Document:

ex10-34

 

EXHIBIT 10.34

 
          
       
DATED 25 January 2002

UDATE.COM LIMITED

and

HOWARD WILLIAM THACKER

COMPROMISE AGREEMENT

EVERSHEDS

11 St James Court

Friar Gate

Derby DE1 1BT

Tel: 01332 360992

Fax: 01332 371469

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on the 25 of January 2002

BETWEEN:

	1.	 	UDATE.COM LIMITED of New Enterprise House, St Helen’s Street, Derby DE1
3GY (the Company); and
	 
	2.	 	HOWARD WILLIAM THACKER of Trent Fish Farm, Mercarston, Derbyshire, DE65
3BL (the Employee).

WHEREAS:

	(A)	 	The employment of the Employee with the Company terminated on the
Termination Date (as defined below)
	 
	(B)	 	The parties have entered into this Agreement to record and implement the
terms upon which they have agreed to settle all outstanding claims which
the Employee has or may have arising out of or in connection with or as a
consequence of his employment and/or the termination of his employment or
otherwise against the Company or the Group (as defined below), its or
their respective officers or employees including in particular those
statutory complaints which the Employee has intimated and/or intimates in
this Agreement.
	 
	(C)	 	The parties intend that this Agreement should satisfy the conditions
relating to compromise agreements set out in the Acts (as defined below).
	 
	(D)	 	The Company is entering into this Agreement for itself and as agent for
and trustee of all Group companies and is duly authorised to do so. The
parties intend that each Group Company should be able to enforce in its
own right the terms of this Agreement which expressly or impliedly confer
a benefit on that company subject to and in accordance with the Contracts
(Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

1

 

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:-

	1.	 	Meaning of terms used
	 
	1.1	 	In this Agreement the following expressions have the following meanings:-

	 	 	 
	“the Acts”	 	
the conditions regulating compromise agreements set
out in Section 203(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996, Section
18(1)(d) of the Industrial Tribunals Act 1996, Section 77(4) of the
Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Section 72(4) of the Race Relations
Act 1976, Section 9(2) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995,
Section 288 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation)
Act 1992, Section 35 of the Working Time Regulations 1998, Section
49 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, all as amended by the
Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998, the Public
Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and the Employment Relations Act 1999;
	 
	“the Group”	 	
means any company wherever registered or
incorporated which is for the time being a subsidiary or a holding
company of the Company or a subsidiary of any such company (as
“subsidiary” and “holding company” are defined in the Companies Act
1985 as amended) or which is an associated company of any such
company (as “associated company” is defined in the Income and
Corporation Taxes Act 1988 as amended);

2

 

	 	 	 
	“PAYE deductions”	 	
deductions made to comply with or to meet any
liability of the Company to account for tax pursuant to regulations
made under Section 203 Income & Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and to
comply with any obligation to make a deduction in respect of
National Insurance contributions;
	“the Service Agreement”	 	
the service agreement between the
Company and the Employee dated 3 May 2000;
	 
	“the Termination Date”	 	
3 April 2001.

	2.	 	Termination Date
	 
	 	 	The Employee’s employment with the Company terminated on the Termination
Date. The Company and the Employee acknowledge and agree that (i) the
Employee resigned as the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of uDate.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“uDate Delaware”),
effective as of the Termination Date and (ii) the Employee was replaced
as the Chief Operating Officer of uDate Delaware effective as of March
29, 2001.
	 
	3.	 	Remuneration to Termination Date
	 
	 	 	The Employee has been paid his normal remuneration together with any
accrued but unpaid holiday entitlement (less PAYE deductions) for the
period up to and including the Termination Date.
	 
	4.	 	Termination payment
	 
	 	 	The Company has paid to the Employee an amount of £30,000.
	 
	5.	 	Taxation
	 
	 	 	The Company and the Employee understand and agree that the sums granted
to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to PAYE
deductions.
	 
	6.	 	Confidentiality
	 
	6.1	 	The Employee accepts and agrees that his express and implied duties
relating to confidential information continue after the Termination Date.

3

 

	6.2	 	In consideration of the payment referred to in clause 4 above (less PAYE
deductions) the Employee agrees and undertakes not to:

	 	6.2.1	 	make or publish any statement to any person, firm, company
or organisation whether a client/customer, supplier, or employee of
the Company or any Group company concerning this Agreement or the
circumstances surrounding the termination of his employment
	 
	 	6.2.2	 	make or publish any derogatory or disparaging statement or
do anything in relation to the Company or any Group Company or
their respective officers or employees which is intended to or
which might be expected to damage or lower their respective
reputations

	 	 	 Provided that the Employee will not be prevented from making a
disclosure:-

	 	i.	 	for the purposes of seeking legal or
accountancy or actuarial advice in relation to this
Agreement provided his professional adviser is bound by a
duty of confidence;
	 
	 	ii.	 	to the proper authorities as required by law;
	 
	 	iv.	 	to his wife or partner provided such person
agrees to maintain confidentiality.

	6.3	 	The Employee warrants that he has not made any statement or taken any
steps prior to the date of this Agreement which would constitute a breach
of Clause 6.2 above if it had occurred after the date of this Agreement.

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	7.	 	Settlement
	 
	7.1	 	This Agreement is made without any admission of liability on the part of
the Company or any Group company on the basis that the terms set out
herein are in full and final settlement of all claims in all jurisdictions
(whether arising under statute, common law or otherwise) which the
Employee has or may have against the Company or any Group companies,
its/their respective officers or employees arising out of or in connection
with his employment with the Company, the termination of his employment or
otherwise except for:

	 	7.1.1	 	the sums and benefits due to him pursuant to this Agreement;
	 
	 	7.1.2	 	any claims for damages for personal injuries and/or industrial diseases

	7.2	 	To give full effect to the provisions in Clause 7.1 above the Employee hereby:-

	 	7.2.1	 	agrees to refrain from instituting or continuing any
proceedings before an Employment Tribunal in relation to any claims
or complaints within the Acts;
	 
	 	7.2.2	 	agrees in particular, but without limiting the general
nature of Clause 7.2.1 above, to refrain from instituting or
continuing any proceedings before an Employment Tribunal for unfair
dismissal under part X of the Employment Rights Act 1996 /
unauthorised deductions from wages under part II of the Employment
Rights Act 1996 / suffering a detriment under Part V of the
Employment Rights Act 1996 / time off work under Part VI of the
Employment Rights Act 1996 / suspension from work under Part VII of
the Employment Rights Act 1996 / a statutory redundancy payment
under Part X1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 / sex
discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 as amended,
race discrimination under the Race Relations Act 1976 / rights
arising under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation)
Act 1992 / disability discrimination under the Disability
Discrimination Act 1995 / rights under Regulation 30 of the Working
Time Regulations 1998 each of which claims and rights is hereby
intimated and waived;

5

 

	 	7.2.3	 	confirms that he has received advice from Nigel Smith of
Messrs Alexander & Co who is a relevant independent adviser as
defined in the Acts (the Adviser) concerning the terms and effect
of this Agreement and in particular its effect on his ability to
pursue his rights before an Employment Tribunal;
	 
	 	7.2.4	 	confirms that his Adviser has in force a contract of
insurance or an indemnity provided for members of a profession or
professional body covering the risk of a claim by him in respect of
loss arising in consequence of the advice;
	 
	 	7.2.5	 	agrees that the conditions regulating compromise
agreements in the Acts are hereby satisfied; and
	 
	 	7.2.6	 	agrees to procure that the Adviser signs the certificate
in Schedule I to this Agreement to confirm the above.

	7.3	 	If the Employee institutes or continues any proceedings against the
Company of a kind set out in Clauses 7.1 and 7.2 above then, without
prejudice to any other rights or remedies of the Company arising from such
action, the Employee hereby agrees to repay to the Company a sum
equivalent to the value of the payment made under Clauses 4 above after
deduction of all tax and national insurance due, including any excess tax.
Further he agrees that in such circumstances the said sum is recoverable
from him by the Company as a debt.
	 
	8.	 	Governing law and jurisdiction

6

 

	 	 	This Agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales and any
dispute is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of
England and Wales.
	 
	 	 	IN WITNESS whereof this Agreement has been signed on behalf of the
Company and the Group and executed and delivered as a deed by the
Employee the day and year first above written.

	 	 	 
	SIGNED by M MORRIS 
                   
                   
     )

duly authorised for and on behalf of               )

UDATE.COM LIMITED and the GROUP )	 	
/s/ Melvyn Morris
	 
	EXECUTED and DELIVERED AS A DEED

by HOWARD WILLIAM THACKER	 	
/s/ Howard William Thacker
	 
	In the presence of:	 	 
	 
	Name:                   /s/ N. Smith	 	 
	 
	Signature:       Nigel Smith	 	 
	 
	Address:           Alexander & Co.

                     56 Friar Gate

                     Derby	 	 

7

 

SCHEDULE I

ADVISER’S CERTIFICATE

I Nigel Smith of Alexander & Co whose address is 56 Friar Gate Derby confirm
that:-

	1.	 	I am a relevant independent adviser as defined in the Acts (as defined in
the Agreement between Howard Thacker and the Company to which this
Certificate is annexed).
	 
	2.	 	I have advised Howard Thacker of the terms and the effect of the
Agreement and in particular its effect on his ability to pursue a claim
before an Employment Tribunal.
	 
	3.	 	There is in force a contract of insurance or an indemnity provided for
members of a profession or professional body covering the risk of a claim
by Howard Thacker in respect of loss arising in consequence of the advice.

	 
	/s/ N. Smith

Adviser’s signature
	 
	 
	25/1/2002

Date

8ex10-12

 

EXHIBIT 10.12

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is entered into on the 7th day of June, 2001
(the “Effective Date”), by and between Gene Logic Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”), and Michael J. Brennan (the “Executive”).

     WHEREAS, there currently exists an employment agreement dated December 1,
1995 by and between the Executive and the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company wish to terminate the existing
employment agreement dated December 1, 1995; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to secure the services of the Executive, and
the Executive desires to work for the Company, all pursuant to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in the “Business” of research,
development, commercialization and sales of genomics information and
bioinformatics products related to gene activity in human disease and toxicity.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made below, the
parties agree as follows:

     1.     Employment, Duties and Acceptance.

        

     1.1
     
Employment. (a) Effective upon the Effective Date, the Company
shall employ the Executive as its Director of Strategic Initiatives. In such
capacity, the Executive shall perform such duties and assume such other
responsibilities as may be assigned by the Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Company from time to time, provided such duties are commensurate with
Executive’s position with the Company. If nominated and elected, the Executive
shall also serve on the Board of Directors of the Company, without any
additional compensation. The Executive accepts such employment and shall
perform his duties faithfully and to the best of his abilities.

        
     (b) The Executive shall devote his time and creative energies to the
performance of his duties hereunder and will at all times devote such
additional time and efforts as are reasonably sufficient for fulfilling the
significant responsibilities entrusted to him.

 

 

     
     1.2
     
Place of Employment. The Executive’s principal place of employment
shall be in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, subject to such
travel as may be reasonably required by his employment pursuant to the terms
hereof. The Executive shall not be required to relocate outside of the
Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during the Term unless the Company
provides relocation benefits acceptable to the Executive in his sole
discretion.

     2.     Term of Employment.

        
     2.1
     
Employment Period. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment hereunder shall
continue until the later to occur of (i) December 31, 2002, or (ii) the
applicable anniversary date of any extension of this Agreement as provided in
Section 2.2 (the “Term”).

        
     2.2
     
Extension. On December 31, 2002, and on an annual basis thereafter,
the Term shall be extended for an additional one-year period unless the Company
or the Executive notifies the other in writing at least ninety (90) days prior
to such anniversary date of its or his election, in its or his sole discretion,
not to extend the term of this Agreement.

     3.     Compensation.

        
     3.1
     
Salary. As compensation for all services to be rendered pursuant to
this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Executive during the Term a salary
of $50,000 per annum (the “Base Salary”) less such deductions as shall be
required to be withheld by applicable laws and regulations or as otherwise
authorized by the Executive. The Base Salary shall accrue from and after the
Effective Date, and shall be payable during the Term, in arrears in equal
periodic installments, not less frequently than monthly. The Executive’s Base
Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and may be increased (but not
decreased) based upon the evaluation of the Executive’s performance and the
compensation policies of the Company in effect at the time of each such review.

        
     3.2
     
Participation in Executive Benefit Plans. The Executive shall be
permitted during the Term, if and to the extent eligible, to participate in any
group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plan, health program,
pension plan, or similar benefit plan of the Company which may be available to
other comparable executives of the Company generally on the same terms as such
other executives.

        
     3.3
     
Paid Time Off. The Executive shall not be eligible to receive Paid
Time Off (“PTO”).

        
     3.4
     
Expenses. Subject to such policies as may from time to time be
established by the Board of Directors, the Company shall pay or reimburse the
Executive for all ordinary, necessary and reasonable expenses (including,
without limitation, travel, meetings, dues, subscriptions, fees, educational
expenses, computer equipment, mobile

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telephones, and the like) actually incurred or paid by the Executive during the
Term in the performance of the Executive’s services under this Agreement, upon
presentation of expense statements or vouchers or such other supporting
information as the Board of Directors may require.

        
     3.5.
     
Withholding. The Company is authorized to withhold from the amount
of any Salary and bonuses and any other things of value paid to or for the
benefit of the Executive, all sums authorized by the Executive or required to
be withheld by law, court decree, or executive order, including (but not
limited to) such things as income taxes, employment taxes, and employee
contributions to fringe benefit plans sponsored by the Company.

     4.     Termination.

        
     4.1
     
General. The employment of the Executive hereunder shall terminate as
provided in Section 2, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 4.

        
     4.2
     
Termination Upon Mutual Agreement. The Company and the Executive may,
by mutual written agreement, terminate this Agreement and/or the employment of
the Executive at any time.

        
     4.3
     
Death or Disability of Executive.

        
     (a)
     
The employment of the Executive hereunder shall terminate upon (i) the
death of the Executive, and (ii) at the option of the Company upon not less
than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Executive or his personal
representative or guardian, if the Executive suffers a Total Disability (as
defined in Section 4.3(b) below).

        
     (b)
     
For purposes of this Agreement, “Total Disability” shall mean (i) if
the Executive is subject to a legal decree of incompetency (the date of such
decree being deemed the date on which such disability occurred), or (ii) the
written determination by a physician selected by the Company that, because of a
medically determinable disease, injury or other physical or mental disability,
the Executive is unable substantially to perform each of the material duties of
the Executive required hereby, and that such disability has lasted for the
immediately preceding ninety (90) days and is, as of the date of determination,
reasonably expected to last an additional ninety (90) days or longer after the
date of determination, in each case based upon medically available reliable
information, and the provision of clear and convincing evidence by the Company
of the Executive’s inability substantially to perform each material duty
hereunder in support of such determination by the physician.

        
     (c)
     
Any leave on account of illness or temporary disability which is short
of “Total Disability” shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement by the
Executive and in no event shall any party be entitled to terminate this
Agreement “for good cause”

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due to any such leave. All physicians selected hereunder shall be Board
certified in the specialty most closely related to the nature of the disability
alleged to exist.

        
     4.4
     
Termination For Good Cause. The Company may, upon action of the
Board, and upon written notice to the Executive specifying in reasonable detail
the reason therefor, terminate the employment of the Executive at any time for
“good cause” (as defined below), provided, however, that if the reason for
termination for “good cause” is susceptible of cure, the Executive shall have a
period of thirty (30) days after such written notice to effect a cure. “Good
cause” means (i) the material failure of the Executive to perform his duties
under this Agreement which failure materially adversely affects the Company or
its business after notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure; (ii) willful
malfeasance by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties
under this Agreement that could in the good faith judgment of the Board (x)
have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, (y) subject the
Company to criminal penalties in excess of $50,000, or (z) result in the
incarceration of any officer, director or employee of the Company; (iii) the
Executive being convicted of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or
being indicted for a felony or other crime involving theft, fraud or moral
turpitude; (iv) fraud or embezzlement against the Company; (v) the failure of
the Executive to obey in all material respects any proper written direction of
the Board that is not inconsistent with this Agreement and which has a material
adverse effect on the Company; or (vi) the violation by the Executive of the
non-competition provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement.

        
     4.5
     
Termination For Good Reason. The Executive may resign (and thereby
terminate his employment under this Agreement) at any time for “good reason”
(as defined below), upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice
to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the reason therefor, provided,
however, that if the reason for resignation for “good reason” is susceptible of
cure, the Company shall have a period of thirty (30) days after such written
notice to effect a cure. For purposes of this Agreement, “good reason” shall
mean (i) any material failure by the Company to comply with any material
obligation imposed by this Agreement; (ii) a substantial reduction in the
Executive’s title, position, duties or responsibilities; (iii) the Company’s
requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location outside the
Baltimore-Washington D.C. metropolitan area; (iv) the Company’s creation of
working conditions that a reasonable person in the Executive’s position would
consider unreasonable or intolerable; or (v) a failure by a successor to the
Company to assume all of the obligations of this Agreement.

        
     4.6
     
Payments Upon Termination.

        
     (a)
     
In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company
without “good cause,” or by the Executive for “good reason,” then the following
provisions shall apply; provided, however, if the Executive is eligible for
Change of Control Severance Benefits set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and
incorporated by reference herein, then the provisions set forth on Exhibit A
shall apply in lieu of the following: the Company shall pay the Executive the
Base Salary to which the Executive

- 4 -

 

would have been entitled pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement had the
Executive remained in the employ of the Company for a period of six (6) months
from the date of termination (the “Termination Payment Period”). Such payments
shall be paid in a lump sum. The Company shall have no further liability to
the Executive pursuant to this Section 4.6(a), including, without limitation,
any liability to pay the Executive any severance, bonus or any other
compensation.

        
     (b)

     
In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated (i) pursuant to
Section 2, (ii) by the Company for “good cause,” or (iii) by the Executive
without “good reason,” then the Company shall have no duty to make any payments
or provide any benefits to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement other than
payment of the amount of the Executive’s Base Salary accrued through the date
of termination of his employment.

        
     (c)
     
In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated (i) by the
Company without “good cause,” or (ii) by the Executive for “good reason,” then
the Company waives, releases and remises (i) any obligation or duty under
applicable law on the part of the Executive to seek or obtain other engagements
or employment or to otherwise mitigate any damages to which the Executive may
be entitled to by reason of any termination of this Agreement; and (ii) any
right in or claim to any remuneration or compensation received by Executive
pursuant to any engagements or employment subsequent to the termination of this
Agreement.

        
     (d)
     
Upon termination of Executive’s employment for death or Total
Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive, guardian or personal
representative, as the case may be, in addition to any insurance or disability
benefits to which he may be entitled hereunder, all amounts accrued or vested
prior to such termination (including a pro rata amount with respect to any
Incentive Bonus under Section 3.2 for the portion of the year during which
death or Total Disability occurred); provided, however, if the Executive’s
employment is terminated due to death or Total Disability on or within thirteen
(13) months following the effective date of a Change of Control, then the
provisions set forth on Exhibit A shall apply in lieu of the foregoing. The
Company shall have no further liability to the Executive, guardian or personal
representative pursuant to this Section 4.6(d), including, without limitation,
any liability to pay the Executive, guardian or personal representative any
severance, bonus or any other compensation

        
     4.7
     
No Disparaging Comments Upon Termination.

        
     Upon termination of this Agreement, the Company will refrain from making
any disparaging remarks about the Executive. Similarly, the Executive shall
refrain from making any disparaging remarks about the businesses, services,
products, stockholders, officers, directors or other personnel of the Company
or any of its affiliates.

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     5.     Certain Covenants of the Executive.

        
     5.1
     
Necessity for Covenants. The Executive acknowledges that (i) the
Company is engaged and will in the future be engaged in the Business as
described in this Agreement; (ii) his employment pursuant to this Agreement
will give him access to customers and suppliers of the Company; and (iii) the
agreements and covenants contained in this Section 5 are essential to protect
the business and goodwill of the Company. In order to induce the Company to
enter into this Agreement and pay the compensation and other benefits at the
levels requested by the Executive, the Executive enters into the following
covenants:

        
     5.2
     
Definitions.

        
     (a)
     
“Company” for purposes of this Article 5 shall include the Company and
all of the Company’s majority owned subsidiaries and affiliates.

        
     (b)
     
“Business Contact” shall mean any (i) customer which has purchased
goods or services provided by the Company during the Term, (ii) prospective
customer whom the Executive or persons working for or directly with the
Executive has contacted during the Term for the purpose of endeavoring to sell
the goods or services of the Company to the prospective customer, or (iii)
provider of goods or services to the Company.

        
     (c)
     
“Service Area” means the geographic area in which the Company markets
and sells its goods and services.

        
     5.3
     
Restrictions. During the Term and for a period of one (1) year after
the date (the “Termination Date”) the Executive’s employment hereunder is
terminated (the “Restricted Period”), the Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, for himself or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or
other entity, whether as a principal, agent, employee, stockholder, partner,
officer, member, director, sole proprietor, or otherwise:

        
     (a)
     
call upon or solicit any Business Contact for the purpose of
persuading the Business Contact to engage the Executive or any other person,
firm, corporation or other entity to provide goods or services which are the
same or similar to those the Company provided to the Business Contact or to
engage the Business Contact to provide goods or services which are the same or
similar to those the Business Contact provided to the Company to any other
person, firm, corporation or other entity;

        
     (b)
     
solicit, participate in or promote the solicitation of any person who
was employed by the Company at any time during the twelve (12) months preceding
the Termination Date to leave the employ of the Company, or hire or engage any
of those persons;

- 6 -

 

        
     (c)
     
make any disparaging remarks about the Company’s business, services or
personnel;

        
     (d)
     
interfere in any way with the Company’s business, prospects or
personnel; or

        
     (e)
     
become affiliated with or render services to any person engaged in any
business that competes with the Business within the Service Area, directly or
indirectly, in any capacity, including, without limitation, as an individual,
partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, employee, trustee or
consultant; provided, however, that the Executive may own, directly or
indirectly, solely as an investment, securities which are publicly traded if
the Executive (a) is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which
controls, the issuer and (b) does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more
of any class of securities of the issuer.

        
     5.4
     
Rights and Remedies Upon Breach. If the Executive breaches, or
threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of Sections 5.1 through
5.3 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), the Company shall, in addition to its right
immediately to terminate this Agreement, have the right and remedy (which right
and remedy shall be independent of others and severally enforceable, and which
shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies
available to the Company under law or in equity) to have the Restrictive
Covenants specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction, it
being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach could
cause irreparable injury to the Company or its Affiliates and that money
damages may not provide adequate remedy to the Company.

        
     5.5
     
Covenants Currently Binding Executive. The Executive warrants that
his employment by the Company will not (a) violate any non-disclosure
agreements, covenants against competition, or other restrictive covenants made
by the Executive to or for the benefit of any previous employer or partner, or
(b) violate or constitute a breach or default under, any statute, law,
judgment, order, decree, writ, injunction, deed, instrument, contract, lease,
license or permit to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive
is bound.

        
     5.6
     
Litigation. There is no litigation, proceeding or investigation of
any nature (either civil or criminal) which is pending or, to the best of the
Executive’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Executive or which
would adversely affect his ability to substantially perform the duties herein.

        
     5.7
     
Review. The Executive has received or been given the opportunity to
review the provisions of this Agreement, and the meaning and effect of each
provision, with independent legal counsel of the Executive’s choosing.

        
     5.8
     
Severability of Covenants. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that
the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal
scope

- 7 -

 

and in all respects. If any court determines that any of the Restrictive
Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of
the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full
effect, without regard to the invalid portions.

        
     5.9
     
Blue-Penciling. If any court determines that any of the Restrictive
Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the duration or
geographic scope of such provision, such court shall have the power to reduce
the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its
reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.
If any such court declines to so revise such covenant, the parties agree to
negotiate in good faith a modification that will make such duration or scope
enforceable.

     6.     Dispute Resolution.

        
     6.1
     
Costs of Arbitration. If either party brings an arbitration
proceeding to enforce its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing party
shall be entitled to recover from the other party all expenses incurred by it
in preparing for and in trying the case, including, but not limited to,
investigative costs, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

        
     6.2
     
No Jury Trial. NEITHER PARTY SHALL ELECT A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED
WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

        
     6.3
     
Personal Jurisdiction. Both parties agree to submit to the
jurisdiction and venue of the state courts in the State of Maryland as to
matters involving enforcement of this Agreement including any award under an
arbitration proceeding.

        
     6.4
     
Arbitration. SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
AS SPECIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT, ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO ARISING
UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE AMOUNT
OF DAMAGES, THE NATURE OF THE EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION OR THE CALCULATION OF ANY
BONUS OR OTHER AMOUNT OR BENEFIT DUE) SHALL BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROCEDURES OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION. ANY RESULTING HEARING
SHALL BE HELD IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE ACHIEVED
THROUGH SUCH ARBITRATION SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE BY A COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION.

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     7.     Other Provisions.

        
     7.1
     
Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally,
telegraphed, telexed, sent by facsimile transmission or sent by certified,
registered or express mail, postage paid, and shall be deemed given when so
delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed or sent by facsimile transmission
or, if mailed, four days after the date of mailing, as follows:

	 	(i) if to the Company, to:

	 	Gene Logic Inc.

708 Quince Orchard Road

Gaithersurg, MD 20878

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

	 	with copies to:

	 	Ariel Vannier, Esquire

Venable, Baetjer, Howard and Civiletti, LLP

1201 New York Avenue

Washington, DC 20005

	 	(ii) if to the Executive, to:

	 	Michael J. Brennan

9908 Conestoga Way

Potomac, MD 20854

        
     Any party may by notice given in accordance with this Section to the other
party designate another address or person for receipt of notices hereunder.

        
     7.2
     
Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, with respect thereto.

        
     7.3
     
Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified,
superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof
may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and a duly
authorized officer of the Company (each, in such capacity, a party) or, in the
case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any
party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right,
power or privilege hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of

- 9 -

 

any right, power or privilege hereunder, preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

        
     7.4
     
Governing Law. This Agreement has been negotiated and is to be
performed in the State of Maryland , and shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland applicable to agreements made
and to be performed entirely within such State.

        
     7.5
     
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

        
     7.6
     
Confidentiality. Neither party shall disclose the contents of this
Agreement or of any other agreement they have simultaneously entered into to
any person, firm or entity, except the agents or representatives of the
parties, or except as required by law.

        
     7.7
     
Word Forms. Whenever used herein, the singular shall include the
plural and the plural shall include the singular. The use of any gender or
tense shall include all genders and tenses.

        
     7.8
     
Headings. The Section headings have been included for convenience
only, are not part of this Agreement, and are not to be used to interpret any
provision hereof.

        
     7.9
     
Binding Effect and Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors, heirs, personal
representatives and other legal representatives. This Agreement may be
assigned by the Company to any entity which buys substantially all of the
Company’s assets. However, the Executive may not assign this Agreement without
the prior written consent of the Company.

        
     7.10
     
Separability. The covenants contained in this Agreement are
separable, and if any court of competent jurisdiction declares any of them to
be invalid or unenforceable, that declaration of invalidity or unenforceability
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any of the other covenants,
each of which shall remain in full force and effect.

        
     7.11
     
Consent or Approval. Whenever under the terms of this Agreement the
approval or consent of the Company is required or the Company must make any
determination, the Company, unless this Agreement specifically requires
otherwise, may not unreasonably withhold or delay that consent or approval.

- 10 -

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, intending to be legally bound, have
executed this Agreement or caused it to be executed and attested by their duly
authorized officers as a document under seal on the day and year first above
written.

	 	 
	GENE LOGIC INC.	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	By: /s/ Mark D. Gessler	 
	
	 
	Mark D. Gessler
Chairman of the Board	 
	 	 
	 	 

	 	 
	EXECUTIVE:	 
	 	 
	 	 
	     	 
	/S/ Michael J. Brennan

	
	 
	
Michael J. Brennan	 

- 11 -

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