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prld-ex44_11.htm

 

Exhibit 4.4 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES 

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE 

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

As of December 31, 2021, Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated (the “Company,” “we” or “our”) had one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”): our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. Our non-voting common stock are not registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. The following summary describes the material terms of our capital stock. The description of capital stock is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and our investors rights agreement (the “IRA”), our registration rights agreement (the “Post-IPO RRA”) with certain of our stockholders (the “RRA Investors”) which are included as exhibits to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and to the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. 

Common Stock and Non-Voting Common Stock 

Holders of our common stock have no conversion rights, while holders of our non-voting common stock have the right to convert each share of our non-voting common stock into one share of common stock at such holder’s election, provided that as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates and any members of a Schedule 13(d) group with such holder, would not beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of our common stock immediately prior to and following such conversion, unless otherwise as expressly provided for in our restated certificate of incorporation. However, this ownership limitation may be increased (not to exceed 19.99%) or decreased to any other percentage designated by such holder of non-voting common stock upon 61 days’ notice to us. 

Dividend Rights 

Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common stock and our non-voting common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available if our board of directors, in its discretion, determines to issue dividends and then only at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine. 

Voting Rights 

Except as otherwise expressly provided in our restated certificate of incorporation or as required by applicable law, on any matter that is submitted to a vote by our stockholders, holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share of common stock, and holders of our non-voting common stock are not entitled to any votes per share of non-voting common stock, including for the election of directors. We have not provided for cumulative voting for the election of directors in our restated certificate of incorporation, which means that holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock are able to elect all of our directors. Our restated certificate of incorporation established a classified board of directors, to be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. 

No Preemptive or Similar Rights 

Neither our common stock nor our non-voting common stock is entitled to preemptive rights, and neither is subject to conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions. 

Right to Receive Liquidation Distributions 

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders would be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock and our non-voting common stock and any 

 

 

participating preferred stock outstanding at that time, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights of and the payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock. 

Registration Rights 

Certain holders of shares of our common stock and non-voting common stock are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of these shares (or, in the case of the non-voting common stock, the shares of common stock into which such shares are convertible) under the Securities Act as described below. We refer to these shares collectively as registrable securities. These rights are provided under the terms of the IRA between us and the holders of these shares, which was entered into in connection with our redeemable convertible preferred stock financings prior to our IPO and under the terms of the Post-IPO RRA between us and the RRA Investors. 

Demand Registration Rights 

Beginning from March 23, 2021, if the holders of not less than 50% of the then-outstanding registrable securities may request the registration under the Securities Act of any registrable securities, if the anticipated aggregate offering price, net of selling expenses, would exceed $10.0 million, we are obligated to provide notice of such request to all holders of registration rights and, as soon as practicable and in any event within 60 days, file a Form S-1 registration statement under the Securities Act covering all registrable securities that the initiating holders requested to be registered and any additional registrable securities requested to be included in such registration by any other holders. We are only required to file two registration statements that are declared effective upon exercise of these demand registration rights. We may postpone taking action with respect to such filing not more than once during any 12-month period for a period of not more than 90 days, if after receiving a request for registration, we furnish to the holders requesting such registration a certificate signed by our Chief Executive Officer stating that, in the good faith judgment of our board of directors, it would be materially detrimental to us and our stockholders; provided that we may not register any securities for our own account or that of any other stockholder during such 90-day period other than under certain circumstances. 

The holders of at least 25% of the then-outstanding registrable securities can request that we register all or part of their shares on Form S-3 if we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 and if the aggregate price to the public of the shares offered, net of selling expenses, is at least $5.0 million. The stockholders may only require us to effect two registration statements on Form S-3 in a 12-month period. We may postpone taking action with respect to such filing not more than once during any 12-month period for a period of not more than 90 days, if after receiving a request for registration, we furnish to the holders requesting such registration a certificate signed by our Chief Executive Officer stating that, in the good faith judgment of our board of directors, it would be materially detrimental to us and our stockholders; provided that we may not register any securities for our own account or that of any other stockholder during such 90-day period other than under certain circumstances. 

Piggyback Registration Rights 

If we register any of our securities for public sale in cash, holders of then-outstanding registrable securities or their permitted transferees will have the right to include their registrable securities in the registration statement. However, this right does not apply to a registration relating to any of our employee benefit plans, a corporate reorganization or transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, a registration that requires information that is not substantially the same as the information required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the registrable securities, or a registration in which the only common stock being registered is common stock issuable upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered or issuable upon the exercise of warrants. In an underwritten offering, if the total number of securities requested by stockholders to be included in the offering exceeds the number of securities to be sold (other than by us) that the underwriters determine in their reasonable discretion is compatible with the success of the offering, then we will be required to include only that number of securities that the underwriters and us, in our sole discretion, determine will not jeopardize the success of the offering. If the underwriters determine that less than all the registrable securities requested to be registered can be included in the offering, the number of registrable shares to be registered will be allocated (i) first, among holders of our preferred stock, in proportion to the amount of common stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock owned by each such holder to be included in such offering, and (ii) second, among all other holders 

 

 

of our registrable securities, in proportion to the amount of other registrable securities owned by each such holder. However, (i) the number of shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the preferred stock, to be registered by the holders of our preferred stock, cannot be reduced unless all other securities (other than as offered by us) are first excluded entirely, and (ii) the number of shares to be registered by holders of all other registrable securities cannot be reduced unless all other securities (other than as offered by us and the shares of common stock issued or issuable on conversion of our preferred stock) are first entirely excluded. The number of registrable securities included in the offering may not be reduced below 25% of the total number of securities included in such offering, except for in connection with an initial public offering, in which case the underwriters may exclude these holders entirely. 

Expenses of Registration Rights 

We generally will pay all expenses, other than underwriting discounts and selling commissions incurred in connection with each of the registrations described above, including the reasonable fees and disbursements, not to exceed $15,000, of one counsel for the selling holders. 

Expiration of Registration Rights 

The registration rights described above will expire, with respect to any particular holder of these rights, on the earliest to occur of (a) at such time that all of the holder’s registrable securities can be sold without limitation in any three-month period without registration in compliance with Rule 144 or a similar exemption under the Securities Act and (b) at such time that our common stock is trading on a national securities exchange and all of the holder’s registrable securities can be sold during a three-month period without registration. 

 

Registration Rights Agreement 

Pursuant to the Post-IPO RRA between us and each of Baker Brothers and its affiliates, OrbiMed and its affiliates and Kris Vaddi, the RRA Investors are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act that supersede such rights as described above held by the RRA Investors under the IRA. These registration rights include the right to demand that we file with the SEC a Form S-3 registration statement (except if we are not then eligible to register for resale the registrable securities on Form S-3, in which case, such registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance with the Securities Act) covering the registration of their registrable securities for resale, subject to certain conditions, as well as rights to be permitted an aggregate of five underwritten public offerings between the RRA Investors during the term of the Post-IPO RRA, subject to a limitation of an aggregate of two underwritten public offerings per calendar year, to effect the sale of their common stock for sale. The RRA Investors also have piggy-back rights to participate in registrations demanded by any of the other RRA Investors. The Post-IPO RRA requires us to pay expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify these holders against certain liabilities. Our registration obligations under this registration rights agreement would continue in effect until the earliest of (i) December 20, 2030, (ii) when the applicable registrable securities have been resold by the holders pursuant to an effective registration statement, (iii) when the applicable registrable securities have been resold pursuant to Rule 144 or (iv) when the applicable registrable securities may be resold pursuant to Rule 144 without limitations as to volume or manner of sale. 

Anti-Takeover Provisions 

The provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another person from acquiring control of our company. These provisions, which are summarized below, may have the effect of discouraging takeover bids. They are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging a proposal to acquire us because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms. 

Delaware Law 

 

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date on which the person became an interested stockholder unless: 

 

	
 
	
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prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; 

 

	
 
	
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the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, (i) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or 

 

	
 
	
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at or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66.67% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. 

Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction or series of transactions together resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock. We expect the existence of this provision to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that Section 203 may also discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders. 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaw 

Our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws include a number of provisions that could deter hostile takeovers or delay or prevent changes in control of our company, including the following: 

 

	
 
	
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Board of Directors Vacancies. Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws authorizes only our board of directors to fill vacant directorships, including newly created seats. In addition, the number of directors constituting our board of directors is permitted to be set only by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of our entire board of directors. These provisions would prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of our board of directors and then gaining control of our board of directors by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees. This makes it more difficult to change the composition of our board of directors but promotes continuity of management. 

 

	
 
	
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Classified Board. Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws provide that our board of directors is classified into three classes of directors, each with staggered three-year terms. A third party may be discouraged from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us as it is more difficult and time consuming for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors on a classified board of directors. 

 

 

 

 

	
 
	
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Stockholder Action; Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our restated certificate of incorporation provide that our stockholders may not take action by written consent, but may only take action at annual or special meetings of our stockholders. As a result, a holder controlling a majority of our capital stock would not be able to amend our restated bylaws or remove directors without holding a meeting of our stockholders called in accordance with our restated bylaws. Further, our restated bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors, our Chief Executive Officer or our President, thus prohibiting a stockholder from calling a special meeting. These provisions might delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or for stockholders controlling a majority of our capital stock to take any action, including the removal of directors. 

 

	
 
	
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Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our restated bylaws provide advance notice procedures for stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders. Our restated bylaws also specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions might preclude our stockholders from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders if the proper procedures are not followed. We expect that these provisions might also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company. 

 

	
 
	
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No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting. 

 

	
 
	
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Directors Removed Only for Cause. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may remove directors only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock. 

 

	
 
	
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Amendment of Charter Provisions. Any amendment of the above provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation would require approval by holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock. 

 

	
 
	
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Issuance of Undesignated Preferred Stock. Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with rights and preferences, including voting rights, designated from time to time by our board of directors. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock would enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other means. 

 

 

 

 

	
 
	
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Choice of Forum. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, our restated certificate of incorporation or our restated bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable. Our restated bylaws also provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, or the Federal Forum Provision. While there can be no assurance that federal or state courts will follow the holding of the Delaware Supreme Court which recently found that such provisions are facially valid under Delaware law or determine that the Federal Forum Provision should be enforced in a particular case, application of the Federal Forum Provision means that suits brought by our stockholders to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act must be brought in federal court and cannot be brought in state court. Neither the exclusive forum provision nor the Federal Forum Provision applies to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all claims brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, actions by our stockholders to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder also must be brought in federal court. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to our exclusive forum provisions, including the Federal Forum Provision. These provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of their choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, and other employees. 

Transfer Agent and Registrar 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and non-voting common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 

The Nasdaq Global Select Market Listing 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “PRLD.” The non-voting common stock is not listed for trading on any securities exchange and we do not plan to list the non-voting common stock on any securities exchange.prld-ex107_338.htm

Exhibit 10.7

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), made between Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Peggy Scherle (“Executive” and, collectively with the Company, the “Parties”), is entered into as of December 19, 2020 (the “Effective Date”).

Whereas, the Company desires to continue to employ Executive as the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, and Executive desires to continue to serve in such capacity, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

1.Employment by the Company.

1.1Employment. This Agreement shall govern the terms of Executive’s employment with the Company, effective as of the Effective Date.

1.2Position. Executive shall continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer. During the term of Executive’s employment with the Company hereunder, Executive will devote Executive’s best efforts and substantially all of Executive’s business time and attention to the business of the Company, except as otherwise set forth in Section 11.1.

1.3Duties and Location. Executive shall perform such duties as are typically performed by a Chief Scientific Officer. Executive will report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Executive’s primary office location shall be the Company’s office located in Wilmington, Delaware.

1.4Policies and Procedures. The employment relationship between the Parties shall be governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.

2.Compensation.

2.1Salary. For services to be rendered hereunder, Executive shall receive a base salary at the rate of three hundred seventy-eight thousand U.S. Dollars ($378,000) per year (such base salary, as in effect from time to time, the “Base Salary”), subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings and payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule.

2.2Bonus. Executive will be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus with a target amount equal to 40% of Executive’s Base Salary (the “Annual Bonus”). Whether Executive receives an Annual Bonus for any given year, and the amount of any such Annual Bonus, will be determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) or the compensation committee thereof in its sole discretion based upon the Company’s and Executive’s achievement 

  

 

of objectives and milestones to be determined on an annual basis by the Board or the compensation committee thereof. Executive will not be eligible for, and will not earn, any Annual Bonus (including a prorated bonus) if Executive’s employment terminates for any reason before any Annual Bonus is paid.

3.Standard Company Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit programs for which Executive is eligible under the terms and conditions of the benefit plans that may be in effect from time to time and provided by the Company to its employees.

4.Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in furtherance or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

5.Termination of Employment; Severance.

5.1At-Will Employment. Executive’s employment relationship is at-will. Either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without Cause (as defined below) or advance notice. In the event Executive’s employment relationship is terminated for any reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive Executive’s earned but unpaid Base Salary, unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by Executive pursuant to Section 4 and any other compensation or benefit earned by or owed to (but not yet paid to) Executive through and including the date of termination, payable in a lump sum on the next regularly scheduled payroll date following the date on which Executive’s employment terminated, or at such other date as shall be specified under the terms of the employee benefit plan pursuant to which such compensation or benefit is payable. Executive shall also resign from all positions and terminate any relationships as an employee, advisor, officer or director with the Company and any of its affiliates, each effective on the date of termination.

5.2Severance Benefits for Termination Without Cause Unrelated to a Change of Control. In the event Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to a Change of Control (as defined below) or more than twelve (12) months following a Change of Control, the Company shall provide Executive with the following payments and benefits, provided that Executive remains in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the Restrictive Covenant Agreement (as defined below) and subject to Section 6 below:

(i)The Company shall pay Executive, as severance, the equivalent of nine (9) months of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect as of the date of Executive’s employment termination. This severance will be paid in the form of salary continuation, payable on the Company’s regular payroll dates, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings, starting on the 60th day after Executive’s termination date, with the first payment to include those payments that would have occurred earlier but for the 60-day delay.

(ii)Provided that Executive is then eligible for and timely elects continued coverage under COBRA, the Company shall directly pay, or reimburse Executive for, 

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the monthly COBRA premiums to continue Executive’s coverage (including coverage for eligible dependents, if applicable) through the period starting on Executive’s termination date and ending on the earliest to occur of: (a) nine (9) months following Executive’s termination date; (b) the date Executive becomes eligible for group health insurance coverage through a new employer; or (c) the date Executive ceases to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage for any reason, including plan termination. In the event Executive becomes covered under another employer’s group health plan or otherwise ceases to be eligible for COBRA during this time period, Executive must immediately notify the Company of such event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay the COBRA premiums without a substantial risk of violating applicable law, the Company instead shall pay to Executive, on the first day of each calendar month, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable COBRA premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the COBRA premium period. Executive may, but is not obligated to, use such payments toward the cost of COBRA premiums.

5.3Severance Benefits for Termination Without Cause or Resignation with Good Reason Related to a Change of Control. In the event Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or Executive resigns for Good Reason in each case during the twelve (12) month period immediately following a Change of Control, the Company shall provide Executive with the following payments and benefits, provided that Executive remains in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the Restrictive Covenant Agreement and subject to Section 6 below:

(i)The Company shall pay Executive, as severance, the equivalent of twelve (12) months of Executive’s Base Salary as in effect as of the date of Executive’s employment termination (disregarding any change to Executive’s Base Salary giving rise to Good Reason). This severance will be paid in the form of salary continuation, payable on the Company’s regular payroll dates, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings, starting on the 60th day after Executive’s termination date, with the first payment to include those payments that would have occurred earlier but for the 60-day delay.

(ii)In addition, the Company shall pay Executive, as severance, an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s target annual bonus as in effect as of the date of Executive’s employment termination (disregarding any change to Executive’s Base Salary giving rise to Good Reason), payable in a lump sum, less deductions and withholdings, at the same time as the first severance payment described in Section 5.3(i) above. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount payable pursuant to this Section 5.3(ii) shall not be subject to proration based on the portion of the year elapsed as of the date of termination.

(iii)Provided that Executive is then eligible for and timely elects continued coverage under COBRA, the Company shall directly pay, or reimburse Executive for, the monthly COBRA premiums to continue Executive’s coverage (including coverage for eligible dependents, if applicable) through the period starting on Executive’s termination date and ending on the earliest to occur of: (a) twelve (12) months following Executive’s termination date; (b) the date Executive becomes eligible for group health insurance coverage through a new employer; or (c) the date Executive ceases to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage for any reason, including plan termination. In the event Executive becomes covered under another employer’s 

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group health plan or otherwise ceases to be eligible for COBRA during this time period, Executive must immediately notify the Company of such event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot pay the COBRA premiums without a substantial risk of violating applicable law, the Company instead shall pay to Executive, on the first day of each calendar month, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the applicable COBRA premiums for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings, for the remainder of the COBRA premium period. Executive may, but is not obligated to, use such payments toward the cost of COBRA premiums.

(iv)The vesting of all unvested equity-based incentive compensation awards outstanding as of the date of such Change in Control and held by Executive as of the date of such termination shall be accelerated such that 100% of the shares underlying such awards shall be deemed immediately vested and exercisable; provided that, in the case of any unvested equity-based incentive compensation awards that are subject to performance-based vesting terms as of the date of such termination, the treatment of such performance-based vesting conditions shall be governed by the applicable equity plan and award agreement.

5.4Termination for Cause; Resignation Without Good Reason; Death or Disability.

(i)If Executive resigns for any reason prior to or more than twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, resigns without Good Reason within the twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, or the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits under this Agreement, other than as set forth in Section 5.1.

(ii)Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death or Total Disability. “Total Disability” shall mean Executive’s inability, with reasonable accommodation, to perform the duties of Executive’s position for a period or periods aggregating ninety (90) calendar days in any period of one hundred eighty days (180) consecutive days as a result of physical or mental illness, loss of legal capacity or any other cause beyond Executive’s control. Executive and the Company hereby acknowledge that Executive’s ability to perform the duties specified in Section 1 is the essence of this Agreement. Termination hereunder shall be deemed to be effective (a) at the end of the calendar month in which Executive’s death occurs or (b) immediately upon a determination by the Board or the compensation committee thereof of Executive’s Total Disability. In the case of termination of employment under this Section 5.4(ii), Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits under this Agreement, other than as set forth in Section 5.1.

6.Conditions to Receipt of Severance Benefits. As a condition to receiving the payments and benefits set forth in Section 5.2 and Section 5.3, (i) Executive must execute and deliver to the Company a release of claims in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company and such release must have become effective and the revocation period provided therein must have expired without Executive having revoked such release within the 60-day period following the date of termination, and (ii) Executive must not have revoked or breached the provisions of such release or breached the provisions of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement. In the event that Executive does not execute and deliver such release, such release does not become effective and 

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irrevocable within such period or Executive revokes or breaches the provisions of the release or breaches the provisions of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, Executive (A) will be deemed to have voluntarily resigned Executive’s employment hereunder without Good Reason, (B) will not be entitled to the payments, benefits or accelerated vesting described in Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 and (C) will be required to reimburse the Company, in cash within five business days after written demand is made by the Company therefore, for an amount equal to the value of any payments or benefits Executive received pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.3.

7.Section 409A. It is intended that all of the severance benefits and other payments payable under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code” and “Section 409A”) provided under Treasury Regulations 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions, and to the extent not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions hereunder) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A. All payments and benefits that are payable upon a termination of employment hereunder shall be paid or provided only upon Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A). For purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement (whether severance payments, reimbursements or otherwise) shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed by the Company at the time of Executive’s termination to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), and if any of the payments upon termination set forth herein and/or under any other agreement with the Company are deemed to be “deferred compensation”, then to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of such payments is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and the related adverse taxation under Section 409A, such payments shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earliest of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Executive’s termination with the Company, (ii) the date of Executive’s death or (iii) such earlier date as permitted under Section 409A without the imposition of adverse taxation. Upon the first business day following the expiration of such applicable Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 7 shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due shall be paid as otherwise provided herein or in the applicable agreement. No interest shall be due on any amounts so deferred.

8.Section 280G. In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 8, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then, Executive’s severance and other benefits under this Agreement shall be payable either (i) in full, or (ii) as to such lesser amount which would result in no portion of such severance and other benefits being subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis of the greatest amount of severance benefits under this Agreement, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits may be 

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taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Any reduction shall be made in the following order: (i) reduction of cash payments, (ii) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards, and (iii) reduction of other benefits payable to Executive. Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 8 shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 8, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 8. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 8.

9.Definitions.

9.1Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” for termination will mean: (i) a material breach of any of Executive’s obligations or duties pursuant to this Agreement or the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, which remains uncured seven days after Executive becomes aware of the breach by formal written notification by the Company; (ii) gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty in the course of employment; (iii) any action or activity that is contrary to applicable insider trading rules or any other applicable securities rules or legislation; (iv) a material act or omission involving substantial dishonesty or fraud that harms or would reasonably be expected to harm the Company; or (v) commission of, conviction or indictment for, or plea of no contest to, any felony (or state law equivalent) or any crime involving moral turpitude.

9.2Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” will mean any of the following actions taken by the Company without Executive’s prior written consent: (i) a material adverse change in Executive’s position, title, office or duties or assignment of any significant duties to Executive that are materially inconsistent with the position or offices held by Executive; (ii) Executive no longer serving as a Section 16 officer or, if the Company’s ultimate parent following a Change in Control is not a public company, not reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s ultimate parent); (iii) a decrease in Executive’s base salary by more than 10% (other than in connection with a broad-based reduction in the base salaries of all other officers of the Company); or (iv) a relocation that increases Executive’s one-way commute by more than 25 miles. In order to resign for Good Reason, Executive must provide written notice to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer within 60 days after the first occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason setting forth the basis for Executive’s resignation, allow the Company at least 30 days from receipt of such written notice to cure such event, and if such event is not reasonably cured within such period, Executive must resign from all positions Executive then holds with the Company not later than 90 days after the expiration of such cure period.

9.3Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” means the occurrence of one or more of the following: (a) a merger, a consolidation, a reorganization or an arrangement that results in a transfer of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities to a person or a group of persons 

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different from a person or a group of persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company); (b) a direct or indirect sale or other transfer of beneficial ownership of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities to a person or a group of persons different from a person or a group of persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company); (c) a direct or indirect sale or other transfer of the right to appoint more than fifty percent (50%) of the directors of the Board or otherwise directly or indirectly control the management, affairs and business of the Company to a person or a group of persons different from a person or a group of persons holding this right immediately prior to such transaction (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company); (d) a direct or indirect sale or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or a group of persons different from a person or a group of persons holding those assets immediately prior to such transaction (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company); or (e) a complete liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company; provided, however, that a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred if such Change in Control results solely from the issuance, in connection with a bona fide financing or series of financings by the Company, of voting securities of the Company or any rights to acquire voting securities of the Company which are convertible into voting securities.

10.Proprietary Information Obligations. As a condition of employment, Executive has previously executed and shall continue to abide by the Employee Proprietary Information, Restrictive Covenant and Invention Assignment Agreement attached here to as Exhibit A (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”).

11.Outside Activities During Employment.

11.1Non-Company Business. Except with the prior written consent of the Board, Executive will not during the term of Executive’s employment with the Company undertake or engage in any other employment, occupation or business enterprise, other than ones in which Executive is a passive investor, provided that they do not violate the Restrictive Covenant Agreement. Executive may engage in civic and not-for-profit activities so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.

11.2No Adverse Interests. Executive agrees not to acquire, assume or participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment or interest known to be adverse or antagonistic to the Company, its business or prospects, financial or otherwise.

12.Dispute Resolution. To ensure the timely and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, negotiation, execution, or interpretation of this Agreement, Executive’s employment, or the termination of Executive’s employment, including but not limited to statutory claims, shall be resolved to the fullest extent permitted by law by final, binding and 

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confidential arbitration, by a single arbitrator, in Wilmington, Delaware conducted by JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) under the then applicable JAMS rules or by another arbitration company if mutually agreed upon by Executive and Board. By agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both Executive and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. The Company acknowledges that Executive will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision, to include the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award any or all remedies that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. The Company shall pay all JAMS’ arbitration fees in excess of the amount of court fees that would be required of Executive if the dispute were decided in a court of law. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either Executive or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Any awards or orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction.

13.General Provisions.

13.1Notices. Any notices provided must be in writing and will be deemed effective upon the earlier of personal delivery (including personal delivery by fax) or the next day after sending by overnight carrier, to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at the address as listed on the Company payroll.

13.2Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction to the extent possible in keeping with the intent of the parties.

13.3Waiver. Any waiver of any breach of any provisions of this Agreement must be in writing to be effective, and it shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.

13.4Complete Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Restrictive Covenant Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to this subject matter and is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of the Parties’ agreement with regard to this subject matter, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous offers, negotiations and agreements, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter, including the offer letter entered into between Executive and the Company as of February 28, 2018. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations. It is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein, and it cannot be modified or amended except in a writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.

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13.5Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

13.6Headings. The headings of the paragraphs hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.

13.7Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign any of Executive’s duties hereunder and Executive may not assign any of Executive’s rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company.

13.8Tax Withholding and Indemnification. All payments and awards contemplated or made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholdings of applicable taxes in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations of all appropriate government authorities. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has neither made any assurances nor any guarantees concerning the tax treatment of any payments or awards contemplated by or made pursuant to this Agreement. Executive has had the opportunity to retain a tax and financial advisor and fully understands the tax and economic consequences of all payments and awards made pursuant to the Agreement.

13.9Choice of Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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In Witness Whereof, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.

Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated

By:  /s/ Kris Vaddi

Title:  Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.

Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated

By:  

Title:  

Peggy Scherle

/s/ Peggy Scherle

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

Exhibit A

Employee Proprietary Information, Restrictive Covenant and Invention Assignment Agreement

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