Document:

EX-10.9

 Exhibit 10.9 
  

 
 August 9, 2018 
 Julie
B. Feder 
 85 Somerset Rd. 
 Brookline, MA 02445 

 

	Re:	 Offer of Employment 

Dear Julie: 
 Following up on our discussions, the following
represents our offer regarding your employment by Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) as an “at will” employee. 
 Your title and
position will be Chief Financial Officer and you will report to Elisabet de los Pinos, President and Chief Executive Officer or her designee. The scope of your responsibilities will be those customarily associated with the position of Chief
Financial Officer. The basic terms of your employment are as follows: 
  

	 	1.	 Salary and Expenses: Your compensation will be a salary of Three Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars
($325,000.00) per annum (the “Salary”), which will be paid bi-weekly or in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices in effect from time to time (subject to proration in the Initial
Period as provided in Section 9 below). In accordance with Company policies and procedures, you will be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by you on behalf of the Company. Pre-approval of expenditures above Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) is required. 

  

	 	2.	 Annual Bonus: You will be eligible to receive an annual bonus targeted at 35% of your Base Salary based
on the performance of the Company (the “Bonus”). The amount of the Bonus, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. You must be employed on the date that the Bonus is paid in order to be eligible to receive the Bonus.

  

	 	3.	 Equity: You will be eligible to be granted, subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of
Directors, options to purchase One Million Two Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Twelve (1,228,312) shares of the Company’s common stock at the then fair market value, as determined by the Board of Directors. Any such grant will be
subject to the Company’s 2009 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan and the Company’s form of stock option agreement, and will vest (subject to your continuous employment with the Company on each vesting date) as to one-fourth of the options on the first anniversary of your start date and in equal monthly installments thereafter until the fourth anniversary of your start date. 

 August 9, 2018 

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 Your options will vest in full upon the occurrence of a “Sale Event,” which means
the consummation of (i) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity (a “Person”), (iii) a merger,
reorganization or consolidation involving the Company in which the shares of the Company’s voting equity outstanding immediately prior to such transaction represent or are converted into or exchanged for securities of the surviving or resulting
entity immediately upon completion of such transaction which represent less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting power of such surviving or resulting entity, (iv) the acquisition of all or a majority of the outstanding voting
equity of the Company in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a Person or a group of Persons, or (v) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board; provided, however, that the
Company’s initial public offering, any subsequent public offering or another capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change the Company’s domicile shall not constitute a Sale Event. 

 

	 	4.	 Benefits: As a full-time employee, you will be entitled to health and dental insurance benefits
currently available (healthcare, dental and vision) for which you are eligible, and you may elect to cover your spouse and dependents. During 2018 there is no employee contribution to premiums, but this is subject to change. We also offer a 401(k)
retirement plan for which you will be eligible to participate, and the Company currently matches up to 6%. Further, you will be entitled to three (3) weeks of paid vacation, pro-rated on an annual basis.

  

	 	5.	 Termination: Employees of the Company are employed “at will.” This means that you may
terminate your employment with the Company at any time and for any reason or no reason, upon five (5) days’ prior written notice to the Company. Likewise, the Company reserves the right to terminate your employment at any-time and for any reason or no reason, upon five (5) days’ prior written notice to you; provided, however, that in the event of a termination for cause, no prior notice (written or otherwise) will be
required. In the event of the termination of this Agreement by either you or the Company for any reason or no reason, your Salary- under Section 1 (and the vesting of any stock options under Section 3) shall immediately cease and this
Agreement and the stock option agreement shall terminate; however, the Confidential Information, Non-Solicitation and Invention Assignment Agreement (attached hereto as Exhibit A) shall survive and
remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. 

  

	 	6.	 Status: The Immigration Reform and Control Act require employers to verify the employment eligibility
and identity of new employees. You will need to complete the I-9 Form and bring it, together with the appropriate documents, with you when you report for work. We will not be able to employ you if you cannot
comply with this requirement. 

  

	 	7.	 Job location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, with travel as required. 

 

	 	8.	 References: The Company has the right to rescind this offer pending satisfactory results, in its sole
discretion, of background and reference checks. 

 August 9, 2018 

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	 	9.	 Start date and Assurances: On or about August 13, 2018 or as otherwise mutually agreed (the
“Start Date”). You represent that (i) you are not a party to any agreement that would prohibit you from entering into employment with the Company; and (ii) you have brought to the Company’s attention and provided it with a
copy of any agreement that may impact your future employment with the Company or performing the services contemplated, including but not limited to any nondisclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or invention assignment agreements containing future work restrictions. You represent that prior to the Start Date you will not take any actions on behalf of the Company or engage in any discussions
or communications on behalf of the Company, including, without limitation, with any prospective Company employees or other service providers. 

From the Start Date until October 2, 2018 (the “Initial Period”), you will work two (2) days per week and will receive a
prorated amount of the Salary. Beginning on October 3, 2018, you will work full time and will receive the full amount of your Salary. 
  

	 	10.	 Non-disparagement. You agree that you will not, whether during
your employment or thereafter, directly or indirectly, make or ratify any statement. public or private, oral or written, to any person that disparages, either professionally or personally, the Company or any of its affiliates, past and present, and
each of them, as well as its and their trustees, directors, officers, members, managers, partners, agents, attorneys, insurers, employees, stockholders, representatives, assigns, and successors, past and present, and each of them.

  

	 	11.	 Severance. In the event that the Company terminates your employment without Cause, and not due to your
death or Disability, and provided you execute a general release of claims (the “Release”) in favor of the Company on or before the sixtieth (60th) day following your last date of
employment, the Company will (i) continue to pay you your annual base salary for the Severance Period, and (ii) provided you have properly elected to continue your healthcare coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) the Company will continue to pay your healthcare coverage premiums on the same premium-sharing basis for the Severance Period, or, if earlier, until you are no longer eligible to continue your coverage
pursuant to COBRA. The base salary continuation shall be paid pursuant to the Company’s regular payroll schedule beginning on the first practicable payroll date that follows the date the Release is effective. The healthcare coverage premiums
may be taxable and subject to imputed income treatment and will either be paid on your behalf to the insurer or by reimbursement to you (at the Company’s election). 

The capitalized terms used in this Section 11 (unless otherwise defined therein) shall have the following meanings: 

 August 9, 2018 

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 “Cause” means that you have: (i) violated your fiduciary duty to the
Company or committed any other act involving material dishonesty or fraud with respect to the Company; (ii) been indicted for or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony involving violence, conversion, theft or misappropriation of
property of another, controlled substances, moral turpitude, or the regulatory good standing of the Company; (iii) engaged in grossly negligent or willful misconduct that the Company determines to be materially injurious to the Company;
(iv) violated any Company policy or breached any material provision of any agreement between you and the Company; or (v) failed or refused to perform your material duties or failed or refused to follow a lawful directive from the CEO or
the Board of Directors. 
 “Disability” means a physical or mental illness, impairment, or condition determined by the
Company, in its sole discretion, that prevents or may prevent you from performing your duties to the Company, with our without a reasonable accommodation, for a period of 90 consecutive dates, or 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any 12
month period. 
 “Severance Period” means nine (9) months. 

 

	 	12.	 At-Will Employment. Subject to Paragraph 11, your employment
with the Company is “at-will.” This means that you and the Company each have the right to terminate your employment at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. This letter is not to be
construed or interpreted as containing any guarantee of continued employment or employment for any definite period of time. Accordingly, the recitation of certain time periods in this letter is solely for the purpose of defining your compensation
and benefits. This letter also is not to be construed or interpreted as containing any guarantee of any particular level or nature of compensation or benefits, and the level or nature of compensation or benefits may be terminated or modified by the
Company at any time without or without notice. 

 Subject to your timely acceptance of this offer and reference checks, this offer is
binding. You have been provided the additional employment documents (Confidential Information, Non-Solicitation and Invention Assignment Agreement) for your review and execution. Your employment is not
effective until all of the agreements are signed and returned to the Company. We very much hope to work with you to build an exciting company together. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. 

The Signature Page Follows. 

 August 9, 2018 

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	Very truly yours,
	
	AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Elisabet de los Pinos

	Elisabet de los Pinos, Ph.D., President and CEO
	Hereunto Duly Authorized

  

					
	AGREED AND ACCEPTED:	  		  	Date Accepted: August 10, 2018
			
	 /s/ Julie B. Feder
	  		  	  

	Julie B. Feder	  		  	Social Security No.

  

 AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. 

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, NON-SOLICITATION 

AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT 

As a condition of, and in consideration of, my employment by Aura Biosciences. Inc. (“Aura”), and my receipt of the compensation now
and hereafter paid to me by Aura, I agree to the following: 
 1. Confidential Information. 

(a) Aura and Third Party Information. I agree at all times during the term of my employment and thereafter, to hold in strict
confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of Aura, or to disclose to any person, firm or corporation without written authorization of an officer of Aura, any Confidential Information. I understand that “Confidential Information”
means any research conducted by me either alone or with others in connection with or related to my employment by Aura, and all results and data generated in connection therewith, and any confidential or proprietary information, technical data, trade
secrets or know-how of Aura, including, but not limited to, research and product plans, products, services, customer lists and customers, markets, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology,
marketing, finances or other business information disclosed to me by Aura, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally (and reasonably understood not to be Confidential Information) or otherwise. I recognize that Aura has received and in the
future will receive from third parties confidential or proprietary information of such third parties subject to a duty on Aura’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use such information only for certain limited
purposes, and I understand that such information is also Confidential Information. I further understand that Confidential Information does not include any of the foregoing information or items that has become publicly known and made generally
available through no wrongful act of mine or of others who were under confidentiality obligations to Aura as to the information or items involved. 

(b) Former Employer Information. I agree that I will not, during my employment with Aura, improperly use or disclose any
proprietary information or trade secrets of any former or concurrent employer or other person or entity and that 1 will not bring onto the premises of Aura, any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer, person
or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity. 
 2. Inventions and Publication Reports.

 (a) Prior Inventions. I represent that there are no inventions, original works of authorship, developments, improvements,
and trade secrets that were made by me prior to my employment with Aura (collectively referred to as “Prior Inventions”) that belong to me, that relate to Aura’s business, products or research and development. If, in the course of my
employment with Aura, I incorporate into an Aura product, process or machine a Prior Invention owned by me or in which I have an interest, Aura is hereby granted and will have a non-exclusive, royalty free,
irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to make, have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product, process or machine. 

  
 1 

 I further agree that with respect to all Inventions or other matters that may arise in
connection with or related to my employment that may result in publishable material, with or without consideration, all such publications rights shall belong exclusively to Aura. When and if such materials and items are published by the Company, the
Company agrees to note my involvement and development of such materials and items. 
 (b) Assignment of Inventions. I agree
that I will promptly make full written disclosure to Aura, and will hold in trust for the sole right and benefit of Aura, and hereby assign to Aura, or Aura’s designee, all my rights, title, and interest in and to any and all inventions,
original works of authorship, developments, concepts, improvements or trade secrets, whether or not patentable or registrable under patent, copyright or similar laws, that I may solely or jointly make, develop, conceive or reduce to practice, or
cause to be made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice, in connection with or related to the period of time I am in the employ of Aura (collectively referred to as “Inventions”). I further acknowledge that all original works of
authorship that are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of and during the period of my employment with Aura and that are protectable by copyright are “works made for hire,” as that term is defined in the United
States Copyright Act. 
 (c) Maintenance of Records. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all
Inventions made, developed, conceived or reduced to practice by me (solely or jointly with others) during the term of my employment with Aura. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, and any other format that may be specified
by Aura. The records will be available to and remain the sole property of Aura at all times. 
 (d) Patent and Copyright
Registrations. I agree to assist Aura, or Aura’s designee, at Aura’s expense, in every way to secure Aura’s rights in the Inventions and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating
thereto in any and all countries, including disclosing to Aura all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, and executing all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all other instruments that Aura shall deem necessary in
order to apply for and obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to Aura. Aura’s successors, assigns, and nominees the sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and any copyrights, patents, mask work
rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto. I further agree that my obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in my power to do so, any such instrument or papers will continue after the termination of this
Agreement. If Aura is unable, after ten (10) days prior written notice to me, because of my mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason to secure my signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States of
America or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Inventions or original works of authorship assigned to Aura as above, then I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint Aura and Aura’s duly authorized officers and agents as my agent
and attorney in fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent or copyright registrations thereon with the
same legal force and effect as if executed by me. 

  
 2 

 3. Non-Competition. I agree
that, during the term of my employment with Aura. I will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity related to the business in which Aura is now involved or becomes involved during the term of my
employment, nor will I engage in any other activities that conflict with my obligation to Aura. I agree that, at the time of leaving the employ of Aura, I will deliver to Aura, any and all documents or property, or reproductions of any such
documents or property, developed by me pursuant to my employment with Aura or otherwise belonging to Aura, its successors or assigns. 

4. Representations. I agree to execute any proper oath or verify any proper document requested by Aura to carry out the
terms of this Agreement. I represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment with Aura. I have
not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict with the terms of this Agreement. I further represent that entering into this Agreement will not violate any policies or procedures of any academic
institution or corporation (public or private) with which I am or was involved or associated with and that I have received all of the necessary written permissions, if any, to enter into this Agreement and I will not, at any time during the term of
this Agreement, bring any resources belonging to any corporation, company, institution (public, private, profit or non-profit), including, but not limited to funds, utilities, facilities, computers,
laboratories or supplies or otherwise engage the services or employ any individuals not previously approved by Aura. 
 5. Arbitration
and Equitable Relief. 
 (a) Arbitration. Except as provided in Section 5(b) below, I agree that any dispute or
controversy arising out of or relating to any interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, will be settled by arbitration to be held in Boston, MA in accordance with the rules then in effect of the American Arbitration
Association. The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator will be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Aura and I will each pay one-half of the costs and expenses of such arbitration, and each of us will separately pay our counsel and witness fees and expenses. 

(b) Equitable Remedies. I agree that it would be impossible or inadequate to measure and calculate Aura’s damages from any
breach of the covenants set forth in Sections 1, 2 and 3 herein. Accordingly, I agree that if I breach my obligations under any of such sections, Aura will have, in addition to any other right or remedy available, the right to seek an injunction
from a court of competent jurisdiction restraining such breach or threatened breach and to specific performance of any such provision of this Agreement. I further agree that no bond or other security will be required in obtaining such equitable
relief. 
 6. Non-Solicitation. 

During the term of my employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following the expiration or termination of my employment for
whatever reason or no reason (the “Non-Solicitation Period”), I will not: 

(a) Solicit or request any employee of or consultant or advisor to Aura to leave the employ of or cease consulting or
advising Aura; 

  
 3 

 (b) Solicit or request any employee of or consultant or advisor to
Aura to join the employ of, or begin consulting or advising for, any individual or entity that researches, develops, markets or sells products that compete with those of Aura; 

(c) Solicit or request any individual or entity that researches, develops, markets or sells products that compete with
those of Aura, to employ or retain as a consultant or advisor any employee, consultant or advisor of Aura; or 
 (d)
Induce or attempt to induce any customer, investor, strategic partner, supplier or vendor of Aura to terminate or breach any written or oral agreement or understanding with Aura. 

7. General Provisions. 

(a) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without reference to
conflicts of laws principles. 
 (b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the attached Offer of Employment Letter and Incentive
Stock Option Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between Aura and me relating to the subject matter hereof and merges all prior discussions between us. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, the Offer of
Employment Letter and Incentive Stock Option Agreement or any waiver of any rights under these Agreements, will be effective unless in writing signed by the party to be charged. Any subsequent change or changes in my duties, salary or compensation
will not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement. 
 (c) Severability. If one or more of the provisions in this
Agreement are deemed void by law, then the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. 
 (d) Successors and
Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives and will be for the benefit of Aura, its successors and its assigns. 

The Next Page is the Signature Page 

  
 4 

							
	Dated: August 10,2018	 		 		 	 /s/ Julie B. Feder

		 		 		 	Julie B. Feder
				
		 		 		 	Address:  85 Somerset Rd.
		 		 		 	         Brookline, MA 02445

				
		 		 		 	Social Security
Number:                                        
        

  

			
	AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Elisabet de los Pinos

	Elisabet de los Pinos, Ph.D., President and CEO
	Hereunto Duly Authorized

  
 5EX-10.10

 Exhibit 10.10 

 
 

 
 85 Bolton Street 
 Cambridge,
MA02140 
 617.500.8864 
 www.aurabiosciences.com 

October 6, 2017 
 Dr. Cadmus Rich 

Dear Dr. Rich: 
 We are pleased to confirm
the following terms in connection with your employment with Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”). 
  

	1.	 Position and Reporting. Your position with the Company will be Senior Vice President and Chief Medical
Officer. You will report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, or any such other person designated by the Company. 

  

	2.	 Duties. You will be responsible for such duties and responsibilities associated with your position of
Chief Medical Officer, and any other areas of responsibility as determined or assigned to you by the Company from time to time. 

  

	3.	 Compensation. You will be entitled to an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) at
the rate of $335,000 which Base Salary shall accrue day to day, be subject to required holdings and paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices in effect from time to time. 

 

	4.	 Annual Bonus. You will be eligible to receive an annual bonus targeted at 35% of your Base Salary based
on the performance of the Company (the “Bonus”). The amount of the Bonus, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. You must be employed on the date that the Bonus is paid in order to be eligible to receive the Bonus.

  

	5.	 Options. As soon as practicable following the Start Date (as defined below), the Company will recommend
to the Company’s Board of Directors to grant to you an option (the “Option”) to purchase 400,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Option and
Restricted Stock Plan (the “Plan”). The Option will be initially unvested and shall vest as follows, subject to your continuous employment with the Company on each vesting date (i) 25% of the Option will vest on the first
anniversary of the Start Date, and (ii) the remaining 75% of the Option will vest in substantially equal monthly installments (rounded down) thereafter such that 100% of the Option is vested on the fourth anniversary of the Start Date. The
Option will be subject to and governed by the Plan and the Company’s standard form of option agreement. 

  

	6.	 Employee Benefits. You will be eligible to participate in the various health and welfare plans
maintained by the Company (the “Benefit Plans”) and other employee benefit programs, including paid time off (or “PTO”), as generally are offered to similarly situated employees from time to time, and
subject to applicable Company policies and the terms of such Benefit Plans. 

	7.	 Start Date and Assurances. Your employment with the Company shall begin on or about October 23,
2017 (or such other date on which you actually commence employment with the Company) (the “Start Date”). You represent that (i) you are not a party to any agreement that would prohibit you from entering into employment with the
Company; (ii) no trade secret or proprietary information belonging to your previous employer will be disclosed by you at the Company and that no such information, whether in the form of documents (electronic or otherwise), memoranda, software,
etc., will be retained by you or brought with you to the Company; and (iii) you have brought to the Company’s attention and provided it with a copy of any agreement that may impact your future employment with the Company or performing the
services contemplated, including but not limited to any non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or invention assignment
agreements containing future work restrictions. You represent that prior to the Start Date you will not take any actions on behalf of the Company or engage in any discussions or communications on behalf of the Company, including, without limitation,
with any prospective Company employees or other service providers. 

  

	8.	 Employment Verification. Pursuant to federal law, this offer of employment is conditioned on your
ability to provide satisfactory proof of your eligibility to work in the United States within three days of your first day of work. 

  

	9.	 Company NDA. As a condition of your employment with the Company, you must execute the Aura Biosciences,
Inc. Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Competition, and Non-Solicitation Agreement (the “NDA”), attached hereto as Attachment A.

  

	10.	 Nondisparagement. You agree that you will not, whether during your employment or thereafter, directly or
indirectly, make or ratify any statement, public or private, oral or written, to any person that disparages, either professionally or personally, the Company or any of its affiliates, past and present, and each of them, as well as its and their
trustees, directors, officers, members, managers, partners, agents, attorneys, insurers, employees, stockholders, representatives, assigns, and successors, past and present, and each of them. 

 

	11.	 Confidentiality. You will maintain the confidentiality of this letter agreement (and any related
understandings, including your compensation arrangements and amounts) at all times and will not discuss such matters with any person other than your spouse, accountant, financial and tax advisors or attorney, except that you may make such disclosure
(i) to the extent necessary with respect to any litigation, arbitration or mediation involving this letter agreement, or (ii) when disclosure is required by law or by any court or arbitrator with apparent jurisdiction to order you to
disclose or make accessible any information. 

  

	12.	 Severance. In the event that the Company terminates your employment without Cause, and not due to your
death or Disability, and provided you execute a general release of claims (the “Release”) in favor of the Company on or before the sixtieth (60th) day following your last date of employment, the Company will (i) continue
to pay you your annual base salary for the Severance Period, and (ii) provided you have properly elected to continue your healthcare coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”)
the Company will continue to pay your healthcare coverage premiums on the same premium-sharing basis for the Severance Period, or, if earlier, until you are no longer eligible to continue your coverage pursuant to COBRA. The base salary
continuation shall be paid pursuant to the Company’s regular payroll schedule beginning on the first practicable payroll date that follows the date the Release is effective. The healthcare coverage premiums may be taxable and subject to imputed
income treatment and will be either paid on your behalf to the insurer or by reimbursement to you (at the Company’s election). 

  
 2 

 Definitions: the capitalized terms used in Paragraph 12 (unless otherwise defined
therein) shall have the following meanings: 
 “Cause” means that you have: (i) violated your fiduciary duty to
the Company or committed any other act involving material dishonesty or fraud with respect to the Company; (ii) been indicted for or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony involving violence, conversion, theft or misappropriation of
property of another, controlled substances, moral turpitude, or the regulatory good standing of the Company; (iii) engaged in grossly negligent or willful misconduct that the Company determines to be materially injurious to the Company;
(iv) violated any Company policy or breached any material provision of any agreement between you and the Company; or (v) failed or refused to perform your material duties or failed or refused to follow a lawful directive from the CEO or
the Board of Directors. 
 “Disability” means a physical or mental illness, impairment, or condition determined by
the Company, in its sole discretion, that prevents or may prevent you from performing your duties to the Company, with our without a reasonable accommodation, for a period of 90 consecutive dates, or 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any
12 month period. 
 “Severance Period” means nine (9) months. 

 

	13.	 At-Will Employment. Subject to Paragraph 12, your employment with the Company is “At-Will.” This means that you and the Company each have the right to terminate your employment at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. This letter is not to be construed or interpreted as
containing any guarantee of continued employment or employment for any definite period of time. Accordingly, the recitation of certain time periods in this letter is solely for the purpose of defining your compensation and benefits. This letter also
is not to be construed or interpreted as containing any guarantee of any particular level or nature of compensation or benefits, and the level or nature of compensation or benefits may be terminated or modified by the Company at any time without or
without notice. 

 This letter and the NDA reflect the entire agreement regarding the terms and conditions of your employment.
Accordingly, it supersedes and completely replaces any prior oral or written communication on this subject. This letter agreement may not be modified, amended or waived unless in writing signed by both parties. This letter agreement shall inure to
the benefit of the successors or general assigns of the Company. This letter agreement is non-assignable except as provided herein. 

  
 3 

 Please sign the enclosed copy of this offer letter and NDA to indicate your acceptance of this offer. We are
confident you will be able to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company and look forward to working with you. 
 Sincerely, 

Elisabet de los Pinos 
 Chief Executive Officer 

Offer Accepted: 
  

	
	 /s/ Cadmus Rich

	Dr. Cadmus Rich

14-09-2017                  
       
 Date 

  
 4 

 ATTACHMENT A 

AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC. 

CONFIDENTIALITY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,
NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT 

This Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Competition and
Non-Solicitation Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of the Start Date (as defined below) between Aura Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”), and Dr. Cadmus
Rich, an individual, (the “Employee”). 
 WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Employee and the Employee desires to
be employed by the Company on the terms contained in that certain offer letter (the “Offer Letter”) to which this Agreement is attached, and pursuant to which the Employee’s employment with the Company will commence on
the Start Date (as defined in the Offer Letter); 
 WHEREAS, as a condition of employing Employee as set forth in the Offer Letter, the
Company requires that the Employee enter into this Agreement; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, including without limitation the Company’s employment of the Employee and the compensation s/he will receive in connection with his/her employment, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 
 1. Confidential Information. As used in this Agreement,
“Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Company which is of value to the Company in the course of conducting its business and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage
to the Company. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; sales projections; inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets;
know-how; designs, algorithms, methods, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists (including identity, customer contact information, preferences and purchase
history); vendors (including identity, contact information, pricing and services); business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities); pricing and pricing strategies; and employee
information. Confidential Information includes information developed by the Employee in the course of the Employee’s employment by the Company, as well as other information to which the Employee may have access in connection with his/her
employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential information of others with which the Company has a business relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include: (a) information which now or
in the future comes into the public domain, unless due to breach of the Employee’s duties under Section 2; or (b) information which is disclosed to Employee by others who are not, to Employee’s knowledge, under obligation of non-disclosure to the Company. 
 2. Confidentiality. At all times, both during the
Employee’s employment with the Company and after its termination, the Employee will keep in confidence and trust all Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose for his/her own benefit or the benefit of any other Person any such
Confidential Information without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Employee’s duties to the Company. 

  
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 3. Documents. Records, Etc. All documents, records, data, apparatus, equipment
and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information and in whatever form (electronic or otherwise), which are furnished to the Employee by the Company or are produced by the Employee in connection with the
Employee’s employment will be and remain the sole property of the Company. The Employee will return to the Company all such materials and property as and when requested by the Company. In any event, the Employee will return all such materials
and property immediately upon termination of the Employee’s employment for any reason. The Employee will not retain any such material or property or any copies thereof after the termination of his/her employment. 

4. No Competition. From the Start Date through the end of the one (1) year period (the “Restricted
Period”) following the termination of the Employee’s employment (the “Termination Date”), whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary and regardless of the reason for the termination, the
Employee will not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, shareholder, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or otherwise, engage, prepare to engage, participate, solicit, assist or invest in any Competing Business located in any
geographic area in which the Company (i) does business, distributes its products, or provides its services as of the Termination Date, or (ii) actively pursued a business, development, or expansion opportunity, prior to the Termination
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Employee may own up to 2% of the outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation which constitutes or is affiliated with a Competing Business, and (ii) the Employee may be employed by a large
organization which is engaged in a Competing Business as its non-primary business, so long as Employee is not involved with or assisting such Competing Business, and so long as Employee does not breach his/her
obligations regarding Confidential Information. 
 5. No Solicitation. During the Restricted Period, the Employee shall not,
directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions, and, to the extent the Employee owns, manages, operates, controls, is employed by or participates in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or is connected in any manner with,
any business, the Employee shall use his/her best efforts to ensure that such business does not take any of the following actions: 
 (a)
persuade or attempt to persuade any Customer, Prospective Customer or Supplier to cease doing business with the Company, or to reduce the amount of business it does with the Company; 

(b) solicit or service for himself/herself or for any Person the business of a Customer, Prospective Customer or Supplier in order to provide
goods or services that are competitive with the goods and services provided by the Company; 
 (c) persuade or attempt to persuade any
Service Provider to cease providing services to the Company; or 

  
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 (d) solicit for hire or hire for himself/herself or for any third party any Service
Provider. 
 (e) The following definitions are applicable to Section 4 and this Section 5: 

(i) “Competing Business” means any Person that is engaged in a business in which the Company is engaged as of the Termination Date,
or in which the Company has taken material steps to become engaged as of the Termination Date. 
 (ii) “Customer” means any Person
that purchased goods or services from the Company at any time within 2 years prior to the date of the solicitation prohibited by Section 5(a) or (b). 

(iii) “Prospective Customer” means any Person with whom the Company met or to whom the Company presented for the purpose of
soliciting the Person to become a Customer of the Company within 12 months prior to the Termination Date. 
 (iv) “Service
Provider” means any Person who is an employee or independent contractor of the Company or who was within 12 months preceding the Termination Date. 

(v) “Supplier” means any Person that sold goods or services to the Company at any time within 12 months prior to the Termination
Date. 
 (vi) “Person” means an individual, a sole proprietorship, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an
association, a trust, or other business entity, whether or not incorporated. 
 6. Intellectual Property. 

(a) All creations, inventions, ideas, designs, software, copyrightable materials, trademarks, and other technology and rights (and any related
improvements or modifications), whether or not subject to patent or copyright protection (collectively, “Creations”), relating to any activities of the Company which were, are, or will be conceived by the Employee or
developed by the Employee in the course of his/her employment or other services with the Company, whether conceived alone or with others and whether or not conceived or developed during regular business hours, and if based on Confidential
Information, after the termination of the Employee’s employment, shall be the sole property of the Company and, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, shall be deemed “works made for hire” as that term is used in the
United States Copyright Act. The Employee agrees to assign and hereby does assign to the Company all Creations conceived or developed from the start of this employment with the Company through to the Termination Date, and after the Termination Date
if the Creation incorporates or is based on any Confidential Information. 
 (b) To the extent, if any, that the Employee retains any right,
title or interest with respect to any Creations delivered to the Company or related to his/her employment with the Company, the Employee hereby grants to the Company an irrevocable, paid-up, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide right and license: (i) to modify all or any portion of such Creations, 

  
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including, without limitation, the making of additions to or deletions from such Creations, regardless of the medium (now or hereafter known) into which such Creations may be modified and
regardless of the effect of such modifications on the integrity of such Creations; and (ii) to identify the Employee, or not to identify him/her, as one or more authors of or contributors to such Creations or any portion thereof, whether or not
such Creations or any portion thereof have been modified. The Employee further waives any “moral” rights, or other rights with respect to attribution of authorship or integrity of such Creations that s/he may have under any applicable law,
whether under copyright, trademark, unfair competition, defamation, right of privacy, contract, tort or other legal theory. 
 (c) The
Employee will promptly inform the Company of any Creations. The Employee will also allow the Company to inspect any Creations s/he conceives or develops within 1 year after the termination of his/her employment for any reason to determine if they
are based on Confidential Information. The Employee shall (whether during his/her employment or after the termination of his/her employment) execute such written instruments and do other such acts as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or
its counsel to secure the Company’s rights in the Creations, including obtaining a patent, registering a copyright, or otherwise (and the Employee hereby irrevocably appoints the Company and any of its officers as his/her attorney in fact to
undertake such acts in his/her name). The Employee’s obligation to execute written instruments and otherwise assist the Company in securing its rights in the Creations will continue after the termination of his employment for any reason. The
Company shall reimburse the Employee for any out-of-pocket expenses (but not attorneys’ fees) s/he incurs in connection with his/her compliance with this
Section 6(c). 
 7. Acknowledgement. The Employee understands that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are
intended to protect the Company’s interest in its Confidential Information, goodwill and established employee and customer relationships, and agrees that such restrictions are reasonable and appropriate for this purpose. 

8. Disputes. 
 (a)
The Employee agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to the Company which might result from any breach by the Employee of the promises set forth in this Agreement, and that in any event, money damages would be an inadequate
remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, if the Employee breaches, or proposes to breach, any term of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to a temporary and preliminary injunction or
other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company from any court having competent jurisdiction over the Employee. 

(b) The parties agree to resolve any dispute arising under or relating to this Agreement in the federal or state courts encompassing Boston,
Massachusetts, and hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, the Employee and the Company each: (i) submits to the personal jurisdiction of these courts; (ii) consents
to service of process under the notice provisions set forth in Section 9(a); (iii) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process; and
(iv) waives any objection to jurisdiction based on improper venue or improper jurisdiction. 

  
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 (c) BOTH THE COMPANY AND THE EMPLOYEE HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAW. 
 (d) The Company shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and
costs in connection with any action filed under this Section if it substantially prevails in such action. 
 9. Miscellaneous.

 (a) Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in
writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Employee at the last address the Employee has filed in writing with
the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention of the Chief Executive Officer. 
 (c) Validity. The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. Moreover, if any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement is held to be excessively broad as to duration, scope or activity, such provisions shall be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.

 (d) Waivers. The waiver by the Company or the Employee of any right under this Agreement or of any failure to perform or any breach
by the other shall not be deemed a waiver of any other right under this Agreement or of any other failure or any other breach by such party, whether of the same or a similar nature or otherwise. No waiver shall be deemed to have occurred unless set
forth in writing executed by or on behalf of the waiving party. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and
shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future or as to any act other than that specifically waived. 
 (e)
Governing Law. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to any state’s principles of conflicts of law. 

(f) Successors; Binding Agreement. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Company and the Employee under this Agreement
shall inure to each party’s benefit and to the benefit of each party’s respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns. The Employee specifically agrees that the Company may assign this Agreement to any successor. 

  
 A-5 

 (g) Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and
understanding of the Company and the Employee with respect of its subject matter, and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer,
executive or representative of either party in respect of said subject matter. 
 (i) Headings Descriptive. The headings of the
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of this Agreement. 

(j) Capacity. The Employee represents and warrants that s/he is not a party to any agreement that would prohibit her/him from entering
into this Agreement or performing fully his/her obligations under this Agreement. 
 WHEREFORE, the parties have executed this Agreement
effective on the date and year first above written. 
  

			
	AURA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
		
	By:	 	  

	Name:	 	Elisabet de los Pinos
	Title:	 	Chief Executive Officer
	
	EMPLOYEE
	
	 /s/ Cadmus Rich

	Dr. Cadmus Rich

  
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