Document:

ex_125607.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

DIAMEDICA THERAPEUTICS INC.

 

STOCK OPTION PLAN

 

Amended and Restated November 6, 2018 (the “Effective Date”)

 

	
			1.

				
			The Plan

			

 

	
			 

				
			A stock option plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which options (hereinafter, an “Option” or “Options”) to purchase common shares or such other shares or other securities as may be substituted therefor or may be acquired by a Participant (as defined in Section 6 hereof) upon the exercise of an Option the terms of which have been modified in accordance with section 15 below (collectively, the “Shares”) in the capital of DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (the “Corporation”) may be granted to the Participants is hereby established on the terms and conditions herein set forth.

			

 

	
			2.

				
			Purpose

			

 

	
			 

				
			The purpose of this Plan is to advance the interests of the Corporation by encouraging the directors, officers and key employees of the Corporation and consultants retained by the Corporation to acquire Shares, thereby:

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			increasing the proprietary interests of such persons in the Corporation;

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			aligning the interests of such persons with the interests of the Corporation’s shareholders generally;

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			encouraging such persons to remain associated with the Corporation; and

			

 

	 	
			(d)

				
			furnishing such persons with an additional incentive in their efforts on behalf of the Corporation.

			

 

	
			3.

				
			Administration

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			This Plan shall be administered by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”).

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Board is authorized to provide for the granting, exercise and method of exercise of Options, all on such terms as it shall determine in its sole discretion. In addition, the Board shall have the authority to:

			

 

	 	
			(i)

				
			construe and interpret this Plan and all option agreements entered into hereunder;

			

 

	 	
			(ii)

				
			prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan; and

			

 

	 	
			(iii)

				
			make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. All determinations and interpretations made by the Board shall be binding on all Participants (as hereinafter defined) and on their legal, personal representatives and beneficiaries of the Participants.

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained herein, the Board shall have the right to delegate the administration and operation of this Plan, in whole or in part, to a committee of the Board or to the President or any other officer of the Corporation. Whenever used herein, the term “Board” shall be deemed to include any committee or officer to which the Board has, fully or partially, delegated responsibilities and/or authority relating to the Plan or the administration and operation of the Plan pursuant to this section 3.

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			(d)

				
			Options to purchase the Shares granted hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, signed on behalf of the Corporation and by the person to whom an Option is granted, which agreement shall be in such form as the Board shall approve, as amended from time to time by the Board.

			

 

	
			4.

				
			Shares Subject to Plan

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			Subject to section 15 below, the securities that may be acquired by Participants under this Plan shall consist of authorized but unissued common shares of the Corporation.

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Subject to section 15 below, the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan shall not exceed the lesser of 15,678,351 Shares and ten (10%) percent of the issued shares of the Corporation at the relevant time and the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance under any compensation or incentive mechanism or plan (including deferred share unit plans or employee stock option plans, if any) granted by the Corporation, including this Plan, shall not exceed ten (10%) percent of the issued shares of the Corporation at the relevant time. In addition, in order that the applicable regulations under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) relating to an Option that is designated as and intended to meet the requirements of an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) be satisfied, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued under this Plan upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be equal to 15,678,351 Shares, subject to section 15 below.

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			If any Option granted under this Plan shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full, any unpurchased Shares to which such Option relates shall be available for the purposes of the granting of Options under this Plan.

			

 

	
			5.

				
			Maintenance of Sufficient Capital

			

 

	
			 

				
			The Corporation shall at all times during the term of this Plan ensure that the number of Shares it is authorized to issue shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan.

			

 

	
			6.

				
			Eligibility and Participation

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			The Board may from time to time, in its sole discretion, grant an Option to any Participant, upon such terms, conditions and limitations as the Board may determine, including the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein and in any individual option agreement between the Corporation and the Participant, provided that Options granted to any Participant shall be approved by the applicable shareholders of the Corporation if the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) require such approval. A reduction in the exercise price of an Option previously granted to a Participant who is currently an Insider, as defined by the Exchange, shall receive approval from the disinterested shareholders of the Corporation.

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			The Board may, in its discretion, select any of the following Persons to participate in this Plan, provided that any such Person, at the time of issuance, was:

			

 

	 	
			(i)

				
			a member of the Board of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;

			

 

	 	
			(ii)

				
			a senior officer of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;

			

 

	 	
			(iii)

				
			an Employee of the Corporation, or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			(iv)

				
			a Consultant of the Corporation, or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;

			

 

	
			 

				
			Any such person having been selected for participation in this Plan by the Board is herein referred to as a “Participant”. When such Participant is an Employee or Consultant, the Corporation represents that the Participant is a bona fide Employee or Consultant.

			

 

	
			 

				
			For purposes of this Plan, “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Corporation has or obtains, directly or indirectly, an interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			Where used herein:

			

 

	
			 

				
			“Consultant” means an individual who:

			

 

	 	
			(i)

				
			provides ongoing consulting services to the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation under a written contract, which services (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Corporation’s securities in a capital raising transaction and (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Corporation’s securities, and

			

 

	 	
			(ii)

				
			possesses technical, business or management expertise of value to the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation, and

			

 

	 	
			(iii)

				
			spends a significant amount of time and attention on the business and affairs of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation; and

			

 

	 	
			(iv)

				
			has a relationship with the Corporation of any subsidiary of the Corporation that enables the individual to be knowledgeable about the business and affairs of the Corporation.

			

 

	
			 

				
			“Employee” means:

			

 

	 	
			(i)

				
			an individual who is considered an employee under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (i.e. for whom income tax, employment insurance and CPP deductions must be made at source); or

			

 

	 	
			(ii)

				
			an individual who works full time for the Corporation providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Corporation over the details and methods of work as an employee of the Corporation, but for whom income tax deductions are not made at source; or

			

 

	 	
			(iii)

				
			an individual who works for the Corporation on a continuing and regular basis for a minimum amount of time per week providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction of the Corporation over the details and methods of work as an employee of the Corporation, but for whom income tax deductions are not made at source.

			

 

	
			 

				
			“Person” means an individual.

			

 

	 	
			(d)

				
			Incentive Stock Options may be granted solely to eligible Employees of the Corporation or a Subsidiary. The Board may designate whether an Option is to be considered an Incentive Stock Option or not. To the extent that any Incentive Stock Option (or portion thereof) granted under this Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Incentive Stock Option (or portion thereof) will continue to be outstanding for purposes of this Plan but will thereafter be deemed to be a non-statutory stock option. Options may be granted to a Participant for services provided to a Subsidiary only if, with respect to such Participant, the underlying Shares constitute “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii) promulgated under the Code.

			

 

 

 

 

	
			7.

				
			Exercise Price

			

 

	
			 

				
			The Board shall, at the time an Option is granted under this Plan, fix the exercise price at which Shares may be acquired upon the exercise of such Option provided that the minimum exercise price shall not be less than the Market Price; provided, however, that such price will not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Market Price of one Share on the grant date (one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Market Price if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any parent or Subsidiary corporation of the Corporation).

			

 

	
			 

				
			Where used herein “ Market Price” means, subject to certain exceptions required by the rules of the Exchange, the higher of: (a) the last daily closing price of the Shares before either the issuance of the news release or the filing of a price reservation form (Form 4A) required to fix the price at which the securities are issued or deemed to be issued; or (b) the closing sale price of a Share as of the end of the regular trading session on such date, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market or any national securities exchange on which the Shares are then listed (or, if no shares were traded on such date, as of the next preceding date on which there was such a trade) or if the Shares are not so listed, admitted to unlisted trading privileges or reported on any national exchange, the closing sale price as of the immediately preceding trading date at the end of the regular trading session, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, OTC Markets or other comparable quotation service (or, if no shares were traded or quoted on such date, as of the next preceding date on which there was such a trade or quote). In the event the Shares are not publicly traded at the time a determination of its value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of Fair Market Value shall be made by the Board in such manner as it deems appropriate and in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, and consistent with the definition of “fair market value” under Section 409A of the Code. If determined by the Board, such determination will be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, including the Corporation, the shareholders of the Corporation, the Participants and their respective successors-in-interest.

			

 

	
			8.

				
			Number of Optioned Shares

			

 

	
			 

				
			The number of Shares that may be acquired under an Option granted to a Participant shall be determined by the Board as at the time the Option is granted, provided that:

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			no more than 5% of the issued shares of the Corporation may be granted to any one Participant in any 12 month period (unless the Corporation has obtained disinterested shareholder approval within the meaning of Exchange policies);

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Insiders (as defined by the Exchange) may not be granted more than ten percent (10%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares within a twelve (12) month period (calculated on a non-diluted basis);

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			at no time shall the number of Shares reserved for issuance under stock options granted to Insiders exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares; and

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			no more than 2% of the issued shares of the Corporation may be granted to any one Consultant in any 12 month period.

			

 

 

 

 

	
			9.

				
			Option Term

			

 

	
			 

				
			The period during which an Option may be exercised (the “Option Period”) shall be determined by the Board at the time the Option is granted, subject to any vesting limitations which may be imposed by the Board in its sole unfettered discretion at the time such Option is granted, provided that:

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			for a Participant, no Option shall be exercisable for a period exceeding ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted unless otherwise specifically provided by the Board and authorized by the Exchange, if applicable;

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			the Option Period shall be automatically reduced in accordance with Sections 11 and 12 below upon the occurrence of any of the events referred to therein;

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			no Option in respect of which shareholder approval is required under the rules of any Exchange shall be exercisable until such time as the Option has been approved by the shareholders of the Corporation; and

			

 

	 	
			(d)

				
			no Option may be exercisable after ten (10) years from the grant date (five (5) years from the grant date in the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Participant who owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Corporation).

			

 

	
			 

				
			If the end of the Option Period occurs during a Blackout Period applicable to the Participant, or within five business days after the expiry of a Blackout Period applicable to the relevant Participant, then the end of such Option Period for that Option will be the date that is the tenth business day after the expiry date of the Blackout Period. Where used herein “Blackout Period” means the period during which the relevant Participant is prohibited from exercising an Option due to trading restrictions imposed by the Corporation in accordance with its securities trading policies governing trades by Directors, Officers and Employees in the Corporation’s securities. The Blackout Period must be formally imposed by the Corporation pursuant to its internal trading policies as a result of the bona fide existence of undisclosed Material Information (as defined in applicable securities legislation), and the Blackout Period must expire upon the general disclosure of such undisclosed Material Information. The automatic extension of a Participant’s options will not be permitted where the Participant or the Corporation is subject to a cease trade order (or similar order under applicable securities laws) in respect of the Corporation’s securities.

			

 

	
			10.

				
			Method of Exercise of Option

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			Except as set forth in Sections 11 and 12 below or as otherwise determined by the Board, no Option may be exercised unless the holder of such Option is, at the time the Option is exercised, a Participant.

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Options may be exercised in whole or in part and may be exercised on a cumulative basis where a vesting limitation has been imposed at the time of grant.

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			Any Participant (or his legal, personal representative) wishing to exercise an Option shall deliver to the Corporation, at its principal office in the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota:

			

 

	 	
			(i)

				
			a written notice expressing the intention of such Participant (or his or her legal, personal representative) to exercise his or her Option and specifying the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised; and

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			(ii)

				
			a cash payment, cheque or bank draft, representing the full purchase price of the Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised.

			

 

	 	
			(d)

				
			Upon the exercise of an Option as aforesaid, the Corporation shall use its reasonable efforts to forthwith deliver, or cause the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares to deliver, to the relevant Participant (or his or her legal, personal representative) or to the order thereof, a certificate representing the aggregate number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as the Participant (or his or her legal, personal representative) shall have then paid for.

			

 

	 	
			(e)

				
			The Corporation is entitled to (a) withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the Participant from the Corporation or a Subsidiary), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all amounts the Corporation reasonably determines are necessary to satisfy any and all federal, foreign, state and local withholding and employment related tax requirements attributable to an Option, including the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of, or a disqualifying disposition of stock received upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Corporation before taking any action, including issuing any Shares, with respect to an Option. When withholding Shares for taxes is effected under this Plan, it will be withheld only up to an amount based on the maximum statutory tax rates in the Participant’s applicable tax jurisdiction or such other rate that will not trigger a negative accounting impact on the Corporation. The Board may, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Board, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, any withholding or employment related tax obligation described herein by withholding Shares underlying an Option, by delivery of a broker exercise notice or a combination of such methods. For purposes of satisfying a Participant’s withholding or employment-related tax obligation, Shares withheld by the Corporation will be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date the tax withholding obligation arises.

			

 

	
			11.

				
			Ceasing to be a Director, Officer, Employee or Consultant

			

 

	
			 

				
			If any Participant shall cease to be a member of the Board, senior officer, Employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation for any reason other than death, permanent disability or normal retirement, his or her Option will terminate at 5:00 p.m. (Minneapolis time) on the earlier of the date of the expiration of the Option Period and 90 days after the date such Participant ceases to be a member of the Board, senior officer, Employee, or Consultant of the Corporation, or any subsidiary of the Corporation.

			

 

	
			 

				
			If such cessation or termination is by reason of substantial breach or cause on the part of the Participant, the Options shall be automatically terminated forthwith and shall be of no further force or effect.

			

 

	
			 

				
			Neither the selection of any person as a Participant nor the granting of an Option to any Participant under this Plan shall

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			confer upon such Participant any right to continue as a director, senior officer, Employee, or Consultant of the Corporation, or any subsidiary of the Corporation as the case may be, or

			

 

	 	
			(d)

				
			be construed as a guarantee that the Participant will continue as a member of the Board, senior officer, Employee, or Consultant of the Corporation, or any subsidiary of the Corporation as the case may be.

			

 

 

 

 

	
			12.

				
			Death, Permanent Disability or Normal Retirement of a Participant

			

 

	
			 

				
			In the event of the death, permanent disability or normal retirement of a Participant, any Option previously granted to such Participant shall be exercisable until the end of the Option Period or until the expiration of 12 months or a period determined by the board, after the date of death, permanent disability or normal retirement of such Participant, whichever is earlier, and then, in the event of death or permanent disability, only:

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			by the Participant or person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Option shall pass by the Participant’s Will or by applicable law; and

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option as at the date of his death or permanent disability.

			

 

	
			13.

				
			Rights of Participants

			

 

	
			 

				
			No person entitled to exercise any Option granted under this Plan shall have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of any Shares issuable upon exercise of such Option until such Shares have been paid for in full and issued to such person.

			

 

	
			14.

				
			Proceeds from Exercise of Options

			

 

	
			 

				
			The proceeds from any sale of Shares issued upon the exercise of Options shall be added to the general funds of the Corporation and shall thereafter be used from time to time for such corporate purposes as the Board may determine and direct.

			

 

	
			15.

				
			Adjustments

			

 

	 	(a)	
			Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in the event of any change in the outstanding Shares of the Corporation by reason of any stock dividend, split, recapitalization, reclassification, amalgamation, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of Shares or distribution of rights to holders of Shares or any other form of corporate reorganization whatsoever, an equitable adjustment shall be made to the Share limits contained in section 4 and any Options then outstanding and the exercise price in respect of such Options.

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Adjustments under this section 15 shall be made by the Board, whose determination as to what adjustments shall be made, and the extent thereof, shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional Shares shall be issued under this Plan on any such adjustment.

			

 

	
			16.

				
			Transferability

			

 

	
			 

				
			All benefits, rights and Options accruing to any Participant in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Plan shall not be transferable or assignable. During the lifetime of a Participant, any Options granted hereunder may only be exercised at the direction of the Participant and in the event of the death or permanent disability of a Participant, by the person or persons to whom the Participants rights under the Option pass by the Participant’s Will or by applicable law.

			

 

 

 

 

	
			17.

				
			Amendment and Termination of Plan

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			Subject to any specific limitations contained in the Plan, the Board reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to at any time amend, modify or terminate the Plan.

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Notwithstanding subparagraph 17(a), the Board may not, without approval of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding equity securities of the Corporation present and voting in person or by proxy at a meeting of holders of such securities, amend the Plan or an Option to:

			

 

	 	
			a.

				
			increase the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan;

			

 

	 	
			b.

				
			materially increase benefits accruing to Participants;

			

 

	 	
			c.

				
			modify the eligibility requirements for Participants in this Plan;

			

 

	 	
			d.

				
			make any amendment that would reduce the Exercise Price of an outstanding Option or effect or allow for a “repricing” (including a cancellation and reissue of an Option at a reduced Exercise Price);

			

 

	 	
			e.

				
			amend or delete section 9 to extend the term of any Option beyond the Option Period of the Option or, except as already contemplated under section 9, allow for the Option Period of an Option to be greater than 10 years;

			

 

	 	
			f.

				
			permit assignments, or exercises other than by the Participant, of Options beyond that contemplated by section 16, except for an amendment that would permit the assignment of an Option for estate planning or estate settlement purposes; and

			

 

	 	
			g.

				
			amend the Plan to provide for other types of compensation through equity issuance.

			

 

	 	
			Pursuant to section 6(a) hereof, the amendments referred to at section 17(b)(b) shall require the approval of disinterested shareholders of the Corporation.

			

 

	
			 

				
			In addition, no amendments to this Plan will be effective without approval of the Corporation’s shareholders if pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, the rules of the primary stock exchange or stock market on which the Shares are then traded, applicable corporate laws or regulations or other applicable law, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options are, or will be, granted under this Plan.

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			Without limiting the generality of subparagraph 17(a), the Board may make the following amendments to the Plan without obtaining shareholder approval:

			

 

	 	
			a.

				
			amendments to the terms and conditions of the Plan necessary to ensure that the Plan complies with the applicable regulatory requirements, including without limitation Exchange policies or the rules of any national securities exchange or system on which the Shares are then listed or reported, or by any regulatory body having jurisdiction with respect thereto;

			

 

	 	
			b.

				
			making adjustments to outstanding Options in the event of certain corporate transactions;

			

 

	 	
			c.

				
			a change to the termination provisions of a security or the Plan which does not entail an extension beyond the original Option Period;

			

 

	 	
			d.

				
			amendments to the provisions of the Plan respecting administration of the Plan;

			

 

	 	
			e.

				
			amendments to the provisions of the Plan respecting the terms and conditions on which options may be granted pursuant to the Plan, including the provisions relating to the Subscription Price, the option period, and the vesting schedule;

			

 

	 	
			f.

				
			amendments in order to ensure that the Plan and the Options granted hereunder comply with applicable law from time to time, including without limitation requirements contained in the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended; and

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			g.

				
			amendments to the Plan that are of a “housekeeping nature”.

			

 

	
			18.

				
			Necessary Approvals

			
	 	 

	
			 

				
			The obligation of the Corporation to issue and deliver Shares in accordance with this Plan is subject to applicable securities legislation and to the receipt of any approvals that may be required from any regulatory authority to stock exchange having jurisdiction over the securities of the Corporation. If Shares cannot be issued to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option (for any reason whatsoever) the obligation of the Corporation to issue such Shares shall terminate and any funds paid to the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such Option will be returned to the relevant Participant as soon as practicable.

			

 

	
			19.

				
			Stock Exchange Rules

			

 

	
			 

				
			This Plan and any option agreements entered into hereunder shall comply with the requirements from time to time of the Exchange and any other Canadian or U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares may be listed.

			

 

	
			20.

				
			Right to Issue Other Shares

			

 

	
			 

				
			The Corporation shall not by virtue of this Plan be in any way restricted from declaring and paying stock dividends, issuing further shares of any class of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Shares, varying or amending its share capital or corporate structure or conducting its business in any way whatsoever.

			

 

	
			21.

				
			Effective Date and Duration of this Plan

			

 

	
			 

				
			This Plan is effective as of the Effective Date. This Plan will terminate at midnight on November 5, 2028, the day before the ten (10) year anniversary of shareholder approval of this Plan and may be terminated prior to such time by Board action. No Options will be granted after termination of this Plan, but Options outstanding upon termination of this Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan

			

 

	
			22. 

				
			Notice

			

 

	
			 

				
			Any notice required to be given by this Plan shall be in writing and shall be given by registered mail, postage prepaid or delivered by courier or by facsimile transmission addressed, if to the Corporation, at the principal address of its wholly owned subsidiary, DiaMedica USA Inc., in Minneapolis, Minnesota (being currently: Two Carlson Parkway, Suite 260, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447, USA), Attention: The President; or if to a Participant, to such Participant at his or her address as it appears on the books of the Corporation or in the event of the address of any such Participant not so appearing then to the last known address of such Participant; or if to any other person, to the last known address of such person.

			

 

	
			22.

				
			Gender

			

 

	
			 

				
			Whenever used herein words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa.

			

 

	
			23.

				
			Interpretation

			

 

	
			 

				
			This Plan will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia, and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.ex_122830.htm

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

OPTION AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement dated as of the ● day of ●, ●,

 

BETWEEN:

 

DIAMEDICA THERAPEUTICS INC.

a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada,

(hereinafter called the “Corporation”),

 

OF THE FIRST PART,

 

- and -

 

 

●,

of the • of ●, in the ● of ●,

(hereinafter called the “Participant”),

 

OF THE SECOND PART.

 

WHEREAS the Corporation has entered into an amended and restated stock option plan dated December 21, 2017 (the “Plan”);

 

AND WHEREAS terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan;

 

WHEREAS the Participant is a bona fide Senior Officer, Director, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation;

 

AND WHEREAS the Corporation desires to grant to the Participant an option to purchase Common Shares of the Corporation (the “Shares”) on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

 

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH that the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

	
			1.

				
			The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant an irrevocable, non-assignable and nontransferable option (the “Option”) to purchase all or any part of ● Shares at a price of $● per Share subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

			

 

	
			2.

				
			The Option expires and terminates at 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the day (the “Expiry Date”) that is the earlier of (i) the • anniversary of the date hereof and (ii) the dates determined by Sections 6 and 7 below.

			

 

	
			3.

				
			The Shares optioned under this Agreement shall vest as follows:

			

 

● quarterly over ● quarters

 

	
			4.

				
			Except as provided in Sections 6 and 7 below, and subject to paragraph 14 below, the Option may only be exercised while the Participant is a Director, Senior Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee, or Consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation. The Participant (or his legal representative) may exercise the Option by delivering to the Corporation, at the principal office of its U.S. subsidiary, DiaMedica USA, in Minneapolis, Minnesota:

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			a written notice expressing the intention to exercise the Option and specifying the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised;

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			a cash payment, check, or bank draft, representing the full purchase price of the Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised; and

			

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			in the event the Option is exercised in accordance with this Agreement by person(s) other than the Participant, proof satisfactory to the Corporation of the right of such person(s) to exercise the Option.

			

 

	
			5.

				
			Upon the exercise of the Option as aforesaid, the Corporation shall employ its reasonable efforts to forthwith deliver, or cause the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares to deliver, to the Participant (or his legal representative) or to the order thereof, a certificate representing, or if held in non-certificated form evidence of, the aggregate number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as the Participant (or his legal representative) shall have then paid for.

			

 

	6. 	
			(a)

				
			Subject to Subsection 6(b) hereof, if the Participant shall cease to be a Director, Senior Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation for any reason other than death or permanent disability, the Option granted herein will terminate at 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the earlier of the (i) one hundred and twentieth (120th) day after the date the Participant ceases to be a Director, Senior Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation and (ii) the ● anniversary of the date hereof.

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			If the Participant is engaged in Investor Relations Activities on behalf of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation and ceases to be retained as a Consultant engaged in Investor Relations Activities for the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation for any reason other than death or permanent disability, his Option will terminate at 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the earlier of the (i) thirtieth (30th) day after the date the Participant ceases to be a Consultant engaged in Investor Relations Activities on behalf of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation and (ii) the anniversary of the date hereof.

			

 

	
			7.

				
			In the event of the death or permanent disability of the Participant, the Option shall be exercisable until 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on the day that is the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months after the date of death or permanent disability of the Participant and (ii) the ● anniversary of the date hereof, and then, in the event of death or permanent disability, only:

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			by the person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Option shall pass by the Participant’s will or applicable law; and

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option as at the date of the Participant’s death or permanent disability.

			

 

	
			8.

				
			The Participant acknowledges and agrees that neither the selection of the Participant as a Participant under the Plan nor the granting of the Option hereunder shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue as a Director, Senior Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation, as the case may be. The Participant further acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the Option granted hereby shall in no way constitute the basis for a claim for damages by the Participant against the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation in the event of the termination of the employment (or other contractual relationship) of the Participant with the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation for any reason whatsoever, including the Participant’s wrongful dismissal, and the Participant hereby releases and forever discharges the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation from all claims and rights of action for damages whatsoever based upon or arising out of this Agreement and the Option.

			

 

	
			9.

				
			The Participant shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of any Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option until such Shares have been paid for in full and issued to the Participant in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

			

 

2

 

 

	
			10.

				
			The number of Shares deliverable upon the exercise of the Option shall be increased or decreased proportionately in the event of the subdivision or consolidation of the outstanding Shares of the Corporation prior to the Expiry Date, without any change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of the Option. In case the Corporation is reorganized or merged or consolidated or amalgamated with another corporation, appropriate provisions shall be made for the continuance of the Option and to prevent its dilution or enlargement. Adjustments under this Section 10 shall be made by the board of directors of the Corporation (or by such committee or persons as may be delegated such authority by the board of directors of the Corporation), whose determination as to what adjustments shall be made, and the extent thereof, shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional Shares shall be issued on any such adjustment.

			

 

	
			11.

				
			The Option and all benefits and rights accruing to the Participant hereunder shall not be transferable or assignable unless specifically provided herein. During the lifetime of the Participant the Option granted hereunder may only be exercised by the Participant as herein provided and in the event of death of the Participant, by the person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Option pass by the Participant’s will or applicable law in accordance with Section 7 above.

			

 

	
			12.

				
			The Corporation shall at all times ensure that the number of Shares it is authorized to issue shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.

			

 

	
			13.

				
			The obligation of the Corporation to issue and deliver Shares on the exercise of the Option in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement is subject to applicable securities legislation and to the receipt of any approvals that may be required from any regulatory authority including any stock exchange having jurisdiction over the securities of the Corporation. If Shares cannot be issued to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option for any reason whatsoever, the obligation of the Corporation to issue such Shares shall terminate and any funds paid to the Corporation in connection with the exercise of the Option will be returned to the Participant as soon as practicable.

			
	 	 
	14.	
			All Shares issued upon the exercise of the Option must be legended with a four (4) month hold period from the date that the options are granted. The legend must state the following:

			
	 	 
	 	
			“Without prior written approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and compliance with all applicable securities legislation, the securities represented by this certificate may not be sold, transferred, hypothecated or otherwise traded on or through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange or otherwise in Canada or to or for the benefit of a Canadian resident until [•]”

			

 

	
			15.

				
			The Corporation or an subsidiary of the Corporation may take such steps as are considered necessary or appropriate for the withholding and/or remittance of any taxes which the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation is required by any law or regulation of any governmental authority whatsoever to withhold and/or remit in connection with any Option or Option exercise including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the withholding and/or remitting of all or any portion of any payment or the withholding of the issue of Shares to be issued upon the exercise of any portion of any payment or the withholding of the issue of Shares to be issued upon the exercise of any Option until such time as the Optionee has paid to the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation (in addition to the exercise price payable for the exercise of the Options) the amount which the Corporation or subsidiary of the Corporation reasonably determines is required to be withheld and/or remitted with respect to such taxes.

			

 

	
			16.

				
			The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read and understands this Agreement.

			

 

	
			17.

				
			Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.

			

 

	
			18.

				
			Any notice required to be given by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by registered mail, postage prepaid or delivered by courier or by facsimile transmission addressed, if to the Corporation, at the address of its U.S. subsidiary, DiaMedica USA, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, (being currently Two Carlson Parkway, Suite 260, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447, USA), Attention: President; or if to the Participant at their last known address.

			

 

	
			19.

				
			This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia, and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

			

 

	
			20.

				
			This Agreement may be executed in several parts in the same form and the parts as so executed shall together constitute one original agreement, and the parts, if more than one, shall be read together and construed as if all the signing parties hereto had executed one copy of this agreement.

			

 

3

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

	 	 	DIAMEDICA THERAPEUTICS INC.	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Per:	 
	 	 	 	 
	SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	in the presence of:	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	Witness  	 	Participant	 

 

 

 

4

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