LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
2022 EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT PLAN
Article 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
I.PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
This 2022 Employment Inducement Plan is intended to promote the interests of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, by providing Eligible Individuals in the Corporation’s and its Subsidiaries’ service with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Corporation as an incentive for them to commence and remain in such service. Only Eligible Individuals may receive Awards under the Plan.
Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the attached Appendix.
II.STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN
A.The Plan shall be divided into three separate equity incentives programs:
1.the Discretionary Option Grant Program under which Eligible Individuals may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be granted options to purchase shares of Common Stock,
2.the Stock Issuance Program under which Eligible Individuals may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be issued shares of Common Stock, and
3.the Other Stock Award Program under which Eligible Individuals may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be granted restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and dividend equivalents.
B.The provisions of Article One and Article Six shall apply to all equity programs under the Plan and shall govern the interests of all persons under the Plan.
III.ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
A.The Committee shall be the Plan Administrator and shall have sole and exclusive authority to administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein). Each member of the Committee shall be both an Independent Director and a “nonemployee director” (as defined in the regulations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, Awards shall be approved by (i) the Committee, which shall be comprised solely of Independent Directors, or (ii) a majority of the Corporation’s Independent Directors.
B.The Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its administrative functions under the Plan, have full power and authority (subject to the provisions of the Plan) to:
i.adopt rules and regulations from time to time intended to ensure that an individual is an Eligible Individual prior to the granting of any Award to such individual under the Plan (including without limitation a requirement, if any, that each such individual certify to the Corporation prior to the receipt of an Award under the Plan that he or she has not been previously employed by the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, or if previously employed, has had a bona fide period of non-employment, and that the grant of Awards under the Plan is an inducement material to his or her agreement to enter into employment with the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates);
ii.establish such rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate for proper administration of the Plan and to make such determinations under; and
iii.issue such interpretations of, the provisions of those programs and any outstanding Awards thereunder as it may deem necessary or advisable.
Decisions of the Plan Administrator within the scope of its administrative functions under the Plan shall be final and binding on all parties who have an interest in the equity incentive programs under its jurisdiction or any Award thereunder.
C.Service on the Committee shall constitute service as a Board member, and members of such committee shall accordingly be entitled to full indemnification and reimbursement as Board members for their service on such committee. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any act or omission made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Awards under the Plan.
D.Following the issuance of any Award under the Plan, the Corporation shall, in accordance with the listing requirement under the applicable securities exchange, (i) promptly issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the grant, including the recipient(s) of the grant and the number of shares involved and (ii) notify the applicable securities exchange of such grant no later than the earlier to occur of (A) five (5) calendar days after entering into the agreement to issue the Award or (B) the date of the public announcement of the Award.
IV.ELIGIBILITY
C.Only Eligible Individuals are eligible to participate in the Discretionary Option Grant, Stock Issuance and Other Stock Award Programs.
D.The Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its administrative jurisdiction under the Plan, have full authority to determine, (i) with respect to the option grants under the Discretionary Option Grant Program, which Eligible Individuals are to receive such grants, the time or times when those grants are to be made, the number of shares to be covered by each such grant, the time or times when each option is to become exercisable, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the option shares, the maximum term for which the option is to remain outstanding and such other terms and conditions of such option as the Plan Administrator determines are appropriate, (ii) with respect to stock issuances under the Stock Issuance Program, which Eligible Individuals are to receive such issuances, the time or times when the issuances are to be made, the number of shares to be issued to each Participant, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the issued shares, the purchase price, if any, and consideration for such shares and such other terms and conditions of such issued shares as the Plan Administrator determines are appropriate, and (iii) with respect to other Awards under the Other Stock Awards Program, which Eligible Individuals are to receive such Awards, the type of Award, the time or times when the issuances are to be made, the number of shares subject to such Award to be issued to each Participant, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the Awards, the consideration for such Awards and such other terms and conditions of such Awards as the Plan Administrator determines are appropriate.
V.STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
E.Subject to adjustment pursuant to this Section V, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is 300,000 shares.
F.To the extent all or a portion of an Award is forfeited, expires or such Award or portion thereof is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof, shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for future grants of Awards under the Plan. In addition, the following shares of Common Stock shall be added to the shares of Common Stock authorized for grant under Section V.A and will be available for future grants of Awards: (i) shares of Common Stock tendered by an Optionee or withheld by the Corporation in payment of the exercise price of an option; and (ii) shares of Common Stock tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Corporation to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an
Award. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section V.B, no shares shall again be available for future grants of Awards under the Plan pursuant to this Section V.B to the extent that such return of shares would cause the Plan to constitute a “formula plan” or constitute a “material revision” of the Plan subject to shareholder approval under the then-applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or any other applicable exchange or quotation system).
G.Any shares of Common Stock forfeited by the Participant or repurchased by the Corporation under Article Three, Section I.C. at a price not greater than the price originally paid by the Participant so that such shares are returned to the Corporation will again be available for Awards under the Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Plan.
H.If any change is made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock or cash dividend (other than normal cash dividends), recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation’s receipt of consideration, equitable adjustments shall be made by the Plan Administrator to (i) the maximum number and/or class of securities issuable under the Plan, (ii) the number and/or class of securities and the exercise or purchase price per share in effect under each outstanding Award under the Plan, and (iii) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto). Such adjustments to the outstanding Awards are to be effected in a manner which shall preclude the enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under such Awards. The adjustments determined by the Plan Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive.
I.Subject to Article Two, Section II, Article Three, Section II and Article Four, Section V, in the event of any transaction or event described in Section V.D or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation, or the financial statements of the Corporation or any affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, including, without limitation, a Change in Control or a Hostile Take-Over, the Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Optionee’s or Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Plan Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:
1.To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Optionee’s or Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section V.E the Plan Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Optionee’s or Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Corporation without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion;
2.To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar Awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;
3.To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards;
4.To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable award agreement; and
5.To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.
A.In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Corporation assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Corporation in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.
Article 2
DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
I.OPTION TERMS
Each option shall be a Non-Statutory Option evidenced by one or more documents in the form approved by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that each such document shall comply with the terms specified below.
A.EXERCISE PRICE.
1.The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Plan Administrator but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option grant date.
2.The exercise price shall become immediately due upon exercise of the option and shall, subject to the provisions of the documents evidencing the option, be payable in one or more of the forms specified below:
i.cash or check made payable to the Corporation,
ii.shares of Common Stock held by the Optionee or otherwise issuable upon exercise of the option and valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date,
iii.to the extent the option is exercised for vested shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions to (a) a Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) the Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale, or
iv.with the consent of the Plan Administrator, a promissory note bearing interest at no less than such rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the Code.
v.Except to the extent such sale and remittance procedure is utilized, payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the Exercise Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Optionee who is a member of the Board or an “executive officer” of the Corporation within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to pay the exercise price of an option, or continue any extension of credit with respect to the exercise of an option, with a loan from the Corporation or a loan arranged by the Corporation in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
A.EXERCISE AND TERM OF OPTIONS. Each option shall be exercisable at such time or times, during such period and for such number of shares as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator
and set forth in the documents evidencing the option. However, no option shall have a term in excess of ten (10) years measured from the option grant date.
B.EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
1.The following provisions shall govern the exercise of any options held by the Optionee at the time of cessation of Service or death:
i.Any option outstanding at the time of the Optionee’s cessation of Service for any reason shall remain exercisable for such period of time thereafter as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents evidencing the option, but no such option shall be exercisable after the expiration of the option term.
ii.Any option held by the Optionee at the time of death and exercisable in whole or in part at that time may be subsequently exercised by the personal representative of the Optionee’s estate or by the person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee’s will or the laws of inheritance or by the Optionee’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries of that option.
iii.During the applicable post-Service exercise period, the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of vested shares for which the option is exercisable on the date of the Optionee’s cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of the applicable exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term, the option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested shares for which the option has not been exercised. However, the option shall, immediately upon the Optionee’s cessation of Service, terminate and cease to be outstanding to the extent the option is not otherwise at that time exercisable for vested shares.
2.The Plan Administrator shall have complete discretion, exercisable either at the time an option is granted or at any time while the option remains outstanding, to:
i.extend the period of time for which the option is to remain exercisable following the Optionee’s cessation of Service from the limited exercise period otherwise in effect for that option to such greater period of time as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate, but in no event beyond the expiration of the option term, and/or
ii.permit the option to be exercised, during the applicable post-Service exercise period, not only with respect to the number of vested shares of Common Stock for which such option is exercisable at the time of the Optionee’s cessation of Service but also with respect to one or more additional installments in which the Optionee would have vested had the Optionee continued in Service.
B.STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. The holder of an option shall have no stockholder rights with respect to the shares subject to the option until such person shall have exercised the option, paid the exercise price and become a holder of record of the purchased shares.
C.REPURCHASE RIGHTS. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretion to grant options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common Stock. Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such unvested shares, the Corporation shall have the right to repurchase any or all of those unvested shares. The terms upon which such repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the document evidencing such repurchase right.
D.LIMITED TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. During the lifetime of the Optionee, a Non-Statutory Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall not be assignable or transferable other than by will or the laws of inheritance following the Optionee’s death. However, a Non-Statutory Option may be assigned in whole or in part during the Optionee’s lifetime to one or more members of the Optionee’s family or to a trust established exclusively for one or more such family members or to Optionee’s former spouse, to the extent such assignment is in connection with the Optionee’s estate plan or pursuant to a domestic relations order. The assigned portion may only be exercised by the person or
persons who acquire a proprietary interest in the option pursuant to the assignment. The terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for the option immediately prior to such assignment and shall be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee may also designate one or more persons as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of his or her outstanding options under this Article Two, and those options shall, in accordance with such designation, automatically be transferred to such beneficiary or beneficiaries upon the Optionee’s death while holding those options. Such beneficiary or beneficiaries shall take the transferred options subject to all the terms and conditions of the applicable agreement evidencing each such transferred option, including (without limitation) the limited time period during which the option may be exercised following the Optionee’s death.
I.CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
E.In the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding option under the Discretionary Option Grant Program shall automatically accelerate so that each such option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of that Change in Control, become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock. However, an outstanding option shall NOT become exercisable on such an accelerated basis if and to the extent: (i) such option is to be assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or is otherwise to continue in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction or (ii) such option is to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing at the time of the Change in Control on any shares for which the option is not otherwise at that time exercisable and provides for subsequent payout of that spread in accordance with the same exercise/vesting schedule applicable to those option shares or (iii) the acceleration of such option is subject to other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time of the option grant.
F.All outstanding repurchase rights under the Discretionary Option Grant Program shall automatically terminate, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, in the event of a Change in Control, except to the extent: (i) those repurchase rights are to be assigned to the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or are otherwise to continue in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction or (ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time the repurchase right is issued.
G.Immediately following the consummation of the Change in Control, all outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction.
H.Each option which is assumed in connection with a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Change in Control had the option been exercised immediately prior to such Change in Control. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise price payable per share under each outstanding option, provided the aggregate exercise price payable for such securities shall remain the same (subject only to reduction by reason of rounding). To the extent the actual holders of the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Change in Control transaction.
I.The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those options shall, immediately prior to the effective date of a Change in Control, become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to those options and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock, whether or not those options are to be assumed in the Change in
Control transaction or otherwise continued in effect. In addition, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s repurchase rights under the Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those rights shall immediately terminate upon the consummation of the Change in Control transaction, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall thereupon vest in full.
J.The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to structure one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those options shall become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to those options in the event the Optionee’s Service is subsequently terminated by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of any Change in Control transaction in which those options do not otherwise accelerate. In addition, the Plan Administrator may structure one or more of the Corporation’s repurchase rights so that those rights shall immediately terminate with respect to any shares held by the Optionee at the time of such Involuntary Termination, and the shares subject to those terminated repurchase rights shall accordingly vest in full at that time.
K.The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those options shall, immediately prior to the effective date of a Hostile Take-Over, become exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to those options and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s repurchase rights under the Discretionary Option Grant Program so that those rights shall terminate automatically upon the consummation of such Hostile Take-Over, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall thereupon vest in full. Alternatively, the Plan Administrator may condition the automatic acceleration of one or more outstanding options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program and the termination of one or more of the Corporation’s outstanding repurchase rights under such program upon the subsequent termination of the Optionee’s Service by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of such Hostile Take-Over.
L.The outstanding options shall in no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
Article 3
STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM
I.STOCK ISSUANCE TERMS
Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program through direct and immediate issuances without any intervening option grants. Each such stock issuance shall be evidenced by a Stock Issuance Agreement which complies with the terms specified below. Shares of Common Stock may also be issued under the Stock Issuance Program pursuant to share right awards which entitle the recipients to receive those shares upon the attainment of designated performance goals or the satisfaction of specified Service requirements.
A.PURCHASE PRICE.
1.The purchase price per share, if any, shall be fixed by the Plan Administrator.
2.Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program for any form of consideration as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate in each individual instance, including, without limitation:
i.cash or check made payable to the Corporation, or
ii.future services to be rendered to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
A.RESTRICTIONS. Shares of Common Stock issued under this Stock Issuance Program shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Plan Administrator may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote such shares or the right to receive dividends on such shares). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Plan Administrator determines at the time of the grant of the shares or thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to shares of Common Stock issued under this Stock Issuance Program subject to vesting, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share vests.
B.FORFEITURE. Except as otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator at the time of the grant of the shares or thereafter, upon termination of employment during the applicable restriction period, shares of Common Stock issued under this Stock Issuance Program that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided, however, that, the Plan Administrator may (a) provide in any award agreement that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to such shares will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to such shares.
II.CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
C.All of the Corporation’s outstanding forfeiture restrictions or repurchase rights on any shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance Program shall terminate automatically, and all the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest in full, in the event of any Change in Control, except to the extent (i) those forfeiture restrictions or repurchase rights are to be assigned to the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or are otherwise to continue in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction or (ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed in the Stock Issuance Agreement.
D.The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s forfeiture restrictions or repurchase rights under the Stock Issuance Program so that those rights shall automatically terminate in whole or in part, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest, in the event the Participant’s Service should subsequently terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of any Change in Control transaction in which those forfeiture restrictions or repurchase rights are assigned to the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or are otherwise continued in effect.
E.The Plan Administrator shall also have the discretionary authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s forfeiture restrictions or repurchase rights under the Stock Issuance Program so that those rights shall automatically terminate in whole or in part, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest, either upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over or upon the subsequent termination of the Participant’s Service by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of that Hostile Take-Over.
I.SHARE ESCROW/LEGENDS
Unvested shares may, in the Plan Administrator’s discretion, be held in escrow by the Corporation until the Participant’s interest in such shares vests or may be issued directly to the Participant with restrictive legends on the certificates evidencing those unvested shares.
Article 4
OTHER STOCK AWARDS PROGRAM
I.STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
A.A stock appreciation right may be granted to any Eligible Individual selected by the Plan Administrator. A stock appreciation right shall be subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Plan Administrator shall impose and shall be evidenced by a stock appreciation right agreement.
B.A stock appreciation right shall entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the stock appreciation right pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the stock appreciation right (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Corporation an amount equal to the product of (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the stock appreciation right is exercised over (B) the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the stock appreciation right was granted and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised, subject to any limitations the Plan Administrator may impose. The exercise or base price per share of a stock appreciation right shall be fixed by the Plan Administrator but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date the stock appreciation right was granted.
C.Subject to Section I.B above, payment of the amounts determined under Sections I.B. above shall be in cash, in Common Stock (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the stock appreciation right is exercised) or a combination of both, as determined by the Plan Administrator. To the extent any payment is effected in Common Stock, it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all provisions of Article Two above pertaining to options.
D.Each stock appreciation right shall be exercisable at such time or times, during such period and for such number of shares as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents evidencing the stock appreciation right. However, no stock appreciation right shall have a term in excess of ten (10) years measured from the date the stock appreciation right was granted.
II.DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
Any Eligible Individual selected by the Plan Administrator may be granted dividend equivalents based on the dividends declared on the shares of Common Stock that are subject to any Award, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Plan Administrator. Such dividend equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Plan Administrator. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to an Award that is subject to vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no dividend equivalents shall be payable with respect to options or stock appreciation rights.
III.RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
The Plan Administrator is authorized to make Awards of restricted stock units (a right to shares of Common Stock deliverable in the future) to any Eligible Individual selected by the Plan Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Plan Administrator. At the time of grant, the Plan Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the restricted stock units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate. At the time of grant, the Plan Administrator shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of restricted stock units which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the grantee. On the maturity date, the Corporation shall, subject to
Article Six, Section V, transfer to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable share of Common Stock for each restricted stock unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited.
IV.OTHER TERMS
E.Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of any award of stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents or restricted stock units shall be set by the Plan Administrator in its discretion.
F.Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan Administrator may establish the exercise or purchase price, if any, of any award of stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents or restricted stock units.
G.An award of stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents or restricted stock units shall only be exercisable or payable prior to the Participant’s termination of Service; provided, however, that the Plan Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that an award of stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents or restricted stock units may be exercised or paid subsequent to a termination of Service, as applicable, or following a Change in Control of the Corporation, or because of the Participant’s retirement, death or disability, or otherwise.
H.Payments with respect to any Awards granted under this Article Four shall be made in cash, in Common Stock or a combination of both, as determined by the Plan Administrator.
I.All Awards under this Article Four shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as determined by the Plan Administrator and shall be evidenced by an award agreement.
III.CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
J.In the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award under the Other Stock Award Program shall automatically accelerate so that each such Award shall, immediately prior to the effective date of that Change in Control, become vested and exercisable and/or payable with respect to all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such Award and may be exercised or paid for any or all of those shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock. However, an outstanding Award shall NOT become vested and exercisable and/or payable on such an accelerated basis if and to the extent: (i) such Award is to be assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or is otherwise to continue in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction or (ii) such Award is to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing at the time of the Change in Control on any shares for which the Award is not otherwise at that time vested, exercisable or payable and provides for subsequent payout of that spread in accordance with the same exercise/vesting/payment schedule applicable to those Award shares or (iii) the acceleration of such Award is subject to other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time of the Award grant.
K.Immediately following the consummation of the Change in Control, all outstanding Awards under the Other Stock Award Program shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction.
L.Each Award which is assumed in connection with a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to the Participant in consummation of such Change in Control had the Award been exercised or paid immediately prior to such Change in Control. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise or purchase price payable per share under each outstanding Award, provided the aggregate exercise or purchase price payable for such securities shall remain the same. To the extent the actual holders of the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of the outstanding Awards under the Other Stock Award Program, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Change in Control transaction.
M.The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more outstanding Awards under the Other Stock Award Program so that those Awards shall, immediately prior to the effective date of a Change in Control, become vested and exercisable and/or payable exercisable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to those Awards and may be exercised or paid for any or all of those shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock, whether or not those Awards are to be assumed in the Change in Control transaction or otherwise continued in effect. In addition, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more of the Corporation’s repurchase rights under the Other Stock Award Program so that those rights shall immediately terminate upon the consummation of the Change in Control transaction, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall thereupon vest in full.
N.The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to structure one or more outstanding Awards under the Other Stock Award Program so that those Awards shall become vested and exercisable and/or payable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to those Awards in the event the Participant’s Service is subsequently terminated by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of any Change in Control transaction in which those Awards do not otherwise accelerate.
O.The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to structure one or more outstanding Awards under the Other Stock Award Program so that those Awards shall, immediately prior to the effective date of a Hostile Take-Over, become vested and exercisable and/or payable for all the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to those Awards and may be exercised or paid for any or all of those shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock. Alternatively, the Plan Administrator may condition the automatic acceleration of one or more outstanding Awards under the Other Stock Award Program upon the subsequent termination of the Optionee’s Service by reason of an Involuntary Termination within a designated period (not to exceed eighteen (18) months) following the effective date of such Hostile Take-Over.
P.The outstanding Awards shall in no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
Article 5
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
Article 6
MISCELLANEOUS
I.TAX WITHHOLDING
B.The Corporation’s obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock upon the exercise, vesting or payment of Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the satisfaction of all applicable income and employment tax withholding requirements.
C.The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, provide any or all holders of Awards under the Plan with the right to use shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of all or part of the Withholding Taxes to which such holders may become subject in connection with the exercise, vesting or payment of their Awards. Such right may be provided to any such holder in either or both of the following formats:
D.Stock Withholding: The election to have the Corporation withhold, from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise, vesting or payment of such Award, a portion of those shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the minimum required percentage of the Withholding Taxes.
Stock Delivery: The election to deliver to the Corporation, at the time the Award is exercised, vests or is paid, one or more shares of Common Stock previously acquired by such holder
(other than in connection with the exercise, vesting or payment triggering the Withholding Taxes) and held for at least six (6) months (or such other period determined by the Plan Administrator) with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the percentage of the Withholding Taxes (not to exceed one hundred percent (100%)) designated by the holder.
E.Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be withheld or delivered by the Participant in order to satisfy the Withholding Taxes with respect to the exercise, vesting or payment of an Award shall be limited to the number of shares of Common Stock which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or delivery equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income or such higher rate as may approved by the Plan Administrator (which rates shall in no event exceed the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America)); provided, however, unless otherwise approved by the Plan Administrator, to the extent such shares of Common Stock were acquired by the Participant from the Corporation as compensation, the shares of Common Stock must have been held for the minimum period required by applicable accounting rules to avoid a charge to the Corporation’s earnings for financial reporting purposes; provided, further, that the number of shares of Common Stock withheld or delivered shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share sufficient to cover the Withholding Taxes to the extent rounding up to the nearest whole share does not result in the liability classification of the applicable Award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
II.EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN
A.This Plan became effective on the date it was adopted by the Board.
B.The Plan shall remain in effect until the earliest to occur of (i) the termination of the Plan by the Board or the Committee, or (ii) the termination of all outstanding options in connection with a Change in Control. In the event of the termination of the Plan, then all option grants and unvested stock issuances outstanding at that time shall continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the documents evidencing such grants or issuances.
III.AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN
The Board or the Committee shall have complete and exclusive power and authority to amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects. However, no such amendment or modification shall adversely affect the rights and obligations with respect to Awards at the time outstanding under the Plan unless the Optionee or the Participant consents to such amendment or modification. In addition, certain amendments may require stockholder approval pursuant to applicable laws or regulations. Except as permitted by Article One, Section V, Article Two, Section II or Article Four, Section V in connection with a transaction specified in Article One, Section V.D or V.E (including, without limitation, any Change in Control, Hostile Take-Over, stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares or exchange of shares), the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to reduce the exercise price of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights or cancel, exchange, substitute, buyout or surrender outstanding options or stock appreciation rights in exchange for cash, other Awards or options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options or stock appreciation rights without stockholder approval.
IV.STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED
It is expressly intended that the approval of the Corporation’s stockholders not be required as a condition of the effectiveness of the Plan, and the Plan’s provisions shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent for all purposes. Specifically, Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c) generally requires stockholder approval for stock option plans or other equity compensation arrangements adopted by companies whose securities are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market pursuant to which stock awards or stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees or consultants of such companies. Nasdaq Stock
Market Rule 5635(c)(4) provides an exemption in certain circumstances for “employment inducement” awards (within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Corporation’s securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, then Awards under the Plan may only be made to Employees who have not previously been an Employee or director of the Corporation or an affiliate, or following a bona fide period of non-employment by the Corporation or an affiliate, in each case as an inducement material to the Employee’s entering into employment with the Corporation or an affiliate. Awards under the Plan will be approved by the Plan Administrator. Accordingly, pursuant to Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4), the issuance of Awards and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise or vesting of such Awards pursuant to the Plan are not subject to the approval of the Corporation’s stockholders.
V.USE OF PROCEEDS
Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
VI.REGULATORY APPROVALS
A.The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any Award under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be subject to the Corporation’s procurement of all approvals and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the Awards granted under it and the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to it.
B.No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be issued or delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with all applicable requirements of applicable securities laws, including the filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq Global Market, if applicable) on which Common Stock is then listed for trading.
C.All stock certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Plan Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state, or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The Plan Administrator may place legends on any stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Common Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board may require that an Optionee or Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Plan Administrator shall have the right to require any Optionee or Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Plan Administrator.
D.Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Corporation shall not deliver to any Optionee or Participant certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock issued in connection with any award and instead such shares of Common Stock shall be recorded in the books of the Corporation (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
E.In the event that the Corporation establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by an Optionee or a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
VII.NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE RIGHTS
Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee or the Participant any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining such person) or of the Optionee or
the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate such person’s Service at any time for any reason, with or without cause.
VIII.COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE
To the extent that the Plan Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the adoption of the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the adoption of the Plan the Plan Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the adoption of the Plan), the Plan Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Plan Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance.
IX.FORFEITURE AND CLAW-BACK PROVISIONS
C.Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the terms of Awards made under the Plan, or to require a participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that: (1) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any shares underlying the Award, must be paid to the Corporation, and (2) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (i) a termination of Service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, (ii) the participant at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Corporation, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Corporation, as further defined by the Plan Administrator or (iii) the participant incurs a termination of Service for Misconduct; and
D.All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the applicable provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Corporation, whether implemented prior to or after the grant of such Award, including without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of applicable law, including without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award agreement.
APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:
A.AWARD shall mean an option, stock issuance award, stock appreciation right award, restricted stock unit award or dividend equivalent award granted pursuant to the Plan.
B.BOARD shall mean the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
C.CHANGE IN CONTROL shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through any of the following transactions:
(i)a merger, consolidation or other reorganization approved by the Corporation’s stockholders, unless securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the voting securities of the successor corporation are immediately thereafter beneficially owned, directly or indirectly and in substantially the same proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction, or
(ii)the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(iii)the acquisition, directly or indirectly by any person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Corporation), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation’s stockholders.
A.CODE shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
B.COMMITTEE shall mean the Corporation’s Human Capital Management and Compensation Committee, which shall consistent solely of two or more Independent Directors appointed and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as a “non-employee” director as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock are listed, quoted or traded, in each case, to the extent required under such provision.
C.COMMON STOCK shall mean the Corporation’s common stock.
D.CORPORATION shall mean Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and any corporate successor to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.
E.DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM shall mean the discretionary option grant program in effect under Article Two of the Plan.
F.EFFECTIVE DATE shall mean the date the Plan is approved by the Board.
G.ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL shall mean any prospective Employee who has not previously been an Employee or director of the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, or who is commencing employment with the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, as applicable, following a bona fide period of non-employment by the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, if he or she is granted an Award in connection with his or her commencement of employment with the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, as applicable, and such grant is an inducement material to his or her entering into employment with the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, as applicable, (within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule IM-5636-1 or any successor rule, if the Corporation’s securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and/or the
applicable requirements of any other established stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are traded, as applicable, as such rules and requirements may be amended from time to time). The Plan Administrator may in its discretion adopt procedures from time to time to ensure that a prospective Employee is eligible to participate in the Plan prior to the granting of any Awards to such individual under the Plan (including without limitation a requirement that each such prospective Employee certify to the Corporation prior to the receipt of an Award under the Plan that he or she has not been previously employed by the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, or if previously employed, has had a bona fide period of non-employment, and that the grant of Awards under the Plan is an inducement material to his or her agreement to enter into employment with the Corporation, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their affiliates, as applicable).
H.EMPLOYEE shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance.
I.EXERCISE DATE shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall have received written notice of the option exercise.
J.FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i)If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq Global Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq Global Market and published in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(ii)If the Common Stock is at the time listed for trading on any stock exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question on the stock exchange determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange and published in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
K.HOSTILE TAKE-OVER shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through either of the following transactions:
(iv)a change in the composition of the Board over a period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or nomination, or
(v)a Hostile Tender-Offer.
L.HOSTILE TENDER-OFFER shall mean the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Corporation) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation’s stockholders which the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept.
M.INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR shall mean a director of the Corporation who is not an Employee of the Corporation or an affiliate and who qualifies as “independent” within the meaning of
NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2), or any successor rule, if the Corporation’s securities are traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market, and/or the applicable requirements of any other established stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are traded, as applicable, as such rules and requirements may be amended from time to time.
N.INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION shall mean the termination of the Service of any individual which occurs by reason of:
(iii)such individual’s involuntary dismissal or discharge by the Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or
(iv)such individual’s voluntary resignation following (A) a change in his or her position with the Corporation which materially reduces his or her duties and responsibilities or the level of management to which he or she reports, (B) a reduction in his or her level of compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and target bonus under any corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than fifteen percent (15%) or (C) a relocation of such individual’s place of employment by more than fifty (50) miles, provided and only if such change, reduction or relocation is effected by the Corporation without the individual’s consent.
O.MISCONDUCT shall mean the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the Optionee or Participant, any unauthorized use or disclosure by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by such person adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not in any way preclude or restrict the right of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) to discharge or dismiss any Optionee, Participant or other person in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) for any other acts or omissions, but such other acts or omissions shall not be deemed, for purposes of the Plan, to constitute grounds for termination for Misconduct.
P.1934 ACT shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Q.NON-STATUTORY OPTION shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.
R.OPTIONEE shall mean any person to whom an option is granted under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
S.OTHER STOCK AWARD PROGRAM shall mean the discretionary stock award grant program in effect under Article Four of the Plan.
T.PARENT shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
U.PARTICIPANT shall mean any Eligible Individual who is issued an Award under the Plan other than an option.
V.PERMANENT DISABILITY OR PERMANENTLY DISABLED shall mean the inability of the Optionee or the Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.
W.PLAN shall mean the Corporation’s 2022 Employment Inducement Plan, as set forth in this document.
X.PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean the particular entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article One, Section III hereof.
Y.SERVICE shall mean the performance of services for the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an Employee, a non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or independent advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the documents evidencing the option grant or stock issuance.
Z.STOCK ISSUANCE AGREEMENT shall mean the agreement entered into by the Corporation and the Participant at the time of issuance of shares of Common Stock under the Stock Issuance Program.
AA.STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM shall mean the stock issuance program in effect under Article Three of the Plan.
AB.SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
AC.WITHHOLDING TAXES shall mean the applicable income and employment withholding taxes to which the holder of Non-Statutory Options or unvested shares of Common Stock may become subject in connection with the exercise of those options or the vesting of those shares.
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
2022 EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT PLAN
NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), pursuant to its 2022 Employment Inducement Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Optionee”) a stock option to purchase the number of shares (“Shares”) of Common Stock of the Corporation set forth below (the “Option”). This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this Notice of Grant of Stock Option Grant (the “Grant Notice”) and the Stock Option Agreement (the “Stock Option Agreement”) attached hereto as Exhibit A, and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement.
Optionee: ___________________
Grant Number: ___________________
Grant Date: ___________________
Vesting Commencement Date: ___________________
Exercise Price: $___________________
Number of Option Shares: ___________________
Expiration Date: ___________________
Type of Option: Non-Statutory Option
Exercise Schedule: The Option will vest as follows, subject to Optionee’s continued Service through each such vesting date:
Optionee understands and agrees that the Option is granted subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Plan. By electronically accepting this Option, Optionee further agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and the terms of the Option as set forth in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. Optionee hereby acknowledges that he or she has been provided with a copy or electronic access to the Plan and the prospectus for the Plan. A printed copy of the Plan and/or prospectus is available upon request made to the Secretary of the Corporation at the Corporation’s principal offices.
Employment at Will. Nothing in this Grant Notice, in the attached Stock Option Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or
interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee’s Service at any time for any reason, with or without cause.
Definitions. All capitalized terms in this Grant Notice shall have the meaning assigned to them in this Grant Notice or in the attached Stock Option Agreement.
By accepting Optionee’s signature below, Optionee agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionee has reviewed this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing the Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decision and interpretations of the Plan Administrator upon any questions arising under this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan.
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LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED | OPTIONEE |
By: | | By: | |
Print Name: | | Print Name: | |
Title: | | | |
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EXHIBIT A
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
RECITALS
A.The Board has adopted the Plan as an incentive for Eligible Individuals (as defined in the Plan) to commence and remain in service to the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary).
B.In consideration of Optionee’s agreement to commence employment with and remain in the employ of the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and for other good and valuable considseration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice, the Corporation has granted to Optionee an Option to purchase the Shares set forth in the Grant Notice.
C.Optionee is to render valuable services to the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and this Agreement is executed pursuant to, and is intended to carry out the purposes of, the Plan in connection with the Corporation’s grant of an Option to Optionee.
D.All capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to them in the attached Appendix.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Corporation hereby grants to Optionee, as of the Grant Date, an Option to purchase up to the number of Option Shares specified in the Grant Notice. The Option Shares shall be purchasable from time to time during the Option term specified in Paragraph 2 at the Exercise Price.
(a)The Option is intended to constitute an “employment inducement grant” under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently is intended to be exempt from the NASDAQ rules regarding stockholder approval of stock option and stock purchase plans. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Option shall be interpreted in accordance and consistent with such exemption.
2.OPTION TERM. This Option shall have a maximum term of ten (10) years measured from the Grant Date and shall accordingly expire at the close of business on the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with Paragraph 5 or 6.
3.LIMITED TRANSFERABILITY.
(b)This Option shall be neither transferable nor assignable by Optionee other than by will or the laws of inheritance following Optionee’s death and may be exercised, during Optionee’s lifetime, only by Optionee. However, Optionee may designate one or more persons as the beneficiary or beneficiaries of this Option, and this Option shall, in accordance with such designation, automatically be transferred to such beneficiary or beneficiaries upon the Optionee’s death while holding this Option. Such beneficiary or beneficiaries shall take the transferred Option subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including (without limitation) the limited time period during which this Option may, pursuant to Paragraph 5, be exercised following Optionee’s death.
(c)This Option may be assigned in whole or in part during Optionee’s lifetime to one or more members of Optionee’s family or to a trust established for the exclusive benefit of one or more such family members or to Optionee’s former spouse, to the extent such assignment is in connection with the Optionee’s estate plan or pursuant to a domestic relations order. The assigned portion shall be exercisable only by the person or persons who acquire a proprietary interest in the Option pursuant to such assignment. The terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for this Option immediately prior to such assignment.
4.DATES OF EXERCISE. This Option shall become exercisable for the Option Shares in one or more installments as specified in the Grant Notice. As the Option becomes exercisable for such installments, those installments shall accumulate, and the Option shall remain exercisable for the accumulated installments until the Expiration Date or sooner termination of the Option term under Paragraph 5 or 6.
5.CESSATION OF SERVICE. The Option term specified in Paragraph 2 shall terminate (and this Option shall cease to be outstanding) prior to the Expiration Date should any of the following provisions become applicable:
(a)Should Optionee cease to remain in Service for any reason (other than death or Permanent Disability) while this Option is outstanding, then Optionee (or any person or persons to whom this Option is transferred pursuant to a permitted transfer under Paragraph 3) shall have a period of three (3) months (commencing with the date of such cessation of Service) during which to exercise this Option, but in no event shall this Option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.
(b)Should Optionee die while this Option is outstanding, then the personal representative of Optionee’s estate or the person or persons to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to Optionee’s will or the laws of inheritance following Optionee’s death or to whom the Option is transferred during Optionee’s lifetime pursuant to a permitted transfer under Paragraph 3 shall have the right to exercise this Option. However, if Optionee dies while holding this Option and has an effective beneficiary designation in effect for this Option at the time of his or her death, then the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries shall have the exclusive right to exercise this Option following Optionee’s death. Any such right to exercise this Option shall lapse, and this Option shall cease to be outstanding, upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the twelve (12)-month period measured from the date of Optionee’s death or (ii) the Expiration Date.
(c)Should Optionee cease Service by reason of Permanent Disability while this Option is outstanding, then Optionee (or any person or persons to whom this Option is transferred pursuant to a permitted transfer under Paragraph 3) shall have a period of twelve (12) months (commencing with the date of such cessation of Service) during which to exercise this Option. In no event shall this Option be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.
(d)During the limited period of post-Service exercisability, this Option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of Option Shares for which the Option is exercisable at the time of Optionee’s cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of such limited exercise period or (if earlier) upon the Expiration Date, this Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any exercisable Option Shares for which the Option has not been exercised. However, this Option shall, immediately upon Optionee’s cessation of Service for any reason, terminate and cease to be outstanding with respect to any Option Shares for which this Option is not otherwise at that time exercisable.
6.SPECIAL ACCELERATION OF OPTION.
(d)This Option, to the extent outstanding at the time of a Change in Control but not otherwise fully exercisable, shall automatically accelerate so that this Option shall, immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control, become exercisable for all of the Option Shares at the time subject to this Option and may be exercised for any or all of those Option Shares as fully vested shares of Common Stock. However, this Option shall not become exercisable on such an accelerated basis, if and to the extent: (i) this Option is to be assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or is otherwise to be continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction or (ii) this Option is to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation which preserves the spread existing at the time of the Change in Control on any Option Shares for which this Option is not otherwise at that time exercisable (the excess of the Fair Market Value of those Option Shares over the aggregate Exercise Price payable for such shares) and provides for subsequent payout of that spread in accordance with the same Option exercise/vesting schedule for those Option Shares set forth in the Grant Notice.
(e)Immediately following the Change in Control, this Option shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or otherwise continued in effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control transaction.
(f)If this Option is assumed in connection with a Change in Control or otherwise continued in effect, then this Option shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Change in Control, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable to Optionee in consummation of such Change in Control had the Option been exercised immediately prior to such Change in Control, and appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the Exercise Price, provided the aggregate Exercise Price shall remain the same. To the extent the actual holders of the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock receive cash consideration for their Common Stock in consummation of the Change in Control, the successor corporation may, in connection with the assumption of this Option, substitute one or more shares of its own common stock with a fair market value equivalent to the cash consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such Change in Control.
(g)This Agreement shall not in any way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
7.ADJUSTMENT IN OPTION SHARES. The Option shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article One, Section V of the Plan.
1.STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. The holder of this Option shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the Option Shares until such person shall have exercised the Option, paid the Exercise Price and become a holder of record of the purchased shares.
8.MANNER OF EXERCISING OPTION.
(h)In order to exercise this Option with respect to all or any part of the Option Shares for which this Option is at the time exercisable, Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the Option) must take the following actions:
(i)Execute and deliver to the Corporation a Notice of Exercise for the Option Shares for which the Option is exercised.
(ii)Pay the aggregate Exercise Price for the purchased shares in one or more of the following forms:
(A)cash or check made payable to the Corporation (includes cash paid from Optionee’s brokerage pursuant to a presale of shares in a so-called “cashless” exercise);
(B)subject to the consent of the Plan Administrator, shares of Common Stock held by Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the Option) for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation’s earnings for financial reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date;
(C)shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option Shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised; or
(D)through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising the Option) shall concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (i) to a brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Exercise Price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation by reason of such exercise and (ii) to the Corporation to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order to complete the sale.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is utilized in connection with the Option exercise, payment of the Exercise Price must accompany the Notice of Exercise delivered to the Corporation in connection with the Option exercise.
(iii)Furnish to the Corporation appropriate documentation that the person or persons exercising the Option (if other than Optionee) have the right to exercise this Option.
(iv)Make appropriate arrangements with the Corporation (or Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining Optionee) for the satisfaction of all applicable income and employment tax withholding requirements applicable to the Option exercise, which amounts may be paid in on or more of the forms of consideration permitted under clause (ii) above, subject to Article Six, Section I of the Plan and any required consent of the Plan Administrator under clause (ii) above. To the extent any employment tax withholding will be satisfied by Optionee pursuant to clause (B) or (C) under clause (ii) above, the shares to be surrendered to the Corporation or withheld from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise shall be limited to those shares with a Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the tax withholding obligation of the Corporation with respect to the exercise of the Option based on the minimum applicable statutory withholding rates.
(i)As soon as practical after the Exercise Date, the Corporation shall issue to or on behalf of Optionee (or any other person or persons exercising this Option) a certificate for the purchased Option Shares, with the appropriate legends affixed thereto.
(j)In no event may this Option be exercised for any fractional shares.
9.COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
(a)The exercise of this Option and the issuance of the Option Shares upon such exercise shall be subject to compliance by the Corporation and Optionee with all applicable requirements of law relating thereto and with all applicable regulations of any stock exchange (including The Nasdaq Stock Market, if applicable) on which the Common Stock may be listed for trading at the time of such exercise and issuance.
(b)The inability of the Corporation to obtain approval from any regulatory body having authority deemed by the Corporation to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Stock pursuant to this Option shall relieve the Corporation of any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of the Common Stock as to which such approval shall not have been obtained. The Corporation, however, shall use its best efforts to obtain all such approvals.
10.SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except to the extent otherwise provided in Paragraphs 3 and 6, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors and assigns and Optionee, Optionee’s assigns, the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of Optionee’s estate and any beneficiaries of this Option designated by Optionee.
11.NOTICES. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Corporation under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporation at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Optionee shall be in writing and addressed to Optionee at the most recent address for Optionee on the Corporation’s payroll records. All notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be notified.
1.CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement and the Option evidenced hereby are made and granted pursuant to the Plan and are in all respects limited by and subject to the terms of the Plan. All decisions of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan, the Option, the Grant Notice or this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this Option.
2.GOVERNING LAW. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without resort to that State’s conflict-of-laws rules.
APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect under the Agreement:
A.AGREEMENT shall mean this Stock Option Agreement.
B.BOARD shall mean the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
C.CHANGE IN CONTROL shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through any of the following transactions:
(i)a merger, consolidation or other reorganization approved by the Corporation’s stockholders, unless securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the voting securities of the successor corporation are immediately thereafter beneficially owned, directly or indirectly and in substantially the same proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction, or
(ii)the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or
(iii)the acquisition, directly or indirectly by any person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Corporation), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation’s stockholders.
E.COMMON STOCK shall mean shares of the Corporation’s common stock.
F.CODE shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
G.CORPORATION shall mean Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.
H.EMPLOYEE shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance.
I.EXERCISE DATE shall mean the date on which the Option shall have been exercised in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Agreement.
J.EXERCISE PRICE shall mean the exercise price per Option Share as specified in the Grant Notice.
K.EXPIRATION DATE shall mean the date on which the Option expires as specified in the Grant Notice.
L.FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i)If the Common Stock is at the time traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be deemed equal to the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as the price is reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on The Nasdaq Stock Market and published in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, or
(ii)If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any stock exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be deemed equal to the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the date in question on the stock exchange determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange and published in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
M.GRANT DATE shall mean the date of grant of the Option as specified in the Grant Notice.
N.GRANT NOTICE shall mean the Notice of Grant of Stock Option accompanying the Agreement, pursuant to which Optionee has been informed of the basic terms of the Option evidenced hereby.
O.NON-STATUTORY OPTION shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.
P.NOTICE OF EXERCISE shall mean the notice of exercise in the form approved by the Plan Administrator from time to time.
Q. OPTION SHARES shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option as specified in the Grant Notice.
R. OPTIONEE shall mean the person to whom the Option is granted as specified in the Grant Notice.
S.PARENT shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
T.PERMANENT DISABILITY shall mean the inability of Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of twelve (12) months or more.
U.PLAN shall mean the Corporation’s 2022 Employment Inducement Plan, as may amended from time to time.
V.PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
W.SERVICE shall mean the Optionee’s performance of services for the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary) in the capacity of an Employee, a non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or independent advisor. Except to the extent otherwise required by law, no Service credit shall be given for vesting purposes hereunder for any period the Optionee is on a leave of absence.
X.SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
2022 EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE AND
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), pursuant to its 2022 Employment Inducement Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Participant”), an award of restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs”) with respect to the number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock (the “Shares”). This award for Restricted Stock Units (this “RSU Award”) is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
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Participant: | |
Grant Date: | |
Grant Number: | |
Vesting Commencement Date: | |
Total Number of RSUs Subject to Award: | |
Distribution Schedule: | The RSUs shall be distributable as they vest pursuant to the Vesting Schedule. |
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Vesting Schedule: | Shares | Vest Date |
By his or her acceptance of this Restricted Stock Unit Grant, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and this Grant Notice. Participant has reviewed the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and the Plan. Participant has been provided with a copy or electronic access to a copy of the prospectus for the Plan. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Plan Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
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EXHIBIT A
TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS, INCORPORATED
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), has granted to Participant the right to receive the number of RSUs under the Corporation’s 2022 Employment Inducement Plan (the “Plan”) indicated in the Grant Notice, with respect to the number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock (the “Stock”). The RSU Award and this Agreement are subject to the Plan, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.
ARTICLE I.
AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
1.1Award of Restricted Stock Units; Employment Inducement Award.
(a)Award. In consideration of Participant’s agreement to commence employment with and remain in the employ of the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and for other good and valuable consideration, the Corporation hereby grants to Participant the right to receive the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice, subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Grant Notice and the Plan (the “RSU Award”). Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share. Prior to actual issuance of any Shares, the RSUs and the RSU Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Corporation, payable only from the general assets of the Corporation.
(i)The RSUs are intended to constitute an “employment inducement” award NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently are intended to be exempt from the NASDAQ rules regarding shareholder approval of stock option and stock purchase plans or other equity compensation arrangements. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of the RSUs shall be interpreted in accordance and consistent with such exemption.
(b)Vesting. The RSUs subject to the RSU Award shall vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Grant Notice. Unless and until the RSUs have vested in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice, Participant will have no right to any distribution with respect to such RSUs. In the event of Participant’s cessation of Service for any reason, including as a result of Participant’s death or Permanent Disability, prior to the vesting of all of the RSUs, any unvested RSUs will terminate automatically without any further action by the Corporation and be forfeited without further notice and at no cost to the Corporation.
(c)Distribution of Stock.
(ii)Stock shall be distributed to Participant (or in the event of Participant’s death, to his or her estate) with respect to such Participant’s vested RSUs granted to Participant pursuant to this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, within ten (10) days following each vesting date as the RSU vests pursuant to the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.
(iii)All distributions shall be made by the Corporation in the form of whole shares of Stock. In no event will fractional shares be issued upon settlement of the RSU Award. No fractional Shares shall be issued and any such fractional Shares shall be cancelled automatically and without any further action by Participant or the Corporation.
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(iv)Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of Stock shall be issuable pursuant to an RSU at such times and upon such events as are specified in this Agreement only to the extent issuance under such terms will not cause the RSUs or the shares of Stock issuable pursuant to the RSUs to be includible in the gross income of Participant under Section 409A of the Code prior to such times or the occurrence of such events, as permitted by the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder.
(a)Generally. Stock issued under the RSU Award shall be issued to Participant or Participant’s beneficiaries, as the case may be, at the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator, in either (i) uncertificated form, with the Shares recorded in the name of Participant in the books and records of the Corporation’s transfer agent with appropriate notations regarding the restrictions on transfer imposed pursuant to this Agreement; or (ii) certificate form.
1.2Taxation Representations; Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 1.1(b) hereof):
(d)Taxation Representations. Participant has reviewed with his or her own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Corporation or any of its agents. Participant understands that Participant (and not the Corporation) shall be responsible for his or her own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e)Tax Withholding Obligation. The Corporation shall not be obligated to deliver any certificate representing Shares issuable with respect to the RSUs to Participant or his or her legal representative unless and until Participant or his or her legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes applicable with respect to the taxable income of Participant resulting from the vesting of the RSUs, the distribution of the Shares issuable with respect thereto, or any other taxable event related to the RSUs (the “Tax Withholding Obligation”), provided that no payment shall be delayed under this Section 1.2(b) if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries have the authority to deduct or withhold, or require Participant to remit to the Corporation or the applicable Subsidiary, an amount sufficient to satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation.
(f)Withholding of Shares. With respect to any Tax Withholding Obligation arising in connection with the RSUs, the Corporation shall automatically withhold a net number of vested Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the RSUs having a then current Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries based on the minimum applicable statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income (or such higher rate as may be determined by the Plan Administrator, which higher rate shall in no event exceed the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America)), provided that such Shares shall be rounded up to the nearest whole Share sufficient to cover the Tax Withholding Obligation to the extent rounding up to the nearest whole share does not result in the liability classification of the applicable Award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
(d) Broker Sale. In the event any Tax Withholding Obligation arising in connection with the RSUs will be satisfied under Section 1.2(c), then the Corporation may, upon approval of the Plan Administrator, elect to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Corporation for such purpose to sell on Participant's behalf a whole number of shares from those Shares then issuable to Participant pursuant to the RSUs as the Corporation determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation and to remit the proceeds of such sale to the Corporation or the Subsidiary with respect to which the Tax Withholding Obligation arises. Participant’s acceptance of this Award constitutes Participant's instruction and authorization to the Corporation and such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in this Section 1.2(d), including the transactions described in the previous sentence, as applicable.
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(e) Participant Liable for Taxes. Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the RSUs, regardless of any action the Corporation or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any Tax Withholding Obligations that arise in connection with the RSUs. Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any Tax Withholding Obligation in connection with the awarding, vesting or payment of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Corporation and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the RSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.
1.3Conditions to Issuance of Certificates The Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for any Shares prior to the fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (a) the admission of the Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Shares are then listed; (b) the completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or other governmental regulatory body, which the Plan Administrator shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem necessary and advisable; (c) the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Plan Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and (d) the lapse of any such reasonable period of time following the date the RSUs vest as the Plan Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.
ARTICLE II.
OTHER PROVISIONS
1.4RSU Award and Interests Not Transferable. This RSU Award and the rights and privileges conferred hereby, including the RSUs awarded hereunder, shall not be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Participant or his successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect.
1.5Rights as Shareholder. Neither the Participant nor any person claiming under or through the Participant shall have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of any Shares issuable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in uncertificated form) will have been issued and recorded on the books and records of the Corporation or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). After such issuance, recordation and delivery, the Participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation, including with respect to the right to vote the Shares and the right to receive any cash or share dividends or other distributions paid to or made with respect to the Shares; provided, however, that at the discretion of the Corporation, and prior to the delivery of Shares, Participant may be required to execute a shareholders agreement in such form as shall be determined by the Corporation.
1.6No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in the Plan or in this Agreement shall be interpreted to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary to terminate Participant’s employment at any time, nor confer upon Participant the right to continue in the employ of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary.
1.7Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
1.8Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be
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administered, and the Shares are to be issued, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
1.9Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by electronic mail (with return receipt requested and received) or fax or forty-eight (48) hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified, if to the Corporation, at its principal offices, and if to Participant, at Participant’s address, electronic mail address or fax number in the Corporation’s employee records or as subsequently modified by written notice.
1.10Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
1.11Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (a) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (b) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (c) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
1.12Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merge all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.
1.13Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Corporation’s successors and assigns. The Corporation may assign its rights under this Agreement to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation without the prior written consent of Participant. The rights and obligations of Participant under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Corporation.
1.14Section 409A. This RSU Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”), and, accordingly, the Shares issuable pursuant to the RSUs hereunder shall be distributed to Participant no later than the later of: (i) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following Participant’s first taxable year in which such RSUs are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, and (ii) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following first taxable year of the Corporation in which such RSUs are no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture, as determined in accordance with Section 409A and any Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder. For purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), each payment that Participant may be eligible to receive under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate and distinct payment.
1.15Broker-Assisted Sales. In the event of any broker-assisted sale of Shares in connection with the payment of any Tax Withholding Obligation as provided in Section 1.2(c): (a) any Shares to be sold through a broker-assisted sale will be sold on the day the Tax Withholding Obligation arises or as soon thereafter as practicable; (b) such Shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other participants in the Plan in which all participants receive an average price; (c) Participant will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Corporation harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale; (d) to the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed the applicable Tax Withholding Obligation, the Corporation agrees to pay such excess in cash to Participant as soon as reasonably practicable; (e) Participant acknowledges that the Corporation or its designee is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy the applicable Tax Withholding Obligation;
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and (f) in the event the proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the applicable Tax Withholding Obligation, Participant agrees to pay immediately upon demand to the Corporation or its Subsidiary with respect to which the Tax Withholding Obligation arises an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any remaining portion of the Corporation’s or the applicable Subsidiary’s Tax Withholding Obligation.
1.16Paperless Administration. By accepting this RSU Award, Participant hereby agrees to receive documentation related to the RSU Award by electronic delivery, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, maintained by the Corporation or a third party designated by the Corporation.
A-5
( Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice 03-2018.doc)
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Exhibit 10.5
Performance-Based RSU Form
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED
2022 EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT NOTICE AND
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), pursuant to its 2022 Employment Inducement Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Participant”), an award of restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units” or “RSUs”) with respect to the number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock (the “Shares”). This award for Restricted Stock Units (this “RSU Award”) is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
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Participant: | |
Grant Date: | |
Grant Number: | |
Target Number of RSUs Subject to Award (“Target RSUs”): | |
Maximum Number of RSUs Subject to Award (“Maximum RSUs”): | |
Vesting Schedule: | The RSUs shall vest as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto. |
Distribution Schedule: | The RSUs shall be distributable as they vest pursuant to the Vesting Schedule. |
By his or her acceptance of this Restricted Stock Unit Grant, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and this Grant Notice. Participant has reviewed the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and the Plan. Participant has been provided with a copy or electronic access to a copy of the prospectus for the Plan. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Plan Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
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LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INC. | | PARTICIPANT |
By: By:
Print Name: Print Name:
Title:
Address
EXHIBIT A
TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS, INCORPORATED
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), has granted to Participant the right to receive the number of RSUs under the Corporation’s 2022 Employment Inducement Plan (the “Plan”) indicated in the Grant Notice, with respect to the number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock (the “Stock”). The RSU Award and this Agreement are subject to the Plan, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.
ARTICLE I.
AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
1.1Award of Restricted Stock Units; Employment Inducement Award.
(a)Award. In consideration of Participant’s agreement to commence employment with and remain in the employ of the Corporation (or a Parent or Subsidiary), and for other good and valuable consideration, the Corporation hereby grants to Participant the right to receive the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice, subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Grant Notice and the Plan (the “RSU Award”). Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share. Prior to actual issuance of any Shares, the RSUs and the RSU Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Corporation, payable only from the general assets of the Corporation.
(i)The RSUs are intended to constitute an “employment inducement” award NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), and consequently are intended to be exempt from the NASDAQ rules regarding shareholder approval of stock option and stock purchase plans or other equity compensation arrangements. This Agreement and the terms and conditions of the RSUs shall be interpreted in accordance and consistent with such exemption.
(a)Vesting. The RSUs subject to the RSU Award shall vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Grant Notice. Unless and until the RSUs have vested in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice, Participant will have no right to any distribution with respect to such RSUs. In the event of Participant’s cessation of Service for any reason, including as a result of Participant’s death or Permanent Disability, prior to the vesting of all of the RSUs, any unvested RSUs will terminate automatically without any further action by the Corporation and be forfeited without further notice and at no cost to the Corporation.
(b)Distribution of Stock.
(i)Stock shall be distributed to Participant (or in the event of Participant’s death, to his or her estate) with respect to such Participant’s vested RSUs granted to Participant pursuant to this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, within ten (10) days following each vesting date as the RSU vests pursuant to the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.
(ii)All distributions shall be made by the Corporation in the form of whole shares of Stock. In no event will fractional shares be issued upon settlement of the RSU Award. No fractional Shares shall be issued and any such fractional Shares shall be cancelled automatically and without any further action by Participant or the Corporation.
(iii)Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of Stock shall be issuable pursuant to an RSU at such times and upon such events as are specified in this Agreement only to the extent issuance under such terms will not cause the RSUs or the shares of Stock issuable pursuant to the RSUs to
be includible in the gross income of Participant under Section 409A of the Code prior to such times or the occurrence of such events, as permitted by the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder.
(c)Generally. Stock issued under the RSU Award shall be issued to Participant or Participant’s beneficiaries, as the case may be, at the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator, in either (i) uncertificated form, with the Shares recorded in the name of Participant in the books and records of the Corporation’s transfer agent with appropriate notations regarding the restrictions on transfer imposed pursuant to this Agreement; or (ii) certificate form.
1.1Taxation Representations; Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 1.1(b) hereof):
(d)Taxation Representations. Participant has reviewed with his or her own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Corporation or any of its agents. Participant understands that Participant (and not the Corporation) shall be responsible for his or her own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e)Tax Withholding Obligation. The Corporation shall not be obligated to deliver any certificate representing Shares issuable with respect to the RSUs to Participant or his or her legal representative unless and until Participant or his or her legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes applicable with respect to the taxable income of Participant resulting from the vesting of the RSUs, the distribution of the Shares issuable with respect thereto, or any other taxable event related to the RSUs (the “Tax Withholding Obligation”), provided that no payment shall be delayed under this Section 1.2(b) if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries have the authority to deduct or withhold, or require Participant to remit to the Corporation or the applicable Subsidiary, an amount sufficient to satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation.
(f)Withholding of Shares. With respect to any Tax Withholding Obligation arising in connection with the RSUs, the Corporation shall automatically withhold a net number of vested Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the RSUs having a then current Fair Market Value not exceeding the amount necessary to satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries based on the minimum applicable statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income (or such higher rate as may be determined by the Plan Administrator, which higher rate shall in no event exceed the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America)), provided that such Shares shall be rounded up to the nearest whole Share sufficient to cover the Tax Withholding Obligation to the extent rounding up to the nearest whole share does not result in the liability classification of the applicable Award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
(g)Broker Sale. In the event any Tax Withholding Obligation arising in connection with the RSUs will be satisfied under Section 1.2(c), then the Corporation may, upon approval of the Plan Administrator, elect to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Corporation for such purpose to sell on Participant’s behalf a whole number of shares from those Shares then issuable to Participant pursuant to the RSUs as the Corporation determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation and to remit the proceeds of such sale to the Corporation or the Subsidiary with respect to which the Tax Withholding Obligation arises. Participant’s acceptance of this Award constitutes Participant’s instruction and authorization to the Corporation and such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in this Section 1.2(d), including the transactions described in the previous sentence, as applicable.
(e) Participant Liable for Taxes. Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the RSUs, regardless of any action the Corporation or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any Tax Withholding Obligations that arise in connection with the RSUs. Neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of
any Tax Withholding Obligation in connection with the awarding, vesting or payment of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Corporation and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the RSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.
1.1Conditions to Issuance of Certificates The Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for any Shares prior to the fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (a) the admission of the Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Shares are then listed; (b) the completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or other governmental regulatory body, which the Plan Administrator shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem necessary and advisable; (c) the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Plan Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and (d) the lapse of any such reasonable period of time following the date the RSUs vest as the Plan Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.
ARTICLE II.
OTHER PROVISIONS
1.2RSU Award and Interests Not Transferable. This RSU Award and the rights and privileges conferred hereby, including the RSUs awarded hereunder, shall not be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Participant or his successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect.
1.3Rights as Shareholder. Neither the Participant nor any person claiming under or through the Participant shall have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of any Shares issuable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in uncertificated form) will have been issued and recorded on the books and records of the Corporation or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). After such issuance, recordation and delivery, the Participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation, including with respect to the right to vote the Shares and the right to receive any cash or share dividends or other distributions paid to or made with respect to the Shares; provided, however, that at the discretion of the Corporation, and prior to the delivery of Shares, Participant may be required to execute a shareholders agreement in such form as shall be determined by the Corporation.
1.4No Right to Continued Service. Nothing in the Plan or in this Agreement shall be interpreted to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary to terminate Participant’s employment at any time, nor confer upon Participant the right to continue in the employ of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary.
1.5Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
1.6Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Shares are to be issued, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.
1.7Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by electronic mail (with return receipt requested
and received) or fax or forty-eight (48) hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified, if to the Corporation, at its principal offices, and if to Participant, at Participant’s address, electronic mail address or fax number in the Corporation’s employee records or as subsequently modified by written notice.
1.8Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
1.9Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (a) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (b) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (c) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
1.10Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merge all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.
1.11Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Corporation’s successors and assigns. The Corporation may assign its rights under this Agreement to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation without the prior written consent of Participant. The rights and obligations of Participant under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Corporation.
1.12Section 409A. This RSU Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”), and, accordingly, the Shares issuable pursuant to the RSUs hereunder shall be distributed to Participant no later than the later of: (i) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following Participant’s first taxable year in which such RSUs are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, and (ii) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following first taxable year of the Corporation in which such RSUs are no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture, as determined in accordance with Section 409A and any Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder. For purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), each payment that Participant may be eligible to receive under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate and distinct payment.
1.13Broker-Assisted Sales. In the event of any broker-assisted sale of Shares in connection with the payment of any Tax Withholding Obligation as provided in Section 1.2(c): (a) any Shares to be sold through a broker-assisted sale will be sold on the day the Tax Withholding Obligation arises or as soon thereafter as practicable; (b) such Shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other participants in the Plan in which all participants receive an average price; (c) Participant will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Corporation harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale; (d) to the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed the applicable Tax Withholding Obligation, the Corporation agrees to pay such excess in cash to Participant as soon as reasonably practicable; (e) Participant acknowledges that the Corporation or its designee is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy the applicable Tax Withholding Obligation; and (f) in the event the proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the applicable Tax Withholding Obligation, Participant agrees to pay immediately upon demand to the Corporation or its Subsidiary with respect to which the Tax Withholding Obligation arises an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any remaining portion of the Corporation’s or the applicable Subsidiary’s Tax Withholding Obligation.
1.14Paperless Administration. By accepting this RSU Award, Participant hereby agrees to receive documentation related to the RSU Award by electronic delivery, such as a system using an
internet website or interactive voice response, maintained by the Corporation or a third party designated by the Corporation.
EXHIBIT B
TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE
PERFORMANCE-BASED VESTING
Capitalized terms used in this Exhibit B and not defined in Section 3 below shall have the meanings given them in the Agreement to which this Exhibit B is attached.
[Vesting to be specified in individual award agreement: Insert vesting.]