Retirement Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Retirement Plan

Retirement Plan

(13) Retirement Plan

        In 2003, the Company implemented a 401(k) retirement plan (the Synta 401(k) Plan) in which substantially all of its permanent employees are eligible to participate. Participants may contribute a percentage of their annual compensation to the plan, subject to statutory limitations. The Company may declare discretionary matching contributions to the Synta 401(k) Plan.

        In April 2006, the Company began matching participants' contributions up to 50% of the first 6% of the employee's salary. The match is subject to a three-year equally graded vesting schedule and any forfeitures will be applied to reduce the Company's contributions. Company contributions for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were approximately $372,000, $429,000 and $426,000, respectively, subject to forfeitures.