Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.1

CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Contingent Value Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2020 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between Cerecor Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as “Rights Agent”.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Parent, Genie Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), Second Genie Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Aevi Genomic Medicine, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of December 5, 2019 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Company (the “First Merger”), with Company surviving the First Merger as a subsidiary of Parent, and the surviving company of the First Merger will merge with and into Second Genie Merger Sub (the “Second Merger” and together with the First Merger, the “Mergers”), with Second Genie Merger Sub surviving the Second Merger as a subsidiary of Parent; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Parent has agreed to provide to Company’s stockholders the right to receive contingent payments as hereinafter described.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the consummation of the transactions referred to above, Parent and Rights Agent agree, for the proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.01    Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms will have the following meanings:

“AEVI-002” means Company’s monoclonal antibody it is developing as part of its genomic research collaboration with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“AEVI-002 Program” means Company’s study of AEVI-002 for use in Pediatric Onset Crohn’s Disease.
 
“AEVI-006” means Company’s licensed mTORC1/2 inhibitor.

“AEVI-006 Program” means Company’s program aimed at developing and commercializing AEVI-006.  

“AEVI-007” means Company’s licensed fully human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin 18, or IL-18.

“AEVI-007 Program” means Company’s program aimed at developing AEVI-007.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of Parent to have been duly adopted by the Parent Board and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Rights Agent.

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“Business Day” means any day, other than Saturday, Sunday, or any day on which banking institutions located in the city of New York are authorized or required by Law or other governmental action to close. 

“Cancelled Shares” means each share of Company Common Stock that was owned by Parent or the Company (as treasury stock or otherwise) or any of their respective direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, which has automatically been cancelled and retired and ceases to exist, and no CVR Payment Amount shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

“Change of Control” means (a) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of either Parent or the Company on a consolidated basis (other than to any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent), (b) a merger or consolidation involving either Parent or the Company in which Parent or the Company, respectively, is not the surviving entity, and (c) any other transaction involving either Parent or the Company in which Parent or the Company, respectively, is the surviving entity but in which the stockholders of Parent or the Company, respectively, immediately prior to such transaction own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power immediately after the transaction.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Company Board” means the board of directors of the Company. 

“Company Common Stock” means each share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

“CVR Payment Amount” means an amount up to $6,500,000 based upon completion of the Milestones consisting of: (i) $2,000,000 upon completion of the Study Milestone; and (ii) $4,500,000 upon completion of the NDA Milestone.

“CVRs” means the rights of Holders to receive contingent Parent Common Stock or cash payments, or a combination of contingent Parent Common Stock and cash payments, pursuant to this Agreement. 

“Dissenting Shares” means shares of Company Common Stock that were not converted into and are not exchangeable for a right to receive the CVR Payment Amount because the holder of such Company Common Stock exercised his, her, or its appraisal rights in compliance with Section 262 of the DGCL. 

“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.

“Effective Time” means the time the First Merger becomes effective pursuant to the Merger Agreement. 

“Excess Cash Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(i).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
    
“Governmental Entity” means any supranational, national, state, municipal, local, or foreign government, any instrumentality, subdivision, court, administrative agency or commission, or other 

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governmental authority, or any quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a CVR is registered in the CVR Register at the applicable time.

“Laws” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, multi-national or other laws, common law, statutes, constitutions, ordinances, rules, regulations, codes, Orders, or legally enforceable requirements enacted, issued, adopted, promulgated, enforced, ordered, or applied by any Governmental Entity.

“Legal Action” means any legal, administrative, arbitral, or other proceedings, suits, actions, investigations, examinations, claims, audits, hearings, charges, complaints, indictments, litigations, or examinations.

“Majority Holders” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).

“Milestone” and “Milestones” mean, as applicable, the Study Milestone, the NDA Milestone, or both of the Study Milestone and the NDA Milestone.

“Milestone Cash Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a).

“Milestone Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a).

“Milestone Notice Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(b).

“Milestone Stock Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a).

“Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.

“NDA Milestone” means the receipt from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of a New Drug Application approval for either AEVI-006 or AEVI-007 achieved or occurring prior to the sixty (60)-month anniversary of the date of this Agreement.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, any vice president, the controller, the treasurer or the secretary, in each case of Parent, in his or her capacity as such an officer, and delivered to the Rights Agent.

“Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent.

“Parent Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Parent. 

“Permitted Transfer” means a transfer of CVRs (a) on death by will or intestacy; (b) by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the CVRs are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustee; (c) pursuant to a court order; (d) made by operation of law (including a consolidation or merger) or without consideration in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or termination of any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity; (e) in the case of CVRs held in nominee form, from a nominee to a beneficial owner (through an intermediary if applicable) or from a nominee to another nominee for the same beneficial owner, to the extent allowable by the Rights Agent; (f) from a participant’s account in a tax-qualified employee benefit plan to the participant or to such participant’s account in a different tax-

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qualified employee benefit plan or to a tax-qualified individual retirement account for the benefit of such participant; or (g) to Parent for any or no consideration.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, association, joint venture, Governmental Entity, or other entity or group (which term shall include a “group” as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act). 

“Rights Agent” means the Rights Agent named in the first paragraph of this Agreement, until a successor Rights Agent will have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and thereafter “Rights Agent” will mean such successor Rights Agent.

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

“Study Milestone” means the enrollment of a patient in a Phase II study related to the AEVI-002 Program, the AEVI-006 Program or the AEVI-007 Program, prior to the twenty-four (24)-month anniversary of the date of this Agreement. 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of voting securities is at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

“Tax” and “Taxes” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other income, gross receipts, sales, use, production, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, registration, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, unemployment, estimated, excise, severance, environmental, stamp, occupation, premium, property (real or personal), real property gains, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, additions, or penalties with respect thereto and any interest in respect of such additions or penalties. 

“Trading Day” means a day on which Nasdaq is open for trading.

“Volume Weighted Average Price” means an amount equal to the volume weighted average price for Parent Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq (or any national securities exchange  or over the counter trading market on which the Parent Common Stock primarily trades if the Parent Common Stock is no longer listed on Nasdaq) for the five Trading Days immediately prior to the date Parent makes the applicable payment. 

Section 1.02    Rules of Construction.  Except as otherwise explicitly specified to the contrary, (a) references to a Section means a Section of this Agreement unless another agreement is specified, (b) the word “including” (in its various forms) means “including without limitation,” (c) references to a particular statute or regulation include all rules and regulations thereunder and any predecessor or successor statute, rules or regulation, in each case as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, (d) words in the singular or plural form include the plural and singular form, respectively, (e) references to a particular Person include such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement and (f) all references to dollars or “$” refer to United States dollars.  For clarity, the parties agree that the phrase “materially adverse” when used in this Agreement with respect to the Holders includes any amendment or other action, as applicable, that does or would be reasonably expected to reduce, eliminate, or materially delay (y) any 

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payment to the Holders under this Agreement, or (z) any achievement by the Company or its successor or their affiliates of the Milestones.

ARTICLE II
CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS

Section 2.01    CVRs; Appointment of Rights Agent.

(a)    As provided in the Merger Agreement, each Holder is entitled to one CVR for each share of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Cancelled Shares and Dissenting Shares).  Each CVR represents the right of a Holder to receive the aggregate CVR Payment Amount divided by the number of then-outstanding CVRs pursuant to this Agreement, to be paid in accordance with this Agreement.  The initial Holders will be determined in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

(b)    Parent hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as rights agent for Parent as contemplated hereby in accordance with the express terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (and no implied terms or conditions), and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.

Section 2.02    Nontransferable.  The CVRs will not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or in any other manner transferred or disposed of, in whole or in part, other than through a Permitted Transfer.  Any attempted sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, encumbrance or any other manner of transfer or disposal of, in whole or in part, the CVRs (other than through a Permitted Transfer) will be void and of no effect.

Section 2.03    No Certificate; Registration; Registration of Transfer; Change of Address.

(a)    The CVRs will not be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument.

(b)    The Rights Agent will keep a register (the “CVR Register”) for the purpose of registering CVRs and transfers of CVRs as permitted herein.  The CVR Register will initially show one position for Cede & Co. representing all the shares of Company Common Stock held by DTC on behalf of the street name holders of the shares of Company Common Stock held by such holders as of immediately prior to the Effective Time. The Rights Agent will have no responsibility whatsoever directly to the street name holders with respect to transfers of CVRs unless and until such CVRs are transferred into the name of such street name holders in accordance with Section 2.02 of this Agreement.

(c)    Subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 2.02, every request made to transfer a CVR must be in writing and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent, duly executed by the Holder thereof or the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, personal representative or survivor and setting forth in reasonable detail the circumstances relating to the transfer, including a description of how the transfer qualifies as a Permitted Transfer.  Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent will, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in proper form and the transfer otherwise complies with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the provisions of Section 2.02), register the transfer of the CVRs in the CVR Register.  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer of a CVR, but Parent may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or governmental charge that is imposed in connection with any such registration of transfer.  The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment by a Holder of applicable 

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taxes or charges unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that all such taxes or charges have been paid or will be paid.  All duly transferred CVRs registered in the CVR Register will be the valid obligations of Parent and will entitle the transferee to the same benefits and rights under this Agreement as those held immediately prior to the transfer by the transferor.  No transfer of a CVR will be valid until registered in the CVR Register, and any transfer not duly registered in the CVR Register will be void ab initio.

(d)    A Holder may make a written request to the Rights Agent to change such Holder’s address of record in the CVR Register.  The written request must be duly executed by the Holder.  Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent will promptly record the change of address in the CVR Register.

Section 2.04    Payment Procedures.

(a)    Within ten Business Days following the Company’s determination that it has achieved the Study Milestone or NDA Milestone, if any, Parent will (i) deliver to the Rights Agent a written notice (in each case, a “Milestone Notice”) indicating the applicable Milestone achieved and (ii) in accordance with Section 4.02, transfer to the Rights Agent, at the Parent’s sole discretion, (A) subject to the valuation methodology set forth below, shares of Parent Common Stock (a “Milestone Stock Payment”), (B) cash (a “Milestone Cash Payment”), or (C) a combination thereof (but in no case less than the Excess Cash Amount), equal to the aggregate CVR Payment Amount then due and payable to the Holders.  For purposes of this Agreement, shares of Parent Common Stock will be valued based on the Volume Weighted Average Price.
(b)    The Rights Agent will, within ten Business Days of receipt of any Milestone Notice (each such date, a “Milestone Notice Date”), send each Holder at its registered address a copy of the applicable Milestone Notice.  At the time the Rights Agent sends a copy of such Milestone Notice to the Holders, the Rights Agent will also pay the applicable CVR Payment Amount to the Holders, with each Holder receiving (1), on account of any Milestone Stock Payment, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal in value (as set forth in Section 2.04(a)) to the product of A * B, where “A” equals the quotient of (i) the applicable CVR Payment Amount in respect of the applicable Milestone, divided by (ii) the then-outstanding number of CVRs held by all Holders including Parent, and “B” equals the number of CVRs held by such Holder as reflected on the CVR Register (such calculation, the “Pro Rata Share”), and, (2), on account of any Milestone Cash Payment, such Holder’s Pro Rata Share of the Milestone Cash Payment.  The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued to Holders pursuant to the foregoing shall be evidenced by properly authorized share certificates registered with the Parent’s stock transfer agent, or at Parent’s discretion, by book entry registration with the Parent’s stock transfer agent.  The Milestone Cash Payment to be paid pursuant to the foregoing, shall be paid by check mailed to the address of each Holder as reflected in the CVR Register as of the close of business on the last Business Day prior to such Milestone Notice Date.

(c)    In the event that any CVR Payment Amount payable to the Holders under Section 2.04(a) or Section 2.04(b) includes shares of Parent Common Stock, Parent and the Rights Agent shall take such actions as are necessary to issue or transfer to each Holder such Holder’s Pro Rata Share of shares of Parent Common Stock, in accordance with applicable Law. 

(d)    Each of the Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct or withhold, or cause the Rights Agent to deduct or withhold, from any CVR Payment Amount otherwise payable or otherwise deliverable pursuant to this Agreement, in each case directly or through an authorized agent, such amounts as are reasonably determined to be required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under the Code or any other provision of any applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. Tax Laws.  To the extent 

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such amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid over or deposited with the relevant Tax authority, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the Holder(s) to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid or delivered.  Prior to making any such Tax withholdings or causing any such Tax withholdings to be made with respect to any Holder, the Rights Agent shall, to the extent practicable, provide notice to the Holder of such potential withholding and a reasonable opportunity for the Holder to provide any necessary Tax forms (including an IRS Form W-9 or an applicable IRS Form W-8) in order to avoid or reduce such withholding amounts; provided that the time period for payment of the applicable CVR Payment Amount by the Rights Agent set forth in under Section 2.04(a) or Section 2.04(b) shall be extended by a period equal to any delay caused by the Holder providing such forms.

(e)    Any portion of any CVR Payment Amount that remains undistributed to the Holders one year after an applicable Milestone Notice Date will be delivered by the Rights Agent to Parent, upon written demand, and any Holder will thereafter look only to Parent for payment of such CVR Payment Amount, without interest.

(f)    Neither Parent nor the Rights Agent will be liable to any person in respect of any CVR Payment Amount delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.  If, despite Parent’s and the Rights Agent’s reasonable best efforts to deliver a CVR Payment Amount to the applicable Holder, any CVR Payment Amount has not been paid prior to one (1) year after an applicable Milestone Notice Date (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which the CVR Payment Amount would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity), any such CVR Payment Amount will, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of Parent, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

(g)    Except to the extent any portion of any CVR Payment Amount is required to be treated as imputed interest pursuant to applicable Law, the Parties agree to treat the CVRs and the CVR Payment Amounts received with respect to the Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement for all U.S. federal and applicable state and local income Tax purposes as additional consideration for the Company Common Stock, and none of the parties will take any position to the contrary on any U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax return or for other U.S. federal and applicable state and local income Tax purposes except as required by applicable Law.

(h)    If any cash payment arising as a result of the achievement of a Milestone (including any payment of fractional shares as set forth in Section 2.04(j)) would result in the Mergers’ failing to meet the “continuity of interest” requirement set forth in Section 1.368-1(e) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, or would otherwise cause the Mergers to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Code Section 368(a), Parent shall, in lieu of cash consideration, issue to the Rights Agent, on behalf of and for the benefit of the Holders, a number of shares of Parent Common Stock (valued as set forth in Section 2.04(a)) necessary to cause the Mergers to meet the “continuity of interest” requirement set forth in Section 1.368-1(e) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code (taking into account for such determination the value of such Parent Common Stock at both the time of such payment and at the Effective Time of the First Merger) or otherwise causing the Mergers to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Code Section 368(a), but in no event will Parent be required to issue Parent Stock valued in excess of the portion of the CVR Payment that has been earned as a result of the achievement of the applicable Milestone.

(i)    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event shall the aggregate amount of Parent Common Stock issued, or issuable, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement exceed the maximum amount permitted under Nasdaq rules without shareholder 

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approval, in which case any remaining amount of the CVR Payment Amount shall be paid in cash (the “Excess Cash Amount”) pursuant to Section 2.04(a); provided, however, if the Excess Cash Payment would result in the Mergers failing to meet the “control” requirement of Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code, or would otherwise cause the Mergers to fail to qualify as a tax-free reorganization, then Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly obtain the necessary approval under the Nasdaq listing requirements or the requirements of any applicable securities exchange or trading market on which the Parent Common Stock is then listed in order to issue such shares and the payment requirements under this Agreement shall be suspended until such approval is obtained.  Parent covenants and agrees to, as expeditiously as practicable, register or qualify the issuance of all shares of Parent Common Stock issued or transferred to Holders under this Agreement under the Securities Act and the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of each jurisdiction in which such registration or qualification is necessary.

(j)    Fractional Share Provision.  No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued under this Agreement, and in lieu of any fraction share of Parent Common Stock otherwise issuable under this Agreement, if any, the Holder shall receive a cash payment, rounded to the nearest whole cent and without interest, in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Volume Weighted Average Price for the applicable payment by the fraction of a share the Holder would otherwise be entitled to receive.

Section 2.05    No Voting, Dividends or Interest; No Equity or Ownership Interest in Parent.

(a)    Interest will not accrue on any amounts payable on the CVRs to any Holder.

(b)    The CVRs will not represent any equity or ownership interest in Parent or in any constituent company to the Mergers, and therefore will not have any voting or dividend rights of any equity or ownership interest in Parent or in any constituent company to the Mergers.

Section 2.06    Ability to Abandon CVR. A Holder may at any time, at such Holder’s option, abandon all of such Holder’s remaining rights in a CVR by transferring such CVR to Parent without consideration therefor.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit Parent from offering to acquire CVRs for consideration in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE III
THE RIGHTS AGENT

Section 3.01    Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

(a)    The Rights Agent will not have any liability for any actions taken or not taken in connection with this Agreement, except to the extent of its violation of law, willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment). No provision of this Agreement will require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

(b)    The Holders, acting by the written consent of Holders of not less than a majority of the then-outstanding CVRs (the “Majority Holders”), may direct in writing the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Holders in enforcing any of their rights hereunder.  The Rights Agent shall be under no obligation to institute any action, suit or proceeding, or to take any other action likely to result in the incurrence of expenses by the Rights Agent; provided that, in the event that the Rights Agent elects to institute any action, suit or proceeding, or to take any other action directed by the Holders, the acting Holders (on behalf of all Holders) 

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shall furnish the Rights Agent with reasonable security and indemnity for any costs and expenses that may be incurred pursuant to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Rights Agent and shall reimburse the Rights Agent for any such costs and expenses upon demand by the Rights Agent. All rights of action under this Agreement may be enforced by the Rights Agent, any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Rights Agent shall be brought in its name as the Rights Agent and any recovery in connection therewith shall be for the proportionate benefit of all the Holders, as their respective rights or interests may appear.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Rights Agent shall not be obligated to act on behalf of the Holders notwithstanding the Rights Agent’s receipt of a written direction from the Majority Holders in accordance with this clause (b).

Section 3.02    Certain Rights of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent.  In addition:

(a)    the Rights Agent may rely and will be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b)    whenever the Rights Agent will deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Rights Agent may, in the absence of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment), request and rely upon an Officer’s Certificate with respect to such matter;

(c)    the Rights Agent may engage and consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any opinion of counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(d)    the permissive rights of the Rights Agent to do things enumerated in this Agreement will not be construed as a duty;

(e)    the Rights Agent will not be required to give any note or surety in respect of the execution of such powers or otherwise in respect of the premises;

(f)    Parent agrees to indemnify Rights Agent and its affiliates and their respective employees, officers and directors for, and hold Rights Agent and its affiliates and their respective employees, officers and directors harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, demands, suits or expense arising out of or in connection with Rights Agent’s duties under this Agreement, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending Rights Agent against any claims, charges, demands, suits or loss, unless such loss has been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of Rights Agent’s violation of law, gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; and

(g)    Parent agrees (i) to pay the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent in connection with this Agreement as agreed upon in writing by Rights Agent and Parent from time to time, and (ii) to reimburse the Rights Agent for all taxes and governmental charges, reasonable expenses and other charges of any kind and nature incurred by the Rights Agent in the execution of this Agreement (other than taxes imposed on or measured by the Rights Agent’s net income and franchise or similar taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes)).  The Rights Agent will also be entitled to reimbursement from Parent for all 

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reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses paid or incurred by it in connection with the administration by the Rights Agent of its duties hereunder, which expenses may not exceed $15,000 in the aggregate without the prior written approval of Parent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided that the foregoing limitation on expenses shall not apply to Parent’s indemnification obligations in clause (f) above.

Section 3.03    Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a)    The Rights Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to Parent and the Holders specifying a date when such resignation will take effect, which notice will be sent at least thirty days prior to the date so specified.  Parent has the right to remove Rights Agent at any time by a Board Resolution specifying a date when such removal will take effect. Notice of such removal will be given by Parent to Rights Agent, which notice will be sent at least thirty days prior to the date so specified.

(b)    If the Rights Agent resigns, is removed or becomes incapable of acting, Parent, by a Board Resolution, will promptly appoint a qualified successor Rights Agent who may be a Holder but may not be an officer of Parent.  The successor Rights Agent so appointed will, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with this Section 3.03(b), become the successor Rights Agent.

(c)    Parent will give notice to each Holder of each resignation and each removal of a Rights Agent and each appointment of a successor Rights Agent by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail to the Holders as their names and addresses appear in the CVR Register.  Each notice will include the name and address of the successor Rights Agent.  If Parent fails to send such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by a successor Rights Agent, the successor Rights Agent will cause the notice to be mailed at the expense of Parent.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.03, unless consented to in writing the Majority Holders, Parent shall not appoint as a successor Rights Agent any Person that is not a stock transfer agent of national reputation or the corporate trust department of a commercial bank.

Section 3.04    Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.  Every successor Rights Agent appointed hereunder will execute, acknowledge and deliver to Parent and to the retiring Rights Agent an instrument accepting such appointment and a counterpart of this Agreement, and thereupon such successor Rights Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, will become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Rights Agent.  On request of Parent or the successor Rights Agent, the retiring Rights Agent will execute and deliver an instrument transferring to the successor Rights Agent all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Rights Agent.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Parent’s and Holders’ obligations to the Rights Agent (including, without limitation, the obligations in Section 3.02) shall survive in all respects the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent.

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

Section 4.01    List of Holders. Parent will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Rights Agent in such form as Parent receives from the Company’s transfer agent (or other agent performing similar services for the Company), the names and addresses of the Holders within ten Business Days after the Effective Time.

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Section 4.02    Payment of CVR Payment Amounts.  Parent will promptly deposit with the Rights Agent, for payment to each Holder, the applicable CVR Payment Amount, if any, prior to or on the applicable Milestone Notice Date.

Section 4.03    Records.  Parent shall maintain (and shall cause its affiliates to maintain) records relating to the Milestones in sufficient detail to permit the Holders to confirm whether any Milestones giving rise to any CVR Payment Amounts have been achieved by Parent or Company or their successors or affiliates.

ARTICLE V
AMENDMENTS

Section 5.01    Amendments without Consent of Holders.  Without the consent of any Holders or the Rights Agent, Parent, when authorized by a Board Resolution, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto, to evidence any successor to or permitted assignee of Parent and the assumption by any such successor or permitted assignee of the covenants of Parent herein as provided in Section 6.03.  Without the consent of any Holders, Parent, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Rights Agent, in the Rights Agent’s sole and absolute discretion, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto, for any of the following purposes:

(a)     to evidence the succession of another Person as a successor Rights Agent in accordance with ARTICLE III and the assumption by any successor of the covenants and obligations of the Rights Agent herein;

(b)    to add to the covenants of Parent such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as Parent and the Rights Agent will consider to be for the protection of the Holders; provided that, in each case, such provisions do not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders;

(c)    to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be a manifest error or defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement; provided that, in each case, such provisions do not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders;

(d)    as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the CVRs are not subject to registration under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act; provided that, in each case, such provisions do not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders; or

(e)    any other amendments hereto for the purpose of adding, eliminating or changing any provisions of this Agreement, unless such addition, elimination or change is materially adverse to the interests of the Holders.

Promptly after the execution by Parent and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.01, Parent will mail (or cause the Rights Agent to mail) a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders at their addresses as they appear on the CVR Register, setting forth in general terms the substance of such amendment.

Section 5.02    Amendments with Consent of Holders.

(a)    Subject to Section 5.01 (which amendments pursuant to Section 5.01 may be made without the consent of the Holders), with the consent of the Majority Holders, whether evidenced in writing 

11

or taken at a meeting of the Holders, Parent, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Rights Agent may enter into one or more amendments hereto for the purpose of adding, eliminating or changing any provisions of this Agreement, even if such addition, elimination or change is materially adverse to the interest of the Holders.

(b)    Promptly after the execution by Parent and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.02, Parent will mail (or, to the extent requested by Parent in writing, cause the Rights Agent to mail) a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders at their addresses as they appear on the CVR Register, setting forth in general terms the substance of such amendment.

Section 5.03    Execution of Amendments.  In executing any amendment permitted by this ARTICLE V, the Rights Agent will be entitled to receive, and will be fully protected in relying upon, an opinion of counsel selected by Parent stating that the execution of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.  The Rights Agent may, but is not obligated to, enter into any such amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own rights, privileges, covenants or duties under this Agreement or otherwise.

Section 5.04    Effect of Amendments.  Upon the execution of any amendment under this ARTICLE V, this Agreement will be modified in accordance therewith, such amendment will form a part of this Agreement for all purposes and every Holder will be bound thereby.

ARTICLE VI
OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 6.01    Notices to Rights Agent and Parent.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered in person, by overnight courier, or by electronic mail, or two (2) Business Days after being sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), as follows:

If to the Rights Agent, to it at: 
Address:    6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY  11217
Telephone:    (718) 921-8200
Email:    reorg-RM@astfinancial.com
Attention:    David Barker

With a copy to:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY  10005
Attention: Legal Department
Email: legalteamAST@astfinancial.com

If to Parent, to it at: 
Address:        540 Gaither Road, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850 
Telephone:    (410) 803-6406
Email:    jmiller@cerecor.com

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Attention:    Joseph Miller, Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP: 
Address:        4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607
Telephone:    (919) 781-4000
Email:    dreynolds@wyrick.com; dcreekman@wyrick.com
Attention:    Don Reynolds and David Creekman

The Rights Agent or Parent may specify a different address, email address or facsimile number by giving notice to each other in accordance with this Section 6.01 and to the Holders in accordance with Section 6.02.

Section 6.02    Notice to Holders.  Where this Agreement provides for notice to Holders, such notice will be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the Holder’s address as it appears in the CVR Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder will affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders.

Section 6.03    Parent Successors and Assigns.  Parent may assign, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any other party, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to one or more direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Parent for so long as they remain wholly owned subsidiaries of Parent (each, an “Assignee”); provided that Parent shall remain liable for the performance by any such assignee of, and shall not be relieved of, its obligations, duties and covenants hereunder.  Any such Assignee may thereafter assign, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any other party, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to one or more additional Assignees satisfying the conditions of the preceding sentence.  This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assignees, and this Agreement shall not restrict Parent’s or any successor’s ability to merge or consolidate; provided, that in the event of a Change of Control, Parent or Company, as applicable, shall cause the acquirer to assume Parent’s obligations, duties and covenants under this Agreement, in which case the obligation to issue Parent Common Stock set forth herein shall be assumed by the ultimate parent company in such Change of Control and the equity issuable hereunder shall be the equity of such new Person.  Except as otherwise permitted herein, Parent may not assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Majority Holders.  Any attempted assignment of this Agreement or any of such rights in violation of this Section 6.03 shall be void and of no effect.

Section 6.04    Benefits of Agreement.  Parent and the Rights Agent hereby agree that the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Holders, acting by the written consent of the Majority Holders, all of whom are intended third-party beneficiaries hereof.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, will give to any Person (other than the Rights Agent, Parent, Parent’s successors and permitted assignees, and the Holders and their respective successors and permitted assignees) any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the Rights Agent, Parent, Parent’s successors and permitted assignees, and the Holders and their respective successors and permitted assignees.  The rights of Holders are limited to those expressly provided in this Agreement.

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Section 6.05    Governing Law.  This Agreement, and all Legal Actions (whether based on contract, tort, or statute) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of any of the parties hereto in the negotiation, administration, performance, or enforcement hereof, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of Laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Delaware. 

Section 6.06    Submission to Jurisdiction.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any Legal Action with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by any other party hereto or its successors or assigns shall be brought and determined exclusively in the State of Delaware, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such Legal Action, in any state or federal court located within the State of Delaware.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such Legal Action in the manner provided in Section 6.01 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable Laws, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such Legal Action for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it shall not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court or tribunal other than the aforesaid courts.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim, or otherwise, in any Legal Action with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder: (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve process in accordance with this Section 6.06; (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise); and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable Law, any claim that (i) the suit, action, or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action, or proceeding is improper, or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

Section 6.07    Severability.  If any term or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.  Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.

Section 6.08    Counterparts and Signature.  This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, including by facsimile or other electronic transmission each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

Section 6.09    Termination.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.04(f), this Agreement will be terminated and of no force or effect, the parties hereto will have no liability hereunder (except as set forth in Article III), and no payments will be required to be made upon the first to occur of: (a) payment of all 

14

CVR Payment Amounts required to be paid under this Agreement, or (b) the failure to achieve the NDA Milestone prior to the sixty (60)-month anniversary of the date of this Agreement and, only if the Study Milestone was achieved, payment of the CVR Payment Amount in respect of the completion of the Study Milestone.  In no event will any CVR Payment Amount become payable (x) in respect the Study Milestone achieved or occurring on or after the twenty-four (24)-month anniversary of this Agreement, or (b) in respect of the NDA Milestone achieved or occurring on or after the sixty (60)-month anniversary.

Section 6.10    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Merger Agreement (including the schedules, annexes and exhibits thereto, the documents and instruments referred to therein and the documents delivered pursuant thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or therein, are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder.

Section 6.11    Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.  EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE EITHER OF SUCH WAIVERS, (II) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVERS, (III) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVERS VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 6.11.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

	
					
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	CERECOR INC.
	 

	 
	 
	 
	By: /s/ Joseph M. Miller
	 

	 
	 
	 
	Name:  Joseph M. Miller 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	Title: Chief Financial Officer
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
	 

	 
	 
	 
	By: /s/ Michael Legregin
	 

	 
	 
	 
	Name: Michael Legregin
	 

	 
	 
	 
	Title: Senior Vice President, Corporate Actions
	 

16Exhibit

Exhibit 10.3

	
					
	
	540 Gaither Road

	Rockville, MD 20850

	 

	 

	 

	 

January 29, 2020

Michael Cola 

Dear Mike:

On behalf of Cerecor Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), we are pleased to formalize for you (“you” or the “Employee”) the terms of your employment with the Company as set forth in this agreement (the “Agreement”).
1.In General. You will be employed by the Company, and your employment hereunder shall be governed in accordance with the provisions set forth below.  The Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed, except by mutual agreement between you and the Company which must be documented in writing and signed by both parties.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, without the need for further agreement or consent by either you or the Company.  The failure of either party to enforce any of the provisions in this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of the right of that party to enforce any such provision.
2.Position. Effective upon the consummation of the merger of the Company and Aevi Genomic Medicine, Inc. (the “Effective Date”), you will serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, based in the Company’s offices in Wayne, Pennsylvania.  You will report to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).  During the Employment Term, you shall devote all your business time, energy and skill and your best efforts to the performance of your duties with the Company.  You shall have the duties that are commensurate with your position and any other duties that may be assigned to you by the Board, and you shall perform all such duties faithfully and efficiently in compliance with applicable law and the Company’s policies, as may be in effect from time to time.
3.Term.  This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of your employment that shall apply commencing on the Effective Date and ending upon termination of this Agreement by either party as described in Section 7 hereof (such period, the “Employment Term”).
4.Base Salary. The Company agrees to pay you a base salary compensation at an annual rate of not less than Four Hundred And Fifty Thousand Dollars (US $450,000.00), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company. The base salary as increased from time to time shall constitute the “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.  The Base Salary shall be subject to annual review beginning in 2021 and may be increased, but not decreased, from time to time; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee’s Base Salary may be decreased in conjunction with a 

1

reduction in base salary affecting all similarly-situated employees so long as the Employee will not experience a proportional decrease greater than that of any other similarly-situated employee.
5.Bonus Compensation.
a)    Inducement Grant. As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, and subject to the approval of the Board and your execution of a separate grant document, the Company will grant you a number of non-statutory stock options to purchase 1.2 million shares of Company Common Stock. The stock options will vest over four (4) years, with a twelve-month cliff, such that the first 25% of such stock options will vest on the first anniversary following the Effective Date, and the remainder will vest in equal monthly installments, provided that you remain an employee of the Company as of each such vesting date, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the common shares on the date of the grant on any exchange on which Company’s shares are then traded.  Such stock options will be granted to you pursuant to the inducement grant exception under NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4), and not pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan or any other equity incentive plan of the Company, as a material inducement to your employment with the Company.

b)    Additional Grants.  During the Employment Term, you will also be eligible to receive additional discretionary annual equity awards determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, provided you are employed on the date such award. Such awards may consist of restricted stock or options to acquire shares of Cerecor common stock, pursuant to the terms, conditions, and restrictions of this Agreement, the Plan or other future similar plan and the form of award agreement thereunder.  

c)    Annual Bonus. During the Employment Term, you shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus of a target amount of up to seventy percent (70%) of your Base Salary (pro-rated in 2020) as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, provided you are employed on the date such annual bonus is paid.  Such bonus may consist of cash and/or, at your election, grants of additional equity awards in the Company, which shall be immediately vested, and is intended to be substantially consistent with cash bonuses and equity award bonuses paid to executives of similar grade in similarly situated companies in the biotechnology industry, subject to the results of operations and financial condition of the Company and your level of individual performance.  
6.Employee Benefits. You shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time, provided that such modification or termination is conducted in compliance with applicable law and applied consistently to all similarly-situated employees.  You will be eligible for all paid holiday time observed by the Company.  In addition, you will be provided a minimum of twenty (20) days of paid vacation per year.  Vacation days will accrue and may be used in accordance with the Company’s written policies.  Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, you shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of your duties hereunder.
7.Termination of Employment.

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a)    Death or Disability. Your employment shall immediately terminate on the date of your death or upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice by the Company for “Disability” (as defined in the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time or, if no such plan is in effect, as defined under Code Section 409A (as defined in Section 19 below)); provided, however, nothing herein shall give the Company the right to terminate you prior to discharging its obligations, if any, under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) or any other applicable law.  Upon your termination due to death or Disability, you (or your estate or legal representative, if applicable) shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits: (i) any unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses under the Company’s expense reimbursement policy incurred through the date of termination and any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy, payable within thirty (30) days following such termination of employment, (ii) your prorated annual bonus earned in the year in which the termination occurs, payable when such annual bonuses are paid to other executive employees of the Company; (iii) full vesting of  options awarded by the Company, which you shall have six (6) months to exercise from the date of such termination; (iv) all other vested payments, benefits or fringe benefits to which you shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant (collectively, the benefits described in Sections 7(a)(i) and 7(a)(ii) hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the “Accrued Benefits”), and (v) continued payment of your Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to your termination for six (6) consecutive months following such termination.
b)    For Cause. Your employment with the Company shall terminate immediately upon written notice by the Company for Cause. “Cause” shall mean: (i) your willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of your duties to the Company that, if capable of cure, is not cured within thirty (30) days of your receipt of written notice from the Company; (ii) your failure to perform your duties to the Company or to follow the lawful directives of the Board acting collectively (other than as a result of death or a physical or mental incapacity) that, if capable of cure, is not cured within thirty (30) days of your receipt of written notice from the Company; (iii) your indictment for, conviction of, or pleading of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; (iv) any act of theft, fraud, malfeasance or dishonesty in connection with the performance of your duties to the Company that could reasonably be expected to be materially injurious to the Company; or (v) a material breach of this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company, or a material violation of the Company’s code of conduct or other written policy that, if such material breach referenced in subsection (v) is capable of cure, is not cured within thirty (30) days of your receipt of written notice from the Company.  Upon a termination for Cause, the Company shall pay to you only the Accrued Benefits.
c)    Without Cause. Your employment may be terminated by the Company without Cause (other than for death or Disability) immediately upon written notice by the Company. Upon a termination without Cause, subject to your compliance with the obligations in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof, the Company shall pay to you the following payments and benefits: (i) the Accrued Benefits; (ii) continued payment of your Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to your termination for eighteen (18) consecutive months following such termination; (iii) 100% of your annual bonus earned in the year in which the termination occurs, payable when such annual bonuses are paid to other executive employees of the Company; (iv) full vesting of  options awarded by the Company, which you shall have six (6) months to exercise from the date of such termination; and (v) if you timely elect and remain eligible for continued health insurance coverage under federal COBRA law or, if applicable, state insurance laws, the Company will pay your COBRA or state continuation health insurance premiums until the earliest of (x) the first anniversary of your termination; (y) expiration of your continuation coverage under COBRA; or (z) the date when you are eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance; provided, that the first payment pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iv) shall be made on the first payroll period after the sixtieth (60th) day following such termination and shall include payment of any amounts that would otherwise be due prior 

3

thereto.  Provided, however, the Company has the right to terminate its payment pursuant to clause (iv) and instead pay you a lump sum amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium multiplied by the number of months remaining in the specified period if the Company determines in its discretion that continued payment of the COBRA premiums is or may be discriminatory under Section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.  In the event of your termination by the Company without Cause (other than for Death or Disability) within 6 months of a Change in Control, as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, the payments pursuant to clauses (i)-(iii) shall be made promptly after its closing or your termination, whichever is later. 
d)    By Employee; For Good Reason. Your employment shall terminate upon your written notice to the Company of a termination for any reason. “Good Reason” shall mean, without your written consent, (i) a material diminution in your duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated), (ii) a permanent relocation of your primary place of employment of more than 25 miles from the initially-agreed place of employment, which relocation also causes your primary place of employment to be located further from your primary residence, or (iii) a material breach of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a diminution of your Base Salary inconsistent with Section 4 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any reasonable actions taken by the Company to accommodate a disability of Employee or pursuant to the FMLA, ADA or any other applicable law shall not constitute Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.  You shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days after you first becoming aware of such circumstances (or the first opportunity when you reasonably should have become aware of such circumstances), and the Company shall have thirty (30) days following the receipt of such notice to cure such alleged “Good Reason” event. If the Company does not cure such event within the cure period, you must terminate your employment within ten (10) days following the end of such cure period, and if you do not do so, any claim of such circumstances as “Good Reason” will be deemed irrevocably waived by you. Upon a termination for Good Reason, you shall be entitled to the payments and benefits described in Section 7(c) above.  Upon a termination by you other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to you only the Accrued Benefits.
8.Release. Any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits shall only be payable if you execute and deliver to the Company and do not revoke a general release of claims that may otherwise lie against the Company and its related parties in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “General Release”). The General Release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following termination. The Company shall deliver to you such General Release within seven (7) days after termination.
9.Restrictive Covenants.
a)    Confidentiality. You agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, either during your employment or at any time thereafter, any business and technical information or trade secrets, nonpublic, proprietary or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company, any of its subsidiaries, which shall have been obtained by you during your employment by the Company (or any predecessor). The foregoing shall not apply to information that (A) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to you or (B) you are required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that you provide the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperate with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain strictly confidential, and you hereby agree not to disclose the terms and conditions hereof to any person or entity, other than immediate family members, legal advisors or personal tax or financial advisors, or prospective future employers solely for the purpose of disclosing the limitations on 

4

your conduct imposed by the provisions of this Section 9.  Provided, however, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation.  You hereby acknowledge that you do not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and that you are not required to notify the Company that you have made such reports or disclosures.
b)    Non-Compete. You acknowledge that you perform services of a unique nature for the Company that are irreplaceable, and that your performance of such services to a competing business may result in irreparable harm to the Company. Accordingly, during the your employment hereunder and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, you agree that you will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by or render services to (whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, and whether or not for compensation) any person, firm, corporation or other entity engaged in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or in any other material business in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is engaged on the date of termination or in which they have planned, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date, in the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit you from being a passive owner of not more than five percent (5%) of the equity securities of a publicly traded corporation engaged in a business that is in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
c)    Non-Solicitation; Non-Interference. (i) During your employment with the Company and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, you agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, solicit, aid or induce any customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company or any of its subsidiaries from another person, firm, corporation or other entity or assist or aid any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer.
(ii)    During your employment with the Company and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, you agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or directly hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any of their respective vendors, joint ventures or licensors. An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 9(c) if such person was employed or retained during anytime within six (6) months prior to, or after, your termination of employment.
d)    Non-Disparagement. You agree not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company (including its subsidiaries) or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation. The Company agrees to cause its senior executive management employees and the senior executive management employees of its subsidiaries not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage you, in any manner likely to be harmful to you or your business, business reputation or personal reputation.  The foregoing sentences shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

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e)    Inventions. (i) You acknowledge and agree that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products or developments (“Inventions”), whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that relate to your work with the Company, made or conceived by you, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that you perform in connection with the Company, either while performing your duties with the Company or on your own time, but only insofar as the Inventions are related to you work as an employee or other service provider to the Company, shall belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent applications are filed thereon. You will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and you will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company’s request. You will assign to the Company the Inventions and all patents that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in your name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). You will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all right full oaths, and perform all acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company with respect to the Inventions. You will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications, and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for its benefit.  The Company will reimburse you for any reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by you as a result of the Company’s request(s) in complying with this Section 9(f)(i), including travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by you, but without additional compensation to you from the Company.
(ii)    In addition, the Inventions will be deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Company and you agree that the Company will be the sole owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to you. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, you hereby irrevocably convey, transfer and assign to the Company all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of your right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, you hereby waive any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. You hereby waive any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to your benefit by virtue of you being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.
(f)     Return of Company Property. On the date of your termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company’s request), you shall return all property belonging to the Company or its subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company).

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(g)Reformation. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 9 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.
(h)Tolling. In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 9 you acknowledge and agree that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 9 shall be extended by a period equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.
(i)Survival of Provisions. The obligations contained in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and your employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.
10.Cooperation. Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), you agree that while employed by the Company and thereafter, you will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which you have knowledge as a result of your employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its subsidiaries and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its subsidiaries in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its subsidiaries, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of your employment with the Company. You agree to promptly inform the Company if you become aware of any lawsuits involving such claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries. You also agree to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that you are legally permitted to do so) if you are asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its subsidiaries (or their actions), regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay or reimburse you for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by you in complying with this Section 10.
11.Equitable Relief and Other Remedies. You acknowledge and agree that the
Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 8, 9 or 10 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, you agree that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available. In the event a violation by you of Section 9 or Section 10 hereof is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state, any severance being paid to you pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease, and any severance previously paid to you (other than $1,000) shall be immediately repaid to the Company.
12.No Assignments. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this Section 12 no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto.  The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
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.

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14.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
15.Governing Law; Disputes. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the choice of law principles thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. You and the Company agree that any action or proceeding to enforce or arising out of this Agreement may be commenced in the state courts of New Castle County, Delaware or the United States District Court located in Wilmington, Delaware. You and the Company consent to such jurisdiction, agree that venue will be proper in such courts and waive any objections upon “forum non conveniens.”
16.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 you and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board acting collectively. 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. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between you and the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the subject matter hereof.  No agreements 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.
17.Representations. You represent and warrant to the Company that (a) you have the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on your part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) you are not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent you from entering into this Agreement or performing all of your duties and obligations hereunder.
18.Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
19.Code Section 409A. 
(a)     The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from, Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on you by Code Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.
(b)A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment that are considered ‘‘non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a ‘termination,” ‘termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.” If you are deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment that is considered non-qualified deferred compensation 

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under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall be made or provided at the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of your “separation from service”, and (B) the date of your death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 19 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to you in a lump sum and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(c)With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, provided that the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Internal Revenue Code Section 95(b) solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of your taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense occurred.
(d)    For purposes of Code Section 409A, your right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  In no event may you, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement that is considered non-qualified deferred compensation.
To indicate your acceptance of the Company’s offer, please sign and date this letter in the space provided below and return it to Rebecca Hoffman via email to rhoffman@cerecor.com.

[Signature page follows.]

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Sincerely,

	
					
	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	CERECOR INC.
	 
	 
	 
	 

	/s/ Joseph M. Miller
	 
	 
	 
	 

	Joseph M. Miller
	 
	 
	 
	 

	Chief Financial Officer
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	/s/ Michael Cola
	 
	 
	 
	 

	Michael Cola
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

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