Document:

Exhibit 10.7

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of June 9, 2014 by and between Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (“Asterias”), a Delaware corporation, and Pedro Lichtinger ("Executive").

 

	 	
1.

	
Engagement; Position and Duties.

 

(a)            Asterias agrees to employ Executive in the position described on Exhibit A (which Exhibit A is a part of this Agreement) effective as of the date of this Agreement. Executive shall perform the duties and functions described on Exhibit A and such other duties as the Board of Directors of Asterias may from time to time determine.  Executive shall be employed by Asterias on a full-time basis unless Exhibit A provides for part-time employment.  Executive shall devote Executive’s best efforts, skills, and abilities to the business of Asterias and its Related Companies pursuant to, and in accordance with, business policies and procedures, as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors (the “Policies”).  Executive covenants and agrees that Executive will faithfully adhere to and fulfill the Policies, including any changes to the Policies that may be made in the future.  Executive shall be provided with a copy of Asterias’ employee manual (the “Manual”) which contains the Policies. Asterias may change its Policies from time to time, in which case Executive will be notified of the changes in writing by a memorandum, a letter, or an update or revision of the Manual. Asterias expressly agrees that the Executive shall be permitted to continue his service on the following Boards of Directors: (1) The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, (2) Laboratorios Sanfer, SA de CV, and (3) Brazil Foundation.

 

(b)            Performance of Services for Related Companies.  In addition to the performance of services for Asterias, Executive shall, to the extent so required by Asterias, also perform services for one or more members of a consolidated group of which Asterias is a part ("Related Company"), provided that such services are consistent with the kind of services Executive performs or may be required to perform for Asterias under this Agreement.  If Executive performs any services for any Related Company, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any compensation or remuneration in addition to or in lieu of the compensation and remuneration provided under this Agreement on account of such services for the Related Company.  The Policies will govern Executive’s employment by Asterias and any Related Company for which Executive is asked to provide Services. In addition, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive will faithfully adhere to such additional policies as may be established from time to time by the board of directors of any Related Company for which Executive performs services, to the extent that such policies and procedures are provided to Executive and differ from or are in addition to the Policies adopted by Asterias.

 

(c)            No Conflicting Obligations.  Executive represents and warrants to Asterias and each Related Company that Executive is under no obligations or commitments, whether contractual or otherwise, that are inconsistent with Executive’s obligations under this Agreement or that would prohibit Executive, contractually or otherwise, from performing Executive’s duties as under this Agreement and the Policies.

 

(d)            No Unauthorized Use of Third Party Intellectual Property.  Executive represents and warrants to Asterias and each Related Company that Executive will not use or disclose, in connection with Executive’s employment by Asterias or any Related Company, any patents, trade secrets, confidential information, or other proprietary information or intellectual property as to which any other person has any right, title or interest, except to the extent that Asterias or a Related Company holds a valid license or other written permission for such use from the owner(s) thereof.  Executive represents and warrants to Asterias and each Related Company that Executive has returned all property and confidential information belonging to any prior employer.

	 	
2.

	
Compensation

 

(a)            Salary.  During the term of this Agreement, Asterias shall pay to the Executive the salary shown on Exhibit A.  Executive's salary shall be paid in equal semi-monthly installments, consistent with Asterias’ regular salary payment practices.  Executive's salary may be increased from time-to-time by Asterias, Executive's salary shall be reviewed on an annual basis, or more often if appropriate, and shall be set consistent with a compensation philosophy which targets the 50th percentile of a group of comparator companies selected by the Board of Directors or a compensation committee of the Board of Directors.

 

(b)            Bonus.  Executive shall receive an annual bonus opportunity. Such bonus shall be determined based on both (1) a compensation philosophy which targets the 50th percentile of a group of comparator companies selected by the Board of Directors or a compensation committee of the Board of Directors and (2) the extent to which Executive achieved the goals or milestones for the year as reasonably set by the Board.

 

(c)            Expense Reimbursements. Asterias or a Related Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable travel and other business expenses (but not expenses of commuting to work) incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement, subject to the Policies and procedures in effect from time to time, and provided that Executive submits supporting vouchers, receipts, or other documentation.

 

(d)            Equity and Benefit Plans.  Executive is receiving certain stock options and Restricted Stock as set forth in Exhibit A. Every year, the Board of Directors of Asterias will consider whether to grant Executive additional stock options or Restricted Stock consistent with an overall compensation philosophy which targets the 50th percentile of a group of comparator companies selected by the Board of Directors or a compensation committee of the Board of Directors. In addition, Executive may be eligible (to the extent Executive qualifies) to participate in certain retirement, pension, life, health, accident and disability insurance, stock option or other similar employee benefit plans which may be adopted by Asterias (or a Related Company) for its employees. Asterias and any Related Company have the right, at any time and without any amendment of this Agreement, and without prior notice to or consent from Executive, to adopt, amend, change, or terminate any such benefit plans that may now be in effect or that may be adopted in the future, in each case without any further financial obligation to Executive.  Any benefits to which Executive may be entitled under any benefit plan shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the applicable benefit plan, and any related plan documents, as in effect from time to time.  If Executive receives any grant of stock options or restricted stock under any stock option, restricted stock, or stock purchase plan of Asterias or any Related Company, the terms and conditions of the stock options or restricted stock, and Executive’s rights with respect to the stock options or restricted stock, shall be governed by (i) the terms of the applicable stock option, restricted stock, or stock purchase plan, as the same may be amended from time to time, and (ii) the terms and conditions of any stock option, restricted stock, or stock purchase agreement and related agreements that Executive may sign or be required to sign with respect to the stock options or restricted stock.

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(e)            Vacation; Sick Leave.  Executive shall be entitled to the number of days of vacation and sick leave (without reduction in compensation) during each calendar year shown on Exhibit A or as may be provided by the Policies (whichever is greater).  Executive’s vacation shall be taken at such time as is consistent with the needs and Policies of Asterias and its Related Companies.  All vacation days and sick leave days shall accrue annually based upon days of service.  Executive’s right to leave from work due to illness is subject to the Policies and the provisions of this Agreement governing termination due to disability, sickness or illness.  The Policies governing the disposition of unused vacation days and sick leave days remaining at the end of Asterias’ fiscal year shall govern whether unused vacation days or sick leave days will be paid, lost, or carried over into subsequent fiscal years.

 

3.                   Competitive Activities. During the term of Executive's employment, and for one year thereafter, Executive shall not, for Executive or any third party, directly or indirectly employ, solicit for employment or recommend for employment any person employed by Asterias or any Related Company.  During the term of Executive's employment, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly as an employee, contractor, officer, director, member, partner, agent, or equity owner, engage in any activity or business that competes or could reasonably be expected to compete with the business of Asterias or any Related Company, except to the extent such activities by Executive are approved by the Board of Directors of Asterias.  Executive acknowledges that there is a substantial likelihood that the activities described in this Section would (a) involve the unauthorized use or disclosure of Asterias’ or a Related Company's Confidential Information and that use or disclosure would be extremely difficult to detect, and (b) result in substantial competitive harm to the business of Asterias or a Related Company.  Executive has accepted the limitations of this Section as a reasonably practicable means of preventing such use or disclosure of Confidential Information and preventing such competitive harm.

 

	 	
4.

	
Inventions/Intellectual Property/Confidential Information

 

(a)            As used in this Agreement, “Intellectual Property” means any and all inventions, discoveries, formulas, improvements, writings, designs, or other intellectual property.  Any and all Intellectual Property relating to or in any way pertaining to or connected with the systems, products, apparatus, or methods employed, manufactured, constructed, or researched by Asterias, or any Related Company, which Executive may conceive or make while performing services for Asterias or a Related Company shall be the sole and exclusive property of Asterias or the applicable Related Company.  Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and transfers to Asterias, or a Related Company, all rights, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property that Executive may now or in the future have under patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark or other law, in perpetuity or for the longest period otherwise permitted by law, without the necessity of further consideration.  Asterias and the Related Companies will be entitled to obtain and hold in their own name all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and other similar registrations with respect to such Intellectual Property.

 

(b)            Moral Rights.  To the extent allowed by law, the rights to Intellectual Property assigned by Executive to Asterias or any Related Company includes all rights of paternity, integrity, disclosure and withdrawal, and any other rights that may be known as or referred to as “moral rights,” “artist’s rights,” “droit moral,” or the like (collectively “Moral Rights”).  To the extent Executive retains any such Moral Rights under applicable law, Executive hereby ratifies and consents to any action that may be taken with respect to such Moral Rights by or authorized by Asterias or a Related Company and agrees not to assert any Moral Rights with respect thereto.  Executive shall confirm in writing any such ratifications, consents, and agreements from time to time as requested by Asterias or Related Company.

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(c)            Execution of Documents; Power of Attorney.  Executive agrees to execute and sign any and all applications, assignments, or other instruments which Asterias or a Related Company may deem necessary in order to enable Asterias or a Related Company, at its expense, to apply for, prosecute, and obtain patents of the United States or foreign countries for the Intellectual Property, or in order to assign or convey to, perfect, maintain or vest in Asterias or a Related Company the sole and exclusive right, title, and interest in and to the Intellectual Property.  If Asterias or a Related Company is unable after reasonable efforts to secure Executive’s signature, cooperation or assistance in accordance with the preceding sentence, whether because of Executive’s incapacity or any other reason whatsoever, Executive hereby designates and appoints Asterias or any Related Company or its designee as Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact, to act on Executive’s behalf, to execute and file documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts necessary or desirable to perfect, maintain or otherwise protect Asterias’ or a Related Company’s rights in the Intellectual Property.  Executive acknowledges and agrees that such appointment is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.

 

(d)            Disclosure of Intellectual Property.  Executive agrees to disclose promptly to Asterias or a Related Company all Intellectual Property which Executive may create or conceive solely, jointly, or commonly with others.  This paragraph is applicable whether or not the Intellectual Property was made under the circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this Section.  Executive agrees to make such disclosures understanding that they will be received in confidence and that, among other things, they are for the purpose of determining whether or not rights to the related Intellectual Property is the property of Asterias or a Related Company.

 

(e)            Limitations.  The obligations provided for by this Section 4, except for the requirements as to disclosure in paragraph 4(d), do not apply to any rights Executive may have acquired in connection with Intellectual Property for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of Asterias or a Related Company was used and which was developed entirely on the Executive’s own time and (i) which at the time of conception or reduction to practice does not relate directly or indirectly to the business of Asterias or a Related Company, or to the actual or demonstrable anticipated research or development activities or plans of Asterias or a Related Company, or (ii) which does not result from any work performed by Executive for Asterias or a Related Company.  All Intellectual Property that (1) results from the use of equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information of Asterias or a Related Company; (2) relates, at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention, to the business of Asterias or a Related Company, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of Asterias or a Related Company; or (3) results from any work performed by Executive for Asterias or a Related Company shall be assigned and is hereby assigned to Asterias or the applicable Related Company.  The parties understand and agree that this limitation is intended to be consistent with California Labor Code, Section 2870, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit B.  If Executive wishes to clarify that something created by Executive prior to Executive’s employment by Asterias or a Related Company that relates to the actual or proposed business of Asterias or a Related Company is not within the scope of this Agreement, Executive has listed it on Exhibit C in a manner that does not violate any third party rights.

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(f)            Confidential and Proprietary Information.  During Executive’s employment, Executive will have access to trade secrets and confidential information of Asterias and one or more Related Companies.  Confidential Information means all information and ideas, in any form, relating in any manner to matters such as: products; formulas; technology and know-how; inventions; clinical trial plans and data; business plans; marketing plans; the identity, expertise, and compensation of employees and contractors; systems, procedures, and manuals; customers; suppliers; joint venture partners; research collaborators; licensees; and financial information.  Confidential Information also shall include any information of any kind, whether belonging to Asterias, a Related Company, or any third party, that Asterias or a Related Company has agreed to keep secret or confidential under the terms of any agreement with any third party.  Confidential Information does not include:  (i) information that is or becomes publicly known through lawful means other than unauthorized disclosure by Executive; (ii) information that was rightfully in Executive's possession prior to Executive’s employment with Asterias and was not assigned to Asterias or a Related Company or was not disclosed to Executive in Executive’s capacity as a director or other fiduciary of Asterias or a Related Company; or (iii) information disclosed to Executive, after the termination of Executive’s employment by Asterias, without a confidential restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the information and did not obtain it, either directly or indirectly, from Asterias or a Related Company, and who is not subject to an obligation to keep such information confidential for the benefit of Asterias, a Related Company, or any third party with whom Asterias or a Related Company has a contractual relationship.  Executive understands and agrees that all Confidential Information shall be kept confidential by Executive both during and after Executive’s employment by Asterias or any Related Company.  Executive further agrees that Executive will not, without the prior written approval by Asterias or a Related Company, disclose any Confidential Information, or use any Confidential Information in any way, either during the term of Executive’s employment or at any time thereafter, except as required by Asterias or a Related Company in the course of Executive’s employment.

 

5.                   Termination of Employment.  Executive understands and agrees that Executive’s employment has no specific term.  This Agreement, and the employment relationship, are "at will" and may be terminated by Executive or by Asterias (and the employment of Executive by any Related Company by be terminated by the Related Company) with or without cause at any time by notice given orally or in writing.  Except as otherwise agreed in writing or as otherwise provided in this Agreement, upon termination of Executive's employment, Asterias and the Related Companies shall have no further obligation to Executive by way of compensation or otherwise as expressly provided in this Agreement or in any separate employment agreement that might then exist between Executive and a Related Company.

 

(a)                Payments Due Upon Termination of Employment.  Upon termination of Executive's employment with Asterias and all Related Companies at any time and for any reason, Executive will be entitled to receive only the severance benefits set forth below, but Executive will not be entitled to any other compensation, award, or damages with respect to Executive’s employment or termination of employment.

 

(i)              Termination for Cause, Death, Disability, or Resignation.  In the event that the employment of Executive is terminated for Cause, or is terminated as a result of death, Disability, or resignation, Executive will be entitled to receive payment for all accrued but unpaid salary, accrued but unpaid bonus, if any, and vacation accrued as of the date of termination of Executive’s employment.  Executive will not be entitled to any cash severance benefits or vesting of any stock options or other equity or cash awards.

 

(ii)            Termination Without Cause and Resignation for Good Reason.  In the event that the employment of the Executive is terminated by Asterias without “Cause” as defined in this Agreement or resigns for "Good Reason," otherwise than within twelve (12) months following a “change in control” as defined in this Agreement, Executive shall receive payment for all accrued but unpaid salary, accrued but unpaid bonus, if any, and vacation accrued as of the date of termination of Executive’s employment, and as severance compensation (A) three months of base salary if Executive’s employment is terminated within the first 12 months of employment, or (B) six months of base salary if Executive’s employment is terminated after 12 months of employment, and (C) accelerated vesting of fifty percent (50%) of the then unvested stock options granted to Executive if Executive has been employed by Asterias for at least 12 months.  The severance compensation described in clauses (A) and (B) of this paragraph may be paid in a lump sum or, at the election of Asterias, in installments consistent with the payment of Executive's salary while employed by Asterias, subject to such payroll deductions and withholdings as are required by law.  This paragraph shall not apply to (x) termination of Executive’s employment by a Related Company if Executive remains employed by Asterias, or (y) termination of Executive’s employment by Asterias if Executive remains employed by a Related Company.

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(iii)          Change of Control.  In the event Asterias (or any successor in interest to Asterias that has assumed Asterias’ obligation under this Agreement) terminates Executive's employment without "Cause" or Executive resigns for "Good Reason" within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, Executive will be entitled to receive payment for all accrued but unpaid salary, accrued but unpaid bonus, if any, and vacation accrued as of the date of termination of Executive’s employment, and as severance compensation (A) payment of an amount equal to 12 months of base salary, which shall be paid in a lump sum, subject to such payroll deductions and withholdings as are required by law, (B) accelerated vesting of one hundred percent (100%) of the then unvested stock options, and (C) expiration of the restrictions on the shares of Restricted Stock granted to Executive.  This paragraph shall not apply to (x) termination of Executive’s employment by a Related Company if Executive remains employed by Asterias or a successor in interest, or (y) termination of Executive’s employment by Asterias or a successor in interest if Executive remains employed by a Related Company.

 

(b)                 Release.  Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, paragraphs (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) of this Section shall not apply unless the Executive (i) has executed a general release of all claims against Asterias or its successor in interest and the Related Companies (in a form prescribed by Asterias or its successor in interest), (ii) has returned all property in the Executive's possession belonging Asterias or its successor in interest and any Related Companies, and (iii) if serving as a director has tendered his written resignation as a director as provided in Section 7.

 

(c)                 Definitions.  For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(i)            "Affiliated Group" means (A) a Person and one or more other Persons in control of, controlled by, or under common control with such Person; and (B) two or more Persons who, by written agreement among them, act in concert to acquire Voting Securities entitling them to elect a majority of the directors of Asterias.

 

(ii)            "Cause" means:  (A) commission of any act of fraud as determined by the Asterias Board of Directors in good faith after providing Executive with reasonable written notice of the specific act(s) at issue and a fair opportunity to present his position (with the involvement of counsel) to the Board prior to any decision being reached; (B) commission of any act of gross misconduct or dishonesty with respect to Asterias or any Related Company which causes material harm to either Asterias or any Related Company ; (C) indictment for, conviction of, or plea of guilty or "no contest" to, any felony; (D material breach of any provision of this Agreement or  of any proprietary information and inventions agreement with Asterias or any Related Company; (E) failure to follow the lawful directions of the Board of Directors of Asterias or any Related Company after receiving written notice of the specific failure and fifteen (15) days in which to cure such failure; (F) chronic alcohol or drug abuse; (G) obtaining, in connection with any transaction in which Asterias, any Related Company, or any of Asterias’ affiliates is a party, a material undisclosed (to the Asterias Board of Directors or an audit committee of the Board of Directors) financial benefit for Executive or for any member of Executive’s immediate family or for any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or trust in which Executive or any member of Executive’s immediate family owns a material financial interest; or (H) harassing or discriminating against, or participating or assisting in the harassment of or discrimination against, any employee of Asterias (or a Related Company or an affiliate of Asterias) based upon gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or nationality as determined by the Asterias Board of Directors in good faith after providing Executive with reasonable written notice of the specific act(s) at issue and a fair opportunity to present his position (with the involvement of counsel) to the Board prior to any decision being reached.

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(iii)          "Change of Control" means (A) the acquisition of Voting Securities of Asterias by a Person or an Affiliated Group entitling the holder thereof to elect a majority of the directors of Asterias; provided, that an increase in the amount of Voting Securities held by a Person or Affiliated Group who on the date of this Agreement owned beneficially owned (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations thereunder) more than 10% of the Voting Securities shall not constitute a Change of Control; and provided, further, that an acquisition of Voting Securities by one or more Persons acting as an underwriter in connection with a sale or distribution of such Voting Securities shall not constitute a Change of Control under this clause (A); (B) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Asterias; or (C) a merger or consolidation of Asterias with or into another corporation or entity in which the stockholders of Asterias immediately before such merger or consolidation do not own, in the aggregate, Voting Securities of the surviving corporation or entity (or the ultimate parent of the surviving corporation or entity) entitling them, in the aggregate (and without regard to whether they constitute an Affiliated Group) to elect a majority of the directors or persons holding similar powers of the surviving corporation or entity (or the ultimate parent of the surviving corporation or entity); provided, however, that in no event shall any transaction described in clauses (A), (B) or (C) be a Change of Control if all of the Persons acquiring Voting Securities or assets of Asterias or merging or consolidating with Asterias are one or more Related Companies.

 

(iv)            "Disability" shall mean Executive's inability to perform the essential functions of Executive’s job responsibilities for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days in the aggregate in any twelve (12) month period.

 

(v)             "Good Reason" means (A) a diminution in Executive's base salary; (B) a material change in geographic location at which Executive must perform services (a change in location of the Asterias  office at which Executive will primarily work will be considered material only if it increases Executive’s current one-way commute by more than fifty (50) miles); (C) any material failure of the successors to Asterias after a Change of Control to perform, or causing Asterias not to perform, Asterias' obligations under this Agreement; (D) any action or inaction of Asterias that constitutes a material breach of the terms of this Agreement; or (E) any other material adverse change in Executive's duties, authorities, responsibilities, or reporting structure (for example, if Executive is required to report to anyone other than the Board of Directors of Asterias or its successor, or if Executive is removed from the Board of Directors of Asterias as a result of an action by the Board of Directors of Asterias or by an action of BioTime, Inc.)."

 

(vi)            "Person" means any natural person or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated business association, or other entity.

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(vii)          "Voting Securities" means shares of capital stock or other equity securities entitling the holder thereof to regularly vote for the election of directors (or for person performing a similar function if the issuer is not a corporation), but does not include the power to vote upon the happening of some condition or event which has not yet occurred.

 

6.                   Turnover of Property and Documents on Termination.  Executive agrees that on or before termination of Executive’s employment, Executive will return to Asterias and all Related Companies all equipment and other property belonging to Asterias and the Related Companies, and all originals and copies of Confidential Information (in any and all media and formats, and including any document or other item containing Confidential Information) in Executive's possession or control, and all of the following (in any and all media and formats, and whether or not constituting or containing Confidential Information) in Executive's possession or control:  (a) lists and sources of customers; (b) proposals or drafts of proposals for any research grant, research or development project or program, marketing plan, licensing arrangement, or other arrangement with any third party; (c) reports, job or laboratory notes, specifications, and drawings pertaining to the research, development, products, patents, and technology of Asterias and any Related Companies; (d) any and all Intellectual Property developed by Executive during the course of employment; and (e) the Manual and memoranda related to the Policies.

 

7.                   Resignation as a Director on Termination of Employment.  If Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated for any reason or for no reason, whether by way of resignation, Disability, or termination by the Company with or without Cause, and if Executive is then a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, Executive shall within two business days after such termination of employment resign from the Board of Directors of the Company and from the board of directors of each and every Company subsidiary, by delivering to the Company (or subsidiary as applicable) a letter or other written communication addressed to the Board of Directors of the Company (or subsidiary as applicable) stating that Executive is resigning from the Board of Directors of the Company (or subsidiary as applicable) effective immediately.  A business day shall be any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday on which federal offices are closed.

 

8.                   Arbitration.  Except for injunctive proceedings against unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information, any and all claims or controversies between Asterias or any Related Company and Executive, including but not limited to (a) those involving the construction or application of any of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this Agreement or the Policies; (b) all contract or tort claims of any kind; and (c) any claim based on any federal, state, or local law, statute, regulation, or ordinance, including claims for unlawful discrimination or harassment, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the then current Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered by any court having jurisdiction over the Company and Executive.  The location of the arbitration shall be San Francisco, California.  Unless Asterias or a Related Company and Executive mutually agree otherwise, the arbitrator shall be a retired judge selected from a panel provided by the American Arbitration Association, or the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (JAMS).  Asterias, or a Related Company if the Related Company is a party to the arbitration proceeding, shall pay the arbitrator’s fees and costs.  Executive shall pay for Executive’s own costs and attorneys' fees, if any.  Asterias and any Related Company that is a party to an arbitration proceeding shall pay for its own costs and attorneys' fees, if any.  However, if any party prevails on a statutory claim which affords the prevailing party attorneys' fees, the arbitrator shall award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing party consistent with the relevant statute(s).

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EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF EXECUTIVE’S RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY MATTERS COVERED BY THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE.

 

9.                   Severability. In the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement or the Policies shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, those provisions to the extent enforceable and all other provisions shall nevertheless continue to be valid and enforceable as though the invalid or unenforceable parts had not been included in this Agreement or the Policies.  In the event that any provision relating to a time period of restriction shall be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum time period such court deems reasonable and enforceable, then the time period of restriction deemed reasonable and enforceable by the court shall become and shall thereafter be the maximum time period.

 

10.                Agreement Read and Understood. Executive acknowledges that Executive has carefully read the terms of this Agreement, that Executive has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney or other representative of Executive’s own choosing regarding this Agreement, that Executive understands the terms of this Agreement, and that Executive is entering this agreement of Executive’s own free will.

 

11.               Complete Agreement, Modification.  This Agreement is the complete agreement between Executive and Asterias on the subjects contained in this Agreement.  This Agreement supersedes and replaces all previous correspondence, promises, representations, and agreements, if any, either written or oral with respect to Executive’s employment by Asterias or any Related Company and any matter covered by this Agreement.  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, amended, or waived except by a written document signed both by Asterias and Executive.

 

12.               Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of California.

 

13.               Assignability.  This Agreement, and the rights and obligations of Executive and Asterias under this Agreement, may not be assigned by Executive.  Asterias may assign any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any successor or surviving corporation, limited liability company, or other entity resulting from a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, sale of stock, sale of membership interests, or other reorganization, upon condition that the assignee shall assume, either expressly or by operation of law, all of Asterias’ obligations under this Agreement.

 

14.               Survival.  This Section 14 and the covenants and agreements contained in Sections 4, 6, 7, and 8 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement and Executive's employment.

 

15.                Notices.  Any notices or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or sent by next business day air courier service, or personally delivered to the party to whom it is to be given at the address of such party set forth on the signature page of this Agreement (or to such other address as the party shall have furnished in writing in accordance with the provisions of this Section 15).

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and Asterias have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

	
EXECUTIVE:

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
s/Pedro Lichtinger

	
 

	
Pedro Lichtinger

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Address:

	
322 W.57th Street, Apt 35B

	
 

	
 

	
New York, NY 10019

	
 

 

	
ASTERIAS:

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
By:

	
s/Alfred D. Kingsley

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

		
Title:

	
Chairman

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Address:

	
230 Constitution Drive

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Menlo Park, California 94025

	

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EXHIBIT A

 

Job Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer

Description of Job and Duties:  Executive shall perform the duties and functions as are normally carried out by a Chief Executive Officer of a developer of pharmaceutical or medical products of a size comparable to Asterias, and as the Board of Directors of Asterias shall from time to time reasonably determine.  Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, Executive shall (i) manage stem cell research and development of technologies and products for human therapeutic purposes based on human stem cells, including but not limited to embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and human embryonic progenitor cells; (ii) participate in capital raising efforts on behalf of the Company; and (iii) participate in the acquisition of companies in the business of developing products and technologies in the field of human stem cell research and regenerative medicine, or, the acquisition of assets of such companies, to the extent that Asterias has or obtains sufficient capital for such purpose, and.

Annual Salary: $400,000 commencing as of June 9, 2014.

Vacation and Sick Days Annually:  21 days.  For the year 2014, Executive shall be permitted to take up to twenty (20) of such vacation days during the summer of 2014 to attend to previously planned family commitments.

Equity Incentive Plan Awards:  (A) Options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock under the Asterias Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) at an exercise price of $2.34 per share, and on such other terms and conditions consistent with the Plan as the Board of Directors determines, including vesting in 48 monthly installments conditioned upon Executive remaining a full-time employee at the end of the applicable month; (B) 200,000 shares of Restricted Stock under the Plan, which shares shall be restricted under the Plan for a period of one year with the restrictions to expire with respect to 16,667 shares of such Restricted Stock each month Executive is employed by Asterias or a Related Company (for example, after Executive is employed by Asterias or a Related Company for one month, the restrictions will remain on 183,333 of the shares).

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EXHIBIT B

 

California Labor Code Section 2870.

 

Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer.

 

(a)            Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

 

(i)            Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or

 

(ii)            Result from any work performed by the employee for his employer.

(b)            To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.

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EXHIBIT C

 

PRIOR MATTERS

 

None

 

 

13Exhibit 10.8

 

LIFEMAP SOLUTIONS, INC.

2014 Stock Option Plan

	
1.

	
Purpose and Eligibility

The purpose of this 2014 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) of LifeMap Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is to provide stock options and other equity interests in the Company (each an “Award”) to selected key officers, directors, employees, consultants, independent contractors, professionals, advisors, scientific advisory board members, and other individuals whose efforts may aid the Company or its Affiliates, all of whom are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.  Any person to whom an Award has been granted under the Plan is called a “Participant.”  Additional definitions are contained in Section 8.

	
2.

	
Administration

a.                   Administration by Board of Directors.  The Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board").  The Board, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to grant and amend Awards, to adopt, amend and repeal rules relating to the Plan and to interpret and correct the provisions of the Plan and any Award.   All decisions by the Board shall be final and binding on all interested persons. Neither the Company nor any member of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination relating to the Plan.

b.                   Appointment of Committees.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a "Committee").  All references in the Plan to the "Board" shall mean such Committee or the Board.

	
3.

	
Stock Available for Awards

a.                    Number of Shares.  Subject to adjustment under Section 3(c), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) that may be issued pursuant to the Plan is 18,667 shares.  If any Award expires, or is terminated, surrendered or forfeited, in whole or in part, the unissued Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan.  If shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan are repurchased by, or are surrendered or forfeited to, the Company at no more than cost, such shares of Common Stock shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that the cumulative number of such shares that may be so reissued under the Plan will not exceed 9,333 Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

b.                  Adjustment to Common Stock.  In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, liquidation, spin-off, split-up, or other similar change in capitalization or event, (i) the number and class of securities available for Awards under the Plan and the per-Participant share limit, (ii) the number and class of securities, vesting schedule and exercise price per share subject to each outstanding Option, (iii) the repurchase price per security subject to repurchase, and (iv) the terms of each other outstanding stock-based Award shall be adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made) to the extent the Board shall determine, in good faith, that such an adjustment (or substitution) is appropriate. If Section 7(e)(i) applies for any event, this Section 3(b) shall not be applicable.

	
4.

	
Stock Options

a.                    General.  The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an "Option") and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and the Common Stock issued upon the exercise of each Option, including vesting provisions, repurchase provisions and restrictions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers advisable.

b.                    Incentive Stock Options.  An Option that the Board intends to be an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an "Incentive Stock Option") shall be granted only to employees of the Company and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.  The Board and the Company shall have no liability if an Option or any part thereof that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option does not qualify as such. An Option or any part thereof that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option is referred to herein as a "Non-Qualified Stock Option.”

c.                    Exercise Price.  The Board shall establish the exercise price (or determine the method by which the exercise price shall be determined) at the time each Option is granted and specify it in the applicable option agreement.

d.                    Duration of Options.  Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable option agreement.

e.                   Exercise of Option.  Options may be exercised only by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person together with payment in full as specified in Section 4(f) for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.

f.                    Payment Upon Exercise.  Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option shall be paid for by one or any combination of the following forms of payment, as determined by the Board in the exercise of its discretion, and specified in the applicable option agreement:

(i)            by check payable to the order of the Company;

(ii)          except as otherwise explicitly provided in the applicable option agreement, and only if the Common Stock is then publicly traded, delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; or

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(iii)         to the extent explicitly provided in the applicable option agreement, by (A) delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at  fair market value (as determined by the Board or as determined pursuant to the applicable option agreement), (B) net exercise of the option pursuant to which the Participant agrees to surrender a sufficient number of shares obtained through exercise of the option, valued at fair market value (as determined by the Board or as determined by the applicable option agreement) to satisfy the exercise price, or (C) payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine.

	
5.

	
Restricted Stock

a.                    Grants.  The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock, subject to (i) delivery to the Company by the Participant of cash or other lawful consideration in an amount at least equal to the par value of the shares purchased, and (ii) the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award (each, a "Restricted Stock Award").

b.                   Terms and Conditions. The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Restricted Stock Award.  Any stock certificates issued in respect of a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the name of the Participant and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, deposited by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee).  After the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or, if the Participant has died, to the beneficiary designated by a Participant, in a manner determined by the Board, to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant's death (the "Designated Beneficiary").  In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, Designated Beneficiary shall mean the Participant's estate.

	
6.

	
Other Stock-Based Awards

The Board shall have the right to grant other Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Board may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Common Stock and the grant of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards or stock units.

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7.

	
General Provisions Applicable to Awards

a.                   Transferability of Awards.  Except as the Board may otherwise determine or provide in an Award, Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant.  References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.

b.                   Documentation.  Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written instrument in such form as the Board shall determine or as executed by an officer of the Company pursuant to authority delegated by the Board.  Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan provided that such terms and conditions do not contravene the provisions of the Plan.

c.                    Board Discretion.  The terms of each type of Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly.

d.                   Termination of Status.  The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant's legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award.

e.                    Acquisition of the Company

(i)            Consequences of an Acquisition.  Upon the consummation of an Acquisition, the Board or the board of directors of the surviving or acquiring entity (as used in this Section 7(e)(i), also the “Board”), shall, as to outstanding Awards (on the same basis or on different bases as the Board shall specify), make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Awards by the Company or the assumption of such Awards by the surviving or acquiring entity and by substituting on an equitable basis for the shares then subject to such Awards either (a) the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition, (b) shares of stock of the surviving or acquiring corporation or (c) such other securities or other consideration as the Board deems appropriate, the fair market value of which (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion) shall not materially differ from the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Awards immediately preceding the Acquisition. In addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, with respect to outstanding Options, the Board may, on the same basis or on different bases as the Board shall specify, upon written notice to the affected optionees, provide that one or more Options then outstanding must be exercised, in whole or in part, within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period such Options shall terminate, or provide that one or more Options then outstanding, in whole or in part, shall be terminated in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the fair market value (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion) for the shares subject to such Options over the exercise price thereof; provided, however, that before terminating any portion of an Option that is not vested or exercisable (other than in exchange for a cash payment), the Board must first accelerate in full the exercisability of the portion that is to be terminated.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board (on the same basis or on different bases as the Board shall specify), any repurchase rights or other rights of the Company that relate to an Option or other Award shall continue to apply to consideration, including cash, that has been substituted, assumed or amended for an Option or other Award pursuant to this paragraph. The Company may hold in escrow all or any portion of any such consideration in order to effectuate any continuing restrictions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board retains the authority to do or approve any action affecting the terms of Awards that the Board deems to be in the best interests of the Company.

4

(ii)          Acquisition Defined.  An "Acquisition" shall mean: (x) the sale of the Company by merger in which the shareholders of the Company in their capacity as such no longer own a majority of the outstanding equity securities of the Company (or its successor); or (y) any sale of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of the Company (other than in a spin-off or similar transaction) or  (z) any other acquisition of the business of the Company, as determined by the Board.

(iii)         Assumption of Options Upon Certain Events.  In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock-based awards issued by such entity or an affiliate thereof.  The substitute Awards shall be granted on such terms and conditions as the Board considers appropriate in the circumstances.

f.                  Withholding.  Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or make provisions satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with Awards to such Participant no later than the date of the event creating the tax liability.  The Board may allow Participants to satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by transferring shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their fair market value (as determined by the Board or as determined pursuant to the applicable option agreement).  The Company may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax obligations from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant.

g.                  Amendment of Awards.  The Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award including, but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option, provided that the Participant's consent to such action shall be required unless the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant.

h.                   Conditions on Delivery of Stock.  The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.

5

i.            Acceleration.  The Board may at any time provide that any Options shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part, that any Restricted Stock Awards shall be free of some or all restrictions, or that any other stock-based Awards may become exercisable in full or in part or free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the case may be, despite the fact that the foregoing actions may (i) cause the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code if a change in control of the Company occurs, or (ii) disqualify all or part of the Option as an Incentive Stock Option. In the event of the acceleration of the exercisability of one or more outstanding Options, including pursuant to paragraph (e)(i), the Board may provide, as a condition of full exercisability of any or all such Options, that the Common Stock or other substituted consideration, including cash, as to which exercisability has been accelerated shall be restricted and subject to forfeiture back to the Company at the option of the Company at the cost thereof upon termination of employment or other relationship, with the timing and other terms of the vesting of such restricted stock or other consideration being equivalent to the timing and other terms of the superseded exercise schedule of the related Option.

	
8.

	
Miscellaneous

a.  Definitions.

(i)            "Company" for purposes of eligibility under the Plan, shall include any present or future corporation which is a parent corporation or a subsidiary corporation with respect to LIFEMAP SOLUTIONS, INC. within the meaning of Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code.  For purposes of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the term “Company” shall include any other business venture in which the Company has a direct or indirect significant interest, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

(ii)           “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

(iii)         “Employee” for purposes of eligibility under the Plan (but not for purposes of Section 4(b)) shall include a person to whom an offer of employment has been extended by the Company.

b.                   No Right To Employment or Other Status.  No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company.  The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan.

c.                    No Rights As Stockholder.  Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder thereof.

6

d.                    Effective Date and Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board.  No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the completion of ten years from the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.

e.                   Amendment of Plan.  The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time.

f.                     Governing Law.  The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law.

 

 

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