Document:

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EXHIBIT 10.38
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CARISMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
 3675 MARKET STREET, STE 200
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19104
March 15, 2021
Richard S. Morris
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Dear Rich:
On behalf of CARISMA Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), I am pleased to offer you employment with the Company.  The purpose of this letter is to summarize the terms of your employment with the Company, should you accept our offer:
1.You will be employed to serve on a full-time basis as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1, 2021, or on such earlier date as agreed upon in writing by you and the Company (the “Start Date”).  As Chief Financial Officer, you will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his/her designee, and you shall have the duties and responsibilities commensurate with your position in companies of similar type and size, plus such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to you by the Company.
2.Your base salary will be at the rate of $32,500 per monthly pay period (annualized rate of $390,000) subject to tax and other withholdings as required by law.  Such base salary may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with normal business practice and in the sole discretion of the Company.
3.Following the end of calendar year 2021 and subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), you will be eligible to receive a prorated performance bonus of up to 35% of the base salary paid to you by the Company between the Start Date and December 31, 2021, based on your personal performance and the Company’s performance during the 2021 calendar year, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.  Following the end of each calendar year beginning with calendar year 2022, and subject to the approval of the Board, you will be eligible for a performance bonus of up to 35% of your annualized base salary, based on your personal performance and the Company’s performance during the applicable calendar year, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.  In any event, except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, you must be an active employee of the Company on the date the bonus is distributed in order to be eligible for and to earn any bonus award, as it also serves as an incentive to remain employed by the Company.  The Company will award and pay any bonus for a calendar year before March 15th of the next calendar year.  In addition, you may participate in any and all bonus and benefit programs that the Company establishes and makes available to its employees from time to time, provided you are eligible under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents governing those programs.  The bonus and benefit programs made available by the
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Company, and the rules, terms and conditions for participation in such benefit plans, may be changed by the Company at any time without advance notice.
4.You will be eligible for a maximum of four (4) weeks of vacation per calendar year to be taken at such times as may be approved by the Company.  The number of vacation days for which you are eligible shall accrue at the rate of 1.67 days per month that you are employed during such calendar year.  Any unused vacation time will be forfeited at the end of each calendar year.
5.Subject to the approval of the Board, which is expected to be at the first Board meeting following your Start Date, the Company may grant to you an incentive stock option (the “Option”) under the Company’s 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”) for the purchase of an aggregate of 174,326 shares of common stock of the Company at a price per share equal to the fair market value of the common stock as of the effective date of grant.  The Option shall be subject to all terms, vesting schedules and other provisions set forth in the Plan and in a separate option agreement.  You may be eligible to receive such future stock option grants as the Board shall deem appropriate.
6.Without otherwise limiting the “at-will” nature of your employment, if your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or by you for Good Reason (as defined below), you will be eligible for the following benefits (the “Severance Benefits”), subject to the terms set forth in this section 6:
If the Company terminates your employment without Cause or you terminate your employment for Good Reason: (i) the Company will provide you with severance pay in the form of continuation of your base salary for a total of twelve (12) months, such amount to be paid in accordance with the Company’s then current payroll practices, except as otherwise specified in this letter agreement, beginning on the Company’s first regular payroll date that occurs after the Payment Date (as defined below); (ii) the Company will provide you with a prorated bonus payment equivalent to (a) the then-applicable target percentage of your base salary used to calculate your bonus (35% as of 2021), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the calendar year in which your termination date occurs that you remained employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365; and (iii) if such termination also occurs more than six (6) months and less than one (1) year after the Start Date, then the vesting of a portion of the Option shall be accelerated such that any unvested portion of the Option that would otherwise vest on or prior to the one-year anniversary of the Start Date shall vest and become exercisable (with the remaining unvested portion of the Option terminating).
In addition to the Severance Benefits provided under clauses (i) and (ii) above, in the event your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by you for Good Reason, in each case, within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control Event (as defined in the Plan as in effect on the date hereof), then, in lieu of the vesting treatment applied to your outstanding Options pursuant to clause (iii) above, 100% of the then unvested portion of the Option shall be accelerated and immediately vest and become exercisable.
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Except for payment of Accrued Compensation (as defined below), you will not be eligible for, nor shall you have a right to receive, any payments or benefits from the Company following your termination date other than as set forth herein.
A.Definitions:
i.For purposes of this letter agreement, “Accrued Compensation” shall mean: (a) all unpaid base salary earned through the date of termination, to be paid as required by law; (b) any and all reasonable expenses paid or incurred by you (in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Company) in connection with and related to the performance of your duties and responsibilities for the Company during the period ending on the date of termination, to the extent unpaid, to be paid in accordance with Company policy; and (c) any accrued but unused vacation time through the date of termination, to be paid in accordance with Company policy.
ii.For purposes of this letter agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (1) your engagement in any conduct that has materially and adversely affected, or is reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect, the business interests or reputation of the Company (for avoidance of doubt, “conduct” in this subsection does not mean poor performance or failure to meet Company objectives); (2) any breach by you of the agreements referenced in section 8 of this letter agreement; (3) your willful and repeated failure to perform in any material respect, your duties to the Company under this Agreement; (4) your fraud or embezzlement, or your willful misconduct with respect to the Company; (5) your material breach of this letter agreement; or (6) your conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor relating to the Company, any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, or any felony; provided however, that with respect to subsections (1), (2) (3) and (5) hereof, you were given thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice of such conduct, breach, or deficiencies and an opportunity to cure such conduct, breach or deficiencies but you failed to do so within such period (but you are eligible for no more than two “cure” opportunities during your employment).
iii.For purposes of this letter agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence, without your prior written consent, of any of the following events: (a) a material reduction in your title, authority, duties, or responsibilities or a material reduction in the title, authority, duties or responsibilities of the person to whom you report such that your title, authority, duties or responsibilities are no longer materially consistent with those of a Chief Financial Officer of similarly situated companies; (b) the relocation of the principal place at which you provide services to the Company by at least 50 miles and to a location such that your daily commuting distance is increased; (c) a material reduction of your base salary; or (d) a material breach by the Company of its obligations under this letter agreement. No termination will be treated as a termination by you for Good Reason unless (x) you have given written notice to the Company of your intention to terminate your employment for Good Reason, describing the grounds for such action, no later than 90 days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, (y) you have provided the Company with at least thirty (30) calendar days in which to cure the circumstances, and (z) if the Company is not successful in curing the circumstances, you end your employment within 30 days following the cure period in (y).
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B.The Severance Benefits will be subject to the following terms and conditions:
i.Solely for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), each salary continuation payment is considered a separate payment.
ii.Any severance or other benefits under this letter agreement will begin only upon the date of your “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h)) which occurs on or after the date of termination of the employment. To the extent that the termination of your employment does not constitute a separation from service under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h) (as the result of further services that are reasonably anticipated to be provided by you to the Company, or any of its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates, at the time your employment terminates), any severance benefits payable that constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code shall be delayed until after the date of a subsequent event constituting a separation from service under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h). For purposes of clarification, this section shall not cause any forfeiture of benefits on your part, but shall only act as a delay until such time as a “separation from service” occurs.
Further, if you are a “specified employee” (as that term is used in Section 409A of the Code and regulations and other guidance issued thereunder) on the date your separation from service becomes effective, any severance benefits payable hereunder that constitute nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code shall be delayed until the earlier of (i) the business day following the six-month anniversary of the date your separation from service becomes effective, and (ii) the date of your death, but only to the extent necessary to avoid such penalties under Section 409A of the Code. On the earlier of (A) the business day following the six-month anniversary of the date your separation from service becomes effective, and (B) your death, the Company shall pay you in a lump sum the aggregate value of the non-qualified deferred compensation that the Company otherwise would have paid you prior to that date as described above. Neither the Company nor you shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to you or any other person if any provision of this letter agreement is determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, Section 409A of the Code.
iii.The Company’s obligation to provide the Severance Benefits will be contingent upon your entering into and complying with a separation and release of claims agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Release”), which Release must be signed and any applicable revocation period with respect thereto must have expired by the sixtieth (60th) day following your termination of employment.  The Severance Benefits shall be paid or commence on the first payroll period following the date the Release becomes effective (the “Payment Date”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the 60th day following the date of termination occurs in the calendar year following the date on which your employment terminates, then the Payment Date shall be
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no earlier than January 1 of such subsequent calendar year.  In addition, to remain eligible for the Severance Benefits you must comply with all post-employment obligations under law or in any agreement between you and the Company, including those in the agreements that you shall sign pursuant to section 8 of this letter as a condition of employment and as set forth in the Release.
7.You and the Company will execute the Indemnification Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit D, as a condition of your employment.
8.You will be required to execute an Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement and a Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement in the forms attached as Exhibit B and Exhibit C, as a condition of employment.
9.You represent that you are not bound by any employment contract, restrictive covenant or other restriction preventing (or that purports to prevent) you from entering into employment with or carrying out your responsibilities for the Company, or which is in any way inconsistent with the terms of this letter.
10.You agree to provide to the Company, within three days of your hire date, documentation of your eligibility to work in the United States, as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.  You may need to obtain a work visa in order to be eligible to work in the United States.  If that is the case, your employment with the Company will be conditioned upon your obtaining a work visa in a timely manner as determined by the Company.
11.This letter shall not be construed as an agreement, either expressed or implied, to employ you for any stated term, and shall in no way alter the Company’s policy of employment at will, under which both you and the Company remain free to terminate the employment relationship, with or without cause, at any time, with or without notice. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at-will” nature of your employment may only be changed by a written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized representative of the Company, which written agreement expressly states the intention to modify the at-will nature of your employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights you may have as set forth in Section 6 above.  Similarly, nothing in this letter shall be construed as an agreement, either express or implied, to pay you any compensation or grant you any benefit beyond the end of your employment with the Company, except as explicitly set forth in section 6 above.
12.You agree to devote your full business time, best efforts, skill, knowledge, attention, and energies to the advancement of the Company’s business and interests and to the performance of your duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company and not to engage in any other business activities (whether as an employee, consultant, board member, advisor or in any other capacity) without prior approval from the Company, except that you may engage in charitable or civic activities and/or serve as an executor, trustee, or other similar fiduciary capacity, provided, however, that in no event may any activity be undertaken or continued if it would (i) be in violation of any provision of this letter agreement or other agreement between you and the Company, (ii) interfere with the performance of your duties for the Company, or (iii) present a conflict of interest with the Company’s business interests.
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13.Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this letter, if you are a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this letter, together with any other payments and benefits which you have the right to receive from the Company or any of its affiliates, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the payments and benefits provided for in this letter and any other agreement, plan or program with the Company shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by you from the Company and its affiliates will be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times the your “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by you shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to you (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes, and as determined by the Company and its advisors in their sole discretion). Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall honor your preferences with respect to the order of any such waiver of parachute payments.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain “shareholder approval,” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(5) of the Code, of the parachute payments in order to exempt any parachute payments from any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code.
14.The Company’s offer of at-will employment is contingent upon your authorization and successful completion of background and reference checks.  You will be required to execute authorizations for the Company to obtain consumer reports and/or investigative consumer reports and use them in conducting background checks as a condition to your employment.  The Company may obtain background reports both pre-employment and from time to time during your employment with the Company, as necessary.
15.As an employee of the Company, you will be required to comply with all Company policies and procedures.  Violations of the Company’s policies may lead to immediate termination of your employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights you may have as set forth in Section 6 above.  Further, the Company’s premises, including all workspaces, furniture, documents, and other tangible materials, and all information technology resources of the Company (including computers, data and other electronic files, and all internet and email) are subject to oversight and inspection by the Company at any time.  Company employees should have no expectation of privacy with regard to any Company premises, materials, resources, or information.
16.This offer letter is your formal offer of employment and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous agreements, discussions and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this letter or your employment with the Company.  The resolution of any disputes under this letter will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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If you agree with the provisions of this letter, please sign the enclosed duplicate of this letter in the space provided below and return it to me by March 26, 2021.  If you do not accept this offer by March 26, 2021, this offer will be deemed expired.
Very Truly Yours,
CARISMA Therapeutics Inc.
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	By:
	/s/ Steven Kelly

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	Name: Steven Kelly

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	Title: Chief Executive Officer

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The foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of my employment by CARISMA Therapeutics Inc.  I am not relying on any representations pertaining to my employment other than those set forth above.
	Date: 3/15/2021
	/s/ Richard S. Morris

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	Name: Richard S. Morris

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EXHIBIT A
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SAMPLE SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
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EXHIBIT B
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INVENTION AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
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EXHIBIT C
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NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
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EXHIBIT D
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INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

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EXHIBIT 10.39
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2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
OF
CARMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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	PAGE

	1.
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	Purpose
	1

	2.
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	Eligibility
	1

	3.
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	Administration and Delegation
	1

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	(a)
	Administration by the Board
	1

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	(b)
	Appointment of Committees
	1

	4.
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	Stock Available for Awards
	2

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	(a)
	Number of Shares
	2

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	(b)
	Substitute Awards
	2

	5.
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	Stock Options
	2

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	(a)
	General
	2

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	(b)
	Incentive Stock Options
	2

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	(c)
	Exercise Price
	3

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	(d)
	Duration of Options
	3

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	(e)
	Exercise of Options
	3

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	(f)
	Payment Upon Exercise
	3

	6.
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	Stock Appreciation Rights
	4

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	(a)
	General
	4

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	(b)
	Measurement Price
	4

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	(c)
	Duration of SARs
	5

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	(d)
	Exercise of SARs
	5

	7.
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	Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units
	5

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	(a)
	General
	5

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	(b)
	Terms and Conditions for All Restricted Stock Awards
	5

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	(c)
	Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock
	5

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	(d)
	Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock Units
	6

	8.
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	Other Stock-Based Awards
	6

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	(a)
	General
	6

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	(b)
	Terms and Conditions
	6

	9.
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	Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events
	6

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	(a)
	Changes in Capitalization
	6

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	(b)
	Reorganization Events
	7

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	(c)
	Change in Control Events
	9

	10.
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	General Provisions Applicable to Awards
	11

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	(a)
	Transferability of Awards
	11

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	(b)
	Documentation
	11

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	(c)
	Board Discretion
	11

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	(d)
	Termination of Status
	11

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	(e)
	Withholding
	11

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	(f)
	Amendment of Award
	12

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	(g)
	Conditions on Delivery of Stock
	12

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	(h)
	Acceleration
	13

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	11.
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	Miscellaneous
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	(a)
	No Right To Employment or Other Status
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	(b)
	No Rights As Stockholder
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	(c)
	Effective Date and Term of Plan
	13

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	(d)
	Amendment of Plan
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	(e)
	Authorization of Sub-Plans (including Grants to non-U.S. Employees) 
	13

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	(f)
	Compliance with Section 409A of the Code
	14

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	(g)
	Limitations on Liability
	14

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	(h)
	Governing Law
	14

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2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
OF
CARMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
1.Purpose
The purpose of this 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of CARMA Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is to advance the interests of the Company’s stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives that are intended to better align the interests of such persons with those of the Company’s stockholders.  Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” shall include any of the Company’s present and future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations thereunder (the “Code”) and any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”); provided, however, that such other business ventures shall be limited to entities that, where required by Section 409A of the Code, are eligible issuers of service recipient stock (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E), or applicable successor regulation).
2.Eligibility
All of the Company’s employees, officers and directors, as well as consultants and advisors to the Company (as such terms consultants and advisors are defined and interpreted for purposes of Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (or any successor rule)) are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan.  Each person who is granted an Award under the Plan is deemed a “Participant.”  “Award” means Options (as defined in Section 5), SARs (as defined in Section 6), Restricted Stock (as defined in Section 7), Restricted Stock Units (as defined in Section 7) and Other Stock-Based Awards (as defined in Section 8).
3.Administration and Delegation
(a)Administration by the Board.  The Plan will be administered by the Board.  The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable.  The Board may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award agreements entered into under the Plan.  The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency.  All actions and decisions by the Board with respect to the Plan and any Awards shall be made in the Board’s discretion and shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award.
(b)Appointment of Committees.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees
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of the Board (each, a “Committee”).  All references in the Plan to the “Board” shall mean the Board or a Committee to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee.
4.Stock Available for Awards
(a)Number of Shares.  Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 244,552 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options (as defined in Section 5(b)).  If any Award expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised, is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award being repurchased by the Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right), or results in any Common Stock not being issued, the unused Common Stock subject to such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan.  Further, shares of Common Stock tendered to the Company by a Participant to exercise an Award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising with respect to an Award shall be added to the number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant of Awards under the Plan.  However, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, the two immediately preceding sentences shall be subject to any limitations under the Code.  Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
(b)Substitute Awards.  In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof.  Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Board deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards contained in the Plan.  Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 4(a), except as may be required by reason of Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.
5.Stock Options
(a)General.  The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an “Option”) and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers necessary or advisable.
(b)Incentive Stock Options.  An Option that the Board intends to be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) shall only be granted to employees of CARMA Therapeutics Inc., any of CARMA Therapeutics Inc.’s present and future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.  An Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be designated non-statutory stock option (a “Nonstatutory Stock Option).”  The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other person, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to
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be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or if the Company converts an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(c)Exercise Price.  The Board shall establish the exercise price of each Option and specify the exercise price in the applicable Option agreement. The exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value (as defined below) of the Common Stock on the date the Option is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an Option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value on such future date.  The “Grant Date Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock for purposes of the Plan will be determined as follows:
(1)if the Common Stock is not publicly traded, the Board will determine the Fair Market Value for purposes of the Plan using any measure of value it determines to be appropriate (including, as it considers appropriate, relying on appraisals) in a manner consistent with the valuation principles under Code Section 409A, except as the Board may expressly determine otherwise;
(2)if the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sale price (for the primary trading session) on the date of grant; or
(3)if the Common Stock is not listed on any such exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as reported by an authorized OTCBB market data vendor as listed on the OTCBB website (otcbb.com) on the date of grant.
For any date that is not a trading day, the Grant Date Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock for such date will be determined by using the closing sale price or average of the bid and asked prices, as appropriate, for the immediately preceding trading day and with the timing in the formulas above adjusted accordingly.  The Board can substitute a particular time of day or other measure of “closing sale price” or “bid and asked prices” if appropriate because of exchange or market procedures or can, in its discretion, use weighted averages either on a daily basis or such longer period as complies with Code Section 409A.
The Board has discretion to determine the Grant Date Fair Market Value for purposes of the Plan, and all Awards are conditioned on the applicable Participant’s agreement that the Board’s determination is conclusive and binding even though others might make a different determination.
(d)Duration of Options.  Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable option agreement; provided, however, that no Option will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.
(e)Exercise of Options.  Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form of notice (which may be electronic) approved by the Company, together with payment in full (in the manner specified in Section 5(f)) of the exercise price for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.  Shares of Common Stock subject to the Option will be delivered by the Company as soon as practicable following exercise.
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(f)Payment Upon Exercise.  Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:
(1)in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;
(2)when the Common Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, in its discretion, by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;
(3)when the Common Stock is registered under the Exchange Act and to the extent provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, in its discretion, by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their fair market value (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Board), provided (i) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Common Stock, if acquired directly from the Company, was owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Board in its discretion and (iii) such Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;
(4)to the extent provided for in the applicable Nonstatutory Stock Option agreement or approved by the Board in its discretion, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, as a result of which the Participant would receive (i) the number of shares underlying the portion of the Option being exercised, less (ii) such number of shares as is equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price for the portion of the Option being exercised divided by (B) the fair market value of the Common Stock (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Board) on the date of exercise;
(5)to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, in its discretion, by (i) delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the Company on terms determined by the Board, or (ii) payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine;  or
(6)by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.
6.Stock Appreciation Rights
(a)General.  The Board may grant Awards consisting of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) entitling the Participant, upon exercise, to receive an amount of Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Board) determined by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the fair market value of a share of Common Stock (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Board) over the
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measurement price established pursuant to Section 6(b).  The date as of which such appreciation is determined shall be the exercise date.
(b)Measurement Price.  The Board shall establish the measurement price of each SAR and specify it in the applicable SAR agreement.  The measurement price shall not be less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR is granted; provided, that if the Board approves the grant of an SAR effective as of a future date, the measurement price shall not be less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value on such future date.
(c)Duration of SARs.  Each SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable SAR agreement; provided, however, that no SAR will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.
(d)Exercise of SARs.  SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic) approved by the Company, together with any other documents required by the Board.
7.Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units
(a)General.  The Board may grant Awards entitling Participants to acquire shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”), subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the Participant in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award.  The Board may also grant Awards entitling the Participant to receive shares of Common Stock or cash to be delivered at the time such Award vests (“Restricted Stock Units”) (Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units are each referred to herein as a “Restricted Stock Award”).
(b)Terms and Conditions for All Restricted Stock Awards.  The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for vesting and repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any.
(c)Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock.
(1)Dividends.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, any dividends (whether paid in cash, stock or property) declared and paid by the Company with respect to shares of Restricted Stock (“Accrued Dividends”) shall be paid to the Participant only if and when such shares become free from the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability that apply to such shares.  Each payment of Accrued Dividends will be made no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to stockholders of that class of stock or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the lapsing of the restrictions on transferability and the forfeitability provisions applicable to the underlying shares of Restricted Stock.
(2)Stock Certificates.  The Company may require that any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, as well as dividends or distributions paid on such
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Restricted Stock, shall be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee).  At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to Participant’s Designated Beneficiary.  “Designated Beneficiary” means (i) the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death or (ii) in the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, “Designated Beneficiary” means the Participant’s estate.
(d)Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock Units.
(1)Settlement.  Upon the vesting of and/or lapsing of any other restrictions (i.e., settlement) with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock specified in the Award agreement or (if so provided in the applicable Award agreement or otherwise determined by the Board) an amount of cash equal to the fair market value (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Board) of such number of shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof.  The Board may, in its discretion, provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
(2)Voting Rights.  A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units.
(3)Dividend Equivalents.  The Award agreement for Restricted Stock Units may provide Participants with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”).  Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participants, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock and may be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which paid, in each case to the extent provided in the applicable Award agreement.
8.Other Stock-Based Awards
(a)General.  The Board may grant other Awards of shares of Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or other property (“Other Stock-Based Awards”).  Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled.  Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash, as the Board shall determine.
(b)Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock-Based Award, including any purchase price applicable thereto.
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9.Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events
(a)Changes in Capitalization.  In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under the Plan, (ii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding Option, (iii) the share and per-share provisions and the measurement price of each outstanding SAR, (iv) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding Award of Restricted Stock and (v) the share and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each outstanding Award of Restricted Stock Unit and each outstanding Other Stock-Based Award, shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Board.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an outstanding Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.
(b)Reorganization Events.
(1)Definition.  A “Reorganization Event” shall mean:  (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of the Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(2)Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards Other than Restricted Stock.
(i)In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock on such terms as the Board determines (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an applicable Award agreement or another agreement between the Company and the Participant):  (i) provide that such Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, provide that all of the Participant’s unexercised and/or unvested Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event unless exercised by the Participant (to the extent then exercisable) within a specified period following the date of such notice, (iii) provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such Reorganization Event, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment
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for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to Participants with respect to each Award held by a Participant equal to (A) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the Award (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that occurs upon or immediately prior to such Reorganization Event) multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of (I) the Acquisition Price over (II) the exercise, measurement or purchase price of such Award and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Award, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise, measurement or purchase price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing.  In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 9(b)(2), the Board shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically.
(ii)Notwithstanding the terms of Section 9(b)(2)(i), in the case of outstanding Restricted Stock Units that are subject to Section 409A of the Code: (i) if the applicable Restricted Stock Unit agreement provides that the Restricted Stock Units shall be settled upon a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i), and the Reorganization Event constitutes such a “change in control event”, then no assumption or substitution shall be permitted pursuant to Section 9(b)(2)(i) and the Restricted Stock Units shall instead be settled in accordance with the terms of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit agreement; and (ii) the Board may only undertake the actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 9(b)(2)(i) if the Reorganization Event constitutes a “change in control event” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i) and such action is permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code; if the Reorganization Event is not a “change in control event” as so defined or such action is not permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code, and the acquiring or succeeding corporation does not assume or substitute the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to clause (i) of Section 9(b)(2)(i), then the unvested Restricted Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event without any payment in exchange therefor.
(iii)For purposes of Section 9(b)(2)(i), an Award (other than Restricted Stock) shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, such Award confers the right to purchase or receive pursuant to the terms of such Award, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award to consist solely of such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) that the Board determined to be equivalent in value (as of the date of such determination or another date specified by the Board) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.
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(3)Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Restricted Stock.  Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the repurchase and other rights of the Company with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that the Board may provide for termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, either initially or by amendment, or provide for forfeiture of such Restricted Stock if issued at no cost.  Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event involving the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions and conditions on all Restricted Stock then outstanding shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.
(c)Change in Control Events.
(1)Definitions.
(i)A “Change in Control Event” shall mean:
1.The acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act)) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (1), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control Event: (X) any acquisition directly from the Company or (Y) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) which complies with clauses (X) and (Y) of subsection (3) of this definition; or
2.such time as the Continuing Directors (as defined below) do not constitute a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term "Continuing Director" means at any date a member of the Board (X) who was a member of the Board on the date of the initial adoption of this Plan by the Board or (Y) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; or
3.the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two conditions is satisfied: (X) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
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owners of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the "Acquiring Corporation") in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination and (Y) no Person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination); or
4.the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(ii)“Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following without the Participant's prior written consent: (A) material diminution in the duties, authority or responsibilities of the Participant from and after such Change in Control Event as compared to those in effect immediately preceding the Change in Control Event; provided, however, that a change in the Participant's title or reporting relationship solely due to the Company becoming a division, subsidiary or other similar part of a larger organization following a Change in Control Event shall not by itself constitute Good Reason; (B) any material reduction in the Participant's annual base compensation from and after such Change in Control Event; (C) the material relocation of the Participant’s place of employment as compared to his or her place of employment immediately preceding the Change in Control Event; or (D) the material breach of the Company or its successor of any Award granted under this plan.
(iii)“Cause” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:  (A) the Participant's willful failure to perform in any material respect Participant's material duties or responsibilities for the Company, which is not cured within 30 days of written notice thereof to the Participant from the Company; (B) repeated unexplained or unjustified absence from the Company inconsistent with the Participant's duties and responsibilities for the Company, which continues without explanation or justification after written notice thereof to the Participant from the Company; (C) Participant's willful misconduct that causes material and demonstrable monetary or reputational injury to the Company, including, but not limited to, misappropriation or conversion of assets of the Company (other than non-material assets); or (D) the conviction of  the Participant of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Participant to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.
(2)Effect on Options.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9(b), except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Option or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, each Option shall be immediately exercisable in full if, on or prior to the first anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the Participant's employment with the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation is terminated for Good Reason by the Participant or is terminated without Cause by the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation.
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(3)Effect on Restricted Stock Awards.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9(b), except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock Award or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, each Restricted Stock Award shall immediately become free from all conditions or restrictions if, on or prior to the first anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the Participant's employment with the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation is terminated for Good Reason by the Participant or is terminated without Cause by the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation.
(4)Effect on SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Board may specify in an Award at the time of the grant the effect of a Change in Control Event on any SAR or Other Stock-Based Award.
10.General Provisions Applicable to Awards.
(a)Transferability of Awards.  Awards (or any interest in an Award, including, prior to exercise, any interest in shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of an Option or SAR) shall not be sold, assigned, transferred (including by establishing any short position, put equivalent position (as defined in Rule 16a-1 issued under the Exchange Act) or call equivalent position (as defined in Rule 16a-1 issued under the Exchange Act)), pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant; except that Awards, other than Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code, may be transferred to family members (as defined in Rule 701(c)(3) under the Securities Act) through gifts or (other than Incentive Stock Options) domestic relations orders or to an executor or guardian upon the death or disability of the Participant.  The Company shall not be required to recognize any such permitted transfer until such time as such permitted transferee shall deliver to the Company a written instrument, as a condition to such transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Award.  References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 10(a) shall be deemed to restrict a transfer to the Company.
(b)Documentation.  Each Award shall be evidenced in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Board shall determine.  Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.
(c)Board Discretion.  Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award.  The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly.
(d)Termination of Status.  The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award.
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(e)Withholding.  The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal, state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize ownership of Common Stock under an Award.  The Company may elect to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages.  If the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for withholding or have a broker tender to the Company cash equal to the withholding obligations.  Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will issue any shares on exercise, vesting or release from forfeiture of an Award or at the same time as payment of the exercise or purchase price unless the Company determines otherwise.  If provided for in an Award or approved by the Board in its discretion, a Participant may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their fair market value (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Company); provided, however, except as otherwise provided by the Board, that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income), except that, to the extent that the Company is able to retain shares of Common Stock having a fair market value (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Company) that exceeds the statutory minimum applicable withholding tax without financial accounting implications or the Company is withholding in a jurisdiction that does not have a statutory minimum withholding tax, the Company may retain such number of shares of Common Stock (up to the number of shares having a fair market value (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Company) equal to the maximum individual statutory rate of tax) as the Company shall determine in its discretion to satisfy the tax liability associated with any Award.  Shares used to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.
(f)Amendment of Award.
(1)The Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 9.
(2)The Board may, without stockholder approval, amend any outstanding Award granted under the Plan to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding Award.  The Board may also, without stockholder approval, cancel any outstanding award (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise price per share lower than the then-current exercise price per share of the cancelled award.
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(g)Conditions on Delivery of Stock.  The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously issued or delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and regulations and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.
(h)Acceleration.  The Board may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in whole or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in whole or in part, as the case may be.
11.Miscellaneous.
(a)No Right To Employment or Other Status.  No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award by virtue of the adoption of the Plan, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company.  The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award.
(b)No Rights As Stockholder.  Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares.
(c)Effective Date and Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board.  No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the expiration of 10 years from the earlier of (i) the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.
(d)Amendment of Plan.  The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided that if at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval.  Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 11(d) shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board determines that such amendment, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan.
(e)Authorization of Sub-Plans (including Grants to non-U.S. Employees).  The Board may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions.  The Board shall establish such
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sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan containing (i) such limitations on the Board’s discretion under the Plan as the Board deems necessary or desirable or (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable.  All supplements adopted by the Board shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction and the Company shall not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Participants in any jurisdiction which is not the subject of such supplement.
(f)Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  If and to the extent (i) any portion of any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to a Participant pursuant to the Plan in connection with Participant’s employment termination constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and (ii) the Participant is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, in each case as determined by the Company in accordance with its procedures, by which determinations the Participant (through accepting the Award) agrees that the Participant is bound, such portion of the payment, compensation or other benefit shall not be paid before the day that is six months plus one day after the date of “separation from service” (as determined under Section 409A of the Code) (the “New Payment Date”), except as Section 409A of the Code may then permit.  The aggregate of any payments that otherwise would have been paid to the Participant during the period between the date of separation from service and the New Payment Date shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum on such New Payment Date, and any remaining payments will be paid on their original schedule.
The Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to the Participant or any other person if any provisions of or payments, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not to satisfy the conditions of that section.
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(g)Limitations on Liability.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument such individual executes in such individual’s capacity as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company.  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been or will be delegated, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Board’s approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning the Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.
(h)Governing Law.  The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
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CARMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT
Pursuant to Section 11(e) of the Plan, the Board has adopted this supplement for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Section 25102(o) of the California Law:
Any Awards granted under the Plan to a Participant who is a resident of the State of California on the date of grant (a “California Participant”) shall be subject to the following additional limitations, terms and conditions:
1.Additional Limitations on Options.
(a)Maximum Duration of Options.  No Options granted to California Participants shall have a term in excess of 10 years measured from the Option grant date.
(b)Minimum Exercise Period Following Termination.  Unless a California Participant’s employment is terminated for cause (as defined by applicable law, the terms of the Plan or option grant or a contract of employment), in the event of termination of employment of such Participant, such Participant shall have the right to exercise an Option, to the extent that such Participant is entitled to exercise such Option on the date employment terminated, until the earlier of: (i) at least six months from the date of termination, if termination was caused by such Participant’s death or disability, (ii) at least 30 days from the date of termination, if termination was caused other than by such Participant’s death or disability and (iii) the Option expiration date.
2.Additional Limitations for Other Stock-Based Awards.  The terms of all Awards granted to a California Participant under Section 8 of the Plan shall comply, to the extent applicable, with Section  260.140.46 of the California Code of Regulations.
3.Additional Limitations on Timing of Awards.  No Award granted to a California Participant shall become exercisable, vested or realizable, as applicable to such Award, unless the Plan has been approved by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities by the later of (i) within 12 months before or after the date the Plan was adopted by the Board, or (ii) prior to or within 12 months of the granting of any Award to a California Participant.
4.Additional Restriction Regarding Recapitalizations, Stock Splits, Etc.  For purposes of Section 9 of the Plan, in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or other distribution of the Company's securities underlying the Award without the receipt of consideration by the Company, the number of securities purchasable, and in the case of Options, the exercise price of such Options, shall be proportionately adjusted.
5.Additional Limitations on Transferability of Awards.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10(a) of the Plan, an Award granted to a California Participant may not be transferred to an executor or guardian upon the disability of the Participant.
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CARMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
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AMENDMENT TO 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
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Approved by the Board of Directors of CARMA Therapeutics Inc. on June 22, 2018
Approved by the Stockholders of CARMA Therapeutics Inc. on June 22, 2018
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The first sentence of Section 4(a) of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan of CARMA Therapeutics Inc. (the “Plan”) is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following sentence is inserted in lieu thereof:
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“Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 1,154,413 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options (as defined in Section 5(b)).”.
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Except as expressly amended herein, the Plan and all of the provisions contained therein shall remain in full force and effect.
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CARISMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
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AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
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Approved by the Board of Directors of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. on December 21, 2020
Approved by the Stockholders of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. on December 21, 2020
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The first sentence of Section 4(a) of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. (the “Plan”) is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following sentence is inserted in lieu thereof:
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“Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 1,784,018 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options (as defined in Section 5(b)).”.
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Except as expressly amended herein, the Plan and all of the provisions contained therein shall remain in full force and effect.
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CARISMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
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AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
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Approved by the Board of Directors of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. on November 9, 2021
Approved by the Stockholders of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. on November 9, 2021
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The first sentence of Section 4(a) of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. (the “Plan”) is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following sentence is inserted in lieu thereof:
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“Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 1,984,018 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options (as defined in Section 5(b)).”.
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Except as expressly amended herein, the Plan and all of the provisions contained therein shall remain in full force and effect.
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CARISMA THERAPEUTICS INC.
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AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
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Approved by the Board of Directors of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. on March 22, 2022
Approved by the Stockholders of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. on April 7, 2022
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The first sentence of Section 4(a) of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, of CARISMA Therapeutics Inc. (the “Plan”) is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following sentence is inserted in lieu thereof:
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“Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 2,664,018 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options (as defined in Section 5(b)).”.
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Except as expressly amended herein, the Plan and all of the provisions contained therein shall remain in full force and effect.

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