EX-99.1 4 d508531dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

MADRIGAL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2023 INDUCEMENT PLAN

Effective September 8, 2023

1. DEFINITIONS.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, as used in this Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2023 Inducement Plan, have the following meanings:

Administrator” means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the Administrator means the Committee.

Affiliate” means a corporation which, for purposes of Section 424 of the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or indirect.

Agreement” means an agreement between the Company and a Participant pertaining to a Stock Right granted pursuant to the Plan, in such form as the Administrator shall approve.

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cause” means, with respect to a Participant, (a) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (b) insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, (c) unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, (d) breach by a Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, or (e) conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate; provided, however, that any provision in an agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of Cause for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede this definition with respect to that Participant. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of Cause will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) Ownership. Any “Person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (excluding for this purpose any such voting securities held by the Company or its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan of the Company) pursuant to a transaction or a series of related transactions which the Board of Directors does not approve; or

(b) Merger/Sale of Assets. (i) A merger or consolidation of the Company whether or not approved by the Board of Directors, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or the parent of such corporation) more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or parent of such corporation, as the case may be, outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (ii) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in a transaction requiring shareholder approval; or


(c) Change in Board Composition. A change in the composition of the Board of Directors, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (i) are directors of the Company as of the date of adoption of the Plan, or (ii) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company);

provided, however, that if any payment or benefit payable hereunder upon or following a Change of Control would be required to comply with the limitations of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code in order to avoid an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such payment or benefit shall be made only if such Change of Control constitutes a change in ownership or control of the Company, or a change in ownership of the Company’s assets in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto.

Committee” means the committee of the Board of Directors to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

Common Stock” means shares of the Company’s common stock, $.0001 par value per share.

Company” means Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.

Consultant” means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant that provides bona fide services to the Company or its Affiliates, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s or its Affiliates’ securities.

Disability” or “Disabled” means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

Employee” means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Stock Rights under the Plan.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Fair Market Value” of a Share means:

(a) If the Shares are listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are regularly reported for the Shares, the closing or, if not applicable, the last price of the Shares on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date;

(b) If the Shares are not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices are not regularly reported for the Shares for the trading day referred to in clause (a), and if bid and asked prices for the Shares are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked price for the Shares at the close of trading in the over-the-counter market for the trading day on which the Shares were traded on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date; and

(c) If the Shares are neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator, in good faith, shall determine in compliance with applicable laws.

ISO” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

Non-Qualified Option” means an Option which is not intended to qualify as an ISO.


Option” means an option to purchase Shares at a specified price pursuant to the Plan.

Option Agreement” means an Agreement pertaining to an Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

Participant” means an individual to whom one or more Stock Rights are granted under the Plan. As used herein, “Participant” shall include such Participant’s “Survivors” where the context requires.

Plan” means this Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2023 Inducement Plan, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shares” means shares of the Common Stock as to which Stock Rights have been or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or both.

Stock-Based Award” means a grant by the Company under the Plan of an equity award or an equity based award which is not an Option or a Stock Grant.

Stock Grant” means a grant by the Company of Shares under the Plan.

Stock Right” means a right to Shares or the value of Shares of the Company granted pursuant to the Plan— a Non-Qualified Option, a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award.

Substitute Award” means a Stock Right granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.

Survivor” means a deceased Participant’s legal representatives and/or any person or persons who acquired the Participant’s rights to a Stock Right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

2. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.

The Plan, through the granting of Stock Rights, is intended to provide (i) an inducement material for certain individuals to enter into employment with the Company or its Affiliates within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(3) or Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules, as applicable, and the related guidance under NASDAQ IM 5635-1 (and any analogous rules or guidance effective after the date hereof), (ii) incentives to induce such persons to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate, and (iii) incentives for such persons to promote the success of the Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards. However, the Plan does not provide for the granting of ISOs.

3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

(a) The number of Shares which may be issued from time to time pursuant to this Plan shall be 500,000 shares of Common Stock or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 23 of this Plan. Any of the Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan may be used for any type of Stock Right under the Plan.


(b) If an Option ceases to be outstanding, in whole or in part (other than by exercise), or if any Stock Right expires or is forfeited, cancelled, or otherwise terminated or results in any Shares not being issued, the unissued or reacquired Shares which were subject to such Stock Right shall again be available for issuance from time to time pursuant to this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Stock Right is exercised, in whole or in part, by tender of Shares or if the Company or an Affiliate’s tax withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding Shares, the number of Shares deemed to have been issued under the Plan for purposes of the limitation set forth in Paragraph 3(a) above shall be the number of Shares that were subject to the Stock Right or portion thereof, and not the net number of Shares actually issued.

4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which case the Committee shall be the Administrator.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:

(a) Interpret the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules and determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;

(b) Determine who shall be granted Stock Rights;

(c) Determine the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall be granted;

(d) Specify the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights may be granted;

(e) Accelerate the exercisability, vesting or lapse of forfeiture restrictions of a Stock Right;

(f) Amend any term or condition of any outstanding Stock Right, other than reducing the exercise price or purchase price, provided that (i) such term or condition as amended is not prohibited by the Plan; (ii) any such amendment shall not impair the rights of a Participant under any Stock Right previously granted without such Participant’s consent or in the event of death of the Participant the Participant’s Survivors; and (iii) any such amendment shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such amendment would cause any adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code;

(g) Adopt any sub-plans applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company, any Affiliate or to Participants or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which sub-plans may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock Right; and

(h) Make Substitute Awards;

provided, however, that (i) all such interpretations, rules, determinations, terms and conditions shall be made and prescribed in the context of not causing any adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code. Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the Administrator is the Committee. In addition, if the Administrator is the Committee, the Board of Directors may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board of Directors or the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any other person selected by it. The Board of Directors or the Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time.


Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, to the extent required to satisfy the standards for inducement grants under Rule 5635(c)(3) or 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules, as applicable, and the related guidance under NASDAQ IM 5635-1 (and/or any analogous rules or guidance effective after the date hereof), grants of Stock Rights must be approved by either a majority of the Company’s “Independent Directors” (as such term is defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules) or the Committee, provided the Committee is comprised solely of “Independent Directors.”

5. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.

The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in the Plan; provided, however, that (i) the only persons eligible to receive Stock Rights under this Plan are individuals who satisfy the standards for inducement grants under Rule 5635(c)(3) or Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules, as applicable, and the related guidance under NASDAQ IM 5635-1 (and any analogous rules or guidance effective after the date hereof), and (ii) an individual who previously served as an Employee or director will not be eligible to receive Stock Rights under the Plan, other than following a bona fide period of non-employment.

6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

Each Option shall be set forth in writing in an Option Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be granted subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the terms and conditions specifically required under this Plan, as the Administrator may deem appropriate. The Option Agreements shall be subject to at least the following terms and conditions:

(a) Non-Qualified Options: Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such Non-Qualified Option:

 

  (i)

Exercise Price: Each Option Agreement shall state the exercise price (per share) of the Shares covered by each Option, which exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant of the Option.

 

  (ii)

Number of Shares: Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains.

 

  (iii)

Vesting: Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised and may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence of certain performance criteria or the attainment of stated goals or events.

 

  (iv)

Term of Option: Each Option shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.

(b) Substitute Awards: Notwithstanding Subparagraph 6(a)(i), but subject to Paragraph 28, the exercise price per Share covered by an Option that is a Substitute Award may be less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant of the Option, provided that such exercise price is determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code for Non-Qualified Options.

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS.

Each Stock Grant to a Participant shall state the principal terms in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards:

(a) Each Agreement shall state the purchase price (per share), if any, of the Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the minimum consideration required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, if any, on the date of the grant of the Stock Grant;


(b) Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains;

(c) Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to restrict or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the time period or attainment of performance criteria upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price therefor, if any; and

(d) Each Agreement shall provide that cash dividends declared or paid on Stock Grants that remain subject to time-based or performance-based vesting requirements shall not become payable unless and until the Stock Grant (or portion thereof) to which the dividends apply become vested and nonforfeitable.

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

The Administrator shall have the right to grant other Stock-Based Awards based upon the Shares having such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of Shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Shares and the grant of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards or stock units. The principal terms of each Stock-Based Award shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company. Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company, including the right to terminate the Stock-Based Award without the issuance of Shares, and the terms of any vesting conditions, performance criteria or events upon which Shares shall be issued. Under no circumstances may the Agreement covering stock appreciation rights (a) have an exercise price per Share that is less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant or (b) expire more than ten years following the date of grant; provided, however, the exercise price per Share covered by stock appreciation rights that are Substitute Awards may be less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant of the stock appreciation rights, provided that such exercise price is determined consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Each Agreement shall provide that cash dividends declared or paid on Shares subject to Stock-Based Awards that remain subject to time-based or performance-based vesting requirements shall not become payable unless and until the Stock-Based Award (or portion thereof) to which the dividends apply become vested and nonforfeitable.

The Company intends that the Plan and any Stock-Based Awards granted hereunder be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code or meet the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and be operated in accordance with Section 409A so that any compensation deferred under any Stock-Based Award (and applicable investment earnings) shall not be included in income under Section 409A of the Code. Any ambiguities in the Plan shall be construed to effect the intent as described in this Paragraph 8.

9. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee (in a form acceptable to the Administrator, which may include electronic notice), together with provision for payment of the aggregate exercise price in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option Agreement. Such notice shall be signed by the person exercising the Option (which signature may be provided electronically in a form acceptable to the Administrator), shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the Option Agreement. Payment of the exercise price for the Shares as to which such Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or


by check; or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of Shares (held for such period if and to the extent required to avoid negative accounting treatment) having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of the exercise to the aggregate cash exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company retain from the Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator; or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c) and (d) above; or (f) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.

The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be). In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares shall, upon delivery, be fully paid, non-assessable Shares.

10. ACCEPTANCE OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

Any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award requiring payment of a purchase price for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being granted shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check; or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of Shares (held for such period if and to the extent required to avoid negative accounting treatment) having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of payment to the purchase price of the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award; or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a) and (b) above; or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.

The Company shall when required by the applicable Agreement, reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was made to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be), subject to any escrow provision set forth in the applicable Agreement. In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance.

11. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.

No Participant to whom a Stock Right has been granted shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Stock Right, except after due exercise of an Option or issuance of Shares as set forth in any Agreement, tender of the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, for the Shares being purchased and registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant.

12. ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS.

By its terms, a Stock Right granted to a Participant shall not be transferable by the Participant other than (a) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (b) as approved by the Administrator in its discretion and set forth in the applicable Agreement provided that no Stock Right may be transferred by a Participant for value. The designation of a beneficiary of a Stock Right by a Participant, with the prior approval of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Paragraph. Except as provided above, during the Participant’s lifetime a Stock Right shall only be exercisable by or issued to such Participant (or his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Stock Right or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon a Stock Right, shall be null and void.


13. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has exercised an Option, the following rules apply:

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate for any reason other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death (for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 14, 15, and 16, respectively) may exercise any Option granted to him or her to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only within such term as the Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option Agreement.

(b) The provisions of this Paragraph 13, and not the provisions of Paragraphs 15 or 16, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy; provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s Disability or death within three (3) months after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one (1) year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s termination of employment, termination of director status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Administrator determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option.

(d) A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.

(e) Except as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of a Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

14. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been exercised:

(a) All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause will immediately be forfeited.

(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited.


15. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to such Participant to the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability;

(b) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, the Option will become exercisable on the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability;

(c) A Disabled Participant may exercise the Option only within the period ending one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability, notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not been terminated due to Disability and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option; and

(d) The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

16. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

(a) In the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option may be exercised by the Participant’s Survivors to the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of death;

(b) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, the Option will become exercisable on the date of death to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of death; and

(c) If the Participant’s Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take all necessary steps to exercise the Option within one year after the date of death of such Participant, notwithstanding that the decedent might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if he or she had not died and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.


17. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.

In the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason before the Participant has accepted a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award and paid the purchase price, if required, such grant shall terminate.

For purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, a Participant to whom a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award has been issued under the Plan who is absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.

In addition, for purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, any change of employment or other service within or among the Company and any Affiliates shall not be treated as a termination of employment, director status or consultancy so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

18. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, in the event of a termination of service for any reason (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant), other than termination for Cause, death or Disability (for which there are special rules in Paragraphs 19, 20, and 21 below), before all forfeiture provisions or Company rights of repurchase shall have lapsed, then the Company shall have the right to cancel or repurchase that number of Shares subject to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award as to which the Company’s forfeiture or repurchase rights have not lapsed.

19. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause:

(a) All Shares subject to any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award that remain subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company shall have a repurchase right shall be immediately forfeited to the Company as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause.

(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then all Shares subject to any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award that remained subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company had a repurchase right on the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited to the Company.

20. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, the following rules apply if a Participant ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of Disability, they shall lapse; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award through the date of Disability as would have lapsed had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the date of Disability.


The Administrator shall make the determination both as to whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

21. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, the following rules apply in the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of death, they shall lapse; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award through the date of death as would have lapsed had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the Participant’s date of death.

22. DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.

Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised and all Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards which have not been accepted, to the extent required under the applicable Agreement, will terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a Participant or a Participant’s Survivors have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors will have the right immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise or accept any Stock Right to the extent that the Stock Right is exercisable or subject to acceptance as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any outstanding Stock-Based Awards shall immediately terminate unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specifically provided in the applicable Agreement.

23. ADJUSTMENTS.

Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Stock Right granted to him or her hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Participant’s Agreement:

(a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If (i) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock, each Stock Right and the number of Shares deliverable thereunder shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made including, in the exercise or purchase price per share to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraph 3(a) shall also be proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such events.

(b) Corporate Transactions. Upon consummation of a transaction where the Company is consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger or consolidation, or where the Company sells all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a “Corporate Transaction”), the Administrator or the board of directors of any entity


assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Board”), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that such Options must be exercised within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period such Options which have not yet been exercised shall terminate (all Options shall for purposes of this clause (ii) be made fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to their termination); or (iii) terminate such Options in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of Shares into which such Option would have been exercisable (all Options shall for purposes of this clause (iii) be made fully vested and immediately exercisable immediately prior to their termination) less the aggregate exercise price thereof. For purposes of determining the payments to be made pursuant to Subclause (iii) above, in the case of a Corporate Transaction the consideration for which, in whole or in part, is other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be valued at the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

Upon consummation of a Corporate Transaction, with respect to outstanding Stock Grants, the Administrator or the Successor Board, shall either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Stock Grants on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Stock Grants the securities of any successor or acquiring entity in the Corporate Transaction or (ii) provide that, upon consummation of the Corporate Transaction, each outstanding Stock Grant shall be terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising such Stock Grant (all forfeiture and repurchase rights being waived upon such Corporate Transaction).

In taking any of the actions permitted under this Subparagraph 23(b), the Administrator shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Stock Rights, all Stock Rights held by a Participant, or all Stock Rights of the same type, identically.

(c) Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company, other than a Corporate Transaction, pursuant to which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization shall be entitled to receive for the price paid upon such exercise or acceptance, if any, the number of replacement securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted prior to such recapitalization or reorganization.

(d) Adjustments to Stock-Based Awards. Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs 23(a), 23(b) or 23(c) above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Paragraph 23, including, but not limited to the effect of any Corporate Transaction and Change of Control and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination shall be conclusive.

(e) Modification of Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Subparagraphs 23(a), 23(b) or 23(c) above with respect to Options shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such adjustments would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of Options, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. If the Administrator determines that such adjustments made with respect to Options would constitute an adverse tax consequence, it may refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an Option specifically agrees in writing that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences of such “adjustment” on his or her income tax treatment with respect to the Option.


(f) Change of Control. In the event of either:

 

  (i)

a Corporate Transaction that also constitutes a Change of Control, where outstanding Options are assumed or substituted in accordance with the first paragraph of Subparagraph 23(b) clause (i) above and, with respect to Stock Grants, in accordance with the second paragraph of Subparagraph 23(b) clause (i); or

 

  (ii)

a Change of Control that does not also constitute a Corporate Transaction,

if within six (6) months after the date of such Change of Control, (A) a Participant’s service is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate for any reason other than Cause; or (B) a Participant terminates his or her service as a result of being required to change the principal location where he or she renders services to a location more than 50 miles from his or her location of employment or consultancy immediately prior to the Change of Control; or (C) a Participant terminates his or her service after a material adverse change in a Participant’s duties, authority or responsibilities which causes such Participant’s position with the Company to become of significantly less responsibility or authority than such Participant’s position was immediately prior to the Change of Control; provided, in each case of clauses (B) and (C), such Participant provides written notice of such event to the Company within 30 days of the initial occurrence of such event, the Company fails to cure such event within 30 days from receipt of such written notice, and such Participant actually terminates employment at the end of the Company’s 30-day cure period;

then all of such Participant’s (1) Options outstanding under the Plan shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable as of the date of termination of such Participant, unless in any such case the Option has otherwise expired or been terminated pursuant to its terms or the terms of the Plan and (2) any forfeiture or repurchase rights of the Company with respect to outstanding Stock Grants that have not lapsed or expired prior to such Change of Control shall lapse and terminate as of the date of termination of such Participant.

24. ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES.

Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Stock Rights. Except as expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company prior to any issuance of Shares pursuant to a Stock Right.

25. FRACTIONAL SHARES.

No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan, and the person exercising a Stock Right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.

26. WITHHOLDING.

(a) In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act withholdings or other amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld from the Participant’s salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with a Stock Right or Shares under the Plan or for any other reason required by law, the Company may withhold from the Participant’s compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the Participant, the amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding arrangement, including the use of Shares or a promissory note, is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of payroll withholding shall be determined in the manner set forth under the definition of Fair Market Value provided in Paragraph 1 above, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date of exercise. If the Fair Market Value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer. The Administrator in its discretion may condition the exercise of an Option for less than the then Fair Market Value on the Participant’s payment of such additional withholding.


(b) The maximum number of Shares that may be withheld from any Stock Right to satisfy any federal, state, or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to any Stock Right or payment of Shares pursuant to such Stock Right, as applicable, may not exceed such number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required by the Company or the applicable Affiliate to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state, or local taxing authority with respect to such Stock Right; provided, however, for so long as Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 or a similar rule remains in effect, the Administrator has full discretion to choose, or to allow a Participant to elect, to withhold a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum required statutory withholding obligation (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum required statutory withholding amount(s) in such Participant’s relevant tax jurisdiction).

27. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

The Plan is effective as of September 8, 2023. The Administrator may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not affect any Stock Rights theretofore granted. No further Stock Rights shall be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

28. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS; NO REPRICING.

(a) The Plan may be amended by the Administrator at any time.

(b) Other than as set forth in Paragraph 23 of the Plan, the Administrator may not without shareholder approval reduce the exercise price of an Option or cancel any outstanding Option in exchange for a replacement option having a lower exercise price, any Stock Grant, any other Stock-Based Award or for cash. In addition, the Administrator may not take any other action that is considered a direct or indirect “repricing” for purposes of the shareholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Shares are listed, including any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Any modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under a Stock Right previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the Participant affected, the Administrator may amend outstanding Agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Agreements may be amended by the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant. Nothing in this Paragraph 28 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Paragraph 23.

29. EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.

Nothing in this Plan or any Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Affiliate for any period of time.

30. SECTION 409A.

If a Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code (and as applied according to procedures of the Company and its Affiliates) as of his separation from service, to the extent any payment under this Plan or pursuant to the grant of a Stock Right constitutes deferred compensation (after taking into account any applicable exemptions from Section 409A of the Code), and to the extent


required by Section 409A of the Code, no payments due under this Plan or pursuant to a Stock Right may be made until the earlier of: (a) the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s separation from service, or (b) the Participant’s date of death; provided, however, that any payments delayed during this six (6)-month period shall be paid in the aggregate in a lump sum, without interest, on the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s separation from service.

The Administrator shall administer the Plan with a view toward ensuring that Stock Rights under the Plan that are subject to Section 409A of the Code comply with the requirements thereof and that Options under the Plan be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, but neither the Administrator nor any member of the Board of Directors, nor the Company nor any of its Affiliates, nor any other person acting hereunder on behalf of the Company, the Administrator or the Board of Directors shall be liable to a Participant or any Survivor by reason of the acceleration of any income, or the imposition of any additional tax or penalty, with respect to a Stock Right, whether by reason of a failure to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or otherwise.

31. SECTION 280G.

If any payment or benefit a Participant would receive under this Plan, when combined with any other payment or benefit such Participant receives pursuant to a change of control (as defined for purposes of Section 280G of the Code) (for purposes of this Paragraph, a “Payment”) would: (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code; and (b) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be either: (x) the full amount of such Payment; or (y) such lesser amount as would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state, and local employments taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax, results in such Participant’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment, notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax.

Except as required by Section 409A of the Code or to the extent that Section 409A of the Code permits discretion, the Administrator shall have the right, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, to designate those payments or benefits that should be reduced or eliminated so as to avoid having such payments or benefits be considered a parachute payment; provided, however, to the extent any payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code, the Administrator shall instead accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Stock Rights subject to performance-based vesting, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Options, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of remaining Stock Grants or Stock-Based Grants, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining parachute payments.

32. INDEMNITY.

Neither the Board of Directors nor the Administrator, nor any members of either, nor any employees of the Company or any parent, subsidiary, or other Affiliate, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with their responsibilities with respect to this Plan, and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify the members of the Board of Directors, the members of the Committee, and the employees of the Company and its parent or subsidiaries in respect of any claim, loss, damage, or expense (including reasonable counsel fees) arising from any such act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination to the full extent permitted by law.


33. CLAWBACK.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the Company may recover from a Participant any compensation received from any Stock Right (whether or not settled) or cause a Participant to forfeit any Stock Right (whether or not vested) in the event that the Company’s clawback policy then in effect is triggered.

34. GOVERNING LAW.

This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or enforcement to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.