pay Executive a per diem amount equal to Executive’s Base Salary as of the date of termination divided by two hundred and thirty (230) for each day or partial day that Executive devotes to fulfilling his obligation to cooperate under this Section 6.7, unless Executive is then receiving continued payment of his Base Salary under 6.1(b)(ii), above.   Following termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and in the event of a failure by Executive (following reasonable efforts by the Company to secure his voluntary cooperation) to resign from any position as officer or director of the Company, with such resignation to be effective no later than the date of Executive’s termination date (or such other date as requested by the Board), the Company is hereby irrevocably authorized to appoint its then-current Chief Executive Officer to act in Executive’s name and on his behalf to execute any documents and to

 

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do all things reasonably necessary to effect such resignation.  Further, Executive shall not, at any time after termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, represent himself as being an agent or representative of the Company, unless expressly authorized in a written agreement executed by an authorized officer of the Company.

 

6.8                               Application of Section 409A.

 

(a)                                 It is intended that all of the severance payments payable under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively, “Section 409A”) provided under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A.  If not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms.

 

(b)                                 The preceding provisions shall not be construed as a guarantee by the Company of any particular tax effect to Executive under this Agreement. In the event that the terms of this Agreement would subject Executive to any additional tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A (the “409A Penalties”), the Company and Executive shall cooperate in good faith to amend the terms of this Agreement to avoid such 409A Penalties, if possible.  The Company shall not be liable to Executive for any payment made under this Agreement which is determined to result in an additional tax, penalty or interest under Section 409A, nor for reporting in good faith any payment as an amount includible in gross income under Section 409A.

 

(c)                                  No severance payments will be made under this Agreement unless Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)).

 

(d)                                 For purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments or otherwise) shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

 

(e)                                  If the Company determines that the severance benefits provided under this Agreement constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and if Executive is a “specified employee” of the Company, as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the Severance Benefits will be delayed as follows: on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after Executive’s Separation from Service, and (ii) the date of Executive’s death (such earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”), the Company will (1) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Severance Benefits that Executive would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payment of the Severance Benefits had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 6.8, and (2) commence paying the balance of the Severance Benefits in accordance with the applicable

 

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payment schedule set forth in Section 6.1. No interest shall be due on any amounts deferred pursuant to this Section 6.8.

 

6.9                               Parachute Payments.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment or distribution to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”) would be nondeductible by the Company for Federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Code, the Company shall reduce the aggregate present value of the Payments under this Agreement to the Reduced Amount (as defined below) if, and only if, reducing the Payments under this Agreement will provide Executive with a greater net after-tax amount than would be the case if no such reduction was made, taking into account the applicable federal, state, local and foreign income, employment and other taxes, including the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code.  If a reduction in the Payments is necessary, such reduction shall occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (4) reduction of other benefits paid to Executive. Within any such category of payments and benefits (that is, clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this Section 6.9(a)), a reduction shall occur first with respect to amounts that are not “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and then with respect to amounts that are.  The “Reduced Amount” shall be an amount expressed in present value that maximizes the aggregate present value of Payments under this Agreement without causing any Payment to be nondeductible by the Company because of Section 280G of the Code.

 

(b)                                 All determinations to be made under this Section 6.9 shall be made at the Company’s expense by a firm of certified public accountants of national standing selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”) which may be the firm regularly auditing the financial statements of the Company.  The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents as the Accounting Firm may reasonably require in order to make a determination under this Section.  To the extent requested by Executive, the Company shall cooperate with Executive in good faith in valuing, and the Accounting Firm shall value, services to be provided by Executive (including refraining from performing services pursuant to a covenant not to compete) before, on or after the date of the transaction which cause the application of Section 280G of the Code such that payments in respect of such services may be considered to be “reasonable compensation” within the meaning of the regulations under Section 280G of the Code.  In making its determinations hereunder, the Accounting Firm shall apply reasonable, good faith interpretations regarding the applicability of Section 280G and Section 4999, along with any other applicable portions of the Code or other tax laws.  The Accounting Firm shall make all determinations required to be made under this Section and shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the Company and Executive within 30 days after the Termination Date or such earlier time as is requested by the Company, and provide an opinion to Executive that he or she has substantial authority not to report any excise tax on his or her Federal income tax return with respect to any Payments.  Any such determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.  Subject to Sections 6.1(c) and 6.9, within five business days thereafter, the Company shall pay to or distribute to or for the benefit of Executive such amounts as are then due to Executive under this Agreement.

 

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(c)                                  As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 280G of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm or the Company hereunder, it is possible that Payments, as the case may be, will have been made by the Company which should not have been made (“Overpayment”) or that additional Payments, as the case may be, which will not have been made by the Company could have been made (“Underpayment”), in each case, consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against Executive which the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of success determines that an Overpayment has been made, promptly on notice and demand Executive shall repay to the Company any such Overpayment paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive together with interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code; provided, however, that no such amount shall be payable by Executive to the Company if and to the extent such payment would not either reduce the amount on which Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or generate a refund of such taxes. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

 

7.                                      GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

7.1                               Notices.  Any notices required hereunder to be in writing shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the Party to be notified, (b) when sent by electronic mail or confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.  All communications shall be sent to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at Executive’s address as listed on the Company payroll, or at such other address as the Company or Executive may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other.

 

7.2                               Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.

 

7.3                               Survival.  Provisions of this Agreement which by their terms must survive the termination of this Agreement in order to effectuate the intent of the Parties will survive any such termination, whether by expiration of the term, termination of Executive’s employment, or otherwise, for such period as may be appropriate under the circumstances.

 

7.4                               Waiver.  If either Party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, it shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.

 

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7.5          Complete Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter and supersedes any prior oral discussions or written communications and agreements, including the Prior Agreement.  This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein, and it cannot be modified or amended except in writing signed by Executive and an authorized officer of the Company, subject to the approval of the Board, its compensation committee or (if necessary) the stockholders of the Company.  The Parties have entered into a separate Confidential Information Agreement and have entered or may enter into separate agreements related to equity.  These separate agreements govern other aspects of the relationship between the Parties, have or may have provisions that survive termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, may be amended or superseded by the Parties without regard to this Agreement and are enforceable according to their terms without regard to the enforcement provision of this Agreement.

 

7.6          Headings.  The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.

 

7.7          Successors and Assigns.  The Company shall assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any company or other entity with or into which the Company may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Company may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said Company or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Company hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a Party, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder.  Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder, other than to Executive’s estate upon death.

 

7.8          Withholding.  All amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to applicable tax withholding.

 

7.9          Choice of Law.  This Agreement in all respects shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, both procedural and substantive, without regard to conflicts of law, except to the extent that federal laws and regulations preempt otherwise applicable law.

 

7.10        Mandatory Mediation.   Prior to and as a condition of either Party’s filing suit in state or federal court, the Parties shall engage in a mediated settlement conference in accordance with the North Carolina Superior Court Rules Implementing Statewide Mediation.  The Parties shall mediate in good faith until settlement is reached or an impasse is declared by the mediator.

 

7.11        Jurisdiction.  Each Party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court located in Wake County, North Carolina, or any state court located within such state, in respect of any claim relating to this Agreement or Executive’s employment with the Company, and hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding in which any such claim is made that said Party is not subject thereto or that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such courts or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate or that this Agreement may not be enforced in or

 

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by such courts.  Any appellate proceedings shall take place in the appropriate courts having appellate jurisdiction over the courts set forth in this Section.

 

7.12        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one Party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.  Facsimile signatures and signatures transmitted by PDF shall be equivalent to original signatures.

 

[SIGNATURES TO FOLLOW ON NEXT PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.

 

	
 
    	
LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Dr. Seth Rudnick
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Dr. Seth Rudnick
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Chairman of the Board
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Executive:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Neal Fowler
    
	
 
    	
Neal   Fowler
    

 

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Exhibit A

 

CONFIDENTIALITY, INVENTIONS AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

 

A-1

 

 

CONFIDENTIALITY, INVENTIONS AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

 

THIS CONFIDENTIALITY, INVENTIONS AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is effective as of DATE (the “Effective Date”) by and between NAME (hereinafter “Employee”) and Liquidia Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”).

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

 

The Employee desires to be employed by the Company, and the Company is willing to employ Employee strictly subject to Employee’s agreement to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

 

IN CONSIDERATION of the Company’s employment of the Employee and the compensation and other benefits that the Company may provide to Employee as an employee, the Employee, intending to be legally bound, agrees to the following:

 

1.                                      For purposes of this Agreement, “Proprietary Information” is information (whether in written or other form or whether or not patentable or protectable by copyright, trade secret, trade dress, trademark, or the like) that: (i) has been created, invented, discovered, or developed by the Employee in connection with the Employee’s employment by the Company; (ii) is non-public and has been disclosed, furnished, or communicated to the Employee in connection with the Employee’s employment by the Company; or (iii) is non-public and the unauthorized disclosure of which could be detrimental to the interests of the Company.  Proprietary Information includes, but is not limited to, all inventions, works of authorship, trade secrets, know how, proprietary or confidential information, including, but not limited to, research, product or business plans, products, services, projects, proposals, processes, formulas, ideas, data, compositions, technology, computer programs and related source code and object code, developments, designs, drawings, marketing information and plans, customer lists, budgets, projections, partners, cost analyses, acquisition candidates, relevant parts of analysis, reviews, compilations, studies or other records and documents, and other information owned by the Company, disclosed to the Employee, or to which the Employee has been provided access or gains access, either directly or indirectly, by any means.  Proprietary Information does not include information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Employee or by any other person or entity that is under a confidentiality obligation to Company with respect to such information.

 

2.                                      Nondisclosure of Proprietary Information.

 

2.1                   The Employee acknowledges and agrees that Proprietary Information is the sole property of the Company or its designee and that the Employee shall have no right,

 

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title, license, or interest in or to any Proprietary Information.  During and after the Employee’s employment by the Company, the Employee shall keep in the strictest confidence and trust all Proprietary Information and shall not directly or indirectly disclose, distribute, copy, supply, or use, in whole or in part, any Proprietary Information except as approved in advance in writing by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that, at all such times, the Employee is free (i) to use information which was known to the Employee prior to employment with the Company or which is generally known in the trade or industry through no breach of this Agreement or other act or omission by the Employee, (ii) to discuss the terms of the Employee’s employment, wages and working conditions to the extent expressly protected by applicable law, (iii) to report possible violations of federal securities laws to the appropriate government enforcing agency and make such other disclosures that are expressly protected under such laws, (iv) to respond to inquiries from, or otherwise cooperate with, any governmental or regulatory investigation, or (v) to testify truthfully as compelled by lawful process or subpoena related to such testimony after the Employee has provided advance written notice of said subpoena to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and reasonably cooperates with the Company in any process to oppose said subpoena.

 

2.2                               The Employee shall not use or disclose to the Company, or assist in the disclosure to the Company of, proprietary or confidential information belonging to any third parties, including any prior employer(s).

 

2.3                               The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company has received and in the future may receive from third parties, including, but not limited to, potential collaborating partners or customers of the Company, confidential or proprietary information (“Third Party Information”) subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes.  During the term of the Employee’s employment with the Company and thereafter, the Employee will hold Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than Company personnel or the Company’s designee who need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company or such third party) or use Third Party Information, except in connection with the Employee’s work for the Company or such third party, unless expressly approved in advance in writing by the Company.  The Employee further agrees to be bound by and subject to any confidentiality or nondisclosure agreements or clauses with respect to such Third Party Information between the Company and any such third party.

 

2.4                               Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Employee acknowledges that the Employee will not have criminal or civil liability under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (a) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (b) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. In addition, if the Employee files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Employee may

 

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disclose the trade secret to the Employee’s attorney and may use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the Employee (x) files any document containing the trade secret under seal and (y) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

3.                                      Upon the earliest to occur of (i) termination of the Employee’s employment by the Company for any reason, (ii) termination of the Employee’s access to Proprietary Information, or (iii) the request of the Company, the Employee shall return to the Company (and will not keep in Employee’s possession or control or deliver to anyone else) all materials belonging to the Company, whether kept at the Employee’s business office, personal residence or otherwise, including, but not limited to, all materials containing or relating to any Proprietary Information in any written, tangible, electronic or other form that the Employee may have in Employee’s possession or control, and any and all mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, pagers, computer and other electronic devices and credit cards.  After returning the materials and equipment described in the preceding sentence to the Company, the Employee shall not retain any copies of any such materials.

 

4.                                      Ownership of Proprietary Information.

 

4.1                               All Proprietary Information and other information, which by its nature is proprietary to the Company, relating to the Company’s business or the Company’s anticipated business, or based on, derived from or relating to any Proprietary Information (collectively, Proprietary Information and “Work Product”) shall be the sole property of the Company.  The Employee agrees that all Proprietary Information and Work Product created, conceived, reduced to practice, made or otherwise developed by the Employee, solely or jointly, during and in any way related to the Employee’s employment, shall be the exclusive property of the Company and/or its designees or assignees, and shall be deemed “works made for hire,” as that term is defined in Section 101 of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended.

 

4.2                               If, for any reason, any Proprietary Information and Work Product does not qualify as works made for hire, the Employee shall assign and does hereby irrevocably, unconditionally, and without encumbrance of any kind assign to the Company, and forever waives and agrees never to assert, all right, title, and interest, including without limitation, all patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) rights, in and to such Proprietary Information and Work Product.  The Employee shall assist the Company, or its designee, in every proper way to secure the Company’s rights in the Proprietary Information and Work Product and any Intellectual Property rights relating thereto in any and all countries, including (i) the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, (ii) the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments which the Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company or its designee the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to the Proprietary Information and Work Product, and (iii) the defense of any claim, demand, action, litigation, suit, or other proceeding,

 

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including, but not limited to, interference, cancellation, opposition, or other proceedings in respect of such applications or any registrations or patents issuing therefrom.  The Employee shall continue such assistance after the termination of the Employee’s employment by the Company.

 

4.3                               During the Employee’s employment by the Company, the Employee shall report promptly to the Company all Proprietary Information and Work Product created, conceived, reduced to practice, or otherwise developed by the Employee, solely or jointly.

 

4.4                               If the Company is unable because of the Employee’s mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason to secure the Employee’s signature to apply for or to secure protection of any Proprietary Information and Work Product, then the Employee hereby designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as its agents and attorneys-in-fact to execute and file any certificates, applications or documents and to do all of their lawful acts necessary to perfect and protect the Company’s rights in the Proprietary Information and Work Product.  The Employee expressly acknowledges that the foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest and is therefore irrevocable and shall survive the Employee’s death or incompetency and the termination of the Employee’s employment or engagement by the Company.

 

4.5                               The Employee hereby represents and warrants that the Employee has fully disclosed to the Company on Schedule A attached hereto any idea, invention, discovery or process relating to the Company’s business which, prior to the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Employee conceived, reduced to practice, or developed, individually or jointly, and is to be excluded from the scope of this Agreement.

 

4.6                               Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the obligation of the Employee to assign or offer to assign the Employee’s rights in an invention to the Company shall not extend or apply to an invention that the undersigned developed (i) entirely on the Employee’s own time; (ii) without using Company equipment, supplies, facilities, or other resources, Proprietary Information or trade secret information unless such invention (a) relates to the Company’s business or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (b) results from any work performed by the Employee for the Company.  The Employee shall bear the burden of proof in establishing that the Employee’s invention qualifies for exclusion under this Section 4.6.

 

5.                                      Covenant Not To Compete.

 

5.1                               For purposes of Part 5 of this Agreement, including each of its subparts, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

a.                                      “Competing Business” shall mean any corporation, partnership, person, or other entity that is researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing, or selling any product, service, or technology that is competitive with any part of the Company’s Business.

 

A-5

 

b.                                      The “Company’s Business” shall mean the development, manufacture, marketing, distribution, or sale of, including research directed to, any product, service, or technology that the Company is developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing, or selling or to which the Company directed research at any time during Employee’s employment with the Company.  As of the date of this Agreement, the Company’s Business includes, but is not limited to, research directed to and the development, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and/or sale of: (i) isolated size and/or shape controlled pharmaceutical or therapeutic particles fabricated from a mold, including products of or containing the isolated size and/or shape controlled pharmaceutical or therapeutic particles fabricated from a mold; (ii) size and/or shape controllable pharmaceutical or therapeutic particles molded using a polymer or low surface energy mold; (iii) film based products of or containing arrays of size and/or shape controlled structures molded from a low surface energy mold; (iv) isolated nano or micro size and/or shape controlled particles fabricated from a mold, including products of or containing the isolated size and/or shape controlled particles fabricated from a mold; (v) nano or micro size and/or shape controllable particles molded using a polymer or low surface energy mold; or (vi) patterned drum fabrication and mold for manufacturing the products of (i)-(v) above.  The Employee understands that during the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Company’s Business may expand or change, and the Employee agrees that any such expansions or changes shall expand or contract the definition of the Company’s Business and the Employee’s obligations under this Agreement accordingly.

 

c.                                       “Territory” shall mean the following severable geographic areas:  (i) the world, (ii) any country in which the Company or a Competing Business is engaged in business, (iii) any country in which the Company is engaged in business, (iv) the United States, Europe, and Asia, (v) the United States, (vi) any state, including the District of Columbia, in which the Company or a Competing Business is engaged in business, (vii) any state, including the District of Columbia, in which the Company is engaged in business, (viii) North Carolina, (ix) a one hundred mile radius of the Employee’s principal place of employment or work for the Company, or (x) a one hundred mile radius of the Company’s corporate headquarters.

 

5.2                               It is recognized and understood by the Employee that, through the Employee’s association with the Company, the Employee shall: (i) have access to trade secrets and confidential information of the Company, including, but not limited to, valuable information about its intellectual property, business operations and methods, and the persons with which it does business in various locations throughout the world, that is not generally known to or readily ascertainable by the Company’s competitors, (ii) develop relationships with the Company’s customers and others with which the Company does business, and these relationships are among the Company’s most important assets, (iii) receive specialized knowledge of and specialized training in the Company’s Business, and (iv) gain such knowledge of the Company’s Business that, during the course of the Employee’s employment with the Company and for a period of one year following the termination thereof, the Employee could not perform services for a Competing Business

 

A-6

 

without inevitably disclosing the Company’s trade secrets and Proprietary Information to that Competing Business.

 

5.3                               While employed by the Company, the Employee will not, without the express written consent of an authorized representative of the Company:  (i) perform services (as an employee, independent contractor, officer, director, or otherwise) for any Competing Business, (ii) engage in any activities (or assist others to engage in any activities) that compete with the Company’s Business, (iii) own or beneficially own an equity interest in a Competing Business, (iv) request, induce, or solicit (or assist others to request, induce, or solicit) any existing or prospective customers, suppliers, business partners, or contractors of the Company to curtail or cancel their business with the Company or to do business within the scope of the Company’s Business with a Competing Business, or (v) request, induce, or solicit (or assist others to request, induce, or solicit) any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company.

 

5.4                               For a period of one year following the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Employee will not, without the express written consent of an authorized representative of the Company:  (i) perform services (as an employee, independent contractor, officer, director, or otherwise), within the Territory for any Competing Business, that are the same or substantially similar to any services that the Employee performed for the Company or that otherwise utilize skills, knowledge, and/or business contacts and/or relationships that the Employee developed while providing services to the Company, (ii) engage in any activities (or assist others to engage in any activities) within the Territory that compete with the Company’s Business, (iii) own or beneficially own an equity interest in a Competing Business, (iv) request, induce, or solicit (or assist others to request, induce, or solicit) any existing customer or any prospective customers to whom the Company has made a written proposal (“Prospective Customers”), suppliers, business partners, or contractors of the Company, during the last year of the Employee’s employment with the Company, to curtail or cancel their business with the Company or to do business within the scope of the Company’s Business with a Competing Business, (v) request, induce, or solicit (or assist others to request, induce, or solicit) any existing customer or Prospective Customers, suppliers, business partners, or contractors of the Company with which the Employee worked or had business contact during the last year of the Employee’s employment with the Company to curtail or cancel their business with the Company or to do business within the scope of the Company’s Business with a Competing Business, or (vi) request, induce, or solicit (or assist others to request, induce, or solicit) any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company.  Where a Competing Business is a large enterprise with separately operated business units, the restrictions in Section 5.4(i) shall not apply to any such business unit that has no involvement in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, distribution, or sale of a product, service, or technology that is competitive with any part of the Company’s Business; provided, however, that this sentence does not apply to any employees in a scientific role or whose role involves the research, development or maintenance of the Company’s trade secrets.  These obligations will continue for the specified period regardless of whether the termination of the Employee’s

 

A-7

 

employment was voluntary or involuntary or with or without cause, and the specified period shall be tolled and shall not run during any time in which the Employee fails to abide by this obligations.

 

5.5                               The Employee shall not at any time following the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company use the name or trading style of the Company in any country, or use in any country any name or trading style which is the same as or similar to any of the trade or service marks of the Company or any brand name or proposed brand name of any of the Company’s products or proposed products, or represent himself or herself as carrying on or continuing or being connected with the Company or its business for any purpose whatsoever unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing.

 

5.6                               While employed by the Company, the Employee shall disclose to the audit committee of the Company the Employee’s interest in respect of any contract or arrangement in which the Employee has any personal material interest, directly or indirectly, or any conflicts of interest (including the conflict of interest that may arise from the Employee’s directorship(s) or executive position or personal investments in any corporation(s)) that may involve the Employee. Upon such disclosure, the Employee shall abstain from voting in respect of any such contract, arrangement, proposal, transaction, or matter in which the conflict of interest arises, unless and until the audit committee has determined that no such conflict of interest exists.

 

5.7                               As an exception to the restrictions set forth in Parts 5.3 and 5.4 herein, the Employee may own passive investments in a Competing Businesses, (including, but not limited to, indirect investments through mutual funds), provided that the securities of the Competing Business are publicly traded and the Employee does not own or control more than two percent of the outstanding voting rights or equity of the Competing Business.

 

5.8                               In the event that a court determines that the length of time, the geographic area, or the activities prohibited under this Agreement are too restrictive to be enforceable, the Court may reduce the scope of the restriction to the extent necessary to make the restriction enforceable.

 

5.9                                The market for the Company’s services and the Company’s Business is highly specialized and highly competitive such that other companies and business entities compete with the Company in various locations throughout the world.  The provisions set forth in this Agreement: (i) are reasonably necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, (ii) are reasonable as to the time, territory, and scope of activities that are restricted, (iii) do not interfere with the Employee’s ability to earn a comparable living or secure employment in the field of the Employee’s choice, (iv) do not interfere and are not inconsistent with public policy or the public interest, and (v) are described with sufficient accuracy and definiteness to enable the Employee to understand the scope of the restrictions on the Employee.

 

A-8

 

5.10                         Because of the unique nature of the Proprietary Information, the Employee understands and agrees that the Company will suffer irreparable harm in the event that the Employee fails to comply with any of the Employee’s obligations under this Agreement and that monetary damages will be inadequate to compensate the Company for such breach.  Accordingly, the Employee agrees that the Company will, in addition to any other remedies available to it at law or in equity, be entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

 

6.                                       The Employee hereby authorizes the Company to provide a copy of this Agreement, including any exhibits hereto, to any and all of the Employee’s future employers and to notify any and all such future employers that the Company intends to exercise its legal rights arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and/or any breach or any inducement of a breach hereof.

 

7.                                      The Employee agrees that, during the term of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Employee will not: (i) engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting, or other business activity that conflicts with the Employee’s obligations to the Company, or (ii) engage in any other activities that conflict with the Employee’s obligations to the Company.

 

8.                                      Debarment Certification

 

8.1                               The Employee represents and promises that Employee:

 

(a)         is not presently, and during the Employee’s employment will not be, debarred or convicted for a crime for which Employee can be debarred under the Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1992 (21USC335a)(the “Act”); and

 

(b)         is not presently, and during the Employee’s employment will not be, indicted or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity (Federal or State) with commission of the kinds of conduct for which Employee can be debarred under the Act; and

 

(c)          will not employ or otherwise engage any individual who has been (i) debarred or (ii) convicted of a crime for which a person can be debarred under the Act, in any capacity in connection with the activities of developing or reporting data which may become part of an application for approval of a drug or biologic.

 

8.2                               The Employee promises that, during the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Employee will promptly notify the Company upon learning of or having a belief that the Employee cannot satisfy the obligations of Section 8.1 above.

 

A-9

 

9.                                      The Employee agrees that this Agreement shall be enforced, construed and interpreted under the law of the state of North Carolina, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.  The state and federal courts in North Carolina shall be the exclusive venues for the adjudication of all disputes arising out of this Agreement, and the Employee consents to the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the Employee in any such adjudication and hereby waives any and all objections and defenses to the exercise of such personal jurisdiction.

 

10.                               The Employee agrees that:  (i) the Employee’s employment relationship with the Company is “at-will,” which means that either the Employee or the Company can terminate the relationship at any time for any reason or no reason, with or without notice, unless the Employee and the Company are parties to a contract that expressly provides a fixed term of employment, (ii) the Employee’s employment relationship with the Company is contingent upon the Employee’s execution of this Agreement, which is a material inducement to the Company to offer the employment relationship to the Employee and to provide Proprietary Information to the Employee, and (iii) this Agreement shall survive any termination for any reason whatsoever of the Employee’s employment relationship with the Company.

 

11.                               The Employee agrees that the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision or of any other provision in the Agreement.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be enforceable, notwithstanding the existence of any breach of this Agreement by the Company or of any claim by the Employee against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise.

 

12.                               This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporary agreements or understandings, whether written or oral, with respect thereto, provided, however, prior to the execution of this Agreement, if Company and the Employee were parties to any agreement regarding the subject matter hereof, that agreement will be superseded by this Agreement prospectively only.  This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by both parties.

 

13.                               The Employee agrees that this Agreement is assignable by the Company at the Company’s discretion and the Employee authorizes the Company’s successors and assigns to enforce this Agreement for their respective benefits.

 

14.                               The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement and each other provision of this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

15.                               The Employee agrees that a breach of any provision(s) of this Agreement will toll the running of the limitation period with respect to such provision(s) for as long as such breach occurs.

 

A-10

 

16.                               The Employee agrees and acknowledges that the Company’s agreement to employ the Employee, in and of itself, is sufficient and adequate consideration for the Employee’s promises and obligations hereunder, and that the compensation and other benefits that the Company provides the Employee during the course of the Employee’s employment are, independently and collectively, sufficient and adequate consideration for the Employee’s promises and obligations hereunder.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Employee has executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date set forth above.

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

 

	
By:
    	
 
    	
(s)
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
Title:   
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(s)
    
	
NAME
    	
 
    

 

A-11

 

SCHEDULE A

 

The following items are inventions, ideas, computer software programs or other equipment or technology not covered by Section 4 of this Agreement, which the undersigned conceived of or developed, wholly or in part, prior to the Employee’s employment or engagement with the Company and shall be excluded from the scope of this Agreement.

 

If the undersigned has no such items to disclose, write “NONE” on this line:                  .

 

Description of Items:  (if applicable)

 

	
Title on Document
    	
 
    	
Date on Document
    	
 
    	
Name of Witness
   on Document
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

LIQUIDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:   
    	
 
    	
NAME
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Dated:
    	
 
    
					

 

A-12

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