Document:

Exhibit 10.13

 

	
CONFIDENTIAL
    	
 
    	
Execution Version
    

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

	
DATE: OCTOBER 26, 2015
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
NOVATION   AGREEMENT
    
	
 
    
	

   Among
    
    ALMIRALL, S.A.
    
    ALLERGAN PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    
    IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 
    

 

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

THIS NOVATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made on the 26th day of October 2015

 

BETWEEN:

 

(1)                                          ALMIRALL, S.A., a Spanish company, whose registered office is at Ronda General Mitre, 151, 08022 Barcelona, Spain (the “Transferor”);

 

(2)                                          IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware company, whose registered office is at 301 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA (the “Licensor”); and

 

(3)                                          ALLERGAN PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL LTD., a company registered in Ireland, whose registered office is at Clonshaugh Business & Technology Park, Coolock, Dublin, D17 E400, Ireland (the “Transferee”)

 

(together the “Parties” and each a “Party”).

 

RECITALS

 

(A)                                        The Transferor and the Licensor are parties to the Transferred Contracts (defined below).

 

(B)                                        The Transferor and the Transferee are parties to the Main Agreement (defined below).

 

(C)                                        Each of the Parties is willing to agree that the Transferee will assume certain of the Transferor’s liabilities and obligations, and enjoy certain of the Transferor’s rights and benefits, under the Transferred Contracts in place of and to the exclusion of the Transferor, in each case, as of the Effective Time and on the other terms set forth in and subject to this Agreement.

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.                                               INTERPRETATION

 

1.1                                        Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning given to them in the License Agreement. In this Agreement, including the recitals, the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:

 

“Effective Time” means the date of this Agreement first above written.

 

“Liabilities and Obligations” means all liabilities and obligations (and all claims arising from them) whatsoever, whenever and howsoever arising in connection with the performance or non-performance of a Transferred Contract or Retained Contract, as applicable, including all indemnification obligations pursuant to a Transferred Contract or Retained Contract, as applicable (in each case whether known or unknown, performed or unperformed, discharged or undischarged, actual, accrued, future, contingent, or prospective, and whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise).

 

“License Agreement” means the License Agreement dated April 30, 2009 between the Transferor and the Licensor regarding the Product and Licensed Compound, as amended or supplemented by (a) [**], (b) [**], (c) [**], (d) [**], (e) an Amendment dated June 11, 2013 between the Transferor and the Licensor, (f) [**], (g) [**] and (h) an Amendment dated February 26, 2014 between the Transferor and the Licensor.

 

1

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

“Main Agreement” means that certain Agreement relating to Linaclotide between the Transferor and the Transferee dated as of October 26, 2015 pursuant to which Transferor and Transferee have agreed to transfer substantially all rights relating to Linaclotide from Transferor to Transferee, including the Transferred Contracts as set forth in this Agreement.

 

“Manufacturing and Supply Agreement” means the Manufacturing and Supply Agreement dated April 13, 2010 between the Transferor and the Licensor, as amended by an Amendment dated July 1, 2013 between the Transferor and the Licensor.

 

“Pharmacovigilance Agreement” means the Pharmacovigilance Agreement dated September 30, 2010 between the Transferor and the Licensor, as amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Pharmacovigilance Agreement dated June 11, 2014 between the Transferor and the Licensor.

 

“Quality Agreements” means (a) the Quality Agreement dated August 7, 2009 between the Transferor and the Licensor, and (b) the Quality Agreement dated May 7, 2014 between the Transferor and the Licensor.

 

“Retained Contracts” means [**].

 

“Rights” means all rights and benefits (and all claims arising from them) whatsoever, whenever and howsoever arising in connection with the performance or non-performance of a Transferred Contract or Retained Contract, as applicable, including all indemnification rights pursuant to a Transferred Contract or Retained Contract, as applicable (in each case whether known or unknown, actual, accrued, future, contingent or prospective, and whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise).

 

“[**]” means [**].

 

“Transferred Contracts” means each of (a) the License Agreement [**].  For the avoidance of doubt, the Transferred Contracts will not include any Retained Contract.

 

1.2                                        Headings are used in this Agreement for convenience only and shall not affect its interpretation.

 

1.3                                        In this Agreement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references to clauses, sub-clauses and schedules are, respectively, to clauses, sub-clauses and schedules in or to this Agreement.

 

1.4                                        Unless the context otherwise requires, words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and references to any gender shall include all other genders.  References to any person include bodies corporate, unincorporated associations, partnerships, governments, governmental agencies and departments, statutory bodies or other entities, in each case whether or not having a separate legal personality.

 

1.5                                        In this Agreement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references to the word “including” will be construed as “including without limitation.”

 

2.                                               NOVATION OF TRANSFERRED CONTRACTS

 

2.1                                        With effect on and after the Effective Time:

 

2

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

2.1.1                              the Licensor shall release the Transferor from the observance, performance and discharge of the Liabilities and Obligations arising from performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts by or on behalf of Transferee on and after the Effective Time (the “Post-Effective Time Liabilities and Obligations”);

 

2.1.2                              the Transferee shall be entitled to the Rights arising from the Transferred Contracts on and after the Effective Time that would have been Rights of Transferor in the absence of this Agreement (the “Post-Effective Time Rights”) and in place of and to the exclusion of the Transferor;

 

2.1.3                              the Transferee undertakes and covenants as a separate obligation with each of the Transferor and the Licensor to assume, observe, perform, discharge and be bound by the Post-Effective Time Liabilities and Obligations arising from the performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts in place of and to the exclusion of the Transferor;

 

2.1.4                              each of the Licensor and the Transferor accepts the observance, performance and discharge of the Post-Effective Time Liabilities and Obligations arising from the performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts and the acceptance of the Post-Effective Time Rights by the Transferee in place of and to the exclusion of the Transferor;

 

2.1.5                              each of the Licensor and Transferor hereby releases the Transferee from the observance, performance and discharge of the Liabilities and Obligations arising from performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts by or on behalf of Transferor prior to the Effective Time;

 

2.1.6                              Transferor hereby releases Licensor from the observance, performance and discharge of the Liabilities and Obligations arising from performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts by or on behalf of Licensor on or after the Effective Time; and

 

2.1.7                              Transferee hereby releases Licensor from the observance, performance and discharge of the Liabilities and Obligations arising from performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts by or on behalf of Licensor prior to the Effective Time;

 

and the Transferred Contracts shall be read and construed accordingly. As of and following the Effective Time, the term “Partner,” “Almirall,” or other defined terms referencing the Transferor in the Transferred Contracts will be deemed to refer to the Transferee. For clarity, (a) neither the Licensor nor the Transferor releases the other Party from the observance, performance or discharge of the Liabilities and Obligations (i) that arise from performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts by or on behalf of the other Party prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) that arise from performance or non-performance of the Retained Contracts by or on behalf of the other Party at any time, and (b) Licensor and Transferor shall continue to be entitled to the Rights that arise from (I) the Transferred Contracts prior to the Effective Time, and (II) the Retained Contracts at any time, in the case of (I) and (II), to the exclusion of Transferee.  Further, for clarity, Transferee is not assuming and will not be liable for any Liabilities and Obligations arising from performance or

 

3

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

non-performance of (x) the Transferred Contracts by or on behalf of Transferor prior to the Effective Time or (y) the Retained Contracts by or on behalf of the Transferor or the Licensor at any time.

 

2.2                                        (a) Each of the Licensor and the Transferee severally undertakes and covenants with the Transferor that it shall release the Transferor and not make any claim, counterclaim, demand, action or proceeding (including arbitration) of any nature whatsoever, or seek to enforce any right or interest, against the Transferor, with respect to the Post-Effective Time Liabilities and Obligations, and (b) the Transferor undertakes and covenants with the Licensor that it shall release the Licensor and not make any claim, counterclaim, demand, action or proceeding (including arbitration) of any nature whatsoever, or seek to enforce any right or interest, against the Licensor, with respect to the Liabilities and Obligations arising from performance or non-performance of the Transferred Contracts and/or the exploitation of any Right (including to Technology or other intellectual property) under the Transferred Contracts, in each case, on or after the Effective Time. Transferor undertakes and covenants with the Transferee that it shall release the Transferee and not make any claim, counterclaim, demand, action or proceeding (including arbitration) of any nature whatsoever, or seek to enforce any right or interest, against the Transferee, with respect to the Post-Effective Time Liabilities and Obligations.

 

2.3                                        As of the Effective Time, each of the Transferee and the Licensor makes to the other the representations and warranties set forth in [**] of the License Agreement (with respect to this Agreement and each Transferred Contract).  As of the Effective Time, the Transferee makes to the Licensor the representations and warranties in [**] of the License Agreement, and the Licensor makes to the Transferee the representations and warranties in [**] of the License Agreement.  Each of the Transferee and the Licensor additionally hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the other that it will comply with Applicable Law in connection with exercising its rights and complying with its obligations under the Transferred Contracts from and after the Effective Time.

 

2.4                                        The Licensor and the Transferor each represents and warrants to the Transferee that the documents attached hereto as Exhibit A are true, correct and complete copies of the Transferred Contracts.

 

2.5                                        Clauses 2.1 and 2.2 are subject in all respects to clause 3 below.

 

3.                                               SURVIVAL OF OBLIGATIONS

 

3.1                                        Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 2:

 

3.1.1                              Subject to the remainder of this clause 3.1.1, the Transferor undertakes to the Licensor, and the Licensor undertakes to the Transferor, that it shall observe and perform the duties of confidentiality and non-disclosure it would have owed to the other under the Transferred Contracts on or after the Effective Time in the absence of this Agreement, including pursuant to Section 5.1 (Confidentiality) of the License Agreement. The Transferor and the Licensor may each disclose to the Transferee information in its possession relating to the subject matter of the Transferred Contracts to the extent it is reasonably required by the Transferee in order to exercise the Post-Effective Time Rights or discharge the Post-Effective Time Liabilities and Obligations assumed by the Transferee under clause 2. Additionally, unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the Parties

 

4

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

agree to keep confidential the existence and contents of this Agreement; provided, that the restrictions of this clause 3.1.1 will not prohibit (a) any Party from making any disclosure that is required by applicable law, rule or regulation, or the requirements of a national securities exchange or another similar regulatory body, or (b) the Licensor or Transferee from disclosing the existence and contents of this Agreement to any Third Party supplier, partner or licensee of the Licensed Compound or the Product, subject to the restrictions of Section 5.7 (Communications with other Linaclotide Partners) of the License Agreement and to confidentiality obligations no less restrictive than those set forth in Section 5.1 (Confidentiality) of the License Agreement.

 

3.1.2                              [**] of the License Agreement will continue to apply to [**] for a period of [**].

 

3.1.3                              [**] of the License Agreement will continue to apply to [**] for a period of [**].

 

3.1.4                              [**] of the License Agreement will continue to apply to [**] for a period of [**].

 

3.1.5                              [**] of the License Agreement will continue to apply to [**] so long as the License Agreement remains in effect, and thereafter in accordance with [**] of the License Agreement.

 

3.1.6                              With respect to any Technology or other intellectual property which the Transferor licensed rights to Licensor prior to the Effective Time pursuant to any Transferred Contract, the license of such rights pursuant to such Transferred Contract will remain in effect with respect to the Transferor until ownership of such Technology or other intellectual property (including all rights, title, and interests therein) is transferred to the Transferee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, [**] of the License Agreement will remain in effect with respect to [**] until [**].

 

3.1.7                              For clarity, payment obligations accrued by the Transferor under any Transferred Contract prior to the Effective Time will remain the responsibility of the Transferor, and the Transferor will make such payments directly to the Licensor in accordance with the Transferred Contracts. The Transferor will provide to the Licensor a final report required by Section 4.4 of the License Agreement within 45 days after the end of the Calendar Quarter during which the Effective Time occurs. For the avoidance of doubt, the Transferee shall also have an obligation to provide a report with respect to the period after the Effective Time pursuant to Section 4.4 of the License Agreement at such time.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, [**] of the License Agreement will remain binding and in effect between the Transferor and the Licensor with respect to Transferor’s activities and obligations prior to the Effective Time until [**], and in the case of [**] of the License Agreement, [**] following the Year in which the Effective Time occurs.

 

4.                                               GENERAL

 

4.1                                        Each Party, from time to time on being required to do so by another Party, shall [**] do or procure the doing of all such acts and/or execute or procure the execution of all such documents in such form

 

5

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

                                                         as the Party which has required it may reasonably consider necessary for giving full effect to this Agreement and securing to that Party the full benefit of the rights, powers and remedies conferred upon that Party in this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Transferor will (a) transfer to the Transferee ownership of all Technology and other intellectual property (including all rights, title, and interests therein) with respect to which the Transferor licensed rights to the Licensor prior to the Effective Time pursuant to any Transferred Contract, (b) transfer to the Transferee all Regulatory Submissions, other regulatory filings and related material relating to the Transferred Contracts, and (c) transfer to the Transferee ownership of any other asset, record, and agreement (including all rights, title, and interests therein) held by the Transferor that is reasonably required for the Transferee to assume, observe, perform, discharge and be bound by the Post-Effective Time Liabilities and Obligations, or is otherwise primarily related to the Transferred Contracts.

 

4.2                                        In accordance with Section 10.8 of the License Agreement, Licensor hereby gives its written consent to Transferee to subcontract (but, for clarity, not to sublicense) to Transferor obligations under the License Agreement pursuant to and on the terms set forth in the Transitional Services Agreement between Transferee and Transferor dated October 26, 2015 (the “Transitional Services Agreement”) and the Transitional Toll Manufacturing Agreement between Transferee and Transferor dated October 26, 2015 (the “Transitional Toll Manufacturing Agreement”), true, accurate and complete copies of which (other than for the redaction of the financial terms) have been provided to Licensor prior to the Effective Time. To the extent that the Transferor provides goods or services to, or conducts work on behalf of, the Transferee pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement or Transitional Toll Manufacturing Agreement on or after the Effective Time, and subject to the rights and obligations of Licensor and Transferee under the Transferred Contracts with respect thereto:

 

4.2.1                              Transferee shall ensure that the goods or services provided, or the performance of such work, by Transferor shall be consistent with the Transferred Contracts;

 

4.2.2                              Transferee shall promptly notify Licensor of (a) any claim of breach under the Transitional Services Agreement or Transitional Toll Manufacturing Agreement, (b) the execution of any amendment of the Transitional Services Agreement or Transitional Toll Manufacturing Agreement, or the making of any material changes to the services provided thereunder, whether by amendment or other means (subject to the rights and obligations of Licensor and Transferee under the Transferred Contracts with respect thereto, including, for clarity, delegations pursuant to Section 10.8 of the License Agreement), or (c) any notice of termination of the Transitional Services Agreement or Transitional Toll Manufacturing Agreement prior to the expiration thereof;

 

4.2.3                              the Transferee (and not Licensor) shall be responsible for all of the financial and other obligations for the provision of such goods or services or the performance of such work by Transferor;

 

6

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

4.2.4                              the subcontracted and delegated obligations under this clause 4.2 may not be further subcontracted or delegated to any third party without further compliance with Section 10.8 of the License Agreement with respect to such subcontracting or delegating;

 

4.2.5                              the Transferee shall remain fully responsible to Licensor for the performance of those obligations under the Transferred Contracts which it delegates to Transferor (including the obligations under Section 3.2.1 and Section 3.2.2 of the License Agreement) and Licensor may proceed directly against Transferee for any breach of Transferee’s obligations under the Transferred Contracts that are delegated to Transferor; and

 

4.2.6                              the Transferor will promptly disclose to the Transferee all Technology and other intellectual property conceived or reduced to practice by the Transferor during the provision of such goods or services or the performance of such work, and the Transferor will and hereby does assign to the Transferee all rights, title, and interests in and to all such Technology and other intellectual property.

 

4.3                                        Transferor hereby covenants and agrees it shall not, without Licensor’s prior written consent, [**].

 

4.4                                        (a) Notwithstanding Section 12.5 of the [**], the [**] shall not, as of the Effective Time, [**], and (b) [**] shall not, as of the Effective Time, [**].

 

Notwithstanding Section 10.1 of the [**] and Section 15 of each of the [**], Licensor and Transferor hereby agree that the [**] and [**] shall terminate as of the Effective Time with no further force and effect; provided that Section 10.2 of the [**] shall continue to apply.

 

4.5                                        This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the Parties on separate counterparts.  Each counterpart shall constitute an original of this Agreement but all the counterparts together shall constitute one and the same Agreement and any Party may execute this Agreement by signing any one or more of such counterparts.  Signature pages of this Agreement may be exchanged by email/pdf or other electronic means without affecting the validity thereof.

 

4.6                                        No variation of this Agreement shall be binding on any Party unless and to the extent that it is recorded in a written document executed by that Party.

 

4.7                                        Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer on any third party any right to enforce any term of this Agreement.

 

4.8                                        This Agreement, and any non-contractual rights or obligations arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to any rules of conflict of laws, and the Parties irrevocably agree that any dispute which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement or its subject matter shall be resolved through arbitration in accordance with Sections 10.1.2 and 10.1.3 in the License Agreement, which for purposes hereof are deemed repeated in this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

4.9                                        A notice under this Agreement shall only be effective if it is in writing and delivered personally or sent by courier (reputable express international courier if overseas).

 

7

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

Notice given under this Agreement shall be (a) in writing and in English, and (b) sent to the relevant Party for the attention of the contact and to the address specified below, or such other address, or person as that Party may notify to the other in accordance with the provisions of this clause 4.9.

 

4.9.1                              The addresses for service of notices and communications are:

 

	
(a)
    	
Transferor:
    	
Almirall, S.A.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Ronda General Mitre, 151
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
08022 Barcelona
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Spain
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attention: Head Legal Department
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(b)
    	
Transferee:
    	
Allergan Pharmaceuticals   International Ltd.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Clonshaugh Business &   Technology Park
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Coolock
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Dublin, D17 E400
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Ireland
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attention: Managing Director
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
With a copy to:
    	
Allergan plc
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Morris Corporate Center III
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
400 Interpace Parkway
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Parsippany, NJ 07054
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
United States
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(c)
    	
Licensor:
    	
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
301 Binney Street
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Cambridge, MA 02142
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
United States
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
With a copy to:
    	
Ropes & Gray LLP
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
800 Boylston Street
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Boston, MA 02199
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
United States
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Attention: Marc A. Rubenstein
    

 

A Party may change its details for service of notices as specified in this clause 4.9 by giving notice in writing to the other Parties in accordance with this clause 4.9.

 

This clause 4.9 does not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action or proceedings.

 

4.10                                 Each Party shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and implementation of this Agreement.

 

8

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

4.11                                 This Agreement (together with the Transferred Contracts), embodies all of the understandings and obligations between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersedes, replaces and cancels any and all prior arrangements, agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.  For clarity, the Retained Contracts shall not be superseded, replaced or canceled by the foregoing sentenced.

 

[Balance of Page is Intentionally Blank - Signature Page Follows]

 

9

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

IN WITNESS of which the parties have executed this Agreement on the dates set forth.

 

 

	
ALMIRALL, S.A.
    	
ALLERGAN PHARMACEUTICALS 
   INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/ Eduardo Sanchiz
    	
 
    	
By: 
    	
/s/ Alex Nesbitt
    
	
Name: 
    	
Eduardo Sanchiz
    	
Name: 
    	
Alex Nesbitt
    
	
Title:
    	
Chief Executive Officer
    	
Title:
    	
Director
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
Date:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
IRONWOOD   PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/ Thomas Graney
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name: 
    	
T. Graney
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
CFO
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    
						

 

[Novation Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Transferred Contracts

 

(See attached.)

 

 

[**] = Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

EXHIBIT A

 

TRANSFERRED CONTRACTS

 

License Agreement:

 

1.              License Agreement dated April 30, 2009 between the Transferor and the Licensor regarding the Product and Licensed Compound

 

2.              [**]

 

3.              [**]

 

4.              [**]

 

5.              [**]

 

6.              [**]

 

7.              [**]

 

8.              Amendment to the License Agreement dated June 11, 2013 between the Transferor and the Licensor

 

9.              [**]

 

10.       [**]

 

11.       Amendment to the License Agreement dated February 26, 2014 between the Transferor and the Licensor

 

[**]

 

12.       [**]

 

13.       [**]ex10-1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is signed on the 16th day of February, 2016, effective as of the 1st day of July, 2016, by and between Epsilor-Electric Fuel Ltd., an Israeli corporation (“Epsilor”), Arotech Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Arotech” and, together with Epsilor, the “Company”) and Mr. Steven Esses (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Executive has worked for the Company since October 2002; and

 

WHEREAS, Epsilor and the Executive entered into an Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2008, January 1, 2012 and (with Arotech) May 1, 2013 and October 1, 2014 (the “Original Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive now wish to extend the Executive’s employment and to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of the parties contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.           Term.

 

The term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be for the period commencing July 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2018 (the “Term”). No later than 180 days prior to the end of the Term, each of the Company and the Executive will advise the other of whether it desires that this Agreement be extended or immediately succeeded by a new substantially similar employment agreement; the failure of a party to send a notice within this time period shall be deemed to be notice by that party of its intent not to extend or renew. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the relationship between the parties hereto retroactively as if this Agreement were signed on the commencement of the Term.

 

2.           Employment.

 

	
(a)

	
The Executive shall be employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive shall perform the duties, undertake the responsibilities and exercise the authority customarily performed, undertaken and exercised by persons situated in a similar executive capacity in Israeli subsidiaries of publicly-held corporations. The Executive shall exercise his authority in a reasonable manner and shall report to the Board of Directors of Arotech (the “Board).

 

	
(b)

	
Excluding periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive shall be entitled, the Executive agrees to devote the attention and time to the businesses and affairs of the Company required to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder. The Company acknowledges that the Executive is a director of multiple non-profit organizations. In addition, the Company acknowledges that the Executive is involved in certain investment activities which, together with the above mentioned positions, will consume a portion of his time. The Company consents to these other positions and activities so long as these do not interfere in any material manner with the Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder and do not constitute a violation of Section 8 hereof.

 

 

 

-1-

 

 

 

	
(c)

	
While the Executive is employed by the Company hereunder, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Executive to be elected to the Board and on the board of directors of such of the Company’s affiliates as the Board shall determine, as a member of such Board(s).

 

	
(d)

	
The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain, and to keep in place at all times that the Executive is a director or officer of the Company, a directors and officers liability policy covering the Executive in an amount and otherwise containing terms and conditions consistent with past practices.

 

	
(e)

	
The Executive agrees to serve on the Board and on the board of directors of such affiliates of the Company as the Board may request.

 

	
(f)

	
The Executive shall be required to travel on a periodic basis. Air travel shall be business class. The Executive shall have an additional travel allowance of up to $5,000 per year to cover the additional expenses of family members of the Executive traveling with him. Any amounts not used in a given year shall roll over to future years, but amounts unused at notice of termination of this Agreement shall expire.

 

3.           Base Salary, Bonus and Financial Planning Allowance.

 

	
(a)

	
Base Salary. The Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, for his services to the Company during the Term, a base salary (the “Base Salary”) to be paid by Epsilor at the rate of NIS 150,000 per month. On each March 31 subsequent to the effective date of this Agreement, the Base Salary shall be adjusted upward in an amount equal to the official anticipated net Israeli inflation rate as published by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics in the month of December immediately preceding such anniversary, in each case retroactive to the January 1 prior to such anniversary (except the first such adjustment, if any, shall be retroactive to the effective date of this Agreement), but in no event shall such upward adjustment be in amount of less than 3.5% (the “CPI Adjustment”).

 

	
(b)

	
Bonus. The Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid to the Executive, in a single lump-sum payment in cash on each anniversary of this Agreement or as soon thereafter as may be possible in order to determine the relevant results of the Company (but in no event later than May 31 of each year), an annual bonus (if and to the extent earned according to the criteria below), as follows:

 

(i)             If, as of such anniversary, the Company shall have attained 100% of the Company’s Budgeted Number (as defined below) for the year preceding such anniversary, then Executive’s bonus shall be equal to 25% of Executive’s gross annual Base Salary as then in effect for the year preceding such anniversary;

 

(ii)             If, as of such anniversary, the Company shall have attained 110% of the Company’s Budgeted Number (as defined below) for the year preceding such anniversary, then Executive’s bonus shall be equal to 75% of Executive’s gross annual Base Salary as then in effect for the year preceding such anniversary;

 

 

-2-

 

 

(iii)             If, as of such anniversary, the Company shall have attained more than 100% but less than 110% of the Company’s Budgeted Number (as defined below), then Executive’s bonus shall be calculated as follows:

 

B  =           (S x 25%) + (N-100)/10 x (S x 50%)

 

Where:

 

B  =           The amount of Executive’s annual bonus, as a percentage of Executive’s gross annual Base Salary; and

 

N  =           The percentage of the Budgeted Number (as defined below) that was attained by the Company in the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided, however, that N is more than 100 and less than 110;

 

S  =           Executive’s gross annual Base Salary.

 

For the purposes of this Section 3(b), the Budgeted Number shall be the budgeted results of the Company as agreed by the Board prior to the end of each fiscal year for the fiscal year designated in such budget, and may include targets for any or all of the following factors: (i) revenues; (ii) cash flow, and (iii) EBITDA. In the event that some but not all targets are reached, the Compensation Committee of Arotech’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) shall made a determination as to what percentage of the Budgeted Number was attained.

 

	
(c)

	
Equity Grants. The Executive will receive annual stock option or restricted stock bonus grants in respect of the common stock of Arotech, in amounts to be determined based on the recommendation of the Chairman and the decision of the Compensation Committee.

 

	
(d)

	
Tax Planning Reimbursement. The Company shall pay Executive an amount of up to NIS 60,000 on each anniversary of this Agreement to cover Executive’s legal, tax and financial planning expenses, against invoices or receipts; any excess in any given year may be used by the Executive to fund supplemental health or life insurance policies, if any. Any amounts not used in a given year shall roll over to future years, but amounts unused at notice of termination of this Agreement shall expire. Legal expenses may not be used to finance legal advice or litigation against the interests of the Company.

 

4.           Employee Benefits.

 

The Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

 

	
(a)

	
Life and Disability Insurance. The Company will pay to an insurance company of the Executive’s choice, as premiums for life and disability insurance for the Executive, an amount equal to 13.33% of each monthly payment of the Base Salary together with 2.5% of the Base Salary for disability, and will deduct from each monthly payment of the Base Salary and pay to such insurance company an amount equal to 5% of each monthly payment of the Base Salary, which shall constitute the Executive’s contribution to such premiums. Upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for whatever reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or the resignation by the Executive, the right to receive the life and disability insurance benefits shall be automatically assigned to the Executive. At the Executive’s option, in lieu of providing life and disability insurance, the Company shall pay the amount it would otherwise pay for such insurance to the trust referred to in Section 7(b)(ii) hereof.

 

 

-3-

 

 

	
(b)

	
Education Fund. The Company will contribute to an education fund of the Executive’s choice an amount equal to 7.5% of each monthly payment of the Base Salary, and will deduct from each monthly payment of the Base Salary and contribute to such education fund an additional amount equal to 2.5% of each such monthly payment of the Base Salary. Additionally, the Company will pay a supplementary amount to the education fund in the amount of 20% of the Base Salary. Upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for whatever reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or the resignation by the Executive, the right to receive any amounts in such fund shall be automatically assigned to the Executive. All education fund contributions or imputed income made under this Section in excess of the statutory exemption shall be tax-effected such that the amount of contribution net of any taxes and withholding (including such amounts in respect of payments pursuant to this sentence) equals the percentages specified herein.

 

	
(c)

	
Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to an annual vacation at full pay equal to two work day per year more than the minimum set by Israeli law from time to time. Vacation days may be accumulated and may, at the Executive’s option or automatically upon termination, be converted into cash payments in an amount equal to the proportionate part of the Base Salary for such days; provided, however, that if the Executive accumulates more than two (2) times his then current annual entitlement of vacation days, such excess shall be automatically converted into the right to receive such a cash payment in respect of such excess. Payments to which the Executive is entitled pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be made promptly after the Executive’s request therefor.

 

	
(d)

	
Sick Leave. The Executive shall be entitled to a maximum aggregate of 30 days of fully paid sick leave (inclusive of days accrued under the Original Agreement), accruing at the rate of 2.5 days per month; provided, however, that the Executive shall not be entitled to sick leave payment to the extent he is already covered by manager’s insurance. Sick leave may be accumulated and may, at the Executive’s option, be converted into cash payments in an amount equal to the proportionate part of the Base Salary for such days. Payments to which the Executive is entitled pursuant to this Section 4(d) shall be made promptly after the Executive’s request therefor.

 

	
(e)

	
Benefit Plans. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, bonus, benefit or other similar plans offered by the Company, including without limitation the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, in accordance with the terms thereof and as determined by the Board from time to time. The Company shall also make an automobile available to the Executive during the term of this Agreement in conformance with prior corporate practice.

 

 

-4-

 

 

	
(f)

	
Medical Insurance. The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for up to $18,000 per year spent on medical insurance and other health costs (including sums paid as mas briut) for himself and his family.

 

	
(g)

	
Supplemental Key Man Life Insurance. The Executive shall be entitled to procure, at Company expense in an annual premium amount of no more than $20,000, a ten-year supplemental key man life insurance policy, with one-half of the death benefit being payable to the Company and one-half being payable to an individual of the Executive’s choice. Upon the cessation of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than the reasons specified in Section 6(c) below, the Company will continue to pay the premiums on the policy until a total of eight (8) years’ of premiums shall have been paid in total, and the Executive shall then have the option of paying the remaining two (2) years’ of premiums or reducing the coverage to an amount appropriate to premiums already paid, or any combination thereof.

 

5.           Expenses.

 

The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement of all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall pay all of the Executive’s expenses in the use of Internet and telephones for the Company’s businesses. The Executive shall be entitled to receive room, board and travel reimbursement in connection with the performance of his duties other than at the principal executive office of the Company, as is customary for senior executives of publicly-held companies. All expense reimbursements made under this Section shall be tax-effected such that the amount of reimbursement received by the Executive net of any taxes and withholdings (including such amounts in respect of payments pursuant to this sentence) equals the expense incurred.

 

6.           Termination.

 

The Executive’s employment hereunder shall and/or may be terminated under the following circumstances:

 

	
(a)

	
Death. This Agreement shall terminate upon the death of the Executive.

 

	
(b)

	
Disability. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment after having established the Executive’s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means a physical or mental infirmity which impairs the Executive’s ability to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement which continues for a period of at least one hundred and eighty (180) consecutive days.

 

	
(c)

	
Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, termination for “Cause” shall mean and include: (i) conviction for fraud, crimes of moral turpitude or other conduct which reflects on the Company in a material and adverse manner; (ii) a willful failure to carry out a material directive of the Board, provided that such directive concerned matters within the scope of the Executive’s duties, was in conformity with Sections 2(a) and 2(b) hereof, would not give the Executive Good Reason to terminate this Agreement and was capable of being reasonably and lawfully performed; (iii) conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction for embezzlement of funds of the Company; and (iv) reckless or willful misconduct that is materially harmful to the Company; provided, however, that the Company may not terminate the Executive for Cause unless they have given the Executive written notice of the basis for the proposed termination (“Company’s Notice of Termination”).

 

 

-5-

 

 

	
(d)

	
Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment under this Agreement for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the events or conditions described in subsections (i) through (vi) hereof:

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
(1) a change in the Executive’s status, title, position or responsibilities which, in the Executive’s reasonable judgment, represents a reduction or demotion in the Executive’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto, or (2) a change in the primary location from which the Executive shall have conducted his business activities during the 60 days prior to such change;

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary;

 

	
  

	
(iii)

	
the failure by the Company to continue the Executive as a participant in any material compensation or benefit plan in which the other senior executives of the Company are participating unless agreed to by the Executive;

 

	
  

	
(iv)

	
the insolvency or the filing (by any party, including the Company) of a petition for the winding-up of the Company or of Arotech;

 

	
  

	
(v)

	
any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement;

 

	
  

	
(vi)

	
any purported termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause by the Company which does not comply with the terms of Section 6(c) of this Agreement;

 

provided, however, that the Executive may not terminate his employment under this Agreement for Good Reason unless he has given the Company (i) written notice of the basis for the proposed termination not more than thirty (30) days after the Executive has obtained knowledge of such basis (“Executive’s Notice of Termination”) and (ii) a period of at least thirty (30) days after the Company’s receipt of such notice in which to cure such basis.

 

	
(e)

	
Termination Date, Etc. “Termination Date” shall mean in the case of the Executive’s death, his date of death, or in all other cases, the date specified in the Notice of Termination subject to the following:

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or due to Disability, the date specified in the Company’s Notice of Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days from the date the Notice of Termination is given to the Executive, provided that in the case of Disability the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of his duties during such period of at least thirty (30) days;

 

 

-6-

 

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Good Reason, the Termination Date specified in the Executive’s Notice of Termination shall not be more than sixty (60) days from the date the Notice of Termination is given to the Company.

 

	
(f)

	
Retirement. At any time during the period beginning (i) 150 days prior to his 65th birthday (“Retirement”) or (ii) from 150 days prior to his 55th birthday until 150 days prior to his 65th birthday (“Early Retirement”), the Executive may retire from his positions with the Companies by giving to the Companies written Notice of Retirement specifying the Retirement Date, which Retirement Date shall be at least one hundred and fifty (150) days from the date of such Notice of Retirement.

 

	
(g)

	
Termination Without Cause. Termination other than as set forth above shall constitute termination “Without Cause.”

 

7.           Compensation upon Termination.

 

Upon termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, in addition to any severance sums due to the Executive by operation of law, the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

 

	
(a)

	
If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive Without Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive all amounts of Base Salary and the employee benefits specified in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Section 4 of this Agreement earned or accrued hereunder through the Termination Date but not paid as of the Termination Date (collectively, “Accrued Compensation”).

 

	
(b)

	
If the Executive’s employment by the Company shall be terminated (a “Termination”) (1) due to Disability, (2) by the Executive for Good Reason, (3) by the Executive’s death or Disability, (4) due to this Agreement coming to the end of the Term and not being extended or immediately succeeded by a new substantially similar employment agreement (“Non-Renewal”), (5) due to Retirement or Early Retirement, or (6) by the Company Without Cause, then the Executive shall be entitled to the additional benefits provided below, which, in the case of death, Disability, Retirement or Early Retirement, shall be in lieu of any further salary for periods subsequent to the Termination Date):

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
The Company shall pay the Executive (a) all Accrued Compensation, (b) a bonus at the rate that would otherwise be payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(b) above for the year in which the Termination Date occurs, of Executive’s annual Base Salary as of the Termination Date, pro rated based on the number of days in such year which occurred prior to the Termination Date, (c) the amounts referred to in Section 4(d) above, to the extent earned or accrued hereunder through the Termination Date but unpaid as of the Termination Date, and (d) in the case of termination by the Executive for Good Reason, or termination by the Companies without Cause, all Base Salary that the Executive would have been paid through the end of the Term but for the termination;

 

 

-7-

 

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
The Company shall pay into a trust to be established pursuant to a separate trust agreement or shall purchase a certificate of deposit registered in the Executive’s name but held by the Company (the “Trust”) as termination pay and in lieu of any further salary for periods subsequent to the Termination Date (except as provided in Section 7(b)(i) above), an amount equal to the higher of (i) the sum of (A) $200,000 and (B) twenty-four (24) times the monthly Base Salary at the highest rate in effect at any time within the ninety (90) day period ending on the Termination Date, and (ii) the sum of (A) $200,000 and (B) NIS 4,430,250 (the “Base Termination Pay”). The parties agree, pursuant to the terms of the letter between the parties dated April 19, 2009, that the payment of $200,000 of the Base Termination Pay shall be accomplished by transfer to the Executive of share certificate AC 0564 n/o “Ella Benita Advocate as trustee for Steven Esses” in the amount of 273,973 shares of Arotech common stock (the “Shares”) (it having been previously agreed between the parties that the issuance and now the transfer of the Shares to the Executive would be a credit against the Base Termination Pay in the amount of $200,000, irrespective of any changes of any changes in the market value of the Shares).

 

	
  

	
(iii)

	
Upon Retirement or Early Retirement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to receive a retirement benefit payment (the “Retirement Payment”) as follows:

 

	
  

	
(A)

	
For any Retirement or Early Retirement taking place after completion of the first year of this Agreement, the sum of $200,000; and

 

	
  

	
(B)

	
For any Retirement or Early Retirement taking place after completion of the second year of this Agreement, the sum of $250,000.

 

	
  

	
(iv)

	
In the event of a Termination by the Company within one year following a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined), the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment as follows:

 

	
  

	
(A)

	
For any Termination following a Change of Control where such Change of Control occurs during the first six months of this Agreement, an additional six (6) months of Base Salary; and

 

	
  

	
(B)

	
For any Termination following a Change of Control where such Change of Control occurs following the first six months of this Agreement, an additional twelve (12) months of Base Salary.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following events:

 

 

-8-

 

 

	
  

	
(1)

	
The dissolution or liquidation of the Company;

 

	
  

	
(2)

	
A merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar transaction involving the Company (a) in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or other surviving entity, or (b) that results in the Company becoming a subsidiary of another corporation (a “Transaction”);

 

	
  

	
(3)

	
A sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation or other entity, as determined in accordance with the applicable law of the State of Delaware;

 

	
  

	
(4)

	
Any other transaction (including a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar transaction) that results in any corporation or other entity beneficially owning (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) immediately following the consummation of such transaction (a) in the case of voting securities acquired other than directly from the Company, more than 20% of the voting securities of the Company, or (b) in the case of voting securities acquired directly from the Company, more than 50% of the voting securities of the Company; or

 

	
  

	
(5)

	
The members of the Board of Directors of the Company on the date of this Agreement (the “Incumbent Board Members”) ceasing for any reason to constitute (a) at any time prior to the consummation of a Transaction, a majority of the Board, or (b) at any time following the consummation of a Transaction, a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of the corporation or other entity whose voting securities are issued to existing stockholders of the Company in such Transaction; provided, however, that any individual becoming a member of the Board or of such board of directors or other governing body, as the case may be, subsequent to the date of this Agreement whose appointment or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board Members shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Board Member for purposes of this clause (5), but excluding, for such purposes, any such individual whose initial assump­tion of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors (or other members of any such governing body) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or contests by or on behalf of a person other than the Board or such board of directors or other governing body, as the case may be.

 

	
  

	
(v)

	
The Company shall pay to the Executive, in respect of all benefits, an additional sum in the amount of (i) $75,000, in the case of termination due to Disability, the Executive’s death, or Non-Renewal, or (ii) $150,000, in the case of termination due to Early Retirement, Retirement, or Good Reason, or any other termination by the Company other than for Cause.

 

 

-9-

 

 

	
  

	
(vi)

	
In the event of a termination by the Company without Cause or by the Executive due to Good Reason, or in the event of the Executive’s death or Disability, all of the Executive’s stock options, whether or not they have yet vested, shall immediately vest and shall be extended for a period of the later of (x) the expiration date thereof, and (y) the second anniversary of such termination, and all of the Executive’s restricted stock shall immediately become unrestricted and freely tradable (subject to applicable securities laws). In the event of termination due to any other reason except for Termination for Cause, the Executive’s then-vested stock options shall be extended for a period of the earlier of (x) the expiration date thereof, and (y) two years after such termination.

 

Such sums are intended to be in addition to any severance sums due to the Executive by operation of law (in respect of which the Company hereby acknowledges that the Executive’s employment with the Company began in October 2002), and any such sums paid to the Executive as a result of statutory or other legal requirements (“Statutory Severance Pay”) shall not be deducted from the sums above. Such sums are not intended to be in lieu of amounts payable pursuant to any separate agreements entered into contemporaneously with or subsequent to the date of this Agreement.

 

As a condition to receiving the payments described in this Section 7, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company a release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

	
8.

	
Confidentiality; Proprietary Rights; Competitive Activity.

 

	
(a)

	
Confidentiality. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the technology, developments, designs, inventions, improvements, data, methods, trade secrets and works of authorship which the Company owns, plans or develops, including without limitation the specifications, documentation and other information relating to the Company’s zinc-air battery systems, and businesses and equipment related thereto (in each case whether for their own use or for use by their clients) are confidential and are the property of the Company. Executive also recognizes that the Company’s technology, customer lists, supplier lists, proposals and procedures are confidential and are the property of the Company. Executive further recognizes and acknowledges that in order to enable the Company to perform services for its clients, those clients may furnish to the Company confidential information concerning their business affairs, property, methods of operation or other data. All of these materials and information will be referred to below as “Proprietary Information”; provided, however, that such information shall not include any information known generally to the public (other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by the Executive).

 

	
(b)

	
Non-Disclosure. Executive agrees that, except as directed by the Company, and in the ordinary course of the Company’s business, Executive will not during Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, disclose to any person or entity or use, directly or indirectly for Executive’s own benefit or the benefit of others, any Proprietary Information, or permit any person to examine or make copies of any documents which may contain or be derived from Proprietary Information; provided, however, that the Executive’s duties under this Section 8(b) shall not extend to (i) any disclosure that may be required by law in connection with any judicial or administrative proceeding or inquiry or (ii) any disclosure which may be reasonably required in connection with any actions or proceedings to enforce the Executive’s rights under this Agreement. Executive agrees that the provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment by the Company.

 

 

-10-

 

 

	
(c)

	
Competitive Activity. The Executive undertakes not, directly or indirectly (whether as owner, partner, consultant, employee or otherwise) at any time, during and for twelve (12) months following termination of his employment with the Company, to engage in or contribute his knowledge to any work or activity that involves a product, process, service or development which is then directly (in any material manner) competitive with any business that the Company has conducted during the term of this Agreement or any extension hereof on which the Executive worked or with respect to which the Executive had access to Proprietary Information while with the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be permitted to engage in the aforementioned proposed work or activity if the Company furnishes him with written consent to that effect signed by an authorized officer of the Company.

 

	
(d)

	
No Solicitation. During the period specified in 8(c) hereof, Executive will not solicit or encourage any customer or supplier of the Company or of any group, division or subsidiary of the Company, to terminate its relationship with the Company or any such group, division or subsidiary, and Executive will not, directly or indirectly, recruit or otherwise seek to induce any employee of the Company or any such group, division or subsidiary to terminate his or her employment or violate any agreement with or duty to the Company or any such group, division or subsidiary.

 

	
(e)

	
Equitable Relief. The Executive agrees that violations of the material covenants in this Section 8 will cause the Company irreparable injuries and agrees that the Company may enforce said covenants by seeking injunctive or other equitable relief (in addition to any other remedies the Company may have at law for damages or otherwise) from a court of competent jurisdiction. In the event such court declares these covenants to be too broad to be specifically enforced, the covenants shall be enforced to the largest extent as may be allowed by such court for the Company’s protection. Executive further agrees that no breach by the Company of, or other failure by the Company under this Agreement shall relieve the Executive of any obligations under Sections 8(a) and 8(b) hereof.

 

	
9.

	
Successors and Assigns.

 

	
(a)

	
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns and the Company shall require any successor or assign to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place. The term the “Company” as used herein shall include such successors and assigns. The term “successors and assigns” as used herein shall mean a corporation or other entity acquiring all or substantially all the assets and business of the Company (including this Agreement) whether by operations of law or otherwise.

 

 

-11-

 

 

	
(b)

	
The rights (but not the obligations) of the Executive under this Agreement are assignable, in whole or in part, by the Executive to any person or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal personal representative.

 

	
(c)

	
Nothing to the contrary in the foregoing notwithstanding, the Executive may assign this Agreement to any company of which he is a “control person” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, provided, that the Executive shall continue to be obligated to fulfill the duties set forth in Section 2 above, and provided, further, that the Executive shall continue to be bound by the terms and provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement notwithstanding any such assignment.

 

	
10.

	
Notice.

 

For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below or last given by each party to the other. All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery thereof or on the eighth business day after the mailing thereof, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

The initial addresses of the parties for purposes of this Agreement shall be as follows:

 

	
  

	
The Company:

	
Arotech Corporation and Epsilor-Electric Fuel Ltd.

c/o Epsilor-Electric Fuel Ltd.

One HaSolela Street, Western Industrial Park

Beit Shemesh 99054, Israel

 

	
  

	
The Executive:

	
Steven Esses

[●]

[●]

 

	
11.

	
Miscellaneous.

 

No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreement or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

	
12.

	
Governing Law; Arbitration; Venue.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of Israel without application of any conflicts of laws principles which would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction. All disputes under this Agreement that cannot be resolved by the parties shall be submitted to arbitration under the rules and regulations of the Israel Institute of Commercial Arbitration. Either party may invoke this paragraph after providing 30 (thirty) days written notice to the other party. All costs of arbitration shall be divided equally between the parties. The arbitrator(s) shall award to the prevailing party, if any, as determined by the arbitrator(s), all of its costs and fees. “Costs and Fees” means all reasonable pre-award expenses of the arbitration, including arbitration fees, administrative fees, travel expenses, out-of-pocket expenses such as copying and telephone, court costs, witness fees and reasonable attorneys’ fees. In the event that notwithstanding the foregoing arbitration provision there is nevertheless litigation in respect of this Agreement, each of the Executive and the Company hereby irrevocably waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in the courts of the State of Israel, City of Tel-Aviv-Yafo, for any legal suit or action instituted by any party to the Agreement against any other with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

 

-12-

 

 

	
13.

	
Severability.

 

The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenfor­ceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

 

	
14.

	
Entire Agreement.

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof including.

 

	
15.

	
Registration Rights.

 

	
(a)

	
If the Company at any time proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time in effect (together with the rules and regulations thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, the “Securities Act”), for its own account or for the account of any holder of its securities, on a form which would permit registration of Common Stock of the Company at the time held or obtainable upon the exercise of options, warrants or rights, or the conversion of convertible securities, at the time held by the Executive (“Registrable Securities”), for sale to the public under the Securities Act, the Company will each such time give notice to the Executive of its intention to do so. Such notice shall describe such securities and specify the form, manner and other relevant aspects of such proposed registration. The Executive may, by written response delivered to the Company within 15 days after the giving of any such notice, request that all or a specified part of the Registrable Securities be included in such registration. the Company will thereupon use its best efforts as part of its filing of such form to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Executive, to the extent required to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods thereof as aforesaid) of the Registrable Securities to be so registered.

 

	
(b)  

	
The Executive may, by notice to the Company specifying the intended method or methods of disposition, given at any time and from time to time after the Company has registered any shares of its Common Stock under the Securities Act, request that the Company effect the registration under the Securities Act of all or a specified part of the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to effect a registration pursuant to this Section 15(b) unless such registration may be effected on a Form S-3 (or any successor or similar Form); and provided, further, that each registration pursuant to this Section 15(b) shall cover a number of Registrable Shares equal to not less than 2% of the aggregate number of shares of the Company Common Stock then outstanding. the Company will then use its best efforts to effect the registration as promptly as practicable under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities which the Company has been requested to register by the Executive pursuant to the Section 15(b).

 

 

-13-

 

 

	
(c)  

	
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15(b), in the event that Executive has requested pursuant to Section 15(b) that the Company effect a registration of securities, and (i) the Board determines that it would be seriously detrimental to the Company to effect a registration pursuant to Section 15(b), or (ii) the Board determines in good faith that (A) the Company is in possession of material, non-public information concerning an acquisition, merger, recapitalization, consolidation, reorganization or other material transaction by or of the Company or concerning pending or threatened litigation and (B) disclosure of such information would jeopardize any such transaction or litigation or otherwise materially harm the Company, then the Company shall promptly notify Executive of the occurrence of any of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii). Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clauses (i) or (ii) hereof, the Company shall be allowed to defer a registration of securities pursuant to Section 15(b) above, and if a registration statement had already been filed at such time, Executive shall not dispose of his Registrable Securities under such registration statement until it is so advised in writing by the Company that the registration of securities under 15(b) may be effected or resumed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such deferment or prohibition on disposition shall not be in effect for more than 90 days in any 12 months period.

 

	
(d)

	
The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registration of Registrable Securities under Section 15(a) hereof incidental to the registration of any of its securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions, exchange offers, dividend reinvestment plans or stock option or other employee benefit plans.

 

	
(e)

	
The Company hereby agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses (other than the fees and expenses of the Executive’s own counsel and other than underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the Registrable Securities) in connection with each registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 15.

 

	
(f)

	
In connection with each registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 15, the Company and the Executive will enter into such agreements, containing such terms and conditions, as are customary in connection with public offerings, such agreements to contain, without limitation, customary indemnification provisions, representations and warranties and opinions and other documents to be delivered in connection therewith, and to be, if requested, with underwriters.

 

	
(g)

	
The provisions of this Section 15 shall be subject to any agreement entered into by the Company, in good faith, with any underwriter of the Company’s securities or any person or entity providing financing to the Company, in each case containing reasonable limitations on the Executive’s rights and the Company’s obligations hereunder.

 

 

-14-

 

 

	
(h)

	
The provisions of this Section 15 shall survive the termination of the other provisions of this Agreement. The rights of the Executive under this Section 16 are assignable, in whole or in part, by the Executive to any person or other entity acquiring securities of the Company from the Executive.

 

	
(i)

	
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, the Executive shall not demand a registration during the 180 days following an underwritten public offering of the Common Stock of the Company.

 

	
(j)

	
Without the prior written consent of the underwriters managing any public offering, for a period beginning ten days immediately preceding the effective date of any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days after the effective date of such registration statement and (ii) the end of the shortest period generally applicable to any “affiliate” (as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of the Company who is a selling shareholder pursuant to such registration statement or who is otherwise subject to a lockup provision, the Executive (whether or not a selling shareholder pursuant to such registration statement) shall not sell or otherwise transfer any securities of the Company except pursuant to such registration statement.

 

	
16.

	
Taxes.

 

All sums referred to herein are gross, not net.

 

	
17.

	
Currency.

 

All U.S. dollar amounts payable under this Agreement shall, at the Company’s option, be paid either in U.S. dollars or in New Israeli Shekels at the rate of exchange on the date prior to the day of payment as published by the Bank of Israel.

 

 

-15-

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Amended and Restated Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer and the Executive has executed this Amended and Restated Agreement as of the effective date first above written.

 

	
Epsilor-Electric Fuel Ltd.

 

By:           /s/ Ronen Badichi                                                     

Name:                Ronen Badichi

Title:                General Manager

	  	
 

 

 

 /s/ Steven Esses                                                     

                                             Steven Esses

	
Arotech Corporation

 

By:           /s/ Robert S. Ehrlich                      

Name:                Robert S. Ehrlich

Title:                Executive Chairman

	  	  

 

 

 

-16-

 

 

Exhibit A

 

FORM OF MUTUAL RELEASE

 

This mutual release is executed and delivered by and between the undersigned employee of Epsilor-Electric Fuel Ltd., an Israeli corporation ( “Epsilor”), Arotech Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Arotech” and, together with Epsilor, the “Company”) and the undersigned’s successors, assigns, executors, estates and personal representatives (collectively, the “Executive”), on the one hand, and the Company and its affiliates, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Company”), on the other hand. For and in consideration of the Executive receiving the compensation referred to in Section 7 of the Fifth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated February 16, 2016 and other good and valuable consideration, the adequacy and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged by the Executive and the Company, the Executive hereby remises, releases and forever discharges the Company, and the Company hereby remises, releases and forever discharges the Executive, of and from any and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of actions, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills, covenants, contracts, controversies, executions, claims and demands of any kind and nature whatsoever in law or in equity, known or unknown, against the other party which ever existed prior to the date hereof, or may ever have on and after the date hereof with respect to matters arising, and dealings with the other party occurring, prior to the date hereof; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to release the Executive from any obligations to the Company pursuant to the Employment Agreement nor to release the Company from any of its obligations to the Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Company have each caused this Release to be executed as of __________________.

 

	
Epsilor-Electric Fuel Ltd.

 

By:                                                                

Name:

Title:

	  	
 

 

                                                              

                  Steven Esses

	
Arotech Corporation

 

By:                                                                

Name:

Title:

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00254-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00254-of-00352.parquet"}]]