Document:

merion_ex104.htm

EXHIBIT 10.4

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of March 2,2018 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Merion, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) and XUEMEI TAO (the “Purchaser”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act contained in Section 4(a)(2) thereof and/or Regulations D and S thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser desires to purchase from the Company, certain securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Purchaser agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

 

“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person as such terms are used in, and construed, under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

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

 

“Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

“Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

“Closing Date” means the day on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto, and all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchaser’s obligations to pay the Subscription Amount and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Shares, in each case, have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than April 30, 2018.

 

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed. 

 

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

 

“Exchange Rules” shall mean the listing rules of The OTCQB Marketplace.

 
	 
	Page 1 of 10
	

 
	 

 

“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

 

“Per Share Purchase Price” equals $0.90 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that may occur after the date of this Agreement.

 

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(c).

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule. 

 

“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(f).

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Securities Laws” means, collectively, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Rules and Regulations, the auditing principles, rules, standards and practices applicable to auditors of “issuers” (as defined in Sarbanes-Oxley) promulgated or approved by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Exchange Rules and applicable state securities laws and regulations. 

 

“Shares” means an aggregate of 25,445 shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement (the “Shares”).

 

“Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include the location and/or reservation of borrowable shares of Common Stock).

 

“Subscription Amount” means, an aggregate amount of $22,900 to be paid for Shares purchased by the Purchaser in United States dollars and in immediately available funds.

 

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

 

“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the OTCQB or the OTC Pink Open Market (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, and any other documents or agreements executed between the Company and the Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 
	 
	Page 2 of 10
	

 
	 

 

“Transfer Agent” means Worldwide Stock Transfer, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of One University Plaza, Suite 505.Hackensack, NJ 07601, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

ARTICLE II. PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1 Closing. On the Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, up to an aggregate of 25,445 of Shares. Upon receiving the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount on the Closing Date and the delivery by the Purchaser of the other items set forth in Section 2.2 deliverable at the Closing, the Company shall deliver the Shares to the Purchaser as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a). 

 

2.2 Deliveries.

 

(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser each of the following:

 

(i) this Agreement duly executed by the Company;

 

(ii) subject to the last sentence of Section 2.1, a copy of the irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent instructing the Transfer Agent to deliver the Shares equal to the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount divided by the Per Share Purchase Price, in the name of the Purchaser.

 

(b) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, as applicable, the following:

 

(i) this Agreement duly executed by the Purchaser; and

 

(ii) the Purchaser’s Subscription Amount by wire transfer to the bank account directed by the Company.

 

2.3 Closing Conditions.

 

(a) The obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with the Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:

 

(i) the accuracy when made and on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date); 

 

(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchaser required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed; and

 

(iii) the delivery by the Purchaser of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.

 
	 
	Page 3 of 10
	

 
	 

 

(b) The obligations of the Purchaser hereunder in connection with the Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:

 

(i) the accuracy when made and on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they will be accurate as of such date); 

 

(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed; 

 

(iii) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date; and

 

(iv) there shall have been no material adverse effect with respect to the Company since the date hereof.

 

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as indicated in the SEC Reports, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as follows:

 

(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries, if any, is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized and validly existing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. 

 

(b) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals (as defined below).

 

(c) Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any governmental authority or any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents or the offer, issue and sale of the Shares, other than: (i) the disclosure filing required for this Agreement, (ii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws, and (iii) such consents, waivers and authorizations that shall be obtained prior to the Closing (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).

 

(d) Authorization of the Shares. The Shares to be sold by the Company and their issue and sale are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company.

 

(e) Capitalization. Except as may be described in the SEC Reports, all of the issued share capital of the Company has been duly and validly authorized and issued, is fully paid and non-assessable. 

 
	 
	Page 4 of 10
	

 
	 

 

(f) SEC Reports. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto, documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”). 

 

(g) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Shares, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 

 

(h) No Broker. The Company has not employed any broker, finder or agent, nor become obligated in any way to pay any broker’s, finder’s or agent’s or similar fee with respect to the purchase and sale of the Shares.

 

3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date to the Company as follows (unless as made of a specific date stated therein, in which case they shall be accurate as of such date):

 

(a) Organization; Authority. The Purchaser is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar action, as applicable, on the part of the Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by the Purchaser, and when delivered by the Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

(b) Understandings or Arrangements. The Purchaser is acquiring the Shares for its own account and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of the Shares (this representation and warranty not limiting the Purchaser’s right to sell the Shares in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). The Purchaser is acquiring the Shares as principal, not as nominee or agent, and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling the Shares or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law.

 

(c) Foreign Investors. The Purchaser hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance by the Purchaser of the laws of its jurisdiction applicable to the Purchaser in connection with the purchase of the Shares or the execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, including (i) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Shares, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to the purchase, (iii) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the Purchaser’s purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Shares. The Purchaser’s subscription and payment for, and continued beneficial ownership of, the Shares will not violate any securities or other laws of the Purchaser’s jurisdiction applicable to the Purchaser.

 

(d) Experience of Purchaser. The Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Shares, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. The Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Shares and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

 
	 
	Page 5 of 10
	

 
	 

 

(e) Access to Information. The Purchaser acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to review the Transaction Documents and the SEC Reports and has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and the merits and risks of investing in the Shares; (ii) access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment. 

 

(f) Regulation S. The Purchaser is a non-U.S. person (as such term is defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S under the Securities Act) and is not acquiring the Shares for the account or benefit of a U.S. person. The Purchaser will not, within six (6) months of the date of the transfer of the Shares to the Purchaser, (i) make any offers or sales of the Shares in the United States or to, or for the benefit of, a U.S. person (in each case, as defined in Regulation S) other than in accordance with Regulation S or another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, or (ii) engage in hedging transactions with regard to the Shares unless in compliance with the Securities Act. Neither the Purchaser nor any of the Purchaser’s Affiliates or any person acting on his/her or their behalf has engaged or will engage in directed selling efforts (within the meaning of Regulation S) with respect to the Shares, and all such persons have complied and will comply with the offering restriction requirements of Regulation S in connection with the offering of the Shares outside of the United States. 

 

(g) Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, the Purchaser has not, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with the Purchaser, directly or indirectly executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that the Purchaser first discussed the transaction with the Company or any other Person representing the Company setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder and ending on the date when this Agreement is publicly disclosed by the Company. The Purchaser has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction).

 

(h) Purchaser Status. At the time the Purchaser was offered the Shares, it was, and as of the date hereof it is, an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.

 

(i) No Registration. The Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or applicable securities laws of any state or country and therefore the Shares cannot be sold, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or exemptions from such registration requirements are available. The Company shall be under no obligation to register the Shares under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, and any such registration shall be in the Company’s sole discretion.

 

(j) No General Solicitation. The Purchaser is not purchasing the Shares as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Shares published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or any other general solicitation or general advertisement.

 
	 
	Page 6 of 10
	

 
	 

 

(j) Brokers or Finders. The Purchaser has not engaged any brokers, finders or agents, and the Company has not, nor will, incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Purchaser, any liability for brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IV.

OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

4.1 Reservation of Securities. As of the date hereof, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Transaction Documents in such amount as may then be required to fulfill its obligations in full under the Transaction Documents. 

 

4.2 Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. The Purchaser covenants that neither it nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will execute any purchases or sales, including Short Sales of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending on the date when this Agreement is publicly disclosed by the Company. The Purchaser also covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company, the Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction. 

 

4.3 Legends. The Shares may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal securities laws. In connection with any transfer of Shares other than pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144, to the Company or to an Affiliate of the Purchaser or in connection with a pledge as contemplated in this Section 4.3, the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide to the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer does not require registration of such transferred Shares under the Securities Act. The Purchaser agrees to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section 4.3, of a legend on all of the certificates evidencing the Shares in the following form:

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

ARTICLE V.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company or the Purchaser by written notice to the other party if the Closing has not been consummated on or before April 30, 2018; provided, however, that no such termination will affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by any other party (or parties).

 
	 
	Page 7 of 10
	

 
	 

 

5.2 Fees and Expenses. Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. 

 

5.3 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.

 

5.4 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.

 

5.5 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the Purchaser, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

 

5.6 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

5.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. No party hereto may assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company and the Purchaser. 

 

5.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in this Section 5.8.

 

5.9 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the Clark County, Nevada. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Clark County, Nevada, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. 

 
	 
	Page 8 of 10
	

 
	 

 

5.10 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and the delivery of the Shares. The terms of this Article V shall survive any termination of the Agreement pursuant to Section 5.1. 

 

5.11 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 

5.12 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

5.13 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

5.14 Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement. The English version of this Agreement, regardless of whether a translation in any other language is or will be made, shall be the only authentic version.

 

5.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY. 

 

(Signature Pages Follow)

 
	 
	Page 9 of 10
	

 
	 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

COMPANY

 

MERION, INC.

 

By: /s/ DING HUA WANG

Name: DING HUA WANG

Title: CEO

Address for Notice:

9550 Flair Dr, Suite 302

El Monte CA 91731

Fax:626-448-2163

Email:info@merionus.com

 

PURCHASER

 

By: /s/ XUEMEI TAO

Name: XUEMEI TAO

Address:

 

Tel: 

E-mail:

 

  

	Page 10 of 10Exhibit

ANAPTYSBIO, INC. 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of January 26, 2018 (the “Effective Date”) by and among ANAPTYSBIO, INC. (the “Company”) and Hamza Suria (“Executive”). The Company and Executive are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Parties”, and individually referred to as a “Party”.  This Employment Agreement amends and restates any prior employment agreement.
RECITAL 
The Company desires to continue to employ Executive and Executive is willing to continue to accept such employment by Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. 
AGREEMENT 
In consideration of the foregoing Recitals and the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows: 
1.EMPLOYMENT. 
1.1    Title. Effective as of the Effective Date, Executive’s position shall be Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Executive shall also serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) for so long as he continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer. At such time as Executive’s service as Chief Executive Officer terminates, he agrees to immediately resign as a member of the Board. 
1.2    Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and shall continue until it is terminated pursuant to Section 4 herein (the “Term”). 
1.3    Duties. Executive shall do and perform all services, acts or things necessary or advisable to manage and conduct the business of the Company and that are normally associated with the position of Chief Executive Officer and President. Executive shall report to the Board. 
1.4    Policies and Practices. The employment relationship between the Parties shall be governed by this Agreement and by the policies and practices established by the Company and/or the Board, or any designated committee thereof. In the event that the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s policies or practices or the Company’s Employee Handbook, this Agreement shall control. 
1.5    Location. Unless the Parties otherwise agree in writing, during the Term Executive shall perform the services Executive is required to perform pursuant to this Agreement at the Company’s offices in San Diego, California, provided, however, that the Company may from time to time require Executive to travel temporarily to other locations in connection with the Company’s business. 

    

2.    LOYALTY; NONCOMPETITION; NONSOLICITATION. 
2.1    Loyalty. During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall devote Executive’s full business energies, interest, abilities and productive time to the proper and efficient performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement. 
2.2    Agreement not to participate in Company’s Competitors. During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive agrees not to acquire, assume or participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment or interest known by Executive to be adverse or antagonistic to the Company, its business, or prospects, financial or otherwise, or in any company, person, or entity that is, directly or indirectly, in competition with the business of the Company or any of its Affiliates (as defined below). Ownership by Executive, in professionally managed funds over which Executive does not have control or discretion in investment decisions, or as a passive investment, of less than two percent (2%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any corporation with one or more classes of its capital stock listed on a national securities exchange or publicly traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market shall not constitute a breach of this Section. For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate,” means, with respect to any specific entity, any other entity that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified entity. 
2.3    Covenant not to Compete. During Executive’s employment with the Company, (the “Non-Compete Period”), Executive shall not engage in competition with the Company and/or any of its Affiliates in any manner or capacity, as adviser, principal, agent, affiliate, promoter, partner, officer, director, employee, owner, co-owner, consultant, in any phase of the business of developing, manufacturing and marketing of products or services that directly compete with the products or services of the Company, except with the prior written consent of the Board. Executive shall be entitled to request written consent of the Board with respect to potential advisory and/or director opportunities presented to Executive by a third party, which Executive believes in good faith will not interfere or compete with the on-going business of the Company, during the Non-Compete Period. 
3.    COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE. 
3.1    Base Salary. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary at the annualized rate of $547,000 (the “Base Salary”), less payroll deductions and all required withholdings, payable in regular periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The Base Salary shall be prorated for any partial year of employment on the basis of a 365-day fiscal year. 
3.2    Discretionary Bonus. At the sole discretion of the Board, promptly following each calendar year of employment Executive shall be eligible to receive a discretionary cash bonus of up to 55% of Executive’s then-current base salary (the “Bonus”), based on Executive’s achievement relative to certain performance goals (“Performance Goals”) to be established by the Board in a manner reasonably consistent with the Company’s priorities. The determination of whether Executive has met the Performance Goals for any given year, and if so, the amount of any Bonus that will be paid for such year (if any), shall be determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion. In order to be eligible to earn or receive any Bonus, Executive must remain employed by the Company through and including the date of payment of such Bonus. 

2
        

3.3    Stock Option.  Executive has been granted options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock and will continue to be eligible for additional equity awards pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”).  
3.4    Expense Reimbursements. The Company will reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses Executive incurs in conducting his duties hereunder, pursuant to the Company’s usual expense reimbursement policies; provided that Executive supplies the appropriate substantiation for such expenses no later than the end of the calendar month following the month in which such expenses were incurred by Executive. Executive shall keep the Chairman of the Board (or equivalent) appraised of business expenses reimbursed by the Company to the Executive. 
3.5    Changes to Compensation. Executive’s compensation will be reviewed annually and may be changed from time to time in the Company’s sole discretion. 
3.6    Employment Taxes. All of Executive’s compensation shall be subject to customary withholding taxes and any other employment taxes as are commonly required to be collected or withheld by the Company. 
3.7    Benefits. Executive shall, in accordance with Company policy and the terms of the applicable plan documents, be eligible to participate in benefits under any benefit plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time and made available to the Company’s senior management employees. 
3.8    Holidays and Vacation. Executive shall be eligible for paid holiday and vacation time in accordance with Company policy as in effect from time to time. 
4.    TERMINATION. 
4.1    Termination by the Company. Executive’s employment with the Company is at will and may be terminated by the Company at any time and for any reason, or for no reason, including, but not limited to, under the following conditions: 
4.1.1    Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement for “Cause” (as defined below) by delivery of written notice to Executive. Any notice of termination given pursuant to this section shall effect termination as of the date of the notice, or as of such other date specified in the notice. 
4.1.2    Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time and for any reason, or for no reason. Such termination shall be effective on the date Executive is so informed, or as otherwise specified by the Company. 
4.2    Termination by Executive. Executive may terminate his employment with the Company at any time and for any reason, or for no reason, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company. 
4.3    Termination for Death or Disability. Executive’s employment with the Company shall automatically terminate effective upon the date of Executive’s death or Disability (as defined in the Plan). 

3
        

4.4    Termination by Mutual Agreement of the Parties. Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated at any time upon a mutual agreement in writing of the Parties. Any such termination of employment shall have the consequences specified in such agreement. 
4.5    Compensation upon Termination. 
4.5.1    Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment is terminated by Death or Disability, the Company shall pay to Executive, or to Executive’s heirs, Executive’s accrued and unpaid base salary and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. The Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to Executive and/or Executive’s heirs under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided by law. 
4.5.2    Termination for Cause. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, and then the Company shall pay Executive’s accrued and unpaid base salary and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination, at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. The Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to Executive under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided by law. 
4.5.3    Termination by Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason Not In Connection with a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or if Executive resigns his employment for “Good Reason” (as defined below), in either case at any time other than upon the occurrence of, or within the 13 months immediately following, the effective date of a “Change in Control” (as defined below), the Company shall pay Executive’s accrued and unpaid base salary and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination, at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. In addition, if Executive furnishes to the Company an executed waiver and release of claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (or in such other form as may be specified by the Company) (the “Release”) within the time period specified therein, but in no event later than 45 days following Executive’s termination, and if Executive allows such Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, then (i) Executive shall be entitled to severance in the form of continuation of his base salary, at the base salary rate equal to the greater of the rate in effect at the time of termination or the rate immediately prior to the event giving rise to Good Reason (the “Severance Payments”), for a period of 12 months following the termination date (the “Severance Period” ), and (ii) the Company will pay directly to the insurance provider the premium for COBRA continuation coverage for Executive and Executive’s family during the Severance Period or until he obtains new employment, whichever comes first (the “COBRA Coverage”); provided that, if the Company determines that it cannot provide the COBRA Coverage without potentially violating applicable law or incurring additional expense under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company will provide Executive, in lieu thereof, taxable, continued installment payments equal to the COBRA premium, payable on the last day of a given month, for 12 months (measured from the termination date), which payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage (the “COBRA Bonus”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of months of COBRA Bonus to be paid, in any case, shall be reduced by the number of months of COBRA Coverage previously paid by the Company. The Severance Payments will be subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings and will be made on the Company’s regular payroll cycle, provided, however, that any Severance Payments otherwise scheduled to be made prior to the effective date of the Release shall accrue and be paid in the first payroll period that follows such effective date, provided, further, that if the 45 day period to execute the Release spans two calendar years, no Severance Payments will be made until the 

4
        

later calendar year. The Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to Executive under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided by law. 
4.5.4    Termination by Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason In Connection with a Change in Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause or if Executive resigns his employment for Good Reason, in either case upon the occurrence of, or within the 13 months immediately following, the effective date of a Change in Control, the Company shall pay Executive’s accrued and unpaid base salary and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination, at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings. In addition, if Executive furnishes to the Company an executed Release within the time period specified therein, but in no event later than 45 days following Executive’s termination, and if Executive allows such Release to become effective in accordance with its terms, then Executive shall be entitled to: (1) the Severance Payments and COBRA payments described in Section 4.5.3 above; provided, however, that the Severance Payments and COBRA payments shall be increased from 12 months to 18 months; and (2) accelerated vesting of all of Executive’s unvested Company equity awards, such that Executive shall become vested in 100% of the shares subject to all such equity awards on the effective date of the Release; provided, however, that the vesting of any performance-based awards shall be as if all applicable performance criteria were achieved at target levels. The Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to Executive under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided by law. 
4.6    Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 
4.6.1    Cause. “Cause” shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following: (i) Executive’s commission of any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii) Executive’s attempted commission of or participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of the Company; (iii) Executive’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between Executive and the Company or any statutory duty Executive owes to the Company; or (iv) Executive’s conduct that constitutes gross insubordination, incompetence or habitual neglect of duties and that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of the Company; provided, however, that the action or conduct described in clauses (iii) and (iv) above will constitute “Cause” only if such action or conduct continues after the Company has provided Executive with written notice thereof and thirty (30) days to cure, or otherwise remedy to the extent possible under direct control of the Executive, the same. An occurrence of “Cause” as set forth in the preceding sentence shall be based upon a good faith determination by the Board. Executive’s Disability shall not constitute Cause as set forth herein. The determination that a termination is for Cause shall be by the Board in its sole and exclusive judgment and discretion. 
4.6.2    “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
4.6.3    “Good Reason” shall mean any of the following actions: (i) the assignment to Executive of any duties or responsibilities that results in a material diminution in Executive’s function as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that it will be considered a material diminution in Executive’s function if, following a Change in Control, the Executive is not reporting directly to the Company’s corporate board of directors (or in the event of a Change in Control where the Company becomes a subsidiary of another company or 

5
        

ceases to exist, the corporate board of directors of the ultimate parent entity resulting from such Change in Control); (ii) a reduction by the Company in Executive’s annual base salary as in effect on the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event of a reduction in Executive’s annual base salary that is pursuant to a salary reduction program affecting substantially all of the employees of the Company and that does not adversely affect Executive to a greater extent than other similarly situated employees; or (iii) a relocation of Executive’s primary business office to a location more than 50 miles from the location of Executive’s primary business office as of the effective date of the Change in Control, except for required travel by Executive on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with Executive’s business travel obligations prior to the effective date of the Change in Control. For the purposes of application of this definition of Good Reason to Section 4.5.3, the words “as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control” shall be read to mean as of, or immediately prior to, the date of the event giving rise to Good Reason.  In all events, in order for a termination for Good Reason to occur, the Executive must provide the Company with written notice of the condition constituting Good Reason within 90 days of the initial occurrence of such condition, and allow the Company a 30-day cure period in which to cure such condition, and the Executive must resign employment within 10 days of the end of such 30-day cure period if the Company does not cure the condition in such cure period.  For clarity, “corporate board of directors” as used in the definition of Good Reason means the Company’s (or if applicable ultimate parent entity’s) board of directors as such term is used in Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or if the Company (or if applicable ultimate parent entity) is not a corporation organized under Delaware law, the most senior governing body of the Company (or if applicable ultimate parent entity) the majority of which is comprised of non-employee and independent members and has responsibility and authority for managing the business and affairs of the Company (or if applicable ultimate parent entity).
4.7    Survival of Certain Sections. Sections 2, 3.4, 3.6 and 4 through 18 of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement. 
4.8    Parachute Payment. If any payment or benefit Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “Parachute Payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting Parachute Payments is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the manner that results in the greatest economic benefit for Executive. If more than one method of reduction will result in the same economic benefit, the items so reduced will be reduced pro rata. 
In the event it is subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service that some portion of the Reduced Amount (as determined pursuant to clause (x) in the preceding paragraph) is subject to the Excise Tax, Executive agrees to promptly return to the Company a sufficient amount of the Payment so that no portion of the Reduced Amount is subject to the Excise Tax. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Reduced Amount is determined in accordance with clause (y) in the preceding paragraph, Executive will have no obligation to return any portion of the Payment pursuant to the preceding sentence. 

6
        

Unless Executive and the Company agree on an alternative accounting or law firm, the accounting firm then engaged by the Company for general tax compliance purposes shall perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting, law or consulting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting, law or consulting firm required to be made hereunder. 
The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts such that the accounting, law or consulting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to Executive and the Company within 15 calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by Executive or the Company) or such other time as requested by Executive or the Company. 
4.9    Application of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement (the “Severance Benefits”) that constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively “Section 409A”) shall not commence in connection with Executive’s termination of employment unless and until Executive has also incurred a “separation from service” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section l.409A-l (h) (“Separation From Service”), unless the Company reasonably determines that such amounts may be provided to Executive without causing Executive to incur the additional 20% tax under Section 409A. 
It is intended that each installment of the Severance Benefits payments provided for in this Agreement is a separate “payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A- 2(b)(2)(i). For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that payments of the Severance Benefits set forth in this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulation Sections l.409A-l(b)(4), l.409A-l(b)(5) and 1.409A-l (b)(9). However, if the Company (or, if applicable, the successor entity thereto) determines that the Severance Benefits constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and Executive is, on the termination of service, a “specified employee” of the Company or any successor entity thereto, as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the Severance Benefit payments shall be delayed until the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after Executive’s Separation From Service, or (ii) the date of Executive’s death (such applicable date, the “Specified Employee Initial Payment Date”), the Company (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable) shall (A) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Severance Benefit payments that Executive would otherwise have received through the Specified Employee Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payment of the Severance Benefits had not been so delayed pursuant to this Section and (B) commence paying the balance of the Severance Benefits in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth in this Agreement. 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, Executive shall receive the Severance Benefits described above, if and only if Executive duly executes and returns to the Company within the applicable time period set forth therein, but in no event more than forty-five days following Separation From Service, the Release and permits the Release to become effective in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding any other payment schedule set forth in this Agreement, none of the Severance Benefits will be paid or otherwise delivered prior to the effective date of the Release. Except to the extent 

7
        

that payments may be delayed until the Specified Employee Initial Payment Date pursuant to the preceding paragraph, on the first regular payroll pay day following the effective date of the Release, the Company will pay Executive the Severance Benefits Executive would otherwise have received under the Agreement on or prior to such date but for the delay in payment related to the effectiveness of the Release, with the balance of the Severance Benefits being paid as originally scheduled. All amounts payable under the Agreement will be subject to standard payroll taxes and deductions. 
4.10    Nondisparagement. Executive agrees not to disparage the Company and its officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputations or personal reputations , and the Company agrees to direct its employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents not to disparage Executive in any manner likely to be harmful to Executive reputation or future employment; provided that Company and Executive may respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process or as part of a government investigation. 
5.    CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. 
Executive has already executed, as a condition of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company’s standard form of Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement (the “PIIA”). The PIIA remains in full force and effect. 
6.    ASSIGNMENT AND BINDING EFFECT. 
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Executive and Executive’s heirs, executors, personal representatives, assigns, administrators and legal representatives. Because of the unique and personal nature of Executive’s duties under this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations under this Agreement shall be assignable by Executive. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors, assigns and legal representatives. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. 
7.    NOTICES. 
All notices or demands of any kind required or permitted to be given by the Company or Executive under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be personally delivered (and receipted for) or faxed during normal business hours or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: 
If to the Company: 
10421 Pacific Center Court, Suite 200  
San Diego, CA 92121  
Attention: Chairman of the Board 
If to Executive: 
Hamza Suria 

8
        

Any such written notice shall be deemed given on the earlier of the date on which such notice is personally delivered or three days after its deposit in the United States mail as specified above. Either Party may change its address for notices by giving notice to the other Party in the manner specified in this Section. 
8.    CHOICE OF LAW. 
This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of laws principles. 
9.    INTEGRATION. 
This Agreement, including Exhibit A and the PIIA, contains the complete, final and exclusive agreement of the Parties relating to the terms and conditions of Executive’s employment and the termination of Executive’s employment, and supersedes any and all prior and/or contemporaneous oral and written employment agreements or arrangements between the Parties. 
10.    AMENDMENT. 
This Agreement cannot be amended or modified except by a written agreement signed by Executive and the Company. 
11.    WAIVER. 
No term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or any breach thereof shall be deemed waived, except with the written consent of the Party against whom the wavier is claimed, and any waiver or any such term, covenant, condition or breach shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other term, covenant, condition or breach. 
12.    SEVERABILITY. 
The finding by a court of competent jurisdiction of the unenforceability, invalidity or illegality of any provision of this Agreement shall not render any other provision of this Agreement unenforceable, invalid or illegal. Such court shall have the authority to modify or replace the invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision, which most accurately represents the Parties’ intention with respect to the invalid or unenforceable term, or provision. 
13.    INTERPRETATION; CONSTRUCTION. 
The headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. This Agreement has been drafted by legal counsel representing the Company, but Executive has been encouraged to consult with, and has consulted with, Executive’s own independent counsel and tax advisors with respect to the terms of this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that each Party and its counsel has reviewed and revised, or had an opportunity to review and revise, this Agreement, and any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. 

9
        

14.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. 
Executive represents and warrants that Executive is not restricted or prohibited, contractually or otherwise, from entering into and performing each of the terms and covenants contained in this Agreement, and that Executive’s execution and performance of this Agreement will not violate or breach any other agreements between Executive and any other person or entity. 
15.    COUNTERPARTS. 
This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, all of which together shall contribute one and the same instrument. 
16.    ARBITRATION. 
To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, arising from or relating to Executive’s employment, or the termination of that employment, will be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration pursuant to both the substantive and procedural provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act in San Diego, California conducted by the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services/Endispute, Inc. (“JAMS”), or its successors, under the then current rules of JAMS for employment disputes; provided that the arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision including the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. Accordingly, Executive and the Company hereby waive any right to a jury trial. Both Executive and the Company shall be entitled to all rights and remedies that either Executive or the Company would be entitled to pursue in a court of law. The Company shall pay any JAMS filing fee and shall pay the arbitrator’s fee. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either Executive or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive and the Company each have the right to resolve any issue or dispute involving confidential, proprietary or trade secret information, or intellectual property rights, by Court action instead of arbitration. 
17.    TRADE SECRETS OF OTHERS. 
It is the understanding of both the Company and Executive that Executive shall not divulge to the Company and/or its subsidiaries any confidential information or trade secrets belonging to others, including Executive’s former employers, nor shall the Company and/or its Affiliates seek to elicit from Executive any such information. Consistent with the foregoing, Executive shall not provide to the Company and/or its Affiliates, and the Company and/or its Affiliates shall not request, any documents or copies of documents containing such information. 
18.    ADVERTISING WAIVER. 
Executive agrees to permit the Company, and persons or other organizations authorized by the Company, to use, publish and distribute advertising or sales promotional literature concerning the products and/or services of the Company, or the machinery and equipment used in the provision thereof, in which Executive’s name and/or pictures of Executive taken in the course of Executive’s provision of 

10
        

services to the Company appear. Executive hereby waives and releases any claim or right Executive may otherwise have arising out of such use, publication or distribution. 
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

11
        

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates below. 
ANAPTYSBIO, INC. 
By:    /s/Dominic Piscitelli    
Its:    CFO
Dated:    March 1, 2018
EXECUTIVE: 
/s/ Hamza Suria    
HAMZA SURIA
Dated: March 1, 2018
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]

12
        

EXHIBIT A 
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS 
TO BE SIGNED ON OR FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION DATE ONLY 
In consideration of the payments and other benefits set forth in the Employment Agreement effective January 26, 2018, to which this form is attached, I, Hamza Suria, hereby furnish ANAPTYSBIO, INC. (the “Company”), with the following release and waiver (“Release and Waiver”). 
In exchange for the consideration provided to me by the Employment Agreement that I am not otherwise entitled to receive, I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its current and former directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring prior to or on the date that I sign this Agreement (collectively, the “Released Claims”). The Released Claims include, but are not limited to: (a) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company, or the termination of that employment; (b) all claims related to my compensation or benefits from the Company including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (c) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (d) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (e) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misclassification, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended) (the “ADEA”), the California Labor Code, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following are not included in the Released Claims (the “Excluded Claims”): (a) any rights or claims for indemnification I may have pursuant to the charter or bylaws of the Company or under applicable law; (b) any rights or claims to unemployment compensation, funds accrued in my 401k account, or any vested equity incentives; (c) any rights that are not waivable as a matter of law; or (d) any claims arising from the breach of this Agreement. I hereby represent and warrant that, other than the Excluded Claims, I am not aware of any claims I have or might have against any of the Released Parties that are not included in the Released Claims. 
I also acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.” I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that Section and any law of any jurisdiction, including New York, of similar effect with respect to any claims I may have against the Company. 
I acknowledge that, among other rights, I am waiving and releasing any rights I may have under ADEA, that this Release and Waiver is knowing and voluntary, and that the consideration given for this Release and Waiver is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled as an executive of the Company. I further acknowledge that I have been advised, as required by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, that: (a) the release and waiver granted herein does not relate to claims under the ADEA which may arise after this Release and Waiver is executed; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to 

    

executing this Release and Waiver; and (c) if I am age 40 or older at the time of execution of this release, I have 21 days from the date of termination of my employment with the Company in which to consider this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily to execute this Release and Waiver earlier); and (d) if I am age 40 or older at the time of execution of this release, I have seven days following the execution of this Release and Waiver to revoke my consent to this Release and Waiver and this Release and Waiver shall not be effective until the seven day revocation period has expired without my having previously revoked this Release and Waiver. 
I agree not to disparage the Company and its officers, directors, employees, shareholders and/or agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputations or personal reputations; provided that I may respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process (e.g., a valid subpoena or other similar compulsion of law) or as part of a government investigation. 
I acknowledge my continuing obligations under my Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. Pursuant to the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement I understand that among other things, I must not use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information of the Company and I must immediately return all Company property and documents (including all embodiments of proprietary information) and all copies thereof in my possession or control. I understand and agree that my right to the severance pay I am receiving in exchange for my agreement to the terms of this Release and Waiver is contingent upon my continued compliance with my Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. 
This Release and Waiver constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company and me with regard to the subject matter hereof. I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated herein. This Release and Waiver may only be modified by a writing signed by both me and a duly authorized officer of the Company. 
Date:    By:        
Hamza Suria

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00280-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00280-of-00352.parquet"}]]