Document:

exv10w4

Exhibit 10.4

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 30th
day of September 2011, by and between Unilife Corporation (“Unilife”) and Alan D. Shortall
(“Shortall”). The term “Unilife” shall include its subsidiaries, affiliates, assigns and
successors in interest under Sections 7, 8, and 13.

WHEREAS, Unilife and Shortall are parties to an existing employment agreement that expires
effective as of December 31, 2011 (the “Former Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Unilife wishes to continue to employ Shortall as its Chief Executive Officer beyond
the expiration of the Former Agreement, and Shortall wishes to enter into this Agreement to
formalize the terms of his employment beyond the expiration of the Former Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Unilife is engaged in the business of designing, developing, manufacturing and
supplying innovative healthcare safety products for medical device and pharmaceutical industries;
and

WHEREAS, Shortall will develop valuable relationships by virtue of his employment with
Unilife, and Shortall will have access to valuable confidential and proprietary information and
trade secrets belonging to Unilife; and

WHEREAS, Unilife and Shortall desire to set forth the terms of their employment relationship
in this Agreement as a successor to the Former Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and covenants set forth herein, and intending
to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

1. Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of October 1, 2011 and shall expire on
December 31, 2014. This Agreement will automatically renew for one-year periods annually
thereafter, unless either party gives the other party thirty (30) days written notice in advance of
the relevant expiration date of its intention not to renew the Agreement. Upon expiration or
earlier termination of this employment relationship, the parties will be relieved of their duties
and obligations under this Agreement, except that the rights and obligations of Unilife under
Section 6 below shall remain in full force and effect until all appropriate payments have been made
to Shortall and the rights and obligations of Shortall set forth in Sections 7 and 8 below shall
remain in full force and effect and shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement,
regardless of the reason(s) for termination.

2. Position and Duties.

(a) Unilife will employ Shortall as Chief Executive Officer and Shortall agrees to serve in
such capacity for Unilife with responsibility for the overall management of Unilife and such other
duties as are assigned to him by the Board of Directors of Unilife, and shall have vested in him
the authority and duties typically held by an employee in such position. Shortall shall report to
the Board of Directors of Unilife, with respect to the performance of these duties. In the
performance of these duties, Shortall shall devote his knowledge, skill, attention, energies and
all of his business time, and shall comply

 

 

 

with all of Unilife’s policies, rules, and procedures, as they may be amended from time to time. Shortall shall not engage in any endeavor that
would conflict with the rendition of his services to Unilife, either directly or indirectly,
without the prior written consent of Unilife; provided, however, Shortall may participate in civic,
charitable, educational, industry and professional organizations, to the extent that such
participation does not unreasonably interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder; and
Shortall may also serve on corporate boards and committees, but only with the prior written consent
of the Board of Directors of Unilife.

(b) Notwithstanding the responsibilities and duties contained in Section 2(a) above, Shortall
acknowledges that all material decisions relating to the management of Unilife’s business will be
made by the Board of Directors of Unilife. In addition, any decisions which have the capacity to
affect significantly the financial standing of Unilife must be referred to the Board of Directors
of Unilife which will have ultimate control in respect of these matters.

3. Compensation.

(a) Base Salary. Shortall shall be paid an annual base salary of Four Hundred and
Twenty Thousand Dollars ($420,000.00), which will be payable in twelve (12) equal monthly
installments. Shortall’s base salary will be subject to the customary withholding and employment
taxes, as required by law, with respect to compensation paid by an employer to an employee. At the
discretion of the Board of Directors of Unilife, Shortall shall be eligible for increases in base
salary. Further, Unilife will not reduce Shortall’s base salary to less than what is agreed to
herein.

(b) Bonus. Shortall shall be eligible to participate in Unilife’s Incentive Bonus
Plan in amounts and percentages as annually determined by Unilife’s Board of Directors. Shortall’s
annual target cash bonus shall be fifty percent (50%) of base salary. Bonuses are subject to
achievement of such goals and objectives as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
determines in a set of Key Performance Indicators. Any bonus payable for a calendar or fiscal year
shall be paid in a lump-sum payment in the following calendar or fiscal year, as applicable, on or
before the date that is two and one-half months after the close of such calendar or fiscal year, as
applicable. Shortall’s bonuses will be subject to the customary withholding and employment taxes,
as required by law, with respect to compensation paid by an employer to an employee.

4. Benefits.

(a) Benefits Generally Available to Unilife Employees. Shortall shall be eligible to
participate in Unilife’s benefits programs (including any equity incentive plan of Unilife or its
affiliates), as they may change from time to time. The benefits provided to Shortall will be the
same as the benefits provided to other similarly situated Unilife employees, and may be changed
upon expiration or other termination of the current benefits contracts. For further information,
Shortall should review any applicable benefit plan documents, which will govern the terms of the
benefits.

(b) Vacation. Shortall shall also receive six (6) weeks of paid vacation per calendar
year. Any unused vacation days may be carried over up to one (1) year.

 

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(c) Equity Plans. In connection with this Agreement, Shortall shall, subject to
shareholder approval of the proposed grant and shareholder approval of an amendment of
Unilife’s stock incentive plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance to an amount sufficient to fulfill the proposed grant, receive an equity grant of (i)
1,166,000 shares of restricted stock, and (ii) options for the purchase of 750,000 shares of
Unilife common stock on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Compensation
Committee of Unilife’s Board of Directors. Such equity grant shall be issued to Shortall on
January 3, 2012, subject to shareholder approval or such later date upon which the requisite
shareholder approval is obtained, and shall be governed by the applicable, underlying equity award
agreement. If Unilife’s shareholders, upon presentation of the proposed grant and amendment of
Unilife’s stock incentive plan to expand the shares issuable thereunder to an amount sufficient to
fulfill the grant, fail to provide the requisite approval, Unilife shall have no further obligation
to make the proposed grant or to pay other compensation in lieu thereof. All incentive
compensation and stock-based compensation that Shortall may receive from Unilife shall be subject
to any policy adopted by Unilife, now or hereafter existing, that imposes on Shortall stock
ownership requirements, stock holding requirements, stock liquidation restrictions or recoupment
provisions, provided that such requirements, restrictions and recoupment provisions also apply to
similarly situated members of senior management.

(d) Car Allowance. Unilife shall pay Shortall a car allowance of Three Thousand
Dollars ($3,000.00) per month, which shall be payable to Shortall at the same time as his base
salary.

(e) Home Leave. Unilife shall reimburse Shortall for one (1) trip per calendar year
to Australia or Ireland for home leave, including the cost of (i) first-class, round-trip air
travel for Shortall, his spouse, and dependant children; and (ii) reasonable housing and meals
while on home leave.

(f) Expenses. Unilife shall reimburse Shortall for all reasonable and necessary
expenses incurred by him in carrying out his duties under this Agreement in accordance with
Unilife’s business expense policies, including without limitation, requirements with respect to
reporting, documentation and payment of such expenses. All such expenses shall be paid promptly
after submission in accordance with Unilife’s polices, but no later than December 31st
of the calendar year following the year in which such expenses were incurred.

5. Indemnification. Unilife agrees to provide Shortall with indemnification
equivalent to that provided to other members of senior management and coverage pursuant to
Unilife’s Directors and Officers insurance policies, as amended from time to time.

6. Termination and Pay upon Termination.

(a) General Rule. In the event that Unilife terminates this Agreement and Shortall’s
employment without Cause or due to a Change in Control as defined herein, including employment
termination due to Unilife’s election not to renew this Agreement where Shortall was willing and
able to continue performing services under the terms of this Agreement, Unilife will pay Shortall:

(i) his base salary, at the rate in effect immediately before the date that Shortall’s
employment terminates, for twelve (12) months, which shall be paid in a single sum payment
within forty-five (45) days after the date that Shortall’s employment terminates and the
General Release provided for in Section 10 of this Agreement becomes irrevocable, provided
that if such forty-five (45) day period begins in one
calendar year and ends in another, Shortall shall not have the right to designate the
taxable year of payment;

 

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(ii) payment of a lump-sum amount, equal to the amount of the bonus, if any, earned by
and paid to Shortall for the last completed calendar or fiscal year, as applicable, prior to
the year in which his employment terminates, which shall be paid in a single sum payment
within forty-five (45) days after the date that Shortall’s employment terminates and the
General Release provided for in Section 10 of this Agreement becomes irrevocable, provided
that if such forty-five (45) day period begins in one calendar year and ends in another,
Shortall shall not have the right to designate the taxable year of payment; and

(iii) provided that Shortall is eligible for and timely elects to receive COBRA health
care continuation coverage, the cost of Shortall’s health care continuation coverage
premiums for twelve (12) months, commencing on the first of the month immediately after the
month which includes the date that Shortall’s employment terminates and the General Release
provided for in Section 10 of this Agreement becomes irrevocable.

In the event that Shortall terminates this Agreement for any reason, including Shortall’s election
not to renew the Agreement, Shortall shall not receive any compensation or benefits from the time
that he ceases to devote full time and attention to Unilife’s business. In addition, Shortall
agrees to provide Unilife with ninety (90) days advance written notice of his intent to terminate
his employment, whether during the initial term or any renewal thereof. Upon termination of this
Agreement, the parties will be relieved of their duties and obligations, except that the rights and
obligations of Unilife under this Section 6(a) shall remain in full force and effect until all
appropriate payments have been made to Shortall, if applicable, and the rights and obligations of
Shortall set forth in Sections 7 and 8 below shall remain in full force and effect and shall
survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, regardless of the reason(s) for
termination. Shortall shall resign from the Board of Directors of Unilife and all other offices
that Shortall may hold with Unilife and its affiliates in the event of Shortall’s termination of
employment hereunder upon the request of the Board of Directors. Upon termination of this
Agreement, Shortall shall not have any further contact with any customers of Unilife on behalf of a
competing entity until the expiration of the conditions of Section 8 of this Agreement.

(b) Definitions.

(i) Definition of “Cause”. “Cause” will mean any one or more of the
following:

(A) material neglect of assigned duties, willful misconduct in connection with
the performance of duties, or refusal to perform assigned duties (other than by
reason of disability) which continues uncured for thirty (30) days following receipt
of written notice of such deficiency from Unilife, specifying the scope and nature
of the deficiency;

(B) an act of dishonesty;

(C) engaging in illegal conduct or committing a crime;

 

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(D) being barred from working in a Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)
regulated industry by the FDA or otherwise being sanctioned by the FDA or any
similar international body;

(E) engaging in any act of moral turpitude that causes material harm to Unilife
or its reputation;

(F) breaching, in any material respect, the terms of this Agreement or any
other agreement with Unilife; or

(G) commencement of employment with any other employer while an employee of
Unilife without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of Unilife.

Any determination of “Cause” as used herein will be made in good faith by the Board of
Directors of Unilife.

(ii) Definition of “Change in Control”. “Change in Control” means a: (1)
Change in Ownership of Unilife Corporation, (2) Change in Effective Control of Unilife
Corporation, or a (3) Change in the Ownership of Assets of Unilife Corporation, all as
described herein and construed in accordance with section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

(A) A Change in Ownership of Unilife Corporation shall occur on the date that
any one Person acquires, or Persons Acting as a Group (or Group) acquire, ownership
of the capital stock of Unilife Corporation that, together with the stock held by
such Person or Group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting
power of the capital stock of Unilife Corporation. However, if any one Person is,
or Persons Acting as a Group are, considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of
the total voting power of the capital stock of Unilife Corporation, the acquisition
of additional stock by the same Person or Persons Acting as a Group is not
considered to cause a Change in Ownership of Unilife Corporation or to cause a
Change in Effective Control of Unilife Corporation. An increase in the percentage
of capital stock owned by any one Person, or Persons Acting as a Group, as a result
of a transaction in which Unilife Corporation acquires its stock in exchange for
property will be treated as an acquisition of stock.

(B) A Change in Effective Control of Unilife Corporation shall occur on the
date a majority of members of the Board of Directors of Unilife Corporation is
replaced during any twelve (12)-month period by directors whose appointment or
election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of
Unilife Corporation before the date of the appointment or election.

 

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(C) A Change in the Ownership of Assets of Unilife Corporation shall occur on
the date that any one Person acquires, or Persons Acting as a Group acquire (or has
or have acquired during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of the most
recent acquisition by such Person or Persons), assets (including tangible/real
property and intangible property (such as goodwill)) from Unilife Corporation the total gross fair market value of which is more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of
Unilife Corporation immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For this
purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of Unilife
Corporation, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard
to any liabilities associated with such assets.

(D) The following rules of construction apply in interpreting the definition of
Change in Control:

(I) A Person means any individual, entity or group within the meaning
of Section 13(d) (3) or 14(d) (2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, other than employee benefit plans sponsored or maintained by
Unilife Corporation and by entities controlled by Unilife Corporation or an
underwriter of the capital stock of Unilife Corporation in a registered
public offering.

(II) Persons will be considered to be Persons Acting as a Group if they
are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation,
purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the
corporation. If a Person owns stock in both corporations that enter into a
merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar
transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a Group with
other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in that corporation
before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the
ownership interest in the other corporation. Persons will not be considered
to be acting as a Group solely because they purchase assets of the same
corporation at the same time or purchase or own stock of the same
corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering.

(III) For purposes of this Section 6(b), fair market value shall be
determined in accordance with Code Section 409A.

(IV) A Change in Control shall not include a transfer to a related
person as described in Code section 409A or a public offering of capital
stock of Unilife Corporation.

(E) For purposes of this Section 6(b), Code section 318(a) applies to determine
stock ownership. Stock underlying a vested option is considered owned by the
individual who holds the vested option (and the stock underlying an unvested option
is not considered owned by the individual who holds the unvested option). For
purposes of the preceding sentence, however, if a vested option is exercisable for
stock that is not substantially vested (as defined by Treasury Regulation §1.83-3(b)
and (j)), the stock underlying the option is not treated as owned by the individual
who holds the option.

 

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7. Confidential Information.

(a) Shortall acknowledges that Unilife has a valuable property interest in all aspects of its
business relationships with its customers, clients, vendors and suppliers. In the course of
Shortall’s work with Unilife, Shortall will become aware of and familiar with secret and
confidential information of Unilife relating to its customers, clients, vendors and suppliers, and
its internal business operations. Secret and confidential information includes, but is not limited
to, Unilife’s business plans, customer lists, customer data, marketing plans, supplier and vendor
lists and cost information, software and computer programs, data processing systems and information
contained therein, financial statements, financial data, acquisition and divestiture plans, and any
other trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information, documents, reports, plans, or data,
of or about Unilife that is not already available to the public or was known to Shortall prior to
his employment with Unilife.

(b) Shortall agrees that he will not, without the written consent of Unilife, during the term
of this Agreement or thereafter, disclose or make any use of secret and confidential information,
except as may be required in the performance of his duties under Section 2 of this Agreement.
Shortall agrees that, following the termination of his employment with Unilife for any reason, he
will never use secret and confidential information to compete with Unilife in any manner, and he
will never disclose any secret and confidential information to any other business or individual,
unless such secret or confidential information is: (i) publicly known through no breach of the
provisions of this Section 7 by either party, (ii) lawfully disclosed by a third party, or (iii)
disclosed pursuant to legal requirement or court order. In no event shall any disclosure made to
investment banking firms or private equity firms at the request of Unilife and as part of
Shortall’s duties ever be considered a violation of this Section 7.

(c) Upon termination of this Agreement, Shortall shall surrender to Unilife all records and
all paper and/or electronic copies made of those records that pertain to any aspect of the business
of Unilife, including all secret and confidential information.

8. Agreement Not To Compete.

(a) In consideration for employment by Unilife and the benefits of this Agreement, Shortall
agrees to be bound by the covenant not to compete as set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement
below.

(b) Shortall agrees that during the term of his employment and for a period of two (2) years
following the termination of his employment for any reason, he will not, directly or indirectly:

(i) render services to, become employed by, be engaged as a consultant by, own, or have
a financial or other interest in (either as an individual, partner, joint venture, owner,
manager, employee, partner, officer, director, independent contractor, or other similar
role) any business that is engaged in any business activity that is in competition with the
activities of Unilife, as of the date of the termination of this Agreement.

(ii) induce, offer, assist, encourage, or suggest that another business or enterprise
offer employment to or enter into a consulting arrangement with any individual who is
employed by Unilife, or induce, offer, assist, encourage, or suggest that any
Unilife employee terminate his employment with Unilife, or accept employment with any
other business or enterprise.

 

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(c) In the event that Shortall commits any breach of Section 8(b) above, Shortall acknowledges
that Unilife would suffer substantial and irreparable harm and damages. Accordingly, Shortall
hereby agrees that in such event, Unilife shall be entitled to temporary and/or permanent
injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving damage, to enforce the provisions of this
Section, all without prejudice to any and all other remedies that Unilife may have at law or in
equity and that Unilife may elect or invoke. Shortall agrees that if any of the provisions of this
Section are or become unenforceable, the remainder hereof shall nevertheless remain binding upon
him to the fullest extent possible, taking into consideration the purposes and spirit of this
Agreement. Any invalid or unenforceable provision is to be reformed to the maximum time,
geographic and/or business limitations permitted by applicable laws, so as to be valid and
enforceable.

(d) Shortall expressly acknowledges and agrees that the restrictive covenants set forth in
Sections 7 and 8 above are absolutely necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of
Unilife, because he is employed in a position of trust and confidence and is provided with
extensive access to Unilife’s most confidential and proprietary trade secrets, and has significant
involvement in important business relationships, which constitute the goodwill of Unilife.

(e) In the event that Unilife must bring legal action to enforce or seek a remedy for any
breach of the provisions of Sections 7 or 8 of this Agreement, the losing party agrees to reimburse
the prevailing party for any and all expenses, including attorneys’ fees and court costs.

9. Relocation to Australia upon Termination. Upon expiration or termination of this
Agreement either by Shortall or by Unilife with or without Cause or following a Change in Control,
Unilife shall reimburse Shortall for all reasonable relocation expenses incurred by Shortall and
his family for repatriation to Australia, including the cost of one-way, first-class airline
tickets for Shortall, his spouse, and dependent children to Australia, so long as the return trip
occurs within twelve (12) months after Shortall’s termination of employment.

10. General Release. As a condition of receiving the severance compensation and
benefits described in Section 6, Unilife and Shortall will execute a mutual general release of
claims that is in a form acceptable to Unilife (“General Release”). Unilife will provide to
Shortall the form of General Release within seven (7) days after his employment terminates. Such
General Release would not include rights to previously vested options or claims for any
compensation earned (including, without limitation, accrued vacation), or reimbursement of expenses
incurred, through the date of termination. Such release must be agreed to, executed and
irrevocable no later than 30 days following Shortall’s termination date. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary herein, in the event that the period measured from Shortall’s separation from
service with Unilife through the eighth day after the expiration of the statutory period within
which Shortall may consider and execute the General Release described above falls within two
calendar years, then payment of the lump sum amounts payable pursuant to Section 6 of this
Agreement shall occur during the portion of the 45-day period that falls within such second
calendar year.

 

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11. Dispute Resolution. Any controversy, claim or dispute involving the parties (or
their affiliated persons) directly or indirectly concerning this Agreement shall be finally settled
by binding arbitration held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania by one arbitrator (who is mutually
acceptable to both parties as well as licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
in accordance with the rules of employment arbitration then followed by the American Arbitration
Association or any successor to the functions thereof. The arbitrator shall apply Pennsylvania law
in the resolution of all controversies, claims and disputes and shall have the right and authority
to determine how his or her decision or determination as to each issue or matter in dispute may be
implemented or enforced. Any decision or award of the arbitrator shall be final and conclusive for
both Shortall and Unilife (and its affiliates), and there shall be no appeal there from other than
causes of appeal allowed by the Federal Arbitration Act. Unilife shall bear all costs of the
arbitrator in any action brought under this Agreement. The arbitrator shall have the power to
award attorney’s fees and arbitration costs to the prevailing party, if the award of attorney’s
fees and litigation costs would be permitted by a court. The parties hereto agree that any action
to compel arbitration may be brought in the appropriate Pennsylvania state or federal court, and in
connection with such action to compel, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal
Arbitration Act shall control. Application may also be made to such court for confirmation of any
decision or award of the arbitrator, for an order of the enforcement and for any other remedies,
which may be necessary to effectuate such decision or award. The parties hereto hereby consent to
the jurisdiction of the arbitrator and of such court and waive any objection to the jurisdiction of
such arbitrator and court.

12. Non-waiver. A waiver of any provision of this Agreement by either party shall not
prevent either party from enforcing that provision or any other provision hereof.

13. Assignment. This Agreement is personal and may not be assigned by Shortall. Any
assignment of this Agreement between Unilife (or its successor) and its affiliates (and their
successors) shall not constitute a termination of Shortall’s employment hereunder. This Agreement
(including the Restrictive Covenants set forth in Sections 7 and 8) shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon any successor to Unilife. The parties specifically understand and agree that
the non-compete provisions of Section 8 will inure to the benefit of a successor and that Shortall
will remain bound by these provisions in the event of a sale or corporate reorganization of
Unilife.

14. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement is severable and distinct from,
and independent of, every other provision hereof. If one provision hereof is declared void, the
remaining provisions shall remain in effect. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the
extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating or affecting the remaining
provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties
concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between
the parties concerning the terms and conditions of Shortall’s employment on and after January 1,
2012, whether oral or written; provided, however, that Shortall’s equity grants shall be governed
by the equity grant documents; provided further, that any stock options or other stock-based awards
provided to Shortall shall be governed by Unilife’s stock incentive plans as they are amended from
time to time, except as provided herein. For the avoidance of doubt, Unilife and Shortall agree
that the Former Agreement, if not sooner terminated, shall expire on
the effective date of this Agreement and shall thereafter have no bearing on Shortall’s terms
of employment. The parties acknowledge, in entering into this Agreement that they have not relied
upon any promise or inducement not specifically set forth herein. Any changes to this Agreement
must be in writing and signed by both parties.

 

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16. Section 409A.

(a) This Agreement is intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, Code section 409A
and any regulations and Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder, and Unilife shall be required to
interpret the terms of this Agreement as necessary to comply with the requirements of Code section
409A.

(b) Unilife shall undertake to administer, interpret, and construe this Agreement in a manner
that does not result in the imposition on Shortall of any additional tax, penalty, or interest
under Code section 409A.

(c) Unilife and Shortall agree that they will execute any and all amendments to this Agreement
permitted under applicable law as they mutually agree in good faith may be necessary to ensure
compliance with the distribution provisions of Code section 409A or as otherwise needed to ensure
that this Agreement complies with that section.

(d) The preceding provisions, however, shall not be construed as a guarantee by Unilife of any
particular tax effect to Shortall under this Agreement. Unilife shall not be liable to Shortall
for any payment made under this Agreement that is determined to result in an additional tax,
penalty, or interest under Code section 409A, nor for reporting in good faith any payment made
under this Agreement as an amount includible in gross income under that section.

(e) For purposes of Code section 409A, the right to a series of installment payments under
this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

(f) With respect to any reimbursement of future expenses of, or any provision of in-kind
benefits to, Shortall, as specified under this Agreement, such reimbursement of expenses or
provision of in-kind benefits shall be subject to the following conditions: (i) the expenses
eligible for reimbursement or the amount of in-kind benefits provided in one taxable year shall not
affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or the amount of in-kind benefits provided in any
other taxable year, except for any medical reimbursement arrangement providing for the
reimbursement of expenses referred to in Code section 105(b); (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible
expense shall be made no later than the end of the year after the year in which such expense was
incurred; and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to
liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Any tax gross-up payment shall be made by no later
than the end of the calendar year following the year in which Shortall remits the taxes.

(g) “Termination of employment,” “resignation,” or words of similar import, as used in this
Agreement means, for purposes of any payments under this Agreement that are payments of deferred
compensation subject to Code section 409A, Shortall’s “separation from service” as defined in that
section.

 

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(h) If a payment obligation under this Agreement arises on account of Shortall’s separation
from service while Shortall is a “specified employee” (as defined under Code section 409A and
determined in good faith by the Unilife), any payment of “deferred compensation” (as
defined under Treasury regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(1), after giving effect to the
exemptions in Treasury regulation sections 1.409A-1(b)(3) through (b)(12)) that is scheduled to be
paid within six (6) months after such separation from service shall accrue without interest and
shall be paid within 15 days after the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of such
separation from service or, if earlier, within 15 days after the appointment of the personal
representative or executor of Shortall’s estate following his death.

(i) Nothing herein shall be construed as having modified the time and form of payment of any
amounts or payments of “deferred compensation” (as defined under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(1),
after giving effect to the exemptions in Treas. Reg. §§ 1.409A-1(b)(3) through (b)(12)) that were
otherwise payable pursuant to the terms of any agreement between Unilife and Shortall in effect on
or after January 1, 2005 and prior to the date of this Agreement.

17. Excise Tax on Parachute Payments.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision herein or any provision in an employment, severance,
change in control or similar agreement to the contrary, in the event it shall be determined that
any payment in the nature of compensation by Unilife to Shortall or for Shortall’s benefit, whether
paid, payable, distributed or distributable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (including,
without limitation, any severance payment or accelerated vesting of stock options or restricted
stock granted by Unilife) (each, a “Payment” and collectively, the “Total Payments”) would be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (“Code”) (or any successor provision) or any interest or penalties with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are collectively
referred to in this Agreement as the “Excise Tax”), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (the
“Reduction”) to the minimum extent necessary (but not below zero) so that no portion thereof shall
be subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that such Reduction shall be made
only if, by reason of such Reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by Shortall (or for
Shortall’s benefit) shall exceed the net after-tax benefit that would be received by Shortall (or
for Shortall’s benefit) if no such Reduction was made and Shortall bore the Excise Tax payment
liability.

(ii) If a Reduction is required pursuant to the terms of Section 17(i), the Total Payments
shall be reduced in the following order: any Payments constituting cash severance shall be reduced
first, any other Payments in the nature of cash compensation shall be reduced second, the number or
accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards other than stock options shall be reduced third,
and lastly, the number or accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options shall be reduced.

(iii) If it shall be determined that any Payment would be subject to the Excise Tax and
applying the Reduction would not result in a greater net after-tax benefit to Shortall than if no
such Reduction was made and Shortall bore the Excise Tax payment liability, then Shortall shall be
entitled to receive from Unilife an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such
that after the payment by Shortall of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Shortall
retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Total Payments.
In all events, the Gross-Up Payment, if any, shall be made by no later than the December 31st
following the calendar year in which Shortall remits the Excise Tax.

 

Page 11 of 14

 

(iv) For purposes of this Section 17, “net after-tax benefit” shall mean (A) the total of all
payments and the value of all benefits which Shortall receives or is then entitled to receive from
Unilife that would constitute “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Code section 280G,
less (B) the amount of all federal, state, local and foreign income taxes payable with respect to
the foregoing calculated at the maximum marginal income tax rate for each year in which the
foregoing shall be paid to Shortall (based on the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the
Code or other applicable tax law as in effect at the time of the first payment of the foregoing),
less (C) the amount of excise taxes imposed with respect to the payments and benefits described in
(A) above by Code section 4999.

(v) All determinations required under this Section 17, including without limitation whether a
Reduction shall be applied, the amount of such Reduction, and/or the amount of any Gross-Up
Payment, shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by Unilife and
reasonably acceptable to Shortall (which may be, but will not be required to be, Unilife’s
independent auditors) and such determinations shall be binding on Unilife and Shortall. The Firm
shall submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both Shortall and Unilife
within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a notice from either Unilife or Shortall that Shortall
may receive payments which may be “parachute payments.” If the Firm determines that none of the
Total Payments, after taking into account any Reduction required by this Section 17, constitutes a
“parachute payment” within the meaning of Code section 280G, it will, at the same time as it makes
such determination, furnish Shortall and Unilife an opinion that Shortall has substantial authority
not to report any excise tax under Code section 4999 on his federal income tax return.

(vi) Shortall and Unilife shall each provide the Firm access to and copies of any books,
records, and documents in the possession of Shortall or Unilife, as the case may be, reasonably
requested by the Firm, and otherwise cooperate with the Firm in connection with the preparation and
issuance of the determinations and calculations contemplated by this Section 17. The fees and
expenses of the Firm for its services in connection with the determinations and calculations
contemplated by this Section 17 shall be borne by Unilife.

18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed on separate counterparts, each of
which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same
agreement.

19. Interpretation. The captions and headings of this Agreement are not part of the
provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.

20. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by
this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if hand delivered, sent by overnight courier,
or sent by registered or certified mail to Shortall at the last address he has filed in writing
with Unilife or, in the case of Unilife, to Unilife’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at
Unilife’s principal executive offices.

21. Governing Law. The terms of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to provisions
thereof regarding conflict of laws.

 

Page 12 of 14

 

22. Legal Counsel. Shortall has been advised to seek independent counsel with respect
to this Agreement and is entering into this Agreement with full knowledge of its terms and
conditions.

23. Representations and Warranties. Shortall represents and warrants to Unilife that
he is not bound by any restrictive covenants and has no prior or other obligations or commitments
of any kind that would in any way prevent, restrict, hinder or interfere with Shortall’s acceptance
of employment or the performance of all duties and services hereunder to the fullest extent of
Shortall’s ability and knowledge, except for the duty of confidentiality owed to former employers.
If Shortall has misrepresented the representation and warranty provided herein, then Shortall would
be liable to Unilife for all damages incurred as a consequence thereof, including attorney’s fees
and costs of court.

[Remainder of the page left blank]

 

Page 13 of 14

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and wishing to be legally bound, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	UNILIFE CORPORATION:	 	ALAN D. SHORTALL	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ J. Christopher Naftzger
 

J. Christopher Naftzger
	 	/s/ Alan D. Shortall
 

	 	 
	 

	 	Vice President, General Counsel,	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Corporate Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer	 	 	 	 

 

Page 14 of 14exv10w5

Exhibit 10.5

November 4, 2011

Dear Rich:

Your employment agreement dated June 8, 2011 contains severance provisions. One of the conditions
to receiving severance compensation is the execution of a release in a form acceptable to Unilife.
Under the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, we are required to provide you with a mandated
period of time to consider the release, as well as a seven day revocation period. The current
wording of your employment agreement may be inconsistent with the IRS’s most recent interpretive
guidance regarding severance provisions, releases and Section 409A.

Accordingly, we would like to clarify certain terms of your employment agreement, dated June 8,
2011 (the “Agreement”), between you and Unilife Corporation (the “Company”), to
reflect the parties’ original intent to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), as follows:

Timing of Severance Pay After Execution of a Release. If under the terms of the Agreement the
execution of a general release of claims is a condition to your receiving severance or other
benefits under the Agreement, the Company will provide you with the form of release agreement
within seven days after your separation from service. To be entitled to the severance or other
benefits, you must execute and deliver to the Company the release agreement on or before the last
day of the minimum required waiver consideration period provided under the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act or other applicable law or such other date as may be specified in the release
agreement. If you timely deliver an executed release agreement to the Company, and you do not
revoke the release agreement during the minimum revocation period required under applicable law, if
any, the severance or other benefits shall be paid or commence being paid, as applicable, on or
after the date on which the release agreement becomes effective as specified in the Agreement. If,
however, the period during which you have discretion to execute or revoke the release agreement
straddles two calendar years, no such payment shall be made or benefit provided earlier than the
first day of the second such calendar year, regardless of within which calendar year you actually
deliver the executed release agreement to the Company. Consistent with Section 409A, you may not,
directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment. Nothing in this letter agreement
shall be construed to alter the terms of the Agreement that condition your entitlement to any
severance or other benefits upon your compliance with the restrictive covenants and any other terms
and conditions specified in the Agreement.

No Other Changes. You agree that the terms and conditions of the Agreement, to the extent not
modified hereby, will continue to apply as specified in the Agreement.

Unilife Corporation

250 Cross Farm Lane, York, PA 17406     T + 1 717 384 3400     F + 717 384 3401     E info@unilife.com     W www.unilife.com

 

 

 

To indicate your acceptance of these updated terms and conditions of your employment, please sign
and return one copy of this letter to me by no later than November 4, 2011.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Sincerely,

Unilife Corporation

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ J. Christopher Naftzger
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	J. Christopher Naftzger 	 
	 	 	Title:  	General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and

Chief Compliance Officer 	 

Agreed to and accepted:

	 	 	 
	/s/ R. Richard Wieland
 

R. Richard Wieland

	 	 

Dated: November 4, 2011

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