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Exhibit 10.17

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
    
THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made this September 1, 2020 (“Effective Date”) by and between BRICKELL BIOTECH, INC., a Delaware Company with a business address located at 5777 Central Avenue, Suite 102, Boulder, CO 80301  (the “Company”), and DEEPAK CHADHA, a Massachusetts resident, with an address of [***] (the “Executive”).

R E C I T A L S:
    WHEREAS, the Executive possesses substantial experience in the field of pharmaceutical development; and
    WHEREAS, the Company currently employs Executive as Chief Research and Development Officer of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated August 1, 2016 (the “Amended and Restated Employment Agreement”); and
    WHEREAS, the Company previously employed Executive as Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement dated December 23, 2015 (the “Original Employment Agreement”); and
    WHEREAS, the Corporation and Executive desire to amend and restate and supersede the both the Original Employment Agreement and the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement in their entirety with this Agreement; and
    WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to continue to make his services available to the Corporation and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and as amended and restated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals, premises and mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
    1.    Employment/Duties of Executive.  Executive shall continue to serve as Chief Research and Development Officer of the Company, satisfactorily completing the responsibilities commensurate with those duties and responsibilities of such position.  Additionally, Executive shall diligently perform all other services and shall exercise such power and authority as may from time to time be delegated to him by the Company.  The foregoing shall not limit Executive’s right to be involved in other not-for-profit, civic or charitable activities nor limit the Executive’s right to serve as an advisor or board member for other non-competing corporate or not-for-profit entities, provided such outside activities do not conflict or impede Executive’s performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company. The Company reserves the right to request that the Executive resign from such outside roles in the event that the Board perceives that the Executive is devoting less than his full-time attention to his responsibilities at the Company.

2.    Term.  The Executive’s employment shall be at-will, meaning that the Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice, subject to severance provisions set forth below.  The period during which the Executive shall be employed by the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is sometimes referred to in this Agreement as the “Term of Employment”, and the date on which the Term of Employment shall expire, is sometimes referred to in this Agreement as the “Termination Date”).
3.    Compensation.
3.1    Base Salary.  The Company shall pay Executive an initial base salary at the annual rate of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) (the “Base Salary”).  The Company shall review the Executive’s Base Salary from time to time and the Company may, but shall not be required to, increase the Base Salary during the Term of Employment.  However, Executive's Base Salary may not be decreased during the Term of Employment other than as part of an across-the-board salary reduction that applies in the same manner to all senior executives of the Company.  All salary is payable subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements in accordance with Company’s standard payroll practices.
3.2    Bonuses
        a.    Annual Bonus.  For each fiscal year of the Term of Employment (“Bonus Period”), Executive will be eligible to receive an annual target performance bonus of  35% of Base Salary (the "Performance Bonus"), based upon the achievement of mutually agreed performance milestones established by the Board, provided nothing herein shall be a guarantee of any amount of bonus, or any bonus at all.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Performance Bonus for 2020, if any, shall be calculated as follows: i) thirty percent (30%) of prior Base Salary of Three Hundred Twenty Thousand ($320,000) from January 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020 and ii) thirty five percent (35%) of Base  Salary of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand ($350,000) from September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. The Company shall have no obligation to provide Executive a Performance Bonus unless and until such a determination has been made by the Company consistent with the criteria described above at the conclusion of the applicable Bonus Period.  Such Performance Bonus, if any, is subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices. Any Performance Bonus payable pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within two (2) months after the end of the applicable Bonus Period in which they are earned.
        b.    Special Bonus. The Company shall pay Executive a one-time special bonus of Twenty- Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) within thirty days of the initiation of the first BBI-4000 Phase 3 clinical trial (i.e. the enrollment of the first patient in such study). Such bonus is subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements in accordance with Company’s standard payroll practices.
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4.    Expense Reimbursement and Other Benefits.
4.1    Reimbursement of Expenses.  Upon the submission of proper substantiation by the Executive, and subject to such rules and guidelines as the Company may from time to time adopt, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses actually paid or incurred by the Executive during the Term of Employment in the course of and pursuant to the business of the Company.  The Executive shall account to the Company in writing for all expenses for which reimbursement is sought and shall supply to the Company copies of all relevant invoices, receipts or other evidence reasonably requested by the Company.
4.2    Compensation/Benefit Programs.  During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all medical insurance plans and any and all other plans as are presently and hereinafter offered by the Company to its executives and their spouses, domestic partners and immediate families.
4.3    Location. As part of your employment, Employee agrees to spend a minimum of 5 business days per month in the Company’s Boulder office as requested by Company, and/or at a mutually agreed upon off-site premise, at the reasonable expense of Company and subject to its expense and travel policy. 
4.4    Other Benefits.
    a.    Personal Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to personal time off in accordance with the Company’s FTO and sick leave policies. Personal days shall not interfere with the duties required to be rendered by the Executive hereunder. 
    b.    Association Dues.  During the Term of this Agreement, the Company may pay reasonable initiation fees and dues payable in connection with the Executive’s membership(s) in those clubs and activities that in the opinion of the Board are in furtherance and directly related to the active conduct of the Company’s business and are consistent with sound financial and tax planning.
    c.    Miscellaneous Benefits.  The Company agrees to specifically reimburse the Executive for (i) the cost of a cell phone and (ii) any such additional benefits, if any, as the Board shall from time to time determine.
5.    Termination.
5.1    Termination for Cause.  The Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to terminate the Term of Employment, for Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean: (i) an action or omission of the Executive which constitutes a willful and material breach of, or failure or refusal (other than by reason of his disability) to perform his duties under this Agreement or any other agreements, including, without limitation, the Company Protection Agreement, between the parties which is 
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not cured within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Executive of written notice of same; (ii) fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds or breach of trust in connection with his services hereunder; (iii) conviction of any crime which involves dishonesty or a breach of trust; or (iv) gross negligence in connection with the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder, which is not cured within fifteen (15) days after written receipt by the Executive of written notice of same.  Any termination for Cause shall be made in writing to the Executive, which notice shall set forth in detail all acts or omissions upon which the Company is relying for such termination.  The Executive shall have the right to address the Board regarding the acts set forth in the notice of termination.  Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 5.1, the Company shall pay to the Executive his Base Salary to the date of termination.  The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 4.1, including payment of compensation for the 28.5 unused vacation days that have accumulated to-date).
5.2    Disability.  The Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to terminate the Term of Employment, if the Executive shall become entitled to benefits under the Company’s disability plan as then in effect, or, if the Executive shall as the result of mental or physical incapacity, illness or disability, become unable to perform his obligations hereunder for a period of 180 days in any 12-month period.  The Company shall have sole discretion based upon competent medical advice to determine whether the Executive continues to be disabled.  Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 5.2, the Company shall (i) pay to the Executive any unpaid Base Salary through the effective date of termination specified in such notice; and (ii) pay to the Executive his accrued but unpaid Performance Bonus, if any, for any Bonus Period ending on or before the date of termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company.  The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however to the provisions of Section 4.1, and payment of compensation for unused vacation days that have accumulated during the calendar year in which such termination occurs).
5.3    Death.  Upon the death of the Executive during the Term of Employment, the Company shall (i) pay to the estate of the deceased Executive any unpaid Base Salary through the Executive's date of death; and (ii) pay to the estate of the deceased Executive his accrued but unpaid Performance Bonus, if any, for any Bonus Period ending on or before the Executive’s date of death. The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of the Executive's death, subject, however to the provisions of Section 4.1, and payment of compensation for unused vacation days that have accumulated during the calendar year in which such termination occurs).
5.4    Termination Without Cause.  At any time, the Company shall have the right to terminate the Term of Employment by written notice to the Executive.   Upon any termination pursuant to this Section 5.4, the Company shall (i) pay to the Executive any unpaid Base Salary through the effective date of termination specified in such notice; and (ii) pay to the Executive the accrued but unpaid Performance Bonus, if any, for any period ending on or before 
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the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company.  Subject to Section 5.7 below, the Company shall pay to the Executive in a the equivalent of twelve (12) months of Executive's Base Salary in the form of salary continuation commencing on the first regularly scheduled payroll date following the effective date of the Release described in Section 5.7 below and reimburse the Executive for the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for himself and his dependents for twelve (12) months following the effective date of termination (“Severance Benefits”). The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 4.1, and payment of compensation for unused vacation days that have accumulated during the calendar year in which such termination occurs).
5.5    Termination by Executive for Good Reason.  
a.    The Executive shall at all times have the right, upon fifteen (15) days written notice to the Company, to terminate the Term of Employment.  Upon termination of the Term of Employment pursuant to this Section 5.5(a) by the Executive, the Company shall (i) pay to the Executive any unpaid Base Salary through the effective date of termination specified in such notice; and (ii) pay to the Executive his accrued but unpaid Performance Bonus, if any, for any Bonus Period ending on or before the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.
b.    Upon termination of the Term of Employment pursuant to this Section 5.5 by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall (i) pay to the Executive any unpaid Base Salary through the effective date of termination specified in such notice; and (ii) pay to the Executive the accrued but unpaid Performance Bonus, if any, for any Bonus Period ending on or before the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company. Subject to Section 5.7 below, the Company shall pay to the Executive in a the equivalent of twelve (12) months of Executive's Base Salary in the form of salary continuation commencing on the first regularly scheduled payroll date following the effective date of the Release described in Section 5.7 below and reimburse the Executive for the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for himself and his dependents for twelve (12) months following the effective date of termination (“Severance Benefits”). The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 4.1, and payment of compensation for unused vacation days that have accumulated during the calendar year in which such termination occurs).
c.    For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 1 of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; or (ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in 
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bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; provided however, that in order to effect resignation for Good Reason all of the following must occur: (x) Executive must provide the Company with written notice within the sixty-day period following the event(s) giving rise to Executive’s intent to voluntarily resign his employment for Good Reason (y) such event is not remedied by within thirty (30) days following the Company’s receipt of such written notice; and (z) Executive’s resignation is effective not later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of such thirty (30) day cure period.  
5.6    Change in Control of the Company.
a.    Payments.  In the event that a termination of employment without Cause or for Good Reason occurs within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (as defined in paragraph (b) of this Section 5.6) in the Company, subject to Section 5.7 below, the Company shall pay to the Executive the equivalent of twelve (12) months of Executive's Base Salary in a lump sum, reimburse the Executive for the monthly COBRA premium paid by the Executive for himself and his dependents for twelve (12) months following the effective date of termination, and fully accelerate the vesting of all outstanding, unvested options or other equity instruments of Company Common Stock such that all such equity shall be fully vested and exercisable (“Severance Benefits”).  The Company shall have no further liability hereunder (other than for (x) reimbursement for reasonable business expenses incurred prior to the date of termination, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 4.1, and (y) payment of compensation for unused paid, personal days that have accumulated during the calendar year in which such termination occurs).
b.    For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” shall mean approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of corporate transaction or series of transactions, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation or other transaction do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company’s then outstanding voting securities, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, or (ii) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (unless such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, liquidation, dissolution or sale is subsequently abandoned). 
5.7    Release and Resignation Requirement. The Severance Benefits are conditional upon (i) Executive’s delivering to the Company and making effective and irrevocable a general release of all claims in favor of the Company, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Release”), which release shall be effective not later than 45 days following the date of the applicable termination or resignation; (ii) Executive’s complying with the Release including any cooperation, non-disparagement or confidentiality provisions contained therein and continuing to comply with Executive’s obligations under the terms of this Agreement, including the non-solicit and non-compete provisions thereof, and the terms of the Protection 
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Agreement; and (iii) Executive’s resignation, to be effective no later than the date of Executive’s termination or resignation date (or such other date as requested by the Company).
5.8    Survival.  The provisions of this Article 5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, as applicable.
6.    Restrictive Covenants.
6.1    Non-Competition.  At all times while the Executive is employed by the Company and for a one (1) year period after the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason other than by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section 5.1 hereof) or by the Executive for Good Reason (as defined in Section 5.5 hereof), the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in or have any interest in any sole proprietorship, partnership, Company or business or any other person or entity (whether as an Executive, officer, director, partner, agent, security holder, creditor, consultant or otherwise) that directly or indirectly (or through any affiliated entity) engages in competition with the Company (for this purpose, any business that engages in the drug development business utilizing those specific pharmaceutical compounds developed, licensed or owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries during his term of employment to date of Executive’s Termination shall be deemed to be in competition with the Company); provided that such provision shall not apply to the Executive's ownership of Common Stock of the Company or the acquisition by the Executive, solely as an investment, of securities of any issuer that is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that are listed or admitted for trading on any United States national securities exchange or that are quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System, or any similar system or automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices in common use, so long as the Executive does not control, acquire a controlling interest in or become a member of a group which exercises direct or indirect control or, more than five percent of any class of capital stock of such Company.
6.2    Nondisclosure.  The Executive shall not at any time divulge, communicate or use to the detriment of the Company or for the benefit of any other person or persons, or misuse in any way, any Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) pertaining to the business of the Company.  Any Confidential Information or data now or hereafter acquired by the Executive with respect to the business of the Company (which shall include, but not be limited to, information concerning the Company's business plan, financial condition, prospects, technology, customers, suppliers, sources of leads and methods of doing business) shall be deemed a valuable, special and unique asset of the Company that is received by the Executive in confidence and as a fiduciary, and Executive shall remain a fiduciary to the Company with respect to all of such information.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information disclosed to the Executive or known by the Executive as a consequence of or through his employment by the Company (including information conceived, originated, discovered or developed by the Executive) prior to or after the date hereof, and not generally known, about the Company or its business.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be deemed to restrict the Executive from disclosing Confidential Information to the extent required by law.
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6.3    Non-solicitation of Executives and Clients.  At all times while the Executive is employed by the Company and for a one (1) year period after the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for himself or for any other person, firm, Company, partnership, association or other entity (a) employ or attempt to employ or enter into any contractual arrangement with any Executive or former Executive of the Company, unless such Executive or former Executive has not been employed by the Company for a period in excess of six months, and/or (b) knowingly call on or solicit any of the actual or targeted prospective clients of the Company on behalf of any person or entity in connection with any business competitive with the business of the Company, nor shall the Executive knowingly make known the names and addresses of such clients or any information relating in any manner to the Company's trade or business relationships with such customers, other than in connection with the performance of Executive's duties under this Agreement.
6.4    Books and Records.  All books, records, and accounts relating in any manner to the business of the Company, customers, clients or prospects of the Company, reports documents analyses or any information whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive's possession, shall be the exclusive property of the Company and shall be returned immediately to the Company on termination of the Executive's employment hereunder or on the Company's request at any time.
6.5    Definition of Company.  Solely for purposes of this Article 6, the term “Company” also shall include any existing or future subsidiaries of the Company that are operating during the time periods described herein and any other entities that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by or are under common control with the Company during the periods described herein.
6.6    Acknowledgment by Executive.  The Executive acknowledges and confirms that (a) the restrictive covenants contained in this Article 6 are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, and (b) the restrictions contained in this Article 6 (including without limitation the length of the term of the provisions of this Article 6) are not overbroad, overlong, or unfair and are not the result of overreaching, duress or coercion of any kind.  The Executive further acknowledges and confirms that his full, uninhibited and faithful observance of each of the covenants contained in this Article 6 will not cause him any undue hardship, financial or otherwise, and that enforcement of each of the covenants contained herein will not impair his ability to obtain employment commensurate with his abilities and on terms fully acceptable to him or otherwise to obtain income required for the comfortable support of him and his family and the satisfaction of the needs of his creditors.  The Executive acknowledges and confirms that his special knowledge of the business of the Company is such as would cause the Company serious injury or loss if he were to use such ability and knowledge to the benefit of a competitor or were to compete with the Company in violation of the terms of this Article 6.  The Executive further acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Article 6 are intended to be, and shall be, for the benefit of and shall be enforceable by, the Company’s successors and assigns.
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6.7    Reformation by Court.  Notwithstanding anything in Article 14 to the contrary, in the event that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any provision of this Article 6 is invalid or more restrictive than permitted under the governing law of such jurisdiction, then only as to enforcement of this Article 6 within the jurisdiction of such court, such provision shall be interpreted and enforced as if it provided for the maximum restriction permitted under such governing law.
6.8    Extension of Time.  If the Executive shall be in violation of any provision of this Article 6, then each time limitation set forth in this Article 6 shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period of time during which such violation or violations occur.  If the Company seeks injunctive relief from such violation in any court, then the covenants set forth in this Article 6 shall be extended for a period of time equal to the pendency of such proceeding including all appeals by the Executive.
6.9    Survival.  The provisions of this Article 6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, as applicable.
7.    Mediation.  In the event a dispute arises out of or relates to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, and if the dispute cannot be settled through negotiation, the parties hereby agree first to attempt in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Employment Mediation Rules before resorting to litigation or some other dispute resolution procedure. 
8.    Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boulder County, Colorado in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association then in effect (except to the extent that the procedures outlined below differ from such rules or the parties agree otherwise).  Within thirty (30) days after written notice by either party has been given that a dispute exists and that arbitration is required, each party must select an arbitrator and those two arbitrators shall promptly, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after their selection, select a third arbitrator.  The parties agree to act as expeditiously as possible to select arbitrators and conclude the dispute.  The selected arbitrators must render their decision in writing.  The cost and expenses of the arbitration and of enforcement of any award in any court shall be borne by the Company.  The cost of any attorney fees shall be borne by each party individually, unless the payment of such fees is awarded to the prevailing party by the arbitrators.  If advances are required, each party will advance one-half of the estimated fees and expenses of the arbitrators.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators' award in any court having jurisdiction.  Although arbitration is contemplated to resolve disputes hereunder, either party may proceed to court to seek to obtain an injunction to protect its rights hereunder, the parties agreeing that either could suffer irreparable harm by reason of any breach of this Agreement.  Pursuit of an injunction shall not impair arbitration on all remaining issues.
9.    Assignment.  This Agreement is personal in nature and accordingly may not be assigned by the Executive, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Company, which may be withheld in its sole discretion.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, assign 
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this Agreement and all of its rights, benefits and obligations hereunder, whether by agreement or by operation of law.
10.    Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to conflict of laws issues.
11.    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including the Protection Agreement and Indemnification Agreement previously executed by Executive, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, upon its effectiveness, shall supersede all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements, both oral and written, between the Executive and the Company (or any of its affiliates) with respect to such subject matter.  This Agreement may not be modified in any way unless by a written instrument signed by both the Company and the Executive.
12.    Notices:  All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered by courier, sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or sent by confirmed e-mail or facsimile transmission addressed as set forth herein.  Notices personally delivered, sent by e-mail or facsimile or sent by overnight courier shall be deemed given on the date of delivery and notices mailed in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed given upon the earlier of receipt by the addressee, as evidenced by the return receipt thereof, or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mail.  Notice shall be sent (i) if to the Company, addressed to Brickell Biotech, Inc., 5777 Central Avenue, Suite 102, Boulder, CO 80301, Attention: CEO, and (ii) if to the Executive, to his address as reflected on the payroll records of the Company, or to such other address as either party hereto may from time to time give notice of to the other.
13.    Benefits; Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be for the benefit of and binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, legal representatives, successors and, where applicable, assigns, including, without limitation, any successor to the Company, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise.
14.    Severability.  The invalidity of any one or more of the words, phrases, sentences, clauses or sections contained in this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining portions of this Agreement or any part thereof, all of which are inserted conditionally on their being valid in law, and, in the event that any one or more of the words, phrases, sentences, clauses or sections contained in this Agreement shall be declared invalid, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid word or words, phrase or phrases, sentence or sentences, clause or clauses, or section or sections had not been inserted.  If such invalidity is caused by length of time or size of area, or both, the otherwise invalid provision will be considered to be reduced to a period or area, which would cure such invalidity.
15.    Waivers.  The waiver by either party hereto of a breach or violation of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not operate nor be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation.
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16.    Damages.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the Company or the Executive from seeking and recovering from the other damages sustained by either or both of them as a result of its or his breach of any term or provision of this Agreement.  In the event that either party hereto brings suit for the collection of any damages resulting from, or the injunction of any action constituting, a breach of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, then the non-prevailing party shall pay all reasonable court costs and attorneys’ fees of the other.
17.    Section Headings.  The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
18.    No Third-Party Beneficiary.  Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon or give any person other than the Company, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, legal representatives, successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
19.    Section 409A.
    19.1    General Compliance.  This Agreement is intended to comply with section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (“Section 409A”), or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption.  Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible.  For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment.  Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a "separation from service" under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A, and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by the Executive on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
    19.2    Specified Employees.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any payment or benefit provided to the Executive in connection with his termination of employment is determined to constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A and the Executive is determined to be a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(b)(i), then such payment or benefit shall not be paid until the first payroll date to occur following the six-month anniversary of the Termination Date or, if earlier, on the Executive's death (the "Specified Employee Payment Date").  The aggregate of any payments that would otherwise have been paid before the Specified Employee Payment Date and interest on such amounts calculated based on the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which the Executive's separation from service occurs shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the Specified Employee Payment Date 
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and thereafter, any remaining payments shall be paid without delay in accordance with their original schedule.
    19.3    Reimbursements.  To the extent required by Section 409A, each reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided under this Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the following:
        (a)  the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during each calendar year cannot affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year;
        (b)  any reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be paid to the Executive on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred; and
        (c)  any right to reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
    19.4    Tax Gross-ups.  Any tax gross-up payments provided under this Agreement shall be paid to the Executive on or before December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Executive remits the related taxes.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

															
	Company:			Executive:	
					
	BRICKELL BIOTECH, INC.				
	A Delaware Company				
					
					
	By:	/s/ Robert Brown		By:	/s/ Deepak Chadha
		Robert Brown, CEO
			Deepak Chadha, Individually

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EXHIBIT A  - PROTECTION AGREEMENT
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EXHIBIT B – INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
14Exhibit 10.19

 

CONTRACT

 

THIS
AGREEMENT effective this 1st of September 2020, by and between SunHydrogen, Inc (hereafter referred to as "Sponsor")
and The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, a non-profit educational institution (hereinafter referred to as "University").

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS,
the research program contemplated by this Agreement is of mutual interest and benefit to University and to Sponsor, will further
the instructional and research objectives of University in a manner consistent with its status as a non- profit, tax-exempt, educational
institution, and may derive benefits for both Sponsor and University through inventions, improvements, and/or discoveries;

 

NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree to the following:

 

ARTICLE
1 - Definitions

 

As
used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

		1.1	"Project"
                                         shall mean the description of the project as described in Exhibit A hereof, under the
                                         direction of Syed Mubeen as Principal Investigator.

 

		1.2	"Contract
                                         Period" is Sep 1, 2020, through Aug 31, 2021.

 

		1.3	"University
                                         Intellectual Property" shall mean individually and collectively all inventions,
                                         improvements and/or discoveries which are conceived and/or made (i) by one or more employees
                                         of University, or (ii) jointly by one or more employees of University and by one or more
                                         employees/consultants of Sponsor, in performance of the Project.

 

ARTICLE
2 - Research Work

 

		2.1	University
                                         shall commence performance of the Project promptly after the effective date of this Agreement,
                                         and shall use all reasonable efforts, care, and diligence to perform such Project in
                                         accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Anything in this Agreement
                                         to the contrary notwithstanding, Sponsor and University may at any time amend the Project
                                         by mutual written agreement.

 

		2.2	In
                                         the event that the Principal Investigator becomes unable or unwilling to continue the
                                         Project, and a mutually acceptable substitute is not available, University and/or Sponsor
                                         shall have the option to terminate said Project pursuant to Article 10.1.

 

		2.3	The
                                         University does not comply with Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) as defined by the U.S.
                                         Food and Drug Administration in 21 C.F.R. 58.

 

    -1-

     

    

 

ARTICLE
3 - Reports and Conferences

 

		3.1	Written
                                         program reports shall be provided by University to Sponsor every six (6) months, and
                                         a final report shall be submitted by University within forty-five (45) days of the conclusion
                                         of the Contract Period, or the earlier termination of this Agreement.

 

		3.2	During
                                         the term of this Agreement, representatives of University will meet with representatives
                                         of Sponsor at times and places mutually agreed upon to discuss the progress and results,
                                         as well as ongoing plans, or changes therein, of the Project to be performed hereunder.

 

ARTICLE
4 - Costs, Billings, and Other Support

 

		4.1	It
                                         is agreed to and understood by the parties hereto that, subject to Article 2, total costs
                                         to Sponsor hereunder shall not exceed the sum of Two Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand
                                         and Nine Hundred and Sixty-Six Dollars ($299, 966). Payment shall be made by Sponsor
                                         according to the following schedule:

 

Four
(4) Quarterly Payments of $74,991.5

 

		4.2	Invoices
                                         shall be submitted to the Sponsor representative listed in Article 17 for submission
                                         of invoices. Payments to University shall include Sponsor name, Principal Investigator
                                         name, project title and shall be submitted to the University representative listed in
                                         Article 17 for payment remittance.

 

		4.3	[Sponsor
                                         shall loan/donate the following equipment to University under the following conditions:      Not
                                         Applicable                           .] University shall retain title to any equipment purchased with
                                         funds provided by Sponsor under this Agreement.

 

		4.4	Anything
                                         herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of early termination of this Agreement
                                         by Sponsor pursuant to Article 10.1 hereof, Sponsor shall pay all costs accrued by University
                                         as of the date of termination, including non-cancelable obligations, which shall include
                                         all non-cancelable contracts and fellowships or postdoctoral associate appointments called
                                         for in Appendix A, incurred prior to the effective date of termination. After termination,
                                         any obligation of Sponsor for fellowships or postdoctoral associates shall end no later
                                         than the end of University's academic year following termination.

 

ARTICLE
5 - Publicity

 

		5.1	Sponsor
                                         shall not use the name of University, nor of any member of University's Project staff,
                                         in any publicity, advertising, or news release or in any way imply endorsement of the
                                         University without the prior written approval of an authorized representative of University.
                                         University shall not use the name of Sponsor, nor any employee of Sponsor, in any publicity
                                         without the prior written approval of Sponsor. University may disclose, without Sponsor’s
                                         approval, the terms of this Agreement that are a matter of public record under the Iowa
                                         Open Records Law, Iowa Code Chapter 22.

 

    -2-

     

    

 

ARTICLE
6 - Publications

 

		6.1	Sponsor
                                         recognizes that under University policy, the results of University research must be publishable
                                         and agrees that researchers engaged in the Project shall be permitted to present research
                                         results at symposia, national or regional professional meetings, and to publish in journals,
                                         theses or dissertations, or otherwise of their own choosing, methods and results of the
                                         Project, provided, however, that Sponsor shall have been furnished copies of any proposed
                                         publication or presentation at least one (1) month in advance of the submission of such
                                         proposed publication or presentation to a journal, editor, or other third party. Sponsor
                                         shall have thirty (30) days, after receipt of said copies, to object to such proposed
                                         presentation or proposed publication because there is patentable subject matter or proprietary
                                         information of Sponsor that needs protection. In the event that Sponsor makes such objection,
                                         said researcher(s) shall refrain from making such publication or presentation for a maximum
                                         of six (6) months from date of receipt of such objection in order for University to file
                                         patent application(s) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and/or foreign
                                         patent office(s) directed to the patentable subject matter contained in the proposed
                                         publication or presentation. Sponsor does not possess a right to delay publication if
                                         the publication or presentation contains only findings and conclusions of basic science
                                         or results that would not affect the ability of Sponsor to obtain a patent.

 

ARTICLE
7 - Proprietary Information

 

		7.1	It
                                         is the responsibility of Sponsor to mark or otherwise identify in writing prior to submission
                                         any information considered confidential that it deems necessary to share with University
                                         (“Confidential Information”). Oral disclosures of Confidential Information
                                         shall be identified as confidential at the time of disclosure and confirmed in writing
                                         within ten (10) business days of the disclosure. University shall have the right to accept
                                         or reject Sponsor’s Confidential Information. If such information is accepted it
                                         will be withheld by University from publication, and in all other respects shall be maintained
                                         by University as confidential and proprietary to Sponsor for a period of five (5)
years after termination of this Agreement. University shall have no such obligation with respect to any portion of such Confidential
Information which:

 

		a)	is
                                         or later becomes generally available to the public by use, publication or the like, through
                                         no fault of University;

 

		b)	is
                                         obtained on a non-confidential basis from a third party who disclosed the same to University;

 

		c)	University
                                         already possesses, as evidenced by its written records, predating receipt thereof from
                                         Sponsor; or

 

		d)	is
                                         required to be disclosed by law, regulation or court order.

 

		7.2	All
                                         documentation concerning University Intellectual Property submitted to Sponsor in accordance
                                         with Article 8.4 shall be treated as confidential in order to preserve any patent rights.

 

    -3-

     

    

 

ARTICLE
8 - Intellectual Property

 

		8.1	All
                                         rights, title and interest to University Intellectual Property under the Project, except
                                         as provided in Article 8.3, shall belong to University and shall be subject to the terms
                                         and conditions of this Agreement.

 

		8.2	Rights
                                         to inventions, improvements, and/or discoveries, whether patentable or copyrightable
                                         or not, relating to the Project made solely by employees /consultants
of Sponsor shall belong to Sponsor. Such inventions, improvements, and/or discoveries shall not be subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement.

 

		8.3	Rights
                                         to inventions, improvements, and/or discoveries conceived and/or made during the Contract
                                         Period, whether patentable or copyrightable or not, relating to the Project, which are
                                         made jointly by employees of University and employees/consultants of Sponsor, shall be
                                         the joint property of University and Sponsor and shall be subject to the terms and conditions
                                         of this Agreement.

 

		8.4	University
                                         will promptly notify Sponsor of any University Intellectual Property conceived and/or
                                         made during the Contract Period under the Project. If Sponsor directs that a patent application
                                         or application for other intellectual property protection be filed, University shall
                                         promptly prepare, file, and prosecute such U.S. and foreign application in University's
                                         name, and Sponsor’s name if jointly invented. Sponsor shall bear all costs incurred
                                         in connection with such preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of U.S.
and foreign application(s) directed to said University Intellectual Property. Sponsor shall cooperate with University to assure
that such application(s) will cover, to the best of Sponsor's knowledge, all items of commercial interest and importance. While
University shall be responsible for making decisions regarding scope and content of application(s) to be filed and prosecution
thereof, Sponsor shall be given an opportunity to review and provide input thereto. University shall keep Sponsor advised as to
all developments with respect to such application(s) and shall promptly supply to Sponsor copies of all papers received and filed
in connection with the prosecution thereof in sufficient time for Sponsor to comment thereon.

 

		8.5	If
                                         Sponsor elects not to exercise its option granted in Article 9.1 or decides to discontinue
                                         the financial support of the prosecution and maintenance of the patent protection, all
                                         right, title and interest in such patent, patent application, and University Intellectual
                                         Property shall automatically revert to University. University shall then be free to file
                                         or continue prosecution or maintain any such application(s), and to maintain any protection
                                         issuing thereon in the U.S. and in any foreign country at University's sole expense.

 

ARTICLE
9 - Grant of Rights

 

		9.1	Subject
                                         to Article 8.3, University grants Sponsor the first option to elect an exclusive license
                                         to University Intellectual Property developed under this Agreement, and a right to sub-license
                                         any and all University Intellectual Property developed under this Agreement on terms
                                         and conditions to be mutually agreed upon. If Sponsor elects to exercise this option,
                                         Sponsor shall notify
University in writing of its decision within one (1) year from the date of termination of this Agreement.

 

    -4-

     

    

 

		9.2	No
                                         grant described in this Article shall be construed to limit University’s right
                                         to utilize University Intellectual Property for research, instruction or academic publication
                                         purposes.

 

ARTICLE
10 - Term and Termination

 

		10.1	This
                                         Agreement shall become effective upon the date first hereinabove written and shall continue
                                         in effect for the full duration of the Contract Period unless sooner terminated in accordance
                                         with the provisions of this Article. The parties hereto may, however, extend the term
                                         of this Agreement for additional periods as desired under mutually agreeable terms and
                                         conditions which the parties reduce to writing and sign. Either party may terminate this
                                         Agreement upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other.

 

		10.2	In
                                         the event that either party hereto shall commit any material breach or default in any
                                         of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, and also shall fail to remedy such default
                                         or breach within ninety (90) days after receipt of written notice thereof from the other
                                         party hereto, the party giving notice may, at its option and in addition to any other
                                         remedies which it may have at law or in equity, terminate this Agreement by sending notice
                                         of termination in writing to the other party to such effect, and such termination shall
                                         be effective as of the date of the receipt of such notice.

 

		10.3	Termination
                                         of this Agreement by either party for any reason shall not affect the rights and obligations
                                         of the parties accrued prior to the effective date of termination of this Agreement.
                                         No termination of this Agreement, however effectuated, shall release the parties hereto
                                         from their rights and obligations under Articles 3.1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11.

 

ARTICLE
11 - Independent Contractor

 

	 	11.1	In
                                         the performance of all services hereunder University shall be deemed to be and shall
                                         be an independent contractor and, as such, University shall not be entitled to any benefits
                                         applicable to employees of Sponsor.
	 	 	 
		11.2	Neither
                                         party is authorized or empowered to act as agent for the other for any purpose and shall
                                         not on behalf of the other enter into any contract, warranty, or representation as to
                                         any matter. Neither shall be bound to the acts or conduct of the other.

 

ARTICLE
12 – Insurance

 

		12.1	Each
                                         party shall be liable for any and all claims for wrongful death, personal injury or property
                                         damage attributable to the negligent acts or omissions of that party and the officers,
                                         employees, and agents thereof.

 

    -5-

     

    

 

		12.2	University
                                         shall be responsible and agrees to pay for any and all claims for wrongful death, personal
                                         injury or property damage directly resulting from the negligence of University, its officers,
                                         employees and agents, and arising from activities under this Agreement to the full extent
                                         permitted by Chapter 669, Code of Iowa, which is the exclusive remedy for processing
                                         tort claims against the State of Iowa.

 

ARTICLE
13 - Governing Law

 

		13.1	This
                                         Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of
                                         the State of Iowa, excluding its conflict of laws provisions.

 

ARTICLE
14 - Assignment

 

		14.1	This
                                         Agreement shall not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of
                                         the parties hereto.

 

		14.2	This
                                         Agreement is assignable to any division of Sponsor, any majority stockholder of Sponsor,
                                         and/or any subsidiary of Sponsor, provided that such assignee assumes all of the rights,
                                         obligations and liabilities of Sponsor hereunder.

 

ARTICLE
15 - Agreement Modification

 

		15.1	Any
                                         agreement to change the terms of this Agreement in any way shall be valid only if the
                                         change is made in writing and approved by mutual agreement of authorized representatives
                                         of the parties hereto.

 

ARTICLE
16 - Warranties

 

		16.1	NO
                                         WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE PART OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

ARTICLE
17 – Export Control

 

		17.1	The
                                         disclosing party agrees to share any export control determinations when products, services,
                                         and/or technical data under this Agreement are subject to export controls under U.S.
                                         Government export laws and regulations; however, each party will be solely responsible
                                         for compliance with U.S. Government export laws and regulations.

 

ARTICLE
18 - Notices

 

		18.1	Notices,
                                         invoices, and communications, hereunder shall be given by registered or certified mail,
                                         or express delivery service, postage or delivery charge prepaid, and addressed to the
                                         party to receive such notice, invoice, or communication at the address given below, or
                                         such other address as may hereafter be designated by notice in writing. Notice shall
                                         be deemed made on the date of receipt.

 

    -6-

     

    

 

If
to Sponsor:

 

Tim
Young, CEO

SunHydrogen, Inc

Phone:
(310)486-0740

E-mail:tyoung@sunhydrogen.com

 

For
Submission of Invoices:

SunHydrogen,
Inc.

32
E. Micheltorena, Suite A Santa

Barbara, CA 93101

Phone:
805-966-6566

Fax:
805-617-3601

E-mail:
tyoung@sunhydrogen.com

 

If
to University:                The University of Iowa

Division
of Sponsored Programs

Attention:
                   

 2 Gilmore Hall

Iowa
City, Iowa 52242

Phone: 319-335-2123

Fax:
319-335-2130

E-mail:

 

For
Payment Remittance:

 

The
University of Iowa 

Grant Accounting Office 

B5 Jessup Hall

Iowa
City, Iowa 52242-1316 Phone: 319-335-3801

Fax:
319-335-0674

 

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, duly authorized, have executed this Agreement in duplicate as of the day and year first written
above.

 

	SUNHYDROGEN,
    INC. (SPONSOR)	 	THE
    UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
	 	 	 	 	 
	By:	/s/
    Timothy Young	 	By:	/s/
    Jennifer Lassner
	Name: 	Timothy
    Young	 	Name: 	Jennifer
    Lassner
	Title: 	President
    and CEO	 	Title: 	Executive
    Director of Sponsored Programs
	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:	
	 	Date:	

 

Rev.
03/30/2012

 

 

-7-

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