Document:

Exhibit
10.1

EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT

This
Agreement (the “Agreement”) is
entered into as of April 1,
2005 (the “Effective
Date”) by and
between MANHATTAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation with an office
at 810 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor,
New York, NY 10019 (the “Company”), and
DOUGLAS ABEL,
residing at 104
Firecut Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776 (the “Executive”).

 

W
I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS,
the Company desires to employ the Executive as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and the Executive desires to serve the Company in those
capacities, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this
Agreement.

 

NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.  Employment.

 

(a) Services.
The Executive will be employed by the Company as its President and Chief
Executive Officer. The Executive will report to the Board of Directors of the
Company (the “Board”) and
shall perform such duties as are consistent with his position as President and
Chief Executive Officer (the “Services”). The
Executive agrees to perform such duties faithfully, to devote all of his working
time, attention and energies to the business of the Company, and while he
remains employed, not to engage in any other business activity that is in
conflict with his duties and obligations to the Company. 

 

(b) Acceptance. The
Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to render the
Services.

 

2.  Term. The
Executive's employment under this Agreement shall commence as of April 1, 2005
(the “Commencement
Date”) and
shall continue for a term of three (3) years (the “Initial
Term”),
unless sooner terminated pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions of
this Agreement governing protection of the Company’s Confidential and
Proprietary Information (as defined in Section 6(a) hereof) shall continue in
effect as specified in Section 6 hereof and survive the expiration or
termination hereof. This Agreement may be renewed for one or more additional one
year periods (each, an “Additional
Term” and,
together with the Initial Term, the “Term”)
if the
Company and the Executive agree in writing on the terms on the terms of such
renewal of this Agreement not less than 60 days prior to the end of the then
current Term. If the Company and the Executive have not agreed on the terms of
such renewal prior to such date, this Agreement shall terminate at the end of
the then current term (a “Non-Renewal
Event”).

 

3.  Best
Efforts; Place of Performance.

 

(a)  During
the Term, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time,
attention and energies to the business and affairs of the Company and shall
use his best efforts to advance the best interests of the Company and shall not
during the Term be actively engaged in any other business activity, whether or
not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary
advantage.

 

(b)  The
duties to be performed by the Executive hereunder shall be performed primarily
at the principal office of the Company in New York, New York, , subject to
reasonable travel requirements on behalf of the Company, including, without
limitation, significant travel to, and time to be spent in, New York, New York
in connection with the initial establishment of the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, upon notice to the Board by the Executive, at the Executive’s
discretion, the Company’s headquarters may be re-established in the Greater
Boston Metropolitan area 

 

 

4.  Directorship;
President and Chief Executive Officer. The
Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Executive (i)
to be elected as a member of the Board and (ii) to be appointed as the President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company throughout the Term, and shall
include him in the management slate for election as a Director at every
stockholders meeting during the Term at which his term as a Director would
otherwise expire. The Executive agrees to accept election, and to serve during
the Term, as a Director of the Company without any additional compensation
therefor other than as specified in this Agreement.

 

5.  Compensation. As full
compensation for the performance by the Executive of his duties under this
Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive as follows:

 

(a)  Base
Salary.
During
the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a salary (the “Base
Salary”) which
shall initially be equal to $300,000 per year. The Base Salary shall be
increased to $325,000 at such time as the Company completes a financing
transaction that results in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of at least
$5,000,000; provided,
however, that
such increase, if any, shall be retroactive to the Commencement Date. Payment
shall be made in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The
Base Salary will be reviewed by the Board no less frequently than annually and
may be increased (but not decreased).

 

(b)  Guaranteed
Bonus. The
Company will pay the Executive a cash bonus of $200,000, payable in two equal
installments (the “Guaranteed
Bonus”). The
first installment of $100,000 shall be paid to the Executive on May 7, 2005 and
the second installment of $100,000 shall be paid to the Executive on November 7,
2005, provided, however, that the Executive is still employed by the Company on
the applicable date of payment.

 

(c)  Discretionary
Bonus.
At the
sole discretion of the Board, the Executive shall receive an additional annual
bonus (the “Discretionary
Bonus”) in an
amount equal to up to 50% of his then current Base Salary, based upon his
performance on behalf of the Company during the prior year. The Discretionary
Bonus shall be payable either as a lump-sum payment or installments as
determined by the Board in its sole discretion. In addition, the Board
shall annually review the Discretionary Bonus to determine whether an increase
in the amount thereof is warranted.

 

(d)  Withholding. The
Company shall withhold all applicable federal, state and local taxes and social
security and such other amounts as may be required by law from all amounts
payable to the Executive under this Section 5. 

 

(e)  Equity
Compensation.

 

(i) Initial
Option. As
additional compensation for the services to be rendered by the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall grant the Executive a stock option
to purchase 2,923,900 shares of the Common Stock of the Company (which
represents 5% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company (on a
fully diluted basis, plus 100,000 shares) at a price per share equal to the last
closing sale price of the Company’s Common Stock on the Effective Date (the
“Initial
Option”).
The Initial
Option shall be governed by the Company’s 2003 Stock Option Plan (the
“Plan”) and
shall be an incentive stock option to the extent permissible under applicable
law. For so long as the Executive is an employee of the Company, the Initial
Option shall vest, if at all, in three equal installments, the first of which
shall vest on November 1, 2005, the next on November 1, 2006, and the final
third on November 1, 2007. The Initial Option shall be exercisable for 10 years
from date of grant and, subject to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, the
vested Initial Option shall remain exercisable for 90 days from the date that
the Executive is no longer an employee of the Company. In connection with such
grant, the Executive shall enter into the Company’s standard stock option
agreement which will incorporate the foregoing vesting schedule and the
provisions contained in Section 10 hereof. The
Board shall review the aggregate number of Stock Options granted to the
Executive not less frequently than annually in order to determine whether an
increase in the number thereof is warranted. 

 

(f)  Expenses. The
Company shall reimburse the Executive for all normal, usual and necessary
expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of the business and affairs of
the Company, including reasonable travel (including travel between Boston and
New York) and entertainment, upon timely receipt by the Company of appropriate
vouchers or other proof of the Executive’s expenditures and otherwise in
accordance with any expense reimbursement policy as may from time to time be
adopted by the Company.

 

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(g)  Other
Benefits. The
Executive shall be entitled to all rights and benefits for which he shall be
eligible under any benefit or other plans (including, without limitation,
dental, medical, medical reimbursement and hospital plans, pension plans,
employee stock purchase plans, profit sharing plans, bonus plans and other
so-called “fringe” benefits) as the Company shall make available to its senior
executives from time to time (collectively, the “Fringe
Benefits”).

 

(h)  Vacation. The
Executive shall, during the Term, be entitled to vacation of four
non-consecutive weeks per annum, in
addition to public holidays observed by the Company. The
Executive shall not be entitled to carry any vacation forward to the next year
of employment.

 

(i)  Indemnification. The
Company will indemnify the Executive to the extent permitted by its charter and
by-laws and by applicable law against all costs, charges and expenses,
including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, incurred or sustained by the
Executive in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which the
Executive may be made a party by reason of being an officer, director or
employee of the Company. In connection with the foregoing, the Executive will be
covered under any liability insurance policy that protects other officers of the
Company.

 

6.  Confidential
Information and Inventions.

 

(a)  The
Executive recognizes and acknowledges that in the course of his duties he is
likely to receive confidential or proprietary information owned by the Company,
its affiliates or third parties with whom the Company or any such affiliates has
an obligation of confidentiality. Accordingly, during and after the Term, the
Executive agrees to keep confidential and not disclose or make accessible to any
other person or use for any other purpose other than in connection with the
fulfillment of his duties under this Agreement, any Confidential and Proprietary
Information (as defined below) owned by, or received by or on behalf of, the
Company or any of its affiliates. “Confidential
and Proprietary Information” shall
include, but shall not be limited to, confidential or proprietary scientific or
technical information, data, formulas and related concepts, business plans (both
current and under development), client lists, promotion and marketing programs,
trade secrets, or any other confidential or proprietary business information
relating to development programs, costs, revenues, marketing, investments, sales
activities, promotions, credit and financial data, manufacturing processes,
financing methods, plans or the business and affairs of the Company or of any
affiliate or client of the Company. The Executive expressly acknowledges the
trade secret status of the Confidential and Proprietary Information and that the
Confidential and Proprietary Information constitutes a protectable business
interest of the Company. The Executive agrees (i) not to use any such
Confidential and Proprietary Information for himself or others and (ii) not to
take any Company material or reproductions (including but not limited to
writings, correspondence, notes, drafts, records, invoices, technical and
business policies, computer programs or disks) thereof from the Company’s
offices at any time during his employment by the Company, except as required in
the execution of the Executive’s duties to the Company. The Executive agrees to
return immediately all Company material and reproductions (including but not
limited, to writings, correspondence, notes, drafts, records, invoices,
technical and business policies, computer programs or disks) thereof in his
possession to the Company upon request and in any event immediately upon
termination of employment.

 

(b)  Except
with prior written authorization by the Company, the Executive agrees not to
disclose or publish any of the Confidential and Proprietary Information, or any
confidential, scientific, technical or business information of any other party
to whom the Company or any of its affiliates owes an obligation of confidence,
at any time during or after his employment with the Company.

 

(c)  The
Executive agrees that all inventions, discoveries, improvements and patentable
or copyrightable works (“Inventions”)
initiated, conceived or made by him, either alone or in conjunction with others,
during the Term shall be
the sole property of the Company to the maximum extent permitted by applicable
law and, to the extent permitted by law, shall be “works made for hire” as that
term is defined in the United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C.A., Section 101).
The Company shall be the sole owner of all patents, copyrights, trade secret
rights, and other intellectual property or other rights in connection therewith.
The Executive hereby assigns to the Company all right, title and interest he may
have or acquire in all such Inventions; provided, however, that the Board may in
its sole discretion agree to waive the Company’s rights pursuant to this Section
6(c) with respect to any Invention that is not directly or indirectly related to
the Company’s business. The Executive further agrees to assist the Company in
every proper way (but at the Company’s expense) to obtain and from time to time
enforce patents, copyrights or other rights on such Inventions in any and all
countries, and to that end the Executive will execute all documents
necessary:

 

3

 

(i)  To apply
for, obtain and vest in the name of the Company alone (unless the Company
otherwise directs) letters patent, copyrights or other analogous protection in
any country throughout the world and when so obtained or vested to renew and
restore the same; and

 

(ii)  To defend
any opposition proceedings in respect of such applications and any opposition
proceedings or petitions or applications for revocation of such letters patent,
copyright or other analogous protection.

 

(d)  The
Executive acknowledges that while performing the services under this Agreement
the Executive may locate, identify and/or evaluate patented or patentable
inventions having commercial potential in the fields of pharmacy,
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, technology and other fields which may
be of potential interest to the Company or one of its affiliates (the
“Third
Party Inventions”). The
Executive understands, acknowledges and agrees that all rights to, interests in
or opportunities regarding, all Third-Party Inventions identified by the
Company, any of its affiliates or either of the foregoing persons’ officers,
directors, employees (including the Executive), agents or consultants during the
Employment Term shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the
Company or such affiliate and the Executive shall have no rights whatsoever to
such Third-Party Inventions and will not pursue for himself or for others any
transaction relating to the Third-Party Inventions which is not on behalf of the
Company.

 

(e)  Executive
agrees that he will promptly disclose to the Company, or any persons designated
by the Company, all improvements, Inventions made or conceived or reduced to
practice or learned by him, either alone or jointly with others, during the
Term.

 

(f)  The
provisions of this Section 6 shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.

 

7.  Non-Competition,
Non-Solicitation and Non-Disparagement.

 

(a)  The
Executive understands and recognizes that his services to the Company are
special and unique and that in the course of performing such services the
Executive will have access to and knowledge of Confidential and Proprietary
Information (as defined in Section 6) and the Executive agrees that, during the
Term and for a period of 12 months
thereafter, he shall not in any manner, directly or indirectly, on behalf of
himself or any person, firm, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other
business entity (“Person”), enter
into or engage in any business which is engaged in any business directly or
indirectly competitive with the Company in the Business (as defined below)
(each, a “Restricted
Activity”) within
the geographic area of the Company’s business, which is deemed by the parties
hereto to be worldwide. The Executive acknowledges that, due to the unique
nature of the Business, the loss of any of its clients or business flow or the
improper use of its Confidential and Proprietary Information could create
significant instability and cause substantial damage to the Company and its
affiliates and therefore the Company has a strong legitimate business interest
in protecting the continuity of its business interests and the restriction
herein agreed to by the Executive narrowly and fairly serves such an important
and critical business interest of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement,
the “Business” means
the development and commercialization of drugs and other biomedical technologies
in which the Company is actively engaged (1) for the treatment, detection or
prevention of dermatologic diseases, disorders, and conditions and (2) the
treatment, detection or prevention of any other diseases, disorders, and
conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section
7(a) shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from (i) engaging in a Restricted
Activity for or with respect to any subsidiary, division or affiliate or unit
(each, a “Unit”) of a
Person if that Unit is not engaged in any business which is competitive with the
Business of the Company, irrespective of whether some other Unit of such Person
engages in such competition (as long as the Executive does not engage in a
Restricted Activity for such other Unit), or (ii) acquiring or holding, solely
for investment, publicly traded securities of any corporation, some or all of
the activities of which are competitive with the business of the Company so long
as such securities do not, in the aggregate, constitute more than 4% of any
class or series of outstanding securities of such corporation.

 

4

 

(b)  During
the Term and for a period of 12 months thereafter, the Executive shall not,
directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the
Company:

 

(i)  Solicit
or induce any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates to leave the
employ of the Company or any such affiliate; or hire for any purpose any
employee of the Company or any affiliate or any employee who has left the
employment of the Company or any affiliate within one year of the termination of
such employee’s employment with the Company or any such affiliate or at any time
in violation of such employee’s non-competition agreement with the Company or
any such affiliate;

 

(ii)  Solicit
or accept employment or be retained by any Person who, at any time during the
term of this Agreement, was an agent, client or customer of the Company or any
of its affiliates where his position will be related to the business of the
Company or any such affiliate; or

 

(iii)  Solicit
or accept the business of any agent, client or customer of the Company or any of
its affiliates with respect to products, services or investments similar to
those provided or supplied by the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

(c)  The
Company and the Executive each agree that both prior to and during the Term and
at all times thereafter, neither party shall willfully or intentionally,
directly or indirectly disparage, whether or not true, the name or reputation of
the other party or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to, any
officer, director, employee or shareholder of the Company or any of its
affiliates.

 

(d)  The
Executive hereby acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the
terms of Section 6 or 7 of hereof will result in substantial, continuing and
irreparable injury to the Company. Therefore, in addition to any other remedy
that may be available to the Company, the Company will be entitled to injunctive
or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in the event of
any breach or threatened breach of the terms of Section 6 or 7
hereof. The
Company and the Executive agree that any such action for injunctive or equitable
relief shall be heard in a state or federal court located in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and each
of the parties hereto agrees to accept service of process by registered or
certified mail and to otherwise consent to the jurisdiction of such
courts.

 

(e)  The
rights and remedies of the Company enumerated in Section 7(d) shall be in
addition to and not in lieu of any other rights and remedies available to the
Company at law or in equity. If any of the covenants contained in this Section
7, or any part of any of them, is hereafter construed or adjudicated to be
invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the remainder of the
covenant or covenants or rights or remedies which shall be given full effect
without regard to the invalid portions. If any of the covenants contained in
this Section 7 is held to be invalid or unenforceable because of the duration of
such provision or the area covered thereby, the parties agree that the court
making such determination shall have the power to reduce the duration and/or
area of such provision and in its reduced form such provision shall then be
enforceable. No such holding of invalidity or unenforceability in one
jurisdiction shall bar or in any way affect the Company’s right to the relief
provided in this Section 7 or otherwise in the courts of any other state or
jurisdiction within the geographical scope of such covenants as to breaches of
such covenants in such other respective states or jurisdictions, such covenants
being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent
covenants.

 

(f)  In the
event that an actual proceeding is brought in equity to enforce the provisions
of Section 6 or this Section 7, the Executive shall not urge as a defense that
there is an adequate remedy at law nor shall the Company be prevented from
seeking any other remedies which may be available. 

 

5

 

(g)  The
provisions of this Section 7 shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.

 

8.  Representations
and Warranties.

 

(a)  The
Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

(i) Neither
the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the performance by the Executive
of his duties and other obligations hereunder violate or will violate any
statute, law, determination or award, or conflict with or constitute a default
or breach of any covenant or obligation under (whether immediately, upon the
giving of notice or lapse of time or both) any prior employment agreement,
contract, or other instrument to which the Executive is a party or by which he
is bound;
and

 

(ii) The
Executive has the full right, power and legal capacity to enter and deliver this
Agreement and to perform his duties and other obligations hereunder. This
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Executive
enforceable against him in accordance with its terms. No approvals or consents
of any persons or entities are required for the Executive to execute and deliver
this Agreement or perform his duties and other obligations
hereunder.

 

(b)  The
Company hereby represents and warrants to the Executive that this Agreement, the
employment of the Executive hereunder and the grant of the Options have been
duly authorized by and on behalf of the Company, including, without limitation,
by all required action by the Board.

 

9.  Termination. The
Executive’s employment hereunder shall be terminated upon the Executive’s death
and may also be terminated as follows:

 

(a)  The
Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by written notice to the
Executive from the Board for Cause, effective the date of delivery of such
notice. Any of the following actions by the Executive shall constitute
“Cause”:

 

(i)  The
willful and repeated failure, disregard or refusal by the Executive to perform
his duties hereunder;

 

(ii)  Any
willful, intentional or grossly negligent act by the Executive having the effect
of injuring, in a material way (whether financial or otherwise and as determined
in good-faith by a majority of the Board), the business or reputation of the
Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to, any officer,
director, executive or shareholder of the Company or any of its
affiliates;

 

(iii)  Willful
misconduct by the Executive in
respect of the duties or obligations of the Executive under this
Agreement,
including, without limitation, insubordination with respect to directions
received by the Executive from the Board;

 

(iv)  The
Executive’s conviction of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
(including entry of a nolo contendere plea);

 

(v)  The
determination by the Board based upon clear and convincing evidence, after a
reasonable and good-faith investigation by the Company following a written
allegation by another employee of the Company, that the Executive engaged in
material harassment prohibited by law
(including, without limitation, age, sex or race discrimination);

 

(vi)  Any
misappropriation or embezzlement of the property of the Company or its
affiliates (whether or not a misdemeanor or felony);

 

(vii)  A breach
by the Executive of any of the provisions of Sections
6 or 7 hereof;
or

 

6

(viii)  A
material breach by the Executive of any material provision of this Agreement,
other than those contained in Sections
6 or 7 hereof,
which is not cured by the Executive within 30 days after written notice thereof
is given to the Executive by the Company.

 

Any
determination of Cause under this Section 9(a) will be made by two thirds of the
Board voting on such determination. With respect to any such determination, the
Board will act fairly and in utmost good faith and will give the Executive and
his counsel an opportunity to appear and be heard at a meeting of the Board or
and present evidence on the Executive’s behalf. 

 

(b)  The
Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Board as a result of
the Executive’s Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, a termination for
“Disability” shall
occur (i) when the Board has provided a written termination notice to the
Executive supported by a written statement from a reputable independent
physician to the effect that the Executive shall have become so physically or
mentally incapacitated as to be unable to resume, within the ensuing 6 months,
his employment hereunder by reason of physical or mental illness or injury, or
(ii) upon delivery of a written termination notice to the Executive by the Board
after the Executive has been unable to substantially perform his duties
hereunder for 60 or more consecutive days, or more than 90 days in any
consecutive 12 month period, by reason of any physical or mental illness or
injury. For purposes of this Section 9(b), the Executive agrees to make himself
available and to cooperate in any reasonable examination by a reputable
independent physician selected by the Company and reasonably satisfactory to the
Executive. 

 

(c)  The
Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Board (or the Board of
Directors of a successor to the Company) by written notice to the Executive upon
the occurrence of a Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Change
of Control” means
(i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, following the date hereof by any
person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, of securities of the Company representing in excess of fifty
percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then
outstanding securities if such person or his or its affiliate(s) do not own in
excess of 50% of such voting power on the date of this Agreement, or (ii) the
sale or transfer by the Company (whether direct or indirect, by sale of assets
or stock, merger, consolidation or otherwise) of all or substantially all of its
business and/or assets in one transaction or series of related transactions
(other than a merger effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the
domicile of the Company).

 

(d)  The
Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Executive by written
notice to the Company for Good Reason, effective the date of delivery of such
notice. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” shall
mean the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(i) A
material breach by the Company of Section 5, Section 7(c) or Section 8(b) of
this Agreement which is not cured by the Company within 30 days after written
notice thereof is given to the Company by the Executive; 

 

(ii) Failure
during the Term to nominate the Executive for election to the Board and to
recommend to shareholders to vote in support of such nomination or failure of
the Board to appoint the Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, or removal during the Term from the Board or as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, provided that such failure or removal is not
(1) in connection with a termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder by
the Company, or (2) as a result of the failure of the stockholders of the
Company to elect the Executive to the Board despite the Company’s compliance
with its obligations under Section 4 hereof;

 

(iii) A
material adverse change by the Company in the Executive’s duties, authority or
responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company which
causes his position with the Company to become of less responsibility or
authority than his position as of immediately following the Effective Date,
provided that such change is not in connection with a termination of the
Executive’s employment hereunder by the Company;

 

7

 

(iv) A change
in the lines of reporting such that the Executive no longer reports to the
Board;

 

(v) A
reduction in the Executive’s compensation or other benefits except such a
reduction in connection with a general reduction in compensation or other
benefits of all senior executives of the Company; or

 

(vi) A change
in the principal location at which the Executive provides the Services to the
Company to a location more than 50 miles from the Company’s headquarters
(whether they be in New York or Boston, as the case may be) without the prior
consent of the Executive. 

 

(e)  The
Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company for any reason or no
reason by delivery of written notice to the Executive effective thirty (30) days
after the date of delivery of such notice.

 

(f)  The
Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive in the absence of a
Good Reason by delivery of written notice to the Company effective thirty (30)
days after the date of delivery of such notice.

 

10.  Compensation
Following Termination.

 

(a)  Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, if, prior to the Commencement Date, this
Agreement is terminated by the Company for any reason other than as a result of
the Executive’s death or Disability or Cause, or terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason, the Company will pay to the Executive his Base Salary and, to the
extent reasonably possible, provide him with the Fringe Benefits, for a period
of 12 months following the date of such termination of this Agreement, provided,
however, the Executive, during the period between the Effective Date and the
Commencement Date, (i) does not
solicit or accept offers from third parties and refrains from any discussions or
negotiations with third parties (whether directly or through attorneys, agents,
investment bankers or otherwise) with respect to retaining employment with a
party other than the Company or commencing a business venture either alone or
with a third party other than the Company, whether as an employee, partner,
shareholder, member, or in such other capacity, or (ii)
is not retained by any party other than his current employer as of the Effective
Date. The Company’s obligation under the preceding sentence shall be subject to
offset by any amounts otherwise received by the Executive from any employment
during the 12 month period following such termination of this Agreement. In the
event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10(a) prior to
the Commencement Date, the provisions of Sections 7(a) and 7(b) hereof shall not
apply.

 

(b)  If the
Executive’s employment is terminated during the Term as a result of his death or
Disability, the Company shall promptly pay to the Executive or to the
Executive’s
estate, as applicable, his Base
Salary, any previously unpaid portion of the Guaranteed Bonus, any accrued but
unpaid Discretionary Bonus, the value of his accrued unused vacation days and
expense reimbursement amounts through the date of death or Disability. All the
Executive’s stock options, including, without limitation, the Initial Options,
that are
scheduled to vest by the end of the calendar year in which such termination
occurs shall be accelerated and vested as of the termination date. All stock
options that have not
vested (or been
vested pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence to have
vested) as of
the date of termination shall be deemed to have expired as of such date.

 

(c)  If the
Executive’s employment is terminated during the Term (i) by the Board for Cause
or (ii) by the Executive in the absence of a Good Reason, the Company shall
promptly pay to the Executive his Base Salary, the value of his accrued unused
vacation days and expense reimbursement amounts through the date of termination
(collectively, the “Accrued
Compensation”) and
the Executive shall have no further entitlement to any other compensation or
benefits from the Company. All the
Executive’s stock options,
including, without limitation, the Options, that
have not
vested as of the
date of termination shall be deemed to have expired as of such date. Any
stock options that have vested as of the date of termination shall remain
exercisable for a period of 90 days following the date of such
termination.

 

8

 

(d)  If the
Executive’s employment is terminated as the result of a Non-Renewal Event (as
defined in Section 2 hereof), then the Company shall (i) pay the Executive the
Accrued Compensation and (ii) continue to pay to the Executive his Base Salary
and provide him with the Fringe Benefits for a period of four months following
the date of such termination. Any stock
options that have vested as of the date of the Executive’s termination shall
remain exercisable for a period of 90 days following the date of such
termination.

 

(e)  If the
Executive’s employment is terminated during the Term by the Company (or its
successor) upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and on the date of
termination pursuant to this Section 10(e) the Fair Market Value (as defined
herein) of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, in the aggregate, is less
than $40,000,000, then the Company (or its successor, as applicable) shall (i)
pay the Executive the Accrued Compensation and (ii) continue to pay to the
Executive his Base Salary and provide him with the Fringe Benefits for a period
of six months following the date of such termination. All stock options that
are
scheduled to vest by the end of the calendar year in which such termination
occurs shall be accelerated and deemed to have vested as of the termination
date. Any stock options that have vested (or been deemed pursuant to the
immediately preceding sentence to have vested) as of the
date of the Executive’s termination shall remain exercisable for a period of 90
days following the date of such termination. All stock options that have not
vested (or been
deemed pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence to have
vested) as of
the date of termination shall be deemed to have expired as of such date. “Fair
Market Value” shall mean the average closing sale price of the Common Stock for
the ten (10) business days preceding the Change of Control, as quoted on a
national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or the Over-the-Counter
Bulletin Board, as applicable, or if the Common Stock is not then traded or
quoted on any such stock exchange or stock market, then such price as determined
in good faith by the Board on the date of such Change of Control.

 

(f)  If the
Executive’s employment is terminated during the Term either (1) by the Company
other than as a result of the Executive’s death or Disability and other than for
one of the reasons specified in Sections 10(c), 10(d) or 10(e), or (2) by the
Executive for a Good Reason, then the Company shall (i) pay the Executive the
Accrued Compensation and (ii) continue to pay to the Executive his Base Salary
and provide him with the Fringe Benefits for a period of 12 months following the
date of such termination. The Company’s obligation under clause (ii) in the
preceding sentence shall be subject to offset by any amounts otherwise received
by the Executive from any employment during the 12 month period following the
termination of his employment. All stock options shall be
accelerated and deemed to have vested as of the termination date. Any stock
options that have vested (or been deemed pursuant to the immediately preceding
sentence to have vested) as of the
date of the Executive’s termination shall remain exercisable for a period of 90
days following the date of such termination.

 

(g)  This
Section 10 sets forth the only obligations of the Company with respect to the
termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, and the Executive
acknowledges that, upon the termination of his employment, he shall not be
entitled to any payments or benefits which are not explicitly provided in this
Section 10.

 

(h)  Upon
termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, the
Executive shall be deemed to have resigned as a Director and officer of the
Company, effective as of the date of such termination.

 

(i)  The
provisions of this Section 10 shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.

 

11.  
Miscellaneous.

 

(a)  This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance
with, the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to
its principles of conflicts of laws.

 

9

 

(b)  Any
dispute arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement or the breach thereof
(other than Sections 6 or 7 hereof), or regarding the interpretation thereof,
shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted in Boston, Massachusetts in
accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in effect before a single arbitrator appointed in accordance
with such rules. Judgment upon any award rendered therein may be entered and
enforcement obtained thereon in any court having jurisdiction. The arbitrator
shall have authority to grant any form of appropriate relief, whether legal or
equitable in nature, including specific performance. For the purpose of any
judicial proceeding to enforce such award or incidental to such arbitration or
to compel arbitration and for purposes of Sections 6 and 7 hereof, the parties
hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts or the United States District Court for the District of
Massachusetts and agree that service of process in such arbitration or court
proceedings shall be satisfactorily made upon it if sent by registered mail
addressed to it at the address referred to in paragraph (g) below. The costs
of such arbitration shall be borne proportionate to the finding of fault as
determined by the arbitrator. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered
by any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(c)  This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto,
and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted
assigns.

 

(d)  This
Agreement, and the Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be
assigned by the Executive. The Company may assign its rights, together with its
obligations, hereunder in connection with any sale, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all of its business or assets.

 

(e)  This
Agreement cannot be amended orally, or by any course of conduct or dealing, but
only by a written agreement signed by the parties hereto.

 

(f)  The
failure of either party to insist upon the strict performance of any of the
terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a
waiver or relinquishment of future compliance therewith, and such terms,
conditions and provisions shall remain in full force and effect. No waiver of
any term or condition of this Agreement on the part of either party shall be
effective for any purpose whatsoever unless such waiver is in writing and signed
by such party.

 

(g)  All
notices, requests, consents and other communications, required or permitted to
be given hereunder, shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or by
an overnight courier service or sent by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested, to the parties at the addresses set forth on
the first page of this Agreement, and shall be deemed given when so delivered
personally or by overnight courier, or, if mailed, five days after the date of
deposit in the United States mail. Either party may designate another address,
for receipt of notices hereunder by giving notice to the other party in
accordance with this paragraph (g).

 

(h)  This
Agreement, together with the stock option agreements evidencing the Options,
sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the
subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements and
understandings, written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof. No
representation, promise or inducement has been made by either party that is not
embodied in this Agreement, and neither party shall be bound by or liable for
any alleged representation, promise or inducement not so set forth.

 

(i)  As used
in this Agreement, “affiliate” of a specified Person shall mean and include any
Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the specified
Person.

 

(j)  The
section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not
in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(k)  This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.

 

 

REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

10

 

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as an
instrument under seal as of the date first above written.

 

	 	 	
      MANHATTAN
      PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:  /s/
      Nicholas J. Rossettos 	 
	 	 	Name: Nicholas
      J. Rossettos 	 
	 	 	Title: Chief
      Financial Officer 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	
      EXECUTIVE
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	/s/
      Douglas
      Abel                            
       	 
	 	 	
      Douglas
      Abel
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 

 

11Exhibit 10.1

                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

                  THIS  AGREEMENT  is made and  entered  into this 10th day of
June,  2005  between  ANTs  software  inc.,  a Delaware corporation
("Corporation") and Joseph Kozak ("Officer").

                                WITNESSETH THAT:

                  WHEREAS, Officer was appointed as the President of the
Corporation on the date first written above; and

                  WHEREAS, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation authorize and permit contracts between Corporation and its
officers providing for indemnification, among other things, of such officers;
and

                  WHEREAS, in accordance with the authorization as provided by
the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended ("Code"), Corporation may
purchase and maintain a policy or policies of Directors and Officers Liability
Insurance ("D & O Insurance"), covering certain liabilities which may be
incurred by its directors and officers in the performance as directors and
officers of the Corporation; and

                  WHEREAS, as a result of recent developments affecting the
terms, scope and availability of D & O Insurance there exists general
uncertainty as to the extent of protection afforded to the officers by such D &
O Insurance and by statutory and bylaw indemnification provisions; and

                  WHEREAS, in order to induce Officer to serve or continue to
serve as the case may be, as an officer of Corporation, Corporation has
determined that it is in its best interests to enter into this contract with
Officer;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Officer's continued
service as an officer after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

                  1. Indemnity of Officer. Corporation hereby agrees to hold
harmless and indemnify Officer to the full extent authorized by the provisions
of the Code, as it may be amended from time to time.

                  2. Additional Indemnity. Subject only to the limitations set
forth in Section 3 hereof, Corporation hereby further agrees to hold harmless
and indemnify Officer:

                  (a) against any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by Officer in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(including an action by or in the right of Corporation) to which Officer is, was
or at any time becomes a party, or is reasonably thought to be threatened to be
made a party, by reason of the fact that Officer is, was or at any time becomes
a director, officer, employee or agent of Corporation, or is or was serving or
at any time serves at the request of Corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise; and

<PAGE>

                  (b) otherwise to the fullest extent as may be provided to
Officer by Corporation under the non-exclusive provisions of the Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the bylaws of the
Corporation, and the Code.

                  3. Limitations on Additional Indemnity.

                  (a)      No indemnity pursuant to Section 2 hereof shall be
paid by Corporation for any of the following:

                           (i) to the extent the aggregate of losses to be
indemnified exceeds the sum of (A) such losses for which the Officer is
indemnified pursuant to Section 1 hereof and (B) any settlement pursuant to any
D & O Insurance purchased and maintained by Corporation;

                           (ii) in respect to remuneration paid to Officer if it
shall be determined by a final judgment without right of appeal, or other final
adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law;

                           (iii) on account of any suit in which judgment is
rendered against Officer for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or
sale by Officer of securities of Corporation pursuant to the provisions of
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or
 similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law;

                           (iv) on account of Officer's acts or omissions that
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law;

                           (v) on account of any proceeding (other than a
proceeding referred to in Section 8(b) hereof) initiated by the Officer unless
such proceeding was authorized by the uninterested directors of the Corporation;
or

                           (vi) if a final decision without right of appeal by a
Court having jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such
indemnification is not lawful.

                  (b) In addition to those limitations set forth above in
paragraph (a) of this Section 3, no indemnity pursuant to Section 2 hereof in an
action by or in the right of Corporation shall be paid by Corporation for any of
the following:

                           (i) on account of acts or omissions that Officer
believed or believes to be contrary to the best interests of the Corporation or
its shareholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of
Officer;

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

                           (ii) with respect to any transaction from which
Officer derived an improper personal benefit;

                           (iii) on account of acts or omissions that show a
reckless disregard for Officer's duties to the corporation or its shareholders
in circumstances in which Officer was aware, or should have been aware, in the
ordinary course of performing a Officer's duties, of a risk of serious injury to
Corporation or its shareholders;

                           (iv) on account of acts or omissions that constitute
an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of Officer's
duties to the Corporation or its shareholders;

                           (v) to the extent prohibited by Section 144 of the
Delaware general Corporation Law, entitled "Interested Directors; Quorum;"

                           (vi) in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which Officer shall have been adjudged to be liable to Corporation in the
performance of Officer's duties to Corporation and its shareholders, unless and
only to the extent that the court in which such proceeding is or was pending
shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the
case, Officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses and
then only to the extent that such court shall determine;

                           (vii) of amounts paid in settling or otherwise
disposing of a pending action without court approval; and

                           (viii) of expenses incurred in defending a pending
action which is settled or otherwise disposed of without court approval.

                  4. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in Sections 1
and 2 is unavailable and may not be paid to Officer for any reason other than
those set forth in Section 3 (excluding subsections 3(b)(vii) and (viii)), then
in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in
which Corporation is jointly liable with Officer (or would be if joined in such
action, suit or proceeding), Corporation shall contribute to the amount of
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Officer in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received
by Corporation on the one hand and Officer on the other hand from the
transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding arose, and (ii) the
relative fault of Corporation on the one hand and of Officer on the other in
connection with the events which resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or
settlement amounts, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of Corporation on the one hand and of Officer on the other shall
be determined by reference to, among other things, the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent the
circumstances resulting in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement
amounts. Corporation agrees that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 4 were determined by pro rata allocation
or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the foregoing
equitable considerations.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                  5. Continuation of Obligations. All agreements and obligations
of Corporation contained herein shall continue during the period Officer is a
director, officer, employee or agent of Corporation (or is or was serving at the
request of Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall
continue thereafter so long as Officer shall be subject to any possible claim or
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that Officer
was an officer of Corporation or serving in any other capacity referred to
herein.

                  6. Notification and Defense of Claim. Promptly after receipt
by Officer of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
Officer will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against Corporation
under this Agreement, notify Corporation of the commencement thereof; but the
omission so to notify Corporation will not relieve it from any liability which
it may have to Officer otherwise than under this Agreement. With respect to any
such action, suit or proceeding as to which Officer notifies Corporation of the
commencement thereof:

                  (a) Corporation will be entitled to participate therein at its
own expense;

                  (b) Except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it
may wish, Corporation jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly
notified will be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to Officer. After notice from Corporation to Officer of its
election so as to assume the defense thereof, Corporation will not be liable to
Officer under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by Officer in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Officer shall have the
right to employ its counsel in such action, suit or proceeding but the fees and
expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from Corporation of its
assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of Officer unless (i)
the employment of counsel by Officer has been authorized by Corporation, (ii)
Officer shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest
between Corporation and Officer in the conduct of the defense of such action or
(iii) Corporation shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense
of such action, in each of which case the fees and expenses of counsel shall be
at the expense of Corporation. Corporation shall not be entitled to assume the
defense of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or on behalf of
Corporation, which is against or involves Officer, or as to which Officer shall
have made the conclusion provided for in (ii) above; and

                  (c) Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify Officer under
this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim
effected without its written consent. Corporation shall not settle any action or
claim in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on Officer
without Officer's written consent. Neither Corporation nor Officer will
unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  7. Advancement and Repayment of Expenses.

                  (a) In the event that Officer employs his own counsel pursuant
to Section 6(b)(i) through (iii) above, Corporation shall advance to Officer,
prior to any final disposition of any threatened or pending action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, any and
all reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in
investigating or defending any such action, suit or proceeding within ten (10)
days after receiving copies of invoices presented to Officer for such expenses.

                  (b) Officer agrees that he will reimburse Corporation for all
reasonable expenses paid by Corporation in defending any civil or criminal
action, suit or proceeding against Officer in the event and only to the extent
it shall be ultimately determined by a final judicial decision (from which there
is no right of appeal) that Officer is not entitled, under applicable law, the
Bylaws, this Agreement or otherwise, to be indemnified by Corporation for such
expenses.

                  8. Enforcement.

                  (a) Corporation expressly confirms and agrees that it has
entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on Corporation
hereby in order to induce Officer to become or continue as an officer of
Corporation, and acknowledges that Officer is relying upon this Agreement in
continuing in such capacity.

                  (b) In the event Officer is required to bring any action to
enforce rights or to collect moneys due under this Agreement and is successful
in such action, Corporation shall reimburse Officer for all of Officer's
reasonable fees and expenses in bringing and pursuing such action.

                  9. Separability. Each of the provisions of this Agreement is a
separate and distinct agreement and independent of the others, so that if any
provision hereof shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason,
such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

                  10. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

                  11. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon
Officer and upon Corporation, its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of Officer, his heirs, personal representatives and assigns and to the
benefit of Corporation, its successors and assigns.

                  12. Amendment and Termination. No amendment, modification,
termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in
writing signed by both parties hereto.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

                               ANTS SOFTWARE INC.
                             a Delaware corporation

                             By: /s/ Boyd Pearce
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Boyd Pearce, Chief Executive Officer

                        Address: 700 Airport Blvd., Suite 300
                                 Burlingame, CA 94010

                                 /s/ Joseph Kozak
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Joseph Kozak

                       Address:  ANTs software inc.
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 700 Airport Blvd. Suite 300
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 Burlingame, CA  94010
                                 -----------------------------------------------

                                      -6-

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