Document:

ex_339970.htm

Exhibit 10.2.2

 

Employment Agreement

Between

GeoVax, Inc. and Mark J. Newman, PhD

Amended and Restated as of March 1, 2022

 

 

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") by and between GeoVax, Inc., a Georgia Corporation ("Company"), and Mark J. Newman, PhD ("Employee"; and with the Company, collectively, the "Parties"), is entered into and effective as of March 1, 2022 (the "Effective Date”). This Agreement amends and restates the original employment agreement between the parties dated August 25, 2020 (the “Original Agreement”).

 

Employee will serve as Chief Scientific Officer of the Company. The Company and Employee desire that Employee be employed by the Company in the above capacity under the terms of this Agreement. Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, it is agreed:

 

	
			1. 

				
			Employment Duties. Employee is hereby employed by the Company under the terms of this Agreement, and Employee accepts such employment. Employee shall serve in the capacity as defined above and shall perform the following duties (“Employees Duties”): such duties as are customary for someone in that position and duties that may be reasonably assigned from time to time by the President/CEO. Primary duties include but are not limited to: contribution to the overall focus of our company developing commercially viable vaccines for infectious diseases based on the GeoVax technologies. Assistance and contributions in the raising of equity and successful competition for grants (both as a PI and as a collaborator).

			

 

	
			2. 

				
			Term of Agreement. The term of Employee’s employment pursuant to the Original Agreement commenced on or about August 25, 2020 and shall end upon the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company as provided herein. The Company may terminate this Agreement at will and at its sole discretion as allowed under Georgia state law, by giving written notice to Employee, and such termination shall be effective on the termination date described in such notice (or such earlier time as the Company and Employee may agree). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of this Agreement shall not terminate the Company’s obligation to make any payments to Employee for services performed and expenses incurred prior to the date of such termination as long as the Employee is in good standing; and such termination shall not terminate Employee’s obligations under Sections 13-15, and 17-29 below. Employee shall have the right to terminate employment on one month written notice, and shall suitably perform all normal services during that one month period, if requested to do so by Company.

			

 

	
			3.

				
			Base Salary. The base salary will be $275,000 on a full-time annualized basis. Performance and salary reviews are at the discretion of the President/CEO and/or Board of Directors.

			

 

	
			4.

				
			Performance Reviews. Performance reviews will be conducted at least annually by the President/CEO or designee.

			

 

	
			5.

				
			Annual Bonus Potential. An annual fiscal year bonus will be considered and recommended, if appropriate, by the supervisor and President/CEO and must be BOD approved. The targeted bonus will be 40% of base salary, but the actual amount shall be at the full discretion of the President/BOD based on Employee’s and the Company’s performance and achievement.

			

 

	
			6.

				
			Equity Stock Incentive. An annual stock option grant will be based on a target of 75% of base salary, but actual option grants are performance based and at the discretion of the BOD based on Employee’s and the Company’s performance and achievement.

			

 

	
			7.

				
			Moving Expenses. N/A

			

 

	
			8.

				
			Temporary Living Expense. N/A

			

 

 

 

 

	
			9.

				
			Other Business Expenses. N/A

			

 

	
			10.

				
			Benefits.

			

 

	 	
			a.

				
			Group Insurance & 401(k) Benefits.  Employee will be eligible for Company group benefit programs generally provided to other full-time employees of similar status, including group medical insurance and 401(k) benefits.

			

 

	 	
			b.

				
			Vacation.  Employee will accrue four weeks of paid vacation per year on a full-time basis. Vacation time is accrued on a pay period basis subject to the Company’s paid time off policy as documented in the Employee Handbook.

			

 

	 	
			c.

				
			Holidays.  GeoVax will be closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and two days that include Christmas (to be determined by Company.

			

 

	
			11.

				
			Termination.

			

 

	 	
			a.

				
			Materials. Upon termination, Employee shall immediately return Company issued computers, phones, files, emails, documents and/or other Company owned devices and materials (including laboratory materials) to Company and shall not delete or destroy anything prior to return to Company.

			

 

	 	
			b.

				
			By the Company with Cause. If Employee is terminated with cause, Employee’s employment, compensation, and benefits will terminate immediately (unless otherwise provided by law), and Employee shall not receive any severance payments.

			

 

	 	
			c.

				
			By the Company without Cause. Company may terminate Employee at will without cause consistent with Georgia state law by providing written notice. Company and Employee will discuss whether it is appropriate under the circumstances to have a period during which Employee continues to carry out his function for the Company for normal or adjusted compensation during that period, however, Company shall make the final decision at its sole option. Company shall pay Employee any amounts due up through the date of termination.

			

 

	 	
			d.

				
			By the Employee. Employee may voluntarily terminate his employment on 30 days written notice to the Company, and Employee’s employment, compensation and benefits will terminate on the effective date of termination (unless otherwise provided by law). Employee shall not receive any severance payments or other payments due after the date of termination. Company shall decide whether to allow Employee to leave immediately, and if so, will not be obligated to provide any further compensation or benefits.

			

 

	
			12.

				
			Record Keeping and Payment. Employee shall keep and file with the Company an expense report for all business expenses for which Employee seeks reimbursement. Employee shall be reimbursed for such documented business expenses within thirty (30) days of submitting a request for reimbursement.

			

 

 

 

 

	
			13.

				
			Proprietary Information. Employee agrees that all information, whether or not in writing, concerning the Company's business, technology, business goals, plans or strategies, relationships or financial affairs (collectively, "Proprietary Information") is and will be the exclusive property of the Company. By way of illustration, Proprietary Information may include information or material which has not been made generally available to the public, such as: (a) corporate information, including business or technical plans, strategies, methods, policies, resolutions, negotiations, or litigation; (b) marketing information, including strategies, methods, potential or present collaborator or vendor identities, or other information about prospects and prospect identities, or market analyses or projections; (c) financial information, including cost and performance data, debt arrangements, equity structure, investors and holdings, purchasing and sales data and price lists; (d) operational and technological information, including research goals, plans, potential products, implementations, viral vectors, inserts, specifications, manuals, forms, templates, software, designs, methods, procedures, formulas , discoveries, inventions, improvements, concepts and ideas; and (e) contract terms, licenses, license negotiation negotiations strategies, potential licensees or licensors; and (f) personnel information, including personnel lists, reporting or organizational structure, resumes, personnel data, compensation structure, performance evaluations, and termination arrangements or documents. Proprietary Information also includes information received in confidence by the Company from its collaborators, vendors, or suppliers or other third parties. Proprietary Information does not include information that a) is in the public domain or enters the public domain through no breach of this Agreement by Employee; b) information that is in Employee’s possession prior to receipt from the Company; or c) information that is disclosed to Employee by a third party who is not under a direct or indirect obligation of confidentiality to the Company with respect thereto.

			

 

	
			14.

				
			Recognition of Company's Rights. Employee shall not, at any time, without the Company's prior written permission, either during or after Employee’s employment, disclose any Proprietary Information to anyone outside of the Company, or use or permit to be used any Proprietary Information for any purpose other than the performance of Employee’s duties as an employee of the Company. Employee shall cooperate with the Company and use reasonable best efforts to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of all Proprietary Information. Employee shall deliver to the Company all copies of Proprietary Information in Employee’s possession or control upon the earlier of a request by the Company or termination of Employee’s employment.

			

 

	
			15.

				
			Rights of Others. Employee understands that the Company is now and may hereafter be subject to non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with third persons which require the Company to protect or refrain from use of Proprietary Information. Employee agrees to be bound by the terms of such agreements in the event Employee has access to such Proprietary Information, provided that the Company has informed Employee that such information is subject to a confidentiality agreement with a third party.

			

 

	
			16.

				
			Commitment to Company; Avoidance of Conflict of Interest. While an employee of the Company, Employee will devote Employee’s full-time efforts to the Company's business and will not engage in any other business activity that conflicts with Employee’s duties to the Company. Employee will advise the CEO of the Company or his or her nominee at such time if any activity of either the Company or another business presents Employee with a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest as an employee of the Company. Employee will take whatever reasonable action is requested by the Company to resolve any conflict or appearance of conflict which it finds to exist.

			

 

	
			17.

				
			Inventions. Employee will make full and prompt written disclosure to the Company of all inventions, discoveries, designs, developments, methods, modifications, improvements, compositions of matter, methods of use, processes of preparation, other processes, algorithms, databases, computer programs, formulae, techniques, trade secrets, graphics or images, and audio or visual works and other works of authorship, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, that are created, made, conceived or reduced to practice by Employee (alone or jointly with others) or under Employee’s direction during the period of employment for the Company (collectively “Inventions”). Employee acknowledges that all work performed by Employee is on a “work for hire” basis, and Employee hereby does assign and transfer and, to the extent any such assignment cannot be made at present, will assign and transfer, to the Company and its successors and assigns all Employee’s rights, title, and interest in all Inventions that (a) relate to the business of the Company or any of the products or services being researched, developed, manufactured or sold by the Company or which may be used with such products or services; or (b) result from tasks assigned to Employee by the Company; or (c) result from the use of premises, laboratories, equipment, physical space, or personal property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased, or contracted for by the Company (“Company­ Related Inventions”), and all related patents, patent applications, trademarks and trademark applications, copyrights and copyright applications, and other intellectual property rights in all countries and territories worldwide and under any international conventions (“Intellectual Property Rights”).

			

 

 

 

 

	
			18.

				
			Documents and Other Materials. Employee will keep and maintain adequate and current records of all Proprietary Information and Company-Related Inventions developed by Employee during employment, which records will be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times.

			

 

	
			 

				
			All files, letters, notes, memoranda, reports, records, data, sketches, drawings, notebooks, layouts, charts, quotations and proposals, specification sheets, program listings, blueprints, models, prototypes, or other written, photographic, or other tangible material containing Proprietary Information, whether created by Employee or others, which come into Employee’s custody or possession, are the exclusive property of the Company to be used by Employee only in the performance of Employee’s duties for the Company. Any property situated on the Company's premises and owned by the Company, including without limitation computers, disks, and other storage media, filing cabinets or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company at any time with or without notice. In the event of the termination of Employee's employment for any reason, Employee will deliver to the Company all Company property and equipment in Employee’s possession, custody or control, including all files, letters, notes, memoranda, reports, records, data, sketches, drawings, notebooks, layouts, charts, quotations and proposals, specification sheets, program listings, blueprints, models, prototypes, or other written, photographic or other tangible material containing Proprietary Information, and other materials of any nature pertaining to the Proprietary Information of the Company and to Employee’s work, and will not take or keep in Employee’s possession any of the foregoing or any copies.

			

 

	
			19.

				
			Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights. Employee will cooperate fully with the Company, both during and after employment with the Company, with respect to the procurement, maintenance, and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Company-Related Inventions. Employee will sign, both during and after the term of this Agreement, all papers, including without limitation copyright applications, patent applications, declarations, oaths, assignments of priority rights, and powers of attorney, which the Company may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Company-Related Inventions. If the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure Employee’s signature on any such papers, Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints each officer of the Company as Employee’s agent and attorney-in-fact to execute any such papers on Employee’s behalf, and to take any and all actions as the Company may deem necessary or desirable in order to protect its rights and interests in any Company-Related Inventions. Other than with regard to signing these various papers, which shall be done without remuneration, any cooperation Employee provides to the Company after the term of Employee’s employment with the Company shall be provided at Company's reasonable expense.

			

 

	
			20.

				
			Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. To protect the Company's Proprietary Information and good will, during Employee's employment and for a period of one (1) year following the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason (the “Restricted Period”):

			

 

	 	
			(a)

				
			Employee will not directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, shareholder, director, manager, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or otherwise, engage, participate or invest in any business activity anywhere in the United States or elsewhere that develops, manufactures or markets any products, or performs any services, that are otherwise competitive with or similar to the products or services in the Company's Field Of Interest, provided that this shall not prohibit any possible investment in publicly traded stock of a company representing less than one percent of the stock of such company. The phrase, Company's “Field of Interest”, means research, development, and commercialization activities relating to vaccinia-based and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-based vaccines that induce or enhance immuno-protection, or such other specific areas of research, development and commercialization as the Company may be engaged in during the term of this Agreement.

			

 

	 	
			(b)

				
			Employee will not, directly, or indirectly, in any manner, other than for the benefit of the Company, call upon, solicit, divert, take away, accept or conduct any business from or with any of the customers or prospective customers of the Company or any of its suppliers.

			

 

 

 

 

	 	
			(c)

				
			Employee will not, directly, or indirectly, in any manner, solicit, entice, attempt to persuade any other employee or consultant of the Company to leave the Company for any reason or otherwise participate in or facilitate the hire, directly or through another entity, of any person who is employed or engaged by the Company or who was employed or engaged by the Company within six months of any attempt to hire such person. Employee acknowledges and agrees that if Employee violates any of the provisions of this paragraph 20, the running of the Restricted Period will be extended by the time during which Employee engages in such violation(s).

			

 

	
			21.

				
			Government Contracts. Employee acknowledges that the Company may have from time-to-time agreements with other persons or with the United States Government or its agencies which impose obligations or restrictions on the Company regarding inventions made during the course of work under such agreements or regarding the confidential nature of such work. Employee agrees to comply with any such obligations or restrictions upon the direction of the Company. In addition to the rights assigned under paragraph 17, Employee also assigns to the Company (or any of its nominees) all rights which Employee has or acquires in any Inventions, full title to which is required to be in the United States under any contract between the Company and the United States or any of its agencies.

			

 

	
			22.

				
			Prior Agreements. Employee hereby represents that, except as Employee has fully disclosed previously in writing to the Company, Employee is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information in the course of employment with the Company or to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or any other party within the scope of the duties for Company. Employee further represent that Employee’s performance of all the terms of this Agreement as an employee of the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by Employee in confidence or in trust prior to employment with the Company. Employee will not disclose to the Company or induce the Company to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer or others.

			

 

	
			23.

				
			Remedies Upon Breach. Employee understands that the restrictions contained in this Agreement are necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of the Company and Employee considers them to be reasonable for such purpose. Any breach of this Agreement may cause the Company substantial and irrevocable damage and therefore, in the event of such breach, the Company, in addition to such other remedies which may be available, may be entitled to specific performance and other injunctive relief: without the posting of a bond. If Employee is found to have violated this Agreement by court of law, in addition to other remedies available to the Company at law, in equity, and under contract, Employee may be obligated to pay all the Company's reasonable costs of enforcement of this Agreement, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses.

			

 

	
			24.

				
			Publications and Public Statements. Employee will obtain the Company's written approval before publishing or submitting for publication any material that relates to Employee’s work at the Company and/or incorporates any Proprietary Information. To ensure that the Company delivers a consistent message about its products, services, and operations to the public, and further in recognition that even positive statements may have a detrimental effect on the Company in certain securities transactions and other contexts, any statement about the Company or its research or development activities which Employee creates, publishes, or posts during Employee's period of employment and for six (6) months thereafter, on any media accessible by the public, including but not limited to social media and networking services and sites, electronic bulletin boards and Internet-based chat rooms, must first be reviewed and approved by an officer of the Company before it is released in the public domain.

			

 

	
			25.

				
			Survival and Assignment by the Company. Employee understands that the Employee’s obligations under this Agreement will continue following the termination of Employee’s employment regardless of the manner of such termination and will be binding upon Employee’s heirs, executors, and administrators. Company will have the right to assign this Agreement to its affiliates, successors, and assigns in connection with the transfer of the area of business Employee is acting in, and Employee expressly consents to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement for the benefit of the Company or any parent, subsidiary, or affiliate to whose employ Employee may be transferred without the necessity that this Agreement be resigned at the time of such transfer.

			

 

 

 

 

	
			26.

				
			Post-Employment Notifications. For twelve (l2) months following termination of employment, Employee will notify the Company of any change in Employee’s address and of each subsequent employment or business activity, including the name and address of Employee’s subsequent employer or other post-Company employment plans.

			

 

	
			27.

				
			Disclosure to Future Employers. Employee will provide a copy of this Agreement to any future employer, partner or coadventurer prior to entering into an employment, partnership, or other business relationship with such person or entity, and can redact personal information such as salary, etc.

			

 

	
			28.

				
			Severability. In case any provisions (or portions thereof) contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. If, moreover, any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity, or subject, it shall be construed by limiting and reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

			

 

	
			29.

				
			Interpretation. This Agreement will be deemed to be made and entered into in the State of Georgia, and will in all respects be interpreted, enforced, and governed under the laws of the State of Georgia. Employee hereby agree to consent to personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts situated within Cobb County, Georgia and the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, respectively, for purposes of enforcing this Agreement and waive any objection that Employee might have to personal jurisdiction or venue in those courts.

			

 

EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS AGREEMENT AFFECTS IMPORTANT RIGHTS. BY SIGNING BELOW, EMPLOYEE CERTIFIES THAT EMPLOYEE HAS READ IT CAREFULLY AND IS SATISFIED THAT EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS IT COMPLETELY.

 

The Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written below.

 

	GEOVAX, INC.	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	By:	 	Date:	 
	 	David A. Dodd / President & CEO	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	EMPLOYEE	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	By:	 	Date:	 
	 	Mark J. Newman, PhDex_339971.htm

Exhibit 10.2.3

 

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

 

This CONSULTING AGREEMENT is entered into by Kelly T. McKee, Jr., MD, MPH, who is the President and Sole Proprietor of KTM BioPartners, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Corporation, with offices located at 233 Valley Meadow Drive, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516 (Consultant) and GeoVax, Inc, a Georgia Corporation with offices located at 1900 Lake Park Drive, Suite 380, Atlanta, Ga, 30080 (GeoVax).

 

The parties agree as follows:

 

1.         Scope of Work/Updates/Term.

 

(a)         Scope of Work. During the Term (as defined below), upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, GeoVax hereby retains Consultant, and Consultant hereby agrees, to perform the consulting services set forth on Schedule A and Attachment 1 (collectively, the “Services”).

 

(b)         Updates. Consultant agrees to keep GeoVax updated promptly upon GeoVax request of any progress, problems, and/or developments of which Consultant is aware regarding the Services.

 

(c)         Scope of Services and Personnel. Consultant agrees to make available the services of Kelly T. McKee, Jr., MD, MPH, in the performance of this Agreement.

 

(d)         Term. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be deemed to have commenced as of 15 January 2022 and shall continue until such time as GeoVax and/or Consultant propose and agree to terminate, change conditions, or otherwise modify the relationship between GeoVax and Consultant.

 

2.         Compensation. The Company shall compensate Consultant as follows:

 

(a)   Consultant agrees to be available to GeoVax to perform duties as Chief Medical Officer and related activities for 10 hrs per week, at a bill rate of $400 USD/hr. GeoVax will pay Consultant a fixed fee of $4,000 per week ($400/hr X 10 hrs) for the Term of the contract. If additional hours are agreed between GeoVax and Consultant, the same bill rate ($400/hr) shall apply. Payment shall be made by check (mailed to Kelly T. McKee, Jr, 233 Valley Meadow Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 28306), or by direct wire transfer as follows:

 

Bank of America

104 East Main Street

Carrboro, North Carolina 27510

 

Account Name: Kelly T. McKee Jr

Account Number: 006010392899

Bank Routing Number: 026009593

Swift Code: BOFAUS3N (for wire transfer in US dollars)

 

 

 

Page 2

 

(b)         No Other Benefits; Taxes. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, Consultant shall not be entitled to receive any other compensation or any benefits from GeoVax. Except as otherwise required by law, GeoVax shall not withhold any sums from payments made to Consultant for US State and/or Federal taxes of any kind, and all required US tax payments in respect of the payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be the Consultant’s sole responsibility.

 

3.         Confidential Information. Consultant agrees that all information, whether or not in writing, of a private, secret or confidential nature concerning, without limitation, GeoVax’s business, business relationships, technology, clinical trials or financial affairs (collectively, “Proprietary Information”), is and shall be the exclusive property of GeoVax. Consultant shall not disclose any Proprietary Information to any person or entity other than employees of GeoVax, on a need to know basis, or such third parties as GeoVax may authorize in advance, or use the same for any purposes other than in the performance of its duties as a Consultant to GeoVax, either during or after the Term, unless and until Consultant can demonstrate in written records that such Proprietary Information has become public knowledge without fault by Consultant. Consultant agrees that its obligation not to disclose or to use information and materials of the types set forth above also extends to confidential and proprietary information, materials and tangible property of customers, suppliers, sales agents and distributors of GeoVax and other third parties who may have disclosed or entrusted the same to GeoVax or to Consultant (“Third Party Information”). Consultant agrees to treat Third Party Information in the same manner as Consultant is required to treat Proprietary Information.

 

4.         Indemnification.

 

(a)    Consultant shall indemnify and hold GeoVax and its officers, agents, directors and consultants harmless against all claims, losses, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) and injuries to person or property (including death) resulting in any way, from any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Consultant, in the performance or failure to fulfill any Services under this Agreement.

 

(b)    GeoVax shall indemnify and hold Consultant and its officers and directors harmless against all claims, losses, expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) and injuries to person or property (including death) resulting in any way, from any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of GeoVax, in the performance or failure to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

 

5.         Term and Termination.

 

(a)         Termination by The Company. This Agreement can be terminated by GeoVax with or without cause following 30 days written notice to the Consultant.

 

(b)         Termination by Consultant. This Agreement may be terminated by Consultant with or without cause with 30 days written notice to GeoVax.

 

 

 

Page 3

 

6.         Compliance with Applicable Laws. Consultant warrants that any materials supplied and work performed under this Agreement comply with or will comply with all applicable United States laws and regulations.

 

7.         Independent Contractor. Consultant is an independent contractor and represents and warrants that he is not and shall not be construed to be an employee of GeoVax and that his status shall be that of an independent contractor acting in his professional capacity as GeoVax Chief Medical Officer. Further:

(1) Geovax shall provide professional liability coverage for the Consultant specific for services performed as GeoVax Chief Medical Officer.

(2) The Consultant is not authorized to enter into contracts or agreements on behalf of GeoVax or to otherwise create obligations of GeoVax to third parties, except or unless authorized specifically by GeoVax.

(3) The Consultant’s place of work is confirmed as being home based. At such time as this Contract terminates, or Consultant terminates services to GeoVax, Consultant will immediately return any computer or other corporate property that may be provided to him by GeoVax.

 

8.         Reimbursement of Expenses. GeoVax will reimburse Consultant for all travel, lodging, meals, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by Consultant in connection with this Agreement, upon submission to GeoVax of an invoice and reasonable supporting documentation thereof. International travel (outside North America) will be via business class air; lodging will be in Marriott-brand hotels (or equivalent if Marriott is unavailable). It is expected that the Consultant is responsible for all cost related to maintain a professional office. Reimbursement shall be due within 15 days after receipt of the related invoice by GeoVax.

 

9.         Reporting Obligations.         

 

(a)    None.

 

10.      General.

 

(a)          Severability. Consultant hereby agrees that each provision herein shall be treated as a separate and independent clause, and the unenforceability of any one clause shall in no way impair the enforceability of any of the other clauses herein. Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity, subject or otherwise so as to be unenforceable at law, such provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting or reducing it or them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

 

(b)         Assignment. GeoVax shall have the right to assign this Agreement or any rights and obligations hereunder to its successors and assignees, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon said successors or assignees. Consultant may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of GeoVax.

 

 

 

Page 4

 

(c)         Governing Law and Forum. This Agreement and all aspects of the relationship between the parties hereto shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of Georgia, U.S.A. without regard to its conflict of laws’ provisions. Any claims or legal actions by one party against the other shall be commenced and maintained in any state or federal court located in the state of Georgia, U.S.A. and the parties hereby submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any such court.

 

(d)         Notices. All notices provided for in this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be effective when either served by hand delivery, electronic facsimile transmission, express overnight courier service, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below, or to such other address or addresses as either party may later specify by written notice to the other:

 

If to GeoVax, to:

 

David A Dodd, President and CEO

GeoVax, Inc.

1900 Lake Park Drive, Suite 380,

Atlanta, GA, 30080

 

If to Consultant, to:

 

Kelly T. McKee, Jr., MD, MPH

233 Valley Meadow Drive

Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516, USA

 

1 919 214-2214 (phone)

mckeekt@ktmbio.com (e-mail)

 

 

(e)         Nature of Obligations; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns, and does not confer any rights or remedies on any other person or entity.

 

(f)         Entire Agreement and Waiver. This Agreement and any schedules and exhibits hereto shall constitute the entire agreement between GeoVax and Consultant with respect to the subject matter hereof and all prior agreements, representations, and statement with respect to such subject matter are superseded hereby, including without limitation any non-disclosure agreement previously executed between the parties. The terms of this Agreement shall control in the event of any inconsistency with the terms of any schedule or exhibit hereto. No failure of either party to exercise or enforce any of its rights under this Agreement shall act as a waiver of subsequent breaches; and the waiver of any breach shall not act as a waiver of subsequent breaches.

 

 

 

Page 5

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this agreement on 22 December 2021, effective as of 15 January 2022.

 

GeoVax, Inc.

 

By: _____________________________

 

David A. Dodd

Title:_President and CEO

 

 

____________________________

Consultant

 

By:

 

Kelly T. McKee, Jr., MD, MPH

Title: President, KTM BioPartners LLC

 

 

In Lieu of Wet Ink Originals

 

 

 

Page 6

 

Schedule A

Scope of Services

 

The Consultant will report directly to David A Dodd, President and Chief Executive Officer, as Chief Medical Officer, and support him and GeoVax in line with GeoVax’s instructions and Standard Operating Procedures, by providing consulting services as Chief Medical Officer, and other related duties as requested or assigned, to include client meetings, Business Development activities, project / program strategy and support, protocol development, and other duties as described in Attachment 1. The Consultant will adhere to all local laws and regulations and ensure the services are provided in conformity with local law and regulations, institutional regulations and according to the Declaration of Helsinki as set out in the European Directive 2005/28/EC, the Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects, adopted by the General Assembly of the World Medical Association (1996) and any subsequent modifications or amendments thereto and applying consistently Principles of ICH Good Clinical Practice as required by EU/FDA regulations.

 

 

 

Page 7

 

Attachment 1 

 

Chief Medical Officer – GeoVax, Inc.

(Consultant, Leading to Potential Full-time Position)

 

 

Position Summary:

 

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The primary role of the CMO will be to provide leadership and direction for GeoVax’s pipeline of clinical development programs in both infectious diseases and immuno-oncology.

 

The CMO will be responsible for the strategy, direction and execution of the company’s clinical development plans. The CMO will be a key member of the senior management team as a member of the company’s Executive Operating Committee which determines and oversees research and drug development at GeoVax and sets the overall strategic direction of the company. This is a unique opportunity to be a major contributor to the success of an exciting, well-positioned, well-financed growth stage biotechnology company.

 

Critical roles and activities:

 

	 	
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			Direct the development of clinical strategies and plans to integrate GeoVax products into the standard practice of oncology/hematology and infectious disease management/prevention;

			

	 	
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			Orchestrate and manage clinical aspects of regulatory strategies and interactions with health regulatory authorities;

			

	 	
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			Oversee the analysis and interpretation of clinical trial data and the reporting of clinical trial results;

			

	 	
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			Lead interactions with academic thought leaders, investigators, cooperative groups, and other clinical stakeholders ;

			

	 	
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			Provide clinical support and work with other members of the management team to develop and communicate the overall corporate strategy;

			

	 	
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			Represent the Company and its programs to external audiences, including the investment, medical and regulatory communities, as well as pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry collaborators/partners ;

			

	 	
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			In addition to leading and supervising Clinical Development Operations, including external CRO relationships, the CMO will have direct responsibility for Patient Advocacy, Medical Affairs, and Biometrics operations

			

 

Qualifications:

 

The ideal candidate will offer:

	 	
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			M.D. or equivalent with Board Certification in Hematology/Oncology or Infectious Disease

			

	 	
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			15 years minimum experience in clinical practice treating patients and pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industry experience as a sponsor working on investigational new therapies/vaccines

			

	 	
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			Multiple years of management experience leading a clinical group including clinical/medical affairs and clinical operations

			

	 	
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			A proven success record in Phase I-IV clinical development studies and trial design, successful submission of IND’s and marketing approval-directed filings (BLA’s, NDA’s and MAA’s) and lead interactions with regulatory agencies.

			

 

 

 

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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

 

	 	
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			Knowledge of relevant FDA regulations and guidelines as well as those of the EU and other health authorities; experience in interactions with FDA personnel is essential; experience in interactions with other health authorities a plus;

			

	 	
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			Experience with, or strong knowledge of Oncology drug development or Infectious Disease vaccine development;

			

	 	
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			Experience in translational medicine, clinical pharmacology and early-stage development is desirable;

			

	 	
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			Must have a thorough knowledge of clinical research concepts, practices, and GCP and ICH Guidelines.

			

	 	
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			The successful candidate will read, write and speak fluent English, possess excellent communication skills and will be capable of articulating the Company’s clinical and regulatory strategies and progress to a wide audience, internally and externally;

			

	 	
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			Must have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills; should have proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the Company, including having outstanding executive presence.

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