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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

6. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Employment and Consulting Agreements

 

Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D.

 

On December 28, 2012, Dr. Gary Jacob, Chief Executive Officer and President entered into a new employment agreement with Synergy. This agreement is substantially similar to the previous Synergy employment agreement that was entered into on May 2, 2011, except, among other things, the base salary for Dr. Jacob is $425,000 and the term of this agreement begins on January 1, 2013 and ends on December 31, 2016.

 

Dr. Jacob is eligible to receive a cash bonus of up to 50% of his base salary per year based on meeting certain performance objectives and bonus criteria. Dr. Jacob is also eligible to receive a realization bonus in the event that we enter into an out-license agreement for our technology or enter into a joint venture in which we contribute such rights to the joint venture where the enterprise value equals or exceeds a minimum of $250 million in the term of the agreement or the license fees we contract to receive equals or exceeds $50 million. The realization bonus will be equal to the enterprise value in the case of a joint venture or the sum of the license fees actually received in the case of an out license, multiplied by 0.5%. In addition, in the event we engage in a merger transaction or a sale of substantially all of our assets where (i) our enterprise value at the time of the merger or sale equals or exceed $400 million and our stockholders prior to consummation of the merger or sale beneficially own less than 20% of the stock of the surviving entity after consummation of the merger or (ii) our enterprise value at the time of the merger or sale or 12 months after the merger or sale equals or exceed $250 million and our stockholders prior to consummation of the merger or sale beneficially own 20% or more of the stock of the surviving entity after consummation of the merge, Dr. Jacob shall receive a bonus in an amount determined by multiplying the enterprise value by 2.5%.

 

If the employment agreement is terminated by Synergy other than for cause or as a result of Dr. Jacob’s death or permanent disability or if Dr. Jacob terminates his employment for good reason which includes a change of control, Dr. Jacob shall receive (i) a severance payment equal average monthly base salary paid or accrued during the three full calendar months preceding the termination, (ii) expense compensation in an amount equal to twelve times the sum of his average base salary during the three full months preceding the termination, (iii) immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and the extension of the exercise period of such options to the later of the longest period permitted by our stock option plans or ten years following the termination date, (iv) payment in respect of compensation earned but not yet paid and (v) payment of the cost of medical insurance for a period of twelve months following termination.

 

Gabriele M. Cerrone

 

On December 28, 2012, Gabriele Cerrone, our Chairman, entered into a new consulting agreement with Synergy. This agreement is substantially similar to the previous consulting agreement that was entered on May 2, 2011, except, among other things, the base consulting fee for Mr. Cerrone is $425,000 and the term of this agreement begins on January 1, 2013 and ends on December 31, 2016.

 

Mr. Cerrone is eligible to receive a cash bonus of up to 50% of his base consulting fee per year based on meeting certain performance objectives and bonus criteria. Mr. Cerrone is also eligible to receive a realization bonus in the event that we enter into an out-license agreement for our technology or enter into a joint venture in which we contribute such rights to the joint venture where the enterprise value equals or exceeds a minimum of $250 million during the term of the agreement or the license fees we contract to receive equals or exceeds $50 million. The realization bonus will be equal to the enterprise value in the case of a joint venture or financing or the sum of the license fees actually received multiplied by 0.5%. In addition, in the event we engage in a merger transaction or a sale of substantially all of our assets where (i) our enterprise value at the time of the merger or sale equals or exceed $400 million and our stockholders prior to consummation of the merger or sale beneficially own less than 20% of the stock of the surviving entity after consummation of the merger or (ii) our enterprise value at the time of the merger or sale or 12 months after the merger or sale equals or exceed $250 million and our stockholders prior to consummation of the merger or sale beneficially own 20% or more of the stock of the surviving entity after consummation of the merge, Mr. Cerrone shall receive a bonus in an amount determined by multiplying the enterprise value by 2.5%.

 

On October 6, 2010 we achieved the $20 million threshold required for Mr. Cerrone’s realization bonus to be accrued on the cumulative gross proceeds of financing transactions since August 1, 2008. This bonus totaled $1,211,912, was deemed compensatory in nature and charged to expense during the year ended December 31, 2010. Mr. Cerrone agreed with Synergy to defer payment of his bonus until the earlier of (i) March 31, 2012, (ii) the completion of a financing transaction yielding gross proceeds of $30 million on a cumulative basis subsequent to October 6, 2010 or (iii) the tenth business day after termination of the consulting agreement without cause or good reason (including a termination following a “change of control” transaction as that term is defined in his consulting agreement). In consideration of Mr. Cerrone agreeing to permit Synergy to defer payment of his bonus Synergy agreed to indemnify him from any liability for taxes or penalties that he may incur pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and comparable state income tax laws. This bonus was paid in full during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, which payment does not terminate the Company’s indemnification liability.

 

If the consulting agreement is terminated by Synergy other than for cause or as a result of Mr. Cerrone’s death or permanent disability or if Mr. Cerrone terminates the agreement for good reason which includes a change of control, Mr. Cerrone shall receive (i) a severance payment equal to the higher of the aggregate amount of his base consulting fee for the then remaining term of the agreement or twelve times the average monthly base consulting fee paid or accrued during the three full calendar months preceding the termination, (ii) expense compensation in an amount equal to twelve times the sum of his average base consulting fee during the three full months preceding the termination, (iii) immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and the extension of the exercise period of such options to the later of the longest period permitted by our stock option plans or ten years following the termination date, (iv) payment in respect of consulting fee earned but not yet paid and (v) payment of the cost of medical insurance for a period of twelve months following termination.

 

Bernard F. Denoyer

 

On January 20, 2011, Bernard F. Denoyer entered into an executive employment agreement with Synergy in which he agreed to serve as Senior Vice President, Finance.  The term of the agreement was effective as of January 20, 2011, continues until January 20, 2012 and is automatically renewed for successive one year periods at the end of each term. Mr. Denoyer’s base salary is currently $200,850 as of December 31, 2012 and $215,000 effective January 1, 2013.  He is eligible to receive a cash bonus of up to 25% of his base salary per year at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. If the employment agreement is terminated by Synergy other than for cause or as a result of Mr. Denoyer’s death or permanent disability or if Mr. Denoyer terminates his employment for good reason which includes a change of control, Mr. Denoyer shall receive (i) a severance payment equal to the higher of the aggregate amount of his base salary for the then remaining term of the agreement or twelve times the average monthly base salary paid or accrued during the three full calendar months preceding the termination, (ii)  immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and the extension of the exercise period of such options to the later of the longest period permitted by our stock option plans or ten years following the termination date, (iii)  payment in respect of compensation earned but not yet paid and (iv)  payment of the cost of medical insurance for a period of twelve months following termination.

 

Kunwar Shailubhai

 

On June 25, 2012, Kunwar Shailubhai entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with us, which amended his previous agreement dated April 6, 2004. In his new agreement, Mr. Shailubhai agreed to serve as Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President. The term of the agreement continues until June 25, 2014 and is automatically renewed for successive one year periods at the end of each term. Mr. Shailubhai’s base salary is currently $250,000 as of December 31, 2012 and $270,000 effective January 1, 2013. He is eligible to receive a cash bonus of up to 30% of his base salary per year at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. If the employment agreement is terminated by Synergy other than for cause or as a result of Mr. Shailubhai’s death or permanent disability or if Mr. Shailubhai terminates his employment for good reason which includes a change of control, Mr. Shailubhai shall receive (i) a severance payment equal to the higher of the aggregate amount of his base salary for the then remaining term of the agreement or twelve times the average monthly base salary paid or accrued during the three full calendar months preceding the termination, (ii)  immediate vesting of all unvested stock options and the extension of the exercise period of such options to the later of the longest period permitted by our stock option plans or ten years following the termination date, (iii)  payment in respect of compensation earned but not yet paid and (iv)  payment of the cost of medical insurance for a period of twelve months following termination.

 

Lease agreements

 

Synergy’s corporate headquarters located at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York, was subject to a lease which has a monthly rate of $16,000 and expired on March 31, 2012.  This facility was provided to Synergy under a space sharing arrangement with Callisto.  On March 30, 2012 Synergy assumed the Callisto lease and extended this lease through March 31, 2014, at a monthly rate of approximately $19,000. On August 28, 2012 Synergy entered into a Lease Modification, Substitution of Space and Extension Agreement with SL Green Graybar Associates.  Under the new lease we will be moving our corporate headquarters and clinical development offices to a larger office space on the 20th floor of 420 Lexington Avenue. The new lease has a monthly rate of approximately $35,000 and expires March 31, 2019.  Synergy expects to move in first half of 2013.

 

Synergy also occupies a small laboratory and several offices in the Bucks County Biotechnology Center in Doylestown, Pennsylvania under a lease which expired August 31, 2011. On February 1, 2012 Synergy extended this lease through December 31, 2013, at a monthly rate of $2,800.

 

Clinical Research Organization arrangements  

 

The Company may be obligated in future periods to make additional payments, which would become due and payable only upon the achievement of certain research and development, regulatory, and approval milestones. The specific timing of such milestones cannot be predicted and depends upon future discretionary clinical developments as well as regulatory agency actions which cannot be predicted with certainty (including action which may never occur). These additional contingent payments aggregate to approximately $19 million.

 

The following table is a summary of contractual obligations for the periods indicated that existed as of December 31, 2012.

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1-2 Years

 

3-5
Years

 

More
than
5 Years

 

Operating leases

 

$

2,752

 

$

532

 

$

805

 

$

1,301

 

$

114

 

Purchase obligations—principally employment and consulting services(1)

 

6,060

 

1,971

 

2,792

 

1,297

 

 

Purchase Obligations—Major Vendors(2)

 

19,380

 

19,380

 

 

 

 

Total obligations

 

$

28,192

 

$

21,883

 

$

3,597

 

$

2,598

 

$

114

 

 

(1) Represents salary, bonus, and benefits for remaining term of employment agreements with Gary S. Jacob, CEO, Bernard F Denoyer, Senior Vice President, Finance, Kunwar Shailubhai, Chief Scientific Officer and consulting fees, bonus and benefits for remaining term of consulting agreement with Gabriele M. Cerrone, Chairman.

 

(2) Represents amounts that will become due upon future delivery of supplies, drug substance and test results from various suppliers, under open purchase orders as of December 31, 2012.

 

Litigation

 

On August 9, 2012, a purported stockholder class action complaint was filed in the Supreme Court for the State of New York, captioned Shona Investments v. Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 652783/2012. The complaint names as defendants, Callisto, each member of the Board of Callisto (the “Individual Defendants “) and Synergy. The complaint generally alleges that the Individual Defendants breached their fiduciary duties and that Synergy aided and abetted the purported breaches of such fiduciary duties. The relief sought includes, among other things, an injunction prohibiting consummation of the proposed transaction, rescission (to the extent the proposed transaction has already been consummated) and the payment of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs. Callisto and Synergy believe the plaintiffs’ allegations lack merit and will contest them.

 

On August 31, 2012, a purported stockholder class action complaint was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned Gary Wagner v. Gary S. Jacob, Inc., et al., Case No. 7820-VCP. The complaint names as defendants, Callisto, the Individual Defendants and Synergy. The complaint generally alleges that the Individual Defendants breached their fiduciary duties and that Synergy aided and abetted the purported breaches of such fiduciary duties. The relief sought includes, among other things, an injunction prohibiting consummation of the proposed transaction, rescission (to the extent the proposed transaction has already been consummated) and the payment of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs. Callisto and Synergy believe the plaintiffs’ allegations lack merit and will contest them.

 

On or about November 2, 2012, counsel for the Delaware Plaintiff reached an agreement with Counsel for Plaintiff in the New York action by which the Plaintiffs from the two cases agreed to conduct preliminary injunctive proceedings and discovery related thereto in the New York action only, and during the pendency of which the plaintiff in the Delaware action would effectively stay any prosecution of its case. The parties have discussed the scope of preliminary discovery and document production.

 

There can be no assurance as to the outcome of these proceedings.