Document:

Exhibit 10.8

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

 

This Separation Agreement
(the “Agreement”) is between Rachel McMinn (“Employee”), on behalf of Employee
and all of Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors (individually and collectively, “Releasors”)
and Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), on behalf of the Company and all of its past, present,
and future parents, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, directors, officers, managers, members, agents, successors, assigns, former
employees and employees (individually and collectively, the “Company Parties”) for the purpose of the
termination of Employee’s employment relationship with the Company effective December 31, 2017 (the “Termination
Date”) and detailing their respective rights and obligations.

 

1. Transition;
Separation.

 

a. Effective on
November 1, 2017 (the “Transition Date”) Employee shall resign from her position as Chief Business and
Strategy Officer. During the period beginning on the Transition Date and ending on the Termination Date (such period, the
“Transition Period”), the Employee will continue to be employed by the Company as a Strategic Advisor to
the Chief Executive Officer and perform such duties as the Company may request from time to time. During the Transition
Period, the Company will continue to pay Employee her base salary at the rate in effect as of the date hereof and Employee
will continue to participate in the Company’s health and welfare plans, subject to their terms.

 

b. Effective on the
Termination Date, Employee’s employment relationship with the Company shall terminate in full. Employee acknowledges
that from and after the Termination Date, Employee shall have no authority to, and shall not represent herself as an employee
of the Company.

 

2. Consideration.

 

a. As consideration
for Employee’s execution of this Agreement and for the other promises set forth in this Agreement, and provided
Employee executes and does not rescind her assent to this Agreement, and within sixty (60) days after the Termination Date
Employee executes and does not rescind her assent to the Supplemental Release of Claims set forth in Exhibit A (the
“Supplemental Release”), the Company shall pay or provide Employee with the following (the
“Separation Benefits”):

 

i. twelve (12)
months of Employee’s base salary in effect as of the Termination Date, payable according to the Company’s payroll
commencing on the first payroll date following the date the Supplemental Release is effective and irrevocable (the
“Payment Date”);

 

ii. for a period
of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date, continue Employee’s participation in the Company’s group
health plan and dental plan and shall pay that portion of the premiums that the Company paid on behalf of Employee and her
dependents during Employee’s employment, provided, however, that if the Company’s health insurance plan and/or
dental plan does not permit such continued participation in such plan after Employee’s termination of employment, then
the Company shall pay that portion of the premiums associated with COBRA continuation coverage that the Company paid on
behalf of Employee and her dependents during Employee’s employment, including any administrative fee, on
Employee’s behalf for such twelve (12) month period; and provided, further, that if Employee becomes employed with
another employer during the period in which continued health insurance and/or dental insurance is being provided pursuant to
this Section, the Company shall not be required to continue such health and dental benefits, or if applicable, to pay the
costs of COBRA, if Employee becomes covered under a health insurance plan of the new employer. For purposes of this Section
2.a.ii, the term “Employee” shall include, to the extent applicable, Employee’s spouse and any of her
dependents covered under the Company’s group health plan and/or dental plan prior to her termination of employment;

 

    	 	 	 

     

    

 

iii. bonus for
the 2017 calendar year equal to 40% of Employee’s base salary; and

 

iv. the
number of Employee’s unvested stock options and other equity-based awards that would otherwise have vested from the
Termination Date to the first anniversary of the Termination Date shall vest as of the date the Supplemental Release
becomes effective and irrevocable and Employee (or her estate or legal representative, if applicable) shall have until the
earlier of the expiration date of the option or one (1) year from the Termination Date to exercise all vested options unless
the stock plan pursuant to which the option is granted requires earlier termination in connection with a liquidation or sale
of the Company. For purposes of clarity, Employee’s outstanding vested stock options and other equity as of immediately
following the date the Supplemental Release becomes effective and irrevocable are set forth in Exhibit B

 

v. a bonus of
$5,000, payable on the Payment Date, such amount intended to go towards the payment of Employee’s legal fees incurred
in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement.

 

b. Employee
acknowledges and agrees that Employee will only be entitled to the consideration under Sections 2.a if Employee signs this
Agreement and the Supplemental Release becomes effective and irrevocable; and Employee further acknowledges and understands
that the compensation and benefits set forth in Section 5.1 of the Employment Agreement between Employee and the Company,
dated April 30, 2014 (the “Employment Agreement”) shall be paid or provided to Employee regardless of
whether Employee executes this Agreement. The consideration described in Section 2.a are in complete satisfaction of any and
all claims described in the Supplemental Release and the Employment Agreement.

 

c. In the event
that Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason prior to the Termination Date, then the
Termination Date shall be the date of such termination.

 

3. Release of
Claims. FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the Separation Benefits, which Separation Benefits are conditioned on Employee signing
this release of claims (“Release”) and the Supplemental Release, which Employee will forfeit unless Employee
executes and does not revoke this Agreement, Employee, on her own behalf and on behalf of her heirs and estate, voluntarily, knowingly
and willingly release and forever discharge the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, and, in their capacities as such,
stockholders, together with each of those entities’ respective officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents, fiduciaries
and administrators, each in their capacities as such (collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all claims
and rights of any nature whatsoever which Employee now has or in the future may have against them up to the date Employee executes
this Agreement, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected. This Release includes, but is not limited to, any rights or
claims relating in any way to my employment relationship with the Company or any of the other Releasees or the termination thereof,
any contract claims (express or implied, written or oral), including, but not limited to, the Employment Agreement, or any rights
or claims under any statute, including, without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act, the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (including Section 504 thereof), Title VII
of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (42 U.S.C. § 1981), the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal Pay
Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York
City Human Rights Law, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, all as amended, and any other federal, state or
local law. This Release specifically includes, but is not limited to, any claims based upon the right to the payment of wages,
incentive and performance compensation, bonuses, equity grants, vacation, pension benefits, 401(k) Plan benefits, stock benefits
or any other employee benefits, or any other rights arising under federal, state or local laws prohibiting discrimination and/or
harassment on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, alienage,
citizenship, nationality, mental or physical disability, denial of family and medical care leave, medical condition (including
cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, military status, gender identity, harassment or any other basis prohibited
by law.

 

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As a condition of the Company entering
into this Agreement, Employee further represents that Employee has not filed against the Company or any of the other Releasees,
any complaints, claims or lawsuits with any arbitral tribunal, administrative agency, or court prior to the date hereof, and that
Employee has not transferred to any other person any such complaints, claims or lawsuits. Employee understands that by signing
this Agreement, Employee waives her right to any monetary recovery in connection with a local, state or federal governmental agency
proceeding and Employee waives her right to file a claim seeking monetary damages in any arbitral tribunal, administrative agency,
or court. This Agreement does not: (i) prohibit or restrict Employee from communicating, providing relevant information to or otherwise
cooperating with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other governmental authority with responsibility for the
administration of fair employment practices laws (including with respect to SEC Whistleblowing) regarding a possible violation
of such laws or responding to any inquiry from such authority, including an inquiry about the existence of this Release or its
underlying facts, or (ii) require Employee to notify the Company of such communications or inquiry. Furthermore, notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Release does not include and will not preclude: (a) rights or claims to vested benefits under any applicable
retirement and/or pension plans; (b) rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”);
(c) claims for unemployment compensation; (d) rights to defense and indemnification or under the Company’s directors’
and officers’ liability insurance, if any, from the Company for actions or inactions taken by Employee in the course and
scope of Employee’s employment with the Company and its parents, subsidiaries and/or affiliates; (e) any rights Employee
may have to obtain contribution as permitted by law in the event of entry of judgment against the Company as a result of any act
or failure to act for which Employee and the Company are held jointly liable; (f) any rights to vested equity that vested prior
to or because of the termination of Employee’s employment and rights as a stockholder; and/or (g) any actions to enforce
this Agreement.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, this Release does not limit Employee’s right to receive an award from any governmental agency for
information provided to the governmental agency. However, by executing this Release, Employee hereby waives the right to recover
any damages, compensation or monetary award from the Company in any lawsuit or any proceeding before any governmental agency that
arises out of alleged facts or circumstances on or before the effective date of this Release. Employee acknowledges that, in signing
this Release, Employee has not relied on any promises or representations, express or implied, other than those that are set forth
expressly herein.

 

4. Supplemental Release of Claims. In consideration for the payments, benefits and other promises and covenants
set forth in this Agreement, following the Termination Date, Employee shall execute and deliver the Supplemental Release.

 

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5. Covenant Not To Sue. Releasors warrant and represent that as of the date the Employee executes this Agreement
(the “Execution Date”), none of them has filed any complaint, charge or lawsuit or commenced any other
proceeding regarding the claims which are released by this Agreement with any federal, state or local court or any federal, state
or local governmental agency or commission (a ”Governmental Agency”) or arbitrator, mediator or other dispute
resolution process and that to the extent permitted by law (as explained further below) and consistent with this Agreement, they
will not at any time hereafter file any complaint or lawsuit regarding the claims which are released by this Agreement with any
court or Governmental Agency or arbitrator, mediator or other dispute resolution process, and if any such complaint or lawsuit
is filed that is covered by this Agreement or the Supplemental Release, it will be immediately dismissed with prejudice as soon
as possible thereafter. The Company’s obligations under this Agreement are contingent upon the dismissal and withdrawal of
any and all complaints, claims or actions regardless of where they may be pending. Should Employee breach any of the terms of this
Agreement, to the extent authorized by law, Employee will be responsible for payment of all reasonable attorneys’ fees and
costs that the Company Parties incur in the course of enforcing the terms of the Agreement, including demonstrating the existence
of a breach and any other contract enforcement efforts.

 

6. Non-Disparagement; References.

 

a. Employee agrees to that she shall not disparage, criticize, defame, slander, or otherwise take any action, whether in writing,
verbally, or by any other non-verbal gesture or form of communication, with intent to: (i) harm the Company Parties; (ii) portray
the Company Parties in an unfavorable light; or (iii) subject the Company Parties to scorn or ridicule.

 

b. The Company shall direct its directors and officers not to disparage, criticize, defame, or slander, or otherwise take any
action, whether in writing or verbally, with intent to: (i) harm the Employee; (ii) portray the Employee in an unfavorable light;
or (iii) subject the Employee to scorn or ridicule.

 

c. Subject to Section 6(d) below, the Company in response to an inquiry by a prospective employer will provide Employee with
a neutral reference, which means that it will only provide the Employee’s job title, dates of employment and, if requested
by the Employee, Employee’s salary, and further, the Company shall not contest any application Employee makes for unemployment
benefits; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 6.b shall prohibit the Company from making any necessary
disclosures about Employee, including regarding Employee’s employment and Employee’s separation of employment in connection
with any judicial, administrative or other proceeding or investigation or as otherwise required by law.

 

d. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 6(c), the Company acknowledges that if a third party asks Mark Pruzanski,
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to be a reference for Employee, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause
Dr. Pruzanski to provide what he reasonably believes to be positive examples of Employee’s performance and Employee’s
contributions to the Company as an employee.

 

e. The Company and the Employee shall mutually draft an official statement to be released to the press attached as Exhibit
C.

 

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 7. Additional Acknowledgements and Agreements.

 

a. Employee understands and acknowledges that Employee remains bound by any and all agreements with the Company with regard
to confidential information, assignment of rights in intellectual property, non-competition and non-solicitation that by their
terms remain in effect notwithstanding the termination of employment. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee acknowledges and
agrees that Employee’s Invention, Non-Disclosure, and Non-Solicitation Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
D (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”) shall continue to remain in full force and effect pursuant to its
terms and that Employee shall honor them.

 

b. Employee further agrees that Employee will not, directly or indirectly, make any disclosure of the Company’s confidential
information to anyone or make any use of confidential information on Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any third party,
without the Company’s prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee understands that Employee may not be
held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is
made (i) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and
(ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (B) is made in a complaint or other
document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

 

c. Employee agrees to permit the Company to examine any personal electronic devices that Employee owns that Employee has used
in connection with Employee’s employment with the Company, including, without limitation, any personal computers or smart
phones. Employee further agrees that the Company has the right to remove any information pertaining to the Company or Employee’s
employment with the Company from such devices.

 

d. Employee agrees that Employee will not in any way communicate or discuss the terms of this Agreement, including but not
limited to the amount paid to Employee, with any person other than Employee’s spouse, attorney or tax advisor. Employee shall
inform Employee’s spouse, attorney and tax advisor of the confidential nature of this Agreement. The Company understands
and agrees that the contents of the negotiations and discussions resulting in this Agreement shall be maintained as confidential
and shall not be disclosed to any third parties, except to the extent required by federal or state law or as otherwise agreed to
in writing with Employee.

 

e. Employee acknowledges that Employee has received payment in full for all services rendered in conjunction with Employee’s
employment by the Company, including payment for all wages, bonuses, and equity for any period before the Termination Date (other
than any current salary and benefits due in the ordinary course in a final paycheck or thereafter), and that no other compensation
is owed to Employee, including under Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 of the Employment Agreement with the Company, except as provided
in the applicable provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement; provided, however that nothing herein shall affect any
claims of entitlement Employee may have to vested benefits under any 401(k) plan or other ERISA-covered benefit plan (excluding
severance) provided by the Company.

 

f. Employee acknowledges that as of the Execution Date, Employee has not contacted any Governmental Agency to report an alleged
violation of applicable law by the Company, except to the extent Employee has already informed the Company in writing prior to
the Execution Date.

 

g. Employee acknowledges that any breach of Section 8 will cause irreparable injury to the Company and that the Company, without
the requirement of posting a bond or other security, may seek and obtain injunctive or other equitable relief against such breach
or a threatened breach without prejudice to any other remedies that may be available to it.

 

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8. Limitations Regarding Governmental Agency Activity. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement and the Supplemental
Release to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement, including the Supplemental Release, prohibits or restricts Employee from filing,
or limits Employee’s ability to file, a charge or complaint with a Governmental Agency; prohibits or restricts Employee from
communicating with, providing documents or other relevant information to or otherwise cooperating with, or limit Employee’s
ability to communicate with, provide documents or other relevant information to or otherwise to cooperate with, any Governmental
Agency, including, but not limited to, responding to any inquiry from such authority, including an inquiry about the existence
of this Agreement, its release or its underlying facts. To the maximum extent permitted by law, however, nothing in this Agreement
or the Supplemental Release shall be deemed to limit the Company’s right to seek immediate dismissal of a charge or complaint
on the basis that Employee’s signing of this Agreement and the Supplemental Release constitutes a full release of any claims,
including claims of discrimination, or to seek restitution to the extent permitted by law of the economic benefits provided to
Employee under this Agreement in the event that Employee successfully challenge the validity of the Supplemental Release, provided,
however, that Employee retains the right to receive, and the Company shall not seek restitution of, an award for information lawfully
provided to a Governmental Agency.

 

9. Indemnification. The Company together with its its successors shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Employee
against all claims, actions, proceedings, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
attorneys’ fees) (together, “Losses”) to the extent the same arise from the conduct of the business of
the Company or its subsidiaries, and whether arising prior to or following the date hereof, except any Losses caused by self-dealing,
fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct by Employee, or as otherwise prohibited by applicable law. In connection therewith,
the Company or its successors shall advance to Employee reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses as such fees and expenses
are incurred (subject to an undertaking from Employee to repay such advances if it shall be finally determined by a judicial decision
which is not subject to further appeal that Employee was not entitled to the reimbursement of such fees and expenses), and Employee
will be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies that either the Company or an applicable Company Party may elect to
maintain generally for the benefit of their employees, officers and directors, to the extent as provided under such policies. This
Section 9 shall survive the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company and this Agreement.

 

10. Disclaimer. This Agreement in no way constitutes an implicit or explicit admission or recognition by either party
hereto of a violation of any federal, state, municipal, or local law.

 

11. Tax Provision. Employee acknowledges that Employee is not relying upon advice or representation of the Company
with respect to the tax treatment of any of the payments or benefits provided by the Company. The benefits provided to Employee
are intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Company makes no
representation or warranty and shall have no liability to Employee or to any other person if any of the provisions of the Agreement
are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but not to satisfy an exemption for, or the conditions
of, that section.  All payments under this Agreement will be reduced by all applicable taxes and withholdings.

 

12. Binding Agreement. This Agreement in its entirety shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, successors,
legal representatives, and assigns.

 

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13. Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall govern the interpretation and performance of this Agreement
(without regard to New York’s principles of conflicts of law) should any dispute arise concerning or related to this Agreement,
except whereas otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. In the event of any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any
action to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the parties expressly submit to jurisdiction and venue in the state or federal courts
of New York. Further, the parties expressly consent to accept service of any pleading or motion related to enforcing this Agreement
by the prosecuting/moving party by mailing, hand delivering, or overnight expressing a copy to the other party and the other party’s
attorneys, if any.

 

14. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company
and Employee.

 

15. No Waiver.  No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as
a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given on any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and
shall not be construed as a bar or waiver of any right on any other occasion.

 

16. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to
be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or be invalid under
law, such provision shall be effective to the extent not affected by such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or rendering
unenforceable the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and if this Agreement or the Supplemental
Release is found to be unenforceable, this entire Agreement shall be void and the Company shall have no further obligation to Employee.

 

17. Headings for Reference. The Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and have
no independent legal significance.

 

18. Execution and Delivery. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in two or more counterparts, each of which,
when so executed and delivered, shall be the original, but such counterparts together shall constitute but one of the same instrument.
Delivery by Employee to the Company shall be effective provided it is made within twenty-one (21) days of the date Employee receives
this Agreement by e-mail or regular mail. If delivery by Employee is effectuated by e-mail, it shall be scanned and e-mailed to
the following address: david.ford@interceptpharma.com. In the case of e-mail delivery, Employee shall also send an original by
regular mail to:

 

David Ford

Chief Human Resources
Officer

Intercept Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.

10 Hudson Yards, 37th
Floor

New York, NY 10001

 

19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Supplemental Release) sets forth the entire agreement of the
parties, there being no other promise or inducement to or for the execution of this Agreement other than the consideration cited
above. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement (including the continued applicability of Restrictive Covenant
Agreement), this Agreement supersedes any and all prior agreements between Employee and the Company, whether written or oral. Employee
affirms that Employee has not relied on any promises or representations, express or implied, other than those that are set forth
expressly in this Agreement and that are intended to survive separation from employment, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

 

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20. Release Acknowledgements. Employee acknowledges that:

  

a. Employee has carefully read and understand this Agreement and the Release;

 

b. The Company advised
Employee to consult with an attorney and/or any other advisors of my choice before signing this Agreement; 

 

c. Employee understands
that this Agreement is legally binding and by signing it Employee gives
up certain rights; 

 

d. Employee has voluntarily chosen to enter into this Agreement and has not been forced or pressured in any way to sign it;

  

e. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Separation Benefits are contingent on execution of this Agreement, which releases
all of my claims against the Company and the Releasees, and Employee knowingly and voluntarily
agreeS to release the Company and the Releasees from any and all claims Employee may have, known or unknown, in exchange
for the benefits Employee will obtain by signing this Agreement and the Supplemental Release, and that these benefits are in addition
to any benefit Employee would have otherwise received if Employee did not sign this Agreement;

  

f. Employee has seven (7) days after Employee signs this Agreement to revoke it by notifying the Company in writing. This Agreement
(and the Release) will not become effective or enforceable until the seven (7) day revocation period has expired. This Agreement
shall be effective and irrevocable on the eighth day following Employee’s signing of this Agreement without recession.

  

g. This Agreement includes a waiver of all rights and claims Employee
may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. §621 et seq.); and

  

h. This Release does not waive any rights or claims that may arise after this Agreement becomes effective, which is seven (7)
days after Employee signs it, provided that Employee does not exercise my right to revoke this Agreement.

 

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank;
Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties have executed this instrument on the dates indicated below.

 

	/s/ Rachel McMinn	 	11/03/2017
	Rachel McMinn	 	Date

 

	INTERCEPT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.	 
	 	 	 
	Signature: 	/s/ David Ford	 
	Name: 	David Ford	 
	Title: 	Chief Human Resources Officer	 
	Date: 	11/01/2017	 

  

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EXHIBIT A

SUPPLEMENTAL
RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the payments
and benefits (the “Separation Benefits”) to be provided to me in connection with the separation of my employment,
in accordance with the Separation Agreement between Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) and me dated
as of November 1, 2017 (the “Agreement”), which Separation Benefits are conditioned on my signing this Supplemental
Release of Claims (“Release”) and which I will forfeit unless I execute and do not revoke this Release, I, on
my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs and estate, voluntarily, knowingly and willingly release and forever discharge the Company,
its subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, and, in their capacities as such, stockholders, together with each of those entities’
respective officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents, fiduciaries and administrators, each in their capacities as such
(collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all claims and rights of any nature whatsoever which I now have
or in the future may have against them up to the date I execute this Release, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected.
This Release includes, but is not limited to, any rights or claims relating in any way to my employment relationship with the Company
or any of the other Releasees or the termination thereof, any contract claims (express or implied, written or oral), including,
but not limited to, the Agreement, or any rights or claims under any statute, including, without limitation, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act, the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (including Section 504 thereof), Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (42 U.S.C. §
1981), the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal Pay Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act,
the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York City Human Rights Law, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
all as amended, and any other federal, state or local law. This Release specifically includes, but is not limited to, any claims
based upon the right to the payment of wages, incentive and performance compensation, bonuses, equity grants, vacation, pension
benefits, 401(k) Plan benefits, stock benefits or any other employee benefits, or any other rights arising under federal, state
or local laws prohibiting discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, religious
creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, alienage, citizenship, nationality, mental or physical disability, denial of family and
medical care leave, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, military status, gender identity,
harassment or any other basis prohibited by law.

 

As a condition of the Company entering
into this Release, I further represent that I have not filed against the Company or any of the other Releasees, any complaints,
claims or lawsuits with any arbitral tribunal, administrative agency, or court prior to the date hereof, and that I have not transferred
to any other person any such complaints, claims or lawsuits. I understand that by signing this Release, I waive my right to any
monetary recovery in connection with a local, state or federal governmental agency proceeding and I waive my right to file a claim
seeking monetary damages in any arbitral tribunal, administrative agency, or court. This Release does not: (i) prohibit or restrict
me from communicating, providing relevant information to or otherwise cooperating with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
or any other governmental authority with responsibility for the administration of fair employment practices laws (including with
respect to SEC Whistleblowing) regarding a possible violation of such laws or responding to any inquiry from such authority, including
an inquiry about the existence of this Release or its underlying facts, or (ii) require me to notify the Company of such communications
or inquiry. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Release does not include and will not preclude: (a) rights or claims
to vested benefits under any applicable retirement and/or pension plans; (b) rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1985 (“COBRA”); (c) claims for unemployment compensation; (d) rights to defense and indemnification or
under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, if any, from the Company for actions or inactions
taken by me in the course and scope of my employment with the Company and its parents, subsidiaries and/or affiliates; (e) any
rights I may have to obtain contribution as permitted by law in the event of entry of judgment against the Company as a result
of any act or failure to act for which I and the Company are held jointly liable; (f) any rights to vested equity that vested prior
to or because of the termination of my employment and rights as a stockholder; and/or (g) any actions to enforce the Agreement.

 

    	 	 	 

     

    

 

For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, this Release does not limit my right to receive an award from any governmental agency for information
provided to the governmental agency. However, by executing this Release, I hereby waive the right to recover any damages, compensation
or monetary award from the Company in any lawsuit or any proceeding before any governmental agency that arises out of alleged facts
or circumstances on or before the effective date of this Release.

 

I acknowledge that, in signing this Release, I have not relied
on any promises or representations, express or implied, other than those that are set forth expressly herein or in the Agreement
and that are intended to survive separation from employment, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

 

Nondisclosure; Continuing Obligations
- I understand and agree that, to the extent permitted by law, the terms and contents of this Release (as modified before signature)
and the contents of the negotiations and discussions resulting in this Release shall be maintained as confidential by me and must
not be disclosed to anyone other than a member of my immediate family, my attorney, accountant or other advisor (and, even as to
such a person, only if the person agrees to honor this confidentiality requirement) except to the extent required by federal or
state law or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company. I acknowledge and reaffirm my obligation to keep confidential and
not disclose any and all non-public information concerning the Company that I acquired during the course of my employment or other
relationship with the Company, including any non-public information concerning the Company’s business affairs, business prospects
and financial condition, as is stated more fully in any Invention, Non-Disclosure, and Non-Solicitation Agreement and that I will
comply with such agreement in all other respects.

 

The Company understands and agrees that
the contents of the negotiations and discussions resulting in this Release shall be maintained as confidential and shall not be
disclosed to any third parties, except to the extent required by federal or state law or as otherwise agreed to in writing with
me.

 

Return of Company Property -
I confirm that I have returned to the Company in good working order all Company-owned keys, files, records (and copies thereof),
equipment (including computer hardware, software and printers, wireless handheld devices, cellular phones, tablets, smartphones,
etc.), Company identification, the Company proprietary and confidential information, and any other Company-owned property in my
possession or control and I have left intact with, or delivered intact to, the Company all electronic Company documents and internal
and external websites, including those that I developed or helped to develop during my employment, and that I have thereafter deleted,
and destroyed any hard copies of, all electronic files relating to the Company that are in my possession or control, including
any that are located on any of my personal computers or external or cloud storage. I further confirm that I have cancelled all
accounts for my benefit, if any, in the Company’s name including, but not limited to, credit cards, telephone charge cards,
cellular phone and/or wireless data accounts and computer accounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I shall be permitted to retain
my contacts and calendars and personal correspondence and any documents or data related to my compensation or reasonably needed
for tax preparation purposes.

 

    	 	Page
                                         2	 

     

    

 

Final Compensation –
I acknowledge that I have received payment in full for all services rendered in conjunction with my employment by the Company,
including payment for all wages, bonuses, and equity for any period before the date of this Release (other than any current salary
and benefits due in the ordinary course in a final paycheck or thereafter), and that no other compensation is owed to me, except
as provided in the applicable provisions of Section 2 of the Agreement; provided that nothing herein shall affect any claims
of entitlement I may have to vested benefits under any 401(k) plan or other ERISA-covered benefit plan (excluding severance) provided
by the Company.

 

Cooperation – I agree
to cooperate with, provide assistance to, and make myself reasonably available to the Company and its legal counsel in connection
with any litigation (including arbitration or administrative hearings) or investigation or examination relating to the Company
or any of its current or former employees, in which, in the reasonable judgment of the Company or its counsel, my assistance or
cooperation is needed due to my personal involvement in or knowledge about the circumstances to which the litigation or investigation
relates. I agree not to assist or provide information to any adverse party in any litigation against the Company or any of its
current or former employees, except as required under law or formal legal process, unless I provide advance notice to the Company
at least 10 days before such assistance or provision of information (or, if I am so required to assist or provide such information
within less than 10 days of receipt of such requirement, after I provide timely advance notice to the Company) to allow the Company
to take legal action with respect to the matter. Finally, I will undertake to satisfy requests for information from the Company
with respect to the above undertaking. Nothing in this Release is intended to restrict or preclude me from, or otherwise influence
me in, testifying fully and truthfully in legal, administrative, or any other proceedings involving the Company, as required by
law or formal legal process.

 

Nature of Agreement –
I understand and agree that this Release (which is attached to the Severance Agreement) is part of a severance agreement and does
not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the Company.

 

Voluntary Assent –
I affirm that no other promises or agreements of any kind have been made to or with me by any person or entity whatsoever to cause
me to sign this Release, other than as reflected in the Agreement and that I fully understand the meaning and intent of the Release.
I acknowledge that, in signing this Release, I have not relied on any promises or representations, express or implied, other than
those that are set forth expressly herein or in the Agreement and that are intended to survive separation from employment, in accordance
with the terms of the Agreement. I further state and represent that I have carefully read this Release, understand the contents
herein, freely and voluntarily assent to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and sign my name of my own free act.

 

Validity – Whenever
possible, each provision of this Release shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Release shall be prohibited by or be invalid under law, such provision shall be effective to the extent
not affected by such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remainder of such provision
or the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and if this Release is found to be unenforceable, the Agreement shall be void and
the Company shall have no further obligation to me.

 

I further acknowledge that:

 

	(1)	I first received this Release on the date of the Agreement to which it is attached as Exhibit A;

 

	(2)	I understand that, in order for this Release to be effective, I may not sign it prior to the date
of my separation of employment with the Company but that if I wish to receive the Separation Benefits, I must sign and return this
Release prior to the thirtieth (30th) day following my separation of employment;

 

	(3)	I have carefully read and understand this Release;

 

    	 	Page
                                         3	 

     

    

 

	(4)	The Company advised me to consult with an attorney and/or any other advisors of my choice before
signing this Release;

 

	(5)	I understand that this Release is legally binding and
by signing it I give up certain rights;

 

	(6)	I have voluntarily chosen to enter into this Release and have not been forced or pressured in any
way to sign it;

 

	(7)	I acknowledge and agree that the Separation Benefits are contingent on execution of this Release,
which releases all of my claims against the Company and the Releasees, and I knowingly
and voluntarily agree to release the Company and the Releasees from any and all claims I may have, known or unknown,
in exchange for the benefits I have obtained by signing, and that these benefits are in addition to any benefit I would have otherwise
received if I did not sign this Release;

 

	(8)	I have seven (7) days after I sign this Release to revoke it by notifying the Company in writing.
The Release will not become effective or enforceable until the seven (7) day revocation period has expired. This Agreement shall
be effective and irrevocable on the eighth day following my signing of this Agreement without recession.

 

	(9)	This Release includes a waiver of all rights and claims
I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. §621 et seq.); and

 

	(10)	This Release does not waive any rights or claims that may arise after this Release becomes effective,
which is seven (7) days after I sign it, provided that I do not exercise my right to revoke this Agreement.

 

 

[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

    	 	Page
                                         4	 

     

    

  

Intending to be legally bound, I have signed this Release as
of the date written below.

  

	Signature:	/s/Rachel McMinn	 	01/05/2017
	 	Rachel McMinn	 	Date Signed

 

    	 	Page 5Exhibit 10.21 

 

Execution Version

 

TERMINATION OF LEASE

 

THIS TERMINATION
OF LEASE (this “Agreement”) is made as of the 31st day of December, 2017, by and
between ONE HUDSON YARDS OWNER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”),
having an office at c/o Related Companies, 60 Columbus Circle, New York, New York 10023, and INTERCEPT PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC., a Delaware corporation (“Tenant”), having an office at 10 Hudson Yards, 37th
Floor, New York, NY 10001.

 

W I T N E S S E T
H:

 

WHEREAS,
Landlord and Tenant entered into a Lease dated as of December 7, 2016 (the “Lease”), covering premises consisting of
the entire 23rd through 25th floors of the building commonly known as 55 Hudson Yards, New York, New York (the “Building”)
and being more particularly described in the Lease (the “Premises”);

 

WHEREAS,
Tenant has requested that the Lease be terminated;

 

WHEREAS,
Tenant’s remaining obligations to Landlord under the Lease for the remainder of the term thereof are herein collectively
referred to as the “Obligations”; and

 

WHEREAS,
Landlord has agreed to Tenant’s request to terminate the Lease as of December 31, 2017 (the “Termination Date”),
in consideration of Landlord’s receipt of the Termination Fee and the other covenants contained herein, which all of the
parties hereto agree constitutes fair consideration for the transactions hereunder.

 

NOW, THEREFORE,
for and in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration received, Landlord
and Tenant agree as follows (all capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Lease):

 

1. Termination
of Lease. (a) Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that, effective as of the Termination Date, the Lease and the term thereof shall
terminate and expire, and Tenant’s estate in and right of possession to the Premises shall terminate and be wholly extinguished,
as if said Termination Date was originally set forth in the Lease as the expiration date thereunder. Effective as of the Termination
Date, neither Landlord nor Tenant shall have any further rights or obligations under the Lease, except as provided in this Agreement.
Effective as of the Termination Date, Landlord and Tenant for themselves and their predecessors-in-interest, successors and assigns,
do hereby release and forever discharge each other, their successors and assigns, from all actions, causes of action, sums of money,
covenants, agreements, promises, damages, judgments, claims and demands whatsoever in law or in equity which each against the other
ever had, now has, or which they or their respective predecessors, successors or assigns hereafter may have, upon or by reason
of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world through the Termination Date arising out of or in connection
with the Lease or the Premises, or the Building; provided that (A) neither party shall be released from any of its obligations
under this Agreement (and this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Lease), (B) neither Landlord or Tenant shall be released
from any indemnification obligations that accrued under the Lease prior to the Termination Date and (C) the provisions of Section
8.13 and Section 8.21 of the Lease shall survive the termination of the Lease. Effective as of the Termination Date, Landlord shall
be entitled to lease the Premises to any person or entity, or take any other action with respect thereto, free from any claim of
Tenant or any person or entity claiming through Tenant.

 

    	 	 	 

     

    

 

(b) On or prior to the
Termination Date, Tenant agrees to surrender unto Landlord and its successors and assigns, and Landlord agrees to accept, the Premises
in its “as is” condition.

 

(c)
In consideration of this Agreement and the termination of the Lease, Tenant agrees to permit the letter of credit in the amount
of $8,698,662.00 issued by Citibank, N.A. (the “Letter of Credit”) which Letter of Credit Landlord is presently holding
as security under the Lease, to be drawn down for the payment of the following sums: (i) $7,800,000.00 (the “Termination
Fee”) to be drawn down and paid to Landlord in consideration of the termination of the Lease and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement; and (ii) $898,662.00, representing the balance of the proceeds of the Letter of Credit shall be paid to Tenant.
Tenant hereby authorizes Landlord to draw on the Letter of Credit and the entire proceeds of the Letter of Credit (the “Proceeds”)
and Landlord agrees to deliver Tenant’s share of the Proceeds described in clause (ii) above to Tenant’s bank account
within three (3) Business Days of Landlord’s receipt of the entire Proceeds in accordance with Tenant’s wire instructions
attached hereto as Exhibit A. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, it is agreed that in no event shall Tenant at any
time be entitled to receive any other sums from Landlord in connection with the Lease, including, without limitation, all or any
portion of the Work Allowance or any reimbursement of any amounts previously paid by Tenant to Landlord in connection with the
construction of the Terrace Space. Contemporaneously herewith, Landlord shall deliver a sight draft to the issuer of the Letter
of Credit in order to obtain payment of the Proceeds, which sight draft shall provide for the Proceeds to be paid to Landlord’s
bank account, as designated by Landlord. Tenant hereby agrees to cooperate with Landlord and execute any and all documents required
by the issuing bank in order to facilitate Landlord’s efforts to draw down on the Proceeds of the Letter of Credit. The effectiveness
of the surrender and termination provided for in this Agreement is subject to, and conditioned upon, Landlord’s receipt of
the Termination Fee in accordance with the terms hereof. If Landlord does not receive the Termination Fee in accordance with the
terms hereof, then the termination of the Lease shall automatically be null and void and of no further force or effect and the
Lease shall continue in full force and effect as if this Agreement had never been entered into.

 

(d)
Tenant shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify Landlord for, any and all transfer taxes, sales taxes or other taxes or similar
charges imposed by any federal, state or local governmental authority or under any Law arising from or relating to this Agreement,
the Termination Fee or any of the other transactions hereunder. Tenant will execute and deliver to Landlord a New York State Form
TP 584 and a New York City Form RPT.

 

(e) Landlord and Tenant
agree that the disgorgement of any portion of the Termination Fee or the avoidance in whole or in part of this Agreement, under
any applicable law, including, but not limited to, chapter 5 of title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy
Code"), shall be considered a breach of this Agreement by Tenant and shall entitle Landlord to seek the full amount of the
Obligations and any other damages to which Landlord is entitled under the Lease from Tenant resulting from the breach of this Agreement.

 

    	 	2	 

     

    

 

2. No
Encumbered Property. (a) Tenant represents and warrants to Landlord that (a) neither the Lease, the Letter of Credit, the Premises
nor any Tenant’s Property have been or will be mortgaged, pledged or otherwise encumbered in any way whatsoever, (b) Tenant
is the holder of the entire lessee’s interest in and to the Lease and Tenant has not assigned or otherwise transferred the
same and Tenant has the right to surrender all of the same, and (c) Tenant has the full right, power and authority to enter into
this Agreement without the consent of any person or entity.

 

(b) Landlord represents and warrants to Tenant that (a) Landlord is the holder of the entire lessor’s interest in and
to the Lease and Landlord has not assigned or otherwise transferred the same, and (b) Landlord has the full right, power and authority
to enter into this Agreement without the consent of any person or entity (including, without limitation the holder of any mortgage
encumbering the Landlord’s interest in the Building or any other senior encumbrance).

 

(c) In addition to any other rights which the parties may have under the Lease, or at law or in equity, and not as a limitation
therefore, Landlord and Tenant agree to indemnify and hold the other harmless from any loss or damage arising directly from the
breach of the foregoing warranties and representations.

 

3. Sublets,
Licenses, and Occupancy. Tenant represents and warrants to Landlord that neither the Premises nor any portion thereof has been
sublet, licensed nor has any person or entity been granted any right to occupy the same.

 

4. Access.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Lease, from and after the execution hereof, Landlord shall have the right,
at any time, to enter upon and access the Premises in order to show the same to prospective tenants, purchasers or lenders.

 

5. Brokers.
Landlord and Tenant represent and warrant that they have not dealt with any real estate agent or broker in connection with
the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement other than CBRE, Inc. (representing Landlord) (“Landlord’s
Broker”) and Newmark & Company Real Estate, Inc., d/b/a Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (representing Tenant) (“Tenant’s
Broker”). Tenant shall defend, indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from and against any claims or demands for any commissions,
finder's fees and/or other compensation (other than with respect to Landlord’s Broker) arising out of any breach of the foregoing.
Landlord shall defend, indemnify and hold Tenant harmless from and against any claims or demands for any commissions, finder's
fees and/or other compensation (other than with respect to Tenant’s Broker) arising out of any breach of the foregoing. Tenant
shall enter into a separate agreement with Tenant’s Broker which provides that, if this Agreement is executed and delivered
by both Landlord and Tenant, Tenant shall pay to Tenant’s Broker any commission that Tenant’s Broker may be entitled
to under such separate agreement (if any), in accordance with the terms and conditions of such agreement.

 

    	 	3	 

     

    

 

6. Entire
Agreement; Modifications; Invalidity; Counterparts. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect
to the subject matters covered hereby and may be modified only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto. Landlord
and Tenant intend that, to the maximum extent legally possible, the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
will not affect any of the other provisions hereof. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, even where such executed counterpart is delivered via facsimile or Portable Document Format, but all of
which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7. Binding
Effect; Governing Law; Notices. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect
to conflict of laws principles thereof). Any notices, demands or other correspondence to be sent hereunder shall be given in accordance
with Section 8.01 of the Lease.

 

8. Time
of the Essence. Time shall be of the essence with respect to all dates contained herein.

 

9. Survival.
The representations, warranties, covenants, liabilities, indemnities and other obligations of each party contained in or arising
under this Agreement shall survive the termination of the Lease.

 

10. Further Assurances. Each party agrees that it shall promptly execute and deliver to the other party such other instruments
as the other party shall reasonably request in order to further evidence or effectuate the agreements hereunder.

 

 

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

    	 	4	 

     

    

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
Landlord and Tenant have duly executed this Agreement effective as of December 31, 2017.

 

	 	ONE HUDSON YARDS OWNER LLC
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Andrew Rosen
	 	 	Name: 	Andrew Rosen
	 	 	Title: 	Authorized Signatory
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	INTERCEPT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Jerome Durso
	 	 	Name: 	Jerome Durso
	 	 	Title: 	C.O.O.

  

 

    	 	[Signature Page to 55 HY Lease Termination Agreement]

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