Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 

SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

This SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is hereby made and entered into this 13th day of July 2018, by and between Cerecor Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Mariam Morris, a citizen and resident of Texas (“Executive”).  (The Company and Executive are sometime referred to herein each as a “Party” and together as the “Parties.”)

 

WHEREAS, Executive has been employed by the Company as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer; and

 

WHEREAS, on or about July 16, 2015, the Parties entered into an Employment Agreement setting out the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment with the Company, which was amended on or about March 9, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Employment Agreement, under certain circumstances, if Executive’ s employment with the Company is terminated, Executive would be eligible to receive certain severance benefits conditioned upon her execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in favor of the Company in a form satisfactory to the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, Executive’ s employment with the Company terminated, effective July 12, 2018 (the “Termination Date”); and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement constitutes the release upon which Executive’s severance benefits are conditioned and contains such other terms as are mutually agreed to by the Parties regarding Executive’s termination.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations set forth in this Agreement, along with other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Termination and Transition.

 

(a)                                 Termination of Employment.  Effective as of the Termination Date, Executive’s employment with the Company, as well as all offices, titles and positions she holds with or for the benefit of the Company and/or its affiliates, including but not limited to her position as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Board Secretary, are terminated, and she hereby confirms that she resigned as a member of the Board of Directors of any and all Company subsidiaries.  Except as set out in this Agreement, as provided by the specific terms of a benefit plan or as required by law, effective as of the Termination Date, all of Executive’s employee benefits with the Company will be terminated.  Executive hereby represents that she has returned to the Company all Company-owned equipment, keys or passes, software, files, samples, training materials, programs and documents (including any copies), except for any items necessary for Executive’s providing of the Consulting Services described below, which items will be returned at the conclusion of the Consulting Period.

 

 

(b)                                 Accrued Salary and Vacation.  On the next regular payroll date following Termination Date, the Company will pay you all accrued salary and all accrued and unused vacation earned through the Termination Date, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings.  You will receive these payments regardless of whether or not you sign this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Consulting Arrangement.  For a period of thirty (30) days following the Termination Date (the “Consulting Period”), Executive will continue to provide such consultation and advice to the Company as the Company shall reasonably request in order to transition Executive’s job duties (the “Consulting Services”).  In consideration of the Consulting Services, the Company will pay Executive the sum of Twenty-Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three Dollars ($25,833.00), payable in two (2) equal semi-monthly installments and reported as miscellaneous income on a Form 1099-Misc.

 

2.                                      Separation Benefits.  If Executive signs, complies with and does not revoke this Agreement as provided by Section 9 below, the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and benefits (collectively, the “Separation Benefits”):

 

(a)                                 The Company will continue to pay Executive her Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date, minus applicable withholdings required by law or authorized by Executive, for a period of twelve (12) months. The first payment will be made on the first payroll period after the thirtieth (30th) day following the Termination Date and will include Base Salary for the period from the Termination Date through the payment date.  The remaining installments will be paid over time in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices for its employees.

 

(b)                                 During employment, Executive received five different grants of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, as detailed in Exhibit A (individually, a “Stock Option Grant,” and collectively, the “Stock Option Grants”).  Conditioned on Executive’s execution and non-revocation of this Agreement, effective as of the Termination Date, all of the unvested shares of the Stock Option Grants shall immediately vest and become exercisable.  Executive will have until the expire or cancel date of each Stock Option Grant, as detailed in Exhibit A, to exercise her unexercised vested Stock Options; thereafter, any unexercised Stock Options will be cancelled.

 

(c)                                  Conditioned on Executive’s eligibility for and timely election to continue her health insurance benefits under COBRA after the Termination Date, the Company will pay Executive’s applicable COBRA premiums for the lesser of twelve (12) months following the Termination Date or until Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent insurance benefits from another employer; provided, however, the Company has the right to terminate such payment of COBRA premium reimbursement to Executive and instead pay Executive a lump sum amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium multiplied by the number of months remaining in the specified period if the Company determines in its discretion that continued payment of the COBRA premiums is or may be discriminatory under Section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

(d)                                 Conditioned on Executive’s execution and non-revocation of this Agreement, the Company will waive the covenant not to compete contained in Section 8(b) of the Employment Agreement.  All of the remaining restrictive covenants contained in the Employment Agreement (the “Surviving Covenants”) shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms and compliance with them is a condition to receiving the Separation Benefits.

 

 

Executive will not be entitled to receive the Separation Benefits described above unless: (i) she signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company within twenty-one (21)  days after she receives it, and (ii) the Revocation Period described in Section 9 has expired without Executive’s revocation.

 

3.                                      Release of Claims.  In exchange for the Company’s providing Executive with the Separation Benefits described above, by signing this Agreement, Executive releases and forever discharges the Company, as well as its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, lessors, lessees, licensors and licensees, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators (collectively, the “Company Parties”), from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, direct or indirect, accrued, contingent or potential, which Executive ever had or now has, including but not limited to any claims arising out of or related to Executive’s employment with the Company and the termination thereof (except where and to the extent that such a release is expressly prohibited or made void by law).  This release includes, without limitation, Executive’s release of the Company and the Company Parties from any claims by Executive for lost wages or benefits, stock options, restricted stock, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, equitable relief or any other form of damages or relief.  In addition, this release is meant to release the Company and the Company Parties from all common law claims, including claims in contract or tort, including, without limitation, claims for breach of contract, wrongful or constructive discharge, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, misrepresentation, tortious interference with contract or prospective economic advantage, invasion of privacy, defamation, negligence or breach of any covenant of good faith and fair dealing.  Executive also specifically and forever releases the Company and the Company Parties (except where and to the extent that such a release is expressly prohibited or made void by law) from any and all claims under Texas and Maryland laws prohibiting discrimination, harassment and retaliation, including but not limited to Sections 14-18 of Article 49B of the Maryland Code; from any and all claims under all other applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination, harassment and retaliation; and any and all claims under federal law based on unlawful employment discrimination, harassment or retaliation, including, but not limited to, claims for violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information and Discrimination Act, and the Federal Age Discrimination In Employment Act (29 U.S.C.  § 621 et. seq.).

 

Executive acknowledges that this release applies both to known and unknown claims that may exist between Executive and the Company and the Company Parties.  Executive expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits that Executive may have under any state or federal statute or common law principle that would otherwise limit the effect of this Agreement to claims known or suspected prior to the date Executive execute this Agreement, and does so understanding and acknowledging the significance and consequences of such specific waiver.  In addition, Executive hereby expressly understands and acknowledges that it is possible that unknown losses or claims exist or that present losses may have been underestimated in amount or severity, and Executive explicitly took that into account in giving this release.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from filing a charge with, or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a comparable state or federal fair employment practices agency; provided, however, that this Agreement fully and finally resolves all monetary matters between Executive and the Company and the Company Parties, and by signing this

 

 

Agreement, Executive is waiving any right to monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and/or costs related to or arising from any such charge, complaint or lawsuit filed by Executive or on Executive’s behalf, individually or collectively.  In addition, nothing in this Agreement extinguishes any claims Executive may have against the Company for breach of this Agreement; releases or limits any rights the Executive may have to indemnification for third party claims under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, applicable law, or under any insurance policy providing directors’ and officers’ coverage for any lawsuit or claim relating to the period when the Executive was an officer or employee of the Company; or releases any claims arising from events that occur following the effective date of this Agreement.

 

4.                                      No Admissions. Executive understands, acknowledges and agrees that the release set out above in Section 3 is a final compromise of any potential claims by Executive against the Company and/or the Company Parties in connection with her employment by the Company, and is not an admission by the Company or the Company Parties that any such claims exist or that the Company or any of the Company Parties are liable for any such claims.  By signing this Agreement, Executive agrees and acknowledges that she has no cause to believe that any violation of any local, state or federal law has occurred with respect to her employment or termination of employment from the Company, including but not limited to any violation of any federal, state, municipal, foreign or international whistleblower or fraud law, statute or regulation.  In addition, Executive further agrees and acknowledges that she is not aware of, or has already disclosed, any conduct that would be unlawful under the False Claims Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, or any other compliance obligation.

 

5.                                      Confidentiality.  Executive hereby represents and agrees that she has not and will not (except as required by law) disclose information regarding the specific terms of this Agreement, to anyone except her immediate family, her attorney and accountant or financial advisor as reasonably necessary.  Executive also hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly waived by this Agreement, her post-employment duties and obligations under the Employment Agreement will remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms, and that a breach of the Surviving Covenants of the Employment Agreement will also constitute a breach of this present Agreement.  Provided, however, nothing in this Agreement (including the Employment Agreement) prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation.  Executive acknowledges that she does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and that she is not required to notify the Company that she has made such reports or disclosures.

 

6.                                      No Disparagement.  Executive agrees that she will not denigrate, defame, disparage or cast aspersions upon the Company, the Company Parties, their products, services, business and manner of doing business; provided, however, nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from providing truthful information and/or testimony in response to any court order or valid subpoena, or in connection with any investigation or proceeding conducted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other authorized state or federal agency.

 

 

7.                                      Relief and Enforcement.   If Executive is entitled to receive the Separation Benefits but materially violates any provisions of this Agreement, the Employment Agreement (except as modified hereby) or any other agreement entered into by Executive and the Company, in addition to all other rights and remedies, which are expressly reserved, the Company will notify Executive of such violation(s) and will be entitled to immediately stop paying any further installments of the Separation Benefits and recover any Separation Benefits already paid to Executive.  Said material violations of any provisions of this Agreement by Executive shall be determined by a court of law.  In addition, Executive understands and agrees that if she violates the terms of Sections 5 or 6 of this Agreement, or any of the Surviving Covenants, she will cause injury to the Company (and/or one or more of the Company Parties) that will be difficult to quantify or repair, so that the Company (and/or the Company Parties) will have no adequate remedy at law.  Accordingly, Executive agrees that if she violates Sections 5 or 6 of this Agreement, or the Surviving Covenants of the Employment Agreement, the Company (or the Company Parties) will be entitled as a matter of right to obtain an injunction from a court of law, restraining Executive from any further violation of this Agreement.  The right to an injunction is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies that the Company (or the Company Parties) has at law or in equity.

 

If Company alleges that Executive has materially violated any provisions of the Agreement and it is subsequently determined that a material violation DID NOT occur in the above referenced manner, Executive’s release under Section 3 of this Agreement will not prevent her from pursuing Company for any damages caused by the incorrect allegations.

 

8.                                      No Modifications; Governing Law; Entire Agreement.  This Agreement cannot be changed or terminated verbally, and no modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by both Parties.  The Parties agree that this Agreement is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.  This Agreement (inclusive of the Employment Agreement as modified by this Agreement) sets forth the entire and fully integrated understanding between the Parties, and there are no representations, warranties, covenants or understandings, oral or otherwise, that are not expressly set out herein.

 

9.                                      Right to Revoke.  ONCE SIGNED BY EXECUTIVE, THIS AGREEMENT IS REVOCABLE IN WRITING FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN (7) DAYS (THE “REVOCATION PERIOD”).  IN ORDER TO REVOKE EXECUTIVE’S ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, EXECUTIVE MUST DELIVER WRITTEN NOTICE TO PETER GREENLEAF, AND SUCH WRITTEN NOTICE MUST ACTUALLY BE RECEIVED WITHIN THE SEVEN (7) DAY REVOCATION PERIOD.

 

10.                               Voluntary Execution.  By signing below, Executive acknowledges that she has read this Agreement, that she understands its contents and that she has relied upon or had the opportunity to seek the legal advice of an attorney of her own choosing.

 

11.                               Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                 Should any portion, term or provision of this Agreement be declared or determined by any arbitrator or court to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining portions, terms and provisions shall not be affected thereby, and the illegal, invalid or unenforceable portion, term or provision shall be deemed not to be part of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 The Parties agree that the failure of a party at any time to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect, diminish, obviate or void in any way the Party’s full right or ability to require performance of the same or any other provision of this Agreement at any time thereafter.

 

 

(c)                                  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon Executive, her heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns, and upon the successors and assigns of the Company.

 

(d)                                 The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are for convenience only and are not binding on any interpretation of this Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts.

 

(e)                                  Counterparts may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile or electronic mail.  The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures shall have the same force and effect as manually signed originals and shall be binding on the parties to the same extent as a manually signed original thereof.

 

EXECUTIVE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN GIVEN A PERIOD OF AT LEAST TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT CHANGES TO THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER MATERIAL OR IMMATERIAL, WILL NOT RESTART THE RUNNING OF THE TWENTY-ONE (21) DAY PERIOD.  EXECUTIVE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE IS HEREBY ADVISED BY THE COMPANY IN WRITING TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.

 

	
 
    	
CERECOR INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Peter Greenleaf
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Peter Greenleaf
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
DATE:
    	
7/13/18
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EXECUTIVE:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/ Mariam Morris
    	
(SEAL)
    
	
 
    	
Mariam Morris
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
DATE:
    	
7/13/18
    
					

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

	
Grant Name
    	
 
    	
Grant Price
    	
 
    	
Options Granted
    	
 
    	
Options Exercised
    	
 
    	
Options Cancelled
    	
 
    	
Options Outstanding
    	
 
    	
Options Exercisable
    	
 
    	
Expire / Cancel Date
    	
 
    
	
10/20/2015 NQ 2015 Omnibus Plan 6.49
    	
 
    	
$
    	
6.49   USD
    	
 
    	
102,900
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
102,900
    	
 
    	
68,600
    	
 
    	
19-Oct-2025
    	
 
    
	
02/24/2016 NQ 2015 Omnibus   Plan 3.01
    	
 
    	
$
    	
3.01   USD
    	
 
    	
10,100
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
10,100
    	
 
    	
5,892
    	
 
    	
23-Feb-2026
    	
 
    
	
08/17/12016 NQ 2016 Incentive Plan 3.77
    	
 
    	
$
    	
3.77   USD
    	
 
    	
32,500
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
32,500
    	
 
    	
14,896
    	
 
    	
16-Aug-2026
    	
 
    
	
01/26/2017 NQ 2016 Incentive Plan 0.87
    	
 
    	
$
    	
0.87   USD
    	
 
    	
25,000
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
25,000
    	
 
    	
16,667
    	
 
    	
25-Jan-2027
    	
 
    
	
1/22/2018 NQ 2016 Incentive Plan 3.21
    	
 
    	
$
    	
3.21   USD
    	
 
    	
100,000
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
100,000
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
21-Jan-2028
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
270,500
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    	
270,500
    	
 
    	
106,055Exhibit 10.3

 

	

    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    	
400 East Pratt Street
    
	
 
    	
Suite 606
    
	
 
    	
Baltimore, MD 21202
    

 

July 16, 2018

 

Dr. Pericles Calias

pcalias@comcast.net

 

Dear Perry:

 

On behalf of Cerecor Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), we are pleased to formalize for you (“you” or the “Employee”) the terms of your employment with the Company as set forth in this agreement (the “Agreement”).

 

1.                                       In General. You will be employed by the Company, and your employment hereunder shall be governed in accordance with the provisions set forth below.  The Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed, except by mutual agreement between you and the Company which must be documented in writing and signed by both parties.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, without the need for further agreement or consent by either you or the Company.  The failure of either party to enforce any of the provisions in this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of the right of that party to enforce any such provision.

 

2.                                       Position. Effective July 16, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), you will serve as the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, based in the Company’s headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. You will report to the Company’s CEO.  During the Employment Term, you shall devote all your business time, energy and skill and your best efforts to the performance of your duties with the Company.

 

3.                                       Term.  This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of your employment that shall apply commencing on the Effective Date and ending upon termination of this Agreement by either party as described in Section 7 hereof (such period, the “Employment Term”).

 

4.                                       Base Salary. The Company agrees to pay you a base salary compensation at an annual rate of not less than Two Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars (US $260,000), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company. The base salary as increased from time to time shall constitute the “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.  The Base Salary shall be subject to annual review beginning in 2019 and may be increased, but not decreased, from time to time; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee’s Base Salary may be decreased in conjunction with a reduction in base salary affecting all similarly-situated employees so long as the Employee will not experience a proportional decrease greater than that of any other similarly-situated employee.

 

 

5.                                       Bonus Compensation.

 

a)                                     Stock Option Grant. As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, and subject to the approval of the Board and compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules, you will receive an option for the purchase of eighty thousand (80,000) shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock (the “Option”).  The Option will be granted pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Cerecor Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and a stock option agreement as approved by the Board.  The Option shares will vest over four (4) years, with a twelve-month cliff, such that the first 25% of such profits interest will vest on the first anniversary following the Effective Date, and the remainder will vest in equal monthly installments, provided that you remain an employee of the Company as of each such vesting date.

 

b)                                     Additional Grants.  During the Employment Term, you will also be eligible to receive additional discretionary annual equity awards determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, provided you are employed on the date such award. Such awards may consist of restricted stock or options to acquire shares of Cerecor common stock, pursuant to the terms, conditions, and restrictions of this Agreement, the Plan or other future similar plan and the form of award agreement thereunder.

 

c)                                      Annual Bonus. During the Employment Term, you shall be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus of up to forty percent (40%) of your Base Salary (pro-rated in 2018) as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, provided you are employed on the date such annual bonus is paid. Such bonus may consist of cash and/or grants of additional equity awards in the Company, and is intended to be substantially consistent with cash bonuses and equity award bonuses paid to executives of similar grade in similarly situated companies in the biotechnology industry, subject to the results of operations and financial condition of the Company and your level of individual performance.

 

6.                                       Employee Benefits. You shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plan that the Company has adopted or may adopt, maintain or contribute to for the benefit of its employees generally, subject to satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time, provided that such modification or termination is conducted in compliance with applicable law and applied consistently to all similarly-situated employees.  You will be eligible for all paid holiday time observed by the Company.  In addition, you will be provided twenty (20) days of paid vacation per year.  Vacation days will accrue and may be used in accordance with the Company’s written policies.  Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, you shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, for all reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of your duties hereunder.

 

 

7.                                       Termination of Employment.

 

a)                                     Death or Disability. Your employment shall immediately terminate on the date of your death or upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice by the Company for “Disability” (as defined in the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time or, if no such plan is in effect, as defined under Code Section 409A (as defined in Section 19 below)); provided, however, nothing herein shall give the Company the right to terminate you prior to discharging its obligations, if any, under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act or any other applicable law.  Upon your termination due to death or Disability, you (or your estate or legal representative, if applicable) shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits: (i) any unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses under the Company’s expense reimbursement policy incurred through the date of termination and any accrued but unused vacation time in accordance with Company policy, payable within thirty (30) days following such termination of employment, (ii) all other vested payments, benefits or fringe benefits to which you shall be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or fringe benefit plan or program or grant (collectively, the benefits described in Sections 7(a)(i) and 7(a)(ii) hereof shall be hereafter referred to as the “Accrued Benefits”), and (iii) continued payment of your Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to your termination for six (6) consecutive months following such termination.

 

b)                                     For Cause. Your employment with the Company shall terminate immediately upon written notice by the Company for Cause. “Cause” shall mean: (i) your willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of your duties to the Company that, if capable of cure, is not cured within thirty (30) days of your receipt of written notice from the Company; (ii) your failure to perform your duties to the Company or to follow the lawful directives of the Board acting collectively (other than as a result of death or a physical or mental incapacity) that, if capable of cure, is not cured within thirty (30) days of your receipt of written notice from the Company; (iii) your indictment for, conviction of, or pleading of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; (iv) any act of theft, fraud, malfeasance or dishonesty in connection with the performance of your duties to the Company; or (v) a material breach of this Agreement or any other agreement with the Company, or a material violation of the Company’s code of conduct or other written policy that, if capable of cure, is not cured within thirty (30) days of your receipt of written notice from the Company.  Upon a termination for Cause, the Company shall pay to you only the Accrued Benefits.

 

c)                                      Without Cause. Your employment may be terminated by the Company without Cause (other than for death or Disability) immediately upon written notice by the Company. Upon a termination without Cause, subject to your compliance with the obligations in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof, the Company shall pay to you the following payments and benefits: (i) the Accrued Benefits; (ii) continued payment of your Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to your termination for twelve (12) consecutive months following such termination; (iii) your prorated annual bonus earned in the year in which the termination occurs, payable when such annual bonuses are paid to other executive employees of the Company; (iv) full vesting of  options awarded by the Company; and (v) if you timely elect and remain eligible for continued health insurance coverage under federal COBRA law or, if applicable, state insurance laws, the Company will pay your COBRA or state continuation health insurance premiums until the earliest of (x) the first anniversary of your termination; (y) expiration of your continuation coverage under COBRA; or (z) the date when you are eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance; provided, that the first payment pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iv) shall be made on the first payroll period after the sixtieth (60th) day following such termination and shall include payment of any amounts that would otherwise be due prior thereto.  Provided, however, the Company has the right to terminate its payment pursuant to clause (iv) and instead pay you a lump sum amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium multiplied by the number of months remaining in the specified period if the Company determines in its discretion that continued payment of the COBRA premiums is or may be discriminatory under Section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.  In the event of your termination by the Company without Cause (other than for Death or Disability) within 6 months of a Change in Control, as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, the payments pursuant to clauses (i)-(iii) shall be made promptly after its closing or your termination, whichever is later.

 

 

d)                                     By Employee; For Good Reason. Your employment shall terminate upon your written notice to the Company of a termination for any reason. “Good Reason” shall mean, without your written consent, (i) a material diminution in your duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated), or (ii) a material breach of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a diminution of your Base Salary hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any reasonable actions taken by the Company to accommodate a disability of Employee or pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act shall not constitute Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.  You shall provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, and the Company shall have thirty (30) days following the receipt of such notice to cure such alleged “Good Reason” event. If the Company does not cure such event within the cure period, you must terminate your employment within ten (10) days following the end of such cure period, and if you do not do so, any claim of such circumstances as “Good Reason” will be deemed irrevocably waived by you. Upon a termination for Good Reason, you shall be entitled to the payments and benefits described in Section 7(c) above, and you will not be bound by Section 9(b) hereof.  Upon a termination by you other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to you only the Accrued Benefits.

 

8.                                       Release. Any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement beyond the Accrued Benefits shall only be payable if you execute and deliver to the Company and do not revoke a general release of claims that may otherwise lie against the Company and its related parties in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “General Release”). The General Release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following termination. The Company shall deliver to you such General Release within seven (7) days after termination.

 

9.                                       Restrictive Covenants.

 

a)                                     Confidentiality. You agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, either during your employment or at any time thereafter, any business and technical information or trade secrets, nonpublic, proprietary or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company, any of its subsidiaries, which shall have been obtained by you during your employment by the Company (or any predecessor). The foregoing shall not apply to information that (A) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to you or (B) you are required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that you provide the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperate with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain strictly confidential, and you hereby agree not to disclose the terms and conditions hereof to any person or entity, other than immediate family members, legal advisors or personal tax or financial advisors, or prospective future employers solely for the purpose of disclosing the limitations on your conduct imposed by the provisions of this Section 9.  Provided, however, nothing in this Agreement prohibits you from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation.  You hereby acknowledge that you do not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and that you are not required to notify the Company that you have made such reports or disclosures.

 

 

b)                                     Non-Compete. You acknowledge that you perform services of a unique nature for the Company that are irreplaceable, and that your performance of such services to a competing business may result in irreparable harm to the Company. Accordingly, during the your employment hereunder and for a period of six (6) months thereafter, you agree that you will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by or render services to (whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, and whether or not for compensation) any person, firm, corporation or other entity engaged in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or in any other material business in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is engaged on the date of termination or in which they have planned, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date, in any locale of any country in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit you from being a passive owner of not more than five percent (5%) of the equity securities of a publicly traded corporation engaged in a business that is in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

c)                                      Non-Solicitation; Non-Interference. (i) During your employment with the Company and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, you agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, solicit, aid or induce any customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company or any of its subsidiaries from another person, firm, corporation or other entity or assist or aid any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer.

 

(ii)                                     During your employment with the Company and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, you agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity, (A) solicit, aid or induce any employee, representative or agent of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave such employment or retention or to accept employment with or render services to or with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity unaffiliated with the Company or directly hire or retain any such employee, representative or agent, or take any action to materially assist or aid any other person, firm, corporation or other entity in identifying, hiring or soliciting any such employee, representative or agent, or (B) interfere, or aid or induce any other person or entity in interfering, with the relationship between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any of their respective vendors, joint ventures or licensors. An employee, representative or agent shall be deemed covered by this Section 9(c) if such person was employed or retained during anytime within six (6) months prior to, or after, your termination of employment.

 

d)                                     Non-Disparagement. You agree not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company (including its subsidiaries) or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation. The Company agrees to cause its senior executive management employees and the senior executive management employees of its subsidiaries not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage you, in any manner likely to be harmful to you or your business, business reputation or personal reputation.  The foregoing sentences shall not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings).

 

 

e)                                      Inventions. (i) You acknowledge and agree that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products or developments (“Inventions”), whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that relate to your work with the Company, made or conceived by you, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that you perform in connection with the Company, either while performing your duties with the Company or on your own time, but only insofar as the Inventions are related to you work as an employee or other service provider to the Company, shall belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent applications are filed thereon. You will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and you will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company’s request. You will assign to the Company the Inventions and all patents that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in your name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). You will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all right full oaths, and perform all acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company with respect to the Inventions. You will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications, and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for its benefit.  The Company will reimburse you for any reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by you as a result of the Company’s request(s) in complying with this Section 9(f)(i), including travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by you, but without additional compensation to you from the Company.

 

(ii)                                     In addition, the Inventions will be deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Company and you agree that the Company will be the sole owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to you. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, you hereby irrevocably convey, transfer and assign to the Company all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of your right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, you hereby waive any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. You hereby waive any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to your benefit by virtue of you being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.

 

(f)                                   Return of Company Property. On the date of your termination of employment with the Company for any reason (or at any time prior thereto at the Company’s request), you shall return all property belonging to the Company or its subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, any Company-provided laptops, computers, cell phones, wireless electronic mail devices or other equipment, or documents and property belonging to the Company).

 

 

(g)                                   Reformation. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 9 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.

 

(h)                                  Tolling. In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 9 you acknowledge and agree that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 9 shall be extended by a period equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.

 

(i)                                      Survival of Provisions. The obligations contained in Sections 8, 9 and 10 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Term and your employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.

 

10.                                Cooperation. Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including outside counsel), you agree that while employed by the Company and thereafter, you will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which you have knowledge as a result of your employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its subsidiaries and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its subsidiaries in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its subsidiaries, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of your employment with the Company. You agree to promptly inform the Company if you become aware of any lawsuits involving such claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries. You also agree to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that you are legally permitted to do so) if you are asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its subsidiaries (or their actions), regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and shall not do so unless legally required. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company shall pay or reimburse you for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by you in complying with this Section 10.

 

11.                                Equitable Relief and Other Remedies. You acknowledge and agree that the Company’s remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 8, 9 or 10 hereof would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, you agree that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available. In the event a violation by you of Section 9 or Section 10 hereof is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state, any severance being paid to you pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise shall immediately cease, and any severance previously paid to you (other than $1,000) shall be immediately repaid to the Company.

 

12.                                No Assignments. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this Section 12 no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto.  The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

 

13.                                Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

 

14.                                Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

15.                                Governing Law; Disputes. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to the choice of law principles thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. You and the Company agree that any action or proceeding to enforce or arising out of this Agreement may be commenced in the state appellate courts of Baltimore County, Maryland or the United States District Court located in Baltimore, Maryland. You and the Company consent to such jurisdiction, agree that venue will be proper in such courts and waive any objections upon “forum non conveniens.”

 

16.                                Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by you and such officer or director as may be designated by the Board acting collectively. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between you and the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the subject matter hereof.  No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

17.                                Representations. You represent and warrant to the Company that (a) you have the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on your part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms, and (b) you are not a party to any agreement or understanding, written or oral, and is not subject to any restriction, which, in either case, could prevent you from entering into this Agreement or performing all of your duties and obligations hereunder.

 

18.                               Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any and all amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

19.                               Code Section 409A.

 

(a)                                 The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from, Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on you by Code Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

 

(b)                                 A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment that are considered ‘‘non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a ‘termination,” ‘termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.” If you are deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment that is considered non-qualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” such payment or benefit shall be made or provided at the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of your “separation from service”, and (B) the date of your death (the “Delay_ Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 19 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to you in a lump sum and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

 

(c)                                  With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, provided that the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Internal Revenue Code Section 95(b) solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of your taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense occurred.

 

(d)                                   For purposes of Code Section 409A, your right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  In no event may you, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement that is considered non-qualified deferred compensation.

 

To indicate your acceptance of the Company’s offer, please sign and date this letter in the space provided below and return it to Teresa Winhauer via email to twinhauer@cerecor.com.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

 

Sincerely,

 

	
CERECOR, INC.
    
	
 
    
	
/s/ Peter Greenleaf
    	
 
    
	
Peter Greenleaf
    	
 
    
	
Chief Executive Officer
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Pericles Calias, Ph.D.
    	
 
    
	
Pericles Calias, Ph.D.

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