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Exhibit 10.22  

        Nonemployee Directors Stock Incentive Program  

 (Amended and Restated as of March 4, 2005)  

 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation  

  

 
 

Contents    
    

	 
	 	 
	 	 

	Article 1.	 	Establishment, Objectives, and Duration	 	1
	Article 2.	 	Definitions	 	1
	Article 3.	 	Administration	 	3
	Article 4.	 	Eligibility and Participation	 	4
	Article 5.	 	Shares Subject to the Program	 	4
	Article 6.	 	Stock Options	 	5
	Article 7.	 	Stock Issuances	 	7
	Article 8.	 	Restricted Stock	 	7
	Article 9.	 	Restricted Stock Units	 	8
	Article 10.	 	Stock Appreciation Rights	 	9
	Article 11.	 	Automatic Awards to Nonemployee Directors	 	9
	Article 12.	 	Beneficiary Designation	 	11
	Article 13.	 	Deferrals	 	11
	Article 14.	 	Rights of Participants	 	11
	Article 15.	 	Change in Control	 	12
	Article 16.	 	Amendment, Modification, and Termination	 	12
	Article 17.	 	Compliance with Applicable Law and Withholding	 	12
	Article 18.	 	Indemnification	 	13
	Article 19.	 	Successors	 	14
	Article 20.	 	Legal Construction	 	14

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Edwards Lifesciences Corporation  

 
 

Nonemployee Directors Stock Incentive Program
  (amended and restated as of March 4, 2005)    
    

Article 1.    Establishment, Objectives, and Duration  

	1.1.
	Establishment of the Program. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the
"Company"), hereby amends and restates the incentive compensation plan formerly known as the Edwards Lifesciences Corporation Nonemployee Directors and Consultants Stock Incentive Program
(hereinafter, as amended and restated, referred to as the "Program"), as set forth in this document, effective as of March 4, 2005. Prior to such amendment and restatement, consultants were
eligible to participate in the Program. The Program was previously amended and restated in March 2002, November 2002, May 2003 and February 19, 2004. The Program permits
the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Issuances, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Appreciation Rights. 

The
Program became effective as of April 1, 2000 (the "Effective Date") and shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3 hereof. 

	1.2.
	Objectives of the Program. The objectives of the Program are to optimize the profitability and growth of the Company
through long-term incentives which are consistent with the Company's goals and which link the personal interests of Participants to those of the Company's stockholders. The Program is
further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of Participants who make significant contributions to the Company's success and to
allow Participants to share in the success of the Company.

	1.3.
	Duration of the Program. The Program shall commence on the Effective Date, as described in Section 1.1 hereof,
and shall remain in effect, subject to the right of the Board to amend or terminate the Program at any time pursuant to Article 16 hereof, until all Shares subject to it shall have been
purchased or acquired according to the Program's provisions. However, in no event may an Award be granted under the Program on or after April 1, 2010. 

Article 2.    Definitions  

Whenever
used in the Program, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized: 

	2.1.
	"Annual Retainer" means the fixed annual fee of a Nonemployee Director in effect on the first day of the year in which
such Annual Retainer is payable for services to be rendered as a Nonemployee Director of the Company. The Annual Retainer does not include meeting or chairmanship fees.

	2.2.
	"Award" means, individually or collectively, a grant under this Program of Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Issuances,
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock Appreciation Rights.

	2.3.
	"Award Agreement" means an agreement entered into by the Company and each Participant setting forth the terms and
provisions applicable to Awards granted under this Program.

	2.4.
	"Board" or "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the
Company. 

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	2.5.
	"Change in Control" of the Company shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

	(a)
	Any
"Person", as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, and any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
the Company or such proportionately owned corporation), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities
of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

	(b)
	During
any period of not more than twenty-four (24) months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
Company, and any new director (other than a director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2.5(a), 2.5(c), or 2.5(d)
of this Section 2.5) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority thereof; or

	(c)
	The
consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than: (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than
sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (ii) a merger or
consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person acquires more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the Company's
then outstanding securities; or

	(d)
	The
Company's stockholders approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets (or any transaction having a similar effect.

 

	2.6.
	"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

	2.7.
	"Committee" means the Compensation and Governance Committee and any successor thereto or any other committee appointed
by the Board to administer Awards to Participants, as specified in Article 3 herein.

	2.8.
	"Company" means Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in
Article 19 herein.

	2.9.
	"Disability" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Participant's governing long-term
disability plan, or if no such plan exists, at the discretion of the Board.

	2.10.
	"Effective Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 hereof.

	2.11.
	"Employee" means an employee of the Company or of a Subsidiary of the Company.

	2.12.
	"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto. 

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	2.13.
	"Fair Market Value" means, at any date, the closing sale price on the principal securities exchange on which the Shares
are traded on the last previous day on which a sale was reported.

	2.14.
	"Nonemployee Director" means a member of the Company's Board who is not an Employee of the Company.

	2.15.
	"Nonqualified Stock Option" or "Option" means an option to purchase
Shares granted under Article 6 or Article 11 herein and which is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.

	2.16.
	"Option Price" means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.

	2.17.
	"Participant" means a Nonemployee Director who has been selected to receive an Award or who has outstanding an Award
granted under the Program.

	2.18.
	"Period of Restriction" means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way
(based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), and the Shares are subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture, as provided in Article 8 herein.

	2.19.
	"Restricted Stock" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8 herein.

	2.20.
	"Restricted Stock Unit" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 9 herein.

	2.21.
	"Shares" means the shares of common stock of the Company.

	2.22.
	"Stock Appreciation Right" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 10 herein.

	2.23.
	"Stock Issuance" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 7 herein.

	2.24.
	"Subsidiary" means any business, whether or not incorporated, in which the Company beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly through another entity or entities, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities or voting interests of such
business. 

Article 3.    Administration  

	3.1.
	General. The Program shall be administered by the Compensation and Governance Committee of the Board, or by any other
Committee appointed by the Board. Any Committee administering the Program shall be comprised entirely of directors. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by and shall serve
at the sole discretion of the Board. Members of the Committee may participate in the Program. The Committee shall have the authority to delegate administrative duties to officers, Employees, or
directors of the Company; provided that the Committee shall not be able to delegate its authority with respect to granting Awards.

	3.2.
	Authority of the Committee. Except as limited by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company,
and subject to the provisions of the Program, the Committee shall have the authority to: (a) interpret the provisions of the Program, and prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and procedures
relating to the Program; (b) grant Awards under the Program, in such forms and amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, Awards
which are made in combination with or in tandem with 

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other
Awards (whether or not contemporaneously granted) or compensation or in lieu of current or deferred compensation; (c) subject to Article 16, modify the terms of, cancel and
reissue, or repurchase outstanding Awards; (d) prescribe the form of agreement, certificate or other instrument evidencing any Award under the Program; (e) correct any defect or omission
and reconcile any inconsistency in the Program or in any Award hereunder; (f) design Awards to satisfy requirements to make such Awards tax-advantaged to Participants in any
jurisdiction or for any other reason that the Company desires; and (g) make all other determinations and take all other actions as it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the
Program; provided, however, that except for adjustments made pursuant to Section 5.4, no outstanding Option will be amended or cancelled in connection with any program that is considered a
repricing of the Option under the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Shares are traded without stockholder approval. The determination of the Committee on matters within its
authority shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and all other persons. The Committee shall comply with all applicable laws in administering the Plan. As permitted by law (and subject to
Section 3.1 herein), the Committee may delegate its authority as identified herein. 

	3.3.
	Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Program and
all related orders and resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its stockholders, directors, Participants, and their estates and
beneficiaries. 

Article 4.    Eligibility and Participation  

	4.1.
	Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in this Program shall be all Nonemployee Directors.

	4.2.
	Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Program, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all
eligible Nonemployee Directors those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. 

Article 5.    Shares Subject to the Program  

	5.1.
	Number of Shares Available for Grants. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.4 herein, the number of
Shares hereby reserved for delivery to Participants under the Program shall be six hundred thousand (600,000) Shares. Subject to the restrictions for Nonemployee Directors set forth in
Article 11, the Committee shall determine the appropriate methodology for calculating the number of Shares issued pursuant to the Program.

	5.2.
	Type of Shares. Shares issued under the Program in connection with Options may be authorized and unissued Shares or
issued Shares held as treasury Shares. Shares issued under the Program in connection with Restricted Stock shall be issued Shares held as treasury Shares; provided, however, that authorized and
unissued Shares may be issued in connection with Restricted Stock to the extent that the Committee determines that past services of the Participant constitute adequate consideration for at least the
par value thereof.

	5.3.
	Reuse of Shares.
	(a)
	General. In the event of the exercise or termination (by reason of forfeiture, expiration, cancellation, surrender or
otherwise) of any Award under the Program, that number of Shares that was subject to the Award but not delivered shall again be available as Awards under the Program. In addition, the following Shares
shall be available for reissuance under the Program: (i) Shares which are withheld from any Award or payment under the Program to satisfy tax withholding obligations; (ii) Shares which
are surrendered to fulfill tax obligations incurred under the Program; and (iii) Shares which are surrendered in payment of the purchase price of an Award. 

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	(b)
	Restricted Stock. In the event that Shares are delivered under the Program as Restricted Stock and are thereafter
forfeited or reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved upon the grant thereof, such forfeited or reacquired Shares shall again be available as Awards under the Program.

 

	5.4.
	Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any change in corporate capitalization, such as a stock split, or a
corporate transaction, such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or not
such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Code Section 368) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, such adjustment shall be made in the number and class of
Shares which may be delivered under Section 5.1, in the number and class of and/or price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Program and in the number and/or class of
Shares subject to Awards to be granted to Nonemployee Directors under Article 11, as shall be determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Board, in its sole discretion, to prevent
dilution or enlargement of rights; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. In a stock-for-stock acquisition of the
Company, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, substitute securities of another issuer for any Shares subject to outstanding Awards. 

Article 6.    Stock Options  

	6.1.
	Grant of Options.
	(a)
	Subject
to the terms and provisions of the Program, Options may be granted in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be
determined by the Committee.

	(b)
	If
all or any portion of the exercise price or taxes incurred in connection with the exercise are paid by delivery (or, in the case of payment of taxes, by withholding
of Shares) of other Shares of the Company, a Participant's Options may provide for the grant of replacement Options. All Options under the Program shall be granted in the form of nonqualified stock
options as no Option under the Program may be granted in the form of an incentive stock option as defined under the provisions of Code Section 422.

 

	6.2.
	Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the
duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

	6.3.
	Option Price. The Option Price for each grant of an Option under this Program shall be at least equal to one hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted.

	6.4.
	Duration of Options. Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time, not later than the tenth
(10th) anniversary date of its grant, as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that an Option may have such shorter or longer term as the Committee shall deem necessary to
comply with applicable federal, state, local or, if applicable, foreign law, or, if the Committee so determines, to qualify for favorable tax treatment. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the
term of each Option granted to a Participant after May 14, 2003, shall expire on the seventh (7th) anniversary date of its grant, subject to such provisions for earlier expiration
as the Committee may specify in accordance with Section 6.8 (relating to termination of directorship) or otherwise.

	6.5.
	Exercise of Options. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to
such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant. 

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	6.6.
	Payment. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise
(or such other form of notice as the Company may specify) to the Company, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the
Shares (or a satisfactory "cashless exercise" notice). 

The
Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either: (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) by tendering previously acquired Shares (by either actual
delivery or attestation) having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price (provided that the Shares which are tendered must have been held by the
Participant for at least six (6) months, or such shorter or longer period, if any, as is necessary to avoid variable accounting treatment); (c) by a cashless exercise as permitted under
Federal Reserve Board's Regulation T, subject to applicable securities law restrictions and such procedures and limitations as the Company may
specify from time to time; (d) by any other means which the Board determines to be consistent with the Program's purpose and applicable law; or (e) by a combination of two or more of
(a) through (d). 

Subject
to any governing rules or regulations, including cashless exercise procedures, as soon as practicable after receipt of a notification of exercise and full payment (or a satisfactory "cashless
exercise" notice), the Company shall cause to be issued and delivered to the Participant, in certificate form or otherwise, evidence of the Shares purchased under the Option(s). 

	6.7.
	Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the
exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any
stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

	6.8.
	Termination of Directorship. Each Participant's Option Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the
Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant's service to the Company as a Nonemployee Director. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole
discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to this Article 6, and may
reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

	6.9.
	Nontransferability of Options. Except as otherwise provided in a Participant's Award Agreement, no Option granted under
this Article 6 may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, except as otherwise
provided in a Participant's Award Agreement, all Options granted to a Participant under this Article 6 shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.

	6.10.
	Substitution of Cash. Unless otherwise provided in a Participant's Award Agreement, and notwithstanding any provision
in the Program to the contrary (including but not limited to Section 16.3), in the event of a Change in Control in which the Company's stockholders holding Shares receive consideration other
than shares of common stock that are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall have the authority to require that any outstanding Option be surrendered to the Company
by a Participant for cancellation by the Company, with the Participant receiving in exchange a cash payment from the Company within ten (10) days of the Change in Control. Such cash payment
shall be equal to the number of Shares under Option, multiplied by the excess, if any, of the greater of (i) the 

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highest
per Share price offered to stockholders in any transaction whereby the Change in Control takes place, or (ii) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Change in Control occurs,
over the Option Price. 

Article 7.    Stock Issuances  

	7.1.
	Stock Issuance Awards. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Program, the Committee may issue Shares as fully
vested shares ("Stock Issuances") in such number and upon such terms as shall be determined by the Committee.

	7.2.
	Consideration. A Stock Issuance may be awarded in consideration for cash, past services rendered to the Company or an
Affiliate or for such other consideration as determined by the Committee. 

Article 8.    Restricted Stock  

	8.1.
	Restricted Stock Awards. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Program, the Committee may issue Shares subject to
retention and transfer restrictions ("Restricted Stock") as shall be determined by the Committee.

	8.2.
	Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock grant shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Award Agreement
that shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

	8.3.
	Restriction on Transferability. Except as provided in this Article 8, the Shares of Restricted Stock granted
herein may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction established by the Committee and specified in the
Restricted Stock Award Agreement, or upon earlier satisfaction of any other conditions, as specified by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement. All
rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Program shall be available during his or her lifetime only to such Participant.

	8.4.
	Other Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares of Restricted
Stock granted pursuant to the Program as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, any or all of the following:

	(a)
	A
required period of service with the Company, as determined by the Committee, prior to the vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock.

	(b)
	A
requirement that Participants forfeit (or in the case of Shares sold to a Participant, resell to the Company at his or her cost) all or a part of Shares of Restricted
Stock in the event of termination of his or her service as a Nonemployee Director during the Period of Restriction.

	(c)
	A
prohibition against such Participants' dissemination of any secret or confidential information belonging to the Company, or the solicitation by Participants of the
Company's Employees for employment by another entity. 

Shares
of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the Program shall be registered in the name of the Participant and if such Shares are certificated, in the sole discretion of the Committee, such
certificate may be deposited in a bank designated by the Committee or with the Company. The Committee may require a stock power endorsed in blank with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock whether or
not certificated. 

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Except
as otherwise provided in this Article 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Program shall become freely transferable (subject to any
restrictions under applicable securities law) by the Participant after the last day of the applicable Period of Restriction. 

	8.5.
	Voting Rights. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock issued
hereunder shall be entitled to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction.

	8.6.
	Dividends and Other Distributions. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, during the Period of Restriction,
Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock issued hereunder shall be entitled to regular cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares. The Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends
that the Committee deems appropriate.

	8.7.
	Termination of Directorship. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant
shall have the right to vest in previously unvested Shares of Restricted Stock following termination of the Participant's service to the Company as a Nonemployee Director. Such provisions shall be
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Shares of Restricted Stock issued
pursuant to the Program, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination. 

Article 9.    Restricted Stock Units  

	9.1.
	Restricted Stock Units Awards. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Program, the Committee may issue restricted
stock units ("Restricted Stock Units") which entitle the Participant to receive the Shares underlying those units following the lapse of specified restrictions (whether based on the achievement of
designated performance goals or the satisfaction of specified services or upon the expiration of a designated time period following the vesting of the units).

	9.2.
	Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Units award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Units
Award Agreement that shall specify the vesting restrictions, the number of Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units award, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

	9.3.
	Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on the issuance of any Shares under
the Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Program as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, any or all of the following:

	(a)
	A
required period of service with the Company, as determined by the Committee, prior to the issuance of Shares under the Restricted Stock Units award.

	(b)
	A
requirement that the Restricted Stock Units award be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of termination of the Participant's services as a Nonemployee Director
during the vesting period.

	(c)
	A
prohibition against such Participants' dissemination of any secret or confidential information belonging to the Company, or the solicitation by Participants of the
Company's Employees for employment by another entity. 

Except
as otherwise provided in this Article 9, Shares subject to Restricted Stock Units under the Program shall be freely transferable (subject to any restrictions under applicable securities
law) by the Participant after receipt of such shares. 

8

 

	9.4.
	Stockholder Rights. Participants holding Restricted Stock Units issued hereunder shall not have any rights with respect
to Shares subject to the award until the award vests and the Shares are issued hereunder. However, dividend-equivalent units may be paid or credited, either in cash or in actual or phantom Shares, on
outstanding Restricted Stock Units awards, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may deem appropriate.

	9.5.
	Termination of Directorship. Each Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the
Participant shall have the right to vest in previously unvested Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units award following termination of the Participant's service to the Company as a Nonemployee
Director. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all
Restricted Stock Unit awards issued pursuant to the Program, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination. 

Article 10.    Stock Appreciation Rights  

	10.1.
	Stock Appreciation Rights Awards. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Program, the Committee may issue a Stock
Appreciation Rights award which shall entitle the Participant to receive upon exercise a payment in cash or Shares underlying the exercised award equal to the excess (if any) of (a) the Fair
Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over (b) the aggregate base price in effect for such Shares. A Stock Appreciation Right shall become exercisable during such times and subject
to such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

	10.2.
	Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Rights award shall be evidenced by a Stock Appreciation
Rights Award Agreement that shall specify the vesting restriction, the number of Shares subject to the award and such additional terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

	10.3.
	Base Price. The base price for each grant of a Stock Appreciation Right under this Program shall be at least equal to
one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the award is granted.

	10.4.
	Nontransferability of Stock Appreciation Rights. Except as otherwise provided in a Participant's Award Agreement, no
Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Article 10 may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. Further, except as otherwise provided in a Participant's Award Agreement, all Stock Appreciation Rights granted to a Participant under this Article 10 shall be exercisable during
his or her lifetime only by such Participant. 

Article 11.    Automatic Awards to Nonemployee Directors  

	11.1.
	Initial Awards.
	(a)
	Subject
to the terms and provisions of the Program, each Nonemployee Director shall be granted Restricted Stock Units for five thousand (5,000) Shares effective as of
the date of such Nonemployee Director's first election to the Board.

	(b)
	Each
Initial Award shall vest in a series of two (2) successive equal annual installments upon the Participant's completion of each year of Board service over the
two (2)-year period measured from the grant date. However, in no event shall Initial Awards for more than sixty thousand (60,000) Shares in the aggregate be issued under
Article 11.1(a) which vest over a two (2)-year period. Any Initial Awards granted after Initial Awards for an aggregate of sixty thousand (60,000) Shares have been issued shall vest
in a series of three (3) successive equal annual installments upon the Participant's completion of each year of 

9

 

Board
service over the three (3)-year period measured from the grant date (or such longer period as determined by the Committee). 

	(c)
	All
additional terms of an Initial Award will be as set forth in Section 8, herein, or as set forth in the specific Award Agreement governing such award. Each
Initial Award shall become fully-vested in the event of the Participant's death or Disability.

 

	11.2.
	Annual Awards.
	(a)
	Annual Grants Prior to April 30, 2004. Subject to the discretion of the Committee and the terms and provisions of
the Program, during the period beginning January 1, 2001 and ending prior to April 30, 2004, each Nonemployee Director shall receive annually an Option to purchase ten thousand (10,000)
Shares, effective as of the day following each annual meeting of the Company's stockholders (but subject to any vesting provisions or other restrictions determined by the Committee).

	(b)
	Annual Awards On and After April 30, 2004. Subject to the discretion of the Committee and the terms and provisions
of the Program, during the period beginning April 30, 2004 and ending April 1, 2010, each Nonemployee Director shall receive annually, effective as of the day following each annual
meeting of the Company's stockholders an award as follows:

	(i)
	An
Option for up to ten thousand (10,000) Shares, or

	(ii)
	A
Restricted Stock Units award for up to four thousand (4,000) Shares, or

	(iii)
	A
combination of an Option and Restricted Stock Units award, provided that in no event may the total value of the Option and Restricted Stock Units award subject to
such combined award exceed two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). The Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine the amount and type of award for each year within the foregoing
limitations. For such purposes, the value of the Annual Award shall be calculated as follows: (A) the value of an Option Share shall be equal to the fair value of an option share as estimated
on the date of grant under a valuation model approved by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") for purposes of the Company's financial statements under FAS 123 (or any successor
provision); and (B) the value of a Restricted Stock Unit shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Share on the award date.

	(c)
	Each
Annual Award shall vest in a series of three (3) successive equal annual installments upon the Participant's completion of each year of Board service over
the three (3)-year period measured from the award date (or such longer period as determined by the Committee). Each Annual Award shall become fully vested in the event of the Participant's
death or Disability.

	(d)
	All
additional terms of an Annual Award will be as set forth in Articles 6 and 9 herein, or as set forth in the specific Award Agreement governing such award.

 

	11.3.
	Annual Retainer Election.
	(a)
	Subject
to the terms and provisions of the Program and any other restrictions set out by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Committee may permit each Nonemployee
Director to elect to receive all or a portion of his or her Annual Retainer in the form of Options or Stock Issuances to be issued as of the first day on which such Annual Retainer is otherwise due
and payable (the "Conversion Date") and using the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the Conversion Date as the Option Price of the Options.

	(b)
	If
conversion elections are permitted by the Committee, each irrevocable election shall be made in accordance with such rules as the Committee may determine in its sole 

10

 

discretion.
Except as may otherwise be determined by the Committee, in the event of a Participant's election to receive an Option in lieu of his Annual Retainer, the number of shares subject to the
Option shall be determined by dividing that portion of the Annual Retainer to be paid in the form of the Option by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Conversion Date and multiplying the quotient
by four (4). In the event of a Participant's election to receive Shares in lieu of an Annual Retainer, the number of such Shares shall be determined by dividing that portion of the Annual Retainer to
be paid in the form of Shares by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Conversion Date. In the event the preceding formula would result in a fractional Share being issued or subject to the Option,
the portion of the converted Annual Retainer attributable to such fractional Share will be refunded to the Nonemployee Director in cash instead of being converted into such fractional Share. 

	(c)
	Any
portion of a Nonemployee Director's Annual Retainer for which an election has not been made pursuant to this Section 11.3, shall be paid in cash to such
Nonemployee Director at such time or times as payments thereof are customarily made by the Company.

	(d)
	All
additional terms of an Award received as a result of the election described herein will be as set-forth in Sections 6 and 7, herein, or as set forth in
the specific Award Agreement governing such Award. 

Article 12.    Beneficiary Designation  

Each
Participant under the Program may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Program is to be paid in
case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the
Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant's lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at
the Participant's death shall be paid to the Participant's estate. 

Article 13.    Deferrals  

The
Committee may permit or require a Participant to defer such Participant's receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the
exercise of an Option, or Stock Appreciation Right or under a Restricted Stock Unit Award. If any such deferral election is required or permitted, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion,
establish rules and procedures for such payment deferrals. 

Article 14.    Rights of Participants  

	14.1.
	Directorship. Nothing in the Program or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the
Company to terminate at any time any Participant's service to the Company as a Nonemployee Director, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the service of the Company.

	14.2.
	Participation. No Nonemployee Director shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Program, or,
having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award. 

11

 

Article 15.    Change in Control  

Upon
the occurrence of a Change in Control and notwithstanding the terms of any Award Agreement, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any
governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges: 

	(a)
	Any
and all Options granted hereunder shall become immediately exercisable, and if granted before November 13, 2002 shall remain exercisable throughout their
entire term; and any Option granted on or after November 13, 2002 shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the Participant's date of termination of service or
(ii) expiration of the Option term.

	(b)
	Any
restriction periods and restrictions imposed on Awards shall lapse. 

Article 16.    Amendment, Modification, and Termination  

	16.1.
	Amendment, Modification, and Termination. Subject to the terms of the Program including Sections 16.2 and 16.3, the
Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Program in whole or in part. However, stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment of the Program that
(a) materially increases the number of Shares available for issuance under the Program (other than pursuant to Article 5.4), (b) expands the type of awards available under the
Program, (c) materially expands the class of participants eligible to receive Awards under the Program, (d) materially extends the term of the Program, (e) materially changes the
method of determining the Option Price under the Program or (f) deletes or limits any provision of the Program prohibiting the repricing of Options. The Committee may amend Awards previously
granted under the Program.

	16.2.
	Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. The Committee may make adjustments
in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 5.4 hereof)
affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are
appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Program.

	16.3.
	Awards Previously Granted. Notwithstanding any provision of the Program or of any Award Agreement to the contrary (but
subject to Section 6.10), no termination, amendment, or modification of the Program or amendment of an Award previously granted under the Program shall adversely affect in any material way any
Award previously granted under the Program, without the express consent of the Participant holding such Award. 

Article 17.    Compliance with Applicable Law and Withholding  

	17.1.
	General. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Program shall be subject to all applicable laws,
rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Program or any Award
Agreement, the following shall apply:

	(a)
	The
Company shall have no obligation to issue any Shares under the Program if such issuance would violate any applicable law or any applicable regulation or requirement
of any securities exchange or similar entity.

	(b)
	Prior
to the issuance of any Shares under the Program, the Company may require a written statement that the recipient is acquiring the Shares for investment and not for
the 

12

 

purpose
or with the intention of distributing the Shares and that the recipient will not dispose of them in violation of the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. 

	(c)
	With
respect to any Participant who is subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the Committee may, at any time, add such conditions and limitations to Award
or payment under the Program or implement procedures for the administration of the Program which it deems necessary or desirable to comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 of the
Exchange Act.

	(d)
	If,
at any time, the Company, determines that the listing, registration, or qualification (or any updating of any such document) of any Award, or the Shares issuable
pursuant thereto, is necessary on any securities exchange or under any federal or state securities or blue sky law, or that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or
desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, any Award, the issuance of Shares pursuant to any Award, or the removal of any restrictions imposed on Shares subject to an Award, such Award shall
not be granted and the Shares shall not be issued or such restrictions shall not be removed, as the case may be, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, or
approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.

 

	17.2.
	Securities Law Compliance. Transactions under this Program are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of
Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the 1934 Act. To the extent any provision of the Program or action by the Committee or the Board fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and
void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board.

	17.3.
	Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to
remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, domestic and foreign taxes, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a
result of this Program.

	17.4.
	Share Withholding. Awards payable in Shares may provide that with respect to withholding required upon any taxable
event arising thereunder, Participants may elect to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares to satisfy their withholding tax obligations;
provided that Participants may only elect to have Shares withheld having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to or less than the minimum withholding tax which could be
imposed on the transaction. All elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations, including prior Committee approval,
that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. 

Article 18.    Indemnification  

Each
person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may
be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved
by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Program and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company's approval, or paid by him or her
in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same
before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons
may be entitled under the Company's Certificate of 

13

 

Incorporation
or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless. 

Article 19.    Successors  

All
obligations of the Company under the Program with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall, to the extent legally permissible, be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of
such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company. 

Article 20.    Legal Construction  

	20.1.
	Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include
the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

	20.2.
	Severability. In the event any provision of the Program shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality
or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Program, and the Program shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

	20.3.
	Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Program, and all Award or other agreements hereunder,
shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the state of Delaware without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws. 

14

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Nonemployee Directors Stock Incentive Program (amended and restated as of March 4, 2005)QuickLinks
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Exhibit 10.26  

 
  Edwards Lifesciences
  Corporation    
    

 
  Edwards Incentive Plan (2005)    
    

 
 

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation    
    

 
  Edwards Incentive Plan    
    

I.     PLAN OBJECTIVE  

        The Edwards Incentive Plan (the "EIP") is an annual cash bonus program designed to motivate eligible participants to achieve financial and strategic objectives of
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (the "Company"). The EIP is intended to satisfy the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

II.    PLAN ADMINISTRATOR  

        (a)   The
EIP shall be administered by the Edwards Lifesciences Compensation and Governance Committee (the "Committee"). The Committee shall be comprised of not fewer than two
members who shall be "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations thereunder. The Committee may
delegate responsibility for plan administration to a designee; provided, however, the Committee may not delegate its responsibility regarding the grant and administration of awards which are intended
to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). The term "Plan Administrator" as used herein shall mean the Committee or its designee. 

        (b)   The
Plan Administrator shall have full authority to establish the rules and regulations relating to the EIP, to interpret the EIP and those rules and regulations, to
select participants in the EIP, to determine each participant's target award, to approve all of the awards, to decide the facts in any case arising under the EIP and to make all other determinations,
including factual determinations, and to take all other actions necessary or appropriate for the proper administration of the EIP, including the delegation of such authority or power, where
appropriate; provided, however, that only the Committee shall have authority to amend or terminate the EIP and the Plan Administrator shall not be authorized to increase the amount of the award
payable to a Covered Employee that would otherwise be payable pursuant to the terms of the EIP. The Plan Administrator's administration of the EIP, including all such rules and regulations,
interpretations, selections, determinations, approvals, decisions, delegations, amendments, terminations and other actions, shall be final and binding on the Company and all employees of the Company,
including, the participants in the EIP and their respective beneficiaries. 

III.  ELIGIBILITY  

        Subject to such limitations or restrictions as the Plan Administrator may impose, the individuals eligible to participate in the EIP shall be regular employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries in all locations worldwide. 

        The
Plan Administrator shall select the actual individuals who shall participate in the EIP for each Plan Year. 

IV.    PERFORMANCE GOALS  

        (a)   For
each Plan Year for which awards are to be made under the EIP, the Committee will pre-establish (in accordance with the requirements of Code
Section 162(m)) the performance goals to be achieved in order for any awards to be payable for that Plan Year and the threshold, target and maximum amounts that may be paid if the performance
goals are met. 

        (b)   The
performance goals for participants who are Covered Employees will be based on one or more of the following business or operational criteria: 

	•
	return
measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, investment, equity or sales);

	•
	earnings
per share;

	•
	net
income (before or after taxes) or operating income; 

 

	•
	earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or operating income before depreciation and amortization;

	•
	sales
or revenue targets;

	•
	market
to book value ratio;

	•
	cash
flow or free cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures);

	•
	market
share;

	•
	cost
reduction goals;

	•
	budget
comparisons;

	•
	implementation,
completion or progress of projects, processes, products or product-lines strategic or critical to the Company's business operations;

	•
	measures
of customer satisfaction;

	•
	share
price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return);

	•
	working
capital;

	•
	economic
value added;

	•
	percentage
of sales generated by products;

	•
	progress
of research and development projects or milestones;

	•
	growth
in sales of products or product lines;

	•
	any
combination of, or a specified increase in, any of the foregoing; and

	•
	the
formation of joint ventures, research and development collaborations, marketing or customer service collaborations, or the completion of other corporate transactions
intended to enhance the Company's revenue or profitability or expand the Company's customer base. 

        Each
of these measures will be defined by the Plan Administrator on a corporation, subsidiary, group or division basis or the companies with peer group performance may include or exclude
specified extraordinary items, as determined by the Plan Administrator. 

        (c)   The
specific goals for participants who are not Covered Employees may be based on the foregoing criteria or any other criteria determined by the Plan Administrator. 

V.     TARGET BONUS LEVELS  

        (a)   The
Plan Administrator shall specify the performance goals for each participant which may be based on the Company's or a subsidiary's and/or a business unit's
achievement of specified targets. The Plan Administrator may also establish individual performance goals for each participant. The Plan Administrator shall establish the threshold, target and maximum
bonus levels for each participant in the EIP that will be paid upon the attainment of specified performance goals. 

        (b)   Each
participant will earn an award for a Plan Year based on the achievement of the performance goals established by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may
adjust, upward or downward, the award for each participant who is not a Covered Employee, based on the Plan Administrator's determination of the overall performance of the Company, the participant's
achievement of personal and other performance goals established by the Plan Administrator and other factors as the Plan Administrator determines. The Plan Administrator may reduce (but not increase)
the award for each Covered Employee based on the Plan Administrator's determination of the overall 

2

 

performance
of the Company, the participant's achievement of personal and other performance goals established by the Plan Administrator and other factors as the Plan Administrator determines. 

        (c)   Unless
determined otherwise by the Plan Administrator, the target bonus amounts will be expressed as a dollar amount. In no event may the bonus paid to a participant for
a Plan Year exceed two hundred percent (200%) of the participant's target bonus for the Plan Year. 

        (d)   The
maximum award that a Covered Employee may receive for any Plan Year is $2,500,000. 

VI.   PAYMENT OF BONUSES  

        (a)   The
Plan Administrator shall certify and announce to the participants the awards that will be paid by the Company as soon as practicable following the final
determination of the Company's financial results for the Plan Year. Payment of the awards certified by the Plan Administrator shall be made in a single lump sum cash payment as soon as practicable
following such certification. 

        (b)   Participants
must be employed on the date of payment of the awards for the Plan Year to be eligible for an award from the EIP, except as described in subsections
(c) and (d) below. 

        (c)   Participants
who terminate employment prior to the payment of the awards for the Plan Year will not be eligible for any award payment for that Plan Year. However, the
Plan Administrator shall have the discretion to authorize a full or partial payment of the bonus to which the participant would have actually become entitled had such individual continued in employee
status through the payment date, should such individual's employment terminate prior to such date by reason of his or her death, disability, retirement or involuntary termination due to a reduction in
force, departmental reduction or job reduction that occurs after at least six months of service during the Plan Year. The bonus amounts in these cases will be based on the achievement of the
performance goals for the Plan Year and the participant's actual level of individual performance. The awards may be prorated based on the period calculated from the date when the individual became
eligible for the EIP to the date of termination. Payment will be made in a single payment at the same time as all other awards for the Plan Year are distributed. 

        (d)   In
the case of the death of a participant, any award payable to the participant shall be paid to his or her beneficiary. For this purpose, the Company will use the
beneficiary named under the Company-sponsored life insurance plan. If no life insurance beneficiary is designated, the beneficiary will be the decedent's estate. 

        (e)   The
Plan Administrator may establish appropriate terms and conditions to accommodate newly hired and transferred employees, consistent, in the case of a Covered
Employee, with Section 162(m) of the Code. 

VII. CHANGES TO PERFORMANCE GOALS AND TARGET AWARDS  

        At any time prior to the final determination of awards, for participants other than Covered Employees, the Plan Administrator may adjust the performance goals and
target awards to reflect a change in corporate capitalization (such as a stock split or stock dividend), or a corporate transaction (such as a merger, consolidation, separation, reorganization or
partial or complete liquidation), or to reflect equitably the occurrence of any extraordinary event, any change in applicable accounting rules or principles, any change in the Company's method of
accounting, any change in applicable law, any change due to any merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or other changes in the Company's
corporate structure or shares, or any other change of a similar nature. The Plan Administrator may make the foregoing adjustments with respect to Covered Employees' awards to the extent the Plan
Administrator deems appropriate, considering the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. 

3

 

VIII. DEFERRALS  

        Participants who are eligible to participate in any deferred compensation plan of the Company may elect to forego all or a portion of their EIP awards to the
extent and in accordance with the requirements of such deferral plan. 

IX.   AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION  

        Notwithstanding the above, the Committee, at its sole discretion, may amend, modify or change the EIP or its implementation at any time, including, but not
limited to, revising performance targets, bonus multipliers, strategic goals and objectives and actual bonus payments. However, such amendment shall not occur without the appropriate approval of the
Company's stockholders, if such approval is required by Code Section 162(m). The Committee may terminate the EIP at any time. 

X.    MISCELLANEOUS  

        (a)   The
following definitions shall apply: 

          (i)  "Covered
Employee" means a participant who is one of the group of "covered employees" as defined in the regulations promulgated under Code Section 162(m), or any
successor statute. 

         (ii)  "Plan
Year" means the calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. 

        (b)   Neither
the establishment of the EIP, nor any action taken hereunder, shall be construed as giving any participant any right to be retained in the employ of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries. Nothing in the EIP, and no action taken pursuant to the EIP, shall affect the right of the Company to terminate a participant's employment at any time and for any or no
reason. The Company is under no obligation to continue the EIP. 

        (c)   A
participant's right and interest under the EIP may not be assigned or transferred, except upon death, and any attempted assignment or transfer shall be null and void
and shall extinguish, in the Company's sole discretion, the Company's obligation under the EIP to pay awards with respect to the participant. The Company's obligations under the EIP may be assigned to
any corporation which acquires all or substantially all of the Company's assets or any corporation into which the Company may be merged or consolidated. 

        (d)   The
EIP shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund, or to make any other segregation of assets, to assure payment of
awards. The Company's obligations hereunder shall constitute a general, unsecured obligation; awards shall be paid solely out of the Company's general assets, and no participant shall have any right
to any specific assets of the Company. 

        (e)   The
Company shall have the right to deduct from awards any and all federal, state and local taxes or other amounts required by law to be withheld. 

        (f)    The
validity, construction, interpretation and effect of the EIP shall exclusively be governed by and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California. 

4

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Edwards Incentive Plan (2005)

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