Document:

EX-10.23

 Exhibit 10.23 
 PFENEX INC. 
 EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Pfenex Inc. (the
“Company”), and Patrick Lucy (“Executive”). This Agreement will be effective as of the closing of an initial public offering of the Company’s securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 that is
declared effective with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Effective Date”). 
 1. Duties and
Scope of Employment. 
 (a) Positions and Duties. Executive will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief
Business Officer. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of Executive’s duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to Executive by the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.” 
 (b) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform Executive’s duties faithfully and to the best of Executive’s ability and will devote Executive’s full business
efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the
Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), except as provided in Schedule 1. 
 2. At-Will
Employment. The parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated at any time with or without Cause or notice. Executive understands and agrees that neither
Executive’s job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of Executive’s employment
with the Company. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending on the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company. 

3. Compensation. 
 (a) Base Salary. Effective as of the Effective Date and for the remainder of the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual salary of $300,000 as compensation for Executive’s
employment services to the Company (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholdings. Executive’s
salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices. 
 (b) Target Bonus. Effective as of the Effective Date and for the remainder of the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to thirty percent (30%) of
Executive’s Base Salary upon achievement of performance objectives to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion (the “Target Bonus”). The Target Bonus, or any portion thereof,

 
will be paid, less applicable withholdings, as soon as practicable after the Board determines that the Target Bonus has been earned, but in no event shall the Target Bonus be paid after the later
of (i) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third
(3rd) month following the close of the Company’s
fiscal year in which the Target Bonus is earned or (ii) March 15 following the calendar year in which the Target Bonus is earned. 
 4. Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability
to other senior executives of the Company. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time. 
 5. Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of
Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time. 
 6. Severance. 
 (a) Termination for other than Cause, Death or
Disability Apart from a Change of Control. If, outside of the Change of Control Period, (i) the Company (or any parent or subsidiary or successor of the Company) terminates Executive’s employment with the Company other than for Cause,
death or Disability, or (ii) the Executive resigns from such employment for Good Reason, then, subject to Section 7, Executive will be entitled to receive: 
 (i) continuing payments of severance pay for a period of nine (9) months at a rate equal to (x) the sum of (A) seventy-five percent (75%) of Executive’s Base Salary rate, as then in
effect, plus (B) the sum of all performance bonuses paid to Executive for the Company’s fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which Executive’s termination of employment occurs divided by
(y) nine (9). The severance will be paid, less applicable withholdings, in installments over the severance period described herein with the first payment to commence on the sixty-first (61st) day following Executive’s termination
of employment (and include any severance payments that otherwise would have been paid to Executive within the sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination date), with any remaining payments paid in accordance with the Company’s
normal payroll practices for the remainder of the severance period following Executive’s termination of employment (subject to any delay as may be required by Section 7(c)). 

(ii) if Executive elects continuation coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
(“COBRA”) within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, then the Company will reimburse Executive for the COBRA premiums for such coverage (at the coverage levels in
effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination) until the earlier of (A) a period of nine (9) months from the date of termination or (B) the date upon which Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents are no longer
eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. The reimbursements will be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 6(a)(ii), if the
Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without limitation,

  
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Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company will in lieu thereof provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment, payable on the last day of a given month (except as provided
by the following sentence), in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage for Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents in effect on the termination of
employment date (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents elect COBRA continuation coverage and will
commence on the month following Executive’s termination of employment and will end on the earlier of (x) the date upon which Executive obtains other employment or (y) the date the Company has paid an amount equal to nine
(9) payments. Any such taxable monthly payments that otherwise would have been paid to Executive within the sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination date instead will be paid on the sixty-first (61st) day following
Executive’s termination of employment, with any remaining payments paid as provided in the prior sentence (subject to any delay as may be required by Section 7(c)). For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA
reimbursements may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable tax withholdings. 
 (b) Termination for other than Cause, Death or Disability or Resignation by Executive for Good Reason Related to a Change of Control. If, within the Change of Control Period (i) the Company
(or any parent or subsidiary or successor of the Company) terminates Executive’s employment with the Company other than for Cause, death or Disability, or (ii) the Executive resigns from such employment for Good Reason, then, subject to
Section 8, Executive will be entitled to receive: 
 (i) a lump sum payment equal to one hundred and fifty percent
(150%) of the sum of: (A) Executive’s Base Salary, as then in effect, or if greater, at the level in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control, plus (B) Executive’s Target Bonus in effect for the fiscal year
in which Executive’s termination of employment occurs. The severance will be paid, less applicable withholdings, on the sixty-first (61st) day following Executive’s termination of employment in accordance with the Company’s
normal payroll practices (subject to any delay as may be required by Section 7(c)). For the avoidance of doubt, if (x) Executive incurred a termination of employment prior to a Change of Control that qualifies Executive for severance
payments under Section 6(a)(i); and (y) a Change of Control occurs within the three (3)-month period following Executive’s termination of employment that qualifies Executive for the superior benefits under this Section 6(b)(i),
then Executive shall be entitled to a lump-sum payment of the amount calculated under this Section 6(b)(i), less amounts already paid under Section 6(a)(i). 
 (ii) if Executive elects continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, then the Company will reimburse
Executive for the COBRA premiums for such coverage (at the coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination) until the earlier of (A) a period of eighteen (18) months from the date of termination or (B) the
date upon which Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. The reimbursements will be subject to the same conditions, limitations, and restrictions as the COBRA benefits described in
Section 6(a)(ii); provided, however, that if the Company provides Executive a taxable monthly payment in lieu of COBRA reimbursement, such payment will end on 

  
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the earlier of (x) the date upon which Executive obtains other employment or (y) the date the Company has paid an amount equal to eighteen (18) payments; and 

(iii) accelerated vesting as to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s then-outstanding equity awards to acquire Company
common stock. 
 (c) Termination for Cause, Death or Disability; Resignation without Good Reason. If Executive’s
employment with the Company (or any parent or subsidiary or successor of the Company) terminates voluntarily by Executive (except upon resignation for Good Reason), for Cause by the Company or due to Executive’s death or Disability, then
(i) all vesting will terminate immediately with respect to Executive’s outstanding equity awards, (ii) all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive hereunder will terminate immediately (except as to amounts already
earned), and (iii) Executive will only be eligible for severance benefits in accordance with the Company’s established policies, if any, as then in effect. 
 (d) Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment with the Company (or any parent or subsidiary or successor of the Company), the provisions of this Section 7
are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement, including any prior employment
agreements entered into between the Company and Executive. Executive will be entitled to no severance or other benefits upon termination of employment with respect to acceleration of award vesting or severance pay other than those benefits expressly
set forth in this Section 7. 
 7. Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate. 

(a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any severance pursuant to Section 6(a) or (b) will be
subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”) and provided that such Release becomes effective and irrevocable no later
than sixty (60) days following the termination date (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance or
benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective and irrevocable. 
 (b) Nonsolicitation. The receipt of any severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a) or (b) will be subject to Executive not violating the provisions of Section 11. In the event
Executive breaches the provisions of Section 11, all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 6(a) or (b) will immediately cease. 

(c) Section 409A. 
 (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that, when considered together with any
other severance payments or separation benefits, are considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) (together, the
“Deferred Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of 

  
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Section 409A. Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. 
 (ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s termination (other
than due to death), then the Deferred Payments that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six
(6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this
paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.
Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. 
 (iii) Any amount paid under this Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not
constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of clause (i) above. 
 (iv) Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies
as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred
Payments for purposes of clause (i) above. 
 (v) The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the requirements of
Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Company and
Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual
payment to Executive under Section 409A. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company makes no representations or warranties with respect to the application of Section 409A and other tax consequences to any payments hereunder and, by
the acceptance of any such payments, Executive agrees to accept the potential application of Section 409A and the other tax consequences of any payments made hereunder. 
 (d) Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with the terms of Confidential
Information Agreement (as defined in Section 10). 

  
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 (e) No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment. 
 8. Definitions. 
 (a) Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause” is defined as (i) the willful failure, disregard, or refusal by Executive to perform the services hereunder or follow the reasonable instructions of the Board; provided, however, that any willful failure,
disregard, or refusal by Executive to perform the services hereunder that can reasonably be cured shall not constitute Cause unless cure is not effected, as determined in good faith by the Board, within thirty (30) days after notice thereof is
received by the Executive from the Company; (ii) any willful or grossly negligent act by the Executive having the effect of injuring, in a material way (whether financial or otherwise) as determined in good faith by the Board, the business or
reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (iii) Executive’s conviction of, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere to any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (iv) the determination by the
Company, after a reasonable and good faith investigation by the Company following a written allegation by an employee of the Company, that the Executive engaged in some form of harassment prohibited by law (including, without limitation, age, sex,
disability, or race discrimination) unless Executive’s actions were specifically directed by the Board; or (v) material breach by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement or any Confidential Information Agreement. 

(b) Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following events: 
 (i) a change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than
one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the
Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be
considered a Change in Control; or 
 (ii) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets
which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market
value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the
following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a
transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company,
or (4) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is 

  
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owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (8)(b)(iii). For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company,
or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. 
 For
purposes of this definition, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a
change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance that has been promulgated or may be
promulgated thereunder from time to time. 
 Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change
in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the
Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. 
 (c) Change of Control Period. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Change of Control Period” means the period that begins three (3) months prior to a Change of Control and ends twelve (12) months following a Change of Control. 

(d) Code. For purposes of this Agreement, “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

(e) Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means that Executive has been unable to engage in
any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or more, or more than one hundred and eighty (180) days within any twelve (12)-month
period, in each case, determined by the Board. 
 (f) Good Reason. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s express written
consent: (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Company; (ii) any material reduction by the Company of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, or authority which causes Executive’s position to become of
less responsibility or authority than Executive’s position as of immediately following the Effective Date; (iii) a material relocation of the Company’s principal place of business of Executive outside of the San Diego Metropolitan
area; or (iv) a material diminution in Executive’s base salary. Executive will not resign for Good Reason without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason”
within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date the Company receives such notice during which such condition must
not have been cured. 

  
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 (g) Section 409A Limit. For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A
Limit” will mean two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Executive’s taxable year preceding the Executive’s taxable year of
Executive’s separation from service as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into
account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code for the year in which Executive’s separation from service occurred. 
 9. Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments”
within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive’s severance benefits will be either: 

(a) delivered in full, or 
 (b) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, 

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a
reduction in the severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that no portion of such severance benefits is subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the reduction shall occur in the
following order: (1) reduction of the cash severance payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards; and (3) reduction of continued employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award
compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Executive’s equity awards. 
 A nationally recognized certified professional services firm selected by the Company, the Company’s legal counsel or such other person or entity to which the parties mutually agree (the
“Firm”) shall perform the foregoing calculations related to the Excise Tax. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by the Firm required to be made hereunder. For purposes of making the calculations
required by this Section, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999. The Company and
Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together
with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to the severance benefits or other payments is triggered (if requested at that time by the
Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the Firm made hereunder shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. 

  
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 10. Confidential Information. Executive agrees to continue to comply with the
Company’s Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) Executive previously executed. 
 11. Non-Solicitation. Until the date one (1) year after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive agrees not, either directly or indirectly, to
solicit any employee of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary of the Company) to leave Executive’s employment either for Executive or for any other entity or person. 
 12. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death and (b) any
successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or other
business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation
payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other
benefits will be null and void. 
 13. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for
hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (ii) one (1) day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (iii) four (4) days after
being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing: 

If to the Company: 
 Pfenex 
 10790 Roselle St. 

San Diego, CA 92121 
 Attn: Chief Executive Officer 
 If to Executive: 

at the last residential address known by the Company. 
 14. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force
and effect without said provision. 
 15. Arbitration. Executive agrees that any and all controversies, claims, or
disputes with anyone (including the Company and any employee, officer, director, stockholder or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from Executive’s service to the
Company, shall be subject to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Confidential Information Agreement. 

  
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 16. Integration. This Agreement, along with the Confidential Information Agreement,
represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral, including, but not limited to the offer letter between the Company
and Executive dated November 24, 2009 and amended January 7, 2010. With respect to equity awards granted on or after the date of this Agreement, the acceleration of vesting provisions provided herein will apply to such equity awards except
to the extent the applicable equity award agreement expressly supersedes this Agreement. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of the parties by a written instrument executed by the parties that is designated as an amendment to this
Agreement. 
 17. Waiver of Breach. The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement, which must be in
writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement. 
 18.
Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement. 
 19. Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes. 
 20. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions). 

21. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that Executive has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice
from Executive’s private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement. 

22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart will have the same force and effect as an
original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written. 
  

									
	COMPANY:	 		 		 	
				
	PFENEX INC.	 		 		 	
					
	By:	 	 /s/ Bertrand C. Liang
	 		 	Date:	 	 June 20, 2014

					
	Name:	 	 Bertrand C. Liang
	 		 		 	
					
	Title:	 	 Chief Executive Officer
	 		 		 	
				
	EXECUTIVE:	 		 		 	
				
	 /s/ Patrick Lucy
	 		 	Date:	 	 June 20, 2014

	PATRICK LUCY	 		 		 	

 [SIGNATURE PAGE TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT] 

  
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 SCHEDULE 1 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude the Executive from: (a) Serving as a member of the board of directors
or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of non-competing businesses and charitable organizations; (b) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs; and/or (c) managing personal investments
and affairs. 

  
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 Exhibit 10.24 
 PFENEX INC. 
 EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Pfenex Inc. (the
“Company”), and Henry Talbot (“Executive”). This Agreement will be effective as of the closing of an initial public offering of the Company’s securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 that is
declared effective with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Effective Date”). 
 1. Duties and
Scope of Employment. 
 (a) Positions and Duties. Executive will continue to serve as the Company’s Vice
President of Operations. Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of Executive’s duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as will reasonably be assigned to Executive by the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Employment Term.” 
 (b) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will perform Executive’s duties faithfully and to the best of Executive’s ability and will devote Executive’s full business
efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the
Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), except as provided in Schedule 1. 
 2. At-Will
Employment. The parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be “at-will” employment and may be terminated at any time with or without Cause or notice. Executive understands and agrees that neither
Executive’s job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for modification, amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of Executive’s employment
with the Company. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending on the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company. 

3. Compensation. 
 (a) Base Salary. Effective as of the Effective Date and for the remainder of the Employment Term, the Company will pay Executive an annual salary of $ 166,195 as compensation for Executive’s
employment services to the Company (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholdings. Executive’s
salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices. 
 (b) Annual Bonus. Effective as of the Effective Date and for the remainder of the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus, the amount of which will be determined by
the Board in its sole discretion, upon achievement of performance objectives to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion (the “Annual Bonus”). The amount of the Annual

 
Bonus, or any portion thereof, will be paid, less applicable withholdings, as soon as practicable after the Board determines that the Annual Bonus has been earned, but in no event shall the
Annual Bonus be paid after the later of (i) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the close of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Annual Bonus is earned or (ii) March 15 following the calendar year in which the Annual Bonus is earned.

 4. Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be entitled to participate in the employee benefit
plans currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other senior executives of the Company. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time.

 5. Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel, entertainment or other expenses incurred by
Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time. 

6. Severance. 
 (a) Termination for other than Cause, Death or Disability Apart from a Change of Control. If, outside of the Change of Control Period, (i) the Company (or any parent or subsidiary or successor
of the Company) terminates Executive’s employment with the Company other than for Cause, death or Disability, or (ii) the Executive resigns from such employment for Good Reason, then, subject to Section 7, Executive will be entitled
to receive: 
 (i) continuing payments of severance pay for a period of nine (9) months at a rate equal to (x) the sum of
(A) seventy-five percent (75%) of Executive’s Base Salary rate, as then in effect, plus (B) the sum of all performance bonuses paid to Executive for the Company’s fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in
which Executive’s termination of employment occurs divided by (y) nine (9). The severance will be paid, less applicable withholdings, in installments over the severance period described herein with the first payment to commence
on the sixty-first (61st) day following Executive’s termination of employment (and include any severance payments that otherwise would have been paid to Executive within the sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination
date), with any remaining payments paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices for the remainder of the severance period following Executive’s termination of employment (subject to any delay as may be required by
Section 7(c)). 
 (ii) if Executive elects continuation coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, then the Company will reimburse Executive for the COBRA premiums for such
coverage (at the coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination) until the earlier of (A) a period of nine (9) months from the date of termination or (B) the date upon which Executive and/or
Executive’s eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. The reimbursements will be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s normal expense reimbursement policy. Notwithstanding the
first sentence of this Section 6(a)(ii), if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without
limitation, 

  
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Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company will in lieu thereof provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment, payable on the last day of a given month (except as provided
by the following sentence), in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that Executive would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage for Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents in effect on the termination of
employment date (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payments will be made regardless of whether Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents elect COBRA continuation coverage and will
commence on the month following Executive’s termination of employment and will end on the earlier of (x) the date upon which Executive obtains other employment or (y) the date the Company has paid an amount equal to nine
(9) payments. Any such taxable monthly payments that otherwise would have been paid to Executive within the sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination date instead will be paid on the sixty-first (61st) day following
Executive’s termination of employment, with any remaining payments paid as provided in the prior sentence (subject to any delay as may be required by Section 7(c)). For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments in lieu of COBRA
reimbursements may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable tax withholdings. 
 (b) Termination for other than Cause, Death or Disability or Resignation by Executive for Good Reason Related to a Change of Control. If, within the Change of Control Period (i) the Company
(or any parent or subsidiary or successor of the Company) terminates Executive’s employment with the Company other than for Cause, death or Disability, or (ii) the Executive resigns from such employment for Good Reason, then, subject to
Section 8, Executive will be entitled to receive: 
 (i) a lump sum payment equal to one hundred and fifty percent
(150%) of the sum of: (A) Executive’s Base Salary, as then in effect, or if greater, at the level in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control, plus (B) Executive’s Annual Bonus in effect for the fiscal year
in which Executive’s termination of employment occurs. The severance will be paid, less applicable withholdings, on the sixty-first (61st) day following Executive’s termination of employment in accordance with the Company’s
normal payroll practices (subject to any delay as may be required by Section 7(c)). For the avoidance of doubt, if (x) Executive incurred a termination of employment prior to a Change of Control that qualifies Executive for severance
payments under Section 6(a)(i); and (y) a Change of Control occurs within the three (3)-month period following Executive’s termination of employment that qualifies Executive for the superior benefits under this Section 6(b)(i),
then Executive shall be entitled to a lump-sum payment of the amount calculated under this Section 6(b)(i), less amounts already paid under Section 6(a)(i). 
 (ii) if Executive elects continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, then the Company will reimburse
Executive for the COBRA premiums for such coverage (at the coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination) until the earlier of (A) a period of eighteen (18) months from the date of termination or (B) the
date upon which Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. The reimbursements will be subject to the same conditions, limitations, and restrictions as the COBRA benefits described in
Section 6(a)(ii); provided, however, that if the Company provides Executive a taxable monthly payment in lieu of COBRA reimbursement, such payment will end on 

  
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the earlier of (x) the date upon which Executive obtains other employment or (y) the date the Company has paid an amount equal to eighteen (18) payments; and 

(iii) accelerated vesting as to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s then-outstanding equity awards to acquire Company
common stock. 
 (c) Termination for Cause, Death or Disability; Resignation without Good Reason. If Executive’s
employment with the Company (or any parent or subsidiary or successor of the Company) terminates voluntarily by Executive (except upon resignation for Good Reason), for Cause by the Company or due to Executive’s death or Disability, then
(i) all vesting will terminate immediately with respect to Executive’s outstanding equity awards, (ii) all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive hereunder will terminate immediately (except as to amounts already
earned), and (iii) Executive will only be eligible for severance benefits in accordance with the Company’s established policies, if any, as then in effect. 
 (d) Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment with the Company (or any parent or subsidiary or successor of the Company), the provisions of this Section 7
are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement, including any prior employment
agreements entered into between the Company and Executive. Executive will be entitled to no severance or other benefits upon termination of employment with respect to acceleration of award vesting or severance pay other than those benefits expressly
set forth in this Section 7. 
 7. Conditions to Receipt of Severance; No Duty to Mitigate. 

(a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any severance pursuant to Section 6(a) or (b) will be
subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”) and provided that such Release becomes effective and irrevocable no later
than sixty (60) days following the termination date (such deadline, the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any rights to severance or
benefits under this Agreement. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release becomes effective and irrevocable. 
 (b) Nonsolicitation. The receipt of any severance benefits pursuant to Section 7(a) or (b) will be subject to Executive not violating the provisions of Section 11. In the event
Executive breaches the provisions of Section 11, all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 6(a) or (b) will immediately cease. 

(c) Section 409A. 
 (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that, when considered together with any
other severance payments or separation benefits, are considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) (together, the “Deferred
Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of 

  
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Section 409A. Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. 
 (ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s termination (other
than due to death), then the Deferred Payments that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six
(6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this
paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.
Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. 
 (iii) Any amount paid under this Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not
constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of clause (i) above. 
 (iv) Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies
as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred
Payments for purposes of clause (i) above. 
 (v) The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the requirements of
Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Company and
Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual
payment to Executive under Section 409A. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company makes no representations or warranties with respect to the application of Section 409A and other tax consequences to any payments hereunder and, by
the acceptance of any such payments, Executive agrees to accept the potential application of Section 409A and the other tax consequences of any payments made hereunder. 
 (d) Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with the terms of Confidential
Information Agreement (as defined in Section 10). 

  
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 (e) No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment. 
 8. Definitions. 
 (a) Cause. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Cause” is defined as (i) the willful failure, disregard, or refusal by Executive to perform the services hereunder or follow the reasonable instructions of the Board; provided, however, that any willful failure,
disregard, or refusal by Executive to perform the services hereunder that can reasonably be cured shall not constitute Cause unless cure is not effected, as determined in good faith by the Board, within thirty (30) days after notice thereof is
received by the Executive from the Company; (ii) any willful or grossly negligent act by the Executive having the effect of injuring, in a material way (whether financial or otherwise) as determined in good faith by the Board, the business or
reputation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (iii) Executive’s conviction of, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere to any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (iv) the determination by the
Company, after a reasonable and good faith investigation by the Company following a written allegation by an employee of the Company, that the Executive engaged in some form of harassment prohibited by law (including, without limitation, age, sex,
disability, or race discrimination) unless Executive’s actions were specifically directed by the Board; or (v) material breach by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement or any Confidential Information Agreement. 

(b) Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following events: 
 (i) a change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than
one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the
Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be
considered a Change in Control; or 
 (ii) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets
which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market
value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the
following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a
transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company,
or (4) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is 

  
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owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (8)(b)(iii). For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company,
or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. 
 For
purposes of this definition, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a
change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance that has been promulgated or may be
promulgated thereunder from time to time. 
 Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change
in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the
Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. 
 (c) Change of Control Period. For purposes of this
Agreement, “Change of Control Period” means the period that begins three (3) months prior to a Change of Control and ends twelve (12) months following a Change of Control. 

(d) Code. For purposes of this Agreement, “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

(e) Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means that Executive has been unable to engage in
any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or more, or more than one hundred and eighty (180) days within any twelve (12)-month
period, in each case, determined by the Board. 
 (f) Good Reason. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” means Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s express written
consent: (i) a material breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Company; (ii) any material reduction by the Company of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, or authority which causes Executive’s position to become of
less responsibility or authority than Executive’s position as of immediately following the Effective Date; (iii) a material relocation of the Company’s principal place of business of Executive outside of the San Diego Metropolitan
area; or (iv) a material diminution in Executive’s base salary. Executive will not resign for Good Reason without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason”
within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date the Company receives such notice during which such condition must
not have been cured. 

  
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 (g) Section 409A Limit. For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A
Limit” will mean two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Executive’s taxable year preceding the Executive’s taxable year of
Executive’s separation from service as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into
account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code for the year in which Executive’s separation from service occurred. 
 9. Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments”
within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 9, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive’s severance benefits will be either: 

(a) delivered in full, or 
 (b) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, 

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a
reduction in the severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that no portion of such severance benefits is subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the reduction shall occur in the
following order: (1) reduction of the cash severance payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards; and (3) reduction of continued employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award
compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Executive’s equity awards. 
 A nationally recognized certified professional services firm selected by the Company, the Company’s legal counsel or such other person or entity to which the parties mutually agree (the
“Firm”) shall perform the foregoing calculations related to the Excise Tax. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by the Firm required to be made hereunder. For purposes of making the calculations
required by this Section, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999. The Company and
Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together
with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to the severance benefits or other payments is triggered (if requested at that time by the
Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the Firm made hereunder shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. 

  
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 10. Confidential Information. Executive agrees to continue to comply with the
Company’s Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (the “Confidential Information Agreement”) Executive previously executed. 
 11. Non-Solicitation. Until the date one (1) year after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive agrees not, either directly or indirectly, to
solicit any employee of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary of the Company) to leave Executive’s employment either for Executive or for any other entity or person. 
 12. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death and (b) any
successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or other
business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation
payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other
benefits will be null and void. 
 13. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for
hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (ii) one (1) day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (iii) four (4) days after
being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing: 

If to the Company: 
 Pfenex 
 10790 Roselle St. 

San Diego, CA 92121 
 Attn: Chief Executive Officer 
 If to Executive: 

at the last residential address known by the Company. 
 14. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force
and effect without said provision. 
 15. Arbitration. Executive agrees that any and all controversies, claims, or
disputes with anyone (including the Company and any employee, officer, director, stockholder or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from Executive’s service to the
Company, shall be subject to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Confidential Information Agreement. 

  
 -9-

 16. Integration. This Agreement, along with the Confidential Information Agreement,
represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements whether written or oral. With respect to equity awards granted on or after the date of this
Agreement, the acceleration of vesting provisions provided herein will apply to such equity awards except to the extent the applicable equity award agreement expressly supersedes this Agreement. This Agreement may be modified only by agreement of
the parties by a written instrument executed by the parties that is designated as an amendment to this Agreement. 
 17.
Waiver of Breach. The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement, which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement. 

18. Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of
this Agreement. 
 19. Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of
applicable taxes. 
 20. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the
exception of its conflict of laws provisions). 
 21. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that Executive has had the
opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from Executive’s private attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily
entering into this Agreement. 
 22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart
will have the same force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written. 
  

									
	COMPANY:	 		 		 	
				
	PFENEX INC.	 		 		 	
					
	By:	 	 /s/ Bertrand C. Liang
	 		 	Date:	 	 June 20, 2014

					
	Name:	 	 Bertrand C. Liang
	 		 		 	
					
	Title:	 	 Chief Executive Officer
	 		 		 	
				
	EXECUTIVE:	 		 		 	
				
	 /s/ Henry Talbot
	 		 	Date:	 	 June 20, 2014

	HENRY TALBOT	 		 		 	

 [SIGNATURE PAGE TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT] 

  
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 SCHEDULE 1 

  
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