Document:

Exhibit 10.9

 

 

September 4, 2014

 

Marina Hahn

 

Dear Marina,

 

I am pleased to offer you the position of President, Consumer Goods with Flex Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”), reporting to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.  If you decide to join us, you will receive an annual salary of $300,000, which will be paid bi-monthly in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll procedures. As President, Consumer Goods, your duties will include overseeing the development and launch of the consumer brand and hiring the consumer team.  Your primary workplace will be an office provided by the Company in New York, New York (which will be leased by the Company within a reasonable period of time after your first day of employment), provided that you will undertake such occasional business travel as reasonably required by the Company (including trips to the Company’s headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts approximately once per month and such occasional additional trips as are reasonably required) to perform your duties and responsibilities.  During your employment, you may serve on the board of directors of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (“Hain”) as well as charitable, civic and cultural boards and/or otherwise devote time to such endeavors, in each case, so long as such activities or assistance do not interfere with your obligations under this Agreement.  Further, you may serve on the board of directors of one other for-profit organization, or, if you cease to be a member of the board of directors of Hain, two other for-profit organizations on terms consistent with this paragraph upon advance notice to and consent from the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

In addition, if you decide to join the Company, it will be recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors that the Company grant you an option to purchase 1,065,725 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, which represents 2% of the Company’s fully diluted capitalization as of August 20, 2014 (including all shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock and Common Stock currently outstanding and shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options granted and options currently reserved for issuance under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan), at a price per share equal to the fair market value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).  The stock option will vest over a four year period, with 25% of the shares of Common Stock subject to the stock option vesting on the first anniversary of your employment start date, and the remaining 75% vesting monthly over the subsequent three year period, subject to your continuing employment with the Company.  Additionally, if within thirty (30) days prior to a Change of Control (as defined below) or within twelve (12) months following a Change of Control, the Company or any successor thereto terminates your employment other than for Cause (as defined below), or you terminate your employment for Good Reason (as defined below), then an additional 50% of the shares of Common Stock subject to the stock option shall automatically vest as of the date of such termination. Upon a termination of your employment, your right to exercise any unvested options will expire immediately and your right to exercise any vested options will expire one year following your termination date.  For the purposes of this letter agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean (i) the acquisition of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly by any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and

 

Prudential Tower   800 Boylston Street   Floor 24   Boston, MA 02199   VOX 617-874-182

www.flex-pharma.com

 

 

14(d) of the Exchange Act), of securities of the Company representing a majority or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, other than an acquisition of securities for investment purposes pursuant to a bona fide financing of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation in which the holders of the voting securities of the Company prior to the merger or consolidation do not own more than 50% of the total voting securities of the surviving corporation; or (iii) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than a sale or disposition of assets to an affiliate of the Company or a holder of all or a majority of the securities of the Company; notwithstanding the foregoing, no transaction or series of transactions shall constitute a Change of Control unless such transaction or series of transactions constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i).

 

This option grant shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan and a Stock Option Agreement.  No right to any stock is earned or accrued until such time that vesting occurs, nor does the grant confer any right to continue vesting or employment.  In addition, upon joining the Company, you will receive a one time sign on bonus of $100,000, subject to applicable taxes and withholding.  You agree that if you do not remain employed by the Company for at least one year, you shall repay such amount to the Company promptly following the termination of your employment.

 

Beginning in 2015, as an Executive at the Company, you will also have the opportunity to earn an annual bonus, measured against performance criteria to be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), following consultation with you.  Your target annual bonus will be equal to 45% of your then-current annual base salary, with the actual amount of the bonus, if any, to be determined by the Board (or a committee thereof), which may be higher or lower than target.   For 2014, you will receive a bonus equal to a pro rated portion of your target bonus, payable if you remain employed through December 31, 2014.  Any bonus for a fiscal year will be paid within 21⁄2 months after the close of that fiscal year.

 

As an employee, you will be eligible to receive certain employee benefits. Vacation may be taken at such times and intervals as are consistent with the business needs of the Company, and otherwise shall be subject to the policies of the Company, as in effect from time to time. All Company benefit plans will be subject to the plan terms and applicable Company policies.  The Company reserves the right to modify or terminate its benefit plans from time to time in its sole discretion.  You will be eligible for reimbursement for normal business expenses incurred in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures as are in effect from time to time.  In no event will reimbursements (i) be paid later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the related expense was incurred (provided that you have submitted appropriate documentation for any such expenses within a reasonable time prior to the end of such calendar year), (ii) affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any later year or (iii) be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

The Company is excited about your joining and looks forward to a beneficial and productive relationship.  Nevertheless, you should be aware that your employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes at-will employment.  As a result, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason.  We request that, in the event of resignation, you give the Company at least two weeks notice.  Similarly, the Company is free to terminate its employment relationship with you at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. If the Company terminates your employment without Cause (as defined below) or you resign for Good Reason (as defined below), the Company shall pay your then-current annual base salary for a period of nine (9) months in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice then in effect, provided (i) such termination constitutes a “separation from service” (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) (a “Separation from Service”), (ii) you continue to comply with your obligations under your PIA (as defined below) and (iii) you deliver to the Company an effective, general release of claims in favor of the Company in a form acceptable to the Company within 30 days following your termination date.  The severance payments will be subject to standard deductions following termination; provided, however, that no payments will be made prior to the 40th day following your termination.  Subject to the foregoing, the first salary continuation payment will be

 

 

made no later than the 45th day following your termination and shall include any unpaid amounts accrued from the date of your termination.  If the forty-five (45) day period described in the preceding sentence spans two calendar years, payment will commence in the second calendar year.

 

The Company may terminate the your employment for “Cause” upon written notice to you received at least five business days prior to such termination setting forth in reasonable detail the nature of the Cause.  The following, as determined by the Board in good faith and using its reasonable judgment, shall constitute Cause for termination: (i) your willful failure to perform, or gross negligence in the performance of, your material duties and responsibilities to the Company or its affiliates which is not remedied within thirty (30) days of written notice thereof; (ii) material breach by you of any provision of this Agreement, the PIA or any other material, written agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates which is not remedied within thirty (30) days of written notice thereof; (iii) fraud, embezzlement or other dishonesty with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, taken as a whole, which, in the case of such other dishonesty, causes or could reasonably be expected to cause material harm to the Company or any of its affiliates, taken as a whole; or (iv) your conviction (including a guilty plea or a no contest plea) of a felony or of any other crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude.

 

For purposes of this letter agreement, you shall have “Good Reason” for your resignation from your employment with the Company for up to sixty (60) days following your becoming aware of the occurrence of one of the following events without your consent and after having provided thirty (30) days prior written notice and an opportunity to cure to the Company and the failure by the Company to cure the event: (A) a material reduction in your duties or responsibilities, (B) a reduction in your title, provided, that a change in title as a result of a Change of Control shall not constitute a reduction in your title; (C) a reduction of at least 10% of your gross base salary (unless pursuant to a salary reduction program applicable to all of the Company’s executive employees on an equivalent basis) or (D) a relocation of your principal workplace outside of New York, New York.

 

It is intended that all of the benefits and payments under this letter satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Code Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A 1(b)(4), 1.409A 1(b)(5) and 1.409A 1(b)(9), and this letter agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions.  If not so exempt, this letter agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms.  For purposes of Code Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A 2(b)(2)(iii)), your right to receive any installment payments under this letter agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this letter, if you are deemed by the Company at the time of your Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), and if any of the payments upon Separation from Service set forth herein and/or under any other agreement with the Company are deemed to be “deferred compensation”, then if delayed commencement of any portion of such payments is required to avoid a prohibited distribution under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and the related adverse taxation under Section 409A, the timing of the payments upon a Separation from Service will be delayed as follows: on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of your Separation from Service, and (ii) the date of your death (such earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”), the Company will (A) pay to you a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon Separation from Service that you would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this paragraph, and (B) commence paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth above.

 

The Company reserves the right to conduct background investigations and/or reference checks on all of its potential employees.  Your job offer, therefore, is contingent upon a clearance of such a background investigation and/or reference check, if any.

 

 

For purposes of federal immigration law, you will be required to provide to the Company documentary evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States.  Such documentation must be provided to us within three (3) business days of your date of hire, or our employment relationship with you may be terminated.

 

As a Company employee, you will be expected to abide by the Company’s rules and standards.  Specifically, you will be required to sign an acknowledgment that you have read and that you understand the Company’s rules of conduct, which will be included in the Company Handbook that the Company will soon complete and distribute.

 

As a condition of your employment, you are also required to sign and comply with an Employee Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Proprietary Information Agreement (“PIA”), which requires, among other obligations, the assignment of patent rights to any invention made during your employment at the Company, and non-disclosure of Company proprietary information.

 

If you agree to this offer and join the Company, then the Company will reimburse the legal fees incurred by you in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this letter agreement up to a maximum of $5,000.

 

To accept the Company’s offer, please sign and date this letter in the space provided below.  A duplicate original is enclosed for your records.  If you accept our offer, your first day of employment will be September 30, 2014.  By signing this letter you are representing that you have full authority to accept this position and perform the duties of the position without conflict with any other obligations and that you are not involved in any situation that might create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest with respect to your loyalty to or duties for the Company. This letter, together with the other documents and agreements referenced herein, sets forth the terms of your employment with the Company and supersedes any prior representations or agreements including, but not limited to, any representations made during your recruitment, interviews or pre-employment negotiations, whether written or oral.  This letter may not be modified or amended except by a written agreement signed by the Company and you.  This offer of employment will terminate if it is not accepted, signed and returned by September 8, 2014.

 

We look forward to your favorable reply and to working with you at Flex Pharma.

 

	
 
    	
Sincerely,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
/s/   Christoph Westphal
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Christoph   Westphal
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Chairman   and Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Agreed   to and accepted:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature:
    	
/s/   Marina Hahn
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Printed   Name:  Marina Hahn
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:   September 4, 2014
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

Enclosures

Duplicate Original Letter

Employee Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition,  Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment AgreementExhibit 10.11

 

FOUNDERS AGREEMENT

 

	
 
    	
Christoph Westphal and   the Company (as defined below)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
February 25, 2014
    

 

Bruce Bean

Donald MacKinnon

Roderick MacKinnon

 

Re:                           Founders Agreement (the “Agreement”)

 

Dear Bruce, Don and Rod:

 

On behalf of a new Delaware corporation to be formed, which we intend to call “Flex Pharma, Inc.” (the “Company”), I am pleased to offer to each of you (collectively, the “Scientific Founders”) shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company.  The terms on which you would be issued the Common Stock, our agreements regarding such Common Stock, the transfer of intellectual property to the Company and your respective roles with the Company are set forth below.

 

In consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, we hereby agree as follows in connection with the formation of the Company:

 

1.                                      Issuance of Common Stock.

 

1.1                               In consideration of the purchase price of $0.001 per share (the “Original Purchase Price”), the Company will issue to you an aggregate of 3,900,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Scientific Founder Shares”), of the Company, which will be equal to 13% of the fully diluted capitalization (including all outstanding common shares, all securities convertible into or exercisable for common shares and all shares reserved under any employee incentive pool) of the Company at the time of completion of a Qualified Financing (as defined below).  The Scientific Founder Shares shall be allocated to each of you as follows:  (i) 1,500,000 Shares shall be issued to Bruce Bean (“Bruce”), (ii) 900,000 Shares shall be issued to Donald MacKinnon (“Don”), and (iii) 1,500,000 Shares shall be issued to Roderick MacKinnon (“Rod”).  You acknowledge that shares of Common Stock (the “Business Founders Shares,” and together with the Scientific Founders Shares, the “Founders Shares”) will be also issued to me and other business founders (the “Business Founders,” and together with the Scientific Founders, the “Founders”).

 

 

1.2                               For the purposes of this Agreement, a “Qualified Financing” means the sale  of shares of capital stock of the Company, in one transaction or series of related transactions, which sale or sales result in gross proceeds to the Company of at least Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) and complies with the following conditions:  the financing will be at a valuation that will not dilute your fully-diluted percentage interest below 13% and the financing will be for convertible preferred stock with a liquidation preference of 1x.

 

1.3                               In the event that the Company issues to management or employees during the first year after the Qualified Financing aggregate shares or options in excess of the shares reserved under the employee incentive pool at the closing of the Qualified Financing (the “Excess Share Issuances”), the Company will issue to the Scientific Founders additional options so that in the aggregate they receive 13% of the Excess Share Issuances.  The same anti-dilution protection will be provided to Business Founders with respect to their percentage interests upon such closing.  For the avoidance of doubt, no anti-dilution protection will be provided for financings after the Qualified Financing.  For clarity, as an illustrative example:  If, within one year of the financing, an additional 1,000,000 shares of options are issued to the option pool, then 149,425 shares will be issued, pro rata to previous ownerships, to Bruce, Rod, and Don.  Similar treatment will hold for the Business Founders.

 

2.                                      Transfer of IP.  You shall transfer, convey and assign the patent application (the “Patent Application”) described in the form of Patent Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Patent Assignment Agreement”) and you shall, and shall cause Catalyst Research, LLC (“Catalyst”), which you collectively own, to transfer, convey and assign to the Company all work papers, data, trial results and know-how (together with the Patent Application, the “IP Assets”) that relate to the technology described in such Patent Application (the “Technology”). In consideration for the foregoing, the Company shall reimburse you or Catalyst, as directed by you, all third party development and patent expenses incurred in connection with the development of the Technology, but not to exceed Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000), by.  This payment shall be made upon the close of a Qualified Financing.

 

3.                                      Advisory Services.

 

3.1                               Each of Bruce and Rod shall serve on the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board, which will include quarterly advisory board meetings and availability at mutually agreeable times to provide scientific advisory services.  Don will execute a strategic consulting agreement pursuant to which he will provide at mutually agreeable times strategic advisory services.  In connection with such services, you will each be subject to (i) confidentiality obligations, (ii) non-compete obligations with respect to the development and sale of products for the treatment of muscle cramps and (iii) the obligation to transfer ownership to the Company of any improvements to the Technology that are developed in connection with such services.

 

3.2                               In consideration for services on the Scientific Advisory Board, each of Bruce and Rod will be entitled to receive fees of $60,000 per year, and stock options in the amounts that are granted to other members of the Scientific Advisory Board.  Don will receive a fee of $10,000 per year in exchange for advisory services provided by Don.  You each will be entitled to serve in your advisory roles for at least four (4) years from the date of grant of your Scientific Founder Shares, except if your advisory relationship is terminated by the Company for Cause or you voluntarily terminate your advisory relationship with the Company (each, an “Advisory Termination Event”).  The definition of “Cause” shall be mutually acceptable to the Company and you, and shall be set forth in the final definitive advisory agreements that you will execute with the Company. Payment of advisory fees shall commence only upon the consummation of a Qualified Financing.

 

3.3                               Insofar as technology developed using the facilities, funding, personnel and other resources of any educational, research or academic institutions with which any of you are affiliated may be subject to institutional IP ownership policies, you represent and agree that you have

 

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not and will not use such resources in connection with the IP Assets and your providing services to  the Company.

 

4.                                      Stock Restriction Agreement.  Every Founder shall be subject to a Stock Restriction Agreement, which will provide, among other things, that, in addition to the Company’s right of repurchase upon a Termination Event (as defined in Section 6 below), any unvested Founder Shares may be repurchased by the Company at the Original Purchase Price only upon an Advisory Termination Event with respect to such Founder.  The Founder Shares shall be twenty-five percent (25%) vested upon issuance and the remainder shall vest quarterly over four years from the date of grant; provided, however, all unvested Founder Shares shall accelerate immediately upon the closing of an acquisition or other sale of the Company.  (Note that upon an IPO, no acceleration of vesting shall occur).  Additionally, it is anticipated that as part of the Qualified Financing, all Founder Shares shall be made subject to standard rights and restrictions, such as co-sale, first refusal, market stand-off and voting obligations. The Business Founders will execute Stock Restriction Agreements upon the same terms.

 

5.                                      Royalties. The Scientific Founders and Christoph Westphal shall be entitled to receive royalties equal to two percent (2%) of gross sales of any Flex Pharma product to treat any neuromuscular disorders, including without limitation anti-cramp products, that are made by the Company.  Such royalties shall be shared fifty percent (50%) with the Scientific Founders, allocated among the Scientific Founders in one-third equal shares, and fifty percent (50%) with Christoph Westphal. This royalty will survive any license of IP to other parties, or sale of the Company.

 

6.                                      Your Representations and Warranties.  To induce the Company to issue the Scientific Founder Shares to you, you hereby represent, warrant and agree as follows:

 

6.1                               Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability.  You are sufficiently experienced in financial and business matters to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of this investment and to make an informed decision relating thereto.  You have the financial capability for making the investment, can afford a complete loss of the investment and the investment is a suitable one for you.

 

6.2                               Access To Information.  Prior to the execution of this Agreement you have had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company.

 

6.3                               Investment Intent.  You are acquiring the Scientific Founder Shares for your own account for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof, nor with any present intention of distributing or selling the Scientific Founder Shares.  You understand that the Scientific Founder Shares are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are not being registered under any state “blue sky” laws, and the Scientific Founder Shares may not be transferred except in compliance with such laws.

 

7.                                      Termination.  In the event that a Qualified Financing has not occurred within six (6) months of the date of this Agreement, at the written request of the Scientific Founders he Scientific Founders may elect to terminate their relationship with the Company (the “Termination Right”), in which event (i) the Company shall transfer, convey and assign all IP Assets (including any improvements thereto)  back to the Scientific Founders or Catalyst as directed by the Scientific Founders, (ii) the Company may elect to repurchase all Scientific Founder Shares (including both vested and unvested Scientific Founder Shares) at the Original Purchase Price, and (iii) all advisory agreements between each of you and the Company shall immediately terminate; all without any further liability of the Scientific Founders to the Company or of me or the Company to the Scientific Founders.

 

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8.                                      Other Agreements.

 

8.1                               Further Assurances; Assumption by Company.  We all agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement, including formation of the Company and compliance by the Company with the terms of this Agreement. Upon formation of the Company, and acceptance of this Agreement by the Company, the obligations hereunder shall be assumed by the Company and become a binding obligation of the Company.

 

8.2                               Notices.  All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be addressed to the receiving party’s address set forth above or to such other address as a party may designate by notice hereunder, and shall be either (i) delivered by hand, (ii) made by telecopy, facsimile transmission or email transmission of a PDF document, (iii) sent by overnight courier, or (iv) sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid.  All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been given either (i) if by hand, at the time of the delivery thereof to the receiving party at the address of such party set forth above, (ii) if made by telecopy, facsimile transmission or email transmission of a PDF document, at the time that receipt thereof has been acknowledged by electronic confirmation or otherwise, (iii) if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day following the day such notice is delivered to the courier service, or (iv) if sent by registered mail, on the 5th business day following the day such mailing is made.

 

8.3                               Entire Agreement.  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.  No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of any kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall affect, or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

8.4                               Assignment.  The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

8.5                               Benefit.  All statements, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each party hereto.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create any rights or obligations except among the parties hereto, and no person or entity shall be regarded as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

 

8.6                               Governing Law.  This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.

 

8.7                               Severability.  In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this Agreement shall be unreasonable or unenforceable in any respect, then such provision shall be deemed limited to the extent that such court deems it reasonable and enforceable, and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect.  In the event that such court shall deem any such provision, or portion thereof, wholly unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

 

8.8                               Headings and Captions.  The headings and captions of the various subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify, or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

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8.9                               No Waiver of Rights, Powers and Remedies.  No failure or delay by a party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement, and no course of dealing between the parties hereto, shall operate as a waiver of any such right, power or remedy of the party.  No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy under this Agreement by a party hereto, nor any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce any such right, power or remedy, shall preclude such party from any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder.  The election of any remedy by a party hereto shall not constitute a waiver of the right of such party to pursue other available remedies.  No notice to or demand on a party not expressly required under this Agreement shall entitle the party receiving such notice or demand to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the party giving such notice or demand to any other or further action in any circumstances without such notice or demand.

 

8.10                        Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made by the parties hereto in this Agreement or in any other agreement, certificate or instrument provided for or contemplated hereby, shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and any investigations made by or on behalf of the parties.

 

8.11                        Amendment.  Any term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement may, with the consent of the Company, be amended or compliance herewith may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), by one or more substantially concurrent written instruments signed by the Scientific Founders.

 

8.12                        No Broker or Finder.  Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to the other that no broker, finder or other financial consultant has acted on its behalf in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in such a way as to create any liability on the other.  Each of the parties hereto agrees to indemnify and save the other harmless from any claim or demand for commission or other compensation by any broker, finder, financial consultant or similar agent claiming to have been employed by or on behalf of such party and to bear the cost of legal expenses incurred in defending against any such claim.

 

8.13                        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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If the foregoing accurately sets forth your understanding and agreement, please sign the enclosed copy of this agreement and return it to us.

 

	
 
    	
Very truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/ Christoph Westphal
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Christoph   Westphal, on   behalf of
    
	
 
    	
Company to be formed
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Accepted and agreed this
    	
 
    
	
25 day of February, 2014
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Bruce Bean
    	
 
    
	
Bruce Bean
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Donald MacKinnon
    	
 
    
	
Donald   MacKinnon
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Roderick MacKinnon
    	
 
    
	
Roderick   MacKinnon
    	
 
    

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

 

Exhibit A

 

PATENT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

This PATENT ASSIGNMENT is dated as of          , 2014 (this “Assignment”), by RODERICK MACKINNON, DONALD MACKINNON, and BRUCE BEAN, individuals residing at               ,                 , and                  respectively (collectively “Assignors”), and FLEX PHARMA, INC., with offices at                                  (“Assignee”).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement among the parties dated as of                    , Assignors agree to transfer, convey, assign and deliver to the Assignee all rights, title and interests in all presently pending patent applications and issued patents in which Assignors individually or collectively are listed as an inventor, or individually or collectively have an ownership interest that are identified on Schedule A attached hereto (collectively, the “Assigned Patents”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Agreement and the mutual covenants and promises contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Assignors hereby irrevocably convey, transfer, assign and deliver to Assignee, its successors and assigns, Assignors’ entire right, title and interest for the United States, its territories and possession, and all foreign countries in and to the Assigned Patents and all rights, claims and privileges pertaining thereto, including without limitation, all inventions and discoveries disclosed therein, certificates of invention and applications for certificates of invention, and any substitutions, reissues, reexaminations, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, continued prosecution applications, and corresponding foreign patents and patent applications and foreign counterparts thereof, and any and all rights to sue and recover for claims and remedies against and collect damages and other recoveries for past, present and future infringements of any or all of the foregoing, and rights for priority and protection of interests therein under the laws of any jurisdiction and hereby grants to Assignee the right to apply, obtain and hold in its own name for patents or inventor’s certificates and related rights heretofore or hereafter filed in any and all countries, including, without limitation, the right to prosecute and maintain the same and all rights to claim priority based thereon, all patents granted thereon and all reissues, extensions and renewals thereof.

 

2.                                      Rights and Privileges.  All rights and privileges, including the right to sue for and receive all damages from past infringements of the Assigned Patents, will be held and enjoyed by the Assignee and its successors, assigns and other legal representatives.

 

3.                                      Further Assurances.  Assignors represent and warrant to Assignee, its successors and assigns that on the date hereof that they are the exclusive owners of all right, title and interest in and to the Assigned Patents and have the right to assign the Assigned Patents, and that no assignment, sale, agreement or encumbrance has been or will be made or entered into which would conflict with this assignment.  Assignors each agree, at the Assignee’s expense and request: (i) to assign, deliver and communicate to Assignee, its representatives, agents, successors and assigns any facts and materials relating to the Assigned Patents, including evidence for interference purposes or for other legal proceedings whenever requested and all files, documents and communications pertaining to the Assigned Patents, including all communications to and from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and any and all legal counsel advising on or assisting

 

2

 

with the Assigned Patents; (ii) to testify in any interference or other legal proceedings whenever requested; (iii) to execute and deliver whenever requested all lawful papers required to make any of the foregoing provisions effective; and (iv) to generally provide all further cooperation, including taking such further action and executing such additional documents, which Assignee, its successors and assigns requests to secure, obtain or enforce proper protection for the Assigned Patents and all associated rights in this or any foreign country.

 

4.                                      Authorization.  Assignors authorize and request the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks of the United States, and any other official throughout the world whose duty is to register and record ownership in patent registrations and applications for registration of patents, to record Assignee as the assignee and owner of any and all right in the Assigned Patents.

 

5.                                      Covenant Not to Sue.  Assignors hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to assert against Assignee, and Assignee’s parents, subsidiaries, contractors, customers, suppliers, affiliates, agents, employees, directors, representatives, successors, assigns, licensors, licensees, partners, joint venturers, and distributors all claims, causes, obligations, rights of action, or liabilities of any kind or nature, whether now existing or hereinafter arising and whether known or unknown, arising from or relating to proprietary rights in the Assigned Patents.

 

6.                                      Miscellaneous.  This Assignment will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, each of which such successors and permitted assigns will be deemed to be a party hereto for all purposes hereof. This Assignment and any of the terms contained herein may be amended or modified by Assignors and Assignee only in writing. This Assignment is executed by, and shall be binding upon, Assignors and Assignee and their respective successors and assigns, for the uses and purposes set forth and referred to above, effective immediately upon its delivery to Assignee.  This Assignment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts other than any provision of Massachusetts law that would result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Assignment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

 

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7.             Assignors hereby request and authorize Cooley, LLP, 500 Boylston St, Boston , MA 02116, to insert hereon any further identification information necessary or desirable for recordation of this document, including the filing date and application number of assigned applications or issued patents, if not yet known, when known.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Assignment as of the date first written above.

 

 

	
ASSIGNEE:
    	
FLEX   PHARMA, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ASSIGNORS:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 

RODERICK   MACKINNON
    

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I,                                                                                , hereby declare

(Printed Name of Witness)

 

that I was personally present and did see RODERICK MACKINNON sign and execute this assignment.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Date: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 

(Signature   of Witness)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

State of 

 

County of  

 

On this          day of                   , 2014, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared RODERICK MACKINNON, proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which was a                                     , to be the person whose name is signed on this document and who swore or affirmed to me that the contents of this document are truthful and accurate to the best of his knowledge and belief.

 

4

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 

NOTARY PUBLIC
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 

My commission expires:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 

DONALD MACKINNON
    
				

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I,                                                                              , hereby declare

(Printed Name of Witness)

 

that I was personally present and did see DONALD MACKINNON sign and execute this assignment.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Date: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 

(Signature   of Witness)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

State of 

 

County of 

 

On this          day of                   , 2014, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared DONALD MACKINNON, proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which was a                                     , to be the person whose name is signed on this document and who swore or affirmed to me that the contents of this document are truthful and accurate to the best of his knowledge and belief.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 

NOTARY PUBLIC
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 

My commission expires:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 

BRUCE BEAN
    
				

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I                                                                                   , hereby declare

(Printed Name of Witness)

 

that I was personally present and did see BRUCE BEAN sign and execute the assignment.

 

5

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Date: 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 

(Signature   of Witness)
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

State of 

 

County of 

 

On this          day of                   , 2014, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared BRUCE BEAN, proved to me through satisfactory evidence of identification, which was a                                     , to be the person whose name is signed on this document and who swore or affirmed to me that the contents of this document are truthful and accurate to the best of his knowledge and belief.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 

NOTARY PUBLIC
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 

My commission expires:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

6

 

SCHEDULE A

 

	
Type
    	
 
    	
Country
    	
 
    	
Title
    	
 
    	
Application
   Serial No./ Filing Date
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Provisional

 
    	
 
    	
US
    	
 
    	
Methods   and compositions for Relieving Muscle Cramps
    	
 
    	
61/368,059
    July 27, 2010   (expired)
    
	
PCT
    	
 
    	
WIPO
    	
 
    	
Methods   and Compositions for Preventing and Relieving Muscle Cramps and For Recovery   from Neuromuscular Irritability and Fatigue Following Exercise
    	
 
    	
PCT/US2011/045480
    July 27, 2011   (abandoned)
    
	
Nonprovisional
    	
 
    	
US
    	
 
    	
Methods   and Compositions for Preventing and Relieving Muscle Cramps and For Recovery   from Neuromuscular Irritability and Fatigue Following Exercise
    	
 
    	
13/191,941
    July 27, 2011   (pending)
    
	
National Stage
    	
 
    	
EP
    	
 
    	
Methods   and Compositions for Preventing and Relieving Muscle Cramps and For Recovery   from Neuromuscular Irritability and Fatigue Following Exercise
    	
 
    	
11813088.9 (pending)
    July 27, 20111
    

 

 

AMENDMENT TO FOUNDERS AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment (this “Amendment”) to the Founders Agreement, dated February 25, 2014 (the “Founders Agreement”) by and among (i) Christoph Westphal (on behalf of Flex Pharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)), and (ii) Bruce Bean, Donald MacKinnon and Roderick MacKinnon (the “Scientific Founders”), is made by and among the Scientific Founders and the Company and is dated as of March 21, 2014.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Founders Agreement unless the context otherwise requires.

 

RECITALS

 

A.            Pursuant to Section 8.11 of the Founders Agreement, any term thereof may be amended or waived only with the written consent of (i) the Company and (ii) the Scientific Founders.

 

B.            The Company and the Scientific Founders desire to amend the Founders Agreement in accordance with Section 8.11 of the Founders Agreement to provide for the termination of certain provisions of the Founders Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Amendment hereby agree that the Founders Agreement shall be amended as follows:

 

1.              Amendment to Founders Agreement.  Effective as of the date hereof Subsection 1.1, Subsection 1.2, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, Section 5, Section 6 and Section 7 of the Founders Agreement are hereby terminated and shall be of no further force and effect.

 

2.              Qualified Financing.  As of the date hereof, a Qualified Financing shall have occurred and upon the closing of such Qualified Financing, the Company shall reimburse the Scientific Founders all third party development and patent expenses incurred in connection with the development of the Technology, such amount not to exceed Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000).

 

3.              Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Assignment.  The rights and obligations under this Amendment may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(b)           Benefit.  All statements, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Amendment shall be binding on the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each party hereto.  Nothing in this Amendment shall be construed to create any rights or obligations except among the parties hereto, and no person or entity shall be regarded as a third-party beneficiary of this Amendment.

 

 (c)          Governing Law.  This Amendment and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.

 

 (d)          Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

 

(e)         Headings and Captions.  The headings and captions of the various subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify, or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

(f)            Effect of Amendment.  The Founders Agreement, as amended hereby, shall remain in full force and effect.  For clarity, Subsection 1.3 and Section 8 of the Founders Agreement are the only provisions of the Founders Agreement that remain in full force and effect following the execution and delivery of this Amendment.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

2

 

The parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first written above.

 

 

	
 
    	
COMPANY:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
FLEX   PHARMA, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Brian Malone
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Brian   Malone, President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SCIENTIFIC   FOUNDERS:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Bruce Bean
    
	
 
    	
Bruce   Bean
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Donald MacKinnon
    
	
 
    	
Donald   MacKinnon
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Roderick MacKinnon
    
	
 
    	
Roderick   MacKinnon
    

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT TO FOUNDERS AGREEMENT]

 

 

TERMINATION OF FOUNDERS AGREEMENT

 

This Termination of Founders Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) is entered into as of April 10, 2014 by and among (i) Flex Pharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), (ii) Bruce Bean, Donald MacKinnon and Roderick MacKinnon (the “Scientific Founders”) and (iii) Christoph Westphal.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Founders Agreement by and among Christoph Westphal (on behalf of the Company) and the Scientific Founders, dated as of February 25, 2014, as amended on March 21, 2014 (as amended, the “Founders Agreement”), unless the context otherwise requires.

 

RECITALS

 

A.                                    The Company and the Scientific Founders entered into the Founders Agreement on February 25, 2014, which was amended on March 21, 2014 to terminate certain provisions of the Founders Agreement.

 

B.                                    The Company and the Scientific Founders now desire to terminate the remaining provisions of the Founders Agreement to further induce investors to purchase shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Termination Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

1.              Scientific Founders Anti-dilution.  As full and complete satisfaction for the anti-dilution protections provided to the Scientific Founders in Section 1.3 of the Founders Agreement, the Company shall issue to the Scientific Founders an aggregate of 742,857 shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Scientific Founders’ Shares”), or options to purchase such number of shares, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date hereof.  Such Scientific Founders’ Shares, or options therefor, shall be allocated among the Scientific Founders pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock currently held by each Scientific Founder.

 

2.              Business Founders Antidilution.  As full and complete satisfaction for the anti-dilution protections provided to the Business Founders in Section 1.3 of the Founders Agreement, the Company shall issue to the Business Founders an aggregate of 2,971,428 shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Business Founders’ Shares”), or options to purchase such number of shares, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date hereof.  Such Business Founders’ Shares, or options therefor, shall be allocated among the Business Founders pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock currently held by each Business Founder.

 

3.              Termination of Founders Agreement. Effective as of the date the Scientific Founders’ Shares are issued to the Scientific Founders and the Business Founders’ Shares are issued 

 

 

to the Business Founders, the Founders Agreement shall be automatically terminated and of no further force and effect.  For clarity, except as set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Termination Agreement, the Scientific Founders and Business Founders shall have no rights to the issuance of any additional shares or options from the Company pursuant to the Founders Agreement.

 

4.              Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                 Assignment.  The rights and obligations under this Termination Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(b)                                 Benefit.  All statements, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Termination Agreement shall be binding on the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each party hereto.  Nothing in this Termination Agreement shall be construed to create any rights or obligations except among the parties hereto, and no person or entity shall be regarded as a third-party beneficiary of this Termination Agreement.

 

(c)                              Governing Law.  This Termination Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.

 

(d)                             Counterparts.  This Termination Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

(e)                                  Headings and Captions.  The headings and captions of the various subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify, or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

(f)                                   Effect of Termination Agreement.  This Termination Agreement is intended to be the sole agreement of the parties as it relates to the subject matter hereof and does hereby supersede all other agreements of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

2

 

The parties have executed this Termination Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
COMPANY:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
FLEX   PHARMA, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Christoph Westphal
    
	
 
    	
Name:   Christoph Westphal
    
	
 
    	
Title:   President & CEO
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SCIENTIFIC   FOUNDERS:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Bruce Bean
    
	
 
    	
Bruce   Bean
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Donald MacKinnon
    
	
 
    	
Donald   MacKinnon
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Roderick MacKinnon
    
	
 
    	
Roderick   MacKinnon
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
BUSINESS   FOUNDERS:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Christoph Westphal
    
	
 
    	
Christoph   Westphal

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